Chamblee54

Hiroshima 80 Years Later

Posted in History, Library of Congress by chamblee54 on August 7, 2025


This content was published August 9, 2024. … At 8:15 am, August 6, 1945, Hiroshima got nuked. It was the start of a new era. Since Japan is 13 hours ahead of Georgia, and standard time was used, the literal anniversary is 8:15 pm, August 5.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi was working in Hiroshima when the bomb hit. He survived, and found a train to take hime to his home town, Nagasaki.

The device dropped on Hiroshima, the Little Boy, had an estimated force of 13 kilotons of Trinitrotoluene, or TNT. A kiloton of TNT is roughly a cube whose sides are ten meters. This device is fairly tiny compared to many of the warheads developed since. Many of the modern appliances are measured in megatons, or millions of tons of TNT. The Soviet Union had a bomb with a capacity of 50 megatons, or 4,000 times the size of the Little Boy.

The largest weapon tested by The United States is the Castle Bravo. This device destroyed Bikini Atollin the Pacific. The two piece swimsuit was named for this island. The Castle Bravo device had a yield of 15 megatons of TNT. This is roughly 1,000 times the power of the Little Boy.

The decision to drop the bomb has long been controversial. There are a lot of factors and gray areas, and the issue does not lend itself to sound bite solutions. The conventional wisdom is that Japan surrendered because of the nuclear attack. This meant the war was shortened by at least a year, there was no invasion of Japan, and many lives were saved. I am scared by the moral calculus involved in a decision like this … do 100,000 civilian deaths prevent the deaths of 500,000 soldiers? I suspect that even God herself would lose sleep over that one.

There is also evidence that the bomb was not needed. Japan was whipped in August 1945. The air raids were conducted in daylight with little resistance. A debate was going on in the Japanese government on whether to continue the fight.

An event happened the day between Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, which influenced the Japanese decision to surrender. The Soviet Union had agreed to help the United States with the war against Japan. On August 8, The Soviet Union invaded Japanese occupied Manchuria. There are indications that Japan knew the fight was hopeless at this point, and would rather surrender to The United States than The Soviet Union. This is one of the gray areas that never seems to be mentioned.

The United States wanted the war to end quickly for obvious reasons, and a few subtle ones. America did not want to share the spoils of Japanese war with The Soviet Union. There were already tensions between the two allies, and the cold war was not far off. Many felt The United States used the Little Boy as a warning to The Soviet Union.

When you get your moral software out, you might want to figure in the effect of opening the nuclear Pandora’s box. Would the nuclear bomb have been developed by other countries if America had not led the way? The science is not that complicated…after all, America hit paydirt with the Manhattan Project fairly quickly. Nonetheless, there is karma involved in using a terrible new device on a civilian population. The United States started the wind of the arms race, and has yet to feel the whirlwind.

This is a repost. The pictures are from The Library of Congress. Ansel Adams took the social media picture in 1943. “Manzanar street scene, spring, Manzanar Relocation Center.” The ladies in the bridge game are Aiko Hamaguchi, Chiye Yamanaki, Catherine Yamaguchi, and Kazoko Nagahama.

Barbeque Part Two

Posted in Poem by chamblee54 on August 6, 2025

One History Of Religion

Posted in Georgia History, GSU photo archive by chamblee54 on August 5, 2025
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This content was published August 25, 2023. … I was a southern baptist all my life. Arguably, I became a baptist when my mother converted in 1938, but really didn’t get with the program until I was born in 1954. The story is that Daddy called the choir director at six in the morning to sign me up. … First Baptist in Atlanta was a big church on Peachtree street, about a mile north of downtown. (FBC sold the land to a developer, and moved to Dunwoody. I was working a block away, when they tore down the building. I got some chips of brick as a souvenir.) …

… I sang in the “cherub” choir. This was quite an experience when we performed in front of a full house. I have good memories of Sunday school, vacation bible school, and the choir program. … One thing I did not like, even at that young age, was the preacher. He was a greasy haired man who shouted a lot. Years later, I heard persistent rumors that he was gay. One Sunday, we were watching him preach, and he shouted, “this is the word of God”. He then waved a Bible in the air, and slammed it into the pulpit. I thought, if that is the word of God, maybe he shouldn’t slam it down like that. …

… In 1962, mom and dad decided to move to a church closer to home. I liked Briarcliff Baptist. About this time, I first heard about being “saved from sin”, and thought it was a pretty cool idea. I was also in the cub scouts. Their meetings were the same day as choir practice, so I quit the choir. I attended church regularly the next few years, but never did join the church, and get baptized. The custom of pressuring children to make a “commitment of faith” reflects poorly on Jesus.

