Missive #559 Published 7 September 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.55
The Total Number of the House of Representatives
Author: Alexander Hamilton or James Madison
To the People of the State of New York
Missive #558 Published 5 September 2025
103. Nasruddin and the Neighbor’s Bull
Nasruddin’s neighbor had a bull, and one day that bull blundered into Nasruddin’s garden, trampling all of Nasruddin’s vegetables.
When Nasruddin saw what his neighbor’s bull had done, he grabbed a whip and chased the bull out of the garden, whipping the bull as he did so.
“You accursed creature!” he shouted. “I’ll show you who’s the boss here! Take that! And take that!”
The bull bellowed loudly every time he felt the sting of Nasruddin’s whip.
“Hey there!” shouted Nasruddin’s neighbor. “What are you doing?”
“You stay out of this,” replied Nasruddin. “This is between me and the bull!”
Missive #557 Published 3 September 2025
My life would have been more tranquil in the days after Martinmas had I not seen the crows. Whatever it was that the crows had found lay in the dappled shadow of the bare limbs of the oak, so I was nearly upon the thing before I recognized what the crows were feasting upon. The corpse wore black.
Missive #556 Published 1 September 2025
I couldn't find a cover picture for this book so a screenshot of the title page will have to do. There were no book promos or customer reviews ether. It is one of the books in the American Folkways Series which has not received much attention over the years with most of the books in the series becoming unread. This one provides some good historical information about Kentucky but it is dated.
Missive #555 Published 31 August 2025
Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers
John DeWitt IV (excerpt)
by John DeWitt
To the Free Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Missive #554 Published 29 August 2025
102. Nasruddin and the Neighbor’s Dog
The neighbor’s dog bit Nasruddin. After bandaging the wound, Nasruddin went next door to the neighbor to complain.“That vicious dog of yours just bit me!” Nasruddin shouted.
“I’m very sorry to hear that,” said the neighbor. “He’s really a very nice dog. Let me go in the kitchen and get some bread. Then you can feed him the bread yourself, and he’ll be your friend forever.”
“That’s a terrible idea!” said Nasruddin. “If I do that, your dog will tell all the other dogs in town, and then all those dogs will come here trying to bite me too.”
Missive #553 Published 27 August 2025
Kermit Roosevelt (Theodore's son) enlisted in the British Army during World War I and served in an armored car unit in the Middle East. This book is his short but engrossing memoir of his war service. It's a fascinating read. Kermit's descriptions of the landscapes and people groups he encounters are picturesque and insightful. His accounts of the difficulties of operating primitive (by our standards) armored vehicles across rocky desert restrained vivid and exciting.
Missive #552 Published 25 August 2025
For me there was nothing new presented in this book but for some readers it could be eye opening. The author presents the predicament in very understandable language that can be easily understood. However, because of years of propaganda it may be hard to believe. A recommended book.
Missive #551 Published 24 August 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.54
The Apportionment of Members Among the States
Author: Alexander Hamilton or James Madison
To the People of the State of New York
Missive #550 Published 22 August 2025
Nasruddin’s neighbor asked to borrow his donkey.
“Let me go ask the donkey,” he said.
A few moments later, Nasruddin returned.
“My deepest apologies,” he said to his neighbor, “but the donkey refuses. He explained his reasoning like this: if I make him work for you, you are likely to beat him, and if you beat him, he will bite you, and after he bites you, you will curse me. So really, it’s better for all of us if I do not loan you the donkey.”