There may still be one or two people (see previous post) who aren’t clear on who’s the presumptive Deomocratic presidential nominee, but as the graphic below shows, the world at large doesn’t share this confusion.
We’ll save our final congratulations until August and November, but for now let’s acknowledge the historical significance of Barack Obama winning the Democratic presidential primary race.
If you are curious how my original, tepid, support (acknowledgement of the inevitable was more like it) for Hillary evolved into strong support for Obama, a couple of things stand out, beyond his general message of hope and strength and plans to
Barack’s speech on race relations, which acknowledges the real issues facing our country in an honest and adult manner really should be observed in its entirety.
It’s nice to be spoken to as an adult.
The other thing, I have to admit, is a video that came out a couple of months before the aforementioned speech. Yes We Can, simply put, is a inspiring and persuasive musical vision of a world that I grew up in; a time when America was a can-do nation; a time when we lead the world; a time that is within our power, today, as Americans, to bring back to reality.
we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea –
Yes. We. Can.
On February 4th, 2 months before his assassination, Martin Luther King gave a sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The sermon was on the topic of the “Drum Major Instinct”, and deals with how we all, in various ways, are tempted to give in to the temptations of “keeping up with the Joneses,” and the problems associated with such pursuits.
An interesting sermon, to be sure, and worth reading, but the “Drum Major Instinct” is most well known as the source of the eulogy for Martin Luther King. You can read (or listen) to the entire sermon: Drum Major Instinct.
In my own DMI way, I almost began this posting with an observation of how old I feel, given my age when MLK was killed 40 years ago. It’s true, though, so there it is, but this post isn’t about me; it’s about someone whose positive impact on our country’s history is yet to be fully appreciated.
I’ll further note that as I get older, and realize it’s very hard for one person to change the world, it’s actually not too hard to change the world, one person at a time.
Below is the conclusion of the sermon, where he speaks of how he would like to be remembered.
Drum Major Instinct
Every now and then I guess we all think realistically (Yes, sir) about that day when we will be victimized with what is life’s final common denominator–that something that we call death. We all think about it. And every now and then I think about my own death and I think about my own funeral. And I don’t think of it in a morbid sense. And every now and then I ask myself, “What is it that I would want said?” And I leave the word to you this morning.
If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. (Yes) And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize–that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards–that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. (Yes)
I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. (Yes)
I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.
I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. (Amen)
I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. (Yes)
And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. (Yes)
I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. (Lord)
I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. (Yes)
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. (Yes) I won’t have any money to leave behind. I won’t have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. (Amen) And that’s all I want to say.
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,
If I can show somebody he’s traveling wrong,
Then my living will not be in vain.
If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,
If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought,
If I can spread the message as the master taught,
Then my living will not be in vain.
If you thought Easter came earlier than usual this year, you’re right. The last time Easter was celebrated this early was in 1913. And, don’t start planning for the next time Easter occurs this early in the year; it’s highly unlikely any of us will be around in 2160.
So now you’re probably wondering if this is the earliest date on which Easter is observed.
As it turns out, the earliest day Easter is celebrated is the 22nd of March. None of us were around the last time that happened in 1818, and the next time is in 2285!
So now you know. This was the earliest Easter for any of us under the age of 95.
More details are available at the popular urban legend site Snopes.
Update:
I found a couple of sites with a lot more information on the topic of determining the date for Easter: here and here. The wikipedia link revealed an image of a computational aid first used in Sweden back in 1140:
We were looking through old photos last night, and I noticed that this one, of Uncle Rollin and Aunt Adelia, was taken 70 years ago in September of 1937. Looks like they were having fun; presumably the photographer jumped out of the way and wasn’t run over!
The tower in the background is interesting. It appears much too tall for a standard wind mill and I’m pretty sure the large electrical towers that dot the landscape came much later. Please leave a comment if you have any ideas.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. — Thomas Jefferson
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