October 18, 2005

[1859 - John Brown and most armed followers killed or captured in raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia]

[1859 - Henri Bergson, Nobel prize philosopher, author, born in Paris]

[1927 - George C. (Campbell) Scott, Academy Award-winning actor, born in Wise, Virginia]

[1942 - Vice Admiral William Halsey named new commander South Pacific]

Terrorist Cell

It is interesting to note that John Brown would undoubtedly be labeled a terrorist by most had he conducted his raid in today's trigger-happy atmosphere of fear, instead of in the year before the civil war. He would be in good company; Nobel Peace Prize winner and first president of a non-apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela was carried on the US list of terrorists for about a quarter century.

Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life, for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and MINGLE MY BLOOD FURTHER WITH THE BLOOD OF MY CHILDREN, and with the blood of millions in this Slave country, whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments,--I say LET IT BE DONE.

Address of John Brown to the Virginia Court,
when about to receive the sentence of death, 1859.

William's Whimsical Words:

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

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