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WHO AM I

It’s quiz time again. In this one, I have presented clues regarding a person’s identity, and your task is to identify that person. Good luck!

1. I am the wealthiest rapper.

a. Jay Z
b. “Fitty” Cent
c. Dr. Dre
d. Master P

2. I am a film and tv actor. I have appeared in the movie, “Apollo 13,” and the tv series, “The Following.” My first movie was “Animal House.”

a. Kevin Bacon
b. Tim Matheson
c. Elliot Gould
d. Tom Hanks

3. I am the only one of the four presidents whose likeness is sculpted on Mt. Rushmore who served in the 20th century.

a. Franklyn D. Roosevelt
b. Theodore Roosevelt
c. Abraham Lincoln
d. Dwight Eisenhower

4. I am an African American civil rights leader famous for refusing to give up my seat on a bus to a white person. This action triggered a bus boycott in
Alabama.

a. Martin Luther King
b. Medgar Evers
c. Rosa Parks
d. Ella Baker

5. I appeared in several movies such as “Dial M for Murder” and “Rear Window.” I married a prince.

a. Audrey Hepburn
b. Grace Kelly
c. Myrna Loy
d. Ingrid Bergman

6. I was a naval commander for the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. During a sea battle with a British warship, when the British commander demanded my surrender I brazenly declared “I have not yet begun to fight.”

a. Nathanael Greene
b. Stephen Decatur
c. James Clinton
d. John Paul Jones

7. I am an actor. Two of my earliest films were “Encino Man” and “School Ties.”

a. Brendan Fraser
b. Ben Affleck
c. Matt Damon
d. Tom Cruise

8. I was born in Macedonia. I conquered the known world by age 32.

a. Attila the Hun
b. Napoleon
c. Alexander the Great
d. Charlemagne

9. I am generally considered to have been the greatest field commander in Israeli history. I was involved as a soldier or a commander in every Israeli conflict from 1948 to 1982. Also, I served as Prime Minister.

a. Menachem Begin
b. Ariel Sharon
c. Benjamin Netanyahu
d. David Ben Gurion

10. I am an actor, producer and director of films. I appeared in “Tin Cup,” The Bodyguard,” and “Wyatt Earp.” I have won two Academy Awards.

a. Tom Berenger
b. Tom Cruise
c. Kevin Costner
d. Tom Hanks

11. I was an American poet. My most famous poem is “Leaves of Grass.”

a. Walt Whitman
b. Robert Frost
c. e. e cummings
d. Emily Dickinson.

12. I won the gold medal in the floor exercise in women’s gymnastics in the 2012 Olympics.

a. Jordan Wieber
b. Gabby Douglas
c. Kyla Ross
d. Ally Raisman

13. I am known as the “Robber Baron” of the US steel industry.
a. Henry Ford
b. John Rockefeller
c. Andrew Carnegie
d. J. P. Morgan

14. My brother and I formed one of the most famous outlaw gangs in the American west.

a. Jesse James
b. Wyatt Earp
c. Butch Cassidy
d. “Wild Bill” Hickock

15. I have written novels set in Long Island, including “Plum Island” and “The Gold Coast.”

a. John Grisham
b. Nelson De Mille
c. James Patterson
d. Ken Follett

16. I won the gold medal in the decathlon in the 1976 Olympics.
a. Dan O’Brien
b. Bob Richards
c. Bruce Jenner
d. Rafer Johnson

17. The Wall Street Journal has named me “Tv’s Premier Business News Anchor.”

a. Maria Bartiromo
b. David Asman
c. John Stossel
d. Lou Dobbs

18. I was President of the US during WWI.

a. Woodrow Wilson
b. Theodore Roosevelt
c. William Howard Taft
d. Warren Harding

19. I was the longest-reigning English monarch.

a. Henry VIII
b. Elizabeth I
c. Elizabeth II
d. Victoria

20. I was the gangster who reputedly fixed the 1919 World Series.
a. Al Capone
b. “Nucky” Thompson
c. Arnold Rothstein
d. Meyer Lansky

ANSWERS
1. c; 2. a; 3. b; 4. c; 5. b; 6. d; 7. a; 8. c; 9. b; 10. c; 11. a; 12. d; 13. c; 14. a; 15. b; 16. c; 17. d; 18. a; 19. d; 20. c

CONCLUSION

I tried to balance the degree of difficulty of the questions, recognizing that the readers will have widely diverse degrees of expertise about any given topic, but it was not easy. I think if you are knowledgeable about a particular topic, you find the question rather easy, otherwise, not so much.
In any case, good luck! In any case, let me know your score.

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A SALUTE TO VETERANS

On November 12 we will celebrate Veterans Day. To many people, VD is merely a day off from work or a chance to spend time with family or friends. They do not stop to reflect on the significance of the holiday, its history, and the sacrifices endured by millions of people to make it all possible. Like so many things, we tend to take it for granted.

VD originated at the conclusion of WWI, which was the most devastating war up to that time. It lasted from 1914 to 1918. In those pre-WWII days, it was called “The Great War.” There were 37.5 million total casualties on both sides, including 8.5 million people killed. The countries with the largest number of casualties were Germany, Russia and France. The US’s casualties were relatively light, 116,000 killed and 323,000 total casualties, because it joined the war late (1917).

Most people know that the immediate cause of the war was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. However, every war has underlying causes as well. The underlying causes of WW1 had been building for many years. They were:

1. The proliferation of mutual defense treaties. All of the major European powers, Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary were bound by interlocking treaties. This insured that if one of these countries were to go to war all the others would be drawn in as well.

2. Imperialism. This was nothing new. Imperialism had been an issue since the 16th century. In the early 1900s it has risen to a new level. The European powers were all vying for pieces of Africa and Asia, primarily for their raw materials.

3. Militarism. The militaries in each of these countries were aggressive, bold and influential.

4. Nationalism. Various ethnic groups, notably the Slavs in Austria, wanted independence from the imperialist countries that controlled them.

