You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive. | |
— James Baldwin | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | But You’re Still Looking? |
2021 | Misunderestimated |
The Sincerest Form Of Flattery (Leader Of The Band) | |
Four Fifths Of Music | |
2020 | Doctor’s Orders |
Make That Seven Orders… (Good Lovin’) | |
2019 | Innocent |
2018 | Ripost |
2017 | Just Asking… |
2016 | And 4 |
How Tall Do You Stand? | |
2015 | More Prejudice |
2014 | Say What? |
2013 | Daring Errors |
2012 | Are You Comfortable? |
I Just Have To | |
In Flux | |
2011 | True New |
2010 | A Job Well Started Is A Job Half Done |
I See With My One Good Eye | |
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Books Teach
Posted in Education, History, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Education, History, James Baldwin, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, Torment on November 18, 2023| 2 Comments »
Veterans Day – 11 November 2023
Posted in History, Pictures, tagged 2023 Veterans Day, History, Pictures, VA.gov on November 11, 2023| 9 Comments »
Grinding Away…
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Anonymous, Fulton County Inmate P01135809, History, Justice, Martin Luther King Jr, Mug shot of Donald J. Trump, Philosophy, Politics, Presumed Innocence, Quotes, Rule Of Law, United States, Wheels of Justice on August 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »
…The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. | |
–– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | |
The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine. | |
–– Attributed to multiple sources | |
Step 9: Freedom or Incarceration (Pending) | |
Step 8: Release or Sentencing (Pending) | |
Step 7: Jury Vote – Innocent or Guilty (Pending) | |
Step 6: Trial by Jury (Pending) | |
Step 5: Preliminary Motions and Discovery (Pending) | |
Step 4: Arrest and Booking of Accused (Check) | |
Step 3: Indictment Decision by a Grand Jury (Check) | |
Step 2: Presentation of Investigation results to a Grand Jury (Check) | |
Step 1: Criminal Investigation (Check) | |
Donald J. Trump will go down in history with another of many firsts… | |
[Please keep in mind that in the United States a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of their peers. Investigation, indictment, arrest and booking do NOT make a person guilty. That is for the jury to decide after the presentation of evidence and the evidence must be sufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. | |
We live in a country subject to the rule of law. It isn’t always fair or just, but it is far better than the rule of the mob or that of might over right. We are living in an unfolding moment of history and the eyes of the world are watching us… — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | What If I Don’t Want To Know Myself? |
2021 | But Verify |
I Feel Like Slow Dancing (When I Need You) | |
2020 | In 50 States And Voting Against Trump |
A Two Steps Comparison (Come A Little Bit Closer / Gimme Three Steps) | |
2019 | My Last Must Be My Best |
2018 | Making Friends |
Day 28: A Normal Loss And A Headache | |
2017 | Sea Worthy |
2016 | Rising Integration |
2015 | No Worries |
2014 | Devouring The Present |
2013 | But So Far… |
Twice Moved | |
2012 | Just Like Bubbles |
2011 | Caring and Driving |
Achieve Greatly | |
2010 | Unwise To Trust |
Attitude | |
If The Mind Is Not Tired | |
Irrationally Crazy | |
2nd Pair – Shoe Review | |
Ahnu – Gesundheit! | |
2009 | As for me… |
Health Care Reform Now!! | |
All Americans Should Read The 1 August 2023 Indictment of Donald Trump…
Posted in History, Politics, tagged #45 - Indictment, American Politics, Conspiracy, Deptartment of Justice, DOJ, Donald Trump, Republicans on August 3, 2023| Leave a Comment »
First: In America, everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law before a jury of their peers. | |
Second: The indictment of a former President on alleged crimes concerning an attempted coup via a conspiracy to reverse the results of a free and fair election is equally historic and unprecedented. Most of the evidence / testimony which led up to this indictment was gathered by means of grand jury testimony submitted freely or under subpoena and under oath by life-long Republicans who not only favored the former President’s re-election, but who also actively promoted his re-election. It is significant that not one of these individuals has come out to say their testimony was in error or misinterpreted by the grand jury or in this indictment. | |
I encourage everyone to open and read (the attached link) a copy of the indictment of former President Donald Trump and his six “presently un-named” co-conspirators (in PDF format): | |
read-trump-indictment-related-to-various-conspiracies-against-the-us | |
Note: the above link is a U.S. government web site at the U.S. Department of Justice. The specific address link to the above document is: US vs Trump: https://www.justice.gov/storage/US_v_Trump_23_cr_257.pdf which can be used to copy / paste in your browser address line if the link does not click-thru for you. | |
