Some people are asking, in the wake of Obama’s “elitist” comments, whether they are elites themselves. There must be some kind of a test. Outside The Beltway offers some criteria, and they’re right as far as they go. Let me… Continue Reading
This came up at lunch today. To distinguish between fruits and vegetables, it is necessary to remember how plants reproduce. Most plants reproduce sexually but have both male and female sexual organs. The androgynous reproductive organ of the plant is… Continue Reading
The Julian calendar had 365 days, with an extra day added to the end of every fourth February. This lighthearted article suggests that Caesar’s idea for the Julian calendar was taken from his sojourn in Egypt. That makes sense, given… Continue Reading
From the Ken Jennings blog: There’s a six-letter word that means “to put things back together.” Spell it backward, and it becomes a different word meaning “someone who puts things back together.” What are the words? Too easy, Ken. “Re-knit”… Continue Reading
CNN runs a program called American Morning, anchored by a handsome and steely-eyed newsreader named John Roberts. Mr. Roberts, however articulate his voice and pleasing his on-camera demeanor, is not a historian or even apparently a follower of politics. He… Continue Reading
If Benjamin Franklin had had his way, the wild turkey would be the national bird and a lot of people would be eating a symbol of the country tomorrow. Many people know this, but many people do not know that… Continue Reading
1. The Wife “quit” Toastmasters last week. I’m only four speeches towards getting the basic certification, and I think I’d like to finish it, if only to have actually finished it rather than stopping going because The Wife did. She… Continue Reading
The 1899 Cleveland Spiders finished their season with a 20-134 record. On today’s 162-game schedule, that would be a record of 21-141.