Category Archives: Uncategorized

Christmas with John Adams

Posted on by December 1, 2016

Today I was moving some books from one place (actually a storage box) to a bookshelf in my wife’s office. I came upon a book I didn’t know we had and had no recollection of purchasing or receiving it. The book was “In the Dark Streets Shineth,” 2010, by David McCullough. And glued in an envelope at the back of book was a CD of a Christmas Special where Mr. McCullough appeared with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

800px-Mtchoirandorchestra_ConferenceCenter_(cropped)You most likely know that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents a Christmas Special each and every Christmas season, and has for many years. At each such special they have a well known person give a verbal presentation with a Christmas message. (By the way, there will be another Christmas special this coming Sunday by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Consult your local listings for the time and channel. I know you will enjoy the presentation. read more

Benjamin Franklin and Forgiveness

Posted on by July 16, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureBenjamin Franklin was a man of exceptional understanding of human nature. He was always very charitable and considerate in his dealings with other people, even those who had mistreated him in some fashion. Of course you’ll remember his successes with his Project for Moral Perfection. I believe he came close, if indeed he didn’t quite get there!

Ben explained one of his principles this way: “Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one makes you but even with him; forgiving it sets you above him.” read more

James Madison and the Constitution

Posted on by June 8, 2016

PatrickHenryBack when the Eastern coast of America was only an unofficial assemblage of British colonies, there were some major disturbances in Boston. Because of communication between some of the leaders, some individuals decided to do something.

When the King’s appointed governor of the Colony of Virginia confiscated the gunpowder magazine, the building containing the colonist’s gunpowder, some of the leaders objected. The building was in the capitol of Virginia at Williamsburg.

One of those leaders was Patrick Henry, who assembled a group of farmers, merchants, and yes, even lawyers, to march on Williamsburg and recapture the magazine. With guns. As they marched toward Williamsburg the group of “militia” grew in size. It grew to a troop of about 5,000 men. read more

Founding Father’s Quotes

Posted on by June 1, 2016

For today’s post I’ve decided to give you a few quotes from our Founding Fathers, chosen at random. I hope you enjoy these!

“In reality there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much s one pleases, it is still alive . . . . even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.” –Benjamin Franklin

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible support. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who would labor to subvert these great pillars of human kindness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” –- George Washington read more

Friends and Influence by Franklin

Posted on by May 21, 2016

Of course Dale Carnegie wrote the bestseller “How To Win Friends and Influence People.” That book is still popular and has some great tips and suggestions.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote a pamphlet that sounds like just the opposite. Kind of a “How to Win Foes and Offend People.” It was called: “Rules for Making Oneself a Disagreeable Companion.” This never gained the popularity of Poor Richard’s Almanac, but it did contain some clever language. Here’s a sample:

“1. If possible engross (occupy wholly) the whole discourse . . . .Talk of much of yourself, your knowledge, your education, your successes . . . .” read more

Ben Franklin’s Introduction to Electricity Usage

Posted on by April 22, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureWhen Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment proved lightning contained electricity, it opened up new studies about the use of electricity. One scientist trying to reproduce Franklin’s kite research was actually killed in the storm by the lightning!

I believe Ben would be proudly approving of what has happened with our multiple uses of electricity today. Look at the multitude of important jobs allied with electrical science in any way!

Just today, my wife and I are at a symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona, explaining the use of small bursts of electricity to increase blood flow in the human body. The device patented to do this is called a “Bemer”. This technology is not only being used by hospitals and doctors, but also by athletes and professional sports teams. It’s pretty amazing. read more

Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes

Posted on by April 4, 2016

Founding Fathers coverThe Founding Fathers were patriots. The root word of ‘founding’ is ‘found’, which means to “take the first steps in building”. The first builders of the nation. The use of the word ‘father’ in this sense means originator. They began the whole thing.

In this context, a father is one who has become one of the leading men as of a country. Just like a man is a father to a boy. The originator, the starter, the one who sees it through.

The way we use these words together today refers to the men who were there at the beginning of our new nation. The ones who originated or started the process of building a new nation. Nation means a politically organized community. read more

Ben Franklin said: “Go Ahead, Do It!”

Posted on by January 24, 2016

Founding Fathers coverOne thing about Benjamin Franklin is that he finished much better than he had started out. If you’ve read his Autobiography, which I hope by now you have, you know that Ben left his family, his brother’s printing business, and his city of Boston, at the early age of 17. And that with only a few pennies to his name.

He certainly made something of himself. He built his own business in Philadelphia, made the city better, help others build their own business, performed experiments, taught himself, learned music, wrote the most widely read volume in Europe about electricity, became involved in Philanthropic endeavors, and helped build a new nation. And much more. Whew! read more