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Key Robert E. Lee: Calling Steve About My 2016 Halloween Dream Return

10/30/2014

Halloween 2014

Stephen Young and Bryan Brickner are activists and have been talking and writing together about the US Constitution for more than a decade; Bryan has a Halloween 2016 dream (again) and calls Steve for help …

Bryan: Steve!
Steve: What!?
Bryan: I had a bad dream again.
Steve: Calm down ~ it’ll be all right. What happened this time …
Bryan: Well, it was Halloween 2016 again …
Steve: You saw the same big banner that read, Halloween 2016 Presidential Debate.
Bryan: Right.
Steve: Interesting, once again a Halloween debate prior to the November 2016 presidential election.
Bryan: Yeah, though it wasn’t all the same.
Steve: How so?
Bryan: There was the same two US flags next to podiums on an otherwise empty stage, though this year it wasn’t surrounded by citizens – it was empty.
Steve: Was John Finley Pettigrew there, you know, like last time?
Bryan: He was, still young, dressed in revolutionary garb and unarmed. He stood quiet (like last time) with his focus on the stage.
Steve: So it’s you, lots of empty space, and Pettigrew, the Virginian Revolutionary War soldier who was 18 in 1776 and joined the revolution – and later moved to Michigan, saw it become a state, and died in 1838.

US Army 1Lt. Robert E. Lee (1838)

Bryan: Right … and 1838 seems important.
Steve: Why?
Bryan: Cuz’ this year there’s someone standing next to Pettigrew holding a key.
Steve: Who?
Bryan: Well, the key holder appeared as US Army 1Lt. Robert E. Lee.
Steve: A young Lee.
Bryan: Yes, like in the portrait.
Steve: And he’s holding a key ~ like an old-fashioned one?
Bryan: Yeah, and when the music starts …
Steve: Music again: Ozzy?
Bryan: It was.
Steve: Children of the Grave encore?
Bryan: Believer.
Steve: ‘I’m a believer, not a deceiver, Mountains move before my eyes.’
Bryan: Yes, that one; when Believer started the key floated from Lee toward the stage.
Steve: And?

1776 John Finley Pettigrew (died 19 September 1838)

Bryan: And then it ended (again) and I was by Pettigrew’s headstone: then I awoke.
Steve: Well, sounds like it might be alright, you know, with Robert E. Lee’s key and all.
Bryan: You’re right Steve ~ I guess it was hearing Ozzy that got me keyed up.
Steve: Sounds good Bryan ~ and Happy Halloween 2014!
Bryan: You too Steve!
~

Believer
Daisley - Osbourne - Rhoads

Watching the time go
And feeling belief grow
Rise above the obstacles
People beseech me
But they'll never teach me
Things that I already know (I know)

Dreams that have shattered
May not have mattered
Take another point of view
Doubts will arise, though
Like chasing a rainbow
I can tell a thing or two (That's true)

You've got to believe in yourself
Or no one will believe in you
Imagination like a bird on the wing
Flying free for you to use (OK baby)

I can't believe they stop and stare
And point their fingers, doubting me
Their disbelief suppresses them
But they're not blind
It's just that they won't see

I'm a believer I ain't no deceiver, Mountains move before my eyes, Destiny planned out I don't need no handout, Speculation of the wise.

Video: Ozzy Osbourne Live 1982 ~ Believer
~
Next Up: Ew Publishing's Veterans Day Run on the BWB Blog, beginning Sunday 9 November and continuing through Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Homeostasis: Publius’ (Nano THC) Political Cannabinoid Science

10/29/2014

2 Comments

Nano DNA Tetrahedron

The Cannabis Papers: A citizen’s guide to cannabinoids (2011)
By Publius

Nano Edition

Today’s cannabinoid science Nano Edition notes five 2014 PubMed articles on the cannabinoid system (CS) modulating homeostasis – one with news from our political future: nanoplatforms for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinoldelivery. The line-up links to CS PubMed articles discussing: THC and traumatic brain injury, Crohn’s disease pathways, intestinal inflammation, salient stimuli and CS nanotechnology.

