Monthly Archives: December 2012

An Unexpected Journey

Posted on December 17, 2012 by nathanalbright

There is a lot of insight that one can gain from skillful entertainment. The vivid portrayal of a fictional world can often cast shadows and implications on our own world. After all, those of us who are creative individuals, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, History, Military History | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Today In History: On December 16, 1775, Jane Austen Was Born

Posted on December 16, 2012 by nathanalbright

In the small village of Steventon, Hampshire, a baby girl was born on December 16, 1775 to a family on the lower fringes of the gentry. That baby girl’s name was Jane Austen. No one would have predicted during her … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Christianity, History, Love & Marriage, Military History | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Today In History: On December 16, 1773, Bostonians Threw A Tea Party

Posted on December 16, 2012 by nathanalbright

In the uncertain period between the French & Indian War and the American Revolution, an unsustainable situation between colonies that felt they had the capacity to be free and an empire that wanted to assert its control and dominance, there … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, History, Military History | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Psalm 144: Happy Are The People Whose God Is The Eternal

Posted on December 15, 2012 by nathanalbright

Last week I heard a sermon that referenced this particular psalm, which is an obscure one and not often recognized. In the course of reading over it as a whole, I realized the psalm had a great deal of interest, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, History, Military History, Psalms | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

So Far From God

Posted on December 15, 2012 by nathanalbright

Porfirio Diaz, late 19th century right-wing dictator of Mexico, once mused in his melancholy way that Mexico’s tragedy was that it was so far from God and so close to the United States. His belief was that had the nation … Continue reading →

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Alternative History

Posted on December 14, 2012 by nathanalbright

For me, one of the more interesting and thought-provoking exercises among historians is the idea of alternative history, or counterfactual history.  The idea is a simple one, even if its application can be a bit difficult.  The goal is to … Continue reading →

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Customer Disservice

Posted on December 14, 2012 by nathanalbright

Today I had the frustrating experience of trying to get in touch with the people at Cinemark, who own the movie theater across the street in the Clackamas Town Center.  Why frustrating?  Well, it so happens that I own a … Continue reading →

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Stop Lying To Me

Posted on December 13, 2012 by nathanalbright

Yesterday I saw a commercial from AARP that particularly incensed me, but that is emblematic of one of the key problems of our times. The AARP commercial shows a bunch of words like “fluff” and “spin” and shows old people … Continue reading →

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Ladies And Gentlemen

Posted on December 13, 2012 by nathanalbright

There is often a great tension between the privileges of rank and the obligations of rank. Some of us (myself included) are greatly motivated by questions of honor and respect and rather sensitive to slights and offenses in this regard. … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

What Kind Of Parent Is The King Of Thailand?

Posted on December 12, 2012 by nathanalbright

It is well known that that King of Thailand considers himself to be the father of the people of Thailand, looking after his citizens with a paternalistic care, and telling them to be content with moderation and ‘sufficiency’ rather than … Continue reading →

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