The History Book Club discussion

The History Book Club is opening a folder to cover current events. We will start with a folder called TODAY IN THE NEWS and branch out to other topics as needed.

Please feel free to add to this thread any current event topics of the day that you would like to comment upon and/or discuss.

If you feel that any current event topic necessitates its own thread, please let me know.

Also, if there are any books that are worth mentioning that might add some additional info or would be of interest regarding any of the current events, please feel free to add their cover to your post.

I have done this as an example below. If any group members have read any of these noted selections, please feel free to comment on your impressions of these books and/or recommend some of your favorites.

Bentley

REGARDING AIR FRANCE:

Such a tragedy; I hope the maintenance sensor issue was the not reason for this horrendous loss especially when this problem was well known for a year. I am not sure that I feel that Air France was pro active in the maintenance area; although at this juncture we do not know whether this was a major factor contributing to the disaster.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8...

What are your thoughts concerning the causes of this tragedy? Do you think that Brazil and France are working cooperatively or do you think they seem to be at odds in the methodology used. I often wonder now in retrospect that after they received 24 messages and the plane did not radio in why someone did not look for the plane in its last location immediately? Also, why on earth did the Spanish plane which observed something falling from the sky not report it asap? So many unanswered questions.

I cannot imagine and thankfully what these poor family members are going though.

REGARDING D-DAY SPEECH:

I was able to find the complete video presentation of yesterday's presidential speech at the D-Day ceremony (Obama):

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/artic...






Note: I believe the following link will give you the entire day's proceedings:

D-Day Remembered:

http://usaguns.net/patriots/ddayfull....

WAS IT A MODEL ROCKET OR SOMETHING ELSE?

Is this a cause of concern; near miss at 16.000 feet for a Continental Airplane?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31146205/

AMISH MOVING WEST!

I thought this was an interesting story; I guess the Amish are moving West (Colorado and Montana) to escape high land prices and are looking for a quieter way of life.

Considering we are talking about the Protestant Reformation in our discussions about Barzun's book, I thought this segment of the article was interesting:

The Amish are a Christian denomination who trace their roots to the Protestant Reformation in 16th-century Europe and migrated to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Over the last century, many have turned to nonfarm work such as family-owned shops. They avoid hooking up to the electrical grid because of a belief that doing so will lead to a dependence on the outside world.

I guess I always associate the Amish with Pennsylvania and Lancaster; although there are large numbers of Amish settlers according to this article in Indiana and Ohio (60% of the Amish still live in these three states). They are a very interesting people.

This is the current article on msnbc:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31144714/

k wrote: "Bentley, that's a very interesting article. I live in Bucks County, PA, which is a suburb of Philadelphia, and I have seen Amish families once in a great while. You're right, the Amish mainly live ..."

Hello K,

I am glad you enjoyed the article; I have always been fascinated by the Amish. Thank you very much for posting what appears to be another great book about the Amish.

Bucks County is a wonderful area; too bad about the bad publicity that some of the Amish have received. The Stolfzfus name sounded familiar and I believe that was one of the families whose daughter was killed by the milkman who took them hostage in a schoolhouse. What always amazed me about this incident was the Amish's ability to forgive and their ability to give comfort to the family of the murderer. Very inspiring actually.

This is the article from that event (of course this was just one of many):

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2...

You raise some interesting points about the price of land and homes and how all of these factors are pushing them westward.

NORTH KOREA AND THE TWO NABBED US JOURNALISTS:

Right now, it is a mystery when and if these two journalists will be set free; especially after an allleged trial where they were sentenced to prison and reform for 12 years.

The Time's article and another recent internet article describes the horrible conditions in these North Korean prisons; it is very much an eye opener.

Supposedly Al Gore and/or Richardson may be slated to talk with the North Koreans. Gore owns the television station that the two journalists were working for when they were nabbed doing their story.

http://www.time.com/time/world/articl...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090609...

The prisons from the above reports are quite grim.

Here are a couple of books which look interesting and are ones noted in the article above.




and

Escape to the Outside World by Shin Dong Hyuk (not found in Goodreads)

This is supposed to be another good book about North Korea:



And another about this Nuclear Hermit:

Oldesq wrote: "I do hope and pray that there may be a way found to release the journalists. However, I am also concerned about how the media have touched only lightly on whether the two journalists crossed the b..."

Oldesq, I hope so too; I have actually read three very conflicting reports; one that they were actually in China and had not crossed any border; another that it was very difficult to access where they were standing to know whether it was China and/or North Korea and a third that they were most likely right on the border itself. Ling's sister and the families of the two journalists appear to be taking the stance that a) there were never any plans for the two journalist to ever be in North Korea at any time and b) if in fact, if by accident they were on the border or in North Korea that this was never their intention and they did not realize it and the families on their behalf are stating that they are terribly sorry if that did occur.

