Thursday, July 23, 2026
Small spaces--400 sq feet in NY--not for me--no space for books,
no paintings on walls, no storage--too large TV--don't want overnight ordaytime guests except med personell.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/global-small-spaces-robert-garneau
IMPT--Rape support hotlines from the guardian--keep on your phone:
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
from Kokochin wiki--
Accounts
There are three sources for the account of the mission to Persia – a passage in the Chinese work Yongle Encyclopedia (which however does not mention the princess), the Persian Jami' al-tawarikh written by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, with the most detailed description given by Marco Polo:
Arghun Khan of Persia, Kublai's great-nephew, had in 1286 lost his favourite wife the Khatun Bulughan; and, mourning her sorely, took steps to fulfil her dying injunction that her place should be filled only by a lady of her own kin, the Mongol Tribe of Bayaut. Ambassadors were despatched to the Court of Khan-baligh to seek such a bride. The message was courteously received, and the choice fell on the lady Kokachin, a maiden of 17, "moult bele dame et avenant (very beautiful lady and comely)." The overland road from Peking to Tabriz was not only of portentous length for such a tender charge, but was imperiled by war, so the envoys desired to return by sea. Tartars in general were strangers to all navigation; and the envoys, much taken with the Venetians, and eager to profit by their experience, especially as Marco had just then returned from his Indian mission, begged the Khan as a favour to send the three Firinghis in their company. He consented with reluctance, but, having done so, fitted the party out nobly for the voyage, charging the Polos with friendly messages for the potentates of Europe, including the King of England. They appear to have sailed from the port of Zayton (as the Westerns called T'swan-chau or Chin-cheu in Fo-kien) in the beginning of 1292. It was an ill-starred voyage, involving long detentions on the coast of Sumatra, and in the South of India, to which, however, we are indebted for some of the best chapters in the book; and two years or upwards passed before they arrived at their destination in Persia. The three hardy Venetians survived all perils, and so did the lady, who had come to look on them with filial regard; but two of the three envoys, and a vast proportion of the suite, had perished by the way. Arghun Khan too had been dead even before they quitted China; his brother Kaikhatu reigned in his stead; and his son Ghazan succeeded to the lady's hand. We are told by one who knew both the princes well that Arghun was one of the handsomest men of his time, whilst Ghazan was, among all his host, one of the most insignificant in appearance. But in other respects the lady's change was for the better. Ghazan had some of the highest qualities of a soldier, a legislator and a king, adorned by many and varied accomplishments; though his reign was too short for the full development of his fame.
— The Travels of Marco Polo[6]
The account of the marriage was confirmed by the Persian historian Rashid-al-Din Hamadani in his Jami' al-tawarikh where she was named Kūkājīn.[3]
Rusticello who wrote down Marco Polo's travels--
Rustichello appears to have been a native of Pisa. His first known work, the French text known as the Roman de Roi Artus or, simply, the Compilation, appears to derive from books in the possession of Edward I of England when he passed through Italy on his way to fighting in the Eighth Crusade in 1270 to 1274. While written in French, it is the first known romance by an Italian author to address the Arthurian legend.[1] The Compilation contains an interpolation of the Palamedes, a now-fragmentary prose account of Arthur's Saracen knight Palamedes, and a history of the Round Table.[2] It was later divided into two sections, named after their principal protagonists, Meliadus (Tristan's father) and Guiron le Courtois. Both remained popular for hundreds of years, and influenced many later works written in French as well as in Spanish, Italian, and even Greek.[1]
Rustichello may have been captured by the Genoese at the Battle of Meloria in 1284, amid a conflict between the Republic of Genoa and the Republic of Pisa. When Polo was imprisoned around 1298, possibly after a clash between Genoa and Venice (according to tradition the Battle of Curzola[3]), he told his tales of travel to Rustichello. Together they created the book known as The Travels of Marco Polo.[1]
The Mongols are coming--
First Mongol invasion of Burma
Mongol-Pagan war (1277–1287)
Overview
History
Battles
Legacy
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The Mongol invasions of Burma led by Kublai Khan between 1277 and 1287 toppled the Pagan Empire and reshaped the political landscape of Southeast Asia.
Background
The Pagan Kingdom, ruling central Burma for over 250 years, faced internal instability under King Narathihapate, who ascended the throne in 1256. Early in his reign, rebellions erupted in Arakan and Martaban, and the kingdom struggled with declining royal authority and growing tax-free religious landholdings, weakening its capacity to resist external threats Facts and DetailsFacts and Details+1. Meanwhile, Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, sought to expand Mongol influence into Southeast Asia as part of his broader strategy to encircle the Song dynasty of China WikipediaWikipedia.
Initial Contact and Tribute Demands
The Mongols first demanded tribute from Pagan in 1271–1272, which Narathihapate refused. Kublai Khan sent envoys again in 1273, but the Burmese king executed the second mission, prompting military action WikipediaWikipedia+1. In 1275, Kublai authorized the Yunnan government to secure the borderlands and engage Pagan forces if necessary, leading to the first military clashes in 1277–1278.
Major Campaigns and Battles
The first significant battle occurred at Ngasaunggyan in 1277, where the Mongols defeated the Burmese army using superior cavalry tactics and strategic coordination Facts.netFacts.net+1. Subsequent campaigns in 1283–1285 saw Mongol forces advance southward, occupying key northern cities such as Bhamo and Tagaung, forcing Narathihapate to flee to Lower Burma WikipediaWikipedia+1. The Mongols organized northern Burma as the province of Zhengmian, consolidating their control over the region WikipediaWikipedia.
Outcome and Consequences
By 1287, the Mongols had sacked Pagan, effectively ending the Pagan Kingdom's dominance in central Burma Facts and DetailsFacts and Details+1. Narathihapate submitted to Mongol authority in 1286, but the kingdom never recovered its former power. The invasions triggered a period of political fragmentation lasting approximately 250 years, during which smaller ethnic Tai-Shan states emerged throughout mainland Southeast Asia WikipediaWikipedia+1. The Mongol campaigns, while militarily successful, were costly and stretched their forces, reflecting the challenges of projecting power into tropical, jungle-covered regions far from the Mongol heartland Facts and DetailsFacts and Details.
