Shows and NYC

I wonder why New York is used as the back drop for so many shows. It seems as odd as a wine of the month club. Why does New York need to be the back drop as all the shows. The worst part is something else is used .. . they make fun of the midwest.

In particular that horrid show with the tramp Paris Hilton. Now there is someone noone should ever take serious.

Days on

Here again is the little corner, and have some condos for sale. IF you need something that has some historical significance go buy something in Boston.

Of course getting something of historical importance can be really hard or if you are lucky easy. If the history is know, it will cost even more.

Remember that one will need to keep things the same. Even if you do not like it.


Have a really happy day.

Hstorical Places

Recently there was some North Carolina land for sale that has historical significance in US history. The real question would be what to do with the property.

I recently saw an episodes of Homicides: Life On The Streets, in which three characters bought a bar that had historical significance. The funny part is that it was George Washington who had to use the restroom there. The funny part is that the restroom would have been outside and not inside.

D-Day

New submitter LeadSongDog writes with news that Apple has provided information on how long it holds onto voice search data used by its digital assistant software Siri. Speaking to Wired, an Apple representative said the data is kept for two years after the initial query. "Here’s what happens. Whenever you speak into Apple’s voice activated personal digital assistant, it ships it off to Apple’s data farm for analysis. Apple generates a random numbers to represent the user and it associates the voice files with that number. This number — not your Apple user ID or email address — represents you as far as Siri’s back-end voice analysis system is concerned. Once the voice recording is six months old, Apple “disassociates” your user number from the clip, deleting the number from the voice file. But it keeps these disassociated files for up to 18 more months for testing and product improvement purposes." This information came in response to requests for clarification of Siri's privacy policy, which was not very clear as written. The director of privacy group Big Brother Watch said, "There needs to be a very high justification for retaining such intrusive data for longer than is absolutely necessary to provide the service."

A moon phase

I love unique watches. Bolovia made this really awesome watch with a moon phase. I am so glad they are trying them again with some of the Lange Sohne watches out there.

Now I tried buying one of the Bolovia watches as a piece of history. I like collecting odd things that have stlye and are usable. This also defines my love of cars and my anger at the trailer queens.

I personally like driving older cars as a daily driver.

Have a most happy day.

Finding Recent History

Oh happy days, coffee house has come to town.

Why this is not real history. This is local history. Mitchell SD Reviews has many of these items that I like.

This place was had been open down one year when I visited. I was really honored to be there. I really enjoyed my time and listening to the stories from the owners.

Have a happy day

Heinlein

I found this great speech or essay be Heinlein, one of my favorite authors of all time. Even with all the bathroom vanities that people have, I think this worth the read once again.

Have an awesome day.

===========================

This I Believe by Robert A. Heinlein

"I am not going to talk about religious beliefs but about matters so obvious that it has gone out of style to mention them. I believe in my neighbors. I know their faults, and I know that their virtues far outweigh their faults. "Take Father Michael down our road a piece. I'm not of his creed, but I know that goodness and charity and lovingkindness shine in his daily actions. I believe in Father Mike. If I'm in trouble, I'll go to him."

"My next-door neighbor is a veterinary doctor. Doc will get out of bed after a hard day to help a stray cat. No fee--no prospect of a fee--I believe in Doc.

"I believe in my townspeople. You can know on any door in our town saying, 'I'm hungry,' and you will be fed. Our town is no exception. I've found the same ready charity everywhere. But for the one who says, 'To heck with you - I got mine,' there are a hundred, a thousand who will say, "Sure, pal, sit down."

"I know that despite all warnings against hitchhikers I can step up to the highway, thumb for a ride and in a few minutes a car or a truck will stop and someone will say, 'Climb in Mac - how far you going?'

"I believe in my fellow citizens. Our headlines are splashed with crime yet for every criminal there are 10,000 honest, decent, kindly men. If it were not so, no child would live to grow up. Business could not go on from day to day. Decency is not news. It is buried in the obituaries, but is a force stronger than crime. I believe in the patient gallentry of nurses and the tedious sacrifices of teachers. I believe in the unseen and unending fight against desperate odds that goes on quietly in almost every home in the land.