Obviously, similar to what occurred in Iran, this was another Kangaroo court and this is as important as the mistake that was obviously made. The two journalists were with others; I wonder how the others escaped and were not grabbed.

Richardson seems to feel that because the verdict did not include espionage; that this in of itself is a good thing. I think we are all very lucky that the Swedes still are able to talk with the North Koreans; another example why it is important to still converse with your enemies no matter who they might be. Many times in the past I think that the US had adoped the "my way or the highway" model of diplomacy; I am glad that this is changing for the better I hope.

Possibly because one of the journalists has a four year old daughter who is getting very anguished over her mother's absence while the other journalist has an ulcer; possibly for health and humanitarian reasons (in time) they may be sent home. However, saving face, is quite important in this part of the world; more so than in Iran so I wonder what the cost will be?

Bentley

SOUL SURVIVOR: REINCARNATION?

Did anyone see the compelling story of the little boy who at two years old had these nightmares about a young pilot who had been shot down during World War II by the Japanese.

Interesting story.

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/Techn...

Charles Gibson:

http://news.videosift.com/video/Is-th...

http://news.videosift.com/video/Part-...

Here is the book that was put together regarding the above:


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Current Interview:

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchte...

It certainly makes you wonder.

Bentley

Thank you for the recommendation; the reviews look very good; I will have to look for it and pick it up for a read.

AMAZING FOOTAGE:

1. Rare footage of the Queen Elizabeth's father (the King) prior to a trip that he would have taken if he had not been so ill; it was the last time that the current Queen was able to say goodbye to her father (the King); she was a Princess at the time and took the royal trip with her husband Philip. There is even a shot of Winston Churchill.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerInd...

The Queen A Biography of Elizabeth II

UN NAMES BILL CLINTON ENVOY TO HAITI

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/...

I think this will be good for Haiti which currently has a 70% unemployment rate.

THE GENIUS BEHIND THE GUGGENHEIM (50 YEARS AG0)

The Guggenheim Museum in New York is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an exhibition showcasing the creative genius of its designer Frank Lloyd Wright.

Exhibition curator Thomas Krens describes the man, the museum and the unique architectural vision.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes...

Thank you Kristen; I did not know about either the movie or the book (before K mentioned it); they both sound like they are very good.

Today, finding anything different on the news other than items related to the two trouble spots in the world right now was hard to come by.

I did find this great url which showed some absolutely beautiful pictures of our National Parks.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31223599/...

Below is a great guide book if you are interested in taking trips to any of these in this summer. Enjoy.

This site is fairly interesting regarding Jordan. It looks like you would want to visit (especially Petra) - has anybody in the group been there?

http://na2.visitjordan.com/visitjorda...

This post started out when I was actually viewing a news article about the Dead Sea and some of the sink holes (in Israel).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/200...

DEAD SEA:

http://www.extremescience.com/DeadSea...


Petra Jordan's extrordinary ancient city

I was viewing some photos of folks floating around in the Dead Sea; I guess you are just bouyed up automatically without much effort at all; one guy looks like he is reading a book.

I have to say it must be a real challenge not to get any of the water at all in your eyes or mouth. The concentration of the water in terms of mineral salts is to the extreme of anything that we are used to with the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans that is for sure.

There are a lot of spas there and all of them seem to slap on this black Dead Sea coarse mud as a body masque and then I guess the spa clients soak around in the Dead Sea salt water with this mud on.

You would think with the high concentration of salt that it might just peel your skin; I guess it does not because they wash it all off with something they call sweet water.

I have no idea what the skin or health benefits are supposed to be. But I have heard that they are alleged to be renowned .

I think of most interest to me in that area (aside from the Dead Sea itself) would be the Dead Sea Scrolls and the unbelievable history in that area.

Bentley

EXCELLENT VIDEO INTERVIEW OF TONY BLAIR BY KATIE COURIC:

JUNE 24, 2009

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?i...

CHINA MAKES CHEAPER LONDON CABS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8...

This is pretty humorous; you might end up seeing a Chinese made London cab in Shanghai. But you will not see them in London!

WORLD OF DANCE:

Nina Ananiashvili

A lovely prima ballerina leaves American Ballet Company and heads back to Georgia

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009...

http://www.playbillarts.com/features/...

This is so fascinating! - Mind Reading

It is unbelievable that neuroscience has advanced this much.

This was on 60 minutes:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?i...

This was an interesting news article about the longest golf course!

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news...

It will stretch along 1,365 kilometers (848 miles) of desert highway with holes at 18 towns and service stations, and will open in Australia this year.

It will take 3 or 4 days to play the course. Sounds like an endurance sport versus golf.

Yesterday was a very sad day for journalists and human rights activists, Natalia Estemirova (a staunch and courageous defender of human rights of others) was abducted and murdered.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/815...

