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Essay:Greatest Conservative Songs

2009-03-05T17:48:39Z

Kirk J:

Conservative songs exist, and some are immensely popular. Here is our growing list:
#"Have You Forgotten?" by [[Darryl Worley]]. Patriotic response to [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].
#"Still the One" by Orleans (1976), is a tribute to fidelity in relationships.
#"Sweet Home Alabama" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. A response to hippie culture. Defends Southerners from stereotyped attacks by [[liberal]] rocker Neil Young.
#Lee Greenwood's rendition of [[Battle Hymn of the Republic]]. "As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free."
#"My Love" by [[Petula Clark]]. Christian love in secular form.
#"Starting All Over Again" by [[Petula Clark]]. Keep moving onward, even in the most difficult of times.
#"Thank You My Lord" by [[Petula Clark]]. The title says it all.
#"I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)". Its title says it all. The version by [[The Clash]] has a good tempo.
#"Fast Car" by [[Tracy Chapman]]. Self-help, free market, division of labor, and a criticism of alcohol.
#"You Can't Hurry Love (You Just Have to Wait)". Abstinence for rock fans. The versions by [[The Supremes]] and [[Phil Collins]] were popular.
#"Pomp and Circumstance" ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOcvcBxrfN4 ''Land of Hope & Glory'']) By Freedom gain, by Truth maintain...
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ0oCmDXrVk&mode=related&search= "Jerusalem"] Don't let the sword sleep in the hand.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wahd2piIr4Q "Brothers In Arms"] by [[Dire Straits]]. We're fools to make war on our brothers in arms.
#"The Ascent of Stan" by [[Ben Folds]]. Tells the story of a former "textbook hippie man" who realizes that he has become everything that he was protesting against.
#"Brick" by [[Ben Folds Five]]. Shows the regret involved in abortion.
#"Alive" by [[P.O.D]].: About being thankful for the gift of life.
#"Gotta Serve Somebody" by [[Bob Dylan]]. "It may be the devil or it may be the Lord."<ref>http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/serve.html</ref>
#"Stand By Your Man," by [[Tammy Wynette]]. Don't expect [[feminists]] to like that one! Or [[Hillary Clinton]]!
#"Jesus Take The Wheel" by [[Carrie Underwood]]. A gospel-themed hit from the American Idol winner.
#"Red Barchetta" by [[Rush]]. Tells the story of a future with excessive regulation, where even driving is illegal.
#"You Light Up My Life" by [[Debbie Boone]]. One of the biggest hits ever, but [[liberals]] omit that this song is about [[Jesus]].
#"Father of Mine" by [[Everclear]]. A reminder of the importance of good parenting. Everclear singer Art Alexakis wrote much of his material from his own perspective of a troubled childhood. At the end of the song, Alexakis promises to be a better father than his own had been.
#"Happiness is a Warm Gun" by [[The Beatles]]. It sure is.
#"The Taxman" by [[The Beatles]]. George Harrison said, "Taxman was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes." [http://home.att.net/~chuckayoub/Taxman_Lyrics.html]
#"Back in the U.S.A." by [[Chuck Berry]]. A patriotic song about missing life in the U.S.A.
#"Government Cheese" by [[The Rainmakers]]. Humorous spoof of welfare.
#"Angry Young Man" by [[Billy Joel]]. The doctrinaire leftist radical with "his fist in the air and his head in the sand" comes in for biting criticism.
#"Gimme Back My Bullets" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. The name says it all.
#"Let My People Go" by [[The Pursuit of Happiness]]. "How will you free us with your hate? How many heads will smash when you smash the state? You say march, I think I'll wait." An anti-protest song.
#"Don't Let 'Em Take Your Gun" by [[Grand Funk Railroad]]. A father gives his son some sage advice.
#"Something For Nothing" by [[Rush]]. "You can't get something for nothing, you can't have freedom for free."
#"Neighborhood Bully" by [[Bob Dylan]]. Israel's right to exist and defend itself.
#"Get It Right the First Time" by [[Louisiana's Le Roux]]. Wealthy Georgia politician is placed in high office and turns out to be a puppet with no ideas of his own. Released in 1980 when Jimmy Carter was up for re-election.
#"Only The Young" by [[Journey]]. "The shadows of a golden age, a generation waits for dawn, the brave carry on, the bold and the strong". An anthem for the Reagan Generation.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2UE5g72s0o "Yours Is No Disgrace"] by [[Yes]]. Written to, and about, the troops headed for Vietnam.
#"Fair Exchange" and "Sparks of the Tempest" by [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]]. Warnings about totalitarian governments who want to take away your freedom in the name of utopia. Also much of their early 80s material, which has Christian lyrics.
#"In America" by the [[Charlie Daniels]] Band. Patriotism makes a comeback in response to the Iran hostage crisis and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
#"Storm the Embassy" by the [[Stray Cats]]. Another conservative song about the Iran hostage crisis.
#"We Must Take America Back" by [[Steve Vaus]]. Became an underground country music hit in 1992 after RCA dropped him and took the album out of print due to the political lyrics.
#"Renegade" by [[Steppenwolf]]. John Kay's childhood escape from Communist East Germany.
#"Capitalism" by [[Oingo Boingo]]. There's nothing wrong with free enterprise.
#"Unborn Child" by [[Seals and Crofts]]. This pro-life song was a hit single in 1974, but for some reason gets left off the Seals and Crofts greatest hits albums.
#"Bad Rap (Who You Tryin' To Kid, Kid?)" by [[Steve Taylor]]. Takes aim at LA and NY hipsters, the Village Voice, abortion, and "the left-wing band with their head in the sand".
#"Last Kiss" by [[Pearl Jam]]. "Oh where oh where can my baby be; The Lord took her away from me; She's gone to heaven so I got to be good; So I can see my baby when I leave this world"<ref>http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=14</ref>
#"Love Me, I'm a Liberal" by [[Phil Ochs]]. Revealing Liberal hypocrisy for what it is.
#"America USA" by [http://giveagiftofsong.com/products.htm]Joey Sudyka. Not very well known, perhaps, but a good patriotic song.
#"Red White and Blue" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]].
#"Simple Man" by Charlie Daniels. A song about how drugs and poor politics are a result of people putting their bibles down. Also a strongly pro death penalty song.
#"That Smell" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. A very strong anti-drug use song by Americas most prestigious southern rock band.
#Virtually anything by [[Toby Keith]], but especially "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)".
#"Under God" by [[Pat Boone]].
#"Fortunate Son" by [[Credence Clearwater Revival]].
#"Christmas Shoes" by NewSong - a Christmas song by a Christian band.
#"God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.<ref>http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/proudtobeamerican.html</ref>
#"God Bless America" Words and music by Irving Berlin.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kZ0pA9REyU "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed"] [[Yes]] ''...I know your cross is heavier With every step Every step But I know a man who'd walk miles for you...''
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCXiuqJ1E6g Supper'sReady] [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] ''There's an angel standing in the sun, and he's crying with a loud voice, "This is the supper of the mighty one", Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Has returned to lead his children home, To take them to the new Jerusalem.''
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoaH0I9UwLI "Your Love Is Extravagant"] Casting Crowns
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnnhYE1DhC4 "What If His People Prayed"] Casting Crowns (my vote for #1)
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EBiei21-C8 "King Without a Crown"] by Matisyahu - A Hasidic Jew raps about God as the source of happiness and salvation from the things of this world: "If you're drowning in the waters and you can't stay afloat ask Hashem for mercy and He'll throw you a rope."
#"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver (and others). Celebrates Southern country landscape and traditions.
#"The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band. Laments the decline old American South.
#"Sin City" by the Flying Burrito Brothers. Attacks modern decadence and predicts divine punishment for sin.
#"I Saw the Light" by Hank Williams (and numerous cover versions). Redemption from sin through faith.
#"Land of Confusion" by Genesis. Criticizes the growing trend towards liberalism.
#"No Son of Mine" by Genesis.

== References ==
<references/>

Please add your best conservative picks.

[[Category:Essays about Conservatism]]

Genesis (band)

2009-02-08T19:12:18Z

Kirk J:

'''Genesis''' is a famous [[British]] [[progressive rock]] band. Although less successful than their contemporaries [[Pink Floyd]], [[Yes (band)|Yes]], and [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]], they succeeded in attracting and sustaining a larger number of fans. Genesis was led by vocalist [[Peter Gabriel]] for many years; drummer [[Phil Collins]] assumed vocal duties after Gabriel's departure and turned the band's sound in a more pop-oriented direction.

The band had been on hiatus for many years, but Collins, keyboardist [[Tony Banks]], and bassist/guitarist [[Mike Rutherford]] will be on tour for the summer of 2007. Originally, the classic lineup of Gabriel, guitarist [[Steve Hackett]], Banks, Rutherford, and Collins were supposed to reform but Gabriel and Hackett declined to participate, although both are open to a later reunion.

[[Category:Rock Bands]]

Genesis (band)

2009-02-08T19:10:20Z

Kirk J:

'''Genesis''' is a famous [[British]] [[progressive rock]] band. Although less successful than their contemporaries [[Pink Floyd]], [[Yes]], and [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]], they succeeded in attracting and sustaining a larger number of fans. Genesis was led by vocalist [[Peter Gabriel]] for many years; drummer [[Phil Collins]] assumed vocal duties after Gabriel's departure and turned the band's sound in a more pop-oriented direction.

The band had been on hiatus for many years, but Collins, keyboardist [[Tony Banks]], and bassist/guitarist [[Mike Rutherford]] will be on tour for the summer of 2007. Originally, the classic lineup of Gabriel, guitarist [[Steve Hackett]], Banks, Rutherford, and Collins were supposed to reform but Gabriel and Hackett declined to participate, although both are open to a later reunion.

[[Category:Rock Bands]]

Europe

2009-01-19T22:12:35Z

Kirk J:

{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300" style="margin-left:5px"
|align="center" colspan="2"|[[Image:Europe pol 2004.jpg|300px]]
|-
!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: maroon no-repeat scroll top left;"|Europe
|-
|-
| Area
| 4,066,281 square miles
|-
| Coastline
| 50,000 square miles
|-
| Highest point
| Mt. Elbrus, 18,481 feet
|-
| Lowest point
| Shoreline of Caspian Sea, 92 feet below sea level
|-
| Longest river
| Volga, 2,330 miles
|-
|}
'''Europe''' is the western part of the [[continent]]al landmass of Eurasia, consisting of the general area between the [[Ural Mountains]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. With an area of 3,998,000 square miles it ranks as the second-smallest of the continents, but in terms of population (727,000,000 in 2007) it is the third-largest.

Long a center of [[culture]], [[art]], [[philosophy]], and [[government]], Europe was the birthplace of [[democracy]]; the art and architecture of the [[Renaissance]]; the springboard of the great age of exploration; and the beginnings of the industrial age. Several major empires inhabited the continent: [[Ancient Greece|Greece]], [[Roman Empire|Rome]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantium]], the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]], the [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman]], the [[France|French]], the [[Germany|German]], and the [[British Empire|British]] each producing great achievements for posterity, as well as sparking wars and conflicts which exist to this day.

==Land==
Europe is considered to begin at the Ural Mountains, a chain running north-south in present-day Russia. The Caucasus, another mountain chain between the Black and Caspian Seas, forms the southern land boundary. Its remaining boundaries are coastlines; the Arctic Ocean, the North and Norwegian Seas, the Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. The northernmost point on the mainland is Cape Nordkinn, Norway; the southernmost in Spain at Punta de Tarifa.

===Climate===
Cool winters and mild summers are typical of the climate in northern Europe, the result of the warm currents brought by the Atlantic Ocean as well as prevailing westerly winds. The climate of southern Europe is Mediterranean, usually hot in summer, with most rainfall taking place in winter. A colder climate begins in central Poland eastward, typified by drier conditions and, especially in Russia, severely-cold winters.

===Drainage===
The major rivers in western Europe originate in the mountain ranges of central Europe. The Rhine, Rhone, Elbe, Seine and Vistula flow from the Alps and the Balkans northward, emptying into the English Channel, North and Baltic seas; the Po and Rubicon rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea, while the [[Danube]] flows into the Black Sea. Long a navigable river, the [[Danube]] is further connected via locks and canals to the Rhine, ensuring a centuries-long free flow of commerce from both sides of Europe into the interior. In eastern Europe the major rivers flow towards the south, emptying in the Black and Caspian seas; among them are the Dnepr, Donets, and Volga. With the exception of the Mediterranean rivers, all European rivers have an even rate of flow as a result of an even spread of yearly precipitation; the faster-flowing rivers, particularly in the mountain highlands and Scandinavia, also aid in the production of hydroelectric power for home and industry.

===Flora===
Forests covered a large part of Europe as late as the 19th century, but human activities have cleared a many areas for farming. Still, a large amount of forested land remains, as well as those acres that have been re-planted or re-grown after human abandonment.

A mixed coniferous-deciduous belt dominates a vegetation zone across the central portion of the continent from east to west, characterized by oak, elm and maple mingled with fir and pine. Spruce and pine dominate inland northern Europe as a result of cool, but mild temperatures. Tundra is characteristic of the Arctic land regions, consisting of shrubs, wild flowers, lichens and mosses. To the east is the European Plain, an expanse of prairie grass which gives way to the Ukrainian steppe and its short grasses of a drier climate.

===Fauna===
[[Image:Three-happy-bears.jpg|thumb|280px|Russian bears]]
The lakes and rivers support an abundance of fish, including trout and salmon, while the coastal areas and inland seas support tuna, sardines, sturgeon, cod, haddock, halibut, and many others. Birds are widespread as well, including eagles, storks, ravens, and seabirds.

Although there are many mammal species on the continent (deer, lemmings, beaver, etc), they have been hard hit as a result of man's long occupation in Europe. The once common brown bear (''Ursus arctos'') is now restricted to isolated pockets of the Pyrenees and the far north of Scandinavia. The wisent (''Bison bonasus''), the largest mammal on the continent, has been over-hunted so extensively that only a few managed herds survive in central Poland, while a relative, the larger aurochs (''Bos primigenius'') was killed off by 1627.

===Mineral [[resources]]===

Coal is found extensively in Britain, Spain, France, the Ruhr of Germany, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and the Ukraine. Oil and natural gas deposits lie throughout Europe, with the two most important regions within Russia and the North Sea. Nickel, tin, bauxite, copper, lead, gypsum, manganese, lead, and iron ore have been mined extensively and traded. Marble, such as that from Carrera, Italy, is used in monumental architecture and statuary.

===Arable land===
Countries in Europe with the largest percentage of arable land include the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands, all of which have large areas of plains despite also having a large amount of highlands (in addition, the Netherlands has much land re-claimed from the sea). In addition, nearly half of western Europe has arable land. Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northern Russia have limited amounts of arable land by comparison, due to a restricted growing season at high latitudes as well as extreme cold.

==People==
It is conjectured that the first humans migrated into Europe in several waves, either from Asia Minor across the Bosporus and into the Balkan region, or from Asia by way of the steppes. River barriers, mountains, and forested lands help to divide early Europeans into distinct groups, and by about 4000 B.C. humans were well-established.

===Ethnic groups===
A large number of diverse ethnic groups live on the continent, associated by common culture and language. Several of the European nations are composed of one predominant ethnic group, i.e. Greeks in Greece, Spanish in Spain. Several of these countries have a distinctive minority, such as the Laplanders of northern Norway and Finland.

===Languages===
The vast majority of the languages spoken on the European continent come from the [[Indo-European]] language family. Within this category, the three largest European branches are the [[Romance]] (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian); [[Germanic]] (German, English, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic); and [[Slavic]] (Russian, Bulgarian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian). Other languages include Celtic (Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Breton), Baltic (Latvian, Lithuanian), Greek and Albanian, as well as languages within the Finno-Ugric group (Hungarian, Finnish, Estonian). Turkish is spoken in the European portion of Turkey.

