An Oklahoma Republican representative defended a PragerU Kids video on national television that is part of the state’s elementary school curriculum. The video, “Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World,” features cartoon characters interviewing Columbus and discussing his actions, including slavery. Critics like Brett Chapman and Jabee Williams have condemned the video as racist and minimizing the horrors of slavery. Representative Woolley defended the video as a supplemental educational tool, claiming its remarks about slavery were being misconstrued and that the video aims to provide context about Columbus’s actions within a historical setting.
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OK Rep. defends history cartoon claiming slavery was ‘better than being killed’ is a truly disheartening headline, isn’t it? It’s the kind of statement that makes you question the very foundations of historical understanding and basic human decency. The fact that a public official would defend a narrative that frames slavery as a preferable outcome is not just wrong, it’s a profound betrayal of the values this nation claims to hold.
It appears this defense stems from a cartoon series aimed at children, a partnership between the Oklahoma State Department of Education and PragerU. This is particularly concerning, given the influence such content can have on young, impressionable minds.… Continue reading
President Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian and his efforts to remove “woke” narratives from museums mirror the Nazi’s suppression of modern art and dissenting voices. Trump’s administration initiated a review of Smithsonian institutions, aiming to promote “American exceptionalism” and eliminate “divisive” historical interpretations. This approach echoes the Nazi’s campaign against “degenerate art” and their attempts to control cultural institutions. The author raises concerns about the potential impact on the Smithsonian, drawing parallels to the choices made by museum officials during the Nazi era and the importance of resisting such pressures.
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White House official Lindsey Halligan, leading a review of the Smithsonian Institution, stated during a Newsmax appearance that discussions about slavery should include “hope and progress.” This comes after Halligan wrote to the Smithsonian Secretary announcing a “comprehensive internal review” of selected museums and exhibitions, prompted by President Trump’s criticism of the Smithsonian as “WOKE.” The review will focus on several museums including the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Smithsonian responded by affirming its commitment to factual and accurate historical presentations while stating they would continue to collaborate with the White House.
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The former president has initiated a review of the Smithsonian Institution, deeming it “WOKE” and “OUT OF CONTROL”. Trump’s criticism centers on the museums’ focus on historical shortcomings, particularly slavery, instead of highlighting success. This review follows similar actions against universities and is part of a larger effort to shape narratives about American history, with some questioning whether he understands the concept of a museum. The move has sparked controversy and raised concerns about historical revisionism, especially as it aligns with other recent interventions in institutions of learning and the arts.
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The White House is conducting a review of the Smithsonian Museum’s exhibits related to the United States’ 250th anniversary. This review, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, seeks to ensure the exhibits align with the administration’s interpretation of American history, encompassing exhibition text, online content, and curatorial processes. This initiative follows an executive order mandating exhibits be “accurate, patriotic, and enlightening.” Previously, the Smithsonian removed and then re-added references to Donald Trump’s impeachments, with modifications to the descriptions of events surrounding his second impeachment.
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US to rewrite its past national climate reports: Well, this is a real kick in the teeth, isn’t it? The idea of the US rewriting its past national climate reports… it’s a thought that just hangs in the air, heavy with implications. It feels like a direct challenge to everything we understand about science, historical accuracy, and, frankly, the future. The core concern seems to be about the integrity of information itself, the fear that factual data is being twisted to serve a specific agenda. This isn’t just about numbers and graphs; it’s about trust, about the very foundation upon which we build our understanding of the world and, more importantly, how we plan to preserve it.… Continue reading
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History quietly removed mentions of Donald Trump’s two impeachments from its “American Presidency” exhibit, reverting to its pre-2008 version. This decision, which now only references impeachments of Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton, allegedly came after pressure from the Trump White House. Critics online and in the media quickly condemned the move, calling it “Orwellian” and accusing the museum of bowing to political influence. The Smithsonian cited a need to update the section, but the omission, combined with Trump’s recent actions reshaping national organizations, fueled accusations of historical revisionism.
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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History removed references to Donald Trump’s impeachments from an exhibit display in July, citing a content review following pressure from the White House. A temporary label, added in September 2021 and including information about Trump’s impeachments, was removed and the display was returned to its 2008 appearance. This change aligns with broader concerns about political interference at the Smithsonian and efforts by the Trump administration to control its work. The Smithsonian stated a future exhibit will include all impeachments and that updating the current display would take time and funding.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi refuted Russian justifications for the war in Ukraine, highlighting that the claims of NATO expansion being a threat contradict President Putin’s own statements from 2004. At that time, Putin welcomed NATO enlargement and expressed hope it would strengthen trust. Tykhyi accuses Putin of rewriting history to justify his aggression. He emphasized that NATO expansion has never threatened Russia; instead, it has denied Moscow the ability to conquer sovereign European nations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood