I find it intensely amusing that Rhode Island, of all states, was the most intransigent against the Constitution. There were reasons for that, of course, but I can't help picturing the other States at the Convention: "Oh, no; we've lost Rhode Island!" "Well, I suppose, if we really must, we can find a way to … Continue reading Historical Thought: Rhode Island Contra Mundi
America
Thought of the Day: ‘Don’t Blame the Constitution’
My history textbook - Christ and the Americas - has many virtues, but it's at its worst when the authoress tries to pontificate. Take the following passage (which comes out of a kind of mini-essay on the subject in the section on the Constitutional Convention): "If our Constitution has failed in any way, it is … Continue reading Thought of the Day: ‘Don’t Blame the Constitution’
Musical Interlude: ‘To Anacreon in Heaven’
Here's a jolly old song that was quite popular in its day. You may or may not recognize the title, and probably don't know the lyrics, but I'm almost sure you'll recognize the tune: it was adopted for another little song, which has enjoyed a broader popularity. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PUFUCTXwfc
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Political History
1. We're still reading Thomas Paine in my American Government course (I'm going to be looking ahead this weekend, but I may have to go off-script because there doesn't seem much else being discussed in the coming weeks), along with his chosen opponent, Rev. Charles Inglis (later the first Anglican Bishop in the New World). … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Political History
Quote of the Day: President Fillmore
“May God save the country, for it is evident the people will not.”-Millard Fillmore
“You’re Not Talking to the Founding Fathers Again, Are You?”
With the course of study I'm teaching, this short came to mind, as riffed by Mike and the Bots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmjegYYYlUE&t=342s "What money?""Don't smart-mouth me, boy." Like most '50s educational shorts, this one's a stagey, stolid affair, but with some pretty solid information and a point that's hard to argue with: about keeping a budget and … Continue reading “You’re Not Talking to the Founding Fathers Again, Are You?”
Revolution Analogies
Sorry; again, it just keeps coming up! Today I happened to come across the following in an old comments section: “Imagine that a father gave his teenage son every liberty, so that the son was accustomed to making all his decisions for himself and living his life as he chose. Then suddenly one day the … Continue reading Revolution Analogies
Friday Flotsam: School, Carrolls, and Sword Fight
1. Made it through my second week of teaching. I'm still finding it extremely draining, and it's a struggle to get the kids to start discussing stuff in most of the classes (my one 12th grade class is the best in that regard, but alas is the shortest one). But it's something, and I've at … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: School, Carrolls, and Sword Fight
Friday Flotsam: On Republics and Anime Girls
1. The purpose of government is to promote the common good. The great danger of any Republic is the loss of the sense of commonality between different parts of the populace. This, of course, can happen under any form of government, but it is a particular danger for Republics, because elected governments incentivize animosity and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: On Republics and Anime Girls
Friday Flotsam: Federalist Papers, Mission Impossible, Trailers
1. One of those weeks where I was very busy and productive, but feel like I didn't really get anything done. Very little actually ended up in the 'finished' pile, since I ended up passing from one project to another or deciding after a few hours' work that this one isn't going to fly after … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Federalist Papers, Mission Impossible, Trailers
Serpent's Den 