The constant need for attention to the point of adoration. Remember Trump with the airline, yacht, casino, cologne, everything with his name on it. They call it building a brand. Musk is in a whole other league, but they do like the "hey look at me" thingy.  

Regarding Fordlandia, I could never figure that one out either. 

23 May 1922 - Sinn Féin outlawed in Northern Ireland. 100 years ago today.

The day after a Unionist Member of the Northern Ireland Parliament was shot dead in a Belfast street by the IRA the government of Northern Ireland outlawed a number of Nationalist movements including Sinn Féin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the women's organization Cumann na mBan. The six Sinn Féin MPs who had been elected at the previous year's Election (but who never took their seats) were banned from standing again. No candidates from Sinn Féin were never again allowed to stand in the elections to the Northern Ireland Parliament during its first existence to 1972.  

As you can see above I chosen an anniversary dealing with Northern Ireland for today.

I have another which I rejected as I've never heard of the two people, but those of you who are into boxing will know more about it. 

23 May 1922 - Harry Greb defeated Gene Tunney to win the American light heavyweight title in what is described as, quite literally, one of the bloodiest contests in professional boxing history. 

23 May 1922 - Sinn Féin outlawed in Northern Ireland.

The day after a Unionist Member of the Northern Ireland Parliament was shot dead in a Belfast street by the IRA the government of Northern Ireland outlawed a number of Nationalist movements including Sinn Féin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the women's organization Cumann na mBan. The six Sinn Féin MPs who had been elected at the previous years Election (but who never took their seats) were banned from standing again. No candidates from Sinn Féin were ever allowed again to stand in the elections to the Northern Ireland Parliament during its first existence to 1972.  

Help me on this one, Mark. Sinn Fein is a splinter group in the IRA & the most radical? Or can we lump in Sinn Fein & the groups you mentioned in this post with the IRA & let it go at that?

For years Sinn Féin was regarded, quite rightly, as the political wing of the IRA and were therefore justifiably banned. However with the end of The Troubles in the late 1990s and Sinn Féin renouncing violence they were allowed back into mainstream politics and have done very well since eclipsing the former Nationalist "go to" party the SDLP. They even do well in the Republic winning 37 seats out of 160 and polling 24.5% of the vote.  

As you can see above I chosen an anniversary dealing with Northern Ireland for today.

I have another which I rejected as I've never heard of the two people, but those of you who are into boxing will know more about it. 

23 May 1922 - Harry Greb defeated Gene Tunney to win the American light heavyweight title in what is described as, quite literally, one of the bloodiest contests in professional boxing history. 

Tunney & Greb fought 5 times which was not unusual for the time period. Tunney was known as the "fighting marine" as he had seen combat in WWI. He later beat the famous Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight title. He then beat Dempsey again in the controversial "long count" rematch. Tunney lost only once in his pro career. 

For years Sinn Féin was regarded, quite rightly, as the political wing of the IRA and were therefore justifiably banned. However with the end of The Troubles in the late 1990s and Sinn Féin renouncing violence they were allowed back into mainstream politics and have done very well since eclipsing the former Nationalist "go to" party the SDLP. They even do well in the Republic winning 37 seats out of 160 and polling 24.5% of the vote.  

So would it be accurate to say they were the "bomb throwers?"

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

My position as posted before. If the Irish wanted to rebel against the British Army occupation I had no problem with that. But when it comes to civilians in public areas or even the Lord Mountbatten assassination that is way over the line & I can not support it. The bomb throwers were terrorists as far as I am concerned. 

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

My position as posted before. If the Irish wanted to rebel against the British Army occupation I had no problem with that. But when it comes to civilians in public areas or even the Lord Mountbatten assassination that is way over the line & I can not support it. The bomb throwers were terrorists as far as I am concerned. 

When the Middle East groups that the IRA trained with and got weapons and explosives from were branded as terrorists they knew the name was a bad word and would also begin being used against them and that's when not just Britain would be after them, but the whole world including America would be after them. If the courts look at you as some kind of freedom fighter that's one thing but if your on trial as a Terrorist that's another and your own people can't even support you out of fear of also being brought up on charges.

