Getting close to that big anniversary: What and whom do you appreciate?

George Washington and his valet, William Lee

A lot of people don't know much about William Lee, whom George Washington really trusted.

Thomas Sowell

A lot of people who should know about Thomas Sowell don't know much about Thomas Sowell.

We Asked AI To Simulate What Would Happen If AOC Was Forced To Learn Economics

Made with @grok. pic.twitter.com/DD6Ssbosh4
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) June 10, 2026

Some of us have come a long way. Others may not have come a long way.
What makes the difference?

Reading for the Big Anniversary

Planning on reading any books in preparation for the Big Day?

How about essays? Looking at the sidebar here at AoSHQ?

250 inspired essays on what we love about America, from The Wizard of Oz to Zippo lighters, from The 1st Amendment to Vicks VapoRub, Waffle House, and...

Get it and you'll find out.

A copy for every bathroom! https://t.co/RqYsz5BKuJ
— Walter Kirn (@walterkirn) June 4, 2026

Here's a sample:

One of our 250 Great American Things. https://t.co/9e8AnROLhn
— County Highway (@countyhwy) June 8, 2026

More history:

America’s founders were obsessed with Jews.

This July 4th, America turns 250.

But there’s a Jewish side to that story that most have never heard.

James Madison studied Hebrew at Princeton.

Alexander Hamilton went to Hebrew school.

And Benjamin Franklin wanted Moses splitting… pic.twitter.com/zqeiJem3wN
— Jaimee Michell (@JaimeeUSA) June 6, 2026

Preparing for weather?

More from Yesterday’s Lightning in Cleveland, Ohio pic.twitter.com/0ogqKeMWuj
— Gabe Wasylko (@GabeWasylko) June 11, 2026

* * * * *

WEEKEND

The Week In Pictures: California Nightmare Edition

It was another busy week in the news, highlighted by the election for Mayor of Los Angeles, in which Democrats snatched victory from the ballot box of defeat with the now-familiar flood of post-election votes. As in the past, many were suspicious.
Graham Platner was in the news again. In any past era, his escapades would have led to a hasty substitution of a more plausible candidate. But the Democrats, as we have observed over the years, don’t embarrass easy.
An attempted decapitation in Ireland and a successful stabbing murder in Texas riled the public but elicited perverse reactions from the Left.
War hero Scott Pelley made a graceful, low-key exit from CBS, bringing his ignominious career to an end. And, speaking of the press, President Trump had a close encounter with NBC’s Kristen Welker, which meme-makers enjoyed. There was much more besides. . .

* * * * *

Music

To a Wild Rose

Score at the link. Maybe you can play it yourself. Edward MacDowell was a late romantic American composer who was disabled by mental issues in his later years.

Do you have a favorite American composer or musical genre?

* * * * *

Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.

This is the Thread before the Gardening Thread.

Serving your mid-day open thread needs

* * * * *

Last week's thread, Discussing American Things as we approach the 250th anniversary of the country

Comments are closed so you won't ban yourself by trying to comment on a week-old thread. But don't try it anyway.

Air Conditioning got a lot of comments as an American invention last week:

197 Air conditioning is the single reason I would never want to live in any other time period. Its my consistent answer when somebody says "yeah it would be cool to live in the roman days" Uh..no. "wow ancient egypt would be cool" Uh...no. Viking times would be killer, long houses and mead and.." Uh..no, I can buy mead and sit in my long house with the AC.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at June 06, 2026 01:11 PM

Posted by: K.T. at 11:09 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 If I put in the air conditioners, I can never go back outside, though.

