Good day to all seekers of the Good News on this Thursday-7-days-left-to-the-Feast. Here’s hoping your Next Thursday features good food, people you care for, and topics worth talking about. (Given how the midterm elections turned out, that cranky uncle or the unhinged MAGA cousin-in-law might just be rather more subdued…..which is worth giving thanks for as well.)
We gather in this space and spot, the Gnuville Breakfast Brunch, to take in Good News, comfort, inspiration…...but we ALSO gather to share those stories, those links, those moments, political (it IS DailyKos after all), human, domestic, overseas. SO, if you have a story, a moment, a nugget to share, plop it into the comments where all the rest of us will join you in enjoying it. (And if thangs are hard and your spirits are low, we are pretty good about offering a shoulder, a kind word, a thought, and the occasional suggestion.) So thank you…. each of you…..
Now as is usual when my keepers unlock the door and let me assemble this collection, there will be Historical Moments studded through today’s Round Up, several of them of the Openly-Good persuasion, and at least a few that wryly enter into Good-Ness through their Goofiness. Onward!
Good News for Democracy, Rights and Secular Hope
(Missed it by THAT much edition) I hope all of you will excuse me for going OUT OF SEQUENCE (the horror!) and pull a double entry for November 19th here into the 17th of November, but I think it needs to be here today.
We have all passed through a monumental midterm election. Presidents Biden and Obama were two of many reminding voters that, truly, democracy itself was on the ballot. There were candidates across the country not only blathering about the Big Lie about 2020; they were flat saying if elected that 2022 would be the last elections that meant anything. “If I don’t win it doesn’t count” was the working theory.
And THEN…...DEMOCRACY HAPPENED. (From the Greek: “Demos” people (as in DEMOgraphics), and “krasis” to rule. ) The PEOPLE lined up. The PEOPLE mailed in their ballots. The PEOPLE took their palpable, exhausted annoyance for all the attack ads, stupid mailers and Unknown Number TEXTS by who knows who, balled all that up, and then sent all sorts of self-righteous, autocratic, bullies packing in state after state, town after town.
The Great Leaders have always known this Demo-Krasis is indeed “the worst form of government….except for all the others” (Churchill). Even bastards, dictators, liars of the worst sort, have felt the need to justify themselves and their crimes against their own people and humanity itself by invoking The PEOPLE. (See “People’s Republic of North Korea”, China’s “People’s Army”, the endless “People’s revolutions”, even the Nazi slogan of the 1930s “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer”—One People, One Nation, One Leader”)
But yes, the Great Ones get it right. Like in 1863 (November 19th…...but history records Mr. Lincoln began drafting his words THIS DAY, the 17th, before taking a train north to Pennsylvania….)
1863 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania After the battle in July and treating wounded from both sides by the thousands and burying the dead on both sides by the thousands, the little town of Gettysburg is ready for a breather. The town fathers send an invitation to President Lincoln that they are dedicating a national cemetery and would he be kind enough to make ‘a few appropriate remarks.’ Professional orator Edward Everett spoke for two hours without notes and sat down to applause. Lincoln rose and delivered 269 (or 271) immortal words of the Gettysburg Address (LINK HERE; one of those unusual documents that SOUNDS much better spoken aloud (see “I have Dream” speech) than simply written on the page) on the meaning of the War to the Republic. He sat down before a lot of people realized he was even speaking. The applause was thin, even though Everett stepped over to wring his hand and express his gratitude.
AND THEN, in a long-ringing echo of that Address that ended with the immortal lines of hope that “government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth…...”
1940 Philadelphia RKO Studios releases “Abe Lincoln of Illinois”, a biographical film of Lincoln up to his Inauguration. (A commercial flop because Warner Brothers a few weeks earlier had released its own Lincoln bio-pic starring Henry Fonda)
Raymond Massey played Lincoln. As part of the publicity for the film Massey went by rail for the ‘Grand Opening’ of the movie in town after town. He would dress as Lincoln and come out on the stage or stand in front of the screen and then recite either the Gettysburg Address or the 2nd Inaugural. Then the film would run and afterwards Massey would shake hands and sign autographs in the lobby.
When the film premiered in Philly about this date the theater manager came to Massey’s dressing room and told him in the audience tonight were two Civil War veterans (both over 90.) They had been part of a Pennsylvania regiment assigned to crowd control duty in November, 1863 for the Address. Both veterans had heard Lincoln give the Address LIVE. Massey finished dressing and did his appearance, reciting the Gettysburg Address. (He confessed later he had never been more nervous in his life.) In the lobby a reporter took a couple pictures of Massey posed with the two vets and then asked the oldsters how Massey’s delivery had been, compared to the original. (Massey admitted he was dying to know too.)
