FEBRUARY 7 — 1984 McCandless becomes1st human to float untethered in space; 1936 Felix the Cat created; 2002 George W. Bush calls for Faith-Based Initiative; 1881 Plea Bargaining begins in American courts; 1988 Happy Birthday Detroit Lion QB Matt Stafford
FEBRUARY 7
1984 – Introducing Bruce McCandless. He enjoys electronics, photography. scuba diving, cross country skiing. Oh yeah, and flying. As in 170 miles above Earth. Navy Captain Bruce McCandless became the first human being to fly untethered in space. On February 3rd, the Challenger was launched from Kennedy Space Center with her crew Mr. Vance Brandc as spacecraft commander, CDR Robert L. Gibson, who was the pilot Dr. Ronald Mcnair and Lt. Cdr. Robert Stewart. On the 7th McCandldess exited Challenger with his jet powered backpack, otherwise known as an MMU or Marined Maneuver Unit, and checking out the view of Earth. This was a great exercise to repair and service orbiting satellites and to assemble and maintain large space stations.
1936 – Felix the Cat is created. As in, the wonderful wonderful cat. He was created either by Pat Sullivan or Otto Messner, depending on who you ask, but it would appear Felix came from Sullivan’s studio. Good thing he was a black cat because black and white technology was the only available choice back then. Felix ruled the silent film era, but once Mickey Mouse he took a back seat. He’s been used since as a mascot for Chevy, the New York Yankees, Charles Lindbergh, US Navy Bombing Squadron Two, punk band the Queers and so so many more. In fact you can see him in all his glory on the corner of Figueroa St. and Harbor Freeway in L.A.
2002 – President George W. Bush calls for a plan for faith-based initiative. Eleven Federal Agencies would be used to provide social services through the FBCO, or Faith Based Community Organizations. It is generally believed that individuals and couples should receive tax breaks for donations to faith-based charities as well as secular organizations. This would cause the obvious ensuing debate over separation of church and state, and question the constitutionality of such a thing. But in the end, according to history.com, even though 70% of Americans prefer that government agencies provide the majority of aid to the needy and poor, the same number supported the right of church organizations to apply for federal funding for their social programs. So I guess you can have it both ways when you’re in America.
1881 – Plea bargaining becomes a trend in American courts. Albert McKenzie pled guilty to embezzlement from the company he worked for in Alameda County, Calif. Instead of a plea of not guilty, the plea bargain gave the option to plead guilty of lesser charges. n a plea bargain, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to one or more charges (often to a lesser charge than one for which the defendant could stand trial) in exchange for a more lenient sentence (and/or so that certain related charges are dismissed).
2010 – New Orleans Saints win their first super bowl, beating the Colts 31-17. Carrie Underwood sang the national anthem and the Who played the halftime highlights
1988 – Happy Birthday Detroit Lion QB Matt Stafford.
According to Wiki, Stafford is the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season, in 2011, and is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 30,000 passing yards (109 games). So before you go busting on the Lions, give the man a break.
He’s got some incredible numbers for a guy who leads a horrible team. Born in Tampa Stafford became the first draft pick of the 2009 NFL season. But he was only 2-8 in his first year starting for the Lions, they slowly improved and Matt found his mojo in 2012 after finishing as a pro-bowler with 41 touchdowns but would lose in the playoffs.
The Lions were horrible the next year but rebounding after getting new head Coach Jim Caldwell stepped in for 2014. Stafford was great but chocked in the Wild Card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. The next year, Staffed beat Dan Marino’s record of 25,000 passing yards but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. Finally in 2016, the Lions fell behind a lot of games, and Matt Stafford would storm back, winning half the season in come-from-behind victories.
In addition, he’s won awards in dozens of other NFL categories, making Matt Stafford quite possibly the best quarterback in modern history who will never win a Super Bowl.