"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
Inauguration Date: January 20, 2021
President: Joseph Biden
Vice-President: Kamala Harris
Amanda Gorman, Inaugural Poet, National Youth Poet Laureate -- CNBC YouTube Video
Her words:
"A Nation that isn't broken, simply unfinished."
"But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith, we trust"
"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
Countdown dates:
Sometime before Jan. 20th: Lame Duck President reportedly will exit White House. Moving vans observed .
January 20, 2021 at noon: President Joseph Biden is inaugurated.
POV
-- I continue to be constantly amazed at our LDP's supporters and enablers who persist in denying the truth, ignore his words and actions that document his lies for which he must be accountable. People died!
-- Acts occurred designed to usurp our democratic republic and void "...the most secure election in the history of America" based solely on lies reported as facts that could not be documented for the simple reason that they were untrue!
-- Enablers denying those truths they know but persisting in spreading the lies are even more reprehensible.
-- Inability or unwillingness of LDP's supporters or enablers to recognize violent individuals as domestic terrorists when they were encountered or observed is alarming!
-- Believers of such fallacies and deniers of truth are truly exhibiting cult-like behavior when they cease to be capable of critically thinking, using logic to assess facts, resist doing so by exercising even common sense.
CORONAVIRUS IN SO-CAL
The coronavirus surges on in SoCal. The first U.S county with over a million residents in Los Angeles County alone have been infected in the past year. The new highly contagious variant is now here, also. Hospitals in L.A. County are at the brink of having to adopt triage techniques if infection numbers, need for more beds in ICU increases. Only now are the possible effects developing from those who ignored safety precautions over the Christmas holidays.
Our California Governor has declared all those age 65 and older can now begin receiving vaccinations which is occurring in most counties. Unfortunately, L.A. County has had a slower roll out of the vaccine and medical personnel are still inoculating health care workers and patients in skilled nursing settings per Phase 1A.
Probably all individuals 75 years and older will begin to be able to receive the vaccination around the beginning of February we were originally told, but the newer Governor's declaration of age 65 and older automatically covers that age group -- once L.A. County moves to Phase 1B, greatly enlarging the group that will all be seeking a vaccination at the same time. Where the inoculations will be administered is not yet specified -- possibly in our General Practitioner's office and or other sites TBA.
There is concern now as to whether or not there will be adequate vaccines throughout the United States, including to be able to provide the second vaccine injection at the designated time. Seems our LDP's administration has lied to the American people saying they had a vaccine supply in reserve for the required second injection when, in fact, it was all distributed earlier. Apparently the vaccine was factored into current distribution efforts by those receiving it under the erroneous belief the Federal Government had the second injection reserve yet to release.
Whatever happens, I expect to continue observing safety precautions, including staying at home, for some time to come -- even for a period after I would receive whatever vaccination injections I may eventually be given, whenever.
ENVIRONMENTAL
We're having a Southern California mini-heat wave -- temperatures breaking records across the area into the 80'sF, pushing 90 degrees, in the midst of our very dry winter. We're so far behind on rain we can only hope the rainy weather predicted for next weekend arrives.
FREEDOM FLYING -- The U. S. National Symbol -- The American Bald Eagle
I was all set to share exciting news that the Big Bear Bald Eagle pair whose activities I've written about here the past two years were readying to start a family in 2021. I had virtually visited their nest at Big Bear Lake nestled near the top of a Jeffrey pine tree about 120 feet high off the ground in December 2020. Cougar Jackie and Shadow I observed affectionately beaking one another as they refurbished their nest with more sticks and a little fluff.
There is a streaming live action solar powered camera which has been upgraded focused on their infrared lit nest 24/7 so we can view their activities without disturbing the eagles, thanks to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the 15-mile valley.
Needing sone respite from the January 6th D.C. Capitol events, I paid another virtual visit to the Bald Eagle family later that day to discover Jackie had laid an egg. Their first egg last year was laid in early January, a few days later she laid a second egg, but unlike the previous year, neither hatched later for unknown reasons.
I checked back the next day to see Jackie standing over the nest with the one egg very visible. She seemed anxious, so referencing the chat I learned from the regular watchers there, Shadow had not yet returned to the nest so did not know they had an egg. This was worrisome because he wasn't around now to relieve Jackie of egg incubating duties, or even feed her at times. Ravens and crows could be heard cawing their sounds nearby then quieted. Jackie flew away briefly only to return, then uttering long loud calls, possibly for Shadow, but there was no response. Finally, she flew away again.
Soon the Ravens could be heard drawing closer to the nest, eventually entering it when they received no signs of resistance to their presence. Shortly the dominate Raven began pecking at the egg, eventually penetrating it to consume the contents which the other Raven was finally able to share, too. Soon after they finished eating, they made a hasty retreat as Jackie returned, saw the egg was gone with only a shell bit left off to one nest side.
A few days later when I virtually visited again I read Jackie had laid a second egg but it broke when she was in labor. In another few days Jackie laid a third egg. Shadow had returned brought her a coot to eat, took turns sitting on the nest to incubate the egg. This third egg was frequently left exposed by both birds which was thought might be an accepted technique to delay the eggs development. This can be done up to a point as Jackie was initially thought to have been awaiting formation of a fourth egg which would be a viable second egg in the current nest had she laid one -- but she didn't.
These Bald Eagles behavior has seemed focused elsewhere for reasons we may never know. But as time passed both parental birds seemed to stay away more from the nest. So that last egg was eaten by the ravens, too. Maybe J & S just decided to forego continuing with this clutch. The question is, will they try again with another clutch in this nest later this year? Maybe in February?
Live cam URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWEgPK13Ttl
Checking in on Jackie and Shadow periodically will be of special interest to me during this nesting season as the pandemic has me staying safe at home, especially as we're being told to do during this latest infection surge. Unlike we humans activities hampered by the Covid-19 virus, its variations, these creatures are free as the birds they are to go about their lives as usual. The mystery of whatever is going on in their world now, seems even they are having to adapt to what appears to be different from their expected routine.
"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
Covid-19 in Los Angeles County, California, is continuing to surge as those who may have contracted the virus during the Christmas season holidays begin to experience the infection, needing to seek medical care. Medical "triage officers" have been established in the event beds, doctors, nurses, staff are inundated to the extend service cannot be provided to all patients as needed.
Countdown dates: 2020 Presidential Election - Nov. 3rd
January 6, 2021 U.S. Electoral College vote finalized, accepted in Congressional joint session -- as truth, law and order finally prevailed following sedition/coup attempt.
? ? ? Current Lame Duck President Exits the White House following unsuccessful sedition/coup attempt in Capitol.
January 20, 2021 at noon: President Joseph Biden is inaugurated.
Personal POV
I feel compelled to express my thoughts and opinions about the dangerous assault on our democratic republic January 6, 2021. Be forewarned in the event you want to avoid reading what I have to say. Likely you have had more than your share of feelings and thoughts about this situation, too, and may feel overloaded with it all.