The two vets said they were impressed at how close Massey had been, except for one thing. Right at the end, where Lincoln ended with “of the people, by the people, and for the people….” Massey had taken the advice of learned historians and scholars and stressed the prepositions (of, by, for) for meanings and nuances. The veterans said the President had stressed the word “people” all three times. For the rest of the tour Massey changed his delivery and always explained WHY.
Otherwise, on OTHER November 17ths:
1734 New York City Newspaper editor John Peter Zenger gets arrested this day. He was accused of printing libel against the New York Colonial governor, William Cosby. When a grand jury refused to indict Zenger, Cosby ordered the New York Attorney General to bring charges and prosecute the case. At his 1735 trial Zenger’s lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, came out of retirement and made a ringing case that printing the truth was an ironclad defense against libel. Zenger was acquitted. Hamilton’s closing address arguing for freedom of the press was so stirring, The Zenger case and trial are THE American taproot for Freedom of the Press.
1800 Washington DC Looks like this country, this democracy with a 13 year old Constitution, might be making a go of it. The US Congress, having started out in 1789 holding its sessions in New York City while its new house (and city to go with it) is being carved out of the District of Columbia; (an area known locally as Foggy Bottom Swamp), this day holds its 1st session in Washington, D.C. The Capitol Building is incomplete, (although it does house the US Supreme Court,) and will not be finished until the dome is completed and the statue of Justice hoisted into place during the Civil War. (some 60+ years later.)
1842 Boston A Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the US Congress already back in 1793. In
the last weeks here in 1842, a mulatto man, George Latimer, is the first fugitive slave ever caught in the state of Massachusetts. Abolitionism has taken root in New England and now has a case in their front yard. This night an abolitionist meeting was held in Marlboro Chapel, Boston. Four hundred dollars was collected to buy Latimer’s freedom, (which his Virginia owner eventually accepted) and, failing that, plans were made to storm the jail to secure his release that way. A massive petition was got up, “The Great Massachusetts Petition” that collected over 65,000 signatures from Massachusetts voters (about 18% of the eligible voting age men in the state!) that in 1843 resulted in Massachusetts enacting the Personal Liberty Law (nicknamed ‘Latimer’s Law’): Massachusetts authorities were banned from assisting in capturing fugitive slaves and no state property (like jails) could be used to hold such. Seems the Abolitionists weren’t kidding; neither were the slaveowners, and one day it would likely come to war.
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And if we are going to celebrate Democracy…..and we SHOULD…...it will need a soundtrack. Aaron Copeland captured it in music: “Fanfare for the Common Man”
Here is the New York Philharmonic……. on Tour in Asia…...(and the percussion section REALLY gave it their all.)
Bad News for Trumpers is Good News for Us!
Democracy has been under siege, exploding into violence (at the behest of Trump on 1/6/21; there….I went there…..I wrote it…..I believe it…...and like Martin Luther (of my ordination) “Here I stand, I can do no other.”) The fallout continues. J6 rioters are being tried, convicted and sentenced. Investigations continue. We yearn for indictments and arrests. AND…..there is news…..bad for them, GOOD for Us.
>>>>>>>>THIS STORY notes that idiot from New Mexico, the head of “Cowboys for Trump”, was tried and CONVICTED for sedition/insurrection. Even though he has served his sentence, now there is a motion in court that under the 14th Amendment, Clause 3, engaging in insurrection means PERMANENT disqualification from holding ANY public office. Since the guy is a county official….well that’s going to leave a mark….
>>>>>>>>There also comes the WELCOME REPORT that Michael “Traitor” (oh so deserved) FLYNN has now been required to appear and testify to the Georgia Special Grand Jury…..and like NEXT WEEK. (Mike? The seat (soon to be re-named “The Benedict Arnold Chair”) will still be warm from Lindsay Graham and Mark Meadows…...)
>>>>>>>>Now I am not a lawyer (just to spell out IANAL) yet I still wait in anxious anticipation of the legal system FINALLY lowering the boom on the Orange Menace. “Why is it taking so long?” “Why isn’t the DOJ/Garland doing anything?” go the laments. Well it turns out they are doing PLENTY, and we’re getting there, including reasonable guesses at coming events. THIS INVOLVED but easy to follow explainer runs down where things are and general timelines at work. From “emptywheel” (Marcy Wheeler) who IS a Lawyer, yet can write like this for the rest of us.