Third: ANY government official who calls for (“incites”) violence before, during or as a result of this trial should be removed from office by their peers. You / they have the right to express an opinion about the indictments validity. You / they have the right to express a desire for peaceful protest against the indictment, trial, conviction or any sentencing resulting from this indictment. However, you / they have a duty / obligation to support and defend the Constitution and the rule of law. If you cannot meet that duty, you should leave office. | |
Fourth: The judge in this case should rule immediately that all proceedings will be televised for the benefit of people of the United States. The Supreme Court should immediately and unanimously affirm that ruling. The allegations in this indictment go to the very core of our democracy and republican form of government. The people have a right to see the testimony and evidence in real time and without it being filtered through a media of partisan televised commentators who may attempt to twist the testimony to the benefit of their respective network and / or political leaning. | |
As an opponent of almost all of President Trump’s policies, I am thrilled he has been indicted for a third time. In the near quarter millennium of our nation’s history, there has never been a less qualified nor more poorly suited for office individual person elected to be our Chief Executive. Hopefully, this indictment continues to affirm that in America, no one is above the law. As an American, I am deeply saddened by the necessity of the actions our government has been compelled to take to restore the rule of law (as I was by the two impeachments trials and two prior indictments). When the personal ethics of our elected leaders fail and they break the law, it is the duty of law-enforcement and the judicial system to hold these leaders accountable. So, while saddened by the historical significance of this tragic event, I am equally proud it is happening. For now, the system is working… Former President Trump will have his day in court. I hope it will be a day which is viewable by the American public. | |
Please encourage EVERYONE you know (including Trump supporters) to read the indictment and (at the very least) watch the news to follow this important event in our history. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Fundamentally Rooted Routine |
2021 | And Due To Be More Fluid |
Still Reading Between The Lines (I Want To Know What Love Is) | |
2020 | A Humbling Learning Process |
They Are All Good (For The Good Times) | |
2019 | Another Thought On #45’s Poor Education |
2018 | As Long As You Survive Each Experience |
WordPress to Facebook Test… | |
Day 7: Oh, Yeah! | |
2017 | A Good Habit |
2016 | The Minds Of Trumpism |
2015 | Expressing Nonsense |
2014 | A Real Fight |
2013 | Unravelling |
2012 | I Resolve |
2011 | Practice, Practice, Practice |
2009 | Phoenix Trip (July ’09) |
America Salvation
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Dissenters, Eccentrics, History, Misfits, Philosophy, Politics, Protestors, Quotes, Salvation, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas on July 13, 2023| Leave a Comment »
I do not know of any salvation for society except through eccentrics, misfits, dissenters, people who protest. | |
— William O. Douglas | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | I Really Have Tried |
2021 | Your Best Heat |
Memphis Group (Green Onions) | |
2020 | Me Too |
2019 | No Regrets |
2018 | In Times Of Crisis |
Genes, Desire And Luck | |
2017 | The Voice Of Experience |
2016 | Who And When |
2015 | Change Process |
2014 | What Is Still Possible |
2013 | Strength Is There |
2012 | Beyond Reasonable Doubt |
2011 | Celebrating Values |
2010 | Is it just me, or is it suddenly dark around here? |
Dance! | |
All Americans Should Read The Indictment…
Posted in General Comments, History, Politics, tagged #45 - Indictment, American Politics, Donald Trump, Equal Justice Under Law, PDFs, Senior Chief Petty Officer, The Rule Of Law, U.S. Navy, Waltine Nauta on June 10, 2023| 3 Comments »
First: In America, everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law before a jury of their peers. | |
Second: The indictment of a former President on crimes concerning national security is equally historic and unprecedented. Some of the evidence / testimony which led up to this indictment was gathered by means of a judicial decision that stipulated there was sufficient evidence of a crime having been committed to warrant the Department of Justice moving forward with its investigation. This means it is not “just” the Executive Branch (under President Biden) acting to uphold the rule of law. | |
I encourage everyone to open and read (the attached link) a copy of the indictment of former President Donald Trump and his aide Waltine Nauta (in PDF format): | |
read-trump-indictment-related-to-mishandling-of-classified-documents | |
