Our Daily Dead

Viktor Yushchenko, Ukrainian opposition leader whose dramatic alteration in his otherwise handsome appearance led to speculation of poisoning. Further investigation confirmed that he had been poisoned with dioxin T-2, also known as “yellow rain” and a Soviet-era derivative of agent orange.

Mr. Yushcenko fell ill after a dinner with the head of the Ukranian security service, and it has been speculated that he was poisoned by former KGB agents during the course of the dinner.

~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com

Technorati tags: Viktor Yushchenko, dioxin, yellow rain, agent orange

Born Richard Wagstaff Clark in Mount Vernon, New York, Dick Clark started his broadcasting career in radio while in high school. After the regular broadcaster of the Philadelphia television show “Bandstand” lost his job due to drunken driving, Clark filled in for him.

On August 5, 1957 the show went national as “American Bandstand.” Clark’s island was easy to get thrown off of–The rules for teenagers dancing on the show were strict. Boys had to wear coat and tie; girls could not wear tight sweaters or slacks. Smoke or chew gum and you were off the show.

Clark’s American Bandstand provided the first national television exposure for such rock ‘n roll stars as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. Clark was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Unfortunately, in December 2004 he suffered what was termed a “mild stroke”, but as a consequence was not able to fulfill his traditional duty of hosting the Times Square New Years festivities.

Not to mention the 2006 Dick Clark new year show….ugh

Naturally you’ll want to pick up your copy of Dick Clark’s Easygoing Guide to Good Grooming.

~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com

Technorati tags: Dick Clark, American Bandstand, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Lady Bird Johnson was born Claudia Alta Taylor in Karnack, Texas where her nurse described her as “Pretty as a lady bird”. The name stuck.

In 1934, she married Lyndon Baines Johnson, who eventually became President of the United States following the assassination of President Kennedy.

Lady Bird Johnson has led an effort to conserve natural resources as well as beautify the nation. Her Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was create “…to educate people about the environmental necessity, economic value, and natural beauty of wildflowers & native plants.”

Now over 90 years old, she is in increasingly frail health she was hospitalized during January 2005 in Austin, Texas because of a lung infection.

~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com

Technorati tags: Lady Bird Johnson, Claudia Alta Taylor, Lyndon Baines Johnson, President Kennedy