Benjamin Franklin and the Bright Axe

Posted on by October 29, 2016

Not many people today remember that the comedian, author, and musician, Steve Allen, was the first host of the Tonight Show. I shared a name with Steve Allen, and just when I had made arrangements to go and meet personally the famous comedian, he up an died! So we never met. But I’ve read several of his books, and watched him on TV. I laugh at much of what he said in a book he wrote about how to tell a joke.

Here’s one of the lines that strikes me as funny: “I’m loyal to a fault. I’ve got a great many faults and I’m loyal to every one of them!” What do you think? read more

History and the Founding Fathers

Posted on by October 28, 2016

I couldn’t find it tonight, but you have read, heard, or in some way been subject to the quote which goes something like this: Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.

So it’s hard for me to comprehend why history teachers in schools around our nation seem to make U.S. history so disinteresting. I didn’t like history much in high school. Names, dates, places, and obscure facts. But when I discovered that history as told in stories, events, yes, and even anecdotes, is actually very scintillating, dazzling, and even entertaining, I began to be enticed by it! read more

Founding Fathers Foreword

Posted on by October 27, 2016

Founding Fathers coverLast night I expressed some gratitude for what Senator Orrin Hatch did in requesting that Supreme Court nominee, Sandra Day O’Conner learn a little more about the U.S. Constitution. I hope you enjoyed that episode of history.

I intended to tell you a little about what Senator Hatch wrote about my book, “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes.” He was asked by me to write a “Foreword” for my new book. He graciously accepted that invitation. Here is some of what he said:

“ The Founding Fathers of our nation were, indeed, “uncommon heroes.” Uncommon in the sense that they were remarkable and exceptional men, the kind one would rarely encounter. Heroes in the sense of legendary figures who were endowed with divine character, ability, and strength. When reading Allen’s book ‘Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes’, I appreciated anew these legendary figures, these men of great faith, inspired vision, acute understanding, unrivaled integrity, and dogged perseverance. Beyond that I appreciated in a new light the divine miracle that brought these brilliant, courageous men together at the same point in time to stand nobly by their beliefs until their united efforts and actions brought forth a new nation that would change the world.” (Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes, 2003, Foreword, Orrin Hatch, page vii.) read more

The Constitution and It’s “Father”

Posted on by October 26, 2016

constitutionSenator Orrin Hatch has been in the Senate a long time. Some think too long. He has a good record. One thing I particularly like about Senator Hatch is that he asked Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman nominated to the Supreme Court to learn more about the U.S. Constitution.

He wanted her to listen to a series of lectures given by Constitutional Scholar and founder of The Freeman Institute, later renamed the National Center for Constitutional Studies, Cleon Skousen, now deceased. She didn’t want to. She was a lawyer, a former Arizona State legislator, and Superior Court Judge. She thought she knew the Constitution. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Foresight

Posted on by October 25, 2016

Not only was Benjamin Franklin a scientist, a printer, a businessman, a diplomat, a musician, a writer, and a Founding Father, he also had an uncanny ability to see results in advance. What do I mean? Read these words of his which were sent to George Washington to lift his spirits in the brutal winter of 1780. Ben was 74:

Ben Franklin“I must soon quit this scene. But you may live to se our country flourish, as it will amazingly and rapidly after the war is over; like a field of young Indian corn, which long fair weather had enfeebled and discolored, and which in that weak state, by a thunder gust of violent wind, hail and rain, seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction; yet the storm being past, it recovers fresh verdure, shoots up with double vigor, and delights the eye, not of its owner only, but of every observing traveler.” read more

Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, Virginia

Posted on by October 24, 2016

PatrickHenryAs I was editing some material this week, I was once again enchanted by my description of a recent trip my wife and I took to Virginia. One of the most memorable placed we stopped was Red Hill. This was Patrick Henry’s retirement home, and where his grave is located.

Red Hill is a beautiful area near a beautiful river. Nine of Henry’s 17 children were still living with him and his second wife, Dolly. On the grounds is the nations largest and longest living osage orange tree. His kitchen, or cooking shed was built next to his home to avoid the problems of fire so prevalent in those days. read more

Founding Fathers and Elections

Posted on by October 18, 2016

JohnAdamsThere were some mean spirited and even scandalous elections in our nations early years. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had a furious campaign against each other. Their early friendship was almost completely ended. They didn’t speak to each other for a dozen years.

But a mutual friend and fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush, reminded them of their early support of each other at the Continental Congress and what they had accomplished together. They soon patched things up and wrote each other for the next 14 years. They continued their friendship mostly through the mails. They talked about every subject that interested them. Which is many! read more

George Washington’s Spies

Posted on by October 17, 2016

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAIn the Revolutionary War George Washington was skillful in using unsuspected citizens or soldiers as spies on the British. He developed many methods with gave him success. But he didn’t always get away with it!

Nathan Hale has been considered America’s first spy. On his very first mission, however, he was discovered by the British. He was captured in possession of several important maps showing several British troop positions. He confessed and he was hanged at the end of a rope on September 22, 1776. read more

Thomas Jefferson the Scientist

Posted on by October 16, 2016

ThomasJeffersonIt was quite a night last night! My wife and I attended a special “coming out” event for the Universal Model. I couldn’t help but think how proud Thomas Jefferson would be of Dean Sessions, the man behind this new model. It is all about the scientific method. Dean, a friend of mine, kept asking himself questions and then seeking the answers.

That’s precisely what Thomas Jefferson would do. He asked himself if he could make his inside double door open if only one side were opened. So he carried out several successful experiments to prove his hypothesis. His experiment about independence was one of the most widely read Declarations in all of Europe in the 1700’s. It really changed things. Look around you. read more

Benjamin Franklin the Scientist

Posted on by October 15, 2016

It was quite a night! My wife and I attended a special “coming out” event for the Universal Model. I couldn’t help but think how proud Benjamin Franklin would be of Dean Sessions, the man behind this new model. It is all about the scientific method. Dean, a friend of mine, kept asking himself questions and then seeking the answers.

Ben Franklin thumb pictureThat’s precisely what Benjamin Franklin would do. He asked himself if lightening really could be composed of electrical current. So he carried out several successful experiments to prove his hypothesis. His book about electricity was one of the most read books in all of Europe in the 1700’s. It really changed things. Look around you. read more