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Hoy es "Dia de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia" en Argentina, siempre recordamos los que perdieron sus vidas y fueron desaparecidos en la Guerra Sucia y apoyamos siempre la lucha contra la injusticia en cualquier forma y en cualquier parte del mundo.

A small, but not insignificant, accomplishment

Earlier today, for the first time in nearly three months, I finished reading a book. The book was "American Slavery, American Freedom: The Ordeal of Colonial Virginia" by Edmund S. Morgan.

When I chose to read this book, I knew it would take me a while to get through it. History books, even those that are well-written and engaging, tend to be more dense than other sorts of books. Even still, three months to finish a book is atypical of me, and that's not failing to account for the fact that I'm a slow reader.

The author aimed to understand the paradox between slavery and freedom that existed at the time of our nation's founding and that continues in some ways to effect relations among us today. As the author states in the preface, there was an "apparent contradiction between [the colonists'] proclamations of equality and liberty and their continuing possession of slaves," a deep contradiction that "required a civil war because slavery and freedom are irreconcilable opposites."

Reading the book took a long while for reasons both internal and external to the book itself. Internally, the author began his inquiry at a point in history that pre-dated even the European settlement of present-day Virginia, and from there slowly and methodically worked his way through socio-historical developments that eventually led to the American Revolution. This meant that that issue of the enslavement of Americans from Africa was not dealt with directly until the penultimate chapter of the book. I felt a bit misled and this sometimes affected my motivation for reading the book.

Externally, I had the nearly three-week trip to southeast Asia that put any reading effectively on hold. And for the month before the trip, almost all my free time was consumed with dating a girl with whom I'd had high hopes of starting a serious relationship. It was only once I came back from the trip, and soon realized that the prospects of landing another legal project were bleak, that I settled into the idea that I wanted to finish this book once and for all.

So there you have it. I finished my book. And with that, I've made a small, but not insignificant, accomplishment. Psychologically, I feel that I've made progress on something, and I'll certainly take that for what it's worth; it's something to build on. As you can see to the left of this text, I was finally able to add another title to my list of recently-read books.

Now I think I'll take on something a little bit easier to read, perhaps a fiction novel.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for checking in! I don't have much time to write since I have to run to catch a 10:40am bus to Easton, where I'll celebrate the holiday with my sister and dad. But I couldn't leave without first posting a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contacted me since I've been back and to all who've kept up with my adventures on this website. It's great to be back, and over the course of the weekend, I'll do my best to hit everyone up.

Also, because today is Thanksgiving, I want to offer the following two quotes:

"The true history of Thanksgiving reveals embarrassing facts. The Pilgrims did not introduce the tradition; Eastern Indians had observed autumnal harvest celebrations for centuries. Although George Washington did set aside days for national thanksgiving, our modern celebrations date back only to 1863. During the Civil War, when the Union needed all the patriotism that such an observance might muster, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday. The Pilgrims had nothing to do with it; not until the 1890s did they even get included in the tradition. For that matter, they were not commonly known as "the Pilgrims" until the 1870s."

"The archetypes associated with Thanksgiving -- God on our side, civilization wrested from wilderness, order from disorder, through hard work and good Pilgrim character traits -- continue to radiate from our history textbooks."

These two quotes come from the book, "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong" by James W. Loewen, pages 90 and 88, respectively. I offer them simply as a reminder that we've gotta get our history straight. Without an honest understanding of our roots, we can't truly understand who we are today. And that principle applies at the personal level as much as it does at the national level.

Alright, I would write more, but I've really gotta get running. I hope you have a wonderful day with a generous helping of good food and whatever else you enjoy about this holiday (see the poll to the upper-left for reference). HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Vatican City -- morning

I'm sitting in the shade on the cobblestone leaning back against a wall facing St. Peter's Basilica. It's almost noontime so it's starting to heat up. But right now it's not so bad in the shade.

We've been in Rome since Sunday morning (today is Wednesday), but we haven't done much for a couple of reasons. First, it gets so hot in the afternoons that it is just too difficult to do anything outside. That clearly effects sightseeing.

Second, I have been sick since writing the last entry, since last Thursday in Granada. Last Friday, I had diarrhea and vomiting one after the other, on top of a 39* Celsius fever. So I felt I had no choice but to be safe and go to the hospital. They prescribed me antibiotics and it has taken until today to have a bowel movement that could be called reasonably close to normal. But as a result of the long sickness, I have lost weight, and hence strength. That also made any sightseeing a practical impossibility.

