Sunday's podcast:
A chat with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative....
Sunday, June 30, 2024
CANTO TALK shows from last week
This is a summary of last week's shows.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Boston to migrants: ‘Mi casa NO es tu casa’
Boston to migrants: ‘Mi casa NO es tu casa’: Maybe they will soon call them “racistas,” but don’t bet on it. That terminology applies only to Republicans who believe in orderly immigration.
Anyway, up in Boston, reality is creeping, and “mi casa no es tu casa”…
Click to read:
Boston to migrants: ‘Mi casa NO es tu casa’ - American Thinker https://t.co/G8RrmZFQqm
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 30, 2024
Happy # 80 to Ron Swoboda
Ron Swoboda was born in Baltimore on this day in 1944. He broke in with the Mets in 1965 and hit 18 HR as a rookie. 
Unfortunately for Mets' fans, Swoboda never really developed into a consistent power hitter: .242 batting average, 73 HR & 344 RBI over 8 years.
Nevertheless, he will live in the hearts of Mets fans for one catch in the 1969 World Series. It killed an Oriole rally and lives as one of the greatest catches in baseball history.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
June 30, 1936: "Gone with the wind" was published
Most of us have seen the movie but how many have read the book?
"Gone with the wind" by Margaret Mitchell was published on this day in 1936.
The book told the story of a woman caught up in the Civil War. It was based on the tales and stories that she heard from her grandparents and other relatives, as well as from Confederate war veterans.
Was the movie better than the book? In this case, the answer is yes but read the book anyway. It will teach you a lot about life in the old South.
Mitchell died in 1949.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Saturday's podcast: The debate analysis with Frank Burke, businessman and author
Saturday's podcast:
The debate analysis with Frank Burke, businessman and author....
I'm looking through you
I'm looking through you: The debate was over as soon as President Trump said that he didn't know what President Biden was saying and that he didn't know either. Hard to recover from that, as Mark Penn wrote:
Democrats exited the presidential debate Thursday...
Click to read:
I'm looking through you - American Thinker https://t.co/bqvmv9huya
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 29, 2024
We remember Harmon Killebrew (1936-2011)
The great Harmon Killebrew, one of great baseball sluggers of our youth, was born on this day in 1936. He passed away in 2011 of cancer. He was 74.
Killebrew started with the original Washington Senators who became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. He won the AL MVP in 1969, played in the 1965 World Series plus the ALCS in 1969 & 70.
From 1964 to 1971, Killebrew and Tony Oliva, who usually batted in front of Harmon, were one of the best hitting combinations ever. Tony won 3 batting titles and Harmon just hit a ton of home runs.
We remember those "titanic home runs" that got lost in the clouds all over baseball parks. Killebrew was indeed one of my all time favorite players.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
The other Perón woman that history forgot
We all know the story of Eva (Evita) Perón, perhaps the most influential woman in modern Argentina. They made a Broadway play and movie about her! By the way, the movie did not misrepresent her beauty and class. She made a point to be super elegant because Evita knew that Latin women like their First Ladies to look that way. Sexist? No at all. I know my culture.
A few years ago, President Trump visited Argentina and then President Mauricio Macri. The Argentina media went crazy with Melania's look. In the end, Melania Trump and the other First Lady, Juliana Macri, stole the show with their fashions. It was a duel of First Ladies that Latin women could not get enough of!
We remember Isabel Perón, who became president of Argentina in June 1974 and overthrown in March 1976.
The common denominator with the women was Juan Perón, husband and president. Isabel Perón was VP and assumed the presidency when President Perón died. Isabel was 36 years younger than Juan Perón. There was also a big age difference between Evita and Juan Perón.
Mrs. Perón's presidency was very difficult. She was not able to form coalitions and the country's economy went from bad to worse. Frankly, I am not sure that any other person could have done any better. Argentina's economic problems came home to roost in the mid-1970s and threw the country into years of turmoil. Her husband left her a mess and she had no chance to survive it.
Perón was overthrown in March 1976 and eventually moved to Madrid. She turned 92 a few months ago and has stayed out of public view. I can't remember the last time that Isabel was in the news.