Against this background, it is easy to see how a world war could break out. All that was needed was a spark, and the abovementioned assassination provided it. The principal antagonists were Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire on one side and Great Britain, France, Russia and the US on the other, although the Russians were forced to withdraw in 1917 with the advent of the Russian Revolution.

After four years of fighting, from 1914 to 1918, the combatants were finally able to agree on an armistice. It took effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918. Eventually, it was ratified by the Treaty of Versailles, which was signed June 25, 1919 at the Palace of Versailles. November 11 became known as Armistice Day. In 1919 President Woodrow Wilson made it official by proclamation. Armistice Day was officially changed to VD in 1954.

The “Father of Veterans Day” is a WWII veteran named Raymond Weeks. It was his idea to expand Armistice Day to include all veterans, not just those of WWI, and he became the driving force to effect this change. He petitioned General Dwight Eisenhower, and he led a national celebration every year from 1947 until his death in 1985. President Reagan honored him with the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 at which time he was recognized officially as “The Father of VD.”

VD should not be confused with Memorial Day. VD celebrates the service of ALL military veterans living and dead, while Memorial Day celebrates only those who died in the service of their country.

VD is celebrated in many countries. Celebrations vary. In Canada the holiday is called Remembrance Day. In Great Britain the holiday is known as Remembrance Sunday, and it is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. In both countries as well as in many European countries, the occasion is marked by a moment of silence at 11:00 am. Also, in both Canada and Great Britain some people wear poppies in their lapels as a tribute. Red poppies became a symbol of WW1 after they were featured in the famous poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.

In the US we enjoy parades and other celebrations around the country. Many restaurants and other businesses offer veterans free meals or discounts on various goods and services. Additionally, there is a special ceremony in Washington, DC which features the laying of a wreath at the “Tomb of the Unknowns” at Arlington National Cemetery.

CONCLUSION

So, tomorrow as you enjoy the day take a few minutes to recognize and show respect for the veterans who sacrificed so much in order that the rest of us could enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. If you encounter a veteran, thank him or her for their service. It would mean a great to him or her to be so recognized.

Also, be cognizant of the inadequate medical services we provide our veterans, especially the significant delays in receiving medical care and other benefits. It is truly a national scandal that has received scant attention in the mainstream media and one that needs to be rectified asap. Just take a few minutes out of your day, a little bit of your time to those who have given so much.

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MID-TERM ELECTIONS

Tuesday, the GOP won a resounding victory in the mid-term elections. They gained 14 seats in the House of Representatives to run their total to 243, with 13 races still undecided. More importantly, they gained seven seats in the Senate to give them 52 seats with three races still undecided. Virginia and Alaska are still too close to call and may have recounts. In Louisiana, neither candidate received a majority, so there will be a run-off on December 6, 2014. Regardless of the ultimate results in these three states, the GOP will have a majority in both Houses and will be in position to have a significant impact on legislation.

It should be noted that there were five groundbreaking results on November 4, all of which augur well for the GOP:
1. Elise Stefanik, 30, a conservative Republican from upstate NY near Glens Falls, became the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress.
2. Mia Love, Utah, became the first African-American Republican woman to be elected to Congress.
3. Wisconsin Republican Scott Walker became the first governor to win three elections in a four-year span. He had won his first term in 2010 and a recall election in 2012.
4. Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, became the first African-American to win a Senate race in the South since Reconstruction.
5. Alex Mooney, a Republican, became the first Latino to be elected to Congress in West Virginia history.

My advice to the GOP is not to fall into the trap of believing that Tuesday’s results was a positive referendum on its policies and political positions. To some extent, it was, but it was also a negative vote against President Obama and his policies. After all, the President, himself, had said that his policies were on the ballot even if he wasn’t.

In addition, as usual, turn-out was low, which normally helps the GOP. Moreover, historically, mid-term election turn-out averages only about 40% of eligible voters compared to 50-60% in Presidential elections.

Exit polls showed that the voters are very unhappy with the direction of the country. Many of them, particularly the middle class, are worse off today than they were six years ago. They have seen their income decrease, their expenses increase, and they have not shared in the run-up of the stock market, because relatively few of them own stocks. They are extremely frustrated and dissatisfied with ALL politicians – Mr. Obama, Dems and Republicans. They want a change in direction. Many of them just voted for the “outs” as opposed to the “ins.”

Additionally, the GOP should be mindful of the fact that historically, the nature of mid-term elections has been that the party in power loses ground, particularly in the sixth year of a two-term presidency. To put Tuesday’s results in perspective, in the last 100 years the President’s party has gained seats only five times in the Senate and three times in the House in a mid-term election. Furthermore, the GOP’s seat gains so far, though significant, are not the highest in history. The Dems gained 63 House seats in 2006 (G. W. Bush’s sixth year), and 13 Senate seats in 1958 (Ike’s sixth year). So, the GOP would be wise to proceed carefully in the next two years.

Also, the GOP would be wise to cease being merely the party of “no.” Put forth alternative policies. Coordinate efforts and ideas with the Dems. Bring them under your political umbrella. Try to compromise. The leadership of both parties must reign in their respective fringe elements. No one gets everything he wants. The idea is to pass the best bill that most people can live with. To quote one of my grandson’s teachers: “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.” Pass bills and put them in front of President Obama. Yesterday, he said he was willing to work with the GOP; let’s see if he meant it.
I recommend that Congress start with the easier items. For example, don’t get bogged down on repealing Obamacare, which won’t succeed anyway until and unless there is a GOP President. Cease focusing on divisive issues such as race-baiting, class warfare, and the “war on women.” According to exit polls most voters now see right through those tactics, and they backfired. (Ask Senator Mark Udall, soon to be ex-Senator Udall.) Focus on items that concern the voters the most, such as:

1. The economy/creating jobs
2. Reducing the deficit
3. The Keystone Pipeline
4. Immigration reform (piecemeal, if necessary)
5. Avoiding another government shut-down
6. Avoiding defaults on debt payments

CONCLUSION

This election was a significant victory for the GOP, but I caution them to be careful what you wish for. As I said, prospectively, the GOP will no longer be able to blame the Dems for an underperforming economy, legislative gridlock and failures internationally. Rather than merely complain, they will have to promulgate alternative solutions. They will have to work with the Dems. Hopefully, one or two prominent leaders will emerge who can articulate the GOP’s positions on the issues. The electorate will be watching and holding them equally accountable, along with President Obama and the Dems.

