Each of us must endure the entire cycle from beginning to end. There is no way out. – Gore Vidal, Creation
Both this author and this book have appeared numerous times in this feature so we won’t bore you with the usual introductory paragraph. Their regular appearances here are hardly the Upset of the Year. We’ve read Creation several times and though we don’t have the exact figure, it has contributed more quotes to our personal quotebook than any other book. For our money Vidal has always done a brilliant job of providing insights into the behaviors, traits and foibles that construct our human experience, which is what you pay us writers to do.
Each of us must endure the entire cycle from beginning to end…
We had no choice when our lives would start and unless we end it ourselves or are issued an execution date we have no idea when it will end, either. It could end tomorrow or years from now.
But while we had little choice about when our cycle began or when it will end, we have a great influence as to what happens in between. We can merely endure, or we can flourish. To an extent that surprises some, the choice is ours.
Now some, of course, have little choice in the matter. Some are born into lives whose only option is enduring, where mere survival is a daily struggle, where tomorrow sometimes feels like next year. Some, too, are born with no chance. They die shortly after birth or are born into circumstances where they have no chance for anything but misery. It’s the way the world is built.
If you are reading this, however, you are not one of these people. The 24 hours we have each day are ours to do with as we please. We had a beginning and we will have an end and in between we have a blank canvas to fill and what goes on that canvas is mostly our call: what we get out of life depends on the work we put into it.
There is no way out…
Those who wander around the Gobi Desert never climb Mount Everest, so it is incumbent on us to make our time serve us while we are on this planet. We must have the wisdom to know what we are meant to do, the courage to go and do it and the patience to see it through to our desired end. Anything less is timed squandered, a life endured and not lived.
The Thought for the Day runs regularly. Quotes are from Gaylon’s private stock.
HELP WANTED: We don’t usually talk about personal amusements here at your Daily Dose but today we are going to chat a little bit about sports officiating. For several years the number of people plying this honorable trade has been decreasing. Veteran officials are leaving when they still have good years left in them and only 20 percent of new officials make it to year three. Your neighborhood pimp has better retention rates.
Standard Internet Disclaimer: We’ve been officiating since 1991. The trade is responsible for some the best moments in our life.
Dry, Technical Matter: Now, part of the problem is there are more games that need officiating. One of the ways this country has changed is the day of the three-sport athlete is more or less gone. More and more kids play one sport year round and this means there more games. This is lamentable because each sport as different lessons to teach and the more sports a kid plays the more of these lessons he learns.
FunFact: And more officials specialize, too, preferring to focus one sport. We have been officiating since 1991 and we can think of three people who we have officiated three sports with. That’s it.
Back On Message: More games, however, is not the main reason. The main reason is officials get more crap than ever. It used to be that head coaches and fans only got worked up over the close ones but those days are long gone. Nowadays officials get more and more crap delivered from more and more people with more and more venom. Calls that used to only get a mild response, if any, are now immediately taken to DefCon 1. It makes for a tense environment and new officials subjected to this feel intimidated and resentful while veteran officials begin to wonder if they really need this.
Now Hear This: Parents should mellow out. Your kid is not the Living Miracle but merely another kid trying to learn the lessons a sport has to teach. Statistically speaking he has virtually zero chance at making a living as a professional athlete and while he has a slightly better chance of getting a college education paid for, the odds of this are high, too.
Now, that doesn’t mean your kid should throw up his hands and say screw it. Far from it. There is everything to be said for putting maximum effort into an endeavor, becoming the best you can at it and seeing where that takes you. But leave the officials alone. They are professional men and women delivering a professional service. You don’t yell at your mechanic and or doctor like that, so don’t yell at the officials.
The Bottom Line: Officials are at fault for this somewhat by tolerating it, but we can’t police everything. Coaches and parents must bear their share of the responsibility, too, because at some future date when their kids game is canceled because there is no one to officiate it they will only have to look in the mirror to find the reason why.
ON THIS DATE! ON THIS DATE! English explorer and all-round gentleman Sir Walter Raleigh, is beheaded on this date in 1618. Raleigh had flourished, particularly as an explorer, under Queen Elizabeth I, who had knighted him in 1585, but Raleigh had never been in any great favor with King James I. About 20 minutes after ascending the throne in 1603 James I had Raleigh convicted of treason and Raleigh spent 13 years in prison. When he was paroled so he could explore Venezuela some more, there was an incident that peeved the Spanish, who requested Raleigh’s execution, a demand James I was more than happy to grant.
