[Bcma-l] War Museum
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Tue, 4 Sep 2007 12:42:03 -0700
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September 4, 2007
=20
Dear Colleagues:
=20
I have had a deluge of material about the war museum, but no contextual
content as to the reason why the discussion is going on. If we are to
have a coherent discussion of anything, the full context must be laid
out in the argument for or against or to whatever position is taken. I
see that Colin MacGregor has also not seen what prompted the comments,
but put forward a kindly directional essay.
=20
I suggest that the moderator return comments to the authors of list
serve material when the context is not included in the body of their
text. The other possibility is to have a place where these types of
discussions can take place where the context of the discussion is
accessible. Perhaps the BCMA should look at structuring the material in
the list serve into categories of interest - jobs, announcements,
discussions are prominent elements of what goes on the list serve. =20
=20
W. (Bill) G. Quackenbush, Curator
Barkerville Historic Town,
Box 19, Barkerville, B.C. V0K 1B0
bill.quackenbush@barkerville.ca
visit - www.barkerville.ca for general information
=20
________________________________
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca
[mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca]=20
Sent: September 4, 2007 11:15 AM
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Cc: Dan Gallacher
Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] War Museum
=20
Well, I saw the exhibit as recently as the end of March, and re-read the
text carefully. Mainly I was re-familiarizing myself in preparation for
an illustrated talk on the War Museum per se to the RCAF Ass'n, and knew
I'd be challenged about that display in particular. The fact that I'd
flown in the RCAF years ago just made both my own interest more acute
and my own position more precarious.. As I've said, its worth writing a
brief expository article from a museological point of view with an aim
of describing ways and means of avoiding such trouble without seriously
compromising historical accuracy. More later . . . .
=20
Dan G.
=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 3:35 PM
Subject: RE: [Bcma-l] War Museum
=20
Larry's memo does not tell the full context of his concern about
the Canadian War Museum, but I deduce that he was talking about the
Canadian War Museum's exhibit on the bomber offensive in World War II,
how it upset the WWII veterans, how the museum refused to change the
wording, and how the Director Joe Guertz is not longer employed there.=20
=20
I shall start off by saying that although I have visited the new
CWM (as well as the two previous incarnations of it), I am not familiar
with the exhibit in question and I suspect that the other gentlemen have
not either. I do not have any information on the exhibit in question,
the disputed phrases, or the appropriateness (or not) of the staff
change.
=20
Although I am very much in favour of museums telling the truth
and not being dictated to, this is not a simple black and white issue.
Like the term "Freedom of the Press" there are many shades of grey. I
encourage museum colleagues to stop and think and not do a knee jerk
reaction by grabbing a flag and heading for the barricades.
=20
I believe that there are several issues to be careful of
including:=20
* Political correctness (e.g. Parks Canada renaming the
Northwest Rebellion as the Northwest Resistance; the pressure put on the
Smithsonian to not display the newly restored B-29 bomber "Enola Gay
that had dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan)
* The benefit of hindsight (You should have steered into
the skid ...)
* Making a judgment from the comfort of one's armchair
more than half a century after the events when we are not subject to the
same pressures. They were fighting a World War for survival. For the
people of Canada a quicker victory meant that one's spouse, sons and
daughters etc. in the services might survive long enough to come home
safely. If they had lost that war, I would be writing this message in
German or Japanese. No ... come to think of it, if that had happened, I
would not be allowed to write this message at all. I probably would not
be here as my father, a Commando officer, would most likely have been
executed as a war criminal.=20
* Mistakenly assuming that wars are fought according to
rules. Canadians have not been at war very often and are so used to
thinking in terms of Peacekeeping roles and rules.=20
=20
Perhaps a modern fictitious analogy might help relate to the
different perspective that hindsight creates: Questioning a police
officer why they shot and killed a teenage boy who was after all only
pointing an unloaded handgun at his hostage in a bank robbery. You now
know it was unloaded, but AT THE TIME the officer did not and could not
know that and reacted appropriately.=20
=20
US Marine Corps General "Chesty" Puller was the most highly
decorated and respected USMC officer ever. After fighting in several
wars he was attending West Point Military Academy as a student. The
lecturer stated that the true history of the Korean War could not be
written for at least 20 years, when the secret documents were
declassified. Chesty spoke up and adamantly said that the opposite was
true because by then the stories would have faded, and attitudes would
have changed. (The story may be found in the book MARINE - The above is
from memory. Chesty led his men out of the Chosin Reservoir where they
suffered tremendous casualties in the bitter cold and fighting.)
