August 14 2020. What mischief will our leaders bring us today? If life in these times were a movie, what would the billing be? A comedy, drama, tragedy, horror film or science fiction? Each day has elements of all. It’s definitely not a love story. As trump says, “it is what it is”. Today is Color Book Day, National Creamsicle Day, National Financial Awareness Day, National Kool-Aid Day, National Navajo Code Talkers Day, National Wiffle Ball Day, Social Security Day and National Tattoo Removal Day. I’ll take a creamsicle. Now some historical footnotes: On this day in 1862 Abraham Lincoln receives the first group of African Americans to confer with a US president. I wonder why he waited until the Civil Way had been going on for a year? This is the day in 1893 that France introduced motor vehicle registration which included a driving test. In 1912 on this day 2,500 US marines invade Nicaragua; US remains until 1925. Why? To protect Americans and their business interests as they developed Nicaragua’s natural resources. Finally, on this day in 1935 the Social Security Act is established to provide a system of old-age benefits, benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, aid for dependent mothers and children, the blind, and the physically handicapped. This date in 1851 Doc Holliday, American gambler, dentist and gunfighter was born. Doc said, “There is no normal life, there’s just life. Get on with it.” This is the day that in 1951 that William Randolph Hearst, American newspaper publisher dies at 88. He said, “You must keep your mind on the objective, not on the obstacle.” He’s right of course. That’s enough. Have an excellent day. Abide.
