Barto you're painting with a pretty broad brush with your "modern standards" you seem to hold in such contempt. I think plenty of "modern" people are able to look at historical figures in their complexity.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. This thread is proof of that. The whole knocking down of statues is proof of that. My kid walked out of her English class as school (one of the best high schools in the COUNTRY, I'll have you know) because her teacher wasn't able to properly look at historical figures in their complexity.
No. This thread and your example only prove that some people are unwilling to look at historical figures in context, but we already know that. Unwilling does not mean unable. I would also posit that the few loud examples of the unwilling just overshadow the large number of the willing. Willing to look at historical figures in context, just not willing to be loud about it. Examples are everywhere, including your own, and to just say ABSOLUTELY NOT with just anecdotal evidence is merely generalizing without much critical thought
Eric, the history/tension between you and Stadler is why I am calling out this post...tone it down or enjoy a break!
With all due respect, this is starting to become a problem for me. If there is tension here, it is not with me. If someone complained, the issue is with them. I have not made any complaint about Stadlers posts, but I do have the right to disagree with him. I did so in a manner that was not hostile or personal in any way. If that post had been in response to anyone else, no one would have batted an eyelash. Not only that, there are posts in this very thread that are FAR worse, but since they do not have the added hurdle of some perceived beef, they are fine. In short, there is nothing to tone down.