=20
As an empirical test I suggest you do the following. Look at
modern history books about Canada in World War II. Now find the red
hardcover book on the Photographic History of the Canadian Army
1939-1945 which was published immediately after WWII. You will find the
treatment is VERY different. The modern books are written in hindsight
and the self-censorship has taken its toll. The Immediate post-war book
has gory pictures of enemy dead, of Canadian dead and of concentration
camp victims and survivors. I still have the Toronto special insert from
1945 showing pages of concentration camp photos - many of which have
never been published since.=20
=20
As a museum Curator I have been ordered not to display certain
items and naturally did not like it. I do realize however that there are
a lot of revisionist history exhibits out there that I do not like
either sometimes. Each case must be looked at on its own merits, not in
a simple knee jerk reaction. I do not know how I would feel about the
CWM display text as I have not seen it. I might support Joe Geurtz, the
former CWM Director, or I might be on the other side requesting changes
or failing that, a resignation.=20
=20
Colin MacGregor Stevens,
Manager,
New Westminster Museum and Archives,
302 Royal Avenue,
New Westminster, BC,=20
V3L 1H7
=20
Phone Office: 604-527-4639
Work Cellular : 604-830-6965
Fax: 604-527-4641
E-mail: cstevens@newwestcity.ca=20
Web Site: www.newwestminster.ca=20
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca
[mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca]=20
Sent: August 31, 2007 12:18 PM
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Cc: larryewashen@telus.net
Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] War Museum
=20
Wholehearted support for Larry's suggestion. We must continue to
recount, retell and depict history as accurately as possible, presenting
it as closely to the way it happened as possible, NOT the way someone or
some group wanted it to be. An incorrect legacy IS no legacy; a
dangerous situation.
=20
Apologies for my over-stating the obvious,
=20
Steve Bender
Manager, BC Interior Forestry Museum
Box 419 Revelstoke BC V0E 2S0
Ph. 250 837 8078
Email forestrymuseumrev@telus.net=20
Email; forestrymuseum@revelstoke.net
=20
=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 4:37 PM
Subject: [Bcma-l] War Museum
=20
I believe that BC Museums and CMA should lend what
little weight they have in support of the War Museums independent
ability to present history.
The idea of political and single interest groups
lobbying in such a case is reprehensible, and I believe we should make
our views known.
In a land where people died over the issue of free
speech, where is it, and where is the free [and independent prerogative]
in doing our job objectively?
Our museum was subjected to such pressure and caved in
due to an in-camera meeting by our city council, which went on to
dictate as to what we could or could not exhibit. No members of the
public or delegations were allowed to debate such an important issue.
To our shame, we accepted their ultimatum in, but it
still does not destroy the principle and concept of museum
independence,.
Our alternative would have been to close the museum.
This is an important issue and I am surprised that I
have not heard any pronouncements about this by our museum
organizations.
Are we too busy planning conferences and workshops and
patting ourselves on the back to pay attention to such an important
issue?
Larry A. Ewashen, Curator & General Manager
The Doukhobor Discovery Centre
112 Heritage Way, Castlegar V1N 4M5
1-250-365-5327
www.Doukhobor-Museum.org
=09
=09
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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>September 4, =
2007<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Dear =
Colleagues:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>I have had a deluge of material =
about the
war museum, but no contextual content as to the reason why the =
discussion is
going on. If we are to have a coherent discussion of anything, the =
full
context must be laid out in the argument for or against or to whatever =
position
is taken. I see that Colin MacGregor has also not seen what =
prompted the
comments, but put forward a kindly directional =
essay.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>I suggest that the moderator =
return
comments to the authors of list serve material when the context is not =
included
in the body of their text. The other possibility is to have a =
place where
these types of discussions can take place where the context of the =
discussion
is accessible. Perhaps the BCMA should look at structuring the =
material
in the list serve into categories of interest – jobs, =
announcements,
discussions are prominent elements of what goes on the list serve. =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>W. (Bill) G. Quackenbush, =
Curator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Barkerville Historic =
Town,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:address w:st=3D"on"><st1:Street =
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3
color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Box</span></font></st1:Street><font=
color=3Dblue><span style=3D'color:blue'> =
19</span></font></st1:address><font
color=3Dblue><span style=3D'color:blue'>, Barkerville, B.C. V0K =
1B0<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>bill.quackenbush@barkerville.ca<o:p=
></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>visit - www.barkerville.ca for =
general
information<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<div>
<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter tabindex=3D-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font =
size=3D2
face=3DTahoma><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca [mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca] =
<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> September 4, 2007 =
11:15 AM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName =
w:st=3D"on">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> Dan Gallacher<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Bcma-l] =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">War</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></span></font><o:p></o:p></=
p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Well, I saw the exhibit as recently as the end of =
March, and
re-read the text carefully. Mainly I was re-familiarizing myself in =
preparation
for an illustrated talk on the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on">War</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> =
<em><i><font
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial'>per =
se</span></font></i></em> to the
RCAF Ass'n, and knew I'd be challenged about that display in particular. =
The
fact that I'd flown in the RCAF years ago just made both my own interest =
more
acute and my own position more precarious.. As I've said, its worth =
writing a
brief expository article from a museological point of view with an =
aim of
describing ways and means of avoiding such trouble without seriously
compromising historical accuracy. More later . . . =
.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3D4 face=3D"Brush Script =
MT"><span
style=3D'font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT"'>Dan =
G.</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> ----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid black =
1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5.0pt'=
>
<div style=3D'font-color:black'>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span=
></font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca"
title=3D"bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca</=
a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font size=3D2
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca" =
title=3D"bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font =
size=3D2
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Friday, =
August 31,
2007 3:35 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font =
size=3D2
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> RE: =
[Bcma-l] <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">War</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Larry’s memo does not tell =
the full
context of his concern about the Canadian War Museum, but I deduce that =
he was
talking about the Canadian War Museum’s exhibit on the bomber =
offensive
in World War II, how it upset the WWII veterans, how the museum refused =
to
change the wording, and how the Director Joe Guertz is not longer =
employed
there. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I shall start off by saying that =
although
I have visited the new CWM (as well as the two previous incarnations of =
it), I
am not familiar with the exhibit in question and I suspect that the =
other
gentlemen have not either. I do not have any information on the =
exhibit
in question, the disputed phrases, or the appropriateness (or not) of =
the staff
change.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Although I am very much in favour =
of
museums telling the truth and not being dictated to, this is not a =
simple black
and white issue. Like the term “Freedom of the Press” there =
are
many shades of grey. I encourage museum colleagues to stop and think and =
not do
a knee jerk reaction by grabbing a flag and heading for the =
barricades.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I believe that there are several =
issues to
be careful of including: </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:21.6pt'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DSymbol><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:navy'>·</span><=
/font><font
size=3D1 color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'font-size:7.0pt;color:navy'> =
