Patty Hearst was sentenced to seven years in jail for her part in a bank robbery (1976)
MARINE DISTRESS SIGNALS
Some of the internationally recognized marine distress signals:
Continuous sounding of any fog-signaling apparatus Gun or other explosive device fired at intervals of one minute Rockets or shells with red stars fired singly at short intervals The spoken word mayday repeated where possible Signaling SOS (. . . _ _ _ . . .) in Morse code by any method Displaying "N C" (November, Charlie) in flags Square flag with ball (or anything similar) above or below it Flames on a vessel, including a burning tar or oil barrel Rocket parachute or hand flare showing a red light Smoke signal giving off orange smoke Raising and lowering arms outstretched to either side Radiotelegraphy alarm Dye marker Orange-colored canvas with black square and circle
Thanks to modern technology...history now comes equipped with a fast-forward button. Gore Vidal (1925-)
France reported that an extreme summer heatwave caused the death of 14,802 people (2003)
CHEERLEADING & INJURY
Though cheerleaders are known for their flashy outfits, athletic routines, and toned, nubile bodies, less attention has been paid to their injuries. A January 2006 report in Pediatrics showed that between 1990 and 2003, 208,800 children aged 5 to 18 were seen in emergency rooms for cheerleading-related injuries: 52.4% of the accidents were strains and sprains, 18.4% involved soft tissues, 16.4% were fractures and dislocations, 3.8% were lacerations or avulsions (tearings or detachments), and 3.5% were concussions and closed head injuries (5.5% were "other," such as dental injuries, hemorrhage, or crushing). The number of injuries increased 110% in the years studied. In response, a national database to track cheerleading injuries is being developed, in part to determine the most dangerous stunts. Thus far, it seems probably that the human pyramid and the basket toss are most likely to imperil participants.
Time is the reef upon which all our frail mystic ships are wrecked. Noël Coward (1899-1973)
Research published in the British Journal of Health Psychology in 2007 explored the health benefits of keeping pets. Dr. Deborah Wells of Queen's University, Belfast, reviewed a number of studies and concluded that keeping a dog brought greater benefits to health than owning a cat. In general, pet owners were healthier than average--especially dog owners, who experienced benefits such as lowered blood pressure and cholesterol. It was suggested that owning a dog improves health by lowering stress, giving companionship, and encouraging constitutional "walkies."
Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else. Will Rogers (1879-1935)
On a rainy Sunday in the Bronx, the New York Yankees a) won their 100th game of the season, b) against their archrivals, the Boston Red Sox, c) finishing a three-game sweep of the Sawx, to d) clinch the American League Eastern Division title and also to e) clinch home-field advantage throughout the postseason (since the AL's victory in the All-Star Game means whatever AL team makes it through the first two rounds will have home-field automatically).
Even more fittingly, the sun came out just as the game was ending.
Andy Pettitte started and was credited with the win despite a rough first two innings, Brian Bruney pitched 1.2 perfect innings (a phrase I never thought I'd write again), Phil Coke got David Ortiz to strike out, and Mariano Rivera finished it off.
Boston and Anaheim Los Angeles will likely sew up their spots as wild card and AL West winner in short order, leaving only the AL Central race to be decided in the junior circuit. Detroit is clinging to a two-game lead going into a four-game series against Minnesota -- the very team they have the two-game lead on. This oughtta be an interesting weekend in Michigan and Minnesota.......
I grew up reading Safire's "On Language" column in the New York Times Magazine. He was one of the finer caretakers of the English language, and he will be missed.
