john mack faragher q&a

Matt points out a Salon review/author Q&A with John Mack Faragher, author of that history of the Acadian expulsion I’ve written about here. It’s mostly good, although it’s downright amusing how Salon, in its inimitable way, tries to turn everything into an attack on George W. Bush.
“Q: In your account, the Acadians were repeatedly blamed for events they had nothing to do with, or could not control. Indians attack settler villages in Maine or Massachusetts, and Puritan preachers stir up hatred against the “neutral French” because they’re seen as sinister figures, possibly in cahoots with the Indians. You don’t want to look into the past and see the present, but I don’t know: the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, the Gulf of Tonkin, the spurious connection between al-Qaida and Saddam. Is this a pattern in American history?”
Or this classic gratuitous slap:
“Q: When you describe, very powerfully and painfully, how the expulsion of the Acadians was actually carried out, you write that this was one of the most horrific episodes in American history. That’s a startling statement, isn’t it? We’re talking about a continent that had slavery for more than 200 years, and a continent where the native peoples were more or less wiped out. I mean, there’s a high bar to get over here, in terms of horrific episodes.

5 thoughts on “john mack faragher q&a”

  1. So Josh, what are your political persuasions. You do an excellent job at remaining neutral… either intentionally or unintentionally.

  2. As a rule, I only write about politics here in a neutral way. I don’t want anyone questioning my reporting, whether from the left or right.

  3. That is probably a very wise decision… if you want a legitimate shot at winning that Pulitzer and all.

  4. You should check out the “letters” section on Salon where readers respond to the piece. As a corollary to the “Salon will make everything about Bush” rule, you should add “Canadian readers of Salon not only hate Bush, but will turn anything into an attack on american-centrism.” Also check out http://www.grandderangement.com, where Canadian/French Maritime culture meets Jethro Tull.

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