The process of me making a Crash Course on a topic is:

Confused on topic -> Research & then Understand topic -> Crash Course

However, as Ramadan has begun I've realized that there is a possibility that others are confused on what exactly is Ramadan. So here we are - me giving you a Crash Course you didn't ask for but perhaps need.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the Holiest month for Muslims - it was when the Quran [Koran] was revealed. It is when every Muslim takes part in fasting - no eating/drinking/anything entering your mouth (including gum & crumbs) from sunrise to sunset. We eat at sunset - at the call to the Evening Prayer Magrib.

Wait - EVERYONE has to fast?

In the literal sense, yes it is an obligation on all Muslims to fast. However - there are cases where Muslims do not fast. If a woman is on her period she is not allowed to fast - so for that duration of time she is not allowed to fast / pray the 5 Daily prayers. If a woman is pregnant, she does not have to fast. If a person needs to take specific medication that pertains to their health & well-being they do not have to fast. If you are sick - have a fever - you do not have to fast. Children do not have to fast.

Also - thought to note - those days that the woman is not fasting due to having her period/ woman not fasting due to pregnancy/ person not fasting due to fever have to be made up throughout that year. 

So basically Ramadan is just you not eating from Sunrise to Sunset?

Well, not quite. During Ramadan there are also things that Muslims should not do (well they're things we shouldn't do all year round but it's really emphasized during Ramadan you. do. not. do. this.) So what are Muslims not supposed to do? Muslims should not lie; should not speak badly of others; should not lose their temper; should not gossip - I think you can see where I'm getting at here - basically be the best version of yourself (also like I said above - this should be the mindset all year round).

Also on a different wave-length: Muslims should not engage in intercourse with their spouses or smoke cigarettes while fasting.

So all you do is wait for Sunset to eat?

Well in the literal sense we are waiting for Sunset to eat however we also fill our days with reading the Quran [Koran] - some have the goal of finishing the Quran during this month- go to work, school etc. I'd like to note that fasting doesn't stop us from working/studying/going to school. During the times that say we would be eating breakfast/lunch we instead fill those slot times with extra prayers, reading the Quran and more extra prayers. All other things (distractions i.e. T.V Shows) are set aside so that you focus on your fast & relationship with God.

Extra Prayers?

Yep you read right Extra Prayers. Other than the 5 Daily Prayers there is something called Taraweh. At the end of the Night Prayer - Isha - there is the Taraweh Prayers. Depending on the Mosque - the goal is to finish the Quran during Taraweh. Unlike the 5 Daily Prayers, which are mandatory for all Muslims, Taraweh is not mandatory but it is recommended to attend.

WAIT - can I eat in front of you or no?

Ha - yes yes you can eat in front of us we're the ones fasting not the other way around. We're chill - continue eating/drinking. I'll just say be mindful - like don't go gulping that gallon of water and being all oh my god it's so hot I need to gulp like 500 gallons of water how are you even fasting??

So let me get this straight: You have to be the best version of yourself, fast from sunrise-sunset and then go to the Mosque at night to pray - that's it?

Well sort of. During Ramadan Muslims are also supposed to give to charity to those in need. Also during Ramadan - as I mentioned above about being the best version of ourselves - we should be optimistic and attempt to push away negative thoughts.

I think I've covered just about everything however - here's a timeline of how our day is during Ramadan:

1. Wake up for Suhoor (time before Sunrise) to Eat/Drink
2. Stop Eating/Drinking at the call to Morning Prayer (Sunrise) - Fajr
(You can go back to sleep because it's literally 4AM or you can stay up y'know you do you)
3. Go to Work/School
4. Pray Afternoon Prayer - Dhur
5. Maybe do some light Quran Reading if you can
6. Pray Mid-Afternoon Prayer - Asr
7. Should probably be making/preparing the meal to break your fast with -Iftar
8. Pray Evening Prayer - Magrib (Sunset time)
9. Eat Iftar (Meal)
10. Pray Taraweh
Come home at around 12PM

REPEAT

I hope that this was beneficial for anyone wondering what exactly Ramadan is - if you have any questions feel free to comment them below/message me on Twitter - I'd be happy to help! Or if anyone notices I missed something - just let me know so I can add it in!



 Amendment 13

Section 1: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2: Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
X

What does this mean?

Well, let's take it into parts.

Section 1:

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude

This means that slavery & forced labor...

Let's go on a slight tangent on the timeline of history of how the 13th Amendment came about:

1. Slavery (since 1619)
2. Civil War in 1861
3. Emancipation Proclamation effective January 1, 1863 [only freed slaves in the South ( 11 Confederate States)]
4. 13th Amendment

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What is the Emancipation Proclamation and how did we get there?
It gave the slaves in the Southern States freedom. However, they couldn't act on that freedom until they either reached Union* borders or reached Union soldiers.

When the free slaves reached Union borders, they joined the army against the South in the Civil War.
130,000 freed slaves fought alongside the Union Army.
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Union = Refers to the 20 free States & 5 border States that supported Lincoln's government.
(The North, basically.)
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For more information in detail:
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except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,

This means that if a person is convicted of a crime, their punishment can be being forced to work. Or as stated in the first half involuntary servitude. 



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Interested in more jobs inmates do?
It describes work done from dorm furniture to stitching.
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shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

This means that Slavery & forced labor is not allowed in the United States and any place that belongs to the United States

Slavery & Forced Labor = Illegal

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As for 'place that belongs to the United States' that refers to territories
Currently the United States has 16 Territories.
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Section 2:

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

This means that Congress will be able to make laws that enforce the ban on Slavery & forced labor.

For example: 
‣  Anti-Peonage Act = prohibits peonage
‣  Federal law, 18, U.S.C. §1592 = makes it a crime to take somebody's passport for the purpose of keeping them as a slave.

To Summarize:
‣ Slavery & Forced Labor is Illegal.
Unless convicted in jail - their punishment can be being forced to work.

*I would recommend you all to watch the Documentary - The 13th which describes this Amendment in detail*

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In what ways has President Trump & his Administration done something that pertains to this Amendment:

Nothing at this time.



- If needed this will be updated from time to time.

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Is there an Amendment you would like to more of?
CLICK HERE
to be taken to a list & choose which one you would like to learn more about.

 This is a series that is ongoing - Each Wednesday [ #WednesdayAmendment] there will be an Amendment Explanation paired with what Trump & his administration have done that pertains to the Amendment discussed.


Politics pretty much dominate every conversation - I can guarantee while you're scrolling on Twitter a political tweet is wedged in between a make-up tutorial and a look-book. If you follow me on Twitter, then that's probably me wedging myself in there; sprinkling some politics into your daily twitter scrolling.

If you asked me 2 years ago what the job of an Attorney General was, I probably would have laughed and said that wasn't in the terms of conditions of Knowledge-I-Have-To-Know before entering university. Fast-forward to the present: I can tell you that the Attorney General is the head of the Department of Justice, a person who is at the top of the pyramid for law enforcement and is essentially the lawyer for the government.

So, what's changed?

Well, Trump got elected and started taking the White House down like the Titanic. Now, it's an obligation to know the ins & out of what's happening in the political sphere. I no longer have the option to choose if I should do xyz or should I look into what's happening in Washington D.D at the Oval Office?

But, at times, it can get a bit too much.

If you follow me on Twitter, my entire page is just me reacting to things happening in politics & retweeting things happening in politics (with a sprinkle of athletics & humor). At times- due to following a lot of reporters - I know everything the second it happens. If Trump signed an Executive Order at 8:30AM chances are I know about it at 8:31AM.

Is this a good thing?
Yes.

Sometimes I find myself so invested in politics and I find myself thinking about something Hasan Minhaj said at the White House Correspondents Dinner* - he said to CNN that not everything is breaking news.
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White House Correspondents Dinner - marks the 100th Day of Presidency & is a dinner which is attended by the Media & The President (Trump did not attend)
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I've been treating everything Trump does as breaking news - which, let's be realistic, with his Executive Orders trampling on the Amendments everything becomes breaking news. I know everything that happens from interviews he's going to give & White House Officials speaking anonymously to the media. 

