When Was The First American Foreign War?
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
One of my favorite subjects to study about is history, particularly the pasts wars our country has been involved in. I always have deep emotional feelings that begin to come up in my mind about all of the countless number of our fellow American’s, the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, so that myself as well as every other American can enjoy the freedom that we so richly possess. A very high price has been paid for us to remain free.
All of us can relate to a foreign war that occurred in our generation. For me, it is the Vietnam War. For the generation before me, it is World War II. But, when did it all begin? What was the very first foreign war that America became involved in? Well, there is no one alive to relate to this particular foreign war, because to answer this question, you have to go back all the way to our third president, Thomas Jefferson, for the answer.
The date was March 23rd, 1801, on the 20th day of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. What happened on this day was without consulting his Cabinet, Congress, or even the American people, president Jefferson decided to order the Navy to prepare a squadron to send to the western Mediterranean. Now, the president, just three weeks ago in his inaugural address had pledged “peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations,” yet, was about to send America into its first foreign war, which was in Tripoli, more than 3,000 miles away.
A man named Yusuf Karamanli had become the ruler of Tripoli in the year of 1795 after killing his oldest brother Hassan, in the presence of their mother and then expelling his second brother Hamet from the country. Karamanli’s main ambition was to be greater than the country of Algiers as the leading naval power among the Barbary States of the North African coast. Also, he had already tripled his naval warships.
So, when did the trouble begin? In 1800, Yusuf flexed his new naval power by seizing the U.S. merchant ship called the Catherine in the western Mediterranean and then letting the vessel go, with an ultimatum. And what was this so called ultimatum? Tripoli would declare war on America if we didn’t start paying a tribute! Well, president Jefferson decided to send warships to Tripoli with the attitude that the new American republic had not defeated one tyrant, England, to only fall prey to a lesser one.
Therefore, in May of 1801, when there were four warships just about ready to set sail, Jefferson then asked his Cabinet, “Shall the squadron now at Norfolk be ordered to cruise in the Mediterranean?” The navy, which was greatly enlarged during the recent Quasi-War against France, was at this time time being cut to just six active frigates under the administration of president Adams Naval Reduction Act of 1801. The one concept in this time period was the philosophy of keeping government small and paying down the Revolutionary War debt that was hanging over their heads.
But, president Jefferson and his Cabinet did not know that on May 14, Tripoli’s military had cut down the U.S. consulate’s flagpole. Tripoli had declared war on America. This resulted in our president sending our ships out to sea on June 2, 1801. This conflict with Tripoli, which is now in Libya, was started because America refused to continue paying a tribute to the rulers of the North African Barbary States of Algiers, Tunis, Morocco, and Tripoli.
Several years past by, and American warships engaged in battle in the waters around Tripoli. In 1803, Commodore Edward Preble became the commander of the entire Mediterranean squadron, and was very successful against Tripoli. The intrepid Preble sailed to Tangiers on a rescue mission to free a number of American pow’s, and on Feb. 16, 1804, he gave orders to a young lieutenant, named Stephen Decatur, to command the raid in which the captured U.S. frigate Philadelphia was completely destroyed in the harbour of Tripoli.
The end result, because of a combination of a very strong American naval blockade and an overland army from Egypt eventually brought the war to an end. A peace treaty was signed on June 4, 1805 in favor of the United States of America!
Hello, my name is Meredith Miller. I am married to a beautiful woman named Elizabeth. We have four wonderful children and three fantastic grandchildren. I have a Doctorate in Theology and a Ph.D in Religion. I have been in the ministry for 30 years and a pastor for over nine years. I really enjoy life and the opportunities that I have had in trying to help others during difficult periods in their lives. Author Link: Personal Website: Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/when-was-the-first-american-foreign-war-1080016.html
http://www.millerdoctorofphilosophy.com
Toms River Realtors Assist Eager Homebuyers
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
Toms River, New Jersey, has often been cited as one of the best places to live in the nation. With an exciting history dating back over 200 years, the township is home to over 90,000 residents. With good schools, plenty of beaches and history to explore, Toms River is a fine place to live and work.
Toms River has many types of housing for those considering a move to the Jersey Shore. Single-family homes make up a majority of the properties available, but you can also find occasional condos and town homes. Prices for waterfront homes are reasonable, especially when compared to similar properties elsewhere; and, once you move away from the ocean houses, it gets even more affordable.