FunFact: Raleigh’s head was, of all things, embalmed and given to his wife. Legend has it that she kept in a velvet bag until her death 29 years later, when it was put in Raleigh’s tomb with the rest of his body.
Well, That Was Quick: Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President William McKinley, is executed at Auburn Prison in New York on this date in 1901.
Justice was swift back then. McKinley had been shot in Buffalo at the site of the Pan American Exposition, on September 5 and he died on the 14th and Czolgosz was convicted on September 24.
Broad, Historical Context: The building where McKinley was shot, the Temple of Music, was demolished with other exposition buildings once the exposition ended in November. A stone marker in a street median in a residential neighborhood marks the site, though the exact spot where McKinley was shot is not known for certain.
Not The Crime Of The Century: Three men steal some of the world’s most valuable gems from New York city’s American Museum of Natural History on this date in 1964. Among the gems stolen were the Star of India sapphire, the Delong Star Ruby and the Eagle Diamond. The theft was as easy as entering the museum through an open window and taking the gems. Only the Star of India had any security and that wasn’t working because the battery was dead.
Fly In The Ointment: Getting away with the theft was more problematic. The thieves were arrested a couple of days later and in the hopes of leniency they began singing like canaries and most of the gems were recovered in a Miami bus station locker.
Not all of them, though. The Delong Star Ruby had been used as collateral for a loan from the mob and would be recovered only after extensive negotiations with the mob resulted in its ransom. A New York Daily News reporter who had found himself involved had been dispatched to a phone booth in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He picked up the ringing phone and followed his instructions to turn around and reach up, where the ruby had been placed. After its authenticity had been verified, the ransom was released.
Quotebook:What we really need is the determination to work hard…It is very difficult to achieve anything if we follow the easy way. – The 14th Dali Lama
Answer To The Last Trivia Question: Adlai Stevenson was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Today’s Stumper: Sir Walter Raleigh is given credit for establishing what American crop in England? – Answer next time!
Editor’s Note: scroll down to read today’s gems. The Links Department had the night off.
The Holy Trinity again for you today, valued readers: On This Date, The Thought for the Day and The Bottom Ten/NFL Week 9.
Today on The Daily Dose we have some thoughts on Penn State football. We’ve always felt they got off light for harboring a child molester, and we still do.
One of the almost interesting aspects of writing The Daily Dose is the On This Date segment. We’ve always enjoyed and we think it’s useful to look back on History’s momentous events. That’s why no small part of the column is devoted to it.
Some days, however, have more history than others. Some days see several noteworthy events off because we like to keep the column at a certain length, and then there are days like October 25, when there really isn’t a whole lot. Now, we weren’t reduced to writing about Mongol war conquests, but there was not an awful lot to choose from today.
The Bottom Ten/NFL Week 9 By Gaylon Kent America’s Funniest Guy
The Bottom Ten is a merit based survey. And there is no shortage of merit this season.
Sure, the Browns and 49ers continue to provide needed stability in these chaotic times, but the fight is on for the remaining positions in the survey. From stalwarts like the Giants and the Bengals to up-and-comers like the Broncos and the Falcons, the race for The Dan Henning Trophy – symbolic of NFL Bottom Ten supremacy – may well come down to the last turnover and false start.
