It’s become the 10th day of November. We’re still flying through space at a speed of 448,000 mph on this rock we call home. I am amazed that life exists here and even more amazed that I get to enjoy the experience of living. The odds were not in our favor and yet here we are. The philosopher Rene Descartes, said “I think, therefore I am”. I’m going to think about this day which is National Forget Me Not Day, International Accounting Day (boring), National Young Readers Day, Sesame Street Day, National Vanilla Cupcake Day and the United States Marine Coups Birthday. I’ll take a cupcake if you’ve got a spare. On this day in 1674 the Dutch formally cede New Netherlands (New York) to the English. On this day in 1775 the Second Continental Congress forms Continental Marines, precursor to the United States Marine Corps. This is the day in 1885 that German engineer Gottlieb Daimler unveils the world’s first motorcycle. In 1908 on this day the first Gideon Bible is placed in a hotel room. On this day in 1940 Walt Disney begins serving as an informer for the Los Angeles office of the FBI; his job is to report back information on Hollywood subversives. This is the birthday (1919) of Mikail Kalashnikov, Russian general and inventory of the AK-47 assault rifle. He said, “The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics.” This is also Russell Means birthday. He started life in 1939. His bio is Native American activist, actor, writer, and musician, born in Porcupine, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. Russell said, “Mother Earth has been abused, the powers have been abused, and this cannot go on forever. No theory can alter that simple fact. Mother Earth will retaliate, the whole environment will retaliate, and the abusers will be eliminated.” I agree with Russell. That’s enough to start my day. Be sure to Abide.
