Category: Government

Happy 4th of July American Independence Day

Dave


This year in recognition of the 4th of July, the day Americans celebrate when America got its independence from the British in 1776, I decided to simply post an image of the American flag that was displayed and waving so proudly at the United States Capitol Building.  Happy 4th of July fellow Americans.  Be safe, be proud, and be nice.

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Protesting and Rioting Aftermath

Dave


Yesterday I was walking around Washington D.C. doing some sightseeing and I got to see firsthand the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter, ANTIFA, No justice for George Floyd protests and riots. There were still people holding signs that said Black Lives Matter and they had all sorts of different statements. It made me think about where I stand on the issue. First off what happened to George Floyd was terrible and should not happen to anyone. I hope those who had part in his death are held accountable for their actions. It also made me think about what sets us as American’s apart from drug cartels or terrorist organizations and it is that we value life whereas they do not. To say “Black Lives Matter” seems like it is race baiting because the fact is all lives matter. I do try to understand how the black community must feel like there are injustices against them that have been committed by police, however we do need law and justice because without that the alternative is chaos and anarchy.

After the death of George Floyd people started to protest in support of the terrible thing that happened to them, however these protests took a turn and seemed as though they were taken over by groups like ANTIFA because those peaceful protests turned to violent riots where destruction and mayhem started. People started looting and destroying property, businesses, killing others and this no longer felt like it was in support of George Floyd. This seems as though there is somebody such as George Soros, Hilary Clinton, the Democratic Party or perhaps even former President Barack Obama who is funding and organizing the mayhem and destruction. That I don’t know and I can’t answer, but it definitely seems like somebody is behind the riots. It would certainly make sense because ever since the 2016 election the Democratic Party has tried anything they can to overturn the results of the election and they continue to do anything to try to do anything to get rid of Donald J. Trump. So far they have failed miserably with their failed claims of the Russian collusion, failed impeachment, failed Central America caravan where people marched across Mexico to make it to the wall on the southern border with cameras claiming they want asylum, and even now they have been trying to blame the COVID-19 pandemic and deaths on the President. This is an election year and that is why it seems like there is more behind these riots than just the death of George Floyd. These protests do not feel the same as the Rodney King riots of the 1980’s. Here are a few photos of some of the destruction that was part of the aftermath.

What happened to George Floyd was wrong as he should not have to be screaming for his life by those who swore an oath to serve and protect. I hope justice will be served and those responsible for his death will be held accountable. There is nothing wrong with peaceful protests to let your voice be heard, however when that threshold is crossed where protests turn to looting, rioting, destruction, and law breaking those behind that also need to be held accountable. Defunding the police is not an acceptable response, but rather we need to strengthen communities by working with law enforcement to ensure all American’s are served and protected.

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German Enigma Machine

Dave

This is a four rotor Enigma machine that was created by German around the time of 1943-1944.  Germany built this rare Enigma for its ally, Japan.  You can tell by both the character and the fourth rotor.  Germany was unaware that Britain had cracked the Enigma they added the fourth rotor in 1942 to strengthen it.

The British called the device’s messages “Shark.”  It took nearly a year to crack, and only after capturing key sheets from a German U-boat.  In the interim, Nazi subs sank more than 2 million tons of Allied supplies.

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Oleg Penkovsky: The Spy Who Saved the World

Dave

Oleg Penkovsky is best known for being declared as the “single most valuable agent in CIA history.”  Penkovsky was a Soviet intelligence officer who volunteered to for the United States and the United Kingdom during the 1960’s.  He would pass military intelligence secrets that shed light on Soviet intentions and weapon capabilities.  This information proved to be critical during the Cuban missile crisis as it let the CIA know the missiles were operational and key technical capabilities.  That information may have given John F. Kennedy the edge he needed in order to avoid a nuclear confrontation.

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The United States National Archives

Dave

Went to the United States National Archives to see the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.  I wanted to take a photo of the Constitution, however when I got there they had signs up stating no photography.  After inquiring why they informed me it is because the light affects the actual document and the ink on the document.  They also informed that previously to get into the building you would have to walk through the front door, however you don’t enter that way anymore because the sunlight that would come into the building every time the door was opened would fade the ink.  The room lighting is dim, the documents are kept at a specific temperature range, they are stored in an inert gas, and the light is strictly controlled in order to preserve the documents.  Even after learning about all that it was still an awesome experience to be able to see first-hand the most important documents in the United States.

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Ryukyu Island Lacquer Tray Gift to the State Department

Dave

Diego tree wood, lacquer Okinawa, Ryukyu, Japan.

Arching above the choppy waves, the dragon on this tray emerges from his home, the ocean depths near the Ryukyu Islands. He seems fierce as he extends his three-clawed tiger paws at his side, but unlike the fire breathing terrors of European lore, this Asian dragon is benevolent and intelligent.

He is a symbol of identity for East Asian people, changing the number of claws (three for Japan, four for Korea, five for China) depending on his origins. In Japanese tradition, the dragon is a symbol of mystery and power.

Trade in lacquer ware dates back to the 1400s in Okinawa, where the climate is excellent for producing these valued articles.

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E-mail Sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune

Dave

Here is an e-mail sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after an article he published concerning a name change for the Washington Redskins.

Dear Mr. Page: I agree with our Native American population. I am highly jilted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward.

Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns.

The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the 60’s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to us white folk.

The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men’s lives. I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.

Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!

Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.

The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children. The Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our children.

The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message to our children.

So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress loves.

As a diehard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the Beavers (especially when they play Southern California. Do we really want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???

I always love your articles and I generally agree with them. As for the Redskins name I would suggest they change the name to the “Foreskins” to better represent their community, paying tribute to the dick heads in Washington DC.

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