In a column published by Teen Vogue titled, “How I Feel As a Native Woman When Trump Idolizes Andrew Jackson,” Adrienne Keene writes…
“For some reason, under a (Donald) Trump presidency, Andrew Jackson has been resurrected, and continues to be held up as someone to idolize. I can’t even tell you how awful that feels as a Native woman each time his legacy is manipulated and polished, and each time the atrocities he orchestrated are ignored and pushed aside.”
Jackson is idolized in American history for a number of reasons, not the least of which was his brilliant and totally unexpected successful defense of New Orleans against the British in the War of 1812.
Anyway, Ms. Keene went on to claim that in battles against the Creek and Seminole tribes in the early 1800’s, Jackson “and his men wiped out entire villages, physically slaughtering Native men, women, and children.”
However, the notion being put forward by historical revisionists such as Ms. Keene that the Indians – er, sorry, Native Americans – of Jackson’s day were nothing but genteel pacifists gathering berries by a stream and bothering no one isn’t exactly accurate.
I’m just now finishing up a new book given to me by a good friend and longtime subscriber, Steve Brown, titled “The War of 1812: Conflict and Deception.” And if we’re going to talk about “atrocities” during Jackson’s era, we need include discussion of the Fort Mims Massacre that brought Jackson into the picture in the first place…
“Spurred on by arms and a promise of five dollars a scalp from the British agent in Pensacola, bloodthirsty Creek Indians massed, attacked, and massacred an entire American community living in the protection of the newly constructed Fort Mims, just north of Mobile, Alabama.“On August 30, at noon, within the presumably safe confines of Fort Mims, the drum had just called the soldiers to dinner, as the rest of the 553 settlers went about their activities on that hot summer day. ‘Some were playing cards; the girls and young men were dancing, while a hundred thoughtless and happy children sported from door to door, and from tent to tent.’“That drum call for dinner also signaled one thousand painted and liberally armed Creek warriors to rise up from their hiding place in a defile of a ravine just four hundred yards from the open gate at Fort Mims. They raced across the open ground, led by their black-faced prophets, and poured through the gate, avoiding a panicked attempt by a soldier to close it.“Their attack and accompanying butchery lasted five hours. Every house was set aflame, and the terrified men, women and children in a final fortified house were now exposed to the weapons of the attackers.“’The bastion was broken down, the helpless inmates were butchered in the quickest manner, and blood and brains bespattered the whole earth. The children were seized by the legs and killed by beating their heads against the stockading. The women were scalped, and those who were pregnant were opened, while they were alive, and the embryo infants let out of the womb.’“Only a few people escaped alive to tell the story, but all who did describe the same scene of horror.”
It was Andrew Jackson who was sent to defend and protect American settlers. He ultimately defeated the Creek barbarians at the now-infamous Hickory Ground camp/compound in 1814. His battles during the Indian wars, and the horrors of the Fort Mims Massacre, surely influenced the future president’s perception of Ms. Keene’s ancestors, and not exactly in a favorable light.
The bottom line: There are two sides to every story. And the revisionist side should not automatically be taken at face value. In this case, “atrocities” were committed by both sides. For intellectually honest historical analysis, context must always be considered.
And that concludes today's American History lesson.
Cheers.
Dr. Chuck Muth, PsD
Professor of Psephology (homeschooled)
Nevada’s #1 Irritator of Liberals and RINOs
HEADLINES
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NEVADA NEWS & VIEWS
* A couple months ago I believed Nevada U.S. Sen. Dean Heller was a shoo-in for re-election in 2018. And I still believe he’s a shoo-in to be the GOP’s nominee. But I’m no longer so sure he’s a slam dunk in the general – and that’s without knowing who the Dems are going to put up against him.
Heller’s “No Labels” tri-partisanship, as exhibited at a recent town hall meeting, is killing him with his conservative base – many of whom still haven’t forgotten or forgiven him for being a “Never Trumper.”
While those conservatives won’t vote for the Democrat candidate, they could very well take a page out of Heller’s own book and vote for a third-party candidate or “None of the Above.” And in a close race, that could well be the difference between remaining in DC as Nevada’s senior senator…or being sent packing.
* Robert Uithoven, the chief political consultant for Attorney General Adam Laxalt – who everyone expects to run for governor next year – has set up an independent PAC for Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson. It’s widely believed the PAC was established to set the stage for Roberson to run for lieutenant governor in 2018.
Also eying the LG seat is said to be former State Assemblywoman Victoria Seaman - who lost her bid for the State Senate last November after voting forNINE tax hikes in the 2015 legislative session despite signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Seaman is telling folks she plans to fund her campaign primarily with the proceeds from the sale of a luxury home in California.
* Back to Roberson: The Las Vegas state senator sponsored and ushered through one of the more significant bills of the 2015 session; a bill that pretty much flew undetected under the radar. That bill prohibits lobbyists from plying legislators with ANY goodies whatsoever – even a free bottle of Brent Jones’ Real Water!
Anyone even remotely familiar with the Law of Reciprocity knows that ANYgift of ANY value can unduly influence ANYONE. As such, Roberson’s bill wasPRICELESS in pursuit of good government.
Outrageously, this week the Nevada State Assembly voted 41-0 (AssemblymanRichard Carrillo was absent) on a bill (AB396) to gut this gift ban and allow lobbyists to once again pay for legislators’ meals or happy hour cocktails.
Absolutely shameful. Let’s hope the Senate kills this.
ACTION ALERT!
In short, Senate Bill 149 would allow un-elected Regional Transportation Commissions (RTC) to recommend tax hikes be placed on the ballot by county commissioners rather than going through the state Legislature or the process of gathering signatures.
The bill is co-sponsored by tax-hiking RINO State Sen. Scott Hammond and was approved by the Senate this week by a vote of 20-1. Only conservative State Sen. Don Gustavson voted against this latest effort to increase taxes.
Say “NO” to SB149! Just click on this link: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/
1.) Enter the bill number2.) Click either the “Against” button3.) Enter any general comments you’d like to share (not required)4.) Enter your name and address (phone and email address are not required)5.) Hit the “Submit” button.
Thank you for taking time to participate in the governing process.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
“I've been given more enemas by more people over the last eight years than you can possibly imagine. From the Secret Service to the Democratic Party. I am who I am. If they had something really scandalous, it would've come out a long, long time ago." - Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), colorfully denying that a scandal is forcing him from office (h/t Morning Score)
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