Who was the first female president of Argentina? The answer is Isabel, not Eva, Perón. Of course, no one made a play about Isabel and that may explain that history has largely forgotten her.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
June 29, 1990: Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela pitched no hitters
It was an ESPN Friday night doubleheader: The A's in Toronto and the Cardinals in LA.
By the end of the baseball night, history was made when Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela pitched no-hitters.
According to news reports, Valenzuela learned of Stewart's no hitter minutes before taking the mound. Tommy Lasorda, the LA manager, joked with Valenzuela about pitching another no hitter that night.
To be honest, I saw Dave Stewart's last 4 innings but did not make it to watch the West Coast game.
A great night for two of the best pitchers of 1990.
Valenzuela won 173 games, primarily with LA. He could have won 200 games but injuries caught up with him. We remember him for a tremendous rookie season in 1981 and that complete game in game 3 of the World Series that year. He was a workhorse and pitched 117 complete games.
Stewart won 168 games and enjoyed great success with the A's. He won 119 games over a 7 year period with the A's, including 4 consecutive 20-win seasons. He was also a workhorse with lots of high innings totals.
By the end of the baseball night, history was made when Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela pitched no-hitters.
According to news reports, Valenzuela learned of Stewart's no hitter minutes before taking the mound. Tommy Lasorda, the LA manager, joked with Valenzuela about pitching another no hitter that night.
To be honest, I saw Dave Stewart's last 4 innings but did not make it to watch the West Coast game.
A great night for two of the best pitchers of 1990.
Valenzuela won 173 games, primarily with LA. He could have won 200 games but injuries caught up with him. We remember him for a tremendous rookie season in 1981 and that complete game in game 3 of the World Series that year. He was a workhorse and pitched 117 complete games.
Stewart won 168 games and enjoyed great success with the A's. He won 119 games over a 7 year period with the A's, including 4 consecutive 20-win seasons. He was also a workhorse with lots of high innings totals.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
June 29, 1941: DiMaggio reached # 42
On this day in 1941, the amazing Joe DiMaggio singled in the sixth inning in the first game of a doubleheader to tie George Sisler’s A.L. consecutive-game hit record of 41 games.
In the second game, he set the record at 42 games with a single in the seventh inning.
What makes DiMaggio so great is that he’d play doubleheaders. My guess is that the manager offered to give him a game off but he went out and played.
After getting # 42, his next goal was the N.L. record of 44. As you probably know, he got to 44, 45 and finished at 56.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Friday, June 28, 2024
Friday's podcast: The debate and the future of the Biden presidency
Friday's podcast:
The debate and the future of the Biden presidency
Lots of leftist ‘amor’ for Claudia
Lots of leftist ‘amor’ for Claudia
Click to read:
Lots of leftist ‘amor’ for Claudia - American Thinker https://t.co/Se0ZAwEKhz
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 28, 2024
June 28, 1941: Joe DiMaggio reached # 40 on the way to 56
We remember one of sports' most amazing accomplishments, i.e. the 56-game hitting streak that kept the entire nation checking the daily sports pages for updates.
Joe DiMaggio entered historic territory on this day in 1941 when he went 2-for-5 and cracked the "40 circle".
He became the 5th major leaguer to do so:
Willie Keeler 45 1896-1897Bill Dahlen 42 1894George Sisler 41 1922Ty Cobb 40 1911
We should add that Pete Rose got to 44 in 1978.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Happy # 64 to John Elway
Elway came out of Stanford and was drafted by the Colts but eventually signed with the Broncos.
Elway and the Broncos lost 3 Super Bowl in 1987, 1988 and 1990. He came back a few years later and defeated the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. They repeated by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34–19 the next season.
His accomplishments put him in the NFL Hall of Fame:
148 games won as a starting quarterback – NFL Record47 game-winning or game-tying drives in the fourth quarter – NFL Record5-time Super Bowl starting quarterback – NFL Record50,000+ career passing yards and 3,000+ career rushing yards – NFL Record7 consecutive seasons with 3000+ passing yards and 200+ rushing yardsNFL Most Valuable Player – 1987Super Bowl Most Valuable Player – Super Bowl XXXIII9-time Pro Bowl selection3-time All Pro selection
Enjoy your day John! Great career!
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). If you like our posts, click send, and drop a dime here.
