Let’s have a smile. Here’s a repeat first posted on August 30, 2011.
The first mention of “April Fools Day” as being on April 1st was in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in 1392 (in the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale“).
Jonathan Swift (1665-1745) was the foremost prose satirist for the English language. And he was also a twinkle-in-the-eye practical joker who authored a doozy of an April Fools’ prank bringing the tradition to a whole new level. In February 1708, using the name “Isaac Bickerstaff,” he published an article solemnly predicting that John Partridge, a local author of astrological almanacs, would die at 11:00 p.m. on March 29, 1708. All of London held its collective breath. When the fateful day arrived, Swift – still writing as Isaac Bickerstaff – penned a moving obituary announcing the death of Partridge at 7:05 p.m. — four hours earlier than predicted.
Of course Mr. Partridge was very much alive – and outraged over Swift’s prediction and the false reporting of his death. Because the story of John Partridge’s demise was printed on April 1st, there was ignition and lift off for a new – and more creative – breed of April Fool pranks. I think I’d like to have Jonathan Swift join Aristophanes and me for dinner. . . .
Month: March 2024
So this guy
As a follow up to the prior post relating to religious tolerance, I thought I’d repeat a post from April 22, 2018. . . . .
I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I ran over and yelled at him “Don’t do it!”
He stopped – and said “Nobody loves me.” I responded “God loves you. Do you believe in God?” He said “Yes.”
I asked “Are you a Christian or a Jew?” He said “I’m a Christian.” And I said “Me, too!
“Are you Protestant or Catholic?” He said “Protestant.” I said “Me, too!”
“What denomination?” He said “Baptist.” I said “Me, too!!”
“Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?” He said “Northern Baptist.” I said “Me, too!!”
“Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?” He said “Northern Conservative Baptist.” I said “Me, too!!”
“Are you Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?” He said “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.” I said “Me, too!!!”
“Are you Northern Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?” He responded “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.“
I yelled “Die, heretic!” And I pushed him off the bridge.
The Blues Brothers
It’s interesting how years. . . . decades can go by and then suddenly you learn something about your family that you never knew. Such is my case. . . .
“The Blues Brothers” was the 1980 film classic which was shot in Chicago. Lots of street scenes, car chases and visits to public locations. The film features an amazing cast – John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway and so many others. I have just learned that this amazing cast included – fasten your seat belts – my mother and father. Let me explain.
As mentioned on July 26, 2022, I grew up in a small family business – Chicago Paper Tube & Can Company. The last location for the company was a 3 story building at 925 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. When “The Blues Brothers” was being filmed, the production headquarters was a block away. But filming stayed away until. . . .
In the iconic scene where Jake and Elwood are racing back to the City – to deliver money to save the orphanage – they are chased eastbound on Jackson Boulevard. On the day of the filming, my parents watched the filming out an open second floor window. My mother recalled one of the directors yelling at her “hey Blondie – get back inside.” Well apparently they didn’t. I just learned that my mother and father are in the movie!!!
That immortal chase scene can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoKKT4hmj6Q If you do repeated stop action beginning at minute 1:49 to about 1:52 – you will see on either side of the racing car two people with their heads poked out the window. Those are my parents. And to think they never got their names in the credits. I wonder if it’s too late. . . . .
Forbidden Cities
[A repeat from November 16, 2014] People – of all faiths – are welcomed into the Vatican — the Holy See of Catholicism. All may tour Jerusalem – the Divine City of Judaism. All may visit Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus. Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama is open to visitors. The red carpet is out in Tokyo (and Edo’s Shinto shrines), the Seven Holy Towns (of Hinduism), Salt Lake City (home to the Mormon faith) and a host of other countries, cities and locales which are relevant to a particular religion or faith.
But heaven help you (no pun intended) if you try to enter the cities of Mecca or Medina in Saudi Arabia. You are carded at the door. And if you are not a Muslim, you are not welcome. If you try to get in, you will be booted out. Why? Because the Quran dictates: “O ye who believe! The idolaters are unclean. So let them not come near the Inviolable Place of Worship. . . . ” (Surra 9:28). Based on this centuries-old Scripture, Saudis deny entrance to “Scott” “Donna” “Abigail” or “Rex.” Expressways have checkpoints – much like toll booths – where your credentials are examined. If you are “unclean,” you’re shown the bypass that takes you away from Mecca (or Medina).
