Follow me below the Tang flavored cloud for the 3rd edition of the Decades series, this week focusing on December in the 1970s...
This Month in 70s History: USSR airlifts invasion army to Afghanistan (December 25, 1979). Merry Christmas, Afghanistan, (you know, if an Atheistic nation would wish a Muslim nation such a greeting), let's start a nine year war, accomplish nothing besides a decrease of the surplus population (Scrooge shout out!) and further speed up the dissolution of our nation. It has been called things such as the "Bear Trap," or "USSR's Vietnam", but I think "Soviet Union's Iraq" would be more appropriate.
Sergei Sokolov. USSR's version of Tommy Franks and Donald Rumsfeld wrapped into one package. Heckuva guy.
1970s Song of the Month: Brand New Key by Melanie (#1 on Billboard, December 25, 1971). A simple, lighthearted song, filled with innuendo only if you want to go there. Also, Mrs. Kalspa's karaoke go to song.
1970s Movie of the Month: The Godfather II (Released December 20, 1974). Whether it is your favorite or second favorite Godfather movie, this still takes the cake for the most heralded sequel ever (with apologies to Empire Strikes Back, Return of the King and Young Guns 2).
Modern Day Tagline: Preemptively making up for Godfather III for 39 years.
1970s Law of the Month: Occupational Health and Safety Act (Signed into law, December 29, 1970). OSHA, of course, is the thing that allows the government to make sure that your workplace isn't killing you. An interesting read on the foundation for this law and the battle leading up to its passage can be found
here. Basically, the original call for broad based, government backed safety standards and inspections took place in 1870. 100 years later, it happened. Seems about right.
1970s Progressive Champion of the Month: Tom Laughlin. The Actor/Director/Producer/Counselor/Activist/etc. passed away earlier this month. He was best known for his series of Billy Jack films, which portrayed a part Native American Vietnam veteran who fought against the oppression of minorities and counter culture participants (although the films could be criticized for their violence is needed to fight oppression message). The films were a model for independent film making in respects to distribution and promotion. Laughlin also founded a Montessori school and was active in progressive politics until his death.
As cool as Clint, and never yelled at any chairs.
1970s Conservative Bum of the Month: William Rehnquist. Confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice on December 10th, 1971, Rehnquist might be best known for giddily presiding over the Clinton impeachment trials, or worse yet, being the one of the five people who chose George W. Bush as President in 2000. However, he had plenty of asshole moments in his first nine years on the court, as well. Some low-lights include his dissension on Roe V. Wade, his narrow view of the 14th amendment, and talking down to future Justice Ruth Ginsburg after she gave an eloquent argument for
gender equality.
1970s Sports Highlight of the Month: December 26th, 1970. World Cup final between Italy and Brazil airs on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Final score: Brazil 4 Italy 1. Sure, it aired 6 months after the actual game, and it was a truncated version. However it was the first color broadcast of World Cup action and it did introduce Americans to Pele. The U.S. would not be able to see live World Cup action for another 12 years.
1970s Inflation Freak out of the Month: Ajax cleaner was 15 cents a can in California, in 1970. But if it makes you feel better, the most popular computer of the 70s was priced at $399. And it couldn't even get any porn.
However, you would get a much bigger box to play with than an I-pad Air.
1970s Reincarnation watch of the Month: On December 25, 1977, Charlie Chaplin passed away. The next day, Miss Teen USA 1996, Brandee Layne Loving was born. Coincidence?
1970s Quote of the Month:
The youth of this country have only two heroes, Ralph Nader and Billy Jack. -Tom Laughlin, 1975