Paracultural Calendar for Jan 20

[Mark Thibodeau]

On this day in *250*, Roman Emperor *Decius* begins a widespread
persecution of Christians. *Pope Fabian* is martyred.

***

On this day in *1920*, the *American Civil Liberties Union* is founded.

***

On this day in *1921*, one of the greatest "downsizings" in history happens
when the nation of *Turkey* is cobbled together from the smashed fragments
and still-smouldering embers of the Ottoman Empire.

***

On this day in *1954*, the National Negro Network is established with 40
charter member radio stations. Needless to say, they played ALL the best
records.

***

On this day in *1961*, renowned poet *Robert Frost* recites his poem "The
Gift Outright" at *John F. Kennedy*'s inauguration. Afterwards, JFK takes
Frost back to the Oval Office and fucks his brains out. Or not.

***

On this day in *1971*, former Beatle *John Lennon* meets *Yoko Ono*'s
parents in Japan. Badly garbled babbling ensues.

***

On this day in *1977*, having laid the groundwork for the evil to come, *George
Herbert "Poppy" Walker Bush *ends his term as CIA director.

***

On this day in *1981*, during the *very instant* that *Ronald Reagan* is
being sworn in as President of the United States, 52 American hostages are
freed after being held hostage for 444 days in Iran. Does this incredible
coincidence lend credence to the proposition that *Reagan/Bush* and
their *"Secret
Team"*
<http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2004_01_18_dneiwert_archive.html#107449373832218365>
CIA
cronies brokered a deal with the hostage-takers, getting them to agree NOT
to release the hostages before the election, therefore reducing *Carter*'s
chance of scoring an "October Surprise" release, increasing voter
dissatisfaction with Carter and increasing the chances that they would vote
for the foreign policy hardliner Republicans? You be the judge.

***

On this day in *1989*, *Ronald Reagan* becomes the first President elected
in a "0" year since *1840* to leave office alive. For reals, yo.

***

On this day in *1991*, the media informs the American public that Patriot
missiles have successfully begun shooting down Iraqi "Scud" missiles. Ten
years later, investigations would expose the lie. During the entire *Gulf
War*, the Patriot didn't bring down a single Scud.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://waste.org/pipermail/pynchon-l/attachments/20150120/9c4006c3/attachment.html>