It's
Tuesday, February 26, 2013. Let me make it clear that I know how it feels. We do have to come to grips with the reality of the situation. I can't say that I feel that bad about it, but not being one of those included in the most sought after groups, well, it is what it is. We didn't watch even a snippet from the academy awards show. We didn't watch any of the movies that were nominated. Wait a minute. While we were on that short hiatus, we did go and see that 3-D picture, "The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey", and I just saw on an internet news site that it was nominated for two or three awards but didn't win. Maybe we are a little bit a part of that most sought after group. I am not in the least excited but I can't deny that we did see that movie. What really gets me is what I have read and heard about the fact based movies that tell a story but they do not get all the facts correctly represented. The movie about Lincoln had some issues. Some of the coarse language used was not known to be in use at that time. They got the state wrong that was holding out on a vote for the Emancipation Proclamation. The state they called out wholeheartedly supported the act. The movie Argo was about the rescue of 6 US diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. They knew all the facts from those who were directly involved but rewrote the ending to make it more exciting. When questioned about these misrepresentations of the known record, the directors for both of these films said they were not historians but rather they were storytellers, and the public should be aware that even with these minor issues, these films basically represent the truth. Some historians are alarmed by what could become a new standard for establishing factual representation of the events being portrayed. They said they are story tellers but both recommended their films to be shown in schools to help kids learn about these subjects. In fact, the producers of the movie about Lincoln are making free dvds available to schools. See what I mean?
I know that sounds picky but we all should be very concerned when facts are distorted, no matter who does it. I say that because it has been done by all sides for their own purposes. It's as old as human fallen nature and I find it interesting that John Adams when commenting on how some of his fellow compatriots had been portrayed, had this to say: “And then Franklin smote the ground and up rose George Washington, fully dressed and astride a horse! Then the three of them, Franklin, Washington and the HORSE, proceeded to win the entire revolution single handley!” It is true that historical figures can be made into heroic characters that go beyond the record. However, it is just as wrong to denigrate the integrity and contributions made by any historical person for the purpose of gaining an advantage, dragging them down, or in telling a story. I've always said that we should be mature enough for the facts. Of course that would involve an agreement on what constitutes the facts, and, that's where we see different strokes for different folks. I've seen President George Washington portrayed as a great man who at great personal sacrifice helped to establish our Republic. I've also seen George Washington portrayed as a ego driven opportunist who loved the praise of others. Everyone has flaws but from much of what I have read, he was much more of the first comment than the second. But, you might well disagree and as Reagan used to say....."There you go again."
I know that many of you are not that interested in these types of articles. I believe this subject of how history is recorded and reported is critical to what our children learn about our nation and the people who helped to found and lead her. Obviously, Mr. Adams, who became one of our great presidents, thought the adulation directed towards Benjamin Franklin and George Washington was somewhat overdone. I love quotes like that because it gives us a little insight into how we came to be who we are. Regarding all this historical revisionism, I do have some good news. We can trust the accuracy and efficacy of God's History, His Story, that is, the story of every human person who has ever lived needing to be made right with God, and how that He provided a means for that to be possible, through the death, burial, and resurrection of His One and only Son, our Savior, the Jewish Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ! Believe in Him and you will be saved, and we have God's word on it! From Genesis to The Revelation of Jesus Christ, we do have the source of truth that we can have full confidence in. And, I say
Amen to that and wish you a wonderful Tuesday. ....More later.
It's Tuesday, February 26, 2013. Let me make it clear that I know how it feels. We do have to come to grips with the reality of the situation. I can't say that I feel that bad about it, but not being one of those included in the most sought after groups, well, it is what it is. We didn't watch even a snippet from the academy awards show. We didn't watch any of the movies that were nominated. Wait a minute. While we were on that short hiatus, we did go and see that 3-D picture, "The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey", and I just saw on an internet news site that it was nominated for two or three awards but didn't win. Maybe we are a little bit a part of that most sought after group. I am not in the least excited but I can't deny that we did see that movie. What really gets me is what I have read and heard about the fact based movies that tell a story but they do not get all the facts correctly represented. The movie about Lincoln had some issues. Some of the coarse language used was not known to be in use at that time. They got the state wrong that was holding out on a vote for the Emancipation Proclamation. The state they called out wholeheartedly supported the act. The movie Argo was about the rescue of 6 US diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. They knew all the facts from those who were directly involved but rewrote the ending to make it more exciting. When questioned about these misrepresentations of the known record, the directors for both of these films said they were not historians but rather they were storytellers, and the public should be aware that even with these minor issues, these films basically represent the truth. Some historians are alarmed by what could become a new standard for establishing factual representation of the events being portrayed. They said they are story tellers but both recommended their films to be shown in schools to help kids learn about these subjects. In fact, the producers of the movie about Lincoln are making free dvds available to schools. See what I mean?
I know that sounds picky but we all should be very concerned when facts are distorted, no matter who does it. I say that because it has been done by all sides for their own purposes. It's as old as human fallen nature and I find it interesting that John Adams when commenting on how some of his fellow compatriots had been portrayed, had this to say: “And then Franklin smote the ground and up rose George Washington, fully dressed and astride a horse! Then the three of them, Franklin, Washington and the HORSE, proceeded to win the entire revolution single handley!” It is true that historical figures can be made into heroic characters that go beyond the record. However, it is just as wrong to denigrate the integrity and contributions made by any historical person for the purpose of gaining an advantage, dragging them down, or in telling a story. I've always said that we should be mature enough for the facts. Of course that would involve an agreement on what constitutes the facts, and, that's where we see different strokes for different folks. I've seen President George Washington portrayed as a great man who at great personal sacrifice helped to establish our Republic. I've also seen George Washington portrayed as a ego driven opportunist who loved the praise of others. Everyone has flaws but from much of what I have read, he was much more of the first comment than the second. But, you might well disagree and as Reagan used to say....."There you go again."
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