I was repulsed, angered and saddened by the criminal actions evolving from the phony protest march turned mob in Washington D.C. that I viewed on television news coverage this past week. Our Congress was conducting their constitutionally required business when they were violently disrupted.
Knowing how democracies are weakened, witnessing how this now Lame Duck President (LDP) for four years has been following steps to subvert our government to an autocracy, history has shown a violent coup event could be a very predictable possibility at some point. I did not want to believe such would actually ever occur in my United States of America.
I am heart-broken that our nation has been so dishonored by some misguided individuals who violated the very values they claim to be defending. In fact, their violent actions served to undermine our democratic republic. Perhaps some were seduced to act with extremist groups dedicated to destroying our form of government. This now LDP promised years ago he intended to change our form of government, but did not some of his cult-like followers understand what this meant, or do they truly not believe in our democratic republic?
These extremist groups care nothing about those mislead citizen's values if they were in fact seduced into their mob. All continued to be incited by actions and words of our LDP. His chaotic methods have intentionally and systematically been designed to position himself to become an autocratic leader who they blindly support.
There are others who must share blame for the violence that occurred. All those who the past four years enabled this now LDP are accountable for the Capitol Hill events Wednesday, January 6, 2021 and also have blood on their hands including for five people who died in this melee. Voters should, at the very least, see that these enablers are not returned to serve in our government come election day, if not sooner.
Regrettably, one political party in particular must bear the brunt of responsibility for not having reined in this LDP. Too many of them failed to present as a needed trusted, respectable group, clearly not fulfilling their oath of office to protect our democracy and the best interests of the American people.
Deserving to be removed from office are those who put forth LDP's repeated lies, false conspiracy theories, knowing they weren't true. Some even continued to propagate those same lies that night after the failed coup attempt, as some legislative leaders persisted in debating acceptance of some certified votes for President-elect Joseph Biden's and Vice-President Kamala Harris' election.
Surely, the cult-like followers of this LDP must now realize he does not offer a democratic form of government, represent true patriotism, support our constitution or law and order. Even in this LDP's current rhetoric about cooperation for transition to the newly elected administration his words are false.
His promises to continue a drive toward authoritarianism is semi-disguised in a false claim that he is supporting our democracy and constitution. If this LDP's four years of efforts to undermine American citizens trust in our system of government so we would turn to him as our savior was his expectation, he has failed this time. Even if he doesn't return to try again later, there will be others who may be much more subtly adept at doing so in the future so we must be on guard.
Countries around the world have witnessed the strength of the majority of our people to preserve our values, democracy, republic, constitution, freedoms and way of life. They have also seen first-hand our government's weaknesses which we are now especially challenged to rectify.
Those autocratic governments who oppose democracies will attempt to continue belittling and undermining our own. Surely we have learned we must take much greater care in the future about who we vote into Congress and the White House to represent our nation's values. We need to monitor well those we vote into governmental offices beginning at our local, county, state, national levels. We must hold them accountable once in office.
Democracy is fragile as has been dramatically revealed by the end result of this LDP's actions and that of the mob he cultivated for four years. He has periodically incited, then finally ignited them into an act of insurrection, sedition, a coup attempt. While he did not succeed, the monied forces behind this leader, using him and he using them, including even those claiming to be religious people of god acting with the atheists, can be expected to continue their efforts to acquire power.
The intent to take over our government persists, to form into their mold in the years ahead -- ultimately jeopardizing individual rights and freedoms as occurs with all authoritarian governments such as Russia, China, North Korea, Iran (theocracy), Saudi Arabia (monarchy), Turkey, numerous others including various European nations. History shows us, too, how democracies devolve into autocracies such as occurred in the 1930's culminating in WWII necessitating a desperate but successful effort to preserve some freedom in the world.
Americans dedicated in actions as well as words to following our constitution as a nation of laws and order in a democratic republic must exercise our responsibility to ensure we keep this system. We do this by how we conduct our individual lives, tolerate and respect our differences. None of the authoritarian governments have the individual freedoms we do. I don't believe any Americans want to give up our freedoms but that would be the result of losing our democracy to such extremists as those who attempted the January 6th coup attempt.
We need to support The Fourth Estate -- our Press -- discern those who follow high journalistic standards to keep us informed with truth, facts. This means exercising critical thinking to eliminate attending to those who pander in undocumented gossip, conspiracy theories, disinformation, alternate facts, fail to differentiate opinion from actual fact.
We would be wise to take as a grain of salt all we read or hear on social media sites as it is little more than gossip one might hear on any street corner or over the backyard fence -- a mix of fact and fiction, often warped and distorted, that must be later verified for viability through reliable respectable documented sources. To do otherwise leads to wasting time and effort, confusion, anxiety and false beliefs, often leading some users to ill health from needless worry. If we choose to focus on such sites with information disseminated unchecked, we do so at our own risk of being misinformed or worse.
Perhaps the day will come when these social media sites claiming they simply offer free speech will become more responsible purveyors of allowing primarily factual truthful information rather than mostly being exploiters of users to enhance their company's bottom line. These social media sites do seem to have finally made some effort since the Jan. 6th assault on our nation to recognize they bear some responsibility for moderating what is allowed to be dispensed given the influence and power of the medium.
We must recognize some of us, more than I ever imagined could possibly exist in this country, hold extremist views contrary to the values, beliefs, hopes and goals of our constitution and the majority of American citizens. We must be ever more vigilant in the years ahead to protecting our democratic freedoms. To preserve this nation and our rights we must continue to educate ourselves, then vote -- instill in the generations coming after us the critical importance they do the same.
Questions I ask myself and you probably have some of your own .....
--will those responsible for actions and enabling efforts to cripple or to destroy our democratic republic be held accountable?
--will we prevent such horrendous events in the future?
I believe our nation is poised for a golden opportunity to renew our nation's promise with our core ideals for self-government with liberty and equality for all as we seek happiness.
"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
This is a significant week in the continuing procedural steps following our 2020 Presidential election.
Countdown Dates.....
January 5, 2021: Georgia runoff election for 2 seats determines U.S. Senate control.
January 6, 2021 at 1 pm: U.S. Electoral College vote finalized, certified in Congressional joint session -- if truth, law and order prevail.
? ? ? Current Lame Duck President exits the White House
January 20, 2021 at noon: President Biden is inaugurated.
SO-CAL
The first seasonal snow-covered mountains rising above my city attracted many to travel up the 2-lane road in vehicle lines that took drivers three hours to arrive where sledding was active on Mt. Baldy. Late afternoon was time to return downhill but several hundred people became stranded overnight in their vehicles on the twisting turning mountain road since it was taking so long, unable to safely descend back to the valley after sunset, partly because thawed snow had turned to black ice.
Meanwhile, in Southern California we are experiencing the beginning of significantly increased numbers of people testing positive for the coronavirus. This is attributed primarily to viral spreading as a result of the actions of those who chose to ignore taking safety precautions as recommended by health officials during these recent holidays. Hospital services here in Los Angeles County are on the verge of being impacted, jeopardizing delivery of patient care for all, coupled with possible staff shortages.