Christianity and Judaism take a major beating these days from our government, academia and our allegedly mainstream media. A crèche or menorah? Puh-lease! Are you a radical? But raise questions about controversial Islamic practices, prejudice against women or demands for Sharia law in some locales in America – and your speech will be labeled “discriminatory.” Or worse.
The PhD of Boyhood
[A repeat from July 13, 2017] Do you have a son? Grandson? Want to improve his chance of succeeding in school and as an adult? Encourage him to join the Boy Scouts of America.
In 2012, Baylor University conducted a study of the impact of Boy Scouts – and Eagle Scouts – on society. The impact was highly positive. A synopsis of the study can be found at http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=113239
The Boy Scouts is by far the largest youth organization in America (2.6 million Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers and Venturers) and the best youth organization ever devised. Eagle Scout service projects constitute the largest youth service initiative in history (150 million hours and counting). And 3 million souls are alive today because they, their parents or grandparents had their lives saved by a Boy Scout.
On November 17, 2015, Michael Malone penned an article for the Wall Street Journal on Scouting. Malone calls the path to the Eagle Scout award “the Ph.D. of Boyhood.” I’m glad I have my Ph.D. . . . .
As a parent, you could not wish a better activity for your son or daughter than Scouting. America desperately needs youth – and adults – who abide by the Scout Law – to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Wouldn’t it be nice if our politicians would abide by these principles (see post of September 12, 2011).
[And as I offered on February 1, 2018, I believe girls should have the same opportunity to become Eagle Scouts]
The 1913 “V” Nickel
[An update on one of my very first posts – of August 3, 2011] The Liberty Head five cent piece (the “V” Nickel – because of a Roman numeral “5” on the reverse) was made from 1883 to 1912 and was America’s second “nickel.” In 1913, the United States Mint produced Liberty Head nickels but they were never intended for circulation. Colonel E. H. R. Green (the son of the famous Hetty Green) owned 5 strikes of the 1913 nickel. These five rarities have since been dispersed to collectors.
Around 1960, I was a Boy Scout working on Coin Collecting Merit Badge. The merit badge counselor was a gentle man named Herman Noll who lived in Mt. Prospect, IL. He had an amazing collection of coins housed in a walk in closet off the living room. Apart from quizzing me on and helping me with the merit badge requirements, Mr. Noll generously gave me some assorted coins for my collection. I remember him telling me that his father was an employee of the U.S. Mint that produced the 1913 “V” Nickel. His father took a few — apparently beyond those belonging to Mr. Green. Mr. Noll never told me where the remaining 1913 nickels were or what had been done with them. On August 14th, a 1913 “V” nickel sold for $4.5 million (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1913_Liberty_Head_nickel#:~:text=A%20specimen%20was%20sold%20for,from%20the%20National%20Numismatic%20Collection). ). I wonder if they know about Herman.
I wish I’d asked a few more questions . . . .
Donating Blood
[An appropriate repeat from January 5, 2020] I received a number of comments on my post relating to blood type and health. Here’s one from my fraternity brother: “I’m O-neg, I’m a carnivore, and I’ve given over 100 blood donations (over a dozen gallons), including to babies. I think it’s one of the reasons God keeps me around!” Here’s another from one of my Boy Scout pals: “I have given 26 gallons whole and done 250 platelet donations.”
Years ago – I began donating blood. Mainly because I heard that there were health benefits (especially for men) in doing so. And I’m on the bone marrow registry. But maybe I’ve been stingy – judging by the generosity of my friends. I probably went to Lifesource (the local donation venue) a dozen times. Though I haven’t been for a few years.
Only 37% of the American population is eligible to donate blood. Yet according to the American Red Cross only 3% of those eligible donate. Thus – there is nearly always a shortage for the 4.5 million Americans who need a blood transfusion each year. The four blood types were first identified in 1901 by Dr. Karl Landsteiner (won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1930). Of the four – O negative is the “universal donor” that can be given to all blood types.
Every person has about 10 pints of blood in his/her body. How about tithing? Give a pint to your local donation center. It’s not about the hour you’ll spend. It’s about the life you may save. . . . .
Blood Type and Health
[A repeat from October 4, 2012] Do you know your blood type? You should. Thousands of years of evolution have split human blood into four basic “types”: A, B, O and AB. Each has a postive (+) and negative (-) (called “RH”) component as well. Roughly 43% of us are type O; 40% type A; 12% type B; and 5% type AB with interesting geographic, racial and ethnic differences in blood type and RH distribution.
