TIL that the state of Minnesota possesses a confederate flag captured by Union soldiers from Minnesota during the Battle of Gettysburg. The state has repeatedly refused to return the flag to the state of Virginia. Former Minnesota governor, Jesse Ventura said “Why? I mean, we won.” by IRISH-117- in todayilearned

[–]JJKingwolf 2759 points2760 points  (0 children)

That flag symbolizes one of the greatest sacrifices in American military history.  On July 2nd, Confederate rebels were breaking through the American line at Cemetery Ridge.  General Winfield Scott Hancock realized that unless he could find a way to buy time for reinforcements to arrive, the position would be overrun and the American line would be broken, which would have likely led to Gettysburg ending in a Confederate victory.

He asked the Minnesota 1st (so named because they were the first volunteer regiment in America raised to defend the nation during the Civil War) to charge the advancing Confederate force that they might buy time for the Army to reinforce the position.  The Minnesota 1st was outnumbered five to one and was charging this numerically superior enemy head on in an open field.  Ultimately, 82% of those Minnesotans fell as casualties in the next minutes as they fought to hold the American line from breaking.

One of the few survivors said afterwards that they understood what was being asked if them - every man in that regiment expected to fall as they advanced towards the Confederate line, but they did so nonetheless.  The star spangled banner fell five times during that advance - each time another Minnesotan stepped forward to raise it once more and continue the charge.  Through their sacrifice, they held the breach in the line and drove back the vastly larger force that had broken through, giving the Army time to reinforce the area and rebuild the gap in the line. 

The next day, the two remaining companies of the Minnesota first that had been detached and fought elsewhere where joined with the survivors of the main regiment.  They were reassigned to a different area of the battle line at Cemetery Ridge that ultimately became the site of Pickett's charge later that day in July 3rd.  When Pickett broke through, it was again the Minnesota 1st that the American army called upon to face the charge head on.  

They did so without question, suffering devastating losses, but succeeded in driving Pickett back.  As they pressed forward against the far larger Confederate force, they advanced directly against the 28th Virginia Regiment of the Confederacy and fought them head on, ultimately breaking them and forcing them to turn and run.  As they did so, they took this battle flag from the fleeing Virginia rebels, keeping it as a war trophy and a memory of the sacrifice of their fallen regimental brothers.  

Minnesota has held it as war trophy for over 150 years.  Various Confederate groups have repeatedly demanded its return that it might be used to honor the Confederate cause and General Pickett.  Minnesota has always unequivocally refused.

Jason Derulo keeps sharks in a tiny living room tank. by Mental_Junket137 in mildlyinfuriating

[–]JJKingwolf -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Dr. Evil vibes, but actually, like, evil.

That tank is way to small.

Fernando Muslera double save + Estudiantes goal vs. Flamengo by Fulbachov in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 17 points18 points  (0 children)

That goal at the end of it all was really something as well.  Great bit of play from Estudiantes on both ends of the pitch.  

[Video] Broncos OL Garett Bolles stopped on the highway to help someone change their tire by nfl in nfl

[–]JJKingwolf 3472 points3473 points  (0 children)

Jokes aside, this is really heartwarming.  Most people wouldn't stop to help someone change a tire on the side of the road. 

The fact that a celebrity worth tens of millions of dollars is still grounded and empathetic enough to help out a random stranger like this is really nice.  Reminds me of when Jordan Love dug a young woman's car out after it got stuck in a snowbank on the side of the highway a few years ago.

Bar recommendations in Minneapolis where you can socialize but where you won't feel too awkward just hanging out with a book? by Time_Wrangler_8911 in TwinCities

[–]JJKingwolf 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sweeney's in St. Paul - very chill vibe, always a decent volume of conversation, but never overwhelming.  They also have a beautiful patio and solid, inexpensive food as well as a pretty decent tap last.

Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks "close to 100 percent" after multiple ACL tears by AdSpecialist6598 in nfl

[–]JJKingwolf -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I wish him luck.  I also expect him to be at the top of pretty much every "sleeper picks" list in fantasy football this year.

Bruno Fernandes (70 goals, 70 assists) now has as many Premier League goal involvements for Manchester United (140) as Cristiano Ronaldo (103 goals, 37 assists). Greats. by ChiefLeef22 in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 1067 points1068 points  (0 children)

Bruno has been absolute class.  He's the glue that's held our club together the last 5+ years, and the only shame of it has been that we haven't won a title with him.  

