George Washington issued the first presidential, thanksgiving proclamation, long before Thanksgiving Day was a federal holiday, acknowledging a holiday already established in American tradition. [New York, 3 October 1789] By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation. Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God,…

Here’s the FREE WHITEWATER list of the scariest things in Whitewater for 2009. The 2007 and 2008 editions are available for comparison. The list runs in reverse order, from mildly frightening to super scary. 10. The Census. It’s only a year away, and in can’t be avoided — a decennial census is a federal, constitutional…

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. A DECLARATION By the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, In GENERAL CONGRESS assembled. WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate…

What did you do today — for Freedom?. 1943. United States Office of Civilain Defense. United We Win. 1943. United States War Manpower Commission. Ten years ago the Nazis burned these books…but free Americans can still read them. 1943. United States Office of War Information. All posters courtesty Northwestern University Library’s collection of government posters…

Six more weeks of winter, from Punxsutawney Phil and Jimmy the Groundhog.  Plenty of time, Whitewater, to analyze the mixture of sand and salt for our roads.  Afterward, yet before spring, time to spare for a comprehensive dumpster task force. (Video features Phil.)  Enjoy.   

This Monday beings a new week, is prelude to a new federal administration, but is something yet more than these — a commemoration of a great man’s life. King — of America, for America, and even now from him a legacy that leaves us incomparably better than we would be on our own. From King’s…

Best wishes to all for a happy holiday. Across America, millions will watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The parade, and especially the large balloon animals that are part of the celebration, have become a familiar part of America’s modern Thanksgiving tradition. Here’s a short film describing the balloons that will be part of the…

Today honors millions, but one of that number deserves a particular moment of honor and appreciation. I have embedded a news clip from the Voice of America, recounting the extraordinary service of Corporal Frank Buckles, the last known surviving American veteran of the First World War. Buckles is now aged 107, and lives in West…

Here’s the FREE WHITEWATER list of the scariest things in Whitewater for 2008. Last year’s edition is available for comparison. The list runs in reverse order, from mildly frightening to horrifying. 10. Nostalgia. Why is it necessary to describe everything today as a reminder of what some small, humble person in town did forty three…

Patriot Day, 2008 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America September 11, 2001, was etched into America’s memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families,…