1. There are two possible readings for the American Revolution: either it was a matter of sincere, but politically incompetent idealists blundering their way into civil war or it was a matter of men who had settled on rebellion from the start taking every opportunity to deliberately escalate the situation (or, most likely, a combination … Continue reading Saturday Sundry: US History, Politics, Strategy
American Revolution
Friday Flotsam: Legend Haven, More History, and Some Storycraft
1. Legend Haven, the friendliest fiction convention in the galaxy, is happening this weekend, and I will be there! The con runs from Saturday to Sunday, but all my stuff will be on Sunday, the 19th. I will be hosting an open booth, ask-me-anything from 12-3 MST (so, 3-6 EST), followed by a discussion / … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Legend Haven, More History, and Some Storycraft
Close Call
The Articles of Confederation, which served as the US Constitution from 1781 to 1789, were designed to give the Congress essentially the powers relative to the States that the Revolutionaries claimed they thought the British government should have relative to the colonies. Among these was that the Congress had no right to imposes taxes, only … Continue reading Close Call
Friday Flotsam: Washington, ‘Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Odyssey’
1. My judgment is that the American Revolution was one of the stupidest, most asinine and unnecessary revolts in history. And yet, the figure of Washington gilds this absurdity with such sublime heroism that it nearly outweighs every other consideration. I think that might be a good summation of the American character: objective absurdity overlaid … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Washington, ‘Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Odyssey’
Friday Flotsam: More Revolution Thoughts
1. It's that time of year again; time to teach about the lead-up to the American Revolution and do my best to make it look as non-ridiculous as possible. My philosophy, as a teacher, is that my job is not to teach them my opinions, but to teach them what happened and let them decide … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: More Revolution Thoughts
The Pre-Boston Massacre
To my mind, the main takeaway from the so-called ‘Boston Massacre’ is that martyrs to British tyranny were so thin on the ground in New England that the Sons of Liberty were reduced to using five morons who thought it was a good idea to goad and attack a group of armed soldiers. A lesser … Continue reading The Pre-Boston Massacre
Poem – “The American Rebellion”
BEFORE 'Twas not while England's sword unsheathedPut half a world to flight,Nor while their new-built cities breathedSecure behind her might;Not while she poured from Pole to LineTreasure and ships and men—These worshippers at Freedoms shrineThey did not quit her then! Not till their foes were driven forthBy England o'er the main—Not till the Frenchman from … Continue reading Poem – “The American Rebellion”
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
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
Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
My first Everyman post in a while is now up. It's a foray into contemporary politics, looking for historical parallels. Specifically, I look at the likelihood of America dissolving into another civil war by comparing it to one of our previous ones: More and more the idea is in the air that the United States … Continue reading Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
Serpent's Den 