Thinks I find along the way
Noam Chomsky views democracy not as a static legal system, but as a dynamic struggle between popular pressure from below demanding freedom and elite control from above seeking to concentrate wealth and power.
Political scientists, historians, and sociologists who argue that the “American Experiment”โthe democratic republic founded on constitutional checks, civil liberties, and shared civic normsโis severely endangered or reaching an end typically point to structural strain across several core institutions.
Continue reading “Signs This Is the End of The American Experiment”
In his book The Road to Character (and discussed in his 92NY talk), David Brooks defines character not as an inherent, unyielding trait, but as an ongoing internal struggle to build moral strength, depth, and humility [18:03 Opens in a new window ].
Brooks frameworks his definition around several key concepts…
Continue reading “David Brooks: On Character”
In a previous post, I took a look at the rise and fall of empires since the beginning of the ‘Common Era’ and finished with this:
“Historians often point out that the average lifespan of a major empire is roughly 250 years, though anomalies like the Eastern Romans (Byzantines) managed to survive for over a millennium by constantly adapting their borders and administrative systems.”
While every imperial collapse has its own specific triggers, empires almost never fall to a single isolated event. Instead, they usually suffer from a fatal combination of internal structural decay and external pressure.
Continue reading “On the Decline of Empires”
In his TED Talk, The Rising Cost of Dissent in America, former senior U.S. national security official Miles Taylor explores the shifting dynamics of free speech, political violence, and public participation in modern American life.
I asked Gemini to compile a list of all the major empires that have risen and fallen since the beginning of the common era, and she threw back around 40 names! She pointed out that “historians often claim that major empires stick around for about 250 years on average, but letโs not forget the Eastern Romans (Byzantines) who crashed that party by hanging in there for over a millennium, constantly reshaping their borders and governance.” So, hereโs a thought: are we already living in a post-American reality?
“A complete list of every single empire that rose and fell in the Common Era (CE) would include hundreds of regional powers, nomadic confederations, and short-lived dynasties. To make this digestible, here is a chronological mapping of the major global empires that shaped history from 1 CE onward, organized by the eras in which they reached their peak or collapsed.
Continue reading “All the ‘Major’ Empires that Have Risen and Fallen in The ‘Common Era’”
George Washington acknowledged that differences in political opinions are unavoidable and even necessary, but he expressed deep regret when “subjects cannot be discussed with temper”. He warned that without “charity in deciding on the opinions, & actions of one another,” managing the government would be difficult, if not impracticable. To maintain harmony, Washington pleaded for “liberal allowances,” “mutual forbearances,” and “temporising yieldings on all sides” to replace “wounding suspicions, and irritable charges”. In his Farewell Address, he further cautioned that the “spirit of Party” constantly distracts public councils and “agitates the Community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms”.
Continue reading “On Intelligent Discourse”
Yesterday, my mom gave me this program from Ken Holtzman’s 1969 no hitter. I was 11 and my dad and I sat in the upper deck behind home plate for what turned out to be one of the most unique games in Cubs’ history. The program is signed by Ken Holtzman, Ron Santo (who hit the game winning homer), Billy Williams (whose catch preserved the no hitter) and Fergie Jenkins. Ken Holtzmanโs no-hitter on August 19, 1969, is one of the strangest and most memorable pitching performances in Chicago Cubs historyโnot because he overpowered hitters, but because he didnโt strike out a single batter.
The 23-year-old left-hander faced the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field and won 3โ0, allowing no hits, three walks, and no runs. Every one of the Bravesโ 27 outs came on a ball put into playโgrounders, fly balls, or line drives. A no-hitter without a strikeout is extraordinarily rare, and Holtzman remains the most recent major-league pitcher to accomplish it. (SABR)
Continue reading “Ken Holtzman’s first no-hitter”
In this episode of Prof G Conversations, host Scott Galloway interviews author, New York Times veteran, and Atlantic writer David Brooks. The discussion centers around what Brooks views as a deep-seated human and moral crisis in modern America, rather than a purely political one…
โI hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,โ Obama told the crowd.
In this NBC Chicago video, former President Barack Obama delivers a heartfelt and stirring keynote address at the grand opening ceremony of the new Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago.
Barack Obama explains that despite the current feelings of uncertainty and division in the country, the majority of Americans are not seeking perpetual anger or conflict. Instead, he states that people are looking for:
He emphasizes that, deep down, citizens want to find a way to turn toward one another rather than pulling further apart (25:10 – 25:30).
