Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he'd just been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cut, and bruised, and he's ... View MoreHappy Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he'd just been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cut, and bruised, and he's walking with a limp.
"Wha' happened to ye, man?" asks Sean, the bartender.
"Jamie O'Conner an' me had a fight, Sean", says Paddy.
"That little O'Conner," says Sean, "He couldna do that t' ye, he musta had somethin' in his hand."
"That he did Sean, that he did," says Paddy, "a shovel is what he had, and a terrible lickin' he gave me with it."
"Well," says Sean, "ye should have defended yerself. Didna ye have somethin' in yer hand?"
"Aye, that I did, Sean", said Paddy. "Mrs. O'Conner's left breast, and a thing of beauty it is, too, but useless in a fight."
If you are interested in helping to preserve the TOBA (Texas Open Beaches Act) and making a difference in the quality of Texas beaches and Gulf waters, please consider joining us at the Surfrider Foun... View MoreIf you are interested in helping to preserve the TOBA (Texas Open Beaches Act) and making a difference in the quality of Texas beaches and Gulf waters, please consider joining us at the Surfrider Foundation. You don't necessarily have to surf, just be a supporter. Our mission is simple.
What We Fight For
Plastic Pollution
Reducing the impact of plastics in the marine environments that surround us.
Ocean Protection
Defending our oceans from challenges threatening the vitality of the ecosystem.
Beach Access
Working with decision-makers to ensure full and fair beach access for all to enjoy.
Coastal Preservation
Taking on issues that threaten our beaches and natural shorelines.
Clean Water
Protecting the health and sustainability of our planet's most precious resource.
There are several chapters in Texas, one right here in Galveston
To learn more about how you can help, check out our nation page and look into our local chapters. Thank you!!
https://www.surfrider.org/
Also consider supporting the Texas Surf Museum in Galveston.
If y'all have seen the local news here in Houston recently, you know of the story of the two 13-year-old brothers missing in Galveston. Apparently, neither could swim and were last seen in chest deep ... View MoreIf y'all have seen the local news here in Houston recently, you know of the story of the two 13-year-old brothers missing in Galveston. Apparently, neither could swim and were last seen in chest deep water near the Pleasure Pier. Not being able to swim is one thing, but my thrust here is the rip currents, which we have in abundance here on the Gulf Coast.
Whether one can swim or not, PLEASE be mindful of rips. I've surfed for over 60 years and I know many of us surfers use the rips to get outside the whitewater, but they can be VERY dangerous if you are not aware of them OR if you ignore them.
PLEASE be safe when going into the water anywhere on the coast. And PLEASE keep an eye on your children so we do not hear of any more incidents such as this recent event. The life you save may be your own or that of your child..
March 6, 1836 - Day 13 of the Alamo siege and the final battle
(This is a long one)
At Midnight on March 5, 1836, Santa Anna's troops began moving into position for their planned attack of the Alamo... View MoreMarch 6, 1836 - Day 13 of the Alamo siege and the final battle
(This is a long one)
At Midnight on March 5, 1836, Santa Anna's troops began moving into position for their planned attack of the Alamo compound. For several hours, the soldiers lay on the ground in complete darkness. About 5:30 A.M., they received the order to begin the assault.
The massed troops moved quietly, encountering the Texian sentinels first. They killed them as they slept.
No longer able to contain the nervous energy gripping them, cries of "Viva la Republica" and "Viva Santa Anna" broke the stillness. The Mexican soldiers' shouts spoiled the moment of surprise.
Inside the compound, Adjutant John Baugh had just begun his morning rounds when he heard the cries. He hurriedly ran to the quarters of Colonel William Barret Travis. He awakened him with: "Colonel Travis, the Mexicans are coming!" Travis and his slave Joe quickly scrambled from their cots. The two men grabbed their weapons and headed for the north wall battery. Travis reportedly yelled, "Come on boys, the Mexicans are on us and we'll give them Hell!" Unable to see the advancing troops for the darkness, the Texian gunners blindly opened fire; they had packed their cannon with jagged pieces of scrap metal, shot, and chain. The muzzle flash briefly illuminated the landscape and it was with horror that the Texians understood their predicament. The enemy had nearly reached the walls of the compound.
The Mexican soldiers had immediate and terrible losses. That first cannon blast ripped a huge gap in their column. Colonel José Enrique de la Peña would later write "...a single cannon volley did away with half the company of Chasseurs from Toluca." The screams and moans of the dying and wounded only heightened the fear and chaos of those first few moments of the assault.