Home of the county seat, Toms River still offers its residents plenty to do and see. Historic buildings line the streets and small shops beckon you inside. With the housing market suffering a downturn this is the perfect time to consider moving someplace like Toms River. House prices are lower than usual and you have the opportunity to grab a bargain. As waterfront property is always going to be desirable, you are making a good financial investment for your future.
Just a short distance from Philadelphia and New York City, Toms River provides the perfect retreat from the noise and intensity of a large city. Mass Transit serves Toms River both through trains and buses heading to either of the large cities to carry commuters to and from work. You can head on in and catch a show and some dinner and still return home for the weekend and enjoy some of New Jersey’s most beautiful scenery; it is like stepping into a completely different life. Contact your realtor today and begin looking for your dream home.
For More Details Visit : www.bellarealtor.com
I am the owner of this site. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/toms-river-realtors-assist-eager-homebuyers-1081798.html
In Bible versus Quran: Many false prophets have gone out into the world
July 30, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran (15)
This is the 15th article of the series:” The Sons of the Lord God in Bible versus Quran”.
The Bible says that every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The Noble Quran says that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, was only a messenger sent to his people; and it is an unforgivable sin when you say or believe that the Almighty Creator has a son or sons; this major sin will lead to the Eternal Fire in the Hereafter.
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The Sons of the Lord God in the Bible (15)
The Bible says that God loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The Bible (1 John 4:1-10) says that
The Bible says that every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
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1 John 4:1-10 in four different versions of the Bible:
New International Version
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.
6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
American Standard Version
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
English Standard Version
1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
4Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.
6We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
God Is Love
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
King James Version
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
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The Sons of the Lord God in the Quran (15)
The Noble Quran makes the topic of the sons of God very clear and says that Allah, the Almighty Creator, has neither a son nor a partner.
In addition, The Quran makes the signs that Jesus was not god very understandable.
The Jews and Christians, both of them, say: ‘we are the sons of God.
Say, to them, O Muhammad: ‘Why then does He chastise you for your sins? If what you say is true.
For, the father does not punish his son, and the loving does not punish his beloved.
He forgives whom He will, whoever repents of saying that God has son(s), and chastises whom He will
O People of the Scripture, O people of the Torah and the Gospel!
There has verily come to you Our Messenger, Muhammad, making clear to you, the laws of religion, after an interval of cessation between the messengers, for there was no messenger between him and Jesus, an interval of 569 years.
He is making things plain that with which you have been commanded and that which you have been prohibited.
Lest you should say, if you are punished: ‘There has not come to us any bearer of good tidings nor any Warner’. Indeed, there has come to you a bearer of good tidings and a Warner, and so you shall have no excuse. God has power over all things, including punishing you for not following him and His Messenger.
They are indeed disbelievers those who say, ‘God is the third of three’, gods, that is, He is one of them, the other two being Jesus and the Holy Spirit,
And they who claim this are the Christians when there is no god but the One God.
If they do not desist from what they say, when they declare a trinity, and profess His Oneness, those of them who disbelieve, that is, [those] who are fixed upon unbelief, shall suffer a painful chastisement, namely, the Eternal Fire.
The Quran decisively forbids saying that Allah has a son.
It is not befitting for the Majesty of Allah to take to Himself a son.
Allah is exalted, magnified; He is above what they associate with Him of son or partners. Allah is far transcendent above all that they ascribe unto Him!
In Islam, this point is very important faith wise.
- Again, it is unforgivable sin to say or to believe that the One Almighty Creator [who is Allah or God or the Lord or Jehovah or whatever name(s) you are giving Him] has a son or Sons.
From the Islamic point of view, the conclusion of this essential topic that may establish or destroy the faith is that:
Any one who believe that the Almighty Creator has a son or Sons; he messes his faith up and is considered as a disbeliever and in the afterlife he will end up as an eternal inhabitant of the hell.
Any one who believes that the Almighty Creator has no son or partner, he has a good faith and is considered as a believer; and in the afterlife, he will end up as an eternal inhabitant of the paradise.
Verses 5:18-19 and verses 5:73-74 of the Noble Quran make the topic of the son(s) of God plain, clear and understandable.
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The meanings of verse 5:18
The Jews and Christians, both of them, say: ‘we are the sons of God, we are the prophets of Allah that is, we are like his sons in terms of closeness and rank, and He is like a father to us in terms of compassion and care, and His beloved ones’.
