The history channel used to be my favorite channel. But I never watch the History unhistory channel anymore.

Consider for a moment where its programming has gone. For me it all started with “Pawn Stars”, which has obviously been very successful. Pawn Stars features the day to day activities of a Las Vegas Pawnshop that is run by a trio of men spanning three generations. The characters are likable and much of what is presented on the show is quite interesting.

Then came a rash of imitators suddenly appeared.  Which proved, at least for me, that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. For example “Pickers” follows the travels of two men who are looking for salable items that has been tucked away in homes and barns throughout Americana. “Kings of Restoration” followed with a focus  restoring antiques.  And now there’s “Counting Cars.   Which is, you guessed it, all about the acquisition and restoration of cars.  But at least  these shows projected a sliver from the past into the present.

Unfortunately an infection of new shows that have nothing to do with History followed the success of these shows.    Take the The World’s most dangerous Roads.  What on earth does this have to do with History?  Well I’ll tell you what this one’s all about.  It’s all about the History Channel’s fixation upon the profit motive at the expense of what this channel’s supposed to be about.  Or how about  “Swamp People”.  Which dramatizes the shooting of alligators and the home lives of the families who slaughter them.

Stupid people like stupid programs.  Whereas very few Americans care a tinkers damn about  History.   In fact most Americans are uncomfortable with politicians who are truly intelligent.   Or with men and women who are more articulate and knowledgeable than Mr. Average.  And if you don’t believe me, look at who we just elected president.  Trump the Rump.

“Duck Dynasty”  followed “Swamp People by dramatizing the antics of a modern Beverly Hillbillies family.

So there are now two shows glorifying red necks from Louisiana on a History unhistory channel that not too long ago was proud of its coverage of History.

And if all of the History unhistory channel is not bad enough already one can add “Ancient Aliens.”  Which expounds on the hypothesis that the early Egyptians  just had to have help from ancient aliens  to build the pyramids.  While aliens from outer space designed the Mayan temples in Central America.  And that even the designers of Nazi Germany’s V-2 rocket were to stupid to manage such a feat.  Unless extraterrestrials intervened.

The History Channel is currently far more concerned with ratings and how much profit each show can produce than it is with History.

It is also true that the educational standards for most Americans have plummeted from a plateau that was unworthy of much pride to start with.

Very few people read anymore while video Games, text messaging, and Facebook, have become the national pastimes. Cowboy western role models of the past such as “Have Gun Will Travel’s” Paladin and Gunsmoke’s Matt Dillon have given way to either anti heroes who make a living from crime or unworldly super heroes who bear no semblance whatsoever to real life.

There was a connection between a Matt Dillon or Paladin with the past as well as an enduring set of virtues and values that have stood the test of time.

All of this reflects the sad fact that America’s place in the sun is drawing to a much more rapid end than most of us realize.  The History unhistory channel is a startling symptom of where the United States is going.

You might also be in  World War II Hero, John Basilone–Where are the John Basilones Now?  If you want to read more about heroic role models for American youth and how they are a vanishing breed.