The Daily Dose/August 8, 2020
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
USA! USA!: There was a time when we could blame our government for our COVID problems. Their reaction was delayed and incompetent. Had it not been, we feel there would be a fraction of the COVID deaths we have now. They have blood on their hands.
Dry, Technical Matter: Now, though, we can’t entirely blame our government. Sure, they’re still not providing any guidance, but now a big part of the blame looks us in the mirror every morning. If Americans had had a collective sense of purpose and started wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings seven months ago, the worst would be over, the economic fiasco of the lockdown would have been avoided, though wearing masks and staying home on our own would, of course, have exacted a moderate economic toll.
Fly In The Ointment: Now, though, we have as much blood on our hands as our government. For a couple-three generations now we have been well-fed and well-entertained and America is no longer in the mood for collective sacrifice. Some of us are wearing masks and staying home and some taking precautions and some not taking precautions is not going to accomplish anything. America’s citizens have as much blood on their hands as their government.
Running The Numbers: While more people are getting COVID, the death rate for closed cases continues to drop and is now at 5.49% worldwide and at 5.94% in the US. On July 8 it was 8.85% in the US.
The Bottom Line: The blame for COVID still flourishing in this country while it is somewhat under control in other countries rests with us. We’re tolerating an incompetent government and we’re not really in the mood to make the sacrifices required to make serious inroads in reducing infections. Until we are, it is not going to get any better and America will remain a country that is halfway between the influence we once had and the oblivion that awaits us.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody: Sparrow has the latest mpg figure for the new ride. Today’s Diary.
All right, the good news is we’re up from the 38-something mpg we had last week…The bad news is we’ve been flirting with 40 mpg for a few months now and have only topped it once…Now, 39.45 mpg is 40 if you’re rounding up but, of course, we have too much respect for the new ride’s mpg figures to round-up…It does leave you wondering, tho, exactly what needs to be done to push it over the hump…I mean, a half-mile per gallon can’t be all that much, but who really knows?
Backstairs at the Monte Carlo: MCSD valiantly responds to a report of a couple getting busy in an SUV in the parking garage.
Well, level five is the top level and is viewable from the 100 wing stairwells. I jump out of my chair, leave the office and make the short walk to the stairwell. The suspect SUV is visible and illegally parked off to my right. I don’t usually approve of irrelevant radio traffic but, in the interest of safety, I announce I am standing by, ready to render all possible aid.
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Criminals, Courtesans and Constables/Chapter 11 – Confinement: Our hero receives a visit from the constable.
He’s a smart guy. Had he chosen something on the right side of the law he would have done well at it.
I told him I’d grown up here and always wanted to be a cop, so that’s what I chose to do with my working life. Actually, my entire life because the work consumes you with odd hours and odd circumstances and whatnot. I told him, honestly, I had a pretty good childhood. Not perfect, good. I was loved and home was a good place to be.
Completely opposite childhoods. His lousy, mine satisfactory. No surprise I was the one visiting and he was the one in jail.
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On This Date
History’s long march to today.
In 1965 – Singapore becomes an independent nation, after being expelled from Malaysia. Singapore had become part of Malaysia in 1963, however, it was not an easy union, and included among other things, economic and racial unrest. To date, Singapore remains the only nation to gain independence unwillingly.
In 1922 – The Pittsburgh Pirates establish a new modern major league record for most hits in two consecutive games and a new major league mark for most hits in a doubleheader in 19-8 and 7-3 wins over the Philadelphia Phillies. The previous day the Pirates had amassed 22 hits against the Phillies and had 27 hits in the opener, for 49 hits total. The Pirates added 19 hits in the nightcap for the doubleheader record. Both records still stand and the all-time major league record for most hits in two consecutive games in 55, done by the Phillies in 1894.
In 1981 – Rick Springfield is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second and final consecutive week with Jessie’s Girl. The song took seven weeks to make the Top 40 and spent three consecutive weeks at #4 before moving to #1 two weeks later. It was the second of 16 Top for hits for Springfield and remains his only #1 song. The song also peaked at #1 in Springfield’s native Australia, at #43 in Great Britain (in 1984) and was Billboard’s 5th biggest song of the year. The song earned Springfield the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
Quotebook
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Citizens no longer listened to good advice, for the belly has no ears. – Cato, Roman senator
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
It’s not who you know, but what you know.
Wilson Pickett’s biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was Land of 1,000 Dances, which peaked at #6 in 1966.
Today’s Stumper
Cheaper than Trivia Night at the bar.
What country first colonized Singapore? – Answer next time!