Posted by: IS Roth at June 13, 2026 11:13 AM (Ytm3F)

2 For our 250th the 17th should be repealed.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 13, 2026 11:21 AM (+EHgv)

3 Valet? Looks like the brother is about to whack him.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at June 13, 2026 11:21 AM (Kt19C)

4 If I put in the air conditioners, I can never go back outside, though.
Posted by: IS Roth

Tryst me out early and back inside where it is cooler later works fine.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 13, 2026 11:22 AM (+EHgv)

5 Valet also looks like a young Dizzy Gillespie

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at June 13, 2026 11:23 AM (Kt19C)

6 Valet? Looks like the brother is about to whack him.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at June 13, 2026 11:21 AM (Kt19C)

He might today.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at June 13, 2026 11:27 AM (1Ff7Z)

7 Envy.

Want to see the happiest woman in the world?

Walk up and give her $10,000 cash.

Want to see the angriest bitch you've ever seen in her life?

Walk up and giver her $10,000 cash, then give her friend $20,000.

Posted by: DudeAbiding at June 13, 2026 11:28 AM (setIA)

8 Music for this year should only be Sousa and others who wrote and performed patriotic music.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at June 13, 2026 11:29 AM (1Ff7Z)

9 Ironic that Thomas Sowell is present here today. I have a copy of 'The Quest For Cosmic Justice' lying here on the end table two feet away.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 13, 2026 11:33 AM (XeU6L)

10 Good morning KT

Posted by: Skip at June 13, 2026 11:36 AM (Ia/+0)

11 Appreciate?
Being born here, though the Marxists are ruining that quickly

Posted by: Skip at June 13, 2026 11:37 AM (Ia/+0)

12 "Do you have a favorite American composer or musical genre?"
===

I'm rather partial to Scott Joplin and John Phillip Sousa.

Posted by: mrp at June 13, 2026 11:41 AM (rj6Yv)

13 Success in both sides of my tailgate will catch the lock, now to work on bolting it back together

Posted by: Skip at June 13, 2026 11:42 AM (Ia/+0)

14 Hey y’all, sorry to break in. Doof’s mom passed away this morning. I am sure prayers would be appreciated.

Posted by: Piper at June 13, 2026 11:46 AM (Wmg4n)

15 Newsmax took some still pictures of Kristen Welker when she interviewed Trump. Not very flattering pics either. She looked like a insane witch. I laughed and laughed.

Posted by: Case at June 13, 2026 11:47 AM (+zXtV)

16 Thx K.T.
A major theme that for me runs through all modern thought is the absolute lack of historical knowledge by 90% of the people you speak with. Racists, slavery and oppression are taught, but nothing else is taught or understood. Leads to bad results

Posted by: Smell the Glove at June 13, 2026 11:51 AM (IiEl1)

17 Since KT has quoted Sowell, here are a couple more:

"Ours may become the first civilization destroyed, not by the power of our enemies, but by the ignorance of our teachers and the dangerous nonsense they are teaching our children. In an age of artificial intelligence, they are creating artificial stupidity." ~ Thomas Sowell

"It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." ~ Thomas Sowell

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 13, 2026 11:52 AM (XeU6L)

18 My problem with living in any other timeline would be the lack of toilet paper. I would just have to find a way to stop pooping. I mean, if you could invent time travel I almost think nopoop would be easier. Maybe a colon based singularity or something.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 13, 2026 11:52 AM (3uBP9)

19 Piper didn't see that, thanks for the notification on Doof
Had a busy morning

Posted by: Skip at June 13, 2026 11:53 AM (Ia/+0)

20 Thoughts, prayers for Doof.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 13, 2026 11:53 AM (XeU6L)

21 2 For our 250th the 17th should be repealed.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron

We will have to play with the current Constitution rules because amending it is now impossible. There is simply little that our ruling class agrees with the populace over. Term limits, voter id, mass immigration, putting criminals into prison or executing them, cutting back the role of federal judges, the Fed, these are all things that the ruling class has determined the population cannot have despite having the requisite 2/3rd's majority among the people or higher.

