New Jersey Has Some Serious Problems With Flooding & Raw Sewage

Right now, New Jersey just experienced some serious flooding following the heavy rains which we just received a couple of days ago. That seems to be a real problem in New Jersey from time to time.

Yet, it might not be the worst problem in this regard for the Garden State. Or the most disgusting, for that matter.

Ran into this article recently (actually, before the flooding). But I never got around to publishing it. However, after the recent floods, it seemed particularly important. This is about just how disgusting things sometimes can get. Raw sewage floating in the streets in some New Jersey communities.

Take a look:

Raw Sewage in the streets – New Jersey’s dirty little secret WaterStormwaterWastewater Staff Author: Staff July 15, 2026

https://tristateinfrastructurenews.com/raw-sewage-in-the-streets-new-jerseys-dirty-little-secret/?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120241026307970415&utm_content=120252016435230415&utm_term=120250870038870415&utm_campaign=120241026307970415&fbclid=IwY2xjawTRC9tleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqziSY4Ui_3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5K6w-HgxCqaYXrCWZJwZlkEpVktx6PhqZXq_ViYyORzbuGCYg0KYv772AB9A_aem_v0HwGEBrKDF6OBwQ6AV4AQ

Raw Sewage in the streets – New Jersey’s dirty little secret - Tri-State Infrastructure News Network

Book Review: Snug in Iceland by Victoria Walker

One thing that I like to try and do, to the extent possible, is extend my trips or vacations in some way by any means possible. That is not to say refusing to go home or go to work or re-enter my normal life routines, or anything. Rather, it means simply taking time to go through pictures and sort out my favorites, as one example. Or to watch movies or such things or read histories on the places which I just visited, to kind of mentally stay there and artificially extend my visit a bit.

Or in this case, to read a book which helped to make me feel like I was still, on some level at least, in Iceland, exploring. 

Indeed, there are differences, of course. I was in Iceland for a short duration. Really, only a couple of days. The fictional Rachel in this book is there for several weeks, even something like a month. Also, she visits during the winter, while my visit came during late spring, with summer fast approaching. So there certainly were some differences. 

Yet, it almost brought me back to my admittedly brief adventure in Iceland. That made me feel almost (not quite, but almost) like I was still at least partly on vacation, exploring Reykjavik. And that helped me to enjoy the book more than I normally would have.

Admittedly, romance is not my typical genre when I read books. And make no mistakes: this is a romance book. In fact, it kind of had a feel almost of a Hallmark kind of movie, the ones which my girlfriend often watches. But it was not a bad book, and the characters were written with rich interior lives, so we got the sense of them feeling like real people. That is to the credit of the author, Victoria Walker. 

Before I go any farther, however, let me give the usual warnings to stop reading if you intend to read this book, because there will be spoilers ahead.

SPOILER ALERT

SPOILER ALERT

SPOILER ALERT

Okay, so by now if you are still reading this, I have to imagine that you either are familiar with this story already, or perhaps you do not mind the spoilers. Please just don't say that you were not given advanced warning. 

The main character is Rachel Richards. She lives in London with her boyfriend, Adam. They do not enjoy the most exciting or sensational love life. Yet, what they have seems like a stable relationship. Both are working full-time jobs and seem to be getting opportunities for advancement. Rachel works for a store chain call "Snug" (hence the title), and has just gotten an opportunity to be in charge of setting up a new store. But this store is in another country, in Reykjavik, Iceland.

It is not necessarily an easy decision for her. She thinks about how Adam will take it before committing. But when Adam actually does seem less than enthusiastic, she realizes that there is a double-standard at work. She is always happy for him when he gets promotions or opportunities, but she does not feel the same level of support from him, and feels that he should be more understanding. In short, he is being selfish, standing in her way of progress. We get the impression that there maybe always was friction between them, but she is only waking up to it now. Regardless, she decides that this is too important and goes to Iceland. 

Adam does promise to visit her for a weekend during her stay in Iceland. Before she leaves, he gives her a wonderful night that makes her feel that things are okay with them again. Yet quickly after she arrives, she begins to see odd behavior from him, leading her to suspect that he is in fact cheating on her. The last straw is when he cancels the trip to visit her in Iceland. After that, she is determined not to give him the power to disappoint her and break her heart anymore. She will confront him and give him an ultimatum.

Meanwhile, her stay in Iceland has been wonderful. She ran into some setbacks in preparing the store, but she adapted and it is beginning to come along wonderfully. Also, she has gotten the chance to explore Iceland a little bit, and met a travel agent, Jonas, who she cannot deny having an attraction to. He seems to feel the same way. There is a real connection there, although Rachel knows that it cannot go anywhere, since she is still with Adam.  

