Great Game Previews In History: 11 October 2014

by J.R.

Today In History

After years of escalation — which included a war and a British-led raid to take Johannesburg — the Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State invade the British-held Cape Colony and Natal, beginning the Second Boer War. Talk about being united and divided simultaneously, eh?

The war began with rapid invasions by the Boers, who had the great advantage of having a fighting force that was nimble, familiar with the area, good on horses and fairly easy to mobilize. Within a few weeks, the Boers had made great inroads into British-held territory, driving back the British in some cases and laying siege to garrisons in others.

Spoiler alert: though the war pioneered the use of modern guerrilla warfare, the Brits ultimately win this one, the Boer territories are incorporated into the British colonies and the Union of South Africa comes to be in 1910…and then develops into a truly reprehensible country but then gets sort of OK again and then hosts the World Cup.

Great Game Previews In History: 8 April 2014

by J.R.

Today in History

One-hundred and ten years ago today, France and Britain singed the Entente cordiale, bringing to an end 10 centuries of conflict between the two countries.

In reality, France and Britain had been peacefully co-existing since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century, but with the emergence of other alliances across Europe, a formalizing of this co-existence seemed necessary.

DemocraThree: 28 March 2014

by J.R.

Every Friday bloggers from around The Heptarchy will update us on the news and notes from their teams (with that fancy header image courtesy of Mike D; like democracy itself, it’s a perpetual work-in-progress). Yes, we ripped this off from TRH’s Pacific War Room; no, we don’t care. And since we ripped it off, we’ll follow their lead and go in standings order.

Great Game Previews In History: 28 March 2014

by J.R.

Today In History

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher — then Leader of the Opposition — puts the motion “That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government,” at the time led by Prime Minister James Callaghan, a historic dingbat, who led (“led”) Britain through the devastating Winter of Discontent.

The motion carries by one vote, forcing Callaghan to call an election and resulting in 18 years of Conservative government in the UK.

This is all very complicated, but in short, Callaghan had considered calling an election in 1978, but decided to wait a year so the economy would improve. The economy did not improve — it, in fact, fell apart — and then a referendum on devolution in Scotland failed, which angered the Scottish nationalists, which had supported the Labour government and angered the Liberals, which supported devolution and were miffed by the high vote threshold set for passage.

Anyway, everyone was put out with Callaghan and there was a very exciting vote and debate on March 28, 1979.

 

Happy Birthday To III

by J.R.

One year ago today, I posted a brief item, a video of a Chambers Pot rumble between Dallas and Nashville and at ConferenceIII dot wordpress dot com, III Communication was born.

Since then we’ve been recognized by Puck Daddy and by Sports Illustrated and we’ve launched The Conference III Championship Belt, which has been recognized by Carter Hutton.

We’ve gone litigious and obscene and democratic.

In honor of our birthday, let’s, in the spirit of our proprietary power ranking system, look at our Top 13 posts of all time (ranked by views).

DemocraThree: 24 January 2013

by J.R.

Every Friday, bloggers from around The Heptarchy will update us on the news and notes from their teams (with that fancy header image courtesy of Mike D and like democracy itself, it’s a perpetual work-in-progress). Yes, we ripped this off from TRH’s Pacific War Room; no, we don’t care. And since we ripped it off, we’ll follow their lead and go in standings order.

Thursday Thirteen: All Cold Again (Naturally)

by J.R.

Every Thursday we bring you III Communication’s Conference III Power Rankings, the Thursday Thirteen.

This week, we got the heavy coats back out.

Great Game Previews In History: 20 January 2014

by J.R.

Today In History

LaMarcus Adna “L.A.” Thompson receives a patent for the roller coaster, one of 30 patents he was granted for gravity-type rides.

Thompson was indeed known as the Father of Gravity, which is a pretty overornate title, but here we are.

He certainly didn’t “invent” gravity (Isaac Newton invented gravity, right?) and he didn’t invent the roller coaster (tracked thrill-rides had existed since the 17th century and old mine railroads were being operated as such in the 1820s), but he certainly perfected them.

In a way, L.A. Thompson is a lot like Conference III — we didn’t even hockey, but we’re the ones who’ll make you nauseous perfected it.

A Very Conference III Festivus

by J.R.

“Happy Festivus!”
“George, this is a surprise; who’s the suit?”

We asked, you answered and the submissions are in.

Have you seen the pole, Kruger?

Happy Hour In The Heptarchy: Spicy Snaps and Snickerdoodle Milk

by J.R.

It’s five past 5 across Conference III (leave work early, Colorado — you have our permission), time to hit bricks and get that freakin’ weekend started, am I right?

Of course I am.

It’s been a tough week for some of you so loosen your belt, pop a top, grab a spoon and stop being such a sourpuss. III Communication’s got good news for everybody.