While there is speculation that blood type predicts broad personality traits (especially in Japanese studies), there is strong indication that different blood types have different vulnerabilities — and do better with certain diets. A recent University of Pennsylvania study (April 2019) confirms that certain blood types are more prone to heart disease (see https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/april/blood-types ). Where one blood type does well on a meat diet, others might suffer.
Type O is the oldest blood type in the world with the most robust digestive system. Type O needs animal protein for good health. Has trouble with wheat and gluten. Thrives on vigorous workouts. Less prone to heart disease. O negative is a universal donor.
Type A has a more fragile digestive system which has trouble tolerating 4 legged protein. This blood type might do well as a vegetarian. Can be lactose intolerant and anemic. For this reason, iron and Vitamin B-12 supplements may be helpful.
Type B has difficulty with wheat and gluten though dairy is usually just fine. Chicken can cause health issues due to an agglutinating lectin which may adversely affect the circulatory system.
Type AB is the new kid on the block having been around for perhaps 1,000 years. Should avoid red meat especially smoked and cured meats as AB shares the low stomach acid of Type A and diminished stomach acid leaves one more prone to stomach cancer.
Further comments on the respective vulnerabilities by blood type are found at https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2023/how-your-blood-type-affects-your-health.html There are many articles on this topic. Just Google blood type and health
Empty Handed
[A repeat from January 16, 2014] Graham Green’s classic The Power and the Glory (1940) is set in Mexico in the late 1930’s. The country has turned against the Church. Priests, nuns and the faithful are executed. Public prayer is forbidden. Church bells are silent. One lone priest – the “Whiskey Priest” – escapes and is on the run. He is being pursued by a methodical – and merciless – police lieutenant who is tasked with his capture.
The Whiskey Priest – an alcoholic who has sinned in varied ways – tries to remain faithful as he travels around – incognito – ministering to his flock sub rosa. But he is doggedly pursued by the lieutenant and narrowly escapes capture.
The book tracks the ills of a society which attacks and tries to destroy the Church. And faith. In the end, the Whiskey Priest is captured. And condemned. He regrets not his imminent death but rather his failings. Green concludes with:
He felt only an immense disappointment because he had to go to God empty-handed, with nothing done at all . . . He felt like someone who has missed happiness by seconds at an appointment place. He knew now that at the end there was only one thing that counted—to be a saint.
There are several lessons in this work. One is the war on religion (which we deal with in our own country). Another is the universal question of why am I here? And for most the nagging question of am I going to God empty-handed. I’m aware that most of those who read these posts are active – in volunteering, contributing, helping, doing good deeds and working to improve the human condition. But are we doing enough? Think about it. Could we do more to make the world a better place? If every person – spurred by that simple query – did one extra act of kindness, charity or contribution each day, imagine how much better the world might be. Think about the novel notion of civil discourse with those we disagree with . . . . .
Settlement
When I was at 26th & California, every day was “let’s make a deal.” When indicted for murder or armed robbery or whatever, defense counsel would always talk big at the outset – before discovery was complete (“we’re ready for trial“). But as time wore on, it was customary for counsel to ask “what can we do” – to resolve the case. And we’d go into the judge’s chambers to talk settlement. As a State’s Attorney – no one could “reduce” a crime (to one less serious) without the express consent of the Chief of the Criminal Division. And we would talk with victims or victim’s families to get them on board. So most criminal cases were “plea bargained” – before going to trial. Whereas an offer of 5 to 15 years might be offered for a plea of guilty – after a guilty verdict at trial, that number could go up. Dramatically.
In the civil arena, statistically around 90% of cases settle before going to trial. Why? You ask. Because no matter how strong you think your case is, if you go to trial – there is a 100% chance that someone is going to lose. And that “someone” could be you. Plaintiff’s lawyers – who don’t thrive on integrity – often sue – in order to settle. They only care about the money.
To me, there is a lesson here for families, communities, nations and our world. The settlement of differences is preferable to going to the mattresses. And risking everything. Settlement – the resolution of differences – can be like drinking a warm Pepsi Cola on a hot day. Not always satisfying. But it does the job. . . . .
Renaissance Hombre 