Despite being in Iceland for only a matter of weeks, it begins to feel a bit like her life in London is far away and long ago. Of course, that is mostly an illusion. But she realizes that her life there has become chaotic. For now, she is enjoying life in Iceland and will think about London and her problems there as they arrive. 

Also, she has met someone, almost by accident. While trying to capitalize the chance to get familiar with Iceland, she meets Jonas, a tour guide. He seems very kind and she feels an instant attraction to him. Then, when they keep bumping into one another, they inevitably connect on more than just a business level, beyond just guide and tourist. Despite Rachel's misgivings about how this could be perceived, since she has not yet broken things off with Adam yet, she still feels that it is harmless to go out with Jonas. But it soon turns into something a bit more serious. That, despite both of them understanding that there really appears to be no hope for any kind of a serious or long-term relationship. 

What's the saying about relationships? 

It's complicated, right? This one sure is.

And it gets even more complicated when Adam shows up suddenly, surprising Rachel. Once again, she feels torn. Especially when she finds out that Adam is not even really in Iceland for her. With his work, he had orchestrated a takeover of the Snug franchise. Meanwhile, she had agreed to lunch with Adam so that they could discuss things. But somehow, this leads to a confrontation with an injured Jonas, who has just hurt his arm during one of his trips and will be sidelined for a while from work. Adam acts like the overprotective (and threatened) boyfriend, sending Jonas off. He looks hurt, and not just because of his physical injuries. 

This proves to be too much for Rachel. She finally ends it altogether with Adam. But Jonas seems to be trying to avoid her. It is during this time of isolation that she realizes that she wants to be with Jonas. And in the end - surprise, surprise - they get together in a romantic way, in one of the heated natural pools of Iceland, and under the Northern Lights, to boot.

What a romantic ending. 

Again, this genre is not the one I usually would go for. But despite this feeling a bit like one of those somewhat cheesy Hallmark romance movies that my girlfriend sometimes watches, this was an entertaining book. Well-written. Also, it allowed me to feel like I was sort of extending my own exploration of Iceland, even if this time, it was in black and white print.

Recommended. 

July 30th - This Day in History

 

Once again, it should be reiterated, that this does not pretend to be a very extensive history of what happened on this day (nor is it the most original - the links can be found down below). If you know something that I am missing, by all means, shoot me an email or leave a comment, and let me know!  

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

On this day in 579, Benedict I ended his reign as Catholic Pope. On this day in 1178, Frederick I (Barbarossa), the Holy Roman Emperor, was crowned King of Burgundy. In 1419 on this day, Anti-Catholic Hussites, followers of the executed reformer Jan Hus, stormed the Prague town hall and threw the judge, mayor and several city council members (either 7 or 13) out the windows. They all either died in the fall or were killed by the crowd outside. On this day in 1502, Christopher Columbus landed at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras during his fourth voyage to the Americas. In 1775 on this day, Captain Cook returned to England with Resolution. 500 men in Marseilles, France sang "La Marseillaise", the tune which would become France's now long standing national anthem, for the first time on this day in 1792 during the days of the French Revolution. On this day in 1811, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the leader of the Mexican insurgency, was executed by the Spanish in Chihuahua, Mexico. On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued an "eye-for-eye" order to shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot. On this day in 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War in what is now present-day South Africa, Boer Generals Prinsloo & Roux surrendered to the British at Brandwater Basin. New Zealand claimed the Ross Dependency in Antarctica on this day in 1923. Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 on this day in 1930 to win the championship at the first ever football/soccer World Cup  in Montevideo, Uruguay. Chile amended it's constitution, not long after the bloody days of the Pinochet dictatorship. on this day in 1989. On this day in 1990, soldiers loyal to Liberian President Samuel Doe opened fire on worshippers in Monrovian church, with an estimated 200-600 killed. In Mexico on this day in 2003, the last 'old style' Volkswagen Beetle rolled off an assembly line. 

Here's a more detailed look at events that transpired on this date throughout history:

• On this day in 579, Benedict I ended his reign as Catholic Pope. 

• In 657 on this day, St Vitalian began his reign as Catholic Pope, succeeding Eugene I. 

• On this day in 1178, Frederick I (Barbarossa), the Holy Roman Emperor, was crowned King of Burgundy. 

In 1419 on this day, Anti-Catholic Hussites, followers of the executed reformer Jan Hus, stormed the Prague town hall and threw the judge, mayor and several city council members (either 7 or 13) out the windows. They all either died in the fall or were killed by the crowd outside. 

Christopher Columbus

• On this day in 1502, Christopher Columbus landed at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras during his fourth voyage to the Americas. 

• On this day in 1537, the Ditch and French had a ceasefire during the Resistance of Bomy. 

A Spanish garrison of Rhine Birch surrendered to Earl Mauritius on this day in 1601. 