Third: Waltine Nauta held the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy before he began his duties at the White House. It is beyond belief to think Nauta was not aware of the significance of documents marked “confidential”, “classified”, “Secret” or “Top Secret”. As a veteran (myself) who possessed a security clearance, it is staggering to think Nauta permitted the casual handling of ANY documents marked as such. At a minimum, Nauta should have advised the former President that his actions were inappropriate and unlawful. Nauta did not even have to read the documents to “know” this. He could make the determination simply by observing the documents covers. Nauta should have then reported the documents location to appropriate national security officials. | |
Fourth: ANY government official who calls for (“incites”) violence before, during or as a result of this trial should be removed from office by their peers. You / they have the right to express an opinion about the indictments validity. You / they have the right to express a desire for peaceful protest against the indictment, trial, conviction or any sentencing resulting from this indictment. However, you / they have a duty / obligation to support and defend the Constitution and the rule of law. If you cannot meet that duty, you should leave office. | |
Fifth (and finally): While the documents were received in the course of his elected term of office as President, and during which time he had a legal and legitimate right to possess and / or know this information, the former President (and his aide) has demonstrated a careless and criminal level negligent disposition to the handling (and potential compromising) of the information contained in these documents. If convicted of these charges, both the former President and his aide (Nauta) should be remanded to a maximum security facility with minimal outside access, as they (particularly the ex-President) already have direct knowledge of highly classified national security information. This incarceration should last (at least) until such time as the government can determine the information they have been exposed to, and had control over, is of no threat to our national security or to that of our allies. I would hope a damage assessment of these documents and mitigation is already under way by all of the relevant originating agencies and allies. | |
As an opponent of almost all of President Trump’s policies, I am thrilled he has been indicted. In the near quarter millennium of our nation’s history, there has never been a less qualified nor more poorly suited for office individual person elected to be our Chief Executive. Hopefully, this indictment demonstrates that in America, no one is above the law. As an American, I am deeply saddened by the necessity of the actions our government has been compelled to take to restore the rule of law (as I was by the two impeachments trials). When the personal ethics of our elected leaders fail and they break the law, it is the duty of law-enforcement and the judicial system to hold these leaders accountable. So, while saddened by the historical significance of this tragic event, I am equally proud it is happening. For now, the system is working… Former President Trump will have his day in court. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Laying A Sound Foundation |
2021 | A Little… |
Bringing Back Memories (State Of Mind) | |
Think Global – Act Local | |
2020 | Was #IncompenentDonald Born To Be A Diplomat? |
2019 | Have You Planted Lately? |
2018 | Something / Nothing |
2017 | Kindness |
2016 | Dealing With It |
2015 | Too Many Choices! |
2014 | Vini, Vidi, Vici |
2013 | Heroes |
Education, n. | |
2012 | Who I Want To Be |
2011 | Mythic Forgetfulness |
I (Too) Hope My Curiosity Endures
Posted in History, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Carl Sagan, Discovery, History, Learning, On Life After Death, Philosophy, Quotes on June 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Personally, I would be delighted if there were a life after death, especially if it permitted me to continue to learn about this world and others, if it gave me a chance to discover how history turns out. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | I (Too) Hope My Curiosity Endures |
2022 | Traveling Faster Than ‘c’ |
2021 | Maybe “Creation” Wasn’t That Difficult After All |
C’est Chic (Le Freak) | |
2020 | #45: Time Is Ticking Away |
#45 Claims COVID-19 Defeated To Open The Economy | |
2019 | Belief Buffet |
2018 | Change Is Law |
2017 | A Dog Day Of Summer |
2016 | Chances Are |
2015 | Truer Spoken |
2014 | Not Quite There Yet (Either) |
Many Colors | |
2013 | Distance, n. |
Less Can Be More | |
2012 | Rise Up! |
The Gift | |
2011 | Artful Courage |
2010 | A Handful of Lessons… |
And Pretty Viscous Without Review
Posted in History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged History, Ink, Mark Twain, Philosophy, Prejudice, Quotes on February 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »
The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice. | |
— Mark Twain | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | And Pretty Viscous Without Review |
2022 | Going Beyond |
2021 | Shapely Ankles |
Beyond Thar Be Dragons (Puff The Magic Dragon) | |
2020 | Skyin’ (Keep Your Head To The Sky) |
2019 | I Hope He Has A Lot Of Room Down There |
2018 | What Time Is It? |
2017 | Gifts |
2016 | 30 Seconds |
2015 | Success |
2014 | Create The Fact |
2013 | Overpowering Curiosity |
2012 | On Planning The Invasion Of Iraq… |
2011 | This And That |
I’m Bettin’ On The Bible | |
