The Lessons We Keep Forgetting

“Benjamin Franklin was eighty-one years old, hunched and crooked, when he signed the Constitution in 1787, with his gnarled and speckled hand. In 1731, when he was twenty-five, straight as a sapling, he’d written an essay called ‘Observations on Reading History,’ on a ‘little paper, accidentally preserv’d.’ And he’d kept reading history, and talking notes, asking himself, year after year: What does the past teach?”1 These Truths – Jill Lepore

“The problem with being too busy to read is that you learn by experience (or by your men’s experience), i.e. the hard way. By reading, you learn through others’ experiences, generally a better way to do business, especially in our line of work where the consequences of incompetence are so final for young men…Ultimately, a real understanding of history means that we face NOTHING new under the sun…We have been fighting on this planet for 5000 years and we should take advantage of their experience. ‘Winging it’ and filling body bags as we sort out what works reminds us of the moral dictates and the cost of incompetence in our profession.”23 – General James Mattis, on the matter of professional reading, 20 November 2003

There is a heaviness in the mind of many Americans. You wake up in the morning, sit down with your cup of coffee or tea, and pull out your smartphone, or in my case, the newspaper. As soon as you start reading the headlines, it can feel like this country is falling apart. 

Headlines about the war in Iran, the tariff war with Canada, high prices, attacks on our voting system, suppression on freedom of speech, discrimination, renaming of things—the list goes on and on. I, for one, feel extremely frustrated because we have the capacity to do great things, but for some reason, we continue to repeat the failures of the past. Worse, we sometimes seem to be trying to relive some of the terrible things from our 250-year history. 

Reading history is helping me realize that whatever is happening now will eventually pass, but it also serves as a reminder that we might see it again in the future if we don’t do something about it. 

This country has fought too many wars, and American lives have been lost in the process. The other day, I was reading an account of the American Civil War in which the author noted that more than 750,000 Americans died during the war.4 I paused for a moment to internalize that number, a number I knew well from my previous readings of military history, but one that can easily be forgotten if we don’t return to our history often. This was not us fighting in another country. These were Americans fighting and killing each other. Terrifying!

Then we read about the atrocities and discrimination committed against Native Americans, African Americans, European catholics, and Jews—too many to mention in this post. We learn how women didn’t have the right to vote. In my state of Illinois, women gained their right to vote in 1913,5 almost a century and a half after the Declaration of Independence.  

This country has also been attacked terribly, prompting us to enter World War II and, later, to go into Afghanistan after the events of September 2001. Those events are still vivid in my mind, and I’m fully aware that we are about to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that attack.  

Some people say that this country was founded as a Christian nation, which it was not. But even if we were to entertain that thought, how are Christians able to reconcile the long list of atrocities and discriminations that have occurred in our past? Is that what Jesus teaches?

I know there are also plenty of good moments when this country has shown its greatness. From the Wright Brothers’ first flight and the landing on the Moon to numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs, Americans have accomplished many great things—not only for this country but for the world. 

But for some reason, we refuse to learn the lessons of the past. We continue to “wing it” instead of holding fast to what is good and rejecting the mistakes of the past. We continue to ignore history and support leaders who want to take us back to some of the darker times of this country’s history. 

A past where political figures could say things like:

“It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages…It will place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now occupied by a few savage hunters…It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude institutions; will retard the progress of decay, which is lessening their numbers, and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.”6  – 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson, 1830. Annual message to Congress concerning Indian removal. 

Then there is this:

“The constitution, it is true, secured every essential guarantee to the institution while it should last, and hence no argument can be justly urged against the constitutional guarantees thus secured, because of the common sentiment of the day. Those ideas, however, were fundamentally wrong. They rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error. It was a sandy foundation, and the government built upon it fell when the ‘storm came and the wind blew.’ Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery—subordination to the superior race—is his natural and normal condition.”7 – Alexander H. Stephens, 1861 Savannah Georgia. 

