Quote of the Month

Writes “Fjordman” over at the Brussels Journal:

The underlying belief behind the American-led efforts to export “democracy” to Islamic countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan is that all human beings should be subject to democracy, just like they are subject to gravity. But as we have seen, gravity applies throughout the entire known universe. What happens if we discover intelligent life on other planets? My bet is that on day one we will all be excited over finding E.T. On day two, American neoconservatives will ask whether E.T. has democracy. If he doesn’t, the USA must promptly send an interplanetary expeditionary force to export democracy to his planet. After all, if E.T has gravity then E.T. must also have democracy, just like Afghan Muslims.

E.T. vote home.

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Franz Joseph Haydn 278

Two years short of fourteen score years ago today, Franz Joseph Haydn was born.

Leather Anniversary

Three years ago today, this web log was launched.

The occasion was the royal promulgation of entering so-called responsible government in the written Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway. This promulgation took place on this day three years ago.

I also wrote this article on the occasion.

Amendment XXIII

A year short of four decades ago today, Amendment XXIII to the Constitution of the United States was ratified.

The amendment runs counter to the concept of those United States as a federal union of states by succumbing to the concept of “everyone having a say.” So the federal capital with its federal bureaucracy must have a say too – instead of purely being at the service of the states. Now, it can of course be argued that the federal bureaucracy has long since fermented outside the borders of the federal capital. However, those United States would do wisely to return to a purer form of the concept of a federal union of states.

You may notice that it was largely the former Confederacy that did not ratify the amendment.

Swedish War Resignation

Four score and a long dozen years ago today, Swedish Premier Hjalmar Hammarskjöld resigned, after having lost support for his stand of neutrality in the Great War.

History Bunk?

Wrote James Jackson over at Taki's Magazine earlier this year:

In losing our history, we lose part of ourselves and impoverish what is left. So forget textspeak and philistinism. My advice to the young is simple — climb to the highest vantage. And then look back.

A.J.P. Taylor

A century and four years ago today, A.J.P. Taylor was born.

Amongst what the notable historian wrote was:

Until August 1914 a sensible, law-abiding Englishman could pass through life and hardly notice the existence of the state, beyond the post office and the policeman. He could live where he liked and as he liked. He had no official number or identity card. He could travel abroad or leave his country for ever without a passport or any sort of official permission. He could exchange his money for any other currency without restriction or limit. He could buy goods from any country in the world on the same terms as he bought goods at home. For that matter, a foreigner could spend his life in this country without permit and without informing the police.

Another quote:

He was what I often think is a dangerous thing for a statesman to be – a student of history; and like most of those who study history, he learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones.

The Feldkirch Manifesto

91 years ago today, the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Family arrived at the Austro-Swiss border in an Imperial train and departed Austria – under the protection of the icon of this weblog, Lt.-Col. Edward Lisle Strutt.

At Feldkirch, the Emperor-King issued the Feldkirch Manifesto, declaring the November 11 power renunciation – so often referred to as an abdication, but erroneously so – null and void, and denouncing the authority of the republican government.

Bhutan Elections

Two years ago today, Bhutan elections were held.

Internal Exile Ended

Seven baker's dozen years ago today, the Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Family departed the hunting lodge at Eckartsau, where the Emperor-King and his family had been in internal exile since the end of the war, under various protection, the last three and a half weeks led by this weblog's icon, Lt.-Col. Edward Lisle Strutt.

The family left for external exile in the Helvetic Confederation in an Imperial train, also under the protection of Lt.-Col. Strutt, after the latter's clever defeat of Karl Renner's abdication demand.

Goethe Passing

178 years ago today, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe passed away.

A quote of choice:

None are more enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

The Last Britannic Veto

Three centuries and two years ago today, Her Britannic Majesty denied Royal Assent, a right never since exercised by a Britannic Sovereign.