No they were not. This is the only disappointing statement I have ever heard from this man. But it is a very big one. Here is where you have your voice crack, Michelle. Here is where you bat those false eyelashes. None of this was "heartfelt." Any sentient person knows it.
How could he say this? I really cannot express how disappointed I am that he could say this.
We all need to remember that Hanson is a self-acknowledged liberal, and that this colors his perceptions of current events. He is an outstanding historian, but good historical analysis requires and benefits from the detachment and perspective of time for the impact and meaning of events to become clear. When it comes to current events Hanson is no more immune from his biases than anyone else.