"I believe in the honest craft of workmen. Take a look around you. There never were enough bosses to check up on all that work. From Independence Hall to the Grand Coulee Dam, these things were built level and square by craftsmen who were honest in their bones.

"I believe that almost all politicians are honest. . .there are hundreds of politicians, low paid or not paid at all, doing their level best without thanks or glory to make our system work. If this were not true we would never have gotten past the 13 colonies.

"I believe in Rodger Young. You and I are free today because of endless unnamed heroes from Valley Forge to the Yalu River. I believe in -- I am proud to belong to -- the United States. Despite shortcomings from lynchings to bad faith in high places, our nation has had the most decent and kindly internal practices and foreign policies to be found anywhere in history.

"And finally, I believe in my whole race. Yellow, white, black, red, brown. In the honesty, courage, intelligence, durability, and goodness of the overwhelming majority of my brothers and sisters everywhere on this planet. I am proud to be a human being. I believe that we have come this far by the skin of our teeth. That we always make it just by the skin of our teeth, but that we will always make it. Survive. Endure. I believe that this hairless embryo with the aching, oversize brain case and the
opposable thumb, this animal barely up from the apes will endure. Will endure longer than his home planet -- will spread out to the stars and beyond, carrying with him his honesty and his insatiable curiosity, his unlimited courage and his noble essential decency.

"This I believe with all my heart."

America to Vote

I was watching the hoodia that was going last night with the Republican Debate on youTube.

This is a rather odd event. Makes you wonder why some of the questions were selected and why others were eliminated.

Now some needed to be eliminated. But there were to many questions on Abortion and cutting taxes.

The other odd thing is that most of the guys did not seem prepared.

kindleing

No longer are we going to need plasma tv lifts to carry our history books around. Now, we have the Amazon Kindle. While this device is brand new, I love it. I need one and want one.

I am amazed by the screen. I would like to know one hting that somehow does not get an answer.

Can the Kindle goo off th EvDO (3G) network and send at 'normal' speeds. Or is it limited to the EvDO. In which case most of rural America is screwed.

So what else is new.

have a happy daying

Remember 9-11

I am still wondering how box cutters lead to all the problems that the TSA will not let people carry on.

My mom tried to travel recently and she has a titanium knee cap. Well guess what. She was seriously shaken down by TSA. If this 60 plus year old white woman is a terriorist well life is pretty much over.

Check into History

I did some checking into the history of a checking account. I thought the

It seems that the Ancient Romans started the process in about 352BC of using checking accounts. Let's be real the idea did not hold water for long. In Holland, they caught on in about 1500.

Checks finally caught on in America in the later 1800s.

I have to confess that I was rather amazed at the results of this little bit of research.


Have a historical day.

Those things

I know that billet grilles look really cool. However, history is full of surprises. The number of changes over the years regarding cars is really odd.

I usually like items like cadillaic and mustangs.

History is full of odd cars and vehicles. I am waiting for the new studebaker

Have a happy day.

Future

I look at future history and wonder. What wil the results of items like lithium battery be. I have rather lost count with the number I have gone through.

It seems like I have them all the time. Rather frustrating.

Have a happy day.

Specialized . . .

I am amazed at this wonderful age of specialization. There are a number of specilizations that are out there. I see it with teaching all the time. As an example, there are a accident lawyers and then there are DELETED and much more.

I wonder how this world (or country) would be different if there arer not such specialization.

Have a happy day.

Every Door Step

I spent several years in Knoxville, TN and spent sometime in some Pigeon Forge cabins. One of the odd things I found out what how divisive the Civil War was.

There is a book called on every door step. Most of Knoxville was split on the civil war. It was to poor of a place to have slaves.

Remember that all the south was not the south.

Have a happy day.

Pack of Rats

In case you missed it . . . the last of the Las Vegas Rat Pack has died.

The last piece of history has died and with him has passed a legend of history. I am sure that these guys will make some really good thesis material.

OF course the real problem will be not to heroize the Rat Pack. I am not sure the Rat Pack should be shown as heros.

