AMERICAN PATRIOT JUNE 16, 2010
GI BILL TRANSFORMED AMERICA
THE GOLDEN AGE OF
MUSCLE CARS
THE LIBERTY BELL’S FAMOUS FRACTURE
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AMERICAN PATRIOT GI BILL TRANSFORMED AMERICA
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6 THE GOLDEN AGE OF
MUSCLE CARS
THE LIBERTY BELL’S FAMOUS FRACTURE
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12
RUFF TIMES AT THE
WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT REMINDER
HOLLYWOOD BOWL NATURALLY
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14 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
15 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
GI BILL TRANSFORMED AMERICA 4 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Heralded as one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever produced by the federal government, The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 — commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights — was surprisingly controversial when first considered and nearly did not pass. Opponents of the legislations feared that
jobs, pursued higher education, and used
the GI Bill would give too little incentive for
the low interest home loans to buy or build
returning WWII soldiers to find work, and
homes in the suburbs. The legislation also
too much incentive to go to college. Still,
transformed American colleges and univer-
the overwhelming consensus that something
sities. Before the war, college had been an
had to be done to help veterans assimilate
option for only 15 percent of Americans,
into civilian life — and bad memories of how
and university campuses were largely pop-
hard it was for WWI veterans to return —
ulated by the upper classes. By 1947, in
drove final passage of the bill.
contrast, vets made up nearly half the college enrollment and the number of graduates
Harry W. Colmery of the American Legion,
nationwide tripled. It inspired schools to
and a former Republican National Chair-
expand facilities and broaden courses to
man, is credited with the first draft. Both
include training in education, agriculture,
Senate and House passed versions, but a
commerce, mining and more.
reconciliation bill — which included the controversial education and home loan ben-
In retrospect, the overall impact of the GI
efits — only squeezed through by one vote.
Bill was enormous, with 20 million veterans
President Franklin Roosevelt, a supporter,
and dependents using the education ben-
promptly signed it. The Veterans Adminis-
efits and 14 million home loans guaranteed.
tration (VA) was made responsible for car-
As recently as 2008, the legislation was
rying out the law’s key provisions: education
updated. The new provisions give veterans
and training, loan guaranty for homes, farms
with active duty service on or after Sep-
or businesses, and unemployment pay.
tember 11, 2001, enhanced educational benefits that cover more educational ex-
The GI Bill is now credited with helping
penses, provide a living allowance, money for
trigger the vibrant post-WWII economic
books and the ability to transfer unused
expansion: little of the unemployment pay
educational benefits to spouses or children.
was ever needed as most veterans found
AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
THE GOLDEN AGE OF
MUSCLE CARS 6 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Short-lived as it may have been, the Muscle Car Era of the mid-to-late 1960's had an undeniable impact on American cultural and political life. The muscle car — a cheap, smallish, stripped down American coupe with a big engine — was a generation-defining fad for the baby boomer generation, while simultaneously derided as unsafe and unclean by safety and environmental advocates in efforts to create progressive laws and regulations. Both the jukebox and the box office were full of homages to the muscle car during its brief reign, roughly the years 1964-1970. “409”, “GTO"”, “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena” and “Shut Down” were chart toppers; “Bullitt”, “Vanishing Point” and “Two Lane Blacktop” were films that featured muscle cars as main characters. The cars were also characters in congressional hearings, as crusaders pointed to the outsize highway fatalities and air pollution that coincided with the muscle car craze as justification for laws like the Clean Air Act and the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The birth of the muscle car can be traced to 1949, when Oldsmobile took a standard lightweight sedan and crammed a high-compression V8 under the hood, calling its hybrid creation the “Rocket 88”. This car and other early variations, such as the Chrysler C-300, set track and speed records but had modest sales. The true purpose was to showcase the brand, attracting young customers to showrooms. For years, the automakers produced limited editions for NASCAR, drag racers, and the occasional buyer. It wasn't until 1964, with the introduction of the John DeLorean-designed Pontiac GTO, that the Muscle Car Era began in earnest. The GTO was based on the run-of-the-mill Pontiac Tempest, with a significantly upgraded engine and a host
