I originally published a shorter version of this in August
2014. The post
attempts to identify the many fallacies that I (or many) generally were taught
– mostly, but not totally, regarding history. I have decided to
create a standalone page on this theme; I continue to write a good amount along
revisionist lines. I will update this page accordingly.
All is
for the best
Believe
in what we’re told
Blind
men in the market
Buying
what we’re sold
Neil
Peart
…history is a constant
progression – onward and upward.
…the people of Central Asia played no
meaningful role in history.
…the Dark Ages were…dark and technologically backward.
…the Middle Ages offered lawlessness and barbarity.
…the brutality of the Middle Ages was due to
Catholicism.
…the Catholic Church ruined western civilization.
…the Reformation brought us religious liberty.
…the Renaissance was a renaissance.
…the Enlightenment was enlightened.
…equality is the guiding star.
…King George was a tyrant.
…Americans fought for independence.
…Americans won their independence.
…the founding fathers were selfless.
…the United States was
historically always open to all immigrants.
…government exists to protect my life and property.
…the time during the Articles
of Confederation was chaotic.
…a written constitution is a check on
government expansion.
…the Constitution protects my rights.
…Thomas Jefferson favored a
smaller central government.
…America was never about Empire.
…Lincoln saved the Union.
…Lincoln cared about the slaves.
…Lincoln was honest.
…the West was wild.
…war was always hell.
…Japan’s aggression in
Asia was a shock to the US government.
…it was the assassination of the Archduke that was
the cause of the Great War
…the Great War was inevitable.
…democracy represents the best form of government.
…democracies are reluctant to go to war.
…laissez-faire capitalism caused the great depression.
…Hoover was a do-nothing
president.
…the modern nation-state is
the best protector of person and property.
…there was no famine in Ukraine.
…Stalin was not as bad as Hitler.
…Germany is solely to blame for World War II in
Europe.
…Stalin was minding his own business when Hitler
invaded.
…Stalin was a victim of Hitler’s aggression.
…National Socialism was contrary to all western values.
…US sympathy for China was a major reason
for entering the Pacific war.
…Japan’s attack on Pearl
Harbor was a surprise.
…World War II ended the
depression.
…World War II was the good war.
…World War II was fought
by the greatest generation.
…D-Day turned the tide of the war in
Europe.
...Germany was the only
combatant to commit atrocities in Europe.
…the west never commits acts of terrorism.
…the atomic bombs ended the war.
…the atomic bombs saved one million lives.
…the Nuremberg Trials were
the epitome of justice.
…Jews willingly immigrated to Palestine.
…Zionists peacefully acquired land from the Palestinian Arabs.
…history marks a continuous advance in civilization.
…the US government would stand against world government.
…the US military fights
for my freedom.
…the US military fights for the
freedom of other, less fortunate, people.
…the global presence of the US
military is an unwanted burden.
…the United States is bringing
peace and salvation to the world.
…wars are fought to bring democracy
to the Middle East.
…wars are fought for oil.
…foreign wars are almost…romantic.
…they died so that we could be free.
…JFK was shot by a lone nut.
…blowback started with 911…or maybe the
Iran Hostage situation.
…Muhammad Ali was not patriotic.
…by saving and working hard,
you will retire into the American dream.
…money and banking must
be managed by the state.
…central bankers are servants of the people.
…monetary policy can be neutral.
…the United States is an exceptional nation.
…the United States is a nation of laws, not men.
…there is a meaningful difference between democrats and
republicans.
…a third party would provide the solution.
…CATO is a friend of liberty.
…Milton Friedman was a free-market economist.
…central banking is not central planning.
…central banks are necessary to regulate markets.
…nineteen men could bring
down three
towers with two planes.
…they hate us for our freedom.
…the modern west offers the pinnacle of culture and civilization.
…a police officer’s job
is to protect and to serve.
…Christians are a peace-loving
people.
…Christians are to obey
their government.
…the US is fighting ISIS in Iraq.
…the Cold War ended in 1991, but Russia still wants war.
…the European Union is dedicated to peace.
…free speech is a black or white issue.
…libertarianism is sufficient for liberty.
…the separation of church and
state isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
…soccer is a boring sport.
…there would always be another RUSH concert….