Travis hastily climbed to the top of the north wall battery and readied himself to fire; discharging both barrels of his shotgun into the massed troops below. As he turned to reload, a single lead ball struck him in the forehead sending him rolling down the ramp where he came to rest in a sitting position. Travis was dead. Joe saw this, and so retreated to one of the rooms along the west wall to hide.
There was no safe position on the walls of the compound. Each time the Texian riflemen fired at the troops below, they exposed themselves to deadly Mexican fire. On the south end of the compound, Colonel Juan Morales and about 100 riflemen attacked what they perceived was the weak palisade area. They met heavy fire from Crockett's riflemen and a single cannon. Morales's men quickly moved toward the southwest corner and the comparative safety of cover behind an old stone building and the burned ruins of scattered jacales.
On the north wall, exploding Texian canister shredded but did not halt the advance of Mexican soldiers. Cos' and Duque's companies, now greatly reduced in number, found themselves at the base of the north wall. Romero's men joined them after his column had wheeled to the right to avoid deadly grapeshot from the guns of the Alamo church.
General Castrillón took command from the wounded Colonel Duque and began the difficult task of getting his men over the wall. As the Mexican army reached the walls, their advance halted. Santa Anna saw this lag and so committed his reserve of 400 men to the assault bringing the total force to around 1400 men.
Amid the Texian cannon fire tearing through their ranks, General Cos's troops performed a right oblique to begin an assault on the west wall. The Mexicans used axes and crowbars to break through the barricaded windows and openings. They climbed through the gun ports and over the wall to enter the compound.
General Amador and his men entered the compound by climbing up the rough-faced repairs made on the north wall by the Texians. They successfully breached the wall and in a flood of fury, the Mexican army poured through.
The Texians turned their cannon northward to check this new onslaught. With cannon fire shifted, Colonel Morales recognized a momentary advantage. His men stormed the walls and took the southwest corner, the 18-pounder, and the main gate. The Mexican army was now able to enter from almost every direction.
In one room near the main gate, the Mexican soldiers found Colonel James Bowie. Bowie was critically ill and confined to bed when the fighting began. The soldiers showed little mercy as they silenced him with their bayonets.
The Texians continued to pour gunfire into the advancing Mexican soldiers devastating their ranks. Still they came.
When they saw the enemy rush into the compound from all sides, the Texians fell back to their defenses in the Long Barracks. Crockett's men in the palisade area retreated into the church.
The rooms of the north barrack and the Long Barracks had been prepared well in advance in the event the Mexicans gained entry. The Texians made the rooms formidable by trenching and barricading them with raw cowhides filled with earth. For a short time, the Texians held their ground.
The Mexicans turned the abandoned Texian cannon on the barricaded rooms. With cannon blast followed by a musket volley, the Mexican soldiers stormed the rooms to finish the defenders inside the barrack.
Mexican soldiers rushed the darkened rooms. With sword, bayonet, knife, and fist the adversaries clashed. In the darkened rooms of the north barrack, it was hard to tell friend from foe. The Mexicans systematically took room after room; finally, the only resistance came from within the church itself.
Once more, the Mexicans employed the Texians' cannon to blast apart the defenses of the entrance. Bonham, Dickinson and Esparza died by their cannon at the rear of the church. An act of war became a slaughter. It was over in minutes.
According to one of Santa Anna's officers, the Mexican army overwhelmed and captured a small group of defenders. According to this officer, Crockett was among them. The prisoners were brought before Santa Anna where General Castrillón asked for mercy on their behalf. Santa Anna instead answered with a "gesture of indignation" and ordered their execution. Nearby officers who had not taken part in the assault fell upon the helpless men with their swords. One Mexican officer noted in his journal that: "Though tortured before they were killed, these unfortunates died without complaining and without humiliating themselves before their torturers."
According to many accounts of the battle, between five and seven Texians surrendered. Incensed that his orders had been ignored, Santa Anna demanded the immediate execution of the survivors. Weeks after the battle, stories circulated that Crockett was among those who surrendered. However, Ben, a former American slave who cooked for one of Santa Anna's officers, maintained that Crockett's body was found surrounded by "no less than sixteen Mexican corpses". Historians disagree on which version of Crockett's death is accurate.
