They Amazingly Overcame!

In two weeks civilization will go on as it does without much thought to an event that changed the history of the world 145 years ago. I have a great respect for men who fought to the death on that day in Pennsylvania. However, as I remember the bravery and honor of those men, I've decided to read The Civil War. I believe that I have owned it and lugged it around since it came out in Paperback 18 years ago - can you imagine that I actually wanted this book that young?

Anyway, as I was reading this book while on a plane recently and learned some crazy, crazy stuff!

"He was a compromise candidate, everyone's second choice in a convention dominated by more celebrated politicians, a moderate from the center of a moderate middlewestern state without which the new party stood little chance of victory."

Lincoln, the 2nd choice! What?

The next paragraph discusses the 40% of the popular vote that he won the election with and then quotes the Richmond Whig:

"[...the election of Lincoln] is undoubtedly the greatest evil that has ever befallen this country."

Are you kidding me? And before Lincoln took an oath the Union had gone from 34 states to 27. Some people really hated him - insanely!

Robert Toombs, the Confederate Secretary of State, told Jefferson Davis that firing on Fort Sumpter was "at this time suicide, murder, and will lose us every friend at the North. You will wantonly strike a hornet's nest which extends from mountain to ocean, and legions now quiet will swarm out and sting us to death. It is unnecessary; it puts us in the wrong; it is fatal."

But like most Southerners, an Alabama secessionist J.G. Gilchrist told the Confederate Secretary of War, Leroy P. Walker, "that unless you sprinkle blood in the face of the people of Alabama, they will be back in the old Union in less than ten days."

To have this kind of hatred, plus a bloody, deadly, costly civil war in our past, and knowing that a torn country was brought back together, gives me great hope in this time of high prices for everything, fear and hatred of politicians. We can overcome differences and enlighten our minds to the point of forgiveness like every family who lost something in that surprisingly tragic fight for, among other things, rights, unity, and freedom.

Thank you kindly for showing us how gentlemen should act!

In This Very Room

In this building, in the door to the right, I got my sleep on, in class tonight. It just wasn't as exciting as usual. It's a good thing, though, that the lecture hall for PSCI 203 (which, incidentally, is the same classroom where I took a class called Race and Racism) has tiny little pull-out-desks from between the seats. Perhaps you've seen the kind before. So, every time I would nod off with my chin in my palm and my elbow on the desk I would jerk violently downward...and wake up.

But amidst my dozing, I did hear some of my favorite parts of history. The Northwest Ordinance. The Louisiana Purchase. The Missouri Compromise. The Spanish-American War. Everything leading up to the Civil War. These men who compromised to appease the slave holders of the South really kept the country together amidst unspeakable odds.

Anyway, that's a little deep for this blog, so I return to Dr. Zentner and his ever lively comments.

6:04 "Don't get comfortable." Guess I missed this one while I was sleeping...oops!

6:16 "Let's say we combine California and Nevada...let's call it Californianevada."

6:25 "Don't push me too hard or I'll get in the fetal position and hide under the table." This was after a student brought up a theoretical nuclear explosion in Nevada that forced its inhabitant's out of the state. So, the question was whether or not Nevada would still be a state.

6:52 "It's a moot point. Do you know what I mean by a moot point?" Wow! This really is a Freshmen class if he has to explain that!

6:54 "That's why Arnold doesn't have his own army..." Not sure where that one came from. I had a head jerk at 6:53.

7:23 "My man, Napoleon...he's a sexy guy! I lie awake dreaming of Napoleon." This was after his discussion of arguably the best real estate purchase ever!

Finally, this was after our enlightenment about the Kurds:

7:29 "Are we going to Police all those who need our protection throughout the world? I SAY HE^& YEAH!"

Someday...

Freshman Political Science should be easy. So, when I took the midterm yesterday I was the second one finished. The only problem is that I hope that the questions that I know I got wrong don't come back to haunt me in any future endeavors in public administration.

Staying on topic (Political Science class - in case you forgot or lost interest), I have a timeline of wits of wisdom from my PS professor.

6:20 - Evan's late to class because of the 15 mile, 1 hour drive. Luckily, no comment.

6:25 - While speaking about the Small Republic Theory of government - "Here's where it gets esoteric and a little sexy."