It is also said that this means: we follow Allah’s religion as if we were His sons and loved ones; and it is said that this means: we are to Allah like His sons and we are followers of His religion.
Say, to them, O Muhammad: ‘Why then does He chastise you for your sins? If what you say is true.
Why then does He chastise you for your sins due to worshipping the calf for 40 days, if you are like sons to Him; have you ever seen a father torturing his sons with fire?
For, the father does not punish his son, and the loving does not punish his beloved; but He has punished you, and therefore you are saying lies. Nay; you are but mortals, created servants, from among all those mortals He created; you shall be rewarded as they are rewarded and you shall be requited as they are requited. He forgives, him for, whom He wills, forgiveness, and He chastises, him for, whom He wills’, chastisement, and there can be no objection thereto.
He forgives whom He will, whoever repents of saying that God has son(s), and chastises whom He will.
For Allah belongs the kingdom and of the heavens and of the earth and the stores that is between them of created beings and marvels, and unto Him is the journeying, returning to Him is the end result of those who believe and those who do not; to Him is the journey’s end, your final return.
The meanings of verse 5:19
O People of the Scripture, O people of the Torah and the Gospel!
There has verily come to you Our Messenger, Muhammad, making clear to you, the laws of religion, after an interval of cessation between the messengers, for there was no messenger between him and Jesus, an interval of 569 years.
He is making things plain that with which you have been commanded and that which you have been prohibited.
Lest you should say, if you are punished: ‘There has not come to us any bearer of good tidings nor any Warner’. Indeed, there has come to you a bearer of good tidings and a Warner, and so you shall have no excuse. God has power over all things, including punishing you for not following him and His Messenger.
In other words, so that you will not say on the Day of Judgment: There came not unto us a messenger of cheer announcing Paradise nor any Warner against hell. Now Muhammad is announcing Paradise and is a Warner against hell and he came unto you.
Allah is Able to do all things whether it is sending messengers, rewarding those who follow the messengers or punishing those who do not follow the messengers.
The meanings of verses 5:73
They are indeed disbelievers those who say, ‘God is the third of three’, gods, that is, He is one of them, the other two being Jesus and the Holy Spirit,
And they who claim this are the Christians when there is no god but the One God.
If they do not desist from what they say, when they declare a trinity, and profess His Oneness, those of them who disbelieve, that is, [those] who are fixed upon unbelief, shall suffer a painful chastisement, namely, the Eternal Fire.
In other words, the verse says: they surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three, they claim that there is a father, a son and a Holy Spirit; However, there is no God for the dwellers of the heavens and the earth save the One God who has no son or partner. If they do not desist from so saying and do not repent of what they are saying, a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve the pain of which will extend to their hearts.
The meanings of verses 5:74
Will they not turn in repentance to God and seek His forgiveness? For what they say; God is Forgiving, to the one who repents, Merciful, to him.
In other words, will they not rather turn unto Allah, repent of their claims and seek forgiveness of Him by declaring His divine Oneness? For Allah is Forgiving of he who repents and believes, Allah is the Merciful towards him who dies repentant.
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Verses 5:18-19 and verses 5:73-74 of the Noble Quran in four different translations:
Verse 5:18
QARIB: the Jews and the Nazarenes say: ‘we are the children of Allah and his loved ones. ‘ say: ‘why then does he punish you for your sins? surely, you are mortals amongst what he created. he forgives whom he will, and punishes whom he will. for Allah is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. all shall return to him. ‘
SHAKIR: and the Jews and the Christians say: we are the sons of Allah and his beloved ones. say: why does he then chastise you for your faults? nay, you are mortals from among those whom he has created, he forgives whom he pleases and chastises whom he pleases; and Allah’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and to him is the eventual coming
PICKTHAL: the Jews and Christians say: we are sons of Allah and his loved ones. say: why then doth he chastise you for your sins? nay, ye are but mortals of his creating. he forgiveth whom he will, and chastiseth whom he will. Allah’s is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and unto him is the journeying.
YUSUFALI: (both) the Jews and the Christians say: “we are sons of Allah, and his beloved.” say: “why then doth he punish you for your sins? nay, ye are but men,- of the men he hath created: he forgiveth whom he pleaseth, and he punisheth whom he pleaseth: and to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: and unto him is the final goal (of all)”
Verse 5:19
QARIB: people of the book! after an interval during which there were no messengers, our messenger (Muhammad) has come to clarify (your religion) to you, lest you should say: ‘no bearer of glad tidings or a Warner has come to us. ‘ indeed, there has come to you a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner. Allah has power over all things.
