ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Lord Charnwood
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Posted:Jul 21, 2013 7:40 pm
Last Updated:Jul 25, 2013 9:57 pm
6679 Views
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Written for a British audience in 1917. An excellent read.
It is easy to forget how touch and go the Civil War was. The tide didn't turn till 1863 with the Battle of Vicksburg and thus control of the Mississippi and with Lee's attempt to conquer Northern Territory with the Battle of Gettysburg July 1, 1863. Those two Northern victories gave Lincoln something positive to run on in the 1864 election.
Southern Generals like Robert E. Lee, Hampton, Lt. Gen Stonewall Jackson--outclassed Northern Generals. McClellan seemed unwilling to attack Lee, and seemed to lack confidence in his ability to defeat Lee's soldiers. What's worse, he seemed tepid regarding emancipation of slaves, and tepid about the cause of the war. When he ran against Lincoln, he ran on a party platform that would allow Northern compromise without doing away with Slavery.
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was announced on Jan 1, 1863. But Lincoln was aware that he had to make haste slowly for fear of alienating the border slave holding states and having them move to the Confederate cause.
LINCOLN, the movie by Spielberg, focuses on passing the 13th Amendment in 1865. It shows Lincoln to be a hands on politician, not unwilling to get into the nitty-gritty of politics. This book also shows the genius that was Lincoln. That ability to use language to move an idea forward and the intellectual acumen to read accurately the flowing of the river and the best time to ford that flowing for best effect. Politics and politicians are oftentimes dismissed as the worst kind of enterprise engaged by the worst kind of people. When we look at Lincoln, FDR, Winston Churchill--we see the best and epitome of politics and politicians.
Lincoln was chosen by the Republican Party to be a presidential candidate because of his debates with Stephen Douglas. Lincoln saw slavery as a blot and contradiction in Jefferson's "All men are created equal." And those debates were about slavery, not states rights. Lincoln's name was not even on the ballot in many southern States. Because there were three other candidates running against Lincoln, the diffuse opposition gave Lincoln the vote. Had it just been a vote between Douglass and Lincoln, it's entirely possible that Douglass could have defeated Lincoln in excess of 1 million votes. And history would have been vastly different with a Douglas victory.
The photograph was taken in February 1865--some two months before his assassination in April 1865.
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The Grand Design--NOT impressed
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Posted:Jul 10, 2013 5:20 pm
Last Updated:Jul 25, 2013 9:57 pm
6333 Views
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I just finished reading Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow THE GRAND DESIGN. Colour me not impressed.
The most obvious: They assert that the science was sufficient to create life and that God is not needed. Oh really? Never mind that 'life' could encompass anything from viruses, to bacteria, to microbes, to complex breathing creatures, to complex breathing and thinking creatures with capacity for language. We'll get back to that minor detail a little later.
The question "Why God" is a real question with no real answer. It seems to me, that asking the question of 'why there is something instead of nothing' is also one of those real questions without a real answer.
They posit the possibility that there are multi-verses--many universes--but they offer nothing that looks like proof for that supposition. They claim M-Theory--otherwise known as String Theory--is at the basis for the complexity that is the universe. But they offer no explanation for what M-Theory is.
In the end, THE GRAND DESIGN is a shallow and superficial exposition on cosmology. Quite possibly the worst book on the topic I had ever come across. Brian Greene's book THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE is far more exhaustive with a firm grasp on what M-Theory means and its implications. Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Donald Goldsmith ORIGINS offers an excellent intro to cosmology.
Now to return to God. Planet Earth has a moon which stabilizes the planet's wobble; it has a 23.4 degree tilt on its axis that equalizes temperature on the planet; it has a magnetosphere that keeps solar wind away from the planet; the magnetosphere is a result of an inner core that rotates at different speed from the outer core and that the rotation occurs because of radioactive decay of thorium with it's half-life of 10 billion years; Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun presents an ideal system conducive to life; an atmosphere that allows for massive bodies of water; plate tectonics, volcanic activity, earthquakes--all are important to creating life on planet Earth; a planet moving around a G2V star with a 10 billion year life span; large Jupiter size planets which deflects devastating comets or asteroids that might destroy life on planet Earth. Ward and Brownlee in RARE EARTH posit that these factors are crucial to life existing or being possible on planet Earth. Drakes formula fails to take into account these crucial factors for existence.
