The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, once regarded as a dominant and bipartisan force in American politics, is experiencing a significant decline in its overall influence.

Founded following a 1953 military massacre of Palestinians, the organization initially promoted the interests of Israel as a vulnerable democracy deserving of broad financial and diplomatic support.

Over subsequent decades, AIPAC expanded its operational reach, budget, and lobbying efforts to shape congressional legislation and public narratives. However, a gradual shift to the right and alignment with the Republican party particularly under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu has alienated many mainstream and young American Jews.

By funding conservative candidates and attempting to defeat liberal Democrats in primaries, the lobby has sparked intense progressive backlash and caused numerous politicians to reject its financial backing. Despite this current political alienation and the backfiring of its electoral strategies, can the organization still salvage its reputation by actively combating the growing wave of right-wing antisemitism and anti-Zionism?

Christopher Columbus, an Italian Explorer never set foot in North America or United States. Yet he became an American hero and a Federal Holiday is celebrated in his name.

So how and why was his story woven into the U.S. story? We discuss the various images of his legacy, the myths, the good and the bad especially in a time of divided politics and the American culture wars.

American history education and popular culture frequently rely on selective memory, choosing to emphasize heroic triumphs while marginalizing complex failures, stalemates, or vulnerabilities. This national narrative explains why pivotal events like the Battle of Antietam, the failed invasions of Canada, the British capture of Washington, D.C., and the Japanese occupation of Alaska are largely overlooked. Instead of confronting military blunders, heavy casualties, or embarrassing national defenses, educational curricula and public memory pivot toward positive political outcomes and celebratory milestones.

Ultimately, this curated approach shapes a patriotic identity by highlighting clear-cut victories and downplaying the somber, messy realities of the nation's past.