One Minute Each Night

During the Second World War, W. Tudor Pole, an English author, adventurer, and businessman, campaigned for what came to be called "The Big Ben Silent Minute." The story of its origin is a remarkable one. It begins not during the Second World War, however, but the First World War. In early December 1917, in the mountains around Jerusalem, two British army officers were discussing the war and its probable aftermath on the eve of a battle. One of them, in a premonition of his death, requested his fellow officer to remember him and the millions of others who would die during the war: "You will survive and live to see a greater and more vital conflict fought out in every continent and ocean and in the air. When that time comes, remember us. You will still have time as your servant. Lend us a moment of it [your time] every day and through your silence give us our opportunity. The power of silence is greater than you know." The following day the speaker, as he had foretold, was killed.

His companion, Major Wellesley Tudor Pole, never forgot his comrade’s last request and at the outbreak of the Second World War campaigned tirelessly to implement a daily observance of silent prayer.

Members of the so-called ‘Big Ben Movement’, with the support of Winston Churchill, took up Mr. Pole's cause and successfully campaigned for the reinstatement of the broadcast of Big Ben’s chimes at 9 p.m. on the BBC as an appropriate observance. The chimes had been replaced by the Greenwich Time Signal at the outbreak of the war. The nine o’clock chimes, which lasted a minute, were publicized as a "Minute of Silent Prayer and Rededication" prior to the first airing on Armistice Sunday, November 10, 1940. The "Big Ben Silent Minute" became a source of inspiration throughout the British empire.

There is now a group of people organizing something similar here in the United States. They would ask that we stop whatever it is that we are doing each evening at 9 p.m. and say a silent prayer for those leading this nation as well as those going to the polls, or voting by absentee ballot, or in any way wielding influence upon the governing bodies of this great nation. Pray for their guidance and clarity of thought. Pray for courage to do that which is difficult but is right. For we will see a "greater … conflict fought out in every continent." Let us remember them who have given us this land and this time. Let us be as noble and courageous as they. For we do still have time as our servant. Let us lend a moment of that time every day and through our silent prayer give them tribute remembering the words of the Abraham Lincoln:

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated … to the unfinished work which they who fought … have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be … dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

One minute out of every day is so little to ask.

The American Form of Government

Thomas Jefferson: On Compromise

There is so much divisive sentiment in the nation today. Each party or action group pushing its own agenda or program with an attitude of total superiority. Any other opinion is to be seen as flawed or completely without merit. The congress is at times almost at a stand-still, reminiscent of a old Hollywood western movie stand-off. The rhetoric becomes so vitriolic that is painful to witness. When I first started watching C-Span it was a pleasant diversion. I truly enjoyed watching the legislative process unfold. Then the debates weren't so extremely polarized. Now I sometimes feel that the founding fathers may have got it wrong. Maybe we should have a parliament with prime minister chosen from a coalition of parties. That system seems to force parties to work together to a common goal through the vigorous exchange of ideas and the willingness to compromise. To compromise knowing that if one gives today, one will receive tomorrow.

I was thinking about this and Benjamin Franklin's table as I cut pieces to floor the attic space above my garage. I had two pieces the width of which together was far greater that the area that needed covering. One piece was almost wide enough to cover the space but not quite. I could have cut some off the smaller of the two in order to fill the gap. Then it occurred to me that a piece that narrow would not have the needed strength to support any weight. It was better to cut a bit off each and have two pieces of equal width and strength.

Part of nursing training was a rotation through the cast room. I learned there that a cast of equal thickness was far superior to one that was thicker in some spots and thinner in others. The point at which the thicker and thinner sections met would be a potential breaking point.

These example from real life seem to support the wisdom of compromise.

Politicians today don’t seem ready to compromise. In fact the very word seems to have fallen on hard times. Young people are told "not to compromise their standards." And though I would argue that has merit, when the same attitude is extended to other venues, where give and take can yield positive results, intractability can and often does produce a no win situation. If one goes to Wikipedia on the internet this can be found: "Depending on cultural background and influences, the meaning and perception of the word "compromise" may be different: In the UK, Ireland and Commonwealth countries the word "compromise" has a positive meaning (as a consent, an agreement where both parties win something)… " But "…in the USA it may rather have negative connotations (as both parties lose something)… " This is not what the founding fathers had in mind. Their concept of compromise was more in line with that of the British.

So it was that I went to Mr. Jefferson to hear what he had to say on the matter. Here is what I found. I'll let him have the final word.

Difference of Opinion
"Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and that, I am sure, is the ultimate and sincere object of us both. We both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by our Constitution, not to cherish its exercise even where in opposition to ourselves." --Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815. ME 14:283
"Nothing but good can result from an exchange of information and opinions between those whose circumstances and morals admit no doubt of the integrity of their views." --Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 1797. ME 9:385
"Truth between candid minds can never do harm." --Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1791. ME 8:212
"To those whose views are single and direct, it is a great comfort to have to do business with frank and honorable minds." --Thomas Jefferson to Valentine de Foronda, 1809. ME 12:319
"Men, according to their constitutions and the circumstances in which they are placed, differ honestly in opinion. Some are whigs, liberals, democrats, call them what you please. Others are tories, serviles, aristocrats, etc." --Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1825. ME 16:96
"In every country where man is free to think and to speak, differences of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason; but these differences when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently and leaving our horizon more bright and serene." --Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waring, 1801. ME 10:235
"I am myself an empiric in natural philosophy, suffering my faith to go no further than my facts. I am pleased, however, to see the efforts of hypothetical speculation, because by the collisions of different hypotheses, truth may be elicited and science advanced in the end." --Thomas Jefferson to George P. Hopkins, 1822. ME 15:394

