Mark Twain And Profanity
This content was originally published July 9, 2010. … There is a proposal in San Francisco to ban the sale of pets. The proposal has little chance of passing. There is even less chance of this measure being enacted in Georgia. But maybe it should. According to a California source “The real problem, staff said, is hamsters. People buy the high-strung, nocturnal rodents because they’re under the temporary impression that hamsters are cute and cuddly. But the new owners quickly learn that hamsters are, in fact, prone to biting, and gnawing through expensive wiring. …
… So the animals end up at the shelter. Just about every species has its own rescue group in San Francisco, but no one seems to want hamsters. Hamsters are the No. 1 animal euthanized at the city’s shelter, said San Francisco Animal Care and Control director Rebecca Katz.”(Katz?) Here is an animal euthanasia provider who supports the ban. “”the concept is something I think positively of. A lot of these animals, I get the feeling people buy them on impulse and they’re sold as somewhat disposable”. … People get pets as an impulse, or as gifts. When they get tired of them, the pet is often murdered. There is also the issue to the excess reproductive capacity of many animals. …
… When I took speech and drama in high school, one of the cheerleaders started a speech by saying “you are going to think I am a monster”. Her proposal was to outlaw pets. The amount of food used to feed companion animals could be used to feed humans. Ditto the medical resources used to treat sick animals. People sometimes are so in love with their pets, that they do not see the harm they do to others. A dog that will not stop barking is an infringement on the rights of others. A pit bull that gets loose can ruin the life of someone who gets in the way. …
… I lived for 23 years in a duplex, and had a wide variety of neighbors. I was fussed at for closing the gate to the back yard by one household. Another neighbor threatened a lawsuit for leaving the gate open.A Florida import dumped his catbox eighteen inches from where I opened my car door. There was the little black dog that I became friends with, only to be poisoned by enemies of the owner. … It is well known that the pampered pets of the wealthy live much better than many human children. Maybe this money needs to be spent on people.
This content was originally published July 17, 2010. … The WordPress homepage linked to a post on the benefits of “swearing“. Since Chamblee54 had a post about *donkeys* the other day, maybe this is a good subject to continue on. As before, this is a profanity light blog, and this discussion on cussing will not have any examples. If you do not know any of the words, then you need to get out more. …
… It seems like a grant monger at a university did a study. The subjects were asked to hold their hands in freezing water. Half of the subjects were allowed to say a swearword of their choice, the other half said a non expletive control word. The cussers felt less pain. I don’t know how this was measured, or whether I believe this. … Mark Twain had a similar thought. “Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” …
… The reference to prayer is another twist in this tale. Much of the objection to profanity is from Christians. These are people who consider the Bible to be “the word of God”. And yet, if you go to the Greek and Hebrew original texts, you will find every body part and reproductive act mentioned. The ban on cussing is more of a social issue than a moral one. … Christians have the same anger management issues as non believers. Some have a lot more. Often Xtians will use words like Jesus and God as a device for expressing displeasure. …
… This does not speak well for either Jesus or God, and violates the Third Commandment. Perhaps these believers would be better off to use words for body parts as insults, instead of a reference to God. … The subject of profanity is fertile ground for bloggers, and I will return to it before long. Before we go today, there are a few more comments from the post that started this, in addition to some zingers from the Mark Twain quotes page about profanity. That archive supplies a source, unlike many facebook quotemongers. …
… “The idea that no gentleman ever swears is all wrong. He can swear and still be a gentleman if he does it in a nice and benevolent and affectionate way.” Mark Twain – Private and Public Morals speech, 1906. · “There ought to be a room in every house to swear in. It’s dangerous to have to repress an emotion like that.” Mark Twain – Mark Twain A Biography · “When angry count four; when very angry, swear.” Mark Twain – Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar · “swearing is like perfume. used intelligently in small doses – it can enhance the meaning of a phrase. if it’s cheap and overwhelmingly applied – it can make you leave the room! Kaiamaeve …
… I must confess, I quite like swearing. But, like everything, try to do it in moderation. A good oath blurted out at the right time can really emphasize a message. I don’t think I know any adults who never swear, but I know many who rarely let out a good curse-word and, when they do, you know they really mean it. They make it count. Andrew Berthoff · I had my days at military school where I cussed like, well, a soldier, and I’ve also had my church-going days where I promised myself that I didn’t swear at all. Those days are both behind me now, and I really try to not swear very much because I think it makes me sound like an moron. Nathan …
… There is a Mark Twain quote used today. The source is Mark Twain A Biography, not his writing. If you look in MTAB, this is what you see: “Steve was a merciless joker, and never as long as they were together could he “resist the temptation of making Sam swear,” claiming that his profanity was grander than any music.” … Mark Twain’s profanity. For it was rarely misplaced; hence it did not often offend. It seemed, in fact, the safety-valve of his high-pressure intellectual engine. When he had blown off he was always calm, gentle; forgiving, and even tender. Once following an outburst he said, placidly: “In certain trying circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity furnishes a relief denied even to prayer.” …
