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aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com CBD: cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com Buck: buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com joe mannix: mannix2024 at proton.me MisHum: petmorons at gee mail.com J.J. Sefton: sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com | Sunday Morning Book Thread 10-04-2015: The Children of Santayana [OregonMuse]![]() First Bookmobile In Cincinnati, 1927 People who say they don't have time to read simply don't want to. History On The Cheap "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George SantayanaSo Amazon keeps popping up a bunch of these 99-cent history books as suggested reads for me. There seems to be an almost infinite number of them available and the reason they're so inexpensive is that they're all public domain works from the late 19th or early 20th century. I would recommend any of them as good introductions if you ever wanted to learn something of the history of a particular country. Another advantage is that, being very much old-school, they're not going to subject you to left-wing harangues about the evils of colonialism or the rah-rah lesbian sisterhood. Not that these 19th century guys were free of biases, they had their own biases, but they're not modern biases, which makes up for the stuff they got wrong, that is superseded by more modern scholarship. Not that a history noob like me is going to know this. Now if you're a serious historical inquirer like moron commenter boulder terlit hobo, these books probably aren't for you, but for the rest of us, the inaccuracies aren't going to matter a great deal. And studying history is a good thing. Just ask Mr. Santayana. So, if you're interested in a history of Japan, you could try History of Japan, 660 BC to 1872 AD by William Elliot Griffis for a good overview. For China, there's History of China From the Earliest Times to the Manchu Conquest by Herbert H. Gowen. And then there's A History of China by Wolfram Eberhard, and this one is FREE. Another freebie is Korea's Fight for Freedom by Frederick Arthur Mckenzie. This is not a general history of that country, but rather an account of the oppressive Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 1900s written by an Englishmen who was there at the time. It's more of a memoir than a history, but even so, it still sounds like a worthwhile read. One Amazon reviewer says: For those of us that were stationed in Korea and grew to appreciate the culture and the people it provides historical insight into the pain and suffering of these good people. After reading the accounts of some of the oppressive acts that have been carried out against this country one has to wonder if the nation can ever be reunited and if the wounds will ever be healed.And let's not leave out India: History of India. From Ancient Times to the 20th Century by William W. Hunter, and by "20th Century", I think it means "about the time of WW I". I found out recently that India has 16 languages, none of which are related to each other. So you know the history has to be fantastically complex. See History Of India From The Earliest Times To The Sixth Century BC by Romesh Chunder Dutt and Cristo Raul Europe, you say? Well, we've got that covered, too: A History of France From the Earliest Times to the Treaty of Versailles by William Stearns Davis. Also A Short History of Germany From the Earliest Times to the Treaty of Westphalia by Ernest F. Henderson and The History of Italy, from the Fall of the Western Empire to the Commencement of the Wars of the French Revolution by Colonel Proctor. ...and a bunch on England. Here's two: England During the Dark Ages by John Green and History of the Conquest of England by the Normans: All Volumes by Augustin Thierry Perhaps some of these 99-centers are available for free from Gutenberg (I didn't check), but in some cases, perhaps the Kindle editions might be better. At least in the case of the Kindle edition of Charles Oman's classic multi-volume history of the "dark" ages, which has been re-edited and re-formatted with new illustrations and maps designed specifically for a superior reading experience on all Kindles and on the iPhone/iPad via the Kindle app. Names of kings and major political/military persons have been updated and major typographical errors found with the previous Kindle edition have been corrected.The Dark Ages - Book I of III The Dark Ages - Book II of III The Dark Ages - Book III of III And, of course, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition. It's chief weapons are fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and a fanatical devotion to the pope. Or maybe not. Exceptional The Amazon review of Dick and Liz Cheney's new book Exceptional contains what appears to be the Forword, which says, in part:Our children should know about the boys of Pointe du Hoc and Doolittle’s Raiders, the Battles of Midway and Iwo Jima. They should learn about the courage of the young Americans who fought the Nazis at the Battle of the Bulge and the Japanese on Okinawa. They should learn why America was right to end the war by dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and about the fundamental decency of a nation that established the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Airlift, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They need to know about the horror of the Holocaust, and what it means to promise “never again.”Which sounds good. We all of us here agree that our children ought to be taught America's greatness. But then he says this: Just as one president has left a path of destruction in his wake, one president can rescue us. The right person in the Oval Office can restore America’s strength and our alliances, renew our power and leadership, defeat our enemies, and keep us safe. It will not be easy. There are difficult decisions to be made and very little time.The problem here is that the Cheneys think that everything was just fine until Obama showed up: “For the most part, until the administration of Barack Obama, we delivered,” they wrote, arguing that Obama, who Cheney once called "the worst president history has seen," has “departed from this 75-year, largely bipartisan tradition of ensuring America’s pre-eminence and strength.”I find this incredibly myopic, ignoring as it does decades of cultural rot and subversion, quite apart from politics. Where does he think the rot came from? There are reasons why schoolchildren are not being told about Pointe du Hoc and the Battle of the Bulge, and it didn't start with the Obama administration. The Obama administration is the fruit, not the seed. Obama is a symptom, not a cause. So something like this We are living at another hinge point of history and require a president equal to this moment. We must choose wisely....is quite inadequate. We're beyond the point where we can fix things by voting for some other guy. The problem is that the lack of confidence in American values and American civilization brought about by the institutional march of progressivism goes back many years and Americans have the attention span of a gnat. This is why voting feels so much like exchanging one set of deck chairs on the Titanic with another. Nothing is going to get fixed until we, collectively, come to view progressivism as we do phrenology or eugenics. It's going to take years of work to repair the damage, not just an election. Will Edit For Food A while back, I pimped the book Hard Bite, which is about a serial revenge killer in a wheelchair who carries out his murdering with the help of his homicidal monkey. The author, when she isn't writing books, is busy editing them. Or wants to be. She has a book editing service she'd like all you moron authors to know about: As you know, I'm a book editor (fiction and nonfiction)...who gives a fair shake to conservative-leaning manuscripts? I have seen with my own eyes, fledgling writers get criticized by literary gatekeepers for their values, when they deserve unbiased critique.More info, including pricing, at the author's website. And Now, A High-Class Literary Announcement I heard from high-class moronette author Elisabeth Wolfe about a high-class event coming soon a city near you(perhaps): A neat opportunity for book-loving ’rons and ’ettes that I don’t think is being advertised much (at least I heard about it only through the grapevine): The National Theatre production of Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, is going to be broadcast to movie theaters in the US on October 15. It’s one night only in most places, but selected theaters will also have encore showings after October 22. Details, including venues, are available at http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ntlout10-hamlet. Point / Counter-Point Here is a very silly article by a very silly HuffPo contributor about how authors should not write prolifically. And here's a thorough fisking of said article by prolific author Larry Correia. You be the judge. Me, I like "prolific" because it's got "pro-life" in it. Books By Morons I heard this week from a lurking moronette Candace, who has written a number of Christian-themed YA fantasy novels. Where Dragons Dwell. One Amazon reviewer says We are always looking for good books to read as a family - and this is one of our favorites! A tale of love and sacrifice - battles and dragons! We have a tween boy, teen girl and we all LOVE this adventure.Whom Dragons Rule Is the sequel. I'm guessing there's going to be a third in the series before too long. She's also the author of the "King" series, The Pursuit of a King (A Tale of Wisdom), which is available for FREE: A dream. A king. A riddle. A map. A journey. A dungeon (or two). A decision. A sacrifice. A sword. A throne. The Pursuit of a King (A Tale of Wisdom) recounts the adventures of Artemerio and Barto as they cross deserts, climb canyon walls, face the evil Dunley, rescue Lady Wisdom, save cities from certain destruction (using only cake!)--and discover their destinies.There are three others in the series: The Heart of a King (A Tale of Faith) The Honor of a King (A Tale of Mercy) The Son of a King (A Tale of Love) All of Ms. Little books have MULTIPLE TRIGGER WARNINGS for extolling the virtues of courage, hard work, responsibility, self-sacrifice, and actual good versus actual evil. ___________ I first mentioned Patrick Chiles' sci-fi novel Perigee back in 2012. Well, he's finally finished writing the sequel, Farside, and here it is: A missing spacecraft –Only $3.99 on Kindle. ___________ So that's all for this week. As always, book thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to OregonMuse, Proprietor, AoSHQ Book Thread, at the book thread e-mail address: aoshqbookthread, followed by the 'at' sign, and then 'G' mail, and then dot cee oh emm. What have you all been reading this week? Hopefully something good, because, as you all know, life is too short to be reading lousy books. Comments(Jump to bottom of comments)1
First?
Posted by: EC at October 04, 2015 08:57 AM (j8YpL) 2
Yay! First!
Posted by: EC at October 04, 2015 08:57 AM (j8YpL) 3
g'mornin' again, 'rons
Posted by: AltonJackson at October 04, 2015 08:58 AM (irT2h) 4
FINALLY finished Shogun which has the longest denouement ever in the entire history of western litchrachur. Finally finished 'Salem's Lot to which the publisher appended about a million omitted scenes for no apparent reason.
Started Flashback by Dan Simmins and started The Ten Commandments by Dennis Prager. A discussion at last week's thread reminded me of a book I read a while back: The Killing of Bonnie Garland by a psychologist at some Ivy, possibly Yale. She was a student at Yale. He was an affirmative action (Hispanic, poor, crappy high school) admission who had no business at Yale. She went out with him for a while, but when she lost interest because she was smart and talented and he definitely wasn't, then he bashed her skull in at her parents' house. Parents wanted him dead, to say the least, but the faculty and staff as well as priests and nuns wanted to take care of the poor traumatized boy. It was absolutely nauseating and it was one of the things that made me feel slightly put off by the church I had just joined. Posted by: Tonestaple at October 04, 2015 09:00 AM (dCTrv) 5
So very close, but too many words.
Posted by: Tonestaple at October 04, 2015 09:00 AM (dCTrv) 6
I have started a re-read of the Mitch Rapp series. And as I was checking the reading order I noted that there are supposed to be two new ones coming out by a different author.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 09:03 AM (t2KH5) 7
If Hamlet is to hoity-toity for the Moron Horde in their pants or tutus, today at Cinemark Theaters will be a special showing of Iron Giant. For the Pearl, MS cinema, it is at noon today.
Or on October 25th, there will be a horror double feature at Cinemark. The 1931 Dracula with Bela Lugosi and the Spanish version that was shot on the same sets and used the same script. Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 09:06 AM (6VLGm) 8
'Morning, and thanks again for all your hard work, OM.
Since I'm nearly out the door, thought I'd mention "All Good Deeds," by Stacy Green, which is a free download. I mowed through it this week. Protagonist Lucy Kendall is an ex-CPS employee who administers her own kind of "justice" to the child molesters who evade the system or merely get a tap on the wrist. Green writes a cracking-good tale without bad language or the gratuitous sex and stuff (sorry, Morons). If Hollowood weren't so into pedophilia, Green's character and premise would be hot commodities. Just started "A String of Beads," the latest Thomas Perry thriller I somehow managed to miss earlier in the year when it was released. This is one of his "Jane Whitefield" stories, in which our Native American heroine once again is teaching "runners" how to get lost in society, thus escaping wrongful legal prosecution (and usually) the mob. If you've never read Perry, he's da bomb. One of his first books, "The Butcher's Boy," details how an orphan learns the trade of hit man from his adoptive father. Posted by: RushBabe at October 04, 2015 09:08 AM (/NEnw) 9
Our children should know about radiological decontamination procedures, iodine tablets, and foraging.
Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at October 04, 2015 09:09 AM (Cq0oW) 10
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 09:06 AM (6VLGm)
I saw the posters for Iron Giant yesterday. Great movie. First time seeing it, could only think, "How did this not do well?" BTW The Martian is entertaining, despite some unnecessary changes and MATT DAMON. Posted by: Secundus at October 04, 2015 09:09 AM (tTqti) 11
Dear OM,
Thanks much for the HARD BITE plug, and also for sharing the news that I edit conservative and libertarian-leaning manuscripts with warmth and respect. Bring on the Horde! Elaine/Anonymous-9 Posted by: Anonymous-9 at October 04, 2015 09:10 AM (vmHHv) 12
A History of America from When it was Worth a Shit to Boned.
Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at October 04, 2015 09:10 AM (oVJmc) 13
"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
"Those who do remember the past are condemned to repeat it anyway, because those who don't are in the majority." - rickl Posted by: rickl at October 04, 2015 09:11 AM (sdi6R) 14
It wasn't your blue eyes. You had me at "serial revenge killer in a wheelchair who carries out his murdering with the help of his homicidal monkey".
Posted by: Corona at October 04, 2015 09:11 AM (tWUja) Posted by: mindful webworker - in my Stetson at October 04, 2015 09:11 AM (Z3TUG) Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at October 04, 2015 09:13 AM (Cq0oW) 17
Many thanks to the moron who recommended Shelly's Heart by Charles McCarry. It' one of the best political thrillers that I have read. Added bonus: libs are the bad guys.
Posted by: Zoltan at October 04, 2015 09:16 AM (THsLo) 18
Well The Iron Giant came out the same week as Mystery Men, The Sixth Sense, and The Thomas Crown Affair. Along with an August release date, end of summer and no time for the kids to find it before school.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 09:17 AM (6VLGm) 19
One of the first "Bookmobiles". Having grown up in a small town, that is what we had for a library. Of course the school library was my haunt, looking for dirty words and sex stories. Not many in the school library. I remember finding a Ernie Pyle book where he used "f**k in the book. I got all excited, not about the title but finding the word....
Posted by: Colin at October 04, 2015 09:17 AM (Espnc) 20
All of you Morons who are writers or want to stick your big toe into the literary pond, a big event is coming up.
