Best line of the day, so far

“Draft opinion from Federal Elections Committee says McCain did not break law. Obama lets out sigh of relief knowing he won’t have to deal with pardoning his old ass”

FARK.com

August 14th is the birthday

… of Earl Weaver. The former Orioles manager is 78.

… of Dash Crofts. The Crofts of Seals and Crofts is 70.

… of David Crosby. The Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash is 67. Mama Cass introduced Crosby, Stills and Nash to one another in 1968. Before that, of course, Mr. Crosby was in another Hall of Fame group, The Byrds.

… of Steve Martin, born in Waco, Texas, but grew up in Orange County, California. He’s 63 today.

… of Susan St. James. The wife of McMillan and Wife is 62. McMillan was played by Rock Hudson.

… of Danielle Steel. The author is 61.

… of Gary Larson. The Far Side cartoonist is 58.

… of Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Magic is 49, as is actress Marcia Gay Harden.

… of Susan Olsen. Cindy, of The Brady Bunch, is 47.

… of Halle Berry. The Academy Award winner is 42.

… of Ernest Thayer, the man who wrote “Casey at the Bat,” born on this date in 1863.

The Outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

Casey at the Bat by Ernest Thayer

Best line of the day, so far

“We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age.”

Franklin Delano Roosevelt on signing the Social Security Act 73 years ago today.

The Social Security Act

. . . was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt on this date in 1935.

My parents are receiving Social Security payments. Should I be worried that their monthly checks will be cut and that I will have to make up the difference?

No, there are no plans to reduce benefits for current retirees. In fact, benefits will continue to grow annually with inflation. Even without any changes, current benefits are expected to be fully payable on a timely basis until 2041.

I’m 35 years old in 2007. If nothing is done to change Social Security, what can I expect to receive in retirement benefits from the program?

Unless changes are made, at age 69 in 2041 your scheduled benefits could be reduced by 22 percent and could continue to be reduced every year thereafter from presently scheduled levels.

I’m 26 years old in 2007. If nothing is done to change Social Security, what can I expect to receive in retirement benefits from the program?

Unless changes are made, when you reach age 60 in 2041, benefits for all retirees could be cut by 22 percent and could continue to be reduced every year thereafter. If you lived to be 101 years old in 2082 (which will be more common by then), your scheduled benefits could be reduced by 25 percent from today’s scheduled levels.

Should I count on Social Security for all my retirement income?

No. Social Security was never meant to be the sole source of income in retirement. It is often said that a comfortable retirement is based on a “three-legged stool” of Social Security, pensions and savings. American workers should be saving for their retirement on a personal basis and through employer-sponsored or other retirement plans.

Is there really a Social Security trust fund?

Yes. Presently, Social Security collects more in taxes than it pays in benefits. The excess is borrowed by the U.S. Treasury, which in turn issues special-issue Treasury bonds to Social Security.

More informative Q&A about Social Security.

Best line about elections, then and now

A supporter once called out, “Governor Stevenson, all thinking people are for you!” And Adlai Stevenson answered, “That’s not enough. I need a majority.”

General Grant National Memorial (New York)

… better known as Grant’s tomb, became part of the National Park Service 50 years ago today.

This memorial to Ulysses S. Grant, victorious Union commander of the Civil War, includes the tomb of General Grant and his wife, Julia Dent Grant. A West Point graduate, Grant served in the Mexican War and at various frontier posts, before rapidly rising through the ranks during the Civil War. Grant’s tenacity and boldness led to victories in the Battles of Vicksburg and Chattanooga and Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, scenes depicted by mosaics in the tomb. In 1866 Congress awarded Grant his fourth star making him the first full General of the Armies.

A grateful nation twice elected Grant to serve as President of the United States, from 1869 to 1877. Grant’s accomplishments include signing the act establishing the first national park, Yellowstone, on March 1, 1872. After the Presidency, Grant settled in New York City. Ulysses S. Grant died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885 in Mount McGregor, New York, and was laid to rest in New York City on August 8th.

Approximately 90,000 people from around the country and the world donated a total of over $600,000 towards construction of his tomb, the largest public fundraising effort ever at that time. Designed by architect John Duncan, the granite and marble structure was completed in 1897 and remains the largest mausoleum in North America. Over one million people attended the parade and dedication ceremony of Grant’s Tomb, on April 27, 1897.

General Grant National Memorial

Unconditional Surrender

Edith Cullen Shain is the nurse in the famous Alfred Eisenstaedt photo V-J Day in Times Square taken 63 years ago today. She kept her identity secret for 34 years, then identified herself to Eisenstaedt and he confirmed it was her when they met.

From an interview two years ago:

“The street was just wild with people. It was exuberant. They were dashing around and hugging and kissing and we walked in on that. And a sailor grabbed me and held me and kissed me a long time.

“When he grabbed me, I didn’t see him, and when he kissed me, I didn’t see him because I closed my eyes. And then I turned around and walked the other way, and so that was the end of the story as far as the recognition is concerned,” she said.

Shain later became a school teacher in California where she married and had three children.

Sixty years later, Shain, who says she was kissed by only one sailor that day, still has no idea who the sailor was. More than 20 men have come forward through the years claiming to be the kisser but none has ever been confirmed.

A statue in Times Square commemorates the moment. It’s called “Unconditional Surrender.”

Click image for larger version of the original photo.