For twenty some years I recorded 10 volumes of Daily Notes that rehearsed events of the day. Recently by happenstance my wife was perusing Vol. I. Curiosity aroused I read the opened page and found this Daily Note: “Did some banking and now plan to try t0 understand David’s Hume’s attack on rationalism and induction” Continue reading “Scottish Philosopher David Hume – Ideas Influencing the Declaration of Independence and Constitution”
Author Archives: profbartling1
Battle of Antietam and Aftermath – Emancipation Proclamation and Shifting War Aims
Recently published is Michael Korda’s historical biography – Clouds of Glory: The Life and Legend of Robert E. Lee. The biography provides an admiring portrait 0f Lee. Korda writes Lee’s “strengths were his courage, his sense of duty, his religious belief , his military genius, his constant search to do the right, and his natural and instinctiveContinue reading “Battle of Antietam and Aftermath – Emancipation Proclamation and Shifting War Aims”
“THE PARTHENON ENIGMA” – The History of Historical Interpretations
An article in the New Yorker (4-14-14) drew my attention. DEEP FRIEZE, presented by Daniel Mendelsohn, is a critique of another historian’s scholarship. Since the Enlightenment, he notes, the Parthenon is interpreted as “designed to represent everything we have wanted both ancient Athens and our own liberal democracies to be: the pure expression of aContinue reading ““THE PARTHENON ENIGMA” – The History of Historical Interpretations”
Fourteenth Amendment — context for contemporary issue relating to citizenship and voting rights
The relationship between state citizenship and national citizenship was unclear in the Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, contains a “citizenship clause” which establishes the nation as one body of citizens of one nation without question. The Dred Scott decision of 1857 recognized two classes of citizens – the citizens naturalized by Congress, and whites whoContinue reading “Fourteenth Amendment — context for contemporary issue relating to citizenship and voting rights”
SOCHI; U.S. WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM BEGRUDGES OLMYPIC VICTORY
The American women’s hockey team tearfully stood on the podium wearing their silver medals. Rather than placing their silver medal victory in a sportsmanship relationship with that of gold they begrudged their own victory. They did not cross the oceans to Zochi to return home without the anticipated gold medal. Seventy years ago in our varsity dressing room our coach displayed the motto: Continue reading “SOCHI; U.S. WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM BEGRUDGES OLMYPIC VICTORY”
RECOVERING THE CLASSICAL HERITAGE – HOW THE WORLD BECAME MODERN
Recently my reading included Stephen Greenblatt’s Pulitzer Prize Winner The SWERVE: How the World BECAME MODERN. The book jacket announces Greenblatt’s work as “A RIVETING TALE Of The Great Cultural Swerve Known as the RENAISSANCE”. Reading the book reminded me of several themes encountered in my reading and studies. Greenblatt tells how a humanist bookContinue reading “RECOVERING THE CLASSICAL HERITAGE – HOW THE WORLD BECAME MODERN”
FAMILY PHOTOS – THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
By happenstance viewing computer files “Disc 1 Family photos 1958 to 1985 – Christmas 2007” appeared on the screen. The theme: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE – ENCIRCLED BY GRACE was the message shared with our children. This holiday season respect and empathy ought be given to the diversity of cultural and religious heritages of all in aContinue reading “FAMILY PHOTOS – THE CIRCLE OF LIFE”
THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS/HOLOCAUST: DON’T BLAME GOD
A scripture read at a recent service came from the prophet Malachi. His name means my messenger. Malachi warns (4: 1-2a) that the day of the Lord is coming. On that day evil will be destroyed like stubble in a fire, when “the sun of righteousness” will shine on those who fear God. Our MondayContinue reading “THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS/HOLOCAUST: DON’T BLAME GOD”
BIRMINGHAM 1963: CHURCH BOMBING MURDERS FOUR GIRLS
Fifty years ago the16th street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed killing four African-American girls, among them Denise McNair, 11. THE LUTHERAN (10/13) commemorates this tragic event with an article: Remembering BIRMINGHAM: Lutheran pastor was leader in the civil rights movement. Joseph Ellwanger, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church “was teaching an adult Bible study andContinue reading “BIRMINGHAM 1963: CHURCH BOMBING MURDERS FOUR GIRLS”
“COLUMBIA” AS SYMBOL: VALUE NEXUS OF PRE-CIVIL WAR AMERICA
Symbols, other than in human form, reflect the values of an age. McClung Fleming’s “Symbols of the United States: From Indian Queen to Uncle Sam” is an illustration of the importance of Symbol as reflection of the values of an age. (Archives – Wintherthur Museum). Between the years 1755 to 1850 some of these symbols were usedContinue reading ““COLUMBIA” AS SYMBOL: VALUE NEXUS OF PRE-CIVIL WAR AMERICA”
The Bartling Scholarship 