Thursday, May 31, 2012

Presidents of the USA: Andrew Johnson


Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, from 1865 to1869. He was born in 1808 in a log cabin in Raleigh, North Carolina. His family was illiterate and poor. He himself was not able to master the basics of reading, grammar or maths and the only thing he was good at was tailoring and he gained his apprenticeship as a tailor but as early as during his boyhood, he ran away from home. 

He was able to settle down, and at the age of seventeen he met his wife, Eliza McCardle. With the support of his new wife he opened a tailor shop in Greenville, Tennessee. Eliza educated Andrew and helped him make wise investments in real estate and farmlands.  Although from a poor background, he had exceptional talents which enabled him to enter in debates at the local academy. 


With his exceptional talents and his debating skills it did not take him long to enter local politics. He was a good orator which gave him an edge over his rivals but his greatest attribute was his ability to interact with the middle class man and it was especially the plantation workers whom he was able to understand and support. His support to the poor middle class people guaranteed his election as a Member of the House of Representatives and the Senate from the 1840’s to the 1850’s. But he was not your average politician who rested on his laurels after election – he advocated a homestead bill which was aimed at providing a free farm to the poor man who voted him in. 

In 1862 President Lincoln appointed Johnson as Military Governor of Tennessee, and Johnson used the State of Tennessee as a model for reconstruction. In 1864 the Republicans, contending that their National Union Party was for all loyal men, nominated Johnson, for Vice President.

After the death of President Lincoln, Andrew Johnson was elected as the 17th President of the United States. Unfortunately Johnson was branded as an old-fashioned Southern Democrat and he had all his time with the Radical Republicans in Congress. When Johnson reached the White House, First Lady Eliza Johnson was a semi-invalid suffering from tuberculosis. She only made two public appearances during her entire stay in the White House. Nevertheless, she operated behind the scenes with energy and tact and was fondly remembered by the White House staff.

President Andrew Johnson had time on his side just after Lincoln’s death. During the first eight months of his term, Johnson took advantage of Congress being in recess and rushed through his own agenda and policies for Reconstruction. These included handing out thousands of pardons in routine fashion and allowing the South to set up "black codes," which essentially maintained slavery under another name. 

By the time Congress met in December 1865, most Southern States were reconstructed and most importantly, slavery was being abolished. Radical Republicans in Congress moved vigorously to change Johnson's program. They gained the support of Northerners who were dismayed to see Southerners keeping many pre-war leaders and imposing many pre-war restrictions upon the freed slaves. 

The Radicals' first step was to refuse to seat any Senator or Representative from the old Confederacy. Next they passed measures dealing with the former slaves. Johnson vetoed the legislation. The Radicals mustered enough votes in Congress to pass legislation over his veto--the first time that Congress had overridden a President on an important bill. They passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which established Negroes as American citizens and prohibit discrimination against them. 

In a final humiliating gesture, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which stripped the President of the power to remove federal officials without the Senate's approval, and in 1867, established a military Reconstruction program to enforce political and social rights for Southern ex-slaves. A few months later Congress submitted the Fourteenth Amendment, which specified that no state should "deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." 

All the former Confederate States except Tennessee refused to ratify the amendment; further, there were two bloody race riots in the South. The Radical Republicans won an overwhelming victory in Congressional elections that fall. 

When Johnson allegedly violated the Tenure of Office Act, by dismissing Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, the House voted eleven articles of impeachment against him. He was tried by the Senate in the spring of 1868 and but fortunately sanity prevailed and he was acquitted by one vote. He was the first President of the United to be impeached.

Although acquitted, this was the last straw for Johnson and he returned to the Senate for Tennessee in 1875 but died shortly there after. 

Andrew Johnson was a true exponent of the saying that in America, anyone can grow up to become President. The only other man to attain the office of President with so little formal education was Abraham Lincoln. But that is where the similarities ended. Lincoln rose to the occasion to be esteemed as America's greatest President, Andrew Johnson, his successor, is unfortunately ranked as one of the worst.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Getting a new puppy? How to prepare for the arrival of your new puppy


One of my best loved shows on TV is The Dog Whisperer. The reason is that I myself grew up with dogs in the house and I also ensured that my children grew up with dogs. It is therefore quite obvious that I am a dog fan and lover.

But one thing that is true; only get a dog as a pet or even as companion or friend when you are fully committed to look after the dog and are prepared to accept responsibility for its well-being. Once you as family have decided on a dog as pet and also the breed you want (this must be a collective decision as all must be on board to take care of the dog as a unit) and you have ordered or arranged for the dog, you must prepare for its arrival and initiation into its new family clan:
1.       The need for toys: Make sure there are enough canine toys to keep it busy. Doing this will prevent frustration and anger towards the puppy later on as it is natural for a puppy to chew on anything or play with anything. Having enough toys of its own, it would leave your slippers or the newspaper intact!

2.       Feeding: Obtain professional advice before hand on the feeding and nutritional needs of your specific breed of dog.

3.       Sleeping quarters: Yes, a dog must have its own sleeping and bedding arrangements. A general mistake is made when due to the cuteness and cuddliness of a new puppy; everyone wants it to sleep on the bed with them. As soon as the dog is grown up or old news then it has to move out of the house. Then the howling every night, whole night through will drive you and your neighbours crazy.

4.       House training: The new puppy must be house-trained so that it will know what its role and place in the house is; where may it be and which places are out of bounds.

5.       A name for the puppy: The name must be a collective decision of the family and the entire family must assist in conditioning the puppy with its name.

6.       A vet for the puppy: You must have a vet you can use for normal health issues and vaccinations as well as emergency procedures when your puppy needs it.

