I originally published a shorter version
of this in August 2014. The post
attempts to identify the many fallacies that I (or many) generally were taught
– mostly, but not totally, regarding history.
I have decided to create a standalone page on this theme; I continue to
write a good amount along revisionist lines.
I will update this page accordingly.
All is for the best
Believe in what we’re told
Blind men in the market
Buying what we’re sold
Neil
Peart
…history is a constant progression – onward
and upward.
…the people of
Central Asia played no meaningful role in history.
…the Dark Ages were…dark
and technologically
backward.
…the Middle Ages offered lawlessness
and barbarity.
…the brutality
of the Middle Ages was due to Catholicism.
…the Catholic Church ruined
western civilization.
…the Reformation
brought us religious liberty.
…the Renaissance was a
renaissance.
…the Enlightenment was enlightened.
…equality
is the guiding star.
…King George was
a tyrant.
…Americans fought
for independence.
…Americans won
their independence.
…the founding fathers were
selfless.
…the United States was historically always
open to all immigrants.
…government exists
to protect my life and property.
…the time during the Articles of Confederation was
chaotic.
…a written
constitution is a check on government expansion.
…the Constitution protects
my rights.
…Thomas Jefferson favored
a smaller central government.
…America was never
about Empire.
…Lincoln saved the
Union.
…Lincoln cared
about the slaves.
…Lincoln was honest.
…the West
was wild.
…war was always hell.
…Japan’s aggression in Asia was
a shock to the US government.
…it was the assassination
of the Archduke that was the cause of the Great War
…the Great War was inevitable.
…democracy represents the
best form of government.
…democracies are reluctant
to go to war.
…laissez-faire capitalism caused the great
depression.
…Hoover was a do-nothing president.
…the modern nation-state is the best
protector of person and property.
…there was no famine in Ukraine.
…Stalin was not as bad as
Hitler.
…Germany is solely
to blame for World War II in Europe.
…Stalin was minding
his own business when Hitler invaded.
…Stalin was a victim of Hitler’s
aggression.
…National Socialism was contrary
to all western values.
…US
sympathy for China was a major reason for entering the Pacific war.
…Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was
a surprise.
…World War II ended
the depression.
…World War II was the
good war.
…World War II was fought by the
greatest generation.
…D-Day
turned the tide of the war in Europe.
...Germany was the only combatant to commit
atrocities in Europe.
…the west never commits acts
of terrorism.
…the atomic bombs ended
the war.
…the atomic bombs saved one
million lives.
…the Nuremberg Trials were the epitome
of justice.
…Jews willingly
immigrated to Palestine.
…Zionists peacefully
acquired land from the Palestinian
Arabs.
…history marks a continuous
advance in civilization.
…the US government would
stand against world government.
…the US military fights for my
freedom.
…the US military fights for the freedom of other,
less fortunate, people.
…the global presence of the US military is
an unwanted burden.
…the United States is bringing peace and salvation
to the world.
…wars are fought to bring democracy to the Middle
East.
…wars are fought for oil.
…foreign wars are almost…romantic.
…they died so that we
could be free.
…JFK was shot by a
lone nut.
…blowback
started with 911…or maybe the Iran Hostage situation.
…Muhammad
Ali was not patriotic.
…by saving and working hard, you will retire
into the American dream.
…money and banking must be managed
by the state.
…central bankers are servants
of the people.
…monetary policy can be neutral.
…the United States is an exceptional
nation.
…the United States is a
nation of laws, not men.
…there is a meaningful
difference between democrats and republicans.
…a third
party would provide the solution.
…CATO is a friend
of liberty.
…Milton Friedman was a free-market
economist.
…central banking is not central
planning.
…central banks are
necessary to regulate markets.
…nineteen men could bring down three towers with two planes.
…they hate us for
our freedom.
…the modern west offers the
pinnacle of culture and civilization.
…a police officer’s job is to protect and
to serve.
…the US is fighting
ISIS in Iraq.
…the Cold
War ended in 1991, but Russia still
wants war.
…the European Union is dedicated
to peace.
…free speech is a black
or white issue.
…libertarianism is sufficient
for liberty.
…the separation of church and state isn’t all
it’s cracked up to be.
…soccer
is a boring sport.
…there would always be another
RUSH concert….
Life is strange. I'm nearly 75 and only now perhaps almost nearly about prepared to raise a kid. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I didn't!
If I could make a recommendation regarding the JFK assassination, do a search for "Sean Murphy Prayer Man".
ReplyDeleteWhether Mr. Murphy's arguments are persuasive or not, reading through his arguments involves learning a lot of information not normally discussed (at least, that was the case for me).
This is such a great list and resource, and I've only scratched the surface.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ATL. I should probably update this soon, along with the Bibliography and Libertarians & Culture tabs.
DeleteDon't know how I never spotted this list before, but I agree with ATL, it's a great list. Thanks for updating it. Wish I has seen it while I was on holiday, though. Now I'm going to have to read some of it while I'm at work!
DeleteThanks, Jeff.
DeleteIt is certain, things are not always as they appear or we are taught and the propaganda continues, largely unnoticed and/or unchallenged when it is. That old axiom "too soon old, too late smart" is more than a simple cliche.
ReplyDeleteMy two Medieval History courses had 3 five page essays each semester always with the same topic: Explain how the Catholic Church founded Western Civilization. Me thinks the old professor was correct.
ReplyDeleteAnd i do agree with the above axiom "too soon old, too late smart." I was 37 when ignorance hit me and 50 before i fully knew how the modern world works. But we should give ourselves a break. We are all born naked, totally helpless, and totally ignorant.
And totally manipulated. It is amazing that any of us figure out even a portion of the evil confronting us.
Delete