Binge watching television and kids today.

I have to admit. Not too long ago I was talking about how trashy television has gotten. From the cheesy Kardashians (I still don't know the names of any of them) to a bazillion dancing shows. I'm sick of reality. I live reality every single day of my life. I prefer the old fashioned waltz and have no interest whatsoever of watching anyone dance (except for Bindy, I mean, we have to love Bindy so I even voted for her). I think there is a law somewhere that says Bindy deserves whatever she wants.

Speaking of which, her father's reality television was fun and amazing. Now THAT is the kind of reality I can appreciate. His enthusiastic smile is truly missed and I wish that family well.

Before I go on and make my suggestions, I must first explain my tastes. I like dark things. I don't like disturbing things, just dark things. I don't like tons of stupid blood and guts. I'm a nurse and I can assure you the gross sounds and pictures of what they're showing you are nothing at all like what it really is. Besides, if I wanted blood and guts I can get that with most anything these days. It's just a waste visually. The story must be compelling for me.

Now, that said. I have an affinity for most anything WWII. I cannot watch Jews suffer though. That is out. it is incomprehensible to me how anyone (Islamic terrorists included) can be such monsters. However, I believe in the fight against it. I don't think kids today understand the evil that truly was. They don't understand patriotism. Many WWII based shows can teach them that. I also like the time period. I believe the best movies ever made were from the 1930s and 1940s. After that, it's all been done already.

I'm amazed at how socialism, despite is sweeping failures in the late 80s and early 90s, is infecting the United States. The kids today don't understand the difference between fear of nuclear war and terrorism. Terrorism is something they've grown up knowing about. It's random and the likelihood that they would be directly affected by it are slim, at best.

Growing up in the Cold War however was frightening. I was sure that I would not live to see 30. Absolutely and steadfastly sure. To my dismay, socialism collapsed in Europe, just as many said it would have to eventually. It's a ponzi scheme and you can't keep it up. Now, kids have forgotten all about it. They know nothing about how socialism is a failure. They are once again wanting to censor speech. We learned nothing! Why aren't parents taking responsibility to teach their kids about this stuff? WHY? Why is the school system such a failure and not teaching it?

For this reason, I'm hoping kids will come along and see my suggestions on binge watching. This one is the evils of what the world was like, and can be like.

Amazon Prime

The Man in the High Castle is a great one to start with. It's based on a book and if you've read the book, fine. Still, this shows us the evils of two things. 1. Fascism. Despite what Fascists will tell you, it is loaded with socialism. They spiteful claim that they hate socialism, but they lie. They do the same as socialists do, but they also get rid of those they don't want to pay for anymore (e.g., elderly, sick, the Jewish). 2. Imperialism. This is close to the same thing as well. You have one dictator and depending on what he believes, that's how things are run. Ever heard an old man say "I don't much care for that new fangled stuff" well imagine if your leader said that. Now what?

Only a single season of this has been made and it is available to stream with Prime. They have renewed it for another season, so that should get interesting. Of all the suggestions here, visually this one is superb. Thoughtfully, this one is also superb. It's a New Europe and the Rocky Mountains are the New Alps and so has a New Switzerland. It's just so cleverly done. You have dark and dreary vs. bright and cheery. It is really an amazing show.

As for acting, it is also amazing. It's hard to really pick out the best of them all, but the multi-faceted performance made by Rufus Sewell is hard not to mention.

The Americans is a good show too. This one, however, tries to remain unbiased. However, I get a little annoyed with how Americans are portrayed. Just as I get upset then they show you that the KGB are liars after all. It makes the show interesting in the very least. You come to almost care about the KGB but then there are times you want to scream at them. What this show does best is show you that the Soviets were willing to kill before getting answers.

This one has aired a total of three seasons, but only the first two are available on Prime. I understand that the third season is about to be released on Prime and that it is even better than the first two. I'm hooked, so I can't wait.

Acting wise, the Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has an astonishingly amazing American accent. I've just about never heard one quite so perfect. Not even from Kate Winslet. He almost even has a light Pennsylvania sounding dialect. You can't get much more American than that! His acting too is brilliant.

Hulu Plus

Deutschland 83 is a fantastic show. Fair warning though. This is a German television show and is not dubbed, it's instead subtitled. I highly recommend it. You'll find that a lot of German is understandable in English. Remember, English is a Germanic and Latin language. Yes, Latin. French is Latin. This shows the evils of socialism and how they keep you under control. many say, "no, they're communists!" Tell them that then. They even call themselves "socialists" in the show! Germans would know too.

The show starts off a bit quirky and visually is way behind American TV. However, by the middle of the season, it has picked up and you don't notice anymore. The acting seems subpar in the beginning until you get to know them. I think it's because I don't speak German and I'm so busy reading subtitles that I can only see their face after they've spoken. It takes some getting used to, but I think you'll be glad you enjoyed it.

Netflix

I hate to say it, but Netflix is lacking when it comes to television such as this. I will however recommend Foyle's War, which has been around for sometime now. It's not about the actual war, though it does get highlighted frequently, but it demonstrates the resilience of the people of British Isles during World War II. It's a lovely made show, is a murder mystery and has the most amazing acting by Michael Kitchen.

If you like serial killers, then add Bletchley Circle to that too. I'm saddened that they are not renewing that show, but it's quick run (I think there are only five episodes) was a good one. The two leading women are indeed great in their parts but Anna Maxwell Martin is stunning as Susan.

