NATIONAL TRIVIA DAY UPDATES

-Well, THAT was fun in the House of Representatives yesterday, wasn’t it? The first time since 1923 and the Civil War that multiple ballots left nobody with enough votes to become Speaker, a fairly clear alternative that apparently does not want the job (Jim “Gym” Jordan, OtheR Way, OH), a leader who by most reports could not guarantee new votes coming his way despite trying to ply his caucus with literally dozens of large pizzas, and one of the leading opponents (Rep. Matt Gaetz of FL, man) now literally squatting in the still-empty but moving-box-full House Speaker office demanding the moving boxes be moved out – it was a tough day for Kevin McCarthy (SpeakeR?, CA) yesterday, and today is not looking much better (even with another social media post of support from Party Leader Ex-President Trump).

-How much not better is it looking? Many UltraMAGA social media sites were going ballistic yesterday after MAGAts Gaetz and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) were seen schmoozing openly with one of their biggest nemeses: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). When asked about it on MSNBC, AOC replied both were concerned Democrats would leave the chamber, which would then potentially allow McCarthy to eke out a victory (he needs a majority of votes of those present). AOC assured them both that Democrats were watching with glee and literal popcorn being passed (Chicago’s Garrett’s Popcorn got prime billing thanks to tins being passed by Reps. Robin Kelly and Jan Schakowsky) (DISCLOSURE: Jan’s my Congressperson!).

-AOC then went a little further by explaining that, hey, the Democrats are unified behind their new leader, Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and if McCarthy reeeeealy wants to be speaker, well maaaaybe he could cut a deal on the other side of the aisle (after all, Gaetz himself has said he’d rather see Jeffries than McCarthy with the gavel) and win. Just asking questions and putting it out there, that AOC.

-Today is likely to bring more fun, as most reports indicate McCarthy still does not have the votes, and Team Gym is working to see if they can get more votes on their side.

-So while we wait for the 118th Congress to officially begin – and it can’t begin until there’s a Speaker, whose first task will be to officially swear in all the new Representatives (contrary to a Tweet from “George Santos” (“R”, “NY”) claiming he became a Rep yesterday) (uh, no) – America’s snack food industry is poised to have another stellar day!

-We don’t want to get too far in the new year without congratulating billionaire weirdo Elon Musk, who unofficially set a record on December 31 by losing more money than any human in one year ever! The combination of his increasingly ill-advised purchase of Twitter and stock freefall of Tesla (over 70% and STILL dropping as of yesterday) has meant that, at least ‘on paper’ as they say, he lost over $100 BILLION last year. So now you know why he needs that eight bucks if you’re still on that social media outlet. (And by the way, Bloomberg reports that billionaires in the US lost $660 billion last year, and billionaires worldwide lost over $1.4 trillion in value in 2022. Cue the Sarah McLachlan, won’t you?)

-Buffalo DB Damar Hamlin continues to receive treatment in a Cincinnati hospital after receiving a hit in his chest and collapsing during the Bills/Bengals game on Monday. Hamlin’s father reported that, while he is on a respirator and still listed in critical condition, Hamlin’s vital signs are back to normal and he is still being treated under sedation. One positive that has emerged: a toy drive started by Hamlin that had a goal of $250,000 has now exceeded $5 million in donations. The game has been suspended and is not going to be played this week – and with the NFL Playoffs starting next week, prospects for the game being played at all seem low.

-To end on a positive note, the Washington Post reports that a New York University study reports that cheese is not as bad for you as its reputation (and those pesky doctors) claim! The study says one of the world’s most delicious foods is more than its bad reputation for saturated fat and lactose – the process of cheesemaking and fermentation is believed to transform the raw products into acids and enzymes that do not add fat (like, say, butter) (sigh) and even creates good nutrients like Vitamin K (good for blood clotting and bones). So go ahead and order that deep dish or that Wensleydale – cheese is good for you, Gromit!

-You’re Welcome!

-On this date in 1965, Lyndon Johnson proposed a series of social safety net programs collectively referred to as The Great Society. On this date in 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House (and, interesting fact, in last year’s House election, Kevin McCarthy got more GOP votes than at any time yesterday!). And on this date in 2010, the current tallest building in the world opened – the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

-Happy Birthday to Isaac Newton, Jacob Grimm, Louis Braille, Barbara Rush, Don Shula, Sorrell Booke, Floyd Patterson, Dyan Cannon, Helmut Jahn, Maureen Reagan, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Bernard Sumner, Patty Loveless, Andy Borowitz, Matt Frewer, Vanity, Michael Stipe, Dave Foley, Cait O’Riordan, Todd Sauerbrun, Katie Crutchfield (aka Waxahatchee), and Derrick Henry.

-Rest in Peace/Rest in Power to Elizabeth Ann Seton, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Albert Camus, Barry Fitzgerald, Erwin Schrodinger, T.S. Eliot, Christopher Isherwood, Phil Lynott, Mae Questel, Les Brown, Gerry Rafferty, Stuart Scott, Robert Stigwood, Gregry Sierra, and Tanya Roberts.

-The #1 novel on this date: in 2023, IT STARTS WITH US by Colleen Hoover … in 2013, THE RACKETEER by John Grisham … in 2003, PREY by Michael Crichton … in 1993, DOLORES CLAIBORNE by Stephen King … in 1983, SPACE by James Michener … and in 1973, JOHNATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL by Richard Bach.