</span></font><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Political correctness (e.g. Parks Canada =
renaming
the Northwest Rebellion as the Northwest Resistance; the pressure put on =
the
Smithsonian to not display the newly restored B-29 bomber “Enola =
Gay that
had dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:21.6pt'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DSymbol><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:navy'>·</span><=
/font><font
size=3D1 color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'font-size:7.0pt;color:navy'> =
</span></font><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The benefit of hindsight (You should have =
steered
into the skid …)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:21.6pt'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DSymbol><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:navy'>·</span><=
/font><font
size=3D1 color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'font-size:7.0pt;color:navy'> =
</span></font><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'> Making a judgment from the comfort =
of
one’s armchair more than half a century after the events when we =
are not
subject to the same pressures. They were fighting a World War for =
survival. For
the people of <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>
a quicker victory meant that one’s spouse, sons and daughters etc. =
in the
services might survive long enough to come home safely. If they had lost =
that
war, I would be writing this message in German or Japanese. No … =
come to
think of it, if that had happened, I would not be allowed to write this =
message
at all. I probably would not be here as my father, a Commando officer, =
would
most likely have been executed as a war criminal. =
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:21.6pt'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DSymbol><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:navy'>·</span><=
/font><font
size=3D1 color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'font-size:7.0pt;color:navy'> =
</span></font><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Mistakenly assuming that wars are fought
according to rules. Canadians have not been at war very often and are so =
used
to thinking in terms of Peacekeeping roles and rules. =
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Perhaps a modern fictitious analogy =
might
help relate to the different perspective that hindsight creates: =
Questioning a
police officer why they shot and killed a teenage boy who was after all =
only
pointing an unloaded handgun at his hostage in a bank robbery. You now =
know it
was unloaded, but AT THE TIME the officer did not and could not know =
that and
reacted appropriately. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>US Marine Corps General
“Chesty” Puller was the most highly decorated and respected =
USMC
officer ever. After fighting in several wars he was attending <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st=3D"on">West Point</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on">Military</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Academy</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> as a =
student. The
lecturer stated that the true history of the Korean War could not be =
written
for at least 20 years, when the secret documents were declassified. =
Chesty
spoke up and adamantly said that the opposite was true because by then =
the
stories would have faded, and attitudes would have changed. (The story =
may be
found in the book MARINE – The above is from memory. Chesty led =
his men
out of the Chosin Reservoir where they suffered tremendous casualties in =
the
bitter cold and fighting.)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As an empirical test I suggest you =
do the
following. Look at modern history books about <st1:country-region =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place
w:st=3D"on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> in World War II. =
Now find
the red hardcover book on the Photographic History of the Canadian Army
1939-1945 which was published immediately after WWII. You will find the
treatment is VERY different. The modern books are written in hindsight =
and the
self-censorship has taken its toll. The Immediate post-war book has gory =
pictures
of enemy dead, of Canadian dead and of concentration camp victims and
survivors. I still have the <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Toronto</st1:place></st1:City>
special insert from 1945 showing pages of concentration camp photos =
–
many of which have never been published since. =
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As a museum Curator I have been =
ordered
not to display certain items and naturally did not like it. I do realize
however that there are a lot of revisionist history exhibits out there =
that I
do not like either sometimes. Each case must be looked at on its =
own
merits, not in a simple knee jerk reaction. I do not know how I would =
feel
about the CWM display text as I have not seen it. I might support Joe =
Geurtz,
the former CWM Director, or I might be on the other side requesting =
changes or
failing that, a resignation. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Colin MacGregor =
Stevens,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Manager,</span></font><o:p></o:p></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3
color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>New
Westminster</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font color=3Dnavy><span
style=3D'color:navy'> <st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></span></font></st1:place><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy'> and =
Archives,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:address =
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3
color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>302
Royal Avenue</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font =
color=3Dnavy><span
style=3D'color:navy'>,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font =
size=3D3
color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>New
Westminster</span></font></st1:City><font color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'color:navy'>,
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">BC</st1:State></span></font></st1:place><font =
color=3Dnavy><span
