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Clip of the Week: October 19, 2022
On October 19, 2022 by ElyseA duel for the ages: Armed with only a bicycle and an umbrella, two arrogant politicians face off. Who will win? It seems that cycling has become very popular with some of our younger legislators, and certain of them have got into the habit of coming down to the House [of Commons] on their machines
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Clip of the Week: June 29, 2022
On June 29, 2022 by ElyseStay tuned until the end for some shameless self-promotion! This is what happens when women aren’t allowed to vote: A funny incident happened at a Parliamentary election in Cork a few years ago. The contest lay between two rivals, both Nationalist candidates. The wives of four voters whose political views differed from those of their
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The Haying Faker
On October 27, 2021 by ElyseIf you’re reading this post in real time (of course you are—you refresh your inbox every Wednesday until my blog post arrives, right?), join me in singing happy birthday to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt: ♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪ Happy birthday, dear Teddy! ♪ Happy birth— If my terrible
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Clip of the Week: September 22, 2021
On September 22, 2021 by ElyseAn amusing incident, in which Viscount Peel, the ex-Speaker, was the principal figure, took place the other afternoon in the part of the [House of Commons] which is specially reserved for visitors from another place. His Lordship forgetting for the moment that he was anything more than a distinguished stranger, was observed by the horror-stricken
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“What Was Your Most Memorable Halloween?”
On October 28, 2020 by ElyseMore than a century ago, an unnamed journalist was tasked with running around Washington, D.C. and asking notable politicians the burning questions of the day. No, not those about national politics, the burgeoning movement for women’s suffrage or even the war on the tango: Instead, this no-doubt future Pulitzer Prize winner asked U.S. cabinet secretaries
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World’s Worst Gym Teacher
On October 21, 2020 by ElyseNobody tell U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt how few pushups I can do: I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere
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20th-Century Hot Takes
On June 3, 2020 by ElyseI can say very confidently that the following words, which you are about to read, are very accurate and hopefully, very interesting. – Bob, 1976 This is not Second Glance History’s mission statement, although perhaps it should be. These words were, in fact, penned in 1976 by my father, Bob, in a biographical essay he
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2020 Presidential Endorsement
On March 11, 2020 by ElyseYou might not have heard, but the U.S. is in the midst of a teeny, tiny, not-at-all-consequential presidential election. And not everyone is excited about a field limited to three white, septuagenarian men. If you’re on the verge of chucking your TV out the window next time you see a campaign ad, allow me to
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The Pleasantest Prattler
On May 1, 2019 by ElysePolitics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. – Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary, 1911 Ambrose Bierce—author, Civil War veteran and pre-muckraker—was one of the most influential journalists of his day, no doubt thanks in part to wit “so keen that it pierces