Lastly, the whole ordeal has forced me to end the trip prematurely, as Cherise and I are flying out of Rome Ciampino first thing tomorrow morning to arrive in London with the hopes of coming off the waitlist for Air India to fly back to New York. We shall see.

Over the past few nights, we have done some walking, though, seeing the Colosseum and the impressive Vittoriale by night. We also saw the Roman Forum and many other similar ruins right in the center of the city. Most of the streets in Rome are cobblestone, adding to the feeling of history and antiquity. Well, it's high noon, the bells having just rung, so I think we'll go inside now to tour the Basilica.

Carrillo, Costa Rica -- afternoon

I think I am now able to write after buying this new pen at a supermercado earlier today. I have wanted to write a lot more these past couple of days, but that last pen just didn't work.

Well, I'm writing this while taking a break from trying to help this family get their pick-up truck out from being stuck in the sand. We have had no luck so far . . . A woman in an Isuzu Trooper came by to provide a hitch. Another man and I pushed from behind while the Trooper pulled. For the most part (other than getting stuck again just for a second), the operation went smoothly.

Now since I'm looking forward to getting back in the water soon, I will keep my re-cap as quick and simple as I possibly can. To pick up where I left off with my last entry in Granada, the gangster-looking Nicaraguan guy came back to sit on my bench. After beginning a conversation, I realized he was essentially homeless, but thrived and enjoyed the friendship of tourists. Perhaps its sounds a bit fishy, but after I explained my financial situation, he offerred to buy me an enchilada. He said that he could get it cheap, and his philosophy - in my rough translation - is that what goes around comes around. So he happily helped me out. It was a really nice thing for which I was very grateful. Immediately after buying the enchilada, he left to find another friend who was to give him a shirt.

Then, one after the other, I had conversations with three more people who came to sit next to me on that bench in el parque central; the first two were men and the last was a woman.

The most interesting conversation was with a man of about forty years in age. He analyzed the failure of the Sandinista revolution and its preceding and following events very well. He said that, before the revolution, each town was run by a "terrateniente", who was in turn run by Somoza from the top-down. So, in essence, Nicaragua was operating under a feudal system which had altered very little since the early colonial encomienda system. Certainly taking note of the international liberation movement in the 1960s, especially Cuba, the people of Nicaragua felt repressed by the feudal system and resentful of the Somoza regime.

The man said that the ideals of the Sandinistas were the opportunity to realize a dream of overcoming that system of Somoza. Hence, the popular support, and eventual victory, of the 1979 Sandinista revolution. However, with the Contra war of the 1980s, funded by the Nicaraguan elite, and also funded and supported by the United States government, the Sandinistas could not put the full, necessary energy to their program. Instead, much man-power was needed to fight the Contra war. In other words, the economy of Nicaragua sufferred greatly because its most-able men were fighting a war, not strengthening an economy. So the people lost faith in the Sandinistas; in the end, some even blaming them for the poor economy.

This sentiment was witnessed in the 1990 election when the Sandinistas were voted out of office. Since then, they are seen as just another political party, lacking any kind of revolutionary front. And now, in 2003, Nicaragua is poorer than it was before the revolution. It is a shame. My conversation, though, was quite informative and enlightening.

I returned to the Bearded Monkey to meet up with Toby to discuss dreams of travelling the world. Then I went to bed early to wake up early the next morning at about 6:15am. By 7am, I was walking to the Granada bus station, where my day-long journey began. I rode five buses yesterday. From Granada to Rivas, from Rivas to Penas Blancas, from Penas Blancas to Liberia, from Liberia to Nicoya, and from Nicoya to Samara.

When I left Granada I had only 41 cordobas and 2000 colones. When I arrived in Liberia, I had only 300 colones; I had not taken into account a $1.00 municipal fee and a $2.00 exit tax to leave Nicaragua. Those, in addition to bus fares. With the 300 colones, I bought a grapefruit soda and then went straight to the bank in Liberia to exchange my next traveller's check. Afterwards, I immediately went to a restaurant to devour a casado con chuleta; that was delicious after not eating a full meal since the morning before, about 28 hours earlier.

Without wasting any time then, I went back to the Liberia bus station to continue my journey, hoping to arrive in Samara to meet the North American girl. When I arrived in Nicoya, I had to walk a few blocks to get to the bus station with buses for Samara. I had to wait for about ten minutes for the bus from San Jose to Samara. When I walked onto the bus, I was surprised and happy to see Ronald, my Dutch friend. He was travelling with a Swiss guy and a German guy. We finally arrived in Samara at about 5:30pm, a long day of travelling for me.

