Alive & Kicking

I realize I haven't updated this blog for a little too long, and I apologize but there are legitimate reasons for it. Like I was in the hospital last week for a severe sinus infection (even though I've never had sinus problems before that!).

But I've still been active, Alive & Kicking (by Simple Minds, possibly my favorite 80's song!). Primarily I've been working full time with some messed up hours. Also coordinating for our first concert of Truckhenge Music Fest III (2009).

I've actually slacked off on the history maps since mid January. Not to worry, I'll be back on them here eventually, but you've got to take breaks from that every once in a while or you get too burned out!

And of course I'm still active on CJonline, fighting with the usual round of asshats (TopekaVoter/Jason Chaika, ThimTHebow, LearnedHand, etc.) I actually got banned from CJo for a week after some retaliatory comments I made against CJo staff for censuring my posts but leaving up posts that were attacking me. After a good conversation with Mark Nusbaum, Publisher of the Capital-Journal, I was given back access to my CJo account. I actually like Mr. Nusbaum, and I've been a major fan of the Journal ever since he took over the position. Too bad for the CJo censor Nazi who apparently has a problem with the controversy surrounding my opinions. I think he wants to ban me again, but I've always been one to stand up for what I believe in - even if I have to fight the teacher to prove the point!

Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know that, like the Simple Minds song from the 80's, I'm still... Alive & Kicking!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com

Irrational Hatred from the Left

I've been told my writings often come across as "harsh", because I'm honest, blunt, and to-the-point. And I admit that sometimes, especially when I'm in a bad mood, my writings can come across as harsh, though I think it's because people aren't used to hearing some of the things I say. I'm just not "politically correct".

Often I get accused of being a "woman hater" because I advocate for equal rights and equal responsibilities for men and women. I say things like, "Men and women are equally human, and each are equally capable of evil and mean things towards each other". I'm all for women and men having equal rights and equal responsibilities. That also means that men should get the same rights that women have, and women should have the same responsibilities as men have. And neither gender should have privileges that are not given to the other gender.

On the Topeka Capital-Journal site (http://www.cjonline.com/), I often butt heads with certain commenters who disagree with my views. However you'll note that there are often as many people who DO agree with me and what I say.

One commenter in particular, named "TopekaVoter", takes the "hate Thomas" line a bit further in the comments section on Kathleen Parker's latest column, "Domestic violence requires new approach". (For the record, I am a big fan of Kathleen Parker and I respect her views very much. And I agree with her take on the domestic violence issue).

This "TopekaVoter" is a big pusher of gay marriage. His site is http://www.kansasequalitycoalition.org/ (because I believe in showing all sides of a disagreement).

I honestly don't care about the gay marriage issue. As far as I'm concerned, heterosexuals and homosexuals are both equally human. There should be no laws specifically discriminating for or against anyone based on sexual orientation. (Which is why I think most "pro-marriage" legislation is unconstitutional, if it specifically states that homosexuals cannot get married).

If gays want to marry, I say, "more power too them". Though I think they should be aware that marriage is no longer the commitment it once was, but is instead a potential trap, especially if children are involved. But IF we expand marriage beyond its current definition of one man and one woman, then we also have to allow polygamy, harems, and any other form of "marriage" - because if it's called "discrimination against gays" for marriage to be only one man and one woman, then it's also discrimination against other forms of marriage. You can see a better description of my views in my blog post about Gay Marriage "Rights".

Yet TopekaVoter will have NONE of that logic! So now he says I hate gays, women, and however many other groups he could think of. And he goes beyond the limit of "just plain ignorance" in trying to explain himself. Read our disagreement for yourself on CJonline's site, here <http://cjonline.com/stories/062708/opi_296139446.shtml>.

What is your take on my views, or about that discussion? I'm curious what you think.

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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Racism is Racism

Affirmative action IS racism. The sky IS blue. Those are two facts that are just plain common sense. One more and I'm on a roll...

The Wikipedia definition of RACISM: Racism, by its simplest definition, is discrimination based on racial group. People with racist beliefs might hate certain groups of people according to their race, or in the case of institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or benefits. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

Telling me that I can't go this college because I'm white is every bit as racist as telling my friend he can't go this college because he's black.

I realize that some people are too racist to understand that. But I believe most people have enough common sense to understand that racism is bad no matter whom it's directed towards. Even if they don't have the courage to stand up and speak out against ALL forms of racism.

"It doesn't matter whether you call it 'reverse discrimination', 'white/black power' or 'affirmative action'; racism is still racism, and it's wrong."

