Bryan William Brickner - Blog

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Antietam Crows

6/22/2018

Antietam Crows

2 of 13

“… What have you been up to Gus?”
“Touring.”
“Take The Crows’ Tour?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“You said once the crows call Antietam, 17 September 1862, ‘The Day Humans Went Nuts.’”
“I did.”
“The crows confirmed your story.”
“You speak crow?”
“More like they speak Yank.”
“Okay.”
“They laugh a lot, the crows.”
“They’ve been telling the story for more than 150 years.”
“Meaning?”
“Maybe we should laugh at our folly too.”
“The crows agree.”
“What else?”
“Crow-wise?”
“Yes.”
“At the end of the tour, down by where we first saw Sharpsburg.”
“I remember.”
“Two crows were showing me where the Connecticut Boys got attacked.”
“Go on.”
“The crows landed in a tree maybe 50 yards from a rock fence you all used earlier in the day.”
“Sure: you’re talking about the bluff area above Antietam Creek.”
“Yes, a bit below Burnside’s Bridge.”
“And?”
“One crow flew forward and one waited in a tree as I walked up.”
“Okay.”
“It didn’t fly away as I approached, so I went up to it (the tree), even touched the tree, and then the crow let out squawks toward the Antietam and flew off with the other crow.”
“In Yank, what did the crow mean to you?”
“In Yank … Like something happened down by the Antietam that may not be so well known.”
“Something?”
“I would say so Reb, something …”

Next Up: Part 3 on 26 June of the summer series Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Monuments.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Juneteenth

6/19/2018

Juneteenth

1 of 13

“Hey Gus.”
“Hey Johnny.”
“It’s Juneteenth 2018.”
“Sounds like something?”
“It’s the last day American slaves learned they were free, 19 June 1865.”
“Where at?”
“Texas.”
“I have some memories Reb.”
“Good to know.”
“I see them.”
“Freed slaves?”
“We called ‘em ‘Darkies.'”
“Because they had a light?”
“You’re being kind Johnny, though maybe; mostly I remember more joy than I ever saw.”
“Right.”
“Joyous eyes.”
“Freedom is something Gus.”
“You saw it too?”
“Of course.”
“What did you see?”
“A slave would rarely make eye contact, and only out of respect.”
“After?”
“Let’s refer to ‘em as ‘the newly freed citizens.'”
“‘Mericans too.”
“Correct. The newly freed ‘Mericans had a light, a way out, out of bondage.”
“Hard to put that light out once you have it Reb.”
“True words Yank …”

Next Up: Part 2 on 22 June of the summer series Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Antietam Crows.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Usurpation Day 2018: Ex Falso Quodlibet / From a Falsehood, Anything (Follows)

4/9/2018

We the People

Willis and Millie

The phrase ex falso quodlibet / from a falsehood, anything (follows), is known as the “principle of explosion” because it blows-up (makes trivial) how true and false work.

The book Farm Boy by Archie Lieberman (1974) depicts my maternal grandparents, Willis and Mildred (Evans) Hammer, as they farmed and raised a family. I’m pretty sure Willis and Millie didn’t know any Latin other than what they learned in Bible study; they would have understood “from a falsehood, anything (follows)” though, and even taught a similar lesson: two wrongs don’t make a right.

There are two great wrongs involving We the People and the usurpation of representation according to numbers. The first involves the usurpation that happened 9 April 1792, when, in response to President Washington’s veto of the first bill sent from Congress regarding the enumeration (census of 1790) and representation, the House of Representatives usurped a shall; the House ignored Washington’s veto and the constitutional ratio of "one for every thirty Thousand" and passed a number more likeable to the usurpers: one for every 33,000.

Veritas

The original constitutional ex falso quodlibet may appear small and perhaps harmless, but consider this: it created the conditions for the second great usurpation, the one that began in 1920. With women getting the vote and other social disruptions within the WW1 era, the House of 1920 did something extraordinary for the second great wrong: nothing. Since the first usurpation, Congress had at least kept using a number, they just kept increasing the ratio in favor of the usurpers; instead of using the census as intended, the counting of We the People for representation, the 1920 House openly ignored Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of our Constitution. It wasn’t until 1929, with the next decennial enumeration looming, that a law was passed setting House representation at 435, regardless of number, thus counteracting the definition of We the People.

