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Usurpation Day 2023: The Raving, 5 NOV 44, and Nevermore

4/9/2023

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PictureThe Raving Poe Rowe


1
Usurpation Day was born 9 April 1792 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. 

Clifford “Tippy” E. Rowe was born 22 April 1923 in Shullsburg Wisconsin.

The Raving
By A. E. Poe or C. E. Rowe

Once upon a mission dreary,
When of combat I’ve grown weary,
I had flown a thousand hours
And was sure to fly some more.
When suddenly there came a knocking,
Sounded like some ack-ack popping –
Popping like the very devil
Just beneath my bomb-bay doors.

T’is some Jerry quickly tho’t I
Wishing to improve his score.
I will use evasive tactics
Even if he does get sore.
Turning then I saw before me
Blacker now than ere before
Ack ack bursting close and heavy
Guess I’d better turn some more.

Opening wide I swung the bomb-bay doors
And to my surprise and horror
Flashing fast and bright beneath me
Were some hundred guns or more.
And above the shrapnel shrieking
When they told us with much speech
That there were only three or four.
PictureShullsburg Missing Rowe


2
At the end of WWI, US President Woodrow Wilson presented defeated Germany with a constitution, one unlike ours; it did not represent people according to numbers, like George Washington and the founders intended: Wilson's plan was an epic failure and catalyst for Hitler and the Nazis.

Clifford Rowe graduates from Shullsburg High School in May 1940 with valedictorian honors, the same month Hitler invades Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Tippy joins the Army Air Corps in ‘42 and becomes a navigator for the B-17 bomber; he trains in Texas and leaves for Europe in June 1944.

Leveling then I made a bomb run
Which was not a very long one
For the Varsity was on duty
And I’d seen their work before.
Then an engine coughed and clattered
And the glass around me splattered
Then I knew they had my number
Just my number, nothing more.

Then at last the bombs were toggled
And alone away I hobbled
With some fifty-seven inches
And a feathered number four.
While outside like ducks migrating
Was a drove of ME’s waiting –
Waiting all with itching fingers
Just to finish up my score.

I had lost my upper turret
And now alone, defenseless, worried
I was the saddest creature
Mortal woman ever bore.
And now each bright and beaming traces
Coming nearer, ever nearer,
Made my spirit sink within me
Just my spirit, nothing more.
PictureClifford "Tippy" E. Rowe 1923-44




​3
Usurpation Day is a day of remembrance for those who serve for the duration even when they are torn and tattered, nerves completely shattered. 

Tippy Rowe didn’t want to be a bomber anymore and yet kept being a bomber. That’s a spirit of perseverance in the face of death: just my number, nothing more, just my spirit, nothing more.
​
Lt. Rowe was killed on 5 Nov 1944 while on a bombing raid over Mannheim Germany; the B-17 he was in was hit by anti-aircraft fire, went out of control, into a spin, and was nevermore.

Then at last to my elation
I caught up to my formation
And the ME’s turned and left me
By the tens and by the score.
But my wings were torn and tattered
And my nerves completely shattered
And as far as I’m concerned
The war is over, forevermore.

Now I’ve found the joy of living
And my secret I am giving
To the rest of those among you
Who might care to live some more.
For my sinus starts to seeping
Everytime they mention briefing
No more flying, no more combat
No more missions, Nevermore???????

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Usurpation: America’s We the People Represented According to Numbers Law is a Tool for Conviviality

3/6/2023

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PictureTools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich




​
​

A 1973 book, Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich, argues our dream was to build machines to replace slaves, and instead we have become enslaved to machines.
 
“To formulate a theory about a future society both very modern and not dominated by industry, it will be necessary to recognize natural scales and limits. We must come to admit that only within limits can machines take the place of slaves; beyond these limits they lead to a new kind of serfdom. Only within limits can education fit people into a manmade environment: beyond these limits lies the universal schoolhouse, hospital ward, or prison.” (xii)
 
Fifty years on and Illich is still apt.
 
“The foreseeable catastrophe will be a true crisis – that is, the occasion for a choice – only if at the moment it strikes the necessary social demands can be effectively expressed. They must be represented by people who can demonstrate that the breakdown of the current industrial illusion is for them a condition for choosing an effective and convivial mode of production. The preparation of such groups is the key task of new politics at the present moment.” (114, bold added)
 
Illich argues the available convivial tool: “can only be the formal structure of politics and law.” (115)
 
Our foreseeable catastrophe is the true crisis of We the People not being represented according to numbers.
 