This week’s fiasco, as the nags approach the back stretch:
1. Cleveland Browns (0-7; lost to Tennessee 12-9 OT) – Browns show mettle expected of defending B-10 champions, losing winnable home game in overtime, as offense produces three (3) interceptions…Browns 64th NFL team to start season 0-7…They were also the 63rd…Next Loss: Minnesota
2. San Francisco 49ers (0-7; lost to Dallas 40-10) – After losing previous five (5) games by a total of 13 points, Niners steady ship with refreshing blowout loss…49ers 65th team in NFL history to start season 0-7…Next Loss: at Philadelphia
3. New York Giants (1-6; lost to Seattle 24-7) – Giants back on B-10 medal stand, showing strong finishing kick, getting outscored 21-0 in second half…Giants head into bye week trying not to fixate on 11/12 showdown at San Francisco…Next Loss: Los Angeles Rams (11/5)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4; lost to Pittsburgh 29-14) – Bengals show they never stray too far from B-10 homestead, snapping curious two (2) game win streak with inspiring division loss…Offense takes charge, producing 19 (19) yards in second half…Next Loss: Indianapolis
5. Denver Broncos (3-3; lost to Los Angeles Chargers 21-0) – Broncos worming way up survey having lost three (3) out of last four (4)…This week’s debacle was first shutout loss in 25 years and gave Chargers first home win in LA since Eisenhower Administration…Next Loss: at Kansas City (10/30)
6. Indianapolis Colts (2-5; lost to Jacksonville 27-0) – Colts make big B-10 statement with decisive shutout, road, divisional loss…With depth of 2017 B-10 field strong, Colts need to snap off long losing streak to really catch B-10 pollster’s attention….Next Loss: at Cincinnati
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4; lost to Buffalo 30-27) – Buccaneers show mettle that leads straight to B-10 glory, blowing three (3) leads, giving up go-ahead field goal in final minute that followed fumble in own territory…Tampa Bay has lost three (3) straight…Next Loss: Carolina
8. Atlanta Falcons (3-3; lost to New England 23-7) – Falcons soar into survey with third straight loss…B-10 pollsters “pretty sure” Falcons can become first team “basically ever” to blow lead in Super Bowl, finish in B-10 the following season…Next Loss: at New York Jets
9. Tennessee at Cleveland – Easy pick for Week 9 B-10 Game of the Year nominee…Forget anthem protest, nation outraged at being force-fed 74 minutes of this crap, as teams thrill TV audience with seven (7) field goals, zero (0) touchdowns, 17 penalties in overtime game.
10. AFC North (10-17) – In closest voting so far, AFC North dethrones AFC South for coveted, weekly Pete Rozelle Award, issued NFL’s worst division…While Steelers pretty good, rest of division combined 5-15 and has combined to lose ten (10) straight.
This Week’s Clash of the Titans: Indianapolis at Cincinnati This Is Don Criqui Reporting: Atlanta at New York Jets
…but then since we have no more illusions, we are free to act – Jean-Francois Steiner, Treblinka
Treblinka is a historical novel about the Nazi concentration camp of the same name, based on the testimony of some who survived it and today’s Thought is the second quote from the book to make this feature. Treblinka is a memorable book and we heartily recommend it, though some research shows it has not met with universal acclaim.
Today’s Thought comes towards the end of the book when a group of prisoners are getting ready to implement their escape plan. The prisoners have, finally, shedded any illusion they will be rescued or that their lot will improve, the only possible outcome being they will die – probably violently and definitely tragically – at Treblinka. Their illusions shed, they were liberated to act.
Illusions are not to be confused with dreams. Illusions are incorrect perceptions on our part, while dreams are something we can go out and chase and catch. Between the imposters of fame, fortune, the spectacular and the splendid, us humans are very good at deluding ourselves. Assorted media shows us famous and wealthy people whenever we are in a mood to view them. Advertisements work very hard to make their products seem inspiring and important so we will go and buy them.
Illusions, ultimately, are bad because they blind us to what is really happening and what we are really feeling, which might very well prevent us from trying things lest that illusion be shattered.
All of us are born with talents and interests and these cause their share of illusions, too, allowing us to dream of an accomplishment’s reward instead of the accomplishment itself and the journey that attends any accomplishment.
If we are going to truly accomplish something, we must shed the illusions that bind us. When we do that, we when are completely focused on the journey and have rid ourselves of all outside influences, then we will find ourselves in position to completely maximize our time on this planet and the talents we were born with. We will be able to withdraw every possible benefit from whatever experience we’ve embarked on.
The Thought for the Day runs regularly. Quotes are from Gaylon’s private stock.
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME: When Penn State’s punishment in the Jerry Sandusky child molesting scandal was meted out by the NCAA in 2012 we thought they got off easy.
We still do. Penn State, which harbored a child molester for decades, has returned to the top of college football heap, playing in the Rose Bowl last season and ranked #2 in the country this season, is back mining the gold that attends a successful major division college football program. It is as if the scandal never happened.
