Post New Article

Missouri scientist Charles Valentine Riley
saved the Champagne industry

Original Article

Posted By: AltaD, 1/1/2023 9:10:45 AM

Raise a toast to an incredible 19th-century Missouri scientist when you pop that bottle of fine French bubbly on New Year’s Eve. His name is Charles Valentine Riley. He was an entomologist. He studied bugs. And he saved the Champagne industry. (Snip) “Land under vines had shrunk dramatically, the production of fine and ordinary wines had plummeted, the bottom had fallen out of exports, and vignerons had left the countryside in droves.” France’s beloved winemaking tradition was almost lost forever. Riley, Missouri’s first state entomologist, and a passionate scientist-artist raced to the rescue.

Post Reply

Reply 1 - Posted by: Jean123 1/1/2023 9:18:03 AM (No. 1368579)
Another thing to add to the list of what France owes the U.S.
9 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: JHHolliday 1/1/2023 10:26:03 AM (No. 1368619)
Nice story. Riley is just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of men and women have been instrumental in building western civilization over the past hundreds of years. Many are overlooked today because they were white and “unwoke”.
9 people like this.

Reply 3 - Posted by: Vaquero45 1/1/2023 11:35:21 AM (No. 1368666)
A fascinating slice of history. I had never heard of this man before, or his accomplishments. And I never knew about the wines of Missouri!
4 people like this.

Reply 4 - Posted by: privateer 1/1/2023 11:36:45 AM (No. 1368669)
Happy New Year, and a grateful salute to the poster of this fascinating and timely article! It is ironic to note that the French wine industry revived using German grape vines, after a sojourn in the USA. A toast to a short life, but very well lived.
7 people like this.

Reply 5 - Posted by: BeatleJeff 1/1/2023 12:32:27 PM (No. 1368686)
Scientist with the solution to a problem is opposed by "experts" and bureaucrats. Sounds strangely familiar ...
8 people like this.

Reply 6 - Posted by: LadyHen 1/1/2023 1:14:47 PM (No. 1368702)
Well, notably the bug that killed the French vines actually came FROM the US inadvertently and was an invasive species. Nice that one of our scientist could fix that problem and save an age old industry. That we nurtured more minds like Riley's now instead of the nonsense they teach in college today.
8 people like this.

Reply 7 - Posted by: Maggie2u 1/1/2023 2:34:43 PM (No. 1368739)
Really interesting article. Thanks for posting.
3 people like this.

Reply 8 - Posted by: JimBob 1/1/2023 8:00:00 PM (No. 1368883)
Nice, informative article. I was completely unaware of any of this. A nice change from the usual daily diet of political corruption and other bad news. Thank you for posting!
1 person likes this.