I. Homeostasis (Traumatic Brain Injury) and the CS (THC)
“Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids. The objective of this study was to establish a relationship between the presence of a positive toxicology screen for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and mortality after TBI. A 3-year retrospective review of registry data at a Level I center of patients sustaining TBI having a toxicology screen was performed. … A positive THC screen is associated with decreased mortality in adult patients sustaining TBI.”
Effect of marijuana use on outcomes in traumatic brain injury.
Nguyen BM, Kim D, Bricker S, Bongard F, Neville A, Putnam B, Smith J, Plurad D.
Am Surg. 2014 Oct;80(10):979-83.
PMID: 25264643 [PubMed - in process]
Related citations

II. Crohn’s Disease (Colitis) and the Opioid and Cannabinoid Systems
“The aim of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of the NO/cGMP/PKG/K ATP + pathway, cannabinoids and opioids in remote antinociception associated with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. … This disorder appears to be mediated by activation of the NO/cGMP/PKG/KATP pathway, endocannabinoids and endogenous opioids. This information may contribute to a better understanding of peripheral neurological dysfunctions occurring in Crohn's disease.”
Colitis generates remote antinociception in rats: the role of the L-arginine/NO/cGMP/PKG/KATP pathway and involvement of cannabinoid and opioid systems.
Barbosa AL, de Sousa RB, Torres JN, Cunha TM, Cunha FD, Soares PM, Ribeiro RD, Vale ML, Souza MH.
Inflamm Res. 2014 Oct 7. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 25286904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

III. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Colitis) and the CS
“In an attempt to further investigate the role of cannabinoid (CB) system in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, we employed two recently developed ligands, AM841 (a covalently acting CB agonist) and CB13 (a peripherally-restricted CB agonist) to establish whether central and peripheral CB sites are involved in the anti-inflammatory action in the intestine. … This is the first evidence that central and peripheral CB receptors are responsible for the protective and therapeutic action of cannabinoids in mouse models of colitis. Our observations provide new insight to CB pharmacology and validate the use of novel ligands AM841 and CB13 as potent tools in CB-related research.”
Cannabinoids alleviate experimentally induced intestinal inflammation by acting at central and peripheral receptors.
Fichna J, Bawa M, Thakur GA, Tichkule R, Makriyannis A, McCafferty DM, Sharkey KA, Storr M.
PLoS One. 2014 Oct 2;9(10):e109115. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109115. eCollection 2014.
PMID: 25275313 [PubMed - in process] Free PMC Article
Related citations

IV. Homeostasis (Salient Stimuli) and the CS (THC and CBD)
“There is now considerable evidence to support the hypothesis that psychotic symptoms are the result of abnormal salience attribution, and that the attribution of salience is largely mediated through the prefrontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus. Although these areas show differential activation under the influence of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two major derivatives of cannabis sativa, little is known about the effects of these cannabinoids on the functional connectivity between these regions. We investigated this in healthy occasional cannabis users by employing event-related fMRI following oral administration of delta-9-THC, CBD or a placebo capsule. … Our results suggest that the functional integration of brain regions involved in salience processing is differentially modulated by single doses of delta-9-THC and CBD and that this relates to the processing of salient stimuli.”
Cannabinoid Modulation of Functional Connectivity within Regions Processing Attentional Salience.
Bhattacharyya S, Falkenberg I, Martin-Santos R, Atakan Z, Crippa JA, Giampietro V, Brammer M, McGuire P.
Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 Sep 24. doi: 10.1038/npp.2014.258. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 25249057 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

V. Homeostasis Future: Nanoplatforms for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinoldelivery
“The objective of this work is to develop a nanoplatform that can potentiate the oral administration of Δ9-tetrahidrocannabinol, a highly lipophilic active agent with very promising antiproliferative and antiemetic activities. To that aim, colloidal carriers based on the biodegradable and biocompatible poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) were investigated. … To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles have been formulated for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinoldelivery.”
Engineering of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol delivery systems based on surface modified-PLGA nanoplatforms.
Martín-Banderas L, Muñoz-Rubio I, Alvarez-Fuentes J, Durán-Lobato M, Arias JL, Holgado MA, Fernández-Arévalo M.
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2014 Sep 16. pii: S0927-7765(14)00461-5. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.09.002. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 25262411 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

Bonus: Rick Simpson THC Interview on Red Ice Radio.

Tomorrow: a Halloween (almost-scary) dialogue on the BWB Blog: “Calling Steve About My Halloween Dream Return.” Next CS Homeostasis: Veteran’s Day and a PTSD edition, Sunday 9 November.

