While most of us were taking a day off, U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia Rufe was issuing what some term a withering opinion on the removal of slavery references from “the President’s House” in Philadelphia. Appointed by President Bush in 2002, Judge Rufe is hardly known as a radical.
Citing the 1948 statute that created the Independence National Historical Park and the agreements with the City of Philadelphia, and in light of the historical research and restoration of the President’s House, where Washington lived during his presidency, the Park Service put up displays regarding daily life, including the stories of the enslaved servants. They were removed January 22, 2026.
Quoting George Orwell in its decision, the Court held that the Federal Government had violated its agreements with the City, removed historical truth because of its desire to wipe away the issue of slavery in spite of the fact that it was clearly addressed in our founding documents, and destroyed a meaningful part of our Nation’s history.
Prayer for the Day
Unsettled by the history we would rather forget,
We chafe at the stories, true and terrible;
Burdened by our past, we want blank slates,
But we know we cannot deceive ourselves.
Be with us as we strive to heal divisions and deceptions,
And bring us into true community with each other.
In the name of the Model of our lives,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
All history was a palimpsest, scraped clean and reinscribed exactly as often as was necessary. In no case would it have been possible, once the deed was done, to prove that any falsification had taken place.
George Orwell, from 1984 (1903-1950)
As if the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984 now existed, with its motto “Ignorance is Strength,” this Court is now asked to determine whether the federal government has the power it claims—to dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts. It does not.
Hon. Cynthia Rufe, City of Philadelphia v. Doug Burgham, et al, cv 26-434
For your immortal spirit is in all things.
Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass,
And you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin,
So that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord.
Wisdom of Solomon 12: 1-2