Legacy
The Mongol invasions demonstrated the empire's military reach and strategic ambition, but also highlighted the limitations of sustaining long-term control over distant territories. In Burma, the collapse of the Pagan Kingdom reshaped the region’s political and cultural landscape, leading to decentralization and the rise of new polities that influenced Southeast Asian history for centuries Facts.netFacts.net+1. Narathihapate became infamously remembered as "Tayokpyay Min," or the King who fled from the Mongols, symbolizing the dramatic impact of the invasions on Burmese leadership and society FandomFandom.
Facts and Details
Facts and Details
YUAN-MONGOL INVASIONS OF BURMA AND JAVA
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First Mongol invasion of Burma - Wikipedia
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Very excited today--while looking for Alaungsithu's Prayer translated by Gordon H. Luce, I found a whole special edition of The Atlantic from Feb 1958, a year after my father died.
I wonder what he would have written if he had not died.
I'll isolate the articles and post them one by one.
All the leading intellectuals of the day are represented.
For today--here is the link to the whole edition.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/toc/1958/02/
Special post--Alaungsithu Su Taung--translated by Gordon H. Luce.
What driving energy could have produced this vast, richly adorned city? And why did the ancient kings build pagodas and monasteries rather than stone palaces? As Professor Kyaw Thet suggests, the economic basis of this high civilization was an extensive irrigation system. But its deeper stimulus, as we learn from the temple inscriptions, was the Buddhist faith. Not content with worldly success and victories in battle, each of the kings tried to outdo his forebears in raising shrines which would glorify the Lord Buddha and in so doing insure his own spiritual progress in later rebirths. Thus, in an inscription in the Shwegu Temple, we find this beautiful prayer, written in Pali verse, by King Alaungsithu (1112-1167):
By this my gift, whatever boon I seek, It is the best of boons to profit all; By this abundant merit I desire Here or hereafter no angelic pomp Of Brahmas, Suras, Maras; nor the state And splendors of a monarch; nay, not even To be the pupil of a conqueror. But I would build a causeway sheer athwart The river of Samsara, and all folk Would speed across thereby until they reach The Blessed City. I myself would cross, And drag the drowning over. Aye, myself Tamed, I would tame the willful; comforted, Comfort the timid; wakened, wake the asleep; Cool, cool the burning; freed, set free the bound. And Alaungsithu’s predecessor, the conqueror and builder Kyanzittha (1084-1112), inscribed his edicts on massive pillars in this vein: O King of Devas, hear thou! . . . The sage Bisnu shall become the king Kyanzittha, and he shall uphold the religion of the Lord Buddha . . . . All vice, which is as a stench, shall the king utterly blot out with true morality, which is as a perfume. . . . The tears of those who have lost their friends shall the king wipe away with the hand of loving-kindness. . . With his right hand shall the king give boiled rice and bread to all the people, and with his left hand ornaments and wearing apparel to all men. . . .He shall soften the hearts of those who intend evil, and exhort those who speak evil to speak good. . . . The spirit, of these utterances is all the more remarkable when we consider that only a hundred years before the religion of Pagan had been in the hands of the debased Ari priests who had corrupted the Buddhism brought from Tibet with magical tricks, snake worship, and lewd Tantric rites. Two men accomplished this striking reformation: Kyanzittha’s father, Anawrahta, and the evangelical monk Shin Arahan, who attracted the king by his holiness and became his chief adviser. Thawka—The Atlantic,1958. End quote.
Monday, July 20, 2026
I watched the new The Odyssey--
It's EXCELLENT--Maybe simplified a bit--but it's beautiful and at last--a clearer story line.
Not explained how there were no men on the first island. Special effects, voices, script, casting wonderful.
One only noticed the "dad" at the beginning sounding America.
I don't understand all the hemming and hawing below--after all all the goddesses are female--and Hermes is not a scarf--maybe played by a ballet dancer--
It's a lot better than all the modernized rewrites I have read.
kmk
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Harish P I from Conscientious Reflections To:
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 at 02:52:35 AM EDT
Subject: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: Breaking the Code
There is only one word to describe the cinematic experience that The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, provides—exhilarating. It is a visual spectacle that also resonates emotionally with the audience, with elements of horror, thrills, and action smoothly blending with the larger narrative.
When we look at the movie as a modern-day adaptation of the Greek epic, there are many elements that vary from the original. Some variations are significant while many are too minor to notice. For example, the omission of Penelope testing Odysseus in the climax didn’t make much difference to the narrative. But the inclusion of Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter, which isn’t Homeric but based on later myths, significantly alters the moral compass of the narrative.
Before the movie released, the casting and many narrative and stylistic choices had caused controversies among the public. But none of them have any significance in the larger narrative. The concerned characters appear only for minutes in the movie and end up ultimately as minor cosmetic alterations from the original.
An actor’s statement about the lack of female perspective in Homer’s Odyssey sparked quite a controversy. But the ‘screen time’ that Nolan gives for female perspectives is rather less than that of Homer and not as diverse. The anti-war narrative about the perils of war on everyone involved is also dealt with in a rather cliched manner.
I’ve seen many color-blind or age-blind adaptations of classics, like the Hamlet adaptation in which an elderly Ian McKellen plays the young titular prince, or the one starring Riz Ahmed in which the plot is placed in an Indian business family. In these adaptations, such choices become essential in providing a different context and an alternate perspective to an already known story. The Odyssey displays several such choices with its casting, language and costumes, but never attempts to place them in any interpretative framework.
Though it contains several regular features of Nolan movies like an overtly complex protagonist, non-linear narrative, and themes about grief, guilt, and obsession, the movie never manages to challenge the intellect of the audience like how Inception, Interstellar, or even Oppenheimer did. The plot is narrated vividly with little ambiguity or intricacy.
One aspect of the film, however, made me probe beyond the spectacle to find what the larger purpose of Christopher Nolan in adapting The Odyssey may be. Every adaptation updates the sensibilities of the original to its contemporary period. The Odyssey updates the original while also being self-aware of it. So you observe the characters speaking about an upcoming invasion by the ‘sea people,’ the destruction of their civilization, and the end of the Bronze Age with apocalyptic foresight. The characters behave as if Christopher Nolan transferred his benefit of hindsight to them.