Vaccinations are beginning but at a much slower rate than has been expected. Continued need to minimize further viral spread will persist in the weeks and months ahead.
COVID-19 RISK ASSESSMENT
For whatever value it might be, here's a possible tool for COVID-19 risk assessment that was reported to me as being useful at microcovid.org. that I found interesting.
My research revealed Berkley Advanced Media Institute featuring this and some other visual reference tools that can be used for COVID-19 risk assessment. The authors state:
"As coronavirus case numbers continue to rise across the globe, we take a look at how COVID risk is being visualized. Calculate your potential risk, see how coronavirus is spread indoors, and the impact of wearing masks."
"In this tool we state our best estimate based on available evidence, even when that evidence is not conclusive" as noted in their disclaimer.
I did use the calculator method to assess my risk of Covid -19 infection meeting with one workman outdoors, both of us masked. Though I reside in high risk Los Angles County, California, USA, my risk assessment in that situation was low as I had thought it would be. Perhaps results like this determined prior to an indoor or outdoor interaction with an individual(s), groups in various situations could be helpful. This could be a tool along with other common sense considerations, including also using our best judgment about whether or not to meet with others, go to various businesses, a grocery store, a religious gathering, enter into other situations.
MEMORY MIX-UP
Losing track of time almost put a fly in the ointment of my planning for my Christmas dinner. This is nothing new, first occurred to me when my children were young after they started school. Anytime there would be special school days off for various reasons and my children would be home on a weekday the rest of the week often seemed like we had just had a weekend and my recollection of the actual day was thrown off. Some of my friends said they had that experience, too, which we would laugh about, feeling relieved to know we weren't really losing our minds.
A work schedule always kept the days, holidays, well in perspective, too, but once I retired, regularly scheduled activities were altered. There could be consecutive days which sometimes seemed quite alike, one after the other. For whatever the reasons, apparently the week before Christmas I had it in my mind that holiday was on a Wednesday which was quite a different form of mix-up. Having completed my Christmas gift ordering and shipping arrangements, my final preparation was to order delivery of the dinner I had decided to treat myself to having. The order completed, I felt quite pleased with myself, ready for Christmas almost a week ahead of time.
A few days later, I don't recall what occurred, it suddenly dawned on me that Christmas wasn't until Friday as I finally double-checked the calendar which I should have done sooner. I was able to reschedule my dinner delivery date for Thursday afternoon instead of Tuesday to save the day. The moral of this story is that I better reference a calendar more and not depend so much on my memory as I try to do to keep it honed and sharp. I wonder if others get their days mixed up sometimes depending solely on their memories?
HAPPY NEW YEAR ---- 2021 ! ! ! Friday
"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas as this holiday weekend ends, we begin to celebrate Kwanzaa and we ready for New Year's Day. Soon to follow are these significant countdown date facts augmented by my point of view .....
January 5, 2021: Georgia runoff election for 2 seats determines U.S. Senate control.
January 6, 2021 at 1 p.m.: U.S. Electoral College vote finalized, certified in Congressional joint session -- if law and order prevails.
? ? ? ? ? Current Lame Duck President exits the White House as he continues his desperate efforts to undermine our democracy, damaging this nation.
January 20, 2021 at noon: President Biden is inaugurated.
Another exciting week at my house as I continue to follow the Stay At Home admonition from health authorities as being necessary to limit Covid-19's spread and to avoid becoming infected.
FaceTime proved to be the means by which our family virtual interaction was enjoyed Christmas Day with expanded participant contact expected in the week ahead, but probably on Zoom due to technical compatibility issues. Additionally, I received videos of selected packages being opened to augment the holiday fun. Given the three hour time difference I could view the recorded action on a delayed basis allowing me to avoid having to arise at the young one's early-rising hour in their home.
As this year comes to an end I have been reminded of how few holiday greeting cards with personal notes I wrote for mailing with equally few received. I was made aware the already diminished number of friends and family decreased even further this year. Additionally, I'm reminded of a virtual friend about whom I said no more than to announce her untimely departure when I learned of it several days after her death.
A tribute to this lady, Ronni Bennett, who created her "Time Goes By" blog is very much overdue. For anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with her, I recommend you explore her blog. Her writings, other features, can be accessed in the blog's archives under a variety of topics. The blog will continue with her dear friend, Autumn, writing there.
I recall with nostalgia my entry into the blogosphere years ago, first only reading, eventually cautiously commenting on TGB when I was simultaneously learning how to use a computer and discovered the Internet. Ronni encouraged me in email correspondence to write, then later completely surprised me by asking me to be a TGB guest blogger on one occasion. My response to her was one of incredulity, "You must be crazy!" as I did not perceive myself writing anything worthy of publication on her blog. I did finally write a piece for TGB, then ultimately started this blog, though my Internet blog launching was quite accidental.
I've shared Ronni's interest in presenting the life of elders as it really is. I've enjoyed engaging in terminology discussions she fostered at TGB including our questioning the use of "senior" as applied to older people, but no one could come up with a better word. She also wrote her somewhat controversial use of the word "elder" as meaning in the sense that it refers to those in generally older generations, whose years of experience can provide ideas worthy of being listened to by others, with respect. She focused on overcoming the decades old practice of age discrimination which she had experienced first hand and persists today. These are only a few issues she addressed.
Ronni's writing hallmark was truth and honesty. She provided factual information supported by documentation on matters of vital importance, especially to those 50 years and older on topics including Medicare, Social Security and more. Age discrimination, language used to characterize older people were issues of significant interest as she wanted to see that negative practice overcome, one to which she had been subjected.
She pinpointed governmental actions, or lack thereof, that had bearing on elder generations, ultimately all citizens sooner or later -- everyone becomes old, if they live long enough. She expressed her point of view on many topics, political and other. Ronni clearly noted when what she wrote was her opinion versus a known fact as any responsible journalist would do. She used an alter ego, Crabby Lady, on occasion to express her dissatisfaction, downright anger at any manner of injustice she perceived.
Ronni entertained us with her good humor, sometimes stimulated our feelings of sadness as well as happiness, also arranged to provide some musical pleasure on her blog. She demanded civility on TGB, did not allow comments designed to elicit free advertising and promotions, set a standard of quality influencing how others administered their blogs.
I've hardly scratched the surface of what Ronni's "Time Goes By" blog, information provided there and commentary has contributed on the blogosphere and to all those who visited there. Her influence went well beyond the blog with writings, media and technology conference appearances. I haven't even touched on her professional career prior to starting this blog which can be sourced on TGB.
"Time Goes By" will continue, reincarnated by her dear friend, Autumn, as mentioned earlier, in whatever form she may choose which I will look forward to visiting. I will miss Ronni Bennett, but will always remember her with high regard, respect and affection.
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R ! ! !
