The Daily Dose/March, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

STOP US IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS BEFORE: For the third consecutive election, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president. A hundred years from now, all new people will look back at this and – like some of us now – collectively scratch their heads. 

USA! USA!: They will note how Trump was a man of no political, moral, or intellectual substance. They will note how he was a liar and an ignoramus. They will note how, during his first term, he presided over an incompetent COVID response, incited an insurrection, and was impeached twice. They will note his 91 indictments after leaving office. 

Oh Yeah: They will also note how this was not a detriment to renomination because Trump had every politician’s dream: a media that declined to take him to task and a base that believed everything he said. 

USA! USA! II: You can write off his base. Billionaire blatherskites have held sway over people for ages. You cannot write off his acceptance by the American media, though, because there was a time when an idiot like Trump would’ve been rejected by the press.

Fly In The Ointment: That time, however, has passed. 

Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Jury: Could you imagine an American press paced by Walter Cronkite, Woodward and Bernstein, John Chancellor, and any of a dozen other journalists of the era tolerating Trump? Of course, you couldn’t. They would have had him out of the race by the weekend. 

Back To The Future: Trump, however, meant ratings and clicks, so he was ushered right into the 2016 primaries, where the idiocy didn’t stop. Then his admission that he grabbed women by the pussy proved not to be a hindrance to being elected. An incompetent COVID response and two impeachments merely solidified his greatness amongst his base.

The Bottom Line: Donald Trump, though, is just a symptom of the problem. 

America is in a mess because you and me – we the people – continue to tolerate this. It’s common to blame incumbents, lobbyists, or the media, but on Election Day, we keep accepting what the media and incumbents choose to spoonfeed us, and we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Collectively, we are well-fed and well-entertained, and that’s what matters in America right now. We’re in a post-knowledge America now. We accept lying and idiocy now.

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow feeds the cat. A lot. Today’s Diary. 

…the cat has decided that with Daddy home more, there is no reason her yummy/treat issues shouldn’t be upped, and it’s to the point where she is all but demanding a continuous yummy/treat buffet. 

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Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1775 – The first newspaper article in the American colonies calling for the abolition of slavery is published. The article was anonymous, though History would not die from shock if it turned out to have been written by Thomas Paine, and criticized, among other things, those who would use the Bible as a defense of slavery. It didn’t do much good, as slavery would not be abolished in the US until the 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865.  

In 1945 – Syd Howe of the Detroit Red Wings establishes an NHL record for most career points in a 7-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Howe had a third-period assist, giving him 516 career points, breaking the record established by Nels Stewart from 1925-40. The mark was broken in 1947 by Bill Cowley and is now held by Wayne Gretzky with 2,857.

In 1980 – Queen is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the third of four consecutive weeks with Crazy Little Thing Called Love. The song also went to #1 in Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia, peaked at #2 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s 6th-biggest song of the year. It was the fifth of twelve Top 40 hits for the group, their second of four Top 10s, and their first of two #1s. The song last appeared on a Billboard chart in 2018 when it peaked at #18 on the Hot Rock and Alternative Songs chart. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

Work is not always required… there is such thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.
George MacDonald

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The Beatles had 14 #1 albums in Great Britain. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

What two states had slavery abolished when the 13th Amendment was ratified? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/March 7, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

HERE WE GO AGAIN: This really isn’t a bulletin, but barring planetary alignment and divine intervention, it will be Joe Biden vs Donald Trump once again this November. 

Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Jury: Has the American electorate ever had worse choices than President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump? We don’t think so, 

FunFact: One, forget our following points, both men are old. Trump will be 78 on Election Day and Biden will be 81 and both are starting to lose their cognitive abilities. This alone should have caused us to dismiss them, respectfully, out of hand. 

Dry, Technical Matter: This November, we have two choices: the perpetual war offered by Joe Biden (and by Trump, too, frankly) and the perpetual stupidity offered by Trump. Let’s hope we have the wisdom to choose wisely. 

In The Blue Corner: America has been at war continuously since 1989 and almost daily since World War II 80 years ago. No nation has survived perpetual war and America will not be the first. We have until this half-century is out, maybe, to get our act together before our country collapses and America is tossed aside the scrap heal of history along with, among others, the Roman Empire and the Soviet Union. 