To Review: At the time – the scandal broke in November 2011 when Sandusky, an assistant coach with the football team, was indicted on 52 counts of child molestation – the prospect of major sanctions, including a complete shutting down of Penn State’s football program, loomed large.
Don’t Kid Yourself: Of course, neither the NCAA nor Penn State wanted this. Penn State is one of only eleven major division football teams to win 800 games, has a rabid fan base and makes everyone concerned an awful lot of money. No one was interested in shutting this license to print money down.
The NCAA took the matter so seriously they cited the unprecedented magnitude of the crimes and decided to act outside of its normal procedures and act as judge, jury and executioner in the matter. Penn State accepted this. At the time it seemed like the NCAA was taking extraordinary measures to deal with an extraordinary situation and that Penn State was showing an appropriate amount of contrition.
More Don’t Kid Yourself: The whole thing now looks like a charade designed to get Penn State back up to speed as quickly as decently possible. They got off easy. The penalties included five years probation, a four-year ban on bowl game appearances, plus losses and limits on the number of football scholarships. There was a $60 million fine plus some administrative sanctions as well. They were allowed to continue to play major division football. The NCAA was so anxious to get Penn State back to full strength they began rescinding the penalties in 2013.
Get Your Official Daily Dose Policy Right Here: Penn State has no business being allowed to make money off major division college football. They should have been dispatched to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association to play coed marbles with other Penn State campuses.
The Bottom Line: People and institutions will do what is in their self-interest. Our collective human experience has shown that since time immemorial. All anyone cared about was getting the Penn State football machine humming on all cylinders again.
Mission accomplished. Penn State’s wrist was slapped. Nothing has changed. There are no long-term penalties. It’s as if children were never molested in Penn State locker rooms.
ON THIS DATE! ON THIS DATE! George III becomes king of England and Ireland on this date in 1760. He was 22 and would reign for 60 years, then the longest reign of any British monarch.
FunFact: His two kingdoms were merged in 1801 making George III monarch of Great Britain.
George III served during momentous times. Early in his reign England and other countries won the Seven Years War and later George III would supervise England’s loss in the American Revolution. He succeeded his grandfather George II because George III’s father Prince Frederick had died in 1751.
Good Morning, Sir: Benjamin O. Davis becomes the first black general in the United States Army when he is promoted to brigadier general on this date in 1940.
Davis served in the Army for 50 years. He was first commissioned in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. In March 1899 he was discharged then soon enlisted as a private. In 1901 Davis was commissioned again. He retired in 1948.
Great Moments In Being On The Brink Of Nuclear War: During Day 10 of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States confronts the Soviet Union with pictures of their nuclear weapons in Cuba on this date in 1962. The Soviets, however, refused to acknowledge the presence of missiles. Also, the US begins to enforce its naval blockade with mixed results. They were unable to intercept one ship, though they did stop and ultimately board and inspect another vessel that was cleared to proceed
“Marshall Is Running The Wrong Way!”: Jim Marshall, a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings run a recovered fumble the wrong way into his own team’s end zone on this date in 1964.
The play came in the fourth quarter of a game in San Francisco. 49ers quarterback John Brodie had completed a pass to Billy Kilmer, then mostly a halfback, deep in their own territory. Kilmer fumbled, however, and Marshall picked it up at the 34-yard line and confidently began running the wrong way. He crossed the goal line, which didn’t end the play because a player in possession of the ball in his own end zone can run it out. Marshall, however, thought he had scored a touchdown and tossed the ball out of bounds, which did end the play and gave the 49ers two points on the safety.
The Post Game Show Is Brought To You By Hertz, Where The Winners Rent: The two points didn’t matter, as the Vikings won the game 27-22.
Quotebook:The man who finds the smell is the one who sniffs. – Nicholas Monsarrat, Smith and Jones
Answer To The Last Trivia Question: The New York Stock Exchange’s largest point gain was 936.42 on October 13, 2008. It’s largest percentage gain was 15.34 percent on March 15, 1933. It’s largest point loss 777.68 on September 29, 2008. It’s largest percentage loss 22.61 percent on October 19, 1987.
Today’s Stumper: Who was the American ambassador to the United Nations during the Cuban Missile Crisis? – Answer next time!
