Monthly Archives: July 2019

John Peter Zenger It was 1731  and Governor Montgomerie of New York was dead. New York had been British since 1664 when New Amsterdam had been seized from the Dutch during the Second Anglo-Dutch War and renamed New York after … Continue reading →

What makes one become a “whistle blower”?  When does one begin to resist? This morning I was out on the lanai nursing my second cup of joe, musing about such things; recalling Sergeant Schultz of Hogan’s Heroes.  “I know nothing! I … Continue reading →

Tahir Square.  Remember the Arab Spring? Yesterday I received a “like” from ivonprefontaine for a post I put up on March 20, 2014.  Its rare that a piece receives notice years after posting.  A couple do but most simply fade … Continue reading →

Back in February 2014 I put up a post concerning the possible origins of my surname – Scarangello.  In Italy our name was originally Scarangella,, it was changed at Ellis Island and was unknown outside of the Province of Bari … Continue reading →

Everyone here has seen Saturday Night Fever right? The 1977 drama film, directed by John Badham staring John Travolta as Tony Manero, a working-class young man who spends his weekends dancing and drinking at a local Brooklyn discothèque. It also … Continue reading →

Toritto in Massaua, Eritrea I’ve had a lot of blessings in my  life as well as tragedies.  I grew up in a poor but loving home and was never hungry or homeless.  I found love when I was young  which … Continue reading →

Tutmoses gazing ‘cross the Nile saw your image on the water Cleopatra held Caesar’s hand and kissed it by your light Nero plucked his lyre while you shined on burning Rome Did Mehmet look upon your face atop the walls of Byzantium? … Continue reading →

A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth . There was no point in seeking to convert the intellectuals. For intellectuals would never be converted and would anyway always yield to … Continue reading →