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A new class of supermassive black holes embedded in a thick gas shell could explain small red dots in images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

The War of 1812 was raging when the capital was stormed.  The invaders made short work of the overmatched defenders and rampaged through the city, setting fire to the legislative buildings and executive mansion.  Withdrawing, they left behind smoldering ruins and a foe with a keen desire for retribution.  That  retribution would occur sixteen months later, when the British ravaged Washington D.C. in retaliation for the pillaging of the Canadian capital of York by U.S. forces on April 28, 1813.James F. Byrne Jr explains. The arrival of the U.S. fleet prior to the capture of York. April 27, 1813.In June of 1812, the nascent United States declared war on its former colonial master in response to British impressment of American seamen and other outrages to national honor.  Focusing on its ongoing existential struggle against Napoleon, Britain initially adopted a defensive strategy with its 5500 regular troops in Canada.  This strategy would prove to be more than a match for American offensive actions.The Americans expected a quick and resounding victory,  but events would prove the preparedness of the American Army was not equal to these lofty expectations.  A campaign launched in 1812 resulted in the humiliating loss of Detroit and additional disasters along the Niagara River.  Viewing the results of the American operations, the London Times complacently reported “the war had lasted nearly four months yet … the record of the American achievements is a universal blank.”To rectify this situation, Secretary of War Armstrong pushed for a concentrated attack along Lake Ontario against Kingston - the primary British naval base on the lake.  If Kingston fell, Upper Canada would eventually follow.  However, Armstrong’s plan was opposed by the senior Army commander along the Canadian border, General Henry Dearborn.  A Revolutionary War veteran, the now overage, and overcautious Dearborn erroneously believed that Kingston was strongly defended and convinced Armstrong to forego striking that strategic objective in lieu of seizing a symbolic prize – York, the capital of Upper Canada.Weakly garrisoned by 600 British regulars, militia and native warriors, York was under the command of Lieutenant Governor Roger Sheaffe.  The defenses of York consisted of a series of blockhouses and obsolete artillery.  Shaeffer scattered his regulars and native allies around the city and left the militia in the capital – more or less to their own devices. On April 26, 1813, an American flotilla of 14 armed brigs carrying 1,700 regulars arrived off the coast of York.  The following morning  troops under the command of General Zebulon Pike stormed ashore west of the town against feeble opposition.  British reinforcements were miles away and unable to move  along the shore road which was pounded by naval gunfire.  Forced to detour into the woods, some reinforcements got lost, most got delayed, and none reached the bridgehead.  As the British floundered in the woods, Pike ordered an advance.  British attempts to rally were futile, as well coordinated American artillery and ship-based fires supported the advancing Infantry.  General Sheaffe ordered his regulars to abandon the city and retreat east along the shore.  He left the Canadian militia (in the words of one observer) “standing in the street like a parcel of sheep,” instructing them to negotiate their own surrender. Battle overThe battle was over, but the victory not yet secured.  Over 300 tons of gunpowder stored in a stone warehouse exploded as the Americans approached the city.  Among the 37 casualties was General Pike, courageously if not wisely leading from the front.  The death of Pike led to a breakdown of discipline among the American troops.  Officers on the ground could not rein in their men, and Dearborn remained aboard ship, observing while the Canadian capital was destroyed.The burning of York infuriated the British command.  The Commander in Chief instructed his subordinates to “assist in inflicting that measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outraged.”  In August of 1814, those instructions were faithfully conducted when British forces captured Washington D.C., torching most government buildings.   Lessons Learned:·       Joint operations are a combat multiplier.  The well-coordinated naval support at York hamstrung British mobility.·       Force management is necessary for victory.  Sheaffe ignored over half his potential combat power (the militia) and suffered accordingly.·       A blind army is a defeated army.  Sheaffe did not recon alternate routes to possible landing sites and was unable to reinforce his defense at the point of the American attack.·       Have a succession plan.  Pike carefully orchestrated the American landing and assault – but discipline died with him.·       Operations should support strategic objectives; the successful attack at York had little positive impact on the war. Did you find that piece interesting? 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Tesla has been approved to start testing autonomous robotaxi vehicles with a safety monitor in Arizona, the state transportation department said in an email to Reuters on Friday.

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John Travolta may be remembered as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but his journey on Welcome Back, Kotter began with unexpected challenges. The young actor, cast as Vinnie Barbarino, faced criticism during the pilot episode that shook his confidence. According to series co-creator Gabe Kaplan, one of the producers thought Travolta’s performance during that first taping was far from what he had shown in rehearsals. In a new essay reflecting on the show’s 50th anniversary, Kaplan recalled how producer James Komack questioned whether Travolta’s approach would get the series on the air. The harsh feedback left the actor unsettled, though Kaplan assured him he was doing well. For John Travolta, those early doubts only set the stage for the growth and resilience that would define his career. John Travolta’s Transformation As Vinnie Barbarino John Travolta/Imagecollect The team taped the pilot a second time, and this round went far better. Kaplan remembered that the improvement allowed both himself and John Travolta to settle into their roles more comfortably. For Travolta, the turning point came when he drew inspiration from Robert De Niro’s Johnny Boy in Mean Streets. The edgy energy of that performance helped him discover a “new soul” for Barbarino, shaping the swagger and unpredictability that would make the character unforgettable. WELCOME BACK, KOTTER, from left: Ron Palillo, John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Robert Hegyes, Gabe Kaplan, (ca. 1977), 1975-79. photo: Frank Teti/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection According to People, as Barbarino developed, Travolta introduced catchphrases that audiences would come to love. Lines like “What? Where? When?” and “I’m so confused” became part of the character’s charm. Komack resisted these additions, worried they weakened the character, but fans embraced them wholeheartedly. For John Travolta, those phrases not only defined Barbarino but also highlighted his instinct for what resonated with viewers. From Sitcom Star To Hollywood Icon WELCOME BACK, KOTTER, from left, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Robert Hegyes (back), Ron Palillo, John Travolta, and Gabe Kaplan, 1975-79 (1976 photo). ©ABC / courtesy Everett Collection By the time Welcome Back, Kotter premiered in September 1975, audiences immediately gravitated toward Barbarino. The role made John Travolta the breakout star of the series, setting him apart from his castmates. Though Komack continued to raise concerns about certain aspects of Barbarino’s persona, the character’s popularity was undeniable. WELCOME BACK, KOTTER, John Travolta, 1975-1979/Everett Collection The show ran until 1979, but Travolta’s career had already skyrocketed. With starring turns in Saturday Night Fever and Grease, he transitioned from television to film seamlessly, becoming one of the era’s most bankable actors. Looking back, the rocky pilot and the tension with Komack seem like small obstacles compared to the success Travolta ultimately achieved. Next up: Michael Learned Explains Why She Left ‘The Waltons’: ‘It Was Boring’ The post John Travolta Recalls Rocky Start On ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ After Being Slammed By Show Producer appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A