On this day in 1618, Prince Maurits' troops pulled into Utrecht. 

On this day in 1619, the first legislative assembly in English North America convened in Jamestown, Virginia (known as the House of Burgesses). 

An earthquake that killed an estimated 10,000 hit Naples, Italy, on this day in 1626. 

• On this day in 1646, the English parliament gives King Charles I of England the Newcastle Propositions. 

Prince Willem II occupied Amsterdam on this day in 1650. 

Johan de Witt was sworn in as pension advisor of Holland on this day in 1653. 

On this day in 1655, Dutch troops occupied Fort Assahudi Seram. 

English troops landed in Flanders on this day in 1678. 

On this day in 1715,  a fleet of Spanish ships carrying gold and silver disappeared off the coast of Florida, by St. Lucie. 

On this day in 1733, the first Freemasons lodge opened in the original thirteen colonies in Boston. 

• Caspar Wistar began glass manufacturing in Allowaystown, New Jersey, on this day in 1739. In 1756 on this day, Bartolomeo Rastrelli presented the newly-built Catherine Palace to Empress Elizabeth and her courtiers. 

The city of Baltimore was founded in Maryland on this day in 1759. 

Picture of a statue of British explorer Captain James Cook

In 1775 on this day, Captain Cook returned to England with Resolution. 

Images of the French Revolution

• 500 men in Marseilles, France sang "La Marseillaise", the tune which would become France's now long standing national anthem, for the first time on this day in 1792 during the days of the French Revolution. 

• On this day in 1809, a British armed force of 39,000 landed in Walcheren, Netherlands, with the intent of opening up another front in Austria's struggle against Napoleon's France. 

Flag of Mexico

• On this day in 1811, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the leader of the Mexican insurgency, was executed by the Spanish in Chihuahua, Mexico. 

In 1822 on this day, James Varick became the first bishop of African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 

• On this day in 1824, Gioacchino Rossini became the manager of Theatre Italian, Paris. Malden Island was discovered on this day in 1825. 

On this day in 1826, Java prince Dipo Negoro launched a surprise attack on the Dutch colony, with 82 killed. 

• In 1836 on this day, the first English newspaper published in Hawaii. 

• Slaves rebelled and took over the slave ship Amistad on this day in 1839. 

Statue of Abraham Lincoln outside of the New York Historical Society

• On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued an "eye-for-eye" order to shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot. 

Also on this day in 1863 farther West, Chief Pocatello of the Shoshone tribe signed the Treaty of Box Elder, promising to stop harassing the emigrant trails in southern Idaho and northern Utah. 

The Battle of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was fought on this day in 1864 during the American Civil War, and was burned by Union forces under McCausland. 

A statue in Flemington, New Jersey, honoring veterans of the American Civil War.

Also on this day in 1864 during the American Civil War, the Battle of the Crater was fought, when General Burnsides failed on his attack of Petersburg. 

Pope Pius IX visited Suriname on this day in 1865. 

• On this day in 1866, New Orleans's Democratic government ordered police to raid an integrated Republican Party meeting, killing 40 people and injuring 150. 

In 1870 on this day, Staten Island ferry "Westfield" burned, killing 100. 

On this day in 1872, Mahlon Loomis patented the wireless telegraphy. 

German anti-Semitism began during the Reichstag election on this day in 1878. 

Also on this day in 1878, there was a Russian assault on Plevna in the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkiye), with 7,300 Russian casualties. This day in 1889 marked the start of Sherlock Holmes adventure "Naval Treaty." 

• On this day in 1898, Will Kellogg invented Corn Flakes. 

On this day in 1898, "Scientific America" carried the first magazine automobile ad. The ad was for the Winton Motor Car Company of Cleveland, Ohio. 

The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, South Africa.

• On this day in 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War in what is now present-day South Africa, Boer Generals Prinsloo & Roux surrendered to the British at Brandwater Basin. 

Anti-Jewish rioters attacked a funeral procession of Rabbi Joseph in New York City on this day in 1902. 

The Dutch Covenant of Worker's Union, NVV, formed on this day in 1905. 

Around the World Automobile Race ended in Paris on this day in 1908. 

On this day in 1909, the Wright Brothers delivered the first military plane to the army. 

• This day in 1913 marked the conclusion of second Balkan War. Austrian-Hungary & Russia proclaimed a general mobilization on this day in 1914, in the very early days of "The Great War," or World War I. 

French troops withdrew 10 kilometres from the German border on this day in 1914. 

John French was appointed as the British supreme commander on this day in 1914. 

• On this day in 1916, despite official American neutrality at the time during the so-called "Great War (World War I), German saboteurs blew up a munitions plant on Black Tom Island, in New Jersey. German saboteurs blow up a munitions plant on Black Tom Island, in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

On this day in 1917, the Board of Commissioners of Cleveland Metroparks held its first meeting. 

