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As a country, the United States is probably better characterized by suburbia than by urbanity, by sprawling office parks rather than by dense commercial districts. Nevertheless, the concept of a “downtown”, or a centralized and distinct commercial district, first came into use in America, as cities developed along lines that created stark divisions between the [...]

Today, for many of us, King has become less a human being than a source of quotes and a saint.  This will not do.   A pedestal is no place to put a great man’s legacy.  So this tribute is intended to not be as sanctimonious as most of those for King have become. 10. King [...]

The First Ladies of the United States are a surprisingly unhealthy group of women. While the rigors of public life are arguably analogous, longevity is valued in potential presidents but overlooked in their spouses. Notwithstanding the women’s relatively younger age and their proclivity to live longer, an equal number of Presidents and First Ladies– four [...]

Obviously, soldiers have amongst the most dangerous jobs in the world. When it’s not the enemy, friendly fire, weather, or disease that gets them, their commanding officers step in to endanger them through stupidity. Now imagine being one of the soldiers under the commanders who ordered things this stupid: 10. Build Those Defenses… Backwards! The [...]

Everyone is superstitious in one way or another. Whether you believe that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day or that an apple a day will keep the doctor away or if you never walk under ladders, there are superstitions all around us. Some of the most superstitious people around are hockey players. Here’s my [...]

After an interesting response from my, “Top 10 Reasons not to live in California” list, we now turn our attention to other spots around the nation that one might not want to call home. Moving all the way across the country to the east coast, we find one of the original states of the great [...]

Ten years have passed since the United States was attacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists on September 11, 2001.  The event was a defining moment in U.S. history.  After it was discovered that the attacks were orchestrated by Al-Qaeda, the information sparked intense debate in the political world.  Former President George W. Bush decided to pass a [...]

Only 83 films have won Best Picture to date and the general sentiment is that winning the big prize ensures that your film will have a place among the classics. Here are 10 films that won the grand prize that are not considered classics today: 10. The Broadway Melody, 1929 Since sound was introduced into [...]

Everyone has secrets. But while they may be terribly embarrassing or humiliating to the people who keep them buried year after year, their exposure rarely makes a ripple beyond the outer boundaries of their lives. But people aren’t the only ones who carry secrets. Powerful institutions like governments and business also sometimes have information they [...]

Sometimes words can be more powerful than actions and when spoken by great orators, they inspire us to greatness and connect us to the world around us. These are the greatest speeches ever spoken; a collection of messages from some of the greatest and most notable orators in history. 10. Socrates “Apology” The Day: 399 [...]