… There is another Twain quote attributed to MTAB: “He usually had a number of clippings or slips among the many books on the bed beside him from which he proposed to dictate each day, but he seldom could find the one most needed. Once, after a feverishly impatient search for a few moments, he invited Miss Hobby to leave the room temporarily, so, as he said, that he might swear. He got up and we began to explore the bed, his profanity increasing amazingly with each moment. It was an enormously large bed, and he began to disparage the size of it. “One could lose a dog in this bed,” he declared. Finally I suggested that he turn over the clipping which he had in his hand. He did so, and it proved to be the one he wanted. Its discovery was followed by a period of explosions, only half suppressed as to volume. Then he said: “There ought to be a room in this house to swear in. It’s dangerous to have to repress an emotion like that.” … Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken October 31, 1956. “Wrecked police automobile” · ©Luther Mckinnon 2025 · selah
Door To Door Jesus
This content was originally published July 12, 2010. … Uzi called just as I was coming back to the computer with a sandwich. Even though it was Georgia July hot, Uzi wanted to get out and walk. Before long the old people’s favorite place to walk was suggested … the mall. I put clean pants on, and went over to Perimeter Mall. Walking into the capitalism cathedral, I began to think that I was the only white man without a tattoo. The lady at the tea shop did not mind, and offered a sample of some product. The two teas had a lovely taste, and many benefits for good health. …
… On the upstairs part of the mall (where fans blow the aroma of the food court) was the apple store. The merchandise was beautiful, and since I can’t afford it, I didn’t ask what it costs. One computer had a screen the size of a living room TV, and the cutest keyboard. The sales staff was attentive, even the one with the tattoos. As I left, the young lady at the door said “have an excellent day”. Before long, it was time to hit the food court. First, you go for a slow walk around the facility, taking samples from anyone foolish enough to offer one. …
… Then a decision is made. In the best food court tradition, I went to one vendor and Uzi to another. I got a fine meal of chicken, rice, greens, water, and styrofoam, and paid $5.87. While the food court lacked the ambiance of Piccadilly, it was a nice change of pace. After being satisfied that nothing had been missed, Uzi walked out to his car. A discussion was had about the struggle of old fogeyness, and how there has to be something else to do. I walked back inside, took a few more pictures of mannequins, and went home.
This content was originally published July 16, 2010. … I saw the two ladies walking across the street. One was white, one was black, both were carrying a book. The sensible dresses suggested door to door Jesus. … I was working on a picture when he heard a soft tapping on the door. Sure enough, it was the two ladies. The white one stepped forward and said ”Hi we are Jehovah’s witnesses. We are going around the neighborhood sharing a few words from the scriptures. I am sure you agree there is a lot of stress in life today”. I replied “I am looking at it”, and closed the door.
This content was originally published July 18, 2010. … I saw a link on facebook for a site called I Write Like. The idea is to paste a few paragraphs of your work in the box, have their computer hamsters run a few laps, and find out what author your style is similar to. “For reliable results paste at least a few paragraphs (not tweets).” Since the twitter revolution has passed me by (except for Conway Twitty jokes), this is not a problem. There is the matter of comparing apples to oranges. I write blog posts, which is a different animal from murder mysteries. …
My last post was about Mark Twain. After weeding out the quotes, I fed the text into the window. (The ease of copy/paste quotes is another game changer from the days of Dickens.) The droid said ”I write like Kurt Vonnegut.“ The bottom of the page had an amazon link to the books of Mr. Vonnegut. Perhaps this is the true motive. So it goes. … There was a doorstep encounter with a Jehovah’s Witness recently. The blog version was fed into iwritelike . The result: ”I write like Dan Brown”. …
A recent post about profanity is pasted in. “I write like Cory Doctorow”. It is time to go for a walk, before the alabama storms roll in. … On Tuesday the 13th, I wrote about the opium trade in Afghanistan as a possible motive for the war there. When I fed the text to the robots, the answer I got was “I write like David Foster Wallace“. It is better to write like DFW, than to imitate his lifestyle choices. … I Write Like is still in the game. As for the text in this post: “I write like Cory Doctorow“. … Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Marion Post Wolcott took the social media picture in August 1941. Crow Agency, Montana Dudes from the Quarter Circle U Brewster-Arnold Ranch, near Birney, at the Crow Indian fair. · selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
Actually A Compliment