Have a happy day.

The Beach

I have always loved the beach. I always wanted a wonderful beach weddings and enjoy the sunset. Modern America has always enjoyed the beach.

In the middle ages, the beach side of the manor was the servents section of the house.

So what does this mean . . . Well with all the garbage going on in California, I would be surprised that beach property does not go down in value.


Have a happy day.

On History

We have always been looking at various items into history. As an example there has been items such as family insurance for many many years.

Once London really came on the map they managed to start dealing with items that we would understand today as the new reality.


We started having larger buildings and larger schools.

Calvary

The history of calvary is of course an odd history. The Mongols rode on bareback and would fire an arrow backward at on coming would be attackers.

The by knights was heavy and would need strong men to wear it and to ride and control the horse.

Later the calvary would carry guns and the light nature of calvary.

Have a happy day.

Take me out to the ball game

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Of course what would happen if you . . . translate it into German and back?

If you execute me to the ball play,
execute me with the mass.
If you buy me some peanuts and Crackersteckfassung,
interest me I, if I do
not receive back never, leave me

Okay so maybe I really need some world series tickets.

Have a happy day.

The Face of War

I am amazed at how much war has been changing. We have moved in 100 years from Airplanes being flown to today and having really small and cool RC airplanes that can go and return quickly and easily.

These new spotter aircraft are virtually unseen and invisable. The scary part will be when these will be used in non-combat situations. So next time you look up just remember it may be watching you.

Al Gore and History

I think that Al Gore should have stayed with golf balls instead of trying to fake being a scientist.

All that Al Gore has proven is that global warming is not a science. If it was a science then Al Gore would have won a science award for advancing the knowledge of science.

Instead Al Gore has proven that it is about social change. All global warming is a massive guilt trip on the western world. And a hate fest against third world countries.

Dirk on the Radio

While I am sure that many of the Raleigh accident lawyers would never use Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, you can know him better.


The BBC is allowing you to listen to Dirk Gently and the odd adventures. I love this book and cannot wait to listen to the episodes.

I hope you have a happy day.

Looking Good

I will say this much . . .maternity clothes have changed over the years. From the complete coverage of women to the staying. I saw the web site referenced above and wow do they have some nice clothes for pregnant women.

These clothes are really good looking and allow pregnant women are coming into their own. I wish some of these clothes were available when my wife was pregnant.

Well have a good day.

A Dash of History

History is always fun and fascinating. The little stories are perhaps the most interesting. As many people know that many of the leaders of various items that they would be rather exotic in. Hoover was known for wearing dresses, I a sure there are many that would be in baby clothes just for kicks.

I have to confess, I understand dresses but not the baby items. Well I hope that you have a good day.

Commercials

One fun thing about history is television. The commercials tell us much of the past. One of my favorite old commercials was the Samsonite gorilla commercials.

They had the giant ape (okay a guy in a monkey suit) jumping up and down on the equipment.

I have to confess this was really funny at the time. I am wondering what commericals today will be so funny when they come around in 20 years.

Have a happy day.

Safeness

After watching some more law and order . . . I am thinking we need more safety utility knife with a emphasis on saftey.

From what I see in various places I am rather scared. There are so many bad people out there in the world. I know that not so many people are bad. There are many good.

I do wish there were so many more good people.

People, let us try to raise better students.

Have a good day.

Japan and War

I am starting a risky item in class, I am going to talk about the truth of WWII and Japan. I have to confess that discussing hot tubs would be easier.


FDR was down right evil and goaded the Empire of Japan into attcking the US. I know I have said this before, but it needs to be said again.

FDR was an evil president.

Have a good day.

Bits of History

I really like odd parts of history. Stuff that revovles around the small things in life. Items like party invitations, clothing, watches and other such items.

Recently, I was given a bunch of family items. There were invitations to weddings and other such items. It was a plethora of nothing, but it was my history. Hence, it is of great value to me.

Have a happy day.

A Drop Cloth?

Where or where is my tablecloth.

The old tablecloth is an interesting invention. Starting out, apparently, late in the 1800s.

