Of Gov. Wolf, the Magna Carta and Helen Hunt
You know that history often repeats itself, right? Well heres a look at how historical dates can connect to current affairs.
HEY, KIDS, it's June 15, the Ides of June, the middle of the month, halfway home to the very day Pennsylvania's budget's due.
Or, as they say regarding this year's budget by June 30: As if!
Maybe you heard. Our new governor, Democrat Tom Wolf, isn't quite selling his plans for taxing and spending your money to Republicans running the Legislature.
Case in point: Passing GOP House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph in a Capitol highway, I ask, "Well, are we halfway home?"
He smiles and says, "I don't even know where home is."
Rim shot.
But let's not focus on ongoing unresolved-budget blather.
Let's instead enjoy the day and note just some of the events it marks and how they connect to the politics of now.
So stroll with me through history.
On this date in 1215, England's King John signed (actually sealed) the Magna Carta.
A document often cited as the core of our own Bill of Rights, it was really a peace treaty between the king and his feudal barons.
Who knows? Maybe in the spirit of the day, King Wolf signs a treaty with our legislative barons.
On this date in 1502, Columbus, on his fourth voyage, landed on Martinique in the Lesser Antilles.
I'm guessing that Wolf wishes he had landed on a Caribbean shore rather than on the banks of Susquehanna.
On this date in 1648, Margaret Jones became the first woman executed for witchcraft. She was hanged in Massachusetts, which apparently wasn't so progressive back then.
Perhaps on this date or soon, Pennsylvania's first woman attorney general, also associated with witch hunts (hey, that's what some Democrats call it and what Republicans called her Sandusky review), gets hung out to dry.
On this date in 1775, George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army.
Bet he wore the uniform. (Thinking of you, Marcus Brown.)
On this date in 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state, which eventually led to an attorney general who would become governor who would become president and whose wife now wants to become president.
Cue the commenters.
On this date in 1898, the U.S. annexed Hawaii, which led to statehood in 1959 just two years before the birth there of another president. Right?
Commenters?
On this date in 1970, Charles Manson went on trial for the Sharon Tate murders.
Manson, now 80, has been in prison in California since 1971.
Can you say death-penalty moratorium?
On this date in 1981, the U.S. agreed to extend $3 billion in military and economic aid to Pakistan.
Part of the endless wise investments that our government continues making.
There also are some appropriate birthdays on this date.
For example, Helen Hunt turns 52 today.
I mention her for two reasons. She's an excellent actress (especially in the 2012 film "The Sessions") and acting is key to politics. More importantly, her name's in the GOP response to Wolf's request for cooperation: Go to Helen Hunt for it.
Speaking of acting and politics, today is also the birthday of porn actress Mary Carey (she's 35), a 2003 independent candidate for governor of California.
Just last week, Carey told the Daily News' rough, tough Jenny DeHuff that she's thinking of moving to Philly and running for mayor so she can preside over Wing Bowl.
Hey, Jim Kenney, a new Twitter pal? More fun than debating Bill Green, eh?
Finally, today's the birthday of Hall of Fame baseballer Wade Boggs. He's 57.
He's also one of only 28 major leaguers in history to get 3,000 hits.
I mention him because in politics, in our state and in our nation, the hits just keep on comin'.
Have a nice June 15.
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