Our uniparty ruling class is the problem and until the GOP purges the Cornyn's, Cassidy's, Massies, etc. and agree to implement what We the People want, we are stuck without needed reforms.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 11:54 AM (E4rtv)

22 The economic problem America faces isn't that we have rich people.

The problem we face is that cost of living has exploded instead of decreasing as it did in the past.

And why has cost of living increased? Because of government, though for many interlaced reasons:

1) Bidenflation - government spending not backed by dollars stolen via taxation instead steal wealth as inflation

2) Regulations, endless regulations - Every regulation makes things cost more

3) Immigration - Every immigrant, legal or otherwise, raises the cost of housing. Every immigrant, legal or otherwise, lowers the cost of labor. And ALL of the illegals are on welfare.

Posted by: 18-1 at June 13, 2026 11:54 AM (sKqQm)

23 Maybe a colon based singularity or something.
Posted by: banana Dream

A black hole?

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 11:55 AM (E4rtv)

24 And why has cost of living increased? Because of government, though for many interlaced reasons:

1) Bidenflation - government spending not backed by dollars stolen via taxation instead steal wealth as inflation

2) Regulations, endless regulations - Every regulation makes things cost more

3) Immigration - Every immigrant, legal or otherwise, raises the cost of housing. Every immigrant, legal or otherwise, lowers the cost of labor. And ALL of the illegals are on welfare.
Posted by: 18-1
======
Pretty much.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 11:55 AM (E4rtv)

25 >>> A black hole?
Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 11:55 AM (E4rtv)

brown

Posted by: banana Dream at June 13, 2026 11:56 AM (3uBP9)

26 My problem with living in any other timeline would be the lack of toilet paper. I would just have to find a way to stop pooping. I mean, if you could invent time travel I almost think nopoop would be easier. Maybe a colon based singularity or something.
Posted by: banana Dream at June 13, 2026 11:52 AM (3uBP9)

Use a rabbit. Works for me.

Posted by: The Bear at June 13, 2026 11:57 AM (1z8ji)

27 Doof’s mom passed away this morning. I am sure prayers would be appreciated.
Posted by: Piper

Additional prayers for Doof and family.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at June 13, 2026 11:57 AM (+EHgv)

28 Valet? Looks like the brother is about to whack him.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats

I remember when I read about Obama's body double (I think that was the term). I didn't know what that mean but came to find out it's a manservant, a valet.

That's the exact moment I knew that nothing about the Dogeater added up. Still doesn't.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 13, 2026 11:57 AM (l26NL)

29 "Do you have a favorite American composer or musical genre?"
===

I'm rather partial to Scott Joplin and John Phillip Sousa.
Posted by: mrp at June 13, 2026 11:41 AM (rj6Yv)

Agree. But don't forget more modern influences like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and the whole blackman's blues genre of music. America changed the world's music.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 13, 2026 11:59 AM (g8Ew8)

30 >>> I remember when I read about Obama's body double (I think that was the term). I didn't know what that mean but came to find out it's a manservant, a valet.

That's the exact moment I knew that nothing about the Dogeater added up. Still doesn't.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 13, 2026 11:57 AM (l26NL)

They referred to him as a "body man" which sounds appropriately gay for JEF.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 13, 2026 12:00 PM (3uBP9)

31 My problem with living in any other timeline would be the lack of toilet paper. I would just have to find a way to stop pooping. I mean, if you could invent time travel I almost think nopoop would be easier. Maybe a colon based singularity or something.
Posted by: banana Dream at June 13, 2026 11:52 AM (3uBP9)

It's the reason Sears and Roebucks catalogs were invented.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 13, 2026 12:01 PM (g8Ew8)

32 Condolences to Doof and his family on their loss

Posted by: Smell the Glove at June 13, 2026 12:02 PM (IiEl1)

33 16 Thx K.T.
A major theme that for me runs through all modern thought is the absolute lack of historical knowledge by 90% of the people you speak with. Racists, slavery and oppression are taught, but nothing else is taught or understood. Leads to bad results
Posted by: Smell the Glove
=======
And that is why when I taught my law classes, a heaping dose was historical development of the law--otherwise decisions simply don't make sense to students--they can memorize a decision rule from a court case but don't understand how and why the courts did what they did.