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Jack Delano took the social media picture in January 1940. “Italian metal worker at the Correct Manufacturing Company in Fallston Pennsylvania.” · This is the monday morning reader for a boring week. The picture below: “Italian metal worker at the Correct Manufacturing Company in Fallston Pennsylvania.” · Jack Delano took the social media picture in January 1941. “Croatian steelworker in union hall in Midland, Pennsylvania” · In an interview with US journalist Chris Hedges, (United Nation’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca) Albanese, an expert in international law, concluded: “The genocide in Gaza has not stopped, because it is lucrative. It’s profitable for far too many.” · By 2009, Cynthia McKinney was no longer in congress. She still had her touch for controversy. She was arrested by Israeli police for trying to bring supplies into Gaza. Some things never change · Darryl is describing what he saw Americans doing in the Saudi-Yemen war. “And I don’t think I’m divulging any classified information here or anything. And honestly, like, with something like this, like, I just, I don’t. I don’t particularly care. I guess nobody ever told me not to talk about it. But when the Saudi war and UAE war on Yemen was going on, and every day you’re reading in the paper of kids literally starving to death, of kids dying of very preventable, very treatable diseases by the tens of thousands on a regular basis. And we would be interdicting… smugglers coming from Baluchistan and other places, trying to come in and out of Yemen. And we’d stop their Dows and small boats and we’d, you know, board them and search them and so forth. And when this was going on, I wasn’t a part of the crew. I was a civilian Department of Defense employee. And. But I go out on deck and I kind of watch these things go down… And I can’t tell you how many times, eventually it was one too many times, I would read one of those stories about what was going on in Yemen, and then we’re, you know, 100 miles off Yemen, stopping a boat that’s coming into that country that has nothing on it but medicine and watching everybody dump it into the ocean. and then everybody kind of celebrating like we just won another big victory, you know? And it got to the point where, again, it was just one too many times I couldn’t sleep at night. It was a big factor of why I left the job. It’s just. And, and, and, and I want to be very clear. I don’t indict the… sailors who were carrying out the mission.” · Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken January 1, 1949. Alberts Cancellation Shoes, 240 Peachtree Street, Atlanta. Today, 240 Peachtree is the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. · Today we take a look at two things I have done. On July 4, 2009, I was trying to clear kudzu off abandoned railroad tracks, in what would become the beltline. In July 2010, I went to a house party. The potted plants were complaining that the stereo was too loud · Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken September 23, 1952. · In 2010, the Prime Minister of Great Britain called for an end to the blockade of Gaza. Israel replied by blaming Hamas · Marion Wolcott Post took the social media picture in November 1939. Untitled photo, possibly related to: Itinerant preacher spreading “religion” to farmers outside warehouse while tobacco auction sales are going on. Durham, North Carolina · In 2010, Anne Rice “left Christianity” with a facebook post. I had a few opinions of my own · Howard Liberman took the social media picture in September 1942. “On board a fishing vessel, out from Gloucester, Massachusetts. Fishermen on the deck, washing up with a hose” · Every Night For A Thousand Years is a story about Walt Whitman’s time as a caregiver during the War Between the States. ENFATY, written in the voice of Mr. Whitman, appeared on The New Yorker podcast · “Union Colonel Richard Hinton met Whitman at Armory Square Hospital while recovering from a bullet wound suffered at Antietam … “When this old heathen came and gave me a pipe and tobacco, it was about the most joyous moment of my life. Walt Whitman’s funny stories, and his pipes and tobacco were worth more than all the preachers and tracts in Christendom. A wounded soldier don’t like to be reminded of his God more than twenty times a day. Walt Whitman didn’t bring any tracts or bibles; he didn’t ask if you loved the Lord, and didn’t seem to care whether you did nor not.” · Today’s contribution to the collected wisdom includes Coal mine safety, the Westboro Baptist Church, and bumper stickers · Consult is the base word of consultant. Consult can mean the dispenser of knowledge, or the act of seeking out this supply. There is usually money involved. When you glue on ant, as in insect … your aunt might be a consultant, but the u is not included … consultant adds another proprietary layer to the equation. Sometimes the exchange of information for money takes on a new level of professionalism. A person of my acquaintance was once in the business of entertaining gentleman callers, on a quid pro quo basis. She called herself a consultant. When you think about it, this is not as much a stretch as some would think. A meeting with an attorney is called a consultation, and sex worker is one of the kinder things that people call lawyers. Especially if ambulances are involved. · Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Marjory Collins took the social media picture in March 1942. “Washington DC Printing the school paper at the Armstrong Technical High School” · selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
Coal Pays The Bills
This content was originally published July 23, 2010. … There is an idea that regulation is a bad thing. The government should let business alone, let them do what they need to do to make profits. There are others who disagree. Coal , the other fossil fuel, has a long history of bloodshed between workers and management. The story linked here is about methane detectors turned off, so that coal can continue to come out of the ground. In one special incident: Don Blankenship, the CEO of Massey Energy, was caught with a 2006 memo that told workers faced with safety rules, “you need to ignore them and run coal” because “coal pays the bills.” …
… In other news, BP has sort of fitted a cap on the mile deep gusher, just in time for hurricane season. There is no way of knowing how that story will turn out. And more stories are coming out about how workers on the deepwater horizon could see the problems, but kept silent. They wanted to keep their jobs. A key quote from the story linked: “But don’t lose the view of the big picture. Big business is there to make as much money as they can for their shareholders. They do not give a rat’s ass if they are sending their workers into harms way as long as the benefits outweigh the costs.