The tablecloth has always had a feminine appeal as women used them to cover over older tables that had been worn.

During the depression most all were hand made and are a treasure to behold. IF you ever get a chance to see a museum display make sure you do.

Powerful Women

In the past, powerful women have been known by their clothes. This I find rather odd, but not surpsing. As an example how much in the way does a woman have of golf apparel ladies.

Despite the popularity of Hilary Clinton, I wonder if in 100 years the focus will be on clothes and other superficial items.

Have a happy day.

Football History

As you may know, I love histroy. A few years ago when I was living in TN, the recruiting time came around for Tennessee football and the VOLS.

On the radio they were discussing this one kid who was in California. He wanted to come to where the best quarterback was in football. That was Peyton Manning and UT. Who better to learn from.

The guys on the radio wanted to have this kid have a sense of history of TN football beyond Peyton. The funny part was my kids could not have passed that test and the were living there.

The Dream Is Still Alive

Today is anniversary of MLK's "I have a Dream" speech at the feet of Abraham Lincoln and not at Golden Nugget Las Vegas.

His speech reminds us of the equality that is still needed among all people. Perhaps one day we will be allowed to to, "Judge people by the content of their character, and not by the color of their skin."

You need to listen to this speech as it was spoken. Do not just read, but listen. His wording is fantastic. I have included the You Tube video for your viewing pleasure.

Louis XVI and Fun

Many people think that really sexy clothing is a relativly new invention. There are some items that have been around for many many years. As an example, Henry XVI (16) (who wife was Marie Antoinette) at the time of the French Revolution, used some open tip bras for Henry XVI.

Of course Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson (Mme de Pompadour), the lover of Louis XVI, is in her own right a really odd person who had relationships with dad and son.

Look Forward, looking back

When I look at past and all the changes and odd things that were done. I wonder what the future will hold for us. As an example, how will nutritional supplements be seen in the cuture of the future as they look at us.

OR how about compouters. Most of the data that we right will be lost. No simple written jornals. All computer inputted now. Take time to write things out by hand.

Have a happy day.

Histroy and Truth

Finding the odd stories of history is kinda like having a colon cleanse in that you learn new things.

The book, that is not in my American History is an example of this type of history. The mind gets twisted a little when we find out that things are not always what they appear to be.

One of the best examples is the Wright Brothers and thier famous flight. The bad news. They were not first.

Cool Discovery

I was changing the cabinet hardware on a friends house recently. And when going though things he found his dad's diary.

This was quite a find as his dad had passed way shortly after Vietnam war and injuries thereof. While not a great find historically. Many items like this will help us better understand what had happened.

I hope that you find such great treasures.

HAve a happy day.

Costumes.

Many of the Ancient cultures . . . esp those who were rich, and esp. the people who were rich, loved to have animal jewelry on their pets.


The egyptians decorated thier cats like crazy. You can always see many of the decorations in war dogs. While not stones per say, they were nonetheless decorated.

An example is the dogs in the movie gladiator.

Have a most happy day.

Lady Godivia

When looking at the past I wonder how things would have changed if they were in modern day America. A numer of years ago the comic strip "Bloom County" explored this idea.

I went back to Lady Godivia and sued to allow her to be nude on the horse. He won and changed the whole world. In that day, the lawyers rued the world and everyone was sued.

Can we stop that day from coming?

Recent Books

When dealing with history these days there is a heavy emphasis on women and minorities position within history.

While this is good. And I do mean good, as I do not want to marginalize anyone, this can get to the point where the emphasis is to great. Some of the recent history books marginalize many people who stood in at desperate times.

William Wilberforce is almost gone from the pages of history.

Instead we have how great slaves resisted. Without Wilberforce slaves in the Western world would still be accepted.

Instead of how the start of liberty of all people was given, all I read is the so many people were excluded. Yes they were, however without the brilliant men crafting the Constitution of the United States, no freedoms would be possible.

It almost seems that many people care more about the history of incontinence supplies then about other important facets of history.

selling the government

I know that presidents use many items one time and then move on. Many pens become collectibles simply because a president used them.