LESS THAN A COUPLE WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS 2020
The U.S. Government Election Officials report:
"The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
Significant Past Date .....
December 8, 2020: Safe Harbor Deadline -- States had to choose electors to be accepted by Congress; voting disputes had to be resolved.
Personal POV .....
The present White House occupant still continues his efforts which very much resemble those of someone trying to stage a coup in his desperate attempt to stay in office as U.S. President for another four years in any way possible, legal or otherwise, despite having lost both the popular and electoral college votes.
Just when it seems he could sink no lower in the tactics he would employ to achieve such a travesty of justice, he descends even deeper into the morass of his behavioral cesspool to establish himself in what appears to be an effort to convert our nation to an autocracy, thus destroying our democratic republic, betraying his oath of office and the U.S. constitution.
Tragically for our nation in this effort many of his cult-like supporters have mindlessly accepted his falsehoods, fear of socialism, other bizarre conspiracy tales as fact -- apparently so confused they are no longer able to discern truth from fiction.
Other Significant Countdown Dates Reminder .....
December 14, 2020: Electors Convene and Vote in D.C. Be alert for possible efforts to coerce Congress to alter electors legal votes.
January 5, 2021: Georgia runoff election for 2 Senate seats -- results will determine control of the U. S. Senate
January 6, 2021 at 1 pm: The vote will be finalized and certified in a joint session of Congress.
January 30 20, 2021 at noon: The President is inaugurated.
Pandemic:
--My city's Covid-19 infection reached the fourth highest new case rate in Los Angeles County this past Friday -- L.A. County ICU hospital beds available are continuing to dip down, currently at 5.3% as I write this Saturday night 12/12. --for those with other medical requirements including from surgeries beds may not be accessible.
--One nearby local hospital official reports in our local Courier newspaper,"we are in internal disaster mode."
Pfizer Covid-19 first shipment to Los Angeles County of 327,000 vaccines will occur Sunday, 12/13. --The first hospital to receive the vaccine is Cedar-Sinai prepared to store in their required deep freezer. --One-half dozen hospitals will receive the Pfizer vaccine. --Vaccinations will be administered to health care personnel and residents in long term care facilities.
--The first shots are expected to be given Monday, 12/14. --A second shot will be required in the future to complete virus antibody resistance. --Anti-body immunity development will take several weeks after both shots received.
-- Long Term Care facilities in my city will be among the first including the one I had most recently served who report expecting to receive the vaccine and begin inoculations Monday, 12/14.
Local newspapers going out of business in cities are a concern I've previously written about. They are referred to as legacy media in the net lingo of today. The term means media that is considered "old" which newspapers are considered to be as are radio, and television; also applies to Web sites using outdated technology. Netlingo says: "With legacy media, the receiver does not contribute or interact with the content and remains totally passive."
Newspapers are important because they tell us what is going on in our town. Local reporters also keep us informed about our local government and what officials are doing affecting all of us. This can be positive actions officials take, reveal information we might want to change, and even be a deterrent to instances of official corruption.
Also, Pewtrusts.org reports: "Covid-19 is crushing Newspapers, Worsening Hunger for Accurate Information."
A year ago Salt Lake City's Tribune became the first legacy newspaper to adopt a nonprofit status as described in this NPR article in an effort to adapt and survive which has been successful to date.
My city's local newspaper, Claremont Courier, has been struggling to survive also. I've maintained my subscription which is now only weekly, also receive their Net highlights. The Facebook page I prefer to not access but is available which my adult children can appreciate who live in other states. The original publisher's son who was in the newspaper business on the east coast became the editor some years ago but his parents are now deceased.
Peter Weinberger, who is that publisher is in the process of sustaining our Courier's life by converting our newspaper to nonprofit status much like the Salt Lake paper has done. The Courier is three months away from adoption of this transition if the IRS accepts their application. They expect to accomplish this reinvention by Spring 2021 which pleases me immensely. I also learned in the recent update my neighbor is intimately involved through a tech company he founded in aiding with this process.
Do you have a local newspaper where you live, perhaps one that didn't survive or has adapted to the Net so you can keep your finger on the pulse of your community?
I think this is vitally important to insure good government starting at the local level, a critical element in our democracy. Maybe your life is such that you have less focus on these matters which may need to occur for some of us, especially in our aging years. What do you think and how do you learn about what's going on where you live or are you caught up with other matters in your life?
Day after day our local TV news features photos of traffic lines that appear to have no end as people line up in their autos, waiting for hours well into the night at the Dodgers baseball team stadium for drive through free Coronavirus testing.
Most of California is now under a voluntary 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. curfew due to escalating coronavirus infection numbers that if they continue increasing may lead to institution of a lockdown.
Viewing the vehicle lineup reminds me of hydrogen-powered cars which have long appealed to me as a possible preference over electric and gas autos. Now it seems Lancaster, California has become the first U.S. hydrogen city and is reaching out to Japan for this purpose. Here's how you drive a hydrogen powered car HERE.
Also, here's what some auto manufacturers are doing to explore hydrogen-powered cars:
Driving, whether a gasoline combustion engine, electric or hydrogen vehicle, they especially matter now as a means for shopping for picking up our purchases from stores and using drive thru services.
When I lived in the Great Lakes midwest a popular fast food drive thru restaurant there was White Castle -- for what are now referred to as "sliders" -- tiny little hamburger/cheeseburger sandwiches. My husband said as a boy he used to be invited with other classmates to the owner's home to celebrate their son's birthday who was their friend. Each attendee received a gift far more expensive than they could afford to give the birthday boy he still recalled from so many years ago.
Many years later as adults when we moved to California a very popular drive thru here was a family-owned fast food restaurant famed for the high grade meat quality as were other ingredients, plus their excellent service, called In 'N Out Burger. They continue to gradually expand into other states.
I am thrilled beyond words with tears welling-up in my eyes as I write this, that the majority of United States voters are preserving our democratic republic, the constitutional form of government our nation's founders gave us "if you can keep it", as Benjamin Franklin cautioned. Our democracy and our freedoms prevail as I could only hope all citizens in other nations might benefit from also.
Projected winners for the offices of President and Vice President in the U.S. have finally been made: the Joseph Biden-Kamala Harris ticket are expected to win; defeating the incumbent President Donald Trump and V.P. Michael Pence after their serving only one four-year term, but a very long, harrowing, grim, demoralizing, chaotic one.
U.S. voters have tried to patiently await the ballot counting in our fifty states which continues as I write this. Meanwhile, the incumbent is filing multiple lawsuits contesting various state vote tallies citing undocumented, so far, voting violations.
To date our citizens have been highly engaged in this election with a historic number of people voting. If the totals prevail, as is expected, Biden-Harris have received a record-setting number of winning votes, 74 million. The incumbents have also received record numbers of votes but sufficiently less than our projected winners, Biden-Harris.
Biden-Harris are expected also to receive the most Electoral College votes in addition to having won the popular vote. The incumbents did not win the popular vote four years ago but did acquire the most Electoral College votes which is what enabled them to assume office.