Other tributes from PEN and others:

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmM...

There have been many others murdered who have tried to help others and report the facts in Russia, including Natalia's friend Anna Politkovskaya who was also a colleague at the "Memorial" Human Rights Center.

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmM...

http://seansrussiablog.org/2006/12/11...

It seems such a shame that such caring and courageous journalists have lost their life trying to give others a voice. It appears that journalism can be very hazardous to one's health and well being.

Bentley

These are great short synopsis pieces about the Sotomayor Hearings; well worth watching.

There are three going back to July 10th which are very humorous (Apple and Beltway Q Quotients as well as the Pop Quiz); also interesting was the one on the "murder boards".

Enjoy,

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/sp...

Bentley

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Re...

SURVIVORS OF TYPHOON HAULED TO SAFETY:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32399798/...

This is a heartwarming story (never too old to learn something new)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/820...

A fairly amazing story of what DNA analysis can now do. At least there can be some closure on what happened to about 250 soldiers of World War I (a battle from 1916). The soldiers can now get the proper burial and respect/honors that all of them deserve.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/82...

Thanks so much Bentley...I have read much on the Western Front in WWI...wrote a long essay for my thesis piece on WWI Poets from all nations.

Dulce et decorum NON est....

You are welcome Chaz.

Your quote, the addition of NON and your reference to poetry made me think of the origin of that quote by Wilfred Owen during World War I. He was describing a gas attack and it actually was an anti war poem. What is saddest is that Owen was killed a week before WWI ended in 1918. Of course, Owen interpreted it from others; Horace (Odes) and others before him.

That must have been a very interesting thesis; folks can interpret and exude so much more emotion through poetry sometimes versus prose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulce_et...

ABOUT WILFRED OWEN:

http://www.firstworldwar.com/poetsand...

Yes Horace's patriotic diatribes were oft-cited during the Victorian expansion of "Brittanica Imperium", so Owen was skillfully juxtaposing that arcane reference, vulgarly used to foster empire, by pitting it against the reality (meaningless slaughter) of trench warfare.

Inert gas antipodal to glory of battle.

Chaz wrote: "Yes Horace's patriotic diatribes were oft-cited during the Victorian expansion of "Brittanica Imperium", so Owen was skillfully juxtaposing that arcane reference, vulgarly used to foster empire, by..."

Very true Chaz..the poetic words did inspire fervor in the hearts of the idealistic and the young. On the other hand, there is another view that there are things worth fighting for and worth that fervor; although I would like to believe that war is never the answer.

But nonetheless fighting in all cases is always a double edged sword. Trench warfare is mainly associated with WWI even though it was used in the American Civil War, the Boer War (2nd) and the Russian-Japanese conflicts. Owen's death was one of many that was painfully felt by the families and friends of many during that time period, I am afraid.

Here is Owen's very powerful poem published posthumously:

Dulce Et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! --- An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime ---
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,---
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

-- Wilfred Owen

This was an interesting story with an odd coincidence about the new ship...USS New York:

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/20...

Sad news: Ted Kennedy passed away today

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/...

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/playe...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32563265/...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/...

Remembering Kennedy:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/...

The Legacy of a Lion: (Eleanor Clift - Newsweek)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/...

HEALTH CARE FRAUD - PFIZER

And we think we can trust corporate America with our healthcare??? Think again.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8...

3700 year wall found in Jerusalem:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_eas...

Bentley wrote: "HEALTH CARE FRAUD - PFIZER

And we think we can trust corporate America with our healthcare??? Think again.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8..."
==========================================
I must agree that coprorate America has failed to meet the challange - beyond this illegal abuse one can look at the furror over the Obama proposed health care reforms and ask what the private medical industry did since Hillary Clinton's efforts 15 years ago to make our capitalistic system more cost effective than other systems.

Anyway on Pfizer - they have been advertising on the Glenn Beck show on Fox - I did not know who he as until he called the President a racist - and Pfizer insists to continue advertising their as they meet their audience deomographic aims(firms like Protor and Gamble, Geico, Kraft etc have pulled their support) - I iknow this and it is current as I just spoke for 15 minutes with a Pfizer marketing person after much effort over two weeks to contact someone there and it took a call to the CEO's office to get a response

Vince, that is amazing that they continue to advertise on Fox and I wonder how Beck seems to stay on with some of the comments he has made which are clearly over the top. As far as corporate America, they have failed to meet a lot of challenges as it regards America and the American workers I am afraid. Have you ever tried to call to get some answers on a bill or service and ended up talking to a foreign country who cannot understand you or you them. I am happy that others are benefitting in other countries who also need jobs; but I sometimes fail to see in any circumstance how these firms are helping average US citizens; they seem fairly well removed from any altruistic tendencies. Glenn Beck is a fine example of their philosophy in many respects. I have no idea why some of the American people believe some of these talking heads; I think civility is one of the main reasons that I would listen to anybody and Glenn Beck does not even pass that test. I certainly do respect his right to have different opinions and beliefs but inciteful behavior and name calling should not be supported.