Rather than resting on its laurels the GOP must use this victory as a springboard for capturing the real prize – the Presidency in 2016. I could make a good case that based on recent voting patterns all but five states are already “locked in” to voting either blue or red in 2016. The five states that are up for grabs and will decide the election are Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida and Colorado. Whichever candidate wins most of those will win the election. Both parties must be mindful of the issues that are important to the electorate in those states. Sometimes, the issues are different from state to state. As Tip O’Neill said: ”All politics is local.”

Forewarned is forearmed. The electorate will expect improvement in the state of the nation by 2016, or else it will exact its retribution at the voting booth.

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YAD VASHEM AND THE RIGHTEOUS

What makes someone a hero? Are they born that way, or do circumstances shape the outcome? I maintain that, for the most part, heroes start out as ordinary people like you and me who, under certain circumstances, find the extraordinary courage and determination to do heroic things. So is the case with many of those who have been enshrined in Yad Vashem with the designation of “Righteous Among the Nations.” I will profile a few of these heroes below.

During WWII, at first, many, if not most people were mere bystanders, content to observe the persecution of the Jews and others rather than to speak out or act. We now know that a large majority of Germans were not Nazis, but for various reasons, apathy, fear, or anti-Semitism, they were reluctant or afraid to speak out against them or oppose them in any way. The attitude among the European populace ranged from indifference to outright hostility toward the Jews. The feeling was, so what if their property is confiscated, so what, if they are killed, beaten or transported to “work camps?” It’s not my problem. I’m not Jewish. Many even collaborated in exchange for favors or just out of spite, revenge, prejudice or hatred. As time went on, some regretted their failure to act early on when the Nazis could have been stopped. By then, however, it was too late.

This inaction or apathy calls to mind the famous quote about the pre-WWII German people attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller, an outspoken critic of the Nazis who eventually was imprisoned in a concentration camp. After the war, Niemoller expressed his sincere regret for his inaction. There are various versions of this quote, but the gist of it is the following:

“First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist. Then, they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then, they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then, they came for me… and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

As I said, most of these heroes were just ordinary people who found themselves embroiled in the caldron of war, turmoil, prejudice and hatred sometimes due to happenstance. Sometimes, their heroism was a gradual process. Maybe, at first they were just asked by a Jewish neighbor or friend to hide them for a day or two until more permanent arrangements could be made. Sometimes, that day or two became months or years. Other times, it would be an instant decision made on the spur of the moment. Rescuers lived with the constant fear of being caught in a raid, by their own slip-up, or being turned in by a friend or neighbor. Punishment would be swift and sure – arrest, torture or incarceration of the entire family.

Aid would take various forms:

1. Hiding Jews on their property. This was easier in rural areas where Jews could be concealed in barns, sheds or bunkers. In the cities it might be in attics, cellars or hidden rooms. People were very ingenious. There are even stories of Jews being hidden in cemeteries, zoos and convents.
2. Smuggling. This included helping Jews get to safe havens, such as Switzerland, Sweden or Casablanca.
3. Providing false papers. Examples abound. For example, forgers produced false documents; priests provided fake baptism certificates; light skinned people would pass themselves off as Aryans. We are all familiar with the story of Oskar Schindler, who provided false papers for many of the Jewish workers in his factories.
4. Rescuing children. Many Jewish parents made the heart-wrenching decision to give up their children, placing them with Gentile friends, orphanages or underground organizations, which would then transport them to other countries to increase their chances of survival.

The bravery and ingenuity of these rescuers were astounding. Sadly, many of their identities are unknown as they died during the war or shortly thereafter. Also, not all acts of bravery were successful.

Yad Vashem was established in 1953. The objective was to honor and perpetuate the memory of these heroes. Beginning in 1963 Yad Vashem set out to identify those who had risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Accordingly, the Israeli Government established a special commission to identify these people and examine their credentials to verify their eligibility. Those that were accepted were granted the designation of “Righteous Among the Nations.” The term was taken from Jewish tradition, the literature of the Sages, in which it was used to describe non-Jews who came to the aid of Jews in their time of need. The “Avenue of the Righteous,” where trees were planted to honor these rescuers, was inaugurated on Holocaust Memorial Day in 1962.

To date, over 25,000 people representing 49 countries have been so honored . Some, like Cuba, Egypt and Japan, have only one honoree; others, like Poland, France and the Netherlands, have thousands. The US has four (none of which is Golda Meir, incidentally).

As promised, I will present brief profiles of four honorees. Lois Gundin was a French teacher from Goshin, Indiana. In 1941 she went to work for the Mennonite Central Committee in Southern France. She established a children’s center for both Jews and non-Jews. Over two years, she saved many children. The Germans arrested her in 1943. In 1944 she was released as part of a prisoner exchange.

Waitstill Sharp was a Unitarian minister from Wellesley, MA. His wife, Martha, was a social worker. In 1939 they went to Czechoslovakia to do charitable work for the church. They also helped many Jews escape, including Lion Feuchtwanger, a famous German author who was on the Nazis “hit list.”

Varian Fry was editor of the Foreign Policy Association. In August, 1940 he went to Marseilles on behalf of the Emergency Rescue Committee. His mission was to smuggle refugees out of France. He started with a list of 200 names, but he ended up helping some 15,000 by May, 1941 when the Vichy police raided his office. He was deported to Spain. Sadly, when he returned to the US he was shunned by many of his former friends and colleagues.

