Monthly Archives: August 2023

A VOYAGE TO THE MOON (1657) AND A VOYAGE TO THE SUN (1659) – ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION

voyage dans la luneA VOYAGE TO THE MOON (1657) – Written by Cyrano de Bergerac. Yes, the one and only Cyrano de Bergerac, noted for his prominent proboscis and for Rostand’s play depicting his romance with Roxanne, at first acting on behalf of his friend. Some people still mistakenly believe Cyrano was a fictional character.

If he seems an unlikely man to dabble in science fiction consider this brilliant excerpt from de Bergerac’s writings: ” I think the planets are worlds revolving around the sun and that the fixed stars are also suns that have planets revolving around them. We can’t see those worlds from here because they are so small and because the light they reflect cannot reach us. How can one honestly think that such spacious globes are only large, deserted fields and that our world was made to lord it over all of them …?”

masc older picCyrano’s fictional space traveler was named Dyrcona and was the first to use multi-stage rockets to reach his destination. Dyrcona’s rocket design was based on firecrackers of the time period. The lunar inhabitants wore no clothing, had four legs and spoke in song. Their technology included transparent globes that captured solar rays for illumination, talking book-machines (early radio) and ray-guns that not only killed game but simultaneously cooked it. Continue reading

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BRIEF ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS FOR AUGUST 30th

democrat republican or awakeHere it is from Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog. For loons who are completely unmoored from reality, run along and peek in your bedroom closet, where Donald Trump is probably lurking right now! Or maybe he has summoned a space fleet to take over the world! Anti-Trump fanatics will believe anything!

is anyone going toCLUELESS, OUTDATED AND UTTERLY USELESS REPUBLICAN PARTY TOO BEFUDDLED TO COUNTER DEMOCRAT WARFARE AGAINST TRUMP.

MORE BEAUTIFUL TAKES ON THE WAY TRUMP’S MUGSHOT ELEVATED HIM INTO THE STRATOSPHERE. His enemies have made him even more of a martyr now. 

HUNGARY’S PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN SAYS TRUMP IS NEEDED TO END THE UKRAINE WAR. Makes sense, since that war never would have started if Trump had still been in the Oval Office. (Hell, remember Joe Biden idiotically telling war criminal Vlad Putin that a “minor” incursion into Ukraine would be okay? And how after JFK was removed the military-industrial complex launched the Vietnam War?)

pierre trudeau in blackface

Justin Trudeau

CANADA’S RACIST, BLACKFACE-WEARING PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU HAS HIS REGIME OPENLY TALKING ABOUT AN ANTI-TRUMP “GAME PLAN” FOR AMERICA’S 2024 ELECTION.

TRUDEAU REGIME ALSO ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING FOR TRANS PEOPLE GOING TO THE U.S. So, maybe America should issue a travel warning for people of color entering Canada, a nation governed by such a racist hatemonger as Pierre Trudeau.

bat signal for trumpOP-ED AT THE HILL: CRIMINALIZATION OF POLITICS IS ENDANGERING EVERYONE’S RIGHTS. No kidding.

DON SURBER’S BRILLIANT PIECE ABOUT TRUMP BECOMING A RESISTANCE ICON. Continue reading

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THE HOLY WAR (1682) – AN OVERLOOKED JOHN BUNYAN WORK

the holy warTHE HOLY WAR (1682) – The work that John Bunyan is most well-known for is The Pilgrim’s Progress, but given the theme of Balladeer’s Blog, rather than write the 2 billionth review of that book I decided to take a general look at one of Bunyan’s often overlooked writings on mythology/ allegory. 

The City of Mansoul was created by Shaddai (God) and is an Ideal State. It is almost impregnable because its Five Gates (the senses) cannot be opened by force, so it is purely up to the gatekeepers who may or may not enter Mansoul.

the holy war cover(Hey, it’s John Bunyan. If you’re looking for subtlety, let me introduce you to Mr. You-Won’t-Find-It-Here. Still, his works can be entertaining and thought provoking in a quaint, fairy-tale way.)

Perpetually menacing the people of Mansoul are the evil forces outside the gate; forces led by a giant named Diabolus (Guess Who) who has already ruined the other cities created by Shaddai. Things have been so good for the citizens of Mansoul for so long that the guardians at the gates have grown less vigilant and get suckered in by the temptations and appeals to their egos offered up by the agents of Diabolus. Continue reading

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HEIMSKRINGLA! OR THE STONED ANGELS (1969) – FORGOTTEN TELEVISION

heimskringla picHEIMSKRINGLA! OR THE STONED ANGELS – This was a pioneering presentation from WNET and first aired on November 6th, 1969. 

Produced by Brice Howard, directed by Tom O’Horgan and performed by New York’s experimental La Mama Theater Troupe, this 90-minute work incorporated live action with the then-new visual arts approach of “Videospace” to retell some of the sagas from the old Norse history collection of the title.