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

My position as posted before. If the Irish wanted to rebel against the British Army occupation I had no problem with that. But when it comes to civilians in public areas or even the Lord Mountbatten assassination that is way over the line & I can not support it. The bomb throwers were terrorists as far as I am concerned. 

When the Middle East groups that the IRA trained with and got weapons and explosives from were branded as terrorists they knew the name was a bad word and would also begin being used against them and that's when not just Britain would be after them, but the whole world including America would be after them. If the courts look at you as some kind of freedom fighter that's one thing but if your on trial as a Terrorist that's another and your own people can't even support you out of fear of also being brought up on charges.

The IRA cleverly promoted themselves as freedom fighters in the US and it was with that support, especially financially, that they continued on. They were not just a terrorist organisation who bombed British civilians, tortured soldiers and civilians alike, they also did the same to the Irish people themselves. They were gangsters, a criminal mafia who ruled the Catholic areas with a rod of iron and beatings, kneecappings torture and murder of fellow catholics was extremely common. The minute that first plane flew into the twin towers, the IRA knew their time was up, as terrorism had arrived on American shores.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Hood was no match for Bismark.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Hood was no match for Bismark.

Art, I have read much about this incident & I know we & others have discussed it on site. Of course you are right, HMS Hood was a battlecruiser which meant she had less armor. The brain trust at the time figured on speed to offset the heavier firepower. There was some questions about the Brits leaving survivors of Bismarck to die in the water as retribution for the loss of Hood. Of course the Brits denied & claimed reports of U-Boats in the area. In any regard, the loss of HMS Hood was a blow to RN prestige & a rallying cry as well. 

Greb is mostly unknown or forgotten by boxing aficionados. He fought all comers at or above his weight class.

24 May 1822 - The Battle of Pichincha. 200 years ago today.

The final battle in the Ecuadorian War of Independence. In 1820 the Pacific port city of Guayaquil in the Spanish South American colony of the Audencia of Quito proclaimed independence, the revolt soon spread to the rest of the colony.

With support from the newly independent Republic of Greater Colombia, which sent an army under Gen. Sucre, an assault was planned on the capital Quito in 1822. Sucre advanced on the city by climbing the Pinchincha heights hoping to descend at dawn on 24 May. However progress was slow and by daybreak his army was still many hundreds of feet up. The Spanish commander in Quito Gen. Aymerich sent his men out to ascend the mountain and intercept Sucre. The result was a battle fought on the mountainous slopes at 11,500 feet. The fighting initially went the way of the Spanish, but the entry into the battle of the Albión Battalion of English, Scottish and Irish soldiers swung it in favour of the Patriots. The Spanish retreated into Quito which surrendered the next day.

There were relatively small numbers involved, the Spanish had 1900 men of whom 400 were killed; the Patriots just under 3000 of whom 200 died.  

Ecuador did not immediately achieve the independence it had fought for, it became part of Greater Colombia only breaking away in 1830.  

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

My position as posted before. If the Irish wanted to rebel against the British Army occupation I had no problem with that. But when it comes to civilians in public areas or even the Lord Mountbatten assassination that is way over the line & I can not support it. The bomb throwers were terrorists as far as I am concerned. 

When the Middle East groups that the IRA trained with and got weapons and explosives from were branded as terrorists they knew the name was a bad word and would also begin being used against them and that's when not just Britain would be after them, but the whole world including America would be after them. If the courts look at you as some kind of freedom fighter that's one thing but if your on trial as a Terrorist that's another and your own people can't even support you out of fear of also being brought up on charges.