How symbolic that the state of Pennsylvania popular vote totals will give the Biden-Harris Presidential/Vice Presidential candidates the necessary Electoral College votes to officially become elected. Philadelphia, PA is where our founding fathers wrote and signed our constitution.
Here is a timeline that could still be problematic if states delay in reporting results:
December 8, 2020: Safe Harbor Deadline -- States must choose electors that will be accepted by Congress; voting disputes must be resolved. (Described in this ABA Journal article)
Here are the final timelines once our individual states popular votes are finalized:
January 6, 2020 at 1 p.m.: The vote will be finalized and certified in a joint session of Congress.
January 20, 2021 at noon: The President is inaugurated.
Our citizens have rejected efforts to alter our form of government which would have turned it into an autocracy led by a vindictive man who has created primarily chaos in our country for four years, nurtured hate-filled divisiveness and violence, tragically has failed to fulfill his basic oath to protect each of us as the pandemic continues to take lives.
I am fully aware there will be no quick fix for all the challenges facing our nation. I hope our citizens will continue to provide the meaningful support and patience to aid our new leaders unifying efforts by thinking primarily of what is best for our country, ultimately each of us.
I celebrate our nation once again will have leaders I can respect, of whom I feel proud, who present the true soul of the majority of American people who care about each other in all our diversity and about all people around the world.
As we await the results of the U.S. Presidential election, if you missed WiseWebWoman's message from Newfoundland click on The Other Side of Sixty which included this:
HALLOWEEN NIGHT is when I am writing this for scheduling to publish early Sunday morning. Coincidentally, Daylight Savings Time also takes effect Sun. Nov. 1st at 2 a,m, when we must turn our clocks back one hour -- except in 2 states, Hawaii, Arizona and the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona.
Halloween we ceased to have trick or treaters come to our door and our street years ago, so I stopped leaving my inviting outside light on. Young people also stopped being dropped off here from other nearby communities to seek treats from our residents. I'm fairly confident there was no one this year either, given the safety restrictions due to our pandemic Covid-19.
We haven't had any small children living in our neighborhood for years but a few babies now. Long ago families started having private parties in their homes rather than allowing their children to go door-to-door when news around the country reported problems with some hazardous items being found in candies.
After the first couple years of stocking up on Halloween treats once our children were grown and gone from home, then having all the candies left over, we finally stopped buying any. We could at last avoid the temptation of consuming those left-over goodies ourselves, though at least I bought only candy we liked. We didn't need the sweets, but couldn't let them go to waste, could we!
I recall when we first moved here and our children were small, there were lots of other young children. Trick or treating was a fun experience. First, we went with them, then as they became older, they went only with their friends.
For a few years, a father in our community had rented a gorilla suit. After the really little ones had made their rounds, typically early in the evening, they were taken home by their parents. The night was quite dark by then as the "gorilla" began to make random unexpected appearances coming out of the shadows on some streets to the mostly older children.
Especially the first year he confronted the children, they hadn't known about him so he gave them quite a scary thrill. Subsequent years they harbored anxious anticipation wondering if, when or where the gorilla might appear. They speculated about what else might be out there.
A few years I had an audio tape of Halloween sounds -- wolves howling, chains rattling, voices moaning, cats screeching with other eerie noises and music -- that played from out of our pitch-black darkened garage. This gave pause to some coming hesitantly up our drive. Only one time was I disappointed with the behavior of some older unknown when I discovered one of our carved pumpkins sitting by our front door had been smashed by an obvious kick.
Generations Halloween experiences change over decades. My mother who would have been young in the early nineteen-hundreds when our nation was primarily a farming society, during horse and buggy days, had more restricted outings. Some families might get together, church groups which were often social centers, or small farm area civic centers that had a store or two might have special Halloween events. Older kids had limited travel capabilities from farm to farm (no cars) but could manage to get about.
Mom recalled a story where she lived in those days before indoor plumbing when one neighbor had their outhouse turned over. Unfortunately, unknown to the tricksters, someone was sitting on the throne at the time. Imaging in my mind what this might have been like in that odiferous environment is almost beyond comprehension if you've never had the treat of using one of those facilities.
The years when I was little we lived in a small town. My decade older brother was cautioned by my mother when he went out, to use care about anything he might do, especially on Halloween. Soaping people's windows was common then, so she put soap on a window, had him clean it to show him how difficult it could be to remove the soap.
She intended to discourage him from any such activity -- that soaping was not acceptable harmless fun. She also stressed that he use good judgement to avoid participating in any actions others in his group might do if he knew they were wrong. She reminded him also that with his red hair he would stand out, likely be remembered when others might not, even if he was innocent, if observed by victims of any nefarious activity from his group's members.
Years before kids went out only one night for treats, Mother said they used to go out two nights. The first night was to ask for treats, then the next night to trick those who hadn't given them a treat. The custom had long before become one Halloween night when I went out, but it was called Beggars Night. I had shelled corn from a cob to throw on someone's porch that same night if I warranted they deserved a trick which seemed harmless enough.
I'm still regretful in my now aged state about throwing corn on the porch at one home. An older lady had come to the door angrily shooing us off with no treat. Maybe she couldn't afford to buy candy to give out, it was hard to keep going to the door, she was ill or had dementia. What if her vision was poor, she had difficulty standing or walking I've sometimes since thought?
I realize now how inconvenient and even hazardous that could have been for her, stepping on those kernels and needing to clear them from her porch. I've thought since of my own grandmother who I loved dearly, but we just ran away and down the street to the next house. I wish now I could take that corn back, or would have at least swept it off her porch.
This is finally the week our 2020 Presidential election occurs. News reports indicate we're likely to have a record-setting turnout of voters all over the country. All accounts are that a high percentage of voters submitted their ballot early as I did, too, depositing mine in an official drop box where I usually voted in person. Checking on the internet revealed within only a few days that my ballot had been received, accepted, so would be processed for counting. My family members in other states across the country voted early, too, as did at least one California friend that I know about.
Voter suppression in some states being instituted primarily by the Republican Party hardly can be considered patriotic or in keeping with the tenets of our Constitution, nation's founders, or our democratic republic's ideals.
I'm also appalled and alarmed at any actions threatening the security of candidates campaigning in an effort to suppress the expression of views. Such behavior is totally unacceptable and un-American.
Whether or not the outcome of the election will be determined by the end of election night, or even in the wee hours of the next morning, remains to be seen with so many mail-in and drop-box ballots to be counted.
-- I hope we'll be spared premature announcements of a winner by news media or candidates, other pundits until all the ballots have been counted.
-- I hope the popular vote winner also wins the majority electoral college votes unlike the travesty that has occurred in our nation's recent past twice to our nation's detriment.
-- I hope the U.S. Supreme Court is not drawn into deciding who our next President will be given the seriously questionable legal interpretations as they previously have made.
-- I hope we will know the results of this election by the time I write here next week.