This content was originally published June 23, 2010. … Those fun lovers from the Westboro Baptist Church decided to protest a comic book convention in San Diego. The pulp fiction fans had a welcoming party, in costume. Lots of cameras were used, and a good time was had by all. Maybe this is not the best approach to take. The WBC peeps are living a fantasy, just like those who wear an intergalactic warrior uniform. Of course, the Phelps folks think they are spreading the truth, while most of the comic book crowd knows they are not really androids. Suppose, instead of protesting the WBC, they were welcomed to the fantasy fair. …
… In the free marketplace of ideas, the most creative will get the most notice. Let style take its rightful place in front of substance. If this were to happen, the WBC crowd would be ignored, instead of getting the persecution they so crave. The main difference between WBC and more mainstream brands of Jesus worship is the style. Yes, very few preachers picket the funerals of soldiers. But the substance of the poison…that homosexuals are terrible people because the Bible says so, if you don’t agree with me you go to hell… is very similar to the message delivered, at top volume, in thousands of pulpits every sunday morning. None of them speak well for Jesus. …
… I was going to make a comment about pedophilia, and how this does not seem to be a problem at WBC. Before he did so, I went to Google to make sure. I found this item. “Security was tight today as Westboro Baptist Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper appeared in Sarpy County Court to answer charges that she mutilated a flag and put her child in danger while protesting at the funeral of a Bellevue, Neb., soldier…According to Bellevue police, Phelps-Roper had her 10-year-old son stomp on an American flag. Church members had obtained a city of Bellevue permit to protest.”
This content was originally published July 26, 2010. … @$#% &#$$ likes Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. ” In the old days, people put a bumper sticker on their vehicle to show off the clever saying they heard. Now, they “like”. … According to wikipedia, bumper stickers did not exist before the bumper. The first BS were attached to the vehicle with wires. A printer in Kansas City MO named Forest P. Gill gets the credit ( or blame) for adding stick on adhesive to pvc, and creating the first modern BS. …
… When I was a kid, there was a miniature golf course on Cheshire Bridge Road called Putt Putt. The first bumper sticker I saw was from this facility. It said “I play Putt Putt” … Many concepts just don’t work when reduced to a few words. The subtleties of Christian teaching are not well served by “G-d Said it, I believe it, that settles it”. … Moving ahead to modern times, Likeydotnet is in the vanguard of digital slogan distribution. As a public service, this blog is going to post a few of these slogans. …
… No matter what I get on the computer to do, I always end up on Facebook. · I’m telling the truth, but then I smile, and then they think I’m lying. · We have the ice cream truck for the kids, why don’t we have a frozen margarita truck for us adults? · Mom, im 16 now. Can I have a Bra? … No, Justin. · Im a girl but I rather hang out with boys because it is less drama!!!! · “feel my legs!!!” “why…?” “i just shaved :)” · You’ll never find the right person if you don’t let go of the wrong one. …
… Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections. · Sarah and Richie don’t talk they just facebook…….SAD. · Be nice to your kids. They’ll choose your nursing home. · growing your beard during exams to seek extra wisdom. · Congratulations! You’re the 1,000,000 visitor!” Yeah bullshit. · I know when we ge older that im going to get a call from you telling me ur drunk and to ome and pick you up,and im fine with that(: · Everyone, CALM down! Everything will be okay!…LOL, j/k! We’re all gonna die…
… Noooo… being a stripper is a very respectable job. LOL jk, you’re a whore. · So, I kinda sorta maybe like you a little more than I had originally planned. · ”who u texting” “mum do i have to tell u who i’m texting” “yea, is it your boyfriend” “NO, its the queen” · A penis has a sad life. His hair is a mess, his family is nuts, his neighbour is an asshole, his bestfriend is a pussy and his owner beats him! · PIG PIG PIG!# i wonder if ur liking? · I Like Hip Hop Break dance ♥♥♥#ygvbyyhjviuv …
… no its not you i miss its your company · i like my hair snooki style :) · I’m with you Mag, I love Jesus, my strength and courage to face the day-I trust him with my day always · My Wee Angel · Older Brother: I’m goin to the shops. Me: Can you bring me back something? Older Brother: No. Me: Please. Older Brother: No. Me: Please. Older Brother: No. Me: Please. Older Brother: Maybe. *Comes back later* Me: What did you bring me? Older Brother: Sorry, I forgot. Me: LIAR!!! · you smell : realy :yer Well Nott Realy I Havee Hadd A Showerr …
… ten most shocking photos who put the surveys there · Girls, you look like a burnt cookie. Unplug the tanning bed and back away slowly. · I Love My Best Friend More Than ANYTHING! (: x · when you like someone but you know you cant have them · i say “hi”, but my heart is screaming “I LOVE YOU!!!” · Why do people leave without even saying goodbye? · If we invite someone to a party, we’d request “the honor of your presence”. If they’re a judge, it’s the presence of Your Honor. · Guy: I love you. Girl: No you don’t, ‘I love you’ are just words. Prove it to me and maybe I will believe you. … Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Howard Liberman took the social media picture in September 1942. “On board a fishing vessel, out from Gloucester, Massachusetts. Fishermen on the deck, washing up with a hose” · selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
Walt Whitman And The War
This content was originally published July 4, 2024. … Every Night For A Thousand Years is a story about Walt Whitman’s time as a caregiver during the War Between the States. It appears this month on The New Yorker fiction podcast. ENFATY was written in the voice of Mr. Whitman by Chris Adrian, and read for the podcast by @NathanEnglander.
