It seems that most discussion here is about events in history, and that's fine.  We should be familiar with past events and trends.  Digging into the details of wars, battles, and past societies is challenging and rewarding.

What about applying the lessons of history to current events?

If the past remains academic, rather than us gleaning practical application to today's situation from its lessons, what use is the knowledge?

If we don't use the knowledge of the past to improve the present and future, then it is knowledge wasted.  I was listening to Sean Hannity, I think, last night and he had Charles Rangel who called GWB "our Bull Connor."  Hannity was talking about how little liberal help programs have helped with the issue of the poor and poverty, etc.  Rangel kept arguing about past events not having any bearing on what we do today.  Hannity kept trying to tell him that he wants to do the same types of things today that was done in the past that didn't work.  

Basically, we must look to the past in order to improve.  If not, then we will have to learn the same lessons over and over and make the same mistakes time and again.  There is no reason for that.  We must use that knowledge and apply it to todays world and hopefully better our nation.  I'm afraid that liberals don't understand that.  

I would agree with you and the old cliche that hostory repeats itself.

Unfortuantly, history has shown that ignorance, and idiocy are here to stay.

Yep.  The point is that the study of history is more than a recreational activity.  We must apply its lessons to current events, or the wheel will just keep spinning round & round.

ok,,,show me where anyone that has remembered their past to improve their future? Yes I most definatly agree it should be.
Case in point  70's  Oil embargo,,we need to be energy self reliant,renewables are needed .
Today,,well where are we ? oh let's open ANWR ,there's plenty of oil.It takes an estimated 5-10yrs to get refineries,drill rigs ,supply up and running.meanwhile renewables have taken a back seat til now.
history isn't  just wars / feuds,,it's economics,social intergration,politics ect ect ect

just my humble 2cents

We forgot that when we liberated Europe, we had "provisional governments in exile" riding on the coattails of the liberating armies.  We forgot to do that for the sandbox.