The Dissent We Witness
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Computers, History, Humanity, Mankind, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Wealth And Poverty on January 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Man is about to be an automaton; he is identifiable only in the computer. As a person of worth and creativity, as a being with an infinite potential, he retreats and battles the forces that make him inhuman. The dissent we witness is a reaffirmation of faith in man; it is protest against living under rules and prejudices and attitudes that produce the extremes of wealth and poverty and that make us dedicated to the destruction of people through arms, bombs, and gases, and that prepare us to think alike and be submissive objects for the regime of the computer. | |
— William O. Douglas | |
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court | |
[Resistance / dissent is – probably – already futile… — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | The Dissent We Witness |
2022 | End The Filibuster |
2021 | Be Creative, Question Assumptions |
By No Means (King Of The Road) | |
2020 | I’ll Eat To That (Gemütlichkeit) |
To The Front | |
2019 | #ContinueToResist |
Except Willful Ignorance And Prideful Stupidity | |
2018 | More Executive Time For #DumbDonald |
2017 | Watched The Inauguration |
Two Geniuses | |
2016 | Come Dance And Laugh With Me |
2015 | Looks Good To Me |
2014 | Desire For The Sea |
2013 | The Fierce Urgency Of NOW |
Happy Inauguration Day! | |
2012 | One Path |
Sorrow And Joy | |
The Seven Year View | |
2011 | Emergent Practicality |
Prairie Life
Posted in 2022 Book Review, Book Review, History, Reading, Reviews, tagged 2022 Book Review, American West, Annie Pavelka, Ántonia Shimerda, Bohemia, Columbo, Craig J. Carrozzi, Czech Republic, Hired Girl, Historical Fiction, History, James (Jim) Burton, My Ántonia, Nebraska, The Curse of Chief Tenaya, Very Highly Recommended Book, Viginia, Willa Cather on November 16, 2022| 2 Comments »
Today’s review is for the book: “My Ántonia” (1918©) written by Willa Cather. This book is considered her first masterpiece. The book was given to me by Craig Carrozzi, a high school friend / football teammate, who is himself a published author. I reviewed one of his books (“The Curse of Chief Tenaya“) and he felt this book had a similar “feel” to his work, so he gave it to me when we recently went to lunch. The work is loosely based on Cather’s own experiences growing up on the Nebraska prairie and those of a actual immigrant (Annie Pavelka) who worked as a “hired girl”. | |
The book revolves around two main characters: James (Jim) Burton – the books narrator, and Ántonia Shimerda. “Jim” is a recently orphaned boy from Virginia and Ántonia is a slightly older (by four years) girl recently immigrated from Bohemia (currently Czech Republic) with her family as they all start their new lives in a farming town in Nebraska at the end of the 1900’s and through the early 20th century. The narrator tells the tale of his growing up and his friendship with the “girl next door” and some of the changes they see in the American West. | |
The book begins with an introduction (narrated by the author) of Burton which (unknown to the reader) provides the framework and conclusion of the main narration – although I did not fully realize this until after the book was finished. It then reminded me of watching an episode of “Columbo” – a TV detective / police series from the 70’s / 80’s known for starting each episode of the show with the crime and the audience knows who the culprit is so the only question is whether the “bumbling” detective can figure out how the crime was done and who is the guilty party. Thematically, the author and the narrator meet on a train ride and spend time discussing their shared childhood. The discussion passes to Ántonia and the author asks the narrator to tell Ántonia’s story because he (Burton) knew Ántonia so much better. Ultimately, the boy grows up to be a wealthy New York attorney (we are led to believe unhappily married and childless) and Ántonia grows up to be a poor farmer’s wife and mother of almost a dozen kids. Having written and presented his version of events as instructed, the narrator gives his text to the female passenger who then decides not to write her version. | |
Post “Introduction”, the book is Burton’s narrated story(ies). The novel is divided into multiple(5) “books” and each of those broken into multiple chapters of – normally – two to five pages. My version of the book totals 136 pages, in fairly small print. The book is a very fast read, but I broke it up over several days because I was enjoying it and wanted to savor the words as much as the story. | |
So, is this book any good? Is it insightful or “just” entertaining? And, of course, do I recommend it? Yes, this book is good! It is both insightful AND entertaining. And, I highly recommend it! | |