SHAKIR: o followers of the book! indeed our messenger has come to you explaining to you after a cessation of the (mission of the) messengers, lest you say: there came not to us a giver of good news or a Warner, so indeed there has come to you a giver of good news and a Warner; and Allah has power over all things
PICKTHAL: o people of the scripture! now hath our messenger come unto you to make things plain unto you after an interval (of cessation) of the messengers, lest ye should say: there came not unto us a messenger of cheer nor any Warner. now hath a messenger of cheer and a Warner come unto you. Allah is able to do all things.
YUSUFALI: o people of the book! now hath come unto you, making (things) clear unto you, our messenger, after the break in (the series of) our messengers, lest ye should say: “there came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no Warner (from evil)”: but now hath come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a Warner (from evil). and Allah hath power over all things.
Verse 5:73
QARIB: indeed those who say: ‘Allah is the third of the trinity’ became unbelievers. there is but one god. if they do not desist in what they say, a painful punishment will afflict those of them that disbelieve.
SHAKIR: certainly they disbelieve who say: surely Allah is the third (person) of the three; and there is no god but the one Allah, and if they desist not from what they say, a painful chastisement shall befall those among them who disbelieve
PICKTHAL: they surely disbelieve who say: lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no Allah save the one Allah. if they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.
YUSUFALI: they do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a trinity: for there is no god except one Allah. if they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.
Verse 5:74
QARIB: will they not turn to Allah in repentance and ask his forgiveness? he is forgiving, merciful.
SHAKIR: will they not then turn to Allah and ask his forgiveness? and Allah is forgiving, merciful
PICKTHAL: will they not rather turn unto Allah and seek forgiveness of him? for Allah is forgiving, merciful.
YUSUFALI: why turn they not to Allah, and seek his forgiveness? for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.
========================
Back to my question to the smart and interested reader:
Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?
Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/in-bible-versus-quran-many-false-prophets-have-gone-out-into-the-world-1081046.html
Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit,
Ain-Shams University.
Cairo, Egypt.
And,
President of The Egyptian Society of Inventors.
Member of the Egyption union of Writers
A Tale of Pins and Things
July 29, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
A TALE OF PINS AND THINGS.
© Mollie Kay Smith
My young friend told me of his intention to wear 501’s rather than his Chinos. They looked cooler, he said, with his red Tee and black Docs. His words set me thinking. What might I have said in a similar situation at his age/
Looking back it seems like only yesterday, yet almost three quarters of a century has passed since those post-depression wartime years.
Many of my memories centre around clothes which is strange since like most people then I owned very few. It was an era of make-do-and-mend. Everything was re-cycled, though the word had yet to be invented.
Press studs, buttons, zips, bits of braid and ribbon were cut off and saved in biscuit tins with pictures of York Minster or fluffy kittens on the lids.
Seams were unpicked and the resulting pieces of fabric washed in the big set-pot - that built-in cauldron in the kitchen corner where water for laundry and bathing was heated over a coal fire. Sometimes before being dried the fabric was dipped in a gluey mixture obtained by adding powder from a carton with a robin on its front. No spray starch in those days.
Careful ironing with flat irons, heated on the stove, a la Mrs Bridges remember, rendered the fabric like new before it was put in the cloth drawer until such a day as we children needed new clothes.
Coats for Sunday best were generally handed down from older siblings or even cousins, and were passed on again when outgrown, but still scarcely worn as they only saw the light of day on holy days.
In my family ‘new’ Sunday clothes were paraded on Whit Sunday at the Chapel Festival and you can imagine the embarrassment when less diplomatic relations revealed that your coat ‘used to be mine’.
Despite all that most children in those days did not appear to be disadvantaged - at least those we knew - just the opposite. The legacy from World War 1 meant that even small villages had their clutch of unmarried women, those whose sweethearts had never returned from the front. Three of these greatly influenced my life.
The first two were my father’s sisters, and being childless they indulged my sister and myself like puppies, feeding us rare off-ration titbits and the like. But more importantly their ample forms kept us well supplied with plenty of clothing fabric.
The elder sister was an excellent seamstress and knocked up dashing little numbers with cap sleeves and tie bow belts made out of matching bits of cloth. The younger preferred more delicate work and her smocking ensured our best dresses were real works of art.