USA! USA!: Neither Biden nor Trump will stop this. War will continue to be America’s calling card.

And In The Red Corner: Donald Trump is stupid. He believes, among other things, that the moon is part of Mars, that the Revolution was won by the securing of British airports, and that Colorado borders Mexico. He also lies constantly and admits to grabbing women by the pussy. He has been indicted 91 times since leaving office. 

The Bottom Line: We deserve better than both these choices, but we’re not demanding better right now. America is seven decades into television, and now the internet, being the focal point of American life and we are seeing the consequences of that now: an American media and an American electorate that now embraces perpetual war and perpetual stupidity. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow enjoys Day 2 of his 4-dayer. Today’s Diary. 

The gym was the only time we left the house…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 161 – Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus – adoptive brothers – ascend the throne of the Roman Empire following the death of Antonius Pius. The Roman Senate was prepared to elect Aurelius emperor, but he refused to rule unless Verus was co-emperor. Despite some minor differences, the two ruled amicably until Verus died of natural causes in 169 and Aurelius died in 180. Rome would continue to have co-emperors until the fourth century. 

In 1857 – A convention of baseball players in New York City adopts new rules, including two still in force: nine innings for a game and 90 feet between bases. Previously, winners had been determined by the first team to score a certain number of runs – 21 in the original 1945 Knickerbocker rules – and bases had been measured off as 42 paces between home plate and second base and between first and third bases. 

In 1965 – The Beatles are at #1 on Billboard’s Top LPs chart – a predecessor to the Billboard 200 – for the fourth of eleven consecutive weeks with Meet The Beatles. It was the fourth of 21 chart albums for the group and their first of 19 #1 albums, totals that include albums originally issued in Great Britain. The album produced three chart singles, including I Wanna Hold Your Hand, which was in its sixth of seven consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

I believed in what I did so much, I couldn’t believe there were people who couldn’t hear it.
Barry Manilow

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The NHL record for most assists in a game with multiple goals scored is six, done three times by Paul Coffey, Mario Lemieux, and Bernie Nichols. They all had six assists in a game where they scored two goals. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

How many #1 albums did the Beatles have in Great Britain? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/March 6, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off will return.

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – The weekly Coke order is enormous. Today’s Diary. 

And I know all of you noticed the two cases of Smartwaters…These are high-profit items, they sell well, and it’s about time the hotel started maximizing this…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1933 – President Franklin Roosevelt announces a four-day banking holiday, a move that closed banks for four days in an attempt to restore confidence in them during The Great Depression. The move was followed on March 9 by the passage of the Emergency Banking Act and on March 12 Roosevelt gave his first fireside chat explaining the actions. The moves worked, too, as depositors returned more than half the cash they had withdrawn prior to the holiday. 

In 1984 – Dale Hawerchuck of the Winnipeg Jets establishes a new NHL record for most assists in a period in a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Hawerchuck had five assists in the second period to break the record of four which had been done many times previously. The record was tied this past December by Kris Letang of the Edmonton Oilers and still stands. 

In 1976 – The Sylvers are at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Soul Singles chart  – for the only week with Boogie Fever. It was the fifth Top 40 soul hit for the group, their first of two Top 10s, and remains their only #1. The song also went #1 pop in Canada, later spent a week at #1 on the Hot 100, and was Billboard’s 20th-biggest song of the year. The song was co-written by Freddie Perren, who had also written, among other hits, I Will Survive and Shake Your Groove Thing. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

But for the chosen, there is no choice.
Saul Bellow
Ravelstein

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Don Williams’ biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was I Believe In You, which spent three weeks at #24 in 1980-81. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

Who holds the NHL record for most assists in a game with multiple goals scored? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/March 5, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off will return.  

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow is missing some food from the hotel’s freezer. Today’s Diary. 

It could entirely be that the person who took them was hungry and didn’t have any other options…We’re out a few bucks, but we’re giving whoever it is the benefit of the doubt…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1770 – Nine British soldiers shoot into an angry mob near the Old State House in Boston, killing five and injuring eight. Eight were arrested and defended at trial by future president of the United States John Adams. Six of the British soldiers were acquitted, with two convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and sentenced to branding on the hand. History refers to the incident as the Boston Massacre. 

