If you follow Dent Boykin on Facebook, it will put a dent into otherwise humorless days.
You will be "boykotting" normalcy.
You can expect the unexpected when you friend Dent Boykin on Facebook.
"Did you know that 97% of the world is stupid? Luckily, I'm in the other 5%."
Mobile's Dent Boykin has become Alabama's unofficial "Pundit Laureate." He posts one to five (sometimes more) funnies a day. Rarely does a day go by that his followers aren't entertained by a "Boykinism." Sounds like a disease. Actually, it sounds more like a word Dent Boykin would make up.
"I'm never donating to anyone collecting money for a marathon again. They just take the money and run."
What does Dent Boykin do for a living? Being the online Pundit Laureate doesn't pay, at least not in money.
If you ask Dent what he does, you get one answer. If you ask three of his friends, you get four to six different answers.
His visible means of support is real estate. He is a semi-retired deal maker.
"I went to my doctor's office yesterday to have a COVID test done. The nurse asked me if I've had a sudden loss of taste. I told her, 'No, I always dress like this.'"
If you want to waste a bunch of time online, just research "Dent Boykin" and try to discover what the online world thinks he does for a living:
Boykin Management
Boykin Realty
Shellbank Development
Port City Paintball
Sport State Digital Photography
GyroGym Fitness
No wonder he uses humor as a diversion.
Actually, the last of these is active. He owns a fitness manufacturing firm, GyroGym Fitness.
Since there is no pay for being Pundit Laureate, I have an idea for Dent. He could become a comedy writer for TV and movie producers. Or for stand-up comics.
Or, how about this? He could be a writer for politicians. That would make politics more interesting.
If you are an Old Mobilian, the names "Dent" and "Boykin" will sound familiar. Dent Boykin's grandfather was long-time U.S. Rep. Frank Boykin. That may be where Dent got his colorful sense of humor. U.S. Congressman Boykin was well-known in South Alabama and in Washington for entertaining. Frank Boykin's stories abounded in Alabama politics from the 1930s to 1960s. Someone should write a book.
Congressman Boykin was dead serious about at least one thing – bringing home the bacon for his district and the state of Alabama. He did that.
Dent's maternal grandfather was Major General Fred Dent, Commander of Brookley Field.
Dent has been active in the Alabama theater community since the 1980s. He was a founding member of the Mobile Murder Mystery Dinners. In 2013, he jokingly says he rigged the Nappie Awards and won best local actor.
Dent produced a video about his classic home in Mobile's Oakleigh Hysterical District. (When somebody hears the price of these homes, they go hysterical).
The home was built in 1905 as a wedding gift. Dent's children grew up there. He has sold the home and is now building on property on the Mobile River that also has an archeological site. (Maybe another article).
Often, his posted Boykinisms relate to current events:
"I love February because it contains two of my favorite annual events: Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address.
One involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a notoriously unreliable mammal for prognostication with no basis in reality. The other involves a groundhog."
"Teacher: Name a book that made you cry.
Me: Algebra."
"I got pulled over for bouncing up and down on my brakes while listening to music in my car. Got a ticket for brake dancing."
"IF SOMEONE CALLS YOU FAT, JUST IGNORE THEM, YOU'RE BIGGER THAN THAT!!!"
"Just read a book on anti-gravity. I couldn't put it down."
"I was told I have no sense of direction. I have no idea where that came from."
"Is anyone willing to do some puppetry? I'd like to see a show of hands."
"Yesterday I spotted an albino Dalmatian. It was the least I could do for him."
Dent also posts sayings related to governmental, social and personal faith issues. They may not be funny, but rather, they make a point in a down-to-earth way. A Boykin way. He leans Republican, conservative and common sense:
"Why do we have veterans living in the streets and criminal immigrants living in plush hotels with free meals? Is this building back better?"
"Biden is threatening military action against his own citizens to allow non-citizens to pour into the country."
"Women don't need a knight in shining armor. They need a man covered in the full armor of God."
"It's gonna confuse the aliens when they land to overthrow our leaders and all the citizens offer to help."
Boykin is a huge supporter of U.S. veterans. He is an active member to this day of the U.S. National Reserve Corps. It is a 503 (c)(3) non-profit with volunteers to support the service of the National Guard and other military. They also help organize veterans' events. Boykin can be seen in Baldwin and Mobile County veterans' parades riding on military equipment attired in camo.
The Dent Boykin Facebook page shows his Facebook friends that most often pop up. Think it is a bunch of nuts reading Dent Boykin's foolishness? No, it is leaders of the community who follow Dent Boykin and sometimes reply to his humorous posts.
Kathy Patterson Hudson-Allen. Active Trump supporter and sunglasses marketer.
Celia Waters, Fairhope citizen activist.
Bess Rich, Mobile former City Council member.
Alec Naman, well known caterer.
Pete Riehm, new head of the Common Sense Campaign.
James W. “Jimmy” Lyon. Realtor, owner of Exit Realty.
Jeff Collier, Mayor of Dauphin Island.
Kyle Patrick Callaghan, Voter Registrar for Mobile County.
'Everything's made for love.' Campaign and personal slogan of Congressman Frank Boykin
Jim Zeigler is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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