You know what else I know? Trump is on his 21st golf course visit since the start of his presidency. Is this breaking news? No, not really - other than seeing that taxpayer money is being used for golf, it's not all that extreme.

It's good to know everything that's happening but it's also good to take a breather. That's not me saying to drop your interest in politics on the side of the road and drive into the sunset. What I'm saying is that you should be informed on what's happening, but don't drown in the sea of politics.

Yes, pay attention to politics - considering politics shapes your life - but don't overload on it so that your brain power kind of crumbles. Let your brain b r e a t h e. If you decide to go for a run you don't need to be refreshing your twitter timeline while on the treadmill - it's going to be there when you get back. 

The most important thing is that you read about it; chances are by the time you get back from your run (or whatever it is you're doing) the story will be more developed.
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complete side note about Britain - HI REGISTER TO VOTE: Register to vote - GOV.UK






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Amendment 12

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all the persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number votes for each which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;-- The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;-- The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President -- The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. (X)

What does this mean?

Well, let's take it into parts.

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President[.]

This is in terms of members of the Electoral College - they will go to the polling stations of their State and vote for a President and Vice-President.

[O]ne of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves[.]

 This could be taken to mean that the person running for President cannot be from the same state as the person running for Vice-President. However if they were from the same state, that wouldn't technically be wrong.

It does mean that if the Presidential Candidate & Vice-Presidential candidate were both from New York, then the Electors in the Electoral College for New York [As shown in this map would be 31 Electoral Votes] would only go towards voting for either a President or Vice President through; they cannot choose for both.
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This article: Can the Vice President and President be from the same State | Punditfact  goes through the scenario well - I'd recommend reading it as it does the break down of what would occur.

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An Example: In 2000 the then presidential candidate George Bush & then vice-presidential candidate Dick Cheney both lived and voted in Texas. To avoid any controversies with this part in the amendment - referred to as the Inhabitant Clause - Dick Cheney registered to vote in Wyoming, where he previously lived.
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[T]hey shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President[.]

- Let's go on a slight tangent -

Prior to this Amendment - the American People would essentially have 2 votes to give. There was never the specification of one person being voted as President and the other being votes as Vice-President. The general idea was that the person with the most votes would be President and the person in Second place would be Vice-President.

As a result, it was possible for the President to be from a different political party than the Vice-President. This means that there were many conflicting viewpoints in terms of governing.

This occurred in 1796 when John Adams - Member of the Federalist Party- was voted as President and Thomas Jefferson - Member of the Democratic-Republican Party- as Vice President. (They both wanted the Presidency)

SPEEDY TRANSLATION: This would be the equivalent of members of the Electoral College voting for Hillary Clinton  & Mike Pence and, depending on who had the most votes, the 1st place winner would be President and the person in second place would be Vice-President.

BACK TO THIS SPECIFIC LINE

It means that it is designated who should be President & Vice-President. As in it is written in fine print who is running for President and Vice-President. Both are separate.

[A]nd they shall make distinct lists of all the persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President[.]

This means that all people running for President and Vice-President will be listed.

[A]nd of the number votes for each which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;-- The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted[.]

This details the voting procedure. This means that all the votes done by members of the Electoral College would be taken to the President of the Senate and then - as specified - the Senate and House of Representatives would be present in the room as the votes are counted.
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For better clarification on how votes are currently counted:
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The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed [.]

This means that the person with the highest amount of votes will be the President of the United States if there even is a person that has a higher number than their opponent (i.e. if a tie occurred -which is discussed below.)

[A]nd if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. 

This means that in the event of a tie with the Electoral College - before I actually finish this sentence, I'd like to specify:

Electoral College: Basically if you have a really high population your state gets more Electoral votes. 