The flag of New Zealand

New Zealand claimed the Ross Dependency in Antarctica on this day in 1923. 

• Albanian boundaries were defined on this day in 1926. 

George Eastman showed the first color motion pictures in the United States on this day in 1928. 

 

The Championship for the first ever FIFA International World Cup Tournament was decided in the final match between Uruguay and Argentina on this day in 1930.

Flag of Uruguay

• Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 on this day in 1930 to win the championship at the first ever football/soccer World Cup  in Montevideo, Uruguay. 

The X modern Olympic games opened in Los Angeles, California, on this day in 1932. 

The first Penguin book was published on this day in 1935, starting the paperback revolution. 

On this day in 1938, General Metaxas named himself Premier of Greece. German occupiers forbid SDAP, VDB, ARP, RKSP, CHU and SGP in Netherlands on this day in 1941.

On this day in 1942, FDR signed a bill creating Women's Navy Auxiliary Agency (WAVES). Members of WAVES were a part of the U.S. Navy. 

The German SS killed 25,000 Jews in Minsk, Belorussia, on this day in 1942. 

• Hitler found out that Italy would soon be joining in the war effort against Nazi Germany on this day in 1943. 

German occupiers set a night curfew on Jews in Netherlands on this day in 1942. The US 45th Infantry division occupied San Stefano on this day in 1943.There were heavy battles at Tessy-sur-Vire and Villebaudon Normandy, on this day in 1944. A

lso on this day in 1944, the US 30th Division reached the suburbs of St-Lo, Normandy. 

• On this day in 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk within 15 minutes by a Japanese submarine. 

The ship had just delivered key components of the Hiroshima atomic bomb to the Pacific island of Tinian. 

Only 316 out of 1,196 men aboard survived the attack. It marked one of the greatest naval losses of World War II, resulting in the deaths of nearly 900 men. 

• On this day in 1946, the first rocket to attain 100 miles (167 km) altitude, in White Sands, New Mexico. In 1949 on this day, the British warship HMS Amethyst escaped down Yangtze River, having been refused a safe passage by Chinese Communists after a tense 3-month standoff. On this day in 1954, the "King" Elvis Presley joined the Memphis Federation of Musicians, Local 71. 

On this day in 1960, the first ever AFL (American Football League, which would become the American Football Conference once the league merged with the NFL) was played between the Boston Patriots and the Buffalo Bills in a preseason game. The Patriots beat the Bills, 28-7. 

In 1963 on this day, British spy Kim Philby was found in Moscow. 

• On this day in 1964, South Vietnamese forces fired on on Hon Ngu/Hon Mo, North Vietnam. 

Bust of American President Lyndon B. Johnson

• On this day in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Act, which established Medicare and Medicaid, and which would become effective the following year. 

 

   

    

• In 1966 on this day, the Beatles' "Yesterday... & Today," album went to #1 and stayed there for 5 weeks. 

The Championship for the first ever FIFA International World Cup Tournament was decided in the final match between Uruguay and Argentina on this day in 1930.

• Also on this day in 1966, England defeated West Germany 4-2 for soccer's 8th World Cup in London. For now, it still marks the one and only time that England won the world title. 

US airplanes bombed the demilitarized zone in Vietnam on this day in 1966. 

• Race riots erupted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on this day in 1967, killing four. 

• The Beatles' Apple Boutique closed, and the entire inventory was given away on this day in 1968. On this day in 1969, Mariner 6 passed Venus on 3410 km (74 photos). 

• George Harrison released "Bangladesh" on this day in 1971. A Japanese Boeing 727 collided with an F-86 fighter on this day in 1971, killing 162. 

• The US Apollo 15 (Scott & Irwin) landed on Mare Imbrium on the Moon on this day in 1971. 

On this day in 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted on the third & last charge of "high crimes & misdemeanors" to impeach President Nixon in the Watergate cover-up. 

• On this day in 1975, Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa disappeared in suburban Detroit. 

On this day in 1976, Giulio Andreotti was sworn in as Premier of Italy. 

• Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides) gained independence from Britain and France on this day in 1980. 

• In 1981 on this day, the Belgian Senate accept laws against racism. 

The Alvenus tanker at Cameron La, spilled 2.8 million gallons of oil on this day in 1984. 

Also on this day in 1984, Holly Roffey (11 days old) became the youngest person ever to get a heart transplant. 

Discovery moves to Vandenberg Air Force Base for mating of STS 51-I mission on this day in 1985. 

• On this day in 1987, Indian troops arrived in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, to disarm the Tamil Tigers and enforce a peace pact. 

• Jordanian King Hussein renounced sovereignty over West Bank to the PLO on this day in 1988. King Hussein also dissolved Jordan's House of Representatives on this same day in 1988. 