Did you notice the use of New Testament imagery, especially Jesus’ wording in the passage? Stephens was referring to Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus contrasts the wise man who builds his house on rock with the foolish man who builds his house on sand. He deliberately used it to describe the foundations of the Confederacy. 

So, focusing on the facts of our history and the cyclical aspect of life, it’s important to realize that we can’t simply be bystanders and ignore history. It’s our duty, I think, to review our history, examine the facts, identify those toxic narratives that are so familiar because our ancestors lived through them and historians have written about them, and strongly reject those who want this country to live through those terrible times again. 

Times with rampant racial, religious, and ideological discrimination, when people were gathered together and expelled from their land, when voting rights and citizenship were revoked, and when people with different beliefs were persecuted. 

The cost of incompetence is great, and it all starts with American citizens not taking their constitutional rights to vote seriously.

  1. Lepore, Jill. These Truths: A History of the United States. (p. xv). New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2018. ↩︎
  2. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/13/defense-secretary-james-mattis-extraordinary-reading-habits.html ↩︎
  3. https://strifeblogdotorg2.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/with-rifle-and-bibliography-general-mattis-on-professional-reading/comment-page-1/ ↩︎
  4. Lepore, Jill. These Truths: A History of the United States. (P. 293). New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2018. ↩︎
  5. https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/online-exhibits/100-documents/1913-il-suffarge-act.html ↩︎
  6. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/jacksons-message-to-congress-on-indian-removal ↩︎
  7. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/primary-documents/cornerstone-speech-by-alexander-h-stephens-march-21-1861/ ↩︎

49 thoughts on “The Lessons We Keep Forgetting”

  4. From my experience we seem to go in 75- 100 year cycles.
    Whenever countries become very liberal ( and I do mean politically but socially ) it always leads to disaster
    The Bible writes it andhistory confirms it

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    1. Probably less than that, but I understand your point. I’m not sure being liberal is the issue but rather the character of the individual, since there is a long list of conservatives who are in the same boat. The U.S. was very liberal by comparison with Europe at the time.

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  6. A deeply thought-provoking and courageous reflection on history, memory, and the responsibility of citizenship. What stayed with me most is the central message that history is not merely a record of what happened—it is a teacher, if we are willing to listen.

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  7. That quote from General Mattis about not ‘winging it’ and paying the cost of incompetence is so powerful, Edward. It’s comforting yet sobering to remember that history moves in cycles, but it requires active, informed citizens to make sure we don’t repeat the darkest chapters. Thank you for such a thoughtful, grounded reminder today!

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  8. An excellent post, Edward. There’s definitely a heaviness that rests upon us all and, sad to say, beyond our land based borders to our northern and southern neighbors. History does reveal that everything under the Sun does come to pass. Evil men do not live on beyond their allotted time. Yet, in our ignorance, we humans continue to repeat their errors thinking we can change the outcome of their folly.

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    1. Thank you, Rosaliene. I really don’t understand how people behave sometimes. I think many people know what toxic behavior is. We recognize it at home when a family member is toxic and at work when bosses or coworkers exhibit those characteristics. How people could vote for someone with those traits is beyond me. With that kind of thinking, we will continue to repeat the mistakes of the past.

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  9. Your comment about Christian support for evil was the one that caught my eye, Edward. This is the part that always makes me shake my head. “Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing” is what always comes to mind. Historically, those wolf types have deviously gained “Christian” support. I try not to post about or comment about politics and religion. Your post today encouraged me to say a few words.

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    1. I appreciate your comment, Terry. To me, that’s the part that troubles me the most: people doing all these things in the name of Christianity when they’re actually doing the opposite of Jesus’ teachings. It’s really puzzling. Yes, they’re either false Christians or just insane. Maybe a combination of both.

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  10. “There is a heaviness in the mind of many Americans. You wake up in the morning, sit down with your cup of coffee or tea, and pull out your smartphone, or in my case, the newspaper. As soon as you start reading the headlines, it can feel like this country is falling apart.”

