Category Archives: History

An Unforeseen Consequence of the Dissolution of the Monasteries

Posted on November 28, 2019 by

England was shattered by the dissolution of the Roman Catholic church in the 1530s. One unforeseen consequence was the destruction of provision for the poor. The monasteries had a religious duty towards them. Those who were entirely incapable of surviving … Continue reading →

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Ancestry

Posted on November 20, 2019 by

Last month both Jan and I were invited to my cousin’s and his wife’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. It wasn’t until near the date of the celebration we learned that four of our children(?), their partners and grandchildren were also invited. … Continue reading →

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John Muir’s religious environmentalism and the Yosemite National Park

Posted on November 16, 2019 by

John Muir is a towering figure in American environmental history. He was a geologist, botanist, mountaineer, journalist, author, confidant of Presidents and industrial leaders, co-founder of the Sierra Club and much more. His opinions were eagerly sought and often acted … Continue reading →

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Technology and beneficial job destruction

Posted on November 14, 2019 by

Introduction Traditionally work was regarded as a necessity. This is challenged by constant improvements in technological devices and strategies. Entire sectors of employment have disappeared. The changes cause immediate pain through unemployment, which is the price of economic innovation. Constant … Continue reading →

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It’s a bit extreme but….

Posted on November 7, 2019 by

Peggy

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John F Kennedy, Dallas, November 1963

Posted on October 31, 2019 by

All language is loaded with biases, which shape understanding. There are a five examples below illustrating this point. Kennedy went to Dallas in 1963 and died Entirely correct and uninformative: Kennedy died. The death of a president is intrinsically important … Continue reading →

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Football Review: England 5- Kosovo 3: September 2019

Posted on September 16, 2019 by

In the annals of English football this will count as yet another victory in a qualifying match for the European championships. And it is. Unfortunately all it does is feed Scottish style delusions. In the two halves England won one, … Continue reading →

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