News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on The US government poisoned alcohol during Prohibition (2010).

Re:The US government poisoned alcohol during Prohibition (2010) by pasbesoin on Sunday September 04, 2016 @12:18PM (#12425130)
We need to decrease focus on "the U.S. government" in such history and reporting.

"People poisoned alcohol during prohibition."

Once you get to that point, you realize that the lessons of history apply all around you. Basically, people are still people. And what happened before, is bound -- history demonstrates, very likely to -- happen again.

You learn to view everything with a critical eye.

I guess I can't avoid the meme: "Because people."

OTOH, this also means that the beauty and awe found in history is also to be found around you, every day. You don't have to leave your time and place to... "live in interesting times."

So, have a good Sunday (today)! :-)

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The US government poisoned alcohol during Prohibition (2010) by mindslight on Sunday September 04, 2016 @01:15PM (#12425466)
"Government" is the term we use to describe a type of structure that "people" form. This type of structure usually ends up doing these sort of things.

"History will repeat itself" isn't very useful unless the aim is to soothe oneself into giving up hope.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The US government poisoned alcohol during Prohibition (2010) by charlesism on Sunday September 04, 2016 @12:31PM (#12425213)
> the lessons of history apply all around you.

You're right, but that's one of those realizations a person probably has to come to on their own. I doubt it matters what combination of words you use to express it.

[ Parent | on HN ]