    This heaviness is exactly what I’m feeling. My dad ingrained the importance of history in me from the time I was in junior high, and I read plenty of history. I filled general electives in college with history courses. So it’s discouraging and infuriating that the people running the country and the people who vote for them know nothing about history. I read Mein Kampf and wrote a paper on how it served as a playbook for scapegoating, ethnic cleansing/genocide, and propaganda of the most insidious sort. Everything Trump and company are doing in Project 2025 is straight out of Mein Kampf. Ugh.

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    1. I know, it’s terrible, and everyone in his inner circle knows it, yet they’re following him anyway. It’s pure insanity for those people to think the country is on the right path. I think his inner circle wants to generate as much wealth as possible before 2028 and then disappear to enjoy life. It will be interesting to see how many investigations follow after 2028, assuming, of course, that the Democrats win. But, I know everyone is going to receive a presidential pardon.

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        1. I told my wife, back when the whole reflecting-pool fiasco happened, that maybe one of them would do it. But it seems highly unlikely because things are getting worse, and they don’t care. The news is reporting that employees are receiving $45,000, which I find odd since government employees can accept gifts worth only $20.

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  11. Great post, crazy number of lost soldiers in the Civil War.

    Question or thought, as bad as the Civil War was, the Emancipation proclamation ushered in the freeing of all Slaves, it started the process which may or may not have happened without it, but how long.

    Sometimes bad times can begin the process of change or usher in change, or force change, like these times, hopefully helping people realizing the importance of their voice in voting.

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    1. Thank you, and that’s true. The North tried several compromises, beginning before the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, because slavery was a major point of friction. Sadly, the war was necessary to remove that friction and end slavery. It’s very interesting that humans often need bad things to happen, or need to experience pain, in order to change their behavior.

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  12. Everything feels really heavy right now, doesn’t it Edward? As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I can’t help but think that our society is far worse off than we were then. Here in Canada, we currently have much more to fear from our closest neighbour who used to be our strongest ally and friend than we do from any other group or nation. The current US administration wants to destroy us, and it makes me sad and angry, mainly because I don’t understand why. I suppose it’s just a greedy, power hungry group who thinks they can belittle us and annex us because they feel like it.

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  13. Wow, Edward – this essay packed a punch. You described how I feel about the current state of our country and then nailed it with our responsibility and the price we pay for winging it and repeating history. Well done, my friend! You’re right – we all need to do our part to take our responsibility seriously!

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    1. Thank you, Wynne. It’s just terrible, and it’s going to be rough between now and November, and then again as we get closer to November 2028. I might need to switch from coffee to lavender or chamomile tea to stay calm. 😀

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        1. I think he’s doing a good job and great things for the state. The budget is pretty strong, and he has implemented some great infrastructure projects. I think what’s slowing down the state is the mayor of Chicago and the politics there. It’s probably the same with NYC and New York State. Mismanagement in those big cities affects the entire state.

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  15. Thanks for another thoughtful post Edward. I agree with your sadness and frustration over the current administration and lack of learning from the past. Another sad history is our country’s propensity for war and imperialism. We haven’t learned that great countries and civilizations fade, especially when consumed by greed and corruption as ours is. It’s unlikely we come out of this in a good place, unless our country and the world radically transform to a more egalitarian approach that works for the good of all people and life on this precious planet.

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    1. You’re welcome, Brad. I couldn’t agree more. I think it’s going to take us a while to recover from this, especially internationally. I know our friends and partners understand that it’s not our country per se, but rather its current leaders. But, trust has been damaged. I think what’s worse is that other countries are trying to imitate what’s happening here, which is really sad, in my view.

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  16. A fine essay Edward. you have touched on the surface area necessary to frame where our problems lie but to be able to express everything clearly and tightly is a tall order.

