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LincolnMan · 07-04-2015, 08:35 AM

(07-03-2015 08:10 PM)L Verge Wrote: Have a wonderful, safe trip, Thomas, and wish our forefathers well. Tell them to send some help to the USA...

Shortly after I posted the above, my grandson announced that one of his summer reading assignments is Fahrenheit 451. That book was written back in the 1950s, and I vaguely remember it being very controversial when I was finishing elementary school. I went online to refresh my memory (because I know that Grandma will be asked to help interpret it), and one of the opening comments on a site like cliffnotes was this:

"Set in the twenty-fourth century, Fahrenheit 451 introduces a new world in which control of the masses by the media, overpopulation, and censorship has taken over the general population. The individual is not accepted and the intellectual is considered an outlaw. Television has replaced the common perception of family. The fireman is now seen as a flamethrower, a destroyer of books rather than an insurance against fire. Books are considered evil because they make people question and think. The people live in a world with no reminders of history or appreciation of the past; the population receives the present from television."

I couldn't help thinking that what was science fiction 60+ years ago is fast becoming our way of life...

And how close our we as a nation to the storyline in the book?
Certainly closer than when the book was written. I first read it in high school. It seemed like science fiction then. Now it could be called prophetic.

HerbS · 07-04-2015, 10:18 AM

I had the pleasure of teaching about this book when it was considered to be about the scary future!The students gave the book a good"try"!

Thomas Kearney · 07-04-2015, 10:58 AM

(07-04-2015 10:18 AM)HerbS Wrote: I had the pleasure of teaching about this book when it was considered to be about the scary future!The students gave the book a good"try"!

I never had to read that book in School but when Ray Bradbury died my parents were this close to making me read it. I found a way to get out of it as expected.

HerbS · 07-04-2015, 12:29 PM

ThomasK.It is too bad that you never got to read it!

Thomas Kearney · 07-04-2015, 02:43 PM

(07-04-2015 12:29 PM)HerbS Wrote: ThomasK.It is too bad that you never got to read it!

I just downloaded it on iBooks to read while in the car to Mt. Rushmore. I wish I read it when my parents wanted me to.

LincolnMan · 07-04-2015, 02:45 PM

The movie was very good too- might appear a bit dated now.

Jim Page · 07-04-2015, 03:17 PM

I know of one professional photobomber who'll soon be carsick.

--Jim

Eva Elisabeth · (This post was last modified: 07-04-2015 04:49 PM by Eva Elisabeth.)

(07-04-2015 02:43 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:
(07-04-2015 12:29 PM)HerbS Wrote: ThomasK.It is too bad that you never got to read it!

I just downloaded it on iBooks to read while in the car to Mt. Rushmore. I wish I read it when my parents wanted me to.

Thomas, if I understood/remember correctly, you live somewhere nearby DC. How long will it take you to get to Mt. Rushmore by car? Will you visit other sights along the way, took

PaigeBooth · 07-04-2015, 04:49 PM

(07-03-2015 05:19 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Happy Fourth of July weekend to everybody!

Just a quick post to wish all symposium members a Happy July 4th!!!

Came across this adorable vintage photograph this morning, so I thought I would share it with everyone; it was taken July 4, 1906.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSzvLy1cikE/VZ...7%2529.jpg

p.s.
Happy Birthday to Calvin Coolidge, and RIP Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe. Rolleyes

Gene C · (This post was last modified: 07-04-2015 05:50 PM by Gene C.)

Great photo. Thanks for sharing if.

Thomas Kearney · (This post was last modified: 07-04-2015 06:13 PM by Thomas Kearney.)

(07-04-2015 04:48 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:
(07-04-2015 02:43 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:
(07-04-2015 12:29 PM)HerbS Wrote: ThomasK.It is too bad that you never got to read it!

I just downloaded it on iBooks to read while in the car to Mt. Rushmore. I wish I read it when my parents wanted me to.
Thomas, if I understood/remember correctly, you live somewhere nearby DC. How long will it take you to get to Mt. Rushmore by car? Will you visit other sights along the way, took

I leave Tuesday and expect to arrive in Keystone (The town Mt. Rushmore is in) on Saturday. I plan to visit the home of James A. Garfield, Indiana Dunes, The Wisconsin and South Dakota state capitols, and the Green Giant statue in MN.

RIP Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe. Rolleyes

[/quote]

Jefferson still survives!

(07-04-2015 03:17 PM)Jim Page Wrote: I know of one professional photobomber who'll soon be carsick.

--Jim

I'll be fine.

LincolnMan · 07-04-2015, 06:16 PM

I forgot: where is the home of Garfield? I visited his tomb in Cleveland last year.

Thomas Kearney · 07-04-2015, 06:24 PM

(07-04-2015 06:16 PM)LincolnMan Wrote: I forgot: where is the home of Garfield? I visited his tomb in Cleveland last year.

Mentor, OH, just outside of Cleveland.

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 07-04-2015 06:42 PM by BettyO.)

Please check out Dave Taylor's wonderful talk at Historic Port Royal today -

http://boothiebarn.com/2015/07/04/the-4t...ment-26903

Dave is a GRAND speaker! Laurie - he definitely needs a spot in the next conference....

Happy Fourth, Everyone!

L Verge · 07-04-2015, 08:58 PM

Dave gave an excellent talk on the Garrett family several years ago at the Surratt conference. I have already lined up four of the speakers for 2016, and have invited a fifth - a member of this forum - who has yet to give me a definite confirmation (despite two emails and one PM asking for a decision). If that member doesn't get off the stick and contact me, Dave may have an opportunity to speak again!

Seriously, the theme for 2016 is "Lincoln Assassination Studies: New Faces - Fresh Perspectives." As you can tell, we're trying to bring a new generation into the spotlight.