Category Archives: History

July 4th – a bit of history

From History.com: “The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. … Continue reading

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Making a house call

In order to be with my Dad, after dinner I’d go on house calls with him.  We’d drive to parts of town I’d never seen, and using the car’s spotlight we’d search out the right house number, often with no … Continue reading

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A view and noise of the viaduct teardown

This view shows the progress of the viaduct teardown from a friend.s condo at the corner of Western and Madison. What a great improvement in the development of a world class waterfront.

Posted in environment, History, Parks, Transportation | 1 Comment

Van Gogh’s use of color to depict emotions

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David Domke: The Right to Vote, Lecture 3

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Dissecting the Dreams of Brexit Britain

Ed Note: Could anyone please enlighten us as to what’s really going on in the existential crises called Brexit. Are they really dreaming of a lost empire? Is it white nationalism? Is it mainly reflecting the long simmering differences between … Continue reading

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Build we must, build we should, and hopefully build we will.

Ed Note: It seems so obvious. Why not rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Reconnect our people, create dazzling bridges, show what our country is capable of once more. But alas, nothing is being done at the Federal level. Krugman, the Yale … Continue reading

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What would Lincoln do?

By David BlankenhornSpecial to The Los Angeles Times Abraham Lincoln, who was born 210 years ago this month, was president during an era even more rancorous and polarized than our own. Yet he managed to navigate it — not in a … Continue reading

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Route 66 – Get your kicks!

From Savingplaces.org: While it’s not the oldest automobile highway in the United States, Route 66—a National Treasure of the National Trust—is likely the most enduring highway in America’s public consciousness. “The Mother Road,” as it’s often called, represents a significant … Continue reading

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Why Did Soviets Invade Afghanistan? Documents Offer History Lesson for Trump

Ed Note: The article below explains how little President Trump understands about Afghanistan. Or perhaps he does understand Russia’s aspirations there and is effectively turning the “great game” back their favor. The book, The Great Game, documents the long history … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Essays, History, Military, Politics, Religion, War | 1 Comment

Neo-imperialist ventures abroad, followed by the rolling calamity of Brexit at home

Today’s NYT has a biting critique of Britain’s chummy elite. There have been decades of misguided and mismanaged decisions by elite but incompetent imperialists. Events now appear to be heading to England’s final chapter -the fiasco called Brexit. Forster blamed … Continue reading

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The adventures of Mark Twain in Seattle

Knute Berger talks about Mark Twain’s visit to Seattle: “It was a trying time for Seattleites in the summer of 1895. The city was still reeling from the Panic of 1893, which threw the national economy into a tailspin, and … Continue reading

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For Seattle, Viadoom gridlock is history repeated

From Crosscut: On Jan. 11, Seattle enters a period the city has dubbed the “Period of Maximum Constraint.” It sounds a bit like bondage, but without the fun bits. It kicks off with the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, resulting … Continue reading

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Irene Peden’s talk at Skyline

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January 15th – 7:30 Parallels in Autocratic Leadership by Wolfgang Mack

Ed Note: Living in a totalitarian state was a transformative experience for the author. He will tell of his concerns about the rise of fascism in a number of countries and the dangers of nationalistic movements in our current politicalarena. Can we learn from the past? … Continue reading

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He’s not the guy on Quaker Oats: he’s much more interesting

Ed note: The statue of William Penn is a Philadelphia landmark. Sitting on top of City Hall, it maintained the highest perch in the center of the city for many years until the building codes changed. The history below gives … Continue reading

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Operation InfeKtion: How Russia Perfected the Art of War

Ed Note: This is a superb piece of investigative journalism by the NYT: “Russia’s meddling in the United States’ elections is not a hoax. It’s the culmination of Moscow’s decades-long campaign to tear the West apart. “Operation InfeKtion” reveals the ways … Continue reading

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“Baby It’s Cold Outside” becomes controversial

Ed note: There are two versions with the sexes reversed in this video clip – the second is hilarious. Is it flirting or harassment? I find it pretty tame when compared to “modern” rap songs.  From the NYT: “Rock Hudson did … Continue reading

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Restaurant entrepreneurs in Seattle – Canlis and on

Thanks to Paul T for finding this article The Fifties By Ronald Holden 1950 Once the Legislature changed state law to permit the service of liquor by the drink in restaurants, Peter Canlis, a restaurateur from Hawaii, almost immediately commissions architect Roland … Continue reading

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The Roots of Seattle’s Filipino Community

Ed note: My sister-in-law always calls me Kuya Jim. And have you noted the suffix “po” used by Filipinos as a term of respect? This video talks about the generational shift in the international district and the contribution of the … Continue reading

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Chanukah

Terrorists could not stop Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg from lighting the menorah in Mumbai, India, where his daughter and son-in-law had been murdered just weeks earlier. From the History Channel: The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during … Continue reading

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Blond hair and the Norden bombsights -a fascinating WWII story

Thanks to Tom G for sending this along. Mary Babnick Brown was an American woman who donated her long blond hair to be used as crosshairs in Norden bombsights in WW II. Brown was a Coloradan; the children of Slovenian … Continue reading

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Loving Legacy Video

At a conference today I met the owner/filmmaker of Seattle based Loving Legacy Video today. He noted, “Your kids don’t want your stuff, they want your stories!” Connect generations of your family members Have a profound impact on your life … Continue reading

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E Pluribus Unum – a warning about the rise of fascism

             A warning. Where is America heading? I met Dr. Wolfgang Mack briefly in the Skyline dining room last evening and was given a copy of his most recent book. He had the traumatic experience … Continue reading

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Lance Rhoades – film historian

Last evening we were treated to an incredible talk about Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein which she wrote at age 19 – and how Frankenstein has become part of our culture. Actually the monster has no name. Frankenstein was the doctor … Continue reading

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