Said Howard – “My version of Heimskringla! is that like an iceberg, it is one-eighth above the surface, seven-eighths below.”

A Nordic bard called a Skald narrated the creation of the world and the subsequent emergence of males and females. Continue reading

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AUGUST 28th ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS

From Joe Biden’s corporate fascist kleptocracy it’s another roundup from Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog.

BLACK TRUMP SUPPORTERS LINE UP IN STREETS AND SHOUT “FREE TRUMP“. Terrific video. Long ago I said that if or when the fascists who hate Trump arrest him Trump should do what a Democrat would do – be proud of it and use it. These are purely political prosecutions intended only to keep Trump out of the White House, where he rocked the crooked boat of the Democrats and Republicans too much.

And while Trump, America’s Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa, battles the true rot at the core of the Democrat and Republican Parties, other candidates engaged in a meaningless Debate of the Living Dead. That non-event was a reminder of how bland and corporatized presidential debates are when no candidates are courageous enough to discuss the REAL issues that the voters care about.

JOE BIDEN’S POLICIES HAVE CAUSED BLACK POVERTY TO SKYROCKET. Contrast that with the Trump years when his policies resulted in record-high employment for black people and higher wages for them as well. 

lawfareEVEN THE DEMOCRATS AT NEWSWEEK HAD TO ADMIT THAT THE LATEST POLL SHOWED THAT A MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS (EXCEPT IN THE NORTHEAST, LOL) BELIEVE THE TRUMP ARRESTS ARE ELECTION INTERFERENCE. But, The Party, in its panic, has abandoned any and all pretense that they are following the rule of law.

A CANADIAN’S GREAT PIECE ABOUT JOE BIDEN BEING THE WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY.

JOE BIDEN SNUBS AND EMBARRASSES THE WNBA CHAMPIONS WHEN THEY VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE. Biden’s war on women continues.

FAMED UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR TARGETED BY THE BIDEN CRIME FAMILY SPEAKS OUT AGAIN ABOUT THE BIDEN PROTECTION RACKET. More HERE.

fani set straightCORRUPT FULTON COUNTY, GA EXPOSED FOR APPOINTING TRUMP-HATERS TO PROCESS BALLOTS IN THE 2020 ELECTION. The 2020 election is as permanently tainted as the 1876 and 2000 presidential elections. 

CORRUPT DEMOCRAT FANI WILLIS (ONE OF THE TRUMP PERSECUTORS) EXPOSED FOR THE SAME THINGS SHE IS TRYING TO CHARGE TRUMP WITH.

What a circus. More HERE.

kutti mug shotCOURAGEOUS WOMAN OF COLOR TREVIAN KUTTI AMONG THE POLITICAL PRISONERS DRAGGED IN DURING THE MOST RECENT FRAUDULENT ATTACKS ON TRUMP. The defiant mug shots from these heroic dissidents, including Trump himself, are epic!

THE BEST AND BRAVEST TRUMP MUG SHOT MEMES. CNN PANICS OVER IT. Continue reading

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM AUGUST 26th

Balladeer’s Blog continues its college football coverage on this weekend which kicked off the 2023 season in two of the divisions I deal with here.

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

Rocky Mountain CollegeUPSETS IN THE RANKINGS – The ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS hosted the 19th ranked DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS yesterday and upset them in a 20-19 nailbiter    ###    And the EVANGEL UNIVERSITY VALOR took down the visiting number 20 KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COYOTES.

Morningside MustangsTUSSLE IN THE TOP SEVEN – The number 4 team in the nation – the MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS – took it on the road against the 7th ranked BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS. The Mustangs led 7-0 in the 1st Quarter but the Ravens went up 10-7 by Halftime. That turned into a 13-10 edge for Morningside University to end the 3rd Quarter before the Mustangs won out 20-17 in the 4th.

montana state northern lights goldSHUTOUTS – The MONTANA STATE-NORTHERN LIGHTS blanked the MAYVILLE STATE COMETS 14-0   ###   Meanwhile, the UNION COLLEGE BULLDOGS won 27-0 at the CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY PHOENIX   ###   And the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS clobbered the KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS 44-0. Continue reading

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NOVEMBER 2018: LOOKING BACK

democrat republican or awakeVery busy weekend with college football and other miscellaneous activities. I promise I will get caught up on current events including the Debate of the Living Dead – and football results later today – but first here is my usual Sunday Looking Back post.

FOR PART ONE (2016) OF THIS RETROSPECTIVE FROM INDEPENDENT VOTER SITE BALLADEER’S BLOG CLICK HERE.

more black trump supportersDEMOCRAT MEDIA OUTLETS MAKING RACIST ATTACKS ON BLACK SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP. Condescending snobs gone wild! Click HERE.  

