2 replies to 2 different threads: 1. About Imperialism (I realize this is not so much contemporary to Twain as it sort of underlies the rest of the 19th century American Thought; nevertheless:) A two-part series began airing on PBS Sunday and continues tonight (Monday) titled *The US-Mexican War*. This was a significant bit of history for a number of reasons, including the fact it was the first to be photographed (daguerreotyped, actually) and had a significant peace movement opposing it (an obscure freshman Congressman from Illinois offered his first speech to the House in opposition to the war: Lincoln ...) 2. Regardin Jack Buck's comment comparing McGwire to Huck Finn: First, for you folks not residing here in St. Louis: I can only begin to suggest the huge swell of nativistic glee surrounding this momentous event in these here parts: WOW! What a totem festival to Big Mac! Among other things, some local rock and roll stations keep playing this somewhat irritating hymn to HIM over and over and over . . . He is, in short, the incarnate American Adam . . . and I suppose, for the general pop culture, Huck sort of stands for similar things . . .Why that is so is grist for the Twain mills, although I think Shelley Fisher Fishkin's reading of the Tom Sawyer Days in Hannibal in her book _Lighting Out for the Territory_ is suggestive of a rather huge and embarrassing tendency toward illiteracy regarding our hero Sam. PS -- for the team, I think Joe Harper deserves at least some playing time. Probably an infielder. For a grizzled, mean-looking reliever a la Lee Smith or Goose Gossage -- how about Slade? For team owner: Brigham Young. Hal Bush Saint Louis University