Our mother excelled at holiday clothes. Dad’s old shirt tails were transformed onto skimpy shorts and sun-dresses designed for our brief annual holidays which were spent at Bridlington at the end of July. And how proud we felt as we emerged from the changing hut wearing our new rainbow-coloured swimming costumes under a sun which in memory always shone.
The only snag was that the costumes were knitted from rescued wool and drooped when wet, a real hindrance to tyro swimmers. And an even greater problem when the time to leave the water arrived!
But it was thoughts of another dressmaker which prompted this tale. She was a professional and always referred to as ‘the other one’ because her sister, a cook, was larger and more dynamic. ‘The other one’ worked in what was called the sewing room, remembered by me as a dangerous place.
Today my pin obsession would probably have been blamed on my mother’s constant cautioning.
‘Watch out I’ve dropped a pin. If it gets in your foot you’ll be crippled for life.’
In the sewing room these threatening objects lay scattered around the floor like daisies on a lawn. All those pins waiting to cripple ‘the other one’ as she knelt to measure my hem. All those pins held between lips waiting to be swallowed. Al those pins hovering near your skin as she pinned in a sleeve.
She last made clothes for my in 1943 when a Grammar School scholarship created the need for a school uniform. Yes, more re-cycling. Purplish-green barathea for a raincoat, some almost bottle green gabardine for a skirt and white cotton for my regulation three blouses. And did they cause a stir!
’The other one’ had fashioned them from some practically transparent lawn she had kept from her trousseau chest ‘just in case’.
But who cared. Designer labels had still to be invented. A couple of things did please me on my first day though.
My hat was the real thing. Nobody we knew had ever taken up millinery. And the other? My pin obsession had disappeared, which was just as well because the hat required anchoring with one of enormous proportions. Re-cycled of course. Or to be exactly truthful one which had been saved by yet another aunt ‘just in case’.
Mollie Kay Smith, journalist and author, now lives in France. Prior to leaving the UK she was a Management Consultant advising and lecturing on Small Firms and Personal Development.As Chaiperson for the national UK charitable organisation she established in 1984 she edited Women in Enterprise Magazine until she retired in 1989. She was short-listed for the Yorkshire Woman of the Year Award in 1988.Since then she has been widely published on her specialist subjects. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/a-tale-of-pins-and-things-1077007.html
Bizarre Final Rites and Strange Funeral Processions and Traditions of the Ancient Romans
July 28, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
Romans had various gods and traditions that they followed closely. From our modern point of view we might perceive many of their beliefs as superstitious or irrational, but we must keep in mind that they lived in another time and era and tried to make sense of life using omens as their guide.
When it comes to funerals they had specific procedures that they followed closely. For example, when someone was on the verge of death, the closest relative would watch over the dying person. When the final hour struck, the relative would try to catch the last breath with a kiss and close the dead person’s eyes.
A small silver coin, obolus, was placed under the tongue of the deceased, which was intended as payment for the cranky ferryman Charon in Hades. Charon was responsible to take the soul of the dead person across one of the five rivers, the Styx being the most famous one, into the underworld and the coin, along with proper burial or cremation, was to ensure he could pay his fare down that dark river.
After death, the corpse would be washed and anointed with oil and perfumes, which was usually done either by their slaves or by undertakers. Then the body would be dressed in the person’s best clothes and displayed in the atrium of the house for all to come and mourn.
Funerals had started as a nocturnal tradition, but later richer Romans preferred the day so that they could give sumptuous funerals to impress others and display both the riches and the popularity of the person in question. Nonetheless, the poorer people who could not afford elaborate and costly rites usually held their funerals at night, in secret, where nobody could see them and as such their lack of display went by unnoted.
The funeral was usually held on the ninth day after death and was headed by musicians. In memory of the deceased theatre actors and buffoons were hired to represent the character and personality of the deceased by imitating his words and actions in memory. Sometimes women were hired to wail and cry in grief; they were called praeficae and were considered “professional wailers”.
Female relatives and friends would usually mourn and lament in loud wailing voices, beat their breast and tear their hair. Men were mourning too but were careful not to show their feelings and control emotional outbursts, since a public display of emotion was considered effeminate.
The deceased would be carried along in a coffin or a stretcher and the last rites would be performed outside of the city, where the body would be either buried or cremated along with objects that belonged to him and that he held dear. While cremations became more common in later times, the poor continued with burials. It was a more common practice with them especially after the growing and spreading influence of Christianity.
