Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label History Amer Revolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History Amer Revolution. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Congressional Research Service: The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases

Congressional Research Service: The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases, by D. Andrew Austin, Analyst in Economic Policy and Minday R. Levitt, Analyst in Public Finance, January 28, 2010.  http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL31967_20100128.pdf



July 20, 2011



As the August 2 deadline looms for the U.S. to raise the debt ceiling, many avid Washington-watchers are passing the popcorn as the drama continues to unfold. For those who study economic history, this fight is as old as the Republic itself.

As to whether or not a compromise will be made by the warring Republicans and Democrats – well, that remains to be seen, now doesn’t it. Mega-barrels of ink are being spilled over the issue; wade into it at your own peril but carry a large bottle of aspirin.

Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire calls to our attention some recent commentary by Warren Buffet, who was quoted by NBC News: “‘That’s a level of immaturity that I don’t believe even this Congress is up to’ – ‘predicting Congress will not allow the United States to default on its debt after this ‘little fight in our sandbox.’ ”

Many agree with Mr. Buffet’s comments, according to Kristen Weller: “We cannot go to Aug. 2 and tell the rest of the world, ‘Look because we’re having this little fight in our sandbox back here, that we’re going to essentially default on obligations of the United States for the first time in our history.’ ”

And just what is the history of the national debt?…

[…]

However, debate over the national debt dates to the beginning days of the United States and really marks one of the first instances of acrimonious deadlock in the history of our government.

The year was 1790 and the flashpoint of contention was Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton’s “Assumption Plan.”

On September 21, 1789, Congress asked Secretary Hamilton to prepare what has become known as the first “Report on Public Credit” in reference to the huge amount of debt individuals and particular states had run-up during the American Revolution. Just as with today, some of the debt was owed to American citizens; however, much of the money had been borrowed from foreign governments…. http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4527

[20100128 CRS RL31967_The Debt Limit History]

National debt, Congress, history, American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton, Assumption Plan,

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/07/congressional-research-service-debt.html

Congressional Research Service: The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases

*****

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Dr. Paul Lockhart: The Whites of Their Eyes - Bunker Hill: History and Myth


June 15, 2011

Bunker Hill: History and Myth
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Last week I picked-up a copy of “The Whites of Their Eyes,” by Dr. Paul Lockhart, a highly readable and entertaining socio-political – and military – study of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first American army, and the emergence of George Washington.

Although I am behind in my summer reading, my first selection was well worth the wait.

To add to my anticipation of diving into new insights, research and scholarship on the first major political–military engagement of the American Revolution, last week I was fortunate to be able to attend a presentation on the topic by the author.

Dr. Lockhart, a noted historian, discussed his just-released book in Williamsburg, VA, in which the author debunks much of the folklore and legendary mythology over this episode of the American experience.

His evening presentation came on the heels of a long week of record hot temperatures in the muggy tidewater environs of colonial Williamsburg, setting the stage perfectly as he took his audience back to one hot afternoon on June 17, 1775, on a hill in Charlestown, near Boston.

He then explained that what is arguably “the first honest-to-goodness battle of the revolution” did not take place on Bunker’s Hill, but on a nearby redoubt called Breed’s Hill.

The battle, in the chaotic aftermath of the unplanned skirmishes of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, took place in the larger context of the siege of Boston and has since reserved its place in American history as the “truly iconic battle of the American Revolution,” Dr. Lockhart noted.

In his book, he observes that the Battle of Bunker Hill two months later “simply would not be forgotten. And that is very curious. Bunker Hill … doesn’t enjoy any special tactical or strategic significance.”

The battle on the Charlestown peninsula, “was not decisive, nor was it an American victory. We often forget that Bunker Hill was, in fact, a British victory and a significant one at that.”

“It was small even when compared to other battles of the Revolutionary War and laughably puny when compared to lesser-known battles in Europe… There is no earthly reason, no logical reason at least, that Bunker Hill should be so famous, and yet it is…”

It was at that juncture that Dr. Lockhart’s talking points reminded me of the conversation on the topic of American Exceptionalism which Steve Berryman, Pattee Brown, and I had with WFMD listeners just the other weekend...  http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4459

*****

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

This week in The Tentacle


This week in The Tentacle http://www.thetentacle.com/

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas night – long ago  http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4122
Kevin E. Dayhoff
As we prepare to celebrate the holiday with friends and family this Saturday, say a prayer for our way of life, our great country and for Gen. George Washington and the brave men who helped save Christmas for our country on a dark, cold, and stormy night in 1776.

Joy to the World
Norman M. Covert
The excitement of Christmas has the grandson agog, full of hope that Santa Claus’ imminent visit Friday night will yield a bounty for everyone, especially him. He also wants lights, lots of them, to herald the big “Eve.” Age and infirmity haven’t dimmed my anticipation of Christmas, but stringing lights has always been an adventure.

After Birth Confinement in Borneo
Tom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian, Borneo – In the Sarawak Malay world, the mother is usually confined to the kampung house for about 40 days. (interesting how that number keeps coming up).


