Like being God
As a treat, I gave myself a year’s subscription to the British Newspaper Archive. I’ve been reading my local rag, starting around 1860.
It’s a little spooky. I know what’s going to happen. There’s angry correspondence between Lincoln and the South Carolina legislature in January of 1861 (the Civil War broke out in April). There’s a speech from Queen Victoria in praise of Albert (he croaked in December, knocking her forever off course).
It reminds me of the Daily Mail, actually. Some of it is genuinely local, but a lot of it is interesting or amusing stories from all around the world. Especially America. And anyplace Britain was being all colonial, which was lots.
A surprising number of people (especially children) caught fire and burned to death in home accidents. A surprising number of soldiers bumped off their commanding officers. People did astonishing things while drunk.
I’m finding it a refreshing break from 2025 news, if only because none of it matters in the slightest now.
p.s. Who died?
Posted: June 25th, 2025 under news, personal.
Comments: 5
Comments
Comment from thefritz
Time: June 25, 2025, 7:28 pm
Bobby Sherman. Lavendergirl won a dick.
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: June 25, 2025, 7:29 pm
It sure looks like a win!
@LavenderGirl (Time: April 25, 2025, 6:01 pm)
Bobby Sherman — 60’s Teen Heartthrob, singer, actor.
It’s interesting that DP participants fall into two distinct groups. LavenderGirl et al. pick slebs who are actually likely to pass away, and yours truly and the rest pick people we want to see dead, with special attention to those sufficiently nasty such that there’s a good chance that somebody (e.g. TPTB) will want to help them achieve that state.
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: June 25, 2025, 9:46 pm
I know you and Uncle B. tend to like railroads. That archive will be full of RR news and given American coverage you’ll likely get some of that too, especially the completion of the transcontinental RR in 1869.
Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: June 25, 2025, 10:33 pm
Hrmmmmm. I only wish Claus Schwab, Bill Gates, and George Soros the absolute very best (seat in hell) when I pick their names.
Can you keep us updated on the recent unpleasantness between the North and South?
Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: June 25, 2025, 10:51 pm
Hey did you read New York is trying to become London?
Should be a fun year!🙄
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