California lawmakers pass bill to teach gay history

[The Brain]

I know that.

Do you think law is a science?

Why do you ask?

[Malthus]

For years after, even though I majored in history at university, and constantly read history in my spare time, the thought of ever studying Canadian history again seemed exceptionally dull.

Other than the runaway slave bit, what are the bits of Canadian history which you find interesting?

Forgive me for being a homer, but the Klondike Gold Rush is fascinating history.  I have several books on Arctic Exploration (northwest passage, Sir John Franklin) which is great stuff.  Louis Riel.  Sam Steele.  Billy Bishop.  Vimy Ridge.  Dieppe.  HMCS Bonaventure.  FLQ.

I haven't wanted to generalize with Malthus that my own experience was universal to all of Canada.  But like Malthus, in school I found Canadian history to (mostly) be a bunch of boring PC platitudes.  It wasn't until adulthood I found there were some very cool stories that happened in my own backyard.

One exception - I was in grade school in Saskatoon in 1985 - the 100 year anniversary of the 1885 rebellion.  I remember going on a long field trip to Batoche, seeing bullet holes in the buildings and thinking this was all very cool.

I really have no idea why, aside from delibrate choice and the unfortunate capture of the teaching curriculum by the 60s generation, Canadian history is viewed as deadly dull by most Canadians.

[Valmy]

I really have no idea why, aside from delibrate choice and the unfortunate capture of the teaching curriculum by the 60s generation, Canadian history is viewed as deadly dull by most Canadians.

Yeah I mean who can forget the inspirational exploits of such great Canadians as...um...erm...

[Malthus]

I really have no idea why, aside from delibrate choice and the unfortunate capture of the teaching curriculum by the 60s generation, Canadian history is viewed as deadly dull by most Canadians.

Yeah I mean who can forget the inspirational exploits of such great Canadians as...um...erm...

Very funny. 

Point here is not to puff the exploits of individual Canadians, but to point out that the history of half the continent is, unlike the teaching of it, quite interesting on many levels - as many have discovered as individual hobbiests, and as often recognized by people *outside* of Canada.

An example of this was visiting old Quebec, and seeing all sorts of European tourists drawn by the history of the place - including that of such figures as Wolfe and Montcalm (I dunno, would a Texan have heard of either?  ).

As for Canadians actually born as such, that sort of depends on your interests. Certainly some who achieved the most "inspirational exploits" were a pair in my father's old department at U of T - Fredrick Banting who, along with his buddy Best, who discovered the use of Insulin. Considering the average Texan's weight, he ought to be a particular hero in your state ...

[garbon]

Considering the average Texan's weight, he ought to be a particular hero in your state ...

No one really remembers who made their drugs.

[grumbler]

Certainly some who achieved the most "inspirational exploits" were a pair in my father's old department at U of T - Fredrick Banting who, along with his buddy Best, who discovered the use of Insulin.

The realization that these two are the most "inspirational" Canadians must leave you sad. 

Nothing wrong with Banting, mind - clearly a first-class brain (though why he wasted lifespan on an LLD will go down as one of history's mysteries, I suppose ).  Still, not much inspirational there.

[Grey Fox]

There is part of every history that is quite interesting.

I find colonization of Quebec in the 1800s very interesting.

[Malthus]

The realization that these two are the most "inspirational" Canadians must leave you sad. 

Huh? Why, exactly?

To me, saving  through scienticic discovery  millions of people otherwise condemned to death is the opposite of "sad".

These are particular heros of mine, for family-connection reasons. Others may of course make different choices.

Nothing wrong with Banting, mind - clearly a first-class brain (though why he wasted lifespan on an LLD will go down as one of history's mysteries, I suppose ).  Still, not much inspirational there.

Perhaps not to you. Then, we don't know what inspires you.

[grumbler]

To me, saving  through scienticic discovery  millions of people otherwise condemned to death is the opposite of "sad". 

Same here.  Not that this tautology has anything to do with any points I have made.

[Malthus]

To me, saving  through scienticic discovery  millions of people otherwise condemned to death is the opposite of "sad". 

Same here.  Not that this tautology has anything to do with any points I have made.

What "points"? The notion that because I named Banting I ought to be sad for some reason? That his & Best's discovery isn't inspirational?

[grumbler]

What "points"? The notion that because I named Banting I ought to be sad for some reason? That his & Best's discovery isn't inspirational?

read my post again.  The points are right there, clearly stated.

[crazy canuck]

Unfortunately Canada didnt try to rip itself apart in a bloody civil war, didnt have a rebellion against the
Crown and has had the misfortune of not having a miltaristic society and so we do not have "heroes" as some others might define that word.

Another Canadian Hero I would mention is Lester B. Pearson.  Again unfortunately he was a person who was instrumental in making and keeping peace.  Not enough blood on his hands to rate for others

[crazy canuck]

What "points"? The notion that because I named Banting I ought to be sad for some reason? That his & Best's discovery isn't inspirational?

read my post again.  The points are right there, clearly stated.

Glad somebody found your point to be clearly stated.

[The Brain]

I would be ashamed to be Canadian. YMMV.

[HVC]

Unfortunately Canada didnt try to rip itself apart in a bloody civil war, didnt have a rebellion against the
Crown and has had the misfortune of not having a miltaristic society and so we do not have "heroes" as some others might define that word.

for not having a militaristic society (we vent through hockey ) Canada did very well in both world wars and the korean war. Even in the afghan war we've done admirably, if not in small numbers.