04.07.09 – Tuesday

Word: defunct [di-fuhngkt] adj. 1. no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning: a defunct law; a defunct organization 2. no longer in existence; dead; extinct: a defunct person; a defunct tribe of Indians

 

Birthday: Francis Xavier (1506), William Wordsworth (1770), Percy Faith (1908), Billie Holiday (1915), Ravi Shankar (1920), James Garner (1928), Wayne Rogers (1933), Jerry Brown (1938), Freddie Hubbard (1938), Francis Ford Coppola (1939), John Oates (1949), Janis Ian (1951), Jackie Chan (1954), Christopher Darden (1956), Russell Crowe (1964), Bill Bellamy (1965)

 

Occurrence: Today is World Health Day 2009. Click here to see where the World Health Organization is concentrating its efforts this year.

 

Standpoint: 53. That’s the number of people who have been killed by violent gunmen in the past month. Each incident is totally saddening. The most heinous one (in my opinion) occurred this past Saturday night in Pittsburgh, PA when Richard “Pop” Poplawski shot and killed three police officers from point blank range. Positively nauseating. Truly. Since the shootings and his subsequent arrest, we’ve come to know some things “Pop”. We know that he was stockpiling weapons due to the assault weapon ban proposed by President Obama. We know that he thought law enforcement was unable to protect society as a result of the current economic crisis. We know that he was discharged from the United States Marine Corps for attacking his superior. We know that he was a white supremacist who despised Obama. Lastly, we know that no one around him thought those facts were cause for alarm. His friends and family are sounding off about him like he was a normal guy who simply had a bad day. Here are a few samples: “He wasn’t a racist. He was a cool person. He thought he was losing some of his rights. He said he’d be ready if there’s ever an invasion of the United States and that he had stockpiled food and guns.” “I mean, he’s not a bad kid.” “He was just an easygoing, fun-loving guy, telling jokes.” Huh? A cool person? Not a bad kid? Easygoing, fun-loving guy? I’m confused. I live in Philadelphia, not Pittsburgh, so I’m not an expert on how people talk on the other side of Pennsylvania. When I describe a guy as “cool,” it usually means he’s a relaxed guy, not a guy who’s buying massive amounts of assault rifles online. When I say someone’s “not a bad kid,” I’m always referring to an individual who hasn’t had a standoff with the law. When I think of an “easygoing, fun-loving guy,” I don’t think of a guy who spends his time on white supremacy websites, writing angry rants on ‘the Zionist takeover of America.’” These people should be ashamed of and hold themselves partially responsible for the events of last Saturday night. (To be continued in tomorrow’s post.)

 

Quotation: If by gaining knowledge we destroy our health, we labour for a thing that will be useless in our hands – John Locke

 

Tune: Joshua Radin is flat-out amazing. His songs have a way of making you happy about feeling miserable. Confused? Listen to “Star Mile”.

 

Link: Create Your Own Flower – Just what it says – Create your own flower.

 

Gallimaufry: Tired of sad and depressing news? Me too. Try this article about a family reunited with its dog, found after months at sea…You can’t attempt to reproduce actual US currency, but no one’s stopping you from creating your own. Communities in Boston and Detroit are printing their own money. Really…The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced this year’s inductees. After I’m sure what was a long and intense deliberation, the selection committee decided to include Michael Jordan.

 

Incoming: Tomorrow – More on this past weekend’s violent events. Later this week – Your Annoying Saying contributions. Cross my heart. I promise.