~

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Whiskey220: Representation Distills We the People

10/22/2014

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Star Spangled Banner Flag (15 Stars and Stripes)

Whiskey 220 ~ October 1794, Part 3 of 3
The Whiskey Rebellion 1791-94: Western Pennsylvania

Representation Distills

Distillation creates essence … and sometimes that essence is a name.

As part of his executive duties, President Washington takes it upon himself to meet with two citizens fresh from a Whiskey Rebellion meeting:

“On the 9th, William Findley and David Redick – deputed by the Committee of Safety (as it is designated) which met on the 2nd of this month at Parkinsons Ferry arrived in Camp with the Resolutions of the said Committee.”

US Representative William Findley (1741-1821)

That’s US Representative William Findley, known as “The Father of the House,” who reports he’s had it. George writes of Representative Findley's sentiments:

“... the ignorance, & general want of information among the people far exceeded any thing he had any conception of; That it was not merely the excise law their opposition was aimed at, but to all law, & Government; and to the Officers of Government; and that the situation in which he had been, & the life he had led for sometime, was such, that rather than go through it again, he would prefer quitting this scene altogether.”

So the Representative had had enough: what of the People?

George notes some good news from the two on that front with one exception; George writes that Mr. Redick reported: “That no person of any consequence, except one, but what had availed themselves of the proffered amnesty.”

There’s a Holdout, eh? – One who won’t accept the proffered amnesty? Hmm. The meeting adjourns until later in the afternoon ...

President George Washington (1732-1799)

George writes:

“At this second Meeting, there was little more than repetition of what had passed in the forenoon; and it being again mentioned that all the principal characters, except one, in the Western counties who had been in opposition, had submitted to the proposition – I was induced, seeing them in the Street the next day, to ask Mr. Redick who that one was? – telling him at the same time I required no disclosure he did not feel entirely free to make.”

George just asked Mr. Redick for the Holdout’s name:

“He requested a little time to think of it, and asked for another meeting – which was appointed for 5 oclock that afternoon – which took place accordingly and he said David Bradford was the person he alluded to in his former conversations.”

George got his name ~ David Bradford, the Holdout. There’s lots to his story, so much so that we’ll save that for next … like next October … in Whiskey 221.

Thanks All!

Video: The Spirit of Mt Vernon: The Return of George Washington's Whiskey
~
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Whiskey220: Militias, Lee and Washington

10/18/2014

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Star Spangled Banner Flag (15 Stars and Stripes)

Whiskey 220 ~ October 1794, Part 2 of 3
The Whiskey Rebellion 1791-94: Western Pennsylvania

Hypnotic Misnomers

Yes, Hypnotic Misnomers. It might just be all these whiskey thoughts I’ve been having, though there does seem to be something to it, to this idea of Hypnotic Misnomers. These are things in our politics that lull our thoughts … even when the evidence says otherwise.

What evidence for what misnomer? Perhaps a double-shot from President Washington’s Diaries to illustrate (and correct) two misnomers: one academic and one All-American.

George Washington Resigning His Commission (1783)

First misnomer: that President Washington somehow became General Washington in October 1794.

Evidence. While in Carlisle, President Washington writes of working with the Troops … or rather catches himself almost being General George once again:

“6th to the 12th. Employed in Organizing the several detachments, which had come in from different Counties of this State, in a very disjointed & loose manner; or rather I ought to have said in urging and assisting Genl. Mifflin to do it; as I no otherwise took command of the Troops than to press them forward, and to provide them with necessaries for their March, as well, & as far, as our means would admit.”

President Washington was almost acting like the old general … and noted in his own words he wasn’t in command of the Troops. He was working as President in the role of Commander-in-Chief; helping as he could, though not exercising battlefield authority.

All-American Henry Lee III

Second misnomer: that Henry Lee III is not an All-American.

Evidence. 19 October 1794, President Washington writes of his ride to Bedford with our All-American candidate, General Henry Lee III:

“19th. In company with Genl. Lee, who I requested to attend me, that all the arrangements necessary for the Army’s crossing the Mountns. in two columns might be made; Their routs, & days Marches fixed, that the whole might move in Unison – and accompanied by the Adjutant General and my own family we set out, abt. eight oclock, for Bedford, and making one halt at the distance of 12 Miles, reached it a little after 4 oclock in the afternoon being met a little out of the Encampment by Govr. Mifflin – Govr. Howell - & several other Officers of distinction.”