This one is post World War II, but has flashbacks during that time. It however is only a McGuffin. The story is about women solving murders.

Summary

So there you have it. No, my suggestions are not New Years holiday suggestions. Just some good entertainment for certain time periods. Most are considered MA, so this is not a list for kids. It's for you as adults to learn and then pass on the reality.

Cheers to you all and let me know if you have any further suggestions! I'm all ears.

Television studios and ridiculous expectations.

I find it interesting that network television refuses to recognize the real world and how we're living in it. Today we get entertainment in a lot of ways. We can stream movies, television shows and whatnot. In fact, when you get right down to it, American television is pretty much a thing of the past.

Why can't they see what they're doing wrong? I have an answer for that: greed. Yes, greed, full blown unadulterated green. Hollywood is politics. That's all it is. They have lost substance, morals and and absolute reality, but that's not the point. The point is that they still think they have a hold on America for entertainment, when they don't.

Let's take a look at I Love Lucy. That show had 11 million viewers. That's an astonishing number of viewers in the 1950s and did you know today the #1 TV show, The Big Bang Theory, only gets 15 million, as of today? Between 1950 and 2010, the US population doubled and so technically, in order for The Big Bang Theory to get the same ratings as I Love Lucy, they would need another 7 million viewers. That's an enormous number! Some shows only get that many and are still considered successful.

The only television show that gets that number in ratings, is NFL football programming. They spank regularly scheduled programming.

All of that is proof that networks have lost reality. The severe decline in ratings is proof that people don't appreciate the way they do it. Desperate means calls for desperate measures. Instead of looking at why people don't want to watch, they decide to charge you instead! Take a look at what CBS thought they could do to gain viewers.

Yes, it's only $6 per month, but think about that for a minute. What if ABC charges the same, then NBC, then FOX then CW? Already you're talking $24 per month. Now, that's just local television. What if cable networks decided to go that route on their own? Do you watch TNT or TBS? Make that $36. How about ESPN and Fox Sports? Make that $48. What about the numerous National Geography or Discovery channels. Let's go with only 4 of those. Now you're at $72.

If you had cable, you may have already surpassed the cost of it, depending on your package. Sadly, you've only got 12 channels! Now do you see the expense?! It's cheaper instead to subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus or pay for a whole year of Amazon Instant. Why on earth then would I want to pay a website to see their shows?! It is absolute insanity.

Many TV shows became popular because of Netflix. How many loved Breaking Bad and watched it for the first time on Netflix? What about Mad Men? Downton Abbey? There are loads of TV shows I have come to love, just by watching them on Netflix. I discovered the genius of Once Upon a Time on Netflix and I never in my life normally would have watched it, had it not been on there.

The fact is that the public now wants to binge watch television. The networks become greedy and think they can lure the simple minded by making you pay for it, when the truth is you don't have to. The way I see it is, if you wanted me to watch, then you'd make it easier Besides, I could watch it for free on regular television. Why would I want to pay now?!

From another angle, I have discovered that British television is actually superior to American television. It's not nearly as shallow as American TV. No, it doesn't have the bigger budgets or as many beautiful people, but it has realism, artistic design, great writing and superior direction. I hate to say it, but American TV just doesn't hold a candle to what I call BTV.

Want some binge watching? Here is some amazing television: Midsomer Murders, Poirot, The Fall, Doc Martin, Hinterland, Downton Abbey, Foley's War, Bletchley Circle, Sherlock and Arthur. I'm sure there are more, but those are enough to get you started. Keep in mind that the British love a good mystery, so most of those are mysteries but trust me, they're excellent fun. Stick with them!

Though this is a bit off topic, let me just say that while the older episodes of Midsomer are well dated, keep at it. It has a very dry sense of humor and trust me, you'll get the most interesting murders ever planned before. How about death by catapulted wine bottles? Barnaby is brilliantly funny and poor Joyce can't cook to save her life, but never in all the years that she is on that show, does she ever learn what her family says about her cooking. I noticed that American TV seemed to pick up on their bizarre murder ideas and ABC's Castle seems to copy the idea that Midsomer originated.

Now, back to our show....

CBS could still make money off its shows using Netflix or another service. CBS could limit the number to make you want to watch it live on their station but no, they don't. They want you to pay. Fine, then I simply won't watch. How does that help you now CBS?

I don't mean to sound like I'm just picking on CBS, because I'm not. It's a warning to others who may wish to try it out. What the networks need to do is wake up and realize that they do not own America anymore. We will not be held hostage!

Agree with me? Then send them a message and let them know.

Now go and watch some BTV right now! You won't regret it. What was that? You wonder what I'd suggest first? Well, any really, but to get a grasp on them, try Sherlock first. Once you see that, you'll laugh at the stupidity of Elementary on CBS. Okay, that's just a coincidence. Still not picking on CBS on purpose.

Why are you still reading this? GO WATCH SHERLOCK!!!!

Historic Moments: Tuesday, 21 February 1939

Below is what I had written before something happened and I couldn't continue daily. I'll go ahead and publish this one, as is. I will still continue the series, but it will not be daily. At the least, it will be weekly. 

This is part of a series detailing in real time World War II, American culture during the war and usually small town life. For information, please see this post, and this one. As a note, direct quotes from the newspaper are in this font, and my comments during direct quotes are [in these brackets]. Parenthesis in quotes, are the paper's own.

Today's random newspaper pick is the Indiana Evening Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Previously in Historic Moments...