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Art of Politics
Roy Meachum
Rushing to exit the Capitol for America’s High Holidays, the U.S. Senate once again put on national display what politics is really about. I’ve never been able to find the genius who described the game-playing as “the art of compromise.”

The Road to Successful Learning
Nick Diaz
Having inhabited the teaching trenches for 41 years and thousands of students, I’ve grown tired of educationists telling teachers not to use the “drill and kill” method for fear of boring our students.


Monday, December 20, 2010

Defining the Division
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Asked recently about the state of our Republic, the challenge wasn’t describing the problem, the really hard part was trying to diagnose a prescription for change.

Ideas Whose Time Has Come
Shawn Burns
Sometimes ideas seem to appear out of thin air. Other times ideas are nurtured and developed over long periods of time. Regardless of how ideas come about, they are essential to our existence. Of course, with those ideas, we are also faced with their positive and negative consequences.

To Charter or Not
Michael Kurtianyk
Well, they did it. On December 14 the Frederick Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to appoint a charter writing board for a new form of county government. Long time readers know that I have been an advocate for this change.


Friday, December 17, 2010

Ruling Ourselves
Roy Meachum
Never tied to a partisan point of view, I’ve always considered charter to be the best of all possible forms of government for Frederick County.

Morning-After Pill
Norman M. Covert
The era of “Hope ‘n Change” in Frederick County began with re-elected Clerk of the Court Sandra Dalton swearing in the all-Republican Board of County Commissioners and new members to the Board of Education. It is a time of political euphoria for “our side,” but with it the optimism that the elixir of victory doesn’t turn into a morning hangover.

End the Corruption
Joe Charlebois
The argument that eliminating earmarks won’t help reduce the deficit is either naïveté or simply misleading. Those who look only at the effect in actual dollars that the elimination of earmarks would have on the overall budget aren’t seeing the entire picture. Those who do understand are just looking to protect their pet projects, or, in the case of elected officials, their campaign coffers.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

The 12 Topics of December
Joan Marie Aquilino
As the end of the year approaches decisions are being made which portend an exciting year ahead. Here are some of the issues that struck my fancy over the past few weeks.

The Grinch Who Stole My Gifts…etc.
Amanda Haddaway
One would think that holiday shopping online would be a convenience, but this year it has turned into more of a nightmare. My Christmas spirit was slightly tarnished earlier this month when packages were stolen from my front porch in the middle of the afternoon.


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Fruitcake is forever
Kevin E. Dayhoff
I’m not a psychic and I have never read much of the work of Michel de Nostredame. However, as December stumbles to a close and writers begin to run out of evergreen material on the Top 10 best uses for fruitcake, or do Christmas trees have a soul, our keyboards will often drift aimlessly to the real meaning of the past year and what the heck will happen next.

Ancient Kampung Ways
Tom McLaughlin
Sibu and Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – Following the delivery of my third child and first son via C-section, a sterile clothed masked person handed me a package wrapped in plastic. She informed it was the placenta.


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Poor Republicans
Roy Meachum
Bob Ehrlich broke Maryland Republicans’ hearts. By way of expiation, in choosing a chairman for the state GOP, they rejected running mate Mary Kane and chose rightist radical ex-Sen. Alex Mooney.

The Devil’s in the Details
Farrell Keough
When we were last together, we noted that a change in the economy may drive our political choices – good, bad, or indifferent. When we are ‘fat and happy,’ we often do not keep track of what is going on with our politicians, government agencies, or new legislation.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Want some cheese with that whine?
Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
The Frederick Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education begin to fulfill campaign promises … and the whining begins!

Doing the ‘Nutcracker’ Two-Step…
Michael Kurtianyk
Two weeks ago, I was asked by one of the dance instructors if I’d be willing to help in Middletown’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Flag at National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park


Flag at Valley Forge National Memorial Arch

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/pgk58 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/243434803/flag-at-natl-memorial-arch-valley-forge-natl

The flag flies proud in the gray cold rainy weather at the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park.

According to the National Park Service, “The United States Memorial Arch, located at the intersection of Outerline Drive and Gulph Road, was erected to commemorate the arrival of General George Washington and his Continental Army into Valley Forge.”

Construction began on the arch in 1914 and it was dedicated on June 19, 1917.

Photo by Kevin Dayhoff November 12, 2009

[20091112 AB VF (33)cflagNatlMemArch] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/pgk58 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/243434803/flag-at-natl-memorial-arch-valley-forge-natl

Detail: [20091112 AB VF (33)dflagNatlMemArch] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/pgkxq or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/243441142/detail-flag-at-natl-memorial-arch-valley-forge

20091112 National Memorial Arch flag Annual Veterans Day, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos flag, Flag, History American, History American Revolutionary War, History Military, Military Veterans Day, Patriotism

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/flag-at-national-memorial-arch-in.html http://tinyurl.com/yap5b5j

~~~~~

Flag at National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park - Kevin Dayhoff Nov. 12, 2009

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/