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May 7, 2007
technology
Only half of Americans use cell phones and computers - and some of those users aren't too thrilled about it.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; 7 May, 2007; page C2; ‘Not all who use technology embrace it’
Posted by williamfrick at 8:27 AM | Comments (1)
May 5, 2007
the Abraham Lincoln Brigade
From 1936 to 1939, roughly 3000 Americans volunteered to go to Spain and fight against a fascist military coup there, led by a general named Francisco Franco.
Franco’s army was supported by Adolph Hitler’s Germany, and Benito Mussolini’s Italy.
A lot of things came from this Spanish Civil War. Notably a fascist element in Europe that became so emboldened by the world’s lack of a strong defense for the democratically-elected Spanish government, that it started the Second World War in Poland in 1939. And Ernest Hemingway wrote a wonderful novel (For Whom the Bells Tolls) drawing on his experience in Spain during the 1930s.
The 3000 American volunteers were called the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. In the best sense of America they fought for democracy and against authoritarianism. America has not honored them enough.
KIWs History Department has always found it difficult to locate mainstream historical narratives about the Spanish Civil War. Amy Goodman’s recent column is, however, a good place to start.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; 3 May, 2007; page B6; 'Spanish Civil War vets look ahead'
Posted by williamfrick at 7:27 PM | Comments (0)
May 2, 2007
the Sand Creek Massacre
On November 29, 1864 a mob of 700 Colorado “settlers” massacred 150 sleeping Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians.
On April 28, 2007 a memorial was finally dedicated to the – mostly women and children – victims of the Sand Creek Massacre.
Seattle Times; 29 April, 2007; p A4; ‘Site memorializes massacre of Indians’
Posted by williamfrick at 9:37 PM | Comments (0)