So the goldilocks zone is only one very small factor for allowing life to exist on planet Earth. RARE EARTH posits that at least nine factors are required for life to exist on planet Earth. Take away any one of these and life could not have developed. The moon is a result of an early collision with a mars size planet early in the history of Planet Earth--and there are those who assert this moon could be the most important factor for life on planet Earth; no moon, no life. So the metaphysical question of 'why' life on planet Earth is simply a non-question. Life is--praise God from whom all blessings flow. It is possible that given the billions of galaxies, with billions of stars, with billions of planets that there may very well be other planets. But I wouldn't count on it. Planet Earth could be the only one with prescient life existing in the billions of galaxies, and billions of stars, and billions of planets.
But the universe and all it encompasses exists even if there is none there to appreciate it or see it or understand it. Humanity praises the Deity and Thanks the Deity for the gift of life. Such prayer and praise has nothing to do with science and everything to do with Human humility in the presence of creation.
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Czar Nicholas, Kaiser Whilhelm, King George V
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Posted:Mar 12, 2013 5:01 pm
Last Updated:May 20, 2013 5:08 pm
7408 Views
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It has always intrigued me how Czar Nicholas, Kaiser Wilhelm, and King George V were related. They were 1st cousins.
Queen Victoria married Albert of Sax-Coburg--Gotha--one of their was Victoria (Vicky) who married Freidrich, Emperor of Germany. They were the parents of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany.
Victoria and Albert had another , Edward VII who married Alexandra of Denmark who were the parents of King George V.
Alexandra had a sister Marie of Denmark (Dagmar)who married Russian Alexander III, their was Nicholas.
What's surprising is how much alike Nicholas and George looked even though neither was a direct blood relation.
All of this info was taken from Miranda Carter's GEORGE, NICHOLAS, AND WILHELM. A great read.
There is also that fascinating story of Czarevitch Alexis being afflicted with hemophilia caused by intermarriage--Queen Victoria was apparently a carrier. And how as a result Alexandra wife of Nicholas fell under the sway of Rasputin; Rasputin insistence on calmness and quiet gave Czarevitch elements to recuperate from his episodes.
How these cousins who thought their familial relationship would prevent war, instead went on to cause the Great War: 1914-1918.
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Terra Cotta Warriors
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Posted:Mar 4, 2013 7:43 pm
Last Updated:May 28, 2024 6:26 pm
6378 Views
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The Asian Art Museum (SF) had an exhibition of the First Emperor of China's Terracotta Warriors. The first Emperor of China was Qin Shihuang (259-210 BCE). Work on the necropolis was begun when the Emperor was only 13--when he first ascended the throne--in 246 BC and took 3 decades to complete. The necropolis consists of some 7,000 terracotta life size figures of warriors, horses, chariots, and other artifacts. The necropolis is about the size of four football fields. The necropolis was discovered in 1974 and parts still remain unexplored. Each of these figures is surprisingly lifelike and each figure unique. Truly awe inspiring.
This is a photo of a with one of the warriors standing behind the .
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Waiting for Godot --Samuel Beckett
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Posted:Feb 20, 2013 5:30 pm
Last Updated:Feb 21, 2013 4:51 pm
6463 Views
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Last Sunday--I saw an excellent performance of Waiting for Godot, first produced in 1953. What seemed odd in 1953--seems normal in 2013. Perhaps the television sit-com has made absurdity normal; perhaps the absurdity of real life, of reality, makes absurdity normal--acceptable. So the non-sequiturs seemed perfectly acceptable; TAXI was filled with them. Perhaps now, thanks to information at our fingertips, the icon of absurdity forces us to recall former similar icons. After all, the man jumping from the World Trade Center inferno recalls the women jumping to their deaths in the Triangle Shirt Waist Fire of March 25, 1911. Every generation discovers absurdity every generation.
Estragon and Vladimir are left with instructions to wait for Godot--I'm told Godot is a French diminutive for God--under a tree. And so they wait. They talk, they share. But they also comfort each other by hanging on to each other, or covering or protecting each other from the elements. Eventually, they are told that Godot is not to appear today, but he will appear tomorrow so they must wait tomorrow. Estragon and Vladimir are uncertain how many days they have repeated this cycle. Sound familiar? In the film GROUNDHOG DAY, Bill Murray repeats the day over and over again.
Estragon and Vladimir show concern and affection for each other providing the redemptive element to their absurdity. They are not tearing at each other like Martha and George in WHOSE AFRAID OF VIRGINA WOLF. Or in Sartre's NO EXIT--where one of the characters says: "Hell is other people." Estragon and Vladimir showing concern is their redemption. Unlike the interaction of Lucky using Pozzo as a slave.