Gertruda Babinlinska was born in Starogad, Poland in 1902. When the Nazis invaded she was working as a nanny for the Stolowicki Family in Warsaw. They had a son, Michael and a daughter who died. By happenstance, Mr. Stolowicki was in Paris and was not able to return. In addition, Mrs. Stolowicki was sickly and weak, so Gertruda assumed responsibility for the family. She was the only servant or employee who remained loyal to the family. They made their way to Vilna, Russia, but they were trapped when the Nazis invaded. Subsequently, Mrs. Stolowicki died. Gertruda elected to stay in Vilna during the war. She obtained false papers and a baptismal certificate for Michael that identified him as her nephew. After the war she took him to Israel to fulfil a promise she had made to Mrs. Stolowicki. First, they sailed on the “Exodus,” which, as most of you know, was denied entry to Israel. Subsequently, they spent several years in various displaced persons camps before finally arriving in Israel in 1948. Gertruda remained a devout Catholic the rest of her life; however, she raised Michael in the Jewish faith, again to fulfil a promise to Mrs. Stolowicki. Her life and experiences have been chronicled in a book, entitled “Gertruda’s Oath,” and a movie is in the works.

CONCLUSION

These four stories illustrate the bravery and ingenuity demonstrated by so many people during WWII to rescue Jews. As I said, these were ordinary people, just like you and me, who found themselves thrust into extraordinary situations. Most people just went with the flow, but these and others like them found the courage and determination to rise above and beyond the norm. As a consequence, they deserve to be recognized as truly the “Righteous Among the Nations.” If you’re ever in Israel I strongly recommend you visit Yad Vashem. It is truly an amazing and powerful experience.

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TRICK OR TREAT

On Friday, October 31, many of us will celebrate Halloween. We will dress up in costumes and attend parties. Children will go door-to-door “trick or treating.” Of course, some will use the holiday as an excuse to create mischief or even mayhem, but for most of us it will be a day of fun and games and an opportunity to gorge ourselves on candy.

But, few, if any, of us will bother to stop and think about the origins of the holiday. When and where did it begin? How did it evolve? Why do we dress up in costume? Why do we go “trick or treating?” Glad you asked. Read on.

The origin of Halloween is a Celtic holiday dedicated to the dead. Although the Celts were interspersed in many areas of Europe, they were concentrated in what is now, England, Ireland and Scotland. The Celts divided the year into four sections, each of which was marked by a major holiday. The beginning of the winter season was November 1, which was celebrated by a festival called “Samhein,” pronounced “Sah-ween,” which means “end of summer” in old Irish. The word “Halloween” can be traced back as far as 1745. It means “hallowed evening” or “holy evening.” It is derived from a Scottish term for “All Hallows Eve,” the evening before “All Hallows Day,” aka “All Saints Day.” Over time, the word “evening” was contracted to “e’en,” thus Halloween.

The Celts were a pagan people and very superstitious. They believed that the ghosts of those who had died during the year had not yet completed their journey to the “otherworld,” and at Samhein they were able to mingle with the living. Accordingly, to placate these ghosts and other spirits the Celts offered sacrifices and lit bonfires to aid them on their journey. It has been suggested that the origin of wearing costumes was to disguise oneself from any lost soul that might be seeking vengeance on the living before moving on the next world. Some, believing that the souls of those who had died recently were still wandering in a sort of purgatory set a place for them at dinner. Many of these ancient traditions have persisted to this day.

In 601 Pope Gregory I issued an edict, the gist of which was that missionaries were to combine Christian holidays and festivals with existing pagan holidays and festivals and, hopefully, eventually supersede them. The ultimate objective was to foster the conversion of pagans to Christianity. As a result, All Saints Day, aka All Hallows Day, was moved to November 1 to coincide with Samhein.

By the end of the 12th century other Halloween traditions had developed. For example, the clergy would ring church bells for the souls stuck in purgatory; and “criers,” dressed in black, would parade through towns reminding the citizens to remember these poor souls. In about the 15th century people began to bake “soul cakes,” which are small round cakes, a practice called “souling,” which is believed to be a forerunner of “trick or treating.” Poor people would go door-to-door and collect these cakes in exchange for saying prayers for the dead. Interestingly, Shakespeare mentioned “souling” in The Two Gentlemen of Varona” in 1593. Over time, celebrations of All Hallows Day began to include additional customs, such as “trick or treating,” lighting bonfires, attending costume parties, carving “jack-o’-lanterns, apple “bobbing,” and attending church services.

As mentioned above, it is believed that the practice of “trick-or-treating” was derived from “souling” or “mumming,” which is going house-to-house in disguise singing songs in exchange for food. This was believed to have originated in Scotland and Wales in the 16th century. Sometimes people would paint their faces and threaten mischief if they were not welcomed. This evolved into the customs of wearing costumes and playing pranks. Nocturnal pranksters needed illumination, hence the development of jack-o-lanterns. In England, people would fashion them out of turnips or mangel wurzels, which are large, thick roots suitable for carving. In America, pumpkins were used, because they were plentiful and better suited for carving anyway. Jack-o-lanterns are believed to frighten evil spirits. In France, people believed that the dead buried in cemeteries would rise up and participate in a wild carnival-like celebration known as the “danse macabre.”

“Trick or treating,” as such, is a relatively modern development. As I said, it is believed to have evolved from “souling” or “mumming.” The earliest mention of it in print was in 1927, and it did not become widespread until the 1930s in the US. Also, costuming has evolved. Popular fictional characters have been added to the traditional skeletons, ghosts and ghouls. Basically, now, anything goes.

CONCLUSION

At the present time, Halloween, like other holidays, has become highly commercialized. Selling costumes and other related paraphernalia has become big business. The original religious significance of the holiday has been eclipsed and forgotten by most people. Yes, some people still attend church, but many more attend parties. Many if not most people, especially children, know Halloween merely as a day to dress in costumes and go “trick or treating.” We do love our candy.
Hopefully, after reading this blog you will have gained some knowledge of and perspective as to the origin and meaning of the holiday.

