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The Daily Dose/January 8, 2009
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
   
Your Heavyweight Champion of the World, the Daily Dose, is back, with notes from around the Human Experience, and a pretty girl named Estela is the Column Four Foto.
AND NO ONE'S OVERRUN THEM YET? On this date, in 1297, Monaco gains its independence from what was then the Republic of Genoa when Francois Grimaldi, ancestor of the still-ruling family, dressed as a monk, presented himself at the gates of the castle and, with the help of others, overran it.
Can't We Get A Troop Surge Or Something Going Here? On the Mediterranean Sea and completely surrounded by France, Monaco is just over two miles long at its longest point and about three-quarters of a mile across at its widest point. It has a population of roughly 33,000 and is the most densely populated sovereign nation in the world.
They Don't Write 'Em Like That Anymore: Using phrases such as "I EMBRACE with great satisfaction the opportunity, which now presents itself, of congratulating you on the present favourable prospects of our public affairs" and "circumstances auspicious, in an excellent degree, to our national prosperity" President George Washington delivers the first State of the Union to the United States Congress in New York City on this date in 1790.
Ten-Hut! Washington focused a lot on the military, or the "common defence" as he referred to it, advising Congress that "to be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace" and "A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined."
Dry, Technical Matter: He also touched on the naturalization of immigrants, currency, weights and measures, the promotion of science and literature, agriculture, commerce, manufacturing and encouraged Congress to pay "due attention to the Post Office and Post Roads".
A Final Thought: Reading Washington's parting thought, one can't help but wonder how Washington would have fared in today's partisan political imbroglio of special interests and sound bites:
And I shall derive great satisfaction from a cooperation with you, in the pleasing though arduous task of ensuring to our fellow citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect, from a free and equal government.
Great Moments In Andrew Jackson: US forces, led by Gen. Andrew Jackson, defeat the British at the Battle of New Orleans on this date in 1815. The war had actually ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent the previous December, but word hadn't yet reached New Orleans. The defeated British would retreat and attack Mobile, Alabama and capture Fort Bowyer, but would leave when they received word of the war's end in February.
Great Moments In Andrew Jackson II: On this date, in 1835, the US national debt is $0, the only day in its history the US is debt free. By the end of the year Uncle Sam would be $37,513.05 in the red, a little less than three-quarters of a million dollars in today's dollars.
Great, Another War: In another State of Union address, President Lyndon Johnson declares war on poverty on this date in 1964. Like his other war, this one wasn't won, either, as there are still people without places to live or enough food to eat.
Get Your Official Writer's Shack Policy Right Here: Which isn't really the governments fault. The purpose of government is to provide for the liberty of its citizens, not insure their financial well being. Throughout history there have always been those without, regardless of the system of government, and the sooner we learn that lesson the better off society will be.
Ain't No Stopping Us Now: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 2,000 for the first time, on this date in 1987. It had closed above 1,000 for the first time on November 14, 1972 and closed above 3,000 for the first time in April, 1991. The Dow closed at 8769.70 Wednesday, a figure it first closed at in March, 1998.
Full Speed Ahead: The USS San Francisco runs into an undersea mountain south of Guam on this date in 2005. One sailor dies from head injuries and the entire bow of the ship will end being replaced.
Dry, Technical Matter II: You know, a long time ago in another life, we navigated submarines. It isn't that hard. The only way to run into something you shouldn't is if several people aren't paying attention to what they should be doing.
And so it was here. The chart in use at the time of the collision did not show the mountain, however other charts available did show the possibility of a hazard. These charts were not used and the navy found that several standard voyage planning and navigational procedures weren't used.
What Is This, The Special Olympics? Seven crew members, including the captain, were tried administratively and punished for their roles. 20 crew members received medals, though it should be pointed out they were awarded for actions after, not before, the crash.
ONE MORE THING: We mentioned earlier this week about how the length of the college football season is getting on our nerves. He are some numbers: 134 days - just over 19 weeks - and parts of six calendar months will be needed to complete this season, and most teams only play 12 games, though the teams playing tonight are playing their 14th.
By contrast, it took major league baseball 213 days, about 30 and a half weeks, to get 162 games in for each team, plus three rounds of playoffs. This figure does not include the regular season games played in Japan, because it doesn't help us make our point.
Well? We were, frankly, hoping the numbers would make a bigger splash in pointing out just how long the college football season has become, but even the small splash of 134 days makes our point.
Hey, How About This? It took the NCAA just 106 days to complete its Division III season, which consisted of a 10-game regular season and man-sized 32-team playoff.
Thought For The Day: She'd often observed that people generally lived up to whatever expectations they had of themselves. - Emily Brightwell, The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries
Answer To The Last Trivia Question: Lee Iacocca worked at Ford from 1946-78 before starting at
Chrysler. A big WS shout-out to Bob who had the correct answer at our message boards!
Today's Stumper: George Washington began the tradition of Presidents delivering their State of the
Union messages in person. Which President ended it? - Answer next time!
Comments? Recipes? Complaints? Email the Writer's Shack here!
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