Category Archives: Uncategorized

An American Creed?

(This essay was originally published as “Do We Need an American Creed?” on January 15, 2017, by the online History News Network.) After such a harsh, uncivil election season and with a new presidency approaching, the necessity of reaffirming an … Continue reading

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Move Over Lone Ranger; Here Comes Martin Luther King

(This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News on January 16, 2017.) About twenty years ago, I attended a conference in California where we discussed the ideas of the famous 17th century philosopher-scientist Francis Bacon. I learned much … Continue reading

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British and Hessian Forces Occupy Newport, Aquidneck Island

(This essay was originally published as “Dec. 8, 1776: Newport Invaded,” on December 8, 2016, by the Newport Daily News.) Two hundred and forty years ago today, British and Hessian forces landed and occupied Aquidneck Island, beginning a nearly three-year … Continue reading

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Presidential Election: Onward to the Past?

(This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News on November 15, 2016.) Though I voted for Hillary Clinton, I am a product of the American system and a believer in it. As such, I am prepared to accept … Continue reading

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German U-Boat Visits Newport in 1916, Sinks Five Ships after Departure

(The essay was originally published as “Courtesy During Wartime,” by the Newport Daily News on October 7, 2016.) One hundred years ago today, October 7, 1916, a German submarine visited Newport for several hours before departing to sink at least … Continue reading

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The Great Wall of Trump

(This essay was originally published by the online History News Network as “The Great, Sad, Impractical Wall of Trump”, on September 25, 2016.) This is not the first time in history that a superpower notable has called for a long, … Continue reading

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Civilization’s Essentials, Part I: Faith

Stunned I was when my daughter informed me that my twin grandsons had their first Junior Pee Wee (10-11 year olds) football game on Sunday, August 28, here in Portsmouth, RI. College football did not begin until the following weekend, … Continue reading

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The Pentagon Celebrates 75 Years

(This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News on September 10, 2016.) September 11 marks the 75th anniversary of the ground-breaking for the Pentagon, the home of the U.S. Department of Defense. It is also the 15th anniversary … Continue reading

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Rio Olympic Games Rooted in Ancient Greek Olympic Games

(This essay was originally published as “Ancient Roots of Olympics,” by the Newport Daily News on August 19, 2016.) Among their many other innovations, the ancient Greeks invented organized, competitive sports, commonly accepted to have begun in 776 BC. The … Continue reading

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Metacomet’s Death Ends King Philip’s War in Southern New England

(This essay was originally published as “1676: Metacomet’s Death Ends Bloody Colonial War,” by the Newport Daily News on August 12, 2016.) Three hundred and forty years ago today, Metacomet, chief sachem of the Wampanoags, was killed by the colonial … Continue reading

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