Category Archives: History

The Colonial Offspring Theory of International Relations

Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2012 by Keith

I was reminded me of an observation I had recently, that the colonial offspring of Great Britain are like poorly raised children. You have Canada, the good natured quiet child, who grew up to be a productive member of society, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics, That from a long way off look like flies | Comments Off

The Very First Friday the 13th

Posted on Friday, April 13, 2012 by Keith

The Knights Templar were an unusual order in that they were not merely knights but monks as well. Founded by Hugh de Paynes in 1118 as a charitable order, the Knights took up residence in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion | Comments Off

Crime and Punishment

Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 by Keith

While doing some research this morning, I came across this fascinating story about Russian poet and Novelist, Boris Pasternak, and his best known work, Doctor Zhivago: After his own novel was denied publication by the journal Novy Mir, Pasternak arranged … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture War, History, Politics, Things That Are Awesome, Writers | Comments Off

Then on Sunday, The Most Awkward Church Service Ever

Posted on Friday, May 20, 2011 by Keith

So apparently tomorrow is the rapture. Except that of course it’s not. The world is no more likely to end tomorrow than it was on any of the few hundred previous times it was predicted. The thing that pisses me … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion, We're All Gonna Die! | Comments Off

Cities in the Dust

Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2011 by Keith

At the new York review of Books, a lament for the disappearing library: All across the United States, large and small cities are closing public libraries or curtailing their hours of operations. Detroit, I read a few days ago, may … Continue reading →

Posted in Hasbeens, History, Libraries, Politics | Comments Off

The Power of Faith

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2011 by Keith

I’d never heard of the Rajneeshee Commune. Turns out, there’s a reason for that: In a nearly unbelievable chapter of Oregon history, a guru from India gathered 2,000 followers to live on a remote eastern Oregon ranch. The dream collapsed … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion, Strange Oregon | Comments Off

A Brief History of Manned Space Flight

Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 by Keith

Cyrano De Bergerac was the first man to visit the moon. When he arrived, he found a young Chinese woman named Chang’e who was witty, intelligent and fond of wine. They had a brief but passionate affair. Cyrano eventually tired … Continue reading →

Posted in All Things Cosmonautical, History | Comments Off

All the Universe is Full of the Lives of Perfect Creatures

Posted on Monday, January 31, 2011 by Keith

Today is the 50th anniversary of the flight of Ham the astrochimp.

Posted in All Things Cosmonautical, History | Comments Off

HCR 4ever!

Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 by Keith

So we have health Care Reform! Yippee! I have the same advice for President Obama that I did when he was elected: Congrats! Now don’t fuck this up. As to the substance of the bill… Meh. It ain’t what I, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, History, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means, Politics | 1 Comment

Save the Superman House!

Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 by Keith

The house in which Jerry Siegel created Superman is in poor shape. Watch this video and see how you can help save an antional historic landmark and a piece of American mythology.

Posted in Comics, History | Comments Off