We remember Don Baylor (1948-2017)
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Don was drafted by the Orioles in 1967 and moved quickly through their farm system. I recall reading about Don Baylor & Bobby Grich in the O's farm system. They came up together and spent years with Baltimore and later with the Angels.
Don finally joined the O's in 1972 and became the starting left fielder.
Days before the start of the 1976 season, Baylor was traded to the A's in the blockbuster Reggie Jackson trade. (Don Baylor & Mike Torres for Reggie Jackson & Ken Holtzman)
Baylor's best days were with the Angels: MVP in '79 and 141 HR over 6 seasons.
He retired with 338 HR & 1,276 RBI in 2,292 games. In 1989, Don reflected on his career in an autobiography.
After that, he managed the Rockies and Cubs.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Thursday's podcast: The debate pre-game show, reforms in Mexico, politics in Canada and more
Thursday's podcast:
The debate pre-game show, reforms in Mexico, politics in Canada and more
And take a message to Justin, message to Justin...
And take a message to Justin, message to Justin...:
They had an election up in Ontario, Canada yesterday and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shut off his phone for now.
Don't expect the prime minister to return your call for a day or two. Canada'...
Don't expect the prime minister to return your call for a day or two. Canada'...
Click to read:
And take a message to Justin, message to Justin... - American Thinker https://t.co/AJkMjz0JV0
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 27, 2024
1973: David Clyde made his pitching debut
On this day in 1973, the Rangers were desperately trying to sell seats.
They were coming off a 54-100 record in 1972. Their best player in the opening season in Texas was an aging Frank Howard. The roster included young guys like future AL MVP Jeff Burroughs and All Star Toby Harrah but they were not exciting anybody in North Texas yet.
In other words, the '73 Rangers needed a shot in the arm. Enter David Clyde, a young man from Houston.
The good news is that David Clyde was a great high school baseball prospect. The bad news is that he was rushed to the majors years ago. The Rangers sold many tickets for his debut but not much happened after that!
Clyde never developed into the major league pitcher that everyone predicted. At the same time, he should have spent a couple of years in the minors before pitching in the majors. He wasn’t ready and it probably hurt his career.
He won 7 over a 2-year period. Clyde was eventually traded to Cleveland. By the way, I saw him pitch with Cleveland against Baltimore before he retired.
Overall, a sad story.
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Wednesday’s podcast: The latest about Mexico with Allan Wall, blogger..
Guest: Allan Wall, blogger....President elect Claudia Sheimbaum prepares to govern Mexico.......and other stories..
It’s up to you New York, New York
It’s up to you New York, New York: More and more people are singing “I hate New York” these days, and I’m not talking about Red Sox fans. According to a New York Post editorial, the natives are restless. Check this out:
It’s up to you New York, New York - American Thinker https://t.co/NI2IoM7481
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 26, 2024
1966: "Paperback writer" by The Beatles was # 1 this week
"Paperback writer" was one of the group's finest 45's. The B-side of "Rain" was a sign of things to come.
The single were introduced on The Ed Sullivan Show in 2 fantastic promo films. They were available on YouTube but no more.
The Beatles released 3 US LPs between Christmas 1965 and the summer of 1966. However, "Paperback writer", or the B-side of "Rain", were not included in the US versions of "Rubber Soul", "Yesterday and today" or "Revolver".
Why wasn't this 45 included in the "Revolver" LP? Good question because it fits that LP beautifully.
By the way, the book below has "a song by song" story of every one recorded and released by the group. It is a wonderful resource to remember all of those tunes that we listened to on vinyl many years ago.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
1970: Mick Jagger as Ned Kelly the outlaw
What can you find flipping channels these days? How about Mick Jagger playing an outlaw in a 1970 movie?
Yes, Mick as "Ned Kelly" as the legendary Australian outlaw.
According to a NY Times review from October 1970:
"As the ill-fated titular hero, Mick Jagger, the rock singer, with a beard that makes him appear more Amish than Australian, is, sadly, simply a dour renegade who rarely becomes the "wild colonial boy" of the legend. "It's an OK movie and I kept looking for the other Stones. At one point, I thought that Charlie Watts was in the Kelly clan.
I'd give it a "C" for curious. I mean that it was curious to watch Mick doing something different than "Jumpin' Jack Flash".
