Journal Entries
NaJoPoMo #7 Birthdays
Posted Nov 7, 2014
Yes, this is a most appropriate subject for the day
When we are young birthdays are a magical time for 
and 
There seems to be an endless time between them and there are 
numbers; at ten you get into two digits, at 14 you get to be a teen, depending on where you live there is a number that lets you drive an automobile, vote, buy cigarettes and spirits. Even get married and start your own family. Through all this, each year you get your own special day.
Over the years the days start to get closer together, and it becomes a time to only buy a new tag for the car, update insurance, and wonder what has happened to your hopes and dreams. Please do not take this as self-pitying in any way. If there is any doubt about my zest for life please read my ongoing recollection of last month's adventures in 
. This boy ain't no where near done yet.
I have gone many places and talked with some interesting people. I can't think of anything I've done that I regret, perhaps a few opportunities I let slip by. This is not intended to encourage anything foolish, I am glad I avoided most of those.
I still have a couple years left before I chuck the work-a-day world, going into the office each morning, but the end is almost in sight!
I don't need a special day anymore. Enjoy where you are, claim every good day as your own, and let the bad ones pass.
'Carpe Diem' - Seize the Day
F 
S
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Latest reply: Nov 7, 2014
NaJoPoMo #6'The Deacon's Masterpiece'
Posted Nov 6, 2014
Also known as 'The One Horse Shay' is a poem written by Oliver Wendell Homes in 1858.
The deacon decided he was tired of having his buggy break down, so he decided he would build a new one with all the best components so everything was equal and there would not be any weak point that could fail. He completed his project on 1 November, 1755, the very day the city of Lisbon was destroyed by an earthquake.
True to his plan, they shay performed without needing a single repair. After he passed away it was handed down from generation to generation, faithfully serving each new owner.
Then on the date of its 100th birthday, on the anniversary of the earthquake, as the parson was driving to the meeting house....
But perhaps you should read the poem for yourself http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Deacon%27s_Masterpiece.
Until next time.
F S
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Latest reply: Nov 6, 2014
NaJoPoMo #5 The Man Without a Country
Posted Nov 5, 2014
Bit of fun today
A short story written by Edward Everett Hale, first published in 1863 'The Man Without a Country' is the story about a fictional American Army artillery officer, who was involved in former Vice-President Aaron Burr's plan to develop a separate country in the American west. Burr was arrested and tried for treason in 1807, but there was not enough evidence to convict him (a actual event).
In the story, Nolan is also forced to face court-martial and in a moment of youthful defiance he declarers that he never wants to hear about the United States again. As his punishment the court condemns him to have his wish granted. He is taken to a Naval ship bound for a foreign station, the Captain is instructed that he is to be treated as befits an officer of his rank (Lieutenant) and allowed to wear his uniform - but the buttons on his jacket are to be replaced with plain civilian buttons and no one is to mention anything about the United States in his presence.
The story is told by an old naval officer who met him early in his exile, and starts as he receives word of Nolan's death at sea from a fellow officer.
In one scene Nolan is on the gun-deck of a frigate in a pitched battle. Many historians believe this may have been the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Java on 29 December, 1812. A cannon ball smashes through a gun port and kills the captain of a nearby cannon. Nolan takes charge of the gun crew and commands them through the remainder of the battle. The details of his actions are surprisingly accurate, after researching the procedures at that time (personal research note).
After almost 50 years of exile, Nolan life is near its end. The letter writer reports his final words are 'No man ever loved his country more, nor deserved less at her hand'
The story is well worth reading, this is only a brief introduction.
F S
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Latest reply: Nov 5, 2014
NaJoPoMo #4 Impeachment of a President
Posted Nov 4, 2014
Andrew Johnson, one of the two Senators from the state of Tennessee, was the only Southerner to remain at his post after his state had declared to leave the Union at the start of the US Civil War. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed him as military Governor of the occupied part of his own state (Tennessee). When facing re-election to his second term Lincoln decided to choose a Southerner as his Vice-President to help heal the ill-feeling of the war. Lincoln wished to re-unite the country as quickly as possible.
Soon after the election an assassin ended Lincoln's life and Johnson had to assume his duties with an unsympathetic congress who wanted to punish the South for the war. Several bills were passed over his veto, including the 'Tenure of Office Act' which forbade him from removing any cabinet officer that the former President had appointed. When the Secretary of War, Edward Stanton openly defied Johnson's instructions he demanded his resignation in defiance of the Congress's act. This was the basis of the impeachment trial.
After three months of testimony only a single vote prevented his removal from office.
He served out the remainder of his term and returned to private life. He was briefly re-elected to the Senate, but died shortly after taking office in 1875.
F S
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Latest reply: Nov 4, 2014
NaJoPoMo #3 Election day in the US
Posted Nov 3, 2014
Tomorrow, Tuesday the 4th, is the official Election Day in the United Sates this year. I have decided to move my intended text to another Journal Entry date, and just shoot from the cuff and share a few thoughts about this important event.
This also gives me an excuse to add a link to one of my first entries to reach the Front Page A1304993 (the companion piece about US governments was published the same day).
Today most areas open early voting facilities a few weeks before the actual election, some States only allow mail in ballots. I am old-fashioned enough to stand in line at my local polling place and cast my ballot at the last minute. Often the volunteer poll workers are neighbours, who I know well enough that we at least recognize each other.
This year is an 'off-year' election, meaning that the Presidential candidates are not on the ballot, theoretically every member of the House of Representatives, and one third of the Senate have to defend their seats.
In my county the voter registration breaks down this way;
116,992 Republican (conservative), 102,436 Democrats (progressive) and 86,637 registered as Independent or with other parties (views vary). No group has a clear majority in any race or issue.
Just a quick look at my local ballot for the fun of it;
There is no Federal candidate on the ballot, our two Senators are both on a by year, and our Representative is unopposed, and will automaticely retain his seat.
Although there are 5 people running for Governor the race is really between the sitting Republican, and his Democratic opponent, who was the sitting Republican Governor just 4 short years ago. They have both been telling us every 15 minutes or so how the other can not be trusted in their television adverts.
We also have State Attorney General (3 choices), Chief Financial Officer (2 choices), Commissioner of Agriculture (2 choices), State Representative (2 choices) and County Commissioner (2 choices).
We also have 3 Judges we can vote to retain or remove.
There are also 4 people who are competing for a place on the Mosquito Control Board.
We also have 3 State Constitutional Amendments to consider;
1 To set aside a percentage of revenue for land conservation
2 To allow the sale of Marijuana for medical needs (although possession would still be a Federal crime)
3 Regarding the appointment of Judges to open positions between elections (I suppose that could be used if we don't vote to retain them in the above questions).
It will probably be a month or two before we know the final result due to re-counts and future run-off elections.
In any event there are sure to loud complaints about how unfair the process is, by the losing side.
F S
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Latest reply: Nov 3, 2014
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