Below, you will find ...
Most Recent Articles posted by "AltaD"
and
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)
Most Recent Articles posted by AltaD"
Pro-union mandate at Chicago O’Hare
threatens to disrupt cargo flights
10 replies
Posted by AltaD 1/6/2023 11:30:35 AM Post Reply
The city of Chicago has threatened to revoke the licenses of contractors that process cargo for airlines at O’Hare airport if they don’t open to union organizers, putting two-thirds of cargo traffic at this major international hub at risk of being stranded and stressing supply chains for an undetermined period. Cargo airline executives warn it could take months to find replacement ground handling agents, leading to long backlogs at other overstretched facilities and forcing them to hunt for alternative airports that might permanently retain some of the $200 billion worth of annual imports and exports moving through O’Hare. “There is no good short-term solution if this happens and
China’s COVID lies could prove deadly
for America
9 replies
Posted by AltaD 1/4/2023 9:21:43 AM Post Reply
The only thing not going viral in China is the truth. Chinese officials are spewing lies to cover up the massive COVID carnage there. Worse, US public-health officials dawdled for a week, allowing air travelers from China in without testing, while other countries immediately blocked infected travelers from entering. Aerial photos and videos from China show body bags stacked outside hospitals and crematoria, funeral-home parking lots full (Snip) More dangerous, China is also withholding laboratory evidence about what strains are sickening its population. Is it the Omicron variants we are accustomed to treating or something new?
British firms' race to exit Taiwan ahead
of Chinese invasion: Bicycle maker Brompton
draws up plans to move supply chain in
growing signs of impending Cold War with Beijing
6 replies
Posted by AltaD 1/4/2023 8:56:16 AM Post Reply
British firms are in a race against time to exit Taiwan and China before Beijing launches an invasion of the island nation. Brompton Bicycle - which manufactures commuter-friendly foldable pedal bikes out of parts sourced from both Taiwan and China - is among one of the first Western companies to sound the alarm in the face of the impending conflict. (Snip) Taiwan produces a third of the world's microchips that are needed for countless products, including fridges, smartphones, laptops and electric cars. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and United Microelectronics Corporation, both based in the country, and the world's largest chip makers.
Durbin pushing through historic diversity
on federal bench
21 replies
Posted by AltaD 1/3/2023 7:12:38 PM Post Reply
Washington - With Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., wielding the gavel as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Joe Biden outpaced Donald Trump and Barack Obama in confirming federal judges at the midpoint of their respective terms. The new judges are part of a historic transformation of the federal bench in terms of race, gender, ethnicity and experience, including in federal courtrooms in Chicago. Until Biden, most federal judges were white males, with the door closed to almost all other lawyers.(Snip) Looking ahead, the issue will be filling vacancies from states with GOP senators who may want to block Biden’s lifetime appointments.
Missouri scientist Charles Valentine Riley
saved the Champagne industry
8 replies
Posted by AltaD 1/1/2023 9:10:45 AM Post Reply
Raise a toast to an incredible 19th-century Missouri scientist when you pop that bottle of fine French bubbly on New Year’s Eve. His name is Charles Valentine Riley. He was an entomologist. He studied bugs. And he saved the Champagne industry. (Snip) “Land under vines had shrunk dramatically, the production of fine and ordinary wines had plummeted, the bottom had fallen out of exports, and vignerons had left the countryside in droves.” France’s beloved winemaking tradition was almost lost forever. Riley, Missouri’s first state entomologist, and a passionate scientist-artist raced to the rescue.
How billionaire Pritzkers became key backers
of bail reform, ‘gender affirming’ care
8 replies
Posted by AltaD 12/31/2022 1:02:23 PM Post Reply
Depending on who you ask, members of the billionaire Pritzker family of Chicago are either the proud descendants of a financial genius who are doing good by funding progressive causes — or a secretive dynasty who now back radical no-bail laws and the transgender movement.(Snip)Gov. Pritzker has also signed off on transgender legislation, in essence making “gender affirming care” the law in Illinois. In 2019, the state’s Medicaid program began covering gender-affirming surgeries for its members. Last year, he also passed the “Youth and Health Safety Act” — a new sex education bill that follows the standards of a left-wing interest group called SIECUS
Why we all should follow Libs of TikTok’s
founder and make our voices heard —
despite cancel culture
1 reply
Posted by AltaD 12/30/2022 8:56:42 AM Post Reply
The hardest part of changing the world around you is making the decision to attempt it in the first place. It’s even more difficult when you hear stories of people from different walks of life losing their economic means to provide for simply expressing a counter-viewpoint. Even in anonymity, there’s the fear your secret will be uncovered — and that secret becomes the main weapon your opposition will threaten to bludgeon you with. Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik decided to disarm her opponents by revealing her identity this week(Snip) She found a way to contribute to conversation and to help people become aware of some of the predators in our society.
Southwest shambles 15 replies
Posted by AltaD 12/28/2022 11:18:11 AM Post Reply
Until the Mayo Clinic starts using the Novichok nerve agent in place of anesthesia, Southwest Airlines will retain the corporate award for the most rapid and catastrophic self-destruction of its brand. (Snip) The vast majority of domestic flight cancellations are falling at Southwest's feet. Nor is this about the weather. It's about woeful mismanagement. The other domestic airlines, by and large, have recovered from the recent winter storm. But beset by decades of underinvestment in technology and evidently inadequate management, Southwest has been unable to schedule its crews or handle escalating customer service demands.
