How Bout Another War

It is said that the first casualty of war is truth. We have a new war/non-war in Libya. The last few presidents have moved us further away from Congressional approval in war. This time the president didn't even speak to the congress. His permission came from the U.N. This is no accident

Charity

Without the rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar.

Enerson

Rio

The President has been down in Rio talking up new trade.
My sources say that he is actually down there begging them to buy some more of our debt.
Just guessing; I'd say they have all they want.

Fighting Irish

During the Civil War the Irish were represented well on both sides.
The Union Irish Brigade was made up of the 69th NY, 63rd NY, 88th NY, 116th Penn, and 28th Mass. Many of these men were fresh off the boats from the old country. The original and best known Regiment was the 69th known as the Fighting 69th.
After the war some of the Chaplains of the Brigade were on the staff at Notre Dame. It is said that from them the University adopted the name "Fighting Irish"

Lets Sneak In Gun Control

While everyone is watching the horrors in Japan, a quiet push is on for stricter gun laws.

Church Bells To Cannon

In 1862 Edenton N.C. formed the Albemarle Artillery but it had no guns.
The War of Northern Aggression was well under way.
The unit asked for donations.

Brass bells came from the surrounding area to be cast into cannon.

Each gun in the four gun battery was named.

The St. Paul - a 12 pounder from the Episcopal Church

The Fannie Roulac - a 12 pounder named after a woman leader of the Methodist Church

The Columbia - a 6 pounder from a bell donated by the Tyrell Co. Seat

The Edenton - a 6 pounder from a bell donated by the Chowen Co. Courthouse

Obviously these bells took on more of a baritone or bass voice
The Fannie Roulac and the Columbia were lost during the war
The other two were surrendered with Joe Johnston in April of 1865

In 1990 the Edenton was discovered on display at Shiloh Military Park
In 1999 the St. Paul was found at Fort Niagra, N.Y.
After ten years of work both guns, half the battery, are back home.
These weren't the only church bells that went to the cause.

The Ballet

"Spandau Ballet" was the name of an English singing group.
It is said that the term spandau ballet was a running joke among German guards at Spandau Prison that described the contortions made by the Jews being gassed.

Others say it was the stumbling falling death of the Allies being hit by the German MG 42 machine gun.

Teenage Mothers

Teenage fathers
They can't be bothered
They run like water
From a mountain stream
"John Prine"

Sipherin

Just for grins, go on line and type in "inflation calculator." Put in an amount of money
example - $ 1000.00 Starting date 2000 Ending date 2009.
It will tell you how much buying power your money has lost. Try 1910
By the way, the Govt. has found a way to keep you calm. They do not include food and fuel in their calculations. These two are the best indicators of inflation.

Lakota Learning

Ya'll go on line and watch Russell Means' new video.
"Welcome to the Reservation"
I have been to this place where he stands and have read about it. Dee Brown wrote that the wounded and half frozen from the massacre were taken to a nearby church. It was Christmas. A sign on the wall read. "Peace on Earth, Good will toward men"
It's as much about the future as it is about the past.

Blue Light Special

Wal-Mart has joined forces with Homeland Security. Soon all stores will have more cameras.
You are also encouraged to report to management any activity inside or outside the store that doesn't look right.
The next time I see an old lady with a bumpy wheel and a box of tea bags, I'm reporting her.

Academics

"Too many academics write as if plain English is beneath their dignity and some seem to regard logic as an unconstitutional infringement of their freedom of speech."

Dr. Thomas Sowell

Sayings

My daughters laugh about all their grandmother's old sayings.
One of her favorites is "My lan"
Ex: Well my lan! I could have done a better job of it than that!
The Scottish words "My Lane" means - on my own

D'Souza

Dinesh D'Souza has written a book on the president and why he believes that President O hates America and Britain. D'Souza says O's father taught him that these colonial powers are evil.

I don't know. He did send the bust of Winston Churchill back to England. I figured George W had been using it as a door stop and he wanted it out of the way. He did give the Queen and Prime Minister Gordon Brown an Ipod. Maybe he wanted them to enjoy a little Motown.

Strange Christmas Season Football

In Kirkwall Scotland there is a traditional game played between the Uppies and the Doonies.
It 's quite a shoving match and I must say they have their ups and doons.

Youtube Kirkwall Ba Game

Giants Win

You know you are getting old when you can remember being fourteen and pulling for the Giants against the Dodgers in that last game of 1962.

Yes Juan Marichal did have a kick that was higher than his head; loved to watch him pitch. The 62 Giants carried some big lumber, the "Baby Bull" Orlando Cepeda and "Say Hey"

Willie Mays.

Majority Rules

More and more I hear people who should know better, use the term Democracy to describe our government. Perhaps they do know better.

Our founding fathers understood that man is terribly flawed. He will misuse a democracy. His envy, jealousy, greed, and hate for those different from himself will always lead to unfortunate situations.

John Adams once said, "Democracy will envy all, contend with all, endeavor to pull down all, and when by chance it happens to get the upper hand for a short time, it will be revengeful, bloody and cruel."

Jessie James Shootin' Arn

Jessie James preferred the Smith and Wesson Schofield pistol.

It was a top break, single action revolver. Production started in 1870.

Jessie and Frank didn't really believe they were doing such a wrong.

After all, those were Yankee banks they were robbing.

The cost of dying

I was just looking at a hospital bill and a burial bill for a great uncle who died in 1924.

Six days in the hospital including medicines came to $ 64. 35
I don't know the illness but he never recovered.
The Burial charges from a Dyersburg Tennessee Funeral Home were as follows:
Casket---------------------------------- $ 100.00
Underware, shirt, hose and tie ----------$ 4.75
Cleaning and Pressing of suit-------------$ 1.00
Embalming & incidental services---------$ 25.00
Bathing, Shaving and dressing------------$5.00
Hearse services--------------------------$15.00
Total-------------------------------------$ 150.75

You may say to yourself, "boy, prices have increased"
It's true that medical technology has advanced and therefore has become costly in that respect.
But if we consider the undertaker's business, the cost is about the same.
The only difference from 1924 to today is - It takes a lot more paper money to buy those same goods and services. Since around 1900 the dollar has lost 95% of its worth.
Hold on, you ain't seen nuthin' yet.

Howlin' Wolf

I was watching TV a couple weeks ago and this commercial came on with a catchy tune.
Eventually it came to me what the song was "Smoke Stack Lightening" by Howlin' Wolf.
He was born just outside West Point Mississippi about twenty five miles from where I live. Like many blues singers, he had a difficult childhood.
Youtube the song - see if you recognize the commercial.

Howlin Wolf "Chester Burnett" 1910-1976