Several of the European languages were spread world-wide over the past five hundred years as a result of trade, colonization, or political/military power; as a result, French, English, Spanish, and German are second languages for many people.

===Religion===
[[Image:Caravaggio Ecce Homo.JPG|thumb|Ecce Homo by [[Caravaggio]].]]
The dominant religion in Europe is Christianity, with the Roman Catholic Church the largest single sect, forming a major part of the lives of people in France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Ireland. The Protestants are several churches which originally broke away from the Catholic Church beginning in the 16th century, the first being the Lutheran Church. Members of Protestant denominations form the majority in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom. The third major Christian group is Eastern Orthodoxy, mainly in eastern Europe, of which the Greek and Russian sects are well known.

Europe is now the least Christian and the most secularized and socialized part of the world.<ref>[http://www.intellectualconservative.com/2008/05/02/europe-the-dark-continent/ Europe: The Dark Continent]</ref>

In addition to Turkey, Islam has established itself as the dominant religion in the Balkan countries of Albania and Kosovo.

===Culture and Education===
The arts has a long period of tradition in Europe, which produced many outstanding works in painting, sculpture, architecture, dance, music, and literature; among the great masters are [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Michaelangelo]], [[Raphael]], [[Vincent Van Gogh]], Mozart, Brahms, Alexander Dumas, [[Charles Dickens]], and many others. [[Paris]], Vienna, [[London]], Rome, Madrid, [[Florence]], and other European capitals became havens where art flourished and expanded. Institutions of learning also grew, with several, such as Oxford and Cambridge, becoming well-known world-wide.

===Demography===
Migration and differential birth and death rates have resulted in a shifting in population distribution over periods of time. By 400 A.D. the bulk of the population was along the Mediterranean coastline; today the interior and north-central Europe has the majority of population density. The average life expectancy for Europeans is 75 years, despite a population decrease attributed to a low birth rate of 10.2 births per 1,000 people (2005).

==Economy and Commerce==
===Industry===
The Industrial Revolution began in Europe during the late 18th century, and since then Europe has become a leading exporter of manufactured goods. Textiles and clothing, ships, motor vehicles, aircraft, railroads, are among the items produced, and since World War II high-technology and electronic items were added. Manufacturing is particularly concentrated in the United Kingdom, central Europe, and in European Russia and Ukraine.

===Agriculture===
European farmers produce a mixed variety of crops yearly, with wheat producing the largest yield, especially within the Ukraine. Other crops include barley, oats, rye, corn, potatoes, beets, beans, peas, and sugar beets. Southern Europe is noted for the production of grapes for the wine industry, olives, pistachio nuts, and citrus fruits; the first two (grapes and olives) have become important to the identity as well as the economy of the countries which produce them. Animal production includes beef (especially in Spain), pigs, goats, and poultry.

===Forestry===
The main sources of wood for construction and other products come from the northern European forests of Scandinavia, Finland, and Russia; southern Europe, with less forested acreage, is known primarily as a producer of cork.

===Fishing===
Fishing is very important to northern European countries; access to the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans enable a large harvest of cod, char, herring and flatfish yearly. All coastal countries engage in commercial fishing to some degree, and two, Italy and Greece, have fishing traditions which date to ancient times.

===Transportation===
The first means of transportation were by water; the Vikings have traded extensively via the waterways and river systems of northern Europe, while in the south the Danube and Mediterranean was used. Today, large fleets of ships are maintained by several countries which import and export a great deal of goods, and have transformed many coastal cities into major sea ports.

Highways and roads are well-established and maintained; Germany's famous Autobahns providing the example, and in addition to trade via trucks a large number of Europeans own automobiles. Railways carrying passengers and freight crisscross the continent; France's TGV is among the fastest trains in the world, and the "Orient Express", made famous by an Agatha Christie novel, still makes its fabled run from Paris to Istanbul.

All European countries have a national airline (KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, etc) that maintain routes world-wide. In addition, the Airbus Corporation competes with Boeing in the manufacture of large-bodied passenger aircraft.

===Trade===
International and intercontinental trade on a large scale is conducted by nearly all European countries, with the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom among the largest trading nations in the world.

==History==
====Early humans====
[[Image:Europe ref04.jpg|thumb|300 px|Shaded relief map of Europe]]
It was during the late Paleolithic that humans arrived on the continent, and although of a hunter-gatherer stock they left behind examples of their art, most notably the cave paintings in Spain and France with their highly-decorated murals of extinct animals. As these hunters settled down by the Neolithic period, they had learned to farm, and by roughly 6000 B.C. farming had spread across most of the continent. With farming came a more settled life, and towns were created, with the Starčevo and Danubian cultures in the Balkans, and Sesklo and Dimini in Thessaly. Trade in metals (copper, tin) resulted in the creation of bronze by about 4000 B.C.; amber marked its appearence as a precious stone in trade from the Baltic. Elaborate burials were becoming common, especially of aristocrats or royalty; during this time as well humans were organized into societies that resulted in the construction of the megaliths, of which [[Stonehenge]] is the best known example.

No clear definition exists for the origin of the Indo-European languages. Some scholars theorize that it came across the plains north of the Black Sea with a kurgan culture around 2500 B.C. According to the theory, the first such kurgan invasion was successful in the Balkans, where it spread to central Europe.

====First Civilizations====
The island of Crete in the Aegean was the first to have a major civilization in Europe. Named after King Minos of Greek mythology, the Minoan Civilization had its capital at Knossos; the ruins excavated in the early 20th century by British archaeologist Arthur Evans indicate a well-developed society, capable of extensive trade by sea, which effectively controlled the Aegean by 1600 B.C. By then the first tellings of the Mycenaean Civilization appeared on mainland Greece. These ancient Greeks may have been Indo-Europeans from the Balkans, and have been in conflict with the Minoans, who simply vanish from the historical record by 1400 B.C. (this may be due to the eruption of Thera, a volcano to the north of Crete, about 1450 B.C.; physical evidence on Crete indicates a massive, catastrophic explosion). By 1200 B.C. the Mycenaeans themselves were almost destroyed, by warfare and earthquakes. In the years following, the Greeks began to fashion new tools and weapons from iron.

== See also ==

*[[Europa]]
*[[Architecture]]

== External links ==

*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/europe.htm Europe]

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Continents]]

Russo-Japanese War

2009-01-19T21:59:16Z

Kirk J:

The '''Russo-Japanese War''' was a short conflict between the Empires of [[Russia]] and [[Japan]] from 1904-05. The two countries were competing over trade rights in [[Manchuria]] and [[Korea]]. The Japanese declared war and attacked the Russian Far East Fleet at [[Port Arthur]] (now Lüshun, [[China]]). The loss of the battle (and eventually the war) on the part of Russia reduced public support of [[Czar Nicholas II]]. The war's effects on Russia would contribute to the social turmoil that would culminate in the [[Russian Revolution]]. It also gave Japan a more respected reputation in [[Europe]].

==See also==
*[[Battle of Tsushima]]

[[category:Wars]]
[[Category:Russian History]]
[[Category:Japanese History]]

Sulfur

2009-01-19T21:56:51Z

Kirk J:

[[Image:Sulfur.jpg|thumb|right|Sulfur crystals.]]
{{Element
| name=Sulfur or sulphur
| symbol=S
| anumber=16
| amass=32.1 amu
| class=Non-metal
| cstructure=Orthorhombic
| color=Yellow
| date=Known from ancient times
| origname=From the Latin word ''sulphurium'' (brimstone)
| uses=Matches, gunpowder, medicines
| obtained=Naturally
}}
'''Sulfur''' is the 16th element of the [[periodic table]]. It is a solid [[Metal|nonmetal]] that makes up part of the Earth's crust, and is a part of [[gunpowder]] and batteries.

The name comes from the [[Latin]] word ''sulphurium'', which means brimstone <ref>http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/periodic/S.html</ref>. 'Brimstone' is an ancient word for sulfur (it is often found round the rim of volcanic vents), and occurs in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In [[Genesis]] 19, God destroys [[Sodom]] and [[Gomorrah]] with 'fire and brimstone', and brimstone has traditionally been associated with [[Hell]] and the [[Devil]].

Elemental yellow sulfur itself is almost odorless, but many sulfur compounds have strong odors. [[Hydrogen sulfide]] has the offensive odor of rotten eggs. The mercaptan family of compounds that give [[skunk]]s their odor, and which are deliberately added to natural gas because they can be detected in extremely low concentrations, are organic sulfur compounds, as is the compounds that give garlic and onions their smell.

==References==
<references/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Sulfur2.jpg|'''Sulfur crystals'''
</gallery>

Essay:Greatest Conservative Songs

2008-12-20T12:02:30Z

Kirk J:

Conservative songs exist, and some are immensely popular. Here is our growing list:
#"Have You Forgotten?" by [[Darryl Worley]]. Patriotic response to [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].
#"Still the One" by Orleans (1976), is a tribute to fidelity in relationships.
#"Sweet Home Alabama" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. A response to hippie culture. Defends Southerners from stereotyped attacks by [[liberal]] rocker Neil Young.
#Lee Greenwood's rendition of [[Battle Hymn of the Republic]]. "As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free."
#"My Love" by [[Petula Clark]]. Christian love in secular form.
#"Starting All Over Again" by [[Petula Clark]]. Keep moving onward, even in the most difficult of times.
#"Thank You My Lord" by [[Petula Clark]]. The title says it all.
#"I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)". Its title says it all. The version by [[The Clash]] has a good tempo.
#"Fast Car" by [[Tracy Chapman]]. Self-help, free market, division of labor, and a criticism of alcohol.
#"You Can't Hurry Love (You Just Have to Wait)". Abstinence for rock fans. The versions by [[The Supremes]] and [[Phil Collins]] were popular.
#"Pomp and Circumstance" ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOcvcBxrfN4 ''Land of Hope & Glory'']) By Freedom gain, by Truth maintain...
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ0oCmDXrVk&mode=related&search= "Jerusalem"] Don't let the sword sleep in the hand.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wahd2piIr4Q "Brothers In Arms"] by [[Dire Straits]]. We're fools to make war on our brothers in arms.
#"The Ascent of Stan" by [[Ben Folds]]. Tells the story of a former "textbook hippie man" who realizes that he has become everything that he was protesting against.
#"Brick" by [[Ben Folds Five]]. Shows the regret involved in abortion.
#"Alive" by [[P.O.D]].: About being thankful for the gift of life.
#"Gotta Serve Somebody" by [[Bob Dylan]]. "It may be the devil or it may be the Lord."<ref>http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/serve.html</ref>
#"Stand By Your Man," by [[Tammy Wynette]]. Don't expect [[feminists]] to like that one! Or [[Hillary Clinton]]!
#"Jesus Take The Wheel" by [[Carrie Underwood]]. A gospel-themed hit from the American Idol winner.
#"Red Barchetta" by [[Rush]]. Tells the story of a future with excessive regulation, where even driving is illegal.
#"You Light Up My Life" by [[Debbie Boone]]. One of the biggest hits ever, but [[liberals]] omit that this song is about [[Jesus]].
#"Father of Mine" by [[Everclear]]. A reminder of the importance of good parenting. Everclear singer Art Alexakis wrote much of his material from his own perspective of a troubled childhood. At the end of the song, Alexakis promises to be a better father than his own had been.
#"Happiness is a Warm Gun" by [[The Beatles]]. It sure is.
#"The Taxman" by [[The Beatles]]. George Harrison said, "Taxman was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes." [http://home.att.net/~chuckayoub/Taxman_Lyrics.html]
#"Back in the U.S.A." by [[Chuck Berry]]. A patriotic song about missing life in the U.S.A.
#"Government Cheese" by [[The Rainmakers]]. Humorous spoof of welfare.
#"Angry Young Man" by [[Billy Joel]]. The doctrinaire leftist radical with "his fist in the air and his head in the sand" comes in for biting criticism.
#"Gimme Back My Bullets" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. The name says it all.
#"Let My People Go" by [[The Pursuit of Happiness]]. "How will you free us with your hate? How many heads will smash when you smash the state? You say march, I think I'll wait." An anti-protest song.
#"Don't Let 'Em Take Your Gun" by [[Grand Funk Railroad]]. A father gives his son some sage advice.
#"Something For Nothing" by [[Rush]]. "You can't get something for nothing, you can't have freedom for free."
#"Neighborhood Bully" by [[Bob Dylan]]. Israel's right to exist and defend itself.
#"Get It Right the First Time" by [[Louisiana's Le Roux]]. Wealthy Georgia politician is placed in high office and turns out to be a puppet with no ideas of his own. Released in 1980 when Jimmy Carter was up for re-election.
#"Only The Young" by [[Journey]]. "The shadows of a golden age, a generation waits for dawn, the brave carry on, the bold and the strong". An anthem for the Reagan Generation.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2UE5g72s0o "Yours Is No Disgrace"] by [[Yes]]. Written to, and about, the troops headed for Vietnam.
#"Fair Exchange" and "Sparks of the Tempest" by [[Kansas (band)|Kansas]]. Warnings about totalitarian governments who want to take away your freedom in the name of utopia. Also much of their early 80s material, which has Christian lyrics.
#"In America" by the [[Charlie Daniels]] Band. Patriotism makes a comeback in response to the Iran hostage crisis and Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
#"Storm the Embassy" by the [[Stray Cats]]. Another conservative song about the Iran hostage crisis.
#"We Must Take America Back" by [[Steve Vaus]]. Became an underground country music hit in 1992 after RCA dropped him and took the album out of print due to the political lyrics.
#"Renegade" by [[Steppenwolf]]. John Kay's childhood escape from Communist East Germany.
#"Capitalism" by [[Oingo Boingo]]. There's nothing wrong with free enterprise.
#"Unborn Child" by [[Seals and Crofts]]. This pro-life song was a hit single in 1974, but for some reason gets left off the Seals and Crofts greatest hits albums.
#"Bad Rap (Who You Tryin' To Kid, Kid?)" by [[Steve Taylor]]. Takes aim at LA and NY hipsters, the Village Voice, abortion, and "the left-wing band with their head in the sand".
#"Last Kiss" by [[Pearl Jam]]. "Oh where oh where can my baby be; The Lord took her away from me; She's gone to heaven so I got to be good; So I can see my baby when I leave this world"<ref>http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=14</ref>
#"Love Me, I'm a Liberal" by [[Phil Ochs]]. Revealing Liberal hypocrisy for what it is.
#"America USA" by [http://giveagiftofsong.com/products.htm]Joey Sudyka. Not very well known, perhaps, but a good patriotic song.
#"Red White and Blue" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]].
#"Simple Man" by Charlie Daniels. A song about how drugs and poor politics are a result of people putting their bibles down. Also a strongly pro death penalty song.
#"That Smell" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]. A very strong anti-drug use song by Americas most prestigious southern rock band.
#Virtually anything by [[Toby Keith]], but especially "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)".
#"Under God" by [[Pat Boone]].
#"Fortunate Son" by [[Credence Clearwater Revival]].
#"Christmas Shoes" by NewSong - a Christmas song by a Christian band.
#"God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.<ref>http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/proudtobeamerican.html</ref>
#"God Bless America" Words and music by Irving Berlin.
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kZ0pA9REyU "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed"] [[Yes]] ''...I know your cross is heavier With every step Every step But I know a man who'd walk miles for you...''
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCXiuqJ1E6g Supper'sReady] [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] ''There's an angel standing in the sun, and he's crying with a loud voice, "This is the supper of the mighty one", Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Has returned to lead his children home, To take them to the new Jerusalem.''
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoaH0I9UwLI "Your Love Is Extravagant"] Casting Crowns
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnnhYE1DhC4 "What If His People Prayed"] Casting Crowns (my vote for #1)
#[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EBiei21-C8 "King Without a Crown"] by Matisyahu - A Hasidic Jew raps about God as the source of happiness and salvation from the things of this world: "If you're drowning in the waters and you can't stay afloat ask Hashem for mercy and He'll throw you a rope."
#"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver (and others). Celebrates Southern country landscape and traditions.
#"The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down" by The Band. Laments the decline old American South.
#"Sin City" by the Flying Burrito Brothers. Attacks modern decadence and predicts divine punishment for sin.
#"I Saw the Light" by Hank Williams (and numerous cover versions). Redemption from sin through faith.
#"Land of Confusion" by Genesis. Criticizes the growing trend towards liberalism.

