Civics classes should be about American’s sins and glories since it is a country founded by remarkable individuals with some serious flaws. An important part of our history was that many of our founders were slave holders. They owned other people and could do whatever they wanted with them. Washington had hundreds of slaves. He treated them well but he still owned them. He put … Continue reading Teaching the Dark Side In Civics Classes
One of the first things that most school children are taught about American history is Washington’s crossing of the Deleware River. Since it happened in the dark of night the day after Christmas in 1776 it was a rather dramatic event. It was also an important victory for the fledgling American army who had suffered mostly defeats up till then. If you are ever near … Continue reading Crossing of the Delaware
I have lost track of exactly where this house was located but I’m pretty sure it was around Gettysburg PA. According to the mural found at the site as shown here is was the command headquarters for George Washington at some time during the Revolutionary War. So I’m sure Washington did sleep here 🙂 Continue reading Washington Slept Here…
If any photo should be in a charcoal line type it is probably this one. I’ll give you a hint, It was the back side of our first presidents home. I last visited there in 2011. He unlike most politicians today was always anxious to get out of office and return home…. The one word I would use to describe this pic is: stately Continue reading The Home of….
Trenton, NJ — Crossing the Delaware The picture above hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The victory at Trenton signaled a new life for the War for Independence. Likewise it signals a new direction for this blog. Not only will I be giving you quick one-shot glimpses of what I found to be the heart of America, I will also be … Continue reading A New Start…
Washington DC – Resigning His commission Lets finish up this year with the famous picture as described below. It hang in one of the many galleries in DC. Here is what the government website says about it:13 The painting General George Washington Resigning His Commission by John Trumbull is on display in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This painting depicts the scene on December 23, … Continue reading The Resignation…
Old time wall signs fascinate me. They are a look back into history. This one was found somewhere in Washington State, I’m just not sure where? Continue reading Wall Signs….
Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC The plane that Wilber and Orval Wright used to push us into the 20th century is located in the Smithsonian along with many other historical items. This institution is preserving the artifacts that make up the heart of America. If you are even in the area you must brave the horrendous traffic to visit the Smithsonian. Continue reading Wilber and Orval…
Mount Vernon, VA – First Presidential Home I have visited Mount Vernon on three separate occasions now and I think I see something new each time. This time they provided more info about the slaves of the estate. It is nice to see that done. Yes, many of our founders were from Virginia and all of them had slaves even Thomas Jefferson who at least … Continue reading George's Home…
Source: Deal or No Deal, Washington Debacle Will Linger Into New Year – ABC News.
Washington is now broken beyond the point where bold individual leadership can even fix it. The forces at play are bigger than the ability of the president, House Speaker John Boehner, or any other person or persons to turn them around without the certain promise of a revolt in the party ranks that would leave them out of effective power.
The cliff metaphor suggests a jump into a void, but at least one that has a bottom. Yet as the nation watches this slow-motion wreck, the depths of dysfunction have yet to be fully explored.
I didn’t think it was possible to find someone who has a darker attitude towards those in Washington than I do but Rick Klein who wrote the above article certainly seems to beat me at that game. I have been accused by some of putting all the blame for the current dysfunction on the Republicans but I realize that it takes two to play the idiotic games they play in that city. But I must insist that much , but certainly not all, of the blame belongs with the GOP and that is because of their adamant fixation on one word, “never”. The other fundamental part of the problem is the lack of great leaders.
Continue reading “Washington Is Broken… But How To Fix It???”
I recently read an article in the October 2012 Smithsonian magazine about Thomas Jefferson and slavery. I think most of us remember his infamous words that “All men are created equal”. That seems to give him an emphatic view of slavery but this article showed that has now been found to not be the case. It ends up that after studying the numerous documents left by him that he viewed slavery very much as a profitable situation to be engaged in. In 1792 he wrote Washington the now famous, at least among historians, “4% Letter” in which he talked about just how profitable being a slave owner was. He also recommended to some of this friends and relatives to move away from tobacco farming (he said it destroyed the land) and get into the more profitable area of owning slaves. Continue reading “The End Justifies The Means….and Thomas Jefferson”
Source: Mind the Gap | edsteinink.com. Interesting story yesterday about how wide the economic gulf has become between members of Congress and their constituents. According to the New York Times, the median net worth of the folks in Congress grew 15 percent from 2004 to 2010, while the public saw its net worth drop 8 percent. Senators and representatives have always been richer than the … Continue reading The 1% (in Washington) – Ed Stein
RJ's Corner 