Thought

Lin Yutang

When small men begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set.
Lin Yutang, as quoted in Hard-to-Solve Cryptograms (2001) by Derrick Niederman, p. 96.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Stealing Now Unpopular
SharingCivil asset forfeiture is stealing. So, why is it still happening? …
Lie, Cheat AND Steal
SharingSometimes lying just isn’t enough. But dishonest politicians have additional …
Graceless Memphis Politicians
Sharing“We could care less about instant runoff voting,” fibbed Allan …
Rich Mischief
SharingThe SFGate.com headline was clear: “State ballot initiative fee raised …
The Yellow and White Lines
SharingIf I’ve heard it one million times, I’ve heard it …

The Battle Ahead
November 5, 2024
Paul Jacob worries about the foreign policy challenges that face …Read More »
The Squirrel vs. The State
November 4, 2024
Paul Jacob on how New York jumped the shark over …Read More »
Taking Out The
November 1, 2024
Paul Jacob on Orwell’s worst nightmare.Read More »
Gnashing of Teeth
October 31, 2024
Paul Jacob and the issue lying just under the surface …Read More »
Forever Be Changed
October 30, 2024
Paul Jacob on Kamala Harris gloating about legally harassing parents …Read More »

Will There Be Limits?
SharingI’m usually pessimistic when political leaders propose term limits that …
Democracy vs. Power Grabber
SharingLike many countries with a young democracy, Panama constitutionally term-limits its …
Perry Mason for the Court
SharingLegend has it that a juror once ran up to attorney …
A Plutocrat’s Expensive Friend
An “expensive friend” — in documents obtained by federal prosecutors, that’s how …
The Court-Packers
Sharing“What if there were five justices selected by Democrats,” presidential …

The Obstruction
SharingThe federal government “shutdown” — now on reprieve — has been and continues to …
Greener Pastures
SharingThere is climate change going on. And some of it …
Don’t Think Different
SharingWhat do we know for sure about the resignation of …
Opportunity for … All?
SharingSimple pleasures are the best. So are simple questions. Senate Bill …
Gloating Time?
Sharing“The freak-out was something to behold,” I wrote two years ago. Newly …

On November 5, 1781, the second session of the United States in Congress Assembled began, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This “Second Confederation Congress,” as it is popularly known, ended on November 2, 1782.

And on that Fifth of November, 1781, John Hanson of Maryland (pictured above) was elected to serve as president of the United States in Congress Assembled. He would become the first president of Congress to serve a full one-year term as specified under the Articles of Confederation, for the second session of the Confederation Congress. Of course, this presidency was nothing like the presidencies under the Constitution. Hanson merely presided over Congress.

On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony defied the law to vote, and was later fined $100.