History #348
By Hank Silverberg
Commentary
This blog is a day late this week because I spent the weekend in the past. After living in Virginia for 30 years, my wife and I finally decided it was time to take a trip to Yorktown and Jamestown, two Virginia communities that played key roles in our country's history.
I was inspired to do so when I read that the Smithsonian had changed the display on the presidency to remove references to the two impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.
The President has been trying to reinterpret history, to remove anything negative about the United States, in the best tradition of authoritarians like Hitler and Stalin. So I wanted to get to Yorktown and Jamestown before he had a chance to force some revisions.
The Yorktown museum was impressive, with a large number of displays and a great film about the battle and its significance. But I was a bit disappointed with the actual battlefield, which seemed a bit neglected with over grown vegetation and and poorly done visual interpretations.
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| (Redoubt 10 at Yorktown, captured by troops led by Alexander Hamilton.) |
Jamestown was much better. The two ships, replicas of Discovery and Godspeed, two of the three ships which brought the original settlers to Jamestown in 1607, were very impressive.
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| (Replica of Godspeed, one of 3 ships that brought settlers to Jamestown) |
I was particularly impressed with the detail inside the museum which did NOT whitewash the troubles the settlers had, and their failures. Jamestown was a private venture designed to bring its investors a profit. It didn't. It failed, and King James I had to make Virginia a Royal British Colony to save it from extinction. Yes, it was the government taking over a private company. I wondered what today's right-wing would say about that.
Tobacco farming from the hard work of indentured servants and African slaves eventually saved the colony of Virginia, but also created an economy that would plague America for the next 250 years, and perpetuate a system that we still struggle with today.
Why did I write about this little vacation? On the way home we also stopped at Cold Harbor and Gain's Mill, the sites of two bloody Civil War battles. I have been to 15 Civil War battlefields and once you walk the ground, the entire polarization of our country from 1607 to today comes into better focus and sets you up for a better understanding of a nation we could easily destroy if we don't work harder to heal the divisions.
(Note. I took all the above pictures)
News You May Have Missed
No Rose Garden
Well, Donald Trump never promised us one and now he has taken away the famous rose garden at the White House. It has now been paved over with concrete to form a white stone patio. Trump complained the old rose garden was always soggy and muddy and impractical for things like outdoor news conferences, even though it had hosted such events at the executive mansion since 1913.
(The old Rose Garden)
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| (The new one, Getty Images) |
This is just the beginning of changes Trump wants at the White House. He announced plans last week for a $200 million massive ballroom to be built on the east wing of the building. He vowed to pay for that with his own money and private donations. Construction will begin in September.
Trump has also made over the Oval Office with gold embroidery (which my wife says is tasteless) and has installed two very towering flag poles on the north and south lawns.
Watch Out For A New Scam
Here's a scam warning I picked up from another blog. If you are one of those people who use your phone to pay for parking at a meter on the street, you had better beware. The QR code on the meter may be the work of a scammer who will steal the money you thought was paying for parking.
You can usually use a credit or debit card these days, but my suggestion---carry a roll of quarters and feed the meter when possible.
Dumbest Quote of The Week
I was on vacation and not paying attention. I am sure you know one you can share. If so, forward it to me. I promise a good one for next week.
(You suggestions and comments are welcome)
My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at: HankSilverberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
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Excellent Hank, very thoughtful, indeed thank you for being so informative
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