Prof. Boerner's Explorations

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GLB

by Gerald Boerner

Before the settlement of the Jamestown colony and the landing of the landing of the Pilgrams at Plymouth Rock we can see many voyages of discovery. The Spanish were on the forefront, but the English were represented by Henry Hudson and his ship, the Halve Maen (Half Moon), was exploring the New York harbor and the fiver that would become the Hudson River. He also sailed into what is now Hudson Bay in search of the mythical Northwest Passage.

He was responsible for mapping the area and providing the grounds for the British to claim much of the eastern coast of North America for England. His voyages were followed by those brave souls who would settle in and tame this wild land.

Join us in this investigation of the essential history of these travels that opened up new horizons for European settlement, especially for groups seeking religious freedom.  GLB

[ 2386 Words ]

“A sea setting us upon the ice has brought us close to danger.”
— Henry Hudson

“This land may be profitable to those that will adventure it.”
— Henry Hudson

“You cannot fly like an eagle with the wings of a wren.”
— Henry Hudson

“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.”
— Frank Borman

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by Gerald Boerner

The colonial militia began their long struggle for freedom against their British overlords in 1775. These patriots were untrained, poorly armed, and not any match to the most powerful army of the day — the British Red Coats. But through the efforts of these hardy souls and the leadership of a group of Founding Fathers, the Continental Army took shape and grew into an effective fighting force.

Lead by the future President of the nation, George Washington, these troops became a worthy opponent. They won some battles, but more importantly they avoided devastating defeat. They survived the freezing winter in Valley Forge. During that time, a Frenchman (Lafayette) and a German (von Steuben) joined the colonists and helped bring order and discipline to the troops.

The British were outmaneuvered on the battlefield. The traditional European battle tactics didn’t work against the guerrilla tactics of the colonists. There was also an effective communication system among the thirteen colonies so they were able to prepare for the British strategies. Finally, The British were trapped at Yorktown by both the ground forces and the French Navy which had come to the aid of the colonists.

After that pivotal battle, negotiations took place in Paris with John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin representing the Americans. The Treaty of Paris of 1783 brought the conflict brought this war to an end.

This posting looks at this document in some depth. Enjoy and learn from it.  GLB

[ 2199 Words ]

“No treaty is ever an impediment to a cheat.”
— Sophocles

“Regarding the Panama Canal Treaty negotiations, they will find us standing up or dead, but never on our knees; NEVER!”
— Omar Torrijos Herrera

“Kyoto was a flawed process. There isn’t one industrialized country around the world that has ratified that treaty, and so that is a non-starter.”
— Andrew Card

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by Gerald Boerner

Many of our Presidents have been involved in our country’s wars. Of course, the name of George Washington comes to mind as does Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Many have served in the role of commander-in-chief like Franklin D. Roosevelt. But only one has been a Naval Pilot — George H.W. Bush.

Bush participated in 58 attack missions and was shot down once. He was rescued by one of our submarines; he spent a couple of months on that submarine before being returned to his carrier. This experience prepared him for the use of our air power and airborne troops when he launched the first Gulf War.

Beyond the scope of this post, Bush served as a Congressman, Envoy to China, UN Ambassador, Head of the CIA, and Vice President before becoming the 41st President. Since completing his term, he has served, with former President Bill Clinton, as a good will Ambassador during periods of need around the world.

Enjoy the read.  GLB

[ 2213 Words ]

“I think I’d be a better president because I was in combat.”
— George H.W. Bush

“Gulf Lesson One is the value of airpower.”
— George H.W. Bush

“I am not one who – who flamboyantly believes in throwing a lot of words around.”
— George H.W. Bush

“I can tell you this: If I’m ever in a position to call the shots, I’m not going to rush to send somebody else’s kids into a war.”
— George H.W. Bush

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by Gerald Boerner

In elementary school, we all got excited about the romantic trips taken by the pioneers across the prairies to settle in the new lands to the west. We heard about the wagon trains that traversed the open spaces in much the same manner as streams of tourists now travel by large motor homes on the Interstate Highway System. However, that is an idealized view.

Real pioneers traveled in much less luxurious vehicles. In most cases, they traveled in wagons covered by a single layer of canvas stretched across a series of bows. The wagon held all the family’s personal belongings, foot and also served as their sleeping quarters. These wagons were generally pulled by oxen and moved slowly across the trail. Threats to safety were multitude.

There were hostile Native Americans whose land these settlers were taking. Then there were the wild animals and snakes which proved deadly to many. Then there were outlaws and abusive companions to worry about. And, in the worst case scenario, they may be left to make their own way if their wagon broke down. Not a pretty

The settlers did continue to stream across the land. They used the two most established trails: the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail. Today we look at the opening up of the Santa Fe Trail, which served mainly the tradesmen in the beginning. But when extended past the Arizona and Nevada deserts, the settlers also jointed in this migration.

