The Daily Dose/February 3, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around our human experience.
Editor’s Note: today’s Leading Off originally ran on this date last year. It is still relevant.
Leading Off: A post-America America
Today we were chatting with a friend who made some crack about us living in a post-racial America, which was funny and insightful because, of course, we are not living in a post-racial America. We don’t make blacks stand on blocks so they can be sold anymore, but otherwise, America is as racist as its ever been.
We then noted that we are living in a post-America America. Sure, this is the type of funny line that ensures we don’t get invited to any parties, but the more we thought about it the more we thought it was true:
America is a shell of its former self. Forget making America great again, we’d settle for making America average again.
The American Century is long past and if we don’t do something soon 100 years from now the world may well be looking back on an America that is long past, too, because we cannot sustain perpetual war, fiscal insanity and deep social divisions forever. Eventually, they will consume and overcome our country and America will be tossed aside the scrap heap of History, probably before this half-century is out.
Collectively, America means nothing to Americans anymore. The America that forged independence, won World War II and put men on the moon has left the building. Perhaps not forever but, at least, for now. It won’t take all the king’s horses and all the king’s men to get it back again but it will take concerned and conscientious voters – you and me, we the people – ready to demand better on Election Day.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow starts using his new desk calendar. Today’s Diary.
The big news is the new 2021 desk calendar debuted today…It’s actually been in the trunk of the new ride for the past couple-three weeks because yours truly been on the lookout for just the right one…It wasn’t to be found, however, and yours truly had to settle.
I’ll miss the old one, frankly…It’s the same style I’ve been using for the past few years, a monthly deal that was the perfect size for the desk and that you would always be able to pick up at the Legion state convention because the incoming state commander always bought a bunch.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1917 – The stage for United States involvement in World War I is set when the US ceases diplomatic relations with Germany after the Germans announce the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. The Germans did this, in part, because they felt they would win the war by the time the US could mobilize, though the Germans would surrender to Allied forces on November 11, 1918.
In 1972 – The 1972 Winter Olympics open in Sapporo, Japan with 1,006 athletes from 35 nations taking part. The Soviet Union won the most gold medals, eight, with the US finishing fifth with three. Sapporo had originally been awarded the 1940 Winter Games but gave them back after their 1937 invasion of Japan, and these were the first Winter Games to take place outside of Europe or North America.
In 1990 – Michael Bolton is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the third and final consecutive week with How Am I Supposed To Live Without You. It was the seventh of 16 Top 40 hits for Bolton, his second of seven Top 10 sons and his first of two #1s (When a Man Loves a Woman, one week, 1991). The song also went to #1 in Belgium and Canada and peaked at #3 in Great Britain. In 1983 a version by Laura Brannigan had peaked at #12 on the Hot 100.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Third, were we truly men of integrity–men who never ran out on either the principles in which they believed or the people who believed in them–men who believed in us–men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?
John F Kennedy
Speech to the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1/9/61
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The Seattle SuperSonics appeared in three NBA FInals: 1978, 1979 and 1996. They won in 1979 and are now the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Which was the only country to win only one medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics? – Answer next time!
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