The IRA cleverly promoted themselves as freedom fighters in the US and it was with that support, especially financially, that they continued on. They were not just a terrorist organisation who bombed British civilians, tortured soldiers and civilians alike, they also did the same to the Irish people themselves. They were gangsters, a criminal mafia who ruled the Catholic areas with a rod of iron and beatings, kneecappings torture and murder of fellow catholics was extremely common. The minute that first plane flew into the twin towers, the IRA knew their time was up, as terrorism had arrived on American shores.

The Mic's of the world were willing to support anyone if they thought it would lead to their world domination.

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

My position as posted before. If the Irish wanted to rebel against the British Army occupation I had no problem with that. But when it comes to civilians in public areas or even the Lord Mountbatten assassination that is way over the line & I can not support it. The bomb throwers were terrorists as far as I am concerned. 

When the Middle East groups that the IRA trained with and got weapons and explosives from were branded as terrorists they knew the name was a bad word and would also begin being used against them and that's when not just Britain would be after them, but the whole world including America would be after them. If the courts look at you as some kind of freedom fighter that's one thing but if your on trial as a Terrorist that's another and your own people can't even support you out of fear of also being brought up on charges.

The IRA cleverly promoted themselves as freedom fighters in the US and it was with that support, especially financially, that they continued on. They were not just a terrorist organisation who bombed British civilians, tortured soldiers and civilians alike, they also did the same to the Irish people themselves. They were gangsters, a criminal mafia who ruled the Catholic areas with a rod of iron and beatings, kneecappings torture and murder of fellow catholics was extremely common. The minute that first plane flew into the twin towers, the IRA knew their time was up, as terrorism had arrived on American shores.

The Mic's of the world were willing to support anyone if they thought it would lead to their world domination.

God created whiskey to prevent that, Pete.

Some members most definitely were, but in the interests of peace the party has been allowed back into mainstream politics. Although the leadership today is, I think, more atuned to peaceful means than the "old guard" from days gone by who had the motto "the bullet and the ballot box". 

My position as posted before. If the Irish wanted to rebel against the British Army occupation I had no problem with that. But when it comes to civilians in public areas or even the Lord Mountbatten assassination that is way over the line & I can not support it. The bomb throwers were terrorists as far as I am concerned. 

When the Middle East groups that the IRA trained with and got weapons and explosives from were branded as terrorists they knew the name was a bad word and would also begin being used against them and that's when not just Britain would be after them, but the whole world including America would be after them. If the courts look at you as some kind of freedom fighter that's one thing but if your on trial as a Terrorist that's another and your own people can't even support you out of fear of also being brought up on charges.

The IRA cleverly promoted themselves as freedom fighters in the US and it was with that support, especially financially, that they continued on. They were not just a terrorist organisation who bombed British civilians, tortured soldiers and civilians alike, they also did the same to the Irish people themselves. They were gangsters, a criminal mafia who ruled the Catholic areas with a rod of iron and beatings, kneecappings torture and murder of fellow catholics was extremely common. The minute that first plane flew into the twin towers, the IRA knew their time was up, as terrorism had arrived on American shores.

The Mic's of the world were willing to support anyone if they thought it would lead to their world domination.

God created whiskey to prevent that, Pete.

No Tommy he created Protestants to prevent that.

Also on this date in 1883:  The Brooklyn Bridge is opened to traffic after 14 years of construction.  The Andrew family of Barnfart, Canada claims ownership, having bought it later that evening.

I will just pretend I didn't see this, meine schatzi.

25 May 1622 - The wreck of the Tryall. 400 years ago today.

The British East India Company ship Tryall with 140 on board was on its maiden voyage from England to the East Indies following a newly ordered route that took it further south than any of the crew had been before on previous voyages. Without an experienced navigator on board the ship sailed too far south and struck rocks off the north west coast of Australia. 93 died in the sinking, the 47 survivors scrambled ashore on Montebello Island. Two boats were salvaged and the men sailed several days apart north west for Java which they reached in late June and early July.

The wreck is significant in that the crew were the first Englishmen to land in Australia and the ship was the first recorded wreck antipodean waters.

The rocks on which the Tryall foundered have been named the Tryal Rocks.