Santa Anna ordered Alcalde Francisco Ruiz to gather firewood from the surrounding countryside and in alternating layers of wood and bodies the dead were stacked.
Santa Anna reportedly told Captain Fernando Urizza that the battle "was but a small affair". Another officer then said to have remarked that "with another such victory as this, we'll go to the devil". In his initial report Santa Anna claimed that 600 Texians had been killed, with only 70 Mexican soldiers killed and 300 wounded. His secretary, Ramón Martínez Caro, later repudiated the report. Other estimates of the number of Mexican soldiers killed ranged from 60–200, with an additional 250–300 wounded. Most Alamo historians place the number of Mexican casualties at 400–600. This would represent about one-third of the Mexican soldiers involved in the final assault, which Todish remarks is "a tremendous casualty rate by any standards". Most eyewitnesses counted between 182–257 Texians killed.
At 5:00 O'clock in the evening the pyres were lit. In this final act, Santa Anna's "small affair" ended.
From Texas A&M, earlytexashistory(.)com, and Wikipedia
March 2, 1836
Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted and the Republic of Texas is declared. David G. Burnet is elected at interim president by the delegates.
187 years ago today at Washington-... View MoreMarch 2, 1836
Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted and the Republic of Texas is declared. David G. Burnet is elected at interim president by the delegates.
187 years ago today at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, 59 delegates to The Consultation, as the interim Texas government was known, declared independence from Mexico by adopting the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Today in Texas History
On the trail to Texas independence.
Mar 01, 1836 – The Convention of 1836 of elected delegates convenes at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The Texas Declaration of Independence in i... View MoreToday in Texas History
On the trail to Texas independence.
Mar 01, 1836 – The Convention of 1836 of elected delegates convenes at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The Texas Declaration of Independence in its final draft is signed by the 44 members of the Consultation present that day. The remaining 15 delegates would arrive and affix their signatures the next day.
Thirty-two to sixty men from Gonzales of the "Gonzales Company of Mounted Volunteers" enter the Alamo at 1:00 A.M.
Photo: Independence Hall at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Shuttle Columbia Disaster. All 7 crew members of the Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107, died when the shuttle broke up over East Texas while preparing for landin... View MoreToday marks the 20th anniversary of the Shuttle Columbia Disaster. All 7 crew members of the Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107, died when the shuttle broke up over East Texas while preparing for landing at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
"Columbia was destroyed at about 09:00 EST on February 1, 2003 while re-entering the atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined that a hole was punctured in the leading edge on one of Columbia's wings, made of a carbon composite. The hole had formed when a piece of insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeled off during the launch 16 days earlier and struck the shuttle's left wing. During the intense heat of re-entry, hot gases penetrated the interior of the wing, likely compromising the hydraulic system and leading to control failure of the control surfaces. The resulting loss of control exposed minimally protected areas of the orbiter to full-entry heating and dynamic pressures that eventually led to vehicle break up. The report also delved deeply into the underlying organizational and cultural issues that led to the accident. The report was highly critical of NASA's decision-making and risk-assessment processes. Further, the board determined that unlike early claims, a rescue mission was indeed possible using the Shuttle Atlantis which was essentially ready for launch and might have saved the Columbia crewmembers. The nearly 84,000 pieces of collected debris of the vessel are stored in a 16th floor office suite in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The collection was opened to the media once and has since been open only to researchers. Unlike Challenger, which had a replacement orbiter built, Columbia did not."
From Wikipedia
Space Shuttle Columbia Crew:
Rick D. Husband
William C. McCool
Michael P. Anderson
Kalpana Chawla
David M. Brown
Laurel Clark
Ilan Ramon
10 Heartbreaking Videos that Show the Devastating Effect of Palm Oil on Orangutans
The palm oil industry is responsible for so much suffering, yet all they care about is money. This World Orangutan Day, let's ditch palm oil!
Wishing all a reflective and thoughtful Martin Luther King Day.
Wishing Elvis a Happy Birthday on what would have been his 88th.
Rest well, man, and thank you...
While it is early here, we are wishing family and friends across the globe a Happy, healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
لە کاتێکدا لێرە زووە، هیوای ساڵی نوێی پیرۆز و تەندروست و خۆشگوزەرانی بۆ خێزان و ه... View MoreWhile it is early here, we are wishing family and friends across the globe a Happy, healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
لە کاتێکدا لێرە زووە، هیوای ساڵی نوێی پیرۆز و تەندروست و خۆشگوزەرانی بۆ خێزان و هاوڕێیان لە سەرانسەری جیهان دەخوازین!