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Anything Goes!
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Posted:Jan 19, 2013 11:26 pm
Last Updated:Jan 19, 2013 11:28 pm
7242 Views
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San Francisco saw the production of Anything Goes, music and lyrics by Cole Porter, Book by P. G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton, and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse with revised/updated book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman. And starring Rachel York as Reno Sweeney.
But first, as y'all know doubt know--P. G. Wodehouse is the creator of our favorite Butler--JEEVES--caught on video by Hugh Laurie of HOUSE fame. Timothy Crouse is the of Russel Crouse.
The set design was excellent, choreography excellent, music excellent, story line excellent. Did I say excellent enough times... Erich Bergen (as Billy Crocker) and Alex Finke (as Hope Harcourt) danced "It's De-lovely" as well as Fred and Ginger--not that Fred & Ginger but Fred and Ginger of Martin Block's Make Believe Ballroom... The entire ensemble evoked that 1934 era when the musical was first produced.
The song "Anything Goes" closes the first act; it lasts for almost 10 minutes--that's a long time to be constantly dancing and singing on stage--and they certainly gave all they had to the performance--arms, legs, hands, a kimbo a goin' aways... "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" was a follow up with equal enthusiasm. There is favorite theatrical dictum from Chekhov: If there is a gun visible in the first act, it must go off by the third act. And sure enough, a throw away moment when Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (played by Edward Staudenmayer)confesses to a liaison with a Chinese maiden many years in his past. Sure enough the Chinese Maiden--in reality Reno Sweeney--reappears at the end of the play for Lord Evelyn to marry; thus allowing Hope and Billy Crocker to marry--Hope being betrothed to Lord Evelyn; and Elisha Whitney (played by Dennis Kelly) and Hope's mother Mrs Evangeline Harcourt (played by Sandra Shipley) to marry after Elisha has struck it rich on Wall Street because his assistant--Billy Crocker--neglected to sell stocks... Are you following this...
It was a delightful performance all round... To borrow a phrase from Sinclair Lewis: A good time was had by all...
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Gun Deaths in America CDC 2010
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Posted:Jan 11, 2013 4:41 pm
Last Updated:Nov 26, 2013 4:07 pm
9298 Views
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The CDC-- Center for Disease Control--publishes morbidity and mortality statistics. Injury or death by gunfire is a serious health care issue in America. The statistics come from the CDC by way of "Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence."
In America in 2010, 31,076 died by gunfire; 73,505 Americans were treated in emergency rooms for non fatal gunshot wounds.
By contrast: in Vietnam from 1955-1975, over 58,000 American soldiers died.
In 2010, guns were used in 11,078 homicides; sadly, firearms were used in 19,392 suicides...
In 2010--606 people died from accident with guns...
In America--every week 27 are killed from gunfire--that's 1,404 a year....
The FBI reports that there are less than 300 gun deaths due to self-defense.
So gun control becomes a health care issue. And a large resolution lies in an existential choice not to own a gun...just as a person has to make an existential decision not to smoke or drink for improved health.
Sadly, no one wants to acknowledge that their weapon will be used for demonic purposes, when the statistics suggest something very different.
The editorial cartoon is from Jan 11, 2013 by Tom Toles:
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Christmas 2012--Newtown, Ct.
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Posted:Dec 23, 2012 10:53 am
Last Updated:Jan 16, 2013 5:22 pm
8220 Views
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This Christmas gives a very bleak meditation. Twenty between the age of 6 and 7 were killed by automatic gunfire in a classroom. The heart aches for mothers/fathers, sisters/brothers, aunts/uncles, grandparents, neighbors, Newtown, America, the world.
We wonder what direction the country is going in. We worry about the direction the country is going in... One cannot believe that the NRA gun nuts have the right answer--the feeling that they are the problem, not the solution... They would replace Constitutional Rule, Supreme Court Rule, Legislative process, democratic vote with the tyranny of the 2nd Amendment. All in all, it is a sad mediation required of America this Christmas season. The 2nd Amendment was not intended to make convenient murder by gunfire...
Edward Hopper's NIGHTHAWKS provides the right contemplative tone. Sister Wendy, an art critic, points out that there are no doors in the restaurant... It would seem there is no exit from the dementia, the madness of gun shooting that has beset America.
