Man’s concern is not with government; he should look on government as no more than a very secondary thing — we might almost say a very minor thing. His goal is industry, labour and the production of everything needed for his happiness. In a well-ordered state, the government must only be an adjunct of production, an agency charged by the producers, who pay for it, with protecting their persons and their goods while they work. In a well-ordered state, the largest number of persons must work, and the smallest number must govern. The work of perfection would be reached if all the world worked and no one governed.
On May 6, 1862, American author, philosopher and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau died, after many years of tuberculosis.
Aware he was dying, Thoreau’s last words were “Now comes good sailing,” followed by two lone words, “moose” and “Indian.” Bronson Alcott planned the service and read selections from Thoreau’s works, and Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote the eulogy spoken at his funeral.
His remains, as well as those of members of his immediate family, were eventually moved to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts.
His most famous works are Walden and An Essay on Civil Disobedience.
Repeatedly on this site, you have read warnings: civil unrest is not something we should yearn for, whether on political or racial or religious grounds. It could get ugly. Deadly.
Yet rumors of civil war are spreading. Independent journalist Tim Pool covers the growing possibility of violence. And the growing ideological rift:
“The rhetoric is escalating.”
But, as another story hits the Internet, a very different threat looms. And, again, Tim Pool reports:
In 1862, troops led by Ignacio Zaragoza stopped a French invasion in the Battle of Puebla in Mexico — an event leading to the popular “Cinco de Mayo” celebration.
You have to use deception to a degree. Either you deceive your source or you deceive your audience. The problem with journalism and the reason why it’s in decline is because these ‘leakers,’ these ‘sources’ in government and elsewhere intentionally transmit stuff to the media [who] parrot it to the masses.
James O’Keefe on the nature of modern major network and cable news, and Brian Stelter’s recent confession that CNN doesn’t do investigation, in conversation with Dave Rubin, The Rubin Report, May 3, 2019.
On May 4, 1796, American historian William H. Prescott was born. Prescott’s History of the Conquest of Mexico and his Conquest of Peru remain classic works of well-researched, ”scientific history.” Prescott, Arizona, was named in his honor.
The show tests non-trivial knowledge, with the twist being that contestants are given the answer and must buzz-in quickly to supply the question.
Longtime viewers are most concerned these days about beloved host Alex Trebek’s battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. But, like Trebek, fans are talking about James Holzhauer, the 34-year-old professional sports gambler from Las Vegas, who has amassed over $1.6 million by winning 21 games in a row.
That puts him in second place for consecutive victories all-time — surpassing Julia Collins, with 20 straight wins in 2014, and moving toward Ken Jennings, who triumphed in 74 consecutive games back in 2004, earning over $2.5 million during that streak.
Most amazing are the massive amounts of money Holzhauer garners night after night.* “He has no weaknesses,” Trebek toldGood Morning America, noting that Holzhauer “has a strategy” and “he’s a gambler.” “He has forced me to change a view that I’ve had for many years . . . that the Ken Jennings record will never be broken.”
There are detractors. “It’s just not fun,” arguesWashington Post columnist Charles Lane.
Others may take the thoroughly postmodern view that Mr. Holzhauer didn’t really “build this” success on his own. If not for public education and libraries, how could he have amassed such knowledge? How did Holzhauer get to LA for the program? He certainly didn’t build those roads or airports.
I think James Holzhauer is an incredible individual, deserving his success. And some of my best friends are librarians.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
* Holzhauer’s talents also bring out the best in others. Earlier this week, contestant Adam Levine ended with an impressive $53,999 . . . only to finish second to Holzhauer’s $54,017. In his fourth contest, Holzhauer smashed Roger Craig’s single-game record of $77,000. Today, Holzhauer’s is the only name on the Top 10 List of highest single-game scores — his best a whopping $131,127
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
In 1791, the Constitution of May 3, the first modern constitution in Europe, was proclaimed by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
On May 3 in 1915, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae composed the poem “In Flanders Fields,” the most famous poem of World War I. The Canadian physician wrote it after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. It is in the form of a rondeau.