I am thinking, why not ebay these items from the government to the people of the world. Think of it. Every day the president uses a pen or two. Each day that pen comes up for auction with a certificate of authenticity.

The pen would be labeled nicely as a white house pen and then sold. Think of items like sheets used in the Lincoln Bedroom (of course they would be cleaned prior to selling). Or even items like executive desks that were used by the president or other high officials.

I know this means more pens would be used. However, the government could raise money without taxes.

Back to the Coffee Future

When looking at history there are always small things that one looks at and can even specialize in as a historian. For example a technology historian. When looking at the modern world I wonder what types of historians we will spawn in 1000 years when looking back.

For example, what if a DELETED was unearthed. Will they even have a clue. Or will coffee have passed from the world.

History Corrected

One of the odd things about histroy is that we seldom get it right and mythology wins over reality. Our collective Dell Memory gives us what we see as true based on pictures.

What I find out about some of the stories of history, the more discouraged I get on what I see on the news. The news gives us a perception of reality that will seldom change even over time.

Only many years later can we find the truth of what really happened.

Moving with a covered wagon

During the revolutionary war and most wars till engines were made. All the equipment had to be moved by hand. There were no nice truck accessories like a trailer hitch on which to help move things.

This was made clear to me when doing a recent move. And how nice it was to move quickly. I was able to drive 60+ mph with a trailer and made a trip that would take several days in a covered wagon with horses. Meanwhile my horses just need some oil and petrol.

History of Stuff

I have wondered about the history of drug rehab places. The first place I ever heard about was the famous one done by an ex-president's wife. That was in the 1970s. I would have to assume that they were around before that.

After all the addictions are not new to the 70s. They have been around for along time.

Have a happy day.

a signature

Well I was wondering what the world would be like if bic pens were used instead of the quill pens.

Think of how quill pens are used by artists through out time. The dec of ind would be much different. So would many of the other great events. the bad part would that there would be many fakes on ebay.


Have a happy day

To Visit

There are many great places to see history in this country. As an example, there are Pennsylvania bed and breakfast as a place in which you can stay while visiting some great sites.

One place I want to visit is the Getteysburg site. Just to see these sacred ground where the country of today was formed.

I hope that you have a great day.

Looking out

I was thinking about the house we are buying and the need for yard markers out there. I the yards are not marked very well. The bleed over is really bad. Since I left CA, where every yard is fenced to precision, I have been unable to figure out where the yard is.

On both sides we both mow on or near the line. Really weird I am sure we both go over.


Have a most happy day

Of Free Money

Ah yes . . . what a concept: children insurance


This would be great. You get pregnant you get money to cover expenses. For 18 years. Now that would be a great concept. No worry about messy diapers, insurance covers that. Hold wait . . . you do not mean . . . that they may mean something else? No way can it be.

Have a happy day.

Gladiator

I was thinking about the movie Gladiator. You know the once with the German Sheperads with the Premium dog food that look like wolves. Such a cool scene.

anyways, Commodus was a really odd cookie. He would walk around with animal skins on saying he was Hercules reborn. He would fight in the collusiun and he would also drive chariot races. He won every race that he was in, including . . . the one in which he crashed. Because, the judges said he would have won.

Have a happy day

The Start of Sports

One thing I have always wondered about history . . . how did things come into being. Think about Golf Equipment for a moment. What gave someone the idea to take a club or a stick or a branch or a sword and hit a ball or rock or even an egg across the field and pop into a hole in the ground?

i can understand the first time. But why the second time?

How mean how and why would someone do that. And keep doing it, and doing it.

Hey, I am wacking this rock with a stick, let's make some rules.

Have a great day.

A Good Memory

Pigeon Forge vacation rentals

I have traveled over most of the country and most of Europe. I used to live in Knoxville, TN. One summer a large part of the family had a Pigeon Forge vacation rentals that was right next door to one of those racing tracks.

I remember driving all over that track. That was the weekend that NASCAR was in Johnson City. They brought the NASCAR stuff through and bam . . . it was even more speed fun.

I bring this up . . . because this is the kind of stuff that never makes it any here in history. Yet this is how we have lived out our lives.

