[Theoden]

George Washington owned slaves. Let's stop celebrating his birthday!

Abe Lincoln did not willingly want to free the slaves. Let's stop honoring him!

Davy Crockett killed indians. Let's write him out of history!

Leif Eriksen killed indians. Let's write him out of history!

The Pilgrims fought and killed indians. Let's write him out of history!

General Custard killed Indians! Let's write him out of history!

FDR let Pearl Harbor happen! Let's posthumously impeach him!

General Patton had atrocities happen under his command. Let's strip him of his medals posthumously!

What other great men from American history can we defame for their actions that were the social norm of the time? Hmm, American history itself is very violent, maybe we should completely forsake our past, and sit around and be self-loathing?

[maine-iac7]

General Custard

LOL - that IS a typo? albeit apropos

RE Columbus:

What other great men from American history ...

The whole point is that Columbus was NOT a great man - he is celebrated for what he didn't do - "discover America" and not recognized for the genocide he orchestrated and carried out, every bit as atrocious and bestial as Hitler...

You want to excuse this and equate his murderous rampage with "George Washington owned slaves. " and "Abe Lincoln did not willingly want to free the slaves" (revisionist?) and "Davy Crockett killed Indians" etc???

You are disingenuous, either deliberately or through ignorance. Not mine to discern which...

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

What other great men from American history can we defame for their actions that were the social norm of the time?

First off, he is not defaming these men by reporting the actual events and actions in which they participated or led. If it is true, then it is not slander.

Secondly, if we are to excuse their actions because it was 'the social norm of the time', then does that means we must also excuse men like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi because beheading infidels is their 'social norm'.