Today we have the Week 9 NCAA Bottom Ten for you, plus a fresh Daily Dose and Thought for the Day.
The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 9 Two of 2017’s stalwarts, UMass and Charlotte, both up and won of all things, so there’s quite a bit of movement in the Week 9 survey.
The Daily Dose Today we talk about the Republican Party and why they are still pestering us with their existence. They are unable to govern now and have not produced a decent president not named Gerald Ford since Dwight Eisenhower.
The Thought for the Day When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand, nor can your hand pick anything up. –Omoro
Now, don’t kid yourself, all three columns weren’t written at one. That is a lot of writing, more, really, than we care to do in one day because the mind starts to encourage you to write strange things after that length of time. The Bottom Tens were written Sunday, and the Daily Dose and Thought for the Day were written Monday. Why we don’t start The Bottom Ten on Monday instead of Tuesday is not immediately clear.
The Bottom Ten/NCAA Week 9 By Gaylon Kent America’s Funniest Guy
Wow.
With 2017 stalwarts UMess and Charlotte both winning, and with UTEP off, the Bottom Ten medal stand has an entirely new look with two (2) new teams, Baylor and Kansas, and last week’s #3 team, Charlotte, now holding the top spot.
Recent races in the Bottom Ten have been heralded for their depth and tightness, and the 2017 race for the ESPN Cup – symbolic of Bottom Ten supremacy – is no different, with no less than 15 teams having lost at least five (5) straight games.
This week’s mess:
1. Georgia Southern (0-6; lost to UMess 55-20) Mitigating Factors: Eagles ascend B-10 throne for first time following decisive loss to UMess squad that had been #1 until fortnight of hurricane-inspired bye weeks…Eagles never in it, of course, breaking out to 21-0 and 41-10 deficits, among others…Strong, early tone set as Eagles fumble ball away following 76-yard gain on first play. FunFact: Despite being on track for first B-10 title, Georgia Southern fires head coach after game for not losing big enough. Next Loss: at Troy
2. Baylor (0-7; lost to West Virginia 38-36) Mitigating Factors: Bears, searching for first B-10 title, breathing sigh of relief as loss not secured until offense blows two-point conversion in final minute…Bears doing it with defense, ranking 125th in Total Defense (514.1) and 123rd in Scoring Defense (39.7ppg)…Baylor 0-7 for just second time ever, chasing 1969’s vaunted 0-10 squad. FunFact: B-10 pollsters “pretty sure” Bears first team ever to lose 13 out of 14, with win coming in bowl game. Next Loss: Texas
3. Kansas (1-6; lost to TCU 43-0) Mitigating Factors: Jayhawks back on B-10 medal stand after tying major division record with 44th consecutive road loss…Team so bad athletic website leading off with pics of basketball exhibition, chick rowing match or game or whatever rowers have…Total Team Effort (TTE) sees Kansas give up 475 yards, gain 21…Football Premium Seating tab on website now least clicked link on the Internet. Up Next: Jayhawks just two (2) road losses away from all-time Most Consecutive Road Games Without A Win record (46, Northwestern, 0-45-1, 1974-82) Next Loss: Kansas State
4. BYU (1-7; lost to East Carolina 33-17) Mitigating Factors: BYU humming on all cylinders in loss to lousy Pirates…BYU gets out to early 7-0 lead before turning it over to defense…Cougars seven (7)-game losing skid tied with Baylor for nation’s longest and upstart Cougars can really impress B-10 pollsters by coming back strong with loss to San Jose State after bye week. FunFact: Cougars not only in hunt for first B-10 title, but can claim no less than partial share of Tostitos Plaque – issued to team with longest losing streak in season that actually includes a win – by losing out. Next Loss: San Jose State (10/28)
5. Rice (1-6; lost to UT-San Antonio 20-7) Mitigating Factors: Owls keep B-10 hopes alive with spirited loss to Roadrunner squad that only took football up in 2012…Though defense traditionally key to B-10 glory, Owls doing it with offense, ranking Next-To-Dead-Last in Scoring Offense (11.0 ppg) and 123rd in Total Offense 298.7 ypg)…Owls have lost at least five (5) straight games in a season for fifth time this century. FunFact: Owls really kicking themselves, as win over UTEP means Owls merely another 1-6 with problems instead of being perched on B-10 medal stand. Next Loss: Louisiana Tech
