The Continuous Changes of Conlin McClaflin

 This is just a quick plug. If there is anybody that has happened to accidentally stumble upon this blog, please share it!!! I'd love to have a bigger readership, more than just those I tell about it or send the link to. I would be very grateful. ~Conlin

 9/11   On this day, twenty-two years ago, terrorists crashed two airliners into the World Trade Center. Thousands died that day in the initial crash, and consequential collapse of the buildings. Two other planes also went down: One in PA, Flight 93, was headed for the White House. Brave souls on that flight decided not to be terrorized, and fought back, keeping the plane from crashing into the house of the President. They directed into a field in Pennsylvania. The biggest piece found of that airplane was no bigger than a phone book. I want all the brave souls who gave their lives, were injured, or lost a family member on that terrible day in 2001 to not be forgotten. You did what you thought was right that day, and we will forever hold you up as heroes Rest in Peace.

 THE SECOND BATTLE OF DUNBAR   An important battle was fought near the town of Dunbar in eastern Scotland. The year was 1650. The Scots lost the battle that day partly of a surprise attack by their enemies at 4 in the morning. My ancestor fought in that battle, as did thousands of other brave Scots. Thank you all for fighting for what you believed in, even though thousands of you died, and hundreds were transported tot he colonies. My ancestor was one among those who were exiled. He landed in MA in the same year the battle was fought. He was only eleven years old. For seven years he slaved away in Saugus Ironworks, as did many other of the prisoners. The battle was a loss for the Scots, but only a year or two later, their enemy, Oliver Cromwell, was defeated, and left Scotland, the country no longer under his control. The Land of Heather and Bagpipes would remain free, though still plagued by the English, for another 50-some odd years, until the act of Unity in 1707. I'd like ...

Hello world! I made a new friend at my job several weeks ago. His name is Max, and he's a bassist in a Christian Rock band called Fire Escape. Go check them out. They've got some pretty cool music something akin to Newsboys or Skillet. If you've into this genre of music, go check them out on Facebook and Youtube. (@fireescape for Youtube and @firescapeband on FB). Share the link with friends and on your social media. They want more listeners and followers!

OUTLANDER      Alright. It had to come to this. I've finally begun watching Outlander, being the Scotland nerd that I am. However, I've got several problems with it, (as well as few good things to say as well, never fear.), and I will try to keep my arguments logical and not something akin to a rant.      Outlander is notorious for the number one item on our not-so-good list, so that's why I recommend watching the show with Vidangel. It removes everything nasty, from bad words to the child-unfriendly scenes (of which there are a lot), and you still get that sense of historical Scotland. Let's get to it!   Five Things Wrong with Outlander Here is the list of problems I have with this Scotland-oriented TV show. Sex      The biggest thing about this show is that there are innumerable sex scenes. It's also my biggest problem with it. For some odd, more-than-a-little-disturbing reason, people have said in many different places online that the...

 U.S.A. The Fourth of July. The best holiday on the calendar short of Christmas or Easter. Barbecues, picnics, swimming in the pool, ice cream and popscicles, parades, the fun never seems to stop! (And let's not forget the best tradition of all: Fireworks! Who doesn't love blowing stuff up?) American independence. Does anybody realize what our country would be like if it weren't for those brave souls who wrote those historic words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." We'd probably still speak in English accents, paying taxes to a foreign sovereign, and not allowed to own any firearms or weapons of any kind. But now look at us. Because a couple of dozen men chose to take action for liberty and justice, our freedoms have been in place for centuries now, and despite their being under attack right now, they will stand.   This is an edited version of an essay I wrote a few years ago. It answers the question why I love America,...

A few days ago, May 6th, 79 years to the day, the Allies landed on the beach at Normandy. This was a highly secret, vitally important attack on occupied France during the Second World War. I write to thank and remember.  To remember those who died as they surged onto that beach knowing that they probably would not return home, that their families would never see them again. But they knew also that it was the right and honorable thing to do. They did it to preserve our freedoms. And against all odds, despite much death, this was eventually accomplished, by the end of 1945. I want to thank all of you who died that day for going ashore onto that beach despite great fear, despite imminent death, despite the loss of life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for serving our great country.  That thank you comes from a Patriot that hopes to one day be as great as you yourselves who ran onto that beach. Thank you for your service, Veterans of World War II.

 Memorial Day Memorial day began as a day of remembrance for those who fought in the Civil War. It was originally known as Decoration day, and became a national holiday in 1971. This post is a little late, I know, but I want to take this time now to say thank you for all those soldiers who gave their lives defending freedoms on US soil, from the American Revolution, to the Civil War, to every war from World War I to The War on Terror. This is a heart-felt thank you, to all of you brave souls who fought for what was, and still is, right.  Rest in Peace.  You will not be Forgotten.  Long live the USA.

May the Fourth be With You! Happy Star Wars Day! Comment below on your favorite movie, least favorite movie, fun Star Wars Day snacks, favorite character, and more!

The Battle of Culloden  Today, 277 years ago, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart, known as the Bonnie Prince Charlie, was defeated at Culloden Moor by the Duke of Cumberland, the son of the King of England. At this battle, the final Jacobite Rebellion was crushed, along with any hope of Scottish autonomy from the English. This post is a commemoration of that battle, and a 'well done' to those brave men who fought on that moor all those centuries ago. Among the dead was my clan's chief, Lachlan MacLachlan, 17th of that Ilk, who was carried from his horse by and English cannonball. He was leading the charge towards the English lines. Many of his clansmen did not make it there, being cut down by the muskets and cannons of the English. Today, you can visit Culloden Moor. Gravestones are set up commemorating the supposed places the clansmen and their chiefs fell. Many people, inspired by the well-known TV show Outlander, place flowers and memorial items at the Fraser cla...