MARK HAMILL AND DEMOCRAT DEHUMANIZATION OF ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH THEM. It’s HERE.

MOCK HEADLINES: NOVEMBER 20th – HERE.

black support for trumpVOTERS OF COLOR PROUDLY SUPPORTING TRUMP – The man did more for the poor and the working class of all colors than any other president of my lifetime and has to fight both major political parties. Click HERE for this November 2018 piece.

ANOTHER COURAGEOUS WOMAN CALLING OUT DEMOCRAT CONDESCENSION. It’s HERE. Among her great lines “… feminists fancy themselves rebellious disruptors, but it’s a fantasy. They’re mainstream, their platform is tired, their hypocrisy is predictable and their constant bullying of women on the other side of the aisle is nauseatingly unattractive.”

midterms 20182018 MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS EXPLAINED FOR OVERSEAS READERS. Click HERE.

BACK WHEN WE HAD THE RUSSIAN COLLUSION HOAX INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT HOAX INDICTMENTS. HERE.

YUMIKO BLASCHKO: “TRUMP’S POLICIES ARE WORKING WELL FOR WOMEN & MINORITIES”. Find it HERE.

trump love him or hate himTHE LATEST (AT THAT TIME) FALSEHOOD AGAINST DE FACTO THIRD-PARTY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. Just another lie on the pile of untruths against him from America’s cesspool of a political establishment.

        And many imbeciles still believe every wild, unfounded accusation against Trump that comes down the pike to this very day. Remember when he was accused of paying bounties to Russian soldiers? And conspiring to kidnap Governor Whitmer? No matter how many times the outrage from the brain-dead fizzles out into vindication for Trump there’s always some new, insane accusation against him. If he was accused of murder the usual idiots would cite it as a fact that he killed someone. HERE. Continue reading

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MARVEL ISSUES FROM JANUARY 1969

For this weekend’s escapist and lighthearted superhero post I will take a look at Marvel’s January issues from 1969. 

xm 52X-MEN Vol 1 #52 (January 1969)

Title: Twilight of the Mutants

X-Men Roster: Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Marvel Girl, Angel, Polaris

Villains: Magneto, Mesmero, and the Demi-Men

NOTE: This is the fourth and final part of the storyline which saw the X-Men get drawn back together after they disbanded following the first of Professor X’s many false “deaths.” Polaris (Lorna Dane) joins the team.

beast iceman cyclops lorna magnetoSynopsis: The recently arrived evil mutant called Erik the Red says he has come to Magneto’s subterranean lair out west to join his forces. Erik demonstrates his powers against the Demi-Men, Magneto’s latest team of mutants intent on conquering humanity.

Polaris, who has joined Magneto’s team under the impression that she is his daughter, learns the truth about his villainous intentions from conversations among Mesmero, Magneto and Erik the Red. While Mesmero plots against Erik, and Magneto assigns Polaris to keep an eye on both figures for him, Marvel Girl, Angel and the Beast slip back into Magneto’s headquarters. Continue reading

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BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM AUGUST 24th

The 2023 college football season kicked off last night in some of the divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog.

Valley City State Vikings helmetJIMMIES AT VIKINGS – The VALLEY CITY STATE VIKINGS hosted the UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES in NAIA action last night. The Jimmies were on top 8-0 to end the 1st Quarter and 8-7 come Halftime. In the 3rd Quarter the Vikings went up 20-8 before winning the game by a final score of 23-15.

garden-city-broncbusters-helmet-newINSTANT CLASSIC IN KANSAS – In Jayhawk Conference action in the NJCAA the (9) GARDEN CITY COLLEGE BRONCBUSTERS took the field against the visiting (12) BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES. A scoreless opening Quarter was followed by a 7-7 tie at the Half. The 3rd Quarter ended with the Broncbusters clinging to a 13-9 edge. From there Garden City College defeated the Grizzlies 27-22. Continue reading

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LIFE IN A THOUSAND WORLDS (1905) – ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION

life in a thousand worldsLIFE IN A THOUSAND WORLDS (1905) – Written by William Shuler Harris. This is yet another work of “ancient” science fiction that deals with life on other planets. Each celestial body that is visited gets its own chapter.

THE MOON – The inhabitants of the moon are roughly one-fourth the size of Earthlings. Long ago the moon was a much more hospitable place to live, but volcanoes and moonquakes devastated the satellite. The remaining atmosphere is very thin, and those who are still alive must live by eating solid air. 

       Lunar technology is behind that of Earth but the moon people are gifted at the creative arts.

MARS – Called Marsites and Marsmen in this book, the people of the Red Planet are roughly twelve feet tall and their long humanoid bodies have four arms. The ruling class on Mars treats the lower classes horribly, using them as slave labor to produce food for them. Continue reading

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