Things tend to end as they began. The original usurpation of 9 April 1792 was a fill-in-the-blank moment; the bill was prepared with a blank left for a number and then the usurpers wrote in 33,000. We the People might follow a similar plan, one of mimicry; the 1792 usurpers read the Constitution and acted with pen and paper: nowadays, it feels like We the People are beginning to do the same thing.

Veritas.

*Next Up: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb begin a summer series on Juneteenth 2018, Somewhere On Our Way.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

We the People and Others: What Would Jesus Do… Deport the Catholics?

3/1/2018

Romans 12:17-21, The Book of the Is (page 40)

Reductio ad absurdum

Sure, the Jesus reference in the title is absurd, but there are defining similarities between Jesus and the Dreamers: because of their parents, both were born somewhere and then live somewhere else.

A Roman Immigration Officer might have asked Jesus some interesting questions, like:
“Who is your father?”
“Immaculate conception?”
“Where is your papyrus showing a Bethlehem birth?"
“You say ‘Three Wise Men’ were witnesses?”
“And what kind of work are you doing in Nazareth these days?”

Or one could read Romans for a Jesus-inspired Christ-like teaching that a constitutional We the People might try to enact; others, Martin Luther for example, have found inspiration and reverence in Paul’s counsel.

There is also the parable Jesus told about The Good Samaritan: this parable supports The Great Commandment (how one should live).

So what would Jesus do?

The teachings of Jesus are a political goal not represented by usurpation. Something like “The Good ‘Merican,” given the Great Commandment, seems the logical goal of a Christian United States of America. By representing We the People in Congress according to numbers, that is, by the law, we would find out what Jesus-inspired ‘Mericans would do … good and/or otherwise.

*Next Up: 9 April and Usurpation Day 2018, Ex Falso Quodlibet / From a Falsehood, Anything (Follows).

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020 Update: Movement

2/1/2018

Movement 2020

Movement is a noun.

1. An act of changing physical location or position or of having this changed.

2. A group of people working together to advance their shared political, social and artistic values.

*Next Up: A commentary on 1 March, We the People and Others: What Would Jesus Do… Deport the Catholics?

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Serotonin, tryptophan metabolism and the brain-gut-microbiome axis

12/31/2017

Something for 2018 ~ Gut instinct is bidirectional

Serotonin, tryptophan metabolism and the brain-gut-microbiome axis
Behavioural Brain Research
15 January 2015: Pages 32-48
S.M. O’Mahony, et al

The Abstract as Poem
(Or, A Microbiota Ode to the Brain-Gut Axis)

The brain-gut axis is
a bidirectional communication system
between the central nervous system
and the gastrointestinal tract.

Serotonin functions as a key neurotransmitter
at both terminals of this network.

Accumulating evidence points to a critical role
for the gut microbiome
in regulating normal functioning of this axis.

In particular,
it is becoming clear
that the microbial influence on tryptophan metabolism
and the serotonergic system
may be an important node in such regulation.

There is also substantial overlap
between behaviours influenced by the gut microbiota
and those which rely on intact serotonergic neurotransmission.

The developing serotonergic system may be vulnerable
to differential microbial colonisation patterns
prior to the emergence of a stable adult-like gut microbiota.

At the other extreme of life,
the decreased diversity and stability of the gut microbiota
may dictate serotonin-related health problems in the elderly.

The mechanisms underpinning this crosstalk
require further elaboration
but may be related to the ability of the gut microbiota
to control host tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway,
thereby simultaneously
reducing the fraction available for serotonin synthesis
and increasing the production of neuroactive metabolites.

The enzymes of this pathway are immune and stress-responsive,
both systems which buttress the brain-gut axis.

In addition,
there are neural processes in the gastrointestinal tract
which can be influenced
by local alterations in serotonin concentrations
with subsequent relay of signals
along the scaffolding of the brain-gut axis
to influence CNS neurotransmission.

Therapeutic targeting
of the gut microbiota
might be a viable treatment strategy
for serotonin-related brain-gut axis disorders.

Here’s to Buttressed Happy Guts in 2018!

*Next Up: 1 February 2018 and a 2020 Update.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Peppered Cannabinoids: Caryophyllene

12/30/2017

Pass the pepper please!

You might have experienced something like this: you eat a pepper and it makes you sweat.

If you haven’t had that experience, try a habanero pepper (just a little) to play along.

Sweating is dependent on our cannabinoid system (CS): for example, CB2 skin receptors modulate/maintain mammalian body temperature.

And it’s not just a reaction to the pepper: the pepper is modulating cannabinoid receptors – especially forehead ones for habanero-eaters – and it seems the hotter the pepper equals more CB2 response.