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
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World History Map Corrections & Updates

After a short break, I'm back to working on my world history maps again. I haven't made any more new maps yet, but I have been going back over some of them and making some corrections and improvements. So far I've gone over the maps of 323 BC, 200 BC, 100 BC, and 001 AD. (That's 4 down, 35 to go!)

Source References
Probably one of the most important improvements is that I'm doing a better job of documenting my sources. A lot of people wanted to know where I was getting my information for the maps, but originally I didn't document that info very well. If you want to see the sources of my information, check out the new TAL_Map_Sources.html page.

Corrections on borders
You'll notice on recently updated maps some of the borders are change significantly. For example, notice the difference in the map of 100 BC, between the OLD version and the NEW version, especially in India. The reason is because originally I only had a few sources. As more information becomes available, I show it in the map.

Note: On maps after 800 AD, my borders in Northern Europe are inaccurate due to the geographical differences between my base map and the source maps from http://www.euratlas.com/. A Wikipedian named User:Bogomolov_PL did a great job of showing me how I was off on the map of 1200 AD. If anyone can do the same thing Bogomolov did, and show me how I can correct the borders of other maps, it would be greatly appreciated!

How to Report Possible Errors:
I appreciate any information that can help make the maps more accurate. If you'd like to report a possible error on any map, please see here. Some people have sent me emails telling me about errors in the maps. Unfortunately they usually don't send their source info, and I cannot make any changes without source information to back up the change!

Questions, Concerns, and Feedback:
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback. I do appreciate anything that can help improve them!

Thomas Lessman
Website: www.thomaslessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

World History Maps by TAL: www.worldhistorymaps.info

Lessman's Farm & Catfish Pond:
www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/
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Woman Convicted of DUI, Sentencing Postponed

See also from the Topeka Capital-Journal, 4-10-2008: Sentencing postponed for woman involved in fatal DUI wreck.

I saw this wreck happen; in fact, Justin's car was right behind my car. I saw her lights coming towards me and suddenly it registered that she was in MY lane! I swerved just in time to avoid her - she literally missed me by less than 4 feet. I swerved back onto the road and looked in my rear view mirror just in time to see her hit his car head-on. He and I were each going about 60 mph; I don't know how fast she was going.

I've seen a LOT of things in my life, including seeing other people die, but what I saw that night shook me. I've lived in this area my whole life (30 years) and didn't know any of the people involved. But I DO know what I saw. Out of respect for the Mr. Fujibayashi and his family, I'll keep those details between myself and the police report.

What really got me was a week later, when I was called to the Highway Patrol headquarters. They needed a statement from me, as a witness, because it seemed that Ms. Dennon and another witness (her friend) were trying to claim that she was in the correct lane, and that Mr. Fujibayashi was in the wrong lane.

In other words, they were trying to save Dennon's skin, by blaming it on her victim, the man she killed!

As a single parent myself, I understand the need to get out and away and have fun. Everybody makes mistakes, and sometimes they are fatal. However drunk driving is no innocent mistake, it's extreme reckless negligence. And in this case, her actions ruined 3 lives.

It's a shame that Ms. Dennon's child will have a mother in prison. It's an even greater shame that Ms. Dennon needlessly took a life, tried to blame it on her victim, and now her daughter is going to pay the price.

There is a MySpace page in memory of Justin Fujibayashi. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=143196782

Sincerely,

Thomas Lessman
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

World History Maps
. www.WorldHistoryMaps.info

Lessman Farm and Truckhenge
. www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

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World History Maps update

A few updates in my world history maps...

I've now got 39 world history maps online, from 1300 BC to 1500 AD. The website is http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/. The maps cover the "old world" (Eastern Hemisphere) during every 100 years and several key points in history.

How much of the world did Alexander the Great conquer compared to Ghengis Khan? What were the Germanic kingdoms that replaced the Western Roman Empire? How big was the Roman Empire during Jesus' lifetime? How much smaller was the Roman Empire during the Crusades?

There are many different kinds of history maps available online, but very few large scale maps (covering large parts of the world during specific dates.) There are many maps of the world in 1900 AD, but what about a map of the world in 900 AD? We have all read about the Egyptian Empire, but what other nations did the Egyptians trade or compete with? http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/.

The Eastern Hemisphere in 1300 BC,
during the height of the Egyptian Empire

It took me a lot of time and research to make these maps, especially because sources often conflict, and I make corrections when new information comes my way. The maps aren't perfect (show me ANY perfect history map!). But they are as accurate as possible and updated whenever new, verifiable information is available to me.

So check them out; they show a view of history that is valuable but rarely seen. It gives you a better understanding of history when you can see the BIGGER picture during any given year.

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

World History Maps:
http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/
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