E.g., why the Dred Scott decision was an activist decision that was so bad, so unethical, and so horrible in its effects from judicial supremacy, that it took three constitutional amendments and a Civil War to fix. Most ignorant people assume that Dred Scott was a 'conservative' decision because GOP was racist.

Most never realize that all the Justices voting against Dred Scott's freedom were Democrats and that the decision itself was so activist that it essentially made slavery into super property that could not be regulated or limited by any governing body.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 12:02 PM (E4rtv)

34 American composer Samuel Barber and his Adagio for Strings.

Try to listen to that without getting emotional.

Posted by: banana Dream - I double dog dare you at June 13, 2026 12:03 PM (3uBP9)

35 brown
Posted by: banana Dream
======
Welp, an internal singularity would solve both the weight problem and waste disposal issues.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 12:03 PM (E4rtv)

36 Just because envy is all hip amongst the socialists these days, doesn’t mean envy is now off the Seven Deadlies list. It will still ruin one’s soul as we see every day with the crazy lunatic behavior of the lefties.

Posted by: Dirac_Delta at June 13, 2026 12:04 PM (BiRHZ)

37 Dang.
Prayers up for Doof.

Posted by: Diogenes at June 13, 2026 12:05 PM (2WIwB)

38 I'm rather partial to Scott Joplin and John Phillip Sousa.
Posted by: mrp
=========
Solace is one of my favorite Joplin songs. FWIW, you tube has the US Marine Corp band videos playing most of Sousa's famous marches.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 12:06 PM (E4rtv)

39 Doof's mom, Doof, and their family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at June 13, 2026 12:07 PM (aTy4b)

40 My problem with living in any other timeline would be the lack of toilet paper.

*********

Just live near a geyser.

Old Faithful Bidet™

Posted by: muldoon, okay, I guess I'll grow up now at June 13, 2026 12:08 PM (qgHp7)

41 I really liked this quote:

“SpaceX’s IPO created 4,400 millionaires, according to the New York Times. Critics like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Elizabeth Warren have created one each — themselves.”

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 13, 2026 12:08 PM (mPXxA)

42 22 The economic problem America faces isn't that we have rich people.

The problem we face is that cost of living has exploded instead of decreasing as it did in the past.

And why has cost of living increased? Because of government, though for many interlaced reasons:
Posted by: 18-1 at June 13, 2026 11:54 AM (sKqQm)

I'd also add that these aren't necessarily apples to apples comparisons. The we car bought in 1980 likely didn't have 147 airbags, six cameras, and wifi. ISPs are an entire new Utility Bill monthly. That working class lifestyle of '26 has amenities that would have been wildly expensive a generation or two ago.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at June 13, 2026 12:08 PM (w/O5Q)

43 Of course, the hot steam might be an issue.

Posted by: muldoon, okay, I guess I'll grow up now at June 13, 2026 12:08 PM (qgHp7)

44 Prayers for the Doofs.

Posted by: mikeski at June 13, 2026 12:09 PM (VHUov)

45 They referred to him as a "body man" which sounds appropriately gay for JEF.
Posted by: banana Dream

That's it. Wow, it does sound gay.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 13, 2026 12:10 PM (l26NL)

46 And why has cost of living increased? Because of government, though for many interlaced reasons:

1) Bidenflation - government spending not backed by dollars stolen via taxation instead steal wealth as inflation
Posted by: 18-1

So the problem is Envy, here, too.

The federal government just laid a ~50% wealth tax on the whole country by printing Covidbux, whether you've saved 1 billion, or 1 dollar.

Gavin Newsome looked at that, and got really envious..... but he can't just print money, so.....