• President Roosevelt is battling Congress on the sale of planes to France and the building of a naval base in Guam. 
• The Spanish Civil War.
• The Japanese invasion of China and its ramifications.
• The execution of Franklin Pierce McCall, though we'll probably get no new news until around the 24th, his next execution date.
• Tensions between France and Italy, in Africa.
• The possible kidnapping of Anne Louise Sweitzer, an 8-year-old girl from Pasadena, CA. 

Now, on with today's news. 

The biggest headline of the day is about a very disturbing Nazi rally at Madison Square Gardens. A whopping 20,000 people attended in support. Photos that display the enormity of it all can be Googled, and please go look at the link so you can understand what I mean in a minute. It'll only take a second. There were storm trooper guards, hate speeches, the alignment of George Washington with fascism and so forth. 

Now, I disagree wholeheartedly with anything fascist, but I must admit that I find the freedom of speech here amazing. These Nazi supporters were protected by local police so they could exercise this very right. What is completely opposite however, is when a journalist called out that it was nonsense. The police were ready to arrest her! Why? In the end, he didn't because another journalist pointed out that her freedom of speech was also being exercised, but it bothers me that he was about to arrest her to begin with.

The other thing is, can you possibly imagine getting on a stage in front of 22,000 people today and shouting how Muslims are what is wrong with the world, or blacks, or anyone? Would we still have that right to shout hate? Or would we be arrested? It is worth looking at the difference of freedom then and now. 

I believe in free speech no matter how offensive it may sound to someone. I believe in unrestrained speech. Nazis were pure evil, but just because they blustered about nonsense doesn't mean they should not air their twisted opinions. Today though, we no longer carry that right. Ask Juan Williams, he'll tell you all about that.

However, I digress. The headline mentions it turning violent and there was some fighting. One heroic Isadore Greenbaum leaped onto the stage and rushed the speaker then was immediately attacked by "a dozen or more" storm troopers. The man's clothes were ripped and he was bleeding, but the police rushed in to rescue the man. They subsequently arrested him and his bail was set at $100.

In all, thirteen people were arrested due to fighting. People outside of the rally flocked and demonstrated. It was quite a display of heated opposition. There are videos, articles and so forth out there and I highly recommend you taking the time to learn more about it. 

The Chinese war with Japan roars on. Until now, westerners in China were supposed to be safe, but Japan launched an aerial bombardment on Hong Kong, which at the time was a territory of Great Britain. Naturally, it was not well received, in the least, by the empire.

As the paper went to print, there was not yet news of much detail. They knew that a train station was hit, a British policeman was killed along with dozens injured.

The British ambassador to Tokyo was directed to "to protest immediately to the Japanese government in the strongest of terms," and to "press for a reply to the British not of Jan. 14 [1939] asking clarification of Japanaese intentions toward western powers in regard to maintenance of an open door to trade in China. (The United States on Dec. 31 and France on Jan. 19 made similar representations to Japan)."

Little 8-year-old Anne Louise Sweitzer has been found alive, but her condition is not yet released. They did say that she was suffering from nausea, which is odd. The suspect, Townsend Davis, was not being charged with kidnapping, but instead "a morals charge". His motive, he said, was that "she wanted to leave home. I considered her home a bad environment for her."

The newspaper's headline contradicts itself with the article. The headline says she was 5, but the article correctly says that she was 8. Yesterday's newspaper said that Davis was the 40-year-old nephew of a neighbor who had brought her home two days before and had bought her candy and gloves.

China and Japan both claim victory of an aerial battle over Lanchow. Both sides give different numbers of downed planes.

The other day there was talk that Britain and France were going to recognize Generalissmo Franco as the legitimate leader of Spain. It was an unofficial leak. Today however, France instructed a Senator Leon Berard to "reach a basis for formal recognition of [his] regime."

Have a great day!

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Newspaper reformatting

Originally I was going to have to put this on hold. I was finding that it was much more time consuming than I expected. However, after thinking on it, I think a weekly newspaper update would be just as interesting. Many of the stories have no new news, so the important ones would be just as easy to still follow.

Also, extra stories are sometimes hard to find. If I pared it down to a week, it will work, I think, much better.

You can follow my clippings if you wish, in the meantime. I will still continue to read the papers on a daily basis, and save the ones I think people may be interested in.

So! Please come back on Friday and I'll have an article up for you and we'll just do the full week.

Cheers!

Dogs and Knee Braces for cruciate injuries, part II.

Last year, I posted about a brace I had for my dog called the Atrac from WoundWear.com after much research. Our girl has a torn ACL, which is a devastating injury.

Before I go on, I must apologize to so many of you who made comments. I never saw the comment notices and so never posted an update thinking no one had been interested. I am just SO sorry about this. My apologies.

I have to admit that it has been a long bumpy road and sadly, it is not over. She did fairly well, but I noticed that she started having some back problems. She did not like the way the straps attached down her back because of course it would pull a bit, as it should have in order to keep the tension on the brace correct. She would then bend her body just a bit to let off the tension.

If we loosened it ourselves, the the brace would slide down. It was a catch-22. Finally, we felt she was walking pretty well so we took it off. My daughter is living with us and her two dogs live here, so we have 4 large dogs in the house. They would play and she would start limping again.

The problems arose when she started losing weight. While wearing the brace, she wouldn't walk properly and (as I mentioned about her back) but also she began getting very thin. It's just so sad because they cannot tell us what is wrong. :'( As a human nurse, I suspected she was actually sort of grieving, as patients do when they have a major life change such as loss of independence or the loss of a limb.

