Columbus Week

This week has been all about Columbus. I know he is getting the shaft in regular society, but you know, we have Catholic and European roots and he did DISCOVER America in as much as Europe had no clue it existed. I can't believe I read about school systems having classes put Columbus on trial and finding him guilty. I'm wondering what evidence they were considering! Yes, there are sour notes, but is it really productive to make him into a full fledged villan? It might be more educational to look at how exploration is different today- or imagine if Europe only this century had 'discovered' America- or what would have happened if America had discovered Europe instead =)