After looking for his wounded brother, Mr. Whitman was struck by the plight of wounded soldiers. He started to visit the soldiers, giving them candy and food, writing letters for them, and giving what comfort he could. ENFATY focuses on one soldier, Hank Smith. Doctors wanted to amputate his leg. Hank had a pistol, and would not let them. By the time Hank was tricked into allowing an amputation, it was too late.
Not everyone approved of Mr. Whitman. “One disapproving commissioner, Harriet Hawley, complained to her husband: “Here comes that odious Walt Whitman to talk evil and unbelief to my boys. I think I would rather see the evil one himself—at least if he had horns and hooves.”
Others saw things differently. “Union Colonel Richard Hinton met Whitman at Armory Square Hospital while recovering from a bullet wound suffered at Antietam … “When this old heathen came and gave me a pipe and tobacco, it was about the most joyous moment of my life. Walt Whitman’s funny stories, and his pipes and tobacco were worth more than all the preachers and tracts in Christendom. A wounded soldier don’t like to be reminded of his God more than twenty times a day. Walt Whitman didn’t bring any tracts or bibles; he didn’t ask if you loved the Lord, and didn’t seem to care whether you did nor not.”
Conditions conditions in the hospitals were beyond horrible. This was an era when many people said “I do not need to wash my hands every day!” One nurse asked Mr. Whitman if he had a Bible. She wanted to cheer up, by reading the Book of Job.
“These hospitals, ranging in size from converted private mansions to filthy, mud-encrusted tents in contraband camps, were places to be feared by any thinking person. The great European medical advances in bacteriology and antisepsis were still tragically a few years in the future … the overworked and understaffed physicians continued to ascribe the soldiers’ ills to such fantastical causes as “malarial miasms, mephitic effluvia, … sewer emanations, and poisonous fungi in the atmosphere.” …
The predictable result of such hurried and horrific operations was postoperative infection. Pyemia, septicemia, erysipelas, osteomyelitis, tetanus, and gangrene were grouped together as “surgical fevers.” Pyemia, literally “pus in the blood,” was the most dreaded of all, with a mortality rate of 97.4 percent, but the other surgical fevers also claimed their deadly share of victims. Not without reason did Civil War soldiers fear doctors much more intensely than they feared the enemy. They had a greater chance of dying in the hospital than in the field.
“That whole damned war business is about 999 parts diarrhea to one part glory.” The quote is on page 187 of Intimate with Walt – Selections from Whitman’s Conversations with Horace Traubel, 1882-1892. Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. The social media picture was taken in September 1864. “Petersburg, Va. Group of Company B, U.S. Engineer Battalion”
Anne Rice
This content was originally published July 29, 2010. … Anne Rice made a highly public statement about her religious opinions. … “For those who care, and I understand if you don’t: Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being “Christian” or to being part of Christianity. It’s simply impossible for me to “belong” to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten …years, I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’m an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.” wed 07-29-1:36 pm …
“As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I’m out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of …Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.” 07-29-1:41 pm … “My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn’t understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me. But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been, or might become.” 07-29-5:30 pm …
… I added a few thoughts. 1 – Who cares? A part of Jesus worship that is disgusting is the assumption that anyone else cares whether or not you are a true believer. This co exists with the idea that the you are entitled to know about the beliefs of other people. There are people who think that their beliefs are their business. Just because you are a famous writer, that knows the value of publicity, does not mean your opinions about God are more valuable than mine. …
… 2 – Does Ms. Rice have a new book coming out soon? She does have a talent for publicity and marketing. The woods are full of talented authors. It takes work to hone this talent into marketable product. She then persuaded a publisher to take a chance selling her product, and got the public to buy truckloads of her books. This does not make her opinions about God more valuable than mine. …
… 3 – Jesus has mutated over time into the poster boy of this obscene religion. Maybe the “real Jesus” was anti gay, pro war, and anti thought. Maybe 2000 years ago the living person named Jesus had these highfalutin ideas about love thy neighbor. That is what the Bible says. For all we know, the historic Jesus was just as nasty as his worshipers are today. … The way to know Jesus is through his believers. The putrid spectacle of modern Christianity is what the spirit of Jesus has morphed into. …
… To say that you are pro Christ and Anti Christian is double talk, like hate the sin/love the sinner. Why not dispute the belief, and be kind to the believer? … I do not know what led Anne Rice to this impasse. I do not care. Anne Rice is a talented writer, that is enjoyed by millions of people. The only Anne Rice book that I read was “Interview With The Vampire”. I got 150 pages into it, and found it very powerful. It was taking me places I did not want to go. I did not finish IWTV. …
