reacquainted with history

I have a renewed interest in history. I heard, George Washington, Spymaster, casting Washington into the role of head of spies during the French-Indian War, aka 7-year war, and the Revolutionary War, where he extracts critical information from spies. The author supposes a despicable Tory was a sleeper and had helped Washington win at Trenton and other places. I am finishing John Adams, while long-winded to be sure, nonetheless confirms other statements -- likely using the same sources.

I find the Declaration of Independence interesting, especially in its creation. Committees went through and picked apart Jefferson's initial draft, eliminating emancipation of the slaves and the cold defining of King George, III as a tyrant. Other sources cast George as a fair man, who found illogic in the colonies seeking statehood. Moreover, the imperial nation of Britain could not afford little nations form in their proud dominion, especially after the investments.

In school, at some point, I categorically dismissed history as sharpening a pencil -- limited in fun, dreadful to read about and impracticable to examine for "future implications".

It is indeed a feat that the US negotiated with "hated France", continental usurper to aid in our united failing fight against Britain. While two wrongs don't make a right and manyfold wrongs are inherently evil, I think we have properly forged a right nation. Our national crimes of slavery and genocide and in many cases hypocritical law, not the stepping stones or foundation, but rather a disfigured face. Our nation was created in secrecy, God and luck prevailing us in moments of implausible triumph.

Our nation has done shameful things, yes. That is not to say that we are not wiser for it. The laws of the nation are, in whole, a chalk drawing of its people -- written by some, edited by others, ratified body the elected body. It is imperfect, but a damn fine better than others. There are biased, bigoted, and wrongfully zealous people making law and writing it ... some judging over it, but still ... I honor it with my patriotism.

It is like a grocery receipt. How many people read it to check its accuracy? Really, you assume they are doing it right and generally they are. I bitch much, moan and bemoan, and groan, but that sadly is my right. I should have picked up something like this years ago to find what we didn't have -- the time it took to get it and the blood shed to obtain it. Moreover, the blood to retain it was none more shown than in the civil war -- "a divided nation cannot stand"+.

The question isn't, "are you American", but rather, to what lengths will you go to keep America? The more difficult question is, "what is an American"?

+ Lincoln