american civil war

Two populists: Andrew Jackson and Donald Trump

Trump’s comments about the Civil War are mocked when they should be discussed

By / 22 Comments / 9 May 2017

Summary: Liberals loudly condemned Trump’s remarks about Andrew Jackson and the Civil War. They should have thought instead of talked. We can learn much from looking at our long struggle with slavery, obscured as it is by centuries of myth-making. Trump was correct. The role of Andrew Jackson provides a useful perspective on this, with lessons …

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"Lee Considered" by Alan T. Nolan

The Cult of the offense returns: why we’re losing the long war, & how to win

By / 23 Comments / 18 December 2018

Summary: We cannot escape history. It offers lessons to guide us. It’s deployed as propaganda to mislead us. Successful strategy requires distinguishing between the two. Our long war, so far a series of defeats, provides examples of both. We can do better in the future if only we’d pay attention. “As we shall show, defense …

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On this important date let’s remember the past and look forward to our future

By / 1 Comment / 2 June 2013

Summary:  On this day in 1781 the America Republic was born in the midst of war. Here we review its evolution, and the latest stage — which looks like the largest step yet. At some point incremental steps create something new, something different. Science Fiction Shows a Possible Future for America “So this is how …

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American faux history: why did the South leave the Union?

By / 32 Comments / 16 September 2018

Summary:  The history of the State-sponsored oppression of Black Americans (1776-1964) is the story about one of our two great national sins.  Rather than confess and repent, many Americans prefer to take refuge in lies (the other, our treatment of Native Americans, is resolved by amnesia).  However comforting, this both divides us and diminishes our ability to see ourselves clearly …

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American faux history: could we have avoided the Civil War?

By / 43 Comments / 23 July 2013

Summary:  The campaign of Ron Paul reminds us of two of the three great lies that comprise such a large fraction of American history: slavery, stealing land from the Indians, and the role of government in US economic development.  These not only exacerbate divisions in our society but provide a weak foundation for us — preventing us from clearly …

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