Good News of Inspiration and Faith
If we are going to talk inspiration and Good News, well human beings have been using words and religion and spiritual exercises and giving each other examples for a LONG time. Not that religious people are immune from politics and being corrupted by worldly attractions. (The Divine Right of Kings, for example). At their worst, religions give sanction to atrocities (“Death to the infidels”/ The Crusades) and so need to be warned and reminded by better people that “You’re doin’ it wrong.”
So, on a sober note, HERE IS A LINK to a rant by a Christo-fascist. Not Good News but consider it a warning; to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
James Madison’s Constitution establishes Freedom of Religion for the People (including From Religion as well.) Mostly here at DailyKos we consider the impact of religion on politics. Its a mixed bag: there are times when religions and religious people provide force and oomph for justice, equality and mercy in the Public Square (see 1843 above). Other times, like the Fuentes rant, alleged religious leaders use their language to justify evil.
But the door swings both ways. Getting politics into religion is not healthy for the religion, crippling it and drawing it from its better principles. THIS STORY is a good warning describing the corrosive effect of Trumpism in certain circles. A thoughtful read.
On the other hand, there are those ordinary people doing ordinary things in ordinary lives that daggone it, ends up being extraordinary and a ringing inspiration to everyone. The KIND company makes those chewy energy and nutrition bars. They do a regular thing looking for a given year’s Kindest Person, so they can honor them. Jo Newby of England is a mom, doing all those Mom things that Moms do. She and her husband are also kind-hearted and comfortably fixed enough money-wise to serve as foster parents. But Jo does it so well that THIS STORY reports she now has her own STATUE in England (along with generals, royalty, scientists) because…….well, if you click on the link, set the “Fanfare for the Common Woman” to play in your background as you read.
For still more musical inspiration, today is the birthday of:
1836 Rotterdam, Holland Birth of Wilhelmus Antonius Coenen, pianist and composer. From a very musical family, Willem learned piano from an early age and was already playing professionally by age 18. At age 20 he moved to Dutch Guyana (Surinam) in South America, earning a daily living as an organist and making significant extra income from piano concerts in Surinam, French Guyana and the Netherlands Antilles. He and his brother (also a musician) made an American tour in 1860, playing on the stage in Boston. In 1862 he migrated to London and became instructor of piano at Guildhall School of Music and Drama for the next 40 years. He wrote a number of cantatas and fantasies, especially for the piano, along with some concertos. When he injured his right hand and was slow healing, he afterwards composed several piano pieces for the left hand, including a famous Fantasie.
Meanwhile, if you waited another 102 November 17ths, we have another composer’s birthday:
1938 Orillia, Ontario, Canada Birth of Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. folksinger and composer. Already performing on the school intercom system at age 10, he taught himself guitar in his teens, loved Stephen Foster’s music, and was an accomplished athlete (pole vault, nose tackle), which won him scholarships for college. Lived in California a few years but moved back to Canada for his first album. Commissioned to compose “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” for Canada’s Centennial in 1967. “Sundown”, “If You Could Read my Mind”, “Carefree Highway”, the haunting “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and my personal favorite (at a time of Canadian separatists and bombing and riots) “Nous Vivons Ensemble” ….a musical call for Democracy, respect, unity, in English, and then repeated in French….”on the plains of Abraham”…….very Canadian……
Good News from Science
Why has Star Trek in all its versions endured? I like to think it is because of hope, the melding of science with the human urge to wander and explore and take delight in the New and the here-to-fore Unknown. Now Science does finding the Unknown and converting it to Known as its raison d’ etre and has been doing this for a LONG time.
1790 Schlupforta, Germany Birth of August Ferdinand Möbius, mathematician, astronomer, inventor. A direct descendant of Martin Luther, Möbius was home-schooled until age 13. Attended a local college and then was admitted to the University of Leipzig, studying under Professor Carl Gauss. He discovered/developed the Möbius strip (a 2-dimensional object in 3-dimensional space; you can make your own with scissors and tape) and after that, the Möbius plane, and the Möbius inversion formula. In numbers theory, among other discoveries (as Wikipedia notes it: ) “[Möbius was] the first to introduce homogeneous coordinates into projective geometry. He is recognized for the introduction of the Barycentric coordinate system.”) While math and scientific GNusies will have to unpack this for us mere mortals, I will say on behalf of ALL THE GNUSIES IN GNUVILLE that anyone who introduces the barycentric co-ordinate system will always hold a special place in all our hearts. (“Wipes tear from eye…...”)