Let us celebrate this milestone — the opening of the Santa Fe Trail.  GLB

[ 2384 Words ]

“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road.”
— Henry Ward Beecher

“At this late hour a wagon has been procured, and I have had it filled with plate and the most valuable portable articles, belonging to the house.”
— Dolley Madison

“Everything from the little house was in the wagon, except the beds and tables and chairs. They did not need to take these, because Pa could always make new ones.”
— Laura Ingalls Wilder

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by Gerald Boerner

Our country is known for its support of science and technology. The Internet and its technologies were developed in this country. While the World Wide Web was originated by Tim Berner-Lee while working at CERN (Switzerland), much of the advances that made it popular, e.g., the graphical web browser, were developed in this country.

We have institutionalized science, from the Smithsonian Institute to NIH to NASA. This support for science started in 1842 when the United States Naval Observatory was founded. This, like other governmental science panels, were initially created to support military operations.

An observatory was invaluable in the early 19th century when much of the navigation on ships, including the naval fleet, was done by celestial navigation. A careful study of the skies would enhance the Navy’s navigation around the world. As the light pollution around Washington, D.C., increased, a branch site was developed in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1955.

Please take a few minutes to gain an enhanced awareness of this agency and its work.  GLB

[ 2287 Words ]

“The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope.”
— Henry Ward Beecher

“Where there is an observatory and a telescope, we expect that any eyes will see new worlds at once.”
— Henry David Thoreau

“I was, I remember, I still remember when the first time I pointed the telescope at the sky and I saw Saturn with the rings. It was a beautiful image.”
— Umberto Guidoni

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by Gerald Boerner

The men and women who sit on the Supreme Court of our great nation are the final arbiters of what the U.S. Constitution means. They become the interpreters of that special document that set our country apart from any other at the time of its founding. This began in the first version of that court led by John Jay.

In modern times, the role of the high court performed the role of determining when laws passed by the U.S. Congress was consistent with the guidelines written into the constitution. This became more important during the 20th century when social change had accelerated. But a court populated by only by elderly, conservative, white men. It was not until the decade of radical social change, the 1960s, that a minority was appointed to that court.

In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated an outstanding African American lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, to become the first minority justice. Marshall had been the lawyer for the NAACP and had been active in the fight against the “Separate But Equal” decision of a previous court. These experiences prepared him well to become the ground-breaking member of the high court.

He served his country with distinction until his death in 1993. As both a social advocate lawyer and a high court jurist, Thurgood Marshall served his country and race well. He set a standard for later jurist to strive for.  GLB

[ 3162 Words ]

“What is the quality of your intent?”
— Thurgood Marshall

“Ending racial discrimination in jury selection can be accomplished only by eliminating peremptory challenges entirely.”
— Thurgood Marshall

“I have a lifetime appointment and I intend to serve it. I expect to die at 110, shot by a jealous husband.”
— Thurgood Marshall

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by Gerald Boerner

Florida and the Gulf Coast are used to Hurricanes. Each year they expect to receive their share, but, since most are relatively “benign”, they are taken in stride. However, every so often “super-storms” are generated by the weather systems in the mid-Atlantic. These hit land with forces that cause major destruction and loss of life.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina was one of those super-storms. It not only made land fall in Florida, but as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico, it gained considerable strength before hitting the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Especially hard hit was the storied city of New Orleans.

This city suffered from being in the direct path of the storm’s center as well as from it location in the lowlands between the Mississippi Rivers and Lake Pontchartrain. It is protected by a series of levees built and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Unfortunately, these levees did not hold and the city was under water.

FEMA, the federal agency responsible for responding to disasters like this failed to act in a timely manner. Much finger pointing has occurred and ill-feelings are wide spread.

Let’s hope that the Hurricane Katrina experience will help prevent such disasters in the future.  GLB

[ 3297 Words ]

“Along with you, I have witnessed the unfortunate rise in gasoline prices that has accompanied the summer driving season and the more recent spike in prices due to Hurricane Katrina.”
— Bob Ney

“As everyone in Louisiana knows, there was often no communication or coordination between the state and federal government in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”
— Bobby Jindal

“Because Katrina put it out there, no one can play the pretend game anymore that there isn’t poverty and inequality in this country. The Millions More Movement – Katrina gives it added significance.”
— Marc Morial

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by Gerald Boerner

Let us take a few minutes on this day to reflect on an earlier period in our country when most African Americans were held as slaves in bondage. This group was held as property and considered not equal with the white settlers in this great land. Abraham Lincoln led the attack against this abhorrent institution and guided this country through our Civil War.

It remained, however, another 100 years before the promise made in the Emancipation Proclamation started to become a reality. Much of the credit must go to civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and others who employed non-violent protests against the oppression of these same African Americans. Even though President Truman had abolished segregation in the military, the Jim Crow laws and KKK maintained the subjugation of this group of Americans.

King, through a number of marches in the south and emotionally-charged speeches. In 1963, he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after leading a march for Jobs to deliver one of his most famous speeches — the “I have a dream…” speech. It would do us all good to take time to read through it and ponder its meaning today.

Thank you Rev. King for your dedication to the downtrodden and poor. We thank you for your dedication and words of wisdom.  GLB

[ 3062 Words ]

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

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