Listen, this Colombus controversy is very old but it stands as an example of how we attempt re- write our history. As an American I say we must draw the line on apology for what made us what we are. George Washington and Jefferson owned slaves. Should we diminish their contributions at Valley Forge and the Louisiana purchase among many other things that founded our country. They were just men of their era and those men owned slaves. Was it wrong is not the question here. Of course it was but how do we weigh that. Should we take George off the dollar bill and cancel his February holiday. Men of Colombus's era were bold explorers and adventurers. Their spirit not only founded new lands but forged an industrial revoloution that catapulted us towerd the very laptops we write on. Bad treatment of natives can only be recognized in hindsight today. Back then it was looked on as a necessary evil in order to tame a wild and vast land. A hostile land. Was it right, no it was not but where do we stop apologizing and recognize that we'd be nowhere if not for the ways of these men. Not to stir up a nasty evoloution debate but what happened to survival of the fittest. Should we give back Louisiana, Florida, California. To point to Colombus is hypocritical because it does not dig deep enough to past wrongs. They say the victors write the history books but I see a trend in this country to allow the defeated to do it. Thats noble but you can't stop there then. You must return all lands and make restitutions. In other words you must bankrupt the very nation you live in, tear it apart and return to your ancestors countries. You can't be selective and single out Columbus or say Custer had it coming. By the way, the Vikings may have visited and the Chinese have even them beat but it was Colombus devoteing his entire life to founding a land and returning to it so as it was established. This led to the Mexican and South American Conquests and I suppose they should all return it as well to the Inca and Mayan etc; STOP it , please. Be proud of being an American and not shameful. We are not perfect but our origens and forefathers and founders were men of their times. We can not turn back the clock of history.