History

152 posts

Why Women Should Support President Obama

If it were the late 1960’s and we were existing in a time when Kings of the Universe, like the Don Draper type, reigned would we acknowledge the only jobs that would be considered respectable and acceptable for a woman outside of helping the war effort in times of dire need, would be either secretary, teacher, or nurse, but never the subversive desire to write barn-burning articles for the local newspaper about inequality between the sexes and how few really seem to care about the concerns of the so-called fairer sex. Mostly. Continue reading →

As the Election Heats Up the Racists Take their Cue

We’ve apparently reached the part of the 2012 election where all the racist assheads emerge from the shadows in full bigoted regalia.

While not surprising, it does just make us….well, what? What does this particular demonstration make us feel? This may seem like an easy question, but maybe it isn’t so easy. Is it enraging? Sure. But by this point it’s also so cliché and mundane that it’s almost like expecting the jerk after the tap on the knee. It’s not that we thought these folks went anywhere after the 2008 election. No, of course not. Due to the Tea Party, which has been noticeably absent during much of the 2012 campaign, we saw the many, many, racist signs and slogans and t-shirts and whatever the first time around. So, where has this guy been? Continue reading →

Top 20 Abandoned Places

For the past eight months, the Five Abandoned Places series has showcased a total of 175 locations from around the world. Today’s “top 20” post will mark the last of the weekly series (which no doubt will take on a new form in the weeks ahead). Many thanks to the readers who have offered site suggestions or left comments. Continue reading →

China – Japan Dispute Over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands Explained

With American embassies all over the Middle East and North Africa under attack, the Western media has for the most part ignored a potentially greater geopolitical flashpoint. Though an outright conventional (or nuclear) war between China and Japan is very unlikely, their fight over some tiny islands will certainly escalate.

The Senkaku Islands (as the Japanese call them; the Chinese call them the Diaoyu Islands) are a group of five small uninhabited islands and three rocks in the East China Sea between China and Japan. The area surrounding the islands may have oil and commercial fishing fleets also ply the waters there. Fundamentally, the dispute is not about oil or fish.  It’s really about power, history, and not losing face. Continue reading →

¡Feliz Dia de la Independencia!

I’ve never been a history buff. I could try and explain the Mexican Revolution as I know it, but the fact is that I don’t know it at all. I am, however, sure of two things: Independence Day is not Cinco de Mayo (that commemorates a small but important battle fought in Puebla and isn’t celebrated anywhere in Mexico but Puebla), and the actual day of Independence here is the 16th of September. I also know that this town, San Miguel de Allende, played a significant role. So with the help of my friend the internet, this is what I can tell you: Continue reading →

Black Aggie, Black Aggie, Black Aggie

Black AggieThe legend of Black Aggie is one of Baltimore’s most popular legends. Ask anyone what they know of Black Aggie and all will have an experience to share. Black Aggie is a cemetery sculpture located in Pikesville’s Druid Ridge Cemetery, a few miles outside of Baltimore City. It is a life size statue of a  seated woman draped in a shroud. Her head is bowed and she is black in color and in mood.  During daylight, you can see the amazing detail and artistic beauty. However, encountering her at night her presence is ominous and threatening. No grass or plant life will grow around her. Continue reading →