Arash Farzaneh is a language teacher as well as a writer. He has published various short stories and he is passionate about cinema, psychology, philosophy and religion. He is a Contributing Writer of Suite 101 and manages his own blog “Arash’s World” at arashworld.blogspot.com.
Debt Consolidation- The Easy Way Out
July 28, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
Consolidation of your debt means taking out a loan to pay off all your other loans. The purpose of this is to have one single loan that allows you to make one single payment. Before you can decide if this is the right option for you, you need to find out how the loan is structured and how well it will work for you. This is because you may end up paying a lot more interest on your loan and it may take you longer to clear your debt.
You also need to ask yourself if you are disciplined enough to reap the benefits of debt consolidation. For instance, if you get a loan with lower monthly payments, then you acquire new credit card debts, you will end up being deeper in debt than you were. To make the situation worse these new debts come with additional fees and interest rates that you don’t need.
Should you decide that debt consolidating is the way to help you get out of debt, there are advantages to this option. One is that since you are borrowing a larger amount to pay off your debts, the convenience of this is that it lowers your interest rates. You are also able to manage your finances in a better way because instead of making several payments, you make just one.
If this is the best solution to reducing your debt, ensure that you obtain the best possible loan that you can find. The loan should take care of your financial debts first, and because you have combined your debt you have the advantage of negotiating better terms and rates. This debt management option can actually help you if faced with financial hardship.
Mercy Maranga writes content on Finance and Debt Management. Visit her site here for more information on Finance and how to effectively Manage your debts. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/debt-consolidation-the-easy-way-out-1074167.html
Debt
The Highest Ranked Military Man Ever
July 27, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
John J. Pershing Trivia should be interesting to anyone who has an interest in American military history, as he is one of the most significant figures in the history of the armies of this country. John J. Pershing held the highest rank that any living soldier has ever held, the “General of the Armies”. However, did you know that in 1976, congress passed an act which changed the fact that he was the highest ranking soldier to ever have lived? In the interest of reverence for the founding father, the act stated that no solider in the history or future of the country would ever be considered to outrank George Washington.
You might not just find questions about John J. Pershing on a quiz about his life and times. Did you know that in addition to his own military prowess, (mostly displayed during World War I) he was also the primary mentor behind the great military minds of World War II, such as Patton, Eisenhower, Bradley, and Marshall? His influence extended far beyond his own military campaigns, and can be seen in almost every major American military action since the end of his active services.
John J. Pershing Trivia must extend beyond the list of his triumphs and achievements, and include facts about his early life. As many of the greatest soldiers have been, he was a West Point cadet, enrolling at the academy in 1882. He rose quickly through the ranks, and became First Captain which, for a cadet at the academy, was the highest rank possible. As befitted his rank he was a part of the honor guard at the funeral of President Grant.
Pershing served in many military campaigns. He fought against the apache, and became known as one of the most accurate shooters in the entire army. He put down Sioux uprising, and was present at Wounded Knee. He also spent time as a military instructor until returning to active duty.
John Pershing also served in the Spanish American and Philippine American wars, and in 1903 Theodore Roosevelt began to lobby for his promotion. In 1905, due to the hold ups which had delayed Pershing’s promotion, Roosevelt surprised everyone by using his presidential powers to promote Pershing directly to the rank of brigadier general. In World War I, Pershing would become the commander of the armies from 1917 until 1918. It was in 1919 that he was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States.
Masters of Trivia is a fun and exciting online destination for "anything trivia". Visit us today at Trivia, Trivia Games and Trivia Quizzes Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/the-highest-ranked-military-man-ever-1064412.html
The History of Christopher Columbus
July 26, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
With the political rise and fall of power, a country relies on trade in many aspects. So, when Christopher Columbus told Queen Isabella of Spain about a shorter route to Asia, she took the opportunity. But did she take a chance on a man with a bright idea and no skills or a class “A” navigator from Genoese? Christopher Columbus trivia questions can answer many of these questions.
Columbus began his apprenticeship in 1473. He decided to become a personal agent for a very important man from Genoese. From there, he grew his reputation. He didn’t have many hours at sea but his skills were still good. Christopher Columbus quizzes can highlight his strong points and his weaknesses.
Columbus started his journey out with his knowledge of navigation and sailing. He set his course with the idea that earth’s diameter was smaller than it really was and he read his map wrong. He believed that Asia was closer than it really was. A Christopher Columbus quiz will show you that he read the map in Italian miles.