After quickly checking back into Cabinas Magaly, I changed into my bathing suit and treated myself to a relaxing dip in the ocean, just as the sun was setting. Also, the half-moon and the first stars were out. It was a sight which was absolutely beautiful.

Later, after eating a tuna and crackers and pineapple dinner with Ronald, we got the other two guys to go to the bar where the language school students always hang out. I had a great time playing pool (and learning Tico rules). I also met some nice people, including a cool kid from Tennessee named Marcus. He's friends with Tony, the Canadian. All in all, it was a very good night.

To finish it off beautifully, I walked back alone (to the cabina) along the beach; the night-sky was totally clear so the view was beyond words; it was that which inspired me to write my last entry.

Today, after getting up late (about 10:30am), I walked alone to Carrillo to meet Ronald and the other two guys. The beach here is quieter than Samara, and the water is somehow more clear. Its really very nice. Now I will look for a bite to eat, and then get in the water again. When I return to the cabina, I will see if the North American girl has arrived or not.

Leon, Nicaragua -- afternoon

I just finished a conversation with a woman who participated in the Sandinista revolution. She was 14 years old at the height of the revolution in 1979. She first provided me a history of the revolution, which I was already familiar with. She said she became involved through the student movement here in Leon.

I pushed her with a question as to why the revolution failed. She responded by saying essentially that the leaders of the revolution were co-opted once reaching power. Also, she said the rank-and-file lost their dynamic, revolutionary energy once the revolution was achieved in 1979. I was very surprised that she made no mention of the United States' involvement with the contras in the 1980s. Although this may have been due to my telling her that I was born in Colombia, but now live in the United States. But I really think that had no effect.

Then I pushed her with a question regarding the future of Nicaragua, considering it is the second poorest country in the hemisphere. I asked her how this problem could be overcome. She said that Nicaragua needs a broad-based popular movement organized to 'cleanse the justice system,' in lieu of ridding Somoza. That is to say, Nicaragua needs a movement exactly parallel to that of the 1970s, except that it replace the Somoza factor in the equation with the corrupt, inefficient justice system as the targetted factor. She believed that this was very possible. I disagreed with the viability of that approach, and told her that it was unrealistic, based primarily on the psyche of the nation, or the people to be more specific. I said that the people will not have sufficient faith and patience for another popular movement when that of the Sandinistas eventually failed miserably. I said that, based on my observation in Managua, the people have turned to two paths to cope with the present situation. I said this in response to her argument that the psyche of the people will be overridden by the need to work and to eat. I explained the two current reactions of the people. One, to crime. And two, to religion. The first is taking advantage of the weak police force and enforcement; and doing so to put food on the table. This, however, is dehumanizing both the criminal and his victim. This lack of respect (and self-respect) is also manifested in the large amounts of trash strewn everywhere throughout Managua and the surrounding countryside. The second option is turning to religion, to pray for a better life here and now, but really in preparation for life after death. The latter is really where the hope lies. This, too, is a lack of respect for this world and this lifetime. If possible, this is more dehumanizing than the first, since it reduces humans to mere physical bodies awaiting their turn to a better life after death. I further explained to the Sandinista woman that, as much as I wish her vision was possible, it will not truly become possible until several generations from now, when the 1979 Sandinista revolution will be something of the past. My words visibly shook her, but I told her that I was only being realistic.

Unfortunately, I see little hope for the Nicaraguan people for a popular movement. This time must be used for consciousness-building, and compromises will have to be made with the government in the meantime. Perhaps the revolutionary tradition of the Nicaraguan people will someday shine again. And may it learn its lessons from the past.

Leon, Nicaragua

I am just about ready for the despedida fiesta. All I have left is to put on a shirt, brush my teeth, and comb my hair. I am happy for two reasons: 1. in just a little bit, I will be dancing, singing, laughing, and merrymaking, 2. this part of the trip is over. That is not to say that my stay in Felipe Santana has been that bad; I am just ready to move on.

Last night, I got pretty tipsy off of 9 Tona beers. It was nice to temporarily put behind all my worries and problems and most of my thoughts. There are definitely times when substance-induced enchantments are necessary.

This morning, the delegation met with a women's activist and with a university student. Both meetings were interesting. The woman, a worker for Promujer, answered many questions on discrimination, opportunities, machismo, marianismo, politics, religion, and development.

