Census Bureau.. and TV show responses

recently heard that NYC has 26,402 people per square mile
35.9% are foreign born
46.7% speak another language other than English in their homes (5 and older)

that's almost half

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you may have watched some of Ken Burns' shows about war

I asked my Dad(WW1+2 historian)'s thoughts on it
here the response:

"On the whole I think it's very good so far, and I've learned a lot from it.

Of course, K. Burns' left-wing politics always harp on civil rights, women's lib, etc. whether they're pertinent or not. Though I found the story of Japanese internment fascinating-- as well as brave performance of Japanese army units in Europe.

He criticizes General MacArthur for not being a man of the people, and (rightfully) gives the U.S. general staff low marks for getting tens of thousands of G.I.'s killed in bungled engagements all over the world (Cassarine Pass, North Africa, Anzio Beach, Italy, Ardennes Forest, France, Pelieu in the South Pacific, etc.) He likes U.S. Marine Colonel Evan Carlson of Carlson's Raiders, for being both smart and "democratic," e.g. allowing enlisted men to address officers by first names. General Patton gets high marks for being tough and highly capable-- though not necessarily a nice guy. More casualties occur from hesitant, incompetent commanders than aggressive ones who know what they're doing.

I like the firsthand accounts of veterans who participated in combat. The pieces about Rosie the Riveter, kids in Sacramento and LaVerne, Minnesota during the war, and Mobile's labor boom don't interest me so much.

I didn't know that airmen in flying fortresses suffered so many casualties-- because German fighter aircraft could outmaneuver them, and their own small escort planes didn't have enough fuel to follow them all the way into Germany.

Kens Burns will probably condemn some of the U.S.'s bombing of civilians in Germany and Japan (as he should.)"

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here a slice of a reply from my bro living in Germany:

".... think about Hamburg getting 'carpet bombed' by B-52 bombers -- by American 'good guys'..."

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I've been to Hamburg many times.. they've kept a part of a church standing - still caked in black ash - as a memorial.. so many lives - and so much beautiful arcitechture - blown to bits..

the human spirit is resilient
rebuilding occured -
think of how people are so about making - buildings and TVs and phones - and tools..
working and working and working.. what's it all leading up to