… Jesus has not been kind to me. His worshipers have heaped abuse on me. After a while, it does not make sense to find excuses for Jesus. If Jesus truly pays the price for the sins of his believers, then he should take the blame for this loud, hateful flock. And Anne Rice should quit talking about Jesus, and get back to writing books. … Anne Rice died December 11, 2021. … Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Marion Wolcott Post took the social media picture in November 1939. “Untitled photo, possibly related to: Itinerant preacher spreading “religion” to farmers outside warehouse while tobacco auction sales are going on. Durham, North Carolina” · selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
Gaza In 2010
This content was originally published July 28, 2010. … British prime minister David Cameron is on a visit to Turkey. He made a few comments about Gaza. “Let me also be clear that the situation in Gaza has to change. Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp.” Israel’s ambassador to Great Britain, Ron Prosor, replied “The people of Gaza are the prisoners of the terrorist organization Hamas. The situation in Gaza is the direct result of Hamas’ rule and priorities.” … Hamas was founded in 1987. This was just after the Iran contra affair, when Israel was helping Iran buy weapons. …
… 1987 is 39 years after the creation of the state of Israel. Many Arabs living in what became Israel left in 1948, and many settled in the Gaza Strip. The creation of Hamas was 20 years after the six day war, when Israel took control of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli soldiers were not greeted as liberators. What followed was an Israeli occupation of the territory. It was by, most accounts, a brutal affair, with Gazan resistance (“terrorism”) met by Israeli force. During this occupation, the prime “terrorist organization” was the P.L.O. They were the object of attacks by Israel, both propaganda and military. They were connected to the party Fatah, which became the primary agent of governance in Palestine. There was an election, and Hamas won. …
… There are reports that Hamas was secretly founded by Israel , to fight Fatah/PLO. Whether or not this is true, the fact is that Israel maintained a brutal occupation of Gaza. It should be no surprise that a “terrorist organization” would be popular, and win an election over yesterday’s boogieman. Both sides in this conflict have good talking points, and have suffered losses. The commentary above is oversimplified. However, to say the suffering of the Gazans “is the direct result of Hamas” constitutes an obscene piece of propaganda. HT to Juan Cole, an excellent source for news on the middle east.
This content was originally published July 29, 2010. … The fourth diva on the cd is Janis Joplin. Unlike the first three, she used her birth name as a stage name. Janis Lyn Joplin was born January 19, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas. Janis was a legend. As the singer for Big Brother and the Holding Company, she became an overnight superstar in 1967. She soon left Big Brother, and had ups and downs as a solo performer. As most of you know, she was fond of Southern Comfort and heroin. Janis passed away October 4, 1970. Janis appeared on the Dick Cavett Show on June 25, 1967. …
… Marianne Faithfull (Marian Evelyn Faithfull) was born 29 December 1946, in London. Unlike the first four divas in this series, she is still alive, and doing rather well. This is not for lack of trying, as she has had her adventures with hard drugs. She also dated Mick Jagger. There were many wild and crazy times, including being busted while wearing only a fur rug. Eventually, Ms. Faithfull went into a decline. She made a comeback in 1979 with “Broken English”. She continues to perform. … Marianne Faithfull passed away January 30, 2025. …
Dorothy Ashby is the third performer we will discuss today. She is not as well known as the first five, and is not known for her singing. She played harp. Dorothy Jeanne Thompson was born August 6, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. She married John Ashby, who played drums in her band. She died April 13, 1986. Youtube does not seem to have any videos of Mrs. Ashby performing. We will have to use an still picture video to include her. On the cd, she performs “Theme from Valley of the Dolls”. … Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken September 23, 1952. ©Luther Mckinnon 2025 · selah
Machete Hike
This content was originally published July 4, 2009. … They called it BYOM … bring your own machete. The plan was to meet at the bridge over the tracks on Piedmont Road, just north of the park. Next, go down to the proposed beltway path and clear out enough weeds to make a hike the next week feasible. I got to Ansley Mall a bit before 10, and found what looked like a shaded parking spot. The sidewalks were full of people leaving the end of the Peachtree Road Race. I hung out by the bridge, and waited for hikers. Finally, a few minutes before giving up, Angel showed up. …
… I asked Angel if what we were doing was legal. Angel said he thought so, and the police were probably busy with the Road Race. Within a few minutes the other four choppers had arrived. I said that someone needs to be first, and started down the hill to the tracks. I had brought some loppers, and very quickly found them to be useless. I had a small pair of hand clippers that I used. Clearing weeds from those tracks with hand clippers was like draining a swimming pool with a coffee mug. This process very quickly resembled work. …
Even though it was mild (by Atlanta July standards), I was soon light headed and covered in sweat. After a while, one person got out a small saw, and gave me his machete. Swinging a machete was also a workout, and I despaired of making much of a dent in the greenery. It was the plant kingdom against the animal kingdom, and the plants were winning. The good news was, with six people hacking at the underbrush, a surprising amount of progress was made. Before long, the troops reached the Montgomery Ferry Bridge, which was the turnaround.
