Documentaries and History

This morning, I watched a documentary of the Battle of Waterloo, narrated by the star of the Sharpe Series, Sean Bean. Watching this event reminded me of why freedom costs and why we must remember and preserve history. I guess some modern-era folks would call me a sentimental old fool.

Why? Because I believe, even if history is ugly, it serves to remind us not to ever march down the same roads that led to the darkest events in our history; regardless of where you're from or how the world paints your place in it. And in these uncertain times, Spanish philosopher George Santayana said, "Those that do not remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." And the late British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill wrote the warning like this: "Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

Today, we are in danger of repeating the mistakes of the past and all for the purpose of forgetting why it's important to remember that dark side of human history. For I fear, we are doomed in the next 10 years or so...to repeat it!