    It will require more long chapters in the series. But the main point stands, we keep forgetting these lessons because comfort and its derivative incentive structures has a way of making us less “urgent” (than generations past) as citizens and eventually as voters. The spoils of our post WWII victory has had the unforeseen consequence of diverting a meaningful part of our identities away from the atomic level of cultural precision that created the very conditions for our success.

    see? even here I already have to be careful about how long I could potentially take.

    so, just know this is a great piece. you can only carry a school of sardines one can at a time lol
    Mike

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    1. 😂 Your sardines comment was great, Mike. You know, being a blogger is hard because you have to keep each post to a length that people will actually read and respond to. It’s like having a conversation with someone on the street. You want to say enough to start a conversation and, hopefully, have a good back-and-forth, rather than give a long, tedious, one-way speech. I don’t want my blog posts to turn into lengthy pieces like the ones you find on Substack. I just want to tell my community what’s on my mind and then have a conversation.

      The history of this country is long. Indigenous peoples came from Asia through what is now Alaska; European explorers arrived and disrupted Indigenous peoples’ lives, and things went downhill from there.

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      1. you know, Substack is great – for that. but it’s so easy for people to go on long rants, use pseudo concepts, and package it like it’s a scientifically arrived at result. Substack is in danger of doing this because they are platforming pseudoscientists and word-salad preparers. your approach is the more robust one; have a surface area bracketed for discussion and let the people participate in the way they want to.

        btw – I wanted to ask; are you ok with “Edward”? I figure you might want to be called Ed. Let me tell you a funny short story: I was doing a sort of “finance apprenticeship” at the Chicago Merc and I called one of the guys Edward on the floor. And he came back to me and said (paraphrasing here); “Mike, if you call me Edward out loud like that again [in front of people], I’m gonna stab you and throw you into the Chicago River” I knew he was joking but I also had to account for the fact we were in the Merc LOL 😂😂😂😭😭

        I’ll save the rest of the issue for some other time but again, great post!

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        1. Edward or Ed is fine. I’m used to Ed because that’s what everyone in the Army called me. I’ve also been called Eduardo and Edwin. One guy called me Francisco once, not even close, but I’m definitely not stabbing anyone. 🤣

          I’m a simple guy who wants to share my thoughts about what I’m reading and have a conversation. I’d like to write articles for magazines one day, but I’m still thinking that through. For now, I’m just happy to receive the occasional comment saying thank you, like the one I received a couple of days ago from the author of the Wall Street Journal article I discussed in my post, “The College Bubble and the Real World.” That was nice. Thank you, Mike.

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  17. Thank you, but were I writing a blog about history, I would start with the truth of our own tragic history, and extend it to the Nazi movement in the US before WWIi, and look at the authoritarian governments in European history. Yes, mankind is flawed, but there are particular conditions and appeals to the most vulnerable of us that bring followers to leaders who take us, like the Pied Piper, to harm our fellow men, especially to harm and blame “others.”

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  18. Thanks for such a courageous post. To see America looking like a third-world nation is awful. History is ignored or some want to go back to times of great sorrow and pain for others, which I find so are to understand , And that Christians can endorse and cheer on these atrocities is incomprehensible to me.

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    1. You’re very welcome. I think what you said about Christians is what pains me the most. How a devout Christian can support a person and his or her twisted ideologies is incomprehensible, as you said, unless, of course, that person isn’t truly a Christian. But that raises a whole different problem.

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  19. Two things, Edward, beyond sharing your concerns. First, even assuming the current horror will pass, people’s lives have been lost, people have been incarcerated unfairly, and more of this may yet come. Second, your essay does not touch and explore the reasons we are in this dilemma, except in a general way. If we are to learn anything, there is much more to say that only begins with our flawed humanity.

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    1. Absolutely. I think about the suffering and lives lost all the time. That’s one of the reasons I keep revisiting our history, to understand the why. But I don’t think there’s a single answer, which is why I reflect in general terms. I hope that one day I’ll be able to see it clearly, but your closing is probably the best answer for now. We’re simply flawed.

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