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: | |
2022 | Traveling Faster Than ‘c’ |
2021 | Maybe “Creation” Wasn’t That Difficult After All |
C’est Chic | |
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… |
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
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 »
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: | |
2022 | Going Beyond |
2021 | Shapely Ankles |
Beyond Thar Be Dragons | |
2020 | Skyin’ |
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: | |
2022 | End The Filibuster |
2021 | Be Creative, Question Assumptions |
By No Means | |
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: | |
2021 | The Question Is Courage |
Never Change | |
2020 | Two Quotes Which Remind Me Of Our Lame Duck President |
Still Running | |
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: | |
2021 | Hold That Thought |
Got Love? | |
2020 | Everyone I’ve Ever Met |
A Secret Chord | |
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: | |
2021 | Current Heroes (II) |
Glued To The TV – 3,000 Miles Away | |
2020 | Current Heroes |
I’m Mid-West Born, But California Raised | |
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) |
In Less Than 70 Days…
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged 2022 Mid-Term Elections, Congress, Democrats, George Santayana, Memory, Philosophy, Progress, Quotes, Register And Vote, Remembering, Republicans, The Life Of Reason, The Past, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, U.S. Supreme Court on September 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. | |
— George Santayana | |
From: “The Life of Reason“ | |
[In less than 70 days, we (the U.S.) will be having our “mid-term” elections. This is typically a referendum on the sitting President and his / her policies. It sometimes results in a change in majority party in the House of Representatives, the Senate – or, less frequently, both. At the moment, both are “controlled” by the Democrats, but it is generally believed the Republicans will “flip” both come November. I believe this will almost certainly happen if Democrats fail to get off their “duffs” and vote – much as they failed to do in the Presidential election of 2016 – which resulted in the election of Trump to President, to Republican control of both sides of Congress (House and Senate) and, ultimately, to Republican control of the Supreme Court. (How has that worked out for us, folks?) | |
Elections have consequences! Register early. Confirm your registration. Talk to your friends and family. Ask them to register AND to vote. And you VOTE, too!! Elections are NOT won by the majority of the people. They are won by the majority who VOTE. Make your voice heard: VOTE! — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | You Really Are |
What You Want | |
2020 | So Far The Only Burden Shifted Has Been The Cost |
Rockin’ The Hammond | |
2019 | The Powers Of Mind |
Day 10: Into Double Digits | |
2018 | Up For Progress |
Day 1.5: Done (For Now) | |
2017 | And Second By Second |
2016 | Bakeries And Coffee Shops |
2015 | Spirit Not Form |
2014 | Sometimes Even Kneeling Seems Insufficient |
2013 | Hobgoblins |
2012 | Got Sleep? |
2011 | Not Another Barren Corner |
…The More Things Stay The Same
Posted in History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Abraham Lincoln, Change, Dogmas, History, Philosophy, Quotes on August 31, 2022| Leave a Comment »
The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. | |
— Abraham Lincoln | |
[Does history repeat itself or is it simply that the more things change, the more things stay the same? — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | To Trust Providence |
Exactly | |
2020 | I Am Learning |
Plus Plus | |
2019 | Day 2: All Things Considered |
The Path To Reward | |
2018 | Ryan, McConnell & The Republican Controlled Congress |
The Proud Dad | |
Day 35: Five(5) Weeks Completed! | |
2017 | Serving Is Proving Harder Than Winning For #DumbDonald |
2016 | Come Again… |
2015 | At Five |
2014 | Touching The Past |
The Supreme Question | |
2013 | Children Will Judge |
2012 | Liar, n. |
2011 | Freedom To Doubt |
Add Being Female To This List
Posted in Education, History, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Education, History, Philosophy, Quotes on July 28, 2022| 3 Comments »
I would encourage us all, African Americans, Asians, Latinos, Whites, Native Americans to study history. I long for the time when all the human history is taught as one history. I am stronger because you are stronger. I am weaker if you are weak. So we are more alike than we are unlike. | |
— Maya Angelou | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | We Are More Alike |
Make It Real | |
2020 | One Lesson In Diversity |
2019 | And Yet, I Believe |
2018 | Beats |
First Step: Starting Cleansing (Again) | |
2017 | Effective Stimuli |
2016 | Dave’s Not Here, Man |
2015 | Blink |
2014 | The Struggle To Educate America Continues… |
2013 | On Elections |
2012 | Warm Smiles |
Pick Your Poison | |
2011 | Straight Shooters |
Happy 4th of July 2022!!