The movie places xenia, the code of hospitality, christened Zeus’s Law, as the cornerstone of Greek civilization. The inviolable host-guest relationship ensured the world stayed together. Odysseus realizes that it was his plan of the Trojan Horse that breaks the code, beginning the unraveling of civilization. What Odysseus’s crew believes to be the wrath of the gods causing innumerable delays and dangers they encounter on different islands is a reflection of the breaking of this code. Odysseus realizes this and tries to re-establish the code once he reaches Ithaca.
When Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter, he is breaking another Greek code of oikos that governs the household. Although he wins the war, the effects of his actions catch up to him after his homecoming. When Agamemnon advises Odysseus in Hades not to enter his home without assessing the situation, he speaks from the belated awareness of the consequences of his actions, which he doesn’t want Odysseus to suffer.
Odysseus in the film is the same person as in the epic—resourceful strategist, clever, proud, and always homesick for his wife and son. Additionally, Nolan makes him regretful of his actions in Troy after seeing how the same attributes affected the violent and destructive outcome of the war. This aspect gives him a spiritual connection to Nolan’s Oppenheimer, who also realizes that he has broken a code that altered human civilization permanently.
More than just a visual spectacle, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is a cautionary tale about how pride makes people blind to the moral codes that bind a civilization together—and how breaking them carries far-reaching consequences beyond the temporary victories.
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*
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Opium wars, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt's grandfather--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars
How we get to the China Connection with Soong Family--(Mrs. Chiang Kai Shek/Mae Ling Soong.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Last days of the Romanovs--There is also a documentary called The Romanovs.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thousands-intimate-photographs-reveal-the-everyday-lives-the-romanovs-russias-last-imperial-family-180989126/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
I have read most of Robert K.Massie's books.
***
Friday, July 17, 2026
Poem --Timothy Snyder explains History.
Fri, Jul 17 at 2:40 AM
He's dressed all in grey and black.
He's very lean though not mean, I am sure.
As he talks about the role of history
how we can change it, his white head stands in the middle
while, his big white hands, flap about like
seagulls or albatrosses. Or big white butterflies encountered by
Stillwell trecking out of Burma
and the thousands of mostly Indian refugees walking out of Burma to
Manipur, beginning of WW II. 1939.
Most died.
Kyi May Kaung
7-17-2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026
From E-Trade wiki--
Morgan Stanley acquisition
On February 20, 2020, Morgan Stanley announced the acquisition of E-Trade in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $13 billion, the largest U.S. bank acquisition since the 2008 financial crisis.[20] E*TRADE shareholders received 1.0432 Morgan Stanley shares per E-Trade share, representing a 30.7% premium. The deal closed on October 2, 2020, following Federal Reserve approval.[21] At closing, E-Trade had 5.2 million client accounts and over $360 billion in retail client assets.[22] Between March and September 2023, E-Trade brokerage accounts were migrated to Morgan Stanley systems in phases, with the final wave completed over the Labor Day weekend in September 2023.[23] The E-Trade brand was retained, operating as "E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley."
Jamie Raskin has authored 14 books--Copilot search results.
Jamie Raskin has authored at least 14 books, including political memoirs, legal analyses, and works on American democracy.
Jamie Raskin’s most notable books include Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy, which recounts his personal and professional experiences surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack and the loss of his son, as well as his role in the impeachment of President Trump Amazon.comAmazon.com. Other significant works include The Inflection Election: Democracy or Fascism in 2024? and Combined Pretrial Briefs in the Second Impeachment of Donald J. Trump GoodreadsGoodreads+1.
He has also authored books focused on constitutional law and civic education, such as Overruling Democracy: The Supreme Court versus the American People and We the Students: Supreme Court Cases For and About America’s Students Amazon.comAmazon.com. Additionally, Raskin has contributed to legal and political scholarship through works like Reply Memorandum of the United States House of Representatives in the Impeachment Trial of President Donald J. Trump: Prosecution Reply ThriftBooksThriftBooks.
Other titles in his bibliography include a mix of legal briefs, political commentary, and educational resources, totaling 14 works listed on Goodreads GoodreadsGoodreads. These books reflect his expertise as a constitutional law professor, legislator, and advocate for democratic principles.
Overall, Jamie Raskin’s publications cover American democracy, constitutional law, impeachment proceedings, and civic education, making them valuable resources for readers interested in law, politics, and contemporary U.S. history.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
From Wikipedia--Trump Impeachment-2.0
At the beginning of the trial, Senator Rand Paul forced a vote to dismiss the impeachment charge on the basis that it was unconstitutional to try a former president, arguing that impeachment only applies to current federal officers and that the punishment of removal from office was moot under the circumstances. Supporters of proceeding with the trial argued that the Constitution also permits disqualification from holding future office, which the House had requested in its article of impeachment. The motion was defeated in a 55–45 vote, with all Democrats, both independents, and five Republicans (Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania) voting against the motion.[60][61] This was the first time that a former president had been tried, and only the second time the Senate tried someone who had already left office, after Secretary of War William W. Belknap in 1876. Jamie Raskin was the lead impeachment manager and the primary author – along with Representative David Cicilline and Representative Ted Lieu – of the impeachment article, which charged Trump with inciting an insurrection by sparking the Capitol attack. Joaquin Castro, Eric Swalwell, Madeleine Dean, and Stacey Plaskett also assisted in delivering the oral arguments for conviction.
