Don Winslow Films
Greeting from the Bidens
Today is “Boxing Day” in British-English-speaking countries. It has nothing to do with cats, though they do love boxes – and who doesn’t love cats?
Yes, I know, Christmas was yesterday. But if he only just heard the bells on Christmas Day of 1863, he couldn’t very well have put it out before or even on Christmas, could he” and, written as it was in the middle of the Civil War, it has things to say to us today.
Here is the original (full) poem. The part usually sung is verses 1, 2, 6, and 7 (and that’s what is in the video.)
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
The Trumpty Dumpty Cycle Episode 13 “Scoundrels”
No “Christmas Truce” from Beau yet – he was probably distracted by this, which is worth considering anyway.
13 Responses to “Video Thread 12/26/2020”
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All good!
Everybody is turning on Trump: Good video. It’s taken them that long to figure him out?? What a loser!
So refreshing in listening and seeing the Bidens!
Boxing Day – They are all adorable, mine will play in/out of boxes forever…
Thank you, Joanne for post.
I hate to be a downer, but we should not forget:
On this day, 26 December 1862 the largest mass execution in US history took place when 38 Native American Dakota people were hanged during the US-Dakota War of 1862. Some of the trials of the Native Americans lasted less than 5 minutes, and president Abraham Lincoln personally reviewed the trial paperwork and approved the death penalties.
Some of the liberals in Congress are pushing for reparations for blacks because of slavery – where is the bill to pay Native Americans for the genocide we committed against them?
Welcome Jerry. What, specifically, would you suggest?
I think cash payments to individuals is a rabbit hole and in the end will do little to solve the deep problems our treatment of those peoples caused.
The Japanese Americans interned during WW II were comparatively small in number and we had a complete list of all those interned. That kind of list is impossible when talking about blacks who were enslaved, or Native Americans who were killed.
I believe national programs that give preference and a step up for opportunities is a fair way to help these people. Yes, that means they would be chosen over whites in job and other opportunities. Monetary investments in those communities (like Indian reservations) is long overdue. Welfare assistance and benefits should be increased to a level beyond the current mere subsistence.
There is no clear answer to pay for the cruelty against these people, but a much better effort is needed to meet a sincere offer towards apology.
There is a false storyline that whites came to America and worked hard to settle a wilderness to create a civil society. Truth is we stole the land and killed the peoples already living here. How much is enough to pay for what we did?
I am all for affirmative action, and it works (ask Skip Gates). But to get back and keep affirmative action, there is another false narrative we need to scuttle, and that is the idea that it would be ideal to be “color-blind” in order to treat people fairly. Because, if you believe that we are a color-blind society, then technically affirmative action is unfair to white people. It isn’t, of course; we are not color-blind; affirmative action merely attempts to compensate for white privilege. Unfortunately, that’s a hard sell. But I would add we also need to do something about the health care which so-called “non-white” people are getting (or more accurately not getting.) That’s true across the board – but I am particularly thinking of pre-natal care and women’s health in general. I keep being struck at how often I read that some non-white kid abused or killed by police was a “special needs” child. Sure, this is anecdotal, but would it surprise anyone if “non-white” special needs kids are being born at a higher rate than “white kids”? Also Native Americans especially, and also Asian Americans, have issues with health care as well (and, of course, poisoned water doesn’t help.) If we really mean to equalize the playing field we need to look honestly at every which way it actually tilts. And we must expect strong and passionate opposition. Even if we manage to not actually threaten any “white” person’s life style or well being, truth threatens their self-esteem.
Sorry for the long rant.
Thanks Joanne,
I agree with and appreciate your rant (ideas).
YVW. I glanced at your blog. I’m glad you are able to produce it again.
I agree that cass reparations are the wrong way to go. I like the affirmative action plan you propose. However, if the recipient is capable of any kind of work, how about living wage community service? As much as I think minorities should receive a preference, Caucasians whose lives have been destroyed by the Republican Reich could also be eligible.
#EverybodyIsTurningOnTrump – wonderful … simply WONDERFUL!
I enjoyed it so much I bookmarked it!
And the cats in the boxes – it’s funny because it’s true!
(I’m a bit confused WRT “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”. I’m familiar w/ the background story on Longfellow writing it – but I’m not sure why the Jon Ossoff story is sandwiched in between. What am I missing?)
You are not missing anything. That was a dumb mistake. I am fixing it.
OK Fixed now. Something must have been in my eyes that I didn’t catch that on edit.
Good videos.
Everyone’s turning on tRump: Excellent. Glad they’re finally waking up. We’ve all suffered enough these four years.
Holiday message from the Bidens: Enjoyed listening to them speak, they’re so caring.
Cats vs. Boxes: Adorable.
The Trumpty Dumpty Cycle “Scoundrels”: Great episode.
Thanks for posting them, Joanne
I agree with Pat; all good. But I enjoyed the cats the most. Thanks.
DW – Rats deserting the ship.
Joe – May you help make next Christmas merrier.
Kittysaurus – isn’t that what boxes are for?
Carpenters – beautiful!
Beau – I’m waiting for more info. The only reason I suspect it’s not from the Republican Reich is that Republicans would have gone out of their way to cause casualties, not to avoid the.
Thanks JD!