of options. Despite its spartan interior, questionable handling and poor braking, the blazingly fast, affordable GTO was a hit. Though GM anticipated selling a mere 5,000 GTOs a year, the model sold in excess of 35,000. Other carmakers quickly followed suit, stripping their sedate sedans of excess weight, and adding in power and performance upgrades. These included the Dodge Charger, Ford Torino, Plymouth Road Runner and the Chevrolet Chevelle. The cars dominated youth sales for the better part of a decade. The trend died a quick death. Between 1970 and 1973. The Clean Air Act meant automakers had to markedly increase fuel efficiency by shrinking engines. Public safety campaigns by Ralph Nader and others would require the quality and cost of vehicles to go up and power to go down. Insurance companies raised rates. And, finally, the 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo saw a rapid and sustained increase in the price of fuel, and a lowering of fuel quality. Despite its ignominious death, the muscle car still commands strong feelings of nostalgia among car enthusiasts. Quality examples today can command a price exceeding that of a new luxury car. Again seizing on the desires of the car-loving public, American automakers are reviving old nameplates and styling in an attempt to cultivate another golden age of American muscle. CLICK HERE FOR A CALENDAR OF UPCOMING CAR SHOWS AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
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THE LIBERTY BELL’S FAMOUS FRACTURE
The Liberty Bell is, without question, America’s most beloved broken icon. More on how it got that way in a moment. But first, a little background music. 8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The bell was born in 1751, manufactured to
to Philadelphia. With the City of Brotherly Love
commemorate the 50-year anniversary of Penn-
serving as the new nation’s Capital from 1790 to
sylvania's original constitution. The colonial
1800, the bell marked many important events
Assembly ordered the 2,000-pound copper
such as George Washington's birthday every year
and tin bell constructed and then hung from
on February 22 and, of course, Independence Day.
the State House steeple — now known as Independence Hall. It was regularly rung to
Now to the famous fracture. Though it has been
call the Assembly together, to summon citizens
hotly debated by historians as to precisely when
for special announcements and events, and to
it happened, the consensus view is that the bell
mark important occasions. These included King
suffered a major break while tolling for the funeral
George III ascension to the British throne and the
of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John
debate over the controversial Stamp Act. Once
Marshall in 1835 and the saw the crack enlarged
the American Revolution began April 1775,
while marketing Washington’s birthday in 1846,
the bell was rung to announce the battles of
Left unfixed, the crack expanded to its present
Lexington and Concord.
size of 1/2 inch wide and 24.5 inches long. From that moment forward, it was no longer
It joined American folklore on July 8, 1776,
rung — though it is ceremoniously tapped on
when it was rung to announce the first reading
occasion to commemorate important events.
of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4,
On D-Day in 1944, the sound of the bell's
the historic document had been adopted by
dulled ring was broadcast by radio across the
delegates to the Continental Congress meeting in
United States.
the State House. However, the Liberty Bell, which bore the apt biblical quotation, “Proclaim Liberty
The Liberty Bell Center is open year-round. The
Throughout All the Land unto All the Inhabitants
site receives more than a million visitors a year.
Thereof,” was not rung until the Declaration of
Indeed, all records were broken in 1976, when
Independence returned from the printer a few
3.2 million people visited a new pavilion for
days later.
the Bell to celebrate the Bicentennial. It is now part of the Independence National Historical
When the British army moved on Philadelphia
Park, in which the National Parks Service pre-
in the fall of 1777, the bell was taken from the
serves sites associated with the American Rev-
city and hidden in Allentown PA to save it
olution, including Independence Hall, the Liberty
from being melted down by the Redcoats. Once
Bell Pavillion, and 18 other buildings in historic
the Revolutionary War was won, it was repatriated
downtown Philadelphia.
CLICK HERE FOR PARK INFORMATION OR TO PLAN A VISIT
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A REPLICA OF THE LIBERTY BELL RUNG IN THIS VIDEO
AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
RUFF TIMES AT THE
WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW 10 AMERICAN PATRIOT
First held in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been the pre-eminent showcase for American show dogs. It is the second oldest continuous sporting event in the U.S., surpassed only by the Kentucky Derby. Never skipping a year, the show has persisted through economic depressions, world wars, and power outages. The 300,000-plus dogs entered in the show during this span of time is a testament to the lasting popularity of canine sport in this country. The show was originally organized by a group
operating event space in the country, the
of hunting enthusiasts who regularly met at
massive amounts of dogs are judged in a
the Westminster Hotel in New York. A Kennel
highly regimented, efficient manner. The
Club was organized for the expressed purpose
over-2500 well-bred, professionally trained
of holding a dog show, primarily to showcase
and pampered dogs are judged on five criteria:
the hunting and work capabilities of certain
Agility, Obedience, Conformation (competi-
breeds. Located at a the “Hippodrome,� the
tion within breed), Teeth, and Appearance.
