Quote of the day:
After seeing demonstration of a flame thrower the idol of every US Marine, Lt. Col. (at the time) Lewis “Chesty” Puller said “Where do we put the bayonet?” This man was a Marine’s Marine. Anyway, after a blast with the flame thrower, what would be left to stab?
Trivia question of the day:
In Gone With The Wind the plantation next to Tara was Twelve Oaks.Scarlett's boyfriend before Rhett lived on that plantation. What was his name and who played him in the movie? Answer at the end of the blog.
As some of you may or may not know there is a gigantic BMW assembly plant and seven Michelin tire manufacturing plants along with many smaller businesses that supply BMW many, many smaller parts within a 10 mile radius of Greenville, SC. These and a GE gas turbine plant are the largest employers in this area by far. All of this leaves the unemployed percentage as infinitesimal. Over 70% of the cars manufactured here are exported with the largest market being Germany and China which accounts for 42% of sales.
On the stock market there is a company named “Fortune Brands”. They own Jim Beam bourbon, Titlist golf equipment and Master Lock security equipment. Fortune has decided to sell Titlist, which includes Footjoy shoes and gloves and Master Lock. They will retain their “spirits” business which includes Jim Beam, Canadian Club and Maker’s Mark. Fortune says that this business generates $2.5 billion annually. That is hell of a lot of booze, y’all. My head hurts just thinking about it.
This Date in History December 10
1974 On this date the Washington, DC police stopped a car near the Jefferson Memorial moving very slowly with the lights out. The police look into the window and who should appear but the 65 year old Senator Wilbur Mills of Arkansas drunker than Cooter Brown. The good Senator had a few substantial scratches on his face also. But that ain’t all; the Senator had a traveling companion. It was the 38 year old Annabell Battistella. Annabell was obviously well endowed top to bottom and suddenly she leaps out of the car and jumped into the close by tidal basin. The police grab her and pull her to safety by her.....Well, they pull her to safety. The police determine that Annabell had a few scratches of her own plus a black eye. That is not all they determine, Annabell is an exotic dancer using the alias of Fanne Foxe. Keep in mind that good old Wilbur is the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and this kind of exposure ain’t good for him. Anyway, some of Senator Mills’ assistants come to his aid and he is taken to a hotel room to sober up promising the police that he will be back to pay his fine, if any. This episode was so sordid and widespread that it cost Wilbur his chairmanship and eventually he decided that he would not run for office again. By the way, the nosy news reporters determined that Wilbur and Annabell had been having this relationship for several years but it finally caught up with him and cost him his career. This is fair warning to you married guys out there. But for all of us older single guys, WAY TO GO WILBUR!!!
1864 On this date the Union army under the command of US General William T. Sherman arrived in front of Savannah, Georgia after sweeping a 60 mile wide swath of destruction through central Georgia. The Confederates had flooded all the fields around Savannah leaving only a few roads on high ground to be defended. Sherman realized that he had outrun his supply line and tasked US General O.O. Howard to find the supply ships that were supposed to be awaiting their arrival. Howard sent one of his lieutenants and two enlisted men on the hunt. The lieutenant finally flagged down a Union warship and got them to take him to the supply ships which are riding at anchor in an inlet near Hilton Head Island. The lieutenant ordered the supply ships to Savannah. The 10,000 man Confederate army defending Savannah were commanded by General William Hardee. Sherman’s army was 60,000 strong. Hardee was able to hold out until December 20 then he realized that there was no way he could continue against the siege and he led his army up the coast to fight again another day.
1963 On this date the 19 year old Frank Sinatra, Jr. is kidnapped from Harrah’s Casino at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Very soon thereafter Frank Sinatra, Sr. is offered help from Attorney General Robert Kennedy and even crime boss Sam Giancana. Frank Sr. refused help except from the FBI and they arranged a series of phone calls and a drop area for the money. The kidnappers accepted the terms, took the money and told the FBI where they could find Frank, Jr. The FBI picked up Frank, Jr. and took him to safety. A few weeks later a man named Frank Ryan turned himself in to the San Diego police as being one of the kidnap conspirators. Very soon after that all the conspirators were captured with the leader being Barry Keenan. Keenan did 4 ½ years hard time and was released. Today he is a multi-millionaire real estate mogul in the Los Angeles area. There ain’t no justice, is there?
1967 On this date a plane carrying soul singer Otis Redding and members of the band the Bar-Kays crashed into a lake near Madison, Wisconsin. All of the occupants were not killed and one of the survivors said that he had been asleep and woke up, looked across the aisle at one of the band members who suddenly raised his arms and yelled “Oh no!” and then they hit the water. There was a snow storm in Madison that day but it should have had no effect on that flight. The exact reason for the crash was never determined.
1911 TV journalist Chet Huntley. When speaking of former Vice-President Spiro Agnew he said “I hesitate to get into the gutter with this man.” Agnew had to resign in disgrace as Vice-President because it was proven that he took bribes while Governor of Maryland.
1805 US writer William Lloyd Garrison. He said “That which is not just is not law.” Hey William, who the hell determines what is just and what isn’t? I’ll tell you what, let’s just allow every person to determine what is just in their eyes and then anarchy will prevail. Then it is simply a case of who is the strongest, meanest or has the most efficient weapons. That would take care of the problem...right?
Here is the answer to the trivia question:
The character was Ashley Wilkes portrayed in the movie by Leslie Howard.
Thanks for listening I can hardly wait until tomorrow
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