You can read the entire transcript here.
The video you are currently watching features Former First Lady Michelle Obama delivering a deeply moving and inspirational speech at the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side of Chicago.
Here is a concise summary of the key themes from her address:
She concludes by reminding the audience that the center is grounded in their stories, but it has never been about themโit belongs to the community and the future generations who will continue the steady march of change.
“On November 17, 1968, the Oakland Raiders score two touchdowns in nine seconds to beat the New York Jetsโand no one sees it, because theyโre watching the movie Heidi instead. With just 65 seconds left to play, NBC switched off the game in favor of its previously scheduled programming, a made-for-TV version of the childrenโs story about a young girl and her grandfather in the Alps. Viewers were outraged, and they complained so vociferously that network execs learned a lesson theyโll never forget: โWhatever you do,โ one said, โyou better not leave an NFL football game.โ
Continue reading “TV viewers become outraged as football game is cut off to air โHeidiโ #today #history”
When I was in college, I was shocked to learn there were actually German POWs in the United States. This video (which you must watch on YouTube) goes into great detail on the topic.
During World War II, the United States held over 425,000 German prisoners of war (POWs) in various camps across the country. Following the capture of German soldiers, they were transported to the U.S. as part of an agreement with the Allies. The conditions in these camps varied; some were well-kept, with prisoners allowed to work on local farms or in factories, while others were stricter. Many German POWs formed friendships with their American captors, and some even chose to remain in the U.S. after the war ended. The legacy of these POWs includes a complex interplay of wartime policies, cultural exchange, and post-war integration.
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 Mehmedbaลกiฤ, Vaso ฤubriloviฤ, Nedeljko ฤabrinoviฤ, Cvjetko Popoviฤ and Trifko Grabeลพ coordinated by Danilo Iliฤ; 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 Dimitrijeviฤ, chief of the military intelligence section of the Serbian general staff, as well as from Major Vojislav Tankosiฤ and Rade Malobabiฤ, a Serbian intelligence agent. Tankosiฤ 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 Malobabiฤ 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…
Since you won’t find Hitler plaques and signs in Vienna here is your covert guide to learning about the Nazi Fuhrer when in Wien.
“In 1908, Adolf Hitler shared a small room in a flat in Stumpergasse 31 in Mariahilf (sixth district) with his childhood friend August Kubizek. After Hitler had used up his family inheritance he was forced to leave the flat and became temporarily homeless. Every now and then he would use the homeless shelter in the 12th district of Meidling before renting an inexpensive room in a large B&B for males (Mรคnnerheim).
While you can’t access the flat it’s worth visiting the area to get an idea of the place Hitler once called home. On a pragmatic note, combine it with a visit to the Imperial Furniture Collection (aka Hapsburgs Museum of Furniture), at 20-25 min walking distance.” Source: Hitler in Vienna: Uncovering The Fรผhrer And Nazi Vienna
Did you know that there were German POWs all over the United States during WWII? It’s true — there was even a famous German literary movement called Die Gruppe 47 that started in the camps. I regret you have to click the link and go to YouTube to listen…
During World War II, approximately 425,000 German prisoners of war (POWs) were held in the United States. These POWs were housed in various camps across the country, often in rural areas. Conditions in the camps were generally humane, with POWs receiving food, shelter, and work opportunities. Many participated in agricultural labor, helping to alleviate labor shortages on American farms.
While in captivity, some German POWs engaged in cultural activities, leading to movements like Die Gruppe 47, which fostered literary and artistic expression among inmates. The presence of these POWs highlighted the complexities of wartime experiences, as they formed a unique part of American history, bridging cultural exchanges between captors and captives. Their stories reflect themes of resilience, adaptation, and the human spirit during tumultuous times.
Here’s a Wikipedia list of camps across the United States.
In the early hours of the morning on December 21 something magical happens in an Irish field, the rising sun aligns perfectly with an ancient passage tomb, travels down the long corridor and illuminates the inner chamber. Go to the source to read the backstory: 5,000yo Irish tombโs winter solstice magic to be livestreamed (VIDEO) โ RT World News
Watch here:
The Irish fighting legend Michael Collins also had a marvelous way with words. Here are his 10 most memorable quotes. Source: Legendary Irish hero Michael Collins was assassinated 93 years ago today | IrishCentral.comย
Bright, shiny objects! 
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