History chat thread

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

The thing with the French for me is stupidity of not building a wall that stretches all the way across the territory towards the East. There is no shame in how they fight or who they fought with.

Everyone relies on America's military power and there is no arguing that. It's just how it is.

What I don't understand is why the hell they'd build a fixed defensive position like this in the first place. By the middle of construction with the way the Spanish Civil War was being fought, you'd think they'd say "**** it, save the resources."

But instead, they finish building it.

And worse yet, they actually man the structure despite the blitzkrieg tactics the Nazi's employed in invading Poland which made fixed defensive positions nearly obsolete.

I have no issues making fun of the French and defending them. As far as I'm concerned, we - as European descendents - owe the French or Franks, a hell of a lot that most don't even know.

[fcm]

How much of history geeks are you, guys?

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by jkidd

What I don't understand is why the hell they'd build a fixed defensive position like this in the first place. By the middle of construction with the way the Spanish Civil War was being fought, you'd think they'd say "**** it, save the resources."

But instead, they finish building it.

And worse yet, they actually man the structure despite the blitzkrieg tactics the Nazi's employed in invading Poland which made fixed defensive positions nearly obsolete.

I have no issues making fun of the French and defending them. As far as I'm concerned, we - as European descendents - owe the French or Franks, a hell of a lot that most don't even know.

Exactly. The French helped us quite a bit and I'm thankful for that but they just seem to always stop short of completing something.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by fcm

How much of history geeks are you, guys?

Depends on what your scale is. If it's 1-10 or 1-100... I'm a 100 either way.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by jkidd

Depends on what your scale is. If it's 1-10 or 1-100... I'm a 100 either way.

Yeah, I mean, any studies, reads, etc?

[Philly Fan 27]

Originally Posted by fcm

Yeah, I mean, any studies, reads, etc?

like, books people have read? i assume we have history majors here, the lists of books history majors read is absurd. like 5 per class per semester. if my bookshelf of history books feel on someone they'd most likely die.

ken burns is a respected historian who has a great documentary about the civil war. highly recommend.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan 27

i assume we have history majors here, the lists of books history majors read is absurd. like 5 per class per semester.

Yeah that's about it for me, about 3 or 4, depending of the teacher, for some classes.

But they're not like novels. I find them interesting.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by fcm

Yeah, I mean, any studies, reads, etc?

Goes hand in hand with being a history nut, IMO.

I didn't make it an official study through school because what's the point to having a history degree?

But, I've studied "on the side" a number of different historical items, which is why arguing 'for' the French is so easy.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by jkidd

Goes hand in hand with being a history nut, IMO.

I didn't make it an official study through school because what's the point to having a history degree?

But, I've studied "on the side" a number of different historical items, which is why arguing 'for' the French is so easy.

Teaching it after.
Writing a book.
Being paid to share your knowledges with people who need it.
Having a column in a newspaper or a blog.
Being invited on forums and/or conferences.
Making a documentary film or participating to the making of it.

Etc.

And yes, I guess repeating stereotypes and BS about a nation goes hand-in-hand with being an ignorant fool.

[Philly Fan 27]

the president of harvard has a history degree, so add that to the list

[antonio106]

Originally Posted by fcm

Teaching it after.
Writing a book.
Being paid to share your knowledges with people who need it.
Having a column in a newspaper or a blog.
Being invited on forums and/or conferences.
Making a documentary film or participating to the making of it.

Etc.

And yes, I guess repeating stereotypes and BS about a nation goes hand-in-hand with being an ignorant fool.

Having finished grad school, I know enough people that have tried that route in history/art history/philosophy/film studies/English. I don't know if I'd brag about the dead end money in academia.

[CBarnes]

Great thread JKidd.

Being a bit of a history buff myself and an even bigger WW2 nut this is perfect timing for a history thread seeing as the anniversary of the Normandy invasion (operation Overlord) is mere hours away. the original assault was planned for June 5 1944, but due to uncooperative weather wasn't carried out until the following day June 6 1944.

Prior to the operation, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower made this famous speech, one of the best I have ever heard.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

-- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

[fcm]

Originally Posted by antonio106

Having finished grad school, I know enough people that have tried that route in history/art history/philosophy/film studies/English. I don't know if I'd brag about the dead end money in academia.

Yeah, I don't know if you know about that, but we actually are in an era where the baby-boomers (1946-1961) are all retiring. This gives a whole bunch of jobs for the youngsters like me because we are fewer than them.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by fcm

Teaching it after.
Writing a book.
Being paid to share your knowledges with people who need it.
Having a column in a newspaper or a blog.
Being invited on forums and/or conferences.
Making a documentary film or participating to the making of it.

Etc.

And yes, I guess repeating stereotypes and BS about a nation goes hand-in-hand with being an ignorant fool.

Nah... too small of a market for those items.

Well, the French is a two fold item. You have the mid years to Napoleon where they were essentially a dynasty. You have after Napoleon, as we discussed, where they couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag. So, it's essentially the "New York Islanders syndrome" as I like to call it. They were great way back when, but recently... yeah... not so much.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by CBarnes

Great thread JKidd.

Being a bit of a history buff myself and an even bigger WW2 nut this is perfect timing for a history thread seeing as the anniversary of the Normandy invasion (operation Overlord) is mere hours away. the original assault was planned for June 5 1944, but due to uncooperative weather wasn't carried out until the following day June 6 1944.

Prior to the operation, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower made this famous speech, one of the best I have ever heard.

And so started the terrible weather that delayed the invasion a couple of days!

Well, at least 68 years ago that's what the weather was like.

We'll get into this in greater detail in a 48 hours when D Day officially is upon us.