Wednesday, February 2, 2005
[1882 - James Joyce, writer, born in Dublin, Ireland]
[1905 - Ayn Rand, social critic, writer, born in Saint Petersburg, Russia]
[1918 - John L Sullivan, heavyweight boxing champion, dies at 59]
[1959 - Vince Lombardi, signs five-year contract as head coach of Green Bay Packers]
The Exemplary Status of Our Grand & Glorious Union as told by Our Noble & Great Leader
Our Founding Fathers in Article II., Section 3. of the Constitution directed the President that:
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;...Do you suppose they envisioned anything like the spectacle that now takes place in our Nation's Capital every year? Does it occur to you that they might look askance on the pomp and circumstance of the event, befitting as it is of the opening of a royal court rather than a simple report by the Chief of the Executive Branch to the Congress? Dr. Franklin might have had some real fun in his Almanack with the ritual applause, the phony standing ovations, and the insincere exhibiting of selected common folk in the Peanut Gallery. It may be good theater, but it is bad for democracy when we are so full of ourselves.
William's Whimsical Words:
Perhaps we should call it the State of the Onion Message, since it brings tears to your eyes as you peel off its layers, and by the time you reach the core, the odor has filled the entire room.
to Almanack Main Page
BACK to Winter 2004 - 2005