Our politics is the usurpation and its supporters.
 
Our law is Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the US Constitution … and its supporters.
 
The choice is between usurpation, which is the law of rule, and the US Constitution, which is the rule of law.
 
Choose.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Washington

4/20/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Duty


​




​
​​Part XIII of XIII
 
“… We were going to summarize.”
“Treasonous acts.”
“And then to Washington to see the smudge.”
“Sounds good.”
“What’d we learn Yank?”
“Look out for people who leave their flank in the air.”
“How’ll that work in DC?”
“Dereliction of duty.”
“That does work.”
“You Reb?”
“Look out for people wasting resources.”
“The batteries.”
“Time.”
“Choir.”
“Cavalry.”
“We are talking about the moves of usurpers.”
“What else Gus?”
“Kyd …”
PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Sights






​

​“… People change.”
“Some might act one way and then differently.”
“Gotta let people come back.”
“Sounds like grace.”
“Grace vigilant.”
“Word.”
“Lots of people in Washington Reb.”
“We’ll fit in.”
“May we see some sights?”
“Imagine so Gus.”
“I never went there and you helped build it.”
“And tried to destroy it.”
“Forgive yourself Reb.”
“On it.”
“Shall we land on the Mall?”
“Up to you.”
“Let’s wing it.”
“Wing it let’s.”
“Up Reb!”
“To Washington!”
 
Next Up: To be determined.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shade

4/19/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Decisive



​

​Part XII of XIII
 
“… Shade Reb.”
“We’re only a bit from the bridge.”
“Who’s McKinley?”
“Ohio Volunteer Yank and future president.”
“Fought here at the bridge?”
“Crossed at Snavely’s, then to the bridge like the other Yanks.”
“Johnny, if McKinley and the others had taken Harper’s Ferry Road …”
“Decisive Union victory.”
“Oops.”
“Boteler’s Ford, Lee’s line of retreat, would have been in cannon range.”
“Boteler’s you say?”
“That ford had many names – Shepherdstown, Blacksford’s – I mean the one on the Potomac by Kyd’s place.”
“Boteler was someone we visited at Elmwood.”
“Name around these parts.”
“Kyd was like Burnside, just the other side?”
“Yes and no Gus.”
“How yes?”
“Giving aid to the enemy.”
“Treason.”
“The no …”
PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fair


​
​

​​“… Involves time.”
“Kyd lost the special orders so they could be found.”
“An act.”
“The rest of the war?”
“Doesn’t appear so.”
“You once said you thought Kyd acted out of fair play.”
“Yes.”
“You never said what that was?”
“Short story is Kyd knew something and didn’t think it was fair.”
“Planting the orders made a correction.”
“And some other Maryland things.”
“Then Kyd comes back to being a loyal rebel.”
“Correct.”
“Burnside was more.”
“All in.”
“Who knew?”
“As few as possible.”
“Jefferson Davis?”
“And some other leaders.”
“Generals?”
“Lee, Bragg, Thomas.”
“Longstreet?”
“Probably not.”
“Speechless Johnny.”
“No laughing crow?”
“Been quiet.”
“Well then …”
 
Next Up: 20 April and the series finale Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Washington.
​
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Aside

4/14/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: All In







​
​Part XI of XIII
 
“… Question about Burnside.”
“Go Gus.”
“How does one do that?”
“Treason?”
“Yes.”
“Once you decide what side you're on, it doesn’t feel like treason anymore.”
“Because you’re feeling a different value.”
“Correct.”
“So once Burnside was in, he’d be in.”
“Burnside was a problem gambler Gus.”
“Couldn’t stop?”
“Always all in.”
“All in like this bridge.”
“Gus, I think the Antietam washed out the old bridge on a regular basis.”
“And somebody said ‘Never again!’ Johnny.”
“Never again.”
“Let’s cross the bridge Reb.”
“Touching-elbows style.”
“And find some shade.”
“Let’s  …”
 
Next Up: 19 April and part XII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shade.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Refuse

4/13/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Air







​​Part X of XIII
 
“… Seems to not refuse his left Johnny.”
“Did the same thing at South Mountain.”
“That was 14 September.”
“Left his left in the air Yank.”
“Easy fencer move to do.”
“Furthermore, on 16 September, Burnside doesn’t recon Mill Road.”
“What’s that mean Johnny?”
“It’s the first main road off of Rohrersville.”
“Leads to a mill.”
“And Harper’s Ferry Road.”
“You Rebs could have come from Harper’s Ferry via the Harper’s Ferry Road.”
“Two did.”
“Two who?”
“General Jeb Stuart and an aide.”
“From Harper’s Ferry to Sharpsburg?”
“Took a little over an hour at a gallop.”
“When?”
“One o’clock, 15 September.”
“Someone crossing the bridge Reb.”
“Let’s step aside.”
“Sure …”
 