This content was published August 28, 2009. … There is a email going around, that you are supposed to send to your friends. The email is a personality test. Allegedly it is endorsed by the Dalai Lama. I think Tenzin Gyato has more sense than that, and has looked for an endorsement. In fact, a google search for “personality test” at DalaiLama dotcom yields no answer. … Official or not, the test is harmless enough. There are four questions. Make a wish before you start, which will be known only to you. Write down your answers on paper, and then look at the results. If you want a fancier version of the test, you can go here, there, or wait until you get the email. …

… 1- Put the following 5 animals in the order of your preference: Cow, Tiger, Sheep, Horse, Pig · 2- Write one word that describes each one of the following: Dog, Cat, Rat, Coffee, Sea · 3- Think of someone, who also knows you and is important to you, which you can relate them to the following colors. Do not repeat your answer twice. Name just one person for each color: Yellow, Orange, Red, White, Green · 4- Finally, write down your favorite number, and your favorite day of the week. · Ok, are you through with your answers? Remember, no looking ahead! …

… 1-This will define your priorities in your life. Cow Signifies CAREER, Tiger Signifies PRIDE, Sheep Signifies LOVE, Horse Signifies FAMILY, Pig Signifies MONEY · 2-Your description of dog implies your own personality. Your description of cat implies the personality of your partner. Your description of rat implies the personality of your enemies. Your description of coffee is how you interpret sex. Your description of the sea implies your own life. · 3-Yellow: Someone you will never forget– · Orange: Someone you consider your true friend · Red: Someone that you really love · White: Your twin soul · Green: Someone that you will remember for the rest of your life · 4-You have to send this message to as many persons as your favorite number and your wish will come true on the day that you recorded. … Photographs today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library and Digital Library of Georgia. The social media picture was taken between 1910 and 1929. “African American woman is baptized“. ©Luther Mckinnon 2025 · selah

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Letter To Young Radicals

Posted in Library of Congress, Weekly Notes by chamblee54 on August 4, 2025



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About Richard Hanania, Please Don’t Shoot The Help! Letter to Young Radicals …
Foods that spike a patient’s blood glucose are not what you think
Quote Origin: If All Those Present Were Laid End to End, I Wouldn’t Be at All Surprised
Five armed Palestinian groups joined Hamas in the deadly 7 October attack on Israel …
The World Has Lost Its Mind About Israel—and I’m Done Being Silent
A Pro-Israel Nonprofit is Funneling News Content Through Bari Weiss’s “Free Press”
arooj aftab · arooj aftab · arooj aftab · google · a1c
water main · half pint · 3of7 · richie west · never eaten
clarkesworld · arabia mountain · granite · james venable
archive atlanta · beinart stewart · martyrmade · little green footballs · clarkesworld
Marjory Collins took the social media picture in March 1942. “Washington DC Printing the school paper at the Armstrong Technical High School” · This is the last monday morning reader for July. Sometimes, it is better to skip over the text, and look at the pictures · 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. · I Write Like is an online gimmick. You paste some text into the window, and it tells you who you write like. As for this post, “I write like Cory Doctorow“. · 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 · A Mark Twain quote in this feature is sourced to a biography, rather than Mr. Twain directly. I found the quote in the biography, along with a great story · There is a quote attributed to Mark Twain A Biography, rather than Mr. Twain’s work. This is the story in 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.” · Paul Carter took the social media picture in September 1936. “Lunch hour Newport News Homesteads, Virginia” · ©Luther Mckinnon 2025 · selah · Chuck Palahniuk (Paula Nick) tells stories that you probably should not listen to. Joe Rogan listens to them · Paul Carter took the social media picture in September 1936. “Untitled photo, possibly related to: Negroes on a picnic, Newport News, Virginia” · I was watching “As The World Turns” with my Grandmother one afternoon. Walter Cronkite broke in with a news bulletin. North Vietnam had fired on an American boat in the Gulf of Tonkin · Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken in 1940. “Labor Day Parade“. · In 2008, “The Perfect Church” was struck by lightning. A few years later, someone wrote a collection of rules about life. They did not mention that you should not name your facility “The Perfect Church” · Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Marion Post Wolcott took the social media picture in April 1939. “At a meeting of the Clark Hill Club, conducted by Miss Velma Patterson, vocational field worker from Elba, at the home of FSA (Farm Security Administration) project family, J.A. Veasy. The women discuss materials for clothing and curtains. Coffee County, Alabama” · ©Luther Mckinnon 2025 · selah

