You couldn't write this stuff and get away with it

I've been watching Ken Burns' documentary on the history of America's National Parks. It's pretty amazing, with both current and historical photographs and film.

So here's the irony wrapped in irony. The Gold Rush inspired the U.S. government to drive Indians off their land. Manifest destiny and all that, dontcha know. An army battalion chased a group of Indians into the Yosemite Valley in 1851, whereupon they "discovered" the beauties of the valley. The company physician, Dr. Lafayette Bunne...