The No History Channel

This is another one of those times that I have finally gotten frustrated enough to write on a particular topic.

Why is it that there is rarely if ever actual history on "The No History Channel?"

"Ice Road Truckers," "Mountain Men," "Mud Cats" and "Swamp People" do NOT qualify as history in my book and neither do "Ancient Aliens!"

There was a time, not that long ago, when one could count on being able to turn on the TV on a Friday night, tune into "The No History Channel,"  and watch a documentary on the Revolution, or perhaps the Presidents of the United States, or even about "How the States Got Their Shapes."  To be fair, in the not to distant past, I did know some people who referred to  "The No History Channel"  as "The World War II Channel" because of the number of WWII documentaries, but at least that was History!  And also to be fair, "Pawn Stars" does discuss the History of the items that people are coming in to pawn or sell, but that seems to be the only current History show.  One would think that with a channel named,  "The No History Channel,"  one could turn to that channel at any point in time, and see something about, well, History!

I am not the only person who has noticed.  Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), after "tweeting" about the lack of history on  "The No History Channel," responded to an inquiry by the Washington Examiner on the subject:

“I love history,” Grassley wrote. “A better understanding is going to strengthen our country. It’s going to strengthen patriotism.” Plus this non-history programming represents an unfulfilled promise by the network. “When I signed up for the History Channel on my satellite service, I expected to get history,” he said. “Instead, all I see are people chopping wood or driving trucks on an icy road.”

Worse still for "The No History Channel"- Matt Parker and Trey Stone noticed.  When the change is significant enough that "South Park" makes fun of you, you have really accomplished something!

The No History Channel

So, They Say I may be a Terrorist?

Apparently, according to a new report on terrorism, my Government thinks that I may be a terrorist.

Hot Spots of Terrorism and Other Crimes in the United States, 1970-2008 from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism classifies those of us that are "suspicious of centralized government authority" and "reverent of individual liberty" as "extreme right wing" terrorists.

Suspicious of centralized government authority?  I seem to remember Thomas Jefferson as being not just suspicious but down right FRIGHTENED of a strong centralized Government.  Ben Franklin, John Adams, and George Washington were all rather reverent of individual liberty.

The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism was started with a grant from the US Government (specifically, Department of Homeland Security).  However, they seem to have forgotten about the Founders of that Government.

Or are Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and the other Founding Fathers all terrorist too?

So, They Say I may be a Terrorist?

Happy Independence Day- Not Happy 4th

"We hold these truths to be self evident..."

Several times this morning, I have heard something that bothers me.   It is not "spin" on particular legislation.  It is not the latest theory of why a Justice voted the way he did.  It is not an interpretation of some obscure policy or Executive Order.

 

It was being told "Happy 4th of July"

"...that All men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..."

Over the years, it seems to me that almost every one of our Holidays has lost meaning.   Merry Christmas has been replaced by Happy Holidays in an effort to become more "sensitive" and "politically correct."   Thanksgiving has become less about a day of thanks and time with family and more about looking at the store ads, who is opening when for Black Friday, and what is the plan to make the most of the biggest shopping day of the year.  Memorial Day has ceased to be a day where we remember the fallen, or visit the graves of the departed, and has become "the Official Launch of Summer." 

Unfortunately, as have gone these aforementioned days, so is going Independence Day.

"...that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..."

    

Of all Holiday's on the American Calendar, Independence Day is unique.   With Independence Day, no American can complain of "religious" overtones as they do with Christmas and for a few Thanksgiving.   It is not about whether one supports the Troops or necessarily remembering those who gave "the last full measure of devotion."   It is not a day where we celebrate our right to freely assemble and associate ourselves with others like us to demand concessions in the workplace (Labor Day- for those who have forgotten the original intent of that day as well).  Nor is it a day set aside for the celebration of the foundations of Christianity.   

Rather it is the day we set aside to Celebrate the foundation of those Rights that secure our Freedoms to Celebrate or Protest all other Holidays.

"...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the Consent of the Governed..."

Independence Day is just that…the day where we celebrate our Independence.   Recently, a radio show I listen to was talking about the US Citizenship test that immigrants are required to pass before they become citizens and how many natural born Citizens would fail that test.   That conversation caused me to question how many know what it is we celebrate on Independence Day. 

 

We are not celebrating the beginning of the Revolution- that began in 1775.   We are not celebrating the birth of our Republic as the Republic was not truly formed until the Constitution was ratified in 1789.   We are not even celebrating the founding of our Government, for it can well be argued that our first Government, under the Articles of Confederation, was a dismal failure.  Most shocking of all, we are not even celebrating the day when the Continental Congress voted to Declare Independence from the Crown (John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail after the vote to declare independence,  “The second of July 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival”).  New York did not approve the Declaration until July 19, 1776, and the actual signing (for most of the signers) was on August 2, 1776.

We celebrate Independence Day on July 4^th because on that day the final wording was approved, and the document was sent to be printed and distributed to We the People.

“…That these united Colonies, are and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States…

Independence Day is about Freedom.  It is about those freedoms which are established in our Constitution and excercised each and every day by each and every one of us, no matter our Political, Religious, or other affiliations.  It is about the hundreds of thousands who shed their blood and gave their lives, to fight for the very freedoms we exercise when we disagree with each other and our Government.  It is about Celebrating the right to express our selves and our differences.  And yes, it is about Celebrating the Freedom to say, “Happy 4^th of July” instead of “Happy Independence Day.”

Gone are the days where Independence Day was celebrated by the whole town, gathering in the square, listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence and firing the brass cannon in front of the court house.   But the reason for our celebrations remain, the right to be Free and Independent. 

So the next time someone wishes a “Happy 4^th,” reply, “Happy Independence Day”

“…for support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Devine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes , and our sacred Honor.”

Happy Independence Day- Not Happy 4th