Random News and Notes 15 June
Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John puts his royal seal on Magna Carta, or “the Great Charter,” on this date in 1215. The document, essentially a peace treaty between John and his barons, guaranteed that the king would respect feudal rights and privileges, uphold the freedom of the church, and maintain the nation’s laws.
Although more a reactionary than a progressive document in its day, Magna Carta was seen as a cornerstone in the development of democratic England by later generations.
On this date 1775, the Continental Congress votes to appoint George Washington, who would one day become the first American president, the commander of the colonies’ first official army. Four days later, he accepts the assignment and signs his commission.
Washington gained extensive military experience during the French-and-Indian wars of the previous decades.
On this day in 1864, the first day of the Battle of Petersburg, some 10,000 Union troops under General William F. Smith moved against the Confederate defenders of Petersburg, made up of only a few thousand armed old men and boys commanded by General P.G.T. Beauregard. However, the Confederates had the advantage of formidable physical defenses, and they held off the overly cautious Union assault. The next day, more Federal troops arrived, but Beauregard was reinforced by Lee, and the Confederate line remained unbroken during several Union attacks occurring over the next two days.
By June 18, Grant had nearly 100,000 at his disposal at Petersburg, but the 20,000 Confederate defenders held on as Lee hurried the rest of his Army of Northern Virginia into the entrenchments. Knowing that further attacks would be futile, but satisfied to have bottled up the Army of Northern Virginia, Grant’s army dug trenches and began a prolonged siege of Petersburg.
Finally, on April 2, 1865, with his defense line overextended and his troops starving, Lee’s right flank suffered a major defeat against Union cavalry under General Phillip Sheridan, and Grant ordered a general attack on all fronts. The Army of Northern Virginia retreated under heavy fire; the Confederate government fled Richmond on Lee’s recommendation; and Petersburg, and then Richmond, fell to the Union. Less than a week later, Grant’s massive army headed off the remnants of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Station, and Lee was forced to surrender, effectively ending the Civil War.
1917, some two months after America’s formal entrance into World War I against Germany, the United States Congress passes the Espionage Act.
Enforced largely by A. Mitchell Palmer, the United States attorney general under President Woodrow Wilson, the Espionage Act essentially made it a crime for any person to convey information intended to interfere with the U.S. armed forces prosecution of the war effort or to promote the success of the country’s enemies. Anyone found guilty of such acts would be subject to a fine of $10,000 and a prison sentence of 20 years.
The Espionage Act was reinforced by the Sedition Act of the following year, which imposed similarly harsh penalties on anyone found guilty of making false statements that interfered with the prosecution of the war; insulting or abusing the U.S. government, the flag, the Constitution or the military; agitating against the production of necessary war materials; or advocating, teaching or defending any of these acts.
Both pieces of legislation were aimed at socialists, pacifists and other anti-war activists during World War I and were used to punishing effect in the years immediately following the war, during a period characterized by the fear of communist influence and communist infiltration into American society that became known as the first Red Scare.
On this date in 1944 the Battle of Saipan commenced. Measuring just 14 miles long and 5 miles wide, the Island was a key battleground in the island hopping campaign in the Pacific. The Battle raged for nearly a month, finally winding down on 9 July.
Saipan was part of Japan’s “Absolute National Defense Zone.” Its loss broke this inner perimeter, leaving the Japanese homeland vulnerable. The Island provided the U.S. with a crucial base to launch long-range B-29 Superfortress attacks on Tokyo and other major Japanese cities. The invasion directly caused the Japanese navy to launch a counter-attack, resulting in a massive naval battle known as the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot,” which severely destroyed Japan’s carrier-based air power.
We start the news with an announcement out of the White House. President Trump said that there was a deal in place with Iran.
Color me skeptical.
Lets start with some facts. This is not a ‘deal’ it is a memorandum of understanding and a 60 day ceasefire that allows more talks to go forward. Worse, it gives the Islamists in charge over there a lifeline. I realize I am in the minority, but this deal for a deal’s sake bullshit – and make no mistake, that is exactly what this is – just pissed me off. You started this Mr. President, you should have fucking finished it, not whatever Chamberlain peace in our time bullshit this is.
Addtionally, I don’t think Israel is going to abide by any of those terms if Hezbollah fires any more rockets. They shouldn’t have to.
Also, anyone calling this a peace deal is a retard. It is an agreement to continue talking and nothing more. Anyone.
Speaking of Israel and Hezbollah, the IDF announced it has eliminated Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander who held a series of 5 senior positions within Hezbollah.
Daqduq had been reported killed back in ’24 but resurfaced fairly recently. According to the IDF he was killed in an airstrike.
On June 13 around 1 a.m., 17-year-old Samuel Davis entered the Classic Mart & 420 Shop in San Antonio. Clerk Sanad Ahmad Faisal Al Resheq, 25, refused to sell him tobacco due to his age, leading to an argument where Davis stabbed him multiple times and fled. Yah, Sammy is just what you thought when you read the previous sentence.
Surveillance video and a witness helped police arrest Davis hours later at nearby apartments; he faces murder charges with a $500,000 bond.
Televised executions.