You make another good point that I wanted to comment on: absolutely nothing has been done in 15 years to make our capitalistic system more cost effective than other systems; it has made some of these companies very rich however.

Is the Sydney Opera House in trouble?

It seems that this wonderful and beautiful icon needs an overhaul; somehow it was not designed to house the opera orchestra which is sandwiched under the stage; since I have not visited under the stage in other opera houses; I am wondering how most of them are any different. It does seem cramped; but I would hate for Sydney to lose the beauty of this icon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacif...

The last survivor of Hitler's bunker:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/823...

Another story: (Hitler's Bodyguard)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/823...

Some of Sir Winton's evacuated children revisit the trip they took which saved their lives:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/en...

Retracing a lifesaving journey:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/82...

UK's Oldest Computer being rebuilt (designed in 1949, ran in 1951)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology...

http://www.rainbowskill.com/technolog...

http://www.computerweekly.com/Article...

World's Oldest Computer:

http://www.fossilscience.com/research...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikyth...

Brits Rebuild a replica of the world's oldest computer from redesigned spare parts:

"A rather genius British museum curator has built a working replica of the dictionary-size Antikythera mechanism of 37 interlocking dials crafted with the precision and complexity of a 19th-century Swiss clock. In 1901, a group of sponge divers found parts of the ancient computer in the Antikythera wreck off the Greek island of Antikythera, between Kythera and Crete." - Source BBC

http://thenextweb.com/2008/12/17/brit...

Regarding Neville Chamberlain:

After completing a few books by Winston Churchill where Neville Chamberlain is discussed; one comes away with the feeling that he had been duped by Hitler; though a well intentioned person. His grand-daughter speaks out:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/en...

Interesting - but of course Mr. Chamberlain's job was to not be duped - being well intentioned is not adequate to doing a job. The apprehension of war after the devastation of WW I can be appreciated but I think it was rather evident that Hitler was a bully who would not stop.
Anyway now the question is can Obama efffectively continue the efforts against Al Quida in Pakistan and elsewhere - calling ofr the kind of political courage that Chamberlain did not or did not want to find.

Vince, you are absolutely correct; the fact was quite evident that he was duped; it was a poor decision on his part and as Churchill put it in A Gathering Storm - his Second World War account:

"Chamberlain however had been communing with himself."

Political charisma is one thing but sticking your neck out is another. I guess we will all find out about our President; he is still writing his history now.

Vince..regarding Afghanistan...I was contemplating setting up a thread for news regarding this situation and felt that it might be too grim for those folks who are coming to the group site for relaxation and a respite from life. But it is a very serious situation we face over there. The rules of engagement may place our soldiers in extremely precarious positions where they may lose their lives instead. A real moral dilemma. Lately, there has been a real furor over the death of a young Lance Corporal from Maine and the unfortunate pictorial portrayal of his last moments. I have no idea what AP was thinking. Totally insensitive to the family.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/2009...

I was very saddened by this for the family. I can understand AP wanting to show the realities of war; goodness there have been many gruesome pictures of atrocities from all of the world wars; but there has to be a way to draw the line when a family is grieving the loss of their son and has just buried him.

What is interesting is that I just came across the fact that Bernard's father had actually complained about the change in the Afghanistan rules of engagement which actually jeopardizes our troops even further and had written to his congressman three weeks before (how sad for him too)

Here is what I found:

"Bernard's father is a retired Marine first sergeant. Three weeks before the Aug. 14 ambush that killed his son, he had written to his congressman, Rep. Michael Michaud, expressing frustration at what he described as a change in the Afghanistan rules of engagement to one of "spare the civilians at all cost." He called this "disgraceful, immoral and fatal" to U.S. forces in combat."

This was an interesting article involving Google:

Turning the Page on Google Books:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology...

Thompson makes a good point:

Thompson states: "As I noted in my original piece, the issue that concerns me is not about Google digitising the world's books, but about only Google doing so."









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You know I have always liked Laura Bush...she really is and always has been "grace under fire". She was a wonderful first lady and had some nice things to say about the current First Family. This was a very nice article. She always has been protective of her family; for sure a most gracious and most elegant First Lady.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/0...

Memorial Preview Site - 8th Anniversary of 9/11 - NYC:

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/show...

"The Preview Site is located at 20 Vesey Street, between Broadway and Church Streets in lower Manhattan and is open Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm; Thursday from 10am to 9pm; and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For more information, visit www.national911memorial.org or www.nycvisit.com."