A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers,There was lack of woman's nursing, there was dearth of woman's tears;But a comrade stood beside him, while his life-blood ebbed away,And bent, with pitying glances, to hear what he might say.The dying soldier faltered, and he took that comrade's hand,And he said, "I nevermore shall see … Continue reading Poem- “Bingen on the Rhine”
Saturday Sundry: New England Thoughts
1. I'm up in Maine visiting relatives this week. It's very nice to be surrounded by forests again. I've definitely missed them living in Phoenix. 2. New England has a character unlike any other part of the nation, simply because it is older. Men have lived here, farmed here, praised God here, and made their … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: New England Thoughts
Poem – “An American”
The American Spirit speaks: If the Led Striker call it a strike,Or the papers call it a war,They know not much what I am like,Nor what he is, my Avatar. Through many roads, by me possessed,He shambles forth in cosmic guise;He is the Jester and the Jest,And he the Text himself applies. The Celt is … Continue reading Poem – “An American”
Friday Flotsam: Fourth of July Edition
1. Happy Independence Day! Year 249 of the Republic (year 418 of the nation, for those keeping track). I try to make it a rule to play nice today and not share any of the thoughts that I, as a Loyalist, may have about the Revolution, the Declaration, or the rest of it. Well, at … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Fourth of July Edition
Saturday Sundry: Kill a Mockingbird and Stop Killing Games
1. I somehow escaped reading To Kill a Mockingbird during my school career. But since the 'sequel' (which, as I understand it, is actually a rough draft that Harper Lee's estate found in her papers and published with minimal involvement from her, but that's another story) is on my reading list this year, so I … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: Kill a Mockingbird and Stop Killing Games
How to Identify Bad Faith Arguments
What are some signs that the person you are dealing with is arguing in bad faith? That is, he is not interested in the truth of the matter, only trying to assert his own position for other reasons. For background: for the past year or two, YouTuber Ross Scott has been spearheading a campaign called … Continue reading How to Identify Bad Faith Arguments
Poem – “Mandalay”
By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin' lazy at the sea,There's a Burma girl a-settin', and I know she thinks o' me;For the wind is in the palm-trees, and the temple-bells they say:"Come you back, you British soldier; come you back to Mandalay!"Come you back to Mandalay,Where the old Flotilla lay:Can't you 'ear their paddles chunkin' … Continue reading Poem – “Mandalay”
Saturday Sundry: ‘Lusitania’, ‘Dorian Gray’, and ‘Starship Troopers’
1. A YouTube channel I've discovered recently is Oceanliner Designs, which provides extremely detailed documentaries on famous ships and disasters at sea, illustrated with some very pretty animation. Of course Titanic is a regular feature, but the host also examines other famous liners, including Titanic's two sisters, Olympic (the one survivor) and Britannic (which was … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: ‘Lusitania’, ‘Dorian Gray’, and ‘Starship Troopers’
Poem – “Lift Not the Painted Veil”
Lift not the painted veil which those who liveCall Life: though unreal shapes be pictured there,And it but mimic all we would believeWith colours idly spread,—behind, lurk FearAnd Hope, twin Destinies; who ever weaveTheir shadows, o'er the chasm, sightless and drear.I knew one who had lifted it—he sought,For his lost heart was tender, things to … Continue reading Poem – “Lift Not the Painted Veil”
“When the King Enjoys His Own Again”
Apparently today there is a 'No Kings Day' protest going on across the country. Because if there's anything that characterizes the modern world in general and America in particular, it's an excess of irresponsible royal authority. Like most protests, it's a costly, dangerous, over-elaborate way for many people to declare as a body "I'm a … Continue reading “When the King Enjoys His Own Again”
Serpent's Den 