The Daily Dose/September 13, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Yesterday in this space we discussed how there is no middle ground in America nowadays, how the moderate is an endangered species. How did we get to this point? How did we get an America where the extreme elements are running the Republican and Democratic parties?
USA 101: For practical purposes, America has always been this way, and we were a two-party country even in colonial times. But things always got done, a middle was found, and the extreme elements of early parties were relegated to the back benches. Now they are front and center.
Fly In The Ointment: How did we get to this point? How did we get to an America where everyday sensibility and long-held mores are being challenged and dismantled?
Dry, Technical Matter: It didn’t happen overnight. Our own opinion is that it started in the Reagan Administration. And it has nothing to do with Reagan’s policies, either. Rather, Ronald Reagan was the most managed president in history, his advisors turning shading perception to control public perception and reaction. – known as spin – into an art form. We have not recovered from that.
The Bottom Line: We Americans tolerated this and eventually became accustomed to having our perceptions and reactions manipulated. Consequently, we were divided like never before. Compiance became mandatory and we accepted this and now our divisions are wide and deep. The America that shed British shackles, that ended slavery, that put men on the moon, is gone.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow is already at a 50-hour sleep week. Today’s Diary.
We’ve been sleeping great ever since we started doing that neck exercise, where you lay on your back with your legs up and a foam roller at the base of your skull…God bless all of you…
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1814 – The US Army successfully defends Baltimore in the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. A British fleet of 18 ships had begun bombarding Fort McHenry, though damage was light because the fort had recently been reinforced and the battle ended the following day with a British withdrawal. The attack, and the sight of the US flag still flying the following morning, inspired Francis Scott Key, an attorney, to write a poem that eventually became the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner, the US national anthem.
In 1872 – Tom Morris, Jr, becomes the first golfer to win four consecutive British Opens at Prestwich Golf Club in Scotland, defeating Davie Strath by three strokes. It was the fourth and final British Open and major title for Morris, and the first of two runner-up finishes for Strath, his best finishes. The tournament consisted of eight players, who played three rounds in one day. Morris, Jr remains the only player to win four consecutive British Opens.
In 1969 – Johnny Cash is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the fifth and final consecutive week with A Boy Named Sue. It was Cash’s tenth of 13 #1 songs on the country chart and the song also went #1 country in Canada, and peaked at #2 on the Hot 100, Cash’s only Top 10 pop hit. The song was written by Shel Silverstein and was recorded live at Cash’s famous concert at San Quentin State Prison in California.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
You yourselves have made these men great by giving them your support, and that is why you have fallen into evil slavery.
Solon
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
The US National Championship/US Open has been played on grass (1881-1975), on clay (1976-77), and on hard courts (since 1978).
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many stanzas are there in The Star-Spangled Banner? – Answer next time!
