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Today in History: September 9, 1776 – United States Officially Named

245 years ago today, the Continental Congress officially names their new union the United States of America.

 “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES.”

Meeting in Carpenter’s Hill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the 56 delegates of the Continental Congress met to find a new for the union of the colonies. Important members of the Congress included Colonel George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Adams, his cousin Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Peyton Randolph, and Joseph Galloway. 

1776 – Congress renames the nation … – History Bytez

“That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the “United States.”

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60 years ago, during the night of August 12-13, the Soviet Union built the Berlin Wall, dividing a beautiful city, to keep East Berliners escaping Communist tyranny into West Berlin to freedom. 

Families were torn apart. Friends and neighbors now found themselves on opposite sides of the wall. Every window that faced the West was sealed, to prevent citizens from escaping. Barbed wire was put up on roof tops. Minefields were built in the countryside. Watchtowers were built. Those who tried to escape were shot on sight. Over time, the wall became more heavily armed and security became tighter. 

In June 1961, some 19,000 people fled to freedom. In July, 30,000. From August 1-11, another 16,000.  On August 12 alone, 2,400. That very night, Premier Khrushchev decided to act. He wanted to prevent the flow of immigrants from his communistic stronghold, into the Western sector. They began work immediately. Two weeks later, a makeshift barbed-wire and concrete block wall was complete.

Kennedy, alerted by the wall, was furious. But, he later had to concede that “A wall is a hell of a lot better than a war.” He had, just 2 1/2 weeks prior, on July 25th, addressed the nation on the Berlin Crisis. Speech can be found here

The Brandenburg Gate is shrouded in fog as a man looks from a watchtower over the Wall to the Eastern part of the divided city on November 25, 1961. The tower was erected by the West German police to observe the Inner-German border.

Recommended Books:

• The Berlin Wall: A World Divided, 1961-1989 by Frederick Taylor

• Forty Autumns: A Family’s Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall by Nina Willner

• The Girl Behind the Wall by Mandy Robotham

• A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Recommended Documentaries:

The Building of the Berlin Wall in 1961

Germany – Berlin Wall Short Documentary

Walled In: The Inner German Border

Typical of East Berlin measures to halt the escape of refugees to the west are these bricked-up windows in an apartment house along the city's dividing line October 6, 1961. The house, on the South side of Bernauerstrasse, is in East Berlin.

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120 years ago, after the first electoral tie in American history, Thomas Jefferson is elected the 3rd president of the United States. 

See the source image

The 1800 election was the first vicious election in American history. Thomas Jefferson, c0-founder of the Democratic-Republican party, announced a run against then Federalist president, John Adams. This election foreshadowed what future American elections would look like: highly partisan jabs, high contentious electoral cycles, and bitter feelings of the losing party. 

Thomas Jefferson was very popular candidate, and no stranger to high office. After all, he’d been the first Secretary of State under George Washington, and the 2nd Vice President under John Adams. He’d also served in two Continental Congresses. Not only this, but Jefferson had much to offer the young country: Limited government, for staters. He also was in favor of State’s Rights, in great opposition to a federal bank, and a very strong supporter of an agrarian economy. All of these aspects are still highly viewed in today’s country. So, it’s no wonder he was popular in 1801, before the unset of too much federal government and too many unelected bureaucrats. 

At the end of a bloody election cycle, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr emerged tied at 73 electoral votes each, with poor John Adams coming in at 65. For the very first time, Congress would have to decide would would rule the country. Mercifully, our Founding Fathers foresaw such a situation, and wrote the rules clearly into the Constitution. The House of Representatives voted from Jefferson, thanks to Alexander Hamilton’s slightly uncouth insistence. 

In his Inaugural Address two weeks later, Jefferson declared: “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” a call that would be mimicked throughout history by American leaders in times of great distress, even abroad.  