6. Charlotte (1-7; defeated UAB 25-24 OT) Mitigating Factors: Relative newcomers knuckle under B-10 pressure with first win of 2017…Coaching staff still scratching heads, as B-10 title bonuses go up in smoke as 49ers somehow overcome 17-0 fourth quarter deficit after punting or turning ball over on seven (7) consecutive possessions. FunFact: With win coming in mid season, 49ers will need help to claw their way back onto B-10 medal stand. Next Loss: at Old Dominion
7. UMess (1-6; defeated Georgia Southern 55-20) Mitigating Factors: Rusty in first game since September 30, not even Minutemen bad enough to overcome 21-0, 41-10 leads…In role reversal, offense gains 670 yards while defense forces four (4) turnovers…2016 B-10 medal stand laureate and former #1 this season now just another one (1)-win team that can’t stop the run following stunning win. Broad Historical Context: Though still lacking B-10 title, UMess still strong B-10 Team of the Decade contenders, with 11-56 mark since resuming major division football in 2012. Next Loss: Appalachian State
8. Earlham (0-7; lost to Hanover 49-14) Mitigating Factors: Small, Division III school from Indiana, Quakers lose 40th consecutive game to retain Continental Cup – issued to team with longest all-division losing streak in NATO…Despite getting so little practice at it, Quakers actually rank 15th in Punt Returns (15.67 ypr)…With three (3) games left this year, Quakers can tie Macalester’s all-time D-III losing streak mark at 50 games in Week 7 next year. Brand Loyalty: Team so bad squad has Nike logo on jerseys even though they are sponsored by Under Armour. Next Loss: Manchester
9. Duke (4-4; lost to Pitt 24-17) Mitigating Factors: Though four wins usually not enough to garner B-10 ranking, Bleu Devils cite obscure B-10 bylaw – is there any other kind? – requiring former B-10 Team of the Decade to be ranked anytime they have lost four consecutive games…Bleu Devils have lost four (4) consecutive games. FunFact: The B-10 Team of the Decade for the Double Aughts, Bleu Devils looking to lose out in 2017, as 2016’s 4-8 record was only fourth losing season this decade. Next Loss: at Virginia Tech
10. Big 12 Mitigating Factors: With Big 12 teams occupying two-thirds of the B-10 medal stand, league easy selection for coveted B-10 Conference of the Week award…Despite counting on their fingers, twice, B-10 staffers still “pretty sure” Big 12 Conference only has ten (10) teams. FunFact: Despite bottom two teams combining for 13 straight losses, conference officials confident they continue strong .500 mark in conference play.
This Week’s Clash of the Titans: San Jose State at BYU Up Next On ESPN735:Texas-San Antonio at UTEP
When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand, nor can your hand pick anything up. –Omoro
Omoro is the father of Kunta Kinte, both characters in the book Roots by Alex Haley. As those familiar with the story know, Roots is based on Haley’s research into his ancestry, a lineage he traces back to The Gambia. In Roots, Kinte was captured by slave traders and brought to America. Though based on Haley’s research and his family’s oral history, the book is considered to be a historical novel. Later, Haley would acknowledge that some of Roots was plagiarized. Despite this, Roots remains one of the 20th century’s most important works and Roots is a fascinating and as good a book as we’ve read.
As we recall, today’s Thought came in the context of fatherly advice from Omoro to Kunta because Kunta was a rather headstrong lad, a trait he would carry into slavery, where he tried to escape four times. After his final capture, Kinte was given the choice of having his male organ or a foot cut off, and he chooses his foot.
When you clench your fist…
Clenching a fist is not a peaceful act. It is either a prelude to an assault or, perhaps, defense from one, or a sign of fear or anger. None of these acts or emotions are particularly constructive.
…no one can put anything in your hand, nor can your hand pick anything up.
Clenched, a fist is useless for anything except causing harm. As Omoro so brilliantly noted, a clenched fist prevents the hand from acquiring anything, including the holding of another hand. As our fist closes, so does our mind, as anger and bitterness and revenge become our ruling passions.
We cannot afford clenched fists or closed minds in our lives. They do not do ourselves or anyone else any good. When we clench our fists and close our minds we are not open to what nature and circumstance have in store for us, which means we are unable to capitalize on them.
