The Daily Dose/January 7, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
USA! USA!: In some respects, it’s good to see our fellow citizens storm the capitol. Our government has a lot to answer for and for some things our capitol deserves to be stormed.
Fly In The Ointment: But not for this, of course. Not by ignorants under the spell of an ignorant – and selfish and petulant – president who believes the moon is part of Mars. Protesting this election where there was zero evidence of fraud had no merit. They were children throwing a tantrum because they didn’t get what they wanted on Election Day.
Let’s Look In The Mirror: Blame is easy to find: it’s shared by all of us, you and me, we the people. We got here because long ago we stopped holding leaders and candidates accountable and we stopped demanding our media do that, too. For years we the people have been rubber-stamping the reelection of incumbents who ignore us and the good of the country because their only real goal is to consolidate wealth and power. For years we’ve accepted a media that prefers to entertain rather than inform us.
Lights, Camera, Action: There was a time when a real American media would have had an ignorant bully of a billionaire looking to reinvigorate a fading personal brand out of the race before you could say “Iowa caucuses” but that time has long passed. Trump meant ratings and clicks, so he was ushered right into the primaries, the nomination and then the White House.
The Bottom Line: We’re not wizards here, but it would not surprise us if a hundred years from now all new people are looking back on January 6, 2021, as America’s denouement. The only thing to be determined is whether it was the rock bottom catalyst that sends us to Democracy Anonymous for recovery or leads to more of the same, sending us to History’s scrap heap.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Someone farted around with the creamers at the hotel. Today’s Diary.
The big news is someone – and there are no suspects – switched up the creamer line-up…There used to be three rows of French vanilla creamers and two rows of hazelnut creamer but for reasons that will probably never be clear those have been reversed…I am not making that up: there are now three rows of hazelnut creamer and two rows of Fench vanilla…As a practical matter, this makes no sense because those on the front lines of Morning Coffee Service (MCS) know French vanilla is used considerably more than hazelnut – tho half & half is used more than either of them – and yours truly doesn’t think it will be too long until it is switched back up again.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1948 – Captain Thomas Mantell of the Kentucky Air National Guard dies in a plane crash while chasing a suspected UFO. Mantell was at an Army airbase near Fort Knox when a UFO was reported in the western part of the state. Flying a P-51 Mustang, Mantell ignored suggestions to level his altitude, blacked out and died after his plane crashed on the ground. Mantell was 25 and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for skill and bravery in World War II and an investigation suggested Mantell was likely chasing a weather balloon.
In 1980 – The longest unbeaten streak in NHL history ends when the Minnesota North Stars defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 7-1. It was the first loss for the Flyers since a 9-2 loss to the Atlanta Flames on October 13, a span of 35 games during which they had 25 wins and ten ties. The Flyers had broken the record of 28 established by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1977-78 season and the record still stands and, because there are no longer ties in NHL games, will be very difficult to break.
In 1983 – George Strait is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the only week with You Look So Good In Love. It was the third of a country chart record 44 #1 songs for Strait, and the song also went to #1 on Canada’s country chart. The song was also Strait’s first video and he was so thrilled with it was his last for several years.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
If you were born in an orange box, would that make you an orange?
Len Deighton
Spy Hook
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Nights in White Satin was the biggest hit by the Moody Blues on the Hot 100, peaking at #2 in 1972.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who holds the NHL record for the most tie games in a season? – Answer next time!
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