1. Still in the 'awkward transition' phase regarding my new job, where I haven't even begun to do the actual job I've been hired for (which itself is a trainee position), and I'm still getting used to the new schedule and what is and is not an option now. I'm at least keeping regular writing … Continue reading Flotsam: Snobbery, Revolutions, and the Fourth of July
History
Friday Flotsam: The Importance of the Things of This World
1. I think the thing that people hate and fear most about Christianity, especially Catholicism, is how important it makes the things of this world. Nobody objects to deism - belief in a creator God who is largely indifferent to humanity. Nobody seriously objects to 'spirituality' or a general belief in the afterlife or something … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: The Importance of the Things of This World
The Last Battle
5th of May, 1945, saw one of the last (and strangest) battle of the Second World War in Europe, where American troops, Wehrmacht soldiers, a defecting SS officer, and one tank named 'Jenny' defended a Medieval Austrian castle full of French political prisoners against an assault by SS troops. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwfJsKfCnaM This video provides a fascinating … Continue reading The Last Battle
Polybius
I like video game history, I like urban legends, and I really like seeing people put a tremendous amount of research and effort into their videos. With that, I present you Retro Ahoy's documentary on Polybius, one of the most prominent myths of the video game world. First a summary: according to the story, Polybius … Continue reading Polybius
Miracle of the Vistula
In August 1920, newly independent Poland stood all-but alone against the newly risen monster of the Soviet Union. The Soviets were looking to eliminate the old bastion of the Church from their borders, as well as give themselves a route to foment and take advantage of the chaos in Germany, hoping to spark a Communist … Continue reading Miracle of the Vistula
‘Make Mine Freedom’
Allow me to present a startlingly accurate warning from 1948, back in the days when the American system actually tried to defend itself. https://videopress.com/v/GdRUxlfG?preloadContent=metadata You know, I have my own criticisms of the position taken by this short, but my goodness, it's refreshing to see it actually articulated, and pretty well too. Also, note the … Continue reading ‘Make Mine Freedom’
October 21: Blessed Karl of Austria
Today is the feast of Blessed Karl of Austria, the last Hapsburg Emperor (for now). For those who don't know the tragic story of this holy monarch, Blessed Karl was the grand nephew of Emperor Franz Joseph and ascended the throne in 1916 at the age of twenty-six. He was an extremely pious and kindly … Continue reading October 21: Blessed Karl of Austria
Columbus Responds to His Critics
History and Compromise at ‘The Everyman’
My latest post at The Everyman is up, comparing our present world to Austria in the 1930s. It's depressingly apt. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A virulent ideological movement is spreading through a nation’s institutions. It presents itself as the wave of the future, elevating those who have been beaten down, and … Continue reading History and Compromise at ‘The Everyman’
Serpent's Den 