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Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, 38.58 × 29.13 inches (98 x 74 cm), 1818, Oil on canvas,Kunsthalle Hamburg

François-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand (4 September 1768 – 4 July 1848) was a French writer, politician and diplomat, considered the founder of Romanticism in French literature.

Kurt says:

Even the father of Romanticism—in his pre-post-modern world—seems to believe in the value of absolute truth.

What have we lost in the reductio ad absurdum, thread unravelling deconstruction of everything? And just because we try to overpower a thing by disintegrating it to the point of annihilation and complete disbelief, does it mean that a thing is untrue?

"I don't believe it, therefore it isn't."

I don't believe you.

Just kidding.

The other day, I attended a graduation and was pleased to hear the high school principal ask for hats to be removed during the playing of the national anthem. I always put my hand over my heart, but wondered what to do with my hat, which I knew should be off, but didn't know exactly where. Since I don't watch much baseball, I couldn't remember what civilians do. I got as far as to cover my heart with the hat, but now realize a couple inches higher on my shoulder would have placed my hand over my left chest (heart) and felt a little more natural.

Pursuing this thread, I was surprised to discover this in the code:

§171. Conduct during playing

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

via usflag.org

So ...

it's not just a good idea, it's the law! :-)

Happy Fourth, Happy Independence Day. "God bless America, land of the free."

Egypt is the most popular destination for Christians escaping from Eritrea, one of the most hostile countries in the world for followers of the faith.

In Eritrea, Christians and evangelicals in particular are viewed as a threat to national security because of their allegiance to God before the state.