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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

If I were to ask you to name the most popular sport in the US most of you would answer football, and statistically, you would be correct. According to a recent poll published by Yahoo sports, football is the sport most watched on tv in the US followed by baseball. There are many reasons for this, which I won’t get into as they are outside the scope of this blog. But, if I were to ask you which sport is the essence of America, is woven inextricably into the fabric of American lore, is part of our soul, chances are you would say baseball. Who doesn’t remember, as a young boy or girl, that first game of “catch” with their father or attending their first baseball game. I, for one, have better recall of a World Series game I attended with my father in 1955 than I do of things I did yesterday. So, at this time of the year with the World Series in progress, I feel it is appropriate to blog about our “National Pastime,” baseball. The focus of this blog will be on the origins of the sport.

Until recently, the widely held belief was that baseball was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, NY in 1839. This myth appears to have originated in 1905. Apparently, at the time there was some controversy as to whether the sport, which had become known as the “American Pastime” had originated in the US or had been descended from an English game called “rounders.” Influential baseball people, such as Abraham Mills, the President of the National League, and Albert Spalding, the President of the Chicago Cubs, formed a commission to research and study the matter. Mills and Spalding had a great stake in the Commission deciding that the game had originated in the US, and they packed the Commission with persons who agreed with them. Predictably, the Commission determined that baseball had, in fact, originated in the US and was not related to or descended from the English game of “rounders” or any other game. Furthermore, the Commission promulgated the myth that Abner Doubleday had invented the game. Supposedly, in 1839 he had a “eureka” moment. In a flash, he laid out the diamond and set forth the rules. The first game was said to have been played in Cooperstown, NY in 1839. This story held sway for many years despite considerable evidence to the contrary.

Abner Doubleday was born on June 26, 1819 in Ballston Spa, NY. He was a career US Army officer who had fought in the Civil War. There is no record that he ever claimed to have invented baseball. Furthermore, neither his private letters, his diaries nor even his obituary so much as mentioned the game. He was not even in Cooperstown in 1839. He was stationed at West Point. Although I can see how the Mills Commission could want to claim that baseball was invented in America by an American, it is unclear how it came up with the name Abner Doubleday. It could be that the Commission relied on a certain witness, one Abner Graves, whose credibility was, to put it mildly, questionable. Another theory is that Abner Doubleday was confused with another Doubleday who was living in Cooperstown at the time. In any event, at the time the myth was accepted as truth.

Now, thanks to continuing research, we know better. It is clear that baseball evolved over hundreds of years from other bat and ball games, rather than from a “eureka” moment. For example, a French manuscript from 1344 depicts French clerics playing a game with similarities to baseball. In addition, for many years the English played various games called “rounders,” “tut-ball,”and “stoolball,” which exhibit similarities to baseball. Some sports historians believe “cricket” may also have descended from those games, although there is contrary evidence that suggests it may been imported from Flanders. In any event, by the 1830s many varieties of bat and ball games were being played in America.

Most sports historians credit Alexander Cartwright with promulgating the first rules of the game in 1845. Cartwright was born on April 17, 1820 in NYC. In the 1840’s He was a volunteer fireman with the Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company in NYC. At that time, they were playing an informal bat and ball game called “town ball.” With the help of others, he codified some 14 rules of the game. For example, he stipulated that the field be laid out in a diamond shape; there were nine fielders and three outs per inning. He has long been recognized as the “father of baseball” and was officially designated as such by Congress in 1953. He was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1938, 46 years after his death. Furthermore, it is believed that the first officially recorded game was played on June 19, 1846 at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, NJ. Some of the early rules were weeded out over time, to wit:

1. One of the ways to record an “out” was for a fielder to throw at and hit a runner with the batted ball.

2. The ball was required to be pitched underhanded.

3. A batted ball caught on a bounce was an “out.”

4. Fielders did not wear gloves.

5. Foul balls were not counted as strikes.

Baseball’s “modern era” began in 1901 when the American League was formed to join the National League, which been established in 1876. Most baseball records are counted from 1901. The oldest professional team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings, which was formed in 1869 and went undefeated that year playing against semi-pro and amateur teams.

At first, there were no prohibitions against blacks playing. In fact two brothers, Moses and Welday Walker did play in 1884. But, by the 1890’s due to a “gentlemen’s agreement” among the owners, blacks were effectively barred. This ban continued until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1946 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

CONCLUSION

Modern day baseball has some flaws, which need to be tweaked. The pace is too slow, the games are too long, and many believe the game is not as exciting as other sports. It has been usurped as the #1 sport in America by football. On the other hand, it has many plusses:

1. Baseball is the only sport with an official song, which is sung at every game. “Take me out to the Ballgame” was written in 1908 by Jack Norworth and Albert Van Tilzer, who, ironically, had never attended a game prior to writing the song. It was not sung at a ball game until 1934. The version we all sing is merely the chorus. (Incidentally, crackerjacks may own its very survival to the song. Have you ever eaten them other than at a ball game?)

2. It is highly statistical, which enables fans to compare the abilities of current players with those who played 50 or 100 years ago with some reliability.

3. Its records have more meaning and familiarity than those of other sports. Most fans know who has the lifetime hits record, Pete Rose, who had the highest lifetime batting average, Ty Cobb, who hit the most home runs, Barry Bonds, and who has won the most World Series, the Yankees. Conversely how many fans know who holds the NFL rushing record, who has won the most Super Bowls, or who led the NBA in scoring last year. Does anyone even care?

4. Baseball is the only sport without a time clock, so the trailing team always has a chance to come back. At some point in a football or basketball game it becomes obvious that the clock will run out on the losing team. But, in baseball the losing team will always get its “last licks.” You have not won until the last out has been recorded. Just ask the 1986 Boston Red Sox.

5. Baseball connotes nostalgia. We associate it with our youth. After all, the movie, “Field of Dreams” was not about football.

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BARBARY PIRATES

Every once in a while one of my followers requests that I publish a blog on a particular topic. So, Michael, my friend, this one’s for you.