Trump's defense was led by Michael van der Veen, a personal injury lawyer from Philadelphia, along with David Schoen and Bruce Castor. Van der Veen's style and substance during the trial drew ridicule and criticism from many, with gasps and laughter in the Senate when he stated that he would seek to depose at least 100 people at his Philadelphia office, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.[62][63] Trump had originally hired Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier to represent him, but they quit along with three other lawyers after "the former president wanted the lawyers representing him to focus on his allegations of mass election fraud" and his false claim that "the election was stolen from him."[64]
At the conclusion of the trial, the Senate voted 57–43 to convict Trump of inciting insurrection, falling 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution, and Trump was therefore acquitted. Seven Republican senators joined all Democratic and independent senators in voting to convict Trump, the largest bipartisan vote for an impeachment conviction of a U.S. president or former U.S. president.[65][66] After the vote on the acquittal, Mitch McConnell said, "There's no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day."[67] but he voted against conviction due to his interpretation of the United States Constitution.[68]
What is impeachment--
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Impeachment in the United States
Impeachment is a formal process by which a legislative body brings charges against a public official for serious misconduct, with the goal of removing them from office WikipediaWikipedia+1. In the U.S., it is a remedial, not punitive, measure — the only penalties are removal from office and, in some cases, disqualification from holding future federal office WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Constitutional Basis
The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2, Clause 5) grants the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach, and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments WikipediaWikipedia. Impeachable offenses are defined as “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” BritannicaBritannica. Conviction in the Senate requires a two‑thirds majority vote for removal WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Federal Impeachment Process
Investigation & Articles of Impeachment – The House Judiciary Committee investigates and drafts articles (charges) against the official.
House Vote – The full House votes on the articles; a simple majority is enough to impeach USA GovUSA Gov.
Senate Trial – The Senate holds the trial, with the Chief Justice of the U.S. presiding if the official is the President or Vice President USA GovUSA Gov.
Conviction & Removal – Conviction removes the official from office; a simple majority vote in the Senate can bar them from future federal office WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Acquittal – If acquitted, the official remains in office.
Who Can Be Impeached
Federal impeachment applies to the President, Vice President, and all civil officers BritannicaBritannica. State and local governments may also have impeachment procedures for their officials WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Historical Context
First U.S. presidential impeachment trial: Andrew Johnson in 1868 WikipediaWikipedia.
Presidents impeached: Andrew Johnson (1868), Bill Clinton (1998), Donald Trump (2019 and 2021) USA GovUSA Gov+1.
Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before the House could vote on articles USA GovUSA Gov.
Of all impeachments, only eight officials have been removed from office — all were federal judges USA GovUSA Gov.
Key Points
Impeachment is not a criminal trial; the official can still face criminal charges after removal WikipediaWikipedia.
It is reserved for serious abuses of office and requires supermajority thresholds WikipediaWikipedia.
The process is political and nonjusticiable — courts cannot review the validity of an impeachment trial WikipediaWikipedia.
In short, impeachment is a constitutional safeguard to hold high‑office holders accountable for misconduct, with removal as the only guaranteed consequence WikipediaWikipedia+1.
Protections of Members of Congress--
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Protections for Members of Congress
Members of Congress enjoy a range of constitutional and statutory protections designed to preserve legislative independence, ensure free debate, and support their official duties.
1. Speech or Debate Clause Immunity
Under Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution, members are shielded from being prosecuted or questioned in any court or place outside Congress for speeches, debates, or votes taken in the course of their legislative duties lawshun.comlawshun.com. This immunity is intended to protect robust debate and prevent retaliation for political disagreements. It does not protect criminal conduct or actions taken outside official duties thelegalguide.orgthelegalguide.org+1.
2. Limited Arrest Immunity
Members cannot be arrested during sessions of Congress for non-violent offenses, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace lawshun.comlawshun.com+1. They are also exempt from jury duty and certain legal processes while in session or traveling to/from Congress lawshun.comlawshun.com.
3. Witness Immunity
Members cannot be compelled to testify in legal proceedings about legislative acts while Congress is in session lawshun.comlawshun.com.
4. Franking Privilege
They can send official mail and communications to constituents without postage, using a signature or facsimile as proof. This supports outreach and casework, but political campaign-related mail is excluded thelegalguide.orgthelegalguide.org.
5. Compensation and Benefits
Members receive salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and staff budgets. They may also have allowances for travel, office maintenance, and technology support thelegalguide.orgthelegalguide.org+1.
6. Capitol Police Protection
The Capitol Police Board can authorize the U.S. Capitol Police to provide protection to members, officers of Congress, and their immediate families if deemed necessary LII / Legal Information InstituteLII / Legal Information Institute. This includes the authority to make warrantless arrests for certain offenses in their presence or for felonies with reasonable grounds LII / Legal Information InstituteLII / Legal Information Institute.
7. Scope Limitations
These protections apply only to actions taken in the course of legislative duties. Members remain subject to criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits, and congressional ethics investigations for non-legislative conduct lawshun.comlawshun.com.
In summary, members of Congress are protected from legal liability for official legislative acts, have limited arrest immunity, enjoy free speech protections, and receive resources and security to perform their duties, but these protections do not shield them from accountability for personal or non-legislative actions.
end
Monday, July 13, 2026
Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.
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Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States is a landmark work of social history that reimagines American history from the perspective of ordinary people rather than political elites. First published in 1980, it has since sold over four million copies in English and been translated into more than a dozen languages Howard ZinnHoward Zinn.
Core Approach
Zinn’s method is to tell history “from the bottom up” — focusing on the experiences of women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. He challenges the traditional “great men” narrative of U.S. history, emphasizing grassroots movements and the struggles of marginalized groups.
Themes and Content
The book covers the period from Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1492 through the Clinton administration, analyzing pivotal events such as:
The Civil Rights Movement and fights for racial equality
Labor rights — fair wages, the eight-hour workday, child labor laws, health and safety standards Women’s rights and universal suffrage Anti-war movements, especially against the Vietnam War Immigrant rights and resistance to imperialism Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1 Zinn shows how many of the nation’s most important victories were achieved through mass mobilization and sustained resistance against powerful opposition. Style and Impact Known for lively, clear prose and scholarly research, the book is accessible to both students and general readers. It has been widely used in classrooms to broaden historical perspectives and is praised for its ability to bridge generations Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. Legacy The 35th anniversary edition (2015) includes a new introduction by Anthony Arnove, who notes that Zinn’s work fundamentally changed how millions think about history, but that it was shaped by his active involvement in social movements during the 1960s–1970s Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. The book has appeared in popular media, including The Sopranos, The Simpsons, Good Will Hunting, and the History Channel documentary The People Speak Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. Why It Matters A People’s History of the United States remains a critical resource for understanding U.S. history through the voices of those often excluded from mainstream narratives, making it essential reading for anyone interested in democracy, justice, and the role of ordinary people in shaping the nation’s past.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny--comments on movie Supergirl--
Because the makers of this film were so careless in the plotting, they cannot have seen that carelessness is the center of their story.