It is useful to note that open is the hand’s natural position. When our hands, and our minds, are open we are liberated from the shackles of anger and free to live the life we are meant to live, instead of being dragged down the road the closed fist has for us. It puts us in a position to put nature and circumstance to work for us.
The Thought for the Day runs regularly. Quotes are from Gaylon’s private stock.
GO GOP!: Last year, when it appeared Donald Trump did not have much chance to win the presidency, we said that his impending loss might well herald the end for the Republican Party. It would serve them right for nominating a gauche, tasteless thug who had no concrete, original ideas and whose only real talent was, and remains, drawing attention to himself.
Fly In The Ointment: Then he won and we thought well, there goes that theory but after nine months of the Trump Administration we again find ourselves wondering why the GOP continues to favor America with its existence.
Because they really should disappear. The GOP has shown time and time again they are utterly incapable of governing. They own the White House and both houses of Congress and have done nothing of substance. Instead of Hail to the Chief, the Marine Band should be playing circus calliope music.
Dry, Technical Matter: There is no leadership in the party, therefore there is no leadership in America. Nobody is saying here’s we are going and then providing the inspiration to get there. Because that is all executive leadership is: Right now we’re at Point A, we are going to Point B, – LET’S GO!!! – and then inspire us to want to go there with you.
Leadership, however, is beyond the GOP’s reach right now. They prefer to wallow in the past, trying to undo what others have done instead of producing anything original.
Get Out Your History Books: Not only are they not leading this country now, the Republicans have not produced a decent elected president since Eisenhower three generations ago.
Here We Go: Nixon was a crook. Reagan was brilliant in narrowing his vision to a few concrete issues, but he was the most managed president in history, setting a precedent that continues to this day. Reagan also presided over the most corrupt Administration in American history, with 138 officials either investigated, indicted and/or convicted of misconduct. Neither George Bush was particularly effective or articulate, and the second one lied to us to get us to fight wars that plague us to this day. Trump’s inadequacies have been well documented here.
OTOH: Gerald Ford, who succeeded Nixon but was never elected vice president or president, was a good, decent man, but following Nixon was an impossible job and the Son of Man would have had a hard time getting elected to his own term.
The Bottom Line: The party of Lincoln is dead. They have not produced a decent elected president in 56 years. They should have been gone long ago.
ON THIS DATE! ON THIS DATE! Harry Houdini, one of the best escape artists ever, performs for the last time in Detroit on this date in 1924. He was very sick, with a temperature of 104 and was suffering from appendicitis besides, which may or may not have been caused or exacerbated by some blows to the abdomen he had received two days earlier.
Oh Yeah: Houdini was hospitalized after the show, where he would die on October 31.
Sell, Godammit, Sell!: The Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 occurs on this date when the New York Stock Exchange loses 38 points and 12.82 percent of its value. It closed 260.64.
Though not the largest decline in either points or percentage, it was the most devastating, combining with an earlier stock market crash in London to herald the start of the Great Depression.
FunFact, Unless You Lost Your Shirt, Of Course: The Depression would last until petering out in World War II, and stock prices would not return to pre-crash levels until 1954.
FunFact, Unless You Lost Your Shirt, Of Course II: Though a 38 point decline in the Dow is no longer significant, the 12.82 percent decline remains the second highest percentage drop ever.
Well, This Should End War Forever And Ever: The United Nations comes into existence on this date in 1944 when its member nations ratify the United Nations Charter. The UN General Assembly will meet for the first time the following January and Norwegian Foreign Minister Trygve Lie was elected the first secretary-general.
Great Moments In Pablo Sandoval: For the fifth time, a player hits three home runs in a World Series game when Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants does it on this date in 2012. Sandoval’s home runs help the Giants defeat the Detroit Tigers 8-3 in game one and the Giants would win the series in four games.
Oh Yeah: Sandoval joined Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols as the only players to hit three home runs in a World Series game. Ruth did it twice.
Quotebook:He decided, as usual, that it was wisest that he mind his own business… – Alex Haley, Roots
Answer To The Last Trivia Question: James Pinckney Henderson was the first governor of Texas.
Today’s Stumper: What are the single-day records for the highest point and percentage losses on the New York Stock Exchange? – Answer next time!
