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
America
250 Years On
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,Here once the embattled farmers stoodAnd fired the shot heard round the world-Ralph Waldo Emerson Exactly two hundred and fifty years ago today, British soldiers under Lt. Col. Francis Smith were sent by governor Thomas Gage to seize a stockpile of weapons which … Continue reading 250 Years On
Religious Liberty Fisk
I haven't done a fisk in years, but a friend linked to this article, and I had thoughts. I had so many thoughts that I decided to do a fisk rather than a long comment. Then it kind of turned into a 10,000 word monster, so fair warning that this will be long. I thought … Continue reading Religious Liberty Fisk
Saturday Flotsam: More Civil War, More Snow White, and ‘Wall Street’
1. I've fallen sick this week and ended up staying home yesterday. 2. Before that, however, I was telling my US history students about the Rebel Yell. They weren't quite getting it, so I tried to demonstrate (poorly, since I'm not Southern). I then had to admonish them, "Guys, don't do the Rebel Yell in … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: More Civil War, More Snow White, and ‘Wall Street’
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Civil War, Some Anime and Music
1. In my judgment, when it comes to great men of American history, there is George Washington, there is Robert E. Lee, and there is everyone else. 2. My history class has finally gotten up to the Civil War (the second one), so I've been reading up on it to patch up my knowledge of … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Civil War, Some Anime and Music
Wednesday Politics: Post-Election Thoughts
First I have to get this out of the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgWr3hNXPhk And this: My main reaction has been simply an appreciation of the storybook quality of the events. Six months ago I would have said that Trump didn't stand a chance in Hell of being re-elected, and that the smartest thing he could have done … Continue reading Wednesday Politics: Post-Election Thoughts
Some ‘West Side Story’-Based Immigration Thoughts
My school's going to be doing West Side Story this year for its spring musical, and accordingly I revisited the film version last night (the Robert Wise version, naturally). The story prompted some thoughts. The set up is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet among the street gangs of New York City, with the conflict … Continue reading Some ‘West Side Story’-Based Immigration Thoughts
Saturday Flotsam: Various and Generals and Capybara
1. The correct answer to the question "Am I a racist?" is "I don't care." 2. Listening to podcasts about Napoleon from Apostolic Majesty (an excellent and very thorough history channel, by the way). Napoleon, as I think I've mentioned, strikes me as one of the closest examples we've had in history to a genuine … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Various and Generals and Capybara
Annual Praise for ‘Independence Day’
For newcomers, I watch 'Independence Day' every year on the Fourth of July: the following is (mostly) an old post on my great fondness for the film. When Independence Day came out, it was a huge hit, but ever since then it’s kind of become the poster-child for the big, dumb, CGI-fueled blockbusters of … Continue reading Annual Praise for ‘Independence Day’
Friday Flotsam: Sacred Heart, Fr. Kapaun, More Japan
1. A blessed Feast of the Sacred Heart, and month of the Sacred Heart! This is one of my favorite devotions, partly on its own merits, partly because of its associations (though of course, these are not unrelated). What is the heart? It is the core of a man, the source of life, the seat … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Sacred Heart, Fr. Kapaun, More Japan
Serpent's Den 