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Today in History: June 3, 1940 – Germany Bombs Paris

For roughly one hour, the Nazis bombed Paris for the first time. Fifty-five planes dropped nearly 11,000 bombs. Roughly 48 people were killed. Homes were destroyed, schools destroyed, hospitals wrecked. Some 97 buildings were destroyed and 61 fires were set by the Nazis.

In return, the Germans faced a heavy anti-aircraft barrage. The French shot down six of the German planes.

A second wave came at Paris at 1:50pm, lasting until 2:18. During this time, Germans came in five waves of 25 planes with an additional wave of 30 planes. Because of their high altitude of around 30,000 feet, their objective of hitting military objectives rarely ever hit their target.

Those who survived began the mass exodus, pushing bicycles, pulling wagons, all fleeing on foot.

Paris was abandoned.

 

 

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Today in History: May 8, 1945 – VE DAY

“General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly over all Europe. For this victory, we join in offering our thanks to the Providence which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of adversity. Our rejoicing is sobered and subdued by a supreme consciousness of the terrible price we have paid to rid the world of Hitler and his evil band. Let us not forget, my fellow Americans, the sorrow and the heartache which today abide in the homes of so many of our neighbors — neighbors whose most priceless possession has been rendered as a sacrifice to redeem our liberty.”

The war that had lasted for five years and eight months had finally drawn to a close and people celebrated in the streets. President Harry S. Truman announced the victory and appointed Sunday, May 13—Mother’s Day—as day of prayer and thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Churchill gave an impromptu speech on the balcony of the Ministry of Health, telling the crowds, ‘This is your victory!’ However, their day of victory was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that the war with Japan was still going strong.

 

Listen: Truman’s VE-Day Address

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Articles of Impeachment

It has always been the goal of USA-eVote to remain unbiased by presenting evidence and allowing the American voter to come to their own conclusion on the issues at hand. Today we hear news about the impeachment of President Trump. After reviewing all of the reports from the major news agencies, we here at USA-eVote have found that each of those news agencies decided to interject their own biased remarks. All of those remarks have been pointed against the President. Why? What ever happened to unbiased news reporting? I doubt if there is a law against biased news reporting, but common ethics in the past has always demanded unbiased news reports. What has changed in the United States, and why has it changed?

Here is a copy of the Articles of Impeachment for your review.

Articles of Impeachments

This copy is without comments and opinions. Which has proved rather difficult to find on the Internet. Every news agency has decided to include their own personal views and comments on detail, comments, and evidence within this document. In other words, the major new media organizations have decided to get involved in the 2000 election process attempting to sway public opinion. Why?

USA-eVote can only provide a few of its own suggestions.

1. Parties spend record amounts of money on elections. Is there money involved? Let’s look at a few figures.

Funds Spent per Election

presidential campaign spending normalized, 1960-2016

This report shows how Democrats have been outspending Republicans on a scale of 2 to 1, reaching a record high of almost 3 to 1 in the 2008 election.

2. President Trump is not your average political figure.

President Trump does not fit the mold of the average politician. He does not have the extensive political back ground shared by most elected officials. This scares the average politician. The average American voter has long hoped for a President and other elected officials who are members of the gold old boys club to come in office and expose the behind the scene agreements, promises, arrangements, and payoffs that continually cost the American taxpayers billions of dollars. One can only imagine the tax cuts that would take place if special interests groups were truly removed from the legislative process.

In keeping with the, not your average politician theme, President Trump has set unprecedented records in economic growth, military strength, and also reached agreements and treaties with foreign powers that have saved the United States billions of dollars and brought jobs back to the US.