== References ==
<references/>

Please add your best conservative picks.

[[Category:Essays about Conservatism]]

Talk:Rick Roll

2008-01-16T22:49:24Z

Kirk J:

What? [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 16:58, 16 January 2008 (EST)
:Care to elaborate? [[User:Kirk J|Kirk J]] 17:06, 16 January 2008 (EST)
::How is singing the song ''Yellow'' a liberally decietful way to spread the homosexual agenda?
::Additionally, I looked up "Rick Rolling" and according to [http://www.yougotrickrolled.com/ YouGotRickRolled.com] and [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rick+rolled Urban Dictionary] the act is linking someone to a ''Rick Astley'' video, not just any video (and not not ''Yellow''). This video, too, is not trying to spread the homosexual agenda. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]]
:::I probably didn't clarify this properly in the article: it's deceitful because the victim is convinced that the link is something other than the video. In my case I was told that it was a news article about Ron Paul, when it clearly wasn't. I only discovered this when I clicked the link, to which the perpetrator claimed I had been "Rick Rolled." Also, it seems fairly obvious to me that this man is a homosexual. Yellow is one of the colors of the rainbow afterall, which has been misappropriated by the homosexual agenda as a symbol for gay pride. As for it being the wrong video, I wouldn't know. This was the video I was linked to by a friend when they "Rick Rolled" me. [[User:Kirk J|Kirk J]] 17:49, 16 January 2008 (EST)

Talk:Rick Roll

2008-01-16T22:06:00Z

Kirk J:

What? [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 16:58, 16 January 2008 (EST)
:Care to elaborate? [[User:Kirk J|Kirk J]] 17:06, 16 January 2008 (EST)

European Union

2007-04-28T21:54:20Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:567rugyhj.png|right|thumb|300px|Flag of the European Union.]]
The '''European Union (EU)''' is a legal and economic union of 27 European nations. It was formed in 1993 with the ratification of the [[Maastricht Treaty]], though its predecessor, the European Economic Community, was founded in 1957.

As an institution, the EU has more powers over its member states and their citizens than is the case with most international bodies; 13 of its member states also use a common [[currency]], the [[Euro]]. It is not, however, generally regarded as a federation or state in its own right. Rather, it stands somewhere between these two points.

The policies of the EU tend to be [[liberal]] or even [[socialism|socialist]] by American standards, in keeping with the generally liberal political culture of European countries.

==Structure==

The EU, technically speaking, consists of three separate "pillars" - the '''European Communities''', the '''Common Foreign and Security Policy''', and '''Police and Judicial Co-Operation in Criminal Matters'''. The most important of these "pillars" is the European Communities, and the term "European Union" is often used as a synonym for the European Communities.

The EU is governed primarily by three institutions: the '''Council''', the '''European Commission''' and the '''European Parliament'''.

The Council consists of representatives of each member state. These representatives change depending on what the purpose of the Council's meeting is and what is being discussed (for example, the ministers of finance of each country may attend a meeting on fiscal policy).

The Commission functions roughly as the EU's executive branch. It consists of 27 Commissioners, one nominated by each member state, though on taking office the Commissioners are required to put aside their allegiance to their own countries and to act in the interests of the EU as a whole. The President of the Commission acts to some extent as a figurehead for the EU, and is the nearest thing there is to a "President of Europe". The current Commission President is [[José Manuel Barroso]], a conservative and a former Prime Minister of Portugal. Perhaps the best known Commission President was [[Jacques Delors]] (1985-1995), a French socialist who passionately favoured European integration. A personal enemy of Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]], he was famously attacked by the conservative British tabloid newspaper ''The Sun'' with the slogan "Up yours, Delors".

The European Parliament consists of 785 members directly elected by the citizens of the member states. National parties sit in broad Europe-wide groupings: for example, most members of left-wing parties sit together as the "Party of European Socialists". No party grouping currently has an overall majority, but the main conservative grouping (the European People's Party) currently has the largest number of seats (277).

The EU has its own judicial apparatus, consisting most notably of the '''Court of First Instance''' and the '''European Court of Justice''', the latter being the supreme judicial authority of the Union. It should not be confused with the [[European Court of Human Rights]], which is entirely separate from the EU and its institutions.

==Criticism==

A significant number of Europeans on the political right of centre are opposed to the EU on the grounds that it undermines national sovereignty and identity. Such people are known in British English as "Eurosceptics", and they include such people as the former British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] (although, while in power, she committed Britain to the 1986 [[Single European Act]], a major integrationist measure) and the members of the [[UK Independence Party]]. They also, however, include less well-respected right-wing politicians belonging to far right or [[nationalism|nationalist]] parties, such as France's [[Jean-Marie Le Pen]]. There are also extreme left-wing opponents of the European Union, such as ''Die Linke'' in Germany, who regard it as constituting an anti-progressive "Fortress Europe", and claim that EU membership impedes countries from following socialist policies.

==Candidates for membership==

There are three official candidates being considered for membership, [[Turkey]], [[Croatia]] and [[The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]]. Typically a country that is considered will have to make some economic or social changes to bring it in line with other member states.

Here is a map of the European Union as of January 2007, including countries seeking to join: [[Image:European_Union.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Member states of the European Union.]]

Gateway to the European Union (EU official website [http://europa.eu/]

[[Category:Europe]]
[[category:politics]]

Ireland

2007-04-28T21:51:59Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:Ireland.gif|right|thumb|300px]]
'''Ireland''' is an [[island]] off the northwestern coast of [[Europe]]. It is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which consists of twenty-six counties and the traditional provinces of Munster, Leinster, Connacht, and three of the nine counties of Ulster, and the six counties of Northern Ireland, which comprise the remainder of the province of Ulster and are part of the [[United Kingdom]]. According to the last census the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4,234,925<ref>[http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/environment/copy_of_census/]</ref> Northern Ireland has a population of 1,685,267 (2002 est.)<ref>[http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Demography&mainArea=&mainLevel=]</ref>

The primary language is English, however, the official language of the Republic is ''[[Gaelic|Gaeilge]]'', or ''Irish''. In the Irish language the official name of Ireland (which appears on all coins, stamps, and government documents) is ''Éire''. The flag is a tricolor, the green representing the native Catholic tradition of Ireland, the orange representing the settled Protestant/Dissenter population, and the white, the peace between them.

== History ==
Historically, Ireland's culture has been distinct from other regional cultures, as it was the one of the only [[Celtic]] territories never conquered by the [[Roman Empire]].
Ireland suffered from regular Viking incursions from the late 8th century until 1014, when High King Brian Boru defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf.

In the 12th century, the Pope granted Ireland to the English crown as a papal fief. This was Pope Adrian, the only Englishman to become bishop of Rome. The English however, were unable to bring the entire island under their control until the 17th century, after the defeat of the Irish in the Nine Years War. King James I of England (King James VI of Scotland) decided to plant Ulster, in the North of Ireland, with English and Scottish Protestant settlers, in an attempt to prevent future rebellions.<ref>[http://www.hoganstand.com/general/Identity/stories/ulster.htm]</ref>

In 1690, the Catholic King James II and his Irish allies were defeated by the Protestant William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne. This defeat ushered in an era of Protestant dominance in Ireland. A series of regulations limiting the status of the Catholic majority were passed between 1691 and 1760, known as the Penal Laws. These laws also discriminated against Presbyterians and other dissenting Protestants, who along with Catholics were forced to pay tithes to the Anglican Church.<ref>[http://www.risingroadtours.com/a7_penallaws.htm]</ref> <ref>[http://prorev.com/irish.htm]</ref>

In 1798, a combined Protestant and Catholic Republican rebellion was defeated. This led to the Act of Union being passed in 1801, under which Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish economy declined rapidly and the Great Famine ''An Gorta Mór'' broke out in 1845. The famine killed roughly one million, or one eighth of the entire population. It led to mass emigration to the United States, Canada and to Britain.

Pro-nationalist sentiment continued to rise and the Irish tried to secure their own parliament. Opposition to this arose in the predominantly Protestant and Unionist province of Ulster which allied with the British Conservative Party in an attempt to block "Home Rule". The outbreak of war in 1914 delayed the enaction of Home Rule and led to growing agitation amongst Irish Nationalists. The Easter Rising of 1916 was put down by the British, but their heavy-handed approach increased opposition to their rule. A war of independence broke out in 1919, the Irish using guerrilla tactics to undermine British rule in the country. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the province of [[Ulster]]. The territory independent of the British became the [[Irish Free State]], while the territory controlled by the British became [[Northern Ireland]]. Northern Ireland was granted a home rule parliament. Later, in 1937, the Free State adopted a new constitution, or ''Bunreacht'' (now the oldest written Constitution in Europe) changing its name to [[Éire]] and removing all references to the Free State's position within the British Commonwealth. <ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107648.html]</ref>
The Irish Free State finally left the Commonwealth and declared itself a Republic in 1949.

== Politics ==

====Republic of Ireland====

The Republic of Ireland uses [[Proportional Representation]] meaning that there are a large number of political parties. The Republic of Ireland has a bicameral legislature, "the Oireachtas". It consists of the 166 seat lower house Dáil(parliament) and the 66 seat upper house, the Seanad(Senate), which both sit in Leinster House, Dublin. In recent times the country has been governed mostly by coalitions generally of either Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or Fine Gael and Labour. The Republic of Ireland is also a member of the European Union and is represented by 13 MEPs. <ref> [http://www.europarl.ie/meps/index.html] </ref>

'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans (in the Irish sense, meaning supporters of a United Ireland) due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community, and generally conservative on social issues (though probably not by American standards). Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current [[Taoiseach]]([[Prime Minister]]) of the Republic of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>

'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. <ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>

'''Labour Party''': A social democratic left-wing party, similar to the Labour Party of the British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]. [[Pat Rabitte]] is the leader of the Labour Party.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>

'''Progressive Democrats''': The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favoring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but are very liberal on social issues. [[Michael McDowell]] is the current leader and [[Tánaiste]](deputy Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php]</ref>

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favor of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent.<ref>[http://www.greenparty.ie/]</ref>

'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Remnant of Ireland's oldest political party, it is closely connected with the Provisional IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a party of left-wing socialist economics which espouses liberal social issues such as gay marriage. They organize in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Gerry Adams. <ref>[http://www.sinnfein.ie/]</ref>

'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins. <ref> [http://www.socialistparty.net/] </ref>

----

====Taoisigh(Prime Ministers) of the Republic of Ireland====

From 1922 to 1937, the office was known as "President of the Executive Council".

'''William Thomas Cosgrave''' (Cummann na nGaedheal): 1922-1932.

'''Éamon de Valera''' (Fianna Fáil): 1932-1948, 1951-1954, 1957-1959.

'''John A.Costello''' (Fine Gael): 1948-1951, 1954-1957.

'''Seán Lemass''' (Fianna Fáil): 1959-1966.

'''Jack Lynch''' (Fianna Fáil): 1966-1973, 1977-1979.

'''Liam Cosgrave''' (Fine Gael): 1973-1977.

'''Charles Haughey''' (Fianna Fáil): 1979-1981, March 1982 - December 82 and March 1987 - February 1992.

'''Garret FitzGerald''' (Fine Gael): 30 June 1981- 9 March 1982 and 14 December 1982 - 10 March 1987.

'''Albert Reynolds''' (Fianna Fáil): February 1992-1994.

'''John Bruton''' (Fine Gael): 1994-1997.

'''Bertie Ahern''' (Fianna Fáil): 1997-Present. <ref> [http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=349&docID=-1] </ref>

----

====Northern Ireland====

The political parties of Northern Ireland are mostly divided on the national question (whether to remain within the UK or become part of a United Ireland), rather than on a left-right basis. They contest elections for the [[British Parliament]](where Northern Ireland is allocated 18 seats) and the 108 seat [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]. Northern Ireland has 3 MEPs. <ref>[http://www.europarl.ie/meps/index.html]</ref>

Westminster elections use the Plurality voting system, whereas the Assembly Elections use the Proportional Representation(PR) system.

The major parties are:

'''Democratic Unionist Party'''(DUP): Currently the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland. The DUP is a right-wing, ultra-conservative, hardline unionist party currently led by its founder, the Reverend Ian RK Paisley. The party has strong links with Rev. Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church. <ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/]</ref>

'''Sinn Féin'''
Currently the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, they sit in the Irish parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, but refuse to take their seats in the British Parliament in Westminster.

'''Ulster Unionist Party'''(UUP): A right-wing party, which had strong links with the British Conservative Party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate David Trimble is a former leader. Currently in decline, with voters turning to the DUP. Currently led by Sir Reg Empey. <ref> [http://www.uup.org/]</ref>

'''Social Democratic and Labour Party'''(SDLP): A left-wing nationalist party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume is a former leader. The SDLP were the largest nationalist party until recently, when they were overtaken by Sinn Féin. Unlike SF, the SDLP have always advocated a non-violent and constitutional approach to achieving a United Ireland. Current leader is Mark Durkan. <ref>[http://www.sdlp.ie/]</ref>

'''Alliance Party''': The Alliance party identifies as neither unionist or nationalist and thus receives support from both communities. The current leader is David Ford. <ref>[http://www.allianceparty.org/]</ref>

----

====Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland====
House of Commons of Northern Ireland (1921-1972)

'''Sir James Craig''' (UUP): 1921-1940

'''John Miller Andrews''' (UUP): 1940-1943

'''Sir Basil Brooke''' (UUP): 1943-1963

'''Terence O'Neill''' (UUP): 1963-1969

'''Brian Faulkner''' (UUP): 1969-1972

Post abolished in 1972.

First Ministers: (NI Assembly from 1998 to Present)

'''David Trimble''' (UUP) 1998-July 2001, November 2001-October 2002

'''Sir Reg Empey''' (UUP) (Acting): July 2001-October 2001

<ref>[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/United_Kingdom.html#Northern]</ref>

== Religion ==
The Republic of Ireland is predominantly Roman Catholic in religion(88%). Membership of the Church of Ireland runs at about 3%, with most of the rest of the population belonging to other Protestant/Christian denominations. Southern Protestantism had been in decline since independence due to the ''ne temere'' decree(children in mixed Catholic/Protestant marriages had to be raised Catholic) <ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/ncd05730.htm]</ref> and emigration. However, it has experienced a revival of late due to immigrants and some converts from Catholicism. There is a small Jewish community in Ireland. The Muslim community has grown recently due to immigration. <ref>[http://www.cso.ie/statistics/popnclassbyreligionandsex2002.htm]</ref>

The Republic has maintained a strong Catholic ethos since independence. Abortion remains illegal however in recent years other restrictions on divorce, homosexuality and contraception have been relaxed due to pressure from liberal groups.