Flag of Chile

• Chile amended it's constitution, not long after the bloody days of the Pinochet dictatorship. on this day in 1989. 

On this day in 1990, soldiers loyal to Liberian President Samuel Doe opened fire on worshippers in Monrovian church, with an estimated 200-600 killed. 

The first Saturn automobile rolled off the assembly line on this day in 1990. 

On this day in 1997, there was a terrorist double suicide bombing in Jerusalem, killing 14. 

In 1997 on this day, eighteen lives are lost in the Thredbo Landslide in New South Wales, Australia. 

• In 2002 on this day, the accounting law referred to as "The Sarbanes Oxley Act" was signed into law by President George W. Bush. 

In Mexico on this day in 2003, the last 'old style' Volkswagen Beetle rolled off an assembly line. 

• In 2009 on this day, a bomb exploded in Palma Nova, Mallorca, killing 2 police officers. 

A Basque separatist group ETA is believed to be responsible. 

A train fire killed 32 and injured 27 people in Andhra Pradesh, India, on this day in 2012. 

• Finally, on this day in 2012, an Indian power grid failure left over 620 million people (a bit less than 10 percent of the world's population at the time) without power.

  

The following links are to web sites that were used to complete this blog entry:

http://www.historyorb.com/today/events.php

http://on-this-day.com/onthisday/thedays/alldays/jul30.htm

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

http://www.infoplease.com/dayinhistory 

Zinedine Zidane Is Now Officially France's Next Coach

 

  

France wore their blue (home) jerseys for the Final, along with their traditional white shorts and red socks. Brazil wore their distinctive yellow/gold jerseys with blue shorts. 

Okay, that was weird.

Could have sworn that this became official a couple of weeks ago, when I first posted it. Yet yesterday and today, the headlines were dominating about Zidane officially becoming the coach. He said that he had turned down opportunities over the past several years so that he could become coach of France. This was the job he always wanted, and he intends to make France a winner.

Sounds good. 

Well, the rumors were going around for quite some time. Possibly since as long as Didier Deschamps announced that he would step down as France's coach following this World Cup, regardless of the results. 

Now it is official. Zinedine Zidane will be the new head coach for France now that Didier Deschamps is stepping down. The two men were both players on the 1998 team that won the first ever World Cup championship for France, as well as the Euro 2000.

Deschamps also won the 2018 World Cup as the coach for the winning French side, which also qualified for the 2016 Euro Final and the 2022 World Cup Final.

The results were a bit different this time around. France was considered by many to be the favorites in the tournament, and even looked the part for much of their run. But they ran into a Spanish wall of defense a few days ago, ending their hopes of taking home another World Cup championship.

Later today, they will face England in the consolation third place game. After that, Zidane will step in to try and bring Les Bleus back to the top.

Zidane confirmed as France head coach Zinedine Zidane looking on at a news conference Image source,Getty Images Image caption, Zinedine Zidane won the Champions League three times as Real Madrid manager  ByCharlotte Coates, BBC Sport journalist and Emma Smith, BBC Sport journalist Published 28 July 2026

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cpd741qn2y9o

Zinedine Zidane: Former Real Madrid manager appointed as France head coach - BBC Sport

France announce Zinedine Zidane as new coach, replacing Didier Deschamps by Alex Kirkland, Jul 28, 2026:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49431120/france-announce-zinedine-zidane-new-coach-replacing-didier-deschamps

France announce Zinedine Zidane as new coach, replacing Didier Deschamps - ESPN

Video Reflects on Worldwide Perception That Americans Are Brainwashed

When I was a kid, my father was very vocal in his criticisms of what the United States was doing here and around the world. He said that American political thinking relied on a certain naivete among the populace, and outright shadiness and corruption within the marbled halls of Washington. 

Being an American, it sometimes felt embarrassing or painful to hear. Other countries never received anywhere near as much criticism as my own did. Yet, he was not wrong, and often knew more of these obscure facts and news stories than anyone I knew. 

What this did was make me think more critically about the country. It made me recognize some things which, in retrospect, probably made me very different than the vast majority of my classmates. Firstly, it stripped me of the illusion that we Americans were, as a former eighth grade history teacher taught us, "the good guys in the white hats." My understanding of the realities in this country were already far more nuanced than that while I was still a kid.

Also, it made me aware that the rest of the world often did things differently. But that did not necessarily mean worse. In fact, often quite the opposite. He kept stressing in particular how in every western European country, healthcare was taken care of, that nobody went broke because they could not afford their medical bills. Or that Europeans had far more paid vacation time guaranteed than Americans had. Or that paid maternity leave and other things that benefited average people in a real and measurable way were taken care of or much cheaper there than it was here in the United States.

In short, that the "America way" was far from the only way to do things and, frankly, sometimes was not really the best way to do things.

