The Blaisdell Blog

October 28 marks the anniversary of the Gateway Memorial Arch in St. Louis.   If you have never visited this national monument, put it on your list.   Despite what you have heard in Hamilton Thomas Jefferson is one of our best Presidents. He was neither a perfect man, nor perfect President, but he accomplished great things and operated within his personal set of ethics, whether or not those mesh with 21 st century guidelines or not.   Among other accomplishments, he authorized the Louisiana Purchase, effectively doubling the size of the United States of America, and laying our claim to the both coasts of the North American continent.   Jefferson then set Meriwether Lewis and William Clark off to explore, map and scientifically examine the land he had acquired for about $18 per acre.   For this any other reasons, Jefferson is also the namesake and reason the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial exists.   What most American’s simply know as the “Arch” is part of a memorial to

Anthropologist Ruth Fulton Benedict was the first female president of the American Anthropological Association.   When it comes to Baltimore, Benedict had this dystopian tragedy figured out decades ago.   She laid out both the problems and the answers in her book Patterns of Culture .   What we see manifested in Baltimore’s troublesome summer of 2015 is seated in her quote, “Group ethos is just personality writ large.”   In essence, Benedict says that any society unconsciously selects, supports, gives obeisance to and promotes the character traits it admires and sees as beneficial.   You are the person the people around you want you to be.   Unfortunately, our nation is paying a horrendous cost for what that societal self-selection is doing in Baltimore.   Do they need better schools?   Baltimore ranks 4 th among all major U.S. cities in per pupil expenditure.   The public schools of Baltimore spend $16,578 per pupil; that is 52% above the national average.   Yet, 25% f

“Ocian in view! O! the joy.”   These are the words written in William Clark’s journal at midday on November 7, 1805.   They project the desperate relief he felt upon seeing the Pacific Ocean.   Here, at last, was the goal the Corps of Discovery had been seeking for the better part of two years.   The explorers had reached the furthest point of their journey; and faced the long and equally perilous trek home.   The travels of Lewis and Clark carry real life drama that exceeds any attempts at mythology.               The act of exploration: its danger, daring and shared hardship form a unique bond among those who bear the title “explorer.”   Their feats become legends and their lives cast long shadows.   The story of mankind follows where the explorers lead.   They are humanity’s pathfinders.               Columbus was an explorer.   The second Monday of each October is Columbus Day.   So why does Columbus and the celebration of this day cause a yearly blooming of sour grapes t