To add to this, she was starting to act like she was in pain. We figured it was the combination of her back and leg. It took trying several things, but I finally found a regimen that worked for her. She would take tramadol and carprofen in the morning, then tramadol at night and we saw a serious improvement in her walking.

Finally we felt that she had been wearing the brace for long enough. We removed it and though she still limped a bit but it didn't slow her down, she wasn't in pain, she was very happy and began gaining weight again.

Then the worst thing in the world happened. She tore her other ACL. I kid you not! I couldn't afford another bilateral brace. Fortunately, that injury seemed relatively minor. Because she was not able to bear weight for long on either leg, we put the brace back on, grateful there is a cuff on the opposite side of the main brace portion. That cuff made a difference.

So! That's where we are now. You can judge for yourself. I think if you have a dog that isn't as headstrong as ours is, you'll probably do fine. Our girl is a spunky pistol. She's the boss of the house (the alpha dog, even with her bilateral injuries) and though she is obedient, you cannot make her do something she doesn't want to. Thus, the brace didn't work as well as I would have preferred.

I'm nearly 99% certain that if I put it on any of our other dogs, they would have done fine. It's just this one who is a rebellion with stuff like that. Once she had a hot spot that was horrible. She kept licking at it, making it worse. I put on the "cone of shame" to stop her from doing it and she refused to go anyway or do anything. She just pouted.

I hope this answers some of your questions. As many have commented on my original post, it worked out really well for a lot of you, which is what I would expect.

Her walking is definitely improved, but not 100% normal. I am absolutely confident that's because of her, rather than the fault of the brace.

Historic Moments: Monday, 20 February 1939

This is part of a (hopefully daily) series detailing in real time World War II, American culture during the war and usually small town life. For information, please see this post, and this one.

Good morning everyone! I don't really know if anyone is reading this, but I like to think a few of you are. If even one person finds this interesting, then I'm happy. Now let's get going.

Today's random newspaper pick is the Roseburg News-Review in Roseburg, Oregon. I'm trying to randomly pick newspapers by region, because often American culture is different from one region to the next. Yesterday was the Southeast, my first post was the Midwest and so forth. Now it's the Pacific Northwest.

Previously in Historic Moments...

Several stories have been in the newspapers for days. One is the sale of planes from President Roosevelt to France as well as a naval base in Guam. Opponents feel both of these actions are leading a path to war. 

Tension in Africa between France and Italy are heating up. France took back land it gave to Italy because Italy broke an agreement, and as a result Mussolini is now building up troops along the Libyan border.

Spain's civil war continues. France and Britain moved to recognize the Nationalist side of the war.

Japan has continued it's massive invasion of China. They landed with air strikes, tanks, heavily armed mounted and foot soldiers and so forth. Americans are considered safe and upon recognizing this, missions were flooded with people seeking refuge or simply asking for American flags to hang outside their homes.

Notorious kidnapper and child murderer Franklin Pierce McCall is set to be executed by electric chair, today I believe. You can read about his crime in this post.

Now, on with today's news.

The article for top headline of the day tells us that the majority of Congress is in agreement with the Guam naval plans after all. The paper says the move is "new evidence of determination to bolster national defense." This doesn't mean that the opposition now agrees, simply that FDR is not alone in his belief it needs to be done.

Opponents are not alone in the belief that the president's latest decisions are a path to war. The Nazis and Italians are now publicly complaining about FDR's latest actions.

[Marshal Badoglio, Chief of the Italian General Staff] said an "imperialistic Anglo-Saxon minority excited by a man like Roosevelt, who belongs without doubt to a race of great preachers of war, is beginning to rise up again and consider inevitable a new historic demonstration of America's mission and new intervention to make the world safe for democracy."

... The great majority of Americans, he said, were the prey of propaganda because their origins, mentalities and interests differed too widely for them to form their on public opinion on International affairs, especailly those of Europe.

In general, Americans are ignorant of, or indifferent to, Europe, the writer went on with a "very" determined Anglo-Saxon minority holding the reins."

Germany was not without their opinion on the matter either. Apparently the entire press leaped upon Roosevelt. The most biting came from the Boersenzeitung (a German newspaper), who said Roosevelt "systemactially [sic] attempted to sow trouble in the world in order to assist the dark forces which support him."

Meanwhile, Rabbi Perlzweigh said before the London Jewish congress that "Roosevelt is the symbol of all forces of democracy and freedom is a sufficient declaration."

The Midwest has had a cold snap that has affected them greatly. Though the headlines claims "four states" it is actually five. The Dakotas (which I assume they're counting as one), Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.

Temperatures have been sub-zero and remember that this region is only now beginning to recover from the Dust Bowl, so this makes it even more difficult for them to deal with.

The African situation continues to build. Italy has sent 30,000 more troops to deal with France. They defend their action by saying France did it first. Instead of contacting France to let them know about the build up, Italy contacted Britain.

What is odd is that the article adds the following, which is actually a different subject entirely and it does not hint as to why this is being done.

Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, formally sought authority to borrow 800,000,000 pounds ($4,000,000,000) to finance rearmament, which he said was now approach the "full blast of production." 

It was "horrible" he said, to spend so much on arms. But [sic] he expressed confidence Britain could "stand the strain."

Circling back around to the French, I was kind of reminded of the film Casablanca, when I read the article at right. The only major difference is that it was the Nazis slaying the French, in the movie.

