INTERNATIONAL MIND-BODY AWARENSS DAY UPDATES
-For those of you on Substack, this is the foundation of what this will be. Enjoy!
-Buffalo Bills S Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital after the NFL confirms he suffered cardiac arrest after a hit to the chest in last night’s game. CPR and defibrillators were used on the field by trainers to successfully restore his heart beat, which had stopped after the hit. There is no word yet on his overall prognosis or (for those who care) what the NFL will do since the game was not played and the teams involved are fighting for the number one seed in the NFL playoffs, to start next week (and for whom that first seed gets a bye week).
-Despite both the tragedy and terror of the event and the clear visual evidence that Hamlin’s condition was a direct cause of a collision from a violent sport, UltraMAGA commentator Charlie Kirk (with an odd assist from former syndicated TV actor Kevin Sorbo) tried to connect Hamlin’s condition to COVID vaccinations. Needless to say, there is ZERO connection between the two.
-The 118th Congress starts today, and it seems clearer and clearer that Kevin McCarthy does not have the votes (cue HAMILTON) to become Speaker. There are numerous attempts to cut deals, including one that may allow UltraMAGA leaders like Marjorie Taylor Greene (Z-Q-R, GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL, man) to create a House committee with the power to launch lawsuits independent of any other House committee – but a letter sent this morning from Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) indicates McCarthy still is nine votes short of the 218 (presuming McCarthy votes for himself) needed to win the gavel. Voting will begin at 11 am EST, and should McCarthy miss out it will be the first contested Speaker election in over 100 years.
-If you’re wondering, should there not be a Speaker elected today (or in the next several days), the business of the House will be presided over by the new Clerk of the House, The Hon. Cheryl Lynn Johnson – the first black woman to do so, courtesy of now-former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
-Over the holiday, a Ukrainian HIMARS attack on a school that housed new recruits for the Russian military and weapons has officially left 63 Russian troops dead – though non-Russian reports put the loss at a minimum of 200. The attack counters continued Russian assaults on Ukrainian power infrastructure as well as in major cities, conducted through Iranian-made drones and what military experts believe is a dwindling number of cruise and ballistic missiles. These attacks were preceded by a gaudy New Year’s celebration in which green-screened opulently-dressed partygoers got to hear a chuckling and tuxedoed MC sneer to Europe that “Like it or not, Russia is enlarging!” and another commentator on Russian State TV assure viewers that “life is overrated” (so, presumably, why not enlist for Putin?).
-Slava Ukraini!
-The Associated Press reports that the grand jury impaneled to assess evidence connected to Ex-President Trump’s attempts to secure 11,780 votes to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by Joe Biden is close to completing its work – and thus an Indictment Watch is on. Remember that this probe is essentially a local one, conducted by Fulton County DA Fani Willis, and is based on GA law that could still result in a felony conviction that, among other things, would forever stop Trump from running for any political office. In an apparent response to the proceedings, Trump went on his failing social media site “Truth” (HA!) to again attack Ruby Freeman, one of the African American women seen counting votes in 2020 who testified to the January 6 Commission that the personal attacks Trump made on her ruined her business and led to threats on her life.
-THIS JUST IN: Reports from a caucus meeting this morning indicate McCarthy insisted he was done making deals, dropping a “Goddammit!” and getting a response of “BULLS**T!” from UltraMAGA opponent Rep. Lauren Boebert (N-R-A, CO). Voting for the House speakership begins soon. (WHEE!)
-On this date in 1521, Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. On this date in 1925, Benito Mussolini declared himself dictator of Italy. On this date in 1977, Apple Computer Company was incorporated. On this date in 1990, succumbing to an onslaught of Guns N Roses being blasted into his refuge in the Vatican embassy, former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega surrendered to American forces. And on this date in 2004, the Mars Rover successfully landed on the red planet.
-Happy Birthday to Cicero, Lucretia Mott, J.R.R. Tolkein, Marion Davies, Ray Milland, Victor Borge, John Sturges, Betty Furness, Hank Stram, George Martin, Sergio Leone, Robert Loggia, Dabney Coleman, Bobby Hull, Thelma Schoonmaker, Stephen Stills, John Paul Jones, Victoria Principal, Jim Ross, Gov. Ned Lamont, Willy T. Ribbs, Jim Everett, Cheryl Miller, Michael Schumacher, Eli Manning, Florence Pugh, and Greta Thunberg.
-Rest in Peace/Rest in Power to Conrad Hilton, Joy Adamson, Luke Appling, Johnny Most, Jerry Quarry, Al Smith, Juan Garcia Esquivel, Sid Gillman, Will Eisner, Pat Hingle, Phil Everly, Saul Zaentz, and this morning, Frank Galati.
-Feed the Worms: Assassin to an Assassin Jack Ruby died on this date.
-Oscar-Winning Moviemaker and Virulent Anti-Semite Mel Gibson entered Earth on this date. You decide if he gets a Happy Birthday or if he Feeds the Worms.
-The #1 Movie on this date: in 2023, AVATAR – THE WAY OF WATER … in 2013, THE HUNGER GAMES – CATCHING FIRE … in 2003, THE LORD OF THE RINGS – THE TWO TOWERS … in 1993, ALLADIN … in 1983, TOOTSIE … and in 1973, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE.