Quote of the Day

We all may have come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now. 

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Good News

The Guardian: Hamilton stays on the $10 bill and Tubman goes on the $20.

First Paragraph

The past century will go down in history as one in which mass violence reached levels the world had never before known. The persecution and annihilation of Europe's Jews surely constitute one of the most tragic episodes in human history. Yet these events also offer us an opportunity - a rare one, unfortunately - to see, in the efforts made by some to help the persecuted and save those living under threat of death, how goodness can flourish too. Acts of goodness occur sporadically almost everywhere; but there are two countries that can recall their history with pride, thanks to the collective protection they provided the Jews while themselves living under German control. These two countries are Denmark and Bulgaria. At the time that the Red Army was nearing the Bulgarian frontier, writes Hannah Arendt in Eichmann in Jerusalem, 'not a single Bulgarian Jew had been deported or had died an unnatural death...I know of no attempt,' she adds, 'to explain the conduct of the Bulgarian people, which is unique in the belt of mixed populations.' 

- From The Fragility of Goodness: Why Bulgaria's Jews Survived the Holocaust by Tzvetan Todorov

How Do Economists Feel about Trade Deals?

Economist Greg Mankiw cites some polls.

Art Break

Muddy Colors looks at classic album covers.

Castro's Musings

Althouse points to an article about Fidel Castro as he ponders the end. I hope someone writes a novel about a delusional dictator who turned an island into a totalitarian police state, thought he was creating utopia, and periodically hosted fawning celebrities.

Beware of the utopians. 

The Longest War in American History

In True West magazine, Bob Boze Bell interviews Paul Andrew Hutton on the latter's sure-to-be controversial new book. An excerpt:

How did Geronimo go from being perceived as an evil terrorist to a freedom fighter?

This is a subject I wrote about in a True West article [August 2011]. My feelings on Geronimo are that he was a self-centered narcissist just like Gen. George Custer. That’s why I admire him. He was always only about Geronimo, never about the people. Was he bold, brave, charismatic and intelligent? Of course he was. Was he a patriot chief devoted to his people? Of course not.

"Let Me Run This By You"

We may not realize it but some of our best moments occur when someone says, "Let me run this by you."

They are seeking our reaction and our insight. Although the conversation may be brief and seem casual, years of reflection and study comes to bear. The person deserves a serious response.

When they sincerely want your judgment, you have been paid a high compliment.

Highly Recommended

Quote of the Day

The reason people blame things on the previous generation is that there's only one other choice. 

- Doug Larson