My Thoughts

I'm really sick of hearing that history measures a civilization by how it treats the old and the infirm. It's quaint and noble and I wish it were the standard, but it is hogwash. Nothing could be further from the truth. No one cares that Egypt built the pyramids with the lives of untold numbers of slaves; it's a tourist destination. No one cares that Rome was brutal to its enemies and literally left its own unwanted babies at the dump; we marvel at their engineering and use Latin in the sciences. No one cares that the British Empire kept its poor in rags; we dress up a child like Tiny Tim each Christmas for entertainment. History remembers who you conquered, what you built, and the arts and science you left behind. Right or wrong, all else is forgiven after time has passed There isn't room in a 25th century textbook to talk about Denmark's health care system or the 

I wrote the following based on a strong rebuttal that used Biblical history and literature on poverty and suffering

to counter my points, along with his own beleifs

Exodus isn't history, and the Old Testament doesn't put a value judgment on Egypt's slavery, merely their choice of slaves. After all, the Hebrews had slaves of their own, condoned by the word of their Pentateuch. Nor do the Gospels condemn the Romans for Jesus's death, putting it forth as a betrayal of Gods son by Gods people, through an intermediary. Good thing too, as it would have been awkward when Rome became the expanding force of the religion and the home of the Church. The Bard and Shelley may have done the proper artistic weeping, but like their modern counterparts it didn't stop them from accepting royal commissions and titles.

Let me amend my statement to read "The grand scope of history and the population viewing them in toto do not care. . ." I thought it obvious that not (literally) everyone on Earth feels identically (about anything). But I guess it was too far a leap. 

Let me Out

It's one of those shifts where you're just waiting/hoping for an excuse to grab a box,  empty your desk, and walk out.  Sadly,  there is the mortgage to consider . . .

That's a Horrendous Estimate

Today, online, I watched an artillery shell being detonated, It had been found buried in a field in France 100 years after it was fired

Some estimates say it will be 700 years before all of Europe is cleared of WWI era ordinance. That's crazy.

School Uniforms

Uniforms don't have anything to do with bullying, nor do they save you money. However they will guarantee the teen b.o. will be worse because their clothes are changed less often. Needless to say, we opted out all four kid [from the MPS mandate] - Lisa

He Sucks

Jim Acosta doesn't deserve a job as a YouTuber,  much less a national reporter.

Dunkirk

A spectacular,  non-linear telling of the famous evacuation where even the character names are unknown,  the better to represent their common experience. I was in tears by the end,  not from sorrow but pride and gratitude: as I told Parker on the way out,  there will never be a greater generation of men,  or one to whom we all owe so much.

Black Orchid

Rollicking good fun,  and no monsters or aliens to be seen! It's like Verity Lambert returned to produce the 5th Doctor!

Sam Shepard

RIP. I remember him best from "Country," although I know he was an accomplished playwright. 

En route to Bay Beach

Lisa is on her way to Bay Beach with the girls. Junie was already in a bad mood when they left, OJ gets carsick, and YaYa  is a teenager. I wish her godspeed.

As Smiley and I have the place to ourselves I suggested a house party and strippers, but Mr. Rules Keeper prefers to make popcorn and "enjoy the quiet." Ugh. #RaisedHimWrong

Just argued with a liberal who hasn't heard of Charlie Gard.  Apparently, neither Occupy Democrats or Maddow talked about him (I'm shocked), which means he should expand his news sources just a wee tad. I've turned off notifications for the post. No use arguing with the brainwashed.

An Evening at South Shore beach

Spent the evening at South Shore with the youngest three.

Roger Delgado will always reign as *the* Master. All others are pale copies.