American Civilization

The English word « spin » can be both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it also has a slang definition: a particular viewpoint or bias, especially in the media; slant. Example: They tried to put a favorable spin on the news coverage of the controversial speech. Ironically, there was a bit of divergence today […]

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I know that many of us have spent the week trying to understand America’s passion for guns:  is it due to a “cowboy” mentality?  an image of a “lawless West”?  a sacred belief in the Bill of Rights? Or, is the motivation something quite a bit more prosaic?  Like making money?  Do you know the […]

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This morning at 5:12 a.m. marked the 101st anniversary of the earthquake and fire which nearly destroyed San Francisco in 1906. The earthquake’s magnitude was believed to be anywhere from a 7.8 to an 8.3 on the Richter scale. The quake ruptured the land both northward and southward along the San Andreas Fault for a […]

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Of course, I’m saddened by the events at Virginia Tech.  But, as I take an inventory of my feelings, I must admit that I find quite a number of other emotions there as well, especially anger and worry.  I’m angry that there’s been yet another homicidal event on an American campus.  I’m angry that the […]

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It was sixty years ago today, April 15, 1947, that Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in Major League Baseball.  He courage and determination helped lead the way for the American Civil Rights movement. http://credit-n.ru/zaymyi-next.html https://www.zp-pdl.com

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“Decades of growing strife between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.” Fort Sumter is just off the coast of Charleston, […]

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Last week was the 39th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Had he lived, King would now be 78 years old. I’ve often wondered how history might have been different if he hadn’t been killed in 1968. King had gone to Memphis, Tennessee, to lend his support to striking black garbage workers. […]

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I’ve just returned from my spring break on the east coast of the United States. I’m shocked at how cold, dark, and gloomy it still is in April in both Boston and New York:    But, California in spring is bursting with color:   It was a wonderful trip, but I’m glad to be back […]

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Well, if you follow American culture, you probably know that the 79th Academy Awards will happen this Sunday night. That’s the night of the big gala event to recognize outstanding movie-making. In addition, it’s also become a major television event. People will gather together at parties to watch the extravaganza. The Academy describes the event […]

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This Monday, February 19, is a federal holiday in the U.S. A “federal” holiday is one that is observed by all public institutions: schools, postal services, libraries, government offices, and even banks. This holiday is observed in honor of two American presidents – specifically George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both men had birthdays in February. […]

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