Born in 1974: The Nixon-Ford year

With the war in Iraq, the uncertainty of Social Security, the demise of the pension plan, a record number of Americans living without health insurance, violence in public schools ... ( I guess I can stop the rant here you get the picture)I understand new parents' concerns about the future of their children. I'm sure you've heard at least one person say they wouldn't want to bring a child into this crazy time. I've heard several.

But let's look back to when I was born. January of 1974.

The Vietnam War was still going on. It didn't end till nearly a year and a half later, April of 1975 with the fall of the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces.

The president in January of 1974 was Richard Nixon, most remembered for scandalous Watergate, not so much ending the draft or actual ending of American fighting in Viet Nam. History recalls that era as another uncertain time. And even former President Gerald Ford who replaced Nixon when he stepped down from office in August of '74, described the time as a country in turmoil, facing riots along with a serious distrust of the White House.  In 1995 when an 8th grader asked the 38th President what he thought his most important accomplishment was, Ford said "healing America." Read the transcript of Mr. Ford's answer from Scholastic.

Of course the death of Gerald Ford is the prompt for these thoughts. Everything is internalized. One of the Presidents who was in office the year I was born died this past Tuesday. Being seven-months-old when he took office, no, I don't remember seeing much of him.

But look at what a great time we live in here in 2006 (nearly 07). If you have RealPlayer you can watch Mr. Ford's swearing in from 1974 via CSPAN. I am now listening to him speak while I write this.  He speaks of non-partisanship and not having campaigned for the job. " I am indebted to no man. And only to one woman, my dear wife. "

Having just endured the 2006 elections consumed with negative attack ads, check out a Ford 1976 campaign ad. He narrowly lost to Jimmy Carter. But despite the feel-good platform he was riding on, his presidency dealt with inflation, talk of a depressed economy, issues of energy shortages and world peace. Hmmmm...

I'm glad I was born in 1974. While we may face similar or even worse challenges than we did 33 years ago, look at the privileges and technology we have to enjoy and advance today.

Boxing Day

If you happen to glance at your calendar on the day after Christmas, you'll see right along with the start of Kwanzaa, its also Boxing Day (C). That "C" means Boxing Day is a Canadian-observed holiday, but its also a legal day off in the UK, Ireland and other countries.

In case you are wondering, Boxing Day has nothing to do with boxing. The International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, has no events planned for this day. (Though just earlier this month the 2007 inductees were announced.)

Boxing Day goes back in time to when the working class gave boxes of food and fruit to tradespeople and servants the day after Christmas as a token of appreciation of their work over the years. Its similar to the modern day practice of giving tips or gifts to doormen, your delivery service or anyone else that provides a service. Read more from Snopes.com. 

It was also the day the servants had off after working the holiday celebration. Wikipedia lists other believed origins, as well as how it is currently celebrated in European countries.

Boxing Day Test (Test Match cricket)  Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race   English and Scottish Football matches

Junkanoo is celebrated in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Boxing Day Dip - in certain UK coastal towns, people wade into the sea on boxing day - often in fancy dress, and usually to raise money for a local charity.

What's more football matches are played in Northern Ireland, almost every retailer holds a Boxing Day Sale, and horseraces are held in Hong Kong.

If you'd like to celebrate Boxing Day, a tip from ehow.com includes seeing a sporting event. Fortunately that shouldn't be too difficult, and you might even find a bit of boxing of sorts. The New York Rangers play the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum tonight at 7:30 pm.

Also, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers have a home game this Boxing Day against the Hershey Bears at 7:30 p.m.

If your cheer is spread thin, maybe you'll get some oomph back by Thursday. Celebrate Boxing Day then with some college basketball. The Sacred Heart women play at home in Fairfield on Thursday at 2:00.