style=3D'color:navy'>, </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>V3L =
1H7</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Phone Office:
604-527-4639</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Work Cellular : =
604-830-6965</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Fax: &=
nbsp;
604-527-4641</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>E-mail: <a
href=3D"mailto:cstevens@newwestcity.ca">cstevens@newwestcity.ca</a> =
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D3 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>Web Site: <a
href=3D"http://www.newwestminster.ca">www.newwestminster.ca</a></span></f=
ont><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'> =
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DTahoma><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original =
Message-----<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca [mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca] =
<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> August 31, 2007 =
12:18 PM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName =
w:st=3D"on">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> =
larryewashen@telus.net<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Bcma-l] =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">War</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></span></font><o:p></o:p></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Wholehearted support for =
Larry's
suggestion. We must continue to recount, retell and depict history =
as
accurately as possible, presenting it as closely to the way it =
happened
as possible, NOT the way someone or some group wanted it to be. An =
incorrect
legacy IS no legacy; a dangerous =
situation.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Apologies for my =
over-stating</span></font> <font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>the =
obvious,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Steve Bender<br>
Manager, BC <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on">Interior</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Forestry</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><br>
<st1:address w:st=3D"on"><st1:Street w:st=3D"on">Box =
419</st1:Street> <st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Revelstoke</st1:City> <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">BC</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st=3D"on">V0E 2S0</st1:PostalCode></st1:address><br>
Ph. 250 837 8078<br>
Email <a =
href=3D"mailto:forestrymuseumrev@telus.net">forestrymuseumrev@telus.net</=
a>
<br>
Email; <a =
href=3D"mailto:forestrymuseum@revelstoke.net">forestrymuseum@revelstoke.n=
et</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid black =
1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:5.0pt'=
>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message =
----- </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div style=3D'font-color:black'>
<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt;background:#E4E4E4'><b><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a =
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca"
title=3D"bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca</=
a> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span><=
/font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca" =
title=3D"bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</a>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span=
></font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Thursday,
August 30, 2007 4:37 PM</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</s=
pan></font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> [Bcma-l] <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">War</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></span></font><o:p></o:p></=
p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>I believe that BC Museums and CMA should lend what little =
weight
they have in support of the War Museums independent ability to present =
history.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>The idea of political and single interest groups lobbying =
in such
a case is reprehensible, and I believe we should make our views =
known.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>In a land where people died over the issue of free speech, =
where
is it, and where is the free [and independent prerogative] in doing our =
job
objectively?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>Our museum was subjected to such pressure and caved in due =
to an
in-camera meeting by our city council, which went on to dictate as to =
what we
could or could not exhibit. No members of the public or delegations were
allowed to debate such an important issue.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>To our shame, we accepted their ultimatum in, but =
it
still does not destroy the principle and concept of museum =
independence,.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>Our alternative would have been to close the =
museum.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>This is an important issue and I am surprised that I have =
not
heard any pronouncements about this by our museum =
organizations.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>Are we too busy planning conferences and workshops and =
patting
ourselves on the back to pay attention to such an important =
issue?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3 =
color=3Dgreen
face=3D"Franklin Gothic Demi"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Demi";
color:green'>Larry A. Ewashen, Curator & General Manager<br>
The Doukhobor Discovery Centre<br>
<st1:address w:st=3D"on"><st1:Street w:st=3D"on">112 Heritage =
Way</st1:Street>, <st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Castlegar</st1:City> <st1:PostalCode w:st=3D"on">V1N =
4M5</st1:PostalCode></st1:address><br>
1-250-365-5327<br>
<a =
href=3D"http://www.Doukhobor-Museum.org">www.Doukhobor-Museum.org</a></sp=
an></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><br>
<br>
__________ NOD32 2352 (20070625) Information __________<br>
<br>
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.<br>
<a =
href=3D"http://www.eset.com">http://www.eset.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></f=
ont></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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