Category Archives: Uncategorized
When Tecumseh made the Mississippi flow backwards
Are recent earthquakes in middle America only aftershocks of a much bigger disaster from two hundred years ago? Continue reading
Great Snakes! Australia in January 1812.
“A snake of the diamond kind has been lately killed at Blackwattle swamp, the length of which was 10 feet 4 inches, and its largest circumference five inches.” the Sydney Gazette reported on January 4th, 1812. A woodcutter was going about … Continue reading
Have we forgotten the Alamo?
Recent cinema history, or the lack of it, sure makes it seem that way. The Alamo, starring Billy Bob Thorton as Davy Crockett, bombed in 2004. That fact that it only grossed about a fifth of its budget at the … Continue reading
Did Jefferson support a Balanced Budget amendment?
Back in 1997, when a Balanced Budget amendment was put forth by the US Senate, the Committee on the Judiciary quoted Thomas Jefferson almost from the start. Towards the top of Senator Orrin Hatch’s report it affirms that “the public … Continue reading
Ten great British history films.
On screenjunkies.com, Honora James made a list of the top ten “English historical movies”, whatever that means. Not only did Honora list a flick about a Scot as the top “English movie”, but she left out a few of the … Continue reading
Should we preserve the shameful past?
Hugh Schofeild recently wrote about the recent interest in France’s Atlantic wall for BBC News. The wall was built under the German occupation in World War II, and so many wanted to forget it. However, one man who was “volunteered” … Continue reading
What is a Cherokee? (updated 12 September)
Is nationality the fruit of a family tree? The Cherokee have voted to exclude those who are not on the 1906 Dawes Roll from their tribe. Yahoo News emphasizes the fact that the some descendants of slaves will lose their … Continue reading
Who do we make movies for anyway?
I read yet another article on how Americans “can’t read maps,” and aren’t being “international” enough. I don’t see why we should censor ourselves to please China’s autocracy.
Little Orphan Justin
Once upon a time, there was a little orphan called Justin. He was alone in an old cottage, at the side of the sea. Little Justin’s entire village had been devoured by the plague, so there was no one left … Continue reading
Miss Interpreter and The Bunny Bay Pirate
Once upon a time, in the land of Bunny Bay, there lived a crotchety old pirate named George. George was grumpy in the morning when he woke up, George was irritable in the afternoon when he ate lunch, and George … Continue reading