The university student of UNAN was involved with the 6% struggle, in which 6% of the national budget is supposed to, but doesn't, go to education. He was a student of law, focusing on agricultural law and environmental law. I asked a number of questions concerning history, education, politics, and tactics. I also cited the student strikes of Mexico. Afterwards, I spoke for a number of minutes with him, and then again at lunch. This provided me a chance for self-reflection. I looked inwards to ascertain various personal viewpoints and I looked outward to examine what role I can play to impact this world and its issues.

On the way back to Felipe Santana, I took a photo of a mural of Ruben Dario, Che Guevara, and Carlos Fonseca. I am glad to have seen the mural. The past serves to reinforce the present and to encourage the future.

This afternoon, I did volunteer work by painting houses in the community for about three hours. So now I sit here in the bottom bunk of a childsize bunkbed surrounded by Third World modesty thinking of the future. One step at a time. One step at a time. Right now, next on my platter is the fiesta. I will deal with social change when the time is right.

Before closing this, I will briefly explain the loan program of Promujer. Promujer loans out money to groups of 25-35 women. Each woman must pay back the loan every 4 months, plus interest of a 3% rate. If a woman cannot pay back her loan, then the rest of the group fronts the money. Then, due to social pressures, the woman is obligated to pay back her companeras. These community loan programs are expected to last for four years, at which time the community and each woman should be well-established and confident to move forward and progress.

Bueno . . . Time for LIVIN'!!!

Julius Caesar

In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. This statement holds true in the famous play by William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. In it, the chief act of violence is the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus and the other conspirators.

Throughout the play, as was true in history, Caesar had been gaining power as an excellent military leader and strong dictator of the people. Although he had many friends and allies, he also created many new enemies as a result of his growing might. Even within the Senate, where he was once a highly-respected man, there was malice and ill-feeling towards the powerful dictator. His growing strength frightened many people. This led to corruption and then a conspiracy against Caesar. In the climax of the play, Caesar is attacked by the Senators, including his best friend, Brutus. In a famous quote, Caesar says, "Et tu Brute?" This means "and you, Brutus?"

In those three words are explained one of the main themes of the play. It advises the audience not to trust anyone, even a best friend. It warns people to be wary of others, especially when in a position of great power. This leads to the other main message in the play: power breeds contempt in others. With every ounce of strength Caesar gained, he gained one more enemy, until at last even his best friend could not be trusted.

By providing a graphic murder of the chief protagonist in his play, Shakespeare emphasizes the themes, and, in turn, provides valuable advice to the audience. It would serve no purpose if a minor character died, since it would not affect the audience as greatly. However, it is not as if Shakespeare could choose since the play Julius Caesar is a historical / biographical drama. The history of what happened on the Ides of March: March 15, 44 B.C., gave the world a lesson. Even today's leaders must keep in mind the message that Shakespeare reminds us of in his play, Julius Caesar.

Tennyson

The reign of Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901) was a time of change; as a writer of the "Edinburgh Review" said in July 1858: the nineteenth century is an "age of transition: a period when changes, deeply and permanently affecting the whole condition of mankind, are occuring more rapidly . . . than at any prior time in human history." The main reason for this period of change was the Industrial Revolution and the increasingly larger rift between social classes as a result of it. Also affecting change was the stronger leadership of Victoria and the new British policy of imperialism.

One of the aspects of the literature of the Victorian Age was the once-radical Romantic style of the early 19th century. By the time of the Victorian Age, Romanticism had become mainstream. The most popular poet of the time, in fact, was a romantic: Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Tennyson's works display many Romantic characteristics: a sense of idealism, a mystical, mysterious feeling, use of the imagination, a magical, fantastic aura, and an appreciation of tradition and the past, especially the medieval themes of the Arthurian legend. Tennyson held an optimistic view of the future and thought that people were generally good. As a result of his poetic skill, Tennyson was named Poet Laureate in 1850.

In his works, Tennyson makes classical allusions. The poems "Ulysses" and "The Lotos-Eaters," in fact, are based on classical Greek legends. An example of a specific allusion is in "Ulysses," when Ulysses tells his sailors that it is "not too late to . . . touch the Happy Isles." Here, the "Happy Isles" refer to Elysium, the dwelling place of virtuous people after death. Also in "Ulysses," Tennyson presents the idealistic view that Ulysses may not be too old to sail again. Tennyson expresses this idealism in "Crossing the Bar" by thinking all will be well after he dies and in "In Memoriam A.H.H." by thinking that Arthur Hallam will be found in Nature. In "The Lady of Shalott," there is a magical mood as the lady spins her web and looks out through her mirror. "A red-cross knight forever kneeled to a lady in his shield" is a quote that exemplifies the romantic feeling and medieval themes of Tennyson's poems. The expanded version of two Greek legends and the creation of a new Arthurian legend demonstrate Tennyson's use of the imagination. Tennyson's appreciation of the past is the theme of "Tears, Idle Tears": "So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more."