first competition drew over 1200 dogs. Entries
Millions watch on television and the Internet
were two dollars per dog, and included feed
as the winners of the seven categories are
and care of the dog. The overflow of com-
named, as well as the much-anticipated
petitors resulted in the competition being
best-in-show.
expanded from three days to four. The inaugural show boasted a limited number of breeds
Awarded annually since the 1907 show, the
by today's standards, including the long-haired
Best in Show award is the marquee event of
Saint Bernard, the Siberian Bloodhound, and
the Westminster Dog Show. Entrants from
the Esquimax Dog. The amount of accepted
the Terrier Group have fared best, taking home
breeds has grown liberally since the incep-
44 awards. Sporting dogs are a far second
tion of the show, in the last 25 years, 25 new
with 19 awards. The oldest dog to take home
breeds have been allowed to compete.
the award, Stump, was aged 10 years, while the youngest, Rough Collie, was nine months
Now the two day competition breaks its en-
old. Smooth Fox Terrier, the first Best in Show
trants into one of seven distinct groups for
winner, is the only dog to win 3 of the coveted
judging: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier,
awards, spanning the years 1907-1909.
Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Held at Madison Square Garden, perhaps the best
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE 2010 BEST IN SHOW JUDGING SEGMENT
AMERICAN PATRIOT 11
HOLLYWOOD BOWL NATURALLY
12 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The Hollywood Bowl is one of the world’s largest natural amphitheaters. It opened in 1922 with a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic seated on a wooden platform with a tent overhead. Much has changed in the intervening decades. Since that memorable opening night, the
since that moment, many great architect
venue has become a famous Los Angeles
including Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, Lloyd
landmark and has been featured in numer-
Wright, and Frank Gehry, have made im-
ous movies. It has become as much a part of
provements to the venue’s structure and
a Southern California summer as beaches
acoustics. Today, the Hollywood Bowl seats
and barbecues, the Dodgers and Disneyland.
just under 18,000, with the paid attendance
A remarkably diverse roster of performers,
record of more than 26,000.
including The Beatles, Luciano Pavarotti and Judy Garland, have appeared on stage and, as
The Bowl today positions itself as a friendly
the official summer home of the Los Angeles
sociable place where Southern Californians
Philharmonic, it has also hosted the world’s
can gather to picnic and enjoy outstanding
renowned conductors: Arthur Rubinstein,
music under the stars. Throughout the sum-
Itzhak Perlman and Vladimir Horowitz, along
mer, the organizers present the best in jazz,
with opera singers Jessye Norman, Beverly
classical, Broadway, and world music. Thanks
Sills and Placido Domingo. Dancers from Fred
to the climate, only a handful of concerts
Astaire to Mikhail Baryshnikov have graced
during the Bowl's history have had to be
the stage, as have entertainers including
postponed due to rain. The Bowl grounds
Abbott and Costello, Al Jolson, Billie Holiday,
themselves — one of Los Angeles County's
Garth Brooks and Elton John.
most renowned parks — are open year-round for visitors to enjoy free of charge.
When initially opened, the Hollywood Bowl stage was a wooden platform with a canvas top. Audiences sat on moveable benches
CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDE SHOW OF THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL THROUGH THE YEARS
set on the steep hillsides of the surrounding canyon. In 1926, the first shell was built and,
2010 CONCERT TICKETS
AMERICAN PATRIOT 13
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” —CLARK GABLE Gable as Rhett Butler parting from Vivian Lee is Scarlett O’Hara in the movie Gone With The Wind. This famous scene was filmed this week in 1939. Director Victor Fleming also shot the scene with “Frankly, my dear, I just don't care,” in case the censors objected to the word "damn." They did not.
14 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1950. KOREAN WAR BEGINS Communist North Korean forces surged into South Korea, setting off the Korean War. The United States, acting under the auspices of the United Nations, quickly sprang to the defense, and a bloody three year war ensued. AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
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