The Daily Dose/January 20, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
HERE WE GO AGAIN: Donald Trump takes the presidential oath of office today for the second time. By all appearances, it will be steady-as-she-goes for his second term, meaning the lies and ignorance that were the hallmark of his first term will return.
USA! USA! There is no reason to think otherwise. Trump is already on record as believing the moon is part of Mars, that Colorado deserves a border fence, and that the American Revolution was won when the Continental Army secured British airports. Since Election Day, Trump has brilliantly called for US ownership of Greenland, Canada becoming the 51st state, and taking the canal back from Panama. All of these suggestions are witless and not deserving of consideration by any thinking American.
Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Jury: Do you believe the moon is part of Mars? Do you believe America won the Revolution because we secured British airports? Of course you don’t, and neither does anyone you know over the age of twelve. That the president of the United States believes these things is beyond comprehension.
Fly In The Ointment: But America is open to ignorance now. Mired halfway between the prominence we once had and the oblivion that awaits us, we now prefer appeasement to accomplishment. The American Century ended ages ago, we could not produce a cogent, competent response to COVID, and we haven’t done anything great since leaving the moon over 50 years ago. If we’re not careful, the entire American experiment will come crashing down, perhaps before this half-century is out.
Dry, Technical Matter: The surprise, of course, is not that Trump is spewing nonsense; he’s been doing that as long as he’s been in the public eye. No, History will record that the real surprise was that America tolerated his blather for even one day, much less nine years. Trump was given a pass, though. The media saw ratings and clicks, and we citizens appreciated being told what we wanted to hear, even if it was neither practical nor truthful. Trump was heralded for changing the narrative when he should’ve been condemned for being a dolt.
The Bottom Line: We will always get the government we deserve. Last November we elected, again, lies and ignorance, and that’s what we are going to get for the next four years. That America tolerated ignorance of this magnitude will baffle historians for decades to come. There was a time when both the American media and electorate would’ve dismissed Donald Trump for the witless blatherskite he is, but that time has passed. We’re in a post-knowledge, post-competence America now, and our collective American experience is the lesser for it.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow reports it was a slow night at the hotel.
Boy, it was slow tonite…
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
1265 – The first English parliament to include not only lords but burgesses from major English shires sits for the first time. Called by Simon de Montfort, who had defeated forces loyal to Henry III and claimed to rule under his name, the parliament lasted until March. The practice of inviting burgesses to Parliament continued intermittently until 1341, when lords and burgesses began meeting separately, and today the chamber is known as the House of Commons.
In 1980 – The Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It was the fourth of six Super Bowl titles for the Steelers and was the first of three Super Bowl defeats for the Rams, to go along with two titles. The halftime show was performed by Up With People, and Cheryl Ladd performed the national anthem.
In 1973 – Carly Simon is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the third and final consecutive week with You’re So Vain. It was the third of twelve Top 40 hits for Simon, her first of six Top 10 songs, and remains her only #1. The song also went to #1 in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, peaked at #3 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s 9th-biggest song of the year. Simon has long said the song refers to three men, one of whom is Warren Beatty.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
I can’t bite my tongue because my heart will bleed.
Cyril Neville
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
Secretary of State Warren Christopher signed the Algiers Accords on behalf of the United States.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was Billboard’s #1 song of 1973? – Answer next time!