Northern Ireland has a Protestant majority (53%), the main denominations being Presbyterian and Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopal). Roughly 44% of the population are Roman Catholic, with most of the remainder professing no religion. <ref>[http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Cultural&mainArea=&mainLevel=]</ref>

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:EU Members]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Iran

2007-04-28T21:48:43Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:800px-Flag of Iran svg.png|right|thumb|Flag of The Islamic Republic of Iran |200px]]
'''Iran''', officially '''The Islamic Republic of Iran''' (جمهوری اسلامی ايران) is a theocratic [[country]] in southwest [[Asia]]. Its capital is [[Tehran]] and its official language is [[Persian]], or Farsi.

== History ==

Iran was formerly known as [[Persia]], and was the historical center of a number of empires.

During [[World War II]] Iran was openly partial to the Axis cause. A joint Anglo-Soviet military action began on 25 August 1941 when 40,000 Soviet troops entered Iran from the north and headed for Tehran. On the same day about 19,000 British Commonwealth troops, mostly in Indian brigades, entered from various directions. There was slight resistance on the part of Iranian troops but no force Iran could not have withstood the power of the occupying armies of British Empire and the Soviet Union, and German assistance by air was now as far away as Crete. On 30 August 1941 identical notes were submitted by the invading powers to the Iranian Government which accepted their terms on 9 September. On 16 September the Shah abdicated in favor of his son, [[Mohammed Reza Pahlevi]], and left the country. The next day Tehran was jointly occupied by the British and Soviet troops without show of military force.

The terms imposed by Tri-Partite Treaty of alliance signed on 29 January 1942 disavowed any designs against the territorial integrity of Iran or independence. Iran agreed to refrain from any act contrary to British or Soviet interests. <ref>[http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/persian/chapter01.htm#b2 UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II], The Middle East Theater THE PERSIAN CORRIDOR AND AID TO RUSSIA, T. H. Vail Motter, CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY UNITED STATES ARMY WASHINGTON, D. C., 2000. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 52-60791. First Printed 1952-CMH Pub 8-1.</ref>

After the CIA-backed coup of 1953, Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh was overthrown and the Shah returned to power. [[Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini]] emerged as an active critic of the Shah's increasingly autocratic government during this period. Khomeini was imprisoned and later exiled, but popular anti-government sentiment continued to spread. In 1979, the Shah fled Iran as Khomeini returned from exile. The Shah's troops were defeated by the rebels and in the following year, the Islamic Republic was established following a national referendum.

On November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian students entered the US embassy and took a number of American personnel hostage, citing the overthrowing of Mossadegh in 1953 and accusing the embassy staff of preparing another coup against the revolutionary government. Some of the hostages, including women, African Americans and an employee diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, were quickly released. Others were held for 444 days before being allowed to leave Iran and return to the United States.

In the 1980s America was revelations of the Iran-Contra affair, were uncovered.<ref>[http://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/060204.html]</ref> Large volumes of documents relating to the matter were lost or withheld from investigators.<ref>"Excerpts from Iran-Contra Report" [http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/06/29/reviews/iran-transcript.html]</ref> The affair is still shrouded with secrecy and it is very hard to discover the facts. It involved several members of the Reagan Administration who in [[1986]] helped sell [[arms trade|arms]] to Iran through Israel, and used the proceeds to fund the [[Contras]], an anti-[[communism|communist]] [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] organization in [[Nicaragua]]. <ref>[http://www.answerpoint.org/columns2.asp?column_id=1165&column_type=feature]</ref>

Iran desired the weapons in order to fight [[Iraq]], which had invaded the majority [[Arab]] [[Khuzestan]] province in southwestern Iran in September 1980. The ensuing [[Iran-Iraq War]] lasted until 1988, when some naval operations by the [[United States]] against Iran impressed the impossibility of their position upon the Iranian leadership. Iran finally signed an armistice which ceded to Iraq the [[Shatt al-Arab]] waterway, the latter country's main war aim. Less than three years later, Iraq ceded it back to guarantee Iranian [[neutrality]] in the [[Gulf War]] against the United States.

After the war, Iran continued to support [[Hezbollah]], the most powerful [[Shiite]] militia in [[Lebanon]], which had waged war against the United States during the latter's intervention to end the [[1982 Israeli invasion]]. With Iran's assistance, Hezbollah launched [[terrorist]] attacks even against such clearly inoffensive countries as [[Argentina]], which seems to have been attacked because there were [[Jews]] there. The head of Iranian intelligence during the early 1990's, [[Ali Fallahian]], was indicted along with various Hezbollah operatives and an international arrest warrant was issued for him in March 2007, which the Iranians immediately appealed. This and the Iranian role in the 1996 [[Khobar Towers bombing]] prevented any normalization of relations, even after [[Mohammed Khatami]] became President of Iran in 1997 and made this one of the principal goals of his administration.

Khatami was seen by some in the West as a possible Iranian version of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]. [[Great Britain]] reestablished relations with Iran in 1999. His coalition was dominated by persons who clearly wished to make Iran a normal country. However, the limitations of the President in the Iranian system allowed Iranian conservatives to marginalize his supporters and close media outlets friendly to his policies. Although he won reelection in 2001 and cooperated with the United States to some extent against their mutual enemy the [[Taliban]], his supporters were not able to take the next logical step that [[Boris Yeltsin]] and other anti-communist [[Russians]] did under Gorbachev, that is, unite to completely replace the existing political system. Because they had been able to outmaneuver him politically, Iranian conservatives also did not oblige with a corresponding [[coup d'etat]] against Khatami. Normal relations with the United States probably will require just this sort of replacement of the existing Iranian constitution, but the popularity of Khatami and congruent popular distaste for his successor indicates that may be possible without war.

== Current Status ==

Iran is currently ruled by the Grand Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]], the second theocrat of the country, who has been in office since the death of Khomenei in 1989. He is considered to have a less extreme anti-Western bias than his predecessor. It is governed on a day-to-day basis by [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], who is suspected by several Western nations to be developing [[nuclear weapons]] to use against [[Israel]]. Domestically, however, he is facing questioning and possible [[impeachment]] by the Iranian Parliament, who see him as too extreme. The relationship between these two could be compared to that between the [[king]] and the [[prime minister]] in a [[constitutional monarchy]], although students of Iranian politics hotly debate where the precise balance of power lies.

The Iranian constitution calls for a Presidential election once every four years (in practice, the year following Presidential elections in the United States). Candidates are selected by the [[Guardian Council]], an unelected clerical body. Presidents are limited to two terms as in the United States. While since 1981 no Iranian President has been defeated for reelection, elections lacking an incumbent have been quite lively, as was the 2005 election, which Ahmadinejad only won at the [[runoff]] stage.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have increased since Iran was identified by President Bush in January 2002 as part of the [[Axis of Evil]], and particularly since the 2005 election of Ahmadinejad. An attempt by the [[European Union]] to negotiate a surrender of or reduction in [[Iranian nuclear efforts]] failed, leading to the [[United Nations Security Council]] voting to impose limited [[sanctions]]. The United States has since lobbied for sanctions more along the lines of those imposed on 1990 upon [[Iraq]], which remained in place until the beginning of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in 2003. Talks in March 2007 between U. S., Iranian, and [[Syrian]] diplomats at a regional conference organized by Iraq proved unproductive, although the willingness of the parties to talk was itself regarded by some as a sign that war had become somewhat less likely.

In spite of the relative overstretch of the U. S. [[military]], the utility of an attack on Iran, or at least its nuclear facilities, was a live [[debate]] among American opinion leaders throughout 2006. Objections to such an attack were mostly based upon the belief that this would represent the first step on a [[slippery slope]] to [[occupation]] of Iran, which would probably require [[conscription]] in the United States, a step [[conservatives]] and most military leaders oppose. The debate, however, appeared to have been won decisively by the hawks following the regime's suicidal decision in late March 2007 not to promptly release 15 British sailors and marines it had captured on March 23, 2007.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Asian Countries]]
[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

==External links==
* [http://www.president.ir/eng/ Official website of the President of Iran]
* [http://www.ahmadinejad.ir/ The blog of the President of Iran]
* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articlenavigation/index.isc Encyclopædia Iranica]
* [http://www.wikiran.org/ WikIran Encyclopedia]

Maya

2007-04-28T21:42:30Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

The '''Maya''' (MAH-yuh or MEYE-uh) civilization existed in Southern Mexico and northern Central America between from A.D. 300 to 900. Its population totaled 5-16 million people.

The Maya have been called the "Greeks of the New World" by many historians. The Maya had some knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, ritual ball games for entertainment, and the use of their complex written language. Unlike Europeans at the time, the Maya had developed the concept of zero.

The Maya used a yearly solar calendar that was fairly precise, using 18 months and 20 days per month, with five additional unlucky days at the end, which totals to 365 days. The Maya did not take into account the additional 1/4 day, which we take into account through leap year, because it was not important for them. They additionally had a 260 day ritual calendar which worked in conjuction with the 365 day calendar to create a 52-year cycle. They also used a Long Count calendar which counts the number of days since the creation of the world on August 13, 3113 BC. This calendar returns to zero in 2012, which has caused an Apocalypse scare. However, this stems from a misunderstanding of the calendar, because the calendar is generally abbreviated to 5 places, when in reality there are over 40, so the calendar will continue after this date. The calendar is written with five numbers with a period between each, such as 5.4.3.2.1. Each of the numbers between the period represents a place, since the Maya number system was base-20. In this date, for example, the 1 represents 1 days, the 2 represents 2*20 days, the 3 represents 3*360 days, the 4 represents 4*7,200 and the 5 represents 5*144,000. Each digit except the second (2) and the last (5) goes to 19 before returning to zero. The second only goes to 18 and the last only goes to 13. The original date for the world was 13.0.0.0.0, which will be the same date on December 21, 20012, and the reason for the Apocalypse scare.

The Maya were politically formed similarly to the Greek city-states. Each city was politically independent and ruled by a king who had multiple wives. Each king had a ceremonial center containing temple pyramids, ball courts and stelae, which are tall stone statues containing a portrait on one side and glyphs on the other. Some cities politically controlled other sites, as Copan controlled Quirigua until a revolt in which the people of Quirigua beheaded the ruler of Copan, Waxaklahun Ub'a K'awiil, or 18 Rabbit. The four major sites are Palenque, [[Tikal]], [[Calakmul]] and Copan. Later, [[Chichen Itza]] was built, but this site was built after the collapse of many others. For food, the Maya grew maize (corn), squash and beans. Like American Indians the Maya had no coins or paper money, but sometimes traded in cacao (chocolate) beans, shells or other goods. The Maya, unlike the [[Aztecs]] and the [[Olmec]], had a system of writing based on the use of hieroglyphs, but like the Aztecs built stepped temple-pyramids which had small temples on top.

The Maya religion was polytheistic and the Maya "appeased the gods" by engaging in human sacrifice and autosacrifice. Autosacrifice and the use of hallucinogenic drugs were important to the Maya religion because they allowed the use of visions, which the Maya used to speak to their ancestors. The Maya believed in creation as explained in their religious text named the "Popol Vuh." Wealthy women enjoyed some rights in the society, and in some cases were Queen when there was no male heir. The Maya wrote accordion-fold, bark paper books called codices. There are only 4 known in existence today, which are in museums in Europe, because the Spanish held massive book-burnings upon arriving on the continent because they believed the books to be anti-Christian.

The reason for the decline of the Mayan civilization is not completely understood, but seems to be related to the destruction of the natural environment. The Maya needed trees to make stucco to cover their pyramids, which lead to erosion, which led to insufficient crops, which led the Maya to build more temples, which continued the cycle. Mayan cities were abruptly abandoned in the 800s. After this point, the Maya civilization became small villages, and today 4 million people still speak the Mayan language.

[[Category:Mexican History]]

Hadrian

2007-04-28T21:41:48Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

{{stub}}

'''Hadrian''' was a Roman Emperor who lived from January 24, 76 to July 10, 138, succeeding [[Trajan]]. He was the third of the [[Five Good Emperors]], and built many defensive walls. The most famous of these is known simply as [[Hadrian's Wall]] and runs across the center of Great Britain between Bowness-on-Solway in the west and Wallsend in the east.

Hadrian was succeeded by [[Antoninus Pius]].

[[Category:Roman emperors]]

Colosseum

2007-04-28T21:39:43Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

The '''Colosseum''', known in Antiquity as the '''Flavian Amphitheater''' is an amphitheater in the center of [[Rome]] that is capable of seating 50,000 people. It was built by the ruler [[Vespasian]] on the remains of the "Golden House" that the previous emperor, Nero, was attempting to build.

[[Category:Buildings]]
[[Category:Tourist Attractions]]

Hoplites

2007-04-28T21:38:48Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:Hoplites.jpg|thumb|right]]
The '''Hoplites''' were [[Greek]] heavy Infantry during the period around 500-300 BC. They wore full-face helmets probably made of [[bronze]] and wielded a heavy shield of wood covered in bronze. Their preferred weapon was a [[spear]], and a short sword as a backup weapon. In battle they often used the phalanx formation, which was essentially a wall of overlapping shields and spears and they moved as a cohesive unit. The name derives from ''Hoplon'', the name of their [[shield]]s.

Traditionally hoplites were not professional [[soldier]]s, but often men of ordinary professions. They would purchase their own armor, which could lie unused for years, and the quality of the armor would reflect the material wealth of the bearer. They would be summoned to fight in the event of their city going to war. Fighting against other hoplites was often dangerous and their spears would often splinter on bronze shields or breastplates, but against lighter troops it was a different matter, especially against the Persian army which contained no heavy infantry or armor to speak of. In the case of the Battle of Marathon, due to their thick bronze armor the Athenians often crushed the Persian troops to death.

Possibly the most renowned hoplites were those of the city of [[Sparta]] in the south of Greece, who famously wore scarlet red capes. Trained from birth these warriors were professionals, rather than the levied troops of their fellow Grecian cities. They were famous for their courage and their skill, but could often commit acts we would today consider atrocities. Their most famous hour was arguably the [[Battle of Thermopylae]].
The terrain of Thermopylae suited the phalanx formation perfectly, as the narrow confines of the pass meant that the [[Persia]]n's superior numbers could not be brought to bear, not could the vulnerable flanks of the phalanx be exploited by the Persian cavalry.
The phalanx was further developed by the Macedonians and their successors.

The phalanx as a formation was replaced by the legion, which was considerably more flexible and arguably was the reason behind the [[Roman]]s' military success.

==Links==
[http://www.hoplites.co.uk/html/hoplites.html]

[[Category:Military History]]

Joust

2007-04-28T21:37:06Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

==Jousting in history==

Jousting refers to mock combat between two armored, mounted [[knight]]s performed during the 14th-16th centuries. Jousting was a public display of the knight's skill and a popular public entertainment. Starting at opposite ends of the tourney field (known as the ''lists''), the competing knights would ride at each other and try unhorse their opponent with a wooden tipped [[lance]]. The wooden tip of the lance was blunted and would splinter on impact to prevent serious injury, not to mention to create a dramatic effect for the onlookers. Knights would joust in full plate amour with additional padding to mitigate against the effects of the blows.

Jousting tournaments were often lavish affairs and offered prizes of money or land to victorious knights. Fortunes and indeed, reputations, could be won and lost competing in this way.

==Jousting in the present day==

Although the practice of jousting died out in the 16th century, some groups continue to put on displays of jousting to entertain the public. An example of this is the Royal Armouries Museum in the United Kingdom where staged jousting (along with other displays of falconry and musket firing) is one of the most popular attractions during the summer months.

==Popular Culture==

A jousting tournament can be seen in the comic film "A Knight's Tale". The novels of George R R Martin feature jousting tourneys.

''Joust'' may also refer to a [[video game]] where knights mounted atop flying [[ostrich]]es attempt to dismount each other.

