Go, Greta, GO!

I have always liked Greta van Susteren, but never more than lately when she has taken on the smarmy Tucker Carlson. Go, Greta, Go!

Comments?

Dear followers, I am having trouble responding to comments on this blog. I cannot even post comments on the blogs of my friends.  I am going to ask Virginia to help me straighten this out ASAP. Please stay tuned.

An Expanded Course

Some time back, I was able to offer a summer readings course in the history of the First Ladies of the United States. This course was so much fun to teach, and the students seem to enjoy it as well. Last year, the course was revised for a full semester and approved by the faculty as a permanent course in the catalog. YAY! Several of our graduating History and Humanities majors were unable to take the original readings course, and asked if the course could be taught this Spring term.  We rearranged my teaching schedule a bit in order to place this on the Spring schedule. I am so excited!

We will have so much more time to spend on each of the ladies. 

Sadly, we have lost Mrs. Ford since the course was first taught. And, Jackie Kennedy has been under a bit more scrutiny with at least two new books (although their contents is really old news). Years ago when I taught the joint enrollment students in TN, one of the young ladies started to do her research for the required term paper. She had chosen Mrs. Kennedy as her subject. I told her she could not use the Kitty Kelley book, and that she must generally try to avoid some of the more salacious material out there about "Jackie." Within a short period of time, this very nice young lady did exactly as I knew she would--she asked to change her topic.  Even within the confines of scholarly treatments of Mrs. Kennedy, finding something positive about her beyond her decorating skills and trendsetting styles proved difficult. I am surprised that everyone is so surprised by the new books "revealing" her less-than-generous attitudes toward everyone.

Having said that, Mrs. Kennedy was like all of us--she had her likes, dislikes and personal opionions which had nothing to do with our perception of her.  All of the First Ladies have probably committed this unforgivable sin--not living up to our images of them!

Hopefully, we can find something positive about each of them in this 16-week overview.

Herman Cain!

Having watched the Tea Party for the past months, I am more and more drawn to their values.  Although there are some Libertarians there, the Tea Party seems a bit different.  It seems to be a group of men and women who are plain ole working folks. I like that. That's all I will ever be.

Since we have been in Georgia, we have followed the career of Herman Cain. In his bid for the US Senate several years back, he conducted himself as a gentleman, and his stand on issues resonated with our own. On May 21st of this year, our family attened his rally in Atlanta where he announced his candidacy for the Presidency. He was not only a powerful speaker--he had something to say.

His victory in yesterday's Florida straw poll was stunning!  This has to be a blow not only to Perry and Romney, but to the tired old establishment Republicans as well as the Democrats.  Do you know who was probably most appalled by this victory? The Fourth Estate! They cannot wrap their minds around the idea of a Conservative black man, much less the idea that the Tea party isn't a political voice for the KKK.   My opinion goes for Fox News, too. They lean right, but don't lean toward non-traditional political groups. Chris Wallace felt comfortable labeling Michelle Bachmann a "flake."

The Tea Party really represents what Nixon called "the silent majority"--Americans with traditional values, a strong work ethic and pride in their Country.  They are not the lunatic fringe element nor are they the establish Republicans dedicated to protecting the wealth of a few. Michael just told me that the Wall Street Journal didn't even mention Cain in their article on Thursday's GOP debate. Maybe the Grand Old Party needs to realign ITSELF.

Paris Underground--A Post for Patsy

Patsy, this book, Paris Underground is the true story of Mrs. Etta Schiber, an American woman trapped in occupied Paris. She wrote this shortly after her escape and return to America. Mrs. Schiber was a widow who lived with a close friend, a British woman separated from her husband. These two ladies lived in a Paris apartment and were able to successfully hide and relocate British soldiers who had been trapped after Dunkirk.  A movie was made about Mrs. Schiber's story, but nothing compares to her account in written form. Her story reveals much about the mood of occcupied Paris. 

His Peculiar Treasure

Guess What . . .

Clio (the muse of History) is telling Virgil and Melpomene?  There is big news in the land of
Classical languages! Check it out at http://www.classicsinthewillows.blogspot.com/