Category Archives: Scratch Pad

New Commentary and New Book

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Allen Mesch

New Commentary I just added a lengthy commentary entitled “Univeral Liberty and Universal Suffrage, Secured by Universal Education.” It is about the 1875 Ohio election where Rutherford B. Hayes won a third term as governor. The piece, from William D. … Continue reading →

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It’s Time to Stop Asking the Question

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Allen Mesch

You know the question I am referring to. It’s the same one we ask afterevery shooting, drug overdose, drunken driver manslaughter, beaten or murderedspouse, child poisoning, and immigrant death. Here and now stop asking the asking the questions and take … Continue reading →

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Light the Path to a New Year

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Be a Lighthouse Life is like a lighthouse. It guides the lost and warms the found. Shine like a lighthouse, ignoring the storm. Be a lighthouse: Stand tall, stay strong, and guide others towards safety. Be the lighthouse; they’ll remember … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Magazine

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Time to celebrate our love for family and friends. I have compiled several illustrations from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper for your holiday enjoyment. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Wonderful 2024! Allen

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Why Hasn’t the United Nations Intervened?

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Recently, I watched the movie Shake Hands with the Devil. Shake Hands with the Devil is a 2007 Canadian war drama film starring Roy Dupuis as Roméo Dallaire, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in August 2007. Based on Dallaire’s autobiographical book Shake Hands with the Devil: … Continue reading →

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Abraham Lincoln and Thanksgiving

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Statue of President Abraham Lincoln and Little Known Author (Author’s Photograph) On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the following Thanksgiving Proclamation: The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields … Continue reading →

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“It’s a Scandal! It’s a Outrage!”

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Allen Mesch

The Song from Oklahoma! It’s a Scandal! It’s a Outrage! is a song from the 1943 musical Oklahoma! Traveling salesman Ali Hakim has just been pushed into marrying Ado Annie Carnes by her father, Andrew Carnes. In the musical, Hakim is the … Continue reading →

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Letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Allen Mesch

In the autumn of 1864, Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew wrote to President Lincoln asking him to express condolences to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow believed to have lost five sons during the Civil War. Lincoln’s letter to her was … Continue reading →

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Out of Control

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Allen Mesch

I am disappointed to be writing this post. I have held adjunct faculty positions at Texas Women’s University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Texas at Dallas. I have also taught classes in the SAIL program at Collin College. … Continue reading →

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Holloween Greetings from Sasquatch

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Who is Sasquatch? Sasquatch or Bigfoot is a large and hairy human-like mythical creature alleged to inhabit forests in North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch is often described as a large, muscular, bipedal ape or human-like creature covered … Continue reading →

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