بينما الوقت مبكر هنا ، نتمنى للعائلة والأصدقاء في جميع أنحاء العالم عامًا جديدًا سعيدًا وصحيًا ومزدهرًا!
Obwohl es hier noch früh ist, wünschen wir Familie und Freunden auf der ganzen Welt ein frohes, gesundes und erfolgreiches neues Jahr!
ここではまだ早いですが、世界中の家族や友人の皆様に、新年が健康で幸福で繁栄したものとなりますようお祈り申し上げ ます。
Även om det är tidigt här, önskar vi familj och vänner över hela världen ett gott, hälsosamt och välmående nytt år!
Habang maaga pa rito, binabati namin ang pamilya at mga kaibigan sa buong mundo ng Maligaya, malusog, at Masaganang Bagong Taon!
Si bien es temprano aquí, ¡les deseamos a familiares y amigos de todo el mundo un Año Nuevo feliz, saludable y próspero!
177 years ago today, Texas became the 28th state following a petition by Texas officials to join the Union.
However, Texas had petitioned the Union to become a state earlier. In 1836, shortly after d... View More177 years ago today, Texas became the 28th state following a petition by Texas officials to join the Union.
However, Texas had petitioned the Union to become a state earlier. In 1836, shortly after declaring independence from Mexico, Texas' founders petitioned the government of the United States for admission to the Union. The request was denied by the Secretary of State at the time, John Forsyth. Texas continued to petition for admission and it was finally granted on this date in 1845 by Forsyth.
For those celebrating St. Stephen's Day: Wishing you all the humble and warm greetings of the day!
And for those who celebrate Kwanzaa: May it bring you prosperity, unity and faith.
Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, & Prosperous New Year!! We could sure use it...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in h... View MoreWishing all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, & Prosperous New Year!! We could sure use it...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
KJV
Today marks the 249th anniversary of The Boston Tea Party.
The Boston Tea Party was an American political and mercantile protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 16, 1773.... View MoreToday marks the 249th anniversary of The Boston Tea Party.
The Boston Tea Party was an American political and mercantile protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 16, 1773. The target was the Tea Act of May 10, 1773, which allowed the British East India Company to sell tea from China in American colonies without paying taxes apart from those imposed by the Townshend Acts. The Sons of Liberty strongly opposed the taxes in the Townshend Act as a violation of their rights. Protesters, some disguised as Indigenous Americans, destroyed an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company.
I just read where Savoy Brown's lead guitarist, Kim Simmonds, died this past Tuesday of colon cancer. 😢
One of my favorite bands, Savoy Brown, was founded by Simmonds around 1965, and Kim played on e... View MoreI just read where Savoy Brown's lead guitarist, Kim Simmonds, died this past Tuesday of colon cancer. 😢
One of my favorite bands, Savoy Brown, was founded by Simmonds around 1965, and Kim played on every album they recorded. His style will be greatly missed.
I remember one of the best concerts I went to at the old Coliseum in Houston was the New Delhi River Band (or was it New Riders of the Purple Sage?), Savoy Brown, and Rod Stewart. When Savoy Brown came on stage, Simmonds bounded out, tripped on a cable, did a sort of barrel roll to save any damage to his Les Paul. They opened with the first tune here, "Train to Nowhere" and tore it up. They concluded their set with the second tune, "Louisiana Blues" and rambled on for almost 20 minutes. I was so spent, I thought about just going home. Rod Stewart put on a good show, but to me, Simmonds and company took the prize that night.
Today marks the 231st anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights - December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights, sometimes called a declaration of rights or a charter of rights, is a list of the ... View MoreToday marks the 231st anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights - December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights, sometimes called a declaration of rights or a charter of rights, is a list of the most important rights to the citizens of a country. The purpose is to protect those rights against infringement from public officials and private citizens.
Bills of rights may be entrenched or unentrenched. An entrenched bill of rights cannot be amended or repealed by a country's legislature through regular procedure, instead requiring a supermajority or referendum; often it is part of a country's constitution, and therefore subject to special procedures applicable to constitutional amendments. In the case of the U.S. Bill of Rights, it consists of the first 10 amendments to our Constitution.
page=1&profile_user_id=5704&year=&month=
Load More