Yet for many Americans - and I am talking about full grown adults here - some of these things would still be harsh wakeup calls. I know some people - and this includes college educated classmates of mine - who would not take too kindly to any kind of suggestion that other parts of the world might do some things better than we do here in the United States. Literally, they believe that the United States is the best in pretty much all categories, regardless of what it is.

And that, my friends, is the result of brainwashing.

More and more Americans are coming to grips with the idea that, yes, they indeed have been brainwashed into believing certain things about their own country. That some of the stuff that we take as perfectly normal here - things like, say, the pledge of allegiance - looks downright bizarre and even creepy to the rest of the world.

In recent years, it feels like some Americans respond almost violently to any suggestions that this country is not on top of the world in every way. That in short, we are better and doing things in a superior manner that the rest of the world watches with envy, and would do well to emulate.

To me, when I learn that some people might actually do things better than we Americans tend to do here, I feel that it is worth taking a note and thinking about. Not just the things I mentioned above, like affordable and universal healthcare. When I see Japanese World Cup fans cleaning up after themselves in stadiums, it seems to me that we - not just Americans, but we westerners more generally - can learn from that. When I heard that there is a holiday in Iceland where books are exchanged, and then you spend the rest of the evening together as a family reading those books, that feels like a charming tradition that we might also have here.

Why not?

In short, I feel we should be more aware, more mindful, of the way we do things and if there are not perhaps better ways of doing things. Instead of taking offense when they seem to do some things better elsewhere, maybe we can learn. They have done half the work for us by providing a better example of what direction we can take.

Recently, I watched this video, which was very well done and made some of these points quite well and reasonably. It is thought-provoking. Frankly, I feel we might already be a better country if more Americans were exposed to this kind of questioning of their own, normally unchallenged traditions, as well as an understanding of how these things may look from an outside perspective.

Take a look. Also, please feel free to share any thoughts you may have.

Enjoy.

Why the Rest of the World Thinks Americans Are Brainwashed Holy Koolaid Holy Koolaid

https://youtu.be/x5baPn6SAQA?si=bauYvPqyPF33uAO-

Why the Rest of the World Thinks Americans Are Brainwashed

July 29th: This Day in History

 

Once again, it should be reiterated, that this does not pretend to be a very extensive history of what happened on this day (nor is it the most original - the links can be found down below). If you know something that I am missing, by all means, shoot me an email or leave a comment, and let me know!

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

On this day in 362, Emperor Julianus of Constantinople terminated education laws. 

In 626 on this day, Avaren/Slaves under Khagan Bajan began a siege of Constantinople. 

On this day in 904, Thessalonica was sacked by Saracen pirates led by the renegade Leo of Tripoli. 

The Battle of Strumitsa-Valley was fought on this day in 1014, when Byzantine destroyed Bulgarian armies. The Battle at Stiklestad (Trondheim) was fought on this day in 1030. 

On this day in 1179, Lando Sittino was proclaimed Antipope Innocent III. 

On this day in 1560, the Ottoman fleet recaptured Djerba on Spanjaarden. In 1563 on this day, the League of High Nobles routed King Philip II. 

• On this day in 1567, James VI was crowned King of Scots at Stirling. On this day in 1579, Antwerp requested a union with Utrecht. 

In 1579 on this day, King Philip II arrested plotters Antonio Perez & Princess van Eboli. In 1585 on this day, Friese Academy opened. The English defeated the Spanish Armada in the Battle of Gravelines on this day in 1588. 

The troops of Duke Farneses were ready the for invasion of England on this day in 1588. 

• A Dutch fleet under Johannes van Walbeeck landed on Curacao on this day in 1634. In 1655 on this day, the biggest town hall in the world opened in Amsterdam. 

On this day in 1676, Nathaniel Bacon was declared a rebel for assembling frontiersmen to protect settlers from Indians. 

On this day in 1693, in the War of the Grand Alliance, the Battle of Landen/Neerwinden took place on this day. France's Pyrrhic victory over the Allied forces in the Netherlands. 

Louis XIV, the "Sun King" of France

• On this day in 1696, French King Louis XIV & Victor Amadeua van Savoye signed a peace treaty. 

In 1715 on this day, 10 Spanish treasure galleons were sunk off the Florida coast by a hurricane. 

In 1751 on this day came the first international world title prize fight when Jack Stack of England defeated challenger M Petit of France in 29 mins in England. 

In 1754 on this day, the first international boxing match was held. The 25-minute match was won when Jack Slack of Britain knocked out Jean Petit from France. 

On this day in 1773, the first schoolhouse to be located west of the Allegheny Mountains was built in Schoenbrunn, Ohio. 

On this day in 1783, the Skaptar Volcano in Iceland erupted and killed about 9,000 people. 