We are meant to understand Supergirl as an anti-hero; but she isn’t; she’s a slob who mindlessly endangers herself and others. An anti-hero is someone who represents virtues that are in tension with the established order; it is not someone who is just unhappy and who, when the stars align, can beat up everyone else.
The Athenians who gave us the notion of tragedy believed that art allowed us to see a flaw in others and thereby recognize the possibility of unseen flaws in our own character; we should therefore be careful in our judgements, because the reality of freedom depends upon the practice of self-criticism.
Later, in their decadence, the Greeks gave way to the idea that everything was written in the stars, that gods and heroes rise or fall with this heavenly body or that. Gilbert Murray called this the “failure of nerve.” We are meant to be joyous when the yellow sun emerges, but should we celebrate our submission to careless powers?
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PS: Please also see my positive review of Superman).
PPS: Next week, likely Wednesday July 15th, will see the rollout of the public version of my University of Toronto course “Hitler and Stalin Today.” The ten-lecture class will be accessible free of charge to anyone around the world.
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end
Wow--Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor in Chief of The Atlantic--fromWikipedia
Many years after his first trip to Israel as a 13-year-old, he became a dual Israeli citizen. Goldberg recalled the sense of empowerment he felt Israel embodied.[9] In a 2013 interview with the Washingtonian, he said he had decided to give up his Israeli citizenship, saying that "If Israel goes much further down the road I think it’s on and becomes more of a theocratic, totalitarian-style state [...] how could the liberal-minded American Jew support that?"[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Goldberg
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Literary agents accepting romance novels. Write it first, make it the best you can-.
Copilot Search Branding
There are numerous literary agents actively seeking romance manuscripts across various subgenres, from contemporary and historical to paranormal and romantic suspense.
Notable Literary Agencies and Agents
Folio Literary Management (New York City, US) represents romance among other genres and prefers email submissions. They have worked with authors like Julie Murphy and Laura Sebastian ReedsyReedsy. Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC (San Diego, US) handles romance and women’s fiction, with clients including Kate Quinn and Jennifer L. Armentrout ReedsyReedsy. BookEnds Literary Agency (Newark, US) accepts romance submissions through QueryManager and focuses on character-driven stories ReedsyReedsy. Spencerhill Associates features agents such as Ali Herring, Nalini Akolekar, Amanda Leuck, and Sandy Harding, who represent contemporary, historical, paranormal, and inspirational romance TCK PublishingTCK Publishing. Irene Goodman Literary Agency agent Whitney Ross specializes in romance and has extensive editorial experience Writing Tips OasisWriting Tips Oasis. RF Agency agent Rebecca Friedman represents commercial fiction and contemporary romance Writing Tips OasisWriting Tips Oasis. Nelson Literary Agency agent Kristin Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency agent Kevan Lyon, and Bradford Literary Agency agent Laura Bradford are also --cut off accidentally
Literary agents accepting poetry submissions--
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Several literary agents are currently accepting poetry submissions, offering guidance and representation for poets seeking traditional publication.
Finding Poetry Agents
Working with a literary agent is often the most effective route to traditional publication, especially for debut poets, as most major publishers do not accept unsolicited submissions. Agents not only help you get your manuscript in front of publishers but also provide editorial guidance to refine your work and navigate the publishing process ReedsyReedsy.
Notable Agents Accepting Poetry Submissions
Some literary agents currently open to poetry submissions include:
Joy Harris – Works with literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and poetry. Submission guidelines are available on her website TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
Sorche Fairbank – Interested in literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and children’s books, including poetry TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
Jenni Ferrari-Adler – Agent at Union Literary, open to literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with some interest in poetry TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
Deborah Ritchken – Focuses on lifestyle, women’s issues, biography, and fiction, occasionally considering poetry TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
For a more comprehensive list, Reedsy provides a directory of literary agents seeking poetry submissions in 2026, which can be filtered by genre, location, and other preferences ReedsyReedsy.
Tips for Submitting to Agents
Research Each Agent – Study their manuscript wishlist and previous publications to ensure your poetry aligns with their interests.
Personalize Your Query Letter – Tailor your submission letter to each agent, highlighting why your work fits their portfolio.
Follow Submission Guidelines – Adhere strictly to formatting, sample length, and method of submission as specified by the agent.
Prepare a Cohesive Manuscript – Most agents prefer a complete, polished manuscript, typically 48–100 pages for poetry collections adeptghostwriting.comadeptghostwriting.com.
Alternative Routes
If you are also considering publishers directly, many poetry presses accept submissions without an agent, including Red Hen Press and Copper Canyon Press, which run open submission periods and contests Rafal ReyzerRafal Reyzer. University presses like University of Pittsburgh Press and Yale University Press also offer competitions for debut poets adeptghostwriting.comadeptghostwriting.com.
By combining agent research with careful manuscript preparation and adherence to submission guidelines, poets can signuthors
Top poetry literary agencies
End post
Temporary seasonal agricultural US Visas.
Well--allow them in or no strawberries, blueberries, apples, raspberries, lettuce, salad greens etc.
Expect farmers to come dump their spoiled produce in front of the WH or Mar a Lago.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/one-us-visa-program-is-growing-rapidly-no-one-is-happy-with-it/ar-AA27FcNg?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Cyclosporiasis warning--from food or water contamnated with feces.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cyclosporiasis-outbreak?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
US extends Temporary Protected Status to immigrants inclduding from Myanmar--
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-extends-work-permits-haitians-other-immigrants-with-temporary-protected-2026-07-10/
Most might be working in low paid jobs or in Amazon fulfilment centers.
From NY Times--
Mexican officials said on Thursday they planned to file criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths of several Mexican nationals during immigration operations, in the nation’s most confrontational protest yet against President Trump’s immigration policies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/world/americas/mexico-criminal-complaints-immigration-deaths-usa.html
Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Mexico’s foreign affairs minister, announced the move in a news conference on Thursday, two days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a Mexican man who had lived and worked for decades in the United States and was trying to obtain legal residency.
