JAN. 31: Congressional
Republicans introduce legislation to make Jackie Robinson’s
birthday a federal holiday.
FEB. 3: Super Bowl XLVII is held in New Orleans and immediately establishes
an NFL record for a Roman numeral that fewest fans are able to decipher.
FEB. 8: Hurricane Baby Girl threatens the Florida coast. Meteorologists explain
that due to climate change, storms are arriving too prematurely to have proper
names.
FEB. 15: Political guru Dick Morris tells Fox News that his analysis of the
presidential election is "virtually complete," and shows that low turnout
among Mitt Romney's family members hurt him in swing states.
MAR. 1: In an effort to help Canada cope with the theft from its maple syrup
stockpile, Mexico offers a donation of 6 million pounds from its national guacamole
reserves.
MAR. 19: Chris Christie makes a surprise appearance at the annual Cow Bell
Concert in Sioux City, Iowa, declaring, "We must put politics aside." Christie
also denies a TMZ report that his fleece jackets contain wool from Chinese yaks.
APR. 4: On the heels of her break up with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez announces
she is engaged to Ryan Reynolds, freshly divorced from Blake Lively.
APR. 11: Making good on his election night pledge to work with Mitt Romney,
President Obama names Romney U.S. ambassador to the Cayman Islands.
MAY 5: Congressional Republicans introduce legislation to make Cinco de Mayo
an official U.S. holiday.
MAY 18: HBO begins production on its adaptation of the book "All In." The
film stars Kristen Wiig as Paula Broadwell, Ben Affleck as Gen. David Petraeous,
Lindsay Lohan as Jill Kelley, and Jim Carrey as the Internet Guy.
JUNE 4: Eager buyers line up at 4 a.m. to purchase the new iPad Maxi. The
device measures 2.5 x 4.8 ft., and has fold-down wheels for easy transport.
JULY 9: The Postal Service issues a $15 billion stamp. According to a USPS
release, “Projections show that if we sell just one of these stamps per
year, we’re home free.”
JULY 20: The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Bill and Hillary Clinton have
signed a four-year lease on a farmhouse with pool and tennis court. Mrs. Clinton
is quoted as saying, "Iowa is a delightful place to kick back and enjoy
retirement.”
AUG. 1: Noting that the month is sorely lacking in federal holidays, Congressional
Republicans propose making the second Monday in August National LGBT Recognition
Day.
AUG. 15: Christian Louboutin for Target launches a super-sale, with shoe bargains
starting at $650.
SEPT. 10: Continuing its precipitous decline, NBC's "Today" show
is surpassed in morning ratings by PBS's "Dinosaur Train."
SEPT. 14: Congressional Republicans vote to establish federal funding for
Univision.
OCT. 8: Data from the College Board show a record number of students have
applied for the Semester Abroad Program in Gangnam, South Korea.
Oct. 14: Walmart “honors” Thanksgiving Day in Canada by opening
U.S. stores at midnight and keeping them open until Nov. 29.
NOV. 2: Dick Morris concedes that his prediction of total runs scored in the
World Series was off by 23. Morris tells the N.Y. Post, “I had no idea
there were so many Latino players.”
NOV. 28: The nation celebrates Thanksgiving unusually late in the month, causing
the National Retailers Association to propose that Christmas be delayed by one
week.
DEC. 3: Americans line up for the first Plumbing Repair Tuesday, with great “Drain-Buster
Deals.”
DEC. 4: Americans flock to Win-it-Back Wednesday, featuring a 25 percent bonus
at the nation’s casinos for those tapped out after Black Friday, Small
Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Plumbing Repair Tuesday.
DEC. 31: At a New Year’s Eve tea with Republican leaders, President
Obama toasts “good health and prosperity in 2014.” John Boehner
says he is willing to poll his members, but can’t, “in good conscience,” make
any promises.
(c) Peter Funt. This column was originally distributed by the Cagle Syndicate.
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