J-M's History Corner

Well, here is the Reader Request I promised on Sunday .  You’ve asked the questions.  Now I’ll provide the answers. SONRISA’S QUESTION Have you heard of Eckhart Tolle and are his teachings compatible with Christianity? I hadn’t heard of him before you asked.  He’s an interesting bloke with some interesting points, some of which are compatible with Biblical Christianity – particularly if you weave God into it. Otherwise, to me, he’s just another spiritual teacher. ALLY’S QUESTIONS If you were offered a free return flight for two plus 7 nights accommodation anywhere in the world where would you choose and why ?  Hmm…  I would like to visit New Zealand.  My father, paternal grandparents, and many of my relatives on that side are from the country, and I’ve heard it has beautiful scenery. However, I would also like to visit Israel – the Holy Land – mainly for religious reasons. RUE202’S QUESTIONS What do you think of my blogs? Although I don’...

We're all familiar with Germany's Holocaust of Jews and other undesirables in World War II; heck, the word Holocaust has become synonymous with that event.  Not as known, though, was Germany's "warm up" a few decades prior... practiced on native Africans at the height of European colonialism in the continent. From Weird History: Decades before the Holocaust, Germans carried out another genocide. But unlike the Holocaust and other genocides, some of which were turned into holidays , most people have never heard of the atrocities committed by the Germans in Namibia. The German genocide in Africa targeted two African nations, the Herero and the Namaqua, both of whom resisted German colonial rule. German colonizers used brutal tactics, including poisoning drinking water, whipping children, and performing horrific medical experiments on prisoners. The Herero and Namaqua genocides may be two of history's  lesser known genocides , but the atrocities committed ...

Welcome to the 26th edition of My Fortnightly Movie/TV Thoughts !  Last fortnight, I reviewed Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and Home Alone 3 (1997) .  This fortnight, I’m reviewing: Home Alone 4 (2002), rated PG for low level violence That is of course the Australian rating; in the United States, it’s not rated. As usual, I’ll give the trailer and a clip at the end. And as usual, I’ll offer the following disclaimer, just in case: WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD.  PROCEED AT OWN RISK! Home Alone 4 I love the first 3 Home Alone – as evidenced by my reviews – and am definitely in the minority in defending Home Alone 3 .  Unfortunately, the 4th installment – subtitled  Taking Back the House in America – is arguably one of my biggest film disappointments. A year or 2 after Home Alone 2 , Peter and Kate McCallister (Jason Beghe and Clare Carey) have split, on the verge of divorce.  Peter has moved in with his rich new girlfri...

First off, to all my fellow Aussies: HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!  Today marks the 232nd anniversary of when the First Fleet established the Colony of New South Wales in what is now Sydney (if I'm not mistaken), marking the beginning of what would become modern Australia. It's a day to reflect on our history - both the good and the bad - and how far we've come as a nation, and celebrate our nation, and the great democracy we've become (democratically speaking, greater than the vast majority of nations on earth - including the USA; and that's not a biased statement). (And yes, despite the clamourings of a small minority who - according to recent polls - only represent about 11% of the population, Australia Day is here to stay on January 26; the 71-75% support for the present date of the holiday found by recent opinion polls will certainly help ensure that.) https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/australia-day-debate-there-are-364-other-days-to-wear-a-b...