On this day in 1786,  "The Pittsburgh Gazette" became the first newspaper west of the Alleghenies to be published. The paper's name was later changed to "The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette." 

On this day in 1793, John Graves Simcoe built a fort and settlement on the site of what would later become the city of Toronto, having sailed into the bay there previously. 

The first sugar plantation in Hawaii began on this day in 1835.

Pictures taken of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris from our 2019 trip there. The Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated on this day in 1836.

• The Inauguration of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. came on this day in 1836.

The Cumberland School of Law was founded on this day in 1847 in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA. By the end of 1847, there were only 15 law schools which existed in the United States. 

• On this day in 1848 during the Irish Potato Famine came the Tipperary Revolt. In Tipperary, there was an unsuccessful nationalist revolt against British rule that was ultimately put down by police. 

• On this day in 1851, Annibale de Gasparis discovered the asteroid 15 Eunomia. On this day in 1858, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce/Harris Treaty was signed between US & Japan, which opened Japanese ports to trade. 

• This day in 1864 was a busy one in the American Civil War. It marked the third & final day of the Battle at Deep Bottom Run, Virginia. Also on this day in 1864, the American Civil War Battle of Macon, GA (Stoneman's Raid). Finally on this day in 1864 on a busy day for the American Civil War, the Confederate spy Belle Boyd was arrested by Union troops and detained at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, DC. On this day in 1874 , Major Walter Copton Winfield of England received a U.S. patent for the lawn-tennis court. Artist Vincent van Gogh died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on this day in 1890 in Auvers, France.On this day in 1899, the First Hague Convention was signed. In Italy on this day in 1900, King Umberto I of Italy was assassinated by Italian-born anarchist Gaetano Bresci. The Union of Orthodox Rabbis of US & Canada formed on this day in 1902. On this ay in 1907, there was the first helicopter ascent in Douai, France. Sir Robert Baden-Powell formed the Boy Scouts in England on this day in 1907.Albania won it's sovereignty on this day in 1913 under Prince Wilhelm von Wied. 

• On this day in 1914, World War I really started to get underway when Austria-Hungary bombed Belgrade, and Russia mobilized troops along the border it shared with Austria-Hungary. Also on that same day, a British fleet leaving Portland/passed the Straits of Dover. Also on this day in 1914, and separate from Worl War I, the first transcontinental telephone service started when two people held a conversation between New York City, New York, and San Francisco, California. On this day in 1920 came the first transcontinental airmail flight from New York to San Francisco. Mexican rebel leader Pancho Villa surrendered on this day in 1920. Construction of the Link River Dam began on this day in 1920 as part of the Klamath Reclamation Project. Adolf Hitler became the leader of the National Socialist German Worker's Party (Nazi Party) on this day in 1921. Albert Einstein spoke on pacifism in Berlin on this day in 1923. Also on this day in 1923, the KPD held a struggle day against fascism in Germany On this day in 1927, the first iron lung was installed (Bellevue Hospital, NY). On this day in 1932 during the Great Depression in Washington, DC, U.S. troops dispersed the last of the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans. On this day in 1936, RCA showed the first real TV program (dancing, film on locomotives, Bonwit Teller fashion show & monologue from Tobacco Road & comedy). Japanese troops occupied Peking (present day Beijing) & Tientsin on this day in 1937. Also on this day in China in 1937 occurred the Tongzhou Mutiny, which is also known as the Tongzhou Massacre, which was an orchestrated attack on Japanese civilians and troops by the collaborationist East Hebei Army in Tongzhou, China. Olympic National Park in  the state of Washington formed on this day in 1938. 

• One million residents fled Hamburg, Germany, on this day in 1943 following a massive firebombing. Also on this day in 1943, Nazi's evacuated Hollandsche Theater in Amsterdam. Allied Air Force bombed Germany for six hours on this day in 1944. 

• Also on this day in 1944, the US 4th Armour Division occupied Avranches. 

• After delivering the atomic bomb across the Pacific, the cruiser USS Indianapolis is torpedoed & sunk by a Japanese submarine on this day in 1945. 

• The Berlin Airlift to serve as a lifeline for West Berlin ended on this day in 1948. On this day in 1952, the first nonstop Trans-Pacific flight by a jet. 

• On this day in 1953, US bombers were shot down north of Wladiwostok (Vlodivostok), in what was then the USSR). 

• Jacques Cousteau's Calypso anchored in 7,500 m of water (record) on this day in 1956. 

• On this day in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency was established by the UN. 

General Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States

• On this day in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was authorized by the U.S. Congress, and signed into law by  US President Eisenhower. 

On this day in 1959, the first United States Congress elections in Hawaii as a new state of the Union were held. In 1961 on this day, Wallis & Futuna Islands became a French Overseas Territory. 