Rules Of Life

Posted in Georgia History, GSU photo archive by chamblee54 on August 3, 2025



This content was originally published August 7, 2008. … I was coming down Peachtree Dunwoody, when the voice on the radio began describing the storm damage. It seems as though “The Perfect Church” had taken a lightning hit on its steeple, setting off a spectacular fire. The concept of something called “The Perfect Church” being hit by lightning was just too amazing. I needed a bit more information. The news websites were no help. It was as if no one wanted to say the obvious…that a place boastful enough to call itself “The Perfect Church” had been hit by lightning. …

The closest I saw was a reference at venerable WSB that “the Atlanta Fire Department is battling a steeple fire on a church believed caused by lightning at McDaniel St. and Ralph David Abernathy.” Then, an unlikely source came to my aid. WGST is the home of Rush Limbaugh, and known for its far right agenda. It has a google powered search option. The google search did provide a link to “The Perfect Church” at 670 McDaniel Street. A visit to their site shows the words “Christians are Perfect!”. Maybe that lightning strike was intentional.

This content was originally published August 8, 2o12. … This time in 2008, The Perfect Church was hit by lightning. I thought it would be fun to see how they were doing four years later. … The Perfect Church still has a website. The history of the church does not mention the lightning strike. Some feel that it is not appropriate for a church of people to call themselves perfect. There are numerous Bible verses to support this, as well as common sense observations. No less an authority than Dear Abby says “A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.”

A visit to the clinic of Dr. Google has a few observations. A young man took a group from his church to paint a lady’s house. On the way to the site, they passed The Perfect Church. “I saw this as a teaching moment and told my young adults that the label was only true on a day like that day…when the parking lot was empty!” One quote in the lesson that follows is quotable: “WHAT IF instead of exhausting our finances on church ski trips we wore holes in our pants on church knee trips?” … There is no source available for this comment.

In Avondale Estates, you will find A Perfect Wedding Chapel. The site says “A wedding ceremony only requires two people.” The gender of the participants was not specified. Ed Stetzer has a picture of Perfect Alternative Baptist Church. Here is his commentary: “It you are tired of your stale and carnal church, it appears there is a perfect alternative– though if it were really perfect, why did they use commas on the date? It appears they are such a personal alternative that they need a chain link fence to keep the people out. If that is not enough for you, it turns out that there is actually a Perfect Church — and it’s in Atlanta, of course.”

This content was originally published August 15, 2018.
1. Law of Mechanical Repair – After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you’ll have to pee.
2. Law of Gravity – Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
3. Law of Probability – Probability of being watched is proportional to stupidity of your act.
4. Law of Random Numbers – If you dial a wrong number, someone always answers.
5. Law of the Alibi – If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

6. Variation Law – If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (also works at bank and grocery every time).
7. Law of the Bath – When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
8. Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
9. Law of the Result – When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will.

10. Law of Biomechanics – The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
11. Law of the Theater – At any event, people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
12. The Starbucks Law – As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
13. Murphy’s Law of Lockers – If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers. In most instances, it will be people who don’t like each other.

14. Law of Physical Surfaces – The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
15. Law of Logical Argument – Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about. Also known as Classing’s Imperative.
16. Brown’s Law of Physical Appearance – If the clothes fit off the rack, they’re probably ugly.
17. Oliver’s Law of Public Speaking – A closed mouth gathers no feet.
18. Wilson’s Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy – As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

19. Doctors’ Law – If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you’ll feel better. Don’t make an appointment and you’ll stay sick.
20. Law of Threes – When dividing items into groups of three, you will have to make up something politically incorrect, so it will come out evenly.
21. Lazy Blogger’s Law – This is a repost. Somebody else wrote the text. Pictures today are from Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library. The social media picture was taken in 1940. “Labor Day Parade“. ©Luther Mckinnon 2025 · selah

As The World Turns

Posted in Georgia History, Library of Congress, Religion by chamblee54 on August 2, 2025



This content was originally published August 25, 2008. … I saw an earth changing event at my grandmother’s house one day. Gran lived in a little apartment on Virginia Avenue. This was a few years before Virginia Highlands was trendy. I was staying with her one summer day, when I was ten years old. We walked down to the granite house, next to the golf course in Piedmont Park. Gran’s friend worked there. This was the summer of Beatlemania, and Gran’s friend made a point of telling me that she DID NOT LIKE THE BEATLES. ”If the Beatles were playing for free across the street, I would not waste the energy to walk across the street to see them”. …

… Gran and I walked back to her apartment to see “As the World Turns”. The show was interrupted for a news bulletin. Walter Cronkite came on the say that a North Vietnamese boat had fired on an American boat in the Gulf of Tonkin.We did not know, at the time, that this was a world changing event. I doubt Gran ever thought much about it. But our Congress used that incident … which turned out to be fabricated … to justify sending many more troops to fight in Vietnam. That war was a world changing event. We are still dealing with the effects of that conflict.