Posted by: mikeski at June 13, 2026 12:12 PM (VHUov)

47 Muldoon,
Please don't grow up.

Posted by: Wenda at June 13, 2026 12:12 PM (UIfeN)

48 From X today, and appropriate

InfantryDort
@infantrydort
(Remarking on a AI image of a imaginary GWOT monument)

A giant restraint stretched across open ground, another buckle fastened by people convinced that every problem can be solved by tightening the strap one more notch.

Those of us who fought that war were not fragile. We crossed oceans, climbed mountains, walked through cities filled with bombs, and carried burdens that would break most people. Yet somewhere along the way an entire generation of leaders became convinced that the greatest threat to those men was not the enemy, but risk itself.

What followed was twenty years of wrapping warriors in procedures, approvals, permissions, reviews, assessments, oversight mechanisms, and legal opinions until the institution slowly forgot the difference between protecting a force and restraining it.

Every buckle arrived with good intentions. Every layer was justified. Every restriction was sold to us as profound wisdom. Nobody noticed that the accumulation of caution was producing its own form of recklessness. We became so obsessed with preventing small failures that we lost the ability to achieve great successes.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 12:13 PM (E4rtv)

49 47 Muldoon,
Please don't grow up.
Posted by: Wenda at June 13, 2026 12:12 PM (UIfeN)

He's a Toys 'R Us kid.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at June 13, 2026 12:13 PM (mPXxA)

50 @33 whig , definitely. Studying and practicing law taught me very clearly that bad facts in a case make bad law. If you know what to look for historically you could see a Dred Scott train wreck coming from miles away . That's one of the reasons I try to explain to my liberal friends that I see signs and actions toward a leftist revolt that their nice liberal selves won't like. Falls on deaf ears or gets responses of "but Trump" or "Epstein".

Posted by: Smell the Glove at June 13, 2026 12:14 PM (IiEl1)

51 Muldoon,
Please don't grow up.
Posted by: Wenda

Being a grownup is boring.

Posted by: mikeski at June 13, 2026 12:16 PM (VHUov)

52 I just appreciate being born in America and having lived the life I have.
I've met famous people, earned a good education, travelled the country and the world. I have fought in wars, and lived in peace. I know Jesus and worship as I please. I can go where I want, when I want, and how I want, without first seeking permission. And I can dare to be.
Being an American is just friggin' awesome!

And I will reread the declaration of independence.

Posted by: Diogenes at June 13, 2026 12:16 PM (2WIwB)

53
That's the exact moment I knew that nothing about the Dogeater added up. Still doesn't.
Posted by: Blutarski
-------
Sorry to be tedious re Sowell quotes, but here's another:

"Whether Barack Obama is simply incompetent as president or has some hidden agenda to undermine this country, at home and abroad, he has nearly everything he needs to ruin America, including a fool for a vice president" ~ Thomas Sowell

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 13, 2026 12:17 PM (XeU6L)

54 We should look into allowing the states to step in when it comes to certain issues.

For instance, if a state has acted terribly when it comes to managing its fiscal matters (California, and others), and that state's situation becomes so bad that it needs a bailout from the feds, then the other states should be able to vote on a compact that strips that irresponsible state of its statehood and places the state in a territorial status with the provisions of that compact being enforced with the territorial status remaining until that state corrects its mess.

I also wouldn't mind allowing the states to have a veto power over regulations. If a regulation has been passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, and if this regulation is word-for-word in agreement with the language found in this bill that was signed into law, then it would require a two-thirds vote by the state legislatures to veto it at any time the regulation is in effect.

If the regulation cannot be found in any law, then only one state would be required to veto it.

Something like this would encourage Congress and the President to do their jobs correctly when it comes to creating regulations.

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie at June 13, 2026 12:18 PM (aTy4b)

55 Every moment spent envying others is a wasted moment. It never makes the situation better and worse it causes you to forget how lucky you are.