Electoral Vote # are decided upon by population size. The minimum for each state is 3. A photo of an Electoral Vote Map is here: U.S. Electoral Vote Map

How does this actually work?
Say the Majority of California voted for a Democrat on Election Day, then that means their Electoral Votes - 55- would automatically go to the Democrat.
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For additional reading on the Electoral College:
_____

BACK TO COMPLETING MY SENTENCE

This means that in the event of a tie via the Electoral College, then it is up to the House of Representatives to determine from the list - of only the top 3 of the candidates- who will be the next President.

But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states[.] 

This means that, unlike the Electoral College which is determined based on population, only one vote is given to House of Representatives for their State.

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 How many people the House of Representatives is made up of?

How many Representatives per each State?
That is determined by population, however each state is entitled to at least one.
For example - Alaska and Delaware only have 1 Representative in the House of Representatives
California, on the other hand, has 53 Representatives in the House of Representatives.
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SPEEDY TRANSLATION: It doesn't actually matter how many Representatives a State has in the House of Representatives because each state only gets one vote. Those with multiple representatives have to make the decision collectively for their one vote (hence the second half after the semicolon. Quorum means smallest amount necessary to proceed.)

[A]nd a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.

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For historical background:

The first time was mentioned above in 1796 and the second time the House of Representatives chose a President was in 1824.

When none of the presidential candidates received - at the time - 131/261 Electoral Votes the decision was then brought to the House of Representatives.

During this election there were 4 candidates for President. 

As specified above - only the top 3 will be considered in the House of Representatives.
The person with the second highest amount for popular vote was actually chosen as President by the House of Representatives.
The President I'm talking about is: John Quincy Adams - 6th President of the United States.

Curious to read in more detail what happened?
HISTORY.COM has your back right here:
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And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President[.]

This means that if the House of Representatives cannot make a decision on who the President - of the top 3 - before the next March 4th then the Vice-President will act as President until the House of Representatives can make a decision. 


TO CLARIFY:
If Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump tied in the Electoral College and the House of Representatives couldn't make a decision on who should be President before the next March 4th then Biden would have acted as the President till the House made a decision.


As noted - The Vice-President would take over as is the case if a President dies in office or other constitutional disability of the President[.] which is something we will be getting to in the 25th Amendment.

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed[.]

This means that the person with the highest amount of votes will be the Vice-President of the United States if there even is a person that has a higher number than their opponent.

[A]nd if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice[.]

This means that if there isn't a majority, then the Senate looks at the top 2 Vice-Presidential candidates. The total number of Senators is 100 (2 for each State). 2/3 of that is 67. So, there would need to be 67 votes on one of the Vice-Presidential candidates to determine which would be the next Vice President of the United States.

But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

In terms of Presidential Eligibility - that is mentioned in Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5 HERE
It is also explained in more detail HERE

To briefly mention the 3 points of Presidential Eligibility:
‣ Must be Born in the United States.
‣ Must be at least 35 years old (or older).
‣ Must be a resident in the United States for a minimum of 14 years.

What this line means is that if the person does not meet those points to become President - specified in Article 2 of the Constitution- then that person also cannot run for Vice-President of the United States.

To Summarize:
‣ The members of the Electoral College vote for a President & Vice President.
‣ It is specified who is running for President & Vice President.
‣ A President & Vice President can be from the same state - however if they as a unit win the nomination, the electoral college vote only goes towards one of them then either the House of Representatives (for President) / The Senate (for Vice President) decide for the other.
‣ The Presidential Candidate with the majority will become President.
‣ If there is no majority - a tie - the decision is left to the House of Representatives to choose a President from the top 3 candidates.
‣ The person chosen as President by the House of Representatives has to then get majority approval from the States.
‣ If a decision is not made by the following 4th of March - the sitting Vice President acts as President (as mentioned above - Amendment 20 changed this).
‣ The Vice President with the majority vote will become Vice President.
‣ If there is no majority vote for a Vice President, then the Senate looks at the top 2 candidates and there must be 67 votes for one to be confirmed as Vice President.
‣ If a person is not eligible to be President, they are automatically not qualified to be Vice President.