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged History, Philosophy, Politics, President Abraham Lincoln, Quotes, The Gettysburg Address on July 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Stay Dedicated To The Task… |
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It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. | |
— Abraham Lincoln | |
Excerpt from: “The Gettysburg Address“ | |
[The italics in the text / quote were added by me. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Happy 4th of July 2021!! |
Self-Control, Liberty And Law | |
2020 | Happy 4th of July 2020!! |
2019 | Happy 4th of July 2019!! |
2018 | Happy 4th of July 2018!! |
People Got to Be Free | |
2017 | Happy 4th of July 2017!! |
2016 | Red, White And Blue BBQ |
Happy 4th of July 2016 | |
IMF’d (Marathon / Binge) | |
2015 | Happy 4th of July 2015!! |
2014 | Happy 4th of July 2014!! |
2013 | Patriot Act, Anyone? |
2012 | Five Lost Wars |
2011 | Worth Fighting For |
2010 | Still Learnin’ Hard… |
4th of July 2010 | |
Let Me Tell You An Amusing Story…
Posted in Economics, Education, History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Amusement, Francis Zappa, Frank Zappa, History, Lower Classes, Philosophy, Quotes, Ruling Classes, The Real Frank Zappa Book on June 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »
All the old history was written for the amusement of the ruling classes. The lower classes couldn’t read, and their rulers didn’t care about remembering what happened to them. | |
— Francis Zappa | |
As quoted by his son: Frank Zappa | |
From his book: “The Real Frank Zappa Book“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Let Me Tell You An Amusing Story… |
2021 | Together Forever |
Think It Over | |
Small But Fun | |
2020 | Still Learning |
2019 | Almost Hallmark |
Beyond All Reason | |
2018 | Daydreams And Wanna-Be’s |
Or Work For #45 | |
2017 | Summer Pale |
2016 | Ain’t It Funny |
2015 | At Both Ends |
2014 | Whiner(s) |
2013 | Just Passing Through |
2012 | Dog-gone Heaven |
2011 | Occasional, Sad Results |
We Are Seeing The Future
Posted in Economics, History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged American Civil War, Economics, Electronics, First World War, Franco-Prussian War, General Sir John Hackett (Ret.), History, Military Technology, Philosophy, Quotes, Russo-Japanese War, Second World War, The Third World War: August 1985, Third World War on May 20, 2022| 2 Comments »
The wars of the late nineteenth century – the American Civil War, for example and the Franco-Prussian War – were wars of the railway, the telegraph, breech-loading small arms and tinned rations. The seas were dominated by the ironclad. At the beginning of the twentieth century the Russo-Japanese War show to any who cared to learn the dominance on the battlefield of the spade, barbed wire and automatic weapons. The First World War rammed home the same lesson, in a war in which the internal combustion engine, artillery, the submarine, air power and armoured vehicles became the dominant features. The Second World War was one of worldwide mobility on land and sea and in the air, of total mobilization of population and industrial reserves, of sea power and of air forces. It ended in the shadow of the nuclear weapon. The Third World War was widely expected to be the first nuclear war – and perhaps the last. It turned out in the event to be essentially a war of electronics. | |
— General Sir John Hackett (et al) | |
From his book: “The Third World War: August 1985“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | We Are Seeing The Future |
2021 | The Correct Answer Will Be In The Form Of A Question |
Listen Up | |
2020 | Testing To Open The Economy Safely |
2019 | Or Thought I’d Thought |
2018 | Go And Dare |
2017 | And Wealth A Poor Substitute For Ability |
2016 | Neither Darkness Nor Shadows |
2015 | It Took Roots |
2014 | Hard Evidence |
2013 | Full Participation |
2012 | Roving (Again) |
Ooops, Again | |
2011 | Why Not? |
Memorial Day 2022
Posted in General Comments, History, Leadership, Pictures, tagged Arlington National Cemetery, General Comments, History, Leadership, Memorial Day -- 2022, National Holidays, Pictures, Sacrifice, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Thoughts And Prayers on May 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Arlington National Cemetery
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
enjoying the freedom you sacrificed your lives to provide for us,
a grateful nation
remembers
and prays for you and your families…
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