November is fast approaching, which means so is National Novel Writing Month. Can you sling a whole bunch of words onto a computer screen, or if you are old school make that typewriter do *ding!*, and write a story in a month? http://nanowrimo.org/ Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 09:20 AM (6VLGm) 21
Romesh Chunder Dutt is such a horrid sounding name, almost like an insult. "Hey, Romesh! You chunder dutt!"
Posted by: Caitlyn Jennera at October 04, 2015 09:23 AM (O96tM) 22
On this thread's recommendation last week I downloaded and read "Claymore-- A Story of Texas ". A good old fashioned Western. I wish the author had lived to finish the fragments of the stories that were included.
Posted by: That SOB Van Owen at October 04, 2015 09:25 AM (xrET7) 23
Fully agree that Obama is a fruit (not a seed, whatever that is).
Just look at his "wife". Or Google Obama Boystown. Posted by: Steve in Greensboro at October 04, 2015 09:27 AM (G/poz) 24
OM, Thanks as always for the book thread.
The Great Courses class on chess arrived and I got to watch the first two lessons. The first is the usual history of the game and basic moves for each piece. It was well done but not exceptional. The second got more interesting. Silman focuses on pawns and knights: their moves, the unusual aspects of pawns (enpassant, etc.), and how the pieces are more effective depending on their positions on the board. He also shows how many squares can be influenced by a particular piece. He combines basic moves with strategic value, which I find helpful. I'll have to view the lessons repeatedly to get their full benefit, but I'm encouraged so far. I'll say more as I watch more of the lessons. No idea if an experienced player would get much out of the course. But Silman's books are popular, so I suspect there is plenty to learn for most players, not just beginners. Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 09:28 AM (FvdPb) 25
Lots o' content.
Posted by: Weasel at October 04, 2015 09:29 AM (e3bId) 26
I wonder what the Cheneys think of bakers being run out of business by vindictive homosexuals. We already know their position on gay marriage.
I'm always wary of those who claim to be "conservative" but then turn around and support the latest sexually perverse fad du jour of the left. Posted by: Caitlyn Jennera at October 04, 2015 09:29 AM (O96tM) 27
Don't dismiss what you can learn from old history books. Back in my original college days, I got assigned a random country to do a geopolitical assessment on. It was a backwater craphole that was, at that time, seeing the occupying forces of a much stronger neighbor depart after an extended period of time. The materials in question were decades out of date, supplemented by newspapers and magazines of more recent nature.
I concluded that the tribal nature, minimal and devastated infrastructure, lack of resources, and overabundance of nasty people meant it would not have a good future ahead, and would probably be overrun by narcoterrorists. Did I mention it was Afghanistan? Yeah. Posted by: Brother Cavil, hither and yon at October 04, 2015 09:30 AM (m9V0o) 28
Might have to pick up that tome on the Papacy to thoroughly supplement the short article in the book The Vatican with the Restored Sistine Chapel that I bought during my short visit to the Holy See Vatican City.
I have discovered in the world of Golden Isis a purely Sister Mary Claire and Sister Miriam dangerous adventure that takes place between Golden Isis and the nascent Alexandria story. If anyone wants to help support the writing of now two stories, please??? https://www.gofundme.com/8k4zdgw9 Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 09:31 AM (6VLGm) 29
"They should know that once there was an empire so evil and bereft of truth it had to build a wall to keep its citizens in, and that the free world, led by America, defeated it."
Under Barackula, we now live in an empire so evil and bereft of truth it is unable to build a wall to keep illegal aliens out, and that the musloid world, led by ISIS, is defeating it. Thanks LIV's! Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 04, 2015 09:31 AM (ej1L0) 30
they just sang the star spangled banner and god save the queen art wembley, london.
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:32 AM (WTSFk) 31
at wembley
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:32 AM (WTSFk) Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:33 AM (WTSFk) Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:34 AM (WTSFk) 34
No idea if an experienced player would get much out of the course. But Silman's books are popular, so I suspect there is plenty to learn for most players, not just beginners.
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 09:28 AM (FvdPb) Silman's books helped me become a far better chess player. It will jump you from the middling trying not to screw up to the mid-level, I actually see what I want to do. He'll eventually get into imbalances which is where the light will click for you. Posted by: WOPR at October 04, 2015 09:36 AM (9SbHi) 35
(btw: they sang along with god save the queen, not ours, so it's largely a brit crowd at packed wembley, which means it's largely a british audience, which is nice)
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:37 AM (WTSFk) 36
Anna Puma: November is... National Novel Writing Month....
Just as we go off of Daylight Saving Time. Coincidence? Not likely! (?? Even I don't know why I wrote that.) Posted by: mindful webworker - in my Stetson at October 04, 2015 09:39 AM (Z3TUG) 37
oh and btw the british have written many very good books.
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:39 AM (WTSFk) 38
Talk about a steal: The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection: 3 Series, 37 Volumes, 65 Authors, 1,000 Books, 18,000 Chapters, 16 Million Words - $2.99 at Amazon
Posted by: ahem at October 04, 2015 09:40 AM (lKGzI) 39
34 ... WOPR, Glad you mentioned the effectiveness of Silman's books. In addition to the course on DVD, I'll keep an eye open for them. Thanks.
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 09:40 AM (FvdPb) Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 09:40 AM (WTSFk) 41
Old guy #1: What station are we coming to?
Old guy #2: Wembley. Old guy #3: No, I believe it's Thursday. Old guy #1: I am, too. Shall we go to the club car? Posted by: Mickey and Sylvia at October 04, 2015 09:41 AM (QP2lF) 42
Thanks for the compliment, but... I *do* read old history books. My words were "Older books are like modern books: a lot of them are wrong and stupid, but sometimes one runs across a gem."
http://minx.cc:1080/?post=358853 To expand on that, I'd been looking up history books on the Umayyads published in the 1700s in English and French. They didn't have Tabari or even Ibn al-Athir, like we got; but they did have *later* Arabic histories and even a Syriac history (by Bar Hebraeus). They also used the Byzantine history tradition. So the 1700s authors passed around a number of legends and facts which later fell out of fashion, just because they weren't in Tabari and the others. (I blame Julius Wellhausen.) Some of these legends and facts might have been true after all. Or at least illustrative of the truth; we are after all dealing with the Hadith. Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 09:42 AM (aLXXe) 43
ahem, that sounds like reading material that will lurk next to the loo for the next thirty years unread.
Mindful Webworker, that would be a nefarious plot. Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 09:42 AM (6VLGm) 44
Just started Atlantic by Simon Winchester.
Posted by: mpfs at October 04, 2015 09:43 AM (AeDcK) 45
No idea if an experienced player would get much out of the course. But Silman's books are popular, so I suspect there is plenty to learn for most players, not just beginners.
JTB, I ordered this course myself. I'm going to watch it with a friend of mine who doesn't necessarily want to play chess, but it is intrigued by chess and wants to learn more about it. So I think this will be perfect for her. Plus, she has me to explain stuff to her as we watch. So it'll be fun. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 09:44 AM (XQnZ+) 46
This must be the football thread.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 09:46 AM (nCgr6) 47
Posted by: Mickey and Sylvia at October 04, 2015 09:41 AM (QP2lF)
Haven't heard from you for so long, bay-bay! http://tinyurl.com/pxah5sk Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 09:47 AM (ftVQq) 48
I feel like singing "God Save The Queen" every time Prince Charles opens his yap
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 09:48 AM (aLXXe) 49
>>>Nothing is going to get fixed until we, collectively, come to view progressivism as we do phrenology or eugenics.
I suppose it will take years, if we can ever begin to turn the tide. But liberalism is still a mystery to me, why something so obviously immoral and contradictory should be so deeply believed by otherwise smart people. Like the way it starts off by proclaiming racism and sexism are wrong, and then overgeneralizing and ending up being racist and sexist. Anyone of moderate intelligence should be able to see this in a minute using only unaided reason. It shouldn't take years. Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at October 04, 2015 09:49 AM (O96tM) 50
Isn't that My Country tis of thee?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 09:50 AM (nCgr6) 51
14 It wasn't your blue eyes. You had me at "serial revenge killer in a wheelchair who carries out his murdering with the help of his homicidal monkey".
Posted by: Corona at October 04, 2015 09:11 AM (tWUja) Sounds a bit like a variation of the 1988 movie Monkey Shines. Posted by: Insomniac at October 04, 2015 09:50 AM (kpqmD) 52
I'm always wary of those who claim to be "conservative" but then turn around and support the latest sexually perverse fad du jour of the left.
Cheney's a sharp guy, but he's (still) very much an inside-the-Beltway establishment Republican. And of course he has to say everything started going downhill with Obama because if it happened earlier, then the question must be asked, where were you and what did you do about it? Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 09:51 AM (XQnZ+) 53
In the Bunker recharging his disruptor rifle.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 09:52 AM (nCgr6) 54
Larry Correia is just hilarious. Are MHI books as funny as his blog? I have never read them, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Larry Correia is about to GET PAID again.
Bought all those history books for less money than my daughter spent at Starbucks this a.m. And I remember liking Perigee. I will check out the sequel. Thanks, OM! Posted by: Gem at October 04, 2015 09:52 AM (c+gwp) 55
Talk about a steal: The Complete Ante-Nicene Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection: 3 Series, 37 Volumes, 65 Authors, 1,000 Books, 18,000 Chapters, 16 Million Words - $2.99 at Amazon
Posted by: ahem at October 04, 2015 09:40 AM (lKGzI) I have this series in hardback, purchased some years ago, before the days of teh internets. Cost something like $200 or $300 from Christian Book Distributors, and that was a pretty good deal then. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 09:54 AM (XQnZ+) 56
If anyone had read my comments this week, you would know that we're in Chicago for remembrance of my brother-in-law Vince. Interred his ashes yesterday at the cemetery on the South Side where five generations of family are buried.
Vince was "only" a bartender. If you don't count his published novel, his poems and other writings, his sketches and paintings. ![]() ___ I consider this world to be the home of fools and thieves And I gather them gratefully around me. -VC Posted by: mindful webworker - adopted Chicagoan at October 04, 2015 09:56 AM (Z3TUG) 57
There were people who could read in Cincinnati at one time?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 09:57 AM (nCgr6) 58
I am half way though a history, Contemporaries of Marco Polo edited by Manuel Komroff.
Marco Polo went to see the Mongol court, but other Europeans went before and after he did. William of Rubruck went as an emissary of the pope to Khan Kuyuk and John of Pian de Carpini went as an emissary of the French king to the court of Khan Mangu. At this point the Mongol Empire was turning from a conquering horde into a family squabble. Very interesting, I had read about Gengis and Ogodai's conquests, read about Ogodai's reconnaissance in force to the near east and eastern europe and the balkans, I have read about the development of the steppe society and spread of Indo-European languages and the wheel from the steppes, and I have even read Deathworld 3 by Harry Harrison and the Lord Conrad books by Frankowski, but this gives a deeper view of the mongols society. A lot of authors have talked quite a bit that the Mongols just wanted to trade and wound up attacking and utterly destroying the cultures that killed their ambassadors. From these travelogues the indication was that the demands of the Mongol ambassadors were the same sort of demands that that Persian ambassadors gave to the Spartans. The John of Pian talks quite a bit about machinations of the Nestorian Christians at the Mongol court at Khara-Khorum against the Catholics. It is the sort of book you want to read with a search engine open to look up side-information. The Authors were writing for their contemporaries (13th Century contemporaries) who knew as much as they did. Posted by: Kindltot at October 04, 2015 09:58 AM (3pRHP) 59
Damn! I was all excited b/c the 99 Cent Store opens early the month of October. Unfortunately, they've stopped that. ![]() It takes so little to make me happy... Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at October 04, 2015 09:59 AM (iQIUe) 60
10-0 Jets, in London, where there are books.
Posted by: Lincolntf at October 04, 2015 10:02 AM (2cS/G) 61
wembley thursday joke very funny and appropriate as it's so british.
a bit called "the four candles" by a comedy duo the two ronnies is considered one of the greatest comedy bits of all time by the english. sort of like who's on first. a man asks a shopkeeper for four candles, he means fork handles. it goes on like that for 5 minutes. an original typescript of it appeared on bbc's antique roadshow and subsequently was auctioned for about $100,000. wordplay is very british. me likum too. Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 10:03 AM (WTSFk) 62
57
There were people who could read in Cincinnati at one time? Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 09:57 AM (nCgr6) 80 some years ago, most everyone read, even in OH. Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 10:03 AM (jJRIy) 63
Miami can't do anything right today.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 10:04 AM (nCgr6) 64
Mindful, your BIL sounds like he was a good guy, and we lost a good one.
Condolences from the neighborhood. Posted by: Gem at October 04, 2015 10:04 AM (c+gwp) 65
Vic-we have no party,
One new Mitch Rapp is already out. "The Survivor" was sketched out by Vince Flynn before he died, and was published this fall after another author finished it. It's pretty good. Don't know about a second one. "The Survivor" did wrap up some loose story lines from the previous book. Posted by: Rosley at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (sO8pg) 66
Although not 7'2", I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan also, so I was intrigued by the book Mycroft by Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
The bottom line on Abdul-Jabar's Mycroft: It's a real book. Not nearly as good as some post-Conan-Doyle Holmes oeuvre, such as Horowitz's The House of Silk, and not so bad as others, such as The Furies Collection by Cartawick. This is a professionally written book including only one cringe-worthy, anachronistic sentence, unfortunately early in the book. The setting is 1870 while Sherlock is still a school boy and 23 year old Mycroft is much more in shape, social, and athletic than he will be when introduced some years later in Conan-Doyle's The Greek Interpreter. Mycroft's Dr. Watson is an older, black tobacconist who employs an aging British couple to pose as his shop's owners thereby disguising his status. Watson served primarily as a foil who endured Sherlock's peculiarities with loyal agreement. Cyrus Douglas is less so inclined and occasionally not only disagrees with Mycroft but prevails over him. Douglas servers to soften the coldly intellectual Mycroft as when they come across a murdered child and Mycroft wants to leave the body both because of the danger involved and because the game is afoot. Douglas refuses to agree, insisting that they bury the body on the grounds that it is such rituals which separate us from the savages. The story concerns a series of allegedly supernatural child murders on Trinidad, Douglas's home and Abdul-Jabar's ancestral home. The period vocabulary occasionally sent me scampering to a dictionary. "Scarificator" anyone? OK, so you knew that one, how about "lorgnette"? The story is a little too heavy on the anti-racism for my taste but, though not particularly moron friendly, neither is it PC. Douglas is a tobacconist and Mycroft a connoisseur, for example. This book increased my respect for Abdul-Jabar and I will probably read his Brothers in Arms, a history of a black tank unit in Europe in WWII. Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (Nwg0u) 67
For those historically inclined, I would recommned, "A Mighty Fortress: A New History of the German People" by Ozmet.
