"America has never lost and will never lose a war" says Patton in the opening speech of the classic film. This, of course, rang sadly ironic to audiences in 1970 as the Vietnam War wound down, and is even more so today, though as someone pointed out, even at the time it required Patton to … Continue reading Wednesday Politics: On America’s Military Record and Its Consequences
America
A Telling Exchange
The following conversation occurred in Washington in early 1861 between fellow West Point alumni Irvin McDowell and William T. Sherman, both seeking commands in the newly-forming Union Army: McDowell: "Hello, Sherman, what [rank] did you ask for?"Sherman: "A colonelcy."McDowell: "What? You should have asked for a brigadier general's rank. You're just as fit for it … Continue reading A Telling Exchange
Friday Flotsam: Lincoln, Civil War, and More Manga
1. This week for my US History class I learned why most people only quote the first paragraph or so of Lincoln's 'house divided' speech; because after that it kind of devolves into a paranoid rant of how the Democrats want to impose slavery upon all the states, including speculation that Stephen Douglass etc. were … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Lincoln, Civil War, and More Manga
A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Everyone knows that Francis Scott Key wrote our beloved national anthem The Star Spangled Banner while observing the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the deck of a British ship while a guest of his Majesty's. Turns out there is a little-known, unhappy sequel to the story. Key's grandson, Frank Key Howard, became a newspaper editor … Continue reading A Touch of Grim Historical Irony
Friday Flotsam: Immaculate Conception, Hapsburgs, and More
1. A blessed Feast of the Immaculate Conception! 2. This is, of course, the national feast day of the United States, as instituted in 1846 by the US Bishops and confirmed by Pius IX. This seems primarily based, historically, on the fact that Christopher Columbus's flagship was the Santa Maria de la Inmaculada Concepción, and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Immaculate Conception, Hapsburgs, and More
Meme – Conservative vs. Loyalist
I can't remember if I posted this one before, but it's one of my favourites of the ones I've made.
Friday Flotsam: Thoughts On Turning 35
1. Today is my 35th birthday. If our allotment of years is three-score and ten, I'm halfway done. 2. I'm obliged to face up to the fact that I am not happy with the man I've become or with what I have to show for my years. If you'd asked me ten or five or … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Thoughts On Turning 35
Wednesday Political Thoughts
I've decided to try to restrict my political musings to Wednesday, that being a day well-suited for such a woeful child as this. "We the People...." I happen this morning to have thought of that famous John Adams quote: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to … Continue reading Wednesday Political Thoughts
Friday Flotsam: Federalist Papers Again (Sorry)
1. The past few months have felt strangely repetitive and empty. I seem to have fallen onto a psychological cycle wherein little is done, but the same patterns repeat. I haven't written much lately, though constantly intending to. I find myself unable to relax into any kind of work, that is, to let go of … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Federalist Papers Again (Sorry)
Friday Flotsam: Teaching Stuff and a Couple Federalist Papers
1. I'm generally not very fond of the lesson plans I'm given, or the readings. That is, a lot of the readings are fine in themselves, but odd choices for the subject. In US History and Literature class, for instance, my students are reading a book about the Carmelite martyrs of Compiegne, written by a … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Teaching Stuff and a Couple Federalist Papers
Serpent's Den 