Thoughts for the day
Sunday morning, the clocks sprang forward and we lost an hour in a tradition many say has long past its sell-by date.
Personally, I don’t have a problem with it. Like Spring Training and the groundhog, it’s one of those little things that give me hope that another winter of misery will soon be in the books. It was particularly nice this year as I dealt with six inches of snow and bitter temps.
As far as its original intent — energy savings — studies show daylight saving time hasn’t been a winner. And, according to some sensational headlines I’ve read, daylight saving time is actually a killer. Every year there is a spike in fatal car accidents, heart attacks and strokes that coincides with springing forward, and an equal drop when we fall back.
I don’t know, ditching daylight saving time sounds a little drastic, but I can’t argue with statistics. Plus, we have a lot of clocks in this house. Wall clocks. Desk clocks. Car clocks. Appliance clocks. Why do we have so many clocks?
Come to think of it, one of those clocks is particularly frustrating. It’s large, high on the wall, and the nail hole is so small, I spend an extraordinary amount of time teetering on a step stool cussing it out. In fact, I can see myself at a far greater risk of an accident, stroke or heart attack when it comes to that clock.
So, on second thought, let’s ditch it! But, before we fall back. I’ll take my daylight in the evening, thank you very much.
The Six
No. 1
After two years, federal student loan payments were supposed to kick back in this May. But, not so fast. DOE told companies that service the loans not to reach out to borrowers about that deadline. NPR on why your student loan payments may be delayed (again).
No. 2
Police have made an arrest in connection with fentanyl overdoses involving five West Point cadets — two of whom are football players — at a Florida vacation home during spring break.
Six men and a woman overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine and were taken to hospitals on Thursday, according to police. The U.S. Military Academy confirmed Saturday that five cadets were involved and four were transported to the hospital, according to a report at News4Jax.
No. 3
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will deliver a virtual address to Congress Wednesday, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi announced in a joint letter, Reuters reports.
No. 4
As the war in Ukraine drags on, The Economist has extensive coverage. Vladimir Putin is pushing Russia into the past. Maybe by a generation, maybe by a century. Good coverage from a global perspective, free of much of the background noise that pollutes U.S. coverage.
No. 5
He’s baaaack. Tom Brady unretired Sunday and will return for another season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As noted on social media, the Major League Baseball lockout lasted longer than his retirement. A feel-good story all around, right? Not for the person who paid more than $518,000 at an auction for Tom Brady’s final NFL touchdown pass football. Refund? Online auction house Lelands.com has no comment, at this time., NBC Sports reports.
No. 6
1980s leading man William Hurt, who starred in “The Big Chill” and “Body Heat,” died Sunday of natural causes at the age of 71. Younger audiences will know him as General “Thunderbolt” Ross in the MCU. Variety has the story.
Quote of the Day
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG” — Tom Brady on Twitter. Mainly so I could use “LFG”
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About
Christopher Six is a passionate advocate of community journalism with more than 30 years in the media, corporate communications and marketing. An award-winning designer, columnist, illustrator, photographer and newsroom leader, he is a respected voice in journalism ethics. A veteran reporter, he has created and taught news writing seminars for community colleges and the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.
Editor’s Note
Pick Six is published most Mondays-Fridays. Sharing of stories does not equal endorsement, however, personal thoughts and commentary on those stories are 100 percent my own.