The journey was extremely important for Spain to get better access to the spice trade. He used three boats to make his journey. The names of those boats were as follows: The Santa Maria, The Santa Clara, which most of us know as the Nina, and The Pinta. So, when Columbus landed near the Bahamas in 1492, he thought he reached East-Asia. After his new discovery, he came back four more times. During his last journey around the area, he traveled to Jamaica. His ships ended up becoming badly damaged from a storm and they became stranded on Jamaica.
Columbus was rescued off of Jamaica only to be sent back to Spain in chains. He was sent to trial and later released. Finally, in May 1506, Columbus died a wealthy man.
Columbus’s journey to the West Indies and North America might have marked an important time in history but it came with a price. Many native people of that area died of sickness and disease. They were not immune to the European sicknesses and had never been exposed to them. So, over time, there were many casualties. Due to this, a big part of their culture was lost in time.
Today, Columbus Day is celebrated for the journey he made. Spain celebrates this day on October 12th every year but the United States has a different tradition. They also celebrate it in the month of October, but it is always on the second Monday of the month every single year.
Masters of Trivia is a fun and exciting online destination for “anything trivia”. Visit us today at www.mastersoftrivia.com Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/the-history-of-christopher-columbus-1065202.html
Stop Promoting Incompetence in Public Education
July 26, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
The sky is falling because non-white kids are not making the same scores as white kids. Non-white being black or Latino. All the public schools I attended suggested a leadership position or role was not in my best interest. I didn’t have to keep up. What about the gap between Asians and white kids? Asians do, do better than Caucasians in schools. The population sizes are not comparable though.
The media is not acting like Chicken Little about the skills of Asians versus Whites. Yes, I am tired of the gaps. These scores do not relate to our children’s success. Think about it!
First education said separate the kids into segregated schools separate but equal. Let each race have their own teachers, schools and neighborhoods. It was finally admitted that the schools were separate but not equal! Could it have been that property taxes weren’t equal? Whatever, the premise acted upon was that Johnny could read and write better if he sat next to a white kid. This was the osmosis by desire theory. Johnny was bused away from his school, teachers and neighborhood. Sometimes under armed guard through shouting spitting crowds. This of course, was a proper ideal learning environment for our children.
I would have preferred busing white kids to black schools and neighborhoods. I am sure using our resources would have produced an ideal learning environment and exposed the children to the benefits of diversity and inner cultural cooperation. Now the classrooms must be broken up into the demographic racial representations of the surrounding local environment. “Stop, you can’t come here! You’ll upset the diversity balance achieved.” Welfare has won the battle to keep fathers away from their children. Women can be all that they can be unfettered by male domination.
In short, enough fads or studies even cultural norming. The NEA hasn’t figured it out yet. Let’s worry about ensuring our children are competitive in a global culture and economy. Being able to read or write is not going to cut it in the knowledge jobs of the future. Kids need to be taught how to think. How to process information in new and novel ways. The future does belong to the creative.
I am not worried about the gaps! Instead I worry about:
- The teachers who can’t teach effectively.
- Schools whose resources don’t include the Internet or computers.
- The parents who can’t or won’t parent effectively.
- The politicians who don’t have any idea of what education is needed for tomorrow.
- Disruptive students
- The friends, gangs, and stupid cultural idiots that don’t want a kid to succeed.
Our children live in an oppressive, repressive society. One which doesn’t want them in it. For four hundred years you forced immigrated us into this country. People made obscene profits in the slave trade. No one feels obligated to give any back! I have learned how to trust the current society. As the Negro spiritual said, “Steal Away!” It doesn’t matter what the American constitution says about all men being equal. Obviously that’s not true. What matters is that yours has more than mine! You see nothing wrong with not sharing or forgetting that you didn’t build this nation with only your own hands.
Until the power of the race in power is mitigated, trusting them to educate my child as they would their own is a fallacy that needs to stop. Integration was the death of black education. Blacks don’t need to be made white so that you are comfortable with them around you. To be able to think and to create are the keys for our family’s future. That is what our children need to see! Our children need to be taught at home, in the daycare centers, and not only in the classroom but online with the best teachers and resources. Expectations need to change to “My kid is going to survive! Maybe yours will too.” It doesn’t take a whole village to raise a child. It takes a village to keep the ignorant fools away!