Judge orders Franciscan Health Hammond
emergency room stay open 9 more months
19 replies
Posted by AltaD 12/27/2022 9:08:07 AM Post Reply
Hammond - A judge has ordered Franciscan Health Hammond’s emergency room to keep its doors open for another nine months. Lake Superior Court Judge Bruce D. Parent granted Thursday afternoon the preliminary injunction Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. requested this week to prevent the 124-year-old hospital from closing its emergency medical care at the end of this month. (Snip) Franciscan attorneys had argued Wednesday that there were many obstacles to keeping the downtown facility open since its state license expires at year’s end and it had made no provisions for a staff of doctors, nurses and support staff to continue into 2023.
Revealed: How the Navy made a secret deal
with the mob to win WWII
7 replies
Posted by AltaD 12/24/2022 1:15:51 PM Post Reply
In the dark hours of June 13, 1942, a German U-boat surfaced off the coast of Long Island. Four saboteurs, under the leadership of one George Dasch, buried explosives beneath the sands of Amagansett as part of an elaborate plan to blow up Astoria’s Hell Gate Bridge, along with chemical plants being used in the American war effort. (Snip) But his investigation didn’t follow standard military protocols. Haffenden stopped at Millie’s Inn by Napeague Beach for dinner with a few known organized crime associates. They were essential to a top secret surveillance network he had created with the help of the Mafia.
I’m a Girl Scout mom who got kicked
out of Rockettes show because of my job
13 replies
Posted by AltaD 12/20/2022 11:00:15 PM Post Reply
She came to see the Rockettes’ world-famous kick-line — but got kicked out of line instead. Kelly Conlon, 44, was chaperoning her 9-year-old daughter’s Girl Scout troop to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular last month when she was flagged by the event space’s facial recognition system and refused entry despite holding a ticket. What landed the New Jersey-based attorney on the naughty no-entry list? Her job.(Snip)Conlon was caught up in a Big Brother-esque crackdown by Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan, who has banned anyone who works for any law firm that has a suit against any of his holdings, which includes the Knicks, Rangers, Radio City, MSG and various restaurants.
CPD officer dies of apparent suicide on
Northwest Side
3 replies
Posted by AltaD 12/20/2022 6:21:44 PM Post Reply
Chicago (CBS) - A Chicago police officer was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday morning on the Northwest Side.. Policed said the officer was found dead early Tuesday morning at a home in the 25th (Grand Central) District. She had been with the department for five years, most recently as a tactical officer assigned to the 1st (Central) District downtown, according to a police spokesperson The cause of the officer's death has not yet been determined, but police said "at this time the death appears to be an apparent suicide." (Snip) The officer is at least the 6th active CPD officer to die from suicide this year.
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)
Hillary Clinton joins Columbia University
as professor, presidential fellow
43 replies
Posted by Frederic F. Frew 1/5/2023 2:13:13 PM Post Reply
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has agreed to join Columbia University as a professor and presidential fellow. Clinton has accepted a professorship at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. Additionally, she has joined the Columbia World Projects program as a presidential fellow. "I am honored to join Columbia University, and the School of International and Public Affairs and Columbia World Projects," Clinton said of her new position.
Prince William 'pointed a finger' at Meghan
and called her 'rude' during furious row
sparked when Duchess told Kate she 'must
have baby brain because of her hormones',
new book claims
34 replies
Posted by zephyrgirl 1/5/2023 11:54:42 AM Post Reply
Prince Harry has sensationally claimed that his brother William called Meghan 'rude' and 'pointed a finger at her' during a furious bust-up after the Duchess of Sussex told Kate that she must have 'baby brain because of her hormones'. Details of the alleged row have appeared in Harry's bombshell memoir Spare, which has been published in Spain.
Merrick Garland Links 5 Capitol Police
Deaths to January 6 Riot
33 replies
Posted by Imright 1/6/2023 4:17:28 AM Post Reply
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland honored the five Capitol Police officers on Thursday who, he said, died after defending the legislature from the January 6 riot in 2021 — though none were killed during the violence. In a statement on the second anniversary of the Capitol riot, Garland appeared to link the riot to the deaths: “Two years ago, the United States Capitol was attacked as lawmakers met to affirm the results of a presidential election. Perpetrators attacked police officers, targeted and assaulted members of the media, and interfered with a fundamental element of our democracy:
Prince Harry claims in memoir William
once physically attacked him during argument
over Meghan Markle: report
33 replies
Posted by Moritz55 1/5/2023 9:31:08 AM Post Reply
Prince Harry claims in his forthcoming memoir that his older brother Prince William physically attacked him once in 2019 while the two were arguing over their relationship and his marriage to Meghan Markle, according a report. In his memoir "Spare," hitting bookshelves on Tuesday, Harry wrote that the Prince of Wales allegedly called Meghan Markle "difficult", "rude" and "abrasive" after the two brothers met at Harry’s then-home Nottingham Cottage, according to the Guardian, which obtained an excerpt of the book.