6:37 - A discussion on why members of congress get paid - "You want congressmen to make more money so they don't get bribed."

6:45 - I'm not sure - "I'm getting confused; losing track of where I've been from day to day."

6:48 - Speaking of a student in the front row - "He's a murdering bastard and needs to be whacked...that's justice!"

6:53 - Telling us the difference between Federalists and anti-Federalists - "Madison's whole argument is like a pre-emptive strike against Marx's argument."

6:55 - Wondering why we have to spend so much time explaining the Constitution - "The 18th Century prose is sometimes hard for undergrads to understand."

7:12 - Speaking of Hitler and Marx and Freud and a bunch of other people - "Almost all of the bad ideas of the 20th century came out of Germany."

7:13 - I think this next one came from the discussion of Freud - "We're all involved in sex."

7:23 - A mere 10 minute span - "We're all stupid differently."

7:25 - A discussion on factions - "I wish I were a janitor; then I would be left alone. My whole goal in life is to be left alone."

7:29 - After telling us that Madison is a little Machiavelli and Napoleonic - "Napoleon kicked a%&. He would always kick a%&! Isolate the main body and crush them!"

7:39 - Yes, the protection of differing faculties is the first object of government - "I'm a bit of a crooner."

7:42 - He defined republics and democracies and how Madison favors republics - "Add this to your list of things to make you sound smart at a cocktail party."

7:45 - The explanation we came to class for - "You don't vote because you don't have to!"

Can you believe this guy? I think that I now know why he has asked us not to record his lectures...at least I don't fall asleep in this class!

Can You Guess My Hero?

Can you guess who this person is?



Professor of Rhetoric and seminary teacher and president of a college.



Wounded six times in six different battles and had six horses killed while riding them.



Shot through the hips from Right to Left.



Lt. Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Brevet Major General, Govenor.



Recieved a Congressional Medal of Honor through the mail.



Knew the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.



Are you close? At least there is a time frame and a location... Any guesses?




Here is a picture to help:

Senorita = Lovely Wife

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo my wife spoke Spanish for a good part of the day. She also spouted some history to increase my knowledge. Did you know that most Mexicans do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Usually, it is Mexican-Americans who celebrate this holiday. Amazing...

So, here is to the woman that works hard, studies hard, laughs hard and loves wonderfully. She is truly an inspiration (and she usually keeps me from looking like an idiot)!

Thank you kindly!

PS She smells really good wearing Wild Honeysuckle, too.

Isn't it Ironic? Don't you think?

So, I didn't do so well with the everyday Blogging goal. However, I think that I can get every other day down so that I may actually have consistent readers. Have you been to this site before?

Anyway, today I wanted to discuss, briefly, my long lost family members still located in the British Isles. Okay, so they may not be related to me at all, but have you heard about that crazy flight from Delhi to London? Well, let me tell you.

Before you go on, you may take offense to the following story. This is not meant to be offensive or disrespectful. Just merely a lesson in rhetoric - isn't it ironic?

An elderly woman in coach was upgraded from her seat, just after take off, with her family to 1st class. Unfortunately, she didn't share the excitement that I would have if I had the opportunity to fly first class. Lucky for those in coach, however, it didn't cost the family any money. The poor woman died in coach and the crew had to move the body. She just died. The "crew were working in difficult circumstances and chose the option they thought would cause least disruption". So they put her in 1st class. Least disruption? Tell that to the unfortunate Paul Trinder. The man is now famous for sitting next to a corpse that kept slipping off of the seat because of turbulence.

Okay, enough of that...I'm not sure what I would have chosen to do in that case - maybe find an airport close and disembark and load the body in the cargo hold? Or perhaps place the woman respectfully in the very back of the plane covered by a blanket? Or maybe it was just honorable of British Airways to, one time in the woman's life (or lack thereof), upgrade her to 1st class? But she couldn't even enjoy it!

So, here is to the irony that is: your replacement getting an office because you made the job worthwhile.
So, here is to the irony that is: the employee you're training making more money than you.
So, here is to the irony that is: craving the popcorn at the bottom of the bag because you think it might have more butter and finding that you only get more kernel.
So, here is to the irony that is: a free upgrade when you're no longer alive to use it.

Bummer...and thank you kindly British Airways for thinking of her honor!