You know that things are a bit tougher, grittier and more down to earth in Maine. People drive a lot of 4×4s and pick-ups, most of which are Dodges, and even the dogs are…well just a wee bit harder than other places.

You wouldn’t want to spill this poodles pint water now would you?

Oh yeah and the poodle rides a Goldwing trike just in case you were wondering. Up front, not in some basket.

His mistress is a former kick boxing champion and her master is a large lad as well.

Today’s DT has a leader about Putin’s comments about Estonia and its “liberation” by the Soviet Union. A helpful reader wrote this short history lest people forget who was the real aggresssor.

-In 17001721 there was a war between Russia and Sweden. And caused by Sweden loss, Estonia was now occupied by Russia.
-In 1708 was first deportation by Russia
There was “red terror” all over the country. – In 1918 began war between Estonia and Russia. It ended with peace treaty, which said that Estonia is now a free country. – 1939 started World War II, it was caused by so called Pact of Molotov and Ribbentrop.(It means it was signed by Russia and Hitlers Germany). Pact said which countries will be occupied by Russia and which by Hitler. Estonia was given to russians. – In 1939 Russia again occupies Estonia. That was a violation of peace treaty. – 14. june in 1941- mass deportation of estonians by Soviet Union. 100 000 people were transported by trains to Siberia. It was 10% of population… – in 1941 began war between Soviet Union and Hitlers army. A little time later Hitlers army was in Estonia. Germany promised freedom for estonians if they help SS-army.
Estonians were convinced that they can finally be safe from red terror.
Some estonians were violently added to a Russians army. So estonians were made to fight against each other. – Estonians were not aware about ideology of Nazi or principles of SS. They just wanted to get rid of the red occupation which has victimised estonians for so long.By the way, if SS is declared as illegal organisation, then army that was made in Estonia and fought with germans is NOT, because it had another aim – freedom.
-1944 – Hitler was defeated and Estonia was again declared as a part of Soviet Union.(There was a one-year occupation of Germany before that). – 25. march in 1949 was another mass deportation. This time 20 700 people and before that 100 000 estonians emigrated to other foreign countries, because they knew what life is going to be in Estonia. – Estonian peasants were forced to work for Soviet Union. – There was another 4 years of fear and terror, until the death of Stalin in 1953. – After that there were no more such terror, but press was censored and any move was watched by KGB. Such word as free country was not allowed. – 1987-1991- Singing Revolution of Estonia. Estonians saw that after cold war Soviet Union is week. And they could see sparkles of freedom once again. They came together and sang patriotic songs.
-In 1989. Estonia and neighbours with same history-Latvia and Lithuania, organized a human chain, were people hold hands through three countries to show their desire for freedom.It involved millions of people. That was noticed by the West countries and there was a pressure to Russia to let them get their freedom.
-1991-Estonia declared itself as a free country.West countries one by one supported Estonian free country.(First was Iceland).

I have been Estonia and its a lovely country filled with lovely people. It is one of the most wired in the world and its also one of the first to adopt a flat tax. Their ex-PM is cracking chap with good taste in politics, wine and music.

Thomas Jefferson: Author of America (Eminent Lives)

Part of the Eminent Lives series Christopher Hitchens has written a great fairly short biography of Thomas Jefferson that examines the man warts and all. Off most interest to many these days will be his constant battle with his conscience versus the practicality of freeing all the slaves in the South.

That while this is meant to be a short history it is by no means one that skimps. Christopher Hitchens eloquent style is well used her getting the idea across while not being too wordy. He uses Jefferson’s own words and writings to demonstrate how the great man felt during his lifetime.

It is hard to describe how important Jefferson was to the history of the United States, whether it be his penning most of the Declaration of Independence to his major role in the monumental Louisiana Purchase towards the end of his career. He even managed to provide the foundation for the modern Library of Congress after the fire that destroyed 2/3s of the book in their collection. Then there is Monticello, his house and lands, of a most impressive type.

The man was not infallible as he had his troubles over slavery, his half-black mistress and his bitter rivalries with some of the other major players of the early American experience. He was an writer of note, philosopher, orator, politician and diplomat in extremis. A man not afraid to take it the enemy when needed as seen in his handling of the Muslim Barbary Pirates. A test for a young nation that Jefferson made sure they passed.

Who better than Christopher Hitchens to tell us his fascinating life’s tale.

As you may or may not already be aware, members of the Watcher’s Council hold a vote every week on what they consider to be the most link-worthy pieces of writing around… per the Watcher’s instructions, I am submitting one of my own posts for consideration in the upcoming nominations process.

Here is the most recent winning council post, here is the most recent winning non-council post, here is the list of results for the latest vote, and here is the initial posting of all the nominees that were voted on.

I have no idea what the story behind this picture is. It was taken in Australia, as far as I know.

the blog québécois

A lot of you, my dear readers, are rather like me with hectic lives and lap-tops that are forever stuck to you side where ever you go both near and far. You are also like me in the fact you have quite a bit of valuable data that you do not want to see lost, currupted or just out of reach for whatever reason be it physical, mental or ethreal. I am guessing that you have considered online back-up methods to product your data and allow you instant access.

Well there is a service online that is user friendly and not just for the uber-techies. Its called IDrive-E Online Backup and they offer a variety of services for all your online backup needs. It includes open file backup and encryption to make sure that your files are there in the form you need them when you need them. These are automated back-ups without any catches so it happens when its needed. The i-drive basic package is free and the pro is only $50 for a year with a free first two months.

So head over and check out the site to see which package best suits your computing needs. Back-up is only ever useful when you need it but when you do, its a lifesaver.