Posted by: Buckeye Abroad at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (jGDaT) 68
Actually, this can segue into a review of Stephen Witt, "How Music Got Free".
A couple decades ago one Fredric Dannen wrote the definitive account on music-industry corruption: "Hit Men". This became one of those obsolete Books Of Its Time less than a decade after it came out. Why? Because the music mafia was exploded by hackers. And now everyone can listen to almost anything on Youtube legally. No more big music producers; no more indies, and very little point in your hometown DJ. The music-compression technology had got so good that the CD industry was going to die eventually anyway, perhaps. Witt gives us a few chapters on why mp3 won out as a format. MP3 is good but not the best, but on the grasping hand not the WORST - and the music industry at the time could well have given us the worst. Witt notes that a lot of that hacked music was actually *leaked* music; there were people in the CD-pressing factories, who leaked music before it got published. If you listened to much pop music in the early 2000s, chances are what you heard was first ripped by a "criminal conspiracy" (as the Guardian put it). Witt's prose is witty, but he seems to be a snob - there's the occasional sneer at Bush and Iraq, and he says that the reason country music was doing better than other genres in the 2000s is because country fans didn't know how to share music. I don't like country either but, that's a douche thing to say about its fans. So I recommend the readers here check this book out of the library and photocopy it. Heh. Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (aLXXe) 69
Brit dad, who left his retarded son, now blaming US guns laws for his lack of responsibility.
He is a total asshole. TOTAL. Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (jJRIy) 70
>>>Miami can't do anything right today.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 10:04 AM (nCgr6)<<< **cries** Posted by: Hootie (sans Blowfish) at October 04, 2015 10:06 AM (ifEqP) 71
... no, not really.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:06 AM (aLXXe) 72
Another book to pick up to read about Japan is Fosco Maraini's Meeting with Japan - http://www.amazon.com/dp/0090517318/
An Italian professor who taught in Japan before WWII and was interred by the Japanese when Italy switched sides. The book recounts his travels in a country he loved as it rebuilds in the 1950s. As Maraini weaves reminisces he also writes of Japan's history. Similar situations have occurred in innumerable civilizations; at the centre an elegant, exquisite aristocracy staving off dull care with entertainments, pleasures, ceremonies, music, while all around them an older order declines and decays and in the provinces crude, strong, new men lay foundations for a new order. If that had been the whole of the story, it would scarcely be worth speaking of it at length. But the Heian period was distinguished from others, was indeed rendered almost unique, by the fact that the small, privileged court circle was motivated less by the vulgar myth of pleasure than by art; indeed, vulgarity is the one thing the Heian period cannot be accused; if anything, it erred in the opposite direction. It was a period of rarefied search for perfection, both in poetry and in doctrine, of storms, not in tea-cups, because tea was not yet known, but in small cups of sake. pg. 242 Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 10:07 AM (6VLGm) 73
Some time back I realized I had never read many of the 'classic' children's books and if my parents read them to me (unlikely given their work schedules) I was way too young to remember. This week I started "Winnie The Pooh", a volume with the original illustrations. (The illustrations are worth the cost of the book.) It is charming, VERY different from most of my reading, and has more layers of meaning than anticipated. It reminds me of Tolkien's stories that he wrote for his young children. I was impressed enough to return the library copy and buy one. The straightforward innocence in the stories is immensely appealing and a delightful break from the usual news and reading fare.
I've acquired other 'classics' like Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, and the EB White stories and will dip into them as time and mood dictate. I suppose it's odd to start these stories at my age, especially when childhood memories don't harken. But it doesn't make them less pleasant. Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 10:09 AM (FvdPb) 74
mpfs - sorry I got out of hand last ONT. there was no call for the all-caps meltdown and I'm sorry
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:10 AM (aLXXe) 75
He is a total asshole. TOTAL.
Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (jJRIy) Still waiting for an interview of the scumbag's mother! Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 10:10 AM (ftVQq) Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 10:11 AM (WTSFk) 77
74
mpfs - sorry I got out of hand last ONT. there was no call for the all-caps meltdown and I'm sorry Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:10 AM (aLXXe) FVCK YOU! I missed it, damn must have been epic, Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 10:11 AM (jJRIy) 78
A modest proposal, can we skip talking about the Oregon scum for at least one thread?
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 10:12 AM (6VLGm) 79
Got to meet the lovely and gracious Sgt. Mom and her daughter yesterday! We had a grand visit, and the library is still standing.
![]() Reading: Malory last week; lecturing on the Metaphysical Poets (mainly Donne and Herbert), Bunyan, and Milton this week and Hamlet next week--which I put on the schedule long before I found out about the NTL showing. Dying to see how Cumberbatch compares to Tennant. Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at October 04, 2015 10:12 AM (iuQS7) 80
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 10:09 AM (FvdPb)
I find Lewis Carroll rather timeless, and the wordplay a treat. Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 10:12 AM (ftVQq) Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 10:14 AM (WTSFk) 82
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 10:12 AM (6VLGm)
My apologies Anna, you are right this is a special thread and respite from the ugly world without! Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 10:14 AM (ftVQq) 83
JTB and Hrothgar, one of the secrets behind the Disney adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.
http://www.ufunk.net/insolite/walt-disney-alice-actress-kathryn-beaumont/ Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 10:15 AM (6VLGm) 84
*waves to Elisabeth*
Just as long as Tenant does not go 'Timey-Whimey' in Hamlet it should be golden. ![]() Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 10:17 AM (6VLGm) 85
Mycroft was an Oxbridge trained spy, the new series has captured that, of you miss that you've missed the character, preferred simmon's five hearts'
Posted by: admiral marcus at October 04, 2015 10:17 AM (0u/CC) 86
A modest proposal, can we skip talking about the Oregon scum for at least one thread?
Speaking of Oregon scum the Ducks had their way with the Buffs 41-21 last night. There are going to be a lot of embarrassed local fans here today Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:18 AM (aLXXe) Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 10:19 AM (jJRIy) 88
Oh, Anna, completely off topic, but I am heading out to do a morning's worth of chores.
A Brazilian site featuring B-25 Mitchell nose art. http://preview.tinyurl.com/q23z9tz (Scroll down past the picture of the chopper - or as the modern man says, "aircraft deriving its lift from blades or vanes that rotate about an approximately vertical central axis") Posted by: Kindltot at October 04, 2015 10:19 AM (3pRHP) 89
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good book about the Israeli War of Independence, particularly focused on the strategic and operational levels? Something like Oren's Six Days of War but for the '48 war.
I've been listening to The Martian and am being reminded just how good it is. I need to go see the movie despite MATT DAMON!!. Posted by: J. Random Dude at October 04, 2015 10:21 AM (C9lNt) 90
I saw Oregon Scum open for the Sex Pistols in the Rat Room in '83.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 04, 2015 10:22 AM (Nwg0u) 91
This book increased my respect for Abdul-Jabar and I will probably read his Brothers in Arms, a history of a black tank unit in Europe in WWII.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (Nwg0u) I sent you an e-mail about this. I would have mentioned this book thanks to your e-mail of a few days ago, but I goofed, sorry. See my e-mail for details. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 10:22 AM (XQnZ+) Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 10:25 AM (jJRIy) 93
The Memphis Kaitlynn.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 10:26 AM (nCgr6) 94
One new Mitch Rapp is already out. "The Survivor"
was sketched out by Vince Flynn before he died, and was published this fall after another author finished it. It's pretty good. Don't know about a second one. "The Survivor" did wrap up some loose story lines from the previous book. Posted by: Rosley at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (sO8pg) I had seen where that book was released this month. I saw another one upcoming on one site but I have been unable to find it again. This site says Mills has signed up to do at least two new Mitch Rapp books. It is not clear if that is two more after Survivor. http://bayareane.ws/1LrcYS2 Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 10:26 AM (t2KH5) 95
brb, I'm off to find boulder terlit hobo's all-caps meltdown.
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 10:29 AM (XQnZ+) 96
Halfway through "The Luminaries" and enjoying the immersion in an 1866 New Zealand gold rush town.
Posted by: the littl shyning man at October 04, 2015 10:31 AM (nN3hW) 97
*waves to Anna*
I love the Tennant version. The only real weak point, IMO, is Ophelia, but then nobody can really live up to Helena Bonham-Carter's rendition in the Mel Gibson version (that I've seen yet, anyway). Tennant and Stewart, though, do an incredible job, and it's one of the only modern-setting productions of Shakespeare I actually like. Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at October 04, 2015 10:32 AM (iuQS7) 98
Haven't heard from you for so long, bay-bay!
Mostly been just a-lurkin', Hrothgar. ONT and book thread and Ace's late-day hijinks. Posted by: Mickey and Sylvia at October 04, 2015 10:33 AM (QP2lF) 99
*waves to Elisabeth from across the room*
Things got rather fraught for us this week, but yesterday at the Llano County Book Festival in Llano, Texas made up for it all! Elisabeth and I swapped books, and she kept my daughter and I company at our table in the Llano Central Library for a couple of hours, and we went out for late lunch at Stonewall's Pizza and Things. Tommi Myers of the Llano Public library system ran the whole event most efficiently. I had a very nice crowd for my talk about my books, and I finished it all by reading a bit from the latest work in progress - the Tales of Luna City, which went over very, very well, I think -- everyone laughed uproariously at the final punch-line. Luna City is the result of a collaboration between my daughter and I - a little and South Texas town which is a kind of Lake Woebegon or Cecily Alaska from Northern Exposure, with many eccentric characters in it ... all based on stories that we have heard during the time that we have been doing book events in small Texas towns... (I have a website up already for it -lunacitytexas.com, if any 'rons and 'ronettes want to check out the reading I did!) I hope to launch Tales in mid-November, and I'll send word to OM and post links when it is ready to roll. Posted by: Sgt. Mom at October 04, 2015 10:33 AM (95iDF) 100
83 ... Anna, Thanks for that link. Fortunately, I remembered enough French to read it. Those photos are great. I had no idea Disney was using that live-to-animated technique so early. (I usually think of Ralph Bakshi with process.) Come to think of it, I believe Gene Kelly did something similar in parts of "Invitation to the Dance".
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 10:33 AM (FvdPb) Posted by: Hootie at October 04, 2015 10:35 AM (ifEqP) 102
Eh, it wasn't so bad. By the way, bht, I am one of those who holds the view that secular leftism is New England puritanism gone bad.
The New England puritans lost their children. See "the half-way covenant" for details. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 10:35 AM (XQnZ+) 103
Oooh, talking about Oxford trained spies, if you ever get the chance to to pick up one of the Manning Coles Tommy Hambledon spy novels, do so. Set from WWI to the cold war, they are wonderful if somewhat sad. Everything from witty repartee to breaking Nazi spy rings to assassinating an elderly biologist with a knitting needle because he might be developing germ warfare for the German Army.
And speaking of the history of it, they also speak on the conditions from the collapse of the Imperial German government to the rise of the Nazi state in the first two books, A Drink to Yesterday, and A Toast to Tomorrow. Posted by: Kindltot at October 04, 2015 10:37 AM (3pRHP) Posted by: the littl shyning man at October 04, 2015 10:37 AM (nN3hW) 105
"Islam and the Future of Tolerance: A Dialogue: Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz".
Sam Harris is (or was) one of the last decade's New Atheists alongside Christopher Hitchens. Maajid Nawaz was a co-founder of the Pakistan chapter of Hizbu 'l-Tahrir, pronounced "his butt to rear"; now an evangelist to moderation in Islam. The two are trying to decide whether there is a possibility for tolerance in Islam. Nawaz points out that teenagers and cynics are to blame for violent jihad. However he admits that Islamic conservatives - although uninterested in killing us infidels - *are* interested in slaying their own apostates and wayward daughters. The latter is also found among Hindus in India, which isn't very far from Pakistan, physically and culturally. In fact they are the same people post-partition. The "honour killings" and mob attacks are foreign to Islam. ... unfortunately I'm not sure that this book is going to win a lot of sympathisers to Nawaz's cause. Islam might be less toxic than its worst texts want it to be, but it is still dangerous, and more so when sprinkled onto a culture that already has Serious Issues, like Arab culture and hinterland north India / Pakistan culture. And don't let us get started on Afghan culture. Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:39 AM (aLXXe) 106
(Also, cynics getting teenagers to go on a colossal rape, raid, and murder spree - with the rest staying behind to fund the adventure by zakat - is kind of how Islam started out in the first place.)
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 10:40 AM (aLXXe) 107
Bunyan, and Milton this week
I am always surprised (although I shouldn't be) at how pervasive quotations and imagery from those two are in American lit. My grandparents could quote whole sections -- impressed the heck out of me since slogging through was a self-imposed chore. Posted by: mustbequantum at October 04, 2015 10:42 AM (MIKMs) 108
JTB: beatrix potter is worth a read, and a look. she was a wonderful naturalist as well as an illustrator.
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 10:43 AM (WTSFk) 109
Not a good week for reading or writing. I blame the blood moon, of course.
