The Daily Dose/Tuesday, July 6, 2021
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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The Daily Dose/Monday, July 5, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 5, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
USA! USA!: Last week the Trump Organization – the umbrella organization for a variety of businesses owned by Donald Trump – was indicted on 15 charges associated with helping executives evade taxes by hiding benefits that should have been reported as taxable income.
Senior executive Allen Weisselberg was also charged on avoiding taxes on these perks, valued at $1.7 million over a 15-year period. Weisselberg is the only executive specifically named in the indictment and Trump himself was not charged.
Dry, Technical Matter: The benefits – automobile lease payments, apartment rental payments and the like – were not reported as income by either Weissleberg or the company, but were entered on internal company records.
And You Wonder Why You Don’t Get Invited To Many Parties: Like you probably did, we read the indictment and were struck by a few things.
Oh, What The Hell: One, obviously, this does not happen unless there was an overall culture in the company that said go ahead and do this. It is the type of culture you’d expect for a company led by a man who is a lying sexual predator who believes the moon is part of Mars.
More Dry, Technical Matter: Two, the amounts – at least when taken in the context of big business and government finances – seem relatively small. The indictment states that Weisselberg made a bit less than a million dollars a year. Of course, this is a sizeable sum, but it struck us as relatively low for a senior executive in a company that size. The indictment alleges Weisselberg of avoiding taxes on $1.7 million over 15 years, which comes out to about $113,000 a year and if the Trump Organization had just forked that over in salary, maybe this doesn’t happen.
Thank You, Dr Freud: Or maybe it does. Greed is greed, after all.
The Bottom Line: We don’t approve of tax evasion anymore than you do, but if this country had a tax code that wasn’t nine million words long – and a corresponding one-page tax return – perhaps this never happens.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – The hotel is sold out, and some callers Sparrow deals with aren’t too pleased. Today’s Diary.
A dumb broad who called me was in a state of shock over the matter, too, trying to make it seem like it was my fault:
“How come there are no rooms in your state???”
Her tone was accusatory, as if yours truly were a suspect in a major crime…I wanted to tell her gee ma’am, I dunno, maybe it’s the holiday weekend or something, but hotels don’t earn hospitality awards by being sarcastic to guests, so ol’ Sparrow was typically gracious.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1687 – Isaac Newton’s seminal work The Principia – also known as Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy – is published in England. Among other things, The Principia states Newton’s laws of motion and his law of universal gravitation, though there is no truth to the legend an apple fell on Newton’s head while he was sitting under a tree. Updated editions would be published in 1713 and 1726 and The Principia was originally published in New Latin, with the first English edition appearing in 1728.
In 1985 – Garry Templeton of the San Diego Padres establishes a new National League record and ties the major league record for most intentional walks in a game in a 5-4, 12-inning loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Templeton was intentionally walked four times, matching the record established by Roger Maris of the New York Yankees in a 1962, 12 inning game. The record is now held by Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs (five, 1990, 16 innings) and the record for a nine-inning game is four, done twice, both by Barry Bonds in 2004.
In 1969 – Henry Mancini is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second and final consecutive week with Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet. The song was also in its fifth of eight consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It was the sixth of seven Top 40 hits for Mancini and remains his only Top 10 hit. The song was written by Nino Rota and was rearranged by Mancini.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
…it is not possible to rebel against the fact of nature…There is nothing but the always-so.
Gore Vidal
Creation
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The record for most consecutive Wimbledon championships by a man is seven, done by Great Britain’s William Renshaw from 1881-86. The modern record is five, done twice, by Bjorn Borg (1976-80) and Roger Federer (2003-07).
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who holds the major league record for most walks in a game by a batter? – Answer next time!
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The Daily Dose/Sunday, July 4, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 4, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.
1. US Airstrikes In Iraq, Syria – US limbers up for busy week with retaliatory acts of war…US hasn’t actually declared war since 1942, but what’s a little undeclared war amongst friends???….Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters “pretty sure” world would be “like, dude, a more peaceful world and stuff” had US been at peace every day for past 30 years instead of butting its nose in everywhere.