June 26, 1948: The Berlin Airlift starts
Years ago, Pres Truman started the Berlin Airlift of 1948:
"On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union blocked all road and rail travel to and from West Berlin, which was located within the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany. The Soviet action was in response to the refusal of American and British officials to allow Russia more say in the economic future of Germany. The U.S. government was shocked by the provocative Soviet move, and some in President Harry S. Truman's administration called for a direct military response. Truman, however, did not want to cause World War III. Instead, he ordered a massive airlift of supplies into West Berlin. On June 26, 1948, the first planes took off from bases in England and western Germany and landed in West Berlin. It was a daunting logistical task to provide food, clothing, water, medicine, and other necessities of life for the over 2 million fearful citizens of the city. For nearly a year, American planes landed around the clock. Over 200,000 planes carried in more than one-and-a-half million tons of supplies.
The Soviets persisted with the blockade until May 1949. By then, however, it was apparent to everyone concerned that the blockade had been a diplomatic fiasco for the Russians. Around the world, the Soviets were portrayed as international bullies, holding men, women, and children hostage in West Berlin and threatening them with starvation. The unbelievably successful American airlift also backfired against the Russians by highlighting the technological superiority of the United States. By the time the Soviets ended the blockade, West Germany had become a separate and independent nation and the Russian failure was complete."
It was a victory for the West. It showed that we had a president who was willing to stand up to the Soviets. In other words, we had a leader rather than "a panderer" for votes.
I should add that Pres Truman made this decision in an election year. He could have played it safe and avoid the issue. Thankfully, Pres Truman put the US, and the West, over his own reelection and demonstrated leadership.
The Berlin Airlift was also the story of the "candy drops" for children. It showed the valor and heart of the pilots who flew these dangerous missions:
"In the beginning of the candy drops, Halverson used his own weekly candy ration. Soon the other pilots and support staff started giving their candy and gum and their handkerchiefs. The project grew so big that his old army base also began to contribute candy and handkerchiefs. The city of Mobile, Alabama, formed a drive to request help. Soon, candy and handkerchiefs from around the country began arriving for the pilots to drop. One week, Lieutenant Halverson flew 368 pounds of candy and fifty pounds of handkerchiefs from America back with him in his C-54 airplane that he had brought to the states for maintenance work."
Overall, a great day to recall presidential leadership and to remember the men who carried out these missions.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). If you like our posts, drop a dime here.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). If you like our posts, drop a dime here.
Tuesday's podcast: Tapper and Trump, VP Rubio, New York voters unhappy & The Beatles go global
Tuesday's podcast:
Tapper and Trump, VP Rubio, New York voters unhappy & The Beatles go global
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Little Marco little no more
Little Marco little no more: It won’t be easy because there are some great choices. Based on what I’ve seen, let me cast a vote for Senator Marco Rubio in the VP sweepstakes. The other side must agree because there are already articles like this one from ...
Click to read:
Little Marco little no more - American Thinker https://t.co/gw8Zwp42hF
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 25, 2024
Happy # 79 Carly Simon
Let's add Carly Simon to the growing list of pop singers who are over 70. Carly was born in New York on this day in 1945.
My first memory of Carly Simon was her 1971 hit "That's the way I've heard it should be", a very 1970's song. It was also a great arrangement and her vocals were beautiful.
After that, Carly had other hits, such as "You're so vain", and married James Taylor.
We wish Carly a happy birthday. She was one of a group of great female song writers/performers who released music in the early 1970's. It was great music.
My first memory of Carly Simon was her 1971 hit "That's the way I've heard it should be", a very 1970's song. It was also a great arrangement and her vocals were beautiful.
After that, Carly had other hits, such as "You're so vain", and married James Taylor.
We wish Carly a happy birthday. She was one of a group of great female song writers/performers who released music in the early 1970's. It was great music.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Monday, June 24, 2024
Monday's podcast: The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda
Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...Israel and the war, Trump vs Biden debate, Former Gov. Cuomo and NY Trump trials, Berlin and President Truman 1948 and other stories..
Hur was right -- kind of
Hur was right -- kind of: You may remember that the DoJ dropped the…..
Click to read:
Hur was right -- kind of - American Thinker https://t.co/LrtdG5Qepo
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 24, 2024
Happy # 77 Mick Fleetwood and great music
Happy birthday Mick Fleetwood who was born in London on this day in 1947. We remember Mick as the founder and drummer of Fleetwood Mac.