Accepting Differences of Opinion
"Differing on a particular question from those whom I knew to be of the same political principles with myself, and with whom I generally thought and acted, a consciousness of the fallibility of the human mind and of my own in particular, with a respect for the accumulated judgment of my friends, has induced me to suspect erroneous impressions in myself, to suppose my own opinion wrong, and to act with them on theirs. The want of this spirit of compromise, or of self-distrust, proudly but falsely called independence, is what gives [some opponents] victories which they could never obtain if these brethren could learn to respect the opinions of their friends more than of their enemies, and prevents many able and honest men from doing all the good they otherwise might do. These considerations... have often quieted my own conscience in voting and acting on the judgment of others against my own... All honest and prudent men [should] sacrifice a little of self-confidence, and... go with their friends, although they may sometimes think they are going wrong." --Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 1811. ME 13:50

Truth Will Prevail
"Truth is great and will prevail if left to herself. She is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless, by human interposition, disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate; errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them." --Thomas Jefferson: Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, 1779. ME 2:302, Papers 2:546
"Time and truth will at length correct error." --Thomas Jefferson to Constantin Francois Volney, 1805. ME 11:62
"Truth advances and error recedes step by step only; and to do our fellow-men the most good in our power, we must lead where we can, follow where we cannot, and still go with them, watching always the favorable moment for helping them to another step." --Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 1814. ME 14:200

The Right to Differ
"I tolerate with the utmost latitude the right of others to differ from me in opinion without imputing to them criminality." --Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 1804. ME 11:52
"That there should be a contrariety of opinions respecting the public agents and their measures,... is ever to be expected among free men." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to Leesburg Republicans, 1809. ME 16:352
"Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle." --Thomas Jefferson: 1st Inaugural, 1801. ME 3:319
"Others... may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts." --Thomas Jefferson: 1st Inaugural Address, 1801. ME 3:323
"When a man whose life has been marked by its candor, has given a latter opinion contrary to a former one, it is probably the result of further inquiry, reflection and conviction." --Thomas Jefferson to Peregrine Fitzhugh, 1797. ME 9:379
"With the same honest views, the most honest men often form different conclusions." --Thomas Jefferson to Robert Livingston, 1801. ME 10:284

The Need to Compromise
"A government held together by the bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Livingston, 1824. ME 16:25
"On no question can a perfect unanimity be hoped." --Thomas Jefferson: Reply to Inhabitants of Boston, 1808. ME 16:315
"Things even salutary should not be crammed down the throats of dissenting brethren, especially when they may be put into a form to be willingly swallowed." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Livingston, 1824. ME 16:25
"I respect the right of free opinion too much to urge an uneasy pressure of [my own] opinion on [others]. Time and advancing science will ripen us all in its course and reconcile all to wholesome and necessary changes." --Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval, 1824. FE 10:320
"I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions sometimes to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony." --Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 1790. FE 5:194
"It is for the happiness of those united in society to harmonize as much as possible in matters which they must of necessity transact together." --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia Q.VIII, 1782. ME 2:120
"People can never agree without some sacrifices." --Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 1789. ME 7:334, Papers 15:98
"A great deal of indulgence is necessary to strengthen habits of harmony and fraternity." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Livingston, 1824. ME 16:25
"I will sacrifice everything but principle to procure [harmony]." --Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Adams, 1801. ME 10:251
"Every man cannot have his way in all things. If his opinion prevails at some times, he should acquiesce on seeing that of others preponderate at other times. Without this mutual disposition we are disjointed individuals, but not a society." --Thomas Jefferson to John Dickinson, 1801. FE 8:76
"In general, I think it necessary to give as well as take in a government like ours." --Thomas Jefferson to George Mason, 1790. ME 8:36
"He alone who walks strict and upright, and who, in matters of opinion, will be contented that others should be as free as himself and acquiesce when his opinion is freely overruled, will attain his object in the end." --Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 1804. ME 11:25
"[A] reasonable disposition,... sensible that advantages are not all to be on one side, yielding what is just and liberal, is the more certain of obtaining liberality and justice." --Thomas Jefferson to Robert Walsh, 1818. ME 15:176

Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings

The result of this recipe defies the simplicity of the prep.
It is so simple - elegantly simple - you'll find it hard to believe it can be this simple when you taste the result!

So here is the recipe:

1/2 cup soy sauce.
1/2 cup white vinegar.
1/2 cup honey.
3 garlic cloves, crushed.
2 inches ginger, thinly sliced.
3 pounds chicken wings.
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted. (optional)
2 teaspoons chives. (optional)


Preheat oven to 475°. In a small saucepan whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium high and cook stirring occasionally until mixture thickens and is reduced by half. 30 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. You should have 3/4 cup sauce.

Meanwhile, arrange chicken wings in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden, crisp and cooked through, 35 minutes. Drain fat from the sheet and with tongs transfer wings to a bowl with sauce. Toss until wings are coated and most of the sauce is absorbed about three minutes. To serve sprinkle with sesame seeds and chives if desired.

So there it is. Enjoy! Enjoy!! Enjoy!!!.