LIVING WITH THE PAST-FOR BETTER AND WORSE

THE JAPANESE POISON

Photo Courtesy of CBC

      As we find it difficult to get our mind around the enormity of the devastation and toll in the Philippines, another devastation continues to seep, one wave at a time.

     Scientists report that areas of Alaska are reporting radiation levels higher than anything they've seen since atomic bomb testing in the atmosphere.

      I have no confidence in Tepco, their ability to repair the  damage at Fukishima nor in anything they say about the levels of radiation at the destroyed site or what is leaking into the ocean.

      Though nothing can ease the catastrophic loss of life, time and money will help restore some health to the Philippines. There appears to be no amount of money that can "fix" Fukishima's continuing poisoning of the planet. Time will only make it worse.  Who can the planet turn to? What can be done about it? No one knows.

      It raises again an old and constantly vexing question before humanity.  "What were they thinking?"  What were they thinking when they built a nuclear plant near an ocean, or a fault line, or when they built a factory near a river, or when they permitted any factory to dump its waste into any body of water, or when they modified corn, that kills any strain but its own, or when they started injecting toxic poisons into the earth to extract gas or oil, or when they turned a part of the ocean into a huge dump, or, etc., etc., 

OCCOQUAN

     It's an Algonquian word for "end of water" and it is a charming bit of history in Prince William County Virginia.

     As they develop new housing the population of 934 will likely rise.

    The Oocoquan is a nearly 25 mile tributary of the Potomac. Bull Run enters it south of Manassas. During the Civil War skirmishes were fought and shots were fired across the river.  Today the river, which ends only a couple of hundred yards left of here, is for boaters and bank-side parks and cafes. 

   Pictured above is the historic Rockledge, the Georgian House built in 1760.  It is what is said to be a rare example of a "Tidewater Virginia Stone Dwelling." This home was the key to commercial development that followed, including the building of a mill in 1765.

     This is the old Hammil Hotel where Confederate General Wade Hampton headquartered in 1862.  Hampton was reluctant to join the issues of the Confederacy, but when South Carolina left the Union he joined the Army and because of his family connections was made a Colonel and rapidly rose to General in the cavalry.  After the war he served as a Democratic Senator from South Carolina.

     Hampton's troops raided Union encampments here, took their cattle and captured supply wagons.  Today many sightseers stroll where Civil War engagements occurred.  

     Oocoquan, in beautiful Virginia country side, is a relatively quick commute to Washington DC.

    See you down the trail

   

THE HISTORY THAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT

THIS TOO SHOULD BE REMEMBERED

     If you are like most, your knowledge of the Civil War is hazy or, if of a certain age, almost non existent.  Such is the sad state of how, all too frequently, history is or was taught.  
     The Gettysburg Address can be recalled by most. And most history lessons recall the Battle of Gettysburg and Pickett's charge, where on the last day of the battle Robert E. Lee ordered a confederate charge by 12,500 men, one half of whom were killed or injured.
     I've thought the history lessons were incomplete.

 This scene from July 3, 1913 is symbolic of a history lesson that is sadly under appreciated.  This is from the 50th Anniversary of the historic Battle of Gettysburg.

         53 thousand Civil War veterans, Blue and Gray, gathered to remember the terrible battle and days of fighting.
In the scene below, from the Gettysburg living history site, Pickett's Charge is memorialized by re-enactment of those who were there 50 years before.  
      On July 3rd, 1913 Union vets took positions on Cemetery Ridge and watched as the former Confederates came from the woods of Seminary Ridge.  This time when they came together they embraced in brotherly love.

 And why isn't this astounding moment being taught?

 This is from the 75th and final reunion and memorial, July 3 1938. The average age of the vets was 95, still 2000 men made the pilgrimage and again, embraced in unity, a final act of closure of the time when this nation tore apart and made war on itself.

    Even if history books, lessons and other media barely make note of those other historic 3rds of July, we note it here.

A POWERFUL VIDEO

Thanks to film and YouTube

here is a short but lasting remembrance of the

extraordinary final reunion.

   More images and information are available at                Gettysburg.com's 75th Anniversary site.

   Haunting and important moments to keep in mind as you prepare for and celebrate the 4th.

    See you down the trail.

TAX CUTS-CIVIL WAR MEMORIES-SOCIAL BOTS-AND NATURAL BEAUTY

SHADOWS OVER THE GLOBE

       150 years after our own awful history, civil war rages in north Africa and the middle east.  We can't know the implication of regime change in these strategic regions, but we know there will be legacy affects.

        The opening salvo of our conflict will be remembered today with somber music, and an explosive re-enactment of the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.

        Remembering history is crucial to a republic and while reenactment helps demonstrate and can bring maps and moments of military battle to life, nothing can approximate the extraordinary pain in the loss of 600 thousand lives over the course of our 4 year struggle.  Nor can it heal.  With our memories comes residual resentment. Shadows still.

      The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center has analyzed the House Republican budget proposal

and reports the plan to cut corporate taxes and to lower the rates on high earners will result in a revenue loss of $ 2.9 Trillion.  By the way, if the GOP plan succeeds the tax rate on the wealthiest Americans will be the lowest since 1931. Is this how to recover from a recession that was created by the greed of wealthy investment bankers and corporations who pay little or no taxes already?  Sorry-this all seems like foggy logic.

ARE YOUR "FRIENDS" REAL?

INTO SOCIAL NETWORKS? DO YOU HAVE "CURIOUS' FOLLOWERS OR FRIENDS? THEY MAY BE MORE CURIOUS THAN YOU HAVE IMAGINED. LINK HERE FOR AN EYE OPENER FROM THE ATLANTIC

DAY BOOK

ECHIUM AND FRIENDS

 See you down the trail.