Opus 2017-046: How the Mighty Have Fallen

I have today off work.  I have next Monday off work.  It is nice working for the government.  When I was a kid one was Lincoln’s birthday and the other was to commemorate Washington.  In our modern world we still remember Lincoln today but have added all the other presidents in a lump to make next Monday President’s Day.  Remember that a lot of these guys owned slaves so we don’t want to give them any special attention. 

I am not sure that I want to celebrate President’s Day.  I have no reason to bring attention to Buchanan or Harrison.  I am sure they were nice men but not great lights in history.  Some such as FDR, Carter and Obama make me want to forget that we had presidents.  I will just continue to consider it Washington’s birthday.  Maybe we could have a “Fill in the Blank President’s Day”.  I would nominate Calvin Coolidge. 

How discerning are we in our choices for commemoration?  I did a little Google for February and came up with some of the days listed along with Presidents’ Day:  Groundhog day, National Wear Red, World Cancer Day, World Radio Day, Valentines Day (synced with International Condom Day), International Language Day and National Margarita Day.

I found a more inclusive list at National Calendar Day.  It included such worthy events as National Carrot Cake Day, National Lame Duck Day and National Toast Day.  I could not find a mention of Lincoln or Washington.  I understand that my school district has voted to take off Cesar Chaves day in the future.  Sorry I will miss that.

What a country.  I hope you got paid for not working today.

homo unius libri