As I read the Yahoo comments, I was appalled at the callous and cynical indifference of the gun nuts (= psychos) to the magnitude of the event. That there are so many of them gives pause for concern. These gun nut psychos are like the constantly drunk--someone has to stand up and tell the drunk that he/she is the problem and they must do something about their drinking. It's a profound existential choice the nation must make, and there can be no confidence that the nation will make that choice. More likely--like the drunk, who told to stop drinking--persists--and one day kills someone in the automobile... The meditation this Christmas is bleak...
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A very sad day...
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Posted:Dec 18, 2012 10:12 pm
Last Updated:May 28, 2024 6:26 pm
7078 Views
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Today the editorial cartoonists dedicated their efforts to the slaughter of 20 innocent aged between 6 and 7 at the hands of a psycho using an assault weapon.
This is just one of their efforts.
We read the comic pages to get away from the real world only to find the real world impinging... Whether it's Peanuts, Dilbert, Doonesbury--they make commentary on the real world. And the real world must take note of what they say...
And it is a needed, if sad commentary.
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LINCOLN--a recommend
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Posted:Dec 4, 2012 5:32 pm
Last Updated:Dec 18, 2012 10:22 pm
7680 Views
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LINCOLN the movie concerns itself with events from January, 1865 to April 15, 1865. Specifically it concerns itself with passage of the 13th Amendment in the House of Representative making 'involuntary servitude' unconstitutional.
Lincoln asserts early in the film that he took property--Black slaves--from the rebels, would he have to return property--Black slaves--to the rebels. He knows that the war is to end seen either with diplomacy or military and he knows that once the Southern States re-join the Union, the Southern states are not likely to approve such an amendment, so it must be passed as soon as possible. The movie shows the political genius that was Lincoln, a politician not afraid to work with politicos responsible for the arm twisting, the cajoling, the quid-pro-quo. The film portraying his ability to walk the intellectual tight-rope that is politics.
the movie is based on Doris Kearns Goodwin: TEAM OF RIVALS.
The movie was fascinating, giving drama to intense political debate. For those who like thoughtful, this is the movie to see.
I don't normally sing the praises of actors--after all, that's why they get paid millions--but they all performed to excellence in this film. Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, Sally Fields as Mary Lincoln, Tommie Lee Jones as Thadeus Stevens, Hal Holbrook as Preston Blair--Blair House part of his heritage to the nation. The entire cast was excellent.
There were two scene that spoke to racism in America. The first scene. The Black maidservant sits in the balcony with the White Lincolns. She is there at their behest. Somehow, that scene spoke volumes.
The second scene. One of the Representatives is urged to pass the 13th Amendment. He is standing outside his house. He says: "I do not like Black people." Listening to Yahoo comments, lots of White folk don't like Black folk. Law exists to require people to transcend their limitations.
For a thought provoking, well acted movie this is the one to see this winter. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a contender for the Oscars. Wouldn't be surprised if it didn't sweep the major categories from best actor/actress, director, film, screenplay.
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JFK assassinated November 22, 1963
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Posted:Nov 22, 2012 11:33 am
Last Updated:Dec 4, 2012 5:06 pm
7452 Views
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I was 18 at the time and senior in High School. The 1960s were a bad year for political assassinations--read crack pots killing people.
That singular event has always made me suspicious of gun ownership. Nothing since then has made me change my mind; too many crackpots thinking they had some right to kill innocent people because they have a beef with humanity.
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We Gather Together
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Posted:Nov 21, 2012 4:46 pm
Last Updated:Dec 4, 2012 5:07 pm
7732 Views
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We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
One of my favorite Church Hymns; still speaks to the modern mind.
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Obama's Popular vote by comparison
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Posted:Nov 8, 2012 4:59 pm
Last Updated:Jan 5, 2013 4:29 pm
7670 Views
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Eisenhower --1952-- 55.2%
Eisenhower --1956-- 57.4%
Kennedy --1960-- 49.7%
Johnson --1964-- 61.1%
Nixon --1968-- 43.4%
Nixon --1972-- 60.7%
Carter --1976-- 50.1%
Reagan --1980-- 50.7%
Reagan --1984-- 58.8%
GHW Bush --1988-- 53.4%
Clinton --1992-- 43.0%
Clinton --1996-- 49.24%
GW Bush --2000-- 47.9%
GW Bush --2004-- 50.7%
Obama --2008-- 52.8%
Obama --2012-- 50%
So Obama's 50% ain't all that shabby. One always likes to look at these things for sake of comparison.
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