text: I grew up idolizing Columbus. As a Christian conservative I angrily denounced those who demeaned him.   Last yr, I decided to go beyond my cursory knowledge and read a couple of very scholarly biographies to learn more about him.  I was especially looking to read more about the events where he logged angelical and divine guidance to find the promised land.
  
  I was shocked at what I found.  Our own biases often blind us to truths simply because we automatically are programmed to discount anything from those who we despise.  But we do a disservice to our children and country to blindly celebrate Christopher without a warning of his very ungodly flaws.
  
  It is a historical fact that, because he couldn't find gold to fulfill his wild promises to Spain, he decided to begin the Caribbean slave trade.  He let mammon become his god.  He did not act honorably at the end.   Like all humans - he was a mixed a bag. Let's not be blind to history and thus not be taken seriously on other matters.