For any 'rons and 'ronettes in the Spokane area next Friday, I'm having a book reading at Auntie's Bookstore downtown. Swing in and say howdy, even if you don't stay for the reading. I also dropped the ebook price on both my novels to $2.99 for the event. (Forgot to email our gracious host, dangnabit!) They're also in the Kindle Unlimited program. Titles - Finishing Kick and Trail of Second Chances, both YA fiction that bucks the trend of sleaziness in the genre. Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 10:45 AM (AVRWt) 110
Nothing is going to get fixed until we, collectively, come to view progressivism as we do phrenology or eugenics.
You only think that because you have subdural abtusions in your mid-cranial plain. Posted by: se pa moron at October 04, 2015 10:48 AM (sI4OA) 111
The Blow Fish are back, and they're playing the Jets.
**cries some more** Posted by: Hootie --- But first ... Posted by: delta smelt at October 04, 2015 10:48 AM (O96tM) 112
One of the things the Obama era has taught is that Republicans can and often are just as craven as Democrats.
Another view of the Bush Administration might include the realization that Cheney was very much involved in the shenanigans around the phony "outing" of CIA Sooperspi, Valery Plame. And then Soopertoadies Rich Armitage and Scoots Libby took the fall. Because that's what toadies do. And once you get through with the idea of hero worshipping any of these people, Cheney doesn't look any different from the rest. Posted by: BurtTC at October 04, 2015 10:48 AM (Dj0WE) 113
Kindltot.
"My Buck" is a B-25J "Snoring ...." is a B-25G armed with 75mm cannon.* "Cherry Fizz" and "Show Me" are probably B-25Js "Texas Gal" is a B-25H armed with 75mm cannon.** One with Mauldin inspired art is a glass nose B-25J Those are A-20 Havocs in foreground with B-25C/Ds in background. Next two are J models "1/2lb Mary," "Lucky Star," "Moonbeam," "Outlaw," and "Tokyo Sleeper" are B-25C/D. "Runt's Roost" is a C or D that has been modified to be a strafer. Look at painted over nose with the four .50cal sticking out. "Sessy Sel" is a B-25J. "Smoko" is a bare metal C or D. "All Alone - And Lonely" could be a C, D, or a J. "Ave Maria" and "Fat Cat" could be C, D, or J models. Under the nose of "Fat Cat" is a P-47D in SWPA colors of an all white tail. "Mexican Spitfire" and the next photo are C/D Mitchells converted to being strafers. "Tondelayo" is a B-25J at a recent air show. "Tug-O-War" could be a C, D, or a J. "Rhode Island Red" is a gun nosed B-25J. "Wolf Bait" is probably a J and is missing the gun packs. "Royal Flush" is a C or a D and judging by the crane they are swapping an R-2600 out for maintenance. "Sheridan" is a B-25J because the top turret is right behind the cockpit. Not a D.*** "Battlin' Betty" and "Nasty Nancy" are glass nose B-25Js. "Betty's Dream" is a gun nosed B-25J "Pretty Pat" is a field modified B-25C/D with the exhaust stubs that became common on late model Cs and Ds and carried to the later models. "Baby Blue Eyes" is a B-25J that was delivered in natural metal and then field painted. "The Ink Squirts" is a B-25J "Lady Lil" is another gun nosed B-25J.**** Next two are field modified C/D strafers. Finally, the last one has more Mauldin art and is a glass nose B-25J. * G model only had two .50cal in nose and top turret located aft of wing. **H model had four .50cal in nose above the 75mm and the top turret was moved to just behind the cockpit. *** A,B,C,D,G Mitchells, the top turret was located aft of the wing. ****A gun nosed B-25J is a truly fearsome weapon of war with 12 fixed .50cal machine guns. If the top turret gunner locks his guns forward, it becomes 14 .50cal machine guns firing forward. Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 10:50 AM (6VLGm) 114
As much as it pains me to admit this, sometimes late 20th/early 21st century historical scholarship is better than that of late 19th/early 20th century vintage if for no other reason than the former has profited immensely from recent archaeological finds. For example, I cannot recommend the scholarship of late 19th/early 20th c. Belgian historian Henri Pirenne highly enough, but the central thesis of his magisterial "Mohammed and Charlemagne" (that the Islamic empires brought about the Dark Ages via economic blockade) has been fundamentally undermined by archaeological finds in Scandinavia that demonstrate the importance of the "Northern Arc" of trade that kept Europe in communication with the Middle East and Central Asia even after the Muslim conquests disrupted European trade in the Mediterranean. Other examples of archaeology overturning historical 19th-c. scholarship range from Japanese to Indian history.
(Curse those clever archaeologists!) Posted by: Dexter Trask at October 04, 2015 10:52 AM (chFUm) 115
Someone upthread mentioned the classic "Four Candles" sketch by the Two Ronnies.
Here it is, in HD: http://y2u.be/oaGpaj2nHIo Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 10:53 AM (XQnZ+) 116
Only because history is brought up ( my favorite) reading from Gutenberg.org Napoleon and Queen Louise. No she was not a conquest of Napoleon but Prussia was and while mostly through the book I know she didn't live to see Prussia and allies defeat Napoleon.
Posted by: Skip at October 04, 2015 10:58 AM (HbCsM) 117
Those moron books all belong on the Ace of Spades Amazon store with the jackets and tee shirts.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at October 04, 2015 10:59 AM (39g3+) 118
Elisabeth and Sgt Mom, glad you had some fun. Sounds like it was pretty neat.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:00 AM (6VLGm) 119
Don't criticize other cultures you bigot! All cultures are equal!
Posted by: Mr. Healthy Penis at October 04, 2015 11:02 AM (LYCUN) Posted by: Benedict Cumberbatch IS HAMLET! at October 04, 2015 11:02 AM (KUa85) 121
I'm currently reading Astoria by Peter Stark on recommendation by a friend. Its the story of the founding of the town of Astoria in Oregon, but more importantly the way John Jacob Astor became insanely rich, and the attempt to set up an entirely independent republic on the west coast of the USA based around the fur trade. Fascinating history so far, and something I knew next to nothing about right in my back yard.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at October 04, 2015 11:03 AM (39g3+) 122
I sometimes wonder to what extent senselessly changing the anglicisation of place names in China, India, and the Middle East is a deliberate attempt to make the past, and especially old histories, inaccessible.
I do know that history has been aggressively bowlderized in schools for over 30 years. After all, we wouldn't want the young skulls full of mush to learn any lessons we're not setting out to teach them. I took the mandated history of my state class back in the day. It was stuffed full of useless trivia, and carried the distinct impression that the only notable thing that had ever happened in the state was forcing the Indians onto reservations. It only by happenstance I later learned that three territorial governors had absconded with the public treasury. That the Wobblies had tried to launch a violent communist revolution here, assassinated a former governor, and that martial law had been declared twice in the process of suppressing them. Not to mention the rousing account of unbridled capitalism making the desert bloom. Posted by: Luke at October 04, 2015 11:03 AM (Oesv5) 123
One of the reasons modern historians SHOULD be able to produce better work is simply the access to a wider range of original documents.
I was always in awe of an author who listed his/her sources, and it appeared to me there were multiple trips to various locations to dredge up the stuff on which their information is based. It must be easier to do that today... right? So I would think any number of earlier works were merely built on LESS research, not necessarily worse research, or less sound methods. Posted by: BurtTC at October 04, 2015 11:04 AM (Dj0WE) 124
6 I have started a re-read of the Mitch Rapp series. And as I was checking the reading order I noted that there are supposed to be two new ones coming out by a different author.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 09:03 AM (t2KH5) I'm reading The Third Option via Kindle app on my phone. Best time to read: when riding the bus/train. Posted by: baldilocks at October 04, 2015 11:04 AM (ys2UW) 125
Book Thread! *pushes in tea and crumpet trolley, because refinement*
Someone was asking if Larry Correia's books are as funny as his blog. Yes. It is not a constant gigglefest, but I give you the opening lines of his very first book, Monster Hunter International... "On one otherwise normal Tuesday evening I had the chance to live the American dream. I was able to throw my incompetent jackass of a boss from a fourteenth-story window." And it just gets better from there... The MHI books are all loving homages to B horror movies, the schlockier the better. I'm not such a horror fan but I still enjoy the books. The Grimnoir series, though is my favorite. Magical noir books, set in a pre- WWII type world, zeppelins, dames and joes, that sort of thing. And lots of interesting magic, too. Plus plenty of Moron-friendly snark about politics of the time. Posted by: Sabrina Chase at October 04, 2015 11:05 AM (GG9V6) 126
Dexter Trask: I disagree that the Northern Arc undermines Pirenne. The Northern Arc could not resupply the papyrus (nor, later, paper) that Khusro II and the Arabs had interrupted.
Take Saint Bede as an example. He wrote a chronicle; for international affairs, this touches on the Mediterranean. His information about the Umayyads came from the Italian Papacy (the Liber Pontificalis tradition), not from Scandinavia. The Northern Arc did result in some innovations in shipmaking, navigation, and steel-work. But these don't compare with what was lost. At least, not until the Arab Empire had shifted to Baghdad, freeing up the Med again (for lesser values of "free" than before). Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 11:07 AM (aLXXe) 127
BurtTC : do you have a reference for Cheney's involvement?
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 11:08 AM (aLXXe) 128
*offers carafe of wine*
Van Helsing: Would you care for some wine, Counto de Draculo? Counto de Draculo: ... No, senor. Sangre es mucho gusto!!!! Eeeeha! *mariachi band plays* *Counto de Draculo does Mexican Hat Dance* Posted by: Spanish Dracula at October 04, 2015 11:08 AM (KUa85) Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at October 04, 2015 11:09 AM (O96tM) 130
Luke @122, the stated purpose of history textbooks is to leave out all the interesting stuff, and render history dull and pointless.
Otherwise, students might just become interested in history, and the lives of real people and real events ... and that would be inconvenient to the Ruling Class. Posted by: Sgt. Mom at October 04, 2015 11:09 AM (95iDF) 131
BurtTC : do you have a reference for Cheney's involvement?
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 11:08 AM (aLXXe) Nope. Posted by: BurtTC at October 04, 2015 11:11 AM (Dj0WE) 132
124 I'm reading The Third Option via Kindle app on my phone. Best time to read: when riding the bus/train.
Posted by: baldilocks at October 04, 2015 11:04 AM (ys2UW) Reading in a moving vehicle give me a head ache. I prefer a chair. Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 11:11 AM (t2KH5) 133
I am sorely tempted to go see The Iron Giant, but I need to write. So I will forgo such movie pleasure to craft my own world.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:12 AM (6VLGm) Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 11:13 AM (ftVQq) 135
I love big books,
I can not lie ... Posted by: Sir Reads a Lott ... at October 04, 2015 11:13 AM (qOsoH) 136
@114 Ah, a Pirennist! I read Medieval Cities during a year-long medieval Cluster College (yes, it was funny then, too) and suddenly realized that my history prof was a closet conservative. He also turned me on to McNeill.
Pirenne can give the young, awash in Critique Socialism, the backbone needed to shrug it all off. You have to pay attention, though. You seldom hear him mentioned these days -- they've been busy discrediting him since the 30's -- but he pretty much laid waste to all around him, in the day. Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 11:14 AM (xq1UY) 137
>>>One of the things the Obama era has taught is that Republicans can and often are just as craven as Democrats.
They are shameless, brazen liars, thugs and crooks, but the Dems don't strike me as craven. Maybe if they didn't hold all the cards. Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at October 04, 2015 11:14 AM (O96tM) 138
123 One of the reasons modern historians SHOULD be able to produce better work is simply the access to a wider range of original documents.
Posted by: BurtTC at October 04, 2015 11:04 AM (Dj0WE) Yes, and this is the real tragedy. We should be producing better historical work, but thanks to the corruption of progressivism that has rotted out entire disciplines of academic inquiry, we don't, and we can't. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 11:15 AM (XQnZ+) 139
#129 well played, sir.
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 11:16 AM (XQnZ+) 140
36 Anna Puma: November is... National Novel Writing Month....
Not a thing for me. I work at my speed and stay steady. Plus there's a lot of rah-rah, join a group, get others to motivate you. I'm more like Heinlein. I shut the door and growl at interruptions. Same goes for running. I trail run alone and take my chances with bears and wolves. This will, someday, probably end badly. I'll try to get pictures . . . Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 11:16 AM (AVRWt) 141
Thanks to all for suggesting other children's books. I should probably try reading them aloud, but only to myself. My couple of attempts to read to little kids, a program at the local library, were not a great success. I'm bigger than many NFL linemen and my voice suggests Darth Vader. Most of the kids, and their mothers, seemed more uneasy than attentive. Sigh.
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 11:17 AM (FvdPb) 142
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx Posted by: BackwardsBoy at October 04, 2015 11:22 AM (LUgeY) 143
Same goes for running. I trail run alone and take my chances with bears and wolves. This will, someday, probably end badly. I'll try to get pictures . . .Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 11:16 AM (AVRWt
Admit it, you're not in it for the Posted by: the bears at October 04, 2015 11:24 AM (sI4OA) 144
We are living at another hinge point of history and require a president equal to this moment. We must choose wisely.
That's a quote that doesn't really inform the LIV's about anything. I'm sure the 52% thought they were choosing wisely in '08. Posted by: BackwardsBoy at October 04, 2015 11:28 AM (LUgeY) 145
@141 USAir, CNN, and Arby's (with The Meat!) on line two...
Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 11:29 AM (xq1UY) 146
I've written two books about my favorite subject. Me.
Posted by: Barry Soetoro at October 04, 2015 11:30 AM (gwG9s) 147
I now have this image of Little Red Riding Hood as read by Darth Vader.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:31 AM (6VLGm) 148
Since I had a little spare cash to do it, I paid a web-designer I know to redo the website for my books. Unfortunately, in the course of moving to Ohio, I lost the login information for my old website. Their Tech Support was useless in helping me fix the problem, so I just bought a new domain and started over.
http://tinyurl.com/q8798d2 The code on the homepage is still a little "pixyish" so I will have to get him to tweak it. Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:31 AM (c/Ipt) 149
I've had two books written about my favorite subject. Me.