[[Category:Games]]

Max Miller

2007-04-28T21:36:17Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

Max Miller (born Thomas Sargent, 1894-1963):British music hall comedian, known as 'the Cheeky Chappie', whose appeal depended on broad humor and much use of the word 'Missus' with increasing degrees of arch knowledge. He wore suits made out of loud floral fabric for his stage act.

His real fame was as a result of pushing the accepted standards of comedy to the very limit, especially in his use of double entendres. To a degree, the theater had rarely seen anything like it before, but to some he did push the boundaries of acceptability and he was occasionally banned from BBC radio - When he told the hilarious story of his recent visit to the hospital where he was told that he was going to be given a little prick by one of the doctors he was banned for five years! At the time the hierarchy of the BBC thought that the only way they could combat Miller was to ban him. <ref> for a detailed account, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/m/miller_max.shtml </ref>

<references/>

Viz

2007-04-28T21:35:16Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

'''Viz''' is a popular UK [[magazine]] for children, inspired by the [[Beano]] and [[Dandy]].

In the tradition of much children's [[TV]], some of the humor is also aimed at adults.

Don Quixote

2007-04-28T21:34:11Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

'''Don Quixote''' (Don Quijote in modern Spanish) is a tragi-comic novel by [[Miguel Cervantes]], written in two parts in the late 16th and early 17 century and often considered one of the greatest of all time.

Its protagonist is a minor aristocrat who has read rather rather too many books of [[chivalry]] and imagines himself a knight battling supernatural and mythological beings in a mundane environment where they simply do not exist.

The humor derives from his ability to contort everything he sees to a demented worldview based on silly books - however it is a measure of Cervantes' skill as an author that we come to sympathize with Don Quixote more than those who mock him, as much as the latter may be correct.
[[category:book]]

Cubed

2007-04-28T21:33:45Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

'''Cubed''' were a Christian rock band in [[New Zealand]] from 2002-2007.

== Biography ==

[[Image:8 Yeah Tommo Is Weird.jpg|thumb|400px|Cubed in action]]

In 2002, three Palmerston North teenagers called Joshua Thompson ([[bass guitar]], [[Singing|vocals]]), Daniel Sherson ([[rhythm guitar]], vocals) and Paul McConachy ([[drums]]) began jamming in their church auditorium on Sunday afternoons. Playing covers and church songs, they could never have imagined how their [[hobby]] would be taken seriously by music lovers nationwide.

2003 saw Gareth Bell join the band in the role of [[lead guitar]]. It was also the year the band started to write their own songs. Though none of the songs were performed that year, it was an important period for the band as they discovered their style of songwriting. Wacky lyrics combined with singalong choruses with a Christian influence that was no secret formed the foundation of a songwriting style that would never be lost, even in the years to come as the band matured.

Nick Dow joined the band in 2004 as the [[keyboard]] player. The band adopted the name Cubed and started playing gigs at youth group events around Palmerston North. Their set included a mix of covers and originals such as ''To Infinity And Beyond, Winning Streak ''and'' Miracles''. A demo recording of Winning Streak was made and the song successfully took the band to CTC in Wellington. At the end of the year Gareth Bell left the band to join the Y-One roadshow touring schools and churches throughout New Zealand.(Cubed Yearbook 2004)

A new line up in 2005 consisting of the original three jammers and Anthony McGrath on lead guitar kicked off the year with a week long 'band camp', staying at Anthony's house and practicing daily at a nearby high school studio. The band relaunched in March at the Expressions auditions with the song ''God Bless Rock And Roll'', which proved to be a hit with crowds. It's singalong chorus, upbeat tempo and screaming guitar solo gave it a sound reminiscent of bands such as AC/DC and Guns & Roses. The song took them right through CTC, scoring them a showcase gig on the final day of the competition. The band spent the rest of the year playing youth groups and all ages venues in Palmerston North and made the demo CD that secured their place on the Debut Stage at Parachute Festival 06, the biggest four day Christian music festival outside the USA. At the end of the year Anthony found out his place in a course in contemporary music at Otago University had been confirmed. He would have to leave the band in early 2006 to begin studies. 2005 was also an important year for songwriting as the content became more mature and personal whilst never losing the humor that only Cubed can provide. (Cubed Yearbook 2005)

Parachute 06 was Anthony's final gig with the band, but the beginning of what proved to be an incredible final year for Cubed. Immediately after the festival ended, the band (with Anthony) went into the studio to record their Debut EP '' Lightbox''. The name was inspired simply by a tool used for tracing but the CD was named Lightbox in the faith that a disc in a box can bring light into people's lives. Featuring the crowd favorites ''God Bless Rock And Roll, Close'' and ''The Banana Song'', once the word was out, CDs sold fast.After the recording process was over Anthony left for Otago and the band took a break, playing only one gig as a three piece before Ben Eichler took up the role of lead guitarist. More gigs at local youth groups where the band had become part of the staple diet of music took place as well as nearby Feilding. Lightbox sold well and a second pressing was done, with a new color scheme. The year was rounded off by a roadtrip to Gisborne where the band rockumentary ''Thingy'' was filmed. (Cubed Yearbook 2006).

In early 2007 the band knew the end was nigh as original member and songwriter Josh would have to leave to study Bass Guitar at University in mid February. A second EP was recorded for posterity, featuring all of the band's best songs that weren't on Lightbox, including ''Before You, I Like You, Surrender'' and ''Take All Of Me''. Another important track of this recording is the new version of ''Winning Streak''. All seven past and present band members were present for the recording of the song and all provided vocal parts. Parachute 07 was the band's final gig and was meticulously planned to be a concert to remember. The best songs from both EPs were played, some with new twists (including a fugal screamo part in ''Close'') and plastic guitars were mutilated on stage. It is unlikely that many bands have ended on a higher, madder note.

== Discography ==

2004-Winning Streak Demo. Recorded in Paul's lounge. Track List: Winning Streak.
 2005-Parachute Application Demo. Recorded at Salvation Army Citadel, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Track List: Liar, Patience, God Bless Rock And Roll.
 2006-Lightbox. Recorded at The Stomach, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Track List: God Bless Rock And Roll, Close, The Banana Song, A New Day, Patience, Liar, Drum Solo (Hidden).
 2007-Farewell EP. Recorded at Daniel's house. Track List: Surrender, Before You, Winning Streak, I Like You, Take All Of Me, Mosh, Saturday Night, Noise.

[[Category:Bands]]

Margaret Thatcher

2007-04-28T21:32:38Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:503px-Thatcher-loc.jpg|right|thumb|Margaret Thatcher as Leader of the Opposition in 1975.]]
'''Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher''', later Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven (born October 13, 1925), became the leader of the Conservative Party in [[The United Kingdom]] in February 1975. She was opposed to socialism and out-of-control union power which had brought down the previous Conservative government in 1974. She ran on these issues which resulted in her being chosen as Prime Minister in May 1979 with the Conservatives sweeping into power.

Lady Thatcher sold many of the nationalized industries back to private investors and made tax cuts. Thatcher stood up against the powerful Labour Party unions, thus encouraging the British coal and newspaper industries by breaking the power of the unions who had a stranglehold over these industries. Due to her strong standards and her leadership style, she became known as the "Iron Lady," a term originally coined as an insult by the communist [[Soviet Union]], but one she adopted with glee. Another famous statement of hers is that "the lady is not for turning" Thatcher was always a strong supporter of the the United States, and was a good friend of President [[Ronald Reagan]], uniting with him in actions against the Communists. She led Britain to victory against [[Argentina]] in a 1982 war over ownership of the [[Falkland Islands]], and though the United States was allied with both countries, and did initially try to broker a negotiated settlement, when that failed, the U.S. supported Britain and not Argentina with vital intelligence information. Thatcher won three elections between 1979 and decision not to stand for a second party vote in 1990, when it became apparent she wouldn't have the needed votes. Margaret Thatcher was the longest serving Prime Minister for more than 150 years, and alongside Winston Churchill, many consider her to be one of the two most important British political leaders of the twentieth century.

[[Time Magazine]] wrote of Lady Thatcher: ''"She was the catalyst who set in motion a series of interconnected events that gave a revolutionary twist to the century's last two decades and helped mankind end the millennium on a note of hope and confidence. The triumph of capitalism, the almost universal acceptance of the market as indispensable to prosperity, the collapse of Soviet imperialism, the downsizing of the state on nearly every continent and in almost every country in the world — Margaret Thatcher played a part in all those transformations, and it is not easy to see how any would have occurred without her. Champion of free minds and markets, she helped topple the welfare state and make the world safer for capitalism"'' [http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/thatcher.html]

==Career prior to 1979==

The predominant influence in Lady Thatcher's early life was her father, [[Alfred Roberts]]. Roberts, the owner of Alf's Mini Mart, was a grocer by occupation who was active in local politics. Years later, Lady Thatcher continued to acknowledge his formative influence on her (for example, in the second volume of her memoirs, ''The Path to Power'').

Lady Thatcher attended Somerville College, [[Oxford University|Oxford]], where she read chemistry and became chairman of the university Conservative association. After graduating, she worked for a time as a research chemist before qualifying as a barrister and practicing as a [[tax]] lawyer, an indication of her interest in financial matters. In this time period, it was uncommon in Britain for a female from an ordinary middle-class background to go to a top-class university and then to pursue a career in the male-dominated and somewhat elitist world of the Bar.

Lady Thatcher married [[Denis Thatcher]], a successful businessman whom she met at a Conservative Party meeting. They had 2 children, twins [[Mark Thatcher|Mark]] and [[Carol Thatcher|Carol]].

Under the troubled Conservative premiership of [[Edward Heath]] (1970-1974), Thatcher served as Secretary of State for Education during which time her most noted achievement was the withdrawal of a daily milk ration to primary age schoolchildren earning her the nickname Milk-Snatcher. After the Conservatives were defeated in the elections of February and October 1974, Thatcher challenged the more liberal Heath for the leadership of the party. When she went into Heath's office to tell him her decision, he did not even bother to look up. "You'll lose," he said. "Good day to you." [http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/thatcher.html]

Though at the time she was a relatively untested figure (and many in the party were wary of choosing a woman leader), she defeated both Heath and other male rivals in the contest in February 1975. Heath subsequently became a prominent personal and political adversary of Thatcher, drawing accusations of bitterness.

In the 1970s, Lady Thatcher's strongly conservative, pro-capitalist stance resonated with a new mood among the British electorate, many of whom had become dissatisfied with the post-[[World War II]] liberal consensus (the "post-war consensus", sometimes also called "Butskellism"). Thatcher and the Conservatives offered a clear alternative vision for an increasingly aspirational society. The Conservative politician Sir [[Keith Joseph]] was the primary intellectual force behind these theories that later became known as ''Thatcherism''. They were strongly influenced by the pro-market intellectuals [[Friedrich von Hayek]] and [[Milton Friedman]].

==Prime Ministership==

Lady Thatcher's chief goals in power were to reverse Britain's economic decline and to reduce the range of the state as well as standing taller on the international stage. She found a soul-mate in Ronald Reagan, elected in 1980 but whom she had met in 1975. Thatcher started by increasing interest rates to drive down inflation which hit the manufacturing sector and caused unemployment to rise sharply and there was a deep recession in the early 1980s blamed on her Government's economic policy. This led to her famous quote: 'the lady is not for turning', and she refused a policy u-turn and, despite an open letter from 364 economists, taxes were increased in the middle of a recession. Although unemployment did not reach 3 million till 1982, a year earlier British cities burned as thousands took to the streets to demonstrate their frustration. Inflation was going down though, allowing interest rates to fall, but as the economy started to recover Argentina invaded the Falklands, the first (and unprovoked) invasion of sovereign British territory by a foreign government since the Second World War. Thatcher immediately declared her resolve to recapture the islands in line with the wishes of their inhabitants, and dispatched a naval task force to that end. With help from President [[Augusto Pinochet|Pinochet]] of [[Chile]] and, more covertly, [[Ronald Reagan]], the British forces swiftly recaptured the islands. The resulting wave of patriotic enthusiasm as well as her right to buy policy for council homes, and a uselessly divided opposition, meant she got a landslide victory in the June 1983 general election.

The big theme of Lady Thatcher's second term was reducing the power of the trade unions with a series of measures that a number of unions reacted to with industrial action. In particular the National Union of Mineworkers led by Arthur Scargill. The Tories had prepared for the strike by building up coal reserves and the deploying well paid police units fitted out with new riot gear brought in after the disturbances of 1981 who taunted the strikers by waving fivers at them. The miners responded with bricks and very ugly scenes developed on picket lines that split the country. Scargill's failure to hold a ballot for the strike undermined public support and the striker's chant of 'vote with your feet' calling miners to join the strike was turned on them as more and more returned to work over the year of the strike.

In the middle of the strike, on October 12 1984, the IRA detonated a bomb during the Conservative Party conference in Brighton. Thatcher escaped injury but five people died in the attack and Margaret Tebbit was left paralyzed, the conference went on as normal. Thatcher's political and economic philosophy emphasized free markets and since gaining power she had experimented in selling off nationalized industries starting with the National Freight company, most of the large utilities followed. Thatcher supported Reagan's policies of deterrence against the Soviets and US forces stationed nuclear cruise missiles at British bases, arousing mass protests by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. She supported the US bombing raid on [[Libya]] from bases in Britain in 1986 and, by refusing to side with a European consortium, in backing a the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of the USA over a British company Westland. Michael Heseltine resigned in protest at her style of leadership over this. In 1984 she visited [[China]] and signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration with [[Deng Xiaoping]] that agreed the handover of [[Hong Kong]] in 1997. Also that year at the Fontainebleau summit Thatcher argued that the UK paid far more to the EEC than it received in spending and negotiated a budget rebate using the argument that ‘We want our money back’. In 1985, the University of Oxford voted to refuse her an honorary degree in protest against her cuts in funding for education.

In 1987, Lady Thatcher became the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to win three consecutive general elections since [[Lord Liverpool]] (1812-1827). In the late 1980's Thatcher began to be concerned by environmental policy and in 1988 she made a major speech accepting the problems of global warming, ozone depletion and acid rain. More memorably, at Bruges, she made a speech in which she outlined her opposition to proposals from the European Communities for a federal structure and increasing centralization of decision-making believing that the role of the EC should be limited to ensuring free trade and effective competition. She was specifically against Economic and Monetary Union, through which a single currency would replace national currencies, and for which the EC was making preparations. In 1989 the economy high interest rates were imposed to stop an unsustainable boom. At the Madrid European summit, Nigel Lawson and Geoffrey Howe forced Thatcher to agree the circumstances in which she would join the Exchange Rate Mechanism, a preparation for monetary union. She took revenge on both by demoting Howe and listening more to her adviser Sir Alan Walters on economic matters. Lawson resigned that October and in November, a so-called ‘stalking horse candidate Sir Anthony Meyer challenged Thatcher for the leadership of the Conservative Party. In 1989 a new system of local government finance to replace the rates was introduced for Scotland in 1989 and for England and Wales in 1990. Called the 'Community Charge' but known as the Poll Tax was applied at the same amount to every individual resident with only limited discounts. Widespread opposition culminated in a huge demonstration in London on March 31 that turned into the largest outbreak of public disorder central London had seen in a century which was followed by millions of people refusing to pay the tax. This along with her government's handling of the economy, her perceived arrogance and a general feeling that she would never retire, made her politically vulnerable. Geoffrey Howe resigned on November 1 and condemned Thatcher's policy on the European Communities then openly invited 'others to consider their own response'. Michael Heseltine's response was a leadership challenge which resulted in a narrow failure, by two votes, for Thatcher to win automatic re-election. After consulting with cabinet colleagues she found a vast majority thought that she could not win on the second ballot. On November 22nd Thatcher announced that she would not be a candidate in the second ballot. She supported John Major as her successor, and retired from Parliament at the 1992 election.