Next Up: 14 April and part XI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Aside.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Bridge

4/12/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Medieval




​​Part IX of XIII
 
“… The bridge Johnny.”
“Look at that hill.”
“Like a wall.”
“With every Reb shooting at the same spot.”
“Concentration of fire.”
“Kill zone Gus.”
“Feels like a drawbridge.”
“Over a moat.”
“To a castle wall.”
“Medieval.”
“Castles worked for awhile Reb.”
“A few could defend from many.”
“Just like here.”
“Gus, after the Yanks crossed at Snavely’s, they headed toward the bridge and not Harper’s Ferry Road and Lee’s line of retreat.”
“The left is floating again.”
“In the air and by orders.”
“And not only the Ninth Corps Reb.”
“The left flank of the Army of the Potomac.”
“Burnside …”
 
Next Up: 13 April and part X of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Refuse.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022

4/9/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022




​​Part VIII of XIII

“… It’s Usurpation Day Johnny.”
“It is Gus.”
“Two hundred and thirty years ago …”
“Keep going.”
“George vetoed a bill.”
“The young nation’s first.”
“Because Congress used the thirty Thousand in Article 1 but dropped the remainder, the fraction.”
“The Constitution says ‘shall not exceed.’”
“And Washington said they did.”
“True.”
“Congress couldn’t override George’s veto?”
“Correct.”
“So then what Johnny?”
“On 9 April 1792, Elbridge Gerry and others voted a new representation bill, one that used thirty-three thousand instead of thirty.”
“A number not in Article 1.”
“Nor one ratified by the states.”
“Making today, 9 April, the usurpation’s date of birth.”
“An end date is needed.”
“Amen Johnny.”
“To the bridge Gus.”
“To the bridge …”

Next Up: 12 April and part IX of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Bridge.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Hazards

4/7/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Pattern










​Part VII of XIII

“… Burnside was his boss.”
“Yuck.”
“Burnside ordered Sturgis: ‘to carry the bridge at all hazards.’”
“The bridge?”
“At all hazards.”
“Carrying the bridge doesn’t threaten Lee’s flank.”
“Crossing at the fords does that.”
“Burnside knew the fords were unguarded?”
“Knew for hours.”
“Yet orders Sturgis, after numerous failed assaults, to assault the bridge again.”
“Makes sense if one wants waste.”
“Wasted Yanks save Lee.”
“The fords were less than three miles away by road Gus.”
“Did no recon.”
“Burnside sent the infantry through the woods.”
“Blindly.”
“And slowly.”
“Cavalry?”
“Ten companies available.”
“But Burnside didn’t use them to find the fords?”
“No – and had 24 hours to do so.”
“More than incompetence Johnny.”
“Seeing a pattern?”
“A pattern of treason.”
“Let’s step right Gus.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 9 April and part VIII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fords

4/6/2022

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PictureJohnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Line of Retreat


​
​​Part VI of XIII

“… Lee is desperate.”
“Yanks are pressing.”
“To address the threat, Lee removes the Rebs guarding Snavely’s.”
“How many?”
“Several thousand Gus.”
“Shows how Lee thought.”
“Fords matter.”
“Lee had thousands guarding Snavely’s and hundreds the bridge.”
“Snavely’s was the key.”
“How many Rebs were left at the fords?”
“A skirmish line and some cavalry.”
“Imagine that.”
“To be clear, there were three fords at Snavely’s.”
“Three?”
“One connecting a field because the Snavely’s farmed both sides of the crick.”
“The other two?”
“One by the Snavely homestead, and another called Myer’s Ford.”
“These two fords led where?”
“Up to Harper’s Ferry Road, Sharpsburg and Lee’s line of retreat.”
“You don’t say.”
“I just did.”
“Who’s the Napoleon?”
“General Sturgis …”

Next Up: 7 April and part VII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Hazards.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner
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    Brickner has a 1997 political science doctorate from Purdue University, cofounded Illinois NORML in 2001, and was a 2007 National NORML Cannabis Advocate Awardee. He is also publisher and coauthor of the 2011 book banned by the Illinois Department of Corrections – The Cannabis Papers: A Citizen’s Guide to Cannabinoids.

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