A snowbird shows photos from southwest Florida (Naples) and southwest Connecticut (Ridgefield) and New England and other places he goes.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Hotchkiss Cannon
This Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon sits in the Hall of Flags in the Connecticut State Capitol. It was designed in 1872. Armaments and defense have long been major industries in Connecticut.
Jack, your comment on my site yesterday responding to my comment on yours is, sadly, correct. The heavy reliance on Reserves and the National Guard has reintroduced a geographic component to military staffing that has been absent since the Civil War, although thankfully not to the intensity as the much greater numbers of soldiers and much heavier casualties as the Civil War.
I have heard Rachel Madow interviewed on Meet the Press about her new book, Drift, that evidently explores the impact of reliance on a small percentage of the public that is in the volunteer military to supply the manpower for wars far more prolonged than in the past, without impacting the larger public in the ways that past wars have.
In fact, your post today illustrates another dimension to the country's military preparedness. In many parts of the country, such as Connecticut, the priority our country places on the military is viewed as good for business either because of the business of supplying the military or the presence of military bases.
I am not anti defense, or anti military. My father was a career naval officer for 20 years and then worked for a major defense contractor for the balance of his career. I worked for Members of Congress who served on the Armed Services Committee early in my career and I held a top secret security clearance at the time. My brother and his wife are mental health professionals for the Veterans Administration.
We are not in a position to take the risk that Costa Rica did in 1948 when it abolished its military despite being located in a very troubled part of the world. But I think we need to reassess the impact of our military policies on the public and the federal budget.
I love the canon and flags, and I love the light in this photo! As for Edinburgh, I can agree that it's a dark and a bit gloomy, but still I found it fascinating and really loved it (especially after nice shot of whiskey:/)
Marvelous post and capture for the day, Jack! I love the flags, the lighting, perfect backdrop for the cannon. Interesting that the major industries in Connecticut are armaments and defense. Hope your week is going well!
I'm beginning to understand a little of this history after researching America Street
ReplyDeleteIncluding the Colt revolver, as I recall. Bang!
ReplyDeleteAn especially nice composition, Jack!
Jack, your comment on my site yesterday responding to my comment on yours is, sadly, correct. The heavy reliance on Reserves and the National Guard has reintroduced a geographic component to military staffing that has been absent since the Civil War, although thankfully not to the intensity as the much greater numbers of soldiers and much heavier casualties as the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteI have heard Rachel Madow interviewed on Meet the Press about her new book, Drift, that evidently explores the impact of reliance on a small percentage of the public that is in the volunteer military to supply the manpower for wars far more prolonged than in the past, without impacting the larger public in the ways that past wars have.
In fact, your post today illustrates another dimension to the country's military preparedness. In many parts of the country, such as Connecticut, the priority our country places on the military is viewed as good for business either because of the business of supplying the military or the presence of military bases.
I am not anti defense, or anti military. My father was a career naval officer for 20 years and then worked for a major defense contractor for the balance of his career. I worked for Members of Congress who served on the Armed Services Committee early in my career and I held a top secret security clearance at the time. My brother and his wife are mental health professionals for the Veterans Administration.
We are not in a position to take the risk that Costa Rica did in 1948 when it abolished its military despite being located in a very troubled part of the world. But I think we need to reassess the impact of our military policies on the public and the federal budget.
I like anything related to history!
ReplyDeletenice 'shot'.
ReplyDeleteI love that display of flags in the background.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture, I love the flags and the light reflection on the glass! :)
ReplyDeleteLéia
The flags and lights make a perfect backdrop!
ReplyDeleteI love the canon and flags, and I love the light in this photo!
ReplyDeleteAs for Edinburgh, I can agree that it's a dark and a bit gloomy, but still I found it fascinating and really loved it (especially after nice shot of whiskey:/)
Nice display for the flags. The cannon seems a little out of place. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jack. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous post and capture for the day, Jack! I love the flags, the lighting, perfect backdrop for the cannon. Interesting that the major industries in Connecticut are armaments and defense. Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I guess war is good for the economy of Connecticut!
ReplyDeleteFantastic background! What wonderful display, the light is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like the flag display too.
ReplyDeleteThe barrel looks so small but I'd be inclined to stay out of it's way.
ReplyDeleteCompared with other cannons, like those at the Fort in Saint Augustine, this is a very tiny, dainty cannon!
ReplyDeleteOn a road trip and finally am in a place with wifi, so I am temporary back to enjoy your blog!!
May I use your photo on my blogpost about my trip to Connecticut? I will back link it to your page.
ReplyDeletePriscilla, sure, go ahead and use the photo.
ReplyDelete