Randy Newman touched on the Columbus thing in his song “Great Nations of Europe”.
“Columbus sailed for India, found Salvador instead. He shook hands with some natives, and soon they all were dead. They got TB and typhoid and athlete’s foot, diptheria and the flu. ‘Scuse me, great nations comin’ through.”
Check out the tune, it’s hilarious. In a kind of depressing and cynical sort of Randy Newman way.
Staff Report found here: http://straightdope.com/mailbag/mcolumbus.html … and there’s another thread on the topic here: Report on Columbus - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board, kp585, glad to have you with us. However, since it’s probably helpful to have only one thread on a given Staff Report, I’m closing this one and suggesting everyone post in the other one. OK?