I WONDER what are the Halloween recollections of others? I expect most want election results resolution much as I do.
Be forewarned that I am feeling compelled to express what weighs most heavily on my mind right now with thoughts on the future of our nation. Of special interest presently, as I cast my ballot and others vote across the U.S.A., is my concern our current nation's leader seems to be continuing to betray our constitutional capitalistic democratic republic. We would be wise to remember his words and actions the past four years have gradually, chaotically bit by bit seemed to be systematically designed to destroy our trust in our government.
His goal appears to have been to alter our governmental system into what could be described as a capitalistic theocratic autocracy.
Capitalistic because of his strong emphasis on money, but largely for the benefit of himself and an oligarchy of a select number of the most wealthy supporting him, but not the majority of our citizens.
Theocratic because he panders to a religious extremist minority-in-number dedicated to forcing their protestant social beliefs on everybody rather than living in a society tolerant of others that also permits them to practice their own views.
Autocracy because he chooses to dictate everything to everybody, diminishing or eliminating the power of our other branches of government -- legislative, judicial and condemning anyone questioning him including in the fourth estate -- our free press.
Our government system will cease to exist as will freedom for anyone who might think or speak differently from him given his intolerance.
We would be wise to ask ourselves if our President is betraying or violating his oath of office to defend the intent of the country's founders and our constitutional democratic republic.
Is he placing our nation's citizens at risk of losing our democratic republic as one of the founders, Benjamin Franklin cautioned -- "if we could keep it"? When asked "And why not keep it?" Franklin responded, "Because the people, on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good." So it is we could lose the freedoms our founders gave us.
While our current leader claims to care about all of the people, quite obviously that is just one more of his documented thousands of lies. What is really alarming to me is how many people supporting him apparently do not realize what he is doing or don't care.
Our leader is aided by this backing of the political party he hijacked whose members have failed to learn any of the twenty lessons from the twentieth century Timothy Snyder describes in a few hours of easy-read layman's language in his small paperback book "On Tyranny":
"Timothy Snyder reasons with unparalleled clarity, throwing the past and future into sharp relief. He has written the rare kind of book that can be read in one sitting but will keep you coming back to help regain your bearings."
This book description is by Masha Gessen who eloquently predicted four years ago what to expect from our new leader then -- it has and is occurring. Gessen also described how to survive based on experience as a citizen reporter in Russia ultimately perilously dissenting with leadership there before needing to come here and having dual citizenship with the U.S. now.
A recent Guardian interview includes this statement from Gessen, "I never thought I'd say it, but Trump is worse than Putin". Gessen went on to say, "in order to actually survive Trump's attempt at autocracy we have to give up the idea of some imaginary pre-Trumpian normalcy and commit to reinvention. And that is really what these protests are about."
Trump defies a basic democratic tenet by refusing to state he may not relinquish the office of the President if he is determined not to have been reelected. This from a person who is in office now having received less than the majority of popular votes in 2016. He suggests resolution of the 2020 election winner may end up being decided by our Supreme Court, apparently in expectation they will decide in his favor.
I can't help wondering if an earlier election in 2000 with Florida's hanging chads was erroneously given to a Presidential candidate that actually lost the election when our Supreme Court was injected into that process, then chose to decide who would be our President. The consequences of that decision in subsequent years have been profound in our country and the world.
Preventing a stolen election in 2020 is critical but may not be easy since the Republican Party with the U.S. Senate leader seem complicit in allowing the loss of our democracy as does the Attorney General. They think they control their President who has seduced them by establishing several of their ideological goals, but when unable to prevent potential takeover if he is reelected, they will find in the following years they've given away our and their democracy and freedoms.
The Republicans have been taken over by a minority-in-number faction of their once proud political party backed by private ultra-wealthy forces but fronted by those claiming to be representative of ordinary people under the guise of the Tea Party nomenclature intended to misleadingly imply a connection to a historical American event. Reference: Dark Money.
The Supreme Court may be a wild card presently but there is ample reason to be concerned their allegiance for constitutional interpretation will fall on the side of big money, just as it did when they basically concluded corporations were people, unleashing corrupting monies into political campaigns. The pending appointment replacement for Associate Justice Ginsburg is another factor. Reference: 'Corporations Are People' Is Built on an Incredible 19th-Century Lie -- "How a farcical series of events in the 1880s produced an enduring and controversial legal precedent."
We citizens must be ever vigilant in order to preserve our freedoms and rights best achieved with our current system of government, not an autocracy led by a dictator. We must educate ourselves and vote at every election level. We do need to continue progress toward healthcare as a human right, equality for all, and a more equitable distribution of wealth. Along the way, we better take action to preserve this planet on which we live or eventually for future generations nothing else will matter.
We're getting to the scrambled eggs as I promised in my previous blog post, but I want to review what else I wrote that was and still is on my mind .....
One of California's largest ever wildfires grown now to over 114,000 acres has threatened for the third time the billion dollars worth of vital communication towers on historic Los Angeles area Mount Wilson but again was repelled. This Bobcat Wildfire is finally over 63% contained. The area air quality in my city is slowly improving.
Issues pressing on my mind continue to be associated with the U. S. Presidential election, the Supreme Court Associate Judge replacement situation given the tragic death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the ongoing corona virus threat, perpetual increasing environmental and climate change concerns to name a few matters occupying my thoughts.
Our state's Governor Newsom's recent announcement:
"Executive order directs state to require that, by 2035, all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission vehicles. Transportation currently accounts for more than 50 percent of California's Greenhouse Gas Emissions."
I may well not be around then or driving a car. Self-driving vehicles may be most prevalent in fifteen years, or perhaps we'll have combo car/plane vehicles by then a la The Jetsons. I would be disappointed to miss all that which can be an ageing problem should the grim reaper pay me a visit inconsiderately causing me to miss everything.
The flying car that had intrigued me, the Terrafugia FX, ownership of which was acquired from the American inventors after the business was moved to China is no longer a U.S. option, unfortunately. The prototype I had seen in a video featured a sleek design with folding wings so the car could easily park in the typical 2-car garage.
However, we may have a flying car sooner than we think as the Japanese have announced having one by 2023.
This was supposed to be about scrambled eggs but that will have to wait until next week ‘cause we had an earthquake, but first.....
Strong wind gusts have been picking up fanning the fires still raging east and west of where I live in Southern California, Los Angeles County. Wildfires have expanded into some new areas resulting in more families and animals having to evacuate, homes lost.
Think of all the wildlife including birds and other living creatures that are able, some much too slow moving, those living below ground, all fleeing for their lives. Smoke at higher altitudes cloud level has been moving east across our entire country. Lower altitude skies allow the sun’s rays to filter through here with air pollution lessening somewhat now.
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – Ray Conniff – a calming instrumental version.
Mount Wilson west of where I live sees the continued Bobcat Wildfire ebb and flow as more than 93,000 acres has burned in just the last thirteen days as of Saturday 9/19, fluctuating from 0% to 6%, then back down to 3% for several days and up to only 13% containment as I write this. Fire moving northeast through the mountains toward new populated areas is causing evacuations, more homes lost.