3. Immigration

Why is immigration control a threat to President Trump’s rivals? We have to take a close look at political corruption and tax increases in local areas to find answers to that question. Politicians from the local to national levels have long been involved in Real Estate investment. Many of them are nothing more than slum lords. The average American receiving housing subsidies knows the law and will not hesitate to report sub-par living conditions. The solution to that problem. Place illegal immigrants in those less than adequate housing investments. Take a look at the tax increases in safe cities such as Chicago and Milwaukee. Not only has the crime rate reached record levels, so have taxes. Why? Safe cities include local government agencies designed to assist illegal immigrants and funnel tax dollars for housing and other forms of welfare. Creating jobs in those agencies insures future votes, not only from those employed in those agencies, but the people funneled through those agencies. We can compare services offered by those agencies to reeducation camps in communist countries. While USA-eVote is dedicated to educating the average American voter, other factions are dedicated to brainwashing voters from other avenues. And those other agencies are well funded.

The immigration issue goes beyond votes. Hugh sums of money are involved. Since the average American on housing subsidy will report housing violations, illegal immigrates who face the threat of deportation for rocking the boat are the ideal solution. In essence, politicians from the local to national level have set up programs that provide a guaranteed income on their less than stellar investments. Newly established government agencies funnel tax dollars directly to the slum lords account. No questions asked. Many of those investment properties are purchased directly from the city as tax foreclosed properties for pennies on the dollar. Costing tax payers more money. Because those investments do not forgo the normal remodeling, the local economy is cheated out of untold opportunities in economic development.

4. The Economy

What politician would not welcome a thriving economy? A politician who has their mind set on the idea, dollars equate to votes. A review of money spent during the election process established the link in that belief. How does the economy come into play? Why would the president’s rivals oppose a thriving economy? Money in the average American taxpayer’s pocket can and will equate to votes. When the residing president makes unprecedented strides in the economy, they become an unbeatable force at the polls in the next election.

5. World Affairs

It’s no big secret, some ethic groups pride themselves in the art of negotiations. From the earliest age they see their parents negotiating the best price in the local market place. Some will tell you, “negotiating is in their blood.” Some ethic groups may only enter into negotiations with a worthy opponent. Other groups may only negotiate with people who fit a certain mold. Of course the US prides itself on equality. It is a way of life, and the law in the US. But we cannot force other countries to accept our laws. If they refuse to negotiate with certain people based on race, creed, color, or sex, there is nothing anyone can do about that. We have no choice but to bow to their demands to bring them to the negotiating table. Instead of condemning and criticizing President Trump’s success at negotiating tables all around the world, a wise politician would learn from his examples. After all, if nothing else, the negotiating process is a life long learning experience. The moment anyone enters into the thought they have all the answers and has prepared for all the contingencies is the moment they give full advantage to their opponents across the negotiating table.

6. Biased Media and Fake News

There is no doubt, fake news played a part in the 2016 election process. Fake news agencies popped up all over the world and showed the world how to use social media to make money. Normal, everyday people with no special skills jumped out of a middle class income into the upper class income bracket over night. How did they do that? They learned how to play the Internet game and succeeded. With little to no funds, a few people were able to build a successful empire based on nothing more than lies. And it was all legal. In the United States we have this thing called freedom of speech. As soon as major news media agencies recognized that almost unlimited source of income, one after another jumped onto the fake news band wagon. As soon as the major news agencies realized they could make more money from fake news stories, all hope was lost to find an unbiased source of news. No one has spoken out against fake news agencies more than President Trump who has exposed many of the fake news agencies overseas and continues to speak out against those news agencies who have adapted the money making profiles and procedures used by and proven by the early fake news agencies that took advantage of the 2016 election. In essence, major news agencies are guilty of the crimes listed in the Articles of Impeachment. The difference being, those news agencies are protected by the Constitution. A fact they will not discuss or expose.

Evidence presented in early impeachment hearings has proven Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved with a number of overseas fake news agencies from feeding them fake news stories to funding their growth. To date no charges have been filed against Biden nor his son. On the contrary, the Articles of Impeachment filed and voted on by Democrats clearly spell out the effects of fake news on the 2016 elections. The Articles of Impeachment then introduce the possibility that President Tramp may follow Biden’s example in the future. The Articles of Impeachment fail to list any specific involvement or interference in the 2020 elections, only the possible threat of such actions.

This places every president elect at a disadvantage. Nothing has been done to address what has happened in the 2016 election. No laws have been introduced nor suggestions discussed to control or eliminate fake news or any attempts by any private entity to sway future elections. On the other hand, this act of impeachment has opened the flood gates to accuse any elected official of tampering with election results based on little to no evidence. In essence, this impeachment process has circumvented and for all practical intends and purposes removed every form of protection the Constitution was designed to guarantee. The Articles of Impeachment voted on and passed by House Democrats has established two distinct classes. One class, the incumbent, or elected official is banned from making any comments, or soliciting any third parties aid in any future election. The total lack of evidence presented on the Article of Impeachment set a very dangerous president. On the other hand, the lack of concern and action to address Biden’s involvement in the 2016 leaves the door open for every entity, special interest group, and individual to take advantage of their right to freedom of speech to sway votes. In hind sight, the Articles of Impeachment created a very unlevel playing field.

None of us wants to see fake news influence any election. For years we have seen politicians avoid major issues, lie, make promises they never intended to fulfill, and break every code of ethics. Sad to say, we are still paying many of those politicians. But to protect our freedom of speech, we have learned to live with it. So why is there an exception to that rule today? Why is one president made to measure up to a higher standard than every other politician?

No one can estimate the money involved in fake news. How do news agencies make money from fake news? There are two major sources of income from the Internet, The first is pay for click ads and ad space rented on websites for a fee based on the number of views a website accumulates. News agencies have found, the more unbelievable a story is, the more people view the story, and more people share the story in social media. When we look at this from a practical view point, people sharing those fake news stories are guilty of the charges files against President Trump.

The media will fight every attempt to control fake news with its last dying breath. They have the funds to fight every attempt to control fake news and take that battle to the highest court in the land. And they have the Constitution to support them. Our freedom of speech protects them. The only weapon we have to fight fake news is common sense. Stay off those fake news sites. Promise to never click any ads on those fake news sites. As a side note, fake news sites have no ethics. They sell ad space to the highest bidder including companies involved in spyware and viruses of every type, including ransomware.

7. Communist Involvement

Are communists involved in the Impeachment process? If so, to that extent? What is their plan and motives? We all know, communists have been, and will always attempt to over throw the American way of life. The American way of life is the example their citizens hope for and demand, The American way of life has been and will always be viewed as a threat to every communist country. We have to accept that fact, and tread upon changes very carefully. And we have seen major changes to the interpretation of the Constitution over the past few months in 2019. What are those major changes?

The Articles of Impeachment are for a large part not based on crimes committed, but future crimes members of the House of Representatives think President Trump may commit. The Articles clearly point out a future threat, but fail to identify actual crimes. Wouldn’t it have been much wiser to consider new laws that would restrict politicians from fabricating and using fake news to sway votes? That seems like an impossible task. How can we protect our freedom of speech and control fake news? Singapore has introduced a new law that is now being tested.

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/02/766399689/fake-news-law-goes-into-effect-in-singapore-worrying-free-speech-advocates

In simple terms Singapore passed a law that requires suspected fake stories to include reprisals and corrections from other sources. In other words, if you publish a fake story about anyone, they have the right to add to your Internet posting and tell their side of the story. Sound good to you? That law in effect does not interfere with anyone’s freedom of speech, but adds a new twist to freedom of speech. Readers are encouraged to read both views, and make their own decision.

When we look at what has been done in those Articles of Impeachment, we see how Democrats have decided to convict the President on crimes he may commit in the future. Democrats are suggesting that their actions are required to uphold the Constitution. Nothing could be further from the truth. Democrats have failed to produce the witness or whistle blower they claim exists. By doing so they are denying Constitutional rights to the President of the United States. The Constitution was designed to protect the general public from a state that decides to convict and punish people based on crimes that may be committed in the future. Socialism and communism exist because the state holds every right to arrest and punish people for mere threats they may poses in the future. That is communism in a nut shell and a way of life in every communist country. Today we see that way of life and justice creeping into the American society. And people responsible for introducing communist forms of justice are telling the American public, they are upholding the Constitution. On the contrary, they are introducing the first step in a plan to void the Constitution, Every communist dictator in the world has first acted within their Constitution, then suggested changes, until power is ceased, and their Constitution is legally made null and void.

Communists have s devious two part plan. Either introduce changes to the Constitution required for future communist growth, or create an atmosphere designed to divide the United States. If communist are allowed to continue on this course, they can and will introduce actions to bring about an atmosphere ripe for a civil war. Look at history. Communist dictators are know for staging fake attacks to insight riots and give the state the excuse to introduce additional laws and control Can a divided America stand up to a military threat from any one of the communist superpowers? Let’s look a little deeper into the possibility of an all out military invasion.

The US may be able to defend against one superpower. But what about two? It is no secret that every communist country in this world would love to see America fall. What better way to combine all of the communists countries under one flag and one military leader than to invade and defeat the United States. There can be promises to divide the US. We have seen that in history. The fact of the matter is, if the US falls, the world will fall. If the US is divided, it is unlikely other democratic countries will aid the US. The treat does exist. We have to view every new change and interpretation to the US Constitution as a threat to the foundation of freedom it was designed to protect. Is this impeachment the first step in a series of major changes, or just a test to determine public opinion to refine plans for a future take over? Only time will tell.

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Today in History: September 27, 1939 – Poland Surrenders

On September 27, 1939, after being invaded by first Germany and then the Soviet Union (we Americans have a tendency to FORGET that part of the story), Poland was forced to surrender.

As a result, 140,000 Polish troops were taken prisoner by Nazi armies.

As soon as the country was theirs, “the Germans began a systematic program of terror, murder, and cruelty, executing members of Poland’s middle and upper classes: Doctors, teachers, priests, landowners, and businessmen were rounded up and killed” (Source). On the same night 214 Catholic priests were shot. “And hundreds of thousands more Poles were driven from their homes and relocated east, as Germans settled in the vacated areas” (Source).

That November, the Soviet government went through the process of fake elections in their Polish territory. This was basically just an excuse to “legitimize” Soviet force. What resulted was some 13.4 million Poles being terrorized by the NKVD. Political murders took place, much as they did in the German territory. The Soviets, too, attacked members of Poland’s middle and upper classes: Military officers, police, and priests, doctors, teachers, lawyers, and librarians. Essentially, anyone with a degree; anyone intelligent enough to fight back. Hundreds of thousands were sent to Siberia to live in gulags and forced labor camps.

Poles were made into slaves on both sides of the boundary; by Soviets and Germans.

So, uhm, why exactly do we not talk about the brutality the Poles had to endure? Let’s not forget that after they were liberated from the Germans after WWII, that they were once again occupied by the Soviets until the early ‘90s. They were harassed, murdered, made into slaves, sent to concentration camps/gulags, and who knows what else? Maybe their plight should be discussed.

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Today in History: September 3, 1939 – WWII Begins

Although Germany had invaded Poland two days earlier, on the 1st, Britain had been hoping to avoid another major war. But, they’d made a promise to Poland, and were obligated to keep it.

Unfortunately for Poland, while Britain and France may have declared war against the Axis powers, they didn’t do much in the way of actually giving Poland the support they needed to fend of the Nazis. Their idea of “helping” was to drop a ton of anti-war pamphlets on the Germans. This, after handing over Czechoslovakia to Nazis. When, oh, that’s right, Hitler promised he’d be content with just that land. Of course, we all knew that wouldn’t last long.

[Below: British newspaper announcing the start of WWII & PM Chamberlain]

Image result for Britain declares war wwii

Back in America, while we wouldn’t join the war for another two years, President Roosevelt took the opportunity to address the American People via his famous Fireside Chats. Fireside Chats were something that American people looked forward to, gathering around their family radioes to listen to the President speak to them – right in their living rooms! It felt like he was speaking directly to them.

