Thoughts for the Day, January 19, 2021: Inauguration Eve

Noon on January 20, 2021 is a moment over 80 million people have been waiting for and dreaming about for four years. For most of those 80 million people the Trump nightmare is over. It is a day of hope and reconcilliation. A new beginning led by a 78 year old man who spent 36 years as a senator and 8 years as vice-president. His centrist ways and willingness to work with others to find common ground will be a great asset as he tries to get his cabinet members confirmed and pass covid-19 relief legislation. His strong relationship with Republican Senator Mitch McConnell will go a long way in helping to get things done. He knows that he has tremendous challenges in front of him, the biggest and most difficult challenge is trying to break down the divide that exists between republicans and democrats, the divide that exists between the extremests on the right and left, as well as, the great divide that exists between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. I am extremely optimistic that he will be successful.

The peaceful transfer of power that occurs on inauguration day when a new president takes office is one of the things that separates democracy and the USA from so many other countries. With over 15,000 national guard troops stationed in and around Washington D.C., it seems anything put peacefull to me. I am sure the transfer of power will be peaceful, but only because even the knuckleheads who stormed the capital on January 6, 2021 are not knucklehead enough to do something stupid tomorrow in Washington D.C.

One of the great things about cell phones is their ability to take pictures and videos. I am amazed at all the knuckleheads who stormed the Capitol who were stupid enough to post pictures and videos on social media that the FBI and other law enforcement entities are using to arrest and build a legal case against the knuckleheads. Many of knuckleheads have realized the error in their ways and have attempted to delete their posts on social media. They somehow have forgotten that once something is posted on the web it is never deleted and can always be recovered.

I got a kick out of the story of the young women who supposedly stole Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s computer and tried to sell it to the Russians. She brought to the attenditon of authorities by her ex-boyfriend after she posted a video on social media. She has subsequently turned herself in to face some very serious charges. Just another example of a scorned former lover getting lasting revenge.

Michigan’s mens basketball team bounced back from their loss on Saturday with a 23 point win tonight agains Maryland. They won it with their defense and some sharp shooting from 3 point range. It also helped to have senior Eli Brooks back.

Tiger Woods recently had his fifth back surgery, a microdiscetomy. After 5 back surgeries and 5 knee surgeries I wonder how much more his body can take. I know he wants to win two more “majors” so he can pass Jack Nicklaus in “majors” and Sam Snead in professional victories thus, cementing his title as the Greatest of All Time. I hope in his desire to become the GOAT, he doesn’t damage his body so much that his quality of life diminishes. I have seen too many former athletes who can hardly move when they reach their late 60s and early 70s as a result of their sports injuries and subsequent surgeries. It may be too late already.

While growing up in River Rouge, we had a sports writer, Joe Enright, who had a feature in his weekly column of handing out orchids and onions to people did something outstanding (orchid) or to people who did something that was not so good (onion). I am going to be adding that feature to my blog starting tonight.

Stay safe. Wash your hands regularly, Social distance, Wear your mask. Get your vaccine.

Qoute of the Day: “All our differences hardly add up to the values we hold in common.” President Elect Joe Biden.

Today’s Orchid; Vice President Elect Kamala Harris, for being the first female and women of color to hold the position of Vice President.

Today’s Onion: President Donald J. Trump, for not attending the inauguration ceremony.