Did Lincoln Say ‘America Will Never Be Destroyed From the Outside’?

Widely shared memes contained a quotation that is commonly attributed to the Great Emancipator…

So. Not exactly ‘real’ but still true. Source: Did Lincoln Say ‘America Will Never Be Destroyed From the Outside’?

November 26, 2024 0

Powder Keg: Europe 1900 to 1914

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand[a] was one of the key events that led to World War I. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated on 28 June 1914 by Bosnian Serb student Gavrilo Princip. They were shot at close range while being driven through Sarajevo, the provincial capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, formally annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. Princip was part of a group of six Bosnian assassins together with Muhamed Mehmedbašić, Vaso Čubrilović, Nedeljko Čabrinović, Cvjetko Popović and Trifko Grabež coordinated by Danilo Ilić; all but one were Bosnian Serbs and members of a student revolutionary group that later became known as Young Bosnia. The political objective of the assassination was to free Bosnia and Herzegovina of Austria-Hungarian rule and establish a common South Slav (“Yugoslav”) state. The assassination precipitated the July Crisis which led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia and the start of World War I. The assassination team was helped by the Black Hand, a Serbian secret nationalist group; support came from Dragutin Dimitrijević, chief of the military intelligence section of the Serbian general staff, as well as from Major Vojislav Tankosić and Rade Malobabić, a Serbian intelligence agent. Tankosić provided bombs and pistols to the assassins and trained them in their use. The assassins were given access to the same clandestine network of safe-houses and agents that Malobabić used for the infiltration of weapons and operatives into Austria-Hungary.” Source: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – Wikipedia

If you find this interesting, you might like this book…

November 4, 2024 0

The Real Life and Tragic End of Captain Herbert Sobel

Captain Herbert Sobel, portrayed by David Schwimmer, is the commanding officer of Easy Company in “Band of Brothers” and is depicted as a petty tyrant. The paratroopers in the series, including Dick Winters (Damian Lewis), develop a deep hatred of Captain Sobel, but is the series’ portrayal of Sobel during WWII historically accurate? We explain why HBO’s “Band of Brothers” presents a one-sided and exaggerated view of the real Herbert Sobel. We reveal what some of the Easy Company veterans had to say about his depiction in both the Stephen Ambrose book and the HBO miniseries, which deviate somewhat from the true story. We also explain what happened to Herbert Sobel after WWII, including the tragic ending to his life. #bandofbrothers #herbertsobel #ww2 #dickwinters #easycompany #wwii

November 2, 2024 0

The Main Reason Young Adults in the U.S. Are Not Having Kids

Today’s adults are resisting cultural pressures to have children and to get married if that’s not what they want to do. Their choices are part of a broad cultural transformation: The Main Reason Young Adults in the U.S. Are Not Having Kids

July 29, 2024 0

Suicide, loneliness are an American epidemic. How can it be stopped?

“My husband committed suicide in 2008. Both of my boys attempted suicide and one has been missing since 2015. Here’s how building resilience has changed my life.” Source: Suicide, loneliness are an American epidemic. How can it be stopped?

March 22, 2024 0

It Sure Looks Like Phones Are Making Students Dumber

Test scores have been falling for years—even before the pandemic. Source: It Sure Looks Like Phones Are Making Students Dumber

December 19, 2023 0

The Perils of Progress

We’ve come a long way, but are we focused on the right things? Source: The Perils of Progress

December 19, 2023 0

Every Version of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Ranked (and Where to Stream Them)

“I’ve carefully considered every major theatrical or adaptation of A Christmas Story and rated each in terms of holiday spirit, Dickensian whimsy, and Scrooge-osity to arrive at the definite, no-argument-possible list of the best Christmas Carols ever produced.” Source: Every Version of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Ranked (and Where to Stream Them)

Editor’s note: my favorite version starring Sir Patrick Stewart in 1999 is not even ranked…

December 18, 2023 1

Slaughterhouse children

NBC News is capping a yearlong investigation of U.S. child labor with the documentary “Slaughterhouse Children,” which includes new information on the death of Duvan Pérez. Source: Minor who died in poultry plant accident got the job with the identity of a 32-year-old

December 18, 2023 0

America’s Most Dystopian Halftime Show

I don’t watch much college football where Notre Dame’s not in the game but I did see this in realtime for some reason and it was bizarre! See how college football turns student debt into a game show. Source: America’s Most Dystopian Halftime Show

December 9, 2023 0

Germany agrees to record $1.4 billion in annual Holocaust reparations as survivors age

I had no idea that this has been going on! “The figure reflected a recognition that, even as the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles with each passing year, the needs of the remaining survivors are increasing as they age.” Source: Germany agrees to record $1.4 billion in annual Holocaust reparations as survivors age – Jewish Telegraphic Agency

June 15, 2023 0

What are the differences between Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism?

Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism are two of the largest branches of Christianity, and while they share many similarities, there are some key differences between them:

Theology and Doctrine: Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism have different approaches to theology and doctrine. Greek Orthodoxy is more focused on tradition and the teachings of the early Church fathers, while Catholicism places a greater emphasis on the authority of the Church and the teachings of the Pope.
Leadership Structure: In Greek Orthodoxy, the bishops are considered equal and autonomous, with no one bishop having authority over the others. In contrast, in Catholicism, the Pope is considered the supreme authority, and bishops are appointed by him.
Liturgy and Worship: Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism have different liturgical practices and worship styles. Greek Orthodoxy tends to have a more formal and traditional worship style, with a heavy emphasis on icons and symbolism. Catholicism has a more diverse range of liturgical practices, with different forms of worship for different occasions.
Sacraments: Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism both recognize seven sacraments, but there are some differences in how they are administered and understood. For example, in Greek Orthodoxy, the sacrament of Confirmation is given immediately after baptism, while in Catholicism it is usually administered later in life.
Spirituality: While both Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism share a focus on prayer and spiritual growth, there are differences in their spiritual practices. Greek Orthodoxy places a strong emphasis on asceticism and mysticism, while Catholicism has a more varied approach to spirituality, with different religious orders emphasizing different practices.

It’s worth noting that these are general differences, and there is a great deal of diversity within both Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Additionally, there are many similarities between the two branches of Christianity, including a shared belief in the Holy Trinity, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of Christ’s death and resurrection.

If you’d like to know more about what version of the Bible is used in Greek Orthodox churches, click here.