Guarding It

The Maundy Monday Newsletter - This Week in History January 27 - February 2.

We all know our buddy, Alexander Hamilton, did much of our Government's framing. He moved the capital to Washington, DC. He created and pushed forward the Department of Treasury, and before he was killed in a silly duel, he helped shape a maritime armed customs service.

The United States Revenue Cutter Service served as the primary enforcer of tariffs that the country implemented to raise revenue for the federal government on imported goods. Cutters were small boats made for speed, and the United States put cutters up and down the coast, patrolling the shores and taking down smugglers.

In 1848, the federal government created the United States Life Saving Service, which used boats provided by private citizens and local governments to help shipwrecked people near United States shores. I guess this happened a lot because we needed a service for it.

As the country grew, so did the need for more resources. So Congress merged both agencies and created the United States Coast Guard on January 28, 1915.

Our Coast Guard is pretty awesome. Just the name “Coast Guard” sounds cool. You'd be impressed if I told you I worked for the Coast Guard. But I don’t.

Our Coast Guard has jurisdiction in our own body of water, like the Gulf of America, and international waters, like the Gulf of America. Many navies of other countries are smaller than our Coast Guard; that’s how impressive our Coast Guard is.

The Coast Guard has been in the news recently. Columbus, Ohio, native Linda Fagan was relieved of her job as the first female Commandant of the Coast Guard after President Less Impressive returned to office last week.

The Administration pointed to Fagan’s lack of securing the border, not recruiting enough people, and focusing on diversity. There was also a decades-long coverup of sexual assaults that happened at the Coast Guard Academy that the White House appears to be upset about. I’m not sure what they are angry about exactly; the commander-in-chief is a convicted felon of sexual assault, and the Secretary of Defense paid off a woman he allegedly sexually assaulted as well.

Okay, let's highlight what else happened this week. As a reminder, these events celebrate their anniversary, ending in 5 or 0. Here's what I got:

1. Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven was published on January 29, 1845. I’ve never read the story, but I know a good book to read about Edgar Allen Poe and how He can Save your life! Check out Cat Baab-Muguira’s newsletter. You won’t regret it!

2. Henry Clay introduced another Compromise on January 29, 1850. What better way to ease the tension of slavery than to compromise and keep its existence? Clay hoped this plan would stem the passions between the states, and all it did was define its ceiling. After the Mexican/American war, the United States added California, Texas, and the insane idea that Americans could go and find runaway enslaved people and bring them back into bondage.

3. The United States Supreme Court convened for the first time on February 1, 1790. The Judiciary Act implemented Article III of the Constitution. Goerge Washington nominated six white guys, and the Senate confirmed them to hold their seats until they decided to retire or God called them home. The nation’s capital at the time was New York City. It wouldn’t be until 1935 that the Court would have its permanent home in Washington, DC. It’s crazy to believe, but I’ve never been inside. It’s just right up the street.

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We wrap up January this week. You have a week to complete everything you want to do this month. Anonymous is traveling this week, but she gave me instructions on what to prepare for meals.

Hopefully, I’ll understand how I’m supposed to eat my meals. Two weeks ago, I had to ask a colleague how to eat my sandwich. Cold or warmed up? We went with cold. It takes a village, friends.

I’ll be back on Friday. I don’t know what it will be, but I’ll have something. Have a great week, and thanks for the support!

Okay,

Chris

Blue’s mood when Momma i gone.