After leaving the House of Commons, Thatcher was created '''Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven''' and entered the House of Lords, an entirely normal and expected honor for a British ex-Prime Minister. More controversially, Denis Thatcher was given a Baronetcy, which ensured that their son, Mark, would inherit the title of "Sir Mark".

Leaving power reportedly depressed Lady Thatcher, and aside from writing her memoirs, her role as 'backseat driver' in the Major administration was not well received. She publicly endorsed [[William Hague]] against [[Kenneth Clarke]] for the Conservative leadership in 1997. She made many speaking engagements around the world, including very vocal support of former dictator General [[Augusto Pinochet]] that the new Labour administration extradited to Spain on charges of torturing political opponents. In March 2002 she suffered a mild stroke, and she was told by her doctors to make no more public speeches on health grounds, nevertheless she insisted on attending the funeral of her old friend and political soul-mate, Ronald Reagan, in 2004 against her Doctor's orders. Baroness Thatcher is still seen at Tory party gatherings and has endorsed party leaders such as William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith.

[http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/thatcher.html][http://www.fandmpublications.co.uk/pages/margaretbiography1.htm][http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page126.asp]

==Quick Facts==
Born: 13 October 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire

First entered Parliament: 8 October 1959

Became leader of the [[Conservative]] Party in February 1975

Elected as Prime Minister in May 1979

Age she became PM: 53 years, 204 days

Maiden Speech: 5 February 1960 during the second reading of her Private Member's Bill

Total time as PM: 11 years, 209 days

Nickname: "The Iron Lady"

Education: Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School and Somerville College, Oxford

Before Thatcher became an MP, she worked as a research chemist for British Xylonite and then Lyons & Company, where she helped develop methods for preserving ice cream.

Family: Margaret Thatcher is the younger of two daughters. She often gave her father as an example of an outstanding citizen. She married [[Sir Denis Thatcher]], and has one son and one daughter.

Interests: Music, art, opera and reading.

[http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page126.asp][http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/thatcher.html]

==Husband==
Denis Thatcher, ''as the first male PM spouse in history'', was always likely to be the center of media attention - and he didn't disappoint.

When she met him, Baroness Thatcher remarked that "it was clear to me at once that Denis was an exceptional man - he had a certain style and dash." Described as a man of integrity, humor and common sense, he had a strong business background and fought with the Royal Artillery during the war.

It was said that Denis was in 'the Thatcher party not the Tory party'. He once famously remarked, recalling the words of Mark Twain, that: "it's better to keep my mouth shut and be thought a fool rather than open it and remove all doubt."

When he died in 2003 his wife paid tribute to the man she loved by saying: "Being PM is a lonely job. In a sense, it ought to be - you cannot lead from a crowd. But with Denis there I was never alone. What a man. What a husband. What a friend."

[http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page126.asp][http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/thatcher.html]

== "Thatcherisms" ==

*"The lady is not for turning"

*"There is no such thing as society"

*"I like Mr Gorbachev, we can do business together."

*"I have made it quite clear that a unified Ireland was one solution that is out. A second solution was a confederation of two states. That is out. A third solution was joint authority. That is out-that is a derogation of sovereignty."

*"I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left."

*"If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you."

*"I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near."

*"What Britain needs is an iron lady."

*"Unless we change our ways and our direction, our greatness as a nation will soon be a footnote in the history books, a distant memory of an offshore island, lost in the mists of time like Camelot, remembered kindly for its noble past."

*"I just owe almost everything to my father [and] it's passionately interesting for me that the things that I learned in a small town, in a very modest home, are just the things that I believe have won the election."

*"Democratic nations must try to find ways to starve the terrorist and the hijacker of the oxygen of publicity on which they depend." [http://www.quoteworld.org/authors/margaret-thatcher/1/]

*"It will be years before a woman either leads the Conservative Party or becomes Prime Minister. I don't see it happening in my time" (in 1970)[http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page126.asp]

==External Links==
* [http://www.margaretthatcher.org/ Margaret Thatcher Foundation]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thatcher, Margaret}}
[[Category:UK Prime Ministers]]

François Rabelais

2007-04-28T21:31:22Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

'''Francois Rabelais''' (1483-1553) was a important [[France|French]] writer and [[satire|satirist]].

His most important work was the five book ''Gargantua and Pantagruel'' <ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1200 Text of Gargantua and Pantagruel at Project Gutenberg.</ref>; however it is unclear whether all of the fifth book was written by Rabelais himself. Within, although some chapters consist entirely of lists of vulgarities, a number of political and religious themes are considered, amongst them being:

*Proper methods of education. (Book 1)

*The Abbey of Theleme - a [[Utopia]]n monastery, wherein customs were the exact opposite of the solemn, austere and strictly-regulated ones followed in typical monastic environments, and the primary commandment was ''"Do what thou wilt."'' (Book 1)

*The absurdities of the legal system, and how the only way to finally resolve a dispute is to drag it out until both parties are sick of it. (Books 2, 5)

*Methods of divination (Book 3)

*Reasons for and against marriage. (Books 4-5)

Some of the topics explored by Rabelais were controversial, and only the support of influential patrons preserved him from severe ecclesiastical censure during his lifetime; the third and fourth books of Gargantua and Pantagruel were both banned at times. The adjective, Rabelaisian, from his name, describes something that is in the style of his writings: containing an abundance of coarse humor, extravagant language and keen satire.

----

<ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/World_History_Lecture_Seven</ref>

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:Authors|Rabelais, Francois]]

Framers

2007-04-28T21:29:20Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

The Framers of the U.S. Constitution were the attendees at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. William Pierce, a delegate from Georgia, wrote sketches of each of the Framers and these were published in the Savannah Georgian in 1828. (The misspellings of Pierce are preserved below.)

William Pierce My own character I shall not attempt to draw, but leave those who may chose to speculate on it, to consider it in any light that their fancy or imagination may depict. I am conscious of having discharged my duty as a Soldier through the course of the late revolution with honor and propriety; and my services in Congress and the Convention were bestowed with the best intention towards the interest of Georgia, and towards the general welfare of the Confederacy. I possess ambition, and it was that, and the flattering opinion which some of my Friends had of me, that gave me a seat in the wisest Council in the World, and furnished me with an opportunity of giving these short Sketches of the Characters who composed it.

Abraham Baldwin Mr. Baldwin is a Gentleman of superior abilities, and joins in a public debate with great art and eloquence. Having laid the foundation of a complete classical education at Harvard College, he pursues every other study with ease. Mr. Baldwin is about 38 years of age.

Richard Bassett Mr. Bassett is a religious enthusiast, lately turned Methodist, and serves his Country because it is the will of the people that he should do so. He is a Man of plain sense, and has modesty enough to hold his Tongue. He is a Gentlemanly Man, and is in high estimation among the Methodists. Mr. Bassett is about 36 years old.

Gunning Bedford Mr. Bedford was educated for the Bar, and in his profession, I am told, has merit. He is a bold and nervous Speaker, and has a very commanding and striking manner; -but he is warm and impetuous in his temper, and precipitate in his judgment. Mr. Bedford is about 32 years old, and very corpulent.

John Blair Mr. Blair is one of the most respectable Men in Virginia, both on account of his Family as well as fortune. He is one of the Judges of the Supreme Court in Virginia, and acknowledged to have a very extensive knowledge of the Laws. Mr. Blair is, however, no Orator, but his good sense, and most excellent principles, compensate for other deficiencies. He is about 50 years of age.

William Blount Mr. Blount is a character strongly marked for integrity and honor. He has been twice a Member of Congress, and in that office discharged his duty with ability and faithfulness. He is no Speaker, nor does he possess any of those talents that make Men shine; -he is plain, honest, and sincere. Mr. Blount is about 36 years of age.

David Brearly Mr. Brearly is a man of good, rather than of brilliant parts. He is a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Jersey and is very much in the esteem of the people. As an Orator he has little to boast of, but as a Man he has every virtue to recommend him. Mr. Brearly is about 40 years of age.

Jacob Broom Mr. Broom is a plain good Man, with some abilities but nothing to render him conspicuous. He is silent in public, but cheerful and conversable in private. He is about 35 years old.

Pierce Butler Mr. Butler is a character much respected for the many excellent virtues which he possesses. But as a politician or an Orator, he has no pretensions to either. He is a Gentleman of fortune, and takes rank among the first in South Carolina. He has been appointed to Congress, and is now a Member of the Legislature of South Carolina. Mr. Butler is about 40 years of age; an Irishman by birth.

Daniel Carroll Mr. Carroll is a Man of large fortune, and influence in his State. He possesses plain good sense, and is in the full confidence of his Countrymen. This Gentleman is about [blank] years of age.

George Clymer Mr. Clymer is a Lawyer of some abilities; -he is a respectable man, and much esteemed. Mr. Clymer is about 40 years old.

William Richardson Davie Mr. Davey is a Lawyer of some eminence in his State. He is said to have a good classical education, and is a Gentleman of considerable literary talents. He was silent in the Convention, but his opinion was always respected. Mr. Davey is about 30 years of age.

Jonathan Dayton Capt. Dayton is a young Gentleman of talents, with an ambition to exert them. He possesses a good education and reading; he speaks well, and seems desirous of improving himself in Oratory. There is an impetuosity in his temper that is injurious to him; but there is an honest rectitude about him that makes him a valuable Member of Society, and secures to him the esteem of all good Men. He is about 30 years old, served with me as a Brother Aid to General Sullivan in the Western expedition of '79.

John Dickinson Mr. Dickinson has been famed through all America, for his Farmers Letters; he is a Scholar, and said to be a Man of very extensive information. When I saw him in the Convention I was induced to pay the greatest attention to him whenever he spoke. I had often heard that he was a great Orator, but I found him an indifferent Speaker. With an affected air of wisdom he labors to produce a trifle, -his language is irregular and incorrect, -his flourishes (for he sometimes attempts them), are like expiring flames, they just shew themselves and go out; -no traces of them are left on the mind to clear or animate it. He is, however, a good writer and will ever be considered one of the most important characters in the United States. He is about 55 years old, and was bred a Quaker.

Oliver Ellsworth Mr. Elsworth is a Judge of the Supreme Court in Connecticut, -he is a Gentleman of a clear, deep, and copious understanding; eloquent, and connected in public debate; and always attentive to his duty. He is very happy in a reply, and choice in selecting such parts of his adversary's arguments as he finds make the strongest impressions, -in order to take off the force of them, so as to admit the power of his own. Mr. Elsworth is about 37 years of age, a Man much respected for his integrity, and venerated for his abilities.

William Few Mr. Few possesses a strong natural Genius, and from application has acquired some knowledge of legal matters; -he practices at the bar of Georgia, and speaks tolerably well in the Legislature. He has been twice a Member of Congress, and served in that capacity with fidelity to his State, and honor to himself. Mr. Few is about 35 years of age.

Thomas Fitzsimmons Mr. Fitzsimmons is a Merchant of considerable talents, and speaks very well I am told, in the Legislature of Pennsylvania. He is about 40 years old.

Benjamin Franklin Dr. Franklin is well known to be the greatest philosopher of the present age;-all the operation of nature he seems to understand - the very heavens obey him, and the Clouds yield up their Lightning to be imprisoned in his rod. But what claim he has to the politician, posterity must determine. It is certain that he does not shine much in public Council, -he is no Speaker, nor does he seem to let politics engage his attention. He is, however, a most extraordinary Man, and tells a story in a style more engaging than anything I ever heard. Let his Biographer finish his character. He is 82 years old, and possesses an activity of mind equal to a youth of 25 years of age.

Elbridge Gerry Mr. Gerry's character is marked for integrity and perseverance. He is a hesitating and laborious speaker; -possesses a great degree of confidence and goes extensively into all subjects that he speaks on, without respect to elegance or flower of diction. He is connected and sometimes clear in his arguments, conceives well, and cherishes as his first virtue, a love for his Country. Mr. Gerry is very much of a Gentleman in his principles and manners; -he has been engaged in the mercantile line and is a Man of property. He is about 37 years of age.

Nicholas Gilman Mr. Gilman is modest, genteel, and sensible. There is nothing brilliant or striking in his character, but there is something respectable and worthy in the Man. — about 30 years of age. From Massachusetts.

Nathaniel Gorham Mr. Gorham is a Merchant in Boston, high in reputation, and much in the esteem of his Country-men. He is a Man of very good sense, but not much improved in his education. He is eloquent and easy in public debate, but has nothing fashionable or elegant in his style; -all he aims at is to convince, and where he fails it never is from his auditors not understanding him, for no Man is more perspicuous and full. He has been President of Congress, and three years a Member of that Body. Mr. Gorham is about 46 years of age, rather lusty, and has an agreeable and pleasing manner.

Alexander Hamilton Colo. Hamilton is deservedly celebrated for his talents. He is a practitioner of the Law, and reputed to be a finished Scholar. To a clear and strong judgment he unites the ornaments of fancy, and whilst he is able, convincing, and engaging in his eloquence the Heart and Head sympathize in approving him. Yet there is something too feeble in his voice to be equal to the strains of oratory; -it is my opinion that he is rather a convincing Speaker, than a blazing Orator. Colo. Hamilton requires time to think, -he inquires into every part of his subject with the searchings of philosophy, and when he comes forward he comes highly charged with interesting matter, there is no skimming over the surface of a subject with him, he must sink to the bottom to see what foundation it rests on. -His language is not always equal, sometimes didactic like Bolingbroke's and at others light and tripping like Stern's. His eloquence is not so defusive as to trifle with the senses, but he rambles just enough to strike and keep up the attention. He is about 33 years old, of small stature, and lean. His manners are tinctured with stiffness, and sometimes with a degree of vanity that is highly disagreeable.

William Churchill Houston Mr. Houston is an Attorney at Law, and has been a Member of Congress for the State of Georgia. He is a Gentleman of Family, and was educated in England. As to his legal or political knowledge he has very little to boast of. Nature seems to have done more for his corporeal than mental powers. His Person is striking, but his mind very little improved with useful or elegant knowledge. He has none of the talents requisite for the Orator, but in public debate is confused and irregular. Mr. Houston is about 30 years of age of an amiable and sweet temper, and of good and honorable principles.

Jared Ingersoll Mr. Ingersoll is a very able Attorney, and possesses a clear legal understanding. He is well educated in the Classic's, and is a Man of very extensive reading. Mr. Ingersol speaks well, and comprehends his subject fully. There is a modesty in his character that keeps him back. He is about 36 years old.

Daniel Jenifer of St Thomas Mr. Jenifer is a Gentleman of fortune in Maryland; -he is always in good humor, and never fails to make his company pleased with him. He sits silent in the Senate, and seems to be conscious that he is no politician. From his long continuance in single life, no doubt but he has made the vow of celibacy. He speaks warmly of the Ladies notwithstanding. Mr. Jenifer is about 55 years of Age, and once served as an Aid de Camp to Major Genl. Lee.

William Samuel Johnson Dr. Johnson is a character much celebrated for his legal knowledge; he is said to be one of the first classics in America, and certainly possesses a very strong and enlightened understanding. As an Orator in my opinion, there is nothing in him that warrants the high reputation which he has for public speaking. There is something in the tone of his voice not pleasing to the Ear, - but he is eloquent and clear, - always abounding with information and instruction. He was once employed as an Agent for the State of Connecticut to state her claims to certain landed territory before the British House of Commons; this Office he discharged with so much dignity, and made such an ingenious display of his powers, that he laid the foundation of a reputation which will probably last much longer than his own life. Dr. Johnson is about sixty years of age, possesses the manners of a Gentleman, and engages the Hearts of Men by the sweetness of his temper, and that affectionate style of address with which he accosts his acquaintance.

