On December 8, 1903, the New York Times declared, “Man won’t fly for a million years.” The experts told the Times, “To build a flying machine would require ‘the combined and continuous efforts of mathematicians and mechanics for one million to ten million years.’”
I am not a "nayshayer", nor am I pessimistic about things. I am optimistic about most things. I at 79 years of age come May 2nd have seen a lot in my life time. I have seen most things work out pretty well. I think our President is doing a great job, he works non stop and for the life of me can't figure out where he gets his energy at his age (LOl same age as me). I think he like accolades but with that being said he mostly wants what is good for our country which ends up being good for us and perhaps for the future being our children and grand children. I pray for him daily and can see God working in his life, but like many men he does not want to give in to help of any kind. I wish people would stop being so ugly and when they wish bad things for him, they are wishing bad things for our country. Let's just grow up and behave ourselves. President Trump, just keep on being our President the good one that you are.
"An expert is a person who can tell you tomorrow why what he predicted yesterday didn't happen today." -- Earl Wilson
"You simply cannot hate the media enough" -- Erick Erickson
Back in 2007, a quote started making the rounds on the internet, one that has been misattributed to Mark Twain:
“If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you are mis-informed”.
It’s not exactly 100% clear where that quote came from. Otherwise, it’s a great quote, and quite true. But I would like to modify it for our modern times:
“If you don’t get the news, you are uninformed. If you do get the news, you are mis-informed. If you get your news from social media, you are dis-informed”.
For the life of me, I can never understand why the naysayers always get the most press. And when they're proven wrong, radio silence, crickets. We are a country of more than 330 million, yet the few seem to scream the loudest. At least I know that "the many" do the hard work,take care of each other, and are essentially good people. Our country, though imperfect, is still the place the rest of the world looks to.
Erick, a very thoughtful and heartwarming article that reminds us of all our accomplishments as a country and how proud we all should be as Americans. The astronaut's comments were amazing sent to us from space! The rescue of the pilot from enemy territory in Iran shows how we don't take any lives for granted. It is hard to accept and understand why so much of our media is full of hate that they can't give any credit for all the good things we do and have accomplished. Your article was a great reminder that we have so much to be grateful for and these reminders came on Easter weekend!
The BBC reports that the downed F-15E Strike Eagle was completely destroyed to ensure that its critical systems and information could not be salvaged by Iranian forces.
I hope everyone takes notice of not just the people in the public eye who are bashing America, but those you see everyday. Anyone who can't get behind America as we make the world safer by denying Iran a nuclear weapon should be left out of serious conversations concerning our country's future. Either their judgment is too damaged to be trusted, or they are shills for our enemies.
No, they are not just bashing Trump but the reality is THEY are making America less safe and endangering our military. The TDS's are also spreading Iranian propoganda. You can still disagree with something but when it is happening you need to band togther and get it done. Trump is the American President. Trump is not an idiot and neither are those currently running our military. Comments like Trump didn't how important Hormuz was, etc. is beyond condensending & dumb, gives comfort to the enemy as they know he is quite capable and their only hope is to undermine from inside. That the left & TDS'ers can't see it makes them dangerously complict as they keep rooting for the wrong side. They are encouraging the crazies, the true believers that they must take action. You can tell yourself Iran wasn't going to use bombs/nucluear option but look at arsenal they were building, their response to neighbors. Trumps crudeness, tariff's, or whatever one has an issue with is NOTHING in the long run compared to finally removing an immenent threat to the world not just USA & Israel. Look at China, Russia, Iran and all they have been getting away with, with our help our willingness to hate our country and each other over politics which is charade anyway. We have lost our way, what is truely important. Hopefully this Easter has reminded us of what truly matters.
Everyone who points out potential (likely?) difficulties in this war is not anti-American or of "The Left." Many are simply realists like me, who support taking out Iran, but who also understand that Trump's assumptions going in just might have been a bit too simplistic -- no surprise there. Given Trump's record, there is nothing un-American about doubting Trump's competence. He gives us reason to doubt it with each passing day.
I did not write that opposing the war was anti-American. I did not write that opposing the President was anti-American. WHAT I WROTE, was that "The Left is cheering for America's defeat." And they are. From MS NOW to CNN to Congressional Democrats, the Left is on Iran's side.
Any quotes to support that, Glen? And is it the entire left, the entire Democratic Party. I mean, there are some on the right that support Russia, but I would never say that all do. Please be specific.
“but we are being failed by our expert class and pundits who, at this stage, constantly bet against the United States, root against the United States, and always predict disaster.”
We are also being failed by nearly all elected officers who make it their mission to “own” or “beat” the other side. Until they develop more worthy goals they are not going to come to the table and work together, nor root for America.
It's real easy to be believe that what we are experiencing within this country is unique, something that no other generation has had to deal with. So for me, there's comfort in hearing how far off the NYT was in December of 1903. They are just as accurate today as they were back then. Nothing new under the sun.
Let's also not forget that when news of Nazi concentration camps was beginning to come to light, the NYT consistently denied, dismissed, and downplayed the Holocaust.
Great point. And all this begs the question, "Just what, exactly, is required before some people will believe?" There are none so blind as those who will not see, I guess.
May Jehovah God of this amazing universe continue His many special Blessings on this great USA and protect our Leaders as they continue their efforts to blast out our enemies!!
Captain Glover spoke truthfully and with conviction and grace. Their accomplishments are wonderful. I support what their doing and pray for safety and blessings while out there, as well as upon their return
"Sixty-six years later, we set foot on the moon" This was approximately 40 years after the Times editorialized that Robert Goddard was wrong about flying to the moon, because rockets do not provide thrust in a vacuum. On the occasion of the Moon landing, the Times retracted its editorial.
I am reminded of two pieces of classic media that exemplify our not leaving people behind. Firstly, from Lord of the Rings: after Frodo & Sam have gone, and Merry & Pippin have been taken by Orcs, Gimli laments it's all been in vain, but Aragorn says, "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light."
The second one that comes to mind (mentioned by me below) is what Captain Kirk said to Spock when asked why the crew went back for him in Star Trek III: "The good of the one outweighs the good of the many."
Both of these examples are born out of Christian principles. Sadly, much of Europe seems to have forgotten this.
We ask them to risk life and limb: the very least they (& their families) should have assurance of is that we will go through Hell and high water to get them back.
We should also declare this war correctly in Congress while the support is there.
I think this is rather apropos. At the end of chapter 6 of FOTHR.
It's about the beauty of Creation, and Captain Glover spoke of the aspect of our world being very special, and of us going through this world together:
Now let the song begin! Let us sing together!
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, bells on th heather,
Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!
I taught a year-long homeschool course of Teaching Literary Analysis using LOTR at my son's co-op a little over 10 years ago.
Excellent choice. It was always my greatest disappointment of the movie that they left Tom out. Having said that, he didn't really contribute to the narrative. The moth played a greater role.
Yes, TB wouldn't have worked in the movie. Besides, then I'd have to sit in the theater for a 4.5 hour extended edition!
I don't know if you're aware, but Brian Sibley dramatized LOTR on BBC back in1981. It's 13 hours long with the late-Sir Ian Holm playing as Frodo, this time. It's phenomenal. If you don't have it, I recommend it via Amazon or Ebay in CD format. Well, he regretted not including TB, so in 1992, he dramatized 4 short "fairie" stories plus The Adventures of Tom Bombadil from FOTR. It's titled Tales from the Perilous Realm. In addition to TB, it has:
Roverandom
Farmer Giles of Ham
Leaf by Niggle
Smith of Wooten Major
It's available on Audible. In fact, a bunch of Tolkien's work is available on Audible. I haven't heard Andy Serkis' narration of LOTR, yet. I'm too attached to Rob Inglis' versions.
A great Easter message from the astronauts. This time we have color video and much better audio than July 69.
I am not a "nayshayer", nor am I pessimistic about things. I am optimistic about most things. I at 79 years of age come May 2nd have seen a lot in my life time. I have seen most things work out pretty well. I think our President is doing a great job, he works non stop and for the life of me can't figure out where he gets his energy at his age (LOl same age as me). I think he like accolades but with that being said he mostly wants what is good for our country which ends up being good for us and perhaps for the future being our children and grand children. I pray for him daily and can see God working in his life, but like many men he does not want to give in to help of any kind. I wish people would stop being so ugly and when they wish bad things for him, they are wishing bad things for our country. Let's just grow up and behave ourselves. President Trump, just keep on being our President the good one that you are.