This content was originally published July 31, 2010. … Phlash goes to the Prospect Party by Phlash Goober. Phlash was facing another evening reading about rich people, who have affairs and commit murder. Since the Prospect Party was nearby, Phlash decided to go. When he found the place, the first thing he noticed was the food. There were lots of soft drinks, and hollowed out watermelons filled with chunks of fruit. The obligatory spinach dip was there, as were pigs in blankets, and chips and dip. Phlash had already eaten dinner, but that seldom stops him. Phlash was getting a touch bored, until he started talking to a prospect. …
… “H” and Phlash have a mutual friend, and this gave them an excuse to chatter. “H” had just gotten back from Clemson, South Carolina, where there are orange tiger paws painted in the roadway. Did her car got scratched? Phlash went outside, and decided the music was too loud for conversation. He went back inside and saw his friend “Lawrence”. They discussed pictures of horses and non-synchronistic coincidence. Phlash stepped outside again. The music made his glasses rattle in their frames. He went back inside and saw the former Miss Tall International®, “Queen of Siam”. …
… Phlash saw his onetime camping friend “Pro-A”, who liked to talk. Phlash was getting reckless by this time, and a talking person, no matter how enthusiastic, is preferable to “Play that funky music white boy” at migraine level. “Have you read any good books lately, Pro-A?” As fate would have it, “Pro-A” had just finished a tome about Catherine the Great, a Russian Czarina, that Phlash was blissfully ignorant about. Still, he was a good sport, and listened for a few minutes, until someone interrupted this foodside chat with news about the new sneaker for Lesbians, the Dyke-EE. …
… At this point, Phlash came upon a conversation about Indian Food, vegetarianism, flatulence, and Bean-o. Phlash agrees with the concept of Bean-o, but wonders what people will do for after dinner amusement. Meanwhile, the music outside was turned down a notch, after houseplants complained about the noise. All this time, the hot tub had been bubbling away, inviting all the tallfolk into the waters. Phlash followed, just in time for a stimulating conversation about ugly bridesmaid dresses. At this point, Phlash got dressed, grabbed one last handful of pretzels, and went home. … After publication, the party hostess was offended by this article. … Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken January 1, 1949. Alberts Cancellation Shoes, 240 Peachtree Street, Atlanta. Today, 240 Peachtree is the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. · selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
Cynthia McKinney Brought Crayons
This content was originally published July 5, 2009. … Cynthia McKinney is in an Israeli jail. That is about the only thing I can say for sure. A boat carrying supplies to Gaza was stopped by Israel. Miss McKinney was taken into custody. In a telephone statement, Miss McKinney said : “…I had a suitcase full of crayons for children … My cellmates came to the Holy Land so they could be free from the exigencies of superpower politics“ … As the fishwrapper tells the tale, Miss McKinney was offered a quick release if she would sign a statement. According to her mother, Leola McKinney, the statement was written in Hebrew. …
… The story also has this tidbit: “Israeli officials blame Cynthia McKinney and her group for the controversy, saying they were looking for confrontation to attract publicity. The officials note that Palestinian Authority and the rest of the international community had agreed to the off-shore blockade to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza.” A google search of “officials note that Palestinian Authority and the rest of the international community had agreed to the off-shore blockade to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza” did not yield the text of a statement by “Israeli officials”. Nor did it shed any light on an “international community agreement”. The ding ding ding you hear is a BS detector. …
… A google search for “palestinian authority agrees to blockade of Gaza” yields little except confusion. There is an article which says : “Hamas Saturday accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) of supporting the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip in a bid to weaken the Islamic movement which controls the territory.” The PA denies the charges, and says Hamas is playing politics. Ding, ding, ding. … What sort of government agrees to a blockade of its own people? What “international Community” has the authority to say it is OK? The suffering in Gaza continues, and that is the other certainty in this story.
This content was originally published July 7, 2009. … The book for the waiting room is “Genius and Heroin”. I finished my part one post on page 123, with Jean Harlow. Continuing through the H section, I see that LSD was the drug of choice for Jimi Hendrix. This is not the first time the I have doubted G&H, nor is it likely to be the last. Later, in a sidebar to Henry VIII, the cause of death for some English kings is listed. The hot poker massage of Edward II is not mentioned. We do see that James I had gout in 1625, probably from the consumption of too much meat. George II met his maker after “excessive pushing” on the throne in 1760. …
… William Sydney Porter went to federal prison for bank fraud. He used the time to write the short stories that made him famous. His prisoner number was transliterated into his pen name, O Henry. … The dealership has a customer workroom. This is a quiet place, without the inevitable TV. Today is the memorial service for Michael Jackson. G&H is a series of mini biographies. The honorees were brilliant men and women who had problems, many of which led to an early grave. I suspect that if it was being written today, G&H it would have a section about Michael Jackson.
