The Atlas Gentleman's Social Club 1945

[afleitch]

A Jock and a Redcoat? I hope you mix your cocktails as well as you mix your metaphors.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Here in Virginia it is business as usual, as the Democratic Party has a death-grip on our state's politics. Mr. Davis will assuredly be delivered our 12 electoral votes, Senator Glass will no doubt be re-elected, and our ten Representatives in Congress will likely be a cavalcade of donkeys (in less polite company, I refer to them as "asses").

Mr. Glass is our Senator in part no doubt by the grace of the "reforms" he pushed at our Constitutional Convention that disfranchised the Negro voter, who would else be solid in the Republican column. Certainly he has an impressive pedigree, having served both in the House and in the Cabinet of President Wilson, and has quite the head for comprehending the complex financial matters of our modern times, but I find the Democratic Party's hostility to free and open election quite distasteful. (These are words I would not share with my fellow Virginians, mind, lest I be branded a "Negro-lover" and run out of town on a rail.) I expect I shall waste my ballot by voting for Mr. LaFollette, though he appears to be little more than a gad-fly with no chance of winning the Presidency.

I am also hearing much of a Mr. Harry (such an uncouth name to be given!) Byrd, a State Senator from up in the backwater town of Winchester. Like Mr. Glass, he is a newspaperman by trade, but his interests lie in the improvement of our fair commonwealth's fledgling automobile roads, not with the machinations of the nation's banking system. He has gone so far as to advocate for a tax on the sale of gasoline to pay for road improvement! This son of an orchard-farmer is a rumoured candidate for Governor, and I expect he will be a shoo-in for the office.

[ilikeverin]

The rapid expansion of M.A.C. beyond the bounds of agriculture is just bully!  The library got in a new shipment of psychological publications the other day, and of course I was one of the first ones in the library to see it.  The librarian, Miss Pershing, razzed me a bit for it, but I can't help what I love to read.  I still think she emphasizes the A in M.A.C.

I was eager to see the latest in the behaviorist literature.  My professor had told me all about it, of course, but I wanted to see it myself.  Then, there it was: the first page of the third volume of Journal of Experimental Psychology, "Conditioned emotional reactions".  I could hardly contain myself, and whooped with glee.  I cannot but feel somewhat for poor little Albert, but that is just a conditioned reaction, after all.

I suppose that certain "Mr. Widdershins" thinks that Polish fellow who talks about those island savages is the cat's meow, doesn't he?  With all that time he spends canoeing around the Pacific, he's all wet.

Three hugs for all.

[Dancing with Myself]

Even though Mr. Davis is the Democratic Party's nominee, I am voting for President Coolidge. He is the right man for a great nation. I am the only person in my family voting for him, but I feel satisfied to vote with my conscience.

[The Mikado]

I had been saying for years that American music was missing its heart and soul due to Mr. Cole Porter's long sojourn in Paris (the French's benefit is clearly our loss...come home, Cole!).  Then, I discovered Mr. George Gershwin and his brother Ira Gershwin.  For anyone that has not had the chance of listening to a Gershwin work, you are missing out and it's a crime to do so, particularly with the new availability of records (giving up my wax cylinder collection was a tragedy).  Al Jolson is a national treasure, especially singing Mr. Gershwin's "Swanee."  "How I loves ya, how I loves ya!"  Gershwin is singlehandedly reviving my faith in American music, which has sadly been dominated by vapid "songwriters" like Berlin or folk music.  I feel that, in a hundred years, when America needs to prove that it has had cultural accomplishments, it will put "Rhapsody in Blue" on the phonograph (just released this year, and it is the best piece of music written so far in this 20th century, in my view).

As some of you are aware, I have been taking the Volstead Act harder than most.  Rooting out alcohol struck at the heart of my very lifestyle.  I see no hope of repeal on the horizon, but I have been finding release.  If you want a way to take your mind off of the Volstead Act here in DC, there's a nice, clean pool establishment I could show you.  Nothing like good, clean, all-American fun.  The crow flies east at high noon.

The news from Russia goes from bad to worse.  I fear for my (very) extended relatives still over there.  When I think of the stories I once heard of the good old days: my grandmother having fresh fruit in winter parties in St. Petersburg, going to the estate in the south, talking about how courteous the serfs always were...I think about today.  My grandmother's estate probably has fifteen families living in it!  It is an atrocious sin against the laws of God and man.  That land was in (some branch of) my family since the late 18th century.  Though obviously this American branch had no interest in it, some distant cousin of mine lost everything he had in 1917 for the sake of an unwashed illiterate mob that has no appreciation for a Second Empire candelabra.  They will wreck the place beyond comprehension, I just know it.  Here, people like Mr. Lief have been supporting these common thieves, stealing the familial treasures of all of the best people of Russia to give to the dirt-covered residuum and the self-appointed council of failed "intellectuals" that claim to lead them.

I must go.  I'm meeting a Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald for...tea and to discuss his literary ambitions.

[Teddy (IDS Legislator)]

I can say with certainty that the Progressives will win the next Canadian election!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It's a trifle boring if you ask me.

I don't understand how the current situation could be described with that word; for the first time in our history we have a socialist government, even if it is in a precarious position within the Commons. Indeed, it must be noted that despite that precarious position, it has an ambitious legislative programme and has been carrying it out with surprising success. Here in Wales this is most welcome, given the economic difficulties that we have been in since the end of the War; that Mr MacDonald represents a Welsh division (Aberavon) seems oddly appropriate.

I must admit to having a few concerns though; I do not like the fact that the Labour Government is dependent on the support of the reunited Liberals. Were they led by Mr Lloyd George I would not be so concerned (he may be slippery, but he genuinely believes in the cause of progress - even if he advocates it from a position that seems more outdated by the day), but Mr Asquith is not a friend of the working man and I do not trust him. I also worry about the safety of Mr MacDonald at the next election; his majority is not large enough to be secure against the worst. Our support is not, it seems, as solid with the steelworkers of Port Talbot as it is with the miners of the Afan Valley (or, indeed, in the rest of the great South Wales coalfield) and this is a serious problem, given the presence of Porthcawl. The loss of our greatest asset would be a terrible blow and I hope that an attempt is made to shore him up in Aberavon, or to find him a safer seat elsewhere; though given that the Fed likes to keep the purest mining seats in South Wales to its own representatives (entirely understandably) I suspect he will have to look to somewhere in England. The Durham Miners in particular seem keen to attract 'stars' from outside their union, so that would be one possibility; and perhaps the best.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I think that you underestimate the scale of the slums (perhaps surprising given your geographical location). The Wheatley Act is a bold step forward and will do much to improve housing conditions for ordinary people, but all it will accomplish for the next decade (at least) will be the ending of the acute housing shortage. After that, and only after that, will it be possible to destroy the slums.

You have been away for some time; do you still support the Liberal Party, or have you switched (like many others) to the Conservatives?

[afleitch]

You have been away for some time; do you still support the Liberal Party, or have you switched (like many others) to the Conservatives?

I try not to underestimate the issue with housing I assure you. Slums are slums and I would not wish them on anyone. The best bet in Glasgow is for the Corporation to get the expansion to it's boundaries it desperately needs, build new homes and reduce the population in the city. Rich and poor alike live in tenements; it should be very easy to retain the housing stock by provide larger dwellings inside and introduce better plumbing. However it may not be of benefit to move a shipyard worker away from the docks and ask him by tram or by train to travel for an hour to work each day. It may cause some working men to stay, rather than move with their families.

On politics, as you know I am of Irish stock. It is very difficult to get a foot hold in polite Glasgow society. I do try and use my 'Protestant' surname to my advantage but the moment I am asked for my School Leavers Certificate (despite having other qualifications) the game is up. Frightfully childish. The same is true of the Unionists. However, it is probably easier to be involved with the Unionists in my position than it is to be involve myself in civic politics which is stained with a horrible Orangism that you don't get anywhere else. It won't help them in the grand scheme of things. It's not just an Irish concern; my favourite Gorbals tailor, Mr Glasser (wonderful Jew, likes a gamble, great suits) sympathises with the Unionists. However they won't have him, Liberals certainly won't have him so he's a Labour man. Perhaps I may drift there too out of necessity rather than desire.

I'm still a member of the Liberals as I still like the buzz of politics. But the game is up for the Liberals, there can be no doubt. That's why I spend so much time and waste so much money in London. There's more for my sort down there. I could easily be a Conservative there.

I'm probably 'trifle bored' by the Labour government as it's not what people thought it would be like. Nothing much to protest about and more to celebrate than I would care to admit. Perhaps three party politics that will be the way of things in the future. And if Mr MacDonald can get into bed with the Liberals, he can get into bed with anyone.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Say, Yanks what's happening over there. Is Mr Coolidge a shoo in?

Goodness no! Have you lost your senses, my noble companion? The Hon. Mr. Davis is a man with an impressive amount of experience on diplomatic and legal areas. Furthermore, he comes from a truly distinguished household. A good blood is not something, I'm sure you're aware of, ballot box can defeat.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

(Btw, it's a shame Winfield is not aware yet of this thread)

[feeblepizza]

Say, Yanks what's happening over there. Is Mr Coolidge a shoo in?

Goodness no! Have you lost your senses, my noble companion? The Hon. Mr. Davis is a man with an impressive amount of experience on diplomatic and legal areas. Furthermore, he comes from a truly distinguished household. A good blood is not something, I'm sure you're aware of, ballot box can defeat.

Surely you must remember the Roosevelt defeat of 1912?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Say, Yanks what's happening over there. Is Mr Coolidge a shoo in?

Goodness no! Have you lost your senses, my noble companion? The Hon. Mr. Davis is a man with an impressive amount of experience on diplomatic and legal areas. Furthermore, he comes from a truly distinguished household. A good blood is not something, I'm sure you're aware of, ballot box can defeat.

Surely you must remember the Roosevelt defeat of 1912?

Naturally. That's because Roosevelt betrayed his own noble roots and joined a strange company of anarchists or how they were calling themselves... Progressives? Oh yes. Silly name indeed.

Mr. Davis mainstream run cannot be possibly compared to this.

Now, if you excuse me, I have to leave your company to use a place no gentleman shall mention... BUTLER! GRAB TOILET PAPER AND COME WITH ME.

[The Mikado]

What are your opinions of this second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan?  I find them distasteful, tacky, and hickish, for the most part, despite the membership of a surprising amount of society in their cabal.  What sort of man wears a bizarre outfit and goes to secret meetings, practices tasteless rituals that mock true religion, and act privately in a manner that they would never dare to do in public?

Oh, I've rambled too long.  I need to get to the Lodge.  We're raising two of our promising young Fellowcraft to Master tonight, and I'm part of the ceremony.  Beg pardon.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

What are your opinions of this second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan?

While they were beaten back in their efforts to control the Democratic Party this time, I fear they may succeed.  If only we had a system that encouraged multiple parties instead of the duopoly we always have they wouldn't be a problem.  For example over in Germany, that chap Hitler is quite similar to Evans.  A fascination with fire, weird titles (Imperial Wizard and Führer), costumes for their followers, etc.  However, over in Germany, Hitler has his own party which will never amount to anything, while I fear Evans and the KKK will be able to co-opt the Democrats and take power someday.

[feeblepizza]

What are your opinions of this second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan?

I find this quite disheartening. In my home of Indiana, the Klan is of a very high prominence. Over half of the General Assembly are Klansmen, and it seems as if we are gearing up to elect another Klansman, Mr. Edward Jackson (who is currently serving as Indiana's Secretary of State). Thus, I will be supporting the Democrat, Mr. McCulloch. It seems that Mr. McCulloch has empathy towards my non-white, non-Protestant acquaintances.

[Joe Republic]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

What are your opinions of this second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan? 

Those people are just disguisting. But we must remember those are mostly very simple people, who simply doesn't posses enough education and culture to understand that it's up to men of our position to keep the right Southern way via legal means.

I shall play a Dixie elitist from now on

[afleitch]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

The principle is very interesting I have to say, but I cannot see it supplanting the Radio or the Cinema. Perhaps one day each town will own one, but I cannot see it catching on. Besides, it surely must be bad for the eyes.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

Our century seems to be progressing at the breakneck pace of a lioness in the African savannah. It seems like only yesterday when I first saw the wonder of a wire-less radio in action in New York, broadcasting The Clicquot Club Eskimos from a transmitter miles away. I can only surmise that these wondrous technological advances will result in talking pictures at the theatre some-day soon.

I can only imagine what kind of advancements in automobiles are around the bend. My Studebaker Special Six can reach a clip of nearly 50 miles per hour, which is quite fast enough for me!

[Badger]

<Best thread in I dunno how long   Carry on, gents....>

[ilikeverin]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

Our century seems to be progressing at the breakneck pace of a lioness in the African savannah. It seems like only yesterday when I first saw the wonder of a wire-less radio in action in New York, broadcasting The Clicquot Club Eskimos from a transmitter miles away. I can only surmise that these wondrous technological advances will result in talking pictures at the theatre some-day soon.

I can only imagine what kind of advancements in automobiles are around the bend. My Studebaker Special Six can reach a clip of nearly 50 miles per hour, which is quite fast enough for me!

I must say, despite my liberal arts inclinations, I'm inclined to head on down to Detroit after I graduate and get myself a job on the assembly line.  I hear it pays good money, and you get good hours, too.  I'll miss the ivied columns of academe, but there's no better life than one in Detroit.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

<Best thread in I dunno how long   Carry on, gents....>

I know. The conversations here have never been as good as they were when I was a young lad of 13 and my father allowed me to come in and listen to my elders speak. I remember one fellow in particular. While he was a disagreeable fellow at times, especially when the topic of Lincoln came up, that chap who was ejected from the club when it was found out he was an agent provocateur for Jeff Davis instead of a real gentleman, was able to start some interesting conversations.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

<Best thread in I dunno how long   Carry on, gents....>

Thank you, towel boy. Here's, your 50 cents. You earned it.

[King]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

SUCH IMAGERY IS DEVILISH! DEVILISH I SAY! IT FLIES IN THE FACE OF GOD!

[Lief 🗽]

I find it very silly that we continue to discuss the up-coming American election with such interest. While we here are debating whether or not to switch from one party representing capitalism and all its worst excesses to the other representing capitalism and all its worst excesses plus a healthy dose of neo-Confederate racism and bigotry, real progress and a glimpse of this country's and the world's future is occurring in Russia! Though harsh censorship, scare campaigns and in-fighting have temporarily retarded the growth of our own communist movement, parties across Europe are making real gains. The Communists in Germany gained some 10% at the last election! I am just hopeful that workers across the continent (and hopefully one day on our own shores) continue to turn to Marxism, instead of that incipient brand of thug politics preached by that Mussolini fellow. Luckily I think only the Italians are depraved enough to elect a couple of blackshirted criminals to be in charge of their country.