Temporary Absence
There will be a delay in posting to this blog over the next few weeks while I undergo my third knee surgery this year next week. God willing I will resume on my recovery.
THE AMAZING STORY OF FLORY VAN BEEK
I have just finished reading a book, Flory, a story of survival, by Flory Van Beek. It is truly a miraculous account of survival of a Jewish woman and her family in occupied Holland during World War II. I have previously written about Edith Velman’s book describing her survival as a Jew in occupied Holland. https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2007/01/edith_velmans_s.html Both stories are extraordinary tales of courage on the part of all the Dutch people, Jews & non-Jews during the German occupation. Van Beek’s story is one of courage …
OTHER VIEWPOINTS ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA
Here are some viewpoints about President Obama from last Sunday's New York Times which I think reflect the views of a growing number of people. Michael G Brautigam wrote the paper a letter which I thought was insightful. He wrote: “The headline and the art for Dr. Willenbring's letter suggested that our cerebral and detached president is playing political chess, but I see it more as high stakes political poker. For this vastly different game, the president is ill suited. In…
REPUBLICANS AND TEA PARTY MEMBERS: THE PARTIES OF HATE
Recent Republican and Tea Party debates have revealed much about the lack of compassion of it's members. In the Tampa CNN Tea Party Express debate, moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Ron Paul a hypothetical question about a young man who elects not to purchase health insurance. The man has a medical crisis, goes into a coma and needs expensive care. “Who pays?” Blitzer asked. “That’s what freedom is all about, taking your own risks,” Paul answered. “This whole idea that you…
1931 & AMERICA EIGHTY YEARS LATER
On September 10, 1931 the Anacortes newspaper (the Mercury I assume) ran an article: “A drive to net $2,500 for the aid of the unemployed in Anacortes this winter will be launched Monday morning when committees headed by chairman Paul Luvera call on business houses and individuals in the city from whom donations are expected. A check for $100 from Father Gustave Treunet will start the campaign. Others will get in the act. Al Stellenthin will donate $5 and one…
WILLIAM “BIG BILL” TILTON
William Tatem Tilton, known as “Big Bill” is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Born into wealth he dominated the world of tennis in the 1920’s. He was the world’s number one player for seven years. He won fourteen majors including ten Grand Slams and four Pro Slams. During his eighteen year amateur period of 1912-1930 he won 138 of 192 tournaments. His winning record was 93.6 percent. William “Little Bill” Johnston was born in San…
CLARENCE DARROW & EARL ROGERS TRIAL LAWYER GIANTS
There are two trial lawyers in the past history of this country I have admired and studied. One is Earl Rogers of Los Angeles and the other Clarence Darrow. For information about the great criminal defense lawyer Earl Rogers see Take the Witness by Cohn & Chisholm and Final Verdict written by his daughter Adela Rogers St Johns. There are numerous books about Clarence Darrow. One of the more recent is The Last Trials of Clarence Darrow by Donald McRae….
THE FISH OF HIS DREAMS
The Whidbey News Times http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/128101138.html reports that Dan Dodds 62, went fishing off the beach at Keystone Split between the Coupeville ferry landing and island County Driftwood Park early last Thursday morning. Dodds retired from contracting work in 2000 and moved to the island. Dodds worked at the Coupeville liquor store. He loved golfing and golf, but his true love was fishing. He had fished almost every other day this season and had yet to catch anything. He was fishing…
ANDREW JOHNSON – IMPEACHED TWICE AS PRESIDENT
We all remember President Clinton's ordeal with Congress and the attempt to remove him from office. But, he's not the the only president who went through it. In fact Andrew Johnson went through it twice – both unsuccdessful He was the vice president under Abraham Lincoln. Johnson is remembered for the fact that when he took the oath of office on March 4, 1865 he had been drinking – a lot. Glassy eye and smelling of whiskey, he gave a rambling speech…
OBSERVATONS ABOUT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN GIG HARBOR
One benefit of being confined to home with this leg locked straight the way it is, is being forced to take the time to enjoy the beautiful weather and being outside just enjoying the day. Sitting outside this morning, the sun was out and the temperature pleasant. The dogs were taking a nap. A young bald eagle flew by, close to the house, making the unusual sound they do. It was pursued by two screeching sea gulls. Usually it’s the crows that…