Mr. Velasco said Mexico would file the complaints with U.S. state prosecutors and the U.S. Department of Justice, requesting criminal investigations into the deaths of 14 Mexican citizens in immigration detention centers and of three others during enforcement raids under the current administration.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not deny Mexico’s tally of its citizens who have died in the department’s custody, but rejected accusations that migrant deaths have spiked since Mr. Trump returned to office. The U.S. Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment.
Friday, July 10, 2026
Thursday, July 09, 2026
Wednesday, July 08, 2026
using oats in place of flour--It's easier to use roasted chick pea flour.
Pe Hmont--roast in a dry pan.
Copilot Search Branding
Oats can be used as a substitute for flour, offering a gluten-free, fiber-rich alternative, but adjustments in texture, liquid, and binding agents are often necessary.
Types of Oats for Substitution
Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned Oats): Ideal for making oat flour; provide a slightly coarser texture suitable for cookies, muffins, and bars thekitchenpursuits.comthekitchenpursuits.com+1.
Quick Oats: Can be ground into a finer flour; absorb more liquid and work well in pancakes, muffins, and cookies decorwithstyle.comdecorwithstyle.com+1.
Steel-Cut Oats: Not recommended for baking as a flour substitute due to their coarse, chewy texture thekitchenpursuits.comthekitchenpursuits.com.
Making Oat Flour at Home
Use rolled or quick oats, not steel-cut or instant oats.
Blend or process in a high-speed blender or food processor until a fine powder forms Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or refrigerate to maintain freshness Chef's ResourceChef's Resource.
Recipe Adjustments
Texture: Oat flour lacks gluten, so baked goods may be denser and drier than those made with wheat flour Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
Binding Agents: Add xanthan gum (½ tsp per cup of oat flour) or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) to improve structure Chef's ResourceChef's Resource.
Liquid Content: Oat flour absorbs more liquid; you may need to increase moisture in the recipe to prevent dryness Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
Leavening: Extra baking powder or soda may be needed to maintain a lighter texture Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Partial vs. Full Substitution: Start by replacing 25–50% of wheat flour with oat flour; full substitution requires more adjustments Chef's ResourceChef's Resource.
Nutritional and Dietary Benefits
Gluten-Free: Suitable for celiac disease or gluten intolerance when using certified gluten-free oats Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
High Fiber: Rich in beta-glucan, which supports heart health and digestion thekitchenpursuits.comthekitchenpursuits.com+1.
Nutrient-Dense: Provides iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins foodblogalliance.comfoodblogalliance.com.
Lower Glycemic Index: Helps regulate blood sugar levels decorwithstyle.comdecorwithstyle.com.
Practical Tips
Experiment with coarser or finer oat flour to achieve the desired texture Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Begin with recipes specifically designed for oat flour for best results Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Gradually increase oat flour in familiar recipes to adjust to taste and texture changes Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Using oats instead of flour is a versatile and nutritious option, but successful substitution requires attention to texture, moisture, and binding to achieve the best results in baking and cooking.
Movie versions of the Ramayana.
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Movie Versions of the Ramayana
The Ramayana has been adapted into countless films across India and beyond, spanning live-action, animation, and regional cinema. These adaptations range from faithful retellings to modern reinterpretations.
Major Live-Action Films
Sampoorna Ramayana (1961) – A Telugu/Tamil epic covering Rama’s life from birth to coronation, a milestone in devotional cinema MoneyControl.
Lava Kusa (1963) – Bollywood’s take on Rama’s twin sons and their confrontation with their father MoneyControl.
Bajrangbali (1976) – Hanuman’s heroic exploits, starring Dara Singh MoneyControl.
Mahabali Hanuman (1981) – Indo-Japanese animated film introducing Ramayana to global audiences MoneyControl.
Ram Setu (2022) – Modern retelling of Rama’s bridge-building with VFX-heavy visuals MoneyControl.
Adipurush (2023) – Prabhas as Rama in a VFX-heavy, modernized adaptation MoneyControl.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana – Planned live-action cinematic trilogy faithful to the epic MoneyControl.
Raavanan (2010) – Tamil film blending myth with modern drama Wikipedia.
Raavan (2010) – Hindi adaptation with a darker tone Wikipedia.
Animated & International Adaptations
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1993) – India-Japan anime following Rama’s valor and moral lessons Telly Express.
Hanuman Patal Vijay (1997) – Hanuman’s journey to Lanka Wikipedia.
Hanuman Vijay – Animated retelling of Hanuman’s role in the epic Wikipedia.
Mahiravana (2018) – Hanuman vs. Ravana’s brother Mahiravana IMDb.
Regional & Specialized Films
Sampoorna Ramayanam (1958, 1972) – Telugu/Tamil full-length adaptations Wikipedia.
Bhookailas (1940, 1958) – Early Indian Ramayana films Wikipedia.
Sathi Ahalya – Focus on Ahalya’s story Wikipedia.
Sita Kalyanam (1934, 1976) – Depicting Sita’s marriage to Rama Wikipedia.
TV & Series Adaptations
Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987–1988) – Live-action TV series starring Arun Govil as Rama, Deepika Chikhalia as Sita Telly Express.
Siya Ke Ram (2015–) – Retold from Sita’s perspective Telly Express.
Notable Modern Retellings
Lav Kush – Mythological adventure with a modern twist MoneyControl. Kalki 2898 AD (2024) – While not a direct Ramayana retelling, it draws on mythological themes IMDb. Tip: If you want a faithful, full-length epic, Sampoorna Ramayana or Sampoorna Ramayanam are classics. For modern visuals, Adipurush and Ram Setu are recent highlights. For animation, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama and Mahabali Hanuman are standout choices.
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Copilot Search --Raisonovsky--History of Russia.--Actually it's Riazanovsky.
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A History of Russia by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky
A History of Russia is a widely acclaimed, comprehensive survey of Russian history from ancient times to the post-communist era, authored by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky (1923–2011) and, in later editions, co-authored with Mark D. Steinberg. It is designed as a one-volume introduction to Russian history, suitable for students and general readers, and is published by Oxford University Press Oxford University Press+1.
