The Daily Dose/July 6, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
CAPSULE BOOK REVIEW: God’s Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican, by Gerald Posner: One of the reasons you read is to get insights into people, places and institutions you really can’t get anywhere else. Sure, you could watch a TV special or read a profile, but nothing really cuts to the heart of a matter like a well-researched, insightful book.
Yay!: Posner delivers just that, a book about the Vatican Bank, and how the Vatican went from barely getting by following the unification of Italy and the disolving of the Papal States in 1870 to being filthy rich.
Dry, Technical Matter: The Vatican Bank is formally known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). It was founded in 1942 by Pope Pius XII to:
“…to provide for the safekeeping and administration of [assets] intended for works of religion or charity…”
Fly In The Ointment: As Posner shows, the IOR could not have deviated farther from that mandate had crucifixes been issued for non-compliance. History’s long march is in large measure the story of the consolidation of wealth and power by those hell-bent on acquiring them and the Catholic Church, and those who ran it over the years are shown to have wanted their share. Despite vows that would tend to dissuade such activity, they utilized tried and true methods like intrigue, corruption and outright criminality, including money laundering and suspicious deaths written off as suicides. This, of course, makes them no different than a lot of others.
But We Digress: Here is The Daily Dose Rating Scale: 1 – The very best; 2- Very good; 3 – Good; 4- Average; 5- A steaming pile.
Final Rating: 2: Posner offers wonderful, cogent glimpses and insights into an institution that for a long time regarded itself above any law other than their own.
The Bottom Line: More than anything, though, the book is a wonderful insight into us humans. The book also discusses, though in less depth and among other things, the Vatican’s helping the Nazis in World War II and their international sex abuse scandal. Like some, we found ourselves wondering how an institution could continue to flourish under these weights but this, too, is another lesson: our species’ need, since time immemorial, for spiritual aid and comfort. The Catholic Church will march on.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – At the hotel, Sparrow accepts a compliment from a guest. Today’s Diary.
…initially, it didn’t appear a compliment was about to be issued…The guy who came down was tall and burly and dressed in clothes usually associated with bikers and, frankly, he looked like he’d come down to kick my ass.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1892 – 3,800 striking steelworkers clash with Pinkerton agents in what History refers to as the Homestead Strike, near Pittsburgh. The strike against Carnegie Steel – one of the first organized strikes in US history – had begun on July 1 after worker’s demand for a wage increase had been countered with a 22% wage decrease. Pinkerton agents had arrived early in the morning, but were outnumbered and surrendered around 5pm
In 1977 – Greg Gross of the Chicago Cubs ends his major league record streak of most plate appearances from the start of a career without a home run in an 8-6 victory over the Montreal Expos. Gross’ 3-run home run in the 6th inning off Don Stanhouse came in his 1,888th plate appearance and the record still stands. Gross was in his fifth big league season and would hit four more home runs in 1977 and finish his career with seven home runs.
In 1985 – Phil Collins is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot `100 for the only week with Sussidio. The song had debuted on the Hot 100 nine weeks earlier at #39 and would spend 14 weeks in the Top 40. It was the eighth of 21 Top 40 hits for Collins, his fifth of 14 Top 10 hits and his second of seven #1 songs. The song also peaked at #8 on Billboard’s soul chart and at #1`2 in Great Britain.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Men who are good… desire nothing for themselves which they do not also desire for the rest of mankind.
Baruch Spinoza
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The major league record for most walks in a game by a batter is six, by Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals in a 13-inning game on May 8, 2016.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What is Phil Collins’ biggest hit on Billboard’s soul chart? – Answer next time!
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