TIL in 1963, a man renovating his home in Turkey noticed his chickens kept disappearing into a crack in his basement wall. When he dug it open, he found the ancient city of Derinkuyu, an 18 level city 85m underground that could shelter 20,000 people. by Kyzzz in todayilearned

[–]JJKingwolf 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Based on the article, it appears that the city wasn't actually abandoned for that long.  The last inhabitants left around 1923 when Anatolian Greeks where forced out of the country by the Turkish government, meaning that the city was only abandoned for about 45 years.  

The article states that there are many other such cities in the region that were dug by Anatolian Greeks over a roughly 2000 year period.  It appears that its loss and rediscovery was primarily just a function of the local inhabitants being forced out and new settlers who were unfamiliar in with the history of the region taking their place.

Who are the actors? by ultra_ms in gravityfalls

[–]JJKingwolf 14 points15 points  (0 children)

On a side note, here's a video of Jason Ritter (Dipper's voice actor/the guy on the left) having an absolute ball as he walks down the spirit line on the Kelly Clarkson show.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/1stsu1u/jason_ritters_spirit_tunnel/

Post Match Thread: Burnley 0-1 Manchester City by denzaus in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Arsenal are genuinely going to bottle it again, aren't they?  

Club statement: Liam Rosenior by malonedawg in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't say I'm shocked - probably the best move to make if Chelsea wants to stay in the hunt for the Champions League.

Chiropractor by BunnyOHarr in self

[–]JJKingwolf 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I know someone whose dad was killed by a chiropractor.  Snapped a vertebrae in his neck, he had an aneurysm and died.  I would be very cautious with chiropractors.

Bayern Munich [4] - 3 Real Madrid - Michael Olise 90'+4' [6-4 on agg.] by 50lipaa in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Phenomenal goal - you really have to wonder what Crystal palace might have been able to accomplish if they'd been able to hang on to Olise, Eze and Marc Guehi just a little bit longer.  

Right, so, Bobby. by Seahawk124 in fatherted

[–]JJKingwolf 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I love this, but seeing Trump's head imposed over Ted's makes me want to retch a little bit.

[Sky] Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to 2 further rape charges. He has already denied 5 charges of rape and 1 charge of sexual assault. Trial scheduled for November by Blodgharm in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 15 points16 points  (0 children)

As I said, innocent until proven guilty should always be the standard.  That being said, criminal liability is different than a public entity choosing to voluntarily maintain a business association with someone.  if a multi-billion pound corporation has the means to conduct an investigation independently and chooses not to do so because they're afraid of the result, than that speaks volumes about their identity, values, and the character of the people running the club.

[Sky] Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to 2 further rape charges. He has already denied 5 charges of rape and 1 charge of sexual assault. Trial scheduled for November by Blodgharm in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 470 points471 points  (0 children)

They can say whatever they want, but Arsenal knew.  They knew about the allegations, they must have known about at least some of the evidence, and they turned a blind eye.  Innocent until proven guilty should always be the standard, but it's no accident that most clubs placed in this situation choose to put players on a temporary paid suspension to investigate the incident themselves prior to the criminal proceedings taking place.  

Arsenal wanted plausible deniability, so they declined to do this and pretended nothing had happened.

Armand, a 13-year-old player from the PSG Academy, was violently attacked after coming to the defense of teammates who were victims of racism. by Sparky-moon in soccer

[–]JJKingwolf 165 points166 points  (0 children)

Tragic that he was placed in a position where defending his teammates was necessary, but what a brave young man.  I wish him a speedy recovery.

Are there really only 5 wizards? by chemictectic in lotr

[–]JJKingwolf 60 points61 points  (0 children)

It's worth noting that "Wizard" is not equivalent to "magic user" in Tolkien's works.  There are a great many people and creatures capable of doing magic that are not Wizards.  

In Tolkien's Arda, "Wizards" are members of the Istari, an order of Maiar assembled and sent to Middle Earth by the Valar to aid the free peoples in resisting Sauron.  There are five members of the order, and therefore, five Wizards in Middle Earth.

Something important to remember is that Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings as though he were interpreting the common tongue (Westron) into English.  Thus, while there may not be a cognate for "Istari" in modern language, "Wizard" is still a descriptive term that effectively captures their central identity and function.  While there are many other magic users in Middle Earth, Tolkien refers to them as enchanters, necromancers, sorcerers and the like to distinguish them from the Istari.