"An expert is a person who can tell you tomorrow why what he predicted yesterday didn't happen today." -- Earl Wilson
"You simply cannot hate the media enough" -- Erick Erickson
Back in 2007, a quote started making the rounds on the internet, one that has been misattributed to Mark Twain:
“If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you are mis-informed”.
It’s not exactly 100% clear where that quote came from. Otherwise, it’s a great quote, and quite true. But I would like to modify it for our modern times:
“If you don’t get the news, you are uninformed. If you do get the news, you are mis-informed. If you get your news from social media, you are dis-informed”.
For the life of me, I can never understand why the naysayers always get the most press. And when they're proven wrong, radio silence, crickets. We are a country of more than 330 million, yet the few seem to scream the loudest. At least I know that "the many" do the hard work,take care of each other, and are essentially good people. Our country, though imperfect, is still the place the rest of the world looks to.
Erick, a very thoughtful and heartwarming article that reminds us of all our accomplishments as a country and how proud we all should be as Americans. The astronaut's comments were amazing sent to us from space! The rescue of the pilot from enemy territory in Iran shows how we don't take any lives for granted. It is hard to accept and understand why so much of our media is full of hate that they can't give any credit for all the good things we do and have accomplished. Your article was a great reminder that we have so much to be grateful for and these reminders came on Easter weekend!
Blowing up power plants and bridges are not war crimes.
Erick, do you know if we destroyed the downed F15E to keep its top secret equipment out of enemy hands? I know they destroyed the C130s.
That has been standard practice for a very long time when to do it.
Good. Thanks. I just never read anything about the F15.
The BBC reports that the downed F-15E Strike Eagle was completely destroyed to ensure that its critical systems and information could not be salvaged by Iranian forces.
I hope everyone takes notice of not just the people in the public eye who are bashing America, but those you see everyday. Anyone who can't get behind America as we make the world safer by denying Iran a nuclear weapon should be left out of serious conversations concerning our country's future. Either their judgment is too damaged to be trusted, or they are shills for our enemies.
They are not bashing America, they are bashing Trump. Big difference.
No, they are not just bashing Trump but the reality is THEY are making America less safe and endangering our military. The TDS's are also spreading Iranian propoganda. You can still disagree with something but when it is happening you need to band togther and get it done. Trump is the American President. Trump is not an idiot and neither are those currently running our military. Comments like Trump didn't how important Hormuz was, etc. is beyond condensending & dumb, gives comfort to the enemy as they know he is quite capable and their only hope is to undermine from inside. That the left & TDS'ers can't see it makes them dangerously complict as they keep rooting for the wrong side. They are encouraging the crazies, the true believers that they must take action. You can tell yourself Iran wasn't going to use bombs/nucluear option but look at arsenal they were building, their response to neighbors. Trumps crudeness, tariff's, or whatever one has an issue with is NOTHING in the long run compared to finally removing an immenent threat to the world not just USA & Israel. Look at China, Russia, Iran and all they have been getting away with, with our help our willingness to hate our country and each other over politics which is charade anyway. We have lost our way, what is truely important. Hopefully this Easter has reminded us of what truly matters.
Thank you for self-identifying (I already knew that but others might not).
The Left is cheering for America's defeat.
Everyone who points out potential (likely?) difficulties in this war is not anti-American or of "The Left." Many are simply realists like me, who support taking out Iran, but who also understand that Trump's assumptions going in just might have been a bit too simplistic -- no surprise there. Given Trump's record, there is nothing un-American about doubting Trump's competence. He gives us reason to doubt it with each passing day.
I did not write that opposing the war was anti-American. I did not write that opposing the President was anti-American. WHAT I WROTE, was that "The Left is cheering for America's defeat." And they are. From MS NOW to CNN to Congressional Democrats, the Left is on Iran's side.
Any quotes to support that, Glen? And is it the entire left, the entire Democratic Party. I mean, there are some on the right that support Russia, but I would never say that all do. Please be specific.