Despite the breakout of war across Europe, Roosevelt proclaimed neutrality. He may have been keeping his boys out of war, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t willing to lend a helping hand. He told the people of his plan to sell arms to Britain and France. He also intended to send them all the supplies and food they needed. Unfortunately, most of everything sent via ship was sunk by U-boats.

Europe was at war, fighting off the vicious foes of Fascism, Naziism (which is Fascism), Socialism, and Communism.  

[Below: Roosevelt’s September 3, 1939 Fireside Chat]

Image result for fireside chat september 3 1939

 

Listen:

September 3, 1939: Fireside Chat 14: On the European War

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Today in History: September 1, 1939 – Germany Invades Poland

On September 1, 1939, despite having already taken over Austria, despite having been handed land in the Sudetenland (by British PM Chamberlain), Hitler – having decided that simply wasn’t enough – had his troops invade Poland.

Now, England and France had already promised Poland that if Germany attacked them that it would mean war. However, even after the inevitable attack on Poland took place, the two countries were wary of getting themselves into another war.

However, they couldn’t continue to sit back and do nothing while Hitler (*ahem* and Mussolini and Stalin) invaded country after country. 

Stay tuned to WWII History to see how Britain and France handled the situation with Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini.

[Below: German troops marching through Warsaw]

Image result for germany invades poland

 

Note: A full article is on it’s way about Germany’s invasion of Poland. But before that comes, we have more ground to cover. Before Poland, Hitler invaded other countries. Then, there was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Hitler is setting things up for another world war – and for world domination. Watch the story unfold here, at USA e-vote WWII History.

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Today in History: January 11, 1961 – Kennedy Gives 2nd State of the Union Address

Thanks to holidays and whatnot, it’s been awhile since we’ve posted a Today in History post. Thus, since today happens to be the 57th anniversary and I’m listening to Kennedy’s 2nd State of the Union, that it’d be a good place to start.

In his 2nd State of the Union, Kennedy discussed the problem of machines taking over jobs and of the problem of the current recession. This was one of his major concerns, and he promised that he would work on strengthening the economy in response.

And of course, at the top of list was the Cold War. Kennedy discussed “diversity” – which, he noted, Communism does not allow. Along this same talk, there is noticeable foreshadowing to Kennedy’s forthcoming Peace topic, which would begin in earnest after the Cuban Missile Crisis, of the same year. But, then, in typical Kennedy fashion, he jumps onto a diverging topic. In this case, missiles. What followed was a long list of the missiles that had been doubled and tripled in number, all in the name of protecting America from foreign domination. And, because, Kennedy’s ‘Peace through Strength” mantra was still alive and strong. 

In the coming year, our reserve programs will be revised–two Army Divisions will, I hope, replace those Guard Divisions on duty–and substantial other increases will boost our Air Force fighter units, the procurement of equipment, and our continental defense and warning efforts. The Nation’s first serious civil defense shelter program is under way, identifying, marking, and stocking 50 million spaces; and I urge your approval of Federal incentives for the construction of public fall-out shelters in schools and hospitals and similar centers.

Following this, he discussed the importance of the Space Race. Not necessarily to be first, though he definitely did want to beat the Soviets. The importance, he reminded the nation, was to continue to search, to learn, and to strive. To sit back and let the Soviets win was very different than doing their best and still coming in second. (Although, a Kennedy never loses!)

President Kennedy also discussed the need for Congress to respond to certain domestic issues, including: pollution, education, mass transit, urban housing, civil rights, public health, and welfare assistance programs. He touched on the importance of military strength, of foreign relations, trade (low tariffs on both sides), and Berlin. And he, as always, urged the American people to act, not to leave it to the government alone.

Listen: Kennedy’s 1962 State of the Union Address

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