why'd they take "insane and idiotic" off?
Posted on February 12, 2010 with 0 comments
"In China, when you're one in a million, there are 1,300 other people like you." -Bill Gates
"America's changing character and sensibilities can be gleaned by the questions officials include in the decennial survey. At various times in the 19th century, citizens were asked how many guns and dogs they owned, how many hogs they had slaughtered, and if any family member had died from an abscess. In 1830, the government recorded the number of deaf, dumb, and blind people in a household; a category for 'insane and idiotic' was added in 1840 and remained for 50 years. In 1930, people were asked if they owned a 'radio set'; in 1950, they were queried about their TVs... The first census, in 1790, counted slaves as only three-fifths of a person, and Indians weren't counted at all... Marital status was not included on census forms until 1880. In 2010, for the first time, same-sex married couples will be able to officially claim that status." -The Week
*****
Just a quick note to let those of you in Philly and southern NJ know the show tomorrow (Sat) night at the Auction House Center for the Arts is postponed - too much snow for any parking, the lot won't be cleared until next week. But tonight in Pomfret CT is still on, Songwriter Sessions, the audience picks a theme for the writers next month to write a song to. This month is "Pocket Change." Hope you're digging out from snow removal or tax readying. cheers, lara
"America's changing character and sensibilities can be gleaned by the questions officials include in the decennial survey. At various times in the 19th century, citizens were asked how many guns and dogs they owned, how many hogs they had slaughtered, and if any family member had died from an abscess. In 1830, the government recorded the number of deaf, dumb, and blind people in a household; a category for 'insane and idiotic' was added in 1840 and remained for 50 years. In 1930, people were asked if they owned a 'radio set'; in 1950, they were queried about their TVs... The first census, in 1790, counted slaves as only three-fifths of a person, and Indians weren't counted at all... Marital status was not included on census forms until 1880. In 2010, for the first time, same-sex married couples will be able to officially claim that status." -The Week
*****
Just a quick note to let those of you in Philly and southern NJ know the show tomorrow (Sat) night at the Auction House Center for the Arts is postponed - too much snow for any parking, the lot won't be cleared until next week. But tonight in Pomfret CT is still on, Songwriter Sessions, the audience picks a theme for the writers next month to write a song to. This month is "Pocket Change." Hope you're digging out from snow removal or tax readying. cheers, lara