Posted by: Barry Soetoro at October 04, 2015 11:30 AM (gwG9s) FIFY! Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 11:31 AM (ftVQq) 150
I'm a bonehead. Apologies to Ms. Wolfe for misspelling her name, especially since the correct spelling was right in front of me THE WHOLE DAMN TIME. I corrected it.
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 11:32 AM (XQnZ+) 151
I now have this image of Little Red Riding Hood as read by Darth Vader.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:31 AM (6VLGm) I am your grandmother! Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 11:32 AM (ftVQq) 152
Monster Hunter series is serviceable but Grimnoir is much better. If you're interested in Larry Correia I'd recommend starting there.
Posted by: .87 at October 04, 2015 11:33 AM (8TtF4) 153
Frakfrakfrakfrakfrak
My ancient flip phone bricked at some point overnight. Looks like I'm finally forced to get a smartphone. Posted by: Brother Cavil, hither and yon at October 04, 2015 11:33 AM (m9V0o) 154
The code on the homepage is still a little "pixyish" so I will have to get him to tweak it.
Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:31 AM (c/Ipt) The new site actually looks pretty good. I'll be sure to mention it again in next week's thread. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 11:34 AM (XQnZ+) 155
i am chary and wary to tread on this thread. i've read all of tuchman and recommend her highly, but that's the extent of it. you have not only actual readers, but writers as well here.
i am reminded of the time i decided to read chaucer, picked up a copy and set out. i could understand it! or at least a good bit of it. brilliant me, why who would even know the name these days. well, i was living in ny then and mentioned it to my comely neighbor. she looked at me plainly and began reciting the canterbury tales in perfect middle english. oh. that's also my favorite ny story. Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 11:35 AM (WTSFk) 156
Monster Hunter series is serviceable but Grimnoir is
much better. If you're interested in Larry Correia I'd recommend starting there. Posted by: .87 at October 04, 2015 11:33 AM (8TtF4) My opinion as well. MH has its moments, but I found Grimnoir a real treat to read! Posted by: Hrothgar at October 04, 2015 11:36 AM (ftVQq) Posted by: Nancy ... at October 04, 2015 11:36 AM (qOsoH) 158
I really want JTB on the podcast staff. What politician could lie to J.E. Jones?
Other hand, pitiful-portable-picnic-player miniwoofers will burst into flame. Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 11:37 AM (xq1UY) 159
Not a book review, but a neat story about a homeless man in South Africa who turned his life around by selling books and doing books reviews:
http://tinyurl.com/ogwodk8 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 11:37 AM (cgZPg) 160
****A gun nosed B-25J is a truly fearsome weapon of war with 12 fixed .50cal machine guns. If the top turret gunner locks his guns forward, it becomes 14 .50cal machine guns firing forward.
Posted by: Anna Puma Just want to note how impressed I am by the depth and detail of your knowledge. Posted by: Bandersnatch, Team Lefty and Scamp at October 04, 2015 11:38 AM (1xUj/) 161
The new site actually looks pretty good. I'll be sure to mention it again in next week's thread.
Thanks, buddy. A little plug for Book 11 would also be nice. ;-) Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:38 AM (c/Ipt) 162
We took a look at a church that's for sale in the town where we live, yesterday. We love it, but unfortunately, we are not ready to buy just yet. (That seems like a real writer-y thing to do? Live in a converted church.) It still has stained glass windows and a confessional. It also has a small room you reach with a spiral staircase that would make the most awesomest library.
Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:40 AM (c/Ipt) 163
Ms Puma the hoplophobes quaver with angst over how many stereotypes you undermine.
Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 11:41 AM (g8Hfr) 164
I don't know if Americans get Kobo but if you do some of these books are from their free library. I just downloaded the Korean book for no charge.
Posted by: Andfry at October 04, 2015 11:41 AM (VLMrI) 165
#159
And now the homeless man has written his own book which I would like to read: http://tinyurl.com/o4kseb4 Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 11:43 AM (cgZPg) 166
@157 I think you're on the wrong thread with this, but, A.Puma probably has a lot of photos of various ways rifles were carried (or "attempted to be carried") on the war-bikes of WWII.
Those leather horse-scabbards strapped on the forks sure look sexy. The Norton BigFours had a sort of spring-steel strap, foldable, on the "tree" to partially support firing a Thompson at full cry. You had to really want to shoot somebody. Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 11:43 AM (xq1UY) 167
Everyone expects the SJW inquisition.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at October 04, 2015 11:43 AM (W5DcG) 168
Thanks Bandersnatch, had to stop myself from reaching for reference books for that exposition... *thud*
Sven, you should know by now I aim to defy expectations. ![]() Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:44 AM (6VLGm) 169
153 My ancient flip phone bricked at some point overnight.
Looks like I'm finally forced to get a smartphone. Posted by: Brother Cavil, hither and yon at October 04, 2015 11:33 AM (m9V0o) LG still makes a flip phone. I just got one last year. Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 11:44 AM (t2KH5) 170
Posted by: baldilocks at October 04, 2015 11:04 AM (ys2UW)
I read about your stuff being in storage, Baldilocks, but lost the web address. Can we still help? Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 11:44 AM (cgZPg) 171
Thanks, buddy. A little plug for Book 11 would also be nice. ;-)
Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:38 AM (c/Ipt) I'm on it. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 11:45 AM (XQnZ+) 172
@162 Know who lived in a converted church? Ian Fleming, that's who.
Made it into a sophisticate's batch-pad. Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 11:45 AM (xq1UY) 173
Cheney's a sharp guy, but he's (still) very much an inside-the-Beltway establishment Republican. And of course he has to say everything started going downhill with Obama because if it happened earlier, then the question must be asked, where were you and what did you do about it?
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 09:51 AM (XQnZ+) Yup...Cheney's a smart guy but he has all the personality of a cheap cigar butt in a dirt ashtray. And his offspring are no better. Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 04, 2015 11:45 AM (ej1L0) 174
Good morning, fellow 'Rons and 'Ettes!
ICYMI: We're planning a reprise of last year's SW Ohio MoMe: Saturday evening, October 17, 7-10 (ish), Beavercreek (I've also locked down a better venue). It's fast approaching, so be sure to 'book' your slot (SWIDT?). Interested parties please let me know: swohmome @ mail.com (no spaces). Posted by: speedster1 at October 04, 2015 11:45 AM (1brdf) 175
Thank you, Elizabeth Wolfe for the tip about the showings of "Hamlet." A theater in my neighborhood is one of the venues where it will be shown and I hadn't heard about it.
I just hope it won't be one of those awful productions of Shakespeare where the director pushes whatever trendy PC narrative is popular at the moment (making Ophelia a tranny, for instance). I don't mind modern dress Shakespeare, but I've seen some infuriating productions with anti-Bush, anti-war, pro-gay or whatever messages were added, as if Shakespeare's language and characters couldn't be appreciated by an audience without a load of leftist propaganda heaped on top on it. Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 11:47 AM (P8951) 176
Have no idea about WWII motorcycles and weapons carried.
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:47 AM (6VLGm) 177
Thanks, muse.
Also, since the old house closed this week, I treated myself to about ten books from Amazon, mostly book thread recommendations, plus some sports books, and a couple Eddie Gorey books. Hard Luck Hank is on my wishlist. Tried to find some books on the psychology of athletes, but not much out there beyond "Psyche Yourself for Winning" type self-help books. Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:47 AM (c/Ipt) 178
#159. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, FS, I may mention this in next week's thread.
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 11:48 AM (XQnZ+) Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 11:48 AM (c/Ipt) 180
When you are reading kids books, don't forget "Little Britches". It's one I still haven't read but sounds amazing. There's a website called Like Mother Like Daughter (.org) that has a list of children's classics to add to the library.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 04, 2015 11:50 AM (Lqy/e) 181
Modern scholarship also nuked some of the conventional wisdom about the Haymarket Riots and bombers. Some historian went and read transcripts rather than commentary. Caused quite a stir in lefty labor circles (a year or two ago). Fascinating to see some of the hand-wringing in almost incomprehensible academicspeak -- Chicago and Milwaukee have been hotbeds of activism for many years.
Posted by: mustbequantum at October 04, 2015 11:50 AM (MIKMs) 182
I'll probably wait until "The Martian" comes out on DVD to see it. Read the book a couple of years ago. While it was a decent read, it's clear that the author (Andy Weir) knows nothing about how NASA in particular and the space business in general operates. Weir is just a server weenie who clearly read the works of people like Zubrin, Aldrin, Bova and the like carefully in order to get the whole "how to get to Mars" thing down more or less right.
But aside from the fact that Weir is so PC I'll bet he squeaks when he walks, I about fell out of my chair when I read some of the technical whoppers in his story. For instance he has JPL building manned spacecraft. JPL has NEVER been involved in the manned spaceflight side of the house, nor have they ever built anything in the way of hardware. Like the rest of the NASA organization, they rely on the various aerospace contractors (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, etc) to actually build the hardware, as that is where the expertise to do so resides. In fact, none of the contractors are ever mentioned in the story anywhere. And I just loved how the Feds had to go all the way to India to get a NASA administrator. Posted by: The Oort Cloud - Source of all SMODs at October 04, 2015 11:51 AM (AYY6Y) 183
143 the bears
Fast story, unlike my running. I did a ten mile trail run up on the Palouse Divide (in Idaho) a while back. Came home, told my eldest daughter about stopping to see if there were trout in the creek, watching deer bounding away, chasing wild turkeys on a bomber descent, and using deadfall as 'trail hurdles'. She looked up from the couch and told me, "You didn't go for a run, you went outside to play!" Totally busted by a fifteen-year-old. Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 11:52 AM (AVRWt) 184
176 Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 11:47 AM (6VLGm)
I do... http://tinyurl.com/qblsobg The Brits would use the Sten or Thompson on theirs... Yanks used the M-1-a1 Thompson, the Grease Gun and the M1 Carbine... The Germans used MG-34s and MG-42s mounted on sidecars.... we probably *could* have and *should* have put M-1919s on ours.... Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 11:52 AM (g8Hfr) 185
JTB
I think it's great you're reading stories for children at an "advanced" age. :^) My mother read to me and I always loved to read but there were some stories I never read until I was in my twenties such as C.S. Lewis' Narnia stories and "The Boxcar Children". I also remember reading "Half Magic" by Edgar Eager and "The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes when I was a kid. I picked them up again as an adult in my fifties and still loved them, but since all there characters in "The Witch Family are girls/women it might not be the best book for a man. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 11:54 AM (cgZPg) 186
@176 [sound of jaws dropping across the horde-sphere]
The basic approach: http://tinyurl.com/oxqayxc Gun Show Special: http://tinyurl.com/obk2dw3 Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 11:55 AM (xq1UY) 187
Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 11:47 AM (P8951)
Drives me crazy too. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 11:55 AM (cgZPg) 188
>>>>>it's one of the only modern-setting productions of Shakespeare I actually like.<<<<<
Have you seen the version of Coriolanus with Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler? It is really very good. I had avoided it because I thought it was going to be like the Patrick Stewart Macbeth (good casting for Macbeth--he should be older, but disappointing knife fight at the end) and honestly I have always though Coriolanus was kind of a douche. I understand why the plebs hated him and the tribunes had it in for him but the production makes him very sympathetic. And since this is the book thread, watching Coriolanus sent me on a classic kick so I spent the last two weeks plowing through Plutarch. He compares Coriolanus and Alcibiades. His conclusion was that they were both dicks but Alcibiades was such an incredible dick that he was more or less the Platonic ideal of dickness, and it takes a Greek to do something that well. Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at October 04, 2015 11:55 AM (tEDMc) 189
Elisabeth (note the correct spelling), A few weeks ago you mentioned Sir Gawain and using the Tolkien translation. I have that, of course, but checked the other versions and got the Merwin edition. His translation is close to Tolkien's but it also has the original text on one page and the translation on the facing page. Makes it fun to go back and forth.
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 11:55 AM (FvdPb) 190
That was a great suggestion for Book Thread titles to go in the Moron Store. I'd love to see HARD BITE and BITE HARDER in there.
Also, the Liberator was a WW2 motorcycle with a keyless kickstart and a rifle scabbord on the front. You can still buy 'em restored. Elaine/Anonymous-9 Posted by: Anonymous-9 at October 04, 2015 11:56 AM (vmHHv) 191
I pity the children of our enemies, for never having known the joy of a bookmobile. We may be infidels bound for hell, I don't know, but I am certain that they are missing out on a simple life altering experience by not be allowed free access to books. Once again we can count our blessings.
Posted by: goon at October 04, 2015 11:56 AM (gy5kE) 192
Just read a new book that just came out this summer, excellent. "The German War...A Nation Under Arms 1939-1945", Nicholas Stargardt. There are thousands of books on the military side of this subject, but this one covers the civilian and ordinary troops attitudes and conduct. One thing really impressed me was the sense of victim-hood that was rife in Germany at all levels, and the idea that anything was justifiable because everyone was such big bullies to them. And at all levels of society knew about atrocities and the looting of other countries but they deserved it for being such meanies.
It was impossible to suppress knowledge of the Holocaust because so many at all levels were involved and gained from it, as in railway workers. soldiers on leave, bureaucrats, etc. Civilians profited hugely by going to government auctions of confiscated Jewish possessions from basic consumer goods and real estate to luxuries , many with the previous, Jewish, owners names inscribed on them, such as fur coats or jewelry. They knew quite well that this was stolen material and knowledge of the camps was near universal. Anyway, well written and accessible in style. Posted by: JHW at October 04, 2015 11:57 AM (w+zdY) 193
Bookmobiles were one of the better parts of school. I even enjoyed going to the book fairs when my son was in school.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:01 PM (cgZPg) 194
The bike that Indian built for the army is a thing of beauty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_841 Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at October 04, 2015 12:02 PM (tEDMc) 195
190 That was a great suggestion for Book Thread titles to go in the Moron Store. I'd love to see HARD BITE and BITE HARDER in there.
