What about the fact that he was a straight up horrible human being? He cut off the hands of any natives who didn't bring up enough gold, sold children into sexual slavery, including giving girls of around 9 to officers under his command that pleased him. He was actually convicted of brutality and tyranny by the Spanish crown at the time, so even by the standards of the time, it was pretty brutal.
Not even counting the diseases he brought(which were not really his fault), he was still considered responsible for the genocide of the people under his command, as he worked so men and women both to the death endlessly for a generation, giving no succor to even the bare few women that gave birth to term, so in those rare occasions when a child was born it generally died because the women were not given time to feed them.
http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinncol1.html is one link, but it's included in numerous diaries of his officers, his own diary, and numerous accounts of the day.
Not sure whey we celebrate him at all, frankly. He led the way to the new world, true, but you'd have been hard pressed to find a bigger a-hole to have done so.
My theory is Asians came across the land bridge from NE Russia/Siberia into the Alaska territory after the last ice age was going away.
Then there is that other theory about the Phoenicians coming across into south America. Their cultures are far too similar to the Inca, Myan and Aztec peoples for that to be dismissed. So that seems plausible.
I do buy into both theories.
But hey, do we REALLY know? I wasn't there.
I'm a mutt with 2 of 3 proven bloodlines to the native peoples. Before that I have several proven bloodlines coming from NW Europe. Welch, Dutch, Ireland, England, et. al.
> :good:
>
> The important thing about the Spanish led by Columbus isn't that they came to the Americas, it's that they stayed.
True
Instead of Columbus Day holiday, there could have been a WASP Day that really isn't a holiday but a day you work extra hours for no pay.
> Not sure whey we celebrate him at all, frankly. He led the way to the new world, true, but you'd have been hard pressed to find a bigger a-hole to have done so.
Not sure about the seeming underlying issues here, but as was mentioned he was an explorer and a navigator and sought out a so called "new world". Now we have "new world order"...hmmmmm. Besides that, he wasn't first in line. So instead we'll call Chris Day, Sloppy Seconds Day... :-O
I'd be looking at Lewis and Clark as a national holiday, before ole' Chris. Ok, different era's, but the spirit of the adventure and exploration is what has made us where we are. I think those 2 (and crew) weren't exactly humanitarians either, just ask Sacajaweia (sp) and likely a whole boatload of other natives along the route.
Just not sure about the a-hole part. Just doing his job I suppose, proving the gang over there wrong.
I just know I couldn't go to the bank, record my surveys, or mail a letter today. Funny how every private sector business is fully open for business. hmmmm
> Instead of Columbus Day holiday, there could have been a WASP Day that really isn't a holiday but a day you work extra hours for no pay.
if you read the diaries, he went a good bit beyond just doing his job. Like I said, he was convicted and sentenced for his tyranny and brutality, and at the time it was considered perfectly legal to enslave the natives and ship them off to be sold, or do pretty much anything to them.
I would love it if we replaced Colombus day with L&C, those two were about the epitome of the american way, and great explorers to boot.
You're working?- or is it now a holiday with a different name?
Can't we have one last eurocentric indulgence?
Hey Karoly
I am attending a training next week in Omaha. On the email to all of the attendees there was a young lass with the last name of Karoly. Any relation?
Rest assured that the unions are working hard to get it back.
Wow James, you sure work quick. I'm not bringing up any P & R stuff, but it seems us jokester surveyor types have drawn off our joke pool on this. At least I have, and always thought it was one of those "huh" kind of so called holidays.
Along the same lines as WASP Day I've always wondered something, especially in light of the kind of recent actions by native americans not liking certain logos, names, mascots, etc in sports. Pro, college, even in HS. Kinda silly IMO, but certainly on front page in any paper in Anytown, USA.
Why is there not a day of recognition for the nations at large. We have Chris Day, we have Memorial Day (killing bad guys and getting killed), we have Christmas, even July 4th. Is Thanksgiving as good as it gets? Who exactly are we thanking?
For now I'll stick with making Halloween a National Holiday. I'll even settle for just one day off.
Kennewick Man
> My theory is Asians came across the land bridge from NE Russia/Siberia into the Alaska territory after the last ice age was going away.
But it wasn't a land bridge; they were 9000 year old seaman. They floated up the Columbia River.
Wow did I stir up the hornets nest.
How about some other bs holidays?
Mother's day - made up by Hallmark to enspire cards. The land-line phone companies dam sure loved that.
That went over so well so they made Fathers Day.
How about we make up some more bs holidays?
Where is my "first born" honor?
Where is my "abandoned child left with my Dad" day?
(that's for real)
DAd was too busy so Granny & Grandpa had me most of the time.
Where is my "hated step child" day?
Yeah, I'm a bit bitter about this crap.
I imagine a psychiatrist would have a hay-day with me.
Oh and since I'm on a rant.... cinco de mayo has zero to do with Mexico declaring independence from Spain.
Guess I should shut up now.
I was at work today.
We did get it back, it was just a Scharzenegger smoke screen so it looked like he slapped us.
We got two professional development days in exchange for Columbus and Lincoln (combined into Presidents Day with Washington).
Hey Karoly
I'm not sure.
It is a common Hungarian surname.