Competition not quotas or set asides is natural. Who can run the fastest, marry the prettiest, accumulate the most money are forms of the competitive urge. Sorry, but you won’t be able to do everything better than everyone else. Get over it and stop trying to arrange life to affirm your superiority. You aren’t that good and your hands aren’t big enough! I find no fault with wanting the best for my sons and daughters. I don’t think I need to go so far as to tilt the playing field in their favor. Reverse discrimination hurts, and it should. Your field has been tilted so long and so much, that being level is a handicap for you. Raising a child is a major enough challenge apart from race relations and racial politics.
We do not all have to look the same or be of the same color. We are members of an extended family. If the potential of having someone black in your ancestral tree devastates your self worth. I suppose intellectually I can sympathize but I,m not too disturbed about the chance that whitey may be somewhere among my roots so to speak! Putting food on the table, keeping a job leaves me little time to plan the overthrow of the white populace. If I get my hands on some stimulus money all bets are off!
It is not racist to want power. It is racist to base power on the basis of skin color. America has had a long love affair with cornrows, suntans, and non-white ladies and labor. Education is still in the hands of parents. Home schooling, private schools, charter schools can allow parents to be in charge instead of the government or an educational bureacy. Public school teachers can be quickly taught not to meddle in the affairs of the family unit. Teachers are not in charge of religion, morals, survival skills or my child’s culture. The parents ARE! This family unit is not interested in participating in the social experiment you are conducting. I don’t want to hear about what other parents do or don’t do with regard to your suggestions.
Parents, teachers and the educational bureacy have a lot on their plates. Let’s sort through the mess keeping what works. There is no need to carry dead weight forward into the future.
Incompetence in society and education hamper achieving goals considered beneficial. There are no new evils under the sun just forgetful minds! It is hard for different races to work together if they don’t consider one another to be part of an extended family. The topic education serves as an example.
Ronald E. Newton retired IBM Networking Consultant Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/stop-promoting-incompetence-in-public-education-1067547.html
25+ years developing online business networks, promoting and establishing online classes for the GED and SAT preparation.
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Simon Bolivar - Better Known as “The Liberator”
July 25, 2009 | Filed Under Civil War | No Comments
Have you been wondering what July 24th commemorates? This is the day that “The Liberator” was born. For those of you who are unaware of this little piece of Spanish history, read on to learn more or simply brush up on your Simon Bolivar trivia.
The man known as “The Liberator”, Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte Blanco, or Simon Bolivar, for this article’s purpose, was born on the 24th of July, 1783 in Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas. Though his legacy was not necessarily etched in stone, the Bolivar name was associated with the higher classes. In fact, his father was a remote descendant of King Fernando III.
Here is a little tidbit that you might find in a Simon Bolivar quiz. Bolivar’s parents had both passed away quite early in life; forcing the young Bolivar to finish his education in Spain. He met and subsequently married a young woman, named Maria del Toro, in Spain in 1802. By 1804, he had lost his young wife to yellow fever and had chosen to leave Venezuela to revisit Europe.
During the year of 1808 in South America, Bolivar joined the resistance juntas to support the efforts that were being made against Spain. Shortly after this, in 1812, Bolivar had to flee Venezuela. It was during this time that he wrote the Manifesto de Cartagena. This also happens to be the first public document of Bolivar.
The very next year, Bolivar headed up the military in what is now Columbia, but was then Tunja New Granada. May 14, 1813 is what initially set things into motion for the Admirable Campaign. This was the day that Bolivar and his troops invaded Venezuela. By June 9th, Bolivar was being called “The Liberator” and was soon ratified as such.
Bolivar went on to fight for independence from Spain for many years; until Venezuela, New Granada, and Ecuador were all independent of Spain. On the 7th of September, Gran Colombia was formed and Bolivar became the President. But, Simon Bolivar’s life as “The Liberator” was far from over. He also concentrated on fully liberating Peru and was eventually named the country’s dictator. Bolivar had partnered with Antonio Sucre and together they defeated the Spanish.
Simon Bolivar trivia extends much farther than the information that you’ve just read. His life was spent engrossed in fighting for independence. In fact, his legacy was worthy enough that an entire country was named after him. Do you know what it was? Think hard…Bolivia! How many individuals have that honor? Surely, only a very special few could have possibly been bestowed this.
Masters of Trivia is a fun and exciting online destination for “anything trivia”. Visit us today at www.mastersoftrivia.com Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/simon-bolivar-better-known-as-the-liberator-1065225.html
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