To Retire

One would think a Kissimmee vacation would be good. And well let me think about it. Yes I think it would.

Kissimmee is an odd place. It was really nothing to Disney World showed up. Wish I had known that at the time. I would have bought up land like crazy. Then I would retire a very rich person.

"If I were a rich man . . ."

Ah to sing the song.

Today and a Fountain

I always wonder how Ponce De Leon would survive in today's Florida. I mean he may set up a vacation home Orlando and still feel young. He may have found think that he had found the fountain of youth with people running around and looking at a mouse.

I mean with all the kids running around the world of disney I think he would have been thriled and tried to execute a take over of the world according to disney.

Have a happy day.

Why People DO That

I wonder what people did before there was school loan consolidation? I know there has been a lot of complaints about the industry. However, I have only had benefits.

I am actually paying less per month. Thing about that one for a moment. The only negative . . . I had several small loans that I paid off one at a time. Now I cannot do that. Overall, it was good experience for me.

Have a happy day.

Alex

I always have wondered about Alexander the Great. He was by all accounts a great leader. I have wondered what makes a great leader and why do we not have them today? I think I have the idea: market research. Think about. Politicians all they really do is stick a finger into the wind and see which way to move today. Alexander knew who he was and what he wanted to do.

He did not bother with opinion polls. He was a fierce leader that made people want to follow them. Is there such a leader today in American politics. I think not.

Babylonian Exile

I have just been doing some study on the Roman Catholic Church's Babylonian . This is when the popes ruled from Avignon, France from 1309-1377. I have to admit some of these guys were pretty good. Others were well . . . less then good.

Pope Urban V choose the name Urban because all the prior Urbans were made catholic saints. Now that is not really a bad idea of a name. For the record Urban V is not a saint.

Overall he was not bad and tried to reform the cardinals. This was difficult as the cardinals ruled most of the church.

Pursuit of Happyness

What is the DNA of a good story? Something that is compelling, it could (or did happen), an overcoming of a great difficulty.

I have just watched "the Pursuit of Happyness." This is a good movie as far as it goes. I mean the movie is really good. There are just a few gaps in logic.

For example: why did he not get food stamps. With a child he could get them.
Did he not have any friends? I mean for real. I know of four or five people's house where I could crash at.

Why did he sell plasma only once? I mean if you really need money.

Also if you read the wikipedia article on the movie (here) or the actual article on Chris Gardner. You find well . . . not as good as the movie. So the movie is not really that great.

Passover

Monday night starts Passover.

This is such a great time in which we recall Moses leading our people out of Egypt. It is a time in which we recall the plauges of Egypt.

Mostly we recall G-d leading our people.

Artifacts of the Past

I find religious artifacts to be interesting items. There are many relics that are left. The best ones are the stone idols. In these most of the gonads and/or breasts were greatly enlarged. These two items were shown as a symbol of fertility.

When I visited Rome, I saw many Christian etchings in walls. If I remember them correctly I think the movie Nero (really dumb and bad) used one of the caves as a set.

One of the more common, non-coinage, artifacts that are left are rosaries. These do not usually tell us much beyond that a religious people lived there.

Coins are my favorite items and I have an okay collection of coins. Many ancient coins are quite cheap.

Wigs of the 1600s

One of the items that always amaze me: History and people almost never change. Men always like to look masculine regardless of the times. Hair Replacement tricks have been going on for centuries. Think of all the wigs that were used from the 1600s to the early 1800s.

Today we think we are the first generation who ever worried about this problem. We are not. I would like to think that perhaps we can have an easy and quick solution to this problem.

Old Pens

I have recently added to my collection some old pens. I amazed at how many of these fountain pens are custom pens. I guess a few decades ago (like ten of them) most things were custom made. I am not to sure what I will do with them. Like many items I will find some way to use them in classroom.

What I really want is some authentic quill pens. Usually I want something that was in use around the revolution. However, this will be very expensive.

A world of gifts

When looking at history we find that things change over times. As an example, once Christianity was thought to be the highest form of thought.

Many christian gifts were given to western civilization and the world.

