November 13

On the 13th in 1994, noted guitarist and scholar Katherine Simone Perchik was born in Brooklyn, New York. It strikes me as unnecessary to say it, but I must point out that at no time have any allegations of felonious activities focusing on Miss Perchik been made. Additionally, she has not yet been called upon to appear before a committee of the United States Senate to give testimony concerning her involvement in plotting to interfere with a Federal investigation of questionable dealings anywhere within the 48 contiguous states or Alaska. As of this writing reports from Hawaii have not been formally presented, but it is anticipated that officials there will not charge Miss Perchik with any crimes whatever. However, there are others about whom the same cannot be said. On the 13th in 1909, Collier’s magazine published an article accusing Richard Achilles Ballinger of questionable dealings with private claims in the Alaskan coalfields. Bollinger was a member of President Coolidge’s cabinet, holding the position of United States Secretary of the Interior and as such was only eight heartbeats away from the presidency itself.

The Secretary of the Interior is eighth in the presidential line of succession.