This happens because of the ubiquitous essential oil caryophyllene.

Here’s a sales site with caryophyllene and black pepper oil information.

And here’s a 2008 NIH article, Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid, which confirms the caryophyllene found in black pepper is “dietary” and states the oil is also found in such things as oregano, cinnamon and cannabis.

Of course, a re-examination of the world spice trade is needed: looks like early cannabinoid trafficking now – who knew?

*Next Up: NYE 2017 and an abstract serotonin poem, A Microbiota Ode to the Brain-Gut Axis.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Thereat: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb, On Our Way Somewhere

12/24/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Complications

XIII of XIII

“… Here Yank, by the fence.”
“Cover.”
“Looks clear though.”
“This is that-Somewhere plateau.”
“Dunker Church.”
“Land paid for.”
“Let’s talk a bit Yank.”
“About Kyd?”
“That and something else.”
“What’s complicated about Kyd Reb?”
“I don’t know what isn’t.”
“Start.”
“Antietam was a day in a campaign.”
“Lee’s 1862 Maryland Campaign.”
“This plateau was the fulcrum of that campaign.”
“We talked of that.”
“There were other fulcrums too.”
“Go on.”
“Kyd, he …”
“… Fought here?”
“With himself Gus.”
“Thus the complications.”
“Right.”
“What else?”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Fire

“Something you said Gus.”
“When?”
“At the cemetery.”
“You never said its name?”
“Elmwood.”
“And what did I say?”
“‘Alive’ when I asked ‘What’s a Reb without a Yank?’”
“I meant from the war.”
“We’d all already be dead by now Gus.”
“Okay.”
“It made me remember something about you, something about Private Augustus Kotka.”
“Go on.”
“There were two Johnnies there when I killed you.”
“So?”
“You had the drop on us Gus.”
“Maybe.”
“The first Johnny saw you and yelled.”
“His mouth moved.”
“He yelled ‘Yank!’”
“Then?”
“Then I drew and fired.”
“Which hand?”
“Right.”
[Silence.]
“That’s why you said ‘Alive’ before: you had the drop on two Johnnies Gus, so you could’ve fired first … why didn’t you fire?”
“There’s something else that happened, something you didn’t mention.”
“Say more.”
“Say more about Kyd.”
“Fair enough Gus.”
“Let’s say we bivouac here, you know – out there.”
“You know it’s daybreak, right?”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Ponderances

“Recall Reb, that I was a private and volunteer.”
“Meaning?”
“‘Bivouac’ was my favorite command.”
“Rest does sound good.”
“What happens next?”
“Rest.”
“How about a song first?”
“I know one called ‘Deep Water’ you might like.”
“Guitar?”
“Plucking.”
“Say more.”
“Imagine a goddess singing about weathering the storm.”
“Goddess you say.”
“Blunt one … then we’ll do some-Somewhere bivouac time.”
“Can I comment on the song?”
“Later.”
“Ponderances?”
“Encouraged.”
“Let’s hear it then Johnny.”
“Here we go Gus …”

*Next Up: A dietary-double feature begins on Saturday December 30th with an order of Peppered Cannabinoids, followed on NYE with an abstract gut-serotonin poem, A Microbiota Ode to the Brain-Gut Axis.

We’ll continue journeying with Gus, Johnny and We the People on Juneteenth 2018.

Thanks All ~ Peace.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Thereat: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb, On Our Way Mysteries

12/17/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Flags

XII of XIII

“Whoa Reb!”
“What?”
“Virginia’s down.”
“I see that.”
“We should put the flag up.”
“Someone should.”
“Us.”
“No, not us.”
“Why?”
“Let’s give a human a chance.”
“Let a human do it you mean?”
“Right.”
“Who are these two?”
“Many things really.”
“There’s no battle flag, like the others: was he a Johnny?”
“He was a Johnny … and also a Confederate.”
“Why no flags?”
“Bit of a mystery.”
“There’s another flag too.”
“I see that Yank.”
“One flag down, two missing and another backgrounding.”
“Plays like a riddle.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Characterize