In 1969 – Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins establishes a new NHL record for most assists in a season in 2-2 tie with the Detroit Red Wings. Esposito had two assists, giving him 63 on the season, breaking the record of 62 established by Stan Mikita of the Chicago Black Hawks in 1967. The record was broken the following season by Bobby Orr (87), and the mark is now held by Wayne Gretzky with 163 in the 1985-86 season. 

In 1983 – Don Williams is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart- then known as the Hot Country Songs chart – for the only week with If Hollywood Don’t Need You (Honey I Still Do). It was the 27th of 51 Top 40 country hits for Williams, his 24th of 45 Top 10 hits and was his 13th of 17 #1s in a chart career that ran from 1973 until 2013.  The song also went #1 country in Canada and was Billboard’s 23rd-biggest country song of the year. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

…for here on earth, there is nothing but falsehood and deceit.
Frederick William I 
King of Prussia

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Joe Frazier’s last fight for the world heavyweight boxing title was on Oct 1, 1975, a 14-round loss to Muhammed Ali in the Philippines. History refers to the fight as the “Thrilla in Manila”. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

What was Don Williams’ biggest hit on Billboard’s Hot 100? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/March 4, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

OH HELL, LET’S DO IT LATER: Last week Idaho tried to execute Thomas Creech, who had spent over 40 years on death row after killing a fellow inmate. At the time, Creech was serving multiple life sentences for murdering others. 

Fly In The Ointment: Creech was wheeled into the death chamber for his 10:00 am lethal injection and the appropriate IV needles were inserted. Death chamber personnel, however, were unable to find a suitable vein anywhere, either because there wasn’t a vein where they were expecting one, or the available one was unsatisfactory. After an hour of futility, the execution was called off and Creech’s death warrant expired at midnight. 

Get Your Official Daily Dose/Gaylon For Congress Policy Right Here: We are against the death penalty because America has executed innocent people. To believe otherwise is folly, and anyone who tries to tell you differently is either 1) lying to you, 2) lying to themselves, or, as likely as not both. 

Oh Yeah: Now, guilt isn’t an issue here. No one, much less Creech, is heralding his innocence. Still though, everyone involved is entitled to better than a botched execution. 

Dry, Technical Matter: Exactly what is going to happen to Creech isn’t clear. We’re not lawyers here, thank god, nor have we ever played one on TV, but it seems to us that trying to execute someone a second time after the state failed in the first attempt, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Also, Idaho hasn’t commented on who made up the death chamber team, so it isn’t known of the problem was with Creech himself or if the those trying to find a vein were incompetent. 

FunFact: Execution by firing squad is also a thing in Idaho, though the state doesn’t have a facility for carrying it out 

The Bottom Line: The death penalty is a fiasco in an America loaded with them. We deserve better than a country that executes innocent people and a country that can’t even carry out an execution. The death penalty must be abolished. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has some problems with the snowblower. Today’s Diary. 

The problem is we’re not entirely sure what the choke does…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1957 – The S&P 500 stock index is introduced, replacing the S&P 90. The first S&P (for Standard and Poor’s) stock index was published in 1923, and today its listed companies account for about 80% of the market capitalization of US public companies. The S&P 500 closed at 5,137.08 this past Friday, up 40.81, an all-time high. 

In 1968 – Joe Frazier defeats Buster Mathis for the vacant world heavyweight boxing title at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Frazier won on an 11th-round TKO and he would later win the WBC and WBA titles, belts he would hold until losing to George Foreman in 1973.  In 1964, Mathis had defeated Frazier for a spot on the Olympic team, but Mathis injured his hand. He was replaced by Frazier, who won the gold medal. 

In 2017 – Ed Sheeran is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first of twelve non-consecutive weeks with Shape of You. The song went to #1 in 34 other countries – including Slovakia, Norway, and Great Britain – peaked at #42 on Billbord’s soul chart, and was Billboard’s #1 song of the year, its 3rd-biggest of the decade, and its 10th-biggest ever in a 2021 survey. It was the first of two #1s for Sheeran. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

One who takes for granted the basest motives in one’s fellow men and in oneself…has never gone wrong, not in our time – and it is in our time that one must live, must prosper or perish.
Ernst Weiss
Georg Letham Physician and Murderer

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The NHL record for most 60-goal seasons in a career is five, done twice, by Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

When did Joe Frazier last fight for the world heavyweight boxing title? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!