4th of July at the LA Times: Founding Fathers "A Bunch of Racist, Slave-Owning White Men"

NewsBusters.org ^ | 4 July 2006 | Dave Pierre

[EveningStar]

Yes. They were flawed. But they set up a good system in spite of themselves. John Dos Passos once said something to the effect that America should be admired for what it *strives* to be.

[vikzilla]

Those who favored independence but were not in favor of war are not called founding fathers

Nope, they were the same talkers we see today. All talk, no action.

[dayglored]

>> We can attack this columnist but the issue remains until confronted fully, were the Founders racist and sexist?

NOT THE POINT. Of course they, and all other humans, were "flawed". They were of their own times.

Viewing their beliefs and actions from 230 years later is bound to generate claims of imperfection according to that newer context. So what?

Tell ya what. Are you (whatisthetruth) willing to be judged for your current beliefs and actions, according to a set of societal, cultural, and political rules that will exist 230 years from now? That you and I can't even imagine today?? I guarantee you that people in that future will view you -- from their much more enlightened perspective -- as:

• Unsophisticated, socially inept, intellectually limited.
• "Something"-ist that is currently a point of pride to you, but which will be shameful 200+ years from now.
• and "Something-else"-ist that hasn't been invented yet.

... and probably your lifetime achievements won't come close to the lasting effects of those of the American Founders, so you won't have that sort of legacy to lean back on either.

So the answer to your question is: "They were what they were, and if you read their own writings, you'll see that they were, in many cases, ahead of their time in becoming more enlightened as well." Judging them by today's PC standards is pointless and only intends to undercut what they did that makes it possible for you to ask that question in an online political forum.

Happy Independence Day!

[dayglored]

BTW, whatisthetruth, the same question ("Are you willing to be judged ...?") applies to me too. I wasn't picking on you as an individual, but maybe that wasn't clear. I would be just as subject to criticism from 230 years in the future.

Cheers!

[DoughtyOne]

The Pravda on the Pacific staff, have no idea how degenrate they have become. Each editorial like this just makes them look just that much more idiotic.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I hope their circulation keeps dropping.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

NYT, JULY 4: "FORMER G.I. HELD IN FOUR SLAYINGS AND RAPE IN IRAQ" (3 column above the fold picture of perp)

[2ndClassCitizen]

Actually when patriots start acting like the terrorists, which I predict will happen. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness may be questioned. The sooner the better.

[Free ThinkerNY]

Great post! The enemy within is out of touch with reality.

[AnnaZ]

Freaks. I'm not sorry that I left that stinking town, and it's sad excuse for a daily paper, behind.

[infoguy]

NYT: 3 column above the fold picture of perp

That is unbeliveable to put on the cover, with 3 columns, on the 4th of July or any other day.

[chae]

What would the Founding Fathers do?

They'd have most of the libs in this country executed for treason.

Next question?

[Semi Civil Servant]

Here's the MSM holiday publishing schedule:

New Years Day: articles and columns on how bad the coming year will be if Republicans continue in power.

Presidents' Day: articles and columns pointing out the flaws of various Presidents.

Easter: articles and columns questioning the Resurrection.

Memorial Day: articles and columns questioning current military commitments made by Republicans (Democrat commitments OK).

July 4th: articles and columns proclaiming hatred of America.

Labor Day: articles and columns on unemployment "crisis" (during years with Republican Presidents; during years with Democrat Presidents, articles and columns on unprecedented prosperity).

Thanksgiving: articles and columns on the "homeless" and those who have "slipped through the safety net".

Christmas: articles and columns questioning the birth of Jesus.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[decal]

Re: tagline.

¡The latest winner of The "You Made Decal Spew" Award, señoras y señores!

[Brimack34]

And Brian williams called them no differnet than terrorists.

[decal]

There are just not enough "Repo Man" references in FR. Many thanks for the beginning of the rectification.

[infoguy]

MSM holiday publishing schedule ...

Exactly!

[norton]

The L.A. Times:
Even their Sunday crossword sucks.
(Which inadvertently identifies the ONLY good thing about "the other Times")

[Razz Barry]

Quite unlike those noble Aztecs.

Don't forget the Africans. African chieftains would behead a few of their slaves to celebrate a good nights sleep. They were peeved when the west outlawed slavery and couldn't understand why we would think it a bad thing. Generations after whites outlawed slavery it continues in parts of Africa.