Back in the summer of 1982, or many years ago, we were in the early days of MTV and VH-1. We used to hear our songs on the radio, LP's, 45's and cassettes in a car player. We had no idea that DVDs would replace VHS videos or that CD's would do away with tape and vinyl.
Yes, the summer of 1982 seems like a long time ago. Nevertheless, the music was great, specially Fleetwood Mac and "Hold me".
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Berlin 1948: Another sad day in the brutal history of communism
We've reported on this blog about the violent and ugly story of communism, from the USSR to Cuba to North Korea to China. In a nutshell, it is an ugly story where the state dominated the individual.
On this day in 1948, President Truman confronted a serious communist challenge in Berlin: The Berlin Blockade.
He responded with The Berlin Airlift or one of President Truman’s finest moments! It was a wonderful demonstration of US presidential leadership.
It also gave us the story of “the candy bombers” or US pilots who dropped candy for the children of Berlin.
On May 12, 1949, the Soviets officially ended the blockade and the citizens of West Berlin were saved.
The good guys won in Berlin in 1948-49 and later when the wall came down in 1989.
On this day in 1948, President Truman confronted a serious communist challenge in Berlin: The Berlin Blockade.
He responded with The Berlin Airlift or one of President Truman’s finest moments! It was a wonderful demonstration of US presidential leadership.
It also gave us the story of “the candy bombers” or US pilots who dropped candy for the children of Berlin.
On May 12, 1949, the Soviets officially ended the blockade and the citizens of West Berlin were saved.
The good guys won in Berlin in 1948-49 and later when the wall came down in 1989.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).
We remember Don Mincher (1938-2012)
We remember Don Mincher, who was born on this day in 1938. He died in 2012.
Don had a good baseball career: .249 average, 200 HR & 646 RBI in 1,400 games with the old Senators who became the Twins in 1961, Angels, the Pilots who became the Brewers in 1970, the Senators who became the Rangers in 1972 and finally the A's.
In 1965, Don played first for the AL champ Twins and hit 23 HR with 65 RBI. He hit a HR off Don Drysdale & Sandy Koufax in the '65 Series.
He is also remembered for this:
On June 9, 1966, Mincher was part of baseball history again when he was one of five Twins who hit home runs in one inning, an American League record. The Kansas City Athletics were the victims; the others besides Mincher to go deep in the seventh inning that day were Rich Rollins, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles, and Harmon Killebrew.
A few years ago, I reconnected with those '65 Twins by reading Jim Thielman's "Cool in the evening". He wrote the book in 2005 or the 40th anniversary of that wonderful team that lost to the LA Dodgers in 7 games.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
Sunday, June 23, 2024
School choice looking pretty good in this state
School choice looking pretty good in this state: Based on the last primary and upcoming election, Governor Abbott of Texas has done it. He defeated the GOP representatives who voted against vouchers and replaced them just in time for November.
As they say, he has the votes to make the...
Click to read:
School choice looking pretty good in this state - American Thinker https://t.co/5gfM45GmTG
— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) June 23, 2024
Happy # 84 Justice Clarence Thomas
We say happy birthday to Clarence Thomas who was born on this day in Georgia in 1940.
Thomas was nominated by the first President Bush to replace the retiring Justice Marshall. I remember the news conference when President Bush introduced him to the nation. Thomas' story was wonderful and seemed like a great choice.
Eventually Clarence Thomas was confirmed in October 1991: 52-48. His nomination turned into a circus when Anita Hill accused him of sexual suggestions.
Over time, Thomas developed quite a reputation for conservative opinions. Great Justice!
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
We remember Stuart Sutcliffe (1940-62)
Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on this day in 1940. He died in 1962 when the group was in Germany.
We remember him as one of the early Beatles.
Stu, as he was known, was more of an artist than a musician. Nevertheless, he was a part of the band until his unfortunate death in 1962.
We believe that it was Stu, with a little help from John, who came up with the name “Beatles”, a reference to Buddy Holly & The Crickets. I’ve also heard that Stu’s death inspired “In my life”, one of the band’s greatest songs.
