On this glorious Monday in October, we celebrate a great explorer, Christopher Columbus. And while it is true he had many faults, he also was very brave and fearless as any mariner roaming the world in tiny ships at sea had to be. But he also had a yen for his destiny, to travel far and explore the earth to find out what was out there. And he did so well and, for that, we celebrate his life on this day. And I would ask any of you who want to criticize him, to put yourselves in his shoes of his time and day, and you cannot fail to recognize his accomplishments or you are just a fool.
Shown here is a scale reproduction of the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus' flagship which led his three ship fleet to the New World. A merchant ship of its day known as a carrack, it weighed in at 400-600 tons and was approximately 75 feet in length. By today's standards it was tiny and it was tasked with completing the treacherous voyage across the Atlantic, a voyage which took about two months in duration and was fraught with unknown danger.
At the time little was known about the world's geography, Columbus and explorers of his time thought by sailing west across the Atlantic they would eventually run into China and the Far East. They had no conception of the large continent in between, North America, or the expanse of the Pacific Ocean beyond. So when they found Cuba three months later they thought it was China and they suspected that the Isle of Hispaniola, where he established his first colony, was likely Japan.
Columbus' efforts started the impetus by Spain, England and France to explore the western seas as they knew there was a wealth of treasure awaiting. All of us of past English, Spanish or French descent, as well as all Europeans who came to this great land, likely would not be here now had it not been for such great explorers who braved the elements to expand their national horizons. And for the anti-Columbus movements of those agitators who are in significant number today, they suffer from either jealousy or are angry that America grew from this early beginning and they want to void it with a rewrite of history. I say that they are way past that point in time and need to focus on something that is worthwhile other than hate. You can't put the truth back in a bottle just because you don't like it. The adventurous nature of man has led to great explorations since he was created, spreading his culture to places previously not imagined. This spirit and adventure is what led to the greatness that became America, the most noble experiment in government the world has ever known. So it's time to get over it and face the truth instead of fabricating a substitute.
So, on this day in history, let's celebrate, not scorn, the brave adventures of Columbus and how he paved the way to America's future. And for those of you who celebrate Indigenous People's Day I say good for you. But history is history and life is life and political correctness, an attempt to rewrite history to support a dogma that is mostly alien in America, can never take away from the truth of history, exemplified by events and feats by men such as Columbus. Thank God he came. And maybe there is another good point to be made. Perhaps all of those politically correct ivy covered tower professors should have to leave the comfort of their beautiful campus lives and simulate the experience like Columbus and his men went through in the days gone by. Maybe, just maybe they would appreciate their courage and bravery instead of trying to change history to a pie in the sky notebook of rubbish. Or maybe they would just be lost at sea. Either way, I think the world would be better off for it. Just a thought, folks, just a thought.
Shown here is a scale reproduction of the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus' flagship which led his three ship fleet to the New World. A merchant ship of its day known as a carrack, it weighed in at 400-600 tons and was approximately 75 feet in length. By today's standards it was tiny and it was tasked with completing the treacherous voyage across the Atlantic, a voyage which took about two months in duration and was fraught with unknown danger.
At the time little was known about the world's geography, Columbus and explorers of his time thought by sailing west across the Atlantic they would eventually run into China and the Far East. They had no conception of the large continent in between, North America, or the expanse of the Pacific Ocean beyond. So when they found Cuba three months later they thought it was China and they suspected that the Isle of Hispaniola, where he established his first colony, was likely Japan.
Columbus' efforts started the impetus by Spain, England and France to explore the western seas as they knew there was a wealth of treasure awaiting. All of us of past English, Spanish or French descent, as well as all Europeans who came to this great land, likely would not be here now had it not been for such great explorers who braved the elements to expand their national horizons. And for the anti-Columbus movements of those agitators who are in significant number today, they suffer from either jealousy or are angry that America grew from this early beginning and they want to void it with a rewrite of history. I say that they are way past that point in time and need to focus on something that is worthwhile other than hate. You can't put the truth back in a bottle just because you don't like it. The adventurous nature of man has led to great explorations since he was created, spreading his culture to places previously not imagined. This spirit and adventure is what led to the greatness that became America, the most noble experiment in government the world has ever known. So it's time to get over it and face the truth instead of fabricating a substitute.
So, on this day in history, let's celebrate, not scorn, the brave adventures of Columbus and how he paved the way to America's future. And for those of you who celebrate Indigenous People's Day I say good for you. But history is history and life is life and political correctness, an attempt to rewrite history to support a dogma that is mostly alien in America, can never take away from the truth of history, exemplified by events and feats by men such as Columbus. Thank God he came. And maybe there is another good point to be made. Perhaps all of those politically correct ivy covered tower professors should have to leave the comfort of their beautiful campus lives and simulate the experience like Columbus and his men went through in the days gone by. Maybe, just maybe they would appreciate their courage and bravery instead of trying to change history to a pie in the sky notebook of rubbish. Or maybe they would just be lost at sea. Either way, I think the world would be better off for it. Just a thought, folks, just a thought.
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