This is a very short non-exhaustive list:

Hospitals
Medicines
Science
Art
Music
The keeping of the ancient records
The printing press
modern mathematics

Most every field in existence today, including evolutionary science, owes a large debt to the Christian religion and the knowledge it has given to the world.

One of the odd things I find when studying other ancient cultures is that we are almost always told that this group had better system of keeping time. However, look at the above list and imagine yourself without any of that. oops.

The Big Purchase

I have always found it odd the story if the sale of the Louisiana Purchase. Napoleon was in financial need and we still liked the French. I know that seems odd as I many people still call the Freedom Fries. France was in dire need of money after the revolution and Napoleon running all over countryside with lovers and troops.

The story is that Napoleon slipped into the bath tub next to something like Powell furniture and made the deal.

Jefferson went against his personal beliefs in government and purchased the land. Oh yeah at the time the land belonged to Spain.

guerilla warfare.

I am wondering how history will look back at this time in history. History is an odd thing. Coolidge was beloved president in his time. He is remembered as one of the worst presidents of all. He was unable to control his administration. I question if this administration will be remembered as a good one or a bad one.

I think that Bush II will be remembered as a bad president. In the same way Johnson and Nixon are remembered. They both dived in to Nam with both feet. The bad part of the whole thing is that we have never won a 'fair' fight against guerilla warfare. Sure we managed to Tenuate the American Indians as the fought a guerilla warfare. However, it was guns, germs and steel against bows and arrows. By the time the Indians adopted the guns it was to late.

The Armys Then and Now

I often wonder how history would be different if there were modern training methods for ancient soldiers. What if Alexander's troops had Gatorade while going across the desert where he lost about half of his men.

Think of the great General Napoleon tramping across Europe to Russia. If he would have had an Energy Drink for his army, marching back in the dead of winter would not of been such a bad thing.

The same goes for Stalingrad. If the German forces had some MRE (meal ready to eat) or some sort of protein bar they could have held out much longer. All they would have needed would have been one solid plane drop and the troops would have been able to eat. The sixth army may have been to hold out at Stalingrad and drag the war out a little longer.

A New Book - Stolen Elections

I went to the Mailboxes today and a new catalog showed up. There is a book listed as Was the 2004 Presidential Election Stolen?. This raises the question for me.

Will the democrats ever get over the fact that they can barley win. I am thinking of writing a new book. How JFK stole the election of 1960. There was never more fraud as there was in 1960 election and almost all for JFK. Richard Nixon, yes tricky dick, did not contest the election because he was afraid of two things. First, many countries were trying to establish a democracy. He did not want to set a bad example. Second, knowing that we were moving into the television age he did not want to set a bad president.

Compare Al Gore to Richard Nixon. All of sudden Richard Nixon looks like a person of character and virtue. Al Gore tore the country apart and still whines daily about losing. Get over the fact that you lost.

The other book I would like to write: A complete encyclopedia of Democrats who stole election or had fraud committed on their behalf. The book would write itself. All I have to do is have a picture of every democrat ever elected.

Fountain of Youth . . . today

I wonder what would happen if Ponce de León came to Florida today looking for the Fountain of Youth. After coming back from Florida I have found anything but the fountain of youth. I know people have made jokes about many of our elders living there.

I am sure Ponce de León would have shook his head and left after finding a Orlando Vacation Rental and going to Disneyworld. At least Ponce de León would have a nice vacation and would have figured out quicker that the fountain of youth was not there. Of course this would have made a weird commercial:

"Ponce de León, you have discovered Florida and failed to find the fountain of youth. What are you going to do now?

Ponce de León: "I'm going to . . . well I just got back from . . . so . . .well I do not know."

Rome on HBO

Good news . . . I have been observing Rome by HBO. This show is really really good.

I am amazed at how accurate it is. Yes there are problems but still.

The Good War?