For odd news of the day, there is this article whose headline is off like the one above. It should read bombings, plural, since there were actually three separate bombs and three separate buildings. What was odd were the buildings that were bombed. There were two dairy production centers and a knitting factory that were damaged.

In any case there were only a couple of minor injuries and the event had occurred three years before. Unfortunately, the article offers no hints on what their motive may have been.

More news out of Germany is the revelation of the recruitment of spies in the US. A man by the name of George Rettig was the Director of the American branch of the German University Exchange System. It was announced by General Von Massow, who is head of the entire system, that Rettig's actions were not instructions ever given to him. Rather than replace Rettig, Massow asked the Director of International Education in New York (Stephen Pierce Dugan) to take the office over.

The Providence (R. I.) [sic] Bulletin said February 10 Rettig had sent out a circular letter requesting German students on American and Canadian campuses to supply nazi [sic] authorities with information on political and economic conditions in the United States.

The newspaper said Rettig has been recalled by Berlin because the Germany embassy in Washington felt he had acted indiscretely [sic].

There is no explanation as to how the incident was discovered, but the indiscreet comment is interesting. It was not 'what he was doing was bad', it was only 'indiscreet.'

Our kidnapper and killer, McCall, has an update. Yesterday, the Florida Supreme Court turned down a stay for his execution, but today it looks as though he has a little more time, even if they've already shaved his head.

It does not say who granted the stay, but he now has until Friday to file an appeal. We'll have to mark our calendars and see what happens next.

Along the same topic is another possible kidnapping in Pasadena, California. She is an eight-year-old girl that went missing yesterday morning. The entire article is worth reading, but it may make your blood run cold.

Hopefully we'll hear what happened to her.

The Chinese are beginning to clear out the bad Chinese blood, via guerrilla warfare. Since Japan occupied Shanghai, there have been 50 political assassinations by the Chinese. Today's news tells us that 20 Chinese gunman broke into the home of Teheng Loh, who is also Chinese. He was a one-time League of Nations delegate and was pro-Japan. The assailants worked in collusion with Loh's own bodyguards and 15 bullets were found in Loh's body. The bodyguards escaped with the gunman.

Sales and Prices

• Friskies Dog Food, 3 1/2¢/day (about $1.05/mo)
• Portable tube radio, $3.50
• Southern Pacific Railroad's round trip coach to San Francisco during World's Fair, $16.55
• Air Mail Coffee, 15¢/lb. or 39¢/3 lbs.
• Team of horses, 1300 lbs. each, $150.
• Movies, matinees 25¢, evenings 35¢, kiddies 10¢
• Used brass [they call it gold] trumpet worth $185, $50

On the radio tonight is The Lone Ranger and tomorrow night The Green Hornet.

There are a number of society type announcements. 

Finally, a leap for women in the region and a good old fashioned funny.



I wish you all a pleasant afternoon and evening. Please check back in tomorrow! 

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Images and articles from this newspaper were generously provided by the totally awesome Newspapers.com. I am not affiliated them with them in any way, just a very happy subscriber. Should you decide to subscribe, please let them know magnoliasouth sent you. No, I get nothing for it, I just want them to know. :)

Historic Moments: Sunday, 19 February 1939

This is part of a (hopefully daily) series detailing in real time World War II, American culture during the war and usually small town life. For information, please see this post, and this one.

Today's random newspaper pick is the Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama; a farming community at the time, between Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

This paper does not come with an absolute top headline. However, there is one obviously very important crop to the region because it has its own spot at the top right of the page (see right), right next to the title of the newspaper. 

One thing I will say is that I was disappointed in the quality of this newspaper's archive. It is very difficult to read. That said, let us move along.

We've been following FDR's battles with Congress on the sale of bombers to France to defend itself from "totalitarian governments", and building up bases in Guam. Congress is quite alarmed by FDR's decisions, rightly saying it is a path to war. Hindsight is that we know it probably would have been best to plunge into it and get it over with earlier, to save millions of live, but alas we must drudge through the destruction of humanity. 

Right now, the president is at Key West involved in a mock war with the Navy, who are performing maneuvers. He is scheduled to remain there until the 3rd of March.

The article (just below) is about where he is and what he's doing, but then it says:

That information was to the effect that a possibility existed that certain countries would renew their international demands, it was reported, were being pushed not through regular diplomatic channels, but through a more recent method of relations - the use of fear and aggression.

Mr. Roosevelt... declined to give the names of countreis involved... but observers believed he may have had in mind new gestures toward European democracies by Germany and Italy.

Things are heating up in Africa between France and Italy. France seized land that had been annexed to Italy in response to Mussolini's actions. 

The [anexation treaty] was denounced [by Mussolini] to make way for Italy's "natural aspirations," meaning new colonial ambitions expected to be gained at the expense of France.

The Secretary of the Treasury had been dragged into the whole bombers sale to France situation. FDR had ordered them, and others to work with the French. Though the secretary disagreed with what FDR was doing, he found it preposterous that "military committee" should even ask for a copy of the order. Also, the assistant Secretary of the Treasury resigned over the entire thing, two days ago.

The Spanish Civil War is still going. The latest news on that front is that Britain and France had moved to recognize Nationalist Spain, rather than the Loyalist (or Republican) Spain. It is a curious thought as to how they came to such a decision. It looks like neither were good choices.


