In November, Alabama voters will decide whether to amend that State’s constitution to “require all public schools to broadcast” or have performed “the first stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week.” [FN1] I say make that all 4 stanzas, especially stanza #3: 1/11

“No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.” [FN2] As a weekly rite, singing/performing four stanzas of a relatively short song should not be a factor.…

On Alabama voters’ ballots will be amendments to the State’s constitution to “require all public schools to broadcast or arrange for” performance of “the first stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week.” [FN1] Kids in Alabama public schools won’t be taught history. 1/9

The Constitution took effect 3/4/1789. [FN2] “The Star Spangled Banner” was written about the British bombardment of Baltimore on 9/13-14/1814 [FN3] in four stanzas by Francis Scott Key. [FN4] The third…

EVERYONE, PLEASE READ THIS. Iran became a military ally of China in 2021 and of Russia last year. [FN1] Military allies assist each other, especially when one ally is attacked. Imposition of blockade is an act of war. [FN2] In 1914, treaties of mutual aid led to WW1. [FN3] 1/10

We have more recent experience in coming close to nuclear war. In October 1962, Pres Kennedy was told the U.S.S.R. was placing missiles in Cuba. [FN4] On October 22, Pres Kennedy announced a strict quarantine…

Pres Kennedy had read “The Guns of August,” Tuchman’s the Pulitzer-winning account of how European leaders bungled the World into war in 1914, shortly before the U.S. learned the Soviet Union was building launch sites for missiles in Cuba. [FN1] To paraphrase JFK: 1/9

“I will not bungle our way into war as did Europe.” A president reading works of history to guide our country seems silly today. I mean literally today. The header on Thom Hartmann’s blog today stopped me. [FN2] Hartmann…