    

• The Beatles movie "Help" premiered in London on this day in 1965, with Queen Elizabeth in attendance. 

Gemini 5 returned after 12d 7h 11m 53s on this day in 1965. 

On this day in 1966, Nigeria's Chief of Staff Jakubu Gowon attempted a coup. 

A fire aboard the carrier USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin killed 134 on this day in 1967. 

Gram Parsons refused to play with the Byrds, who were set to play to racially segregated audiences on this day in 1968 in South Africa. He did this in protest against apartheid. Parsons would ultimately leave the band as a result of this. 

Also on this day in 1968, Mount Arenal in Costa Rica killed 80 people in a Pelee-type eruption. With the In Humanae Vitae (of Human Life), Pope Paul VI reaffirmed the Catholic Church's prohibition on artificial methods of birth control on this day in 1968. 

Mariner 6 began transmitting far-encounter photos of Mars on this day in 1969. Six days of race rioting broke out on this day in 1970 in Hartford, Connecticut. 

A Greek plebiscite held on this day in 1973 saw voters choosing a republic over monarchy. On this day in 1974 came the second impeachment vote against Nixon by House Judiciary Committee. Also on this day in 1974, the Episcopal Church ordained female priests. 

 

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

 

• Gerald Ford became the first US president to visit the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp on this day in 1945. 

There was a military coup in Nigeria on this day in 1975 by General Mohammed, which removed President Jakubu Gowon from office. 

The OAS (Organization of American States) members voted to lift collective sanctions against Cuba on this day in 1975. The U.S. government welcomed the action and announced it's intention to open serious discussions with Cuba on normalization. 

In 1976 on this day in New York City, the "Son of Sam" killed one person and seriously wounded another in the first of a series of attacks. 

On this day in 1978, Pioneer 11 transmitted images of Saturn & its rings. On this day in 1981, Iran's ex-President Bani Sadr fled to Paris. 

"Friday Night Videos" had it's premiere broadcast on NBC TV on this day in 1983. 

Flag of the Olympics

The XXIII Summer Olympics opened in Los Angeles on this day in 1984. 

The 19th Space Shuttle Mission (51-F)-Challenger 8 was launched on this day in 1985. 

General Motors announced that Spring Hill, TN, would be the home of the Saturn automobile assembly plant on this day in 1985. 

A bomb attack in West-Beirut on this day in 1986 killed 30. 

On this day in 1986, a jury in New York ruled against the NFL, finding that it had violated antitrust laws, and infamously awarded the USFL $1 in damages.  

The FDIC bailed out First Republic Bank in Dallas with $4 billion on this day in 1988. Also on this day in 1988, Soviet Premiere Mikhail Gorbachev pushed for a plan electing president & parliament in March of 1989. A judge ordered NASA to release an unedited tape from the Challenger cockpit on this day in 1988. 

Flag of South Africa during the apartheid era

Finally on this day in 1988, the white minority apartheid government of South Africa banned the anti-apartheid film "Cry Freedom." 

On this day in 1990, the South Africa Communist Party began it's first legal conference. 

The Israeli Supreme Court acquitted retired Ohio autoworker John Demjanjuk of being Nazi death camp guard "Ivan the Terrible" on this day in 1993. As a result, his death sentence was thrown out and he was set free. 200,000 Muslims demanded death to feminist Taslima Nasrin on this day in 1994. Also on this day in 1994, corrupt Italian ex-premier Craxi was given an 8½ year jail sentence. Jan Hendrik Albert "Henny" Eman and his People's Party won the parliamentary election, and he rose to become the Prime Minister of Aruba for a second time on this day in 1994. The Indian army killed 27 Muslim militants on this day in 1994. 

Jesse Timmedequas raped & murdered Megan Kanka, who was only seven years old, on this day in 1994 in Hamilton, New Jersey. This would lead to Megan's Law, which required law enforcement to disclose the location of registered sex offenders, which was designed to protect local communities. The controversial child protection portion of the Communications Decency Act (1996) was struck down  on this day in 1996, as it was deemed too broad by a U.S. federal court. On this day in 1997, Minamata Bay in Japan was declared free of mercury 40 years after contaminated food fish were blamed for deaths and birth defects. 

The United Auto Workers union ended a 54-day strike against General Motors on this day in 1998. The strike had caused $2.8 billion of lost revenues. 

Astronomers announced that they had discovered a new planet (Xena), which was larger than Pluto, orbiting around the sun on this day in 2005. 

Tropical Storm Khanun killed 88 people and left 60,000 people homeless in North Korea on this day in 2012.

The following links are to web sites that were used to complete this blog entry:

http://www.historyorb.com/today/events.php

http://on-this-day.com/onthisday/thedays/alldays/jul29.htm

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

http://www.infoplease.com/dayinhistory