![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shrinkrapped.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Milltown-Mel.jpg?resize=552%2C305&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAs if things aren’t bad enough, a minor celebrity from the Rodent Prognosticator World has met an untimely death. Yes, Milltown Mel of New Jersey, in what is surely a breach of contract, kicked the bucket right before getting hauled out to perform today’s duties. You can read about it here<\/a>. I was first alerted to this tragedy through a link on yesterday’s Crooked Media<\/a>‘s “What a Day<\/a>” newsletter. Besides shedding a tear, I had to wonder: Is Crooked paying their intrepid researchers enough? <\/em>How many others so diligently comb through humble, random Patch stories to bring you the latest news?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diligent Shrinkrapped readers may recall that I have a thing for Groundhog Day<\/a>, even going so far as proposing<\/a> it become our national holiday. Milltown Mel’s demise only increases my certainty that the day captures something quintessentially American. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the craziness: <\/em>It makes zero sense that we rely on disturbing hibernating rodents to forecast the duration of winter when there are a zillion microclimates in the U.S. Particularly when we can never remember whether the shadow means longer or shorter. Reminiscent of the insanity of our different election laws in a zillion places, Groundhog Day is obviously another example of federalism run amok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the dangerous celebration of magical thinking:<\/em> Sure, there’s Santa and all, but the risk of biting is low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like how counting on something turns into something you can’t really count on:<\/em> Norms; the better angels of our nature; American Exceptionalism; Milltown Mel. Par for the course for another new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like how Groundhog Day (especially the movie<\/em>) channels the Zeitgeist:<\/em> The last two-plus years have trapped us in an endless, repetitive cycle of Covid and mind-boggling politics. Again, why should 2022 be any different?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milltown Mel has escaped that cycle. Good for you, Mel. RIP. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As if things aren’t bad enough, a minor celebrity from the Rodent Prognosticator World has met an untimely death. Yes, Milltown Mel of New Jersey, in what is surely a breach of contract, kicked the bucket right before getting hauled … Continue reading