I’m going to listen to a biography of Jefferson on CD over the next week and I hope to learn more about one of the most interesting figures in all of history. Yesterday’s meditation upon the Declaration of Independence only… Continue Reading
div#main{overflow:visible;} I think there needs to be more Robot Chicken in the world. That’s freaking hilarious. Link from FARK.
We revere our Founding Fathers, more than anything else because they led the fight for our independence, against a global superpower. They threw the glove at King George III two hundred and thirty-two years ago today. It’s useful to remember… Continue Reading
On July 1, 1858, Charles Darwin co-presented his concept of evolution by way of natural selection to the Linnaeus Society in London. In so doing, he lent his already-considerable scientific prestige to a number of ideas that had fallen into… Continue Reading
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina gets the award for the most unhinged reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling: “I will also explore the possibility, if necessary, of a constitutional amendment to blunt the effect of this decision when it… Continue Reading
The writ of habeas corpus was powerfully vindicated today in the case of Boumediene v. Bush. The background is a little bit complex, but it basically has to do with our prisoners in Guantánamo Bay. Who are — let us… Continue Reading
Antoine Laurent Lavoisier is best known as the father of modern chemistry. This picture of him and his wife Marie-Anne, a full-size print of the original (which can be found at the Met) graces the wall of my living room.… Continue Reading
Mildred Loving passed away Friday, at the age of 68. Mrs. Loving, and her husband Richard, successfully challenged the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal ban on miscegenation, and won for themselves the right to marry, in 1967. Her husband, Richard, died… Continue Reading
A question that sometimes people like me get asked is: “Churches do a lot of good works out there. What are atheists doing that is so good in the world?” Another question is, “The past is dead, so why study… Continue Reading
In New England and in selected locations down the mid-Atlantic seaboard, the third Monday in April is celebrated as Patriot’s Day. This is because on April 19, 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired in the Battle… Continue Reading