Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
I'm Just A Bill - SNL 2014
From Saturday Night Live - Schoolhouse Rock, "I'm Just A Bill" with a little help from the President.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Seven Score and Eleven Years Ago Today.
President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address 151 Years ago today.
What did it mean, what should we take away from it.
In context it is a speech to rally the Nation and bolster a flagging will to fight. The meaning of the war, "To Save the Union" had been changed into a Holy crusade to "Set other men free", yet this was not taken to heart by most of the population. The draft had been instituted that Summer, and riots opposing it burned hot only days after the great battle in July. New York City urned against compulsory service, the mob taking out its anger on black men in the city. So grave the disruption in New York that Federal troops had to be brought in the quell the violence and restore order.
What can we draw from that time? In school we are taught that established single point narrative of slavery as the sole cause for the war. Historians, authors who should know better or refuse to know parrot this narrative. If we look at primary and secondary source material from the time such as personal letters, essays, publications such as Harper's Weekly we see a number of reasons, mostly corresponding to a shift in the economy through industrialization and tariff policy. You can see it in the editorials North and South, and in the political cartoons.
This is not something new, it had been brewing slowly for a number of decades. Andrew Jackson addressed it during his presidency, the threat off succession from South Carolina. His force of personality and known character carried behind his words when he said regarding the matter "if one drop of blood be shed there in defiance of the laws of the United States, I will hang the first man of them I can get my hands on to the first tree I can find." That was in 1832, and the matter was tariffs enabling economic disparity between Northern manufacturing and Southern raw materials. This was the beginning of the modern era for America, moving from agrarian to industrial, from slave based labor in the South to immigrant based labor in the Northern States. The conditions faced by immigrant labor were the force behind modern labor law.
No, I am not going to provide a list of sources. You my fellow American need to go out and learn about your country, its history and the grit it has taken to allow you the freedom you have and the effort required of you to keep it. As the Iroquois say, "for the next seven generations."
Coming full circle, it is a great speech. Short, moving, on point.
What did it mean, what should we take away from it.
In context it is a speech to rally the Nation and bolster a flagging will to fight. The meaning of the war, "To Save the Union" had been changed into a Holy crusade to "Set other men free", yet this was not taken to heart by most of the population. The draft had been instituted that Summer, and riots opposing it burned hot only days after the great battle in July. New York City urned against compulsory service, the mob taking out its anger on black men in the city. So grave the disruption in New York that Federal troops had to be brought in the quell the violence and restore order.
What can we draw from that time? In school we are taught that established single point narrative of slavery as the sole cause for the war. Historians, authors who should know better or refuse to know parrot this narrative. If we look at primary and secondary source material from the time such as personal letters, essays, publications such as Harper's Weekly we see a number of reasons, mostly corresponding to a shift in the economy through industrialization and tariff policy. You can see it in the editorials North and South, and in the political cartoons.
This is not something new, it had been brewing slowly for a number of decades. Andrew Jackson addressed it during his presidency, the threat off succession from South Carolina. His force of personality and known character carried behind his words when he said regarding the matter "if one drop of blood be shed there in defiance of the laws of the United States, I will hang the first man of them I can get my hands on to the first tree I can find." That was in 1832, and the matter was tariffs enabling economic disparity between Northern manufacturing and Southern raw materials. This was the beginning of the modern era for America, moving from agrarian to industrial, from slave based labor in the South to immigrant based labor in the Northern States. The conditions faced by immigrant labor were the force behind modern labor law.
No, I am not going to provide a list of sources. You my fellow American need to go out and learn about your country, its history and the grit it has taken to allow you the freedom you have and the effort required of you to keep it. As the Iroquois say, "for the next seven generations."
Coming full circle, it is a great speech. Short, moving, on point.
 |
| After completing the Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln, center, without hat. |
Monday, November 17, 2014
Christmas Tree Tax?
Did you know there is a tax on Christmas Trees starting this year? Apparently it is part of the Farm Bill. It went into effect in April 2014. A bit of subsidy spending to prop up declining sales of fresh cut Christmas Trees. . .
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2014/04/04/the-christmas-tree-tax-quietly-takes-root/
That is a 6% decline from 1965 to 2008.
Aha! That faint aroma, something has gone rotten in the state of Denmark perhaps?
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2014/04/04/the-christmas-tree-tax-quietly-takes-root/
That is a 6% decline from 1965 to 2008.
Aha! That faint aroma, something has gone rotten in the state of Denmark perhaps?
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow. . .SNOW!
"It won't be long before we're all there with snow!"
No, I'm not on a Northbound train to Pinetree, Vermont. The forecast is for Snow, or Wintry Mix, whatever that is? Snow, sleet, ice? The schools all over the county have closed for a snow day. It's not bad outside. I was out for about thirty minutes this morning for chores. My turkeys we intensely interested in the sleet froze on top of their tractor.
In honor of the snow day, here is a musical interlude. Snow! Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen, from the classic White Christmas. Enjoy.
No, I'm not on a Northbound train to Pinetree, Vermont. The forecast is for Snow, or Wintry Mix, whatever that is? Snow, sleet, ice? The schools all over the county have closed for a snow day. It's not bad outside. I was out for about thirty minutes this morning for chores. My turkeys we intensely interested in the sleet froze on top of their tractor.
In honor of the snow day, here is a musical interlude. Snow! Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen, from the classic White Christmas. Enjoy.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
A Veteran Remembers
From the Duluth News Tribune. 95 year old Erling Jonassen was on Mindanao, in the Philippines when the Japanese struck that December of 1941. Not willing to surrender, he and other soldiers struck out into the jungle, finding others and taking the guerrilla fight to the enemy with DiY warfare. Great story for this Veteran's Day!
Monday, November 10, 2014
November 10th, 1775
"On 10 November each year, wherever we are, we pause to celebrate the anniversary of our Corps, and reflect on who we are, what we do, and why we do it."
— Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr.
— Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Agile Household?
I spotted this post at Mike Cohn's website, Cool! We don't do it exactly the same, but we've been Agile in our household for about three years now. Index cards, Scrum board in the kitchen, backlog board in the office. It works well for us. As in all organizations the failures are human, we didn't/couldn't/wouldn't do something that had an effect. It makes for better conversation between us and of course compels each of us to take (PULL) responsibility for tasks and the outcome is shared. . .
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Remember, Remember. . .
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November the Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.”
The Fifth of November. Guy Fawkes Day! His intent to “to blow you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains." And end the reign of King James. James as a monarch was none to kind to the Scots either. But that is another story that branches off to me. . .
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.”
The Fifth of November. Guy Fawkes Day! His intent to “to blow you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains." And end the reign of King James. James as a monarch was none to kind to the Scots either. But that is another story that branches off to me. . .
Pesticides are good for you. . .aren't they?
Pesticides are good for you aren't they? They must be, because the FDA tells me so!
Follow the money to see the truth. I am in agreement.
H/T MarksDailyApple
Follow the money to see the truth. I am in agreement.
H/T MarksDailyApple
Monday, November 3, 2014
GoPro Tanks Attack!
Have you seen this? Some Syrian tankers have GoPro cameras mounted on their turrets and record their combat missions. Raw, hardcore treadhead stuff. ERA blocks taking the force of ATGM and RPG hits. Tank vs. tank, man vs. tank, tank vs. fortified positions. Man! The YouTube video channel has a bunch of them.
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