The Barbary pirates, aka Barbary corsairs, operated primarily in the western Mediterranean Sea, however, on occasion, they ranged as far as Iceland and South America. Their primary bases of operation were the ports of Tripoli, Algiers and Tunis, which, collectively, were known as the Barbary Coast. Piracy in the Mediterranean can be traced back to the Emirate of Crete in the 9th century, but its peak was from the 16th to early 19th centuries. The pirates would not only hijack ships but they would also raid coastal towns ala the Vikings of earlier times. The main purpose of these raids was to capture Christians who would either be held for ransom, sold to the Ottomans as slaves, or retained as galley slaves on pirate ships. Basically, galley slaves were subjected to a horrendous existence. They were chained virtually permanently to their seats, received very little rest or sustenance, and were worked to death in a relatively short period of time.

Normally, the money for ransoms was paid by church groups or wealthy individuals. It seems to have operated as a type of business arrangement – the corsairs would capture individuals and sell them back at a certain price. One can see parallels to how the Somali pirates of present day operate. These raids of coastal areas, known as “Razzias,” had a secondary consequence, which was that coastal areas of Italy and Spain, among others, became abandoned as people were afraid to live in those areas. During the aforementioned peak period, it is estimated that as many as 1.2 million people were captured and sold into slavery. During much of this period the pirates operated, for the most part, with little organized opposition as the European powers had not yet developed naval power sufficient to oppose them. European military forces consisted primarily of mercenaries, not professional, well-trained, soldiers.

Interestingly, not all the pirates were Muslims or North Africans as one might assume. For example, about two-thirds of their ships captains were Europeans, no doubt motivated by financial gain, who had “taken the turban.” The pirates’ power began to wane at the end of the 17th century when countries such as England, France, Spain and Portugal developed their navies into effective fighting forces. It took another blow when the US defeated them in the Barbary Wars; it ceased for good when France conquered Algiers in 1830.

Until the American colonies won their independence from England their shipping was protected under the umbrella of the British, who, like other European powers, had negotiated a treaty with the pirates. Typically, these treaties required the payment of tribute in return for safe passage. Reasonable tributes were regarded as merely a cost of doing business. One of the unintended consequences of independence was the termination of this protection. Ironically, Morocco, which had been the first nation to officially recognize the US as an independent country also became the first to seize an American ship. Eventually, the US negotiated a treaty of its own, but the cost of tribute and ransoms was exorbitant. As a fledgling nation, America’s financial resources were limited. In 1800 the amount of tribute and ransom paid amounted to 20% of the US government’s expenditures. This was unsustainable. Something had to be done.

Many politicians were vehemently opposed to paying this onerous tribute. Among the most outspoken was Thomas Jefferson. He had firsthand experience as during the 1790s he was often involved in negotiating the release of prisoners. He firmly believed that paying tribute and ransoms only encouraged further hijackings. (If this sounds familiar, it should, as this was likely the foundation of our policy of not negotiating with terrorists.) Around this time the US began to develop a navy to deal with the pirates as well as to protect its national interests on the high seas.

When Jefferson took office as President in 1801 he decided to cease these payments. This decision led to two Barbary Wars, 1801 – 1805 and 1815. The pasha of Tripoli declared war on the US in May of 1801. In response, Jefferson sent a fleet to the area. At first this show of force calmed things down, but things accelerated again when one of the ships ran aground, and the pirates captured its crew. That led to armed conflict. Eventually, the US marines landed in Tripoli and captured the port. This battle was the genesis of the line in the Marine hymn with which we are all familiar – “from the halls of Montezuma to the shore of Tripoli.” As a result of this victory a new pasha was installed who was friendly to the US. As a symbol of this victory, the new pasha presented the American naval commander with a special sword called a “Mameluke,” which is named for North African warriors. The “Mamaluke” became the model for the Marines’ dress sword. It is still in use today. The victory at Tripoli marked the end of the first Barbary War. Incidentally, two young officers and soon-to-be-famous naval leaders whom you may have heard of distinguished themselves in this war – Stephen Decatur and William Bainbridge. They both went on to long, distinguished naval careers.

The second war began after the conclusion of the War of 1812. The Dey of Algiers, believing that the US was now considerably weakened, declared war. In response, the US promptly sent a fleet under the command of Decatur and Bainbridge to the area. The fleet defeated the pirates quickly and decisively. This led to a new treaty and the end of the pirate attacks on US shipping permanently. As mentioned above, the pirates’ power ended soon afterwards when France conquered Algiers and established colonies in North Africa.

CONCLUSION

The Barbary Wars marked the first time that the US asserted itself on the world stage. The prompt response and decisive victories served notice that the US was to be respected. I believe that establishing itself in this manner was critical for the young fledgling nation.

In my opinion, we can learn a lesson from this that can be applied to today’s terrorists. It sounds trite, but it’s true. Deal with them promptly and decisively and from strength, not weakness. History has demonstrated this time and again. Compare and contrast our success/failure in WWII with that of Viet Nam and the Barbary pirates with ISIS and other Muslim terrorists. It doesn’t take a genius to see which approach is more effective.

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EBOLA

Ebola is a relatively new disease. It was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, there have been several outbreaks of the disease, however, until now the disease has been confined to Africa (although there have been a few deaths elsewhere due to contamination in laboratories). It is believed that “patient zero” of a particular outbreak catches the virus from contact with bat detritus.

The current outbreak is the largest and most dangerous ever, based on the number of cases and the geographic areas affected. Although the primary affected area is West Africa – Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria – it has spread to other locales, such as the US and Spain. The CDC, WHO and other relief agencies have been working diligently to contain the disease, but heretofore, it appears they are playing catch-up. WHO has warned that within two months West Africa could be facing up to 10,000 cases a week. Even worse, the death rate has been approximately 70%. I repeat, 70%, although part of that is due to the relatively primitive level of healthcare in West Africa. (In some areas, patients still consult witch doctors for medical issues.) Although comparisons could be misleading, by contrast the death rate during the Flu Pandemic in 1918, which caused widespread panic and killed an estimated 30 – 50 million people worldwide, was only 2%; in the 14th century, the so-called Black Death pandemic killed over 100 million people in Europe, which was about 1/3 of its population at the time.