Yes, I agree. Unfortunately, I don't have decision-making access to the AoSHQ Amazon store, so I can't do anything. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 12:02 PM (XQnZ+) 196
Actually some book mobiles still exist, even in some cities...I was surprised to read that.
Posted by: Colin at October 04, 2015 12:03 PM (Espnc) 197
Unfortunately, I don't have decision-making access to the AoSHQ Amazon store, so I can't do anything.
Well, not with that attitude! Posted by: that guy who always says "well, not with that attitude!" at October 04, 2015 12:03 PM (hL6su) 198
Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 11:52 AM (AVRWt)
Ah, but look at what you would have missed if you had been busting ass. That's always a problem with exercising outside, if you're doing it in a pretty area - the desire to get a good workout vs. the temptation to dawdle and stop to admire the view, the sunset, etc. Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 12:04 PM (P8951) 199
. We're beyond the point where we can fix things by voting for some other guy. The problem is that the lack of confidence in American values and American civilization brought about by the institutional march of progressivism goes back many years and Americans have the attention span of a gnat. This is why voting feels so much like exchanging one set of deck chairs on the Titanic with another. Nothing is going to get fixed until we, collectively, come to view progressivism as we do phrenology or eugenics.
It's going to take years of work to repair the damage, not just an election. ======================= Been saying this for years now. Caught a good bit hell many times for saying so, including in these very comment section. Question is what is anyone doing about it? I've invested a good bit of my time reaching out to people in financial difficulty trying to get basic common sense economics communicated to them hopefully fighting off some of the bs progressivism. But I don't see squat from most other conservatives who spend all day ranting on the internet but not actually DOING anything productive except railing , whining, etc. about politics and "strategy" like a bunch of drunks in the cheap seats at a Cubs game. Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:04 PM (WQfDg) 200
That the Wobblies had tried to launch a violent communist revolution here, assassinated a former governor, and that martial law had been declared twice in the process of suppressing them. Not to mention the rousing account of unbridled capitalism making the desert bloom.
Posted by: Luke at October 04, 2015 11:03 AM (Oesv5) I have read a little on the Wobblies and they were certainly a very violent, anarchist type union group. Any one know where they got their name from? Posted by: Hairyback Guy at October 04, 2015 12:04 PM (ej1L0) 201
196
Actually some book mobiles still exist, even in some cities...I was surprised to read that. Posted by: Colin at October 04, 2015 12:03 PM (Espnc) We still have one here that makes the rounds from the county library to people out in the country. Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 12:05 PM (t2KH5) 202
One of the best things my local elementary school did was opening one day a week during the summer. Our town is sprawling and public library is on other side of town (not really walkable with kids). We made a big trip with wagon and strollers each week into an activity. My neighbors right now drive their children to school three short blocks away. Very sad. Thanks to the principal and librarian for the smart and helpful use of public facilities during the summer.
Posted by: mustbequantum at October 04, 2015 12:07 PM (MIKMs) 203
thank goodness i didn't tell my gawain story.
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at October 04, 2015 12:08 PM (WTSFk) 204
Here's one version of a Norton submachine gun brace:
http://tinyurl.com/nl9yt3j Enfield with a different rig: http://tinyurl.com/pr3b8t2 Do not try this at home. Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 12:08 PM (xq1UY) 205
I see that the Nicene Creed collection is $2.99, for Kindle. Great price but darn it all, I just somehow cannot read a book on an electronic device. I've downloaded dozens and have read nothing except one. I need wood pulp in my hand. Pages to turn. Spines to bend. So, as much as I'd like to have that collection, I might pass it by, or maybe I'll pass the word to my male offspring. Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 12:09 PM (dFi94) 206
Why is every other protagonist in modern fictional literature either forenamed or surnamed 'Ryan'?
Posted by: Uncle Busyhands at October 04, 2015 12:09 PM (Dwehj) 207
The problem is that the lack of confidence in American values and
American civilization brought about by the institutional march of progressivism goes back many years and Americans have the attention span of a gnat. This is why Putin is going to win in Syria and Obama is going to lose. Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 12:10 PM (c/Ipt) 208
My sister and brother-in-law live in a converted Methodist Chapel in England. They are Agnostic. I keep hoping years of praying and services going on there might have permeated the place and encourage them to check out the Methodist chapel in the town that still holds services (and which prayed for him while he was undergoing cancer treatments) but so far no luck. However, they are more than willing to come to services I officiate at whenever they visit at Christmas so I can't complain too much. :^) I gave my BIL "Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness" by Eric Metaxas and it contains stories of several men who were very influenced by their faith including William Wilbeforce and Eric Liddell and my BIL loved it. He's not a huge reader so he appreciated that it had chapters on each man.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:11 PM (cgZPg) 209
Actually some book mobiles still exist, even in some cities...I was surprised to read that.
Posted by: Colin at October 04, 2015 12:03 PM (Espnc) ======================= Oh yeah, right here in our town we have a bookmobile. It used to go to the Lutheran church every Tuesday, which was handy because that's the day I dropped off my grandson for pre-school. Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 12:11 PM (dFi94) 210
Ha! V the K actually used my line in the blurb for his latest! Didn't think he'd be crazy enough to do it...
Posted by: Brother Cavil, hither and yon at October 04, 2015 12:12 PM (m9V0o) 211
My neighbors right now drive their children to school three short
blocks away. Very sad. Thanks to the principal and librarian for the smart and helpful use of public facilities during the summer. My neighbor drives his 14 year old to school, probably a half mile away. As a kid I walked to school, bus was only for kids a mile away or more. Now everyone drives kids to school...unbelievable. Posted by: Colin at October 04, 2015 12:12 PM (Espnc) 212
Hope all the South Carolina Horde members are OK. Sounds like Columbia is having a helluva time with flooding, including bringing in National Guard helos to rescue people ala Katrina. Scanner link below.
http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/20719 Posted by: Country Singer at October 04, 2015 12:13 PM (nL0sw) 213
"Have you seen the version of Coriolanus with Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler? "
Thanks for that tip - I'll have to check it out. That Fiennes was able to make Coriolanus sympathetic is a testament to his excellence as an actor. Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 12:13 PM (P8951) 214
I gave my BIL "Seven Men and the Secret of Their
Greatness" by Eric Metaxas and it contains stories of several men who were very influenced by their faith including William Wilbeforce and Eric Liddell and my BIL loved it. He's not a huge reader so he appreciated that it had chapters on each man. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:11 PM (cgZPg) ========================== That's a great book. I'm a big Eric Metaxas fan. Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 12:13 PM (dFi94) 215
Hey Brother Cavil, how goes your writing?
Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 12:14 PM (6VLGm) 216
As a kid I walked to school, bus was only for kids a mile away or more.
As a kid, Vic drove a chariot 90 miles round trip to school. Posted by: Uncle Busyhands at October 04, 2015 12:15 PM (Dwehj) 217
212
Hope all the South Carolina Horde members are OK. Sounds like Columbia is having a helluva time with flooding, including bringing in National Guard helos to rescue people ala Katrina. Scanner link below. http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/20719 Posted by: Country Singer at October 04, 2015 12:13 PM (nL0sw) It is still raining here where I am at hasn't stopped at all. Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 12:16 PM (t2KH5) 218
That Correia article was interesting, basically its a difference of opinion between art and market. Both make good points, but I lean toward Larry Correia's side.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at October 04, 2015 12:17 PM (39g3+) 219
Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 12:13 PM (dFi94)
He's wonderful and he now has an interview program on the Christian radio station in NY so I get to hear that sometime. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:18 PM (cgZPg) 220
Hey Brother Cavil, how goes your writing?
Brainlocked. Work got busy and I'm barely getting unwound before bedtime. I'm putting the nuns and the pulpy idea on back burner and go to an older short story idea that incorporates father-son relationships, colonizing a planet as part of someone else's civil war, small unit skirmishing, and fishing. ...it will make more sense once it's written, I promise. Posted by: Brother Cavil, hither and yon at October 04, 2015 12:19 PM (m9V0o) 221
57 There were people who could read in Cincinnati at one time?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 04, 2015 09:57 AM (nCgr6) Detroit, too. I understand they had some type of golden age before the descent of the dark times. History is fascinating. Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 04, 2015 12:19 PM (7rAXc) 222
I didn't know things were quite so bad in SC. The hurricane hasn't' come there but there's still affected but the storm in the Bahamas?
It stopped raining this morning here. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:19 PM (cgZPg) 223
Posted by: JHW at October 04, 2015 11:57 AM
That is terrifying given the culture of victimhood being pushed here and now. I should get that book although it would probably join the pile of books that I got because I should read them but don't. Posted by: PaleRider at October 04, 2015 12:21 PM (iA/+T) 224
Remember when you're looking for books by Ace folks that Sabrina Chase has written some and Anna Puma has one out as well!
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at October 04, 2015 12:21 PM (39g3+) 225
185 ... FS, Thanks for the suggestions.
I came across a book in the Guide for the complete idiot series: The World of the Bible. Aside from some general historic knowledge, much of what I 'know' about those times and places derives from watching "The Ten Commandments" and "Ben Hur". Not exactly deep scholarship on my part. The book so far takes an even handed approach to the subject. The same author wrote another in that series: Mysteries of the Bible. (Hooray for used book stores.) I hope they will help as I read more in the Bible. Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 12:22 PM (FvdPb) 226
Posted by: the guy that moves pianos for a living... at October 04, 2015 11:55 AM (tEDMc)
Saw it on Netflix streaming recently, was very good (don't see it there now). Posted by: waelse1 at October 04, 2015 12:23 PM (oAK6v) 227
223 PaleRider
That is exactly what I thought when reading the book, the victimhood, special snowflake and entitlement culture run amok. Just checking on Amazon, the book is getting great reviews from very well known scholars of the period. Posted by: JHW at October 04, 2015 12:24 PM (w+zdY) 228
speedster1 at October 04, 2015 11:45 AM (1brdf)
too far away to attend, but Thank You for all the hard work & I hope everyone has a blast ... in a moron approved blasty kind of way ... Posted by: Adriane the Hipster Party Critic ... at October 04, 2015 12:25 PM (qOsoH) 229
when i went to school, we had to walk uphill both ways. we were jealous of vic when he went haulin ass down the road in his chariot. and, he flipped us off every morning.
Posted by: chavez the hugo at October 04, 2015 12:26 PM (ucDmr) 230
OT-And in case anyone has scads of money and would like to buy a lovely converted Methodist chapel in England, let me know and I will get the rental link and post it. If they sell their house in England they can move to Maine and be able to see their nephew (our son) more often. My BIL is very interested in American western and Civil War history and there's must have been the only house around for miles that had an wooden eagle above the outside front door.
J/K but it is for sale and I would like them to be closer. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:28 PM (cgZPg) 231
Not only is it still raining here but the temperature is dropping now.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 12:29 PM (t2KH5) 232
I can highly recommend the British Empire trilogy written by James (now Jan) Morris. I brought a beautiful boxed set at a bookstore in Victoria, BC 25 years ago - it was somehow lost during one of my many moves and that still kills me.
Morris is great at bringing historical figures to life - the writing is vivid and beautiful. It's an even-handed but not PC history. I think it was once Mark Steyn who pointed out that a Brit who ha born in 1895 and lived until 1970 would have seen the UK go from the apex of it's power and influence to being a shabby, second-rate country bedeviled by constant strikes, low productivity and welfare mentality. But the UK in 1970, as dismal as it was economically, was still recognizably British. Now? Well, we're in the same boat. Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 12:29 PM (P8951) 233
Visiting Columbia SC and the roads have become rivers in some places,
what a mess. Have been watching videos of Myrtle Beach and Charleston, where it's probably worse. Posted by: waelse1 at October 04, 2015 12:31 PM (oAK6v) 234
But I don't see squat from most other conservatives who spend all day ranting on the internet but not actually DOING anything productive except railing , whining, etc. about politics and "strategy" like a bunch of drunks in the cheap seats at a Cubs game.
Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:04 PM (WQfDg) **** A little harsh there WTP don't you think? Just because what you see of somebody is what exists on blogs does not mean that there is not a substantial element of their lives that you do not see. Many of us are actively pushing back in our real lives, either via direct or indirect measures. Within their families and communities. Not to mention the people who don't post comments on blogs. Perhaps some perception bias on your part. Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at October 04, 2015 12:31 PM (NeFrd) 235
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 12:22 PM (FvdPb)
That's great; I'm glad you're finding so many things that pique your interest. Books are (some of) my great friends. Unfortunately, my many "friends" tend to clutter up the place lying around because there is not enough room to live where they really belong. Sigh. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:32 PM (cgZPg) 236
231 Not only is it still raining here but the temperature is dropping now.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 12:29 PM (t2KH5) Been 70's/low 50's high 40's here for about two weeks in so ill. Gorgeous weather. Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 04, 2015 12:32 PM (7rAXc) 237
233 Posted by: waelse1 at October 04, 2015 12:31 PM (oAK6v)
Wave at Fort Jackson for us.... the sobriety and good judgement of the Columbinitos is on display I am certain. Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 12:32 PM (g8Hfr) 238
all our mid atlantic 'rons and 'ettes been accounted for?
Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at October 04, 2015 12:32 PM (0O7c5) 239
V the K actually used my line in the blurb for his latest! Didn't think he'd be crazy enough to do it...
You don't know me! Posted by: V the K at October 04, 2015 12:34 PM (c/Ipt) 240
Brother Cavil, go with the story that resonates. Besides I now have Sister Miriam, Mary Claire, and Swiss Guards loose in the Vatican and Rome to write about. Wondering if the Flavian Ampitheatre will be standing by the end of the book.