Stu’s girlfriend, Astrid Kirchherr who died in 2020, was a photographer and responsible for many of the group’s earliest photos, circa Germany 1961-62.
Stu’s girlfriend, Astrid Kirchherr who died in 2020, was a photographer and responsible for many of the group’s earliest photos, circa Germany 1961-62.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
We remember June Carter Cash (1929-2003)
We remember June Carter Cash, who was born on this day in 1929. She died in 2003.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
June 23, 1971: What a day for Rick Wise of the Phillies
On this day in 1971, Rick Wise had one spectacular day: He pitched a no-hitter and hit 2 HR. No other pitcher had done before or since!
Rick's amazing day made him one of the most popular Phillies of all time.
Rick Wise broke with the Phillies at 18 in 1964. Overall, he pitched until 1982.
His career numbers were pretty good: 188-181 with a very respectable 3.69 ERA. His numbers have to be put in the context that he pitched for bad teams in Philadelphia.
In 1975, Rick Wise was traded to Boston and won 19 games for the 1975 Boston Red Sox who lost to the Reds in seven games.
Rick was a workhorse completing 138 games.
Rick's amazing day made him one of the most popular Phillies of all time.
Rick Wise broke with the Phillies at 18 in 1964. Overall, he pitched until 1982.
His career numbers were pretty good: 188-181 with a very respectable 3.69 ERA. His numbers have to be put in the context that he pitched for bad teams in Philadelphia.
In 1975, Rick Wise was traded to Boston and won 19 games for the 1975 Boston Red Sox who lost to the Reds in seven games.
Rick was a workhorse completing 138 games.
P.S. You can listen to my show. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.
You gotta love the story of the candy bomber
The battle between communism and freedom has many chapters, from people jumping The Berlin Wall to Mariel, Cuba in 1980. I saw the ugly face of communism as a boy, when my father's cousin was thrown in jail for publicly denouncing Castro. He was arrested in 1961 and released in 1975. Never had a trial, and forget about anybody reading him his Miranda rights. They don't do that in communist countries.
We remember a great moment from the 20th century, or the day that U.S. and U.K. planes began dropping supplies to the people of West Berlin isolated by the USSR blockade. The Soviets were trying to break the back of the residents of West Berlin. Instead, they met a resolute President Truman, who would not allow the Soviets to get away with it.
Eventually, the planes started to drop more than food and heating oil. At some point, the pilots saw kids and returned with something for them. Those men came to be known as "the candy bombers." They dropped candy for the children in their supply bags
One of the pilots was Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen (1920–2021). This is his story:
After the United States entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Halvorsen trained as a fighter pilot and served as a transport pilot in the south Atlantic during World War II before flying food and other supplies to West Berlin as part of the airlift. According to his account on the foundation's website, Halvorsen had mixed feelings about the mission to help the United States' former enemy after losing friends during the war. But his attitude changed, and his new mission was launched, after meeting a group of children behind a fence at Templehof airport.
He offered them the two pieces of gum that he had, broken in half, and was touched to see those who got the gum sharing pieces of the wrapper with the other children, who smelled the paper. He promised to drop enough for all of them the following day as he flew, wiggling the wings of his plane as he flew over the airport, Halvorsen recalled.
He started doing so regularly, using his own candy ration, with handkerchiefs as parachutes to carry them to the ground. Soon other pilots and crews joined in what would be dubbed "Operation Little Vittles." After an Associated Press story appeared under the headline "Lollipop Bomber Flies Over Berlin," a wave of candy and handkerchief donations, followed.
The airlift began on June 26, 1948, in an ambitious plan to feed and supply West Berlin after the Soviets — one of the four occupying powers of a divided Berlin after World War II — blockaded the city in an attempt to squeeze the U.S., Britain and France out of the enclave within Soviet-occupied eastern Germany.
Allied pilots flew 278,000 flights to Berlin, carrying about 2.3 million tons of food, coal, medicine and other supplies. Finally, on May 12, 1949, the Soviets realized the blockade was futile and lifted their barricades. The airlift continued for several more months, however, as a precaution in case the Soviets changed their minds.
The Berlin Airlift, and the work of the candy bombers, was a beautiful chapter of an otherwise ugly war that killed millions. It's a nice story to share with your kids about the character of the men who fought that war.
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