I've been very fortunate to travel extensively around the world in my life and seen some beautiful places and met some great people. But there is absolutely no place on earth like the United States of America. If you were fortunate enough to be born here you've already won life's lottery. The line to get in this country is a lot longer than the one to get out.

I've been more than blessed in my life and I'm genuinely happy when I see what I consider good people doing well and achieving their goals.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 13, 2026 12:19 PM (viF8m)

56 Sabaton/music/patriot/hero/

that just about covers all of the genres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBz7MX2bLcM

Posted by: Ernest T. Bass at June 13, 2026 12:19 PM (jrgJz)

57 Something like this would encourage Congress and the President to do their jobs correctly when it comes to creating regulations.
Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original Trans-Wookie

BWAHAHAHAHAHA.....

Oh, wait, you were serious?

Posted by: Congress at June 13, 2026 12:20 PM (VHUov)

58 50 @33 whig , definitely. Studying and practicing law taught me very clearly that bad facts in a case make bad law. If you know what to look for historically you could see a Dred Scott train wreck coming from miles away . That's one of the reasons I try to explain to my liberal friends that I see signs and actions toward a leftist revolt that their nice liberal selves won't like. Falls on deaf ears or gets responses of "but Trump" or "Epstein".
Posted by: Smell the Glove
=======
Mastery of multiple choice tests is part of the reason for an inability to think in our ruling classes. To them, there must always be the consensus and teacher approved 'correct' answer. I required essay exams for students to tell me what they did know rather than what they didn't. And they had to explain why they knew what they did using the essay format.

And I made students read original sources--I used complete court decisions for teaching rather than textbooks/hornbooks. Fortunately the internet was around along with lexis to do that. One can learn a lot about the law by reading all of a court opinion rather than just the highlights and excerpts.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 12:23 PM (E4rtv)

59 Valet? Looks like the brother is about to whack him.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats

I remember when I read about Obama's body double (I think that was the term). I didn't know what that mean but came to find out it's a manservant, a valet.

That's the exact moment I knew that nothing about the Dogeater added up. Still doesn't.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly
====

Body man.

In case Obama needs a man's body right now!

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at June 13, 2026 12:24 PM (/lPRQ)

60 "...and that state's situation becomes so bad that it needs a bailout from the feds, then the other states should be able to vote on a compact that strips that irresponsible state of its statehood and places the state in a territorial status..."

********

Receivership

Posted by: muldoon, okay, I guess I'll grow up now at June 13, 2026 12:25 PM (qgHp7)

61 Aaron Burr showed us how to treat central bankers.

Posted by: Oglebay at June 13, 2026 12:26 PM (w8dnx)

62 BWAHAHAHAHAHA.....

Oh, wait, you were serious?
Posted by: Congress at June 13, 2026 12:20 PM (VHUov)

************

We, the State Legislature of Wyoming, have listed here 99.86% of the CFR that do not have a corresponding match in any enacted law, so we hereby vacate these rules.

Have a nice day, DC!

Posted by: Wyoming State House and Senate at June 13, 2026 12:27 PM (aTy4b)

63 An example of going back to original sources is that Taney, in Dred Scott, deliberately misread the Declaration of Independence and ignored something like 80 years of US history after that to reach his conclusion that blacks could not be citizens of the United States whether they were 'free' or not, whether they were a citizen of a state and voted, or even whether they were in the Revolutionary War and granted land, etc. by a grateful Congress.

Any knowledge of history quickly indicates that Taney was a fraud citing non-existent history in order to reach his objective--denying the courts of the US jurisdiction from slavery cases because blacks were 'property' not citizens or even humans. A dog or a shed cannot bring action in court against its owner. And that is where the chain of logic in Dred Scott led. And was simply one example--there are others equally inexcusable judicial activist points in that decision.

Posted by: whig at June 13, 2026 12:28 PM (E4rtv)

Processing 0.01, elapsed 0.0159 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0062 seconds, 72 records returned.
Page size 58 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.