The Articles of Confederation, which served as the US Constitution from 1781 to 1789, were designed to give the Congress essentially the powers relative to the States that the Revolutionaries claimed they thought the British government should have relative to the colonies. Among these was that the Congress had no right to imposes taxes, only … Continue reading Close Call
Author: DBreitenbeck
Poem – “The Light of Stars”
The night is come, but not too soon; And sinking silently,All silently, the little moon Drops down behind the sky. There is no light in earth or heaven But the cold light of stars;And the first watch of night is given To the red planet Mars. Is it the tender star of love? The star of love and dreams?O no! … Continue reading Poem – “The Light of Stars”
Friday Flotsam: Washington, ‘Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Odyssey’
1. My judgment is that the American Revolution was one of the stupidest, most asinine and unnecessary revolts in history. And yet, the figure of Washington gilds this absurdity with such sublime heroism that it nearly outweighs every other consideration. I think that might be a good summation of the American character: objective absurdity overlaid … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Washington, ‘Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Odyssey’
Poem – ‘Ave Imperatrix’
(Written on the occasion of the attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria in March 1882) From every quarter of your landThey give God thanks who turned awayDeath and the needy madman’s hand,Death-fraught, which menaced you that day. One school of many made to makeMen who shall hold it dearest rightTo battle for their ruler’s sake,And stake … Continue reading Poem – ‘Ave Imperatrix’
Sunday Sundry: A Little Politics and The Little Prince
1. This year was my first time reading The Little Prince, at least in full (I'd read sections of it before). That has already become one of my Golden Books; one of the most beautiful, dream-like descriptions of love and innocence that I've ever read. It's short, but as dense as solid gold. 2. "And … Continue reading Sunday Sundry: A Little Politics and The Little Prince
Poem – “Drinking Song from the Tomb”
Come hither my lads with your tankards of ale,And drink to the present before life should failPile each on your platter a mountain of beef,Cos it's eating and drinking what brings us reliefSo fill up your glass, for life will soon pass,When you're dead you'll ne'er drink to your king nor your lass,Anacreon had a … Continue reading Poem – “Drinking Song from the Tomb”
Sunday Sundry: Miscellaneous, Including Talleyrand and Slavery
1. We've been having torrential rainstorms here in Arizona. I technically shouldn't have tried to drive home on Friday, but I only noticed the "do not travel" warning after I arrived (I don't check my phone all that often). I made it home alive, in case you were wondering. The last few months have been … Continue reading Sunday Sundry: Miscellaneous, Including Talleyrand and Slavery
Poem – “The Rainy Day”
The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;It rains, and the wind is never weary;The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,But at every gust the dead leaves fall,And the day is dark and dreary. My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;It rains, and the wind is never weary;My thoughts still cling to the … Continue reading Poem – “The Rainy Day”
Friday Flotsam: More Revolution Thoughts
1. It's that time of year again; time to teach about the lead-up to the American Revolution and do my best to make it look as non-ridiculous as possible. My philosophy, as a teacher, is that my job is not to teach them my opinions, but to teach them what happened and let them decide … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: More Revolution Thoughts
The Pre-Boston Massacre
To my mind, the main takeaway from the so-called ‘Boston Massacre’ is that martyrs to British tyranny were so thin on the ground in New England that the Sons of Liberty were reduced to using five morons who thought it was a good idea to goad and attack a group of armed soldiers. A lesser … Continue reading The Pre-Boston Massacre
Serpent's Den 