Concrete Answers

Sifting through the mail today, I came across an advertisement for the Portland Cement Association on the back cover of a magazine. I stared at it for a moment wondering why the cement trade group would need to advertise in a popular current affairs newsmag. Being the inquisitive bloke I am, I resolved to dig deeper. A quick visit to cement.org gave me the answer, or the "hard" facts if you'll excuse a pun. Federal por... er, stimulus, money. Seems the cement people are lobbying hard to inform you, humble taxpayer, that concrete is far more durable and cheaper than asphalt for road construction. As with so many things these days, the answer is politics and the money trail leads back to Washington. Hey - maybe we can get these guys to fit the Treasury's printing presses with some cement shoes. Now that would be money well spent!

Incidently, did you know that Thomas Edison invented a new process for building with Porland Cement? Nor did I until my recent visit to Edison's home, Glenmont, in West Orange, NJ. It's a national historic park and well worth the trip, particular if you enjoy Victorian art and architecture. And - nerd alert - the Edison Company laboratory is set to re-open in the fall after a 7-year renovation. Seven years, huh? Wow, I sure hope my government healthcare system operates just as quickly as the Park Service!

Disclaimer: that "concrete answers" title came from the cement.org site, much as I'd like to take credit for another zippy pun.

A Giant Leap...

It is hard to believe. Forty years ago today man walked on a solitary orb of rock called the Moon. It's hard to believe that three men traversed the chilly vacuum of space to land on a celestial body. It's hard to believe that what was only a dream was achieved in less than 10 years of dedicated effort. In our current times of economic turmoil, when scions of industry and technological change like General Motors can barely produce cars people want and airlines are cutting services, that we as a nation, as a united people, as a human race could join minds to invent and build countless technologies and tools to safely carry people to and from the Moon.

I note this to both highlight how exceptional an achievement the Apollo 11 mission was and to send out a message of encouragement. We can accomplish great things, overcome insurmountable obstacles, and change the way we think about the universe if we devote our time and resources to it. And, if we push the doubters, naysayers, and red-tape dispensers out of the way. Innovation and progress do not result from overseers, lawyers, judges, administrators, or politicians but from risk-takers, hard workers, and all-around bright and dedicated people. While our national leaders can set an agenda, it is for us - the everyday people - to make dreams become reality to the betterment of all mankind. We went to the Moon because we chose to. Not even the sky is the limit to our success when we choose to.

Sons of Columbia

A favorite compendium of mine is the Book of American Values and Virtues: Our Tradition of Freedom, Liberty & Tolerance. I turn to it from time to time when I need words of inspiration and a reminder of all that we as a nation have overcome. The other night, after digesting the Declaration of Independence - which you all should re-read occasionally, especially when you hear any news out of Washington - I came to a poem that resides on the opposite page. I found it remarkable in its simplicity and clarity of vision, not to mention the message conveyed. The words had an effect on my and I would like to share them with you now.

Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought
For those rights which unstain'd from your sires you descended,
May you long taste the blessing your valor has brought,
And your sons reap the soil which your fathers defended.
'Mid the reign of mild peace,
May your nation increase,
With the Glory of Rome and the Wisdom of Greece;
And ne'er may the sons of Columbia be slaves,
While the earth bears a plant or the sea rolls its waves.

Let Fame to the world sound America's voice;
No intrigue can her sons from the government sever;
Her pride in her Adams-his laws are her choice,
And shall flourish till Liberty slumber forever!
Then unite heart and hand,
Like Leonidas' band,
And swear to the God of the ocean and land
that ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves,
While the earth bears a plant or the sea rolls its waves.

~ Robert Treat Paine

Ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves.



Update: This is only part of the poem, the first and last stanzas. The entire piece, along with a short bio of the author, can be found here.