Watch the news, read the newspapers. You can read or hear all about it.
And yes, the entire Left, the entire Democratic Party, is on Iran's side. Because the Democrat Party, the Left, are reflexively anti-Trump. TDS.
“but we are being failed by our expert class and pundits who, at this stage, constantly bet against the United States, root against the United States, and always predict disaster.”
We are also being failed by nearly all elected officers who make it their mission to “own” or “beat” the other side. Until they develop more worthy goals they are not going to come to the table and work together, nor root for America.
It's real easy to be believe that what we are experiencing within this country is unique, something that no other generation has had to deal with. So for me, there's comfort in hearing how far off the NYT was in December of 1903. They are just as accurate today as they were back then. Nothing new under the sun.
Let's also not forget that when news of Nazi concentration camps was beginning to come to light, the NYT consistently denied, dismissed, and downplayed the Holocaust.
Great point. And all this begs the question, "Just what, exactly, is required before some people will believe?" There are none so blind as those who will not see, I guess.
May Jehovah God of this amazing universe continue His many special Blessings on this great USA and protect our Leaders as they continue their efforts to blast out our enemies!!
I think it is evidence of how far we have slid down "the slippery slope" that critics can't can't even pause their criticism when things go right.
Wow. Though these days are fraught with worry and doubt, they also and more forcefully have been filled with hope and peace. Kudos Captain Glover.
Captain Glover spoke truthfully and with conviction and grace. Their accomplishments are wonderful. I support what their doing and pray for safety and blessings while out there, as well as upon their return
"Sixty-six years later, we set foot on the moon" This was approximately 40 years after the Times editorialized that Robert Goddard was wrong about flying to the moon, because rockets do not provide thrust in a vacuum. On the occasion of the Moon landing, the Times retracted its editorial.
I am reminded of two pieces of classic media that exemplify our not leaving people behind. Firstly, from Lord of the Rings: after Frodo & Sam have gone, and Merry & Pippin have been taken by Orcs, Gimli laments it's all been in vain, but Aragorn says, "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light."
The second one that comes to mind (mentioned by me below) is what Captain Kirk said to Spock when asked why the crew went back for him in Star Trek III: "The good of the one outweighs the good of the many."
Both of these examples are born out of Christian principles. Sadly, much of Europe seems to have forgotten this.
We ask them to risk life and limb: the very least they (& their families) should have assurance of is that we will go through Hell and high water to get them back.
We should also declare this war correctly in Congress while the support is there.
Love that you quoted from Tolkien.
Anybody who quotes LOTR on this site has my vote. Now if you can just work in a reference to Tom Bombadil......
😂 The gauntlet has been thrown! I accept the challenge!
Bombadil is the litmus test for people who have read the book as opposed to watched the movie a half a dozen times.
I think this is rather apropos. At the end of chapter 6 of FOTHR.
It's about the beauty of Creation, and Captain Glover spoke of the aspect of our world being very special, and of us going through this world together:
Now let the song begin! Let us sing together!
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, bells on th heather,
Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!
I taught a year-long homeschool course of Teaching Literary Analysis using LOTR at my son's co-op a little over 10 years ago.
Hope you like my choice!
Excellent choice. It was always my greatest disappointment of the movie that they left Tom out. Having said that, he didn't really contribute to the narrative. The moth played a greater role.
Thank you.
Yes, TB wouldn't have worked in the movie. Besides, then I'd have to sit in the theater for a 4.5 hour extended edition!
I don't know if you're aware, but Brian Sibley dramatized LOTR on BBC back in1981. It's 13 hours long with the late-Sir Ian Holm playing as Frodo, this time. It's phenomenal. If you don't have it, I recommend it via Amazon or Ebay in CD format. Well, he regretted not including TB, so in 1992, he dramatized 4 short "fairie" stories plus The Adventures of Tom Bombadil from FOTR. It's titled Tales from the Perilous Realm. In addition to TB, it has:
Roverandom
Farmer Giles of Ham
Leaf by Niggle
Smith of Wooten Major
It's available on Audible. In fact, a bunch of Tolkien's work is available on Audible. I haven't heard Andy Serkis' narration of LOTR, yet. I'm too attached to Rob Inglis' versions.