Fire has threatened the historic 116 year old astronomical Mount Wilson Observatory noted for the telescopes providing photographic plates Edwin Hubble used to discover the Andromeda Galaxy. Flames came on two occasions, the last time within 100 feet of that area. Additionally, Los Angeles broadcast towers for television, radio and government agencies are located on that mountain which are critical for enabling signal transmission throughout So Cal L.A. area including to my house.
The Eldorado wildfire east of my town rages on, burning over 22,000 acres endangering new areas there, started originally by that gender reveal celebration which has now resulted in a firefighter’s death. Palm Springs has also had a wildfire emerge causing evacuations.
As if wildfires aren’t enough, at 11:38 p.m. Friday 9/18 as I was writing part of this, we had a 4.5 earthquake with an epicenter west of my town near El Monte – the first quake I’ve felt in several years. Newscasters closer in toward L.A. reported feeling two large jolts.
What I felt at a greater distance east were slight jolts with a slow rolling motion, for about 10 seconds that made me wonder if a truck was going by on my street or Route 66 a block away, but I quickly realized it was an earthquake. I was given pause to wonder, as usual, if this was a foreshock with an even bigger quake to come.
As soon as quake shakes stop I usually immediately turn on the all-news L.A. radio station, KNX. Tonight since my television was on I found KABC-TV was broadcasting live quake coverage as they continued to do until 1 a.m.
They interviewed Dr Lucy Jones, Seismologist and public voice for earthquake science and safety in California whose reliable information and commentary is reassuring. Dr. Jones providing the factual truthful data even with unknown elements, including the possibility of a worsening situation does not incite panic in our cities.
Our actual non-panic experience contradicts the flimsy excuse our illustrious leader in the White House promotes trying to justify his lies and failure to tell us the truth about the corona virus beginning months ago when our having such knowledge could have allowed action to prevent thousands of deaths.
There’s a 1 in 20 or 5% chance a foreshock is preceding a bigger quake to come, but with each passing minute the likelihood of that lessens over the following 24 hours. We did have aftershocks of lower strength, but I didn’t feel any of them.
ABC newspersons also reported text messages from viewers who described what they felt where they were located. Because of the pandemic TV staff have had remote capability setup in their homes which allowed live audio/video interviews with many of them. All of this interaction and sharing of information served to reassure viewers as I, too, experienced.
We’ve had enough disasters here but consider this quake as a wakeup call reminding us that we do live in earthquake country and to be prepared. The ABC-TV News helicopter reported fire and police departments established there was no damage noted in immediate surrounding epicenter communities that might be most likely to be at risk for such.
We learned this quake has been felt all over Southern California as their TV coverage ended. This quake is pretty much out of our conscious concern now as occurs after most we experience that cause little or no damage -- until the next one.
Given the pressing issues of the day including those associated with ...the U.S. Presidential election,
...the Supreme Court Associate Judge replacement situation due to the tragic death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
...the need to save our democracy from what begins to seem like an autocratic capitalistic theocracy of our current leader,
...corona virus threat,
...environmental and climate change issues,
...the reminder of future earthquake potential,
...concern for my younger dear friend living some distance away who unexpectedly texted me from the ER late Friday night, during all this but before the earthquake she would have felt, as she waited for a hospital bed. They didn’t have a bed open, probably due to the virus, though her issues were other than covid-19.
All of this is just to name a few matters giving me quite enough to occupy my thoughts, many of which you probably share with me plus adding a few others of your own. Despite all, my spirits are upbeat and I hope yours are, too.
I am reminded it's critical to ...V O T E ! ! !
The U.S. political party 2020 Presidential nominating conventions have officially selected their candidates in a unique somewhat virtual manner due to safety precautions deadly Covid-19 has necessitated. Take a deep breath and prepare for the unpredictable onslaught of campaign rhetoric. We must watch out for “truthiness” and those “alternative facts”, and be sure to verify statements presented as factual.
Let’s digress with a little upbeat dancin’!
A youtube commenter wrote the founder of this 70’s Grammy award winning group’s description of this funky tune’s origins. Fifty years later seems apropos now as we enter September.
“According to Maurice White, he got the idea for this song in an unlikely place: a hotel room in Washington DC while there was some kind of protest going on below. Said White, "There's all these cats screaming and throwing things and going crazy and this tune just evolved."
SEPTEMBER by Earth, Wind and Fire
Chorus:
Hey, hey, hey!
Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember?
Ba-dee-ya, dancin' in September
Ba-dee-ya, never was a cloudy day
INCIDENTAL EXPERIENCES PART 4 continues....
This tale started some weeks ago with a simple idea of describing what a strange on-the-job training experience I had when I was hired in production for a live television talk show years ago that I described in this series first two blog posts. Related memories incidental to the story’s point unexpectedly began emerging in my mind which I have kept adding here for better or worse. I’ve also revealed recollections of our show’s host whose friendship was an interesting addition to my life for a number of years.
Writing in Part 3 about the previously described unglamorous meager comforts our TV station offered show guests triggered recollections of a few of those who graced our stage. A favorite of mine was comedian, native Ohioan, Phyllis Diller at her performing and movie stardom’s height then who appeared each time she was in town. She was performing at the area’s premiere night club, Danny Deeds Maramor, but always arrived for our TV show’s early morning hour by herself in a cab she asked to wait for her, then after her appearance she quietly and quickly left inconspicuously.
Another significant guest then, was Gardner McKay, a sudden heart throb star in TV’s “Adventures in Paradise” series created by Pulitzer prize winner James Michener, author of Tales of the South Pacific, a quite admired book in those days. The Broadway musical, then movie, “South Pacific”, also prompted by the book, were partially revered for a story line uniquely unheard of then with its frank treatment of racial prejudice -- still pertinent today.
Here’s “A nostalgic look at Tahiti and the schooner TIKI ... built especially for the TV series. Dorcas Cochran and Lionel Newman composed the beautiful theme music ... for a few episodes they collaborated with Henry Mancini.”
Handsome 6 ft 5 inches tall McKay rejecting acting celebrity left show biz when his series ended, unwilling to renew his contract, turning down a role with Marilyn Monroe despite her personal pleas. He chose to lead an unusual life you can read about in the McKay link above. In contrast to Diller, McKay, though pleasant, came to our studio with a surprisingly large entourage which may have reflected a new star’s initial reaction to fame surrounding himself with supporters.
The bigger the star, generally the nicer they seemed to be, the more likely to be alone or accompanied by only one other person. I recall then popular orchestra leader Vaughn Monroe, “Racing With The Moon”, who was exceptionally nice telling an aspiring young musician in our audience who unexpectedly approached him, to see him after the show when he then provided counseling as promised. Internationally known blind jazz pianist George Shearing who did have an assistant for obvious reasons who cautioned me not to ask Shearing for his signature which I wouldn’t have.