On the surface, the headline (left) almost sounds like good news to us in the modern world. Being able to leave Germany is exactly what we would want for them. 

This is however still bad news. The order is about crossing into Poland. If they can get out of Europe then they may be safe, but sadly many will not go.

By year's end, Poland will have fallen into German hands and the Jews there will suffer simply because they exist.

FDR's Guam base plans continue to get a lot of opposition. "The minority [of the House Naval Affairs Committee] - five Republicans and a Democrat - charged that plans for development of the tiny South Pacific island is the first step toward ultimate fortification of the isle which lies amid Japan's South Pacific ??? [illegible]."

One on Senate Military Affairs Committee went so far as to say that President Roosevelt was pushing the nation toward the brink of war in order to deflect attention from "his failures in domestic policies."

Domestically, the New Deal continues to evolve. The Secretary of Commerce, Harry L. Hopkins proposed a program that will:

...establish harmony and cooperation between the business and the New Deal...

On the basis of hints in official quarters, the program is expected to offer a ??? [illegible, but probably "basis"] of peace between labor factions, between labor and industry and between government and industry - especially utilities.

A recommendation to the Wage-Hour Administration was made in respect to the woolen industry. They suggest that the wage should be set at 35¢ per hour, "only 4 cents under the 40-cent goal which the fair labor standards ??? [illegible] is designed to reach within seven years."

There is an interesting thing a local high school is doing. Both the left and right are related to it. They are hosting the debate between what the left headline (lower headline) says.

I'm sure it was quite interesting!


We've been following the kidnapper, Franklin Pierce McCall execution news. There is really nothing new to report except that he is inching closer to the electric chair. The Florida Supreme Court refused a request for a stay of execution.

This paper had a few things that I found disturbing, outside of war. I don't mean to launch into an editorial, but I first must explain my dismay at these things. As I've mentioned before, I'm not a feminist, per say. I believe in equal rights, I believe in equal pay for equal work and so forth. I do NOT believe in women having an edge over anyone, as today's so-called feminists believe.

That said, I must circle back around to equality. Take a close look at the ad (left) for a restaurant. Women today are too quick to scream harassment and offensive behaviors toward women. I scoff at the silliness of it all, but not at this ad! To imagine that it's only men and then they even go so far as to show a woman sitting there smiling happily while the man celebrates his good business fortune with a cigar, is just amazingly unbelievable... but it gets worse!

Next we have a column on manners for women in dating. The advice here is absolutely stunning. In the 1930s, there were plenty of women with good jobs and were very independent. I love classic film, and I can name dozens of films where women had careers and were highly respected, but in places such as New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. Those women were usually shunned or at the minimum, frowned upon. For the rest of the nation, life was different. You were expected to marry and have children, then support your husband in his business ventures (as in the ad above left). The manners article demonstrates how women are expected to behave.

The article is difficult to read, but by clicking on it, you can try to decipher it. Probably my favorites, or what we'd call the most insulting today, are the first two. We should not talk to the waiter, or the cab driver, but let our man do it for us. I can't help but laugh at that.

As a side note, both my grandmothers were working moms. One didn't have to work, but she preferred to. The other had to and though she practically raised her children alone (my grandfather was out of town a lot due to the fact he worked for the Southern Railroad), she loved every minute of it. She was absolutely amazing.

Moving along....



Prices

• 3-room unfurnished apartment, private entrance, private bath $18.50/mo.
• Hampton Dry Cleaners, men's suit or women's plain dress, 35¢ or 3 for $1.
• A building lot in town, $400
• Good farm mule $25
• Ladies "tipless" back strap shoes, $4.95
• Croquignole permanent, $1
• Croquignole oil permanent, reg. $3, sale $2
• Individual Nestyle* [sic] permanent, reg. $5, sale $3
• Shampoo, finger wave, manicure and ??? [illegible], $100

*Should have read Nestle.

This newspaper puts out local Boy Scout news then adds tips on badges, probably for the parents to read to know what to do next.

Local society news is always fun. Who is visiting who and such.

Have a great afternoon everyone! Please come back and read it tomorrow.

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Images and articles from this newspaper were generously provided by the totally awesome Newspapers.com. I am not affiliated them with them in any way, just a very happy subscriber. Should you decide to subscribe, please let them know magnoliasouth sent you. No, I get nothing for it, I just want them to know. :)

Historic Moments: Saturday, 18 February 1939

This is part of a (hopefully daily) series detailing in real time World War II, American culture during the war and usually small town life. For information, please see this post, and this one.

Today's random newspaper pick is the Arizona Republic, coming out of Phoenix. The headline is: 

SALE OF PLANES DEFENDED 

ABOARD ROOSEVELT TRAIN, En Route to Key West, Feb. 17 - President Roosevelt today defended the sale of American military planes to France as 100 per cent [sic] legal and asserted the whole government had facilitated the transaction... 

Testimony made public by the [senate military committee] also disclosed that when Secretary Morgenthau was asked why the treasury procurement division was asked to co-operate with the French mission seeking planes he replied this was done at the request of the President. [sic]

Remember that yesterday we read that there was some discussion on creating legislation to stop Roosevelt from selling planes to France, for its defense against totalitarian government? Well, now opponents have graduated from creating legislation to simply calling it "illegal and costly".

There are some "defense and foreign policy developments" outlined, as well. Though complicated, simply put there is a schism in the administration right now. Besides yesterday's issue with the Treasury Department heads, now there is dissent from the War Department, who believe that selling planes to France is against policy. The chief of the US Army Air Service (remember that the Air Force and the Army were not yet separated at that time) "was against permitting [pro-sale mission members] to inspect planes being developed under general war department specifications."

