Of course history unfolds and impacts current events. I can find strands of history that have shaped politics today going back a hundred years.

Your OP made a specific allegation which places blame at the foot of democrats for deceit engaged by Republicans. The system doesn't always work as it should, sometimes it fails because politicians are flawed, or uninformed, or deceived or craven. There are many things I wish the Democratic Party did differently, but I fail to see the benefits of flagellation at this point - and that is my beef.

And if you're holding politicians hostage to beliefs they held years ago, you're holding them to a high standard we don't even hold for ourselves.

People change, circumstances change, stances shift - that is reality. So Barney Frank said what he said back then, what is the relevance to Barney Frank's position today? And what would you rather the democrats do RIGHT NOW to combat Trump? Is it that you think Democrats are currently too soft on him? Are you seeing parallels in the way North was treated then and Trump is treated now? And what are your solutions if you believe that to be so? What should they do instead that they are not doing now?

Don't conflate my( And others) wanting you to connect a thread with the present situation as us not caring about history.