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In what ways has President Trump & his Administration done something that pertains to this Amendment:

Nothing at this time.





-If needed this will be updated from time to time.-




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Is there an Amendment you would like to know more of?
to be taken to a list & choose which one you would like to learn more about.

This is a series that is ongoing - Each Wednesday [ #WednesdayAmendment ] there will be an Amendment Explanation paired with what Trump & his administration have done that pertains to the Amendment discussed.


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I can already see everyone looking at this like okay everyone knows about the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party = Taxes got higher + Angry American Colonists = Hello Start of Independence from Britain on December 16, 1773

Well, if you're nodding your head there, allow me to pop that bubble for you:  
The Boston Tea Party did not start because of an increase in taxes. It started because of a tax cut.

If you're sitting there like hold up all I know is wrong. Welcome to my world a few weeks ago as I was reading A Colony In A Nation.

Now, let's begin this Crash Course:

Britain fought in a war against France (called the Seven Years' War) because France wanted control of North America. The result? Britain was basically like that's cute -  Britain in the end controlled France & Canada as well as part of Florida. 

As a result of fighting the war with France - Britain was in debt. This is where new taxes came in. There were new taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper and tea. 

During this time American Colonists were only allowed to trade with Britain. So what did this 'taxing' do? Well, it's more known as the Stamp Act. 

Basically:
Stuff imported = you have to pay more money for it to get the special stamp that all imports now had to have

That money would go to the person you're getting the stuff from - Britain. 
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If you're sitting there like hold up - didn't you say the Boston Tea Party started from a tax cut? Yes, yes I did. Keep Reading.
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At this time, there was a lot of people that smuggled goods into the Colonies from other countries - like the Netherlands. As a colony, America was only allowed to do trade with Britain. American colonists weren't too chill with that - which is why a lot of smuggling of tea, rum etc. happened. During this smuggling - the British Officers assigned to the Colony would more or less turn the other way since they themselves were in on it.

But now times were different. Britain was in debt. That gave British Officers the authority to go into boats/homes and search for illegally brought in goods and take them.

Colonist chill level was below zero level at this point.

That's when the Stamp Act was squashed and then re-birthed to only include tax on Tea - known as the Tea Act.

Now, only British East India Company Tea can be brought into the American colonies. To give some background information on British East India Company - they basically made a lot of tea and no one was buying it. This meant they had a lot of tea and nothing to do with it. 

I mentioned earlier - there were smugglers who brought in tea from the Netherlands. So, what's so great about Dutch Tea? Well, it was cheaper than the taxed tea Britain was trying to make everyone buy. About 90% of Tea in colonies was brought in from smugglers- no one was buying British East India Company tea because Dutch Tea was cheaper.

The solution Britain thought of?

Make the British East India Company tea tax lower so that it can compete with the smuggled in Dutch Tea.
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A HA <- most likely you when you realized this is what I meant by a tax cut.
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They cut the taxes on British East India Company Tea - the response?

Well, the American merchants (people in charge of selling) relied on the nicely priced Dutch Tea and people buying said smuggled in tea. If the smuggled tea was the same price as the British East India Company Tea (thanks to the tax cut on tea) then the merchants might as well close up shop because the British are coming to take over their tea-life.

How does this end?

The British East India Company Tea was dumped into the Boston Harbor as protest = 
Hello Boston Tea Party birth.

Translate that to dollars: $23,197. 26

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And there you have it - it was caused by a tax cut not a tax increase. I was actually so surprised when I read this in A Colony In A Nation - mainly because in school I was taught that the Boston Tea Party began from a tax increase. I then wrote this tweet here - only mentioning the book title not the author- and it just so happened the author was checking on the reviews of the book and long story short my notifications were all over the place for a couple days.

One last thing on my mind though - That Dutch tea must've been pretty amazing. Has anyone tried Dutch Tea? 

Watch I start making crash courses on different teas & where they originated from. Actually - that sounds fun. Expect a tea series in the future because I really love learning and writing it down helps me remember everything.