Comments on Reality Versus Revisionism

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You are exactly right, Parnell. It is becoming, or has become, perjorative
in the mainstream, especially among the more liberal or open-minded when speaking about conservatives' renditions of the 'good ole days' and the founding fathers, among other things... A revised period or account of a certain personage in history after extensive research and backed by data and sound sources isn't such a terrible thing.  Take, for instance, Richard Zacks new account of the notorious pirate, Captain Kidd...

posted by saul_relative on December 12, 2006 at 10:19 PM | link to this | reply

Saul

I totally accept your point. Well stated as always. What I meant is that in academic history circles 'revisionism' doesn't always have a perjorative connotation. It often just refers to a legitimate, well-researched, by definitively new slant on a historical topic.

I think the media is changing the use of the word, and I've heard opinion journalists refer to it as a perjorative term...

posted by Antipodean on December 12, 2006 at 8:14 PM | link to this | reply

I would have to agree with you on that, Parnell. Except that when history
is written based on empirical data, or a logical extrapolation thereof, it isn't revised or revisionist.  Revisionism is more of an opinionated slant on a given topic, such as all the founding fathers being god-fearing Christians, which is untrue, in order to get a proper perspective on the intent of the Constitution.  Worst cases are those espoused by groups such as the KKK and Aryan Supremacists and those radical Christians who place dinosaurs in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.

posted by saul_relative on December 10, 2006 at 8:59 AM | link to this | reply

Saul
Hang-on a sec - Sometimes revisionists are right and the traditionalists are wrong. Depends on the topic...

posted by Antipodean on December 10, 2006 at 12:21 AM | link to this | reply

Thank you, afzal.

posted by saul_relative on December 9, 2006 at 11:11 AM | link to this | reply

And I shall, Blanche, until some jackbooted, sunglasses-wearing goon at
my -- hold on, someone's at the door...

posted by saul_relative on December 9, 2006 at 11:11 AM | link to this | reply

There's no spin like Snow spin, eh, scoop?

posted by saul_relative on December 9, 2006 at 11:09 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks, teddypoet.

posted by saul_relative on December 9, 2006 at 11:08 AM | link to this | reply

Nicely defined .

posted by afzal50 on December 9, 2006 at 10:19 AM | link to this | reply

You tell them, Saul, how it REALLY is,not this air-brushed fantasy

posted by Blanche. on December 9, 2006 at 10:08 AM | link to this | reply

Saul
unless Tony Snow tells you what it is and then it is Republican gospel

posted by scoop on December 9, 2006 at 10:02 AM | link to this | reply

It is just as you say, my friend! Nice one...

posted by teddypoet_TheGoodByeFade on December 9, 2006 at 9:49 AM | link to this | reply