Or are they merely pointing out his overwhelming incompetence? Is it possible to not appreciate that someone blindly stumbles through what is a very important job, putting many lives unnecessarily at risk and failing miserably at every turn, without being dismissed as merely a "hater?"
2007-03-07 03:44:51 · 7 answers · asked by Schmorgen 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
We do not hate Custer...I just think he was over rated and his "legend" was so far off the truth it isn't funny...first of all at the time of the Little Bighorn he was a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) not a General...he was temporarily promoted to General during the Civil War, but was taken back down to LTC after the war...that was why he was in charge of a Regiment...he had ego problems and some Historians feel that he may have been mentally ill...he was a Grant hater, like you have Bush haters now...the fiasco at the Little Bighorn was a combination of things...him not listening to his Indian intelligence because of his big ego and his subordinates really disliking him...he always referred to his decisions as "Custer Decisions" and they could never be wrong...he wanted to wipe out the Indians at the Little Bighorn so he could show how much of a leader he was and how much Grant had failed in the fight against the Indians...he wanted to be President, but ended up vulture food...like many "great" heroes in American History, Custer was over blow for propaganda at the time, and no one ever really went back to change it...if you take a college History class you will learn more about him...hope this helps...
2007-03-07 04:08:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting that you use Custer as your allegory to Bush 4.3. Custer's image through the decades reveals that the "science" of history is just as subject to the whims of popular culture as the lighter pursuits of celebrity and fashion.
Back in the days when playing "Cowboys & Indians" was politically correct, Custer was an All-American Hero. During anti-war '60s, he was seen as an aggressive Indian-killer who got his due. As the popularity of Native American culture grew in the '80s, Custer's background within the native culture became a focus (read "Son of the Morning Star" by Evan Connell). Finally, as it became popular again to support soldiers in the early 1990s, Custer became a tragic figure, equally heroic and flawed.
To answer your question, look at the contemporary treatment of Abraham Lincoln...a President who was roundly critiziced for trampling the Constitution, fighting a meaningless war, being a shill for industrialists and bankers and taking too much influence from Evangelical Christians....
I'm not saying that GWB is Lincoln...just that no one today can speak for history...Lincoln's legacy was determined by the nation we became after his death; today's leaders will be judged based on the job we do raising, guiding and educating our children.
2007-03-07 04:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by a_man_could_stand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no longer an authority yet different than for his different failings already suggested right here, Custer, i think, as quickly as he made a determination does no longer opposite his determination as he does no longer countenance being incorrect. I seem to undergo in concepts at Little massive Horn he replaced into watching for help (from Terry?) that did no longer materialise with the aid of encounters with bands of Indians, and Custer, somewhat than postpone or re-evaluate the situation went forward with the attack. So i could take advice from him, yet on condition that I have been able to make judgements ‘on the hoof’ that ought to conflict with Custer’s advice.
2016-11-23 13:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they don't hate him, period. Just like historians will not "blindly hate" GWB, which is what I think you're trying to imply. There will be a small note about having the lowest approval rating, and that's about it. His record will speak for itself. Those who foam at the mouth over him ARE merely haters.
2007-03-07 03:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by Michael E 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many claimed Custer was a hero at the time for going down fighting. Now we know he was just stupid. Back in those days leaders of wars often died for their mistakes - Oh for the good old days....
2007-03-07 03:55:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
How odd. I've never seen Custer portrayed as being hated. Unfortunate maybe, but certainly not hated.
2007-03-07 03:48:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know if they hate him but probably a good number would love to go back in time and slap him around a bit for his egotistical swaggering and military incompetence.
2007-03-07 03:51:50 · answer #7 · answered by douglas l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