Some facts and figures about Ebola and the current outbreak:

1. There is no FDA-approved vaccine or medication for it.

2. Treatment consists primarily of providing fluids intravenously, careful monitoring of blood pressure and oxygen levels, and treating any ancillary infections that may occur. These are not actual cures per se, but they serve to keep the patient alive until his body can develop its own antibodies to fight off the disease.

3. As always, early detection and strong supportive care are critical. All of the above are generally lacking in West Africa.

4. Survivors of the disease develop antibodies that last for at least ten years, although it is not known whether or not they can subsequently be infected with another strain of the disease prospectively. Additionally, some survivors have been known to develop other medical problems, such as joint or vision problems.

5. On the plus side, a blood transfusion from a survivor can be an effective treatment for a new patient. In point of fact, in Dallas one of the infected nurses is receiving such a transfusion.

6. Medical professionals have cautioned against panic, stating that Ebola can only be transmitted through direct contact. I agree that we should refrain from panicking, but there are many ways one can become infected, some of which one might not realize.

a. “Direct contact” includes not only means one would expect, such as touching the blood, semen, urine, saliva, sweat, vomit, feces and breast milk of an infected person, but also if an infected person sneezes or coughs on you.

b. The virus can survive in the open for several hours, if not days. Thus, it can be transmitted by a handshake, stepping in a puddle, or touching a dry surface, such as a door knob, needles, clothing or bedding. Family members and healthcare providers are at the greatest risk. Transmission on an airplane certainly seems plausible, though not likely. Furthermore, it is more than a little disconcerting that nurses have caught the disease despite wearing protective gear.

7. Speaking of airplane flights, it has been proposed that the US suspend all flights from West African nations and deny entry to any persons holding passports or visas from a West African country at least until the situation is under control. This would insulate Americans better and alleviate health concerns. I am in favor of this. I think it is unrealistic to expect untrained airport and airline personnel to be capable of screening passengers for Ebola symptoms. It is dangerous for the screeners and creates a false sense of security for the public.

CONCLUSION

The CDC and US government must step up their game. The CDC appears to have been caught off-guard by the severity of this outbreak and is still playing catch-up. They must be honest with the American people. CDC Director Tom Frieden’s conflicting and illogical justifications for not suspending flights from infected areas have not exactly inspired confidence. Most people are in favor of suspending flights from infected areas or at least quarantining them. There is precedent for that (Ellis Island).

Many people have sensed that Frieden is presenting an overly optimistic or even unrealistic picture of the situation. I understand the government doesn’t want to create panic, but don’t sugarcoat it either. Polls show that about half the people believe the government is withholding information, and it makes them uneasy.

The present Ebola outbreak is definitely the most severe since the disease was first discovered in 1976. It has the potential to become as devastating as the Flu Pandemic of 1918, however, through modern healthcare facilities and techniques we have the means to contain it. Literally, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies here. The key is prompt, comprehensive and decisive action.

The situation remains very fluid. I will provide updates when, as and if necessary.

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COLUMBUS DAY

Columbus Day was celebrated on October 12 as it is every year on that date. The purpose of the holiday is to commemorate Columbus’ “discovery” of America in 1492 (more on that later). In addition, Italian-Americans observe the holiday as a means of celebrating their proud heritage. The holiday is celebrated in various forms in most, but not all, of the States and in many foreign countries as well.

The roots of the holiday can be traced back at least to 1792 when various cities, such as NYC, celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. Other celebrations were held in succeeding years. For the most part, these celebrations took on patriotic themes, such as nationalism, good citizenship and even support for wars. The first state to recognize Columbus Day as a holiday was Colorado in 1906. This was largely due to the lobbying efforts of one Angelo Noce, a first generation Italian-American living in Denver. It became recognized as a federal holiday in 1937, through the strong and persistent lobbying efforts of the Knights of Columbus and other Italian-American organizations.

As I alluded to above, Columbus Day is not celebrated universally in the US. The methods of celebration vary widely. Most states, such as NY and California, treat it as a major holiday. Schools and state office buildings are closed; there are parades and other official events. Other states mark the day merely as a “Day of Observance.” Virginia combines two celebrations on the same day – Columbus Day and Yorktown Victory Day, which recognizes the decisive victory that marked the end of the Revolutionary War. Four states – Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon and South Dakota – do not celebrate it at all. Hawaii celebrates the Polynesian discovery of Hawaii on that day, but it is not an official state holiday. Government offices and schools are open. South Dakota celebrates “Native American Day.”

Throughout the years there have been various protests surrounding the day. In the 1800s there was an anti-Columbus Day movement based upon its association with immigrants and Catholics in general and the Knights of Columbus, in particular. Those biases were prevalent in those pre-politically correct days. In present day, opposition is based primarily on Columbus’ harsh treatment of Native Americans. He has been labeled as an unsavory character and an opportunist. Furthermore, he has been accused of introducing slavery and disease to the indigenous populace. In general, many historians have a somewhat negative view of Columbus.

There are many myths and exaggerations surrounding Columbus and his famous voyage of discovery. Here are the facts as close as I was able to discern them:

1. Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. He was not Spanish, as many assume.

2. The main purpose of his voyage was to discover a western route to Asia. He was convinced one could reach Asia by sailing west. It wasn’t so much to prove the world was round instead of flat as by 1492 most astronomers, scholars and educated people recognized that it was. In point of fact, Aristotle had proven this concept scientifically over 1,000 years before by using astronomy. Trade with Asia was very lucrative. The only known routes were either sailing around the Cape of Good Hope or travelling overland, both of which were long, arduous and dangerous. If he could, in fact, find a faster alternate route, so much the better. Literally, time was money.

