History & Comment for June 25, 2025

A look at historical and current events on this day, comment and humor so dry it would make a camel thirsty. 

Transcript

This is History and Comment for Wednesday the 25th of June 2025.

It is a pretty light day in historical terms.   I have a story that interest me to share and a few comments on current affairs. 

 In 1876 one of the most remembered battles of the Indian Wars period that streatched for most of the 1870s takes place.   We might debate its importance politically but it certainly has found a place.   A large portion of the US 7th Cavalry lead by Lieutenant Colonel Geroge A. Custer were grossly outnumbered and annihilated by a confederation of Indian tribes.  We remember this as the Battle of the Little Bighorn.   

There have been volumes written about this single battle and not a few legends.    Central to any discussion has to be George Custer.    He was either brilliant and one of the most gifted military men in history.   Or a dangerous idiot.    The truth is hard to decern.   He seem to always have supporters in high command and detractors at the same time.  He was graduate of West Point in the Class of 1861.  That counts for something.    But of the 34 graduates that year he ranked 34th.    Still there was a war going and Custer gained the attention of a couple of ranking generals.  He was placed in the Union Cavalry which was not nearly as sterling as its gray counterpart.   Again we can debate if Custer was a hero or a zero.   He certainly had some wins to his credit but how significant were they to the outcome? 

The Cavalry certainly was flamboyant. Confederates Forrest and Stuart played up the part. But Custer was said to be a circus rider gone mad.    It would appear that the consensus was Custer was good if you could keep him on a short leash.    

There are other similar stories from his command in the summer of 1865.   He held onto his troops months after most of the Union army had been discharged and proceeded to Texas.   The exact intent is uncertain but contemporary accounts cite glory and conquest as one motive.

He stayed in the Army after the Civil War but with less fighting to do and smaller commands he was greatly reduced in rank.    Four levels in fact.  From Major General to Lt. Colonel.  

IN the weeks leading up to the 1876 battle, historical accounts are clear the Army Brass wanted to keep him under tight control.    And once he was out of sight of higher command true to his nature he went rogue.  Custer, two brothers and a Brother-in-law were among those killed in the battle.

We might say that he was the epitome of the phrase it is better to ask forgiveness than permission.  

This reminds me of a trend I see on website I follow.  The site is highly critical of a Church Organization and is quick to point out when their members are charged with crimes related to their church position.   There is a tendency in any group to brush some things under the rug to protect the whole and at times the individual.   Now I think the website authors do have some axe to grind and it is clear there is some negative bias.   But conversely,  IF the ministry is enduded with sprititual insight how is it that rarely do we see them being proactive in self-policing.  

But the same thing can be said about the Army and Custer.   They had 15 years to study and document his weaknesses and still he had a command.  

Congress allows WW II refugees to immigrate above quota restrictions.   This is in 1948.  Yes Virginia, the US has for a long time had immigration quotas and for a long period they were approaching zero.

1950 North Korea invades the South setting off the War or police action if you will.   Recall that Korea was carved up after WW II much like Germany was.   

47 years ago the rainbow flag was displayed for the first time in San Francisco at a Pride Parade.   While propornets use it as a symbol of inclusion, others are quick to point out its reference in the Bible and cry foul.

There is a serious amount of yellow journalism or outright bias being displayed on the subject of Pride. Etc.     Take note how the term hate is being brandished around.  If you do not embrace their position and I still contend there is a lot of room for debate.   You are exhibiting hate.   No where in the mainstream media is anyone pointing out that, that alone might be crossing the line into hateful behavior.  My hate is justified because you do not endorse my position. 

The National Hockey League continues its migration towards the sunbelt in 1997 when they approve four expansion teams.   Only one is in a location that has regular natural ice in winter.   One is questionable and two are completely out of the question.   

In 1998 the concept of the Line Item Veto was in the news.  Congress had passed a law that gave the President new powers to whittle out certain provision of a spending bills rather that dismiss the bill entirely.   The supreme court rule this gave the President too much power and circumvent the power of Congress to  write spending bills.   This concept has been debated for a very long time and remains on the debate docket.     Presdents like the idea and Congress does not as they tend to package spending to their benefit.    Burried in a bill that no one will vote against are things no one would vote for if each was given it own vote.   

This is one of the few provisions that the Confederate Constitution fixed.    They included line-item veto powers for the President. 

There was a landmark documentary film released in 1971 that garndered critical acclaim and a sizeable profit.  And at least four later spin-offs.    Still most folks have not heard of it except in certain circles, it was called On Any Sunday.   Now you either smiled or have no clue.    

My feed is full of photos and stories from this past weekend of events in Davis, West Virginia.   Honestly, I missed the pre announcement or might have given serious consideration to being in Davis for the event.     Both Davis and the film have a connection.  

On Any Sunday was the product of a photographer who previously had focused on the California surf scene. But this time he pointed his camera at another California icon and that was the motorcycle and featured the,  in real life skills of actor Steve McQueen.   The hour and a half film is pure 70’s style, detailing America’s or should I say california’s love of the two-wheel contraption.   The subtitle might well be boys and toys. 

It is an interesting watch. On its first run it caught the interest of a 30 year old in West Virginia.   Now to be certain California riding is not anywhere close to Eastern Riding and vise versa.    But none the less Dave Coombs wanted to bring California to the East.   He soon learned he was a bit too old to become proficient at riding and turned his focus to promoting off-road racing.

One of his early races was at Davis, in 1975. A knarly 100 mile cross country race that was as much Baja California as he could make it.   It was know as the Blackwater 100.  This weekend marked the 50th Anniversary.    David has passed on, but his company and family still host the series. This year it will include 13 races in 8 states and is known as the Grand National Cross Country Series.   Sadly, there has not been a race at Davis since the early 90s, development and loss of land access led to its demise.  

Still a very healthy dose of boys, toys and mud.   

Birthdays today. 

English Novelist George Orwell in 1903.  His short works Animal Farm and 1984 are must reads. 

Singer Carly Simon is 82 today.   

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