dirjoh-blog

[dirjoh-blog]

The History of Music Piracy: Did It Really Hurt the Music Industry?

For as long as there has been recorded music, there have been attempts to copy, share, and distribute it without paying for it. Music piracy is often painted as a villain in the story of the modern music industry—accused of draining billions in revenue, shuttering record stores, and crippling artist careers. But is that the whole story? Let’s take a journey through the history of music piracy and…

[dirjoh-blog]

Slight change in posts

Don’t worry I am not going to change in direction , but I will be posting some different types of blogs over the next few weeks, some will have a sexual nature. This is just to let you know. The overall blogs will still be about WW2 and specifically the Holocaust. If you want give me some feedback or let me know if you are all ok with that, by posting a comment or contact me directly.

[dirjoh-blog]

The kidnapping of Dr Herrema by the IRA

On the morning of October 3rd, 1975, Dr. Tiede Herrema was driving from his home in Castletroy, County Limerick, to a meeting at the Ferenka steel plant in Annacotty when he was abducted by two Irish republicans, Marion Coyle and Eddie Gallagher. Herrema had been sent by the parent company in his native Netherlands to resolve issues at Ferenka, a strike-ridden factory employing 1,200 workers…

[dirjoh-blog]

August 4 1944-The end of the hiding

On the morning of August 4, 1944, Otto Frank was helping Peter van Pels with his language lessons, while Edith Frank remained in her room. That same morning, police officers arrived at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. They proceeded to the first-floor office, where the helpers of those in hiding were working. The officers questioned Victor Kugler and began searching the premises in his…

[dirjoh-blog]

Anne Frank Facebook and Instagram—A “What If ?” Story

Imagining Anne Frank writing Instagram or Facebook posts can be a powerful way to reflect on her experiences and words in a contemporary format. These posts would still carry the weight of her thoughts during her time in hiding but adapted to a modern-day audience and platform. As I stated in the title, it is a “what if” scenario. In reality, if Facebook and Instagram were around then, she…

[dirjoh-blog]

The Austrian Adolf Schicklgruber-AKA Adolf Hitler.

-The question “Would You Go Back to 1889 and kill baby Hitler?” was once posed by The New York Times Magazine. 42 % of the people answered “Yes”. Jeb Bush, younger brother of former US President George W. Bush, answered this question with “Hell yeah, I would, You gotta step up, man” I do believe many people would agree with that sentiment, and I have to admit I probably would too. However the…

[dirjoh-blog]

Mengele’s Reluctant Assistants

This blog is not to pass judgment; it is meant to illustrate how evil the Nazis, and particularly Mengele, were. They forced doctors to do things they would usually not even contemplate, and it put them in impossible positions. Berthold Epstein: Berthold Epstein (1890–1962) was a remarkable Czech pediatrician whose life was marked by groundbreaking medical achievements and unimaginable horrors.…

[dirjoh-blog]

JFK & PT 109

On the night of August 1-2, 1943, during World War II, Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, future President of the United States, experienced a defining moment in his military career when his patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, was destroyed in the Solomon Islands. This event not only showcased Kennedy’s leadership and bravery but also became a significant episode in his life, shaping his future political…

[dirjoh-blog]

The Journeys of Hate

Every day, I pass by this rail track. Just two lines, heading towards a horizon, an unknown destination. I often wonder about the people who were put on the trains toward what may have been their final destination—heading East on a journey of hate. Hundreds of people, men, women of all ages, often pregnant women, children and babies, all cramped together, Just one bucket as a toilet. In the…

[dirjoh-blog]

1936 Berlin Olympics

“The sportive, knightly battle awakens the best human characteristics. It doesn’t separate but unites the combatants in understanding and respect. It also helps to connect the countries in the spirit of peace. That’s why the Olympic Flame should never die.” One could be forgiven for thinking that the words above were uttered by someone with noble intentions. However, that would assumption would…

[dirjoh-blog]

The History of Sex Toys: From Ancient Tools to Modern Pleasure

I realize this blog post might offend some readers or surprise others — especially those familiar with my usual focus on World War II and the Holocaust. But my site is called History of Sorts for a reason: I occasionally explore other aspects of human history and experience, even lighter or more provocative ones. Please note: Some images in this post may be of a sexual nature. Viewer discretion…

[dirjoh-blog]

The Billy Joel Connections

It was Billy Joel’s 74th birthday on 9 May, and I was thinking about writing a piece about his musical history, going back to the times when he joined a band called “Echoes,” at age 16 to the times when he joined the bands “The Hassles” and “Atilla.” Then I came across a story which connected Billy Joel with World War II, the Holocaust and a large German retail and travel company, and indirectly…

[dirjoh-blog]

A Letter to God—The Children of La Maison d’Izieu

I have seen so many gruesome images of the Holocaust, but for some reason, the pictures of these smiling and playing children touched me more than any other. I know none of them survived and the only crime they committed was being a child. On the morning of 6 April 1944, members of the Lyon Gestapo who had been tipped off by an informant carried out a raid on the children’s home in Izieu and…

[dirjoh-blog]

Fanta and the Third reich

Prior to the outbreak of the second world war, Coca-Cola’s only unqualified success on the international scene was its bottling operations in Nazi Germany. Sales records were being set year after year in that venue, and by 1939 Coca-Cola had 43 bottling plants and more than 600 local distributors in that country. Fanta originated as a result of difficulties importing Coca-Cola syrup into Nazi…

[dirjoh-blog]

My Afterlife Rock Band

The day I die .There is no tunnel of light, no judgment. Just the thud of my soul dropping into a smoky backstage lounge that reeked of leather, stale whiskey, and guitar strings. A man in mirrored sunglasses and bat wings turned around and grinned.“Welcome to the Afterlife, mate,” said Ozzy Osbourne. Beside him, two legends nodded – Freddie Mercury, flamboyant as ever, and David Bowie,…

[dirjoh-blog]

Margaret Bourke-White-Documenting the Horrors of Buchenwald.

+++++CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES+++++++ The Heroes who are often forgotten are those who arrived in the concentration camps with a camera. They took pictures of horrors which nobody should have to witness but yet these were also the pictures that everyone had to witness, because they bore evidence of the evil crimes committed by a regime with a warped ideology. Margaret Bourke White is one of those…

[dirjoh-blog]

Social Equality

Be careful what you wish for. Did you want a leader that works with and for the people supporting free higher education, pensions, health insurance, family and child support with an assortment of public services, including paid vacations—not just days off but actually weeks away and trips abroad, sponsored by the state, state-supported and sponsored entertainment, jobs for everyone, full…