This content was originally published July 09, 2009. … MJ is gone, but not forgotten. The rest of the news is kinda rotten. In Iran, the protest and bash cycle is starting up again. In Israel, Mr. Netanyahu is acting strange. (It might not be acting). It would be a natural move for him to start a war with Iran, or maybe a feel good crackdown in Gaza. … Back in the YouEssAA, the pundits just won’t leave Sarah Palin alone. Andrew Sullivan posted a few words on why he won’t let up. His thesis is that a woefully deficient woman was almost elected Vice President, and he doesn’t like that. …
… This is too little and too late. In 2000, George W. Bush ran for president against Al Gore. W turned out to be a dangerous mistake. Maybe, if the press had scrutinized him with the vigor they are showing Mrs. Palin, W would have lost the election. There are indications that 911 was motivated by a personal grudge against the Bush family. If Al Gore had won the election, 911 might not have happened. Even if it had, Gore’s reaction possibly would have been more competent. There is a good chance Mr. Gore would not have invaded Iraq to punish Saudi Arabia. … Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Jack Delano took the social media picture in January 1941. “Croatian steelworker in union hall in Midland, Pennsylvania · selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
Derangement Syndrome
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Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. John Vachon took the social media pictures in April 1940. “Transient men waiting in line for evening meal served at 5 p.m. at the city mission. Dubuque, Iowa.” · Here is this week’s Monday afternoon reader. The picture below was taken in April 1940. “Transient men waiting in line for evening meal served at 5 p.m. at the city mission. Dubuque Iowa.” · Things would like to hear people say: There was some overblown rhetoric about SB 203, which turned out to be false. We were stupid and wrong to move the MLB All-Star game out of Atlanta in 2021. I am not holding my breath. · Contestants, Bathing Girl Revue, Galveston, Tex., May 14th, 1922 · The story of Diane Linkletter gets stranger the more you look into it. By part three, her boyfriend is delivering drugs to 10050 Cielo Dr, the afternoon before the Manson crew came to visit · We have these six letter words. One starts with r, the other ends with r. One I am forbidden to say, one I am forbidden to not say. What would happen if we substituted on six letter word for the other? · This look at 2009 features a discussion at a Christian website on the topic, did the whale swallow Jonah or did Jonah swallow the whale? Pictures of culinary tragedies are from This is why your’e fat. The picture below: Hamburger Cake · Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken June 10, 1966. “Beauty Contestants at Dinkler Plaza Hotel.” · When you get a foil condiment of tomato purée, it is always “Fancy Ketchup.” Has anyone ever gotten plain ketchup? · This post is about drama involving Nikole Hannah-Jones. It was originally posted in 2021. Since then, Ms. Hannah-Jones’s Trump-orange hair has been braided. · This is a repost. · Pictures today are from The Library of Congress Jack Delano took the social media picture in January 1940. “Italian metal worker at the Correct Manufacturing Company in Fallston Pennsylvania.”· selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
#1619Gate Part Three
When we last checked in on @nhannahjones, she was at the center of a national hissy fit about tenure. This is not usually a hot button issue, but people enjoy controversy. In the few weeks since then, there have been some developments.
“Nikole Hannah-Jones will not join UNC-Chapel Hill faculty without tenure” This was the day before the chamblee54 piece. “In their letter, Hannah-Jones’s legal team argues information was withheld from her when she signed her fixed-term contract with the school.”
“Deadline set for lawsuit in Nikole Hannah-Jones tenure controversy” “On Thursday, attorneys … sent a letter to Charles Marshall, the school’s vice chancellor and general counsel. The letter laid out Hannah-Jones’ case and demanded UNC-Chapel Hill make good on what they said was its initial offer of a tenured position for Hannah-Jones … “We intend to bring litigation to vindicate Ms. Hannah-Jones’ rights under federal and state law. This letter is to demand that UNC take immediate action to remedy its conduct to avoid suit by making an unconditional offer to Ms. Hannah-Jones of a tenured appointment as full professor no later than June 4, 2021.”
If you want to make a bad situation worse, have your attorney give an ultimatum. This correspondent is not a lawyer, and was not privy to the negotiations. Is mentioning tenure during contract negotiations a valid reason to break the contract? The dispute went back and forth for a few weeks, and was the occasion for much recreational outrage.
UNC trustees grant tenure to Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The 1619 Project, after weeks of criticism The journalist celebrated on twitter. There were some hints she would not take the job.
Nikole Hannah-Jones chooses to teach at Howard over UNC-Chapel Hill Ms. Hannah-Jones went on “CBS This Morning” to announce her decision. She said, regarding the initial offer, “I accepted it.” As for why she was denied tenure: “It’s pretty clear that my tenure was not taken up because of political opposition, because of discriminatory views against my viewpoint, and, I believe, my race and my gender.” Ms. Hannah-Jones’s hair was less orange than it was in the graduation gown picture.
This feature will not discuss whether she should have received tenure, or the reasons for this denial. These issues have been discussed, at obnoxious length, elsewhere. Nor will it discuss the shady behavior of the “Slanderous & nasty-minded mulattress.” (When researching this post, a copy was made of the NHJ twitter profile. It included “Knight Chair @unchussman.” The profile has since been updated. NHJ is known for “revising” her twitter account.)
The issue today is fulfilling your contractual obligations. Her legal team admits “Since signing the fixed-term contract, Ms. Hannah-Jones has …” The time to DEMAND tenure is before you sign a five year contract. Given the ethical issues with The 1619 Project, this should not be surprising. Pictures are from The Library of Congress. More #1619Gate episodes are available: 092229 052321 011922 012222 This is a repost. ©Luther Mckinnon 2025
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