Teaching history is a lot of fun. We can always get into the, What Ifs, in history. What if the US had not be involved in World War Two? I still think Hitler would have lost. Hitler would have almost hands down if he did not attack Russia. The problem is that we have such a tight grip on World War Two as being the "good war" we can hardly see the why we should not have been involved. Not to mention saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

I was recently given a presentation folder printing on W.W.II with some info I had not thought of before.
The war was almost over on Sept 10, 1941 when snow fell on German troops. The only thing that motivated them at the end of Stalingrad was FDR's demand for unconditional surrender in early 1942.

History is now always the way the movies or your school books show. More Later . . .

War and People, questions

I have often wondered about the Civil and Revolutionary wars and how they affected the people at large.

For example: Raleigh, NC, as an example, had her run-ins with the British and with the federal troops. Now during the War Between the States, Raleigh was mostly spared any direct issues. However, the Northern troops did occupy Raleigh and her surrounding areas.

Being founded in 1792 just prior to the Revolutionary war Raleigh was to small a target to wither attack or defend.

So what happened to people during this time? Did Raleigh Real Estate go up or down at this time. How would things have changed if there had been land speculators?

Of course, if you could go back in time and purchase land dirt cheap . . . well Donald would not have a reason to buy things and him and his rug can go torment the TV channels.

Letters from the front

One of the more fascinating things to read in history is letters. I mean common letters, important letters, royal letters, or whatever kid you can find.

One of the best finds come from some Roman letters that had some return address labels to Britannia. These are letters that were being sent from the outpost to Rome. The funny thing is that these soldiers' letters are about the same as they are today.

Compiling about the conditions. Grip about food. Having bad leaders. What they really show is that the solider have not really changed in 1700 years.

The OT

When looking at the Old Testament recently, I was reading about the Red Bull or Red heifer or something like that.

Think about this: a cattle that is perfectly red without any kind of defect or problem. I wonder how long it took to find a this perfect red bull. This animal would be sacrificed and the ashes used for purity.

Somehow or another getting these ashes tossed at me . . . well that seems gross. I am sure they did not think it was so gross. But still, oh yeah I am going to toss ashes of a dead thing on you. "Hey thanks Bob." Not my idea of picnic . . . of course if the cow was steak.

A little piece of history

One of the odd things in looking at history are the little things. I like the little things that attract attention. If you get a chance, look at some older items or period pieces. Some of these items are matchbooks. The election matchbooks are unique and different. You may remember when they had real ads.

Another item that is fun is business cards. I remember when they were brightly colored and brightly obnoxious. These cards can tell allot of history of places. I remember my dad having some in the early 70s. These were really cool however, the blue color was horrid by today's standards.

Remember little things have much history.

Bibles

I am often asked what is the catholic bible and why is it different?

As the people who asked me the Protestant bible contains 27 books of the New Testament. There are four gospels, 1 history, 12 pauline, 11 catholic (general), and Revelation. Notice that Revelation is not a plural. There is the Old Testament. This is the same as Jewish Bible however it is in a different order. There are 66 separate 'books' that contain Law, history, poetry, major prophets and minor prophets.

The catholic bible, as approved by the Roman Catholic Church, contains several extra books. The Apocraphya contains several books that occur during the 400 silent years. These are not considered scripture by either Jews or Protestant Christians.

MLK

We have a dream.
We should still have a dream.

I am hoping that one day somehow or another we can fulfill Dr. King's dream where people are "not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

I hope that one day we can have content of character and not a pitful cry that one has been offended. MLK's dream is as alive today as it was then. I hope that I will live to see the dream.


From the Speech:

"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."


"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" - Amos 5:24

Label Rant

Living in California for a number of years, I learned one really cool thing: every house and business had a nice plaque showing their address. I really liked these made life easy to find things. An Address Plaque in other places of the world like Tennessee is almost impossible to find.

We have have history plaques all over the place in East Tennessee commemorating everything. “Civil War Vet Sneezed Here” but one for the address . . . no can do.

However, the memorial plaques is important as it tells us where we have been. As I have often said, We study the past, so we can see the future. So see the future and read an historical marker next time you pass it, you may find yourself there one day.

The History Corner

Sometimes when you look at history you find things that were not quite what we thought they were.

This blog is dedicated to looking at history.

This blog may contain first person fictional stories or accounts of items that never happened.