The Daily Dose/July 26, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around our human experience.
LEADING OFF: DRY, TECHNICAL MATTER: While researching past On This Date items – so we don’t repeat them – we came across an item concerning the 2016 stabbings of 19 people at a Japanese home for the disabled. The killer, Satoshi Uematsu, entered the facility early in the morning and started stabbing people as they slept. He also tied up employees and fled before the police arrived, though he later turned himself in. He was found mentally competent to stand trial and was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death.
More Dry, Technical Matter: We try to keep up with what our fellow humans are up to, and couldn’t recall Uematsu’s name in the headlines and got curious as to his current status because in Japan you are not given an execution date. You’re convicted and sentenced to die, but they don’t tell you when; you literally do not know when your last day is going to be which, under those circumstances, has to be torturous.
We Are Not Making That Up: On the morning of your death you are given an hour’s notice. You’re asked to prepare a will, told to pray to whomever you think will do you the most good, and then taken to die. Relatives, and the media, are notified afterward.
Please Pass The Dry, Technical Matter: We strongly suspected Uematsu had not been executed yet, and that turned out to be the case. He is still on death row and this past spring he requested a retrial, a request that is being considered, however, it’s not known if his execution is on hold pending a decision.
The Bottom Line: Japan’s death penalty system might have more to answer for than our own. At least we give you a date. You’re warehoused for death until that date – it’s own form of torture – but at least you know. In Japan, you literally wake up every morning on death row not knowing if this is your last day or not. If no one knocks on your cell door and says “come on” you’re free to go through the same torture again tomorrow. We’re not pro-crime here but boy, us humans can do better than that.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a busy day at the VS), including a visit from Doc. Today’s Diary.
He noted again how he wanted to have me back out to help out at the ranch again, but we strongly suspect he was just being kind because recall the last time he had me out, for irrigating duty, yours truly was only slightly better than completely useless.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1947 – President Harry Truman signs the National Security Act of 1947, a sweeping measure that reorganized US military and intelligence operations. The act created the Defense Department, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, the National Security Council, and the Air Force and protected the Marine Corps, which Truman wanted to disband, as a separate service in the Navy Department. The bill had originated with Truman, who had sent it to Congress in February.
In 1928 – Gene Tunney defends his world heavyweight boxing title, defeating Tom Heeney of New Zealand with an 11th-round TKO at Yankee Stadium. It was the second and final title defense for Tunney, who later retired. Tunney had won the title from Jack Dempsey in 1926 and defended it against him in 1927, in the famous “Long Count” fight. Tunney had served in the Marine Corps in World War I and in World War II served as an officer in the Navy, heading their physical fitness program. Tunney retired with a record of 82-1-4 with one no contest.
In 1970 – The Carpenters are at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first of four consecutive weeks with (They Long To Be) Close To You. It was the second chart single for the duo, their first of twelve Top 10 hits, and their first of three #1s. The song also went to #1 in Canada and Australia, peaked at #6 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s second-biggest song of the year. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Air Supply’s biggest hit in their native Australia was Love and Other Bruises, which peaked at #6 in 1976.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who was the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? – Answer next time!