Romantic ideas continued into the Victorian Age. Alfred, Lord Tennyson was the premier romantic poet of that time. As a romantic, Tennyson presented an optimistic view of the future, despite the revolutionary changes of the time. With the Industrial Revolution and the expansion of the British Empire, the society under Queen Victoria would change forever.

ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT (1822-1885)

I. Early Years

Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, the eldest son of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant. "Lyss" grew up in Georgetown, Ohio. In 1839, Grant was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy where, through an error of the congressman who nominated him, was enrolled as Ulysses Simpson Grant. Despite many attempts to correct this, he could do nothing, and reluctantly kept the name. He graduated in 1843, ranked 21st out of 39 students, and was commissioned brevet 2d lieutenant. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was there he met his future wife, Julia Dent.

II. Mexican War to American Civil War

As a full 2d lieutenant in the Mexican War, Grant fought in the Battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey. Zachary Taylor was his commanding officer. Grant's regiment was transferred to the command of Gen. Winfield Scott, who led them to capture Mexico City. At the Battle of Molino del Rey, Grant was made 1st lieutenant for his bravery. After the Mexican War, Grant was assigned to regular duty in New York. It was at this time he married Julia Dent. In 1852, he had to leave his young family, though, because of a transfer to Fort Vancouver. Because of the dullness (and an argument with his commanding officer), he resigned his commission as captain, and returned to Missouri to farm and to help his father. In 1861, at the outbreak of American Civil War, Grant put together a volunteer regiment of Union soldiers. Later, as commander of the 21st Illinois Regiment, he controlled Confederate guerrillas in the area. On August 7, 1861, President Lincoln promoted Grant to brigadier general of volunteers. Just days after receiving command, Grant took the strategic junction of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers.

III. Early Civil War

In February 1862, with the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, Grant would begin to gain national recognition. Because of these first major Union victories, Grant was promoted to major general of volunteers. His next major battle was Shiloh. Through a surprise by the Confederates, Grant was driven back to the Tennessee River, but recaptured control when reinforcements arrived. Although the Union won, Grant was criticized and blamed for the bloodiest battle yet. On October 25, 1862, Grant became commander of the Department of Tennessee and was ordered to take Vicksburg, the South's stronghold on the Mississippi River. Through a risky move of flanking the fort, and therefore cutting himself off from any retreat, Grant held off a threatened attack from Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and then took the offensive against Lieu. Gen. John C. Pemberton. After a long siege of the fort, Grant won Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. The victory was a decisive one and earned Grant the reputation as the Union's most skilled general and a promotion to major general in the Regular Army.

IV. Late Civil War

Grant's victory at the siege of Chattanooga brought him national fame and the position of lieutenant general of the armies of the United States. Under Grant's leadership, the Union armies became more organized. He ordered an organized war plan with simultaneous action of the four Union armies - the army of the Potomac, the army of the Tennessee, the army of the James, and the army of Louisiana. From May 4, 1864 to April 2, 1864, General Robert E. Lee parried and matched every move and strategy of Grant. Finally, with Sheridan's victory at Five Forks (April 1, 1865), Grant was ready to commence the end of the war. By cutting off Lee's army from Johnston's army, Grant forced Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Seventeen days later, the American Civil War ended.

V. Presidency

Grant became the 18th president of the United States in 1869 and served two terms. He was not a politician, and only won the presidency over Horatio Seymour because of his popularity from the war. For his cabinet, he chose his friends, and because of his ignorant honesty, his presidency was marked with corruption and scandals. Grant twice attempted to win a third term, but failed both times.

VI. Last Years

The last five years of Grant's life were miserable. Because of a lack of income, he had to sell his wartime swords and souvenirs. He became afflicted with cancer of the throat and settled down to write his Personal Memoirs, two volumes of his life, including an account of the Civil War. Ulysses Simpson Grant died shortly after on July 23, 1885, at Mount McGregor, N.Y.


U.S. History April 10, 1995 Period 3
Civil War-Ulysses S. Grant