7.       Puppy- proof your home and garden: This is important to keep your puppy safe. It is also important to isolate no-go areas for the puppy in the house and in the garden. A puppy is very inquisitive and will investigate everything; especially all flower and vegetable patches!

Remember, that new, wriggly, kissy, bundle of fun can become your worst nightmare if you do not take control and charge from the beginning. If not, you will need more than a Dog Whisperer!

Daniel

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

How to Pickle Meat

 

Pickling meat is a process to cure and preserve all kinds of meat and fish, and originated from a time in history when the luxury of fridges or freezers was totally unknown. Today, pickled meat is a delicacy.

There is need to be a rocket scientist to pickle meat – it is very easy!

What you will need:
* 2 kg (4 lb.) silver-side of beef
* 350 g (12 oz.) salt and a little extra for cleaning the meat
* 15 g (½ oz.) saltpetre
* 85 g (3 oz.) brown sugar
* 3.5 litres (1 gallon) cold water
* 2 level teaspoonfuls dry mustard

Great care must be taken when preparing meat for pickling, as it must be perfectly fresh. Wipe the meat with a cloth and sprinkle with the extra salt; then leave it to drain for a few hours – this completely cleans the meat of extra blood.
Meanwhile make the brine. Put salt, saltpetre, brown sugar, mustard, and water into a large saucepan and bring to boil, and then skim the surface. Pour the brine into a large earthenware basin or crock and leave it until completely cold. Put the meat into the brine and leave it for a week to ten days, turning it every day. The basin or crock must be covered during the pickling – a large tray with a weight on top is ideal. After a week the meat will be mildly pickled – it gets stronger every day. Take the meat out of the pickle and wash it well in cold water. Remove any excess fat, roll the meat tightly, and tie it with string at about one-inch intervals. The brisket is now ready to cook.
To cook the meat, place it in a large pan together with whole carrots and onions; parsnips, peppercorns and a bay leaf. Cover with water and bring to boil and skim the surface. Cover the pan now with a lid and simmer for about three hours at medium heat. Enjoy with gravy and rice.
It is not only meat and fish that can be pickled, but a variety of vegetables can also be pickled.

Daniel

Beautiful Women: How to maintain a great and loving relationship

Beautiful Women: How to maintain a great and loving relationship

Monday, May 28, 2012

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America from 1861to1865. He was born on 12 February 1809 on the Big South Fork of Nolin Creek, not far from Hodgensville, Hardin County, Kentucky.


His father was a carpenter but a restless person who could not stay long in one place. The result was that the young Abraham Lincoln did not get much of an education but one thing his farther taught him was to use a hammer, saw and nails. He spent most of his days, while the average child would be in school, with his farther building a wooden cabin for the family.
His mother died while he was still young and in 1819 his father re-married. Immediately on arrival of his stepmother in their lives, everything changed for the better for the family. Until the arrival of his stepmother young Abe, as he was known, had little or no chance to learn anything of books. His father just disapproved of them but the new Mrs. Lincoln insisted that all the children (she had 3 of her own) should go to school.

This was a turning point in his life. Although he did not attend school for long he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He learned to read and write and to cipher. He read everything that came on his way with the result that he had a vast built-up of knowledge. People listened to him when he talked and he was an orator by excellence.

Another turning point was when he had to go to New Orleans where he for the first time in his life came across the plight of the slaves. He made a study of slavery in America as well as the slaves’ history after which he wowed to himself that should it ever be within his capabilities one day, he would abolish slavery.
He became a store manger and during this time he assisted as clerk of the polls at an election and so he was introduced to politics which he liked very much. He started to participate in local politics but his aspirations were disrupted when he volunteered for the Black Hawk War – the last up-rise of Indians in Illinois.

After the war his first attempt in 1832 to stand for the Illinois Legislature was not successful but in 1834 he was successful which heralded in his political career. In 1838 and 1840 he was re-elected to the Legislature.
His wife had higher ambitions for him than the Legislature and she motivated him to go for Congress and in 1847 he took his seat in Washington. The question of slavery was ever in the back of his mind but a bill introduced by him to abolish slavery was rejected and disappointed he returned home where he resumed his career in law.

However he never forgot about his promise to himself to address the question of slavery and during the years fighting as a result of secession from the Union of the southern slave-owning states, he was in the forefront to gather momentum for the abolishing of slavery. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was nominated by the Republicans as candidate for presidency. By that time he was scorned by the opposition for his stance on slavery but it did not deter him.  During the presidential campaign the hatred of the South for the North flared up but Abraham Lincoln was elected as president. On 4 March 1861 he was inaugurated and on 12 April 1861 the South bombarded Fort Sumter.
This was a challenge for the new president but the North rose as one behind him but unfortunately they were defeated at Fort Sumter. Although a big blow he weathered the storms in his presidential career with the result that he was re-elected for a second term. The high of his career was when in1865 he succeeded in having passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution which ended slavery for ever. The second high was when the Civil War was ended in the same year. On 14 April 1865 Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford's Theatre while watching the play Our American Cousin.

Abraham Lincoln was a great person and a great statesman. His greatness lies in his unselfishness for his country and for humanity. By his firmness and his courageous determination he defeated the South and steered his country through the agony of Civil War.  He carried through his promise to himself to abolish slavery. The simple, sincere country lawyer he was, he was indeed worthy of the respect of a great nation to a great hero.

Daniel

Heritage Day 2018: South Africa

My name is Nigel Olifaut. I am a white South African male, proud to be white with my declaration for Heritage Day 24 September 2018: 1....