This was all outlined in testimony, but it listed these plans:

1. A favorable report by the house naval affairs committee on a bill authorizing $52,000,000 for new air and submarine bases at Guam and 10 other Pacific and Atlantic points. 
2. Introduction of a bill.... calling for co-ordination of army, navy, and air corps activities under a single department of national defense. 
3. Proposals in both house and senate that the United States take possession of the Soviet-held Wrangel Island, near Alaska, for use as a "stopping place" in the chain of American air-defense stations. 
4. Announcement of extended field maneuvers in the East by the First. U. S. Army this summer. Approximately 67,000 men till participate in the concentration.

It goes on to fill in the gaps, in greater detail. The planes in question were made by Douglas. The mission members were indeed foreign and were supposed to be allowed to inspect the planes comma "less secret accessories." However, in an suspicious twist of fate, in their efforts to hurriedly transcribe the order, the word less was actually dropped. The interpretation of course was to assume that they were to let them inspect the planes 'with' secrets.

That actually really doesn't make any sense. I would never interpret it at all. I would call someone about the order saying it didn't make sense, but this captain stupidly added his own judgmental word.

A lot of the same stories from yesterday are listed here but none offer new news. This was common because not all newspapers were published daily.

War End Is Asked By Azana 

Britain, France Push Peace Parleys 

PARIS, Feb. 17. - Manuel Azana, president of government of Spain, who has pleaded the futility of further resistance to Insurgent Generalissimo Francisco Franco, was reported tonight to have demanded that his government make peace on any terms... 

Informed diplomatic quarters said both Britain and France actively were pushing peace negotiations at Franco's capital, Burgos. "The moment as come to end the tragic and useless blood bath with the help of France and Britain," [Azana] was quoted as having [said].

The next article requires a little background. On the 28th of May in 1938 in Princeton, FL, a five-year-old boy by the name of James "Skeegie" Bailey Cash Jr. was kidnapped. The kidnapper, Franklin Pierce McCall, said he placed handkerchiefs over the eyes and mouth of the boy, picked him up and carried him to his home, that was about 15 minutes away. He claims the boy suffocated during the kidnapping, but he believed him to be alive. This is odd because he still tried to ransom him, which sounds very much like he killed the boy beforehand, but of course no one really knows.


His ransom demand was for $10,000, which was paid (obviously) not knowing the boy was already dead. The FBI joined the hunt and soon the man was caught. I won't get into all the details. If interested you are welcome to search to read about it. However, the news of this day is about to bring the entire ordeal to a close, at least in a criminal sense. I'm sure the family never recovered from it and I'm also sure we'll hear more about him in the coming days.

Though the Dust Bowl is winding down, there is still a farming shortage. The following headline tells the main story. They say that the average dollar amounts in loans were between $3k and $4k. They also say, "The [Farm Credit Administration] is authorized to make loans to individual farmers running up to 75 per cent of the normal value of property, but not exceeding $7,500."

Grocery Sales (Pay'n Takit)
(note that my personal fav is the 48 lbs. of flour)

• Glen Oaks Green Beans, No. 2 cans, 25¢/4 cans
• Harvest Blossom Flour, 29¢/10 lbs. , 53¢/24 lbs., 98¢/48 lbs.
• Calavos Avocados, 19¢/4 ea.
• Webster's Butter 29¢/lb.
• Gem Nut Margarine, 10¢/lb.
• Western Longhorn Cheese, 18¢/lb.
• Country Sausage, 14¢/lb.
• Bacon 29¢/lb.
• Mission Bell Toilet Soap, 9¢/2 cakes
• Ivory Soap Flakes, 9¢/sm. pkg, 22¢/lg. pkg.

Women's Clothing Sales (The Boston Store)

• Tuxedo, collarless, boxy-styled coats, $18.75
• Lingerie or blouses $1.98
• Suit, $10.95
• Shoes, $6 and $6.75.

Misc

• Valley Lumber Feed and Seed's gas, 17¢ (doesn't specify if it's by the gallon or not)

Japan continues its invasion of China, which is interesting since that blurb above mentions how American forces are being built up in the Pacific. The winds of war are in the air. We still have a couple of years yet, but events are unfolding that we know are a prelude to that war.

This map though is interesting. Though the headline is about the new road, and the road is highlighted in the map (the squiggly line in the southwestern part of the map), the map is also of the current situation. I also think it's really creative. Notice how the Japanese occupied areas are sunbeams, as in the rising sun?

There is more later on about the occupation. The USS John D Edwards reported via Hong Kong what a Mrs. David Tappan, a Presbyterian missionary in  Kiungchow wrote eight days ago. She said they awoke "to the sound of bombs exploding, planes whirring and machine guns rattling. This soon had us huddling behind the stoutes of walls." She goes on to explain how the Hong Kong radio began broadcasting, warning everyone that Hainan. She says that there were calvary horses and tanks rolling in as well as heavily armed foot soldiers. The locals, who taken by complete surprise, were panic stricken and started flooding into the missions for safety. 

She says that though there was not a lot of bloodshed, save the heavy casualties a bus who accidentally came into the line of fire, the Japanese were pillaging the towns. She says "many of the poorest Chinese were stripped of all they owned."