The Frank Sinatra impersonator whose name I now forget, but he could have fooled anybody and had our audience gasping when they first glimpsed him enter the studio, was another memorable guest; also entertaining trumpeter Wild Bill Davidson. There was laughter for all with comedians such as Henny Youngman who came out of vaudeville, famous for his one liners like, “Take my wife .... please!”.
Well remembered was good-looking popular singer Jack Jones who had women in the audience swooning; even the older ones who remembered his father actor, tenor Allan Jones. On the night of son Jack’s birth this father recorded his hit “Donkey Serenade”. Here are Jack Jones and Alan Jones on a “Love Boat” episode singing together many years later.
Jazz and pop song vocalist Nancy Wilson at her career’s peak was a local girl made good coming home to promote a friend opening a new club, The Sacred Mushroom, near the Ohio State University campus. Following world-renowned jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie’s appearance my husband and I enjoyed his night club performance though we were surprisingly part of only a very sparse audience in a small nondescript rough little place with unpainted wooden bleacher-type seating located in the city’s minority community.
Then there was talented international stage and movie actor Walter Slezak who strained my talents by asking me to sew a button on his raincoat. This necessitated my racing all over the station trying to find a needle and thread ... of any color ... anywhere ... we didn’t have a costume department!
I can’t forget blustery broadcaster Arthur Godfrey “the old redhead”, who successfully transitioned from radio stardom to become top of the nation’s television viewer popularity heap for several years until he instantly fell out of favor on the network and with the viewing public for unexpectedly firing much-loved singer Julius LaRosa on the live show. (Read this Awkward Moments link describing TV’s vagaries.)
On our show’s air Godfrey had accepted our host’s unthinking offer of a cup of hot tea causing me to have to scour the station to finally come up with one old tea bag not even in a protective cover, stuck in a crevice at the back of somebody’s desk drawer – heaven only knows how long it had been there, or what it would taste like. Then I had to find some office with a pot brewing hot water.
I finally had the brew, returned to the studio, was then gestured to present the hot tea – probably less hot by now -- to Godfrey on camera. I named the decades long-associated tea brand he promoted when I handed him the cup. Wouldn’t you know, seems he’d had a falling out with them, but he rose to the occasion, elaborating on that fact to all, then quickly promoting his new tea brand without chastising me for such a faux pas.
Then there was Canadian Lorne Greene of TV’s western “Bonanza” fame who was serious and appropriately all business. Unassumingly quiet shy sweet tiny little Sylvia Sidney who successfully transitioned from the silent film era into early talkies leading lady stardom guested. She continued to act for decades more to have an over 70 year career.
Ms Sidney had reportedly come to town to visit an old friend who worked for her beginning in her early Hollywood movie days. Loyalty and even affection runs strong, whatever the hierarchal professional relationship, once trust is established for most of those performers in the entertainment business has been my impression and experience.
Currently popular at the time was the Four Freshmen vocal group, also a favorite of mine I’d seen perform several times prior to working the TV show, once with the then notable Stan Kenton orchestra. Meeting Freshmen leader Ross Barbour delighted me though he was more than a little disappointed we didn’t have their latest album. Upon his learning this I could hear the tension and irritation building in his voice as he spoke to me but checked himself before berating me. Unlike radio stations that received free promotional records TV stations didn’t, so we didn’t have a library of recordings or any albums.
Instead The Freshmen were stuck with lip syncing one of their older but most popular tunes, “It’s A Blue World” from one of my personal albums our show’s producer/director had requested I bring to the studio. Interestingly to me was that Ken Albers, one of the group’s various replacement vocalists from their original foursome was a personal friend of our director -- perhaps the two of them should have addressed the record issue.
Here are the Hi Lo's singing A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.
The TV show’s guest list continues with current at-the-time and older major stars of the day – but those are just a few personalities who immediately came to my mind, possibly not some of the major guests or individuals others would have vividly recalled. Guests weren’t all professional entertainers, could be government officials, sports figures, politicians, persons of interest from any walk of life, including occasionally the musically talented trying to break into show business.
We periodically promoted what might be considered public service interview segments for worthwhile groups such as one struggling to provide care for babies with spina bifida, for whom there was little treatment in those days, such babies were often expected to die, a neglected group. Numerous artists, other interesting people were featured, both legitimate and otherwise, like Alan Abel who wanted to clothe animals because, he said, nude, they were immodest. Years later Abel finally revealed he was an international hoaxer but that’s another tale.
Once the artist entered the live show studio they could at least monitor the on-air conversation and activity so when finally introduced they could enter into the show’s flow with dialogue having some continuity. Unfortunately, the studio audience could see them off-camera, so most “star” guests had to be kept in the other barren studio and just go on the show “cold”, so to speak.
Well-known guests and star artists would be recognized immediately, once the studio audience saw them, and could become a distraction. They could unintentionally cause a studio audience massive collective “g-a-a-a-s-p,” or loud “Oh-h-h!” which would go out over the air confusing viewers at home since it would have nothing to do with what was happening on-camera that viewers were seeing. That interruption then generally required the host to offer a brief explanation which wasn’t always convenient depending on what they were in the midst of doing. Viewers weren’t as tech savvy about TV operations behind the camera to know what was happening then as we’ve all become during the ensuing years.
My host friend, Jack Denton, toiled in the entertainment business as so many do, without national fame, but enjoying his work. He never achieved making an appearance on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show which had been one of his goals. He had been on the original Dating Game years prior to the subsequent versions before hosting our TV show. The years after he left our show I didn’t see him in most of his film or TV appearances as listed on the imdb site, many roles quite brief, some non-speaking. He hadn’t mentioned them or asked that I view them.
Jack’s best known role in several different productions, like “Annie”, was as FDR (click to see photo link). He especially relished the part because he was a major admirer and fan of former U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I first recall unexpectedly seeing his FDR image in a limited non-speaking appearance on PBS TV’s 1987 American Playhouse “Eleanor: In Her Own Words” starring Lee Remick’s one-woman show speaking Eleanor Roosevelt’s words. He recreated his FDR roll when he toured in a road company of the Broadway show “Annie” which had precipitated his becoming so angry with me for not attending which I described in this blog post series Part 2.
As most actors do, I’m sure many roles he took were to gain experience and to pay the bills with the hope he would make some connections leading to more work and bigger parts. Of course, he had only entered into the acting scene when he was older. He may have had scenes or lines in some shows that ended up on the cutting room floor. Some movies may have turned out to be quite different from what he thought they would be when he took the role. Perhaps some vehicles and roles he may have preferred to forget. I recall thinking that about one film when I heard his voice as I was surfing TV channels and stopped to watch that movie which would have been better left unviewed. Fortunately, he later had some more appealing vehicles.
I really thought this would be the end of my tale, but I’ve recalled an unusual serendipitous incident, somewhat related, which you might find of interest. What’s one more final week to start the new month before ending this epistle!