This content was originally published August 20, 2008. … I have heard about the Rasmussen Report. Recently, the reports show JSM pulling ahead of BHO. While it is a bit early, the candidates are fighting for momentum to carry them into November. America loves a winner. If a candidate is perceived to be winning, then more people will jump on the bandwagon. This applies to the war in babylon as well. Happy talk in the press is part of the surge strategy. …

… In my unpaid role as resident non Jesus Worshiper, I left the following comment at 22 Words yesterday. “I sometimes feel that I am the only non believer that comments here. You might consider that not everyone is impressed by your religion. Many shortcomings…selfishness, meanness, lack of respect for others…can be found in thoughtless, inappropriate preaching. Just because you are doing it for Jesus does not make it any less offensive. It also reflects poorly on Jesus” … To which another reader replied: “@Chamblee: You’re right, preachers can taint their own message. Can you expand on what you mean by thoughtless, inappropriate preaching?” …

… There are many, many examples of inappropriate preaching. There are two quotes that help. One is from a motivational speaker: “You need to sell yourself first, your company second, and your product third.” The second is the third commandment: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in Vain”. … Anyone can read to you from the Bible. Not everyone that does this has worthy motives. Some are crooks and thieves. For a person to preach to another, there needs to be TRUST. If you do not trust the person who is preaching to you, then that person is speaking in vain. …

… Trust has a brother named RESPECT. When you preach to a person who does not care for your message, you are showing disrespect to that person. When you preach without mutual respect you are speaking in vain. … This is not just the person you are talking to. It is everyone who comes in contact with your message. This is not just the words you speak, but your actions, the chrome fish on your car, the catchy phrase on your t shirt, and the Bible you make a show of carrying around. When you preach without trust and respect, you are speaking in vain. … Pictures today are from The Library of Congress Paul Carter took the social media picture in September 1936. “Untitled photo, possibly related to: Negroes on a picnic, Newport News, Virginia” … selah ©Luther Mckinnon 2025

Chuck Palahniuk And Joe Rogan

Posted in Book Reports, Library of Congress by chamblee54 on August 1, 2025

Joe Rogan Experience #1158 – Chuck Palahniuk hit the internet recently. Mr. Palahniuk (Paula Nick) writes trendy books, most famously Fight Club. Mr. Palahniuk is pleased to hear people say “the first rule of…” It makes him think he has had an impact on the culture. This is a repost.
Inevitably, authors talk about their writing habits. Mr. Palahniuk fills up notebooks in longhand. When he gets bored, or is killing time in an airport, he begins to type these notes. To quote Truman Capote, this is not writing, this is typing.

One of the themes of this conversation is what offends people. The author of Guts knows about giving offense. Often, people are not especially offended themselves, but are offended on behalf of other people. Mr. Palahniuk uses the phrase “white knighting,” to describe this protective umbrage taking. Per urban dictionary: “White knighting Defending someone who does not wish to be defended.” White knighting is woke whitesplaining.

Two especially tasteful stories were told. If you are inclined to get offended, for any reason at all, you probably should skip over these two stories. The pictures, by The Library of Congress, are safe. Both of these stories are by well known authors, who are named in the interview. If you want to know who they are, you will have to listen to the interview.
Once again, these stories are hard core, and you should take great caution in reading them. If you like these stories, there are more in the podcast.
Upon further consideration, it has been determined that one of the stories is too much. If you want to hear it, you can listen to the podcast. … The break room at a hospital was next to the room where autopsies were performed, with a glass window looking in. A twelve year old boy was on the slab, having died in a bicycle accident. The Pathologist cut away the boy’s face, and peeled it back, so that it hung over his jaw. This exposed a dark red layer of muscle, covering the face. The man looked at this, and said “that’s the color I want to paint my den.”

Mr. Palahniuk has had a lively career. A crooked business manager stole a great deal of money from him. Since he is no longer filthy rich, but merely filthy minded, he continues to produce books. Fight Club 3 is in the pipeline. It will probably be accompanied by a promotional tour, with more grossout stories for the clamoring public.

Pictures today are from The Library of Congress. Paul Carter took the social media picture in September 1936. “Lunch hour Newport News Homesteads, Virginia” ©Luther Mckinnon 2025

Mark Twain And Profanity

Posted in Georgia History, GSU photo archive, Politics, Quotes by chamblee54 on July 31, 2025



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

Barbeque Part One

Posted in Poem by chamblee54 on July 30, 2025

Door To Door Jesus

Posted in Georgia History, Library of Congress by chamblee54 on July 29, 2025



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

Posted in Library of Congress, Weekly Notes by chamblee54 on July 28, 2025



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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

Posted in Georgia History, Library of Congress, Undogegorized by chamblee54 on July 27, 2025
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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

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