2. NCAA – It’s all over…The sham that athletes were really amateurs – an illusion dating back to the first Harvard/Yale regatta in 1852 – now gone forever as athletes now allowed to make some cash off the talent that for decades has been making NCAA billions of dollars.
3. Donald Trump Supporters – The new 3-hole staple, as former president remains lying sexual predator who believes the moon is part of Mars…And that the Revolution was won by the securing of British airports…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters remain “pretty sure” question to Trump supporters as to which of those elements continues to solidify their support remains relevant.
4. Major League Baseball – Really, guys, put the circus tents up…If umpires had been instructed to enforce existing ball-doctoring rules – instead of complying with gentlemen’s agreement to ignore them – physically checking pitchers would not be necessary…Rumors that MLB hired Catholic priests to provide lessons in checking guys’ pants remain unconfirmed.
5. President Biden Fact Check – Though fact-checkers union hardly as busy as during Trump Administration – Presidential Fact Check used to be the 5-hole staple – President Biden still keeping them on their toes from time to time…Check here for the latest, courtesy of the AP.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
Of course it’s Read Free Sunday (RFS) at The Diary.
The Diary of a Nobody – At the hotel, the 3-hole punch was moved again. Today’s Diary.
…the Battle of 3-Hole Punch Location has been resumed, with someone – there are no suspects – moving it back to the top of the large filing cabinet…In its place on the back office desk (BOD) was a box of laminating sheets and the laminator itself…I don’t understand this at all…It’s hardly as if we’re in a state of constant lamination here why the laminating sheets and laminator need to be within arms reach isn’t immediately clear.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1845 – Henry David Thoreau moves into a small cabin at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. Though the ensuing book about his time there, Walden, only covers one year, Thoreau actually spent two years living on Walden Pond and Walden – published in 1854 – remains one of mankind’s seminal philosophical and natural works. The cabin was built on land owned by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson.
In 1987 – Martina Navratilova wins her sixth straight Wimbledon ladies singles title, defeating Seffi Graf 7-5, 6-3. It was the 8th Wimbledon title for Navratilova, who would add her 9th and final title in 1990 and the six consecutive ladies titles broke the record of five established by Suzanne Lenglen established from 1919-23. Navratilova also won seven Wimbledon doubles titles and four mixed doubles championships.
In 1981 – Rick James is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Soul Singles chart – for the fourth of five consecutive weeks with Give It to Me Baby. It was the ninth of 23 top 40 soul hits for James and his second of four soul chart #1s. The song also went to #1 on Billboard’s dance chart, peaked at #40 on the Hot 100 and at #47 in Great Britain. James died in 2004 at age 56.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
He…spoke of avoiding the fate of the “common Herd of Mankind, who are to be born and eat and sleep and die, and be forgotten”.
John Ferling
Setting The World Ablaze: Washington, Adams and Jefferson and the American Revolution
Regards John Adams
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
General George Washington’s first battle as commander of the Continental Army was the Siege of Boston.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who holds the record for most consecutive Wimbledon men’s titles? – Answer next time!
Go Gaylon! Visit Gaylon on Facebook here.
The Diary of a Nobody/July 3
It’s Read Free Sunday (RFS) at The Diary.
It’s Sparrow, an average man passing an average life…
Saturday, July 3
BOTH OF AMY’S DRAWERS WERE SPOT ON!!!
I am making that up…I don’t know whether the drawers were hidden during the shift or whether there was some hot, new policy about not accepting cash or whether the drawers actually balanced, but both drawers were at $200…Usually, of course, they’re not, even when she advised she’d done her drop, like she did tonite, because regular readers of this crap know that doesn’t mean squat because history shows it is entirely possible – perhaps even likely – for Amy to do her drop and have her drawer still off because it happens multiple times a week.
The Daily Dose/Saturday, July 3, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 3, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
This is the first real Daily Dose in 110 days. Admit it, you’re breathing again.