And Christopher Taylor has a book full of Nazis and werewolves in Poland. http://www.amazon.com/Life-Unworthy-Christopher-Taylor-ebook/dp/B014TKK4RU Posted by: Anna Puma at October 04, 2015 12:34 PM (6VLGm) 241
LG still makes a flip phone. I just got one last year.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 11:44 AM (t2KH5) Sure do. A very good one. Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 04, 2015 12:35 PM (7rAXc) Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 12:35 PM (jJRIy) 243
conservatives who spend all day ranting on the internet..
I resemble that remark. However, I DO things other than rant. I put up whiteboard political signs outside my house regularly. I've been doing it since Obama started running in 2008. I figure they might bring someone over from the "dark side". Who knows. I go to Townhalls when my Congressman speaks and try to speak up. I call and e-mail my Congresspeople often about issues. I go to Protest events such as against PP. if someone would organize a march on DC I;d be there. Why other suggestions do you have? Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:36 PM (cgZPg) 244
all our mid atlantic 'rons and 'ettes been accounted for? Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at October 04, 2015 12:32 PM (0O7c5) ============================== Little winger is in Columbia SC and I haven't heard from him in a couple of days. Last time I talked to him he said he'd call me Sunday. Well, it's Sunday. If you're reading this - pick up the phone and call your mother. Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 12:36 PM (dFi94) 245
LG still makes a flip phone. I just got one last year.
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 11:44 AM (t2KH5) Sure do. A very good one. Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Staring at the Lake in the rain at October 04, 2015 12:35 PM (7rAXc) Yep, I just ordered one for a family member who doesn't use smart phones. It cost me more than 0, so I was a bit flipped about that, but so what. She needed a replacement. LG makes good phones. Posted by: BurtTC at October 04, 2015 12:37 PM (Dj0WE) 246
I forgot this-
I post up yellow sticky notes on politics at the supermarket and I was putting in so many typed inserts in the papers at the 7-11 that the cashier was staring to figure out my dash and run activism and was giving me the evil eye. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:39 PM (cgZPg) 247
Why other suggestions do you have?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:36 PM (cgZPg) I find sending money gets attention. I am blessed to be able to do that. Also, lots of fundraisers need bodies. Just call and say you are coming. Some of the best events I've been to I went free. Posted by: Nip Sip at October 04, 2015 12:40 PM (jJRIy) 248
JTB. Putting 2 + 2 together here, Vader and a little biblical scholarship...
et, Walla. Every hear Heston read the Bible? If you're cursed with James Earl Jones voice, you could read The Bible. Because, you know, parts are sposed to be scary. On Germans, victimhood, and Spezial-Schneeflockeheit: there was a play, 40-some ago, called "Teddy." It think it was -attributed- to Jerzy Kosinski, but, you know. A perfectly Weimar mother, ran naked in the woods intoning Bach arias, raised the perfect child, who reveals, at the end, as a Nazi. I was reminded of that by the mysterious 2009 film "The White Ribbon," in which normal pre-WWI Germans start getting meaner and meaner for no discernible cause. One supposition was that these were the people who became devoted fascists later. Special victimhood is dangerous I don't care who y'are. The Russians suffer great long waves of it, and look how they turned out. We easily see its effects on various pliable minorities here and are suitably affronted, but we're vulnerable too. All it takes is One Great Leader. Choose wisely. Say it in German. Posted by: Stringer Davis at October 04, 2015 12:41 PM (xq1UY) 249
And I made someone mad at church today because I mentioned De Blasio, Obama and Cuomo not saying anything about Christians be specifically targeted in SC, and she barked out "Yes, they did." I apologized saying that's what I had read in the paper; I hadn't seen their speeches.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:42 PM (cgZPg) 250
"As a kid, Vic drove a chariot 90 miles round trip to school."
Two things. You presume that invention of the wheel pre-dated Vic's youth, and Being a Plank Owner on the original Ark, he's seen worse. Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at October 04, 2015 12:42 PM (VPLuQ) 251
I find sending money gets attention.
If I find any money it would certainly get my attention. ;^) but it's great that you have the wherewithal to do that. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:44 PM (cgZPg) 252
football up
Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 12:44 PM (t2KH5) 253
No, don't think so Seamus. If 1/10th of the energy I see expended here shouting RINO! ESTABLISHMENT! ELITEST! was being spent actually engaged and DOING something I wouldn't be the only schmuck I see out there wherei am DOING such and I'd encounter far less resistance when presenting such modest conservative ideas like the damage minimum wage laws do or the illusion of "government jobs". And It would not be so damn hard to get such things going. And I would see much more discussion of such here.
Working with ones' family or "community" is called "life". Getting outside such is where change truly happens. But either way, the "purity" game does very little to help. Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:44 PM (WQfDg) 254
I can't read books on Kindle either. I find I just don't retain online material in my head the way I remember dead tree books. I can still recall books that I read as a child and teenager. I have a hard remembering online articles that I read last week.
Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 12:44 PM (P8951) 255
For anyone interested, I have an LG Flip phone that was left in one of my Cabs that I would be willing to give to a Moron. I'm guessing it is a prepaid burner phone, so not sure what that would mean for future use/activation. Email in nic.
Posted by: ManWithNoParty, unperson from Free Market Jesus Paradise at October 04, 2015 12:44 PM (2z4UX) 256
No they didn't. Posted by: Soothsayer is the boss, that's who! at October 04, 2015 12:45 PM (zxvrZ) 257
Cincinnati, where the end of the world will come 20 years later because we'll need that time to catch up on that stack of books we've been working on...
Posted by: exdem13 at October 04, 2015 12:46 PM (ry4ab) 258
But either way, the "purity" game does very little to help.
Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:44 PM (WQfDg) **** So your definition of purity trumps? Got it! Thanks. Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at October 04, 2015 12:47 PM (NeFrd) 259
What other suggestions? Stop wasting time trying to use politics (I.e. Force) to change lives and work with economically challenged people to get the message across on an individual basis.
Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:48 PM (WQfDg) 260
I forgot this-
I post up yellow sticky notes on politics at the supermarket and I was putting in so many typed inserts in the papers at the 7-11 that the cashier was staring to figure out my dash and run activism and was giving me the evil eye. Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 12:39 PM (cgZPg) There's a scene in the Ghostbusters movie when Ray and Egon come running into a restaurant at which Venkman is trying to charm Sigourney Weaver's character. As they breathlessly describe what they discovered, in their Ghostbuster gear, talking their crazy Ghostbuster lingo, Venkman tries to whisper to them "you're scaring the straights!" I love that line. It basically means, you might be 100% right, but we're here among the "normal" people, and if you keep acting like this, they'll think YOU are crazy. So... maybe tone it down a bit? I can imagine what the security cameras at the local establishments look like, and how much difficulty you might have explaining to the cops that you aren't crazy. Posted by: BurtTC at October 04, 2015 12:48 PM (Dj0WE) 261
Working with ones' family or "community" is called "life". Getting outside such is where change truly happens.
============================= I'm not sure I agree with that. Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 12:49 PM (dFi94) 262
WTF did I define my "purity"? I'm saying DO something constructive. HELP people. Change the electorate from the inside. Why so much pushback on this idea?
Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:51 PM (WQfDg) 263
WTF did I define my "purity"? I'm saying DO something constructive. HELP people. Change the electorate from the inside. Why so much pushback on this idea?
Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:51 PM (WQfDg) Speaking for myself, you're coming across as an asshole in desperate need of rotator cuff surgery from all the self back patting. As was said above, you don't know what the vast majority of commenters and lurkers are doing yet you presume to tell us what they're 'really' doing. Posted by: J. Random Dude at October 04, 2015 12:57 PM (C9lNt) 264
"I'm not sure I agree with that"
OK. Then don't. Keep preaching to the choir. Many a man has done well for himself with that approach. Posted by: WTP at October 04, 2015 12:58 PM (WQfDg) 265
"I was reminded of that by the mysterious 2009 film "The White Ribbon," in which normal pre-WWI Germans start getting meaner and meaner for no discernible cause."
I really was creeped out by that movie, and I thought about why I hated it so much- and I think it's because the basic message was "see, this was what life was like in patriarchal, Christian, traditional Germany. The respectable widower doctor treats his housekeeper like a whore and then tosses her away like used Kleenex because he's banging his daughter. Nobody was happy or decent or good - it was all a rotten facade." Now, certainly, creepy things have always happened behind closed doors in small towns and sometimes those creepy things are committed by outwardly civilized people. I guess I didn't like the implication that traditional mores somehow created those awful people and therefore we're better without those mores. Posted by: Donna&&&&V. (brandisher of ampersands) at October 04, 2015 12:59 PM (P8951) 266
Keep preaching to the choir.
==================== Believe me, I preach more than to just the people in the choir. I wouldn't expect you to know that, since we have never met. Perhaps some day we will. Perhaps we'll both be surprised how much common ground we share. Posted by: grammie winger, Isa al-Masih for muslims too at October 04, 2015 01:03 PM (dFi94) 267
"As was said above, you don't know what the vast majority of commenters and lurkers are doing yet you presume to tell us what they're 'really' doing."
OK, good. Great if in fact true. But I wouldn't be wasting my time commenting here if i wan't mighty damn frustrated with the lack of "conservatives" i see out here actually DOING such work relative the the much larger number I see ranting. I'm not patting myself on the back. I'm a nobody here. I'm expressing frustration with the politics and actually chiming in with the point the blogger posted. Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:04 PM (WQfDg) 268
205
I need wood pulp in my hand. Pages to turn. Spines to bend. Maybe you could get a nice cover for your device, then put a slipcover on it. Posted by: Anachronda at October 04, 2015 01:06 PM (o78gS) 269
#80, For the 1948 war, I enjoyed 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War by Prof. Benny Morris it isn't so heavily focused on operational and strategic, but it covers those levels while including reference to tactical.
Posted by: Graves at October 04, 2015 01:08 PM (3MEXB) 270
look, to anybody who IS actually doing such, obviously I'm not addressing you. But I don't see you people out there. And if you ARE out there, and I mean out there, working with people you've never met nor have a social connection to, and you're not seeing the lack of true conservavatism working in such an area, maybe you need to expand because there's a vast wasteland out there of economic ignorance that must be addressed.
Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:09 PM (WQfDg) 271
I am girding my loins to read Helprin's Freddie and Fredericka.
Posted by: Sinmi at October 04, 2015 01:11 PM (pu4N8) 272
270 Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:09 PM (WQfDg)
I spent two years trying to get through to the Columbinitos and Columbinitas that hitting one's dick with a hammer on economic policy is a losing gambit... I used to care about righting the ship, now I care about surviving the crash.... people WANT the ship to crash, and in the end who am I to argue? They think they are sowing lollipop farms and refuse to accept they will instead reap a bitter folly. Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:11 PM (g8Hfr) 273
sorry, don't know who you mean by "Columb*" but if you mean the people in DC, this is the problem. Try working with people at a lower level. People who try but fail and think it's the world against them and not the BS they've absorbed from the media and "educators". Change the people first, the politicians will follow. In a democracy/republic such is the only way.
Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:17 PM (WQfDg) 274
273 Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:17 PM (WQfDg)
Columbia SC mein fruend.... I have been going back and forth to the area since 1997 and the city is quite literally dying economically and the people refuse to try "plan B" which is voting for a mayor other than a donkey... You can only tell people so many times "stop hitting your dick with that hammer" before you decide instead to run like hell in the other direction and isolate yourself from their idiocy. I am now thrilled from rather afar that Columbia maintains its commitment to excrement and maintains noted drunk driver Steve Benjamin as their guiding light.... it cannot impact me anymore so it is hilarious not terrifying. Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:22 PM (g8Hfr) 275
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good book about the Israeli War of Independence, particularly focused on the strategic and operational levels? Something like Oren's Six Days of War but for the '48 war. Posted by: J. Random Dude at October 04, 2015 10:21 AM (C9lNt) For the fighting that took place within the Mandate before the declaration of independence and invasion by Arab states, I recommend Palestine Betrayed by Efraim Karsh. He also wrote a book covering the entire war as part of an Osprey Publishing series, but it's very short; I've never seen a history of the entire war that's struck me as particularly good, much less at the level of Six Days of War. Posted by: An Inanimate Carbon Rod at October 04, 2015 01:23 PM (FohCt) 276
This book increased my respect for Abdul-Jabar and I
will probably read his Brothers in Arms, a history of a black tank unit in Europe in WWII. Posted by: The Great White Snark at October 04, 2015 10:05 AM (Nwg0u) ------------------------------------------------------------I read and finished* Brothers in Arms several years ago and it was an interesting, "enjoyable" read.* Best reading advice I ever received was from the person who told me that just because the author finished writing the book, _I_ didn't have to finish reading it if I didn't want to. Posted by: john Pomeroy at October 04, 2015 01:23 PM (OO+fv) 277
You can only tell people so many times "stop hitting your dick with that hammer" before you decide instead to run like hell in the other direction and isolate yourself from their idiocy.
===================== And hence the problem. Telling people what to do does not work unless they want to do it. But if you SHOW people how to be successful, they will understand and actually be appreciative. I'm certainly not suggesting casting your seed upon the rocks but find some fertile ground at the GROUND level and work from there.(and yes, i'm self-aware enough to see the irony here) Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:29 PM (WQfDg) 278
183
143 the bears Fast story, unlike my running. I did a ten mile trail run up on the Palouse Divide (in Idaho) a while back. Came home, told my eldest daughter about stopping to see if there were trout in the creek, watching deer bounding away, chasing wild turkeys on a bomber descent, and using deadfall as 'trail hurdles'. Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 11:52 AM (AVRWt) --------------------- Hey! a "neighbor." I'm in the town that bears my last name. Did you get a chance to go to the Moscow Library Sale yesterday? Posted by: john Pomeroy at October 04, 2015 01:29 PM (OO+fv) 279
274 Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:22 PM (g8Hfr)
The only thing that provides employment in Columbia is the State Government, USC, and the Federal Courthouse. Even the shopping malls are outside the city limits. And none of those entities above pay property taxes. Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 01:30 PM (t2KH5) 280
meant to add, if you're talking to people about "economic policy" you're talking to the wrong people. Talk to the people impacted by such policies, help them to work around them. The people who matter most have no idea about what "economic policy" means.
Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:31 PM (WQfDg) 281
279 Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 01:30 PM (t2KH5)
Quite...the dying malls in what outsiders think is Columbia are proof of that. I thought the Sudden Jihadist Syndrome by one of the Gervais Street Irregulars against that cop was a sad but not unexpected result of the BLM idiocy and Confederate Flag rhetoric.... I must admit I looked like Enzyte Bob on all 33 hours of my drive to Montana Vic. I do hope you and the Mrs are well. Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:34 PM (g8Hfr) 282
Yeah, I use an LG flip phone from Tracfone. Smart phone? What's that? Get off my lawn.
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 01:36 PM (owgSX) 283
WTP,
you point out to the largely minority employees of the battery acid factory down on Beltline near Huger that "the out of control EPA is gonna kill this factory" which is more akin to what I did.... you talk to the donk rote voter pissed at 4 buck a gallon fuel about the liberal Jihad against shale... nah brahib they are a LOT more concerned about historic firsts than a vibrant economy not bread earned on their table.... Columbia is what convinced me to simply spend the remainder of my life hardening my family and bloodline to survive stupidity's reward. Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:37 PM (g8Hfr) 284
281 I do hope you and the Mrs are well.
Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:34 PM (g8Hfr) Doing just fine. Would be doing better if it would quit raining and warm up. Posted by: Vic-we have no party at October 04, 2015 01:38 PM (t2KH5) 285
Try working with people who are willing to listen. The struggling single mother who has trouble differentiating her wants from her needs. The guy with his own lawn maintenance business on what constitutes a good investment in equipment vs. a waste of money. The young college student who has a BA in English but is considering getting her masters in...what? The young "surprised" father who has yet to get a career going but is standing by his child and its mother. Those are the people who are willing to listen. Don't waste time with fools and then give up instead of looking for those who are earnestly struggling and trying.
Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:44 PM (WQfDg) 286
but hey, don't listen to me. i'm an asshole.
Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:46 PM (WQfDg) 287
Flip phone is sounding better and better. I'm using the Moto E first-gen smart phone. The blasted thing has at least four unpatched exploits in the 4.4.4 KitKat Android. Moto said it was going to patch Stagefright but then laid off virtually everyone and never patched anything.
So, I've got a dandy little piece of smart phone hardware where one doesn't dare do anything that requires security like banking, ordering things, entering passwords, etc. In other words, it is wisest to use it like a dumb phone. At least dumb phones get better battery life. Unless you're rich enough to buy iPhone or Google Nexus Android phones, smart phones are a risky bet. Windows Phones? Market share <= 4% and where will you get apps? I bet your bank doesn't have one... Posted by: doug at October 04, 2015 01:54 PM (6X8OC) 288
I'm reading Lee Child's latest Reacher book "Make Me."
I think the series has started to reach end of life. Not terrible. Not plausible. At one-third done, not something I care about, one way or the other. Posted by: doug at October 04, 2015 01:56 PM (6X8OC) 289
doug, find a used previous generation iphone or android and the most appropriate data plan for your usage. you don't need to be "rich". Perhaps a relative or friend is upgrading. Off-brand "cheap" technology is never 'cheap".
Posted by: wtp at October 04, 2015 01:58 PM (WQfDg) 290
I'm reading the old Think and Grow Rich.
Posted by: Beth M at October 04, 2015 02:03 PM (/6iYk) 291
Those are good comments about Cheney. The Neocon movement is dead and they don't even know it. Their only hope of salvation is another cataclysmic terrorist attack, and even then I'm not certain it would last long. We also know they're not conservative (they support the huge welfare state at home and most of them are former communists) and that they can't win wars. They were around during the Reagan years, as it was basically Carter who chased them out of the Democrat party, and 9/11 gave them carte blanche to test out their ideas. They failed miserably. Dangerous pipe dreamers they are. I mean, what you can say about a movement that embraces an idea as dumb as "The End of History"?
Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 04, 2015 02:03 PM (4ErVI) 292
278 John Pomeroy
Nope, John, I was over in Pasco coaching a junior high cross country runner, then cheering for the high schoolers. About half the girls on the hs team were beta readers for my first book when I coached them in junior high, long before a national magazine announced it was a great story. Very cool, as I wrote it for them and my daughters. Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 02:05 PM (AVRWt) 293
The comments about Cheney being a closet leftist are well-taken, given his daughter's perversion. Love wins, as that Cheney would say - including over good sense.
But I'm going to register annoyance at BurtTC's scurrilous comment about Cheney-the-dad being involved in l'affaire Plame and then not providing backup. Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 02:15 PM (Usj1h) 294
BurtTC has the Harry Reid Award in this thread.
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 02:15 PM (Usj1h) 295
@289 My issue with any Android is unpatched security vulnerabilities. No Android vendor, including Google, patches phones promptly. Google Nexus is the only brand the has a track record for patching at all. People would not accept this situation in laptops or desktops. Unpatched operating systems, even on phones, are exploitable.
Motorola Moto E is not off-brand. Like LG, Samsung, etc, they don't issue patches/fixes for compromised versions of Android. Google and Samsung have announced an intention to have monthly security updates. They haven't delivered yet, to my knowledge. Running a previous generation iPhone is a smart way to have a mobile device that gets security patches. Two cautions: Apple device life is approximately 2 years. After that, you may not get patches and/or you phone may not have the "horsepower" to run the latest iOS. Apple strongly forces rapid hardware upgrades. Wired mag has a good article: "The Most Secure Way to Communicate? An iPod Touch." They aren't kidding. http://wrd.cm/1J3NgfS Posted by: doug at October 04, 2015 02:18 PM (6X8OC) 296
Started a book by Jim Gavin called Smartass of Mars. Not familiar with Gavin, but his author's bio makes him sound like Horde material.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 04, 2015 02:33 PM (GDulk) 297
238 all our mid atlantic 'rons and 'ettes been accounted for?
Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at October 04, 2015 12:32 PM (0O7c5) South Central (VA, that is) sounds dismally like Vic's nape of the woods. It has been raining for days. Still drizzling as we speak. Back to work on that boat... Posted by: RushBabe at October 04, 2015 02:34 PM (/NEnw) 298
Posted by: Sven S Blade a.k.a. El Assassin@sven10077 at October 04, 2015 01:22 PM (g8Hfr)
My parents moved outside Columbia because of the nutty liberal politicians that control it now. Posted by: waelse1 at October 04, 2015 02:48 PM (oAK6v) 299
Thanks for the mention, OregonMuse!
Morons and moronettes--I salute you, and I offer you this hopeful thought from a literary treasure: "...Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach." --Tolkien, Return of the King Posted by: Candace at October 04, 2015 03:07 PM (cGYag) 300
With the exception of Harding, Coolidge, and Reagan, (and, maybe Eisenhower), every Republican president has been a Progressive. Progressives believe in Karl Marx. They do not support our Constitution or our Republic or our freedom. The Cheneys are befuddled about what our Republic should be.
Posted by: Ceteris Paribus at October 04, 2015 03:11 PM (lQqJB) 301
299 .. Candace, Thanks for the quote. After the movies, I think people tend to focus more on the action in LOTR and less on some of Tolkien's beautiful writing. In a few weeks I'll start my annual re-reading of LOTR. This will be the 50th year.
Posted by: JTB at October 04, 2015 03:28 PM (FvdPb) 302
Ceteris Paribus: add Taft to that list. And strike Eisenhower off it
Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at October 04, 2015 03:29 PM (aLXXe) 303
When my husbands Motorola Atrix wouldn't hold a charge, I convinced him to take my iPhone 4s and I upgraded to a 5s. I no longer have to do tech support for his battery issues, adding contacts and listening to him complain when the phone froze up. Android, like Windows, runs on all hardware and has the same sort of issues as PCs. iOS runs on restricted hardware, like Macs, and has fewer issues as a result.
And, since I haven't seen it mentioned, Charlie Rose did a very good interview with Putin. Putin says he is supporting the elected government in Syria and that is the only way to stop the chaos there. He makes a pretty good case for his side. Posted by: Notsothoreau at October 04, 2015 03:31 PM (Lqy/e) 304
Taft was a Progressive. He wasn't Progressive enough for Teddy Roosevelt. That is why Teddy ran against Taft and ensured Wilson's election.
Posted by: Ceteris Paribus at October 04, 2015 03:33 PM (lQqJB) 305
High point of the week for me was when a guy brought in a box of books to sell. Looking through the box, I see a dirty copy (Just the cover, not the words) of Bambi. Foreword was written by John Galsworthy in 1928, the book was copyright 1929.
On the page facing the copyright page, it said, "Translated by Whittaker Chambers." Made my week. Maybe my Fall. Posted by: John Pomeroy at October 04, 2015 03:36 PM (OO+fv) Posted by: pst314 at October 04, 2015 03:37 PM (T4dRn) 307
LoL, I just found Jim Gavin's blog and the reason he sounds like Horde material is because he *is* "of the Horde".
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 04, 2015 03:40 PM (GDulk) 308
Perhaps someone else commented on this admittedly minor point, but India has far more than 16 distinct languages. It has more than 50 that are spoken by at least 100,000 people.
However, most people in India speak a language that belongs to one of two linguistic families, either Indo-European (74% of the population according to Wikipedia) or Dravidian (24%). In fact, about 40% off the population speaks the same language, namely Hindi, an Indo-European language dominant northern India. In other words, just about everybody in India speaks a language related to another language widely spoken in India. And virtually every educated Indian speaks English to some degree. I bother to mention this because I find this blog seriously strives to be accurate and informative. Posted by: JeffM at October 04, 2015 03:42 PM (r7i2H) 309
305 John Pomeroy
Very cool. Given it's Moscow, it doesn't feel farfetched. Not too many of the horde there. ![]() Posted by: Long Running Fool at October 04, 2015 03:44 PM (AVRWt) 310
guy that moves pianos: No, I haven't seen that one. In fact, I don't think Coriolanus is one I've read yet. Since PBS is taking down the Tennant Hamlet from the Great Performances site in January, though, I'll need to come up with an alternative for future semesters if I want to keep a Shakespeare week on the syllabus, so I'll keep that one in mind.
JTB, haven't encountered Merwin, but I do like the option of facing-page translations! Apparently the latest one favored by Norton is by Simon Armitage, which I also haven't read yet but ought to. *waves back to Sgt. Mom and Donna of the ampersands* Polliwog, how goes the war? Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at October 04, 2015 04:05 PM (iuQS7) 311
@134 Hrothgar
Idaho. ![]() @idontfrickingremember The Wobblies were the Industrial Workers of the World. They're still around, but most of the information about them was whitewashed in the wake of the Palmer Raids. It's much easier to sell a narrative if you can somehow paint the victims as innocent. Bad people doing bad things to other bad people doesn't tend to elicit much sympathy. Anyway, some wag referred to them as I Wobbily Wobbily, and it stuck. Posted by: Luke at October 04, 2015 06:04 PM (Oesv5) 312
170 Posted by: baldilocks at October 04, 2015 11:04 AM (ys2UW)
I read about your stuff being in storage, Baldilocks, but lost the web address. Can we still help? Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 04, 2015 11:44 AM (cgZPg) It has been taken care of. But thanks! Posted by: baldilocks at October 04, 2015 07:07 PM (ys2UW) 313
307 LoL, I just found Jim Gavin's blog and the reason he sounds like Horde material is because he *is* "of the Horde".
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 04, 2015 03:40 PM (GDulk) No linky love? ![]() Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 08:15 PM (XQnZ+) 314
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 08:15 PM (XQnZ+)
I was on tablet, which makes linking nearly impossible (didn't think of it either, to be sure). http://www.j___avin.net/2015/05/thanks-morons.html is the blogpost that clued me in to his being a Moron. Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 04, 2015 08:33 PM (GDulk) 315
Oops, Pixy hates the middle of his name when run together. It's Jim Gavin, so I'm sure the Horde can figure out why Pixy hates it and how to correctly write the address.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 04, 2015 08:35 PM (GDulk) 316
Polliwog, how goes the war?
Posted by: Elisabeth G. Wolfe at October 04, 2015 04:05 PM (iuQS7) Poorly, I'm afraid. I knew this would be a huge undertaking when I started, but it's even more so than I could have guessed. I seriously need some sort of "How to open your storefront" coach to take me by the hand and walk me through everything that needs done. Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 04, 2015 08:38 PM (GDulk) 317
#314 thanks, Polliwog.
Posted by: OregonMuse at October 04, 2015 09:14 PM (XQnZ+) Posted by: Smallish Bees at October 04, 2015 10:17 PM (yjhOG) 319
Dick Cheney may have a bad heart but he's got one hell of a spleen! "Exceptional" isn't much on complicated psycho-political analysis but lays out a history of the world post-WWII where America has been the star and the hero. He sure gave Obama a thrashing, He's a political actor, he knows the lever of government. A better president is the first place to start, after a conservative Congress. Posted by: Whitehall at October 05, 2015 10:00 AM (K1Wgi) 320
No need to pay 99 cents most of the time. An awful lot of books whose copyright has expired can already be found perfectly free on Project Gutenberg's website. Just Google the title. Thousands of new ones are added every year. Even more can be found at The Internet Archive.
Posted by: Texan99 at October 05, 2015 10:15 PM (bLBdO) Processing 0.05, elapsed 0.0611 seconds. |
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