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MADem

(135,425 posts)

34. Those people aren't "historical leaders" of the "United States of America."

Wed Jun 24, 2015, 11:27 PM

Jun 2015

They were traitors, in essence.

Our landscape isn't dotted with monuments and highways to Benedict Arnold, either.

It's just a lousy comparison. Hell, not to Godwin the conversation, but should we put up monuments to Hitler and Rommel, too? Hitler was a leader of a force we beat roundly after a crushing war, and Rommel was one helluva military strategist.

Put the better monuments in a museum, preserved so people can see them. Take the tacky knock-offs, melt them down, and hold a contest to create a monument that honors the slaves who did the heavy lifting building this nation. Incorporate the melted down statues into this new, improved monument.

Put THAT on the doggone mall in DC.

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If we were to demolish statues of Robert Lee but not statues of Christopher Columbus [View all] Nye Bevan Jun 2015 OP

Once you start smashing statues, there's just no end. malthaussen Jun 2015 #1

Washington and Jefferson owned slaves, Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #2

That stupid talking point isn't getting any less stupid. NuclearDem Jun 2015 #3

Oh, I agree about Davis and Lee. I just want to know Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #5

Columbus is an easy add to the "dump" list. PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #8

I think it is better to recognize the real contributions people made Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #10

Columbus contributed nothing but being a pioneer in transatlantic slave trading. PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #13

That's a completely jaundiced view. He is a key figure in the creation of global capitalism. Comrade Grumpy Jun 2015 #29

At minimum, several hundred thousands were enslaved, tortured and died because of him. PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #31

"He is a key figure in the creation of global capitalism." Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #60

Would you support the bulldozing and destruction of confederate Graves? n/t oneshooter Jun 2015 #15

No, and that's quite a leap from, "stop honoring Columbus". PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #16

He only has the one talking point SwankyXomb Jun 2015 #20

He thinks he's posting a real "gotcha" question to show what "monsters" we are. PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #23

Several posters have said yes. oneshooter Jun 2015 #27

Those people aren't "historical leaders" of the "United States of America." MADem Jun 2015 #34

Everyone draws their own line seveneyes Jun 2015 #22

Christopher Columbus attacked the United States? jberryhill Jun 2015 #4

Columbus did horrible things to the indigenous people of this country. PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #7

Yes, I understand that jberryhill Jun 2015 #35

The point is RobertEarl Jun 2015 #6

I would not be surprised to learn that Snobblevitch Jun 2015 #9

once you outlaw monuments HFRN Jun 2015 #11

Good point. Columbus should go too. nt Zorra Jun 2015 #12

So we should continue to honor Lee? morningfog Jun 2015 #14

That is the only point edhopper Jun 2015 #24

Let's add him too. I'm game. Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #17

Columbus has to go, too. nt City Lights Jun 2015 #18

Good. I've always hated THE Ohio State. philosslayer Jun 2015 #21

I agree, Columbus was bad. PowerToThePeople Jun 2015 #19

what's the message edhopper Jun 2015 #25

well, unless native Americans cared about Robert E. Lee, it would send no message. kwassa Jun 2015 #26

Dude... we still allow the sale of Bacardi! Hell, rum in general should be banished! cherokeeprogressive Jun 2015 #28

The message to get sledgehammers? I say smash them alll! Smash all statues of racists!!! bravenak Jun 2015 #30

This ^ PeaceNikki Jun 2015 #32

There are other issues besides race in history... Spatened Jun 2015 #38

What about homophobic views? Kurska Jun 2015 #40

The op is related to race. bravenak Jun 2015 #41

Nope, the equivalence behind the idea is clear. Kurska Jun 2015 #42

No. You think I have to see the world on your terms. bravenak Jun 2015 #43

Everyone is required to hold logically consistent positions. Kurska Jun 2015 #44

If people were ACTUALLY required to hold logically consistant positions, the world would be perfect. bravenak Jun 2015 #48

You can feel like smashing statues. Kurska Jun 2015 #49

I'm unconcerned. bravenak Jun 2015 #50

People often are unconcerned. Kurska Jun 2015 #51

I'm just as concerned as the founders were concerned with preserving black bodies and lives bravenak Jun 2015 #53

I don't think it is as simple as you portray it. Kurska Jun 2015 #54

And Many held slaves. Rotated them in the white house to prevent them becoming free. bravenak Jun 2015 #57

Or of any of the Indian fighters immortalized in the west Warpy Jun 2015 #33

Jamestown and Plymouth 1939 Jun 2015 #37

But disease had wiped them out Warpy Jun 2015 #63

Fuck Columbus, let's do something about that real asshole Andrew Jackson CBGLuthier Jun 2015 #36

He should be the one coming off the $20 bill, not Madison from the $10 Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #58

Yep. Out of all those who grace our money he is the worst. CBGLuthier Jun 2015 #61

Doing the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the USA, a nation with no culture (almost) Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #39

Begin with small steps. Simply rename the Washington Redskins. LanternWaste Jun 2015 #45

That photo also belongs on memorials to Washington and Jefferson. Nye Bevan Jun 2015 #46

I reiterate... begin with small steps. LanternWaste Jun 2015 #47

Statues & memorials should remain. The battle flag should NOT be endorsed by govt peacebird Jun 2015 #52

An absolutely horrifying thread. earthside Jun 2015 #55

Who is doing the former? BTW: WHO calls Robert E. Lee "Robert Lee"?? WinkyDink Jun 2015 #56

How about the statue of Lenin that's in Seattle? Nuclear Unicorn Jun 2015 #59

Tear them all down mwrguy Jun 2015 #62

Destroy every monument or building that doesn't fit LeftinOH Jun 2015 #64

I have yet to see a single statue of Christopher Columbus. n/t eShirl Jun 2015 #65

Oh look. More trolling from you, pretending to be clever. nt Guy Whitey Corngood Jun 2015 #66