Scope and Approach
The book covers the entire span of Russian history—from the early medieval period through the Soviet era and into the modern, post-Soviet state—examining political, military, economic, social, and cultural developments. It maintains a commitment to objectivity, fairness, and balance, while incorporating recent research and scholarly debates Oxford University Press+1.
Editions and Updates
Tenth Edition (2025): The most recent version, with extensive revisions across all chapters, updated coverage of the Putin era and developments in Ukraine and Russia’s “near abroad”, and a reorganized Soviet period for greater clarity. It also adds more voices from the past, expanded coverage of empire, nationalism, and the challenges of a multinational state, and updated maps and illustrations Oxford University Press.
Ninth Edition (2018): Streamlined organization, new chapter titles reflecting updated scholarship, and expanded attention to ordinary people’s experiences, imperial expansion, and diversity. Includes new photos and a map on shifting Ukrainian borders Oxford University Press. Earlier editions (e.g., 8th edition, 2010) introduced new chapters on politics, society, and culture since 1991, exploring Russia’s post-communist challenges and prospects Amazon. Key Features Narrative synthesis: Weaves a continuous story of Russian history with introductions to historiographical debates. Thematic depth: Explores political ideas, empire and nation, economy and society, class and gender, literature, arts, religion, and Russia’s role in the world Oxford University Press.
Pedagogical tools: Updated bibliographies, new sections on online primary sources, and reorganized research guides Oxford University Press. Accessibility: Available in print and digital formats, including e-book subscriptions with Bookshelf Online access Oxford University Press+1. Availability Print: Available through major booksellers (e.g., Amazon) and university bookstores. E-book: Oxford University Press offers digital editions with 4-year access; single-user, non-transferable license Oxford University Press+1. Archive.org: Older print editions (e.g., 1993, 2011) are available for free download and reading online Archive+1. Why It’s Valued
The book is praised as the best one-volume history of Russia for its breadth, balance, and integration of recent scholarship. It is used in university courses and by readers seeking a clear, authoritative overview of Russia’s complex past Amazon. If you want the most current and comprehensive version, the Tenth Edition (2025) is recommended, as it reflects the latest developments in Russian and Ukrainian history and scholarship. Oxford University Press Oxford University Press
Monday, July 06, 2026
"Today I want to laugh, said my grandson"--then age 8. Visiting Jim Henson's workshop--Smithsonian Magazine.
The work that’s come out of this shop—and its sibling locations in London and Burbank—has so thoroughly shaped the national entertainment landscape that Lintelman calls it “the default American puppet style.” Henson puppets are known for their extraordinarily expressive faces and fuzzy texture, achieved through a process called flocking, wherein the carved foam base is covered in glue and electrostatically charged to attract small fibers. The look is familiar enough to inspire parodies like Avenue Q and such a reliable source of nostalgia that Disney’s most recent attempt at rebooting the Muppets, a one-off Muppet Show revival special that premiered in early February of this year, garnered 7.58 million viewers over its first week on ABC and Disney+.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-peek-inside-jim-hensons-creature-shop-where-sesame-street-characters-and-other-whimsical-puppets-are-designed-180989051/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
For the people who make these puppets, this is no surprise. Henson’s creations, and those of his successors today, teach toddlers to count and children to feel, all while winking at their parents, who grew up with the same characters.
Trawling for Trash as Treasure--from Maine Magazine--
Today, Brooks has his own scrap pile next to his driveway, in Raymond, filled with odds and ends unearthed from roadsides and construction sites and gifted by friends and family. Mostly, he uses its contents to make fish. Since graduating from Maine College of Art and Design (where he finished his bachelor of fine arts), in 2009, Brooks has focused on piscine sculptures. “The thing about fish is they’re so accessible to people,” he says. “Everybody knows they have a tail, fins, a face. And I feel like in between is where I can fill in what I’m thinking creatively at the time.”
Working on the tailgate of his truck, Brooks cobbles the fish together with layered wood scraps, sometimes adding pattern and texture with items such as old cassette tapes and lengths of metal chain. One specimen has a fan-like tail fashioned from the head of a rake. Another has a plastic tricycle wheel for an eye socket. On a tarp in the driveway, he spray-paints his compositions matte black to create a uniform backdrop, then coats them in brilliant shades in his basement workshop. Next, he paints expressive, overlarge eyes—variously conveying sleepiness, surprise, annoyance—and covers the bodies in dizzying polka-dot and striped patterns that loosely suggest scales and gills.
Sunday, July 05, 2026
When Nathan Thompson, now CEO of the Atlantic, spoke kind words of me--
At that time I did not connect the "Thompson" in his name with Scott Thompson who helped us at Free Burma Coalition a great deal.
I'm not that good at outreach or making connections.
I guess I live in a misty world like those wild geese--
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/poetry-myanmar-southeast-asia-globe/
Saturday, July 04, 2026
How Magnesium helps leg cramps--
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How Magnesium Helps with Muscle Cramps
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and relaxation Healthline+1. It helps regulate calcium levels in muscle cells — calcium triggers contraction, while magnesium helps pump calcium back out, allowing the muscle to relax Drugs.com.
Why Magnesium Deficiency Can Cause Cramps
Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) can disrupt this balance, leading to involuntary muscle contractions such as cramps, spasms, and weakness Drugs.com. Deficiency may result from:
Poor diet
Certain medical conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal disorders)
Medications (e.g., diuretics)
Chronic alcohol use Drugs.com
How Magnesium May Help
Supports muscle relaxation: By helping regulate calcium, magnesium prevents prolonged contraction Drugs.com.
Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress: This can ease muscle soreness and improve recovery Verywell Health.
Improves nerve signaling: Ensures proper communication between nerves and muscles Healthline.
May help pregnancy-related cramps: Some studies suggest magnesium can reduce leg cramps during pregnancy, though evidence is mixed Verywell Health+1.
Evidence and Limitations
In people with confirmed magnesium deficiency, supplementation often resolves cramps and weakness Drugs.com.
For cramps without confirmed deficiency, results are mixed — some people report relief, others do not Healthline+1.
Magnesium citrate is often recommended for better absorption and muscle pain relief Health.