This is not my typical taste in reading. Although nominally, describing the full lives of two individuals and a few other minor-characters, it doesn’t “really” have a build up and climax. It just kind of rambles on like the “Great Plains” themselves. This, in itself is interesting because the book supposedly describes the settling of the American “West”. In point of fact, this is what we (Americans) now consider the “fly-over” portion of the country – the plains and Mississippi-Missouri river valley separating the Rockies from the Appalachian Mountains. In any case, the natural beauty of the land is lovingly described in picturesque detail. As mentioned above, I enjoyed the vivid descriptions so much I slowed down my reading so I could dawdle over and savor the words and sentences. Every page is used to capture the sights, colors, smells and textures of whatever is being described – from mud holes, to linen sheets, to grains waving in the winds, to snow and ice turning to mush. | |
Final recommendation: Very highly recommended! Living in our current day and age, with all of our modern conveniences, it is near impossible to comprehend how difficult it must have been even just 100 years ago, to come to a new country / state and start (in some cases literally) from a cave dug into the ground and then to go on and make a life for yourself and your family. It was a bit transfixing to read about this struggle and think for that generation, there was nothing else to do but to get on with it – and they did… | |
Final Note: This book is out of copyright and available for free downloading at / from several web sites in several formats. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Large, Reasonable And Important |
Prairie Life | |
2021 | The Question Is Courage |
Never Change (Hello It’s Me) | |
2020 | Two Quotes Which Remind Me Of Our Lame Duck President |
Still Running (Running On Empty) | |
2019 | I’m Up For Trying |
60 Day Health / Weight Update (Nov 2019) | |
2018 | #PresidentBoneSpur |
2017 | My Staggering Confusion |
Zapped!!! | |
2016 | And Bloggers? |
2015 | Ethical Energy |
2014 | Are You Likely To Defend It? |
2013 | Might As Well |
2012 | The Long And Short Of It |
2011 | Bravery |
Veterans Day – 11 November 2022
Posted in History, Pictures, tagged 2022 Veterans Day, History, Pictures, VA.gov on November 11, 2022| 4 Comments »
More Like 60 To 70 Years
Posted in Economics, History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged 1%, 99%, American Politics, Economics, History, Money, Philosophy, Quotes, Taxes, Trickle Down, Warren Buffett on September 18, 2022| Leave a Comment »
The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we’ll go out and spend more and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you. But that has not worked the last 10 years, and I hope the American public is catching on. | |
— Warren Buffett | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | More Like 60 To 70 Years |
2021 | Hold That Thought |
Got Love? (Let’s Hang On) | |
2020 | Everyone I’ve Ever Met |
A Secret Chord (Hallelujah) | |
2019 | A Big “IF” |
2018 | Silence Presence |
2017 | Feeling Small Standing In Front Of My Shelves |
2016 | Show Willing |
2015 | If He Only Knew… |
2014 | Dared To Love |
2013 | Strong Kung-Fu |
2012 | Two Tribes |
2011 | Made Any Assumptions Lately? |
Thoughts
Posted in History, tagged 9/11 Rememberance, Always Remembered, History, Prayers on September 11, 2022| 2 Comments »
Once again another 9/11 rolls around and my thoughts return to the innocents in the attack at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. I remember (and celebrate) the courage of those first responders who gave their lives trying to save others simply because it was their job and what they’d chosen to devote their lives to. I roll forward to those who spent weeks and months in the toxic rubble clearing the site(s) and looking for anything which might bring some closure to those who lost family and friends that day. I think of the government which told them it was “safe” to work there and then delayed assistance when the workers started experiencing toxin related illnesses. Finally, I think of those who did their sworn duty and went half a world away to keep our homeland safe(r). The killed. The injured. The traumatized. Those to whom we still owe a debt of honor (and gratitude) which “some” – with the increasing distance of history – are unwilling to fulfill. | |
To all of you: “You are in my prayers.” And, as trivial as it may seem to those who’ve sacrificed so much more than I have: “Always remembered.” | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Thoughts |
2021 | Current Heroes (II) |
Glued To The TV – 3,000 Miles Away (Where Were You) | |
2020 | Current Heroes |
I’m Mid-West Born, But California Raised (Good Vibrations) | |
Appropriated To Her Being | |
2019 | All In Good Time |
Day 13: Pause & Resume | |
Ghrelin And Leptin | |
2018 | Gratitude And Warmth |
Remembering Loss, Sacrifice And Service | |
Making Little Ones Out Of Bigger Ones | |
2017 | Never Forget |
2016 | It’s All Greek To Me (Well, Latin Actually) |
2015 | Truism |
2014 | Thank You |
2013 | Really |
2012 | Ordinary Five Minutes Longer |
2011 | The Wealth Of Sons (And Daughters) |
Thoughts (2023)
Posted in General Comments, History, tagged 9/11 Rememberance, Always Remembered, General Comments, History, Pennsylvania, Pentagon, Prayers, World Trade Center on September 11, 2023| 4 Comments »
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