Many Chinese were begging for American flags, which of course they didn't have, to raise in order to save themselves. Americans were treated with care and in fact, the Japanese posted "keep out" signs on buildings where Americans could be found, for their troops. 

The military also said that they spoke to the Japanese and received assurances that Americans would "be respected and protected," but also the Japanese would provide food supplies for Americans if there was trouble getting them in. 

There are small tidbits of news. One is a single sentence paragraph which says, "Britain may grant a subsidy of $5 an acre to barley growers." There is no explanation or anything. That is all it says. 

A man who translated the Bible into Chinese has died. It doesn't say if this man is the first man ever to do it, but it took him nine years to complete it. He was Rev. Dr. Spencer Lewis, was 85, died in Chentu, China. The announcement was made by the Methodist Board of Foreign Missions.

The funniest article of the day is the one to the right, but it's only funny if he wasn't hurt, and this doesn't say. The other question is, how on earth did that happen? The pants must've been made of some seriously flimsy cloth.

The Saturday edition in most papers, at least in the south and apparently Arizona in 1939, outlines local churches, their services and events for the coming week and so forth. They usually have several inspirational articles as well as news on important missionaries or evangelists passing through.

One article sticks out today and it is apparently a weekly (obviously syndicated) column titled "Weekly Sunday School Lesson" by William E. Gilroy, D. D., Editor of Advance. Today's topic is "Beverage Alcohol And Its Social Perils" [sic]. It calls prohibition a "noble experiment". It lists reasons it is perilous such as auto drunk driving accidents and the possibility of locomotive drunk operating accidents. He cites two articles from his local paper that involved a drunken brawl where a man was stabbed, and an unfaithful wife whose actions were a result of the drink.

Local Events

• Barker's Bakery is having an open house from 3p-8p where you can "Come see how the bread, rolls, cakes, and pastries you enjoy so much are made. We will have music and refreshments will be served." They sell French pastries for 10¢ among many other items listed.
• Old Timers Dance, tonight 35¢, Wed. 25¢; music by Clay Ramsey and the Old Timers.
• The Redwood Inn presents Jean and Jeanne in a tap, song and comedy floor show with Tom Dix and his band, no cost is listed.
• Airdome Dancing tonight, the dancing is free but admission is 35¢ and no liquor sold.
• Paul's Paddock Cocktail Lounge has "Adrian at the Hammond Electric organ and his singing waiters to entertain you." Cocktails 25¢ daily 4p-6p, daily music 8p-1a and they must have a short radio show because it says "Listen in KTAR every Sat. 5:45 to 6 P. M." [sic]

In Movie Theaters

• Honolulu starring Eleanor Powell, Robert Young, George Burns, Gracie Allen and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (Jack Benny's Rochester); feature comes with novelty, cartoons and news.
• St. Louis Blues with Dorothy Lamour and Lloyd Nolan; feature comes with "Smashing the Spy Ring", color cartoon and news. 

Radio programs coming on tonight are the Rainbow Room Orchestra on NBC (if I'm not mistaken, I believe this show was airing when NBC had its first Pearl Harbor announcement, but I may be wrong on that) and Americans at Work episode "Silversmiths", on CBS.

In sports, the New York Yankees signed 8 players, one of which was notable Charles "Red" Ruffing. Baseball Hall of Famer George Sisler has a son who just signed onto the St. Louis Cardinals by the name of Dick Sisler. Like his father, he could pitch but will be 3rd baseman.

Polo seems popular. The season begins in Los Angeles and it ends with the international Westchester Cup on Long Island. They note that British have not won the cup since the inception the "World War in 1914". Also opening their polo season is the University of Arizona team.

It's now been a little over 9 years since the 'crash of '29'. Add to that, hoards of farmers continue to flee the plains due to sweeping losses caused by infertile land. At present, homelessness is a major problem. The public is not quick to be friendly to them, either. Many of the homeless were indeed innocent, but like today, many simply did not want to work (I have a relative that prefers to be homeless, rather than work; said person said it straight out). This illustrates that ideology.

In case you cannot read it, the line reads, "Life has been good to me . . . once in Pittsbugh I was offered a job but outside of that I've met with nothing but kindness."


Financial headlines include"Market Loses Rallying Urge As Many Traders Cash Profits", "Flour Buying Boosts Wheat" and "Butcher Cows Turn Weaker".

Southern Pacific Railway's January gross income was $15,766,513, that's up from $15,153,654 in January 1938. AT&T (Am Tel. & Tel.) closed at slightly above 157 (I cannot read the fraction).

In the Classifieds:

• Note: There were no 'help wanted ads'.
• Unfurnished house for rent: Country home, close in, 6 rooms, 2 car garage,$30/mo.
• Apartment for rent, 3 room, 1 bath, water paid, $20/mo.
• Used car for sale, 1938 Graham 4-dr. Sedan, trunk, supercharger, overdrive, 8k miles, $895.
• Used car for sale, 1939 Ford (3) Coupes [sic], $65
• An odd personals: "Desire for alcohol removed. 4-2940"
• Licensed bus rides, All American Bus Lines to Chicago $27.60 to New York $36.80, free meals.

Final thoughts, one not so good....



Enjoy your afternoon and evening, everyone!

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Images and articles from this newspaper were generously provided by the totally awesome Newspapers.com. I am not affiliated them with them in any way, just a very happy subscriber. Should you decide to subscribe, please let them know magnoliasouth sent you. No, I get nothing for it, I just want them to know. :)