January 17, 2022. I haven’t browed the headlines of today, so I don’t know who said something stupid, got caught doing something bad, got their 15 minutes of fame or died. I do know, based on experience that at least one headline will fill each of those categories. None of these reported facts are intended to make me feel better, or optimistic, or just happy to be alive. While we’re probably better off not reading or listening to constant negative drumbeat, but it’s hard to avoid it. Today is Ben Franklin Day, Blue Monday, Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day, Cable Car Day, Elementary School Teacher Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Hot Buttered Rum Day and National Bootleggers Day. My quotes will come from Mr. Franklin because it is his birthday (1706). On this day in 1775 nine old women were burnt as witches for causing bad harvests in Kalisk, Poland. On this day in 1871 the 1st cable car was patented. On this day in 1893 Queen Liliuokalani was deposed by an American coup and the Kingdom of Hawaii became an American republic. It was a dark day in 1920 when the 1st day of Prohibition took effect. In 1950 on this day 11 men robbed a Brinks armored truck of $1.2 million in cash and $1.5 million in securities. The Great Brinks Robbery took place in Boston. Now let’s listen to what Mr. Ben Franklin has to say about life and other subjects: “If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.” “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” “Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.” This is a fitting quote to end this post with: “The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all others, charity.” Abide.