Rufus King Mr. King is a Man much distinguished for his eloquence and great parliamentary talents. He was educated in Massachusetts, and is said to have good classical as well as legal knowledge. He has served for three years in the Congress of the United States with great and deserved applause, and is at this time high in the confidence and approbation of his Country-men. This Gentleman is about thirty-three years of age, about five feet ten Inches high, well formed, an handsome face, with a strong expressive Eye, and a sweet high toned voice. In his public speaking there is something peculiarly strong and rich in his expression, clear and convincing in his arguments, rapid and irresistible at times in his eloquence but he is not always equal. His action is natural, swimming, and graceful, but there is a rudeness of manner sometimes accompanying it. But take him tout en semble, he may with propriety be ranked among the Luminaries of the present Age.

John Langdon Mr. Langdon is a Man of considerable fortune, possesses a liberal mind, and a good plain understanding. — about 40 years old.

John Lansing Mr. Lansing is a practicing Attorney at Albany, and Mayor of that Corporation. He has a hesitation in his speech, that will prevent his being an Orator of any eminence; -his legal knowledge I am told is not extensive, nor his education a good one. He is however a Man of good sense, plain in his manners, and sincere in his friendships. He is about 32 years of age.

William Livingston Governor Livingston is confessedly a Man of the first rate talents, but he appears to me rather to indulge a sportiveness of wit, than a strength of thinking. He is however equal to anything, from the extensiveness of his education and genius. His writings teem with satyr and a neatness of style. But he is no Orator, and seems little acquainted with the guiles of policy. He is about 60 years old, and remarkably healthy.

James Madison Mr. Maddison is a character who has long been in public life; and what is very remarkable every Person seems to acknowledge his greatness. He blends together the profound politician, with the Scholar. In the management of every great question he evidently took the lead in the Convention, and tho' he cannot be called an Orator, he is a most agreeable, eloquent, and convincing Speaker. From a spirit of industry and application which he possesses in a most eminent degree, he always comes forward the best informed Man of any point in debate. The affairs of the United States, he perhaps, has the most correct knowledge of, of any Man in the Union. He has been twice a Member of Congress, and was always thought one of the ablest Members that ever sat in that Council. Mr. Maddison is about 37 years of age, a Gentleman of great modesty, — with a remarkable sweet temper. He is easy and unreserved among his acquaintance, and has a most agreeable style of conversation.

Alexander Martin Mr. Martin was lately Governor of North Carolina, which office he filled with credit. He is a Man of sense, and undoubtedly is a good politician, but he is not formed to shine in public debate, being no Speaker. Mr. Martin was once a Colonel in the American Army, but proved unfit for the field. He is about 40 years of age.

Luther Martin Mr. Martin was educated for the Bar, and is Attorney general for the State of Maryland. This Gentleman possesses a good deal of information, but he has a very bad delivery, and so extremely prolix, that he never speaks without tiring the patience of all who hear him. He is about 34 years of age.

George Mason Mr. Mason is a Gentleman of remarkable strong powers, and possesses a clear and copious understanding. He is able and convincing in debate, steady and firm in his principles, and undoubtedly one of the best politicians in America. Mr. Mason is about 60 years old, with a fine strong constitution.

James McClurg Mr. Mc.Lurg is a learned physician, but having never appeared before in public life his character as a politician is not sufficiently known. He attempted once or twice to speak, but with no great success. It is certain that he has a foundation of learning, on which, if he pleases, he may erect a character of high renown. The Doctor is about 38 years of age, a Gentleman of great respectability, and of a fair and unblemished character.

James McHenry Mr. Mc.Henry was bred a physician, but he afterwards turned Soldier and acted as Aid to Genl. Washington and the Marquis de la Fayette. He is a Man of specious Wents, with nothing of genius to improve them. As a politician there is nothing remarkable in him, nor has he any of the graces of the Orator. He is however, a very respectable young Gentleman, and deserves the honor which his Country has bestowed on him. Mr. Mc.Henry is about 32 years of age.

Thomas Mifflin General Mifflin is well known for the activity of his mind, and the brilliancy of his parts. He is well informed and a graceful Speaker. The General is about 40 years of age, and a very handsome man.

Gouverneur Morris Mr. Governeur Morris is one of those Genius's in whom every species of talents combine to render him conspicuous and flourishing in public debate: -He winds through all the mazes of rhetoric, and throws around him such a glare that he charms, captivates, and leads away the senses of all who hear him. With an infinite stretch of fancy he brings to view things when he is engaged in deep argumentation, that render all the labor of reasoning easy and pleasing. But with all these powers he is fickle and inconstant, -never pursuing one train of thinking - nor ever regular. He has gone through a very extensive course of reading, and is acquainted with all the sciences. No Man has more wit, -nor can any one engage the attention more than Mr. Morris. He was bred to the Law, but I am told he disliked the profession, and turned merchant. He is engaged in some great mercantile matters with his namesake Mr. Robt. Morris. This Gentleman is about 38 years old, he has been unfortunate in losing one of his Legs, and getting all the flesh taken off his right arm by a scald, when a youth.

Robert Morris Robert Morris is a merchant of great eminence and wealth; an able Financier, and a worthy Patriot. He has an understanding equal to any public object, and possesses an energy of mind that few Men can boast of. Although he is not learned, yet he is as great as those who are. I am told that when he speaks in the Assembly of Pennsylvania, that he bears down all before him. What could have been his reason for not Speaking in the Convention I know not - but he never once spoke on any point. This Gentleman is about 50 years old.

William Paterson Mr. Patterson is one of those kind of Men whose powers break in upon you, and create wonder and astonishment. He is a Man of great modesty, with looks that bespeak talents of no great extent-but he is a Classic, a Lawyer, and an Orator; -and of a disposition so favorable to his advancement that every one seemed ready to exalt him with their praises. He is very happy in the choice of time and manner of engaging in a debate, and never speaks but when he understands his subject well. This Gentleman is about 34 ys. of age, of a very low stature.

Charles Pinckney Mr. Charles Pinckney is a young Gentleman of the most promising talents. He is, altho' only 24 ys. of age, in possession of a very great variety of knowledge. Government, Law, History and Philosophy are his favorite studies, but he is intimately acquainted with every species of polite learning, and has a spirit of application and industry beyond most Men. He speaks with great neatness and perspicuity, and treats every subject as fully, without running into prolixity, as it requires. He has been a Member of Congress, and served in that Body with ability and eclat.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Mr. Chs Cotesworth Pinckney is a Gentleman of Family and fortune in his own State. He has received the advantage of a liberal education, and possesses a very extensive degree of legal knowledge. When warm in a debate he sometimes speaks well, -but he is generally considered an indifferent Orator. Mr. Pinckney was an Officer of high rank in the American army, and served with great reputation through the War. He is now about 40 years of age.

Edmund Randolph Mr. Randolph is Governor of Virginia, -a young Gentleman in whom unite all the accomplishments of the Scholar, and the States-man. He came forward with the postulate, or first principles, on which the Convention acted, and he supported them with a force of eloquence and reasoning that did him great honor. He has a most harmonious voice, a fine person and striking manner. Mr. Randolph is about 32 years of age.

George Read Mr. Read is a Lawyer and a Judge: -his legal abilities are said to be very great, but his powers of Oratory are fatiguing and tiresome to the last degree; -his voice is feeble, and his articulation so bad that few can have patience to attend to him. He is a very good Man, and bears an amiable character with those who know him. Mr. Read is about 50, of a low stature, and a weak constitution.

John Rutledge Mr. Rutledge is one of those characters who was highly mounted at the commencement of the late revolution; -his reputation in the first Congress gave him a distinguished rank among the American Worthies. He was bred to the Law, and now acts as one of the Chancellors of South Carolina. This Gentleman is much famed in his own State as an Orator, but in my opinion he is too rapid in his public speaking to be denominated an agreeable Orator. He is undoubtedly a man of abilities, and a Gentleman of distinction and fortune. Mr. Rutledge was once Governor of South Carolina. He is about 48 years of age.

Roger Sherman Mr. Sherman exhibits the oddest shaped character I ever remember to have met with. He is awkward, unmeaning, and unaccountably strange in his manner. But in his train of thinking there is something regular, deep and comprehensive; yet the oddity of his address, the vulgarisms that accompany his public speaking, and that strange New England cant which runs through his public as well as his private speaking make everything that is connected with him grotesque and laughable: -and yet he deserves infinite praise -no Man has a better Heart or a clearer Head. If he cannot embellish he can furnish thoughts that are wise and useful. He is an able politician, and extremely artful in accomplishing any particular object; -it is remarked that he seldom fails. I am told he sits on the Bench in Connecticut, and is very correct in the discharge of his Judicial functions. In the early part of his life he was a Shoe-maker; -but despising the lowness of his condition, he turned Almanack maker, and so progressed upwards to a Judge. He has been several years a Member of Congress, and discharged the duties of Office with honor and credit to himself, and advantage to the State he represented. He is about 60.

Richard Dobbs Spaight Mr. Spaight is a worthy Man, of some abilities, and fortune: Without possessing a Genius to render him brilliant, he is able to discharge any public trust that his Country may repose in him. He is about 31 years of age.

Caleb Strong Mr. Strong is a lawyer of some eminence, -he has received a liberal education, and has good connections to recommend him. As a Speaker he is feeble, and without confidence. This Gentn. is about thirty five years of age, and greatly in the esteem of his Colleagues.

George Washington Genl. Washington is well known as the Commander in chief of the late American Army. Having conducted these states to independence and peace, he now appears to assist in framing a Government to make the People happy. Like Gustavus Vasa, he may be said to be the deliverer of his Country; -like Peter the Great he appears as the politician and the States-man; and like Cincinnatus he returned to his farm perfectly contented with being only a plain Citizen, after enjoying the highest honor of the Confederacy, -and now only seeks for the approbation of his Country-men by being virtuous and useful. The General was conducted to the Chair as President of the Convention by the unanimous voice of its Members. He is in the 52d. year of his age.

Hugh Williamson Mr. Williamson is a Gentleman of education and talents. He enters freely into public debate from his close attention to most subjects, but he is no Orator. There is a great degree of good humor and pleasantry in his character; and in his manners there is a strong trait of the Gentleman. He is about 48 years of age.

James Wilson Mr. Wilson ranks among the foremost in legal and political knowledge. He has joined to a fine genius all that can set him off and show him to advantage. He is well acquainted with Man, and understands all the passions that influence him. Government seems to have been his peculiar Study, all the political institutions of the World he knows in detail, and can trace the causes and effects of every revolution from the earliest stages of the Greecian commonwealth down to the present time. No man is more clear, copious, and comprehensive than Mr. Wilson, yet he is no great Orator. He draws the attention not by the charm of his eloquence, but by the force of his reasoning. He is about 45 years old.

George Wythe Mr. Wythe is the famous Professor of Law at the University of William and Mary. He is confessedly one of the most learned legal Characters of the present age. From his close attention to the study of general learning he has acquired a complete knowledge of the dead languages and all the sciences. He is remarked for his exemplary life, and universally esteemed for his good principles. No Man it is said understands the history of Government better than Mr. Wythe, -nor any one who understands the fluctuating conditions to which all societies are liable better than he does, yet from his too favorable opinion of Men, he is no great politician. He is a neat and pleasing Speaker, and a most correct and able Writer. Mr. Wythe is about 55 years of age.

Robert Yates Mr. Yates is said to be an able Judge. He is a Man of great legal abilities, but not distinguished as an Orator. Some of his Enemies say he is an anti-federal Man, but I discovered no such disposition in him. He is about 45 years old, and enjoys a great share of health.

Canterbury Tales

2007-04-28T21:26:01Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

The '''Canterbury Tales''' is a collection of stories by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]] (1342-1400), written between 1387 and 1400 <ref> http://www.librarius.com/cantales.htm </ref>. It concerns a group of thirty pilgrims traveling to [[Canterbury]] in [[England]]. The pilgrims, who come from all layers of society, tell stories to each other to kill time while they travel to Canterbury. In the General Prologue to the work, Chaucer states as his intention that each pilgrim should tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two tales on the way back. <ref> To this end Chaucer's text reads:
"This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn,
That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye,
In this viage shal telle tales tweye
To Caunterbury-ward, I mene it so,
And homward he shal tellen othere two,
Of aventures that whilom han bifalle."
</ref>

This project was left incomplete at his death in 1400, and even those tales which were then completed had not been not finally revised. Partially as a result of this, and partially due to the fact that the printing press had yet to be invented when Chaucer wrote his works, and therefore The Canterbury Tales was passed down in several handwritten manuscripts, scholars are uncertain about the intended order of the tales.

In the tales, pilgrims are given distinct personalities and characters, and the work is considered to be one of the precursors of the modern novel. Many of the tales are ribald and earthy, and full of humor. Some of the more notable tales are <ref> For a full account of all the tales see: http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/cantales.html </ref>:

* The Knight’s Tale: this is the first tale, and is a story rich in love, rivalry and chivalry. Two men fall in love with the same beautiful young girl.

* The Miller’s Tale: A bawdy but humorous tale, telling a rather different story of love.

* The Wife of Bath’s Tale: A woman who has had five husbands tells a thoughtful tale which poses the question: ‘What is it that every woman desires?’ Her romantic tale is set in the time of King Arthur.

* The Nun’s Priest’s Tale: An animated farmyard tale of a cockerel, a hen and a wily old fox…

* The Pardoner’s Tale: A thrilling tale of death and trickery and one which will leave you with a slight tingle down your spine. The tale has an unexpected ending.

Chaucer wrote in [[Middle English]], a form of English that is so archaic that it can be difficult to understand without a glossary or explanatory notes. Most modern English readers prefer to read it in translation.

===References===

<references/>

[[category:book]]

Comedy

2007-04-28T21:24:45Z

Kirk J: Is someone taking the Michael?

{{stub}}A classical meaning of comedy is comical theater as in one of two types of [[Greece|Greek]] plays (the other is [[tragedy]]). Not necessarily funny, but ends happily.

A more popular meaning is the use of humor with an intent to provoke laughter in general.

Caligula

2007-04-28T21:22:55Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:Caligula.jpg|thumb|Bust of Caligula]]

'''Caligula''' was [[Rome|Roman]] emperor from AD 37-41. He was one of the most hated emperors, and was killed by his own guards.

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, known as Caligula, meaning 'little boots,' was the fifth emperor of Rome. Though [[history|historical]] accounts depict him as a [[brutal]] monster, engaging in horrendous and despicable behavior, the historical accounts originate from [[senator]]s who despised the empirical system.

It is possible to detect a certain cynical sense of humor in Caligula's acts of madness and tyranny. For example, he raised his favorite horse [[Incitatus]] to the office of [[consul]], the highest political office in Rome.

[[Category:Roman emperors]]

Lard

2007-04-28T21:21:57Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:lard.gif|right|250px|thumb]]
Lard is the fat of a pig, or other animal such as a cow, melted and strained from the tissue whilst cooking. Once cooled, it is pale white in color and solid. It is sold in blocks similar to [[butter]]. It is alternatively known as "dripping" in some parts of Britain.

==WWII Rationing==

In Britain during WWII, [[rationing]] meant that butter was unavailable for many and lard (which keeps well even at room temperature) started to be used in its place. Lard seasoned with a little salt and pepper and spread on bread (effectively a lard [[sandwich]]) was a staple meal for many during rationing. Lard featured in many WWII propaganda posters aimed at helping wartime families subsist on the small rations available at the time.

==Traditional Recipes==

Although lard was originally used as an oil for the frying of other foods, over the years many recipes have been created using lard as an ingredient. Traditional British delicacies made from lard include lard soup, dripping and beetroot sandwiches, [[Lancashire]] lardy cakes and "lardy bombers", pastry cases filled with seasoned lard and deep fried.

==Links==

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/lard-the-new-health-food

[[Category:Food and drink]]

Ivory

2007-04-28T21:20:44Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

'''Ivory''' is a valuable hard whitish bonelike substance, obtained from the tusks and teeth of certain large animals, most famously the [[elephant]], but also from the [[walrus]], [[narwhal]], [[sperm whale]], [[hippopotamus]], and the tusks of certain large [[pig]]s.

Ivory is carved into various statues, ornaments and jewelery. Historically it was used in the manufacture of [[piano]] keys (hence the expression, "tickling the ivories" meaning to play the piano), and [[billiards|billiard]] balls.

The trade and transportation of ivory today is strictly regulated, as its value has prompted widespread [[poaching]] of ivory-yielding species, most of which are legally protected.

*The ivory [[gull]] is a pure white seabird of the high [[Arctic]], named for its color.

*The ivory-billed [[woodpecker]] is a very large woodpecker of [[Cuba]] and the Southern [[United States]], now believed to have been [[extinction|extinct]] for several decades.

Moose

2007-04-28T21:20:09Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:moose.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

The '''moose''' (''Alces alces'') is the world's largest [[deer]]. Moose are generally associated with northern forests in [[North America]], [[Europe]], and [[Russia]]. In Europe they are called '''elk'''.

[[Native Americans]] ate moose meat for protein. The meat was dried and used as jerky as well as eaten fresh. One moose contains enough meat to feed a family of four for a year. However, no part of the animal went to waste – tribal peoples also tanned the hides and turned them into clothing and shoes, using strips of rawhide to make laces and straps. They carved antlers and used them as tools and for artwork and to function as buttons. The hair was used for decoration, and to make fishing flies. The name moose comes from the Proto-Algonquian word ''mooswa'', meaning "the animal that strips bark off of trees."

They are most abundant in recently burned areas that contain [[willow]] and [[birch]] shrubs, on timberline plateaus, and along major rivers. This is because they strip leaves and twigs off hardwood trees for food - moose eat 40-50 lbs of vegetation in a day. In winter they feed on balsam fir, but the nutritional value of this is too low to sustain them permanently. They also eat grass and lichen and other plants from the forest floor. They are ruminants that chew the cud like cows, and have a similar four-chambered stomach. Moose are good swimmers and can browse underwater on pondweed, underwater plants and water lilies, also submerging to protect themselves from biting insects.

Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, and most likely to be seen near roads between mid-May and July, where they lick salt left on the roads from winter.<ref>http://portlandme.about.com/library/howto/htmoose.htm</ref> Moose are color-blind, although they see well in low light. Because of their eye position, they have a large blind spot directly in front of them and have to roll their eyes forward to see things there. However, they can move both their eyes and ears independently of each other. They compensate for their poor eyesight by having excellent senses of hearing and smell.

Moose are long-legged and heavily bodied with a drooping [[nose]], a dewlap of loose flesh (called a 'bell') under their chin, and a tiny tail. Their color ranges from golden brown to almost black, depending upon the season and the age of the animal. The hair of newborn calves is generally reddish brown fading to a lighter rust color within a few weeks. Newborn calves weigh 28 to 35 pounds and within two months grow to over 400 pounds. Males in prime condition weigh from 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. Adult females weigh 800 to 1,300 pounds. Only the males moose have [[antlers]]. The plural of moose is moose. The largest moose antlers in North America usually come from [[Alaska]]. Trophy class moose are found throughout Alaska, but the largest come from the western portion of the state. Moose occasionally produce trophy-size antlers when they are 6 or 7 years old, but the largest antlers are grown at approximately 10 to 12 years of age. In the wild, moose rarely live more than 16 years.<ref>http://www.smouse.force9.co.uk/facts2.htm</ref>

Moose breed in the fall with the peak of the ''rutting'' activities coming in late [[September]] and early [[October]]. During mating season, males splash their bells with urine-soaked mud to attract females. <ref>http://portlandme.about.com/cs/moose/a/MooseMating.htm</ref> Adult males joust during the rut by bringing their antlers together and pushing. Serious battles are rare. Bulls may receive a few punctures or other damage and occasionally die from their wounds. The winner usually mates with all the females. By late October, once the adult males have exhausted their summer accumulation of fat and their desire for female company, they begin feeding. Antlers are shed as early as [[November]], but mostly in [[December]] and [[January]].

The natural predators of moose are [[wolf|wolves]], black and brown [[bear]]s and [[human]]s. Black bears take moose calves in [[May]] and [[June]]. Brown bears kill calves and adults the entire time the bears are out of their winter dens and not hibernating. [[Wolf|Wolves]] kill moose throughout the year.

With the decline of the natural predators of moose, tree regeneration declines as moose populations increase. States with large moose populations therefore hold annual lotteries for a limited number of [[hunting]] licenses. It is both illegal and dangerous to feed wild moose, as it habituates them to humans; such moose often become aggressive if the next person they meet does not offer food. Another threat to the well-being of moose out of all proportion to its size is the winter tick, which irritates the moose's skin. Rubbing off patches of hair reduces the moose's protection from extreme cold, and in severe winters this can kill half the moose in a heavily infested area.

It is unusual for moose to be domesticated, but they have been known to serve as work animals, as can be seen in these historical photographs:
* Moose hauling wood (Quebec, c.1930) [http://www.museevirtuel.ca/pm.php?id=record_detail&fl=0&lg=Francais&ex=00000067&rd=170539]
* Moose pulling a wagon (Alberta, 1898) [http://www.archivesalberta.org/odd/moose.htm]
* Moose pulling a wagon (Skaguay, Alaska, date unknown) [http://www.alaskahistorystore.org/p194.html]

==Moose in popular culture==

The moose is the official animal of [[Canada]], [[Sweden]], [[Norway]] and the State of [[Maine]]. It is also the mascot of the [[Seattle Mariners]] baseball team, Monchegorsk in [[Lapland]] and the City of Dryden in [[Ontario]]. <ref>http://www.cityofdryden.on.ca/max.shtml</ref> [[Toronto]] displayed and then auctioned over 500 moose statues in 2000, to attract tourists and generate funds for the Canadian [[Olympics]].

Moose don’t usually thrive in captivity, but in South Portland, Maine, is the world's largest (and perhaps only) life-sized chocolate moose. He's called Lenny, is 8 feet tall and 9 feet long, and is made of 1,700 lbs of milk chocolate. <ref>http://www.lenlibby.com/lenny.htm</ref>

[[The Loyal Order of Moose]] was founded in 1888 as a means of social networking, but now carries out community service projects. It chose moose as its emblem because moose are large powerful animals that are not predators. It has 1.6 million members internationally and several thousand lodges in the US, Canada, the [[UK]] and [[Bermuda]]. Its headquarters are in Mooseheart, [[Illinois]], which has a house for the orphans of members, and they have a home called Moosehaven in [[Florida]], for aged Moose. In the first half of the 20th century, it provided [[social security]] benefits for its largely working-class membership at a time when the government provided no safety net to the wives or children of men who either died or became disabled.

There are also Elk Lodges, which were founded earlier – [[The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks]] was founded in [[New York]] City in 1868, and was originally a society of actors and writers.

==Moose in history==

According to the ''Life of Venerable Macarius of Unzha'', in 1439 the Miracle of the Moose saved the saint and his companions from starvation. While traveling, they ran out of food. They captured a trapped moose, but because it was a fast time Venerable Macarius made them cut its right ear off and release it instead of eating it, and told them the animal would come again at the Feast of St Peter and St Paul in three days’ time. When the day arrived, the moose duly returned in response to Macarius’ prayers, and surrendered itself for slaughter.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_the_Moose</ref>

The [[astronomer]] [[Tycho Brahe]] had a pet moose. The moose appears in a correspondence between Brahe and Lantgrave Wilhelm of Kassel in [[Germany]], in which they discuss moose and reindeer. Brahe described how his tame moose had climbed the stairs of the castle of Landskrona, where he had taken it in order to entertain the lord of the castle. However, sadly, the moose then drank such huge quantities of [[beer]] that it fell down the stairs, broke a leg, and died. <ref>http://www.nada.kth.se/%7Efred/tycho/nose.html</ref>

The [[United States Progressive Party of 1912]] was nicknamed the [[‘Bull Moose party’]]. It was formed by [[Theodore Roosevelt]] when he lost the Republican nomination to [[Howard Taft]] during the 1912 presidential election campaign. Roosevelt, a hearty outdoors type, retorted to reporters who suggested he was not fit for the office that he was "fit as a bull moose". Ironically for such a masculine-sounding party, it had more women in leadership positions than any previous party and strongly advocated women’s rights. This led both the [[Republican]] and [[Democrat]] candidates to do the same. The [[Vermont Progressive Party]] still uses a moose as their [[logo]].

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Hoofed mammals]]

Opie and Anthony Show

2007-04-28T21:19:29Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

The Opie and Anthony Show is a nationally syndicated show that airs from 6 AM to 9 AM on CBS Radio. And also on XM Satellite Radio from 9 AM to 12 PM. The show includes hosts Greg "Opie" Hughs, Anthony Cumia and comedian Jim "Lil' Jimmy" Norton on third mic. The show focuses on usually immature toilet humor and other off-color humor.

== Show History ==

=== [[Genesis|In The Beginning]] ===
The show was conceived when Opie, then a part-time DJ at a local New York station became friends with Anthony, a frequent caller to the show. Anthony soon joined Opie and their radio story began.

=== Surviving Taxachusetts ===
The two soon got a job in Worchester, [[Massachusetts]] at the radio station WAAF. There the two began the Afternoon Drive slot and would play certain bits such as their infamous 100 Grand piece. Their gig was going along nicely until the two decided to say the Democratic mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, was dead when he was really on vacation. The two were promptly fired.

=== Hittin' it Big ===
The two were then given a job at the New York station W-NEW to take over the Afternoon Drive slot. The two soon became nationally syndicated and took on talent such as comedian Jim Norton as a host.

Great Seal of the United States

2007-04-28T21:18:47Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:Jk82la.jpg|thumb|Great Seal of the United States]]

The '''Great Seal of the United States''' is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the [[United States]] government. The Great Seal was first used in 1782.

==Design==
The design was approved by Congress on June 20, 1782 and was written as follows:

''The Escutcheon is composed of the chief & pale, the two most honorable ordinaries. The Pieces, paly, represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union. The pales in the arms are kept closely united by the chief and the Chief depends upon that union & the strength resulting from it for its support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America & the preservation of their union through Congress.''

''The colors of the pales are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice. The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers. The Escutcheon is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue.''

'''''Reverse'''. The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date.'' <ref>[http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/explanation.html Great Seal Explanation]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

Cider

2007-04-28T21:18:14Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

'''Cider''' is a fermented alcoholic drink made from the juice and pulp of pressed [[apple]]s. Popular varieties of sparkling cider commonly sold in public houses are of a similar strength to [[lager]] or [[beer]]. These popular brands include Strongbow and Olde English although real cider enthusiasts would argue they bear little resemblance to traditional ciders.

Traditional ciders tend to be flat rather than sparkling and are thicker, often containing apple pulp. The alcohol content is much higher than sparkling ciders, often being above 7% abv. South-west [[England]] is famous for its cider (known as [[scrumpy]]), and many villages hold annual cider festivals. Good examples of scrumpy cider are "Old Rosie" made by Westons, "Shipman's Folly" from Ashford and "Biddendens" which weighs in at a hearty 10.4% abv. One of the most popular English ciders is the renowned "Scrumpy Jack" which combines the flavors from 15 different apple varieties into an award winning drink.

The apples used to make traditional cider differ from apples grown for eating and some are quite bitter in the raw form. Traditional cider apples include the Foxwhelp, Coxes, Throbert and Spatchcock varieties. These are mostly grown by small producers these days who make cider in small batches. It is worth noting that, unlike beer, cider is not brewed hence the use of producer rather than brewer.

If the drink is produced with pears rather than apples, it is known as perry. Perry is a lighter color and is traditionally sparkling. Perry is far less common in modern times than cider and the number of perry producers is in decline. [[Wales]] still produces some excellent perrys with Gwatkins "Thorn Perry", PB Jones' "Flossie's Hole" and WM Watkins "Traditional Perry" being particularly well renowned.

[[Category:Alcoholic beverages]]

Rainbow

2007-04-28T21:15:56Z

Kirk J: Correcting spelling

[[Image:Rainbow.jpg|thumb|400px|right|A rainbow, seen from the island of Curaçao. Note: the bright spot is a clearing in the clouds; the sun is ''behind'' the photographer.]]
A rainbow is a semi-circular color spectrum appearing in the sky due to the result of refraction and multiple reflections of sunlight in droplets of water. Rainbows appear when water droplets are lit by direct sunlight, a condition that rarely occurs ''during'' a storm, because the clouds block the sun. Rainbows are frequently seen ''after'' a storm, when the falling rain has moved into the distance and the sun is roughly behind the observer when the observer is facing the patch of rain.

According to [[Genesis]] 9:11-17, after the Flood [[God]] told [[Noah]] that henceforth the rainbow would remind God and Mankind of God's promise never to flood the [[Earth]] again.<ref>Genesis 9:11-17, "And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh."</ref> Physics can explain the appearance of rainbows accurately as the result of refraction and multiple reflections of sunlight in droplets of water, but not the feelings of awe and spirituality rainbows inspire, as they did in [[William Wordsworth]] when he wrote:

  My heart leaps up when I behold 
    A rainbow in the sky: 
  So was it when my life began; 
  So is it now I am a man; 
  So be it when I shall grow old, 
    Or let me die! 
  The Child is father of the Man; 
    I could wish my days to be 
  Bound each to each by natural piety.<ref>William Wordsworth, [http://www.bartleby.com/145/ww194.html "My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold] (1802)</ref>

Rainbows appear when water droplets are lit by direct sunlight, a condition that rarely occurs ''during'' a storm, because the clouds block the sun. Rainbows are frequently seen ''after'' a storm, when the falling rain has moved into the distance and the sun is roughly behind the observer when the observer is facing the patch of rain.

Complete circular rainbows can be seen under the right conditions; in particular, when viewing the mists over Niagara Falls early or late in the day. Circular rainbows can sometimes be seen from an airplane when it flies over clouds, the rainbow actually encircling the airplane's shadow on the clouds. One way to think about the rainbow is that the mist or rain is like a projection screen, and the rainbow can only be seen where the projection screen is. When the projection screen is large enough, you see the entire circular rainbow.

The rainbow is often depicted inaccurately in pictures. For example, it may be depicted as a three-dimensional object, with perspective<ref>[http://www.porterfieldsfineart.com/josephholodook/images/leprechaun72.jpg Leprechaun] A typical, but utterly unrealistic depiction of a rainbow. This picture also shows the rainbow as if it had separated, sharp-edged bands of color, in the order yellow, orange, red, green, blue.</ref>, real rainbows never have this appearance. Real rainbows show an extremely subtle blending of color. It is hard to pick out separate colors in a rainbow, but of course to the extent that one can, they appear in the "Roy G. Biv" order, red outermost, then orange, yellow, green, and a range bluish shades which, in a real rainbow, are hard to distinguish and name.

It is extremely difficult to reproduce the subtle, faint pastel colors of a rainbow on a printed page, or even in color photograph, partly because a rainbow contains colors that are not within the gamut that can be produced by mixing three primaries, and partly rainbows are faint; printed depictions of them almost invariably have been enhanced to make them look brighter and more intensely colors than they really are.

==References==
<references/>