Elizabeth II may be the undoubted sovereign of the United Kingdom, but there is one place where even she is not in charge. In fact, she may not even set foot in […]
An Uncommonly Unwelcome Place
Understanding Economics: No Bull About It
Popular advice columnist Abigail VanBuren once published a helpful guide to understanding the difference between the various economic systems: Communism: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and gives […]
Proof that Being a Criminal Mastermind Isn’t a Genetic Trait
Most people have heard of Al Capone, the notorious mob boss who ran Chicago from his criminal headquarters during the waning years of Prohibition. Less well known is Capone’s eldest brother, James, […]
The Economics of Heaven and Hell
President Ronald Reagan left no doubt about his thoughts on socialism. He said, “Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don’t need it and hell where they already have it.”
A Royal Beginning to the Information Age
You may have received an email from someone claiming to be royalty and wanting to give you millions of dollars. If so, you probably recognized it as a scam and deleted it. […]
Celebrating Independence Day … a Little Too Early
John Adams envisioned the day being celebrated with fireworks, parades, and massive celebrations, as Americans commemorated the day that brought them independence from Great Britain. As it turns out, Adams was right, […]
The High Court Grapples With “What Is Golf?”
“Either out of humility or out of self-respect (one or the other) the Court should decline to answer this incredibly difficult and incredibly silly question.”
Is the Tomato a Fruit or a Veggie? Just Ask the Supreme Court
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Teachers of elementary school science enjoy confounding their students with the pronouncement that it is, scientifically speaking, a fruit. While this may be the […]
Unlimited Potential
After becoming President of the United States, Ronald Reagan looked back on his years as a student at Eureka College and confessed to being less than a committed scholar. “I let football […]
What Happens When Dull, Boring, and Bland Get Together?
Watch out, Avengers. Move over, Justice League. Make way for the latest jaw-dropping alliance of awesomeness. Meet the founding members of this real-life collection of dazzlement: Dull, Boring, and Bland.
A Good Joke May Not Always Be the Best Medicine
When Alex Mitchell laughed himself to death while watching a comedy skit, it was a tragedy, but it certainly was not the first time anyone died from a fatal case of the […]
What Do You Do When You Accidentally Build a Fort In the Wrong Country?
Fresh from its victory against the British in the War of 1812, the United States was eager to secure its northern border. Lake Champlain had been the entry point for several British […]
Hawaii’s Special Wartime Currency
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States found itself preparing for the unthinkable: what would happen if Hawaii fell under Japanese occupation? One of the […]
When Rabbits Take On the World’s Most Powerful Men
When the vicious, decapitating Rabbit of Caerbannog appeared in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, most people thought it was humorous. If Napoleon Bonaparte and Jimmy Carter had watched the film, it’s doubtful […]
The Rough Rider was an Inked Rider
President Theodore Roosevelt is the only president confirmed to have had a tattoo.