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
HERE WE GO AGAIN: Today is the 3rd of July. As we somewhat tediously note every year at this time, it is a date sandwiched between two significant dates in American history.
Oh, Jesus H: The day before, of course – July 2 – is when the Continental Congress declared our independence from Great Britain, with their journal from that day stating, in part – and as a routine part of the day’s business – that:
…these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States…absolved from all allegiance to the British crown.
Dry, Technical Matter: This was the Lee Resolution, first offered in June by Virginia’s Richard Henry Lee, and marks the official founding of the United States of America, despite what the calendar and official history books try to tell you. Immediately after this, the Congress took “…under consideration the declaration to them referred”, but deferred the matter until the 4th when, of course, the Declaration of Independence was passed.
More Hot Congressional Journal Action: Immediately after declaring independence, the Congress then returned to the business of fighting the Revolution by ordering the Marine Committee to look into complaints proffered against two naval captains, who had just arrived from Philadelphia.
The Bottom Line: Look, you can celebrate our independence whenever the hell you want, and if you’re content with the 4th of July, more power to you. But to ensure we continue to not get invited to more social gatherings, we’re going to continue to mark the Lee Resolution’s passage on the 2nd of July. No less a patriot than future president John Adams believed the 2nd would be forever marked as the day of American independence. In fact, he believed it so much that in somewhat typical Adams’ fashion he would decline invitations to July 4th celebrations.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow goes to the rodeo, and tries to ensure a guy restroom is clear so some chicks can use it. Today’s Diary.
I didn’t even have to walk in the first couple of times, gents using the sink to wash up were visible from the doorway…NOT CLEAR…Then I actually was able to go in and check and there was no one and I was almost trampled, with one girl commenting on how much toilet paper the guys got, way more than them.
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It’s easy reading on any device.
Columns, books, shopping lists, click here to get in on the laughs.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1775 – At Cambridge, Massachusetts, General George Washington takes command of the Continental Army. Washington was the army’s first commander and would command the Continental Army until fighting ended in 1783. The Revolution had begun the previous April with the battles of Lexington and Concord. Washington had been appointed to the position by the Second Continental Congress on June 14.
In 1925 – At Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Milt Stock of the Brooklyn Robins establishes a new major league record for most consecutive games with at least four hits in a 6-3 win over the New York Giants. Stock went 4-for-5, his fourth consecutive game with four hits, research into whose record he broke was inconclusive, and the record still stands. The streak would end the following day when Stock got two hits in the first game of a doubleheader.
In 1961 – Gary U.S. Bonds is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second and final consecutive week with Quarter to Three. It was the second of ten chart singles for Bonds, his second of nine Top 40 hits and remains his only #1 song. The song also peaked at #3 on Billboard’s soul chart and at #7 in Great Britain. Bonds later co-wrote the song She’s All I Got, which was a #3 country hit for Johnny Paycheck in 1971.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
I heard the bullets whistle, and believe me there is something charming in the sound.
George Washington
Letter to his brother Jack, 1754
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The Battle of Minorca was part of the Seven Years’ War between Great Britain and France.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was Gen. George Washington’s first battle as commander of the Continental Army? – Answer next time!
Go Gaylon! Visit Gaylon on Facebook here.
The Daily Dose/Friday, July 2, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 2, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Editor’s Note: Gaylon is working on a project and most elements of The Daily Dose – Leading Off, The Sunday Bottom 5, On This Date, Some Philosophy Crap, Trivia – are either on hiatus or running intermittently. Your full-service Daily Dose will return later this summer.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow polishes some silver. Today’s Diary.
What to use was a conundrum until I spotted some green socks I’d bought from the British folks I’d bought a lot of the cruise clothing from… The socks are lousy – tho maybe they’re what’s worn in Britain – and they worked wonderfully buffing everything up…The only downside was I only got about a third of it done, but it’s a long life…
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
In general, the wise in all ages have always said the same things, and the fools, who at all times form the immense majority, have in their way too acted alike, and done the opposite; and so it will continue.
Will Durant
The Story of Philosophy
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Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device.
Columns, books, shopping lists, click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.