Sources of Magnesium
Dietary: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds (pumpkin, chia), legumes, whole grains, avocados, dark chocolate Drugs.com+1.
Supplements: Magnesium oxide, chloride, sulfate, citrate; citrate is more absorbable Health.
Topical: Magnesium chloride (Epsom salt baths) may help some people, though absorption varies Health.
Practical Tips
If you suspect low magnesium, get tested before starting supplements.
Address overall electrolyte balance (potassium, calcium, sodium) alongside magnesium.
For prevention, include magnesium-rich foods in your diet; for acute cramps, try a short magnesium-rich bath or supplement if deficiency is confirmed.
Bottom line: Magnesium helps muscles relax and supports nerve function, so it can be effective for cramps caused by deficiency. For other cramps, evidence is less clear, and results vary by individual Verywell Health+2.
From (what is Leidos--formerly SAIC)
In June 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) paid SAIC US$122 million to create a Virtual Case File (VCF) software system to speed up the sharing of information among agents. But the FBI abandoned VCF when it failed to function adequately. Robert Mueller, FBI Director, testified to a congressional committee, "When SAIC delivered the first product in December 2003 we immediately identified a number of deficiencies – 17 at the outset. That soon cascaded to 50 or more and ultimately to 400 problems with that software ... We were indeed disappointed."[52]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leidos
Friday, July 03, 2026
Thursday, July 02, 2026
3 books to read in July--check online--for summaries and how to buy
1. Sister Helen Prejean: Dead Man walking--also a movie with Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon--
2. Walter Isaacson--Leonardo da Vinci
3. Kai Bird: American Prometheus--also movie Oppenheimer--about development of atmom bomb.
Kaung--7-2-2026
Wednesday, July 01, 2026
In my 3rd year of college at Rangoon University, I didn't take English Literature but went to
Economics--much to the disappointment of U Myo Min--the Department Head.
I remember going to see him and explaining I could read English literature on my own, but for Economics I needed Guidance.
U Myo Min shook his head sadly: "It's not the same."
So I missed Mr.Raymond Adlam's brilliant lectures and sometimes my brother would talk to me about his classes--
Prometheus Unbound, Paradise Lost,Percy Shelley's heart that did not burn,Mary Shelley and Frankenstein--
Mourning becomes Electra, George Bernard Shaw, Pygmalian--
but they were just words in a stew, in chunks as Salman Rushdie might have said.
Adlam left in 1962 after the first coup.
So I never really got around to "reading English Literature on my own," until 1994 when I deposited my Ph.D. dissertation and I felt so empty I immediately started to write rushed summaries of all the stories pent up inside me.
After discussing with my friend Dr.Sharon Ann Yaeger who had TWO doctorates back to back, both in poetry--I took several classes with the Rittenhouse Writers Group
and had my first short Story, published in America in The Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine. Thank you James Rahn and my classmates.
https://www.rittenhousewritersgroup.com/wordpress/
It's been an incredible journey.
Kyi May Kaung
7-1-2026
Percy Bysshe Shelley--a short life--full of death, depression, debt--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley
But he inspired Gandhi.
Amazing.
And with her pathbreaking Frankenstein, his 2nd wife Mary Shelley single-handedly pioneering the whole new genre of science fiction.
Kyi May Kaung
7-1-2026
On my LinkedIn--
Trump viral over small crowds--well--"small crowds" is an oxymoron.
If it's small it's not a crowd.
Small turnout better.
The reporter asked a white couple--the man speechless and seemed to show signs of dementia. The woman did all the talking.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-crowd-size-state-fair-national-mall-250-b3006937.html?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Wow--the real Prometheus.
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Prometheus was a Titan in Greek mythology, known as the god of fire and a master craftsman. He is celebrated for stealing fire from Zeus and giving it to humanity, which enabled progress and civilization. This act of defiance against Zeus led to severe punishment, as he was chained to a mountain where an eagle would eat his liver daily, only for it to regenerate each night Mythology.netMythology.net+2. Additionally, Prometheus is often regarded as a benefactor of mankind, introducing them to various crafts and the art of sacrifice Encyclopedia.comEncyclopedia.com+1.
The book that inspired the movie Oppenheimer took 25 years for
2 authors to write--American Prometheus
https://www.amazon.com/American-Prometheus-Triumph-Tragedy-Oppenheimer/dp/0375726268/ref=asc_df_0375726268?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401998413558&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=91335&hvtargid=pla-4584001476496805&psc=1&hvocijid=14469501715215136700-0375726268-&hvexpln=0
Co-pilot search results #2--read everything from the bottom up
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Chen Ning Yang’s Research and Its Connection to the Atomic Bomb
Chen Ning Yang’s work was not directly about the atomic bomb, but it was deeply connected to the same era of nuclear physics that underpinned both nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. His most famous contribution, made in 1956 with Tsung-Dao Lee, was the discovery that parity (mirror symmetry) is violated in weak interactions Britannica+1. This meant that certain particle decays behave differently in a mirror-reflected universe, a finding that revolutionized particle physics and helped establish that the primary currents in weak interactions are left-handed Institute for Advanced Study+1.
This research was part of the broader post–World War II effort to understand the fundamental forces and particles that govern matter. During the 1940s and 1950s, physicists like Yang were working alongside those involved in nuclear weapons research, as both projects relied on advances in nuclear theory, particle physics, and quantum field theory. For example, Yang’s doctoral work under Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago coincided with Fermi’s own contributions to the Manhattan Project Wikipedia.
While Yang’s own research did not design or build atomic bombs, the theoretical framework he helped develop—especially in particle physics and symmetry principles—was part of the same scientific ecosystem that advanced nuclear science. His work on Yang–Mills theory with Robert Mills in 1954 provided a mathematical foundation for describing forces like the strong nuclear force, which is essential for understanding how nuclei are held together Wikipedia+1. This kind of theoretical work indirectly supported the deeper understanding of nuclear structure and interactions that was critical for both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. In short, Yang’s research was not about the atomic bomb itself, but it was part of the nuclear physics revolution of the mid-20th century, a period when theoretical advances in particle physics and quantum field theory were closely linked to the practical challenges of nuclear science, including weapons development.
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