3. Columbus had great difficulty finding backers for his venture. Before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella agreed to finance his venture, he was turned down by many others, including the governments of England, France and Portugal. Potential financial backers were quite skeptical of Columbus’ proposal. For one thing, the conventional wisdom of the day was that the earth was much larger than Columbus thought, and, of course, the experts were correct.

4. The “Nina and the “Pinta” were not the actual names of two of his ships. In those days it was customary to name ships after saints. Often, the sailors would rename them with nicknames. So, for example, the actual name of the Nina” was the “Santa Clara.” “Nina” referred to the ships owner, Juan Nino. The name Pinta was slang for “prostitute.”

5. Columbus was not the first European to set foot in the Americas. It has been well documented that the Viking, Leif Ericsson, landed in what is now Newfoundland in about the year 1,000. Furthermore, there is evidence that Irish and Celtic explorers may also have preceded him, and, of course, many thousands of years before even them Asians had trekked across the Bearing Strait to settle the Americas.

6. Columbus never did accomplish the primary objectives of his mission. He never found the Northwest Passage to Asia. In fact, Columbus did not even set foot in North America. In his maiden voyage he landed on the West Caribbean island of Hispaniola (present day Haiti). He thought he was in India, so he called the natives “Indians,” an appellation that has stuck. On subsequent voyages he landed on other Caribbean islands and in what is present-day Venezuela, never North America. It’s true that navigation in the 15th Century was far from an exact science, but nevertheless Columbus was nowhere near where he thought he was. (I suppose he could have used a GPS.)

CONCLUSION

Unlike other holidays, Columbus Day is not universally celebrated. In fact, one can argue that it was founded due to the intense lobbying efforts of Italian-Americans and other interested parties. As far as Columbus, himself, is concerned, his “discoveries” certainly paved the way for opening up the New World to European exploration and settlement (some would say exploitation). He deserves credit for that. But, present-day evidence shows conclusively that he did not actually “discover” anything. One might say he had a good press agent. I’m not trying to “trash” the man, but facts are facts.

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SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD PAKISTANI WINS NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Finally, a feel good news story! Amid all the bad news and turmoil in the world nowadays, Ebola, ISIS beheadings, Middle East strife, nuclear proliferation, and economic uncertainty, to name a few, how uplifting is it to find a positive, uplifting news story?

Seventeen year old Malala Yousafzai, a human rights and women’s activist from Pakistan, has been chosen as the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014, sharing it with Lailash Satyarthi, a children’s rights activist from India. (There is a certain symmetry and irony in a Muslim from Pakistan and a Hindu from India sharing a Nobel Peace Prize, don’t you think?) Yousafzai is the youngest winner of this award in its 114 year history. As mandated by Alfred Nobel’s will the peace prize is awarded annually to those persons or entities that have “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

The Nobel Prizes were established and authorized by the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swede who was a well-known inventor, engineer, chemist and arms manufacturer. Among the more famous of his over 300 inventions were cordite and dynamite. These inventions made him an extremely wealthy man. Interestingly, by some quirk Nobel was able to read his own obituary. His brother had predeceased him, and apparently, at least one newspaper, thinking Alfred had died, published a rather unflattering obituary in which he was described as the “merchant of death.” Supposedly, Alfred was so taken aback by this unflattering characterization he decided to change his will and use his fortune for some good. One of these changes was the establishment of the Nobel Prizes. Alfred died for real in 1896, and the first Nobel Prizes were awarded according to his will’s specifications in 1901. Without boring you with the details there is a lengthy nomination process, which takes several months to complete. The entire process, including the nominated names or entities, is kept sealed for 50 years. Not even the nominees are aware that they have been nominated. The winners are announced in October. For some reason the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, while the others, for chemistry, economics, medicine, and physics, are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.

In order to appreciate fully the magnitude of this astounding achievement one must delve into Malala’s life story and background. Malala was born on July 12, 1997 in Minora, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan. The area in which she lived was under the domination of the Taliban, which, as we know, strongly believes in suppressing women’s rights and has not hesitated to use force to achieve this goal. In February 2009 the Taliban began enforcing a ban on young women attending school in the area. They reinforced this ban by simply destroying the schools. In response, Malala’s father began to home-school her. Later in 2009, at the tender age of eleven, Malala began writing a blog for the BBC describing life under the thumb of the Taliban. One of the primary themes of her blog was to promote education of young women in the Swat district, where she lived. Even though she had used a pseudonym, apparently the Taliban eventually figured out her identity. First, she received death threats. These were published on Facebook and in newspapers and even slipped under her door. When that didn’t work, the Taliban leadership voted formally to assassinate her. Folks, just think. We’re talking about an 11 year-old girl! Finally, in 2012 a Taliban gunman boarded her school bus, seeking her by name. Once she identified herself, the gunman shot her three times and left her for dead. The assassination attempt backfired, however, as she recovered. All it did was raise her profile and trigger an outpouring of support for her and her cause internationally. To wit:

1. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, protests sprang up all over Pakistan.

2. In excess of two million people signed a petition supporting the “Right to Education” bill, which eventually was passed.

3. The Pakistani government offered a 10 million Rupee (US$105,000) reward for information leading to the arrest of the would-be assassin. In due course the assassin and all members of the conspiracy were captured.

4. Time magazine featured her on the cover of its April 29, 2013 issue and in that same issue named her one “100 Most Influential People in the World.”

5. In July 2013 she addressed the UN to speak out for greater access for females to education worldwide.

6. In September 2013 she was the key speaker at the opening of the Library of Birmingham, England. She has also spoken at Harvard and met with both Queen Elizabeth and President Obama.

7. She was the winner of Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize.

8. And, of course, the big one – she is co-winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

CONCLUSION

Like I said at the outset this is a real feel-good story. From humble beginnings, a young woman, a child, really, has led a movement, survived assassination by terrorists, met with world leaders and received the Nobel Peace Prize. If this were a Hollywood movie, we would deride it as unrealistic. A truly amazing story, and an inspiration to us all.

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