Thomas Paine Monument in New Rochelle, New York.

Here's a nice older image of the monument taken not long after the bust of Paine by American sculptor Wilson McDonald was added. All in all, the author of this blog believes the addition an enormous mistake. The bust is fine on its own and deserves a good exhibition location ... but the monument should have been left as Paine's followers intended ... a simple, classic marble column ... to commemorate the original resting place of America's greatest revolutionary.

What happened when General Grant expelled the Jews

 A little change of historical pace for this blog, but far too good a piece of history to pass up:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/21/what-happened-when-general-grant-expelled-civil-war-jews.html

My hero: Thomas Paine

 Lovely, brief essay by author Sue Townsend:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/02/my-hero-thomas-paine-sue-townsend?newsfeed=true

Thomas Paine on extrajudicial killings:

‎"An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."
 -- Thomas Paine, Dissertation on First Principles of Government (July 7, 1795)

Thomas Paine on extra-judicial killing. 

Thomas Paine not forgotten -- Harvey J. Kaye

 Fine article in review of the speech by Thomas Paine friend and friend of this blog, Prof. Harvey J. Kaye. Pleased to see that Kaye agrees -- Paine's reputation waxes strong and undimmed:

http://democratherald.com/news/local/speaker-emphasizes-thomas-paine-s-influence/article_ea3a65fc-5cde-11e1-aa1f-0019bb2963f4.html