“They lived a long life: what did they do Reb?”
“I’ll tell a quick version and then we’ll move on.”
“Characterize Johnny.”
“See when they were born?”
“1815.”
“So in 1855 and ’65 …”
“… They were a pair of 40 and then 50 year olds.”
“Alexander represented Virginia in the US House of Representatives.”
“US Rep? – When?”
“One term, 1859 to ‘61.”
“John Brown happened around here and then.”
“And Lincoln was elected in 1860.”
“Alexander: what did he do next?”
“Enlisted, was commissioned, and assigned to General Jackson’s staff.”
“That was fast.”
“Didn’t last long.”
“Why?”
“Alexander switched back to politics; he represented Virginia in the Confederate Provisional Congress and then again in the Confederate States House of Representatives.”
“Wow.”
“After the war, he came back too.”
“How?”
“US Pardon Clerk.”
“Mysteries abounding Johnny.”
“This way to the next one.”
“With ya …”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Mysteries

“… To another young Reb.”
“Another member of Jackson’s staff too.”
“Who’s the Kyd?”
“Remember Ferry Hill Yank?”
“Fairy Hill, of course.”
“Kyd grew-up there, in Maryland.”
“What did he do there?”
“Road the ferries some I imagine.”
“Road the Fairies?”
“Back-and-forth, that and farming.”
“Fairies worked the farm?”
“Moved goods Gus – and you know about ferries.”
“Why so sure Johnny?”
“You were a Yank for three years.”
“So?”
“All Yanks know ferries.”
“Then all Rebs know Fairies.”
“Agreed.”
“What was the point?”
“Kyd grew-up across the Potomac, in Maryland –”
“– And he’s buried in West Virginia.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Henry Kyd Douglas, as far as I know, is the most complicated Johnny Reb there is.”
“Is not was?”
“Kyd’s still a mystery.”
“How so?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Try.”
“Not here Gus.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere?”
“Sure … ready when you are.”
“Thanks … Ready.”
“After you Reb.”
“This way …”

*Next Up: Sunday 24 December and the Thereat finale (part XIII), Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Somewhere.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Thereat: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb, On Our Way Memories

12/10/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Boys

XI of XIII

“Now that was some music Reb.”
“Thought you might like that.”
“I did, and I think The Boys here did too.”
“The Boys?”
“Adult Johnnies were all young once, right?”
“Right.”
“I thought I heard some sniffling is what I mean.”
“Memories.”
“Me too.”
“And it was a bit misty Gus.”
“Yes … a bit misty.”
“People from the past gave us a remembrance.”
“The monument?”
“Right.”
“It looks old.”
“Put up after the war.”
“We’re in West Virginia.”
“We are.”
“This monument worked.”
“In a ‘lest we forget’ kind of way?”
“More in a ‘made me remember’ kind of way.”
“About?”
“Let’s visit one of The Boys from Antietam first.”
“Sure ~ step this way.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Doctor

“Doctor?”
“Dr. William S. Parran.”
“Husband too.”
“Yes.”
“‘Born July 5th 1835, Killed at Sharpsburg, September 17th 1862.’”
“Antietam.”
“Look at his age.”
“Young.”
“A 27 year-old doctor.”
“Making me remember Gus.”
“The other day it was all about deserters and cowards Reb.”
“I know.”
“We didn’t mention doctors and martyrs.”
“We didn’t.”
“Mrs. Parran stood here.”
“Easy to imagine.”
“Just ‘cuz the war ended, that wouldn’t mean Mrs. Parran thought-less of her William.”
“Of course not.”
“Or that he wasn’t a martyr to a cause.”
“I hear ya.”
“Before, by the monument, I was thinking of the Confederate Dead as ‘Merican Dead too (or as well).”
“Makes sense.”
“How do The Boys feel about that?”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat 'Mericans

“The Boys would like to hear an example from the Yank.”
“Sure: will The Doctor do?”
“Yes.”
“So we all know things fell into civil war in April 1861.”
“Go on.”
“And The Doctor here died 17 months into the war.”
“He did.”
“So 17 months in rebellion, let’s say, and 25 years living under usurpation.”
“It takes time to create a Doc Parran.”
“I was thinking something like that too Reb.”
“Meaning someone born under the laws of the United States of America …”
“… Was killed by the laws of the Usurped States of America.”
“Indeed.”
“The Doctor was as unrepresented as you, me and –”
“– The Boys.”
“They agree?”
“It wasn’t a yell, but it was a solid yes.”
“I’m sort-of-glad they didn’t yell Reb.”
“Me too Yank.”
“What’s next?”
“Another Johnny to visit.”
“Who?”
“The most complicated Johnny I know.”
“Let’s go then.”
“This way Yank.”
“With ya Reb …”

*Next Up: Sunday 17 December and Thereat part XII, Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Mysteries.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner