Have been reading Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" published more than 100 years ago.
After reading some recent posts here linking to articles and blogs by LS^2 proponents or apologists, I found this (paraphrased) quote to be particularly appropriate:
"Science" is fascinating: how can a wholesale stock of conjecture be fashioned from such a trifling inventory of facts?
It's a great book. He also has much to say about the US Rivers Commission (now the US Army Corps of Engineers) and it is all true and prescient, regarding the Mississippi River. He was just musing about it at the time, but it has all come to pass exactly as he predicted.
BC
Wrong, ....
The Mississippi River Commission (MRC) still exists. It is part of the Civil Works Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MRC Headquarters is in Vicksburg, Mississippi. I think it's been there since 1876 during the General Survey of the Mississippi River. It's headed up by a two-star.
Wrong, ....
Thanks for the clarification professor Cliff. I did not know that, I'm just reading an old book and dealing with what appears on the pages thereof. I think most of you get the basic idea. I live smack dab at the beautiful confluence of two upper tributaries of the Columbia River system. These being the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers.
Two-star Generals are seldom seen around here. When they did show up they were not necessarily welcome. The last USA Army General to show up in this vicinity was back in 1878, and that was some guy named W.T. Sherman, who came down 9-Mile Creek on his last ride, to show the USA flag in Victoria BC Canada. By all available reports, he didn't like it here. Pretty sure the locals (being mostly Indians) didn't like him either.
I have always been fascinated by the theory and practice of rivers. I will research the Mississippi River Commission and try to learn how it differs from USACE, and how those two entities evolved from the US Rivers Commission way back in the day, if in fact they did.
My main point was to provide a nice quote from Mark Twain concerning "science" and how it can be abused. Hope some of you got that.
Great quote, artful machination of a few facts can create a convincing argument. They always fail in the realm of testability.
Rick
Wrong, ....
"some guy named W.T. Sherman"
LMFAO
Wrong, ....
W.T. Sherman wasn't very welcome when he visited Georgia either.
Andy
Generals
Andy, re General W.T.Sherman, I 'spect that's right, down in your neck of the woods. Reckon he was a piece o' work indeed.
Only other kind of general we've had around here since his visit in 1878 is a "General Malaise". Mostly characterized by a strong desire to go fishing rather than go to work.