President Washington and his family spend the day driving to Bedford with General Lee. President and General discuss the plans for the March so that “the whole might move in Unison.” Once again, that isn’t General Washington ~ it’s President Washington (and his family).

It’s also quite a day for Henry Lee III; Washington picked him to lead the Army ~ trusted him ~ and that’s an All-American honor.

Hypnotic Misnomers: don’t be lulled.

~ Next Whiskey220: the October mini-series concludes Thursday, 23 October, with Representative Findley Distills We the People.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Whiskey220: Rebellion, Representation and Washington

10/10/2014

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Star Spangled Banner Flag (15 Stars and Stripes)

Whiskey 220 ~ Part 1 of 3
The Whiskey Rebellion 1791-94: Western Pennsylvania

Transitions

Fifteen Stars and Stripes tell of a nation in transition. The new Republic’s first president, former general George Washington, signed a new flag law in January 1794. Basically, with the addition of Kentucky and Vermont into the Union, a new flag was needed. The Star Spangled Banner we all know, created by Congress in 1818, kept the 13 Stripes to honor the founding and added Stars for new States.

The flag wasn’t the only thing in transition, it’s just a good symbol for what was happening; the Revolutionary War won, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union were over in eight years (1781-88), and the new US Constitution made the former colonies the world’s leading Republic ~ oh yeah, the French.

Napoleon Bonaparte

The French Republic (1792-1804) foretold itself in 1789 with the Storming of the Bastille; a young Napoleon Bonaparte watched in horror (he disliked the masses). There’s also the French Republic’s Reign of Terror, running its guillotine through September 1793 to July 1794. The terror stopped for a bit, then in 1799 Napoleon took over ~ and that ended in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo.

The US Republic had a much milder situation involving citizens in 1794: the trouble was a federal whiskey tax on hooch. The citizens (many former revolutionaries) in the hills of four western Pennsylvania counties resisted; first with not paying the tax, then they accosted a Federal tax collector, then they took up arms …

That was enough for President Washington; as commander-in-chief he called on the State Militias to quell the rebellion. Four states, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia began calling up their militias in support of the government.

US President George Washington

President Washington takes a ride west from Philadelphia to review the political and military developments; he wanted to see firsthand how things were going ~ and to participate as needed. On his journey, he kept notes.

It’s not all politics in President Washington’s Diaries; here we read of our president driving his carriage, feeding and tending horses, and socializing quite often. You also see a different side of Washington: his 18th century Rick Steves fellow traveller side. An example – Washington’s 13 October 1794 commentary on the Pennsylvania landscape:

“From Carlisle along the left Road, which I pursued, to be out of the March of the Army, and to avoid the inconvenience of passing the Waggons belonging to it; the Lands are but indifferent until we came within a few miles of Shippensburgh – The first part of a thin and dry Soil, succeeded by piney flats (not far from the South Mountain). For a few miles before we arrived in Shippensbg. the Lands were good, but uncultivated.”

Our president was also political in his diaries; on the 2nd of October President Washington met with two citizens, US Representative William Findley and lawyer David Reddick, who provided current word on the state of the insurrection. Representative Findley spoke for the sentiments of the rebellion; Reddick supported Findley and added a comment Washington made note of ~ one on citizen communication:

“He [Reddick] added, that for a long time after the riots commenced, and until lately, the distrust of one another was such, that even friends were afraid to communicate their sentiments to each other; That by whispers this was brought about; and growing bolder as they became more communicative they found their strength, and that there was a general disposition not only to acquiesce under, but to support the Laws – and he gave some instances also of Magistrates enforcing them.”

Yes ~ citizens communicating (first by whisper) in order to find their strength ~ let’s pickup there next time, and we’ll have President Washington sharing a coach with Virginia’s Governor Henry Lee III.

Next: Whiskey220 ~ Sunday 19 October.
~
Video: The Whiskey Rebellion
~
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Key Robert E. Lee: Calling Steve About My 2016 Halloween Dream Return

Homeostasis: Publius’ (Nano THC) Political Cannabinoid Science

Whiskey220: Representation Distills We the People

Whiskey220: Militias, Lee and Washington

Whiskey220: Rebellion, Representation and Washington

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