- And those scientists are STILL at it, right down to our day. Consider THIS STORY that tells of a Super Computer Chip just invented. Now, when President Biden road tested an all-electric Ford pickup truck, he commented, “This sucker is fast.” (0-60 in 3 seconds!) Well this Super Chip is FAST. How fast? Apparently it can transmit ALL the information on the ENTIRE Internet….in less than 1 second. Whew!
- Meanwhile, for something oddly different…..already in the days of sailing ships, those tall masts had a way of interacting not just with wind but also with electromagnetic fields in nearby storms. In the 20th century onward, aviators skirting their planes near storms have also noted a purple zinging discharge near their wingtips. Sailors took the sight as a Good News omen and named the flashing glow “St. Elmo’s Fire” after the patron saint of sailors. Well HERE is a spectacular version of the phenomenon recorded the other week on the fringe of Hurricane Ian over Florida. (And if you need to add the soundtrack of a certain mid-1980’s hit song, you can CLICK HERE to relive some of your awesome days.)
Engineering the Good News
Yes, the scientists of all sorts of all times and of all places are coming up with stuff all the time. Discoveries. Phenomena. Hypotheses. Theories. Even principles and Laws. And…….so what good is it all? What can you do with it? THAT, friends and neighbors, Gnus and Vulcans, Commanders Scotty, LaForge and engineer/astronaut Howard “Belt Buckle” Wallawitz, THAT is what engineers do. Take those ideas and methods and processes OUT OF THE LAB and apply them to EVERYTHING.
For instance, take note of these Applications of Physical Principles of November 17ths of old:
1869 Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. After several years of construction by a French & British collaborative enterprise, on this day the 100-mile Suez Canal opens, linking Mediterranean and Red seas. While in ancient times there was also a canal, it connected an arm of the Red Sea to the Nile, and shipping would pass through the delta into the Mediterranean. This was a full-scale canal that reduced the distance (and fuel costs, and days at sea) between Europe and Asia by 4000 miles.
1913 Panama Obviously this is World Canal Day! After 10 years on a massive engineering project, the SS Ancon, a Boston-built steamer for both cargo and passengers, becomes first ship to sail through the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Look! Up in the Air! Its a bird! Its a plane!
No, it’s…….a Football Team!
1940 Green Bay, Wisconsin Get on a train between Wisconsin and the East Coast these days of the 1930s and 1940s and you just might see a batch of polite but brawny guys all riding the rods together. A lot of them are college teams going to an away game (and for short hauls, there are busses.) Same goes for those professional footballers (you know, the guys who work other jobs but here in the fall put on those leather helmets on weekends.) But now, a hint of the future. On this day the Green Bay Packers become the 1st NFL team to travel by plane. (Chartered flights and finally team jets…once jets are invented… all come later.)
Look! On your desk! It’s a sleeping cat! Its a Green, blinking CRT monitor!
No, it’s…...a Data Entry Device!
1970 Menlo Park, California In 1967 Dr. Douglas Englebart had applied for a patent for an invention he and grad student Bill English developed, a palm-sized wooden box, open on the bottom, with wheels and wires inside. On this day, 3 years later, the patent was issued for an "X-Y position indicator for a display system." (Sexy name!) Because the connecting cord to the computer came out the back, Doug called the gizmo a ‘mouse.’ On-screen computing just took a big step forward. (Englebart didn’t make any money off the design; Stanford Research Institute held the rights and was thrilled a few years later to finally get some money for them: $40,000 to use the design from two guys both named Steve in a garage with a computer named for a fruit, Apple.)
- And now…...to Infinity…..or, um...Toward Infinity…...and Beyond!…..or, well….landing in one piece. A totally SOLAR POWERED SPACE PLANE, built by NASA, has landed. It has spent 908 days in solar-powered orbit (closing in on 3 years). It vaguely resembles the Space Shuttle but was unstaffed by humans. But NASA learned a lot and we will hear about it.
- Meanwhile, here back on Earth, how about applying engineering shrewdness to wind turbines without blades, that can be mounted on a roof to POWER THE WHOLE BUILDING because of how efficient they are?
- Or how about snagging the CO 2 that your building generates and using it to help ROOFTOP GARDENS grow 4X faster? (Plants LIKE CO-2 and consider oxygen to be a waste product.)
Alright then! The Gnuville Breakfast Brunch & Temple of the People is hereby open for your
replies, comments, comments on comments, click-throughs, digressions, egressions (seen in basement windows), ingressions, exgressions, corrections, amplifications, extensions, and general off-the-wall-ery.
Have a great Thursday everyone!