The Battle Over America’s Dark History at the National Archives

2024/10/30

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Andrew Restuccia

Ben Pershing

Harriet Torrey

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Harriet Torrey: 美国经济在第三季度增长2.8%，略低于预期，但仍保持强劲。消费者支出是主要驱动力，但住房市场和商业投资略显疲软。美联储预计将在下个月再次降息，就业报告将是其决策的重要参考。美国经济的强劲增长主要源于强劲的消费者支出，这在一定程度上抵消了住房市场和商业投资的疲软。尽管如此，历史性的比较来看，这个结果仍然很好。美联储关注就业增长，即将发布的就业报告将影响其降息的决定。 Ben Pershing: 超过5400万美国人提前投票，其中共和党选民比例显著增加。这可能影响选举之夜的结果解读，但具体影响尚不明确。2020年出现的"红色幻象"现象，即共和党在选举日领先，但随后民主党邮寄选票涌入导致结果逆转，今年可能不会重现，因为共和党和民主党的提前投票比例更接近。提前投票人数的增加，特别是共和党选民的增加，可能会影响人们对选举结果的解读。然而，我们无法确定这是否代表了选民的真实意愿，或者只是选民选择提前投票的结果。2020年的“红色幻象”现象，由于共和党和民主党选民的提前投票比例差异较大，导致了结果的误判。今年，由于两党的提前投票比例更接近，这种现象可能不会重现。 Andrew Restuccia: 国家档案馆馆长Colleen Shogan被指控系统性地从公众视野中移除美国历史中的负面内容，包括对土著部落的迁移和二战期间日裔美国人的监禁等事件。这一举动引发了争议，并被认为是试图迎合共和党以避免预算削减。Shogan本人否认了这些指控，并表示部分指控基于员工的误解。国家档案馆馆长Colleen Shogan的举动引发了关于如何讲述和教授美国历史的更广泛争论。保守派批评者认为，不应该将今天的价值观强加于建国先贤。Shogan的决定与当前关于美国历史叙事的政治化辩论密切相关。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why is there a behind-the-scenes fight over the telling of American history at the National Archives?

Chief archivist Colleen Shogan has been accused of removing material revealing the darker side of American history to focus on a more positive retelling and to preemptively prevent Republicans from finding content they might object to.

What are the specific accusations against Colleen Shogan at the National Archives?

Shogan is accused of making changes to a $40 million museum redesign that gloss over darker aspects of American history, such as the displacement of indigenous tribes and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII, and of trying to avoid content that might upset Republicans.

How does the situation at the National Archives fit into larger conversations about American history?

The situation aligns with broader conservative criticism of how American history is taught, particularly the push to avoid projecting modern norms onto historical figures.

What do the GDP numbers for the third quarter indicate about the U.S. economy?

The economy grew at a 2.8% annual rate, slightly less than expected, but still strong, driven by increased consumer spending and government spending.

How might the early voting numbers affect the presidential race?

Early voting numbers suggest a closer balance between Republicans and Democrats, potentially reducing the 'red mirage' effect where Republicans appear to lead on election night but lose as mail-in votes are counted.

What was the impact of Microsoft's cloud computing business on its overall revenue?

Microsoft's Azure cloud business revenue rose 33%, contributing to the company's overall revenue increase of 16% to $65.6 billion.

How did Meta's third-quarter revenue perform despite slower digital advertising growth?

Meta's third-quarter revenue reached over $40 billion, up 19% year-over-year, bolstered by profits that funded AI and augmented reality investments.

Chapters

The U.S. economy grew slightly less than expected in the third quarter, driven by increased consumer spending and government spending, despite some weak patches in the housing market and business investment.

GDP increased at a 2.8% annual rate in the third quarter.
Consumer spending picked up pace, contributing significantly to economic activity.
Federal government spending also increased notably in the third quarter.

Shownotes Transcript

P.M. Edition for Oct. 30. WSJ domestic policy correspondent Andrew Restuccia) discusses how the President Biden appointee in charge of the nation’s most treasured documents has over the past year ignited a behind-the-scenes fight over the telling of American history). And more than 50 million Americans have already voted) in the presidential race. Journal politics editor Ben Pershing) explains what that could mean for election night. Plus, economics correspondent Harriet Torry) on the U.S. economy’s continuing growth streak). Tracie Hunte hosts.

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