Republican Floats Working With Democrats
to Elect McCarthy Speaker
32 replies
Posted by Imright 1/5/2023 6:58:54 PM Post Reply
Speaking during an interview with Fox News Thursday afternoon, Republican Congressman Don Bacon expressed he was open to working with Democrats in order to get Leader Kevin McCarthy across the finish line as Speaker of the House. McCarthy needs 218 votes. (Tweet/Video) Republican Michael Waltz, who is supportive of McCarthy, is opposed to working with Democrats in order to elect a Speaker. (Tweet/Video) As of Thursday afternoon, McCarthy failed to obtain 218 votes on nine ballots. At the beginning of the day, McCarthy urged reporters and Americans watching the votes not to read into the results,
Karine Jean-Pierre Has a Big Problem 29 replies
Posted by Hazymac 1/5/2023 5:37:19 PM Post Reply
Joe Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre always manages to find new ways to embarrass herself. From the very beginning, she’s proven herself to be a lackluster spokesperson. Biden received praise from the media for promoting her to replace Jen Psaki, but that was because Jean-Pierre was a black lesbian rather than for her communication abilities. As such, her first months as White House Press Secretary haven’t gone very well. She has managed to be even less prepared than Jen Psaki, awkwardly dodging questions and constantly having to refer to her notes. Things were getting so bad that they even brought Pentagon spokesman John Kirby over to babysit her.
The Coup We Never Knew 28 replies
Posted by GustoGrabber 1/5/2023 4:59:47 AM Post Reply
Did someone or something seize control of the United States? What happened to the U.S. border? Where did it go? Who erased it? Why and how did 5 million people enter our country illegally? Did Congress secretly repeal our immigration laws? Did Joe Biden issue an executive order allowing foreign nationals to walk across the border and reside in the United States as they pleased? Since when did money not have to be paid back? Who insisted that the more dollars the federal government printed, the more prosperity would follow? When did America embrace zero interest? Why do we believe $30 trillion in debt is no big deal?
Biden to honor 12 officers, election officials
with medals for Jan. 6 anniversary
26 replies
Posted by Imright 1/6/2023 11:37:15 AM Post Reply
President Joe Biden will commemorate the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by presenting one of the nation's highest civilian honors to the officers who fought to protect Congress and local election officials who defied extreme pressure to overturn the results of the 2020 ballot. Biden will present the Presidential Citizens Medals Friday during a special White House ceremony. The honor is bestowed to those who "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens," White House officials told NBC News, CNN and The New York Times. (Video) The ceremony comes two years after a violent mob stormed Congress
West Point Begins Its Erasure of Robert
E. Lee
26 replies
Posted by Hazymac 1/5/2023 12:00:26 PM Post Reply
How much has America changed? Well, consider moves being made at West Point. Over the summer, Washington’s Naming Commission — comprised of four civilians and as many retired military vets — came to final conclusions regarding seven different Department of Defense “assets.” In its report, the group recommended a renaming of sites honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee, along with Generals P.G.T. Beauregard and William Hardee. And over the holidays, the United States Military Academy at West Point began the process of purging Lee from its hallowed halls. As relayed by the Daily News, Superintendent Lieutenant General Steve Gilland released a December 26th statement:
HISTORIC: Matt Gaetz ‘Nominates’ President
Trump in the 11th Vote for House Speaker
25 replies
Posted by DW626 1/5/2023 9:17:41 PM Post Reply
The 11th vote in the US House of Representatives for Speaker is on. Rep. Matt Gaetz recommended President Trump for the Speakership. First of all, President Trump is eligible for the speaker’s position per prior publications. …The House can elect whomever it wants to serve as speaker, even if it’s someone who isn’t a member of Congress… …The speaker of the House has always been a member of the House of Representatives, even though the Constitution does not list House membership as a requirement for the job, simply saying lawmakers “shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers.”
'Did We Win?' Damar Hamlin Communicating
With Doctors, Inquired About the Game
24 replies
Posted by ladydawgfan 1/5/2023 11:48:25 PM Post Reply
On Thursday, doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center gave an update on the medical condition of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin is reportedly responsive physically and neurologically and is communicating with doctors via writing since he cannot speak while intubated. According to reports, Hamlin asked doctors, “Did we win?” “Yes, Damar. You won. You’ve won the game of life,” a doctor told him. [Video] According to Sports Illustrated, “There is no timetable for a return to football, but they are hoping to get the breathing tube out soon and send him further down ‘the road to recovery.'”
Breaking News: Kevin McCarthy loses Ninth
ballot for speaker - as House braces for
a tenth round for the first time since
1856 on third day of Capitol Hill havoc:
Rebels keep voting against Republican
leader - even though he bowed to demands
24 replies
Posted by Imright 1/5/2023 5:21:07 PM Post Reply
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy lost a ninth round vote for Speaker, which would mean he's lost three races each of the last three days. No House Speaker vote has gone on this long in modern US political history, and it's set Republicans' new majority in the chamber off to a rocky start.  The last time a House Speaker vote reached 10 rounds was in 1859.  In 1856, it took former House Speaker Nathaniel Prentice Banks two months and 133 rounds of voting for the House of Representatives to settle on a leader - the longest stretch on record.
Post New Article