Today's Tids Issue 3,260
Opening Stuff:
I was talking a day
or two ago to a European born woman who was lauding the efforts of Radio
Free Europe bringing to her and the people of her world the only truth they knew.
Todayruing the decline of a watchdog USA media. Through her accent she observed
how important Freedom of the Press was so important for a free citizenry and
moderated government. She was disturbed that the press seemed more interested
in protecting their personal agendas, than bringing the full, two sided story
to the public; holding the governments and business leaders feet to the fire.
She added that people who listen to Fox are supported in their views just as
people who listen to CNN or MSNBC are in theirs; People think they are getting the
truth because their beliefs are being reinforced by news organizations and
spokes people similar to them. “Maybe we
need a ‘Radio Free America’,” I said to her. She smiled, and agreed that we need a media
that can give both sides of every story without misleading headlines or biased
leanings and interpretations. I agree. But then I’m thinking that too many in
journalism don’t understand the other side of the stories. They see to have been built
to be prejudiced to their own beliefs.
Scientists have
announced that they have isolated an extra second for 2015 which will be
added to all atomic based clocks. Use it wisely. Every second counts.
When the Dow is
rocking around 18K, whimsy can bring it down in heart wrenching chunks.
But, this week things get earnest as Wednesday brings us the first big Q4
earnings report. That’s when we begin to see what is really going onside the
companies. Unfortunately, early opinions have earnings looking soft for the
year end Q. I get a sense though that SA may be ready to increase oil prices. If this
starts to materialize, it would ameliorate the concerns over marginal earnings.
The Question:
-Today’s is the 56th anniversary of the beginning
of Barry Gordy’s Motown Empire. Name the top five all time hits. Bonus: Tonight is the big college
football first ever national championship, so here’s some Q’s about that. OSU’s
Urban Meyer, if he wins, will be just the second coach to win a national championship
with two teams. Who was the other coach? A win for Meyer will put him in second
place with 3 NC’s. What coach is well ahead with 6?
The Headlines:
--Continuing Soft Oil Prices Push Down Dow 100+ At Opening;
Markets begin To rebound At 10:00; Saudi Prince Alwaleed Says Oil Is Now
Permanently Below $100.
--France Dispatches 10,000 Troops To Hunt Down Terrorist Operations;
Woman Wanted As Accomplice In Massacre Has Crossed Border Into Syria; Iran Has
Become Iraq’s Number 1 Ally In Fight Against ISIS; 12 Dead In New Iraq Suicide
Bombing..
--Divers Retrieve Air Asia Back Boxes.
--Holder Mum About Bringing Felony Charges Against Petraeus;
Senators Rallying Behind Former Super General And ex-CIA Chief.
--Kerry Urges Stronger US Ties With India.
--Venezuela’s Madura Meets With Saudis In Attempt To Stabilize
Oil.
--Interpol Puts Ukraine President Yanukovic On International
Wanted List; Gorbachov Says If Not careful Ukraine Situation Could Lead To Nuke
War.
I don’t know if you
have noticed it, but in a new GE TV commercial there is a line, “Ideas are
the natural born enemy of the way things are.” I think it is pretty accurate,
and we should always be open to investigating the value of new ideas and
implementing them. However, some will interpret that statement as “Throw out everything
old”, and use it to diminish ethics, morality, character, kindness, honesty and
integrity. Good new ideas are always important to consider, as long as we don’t
throw out the basic foundations of a caring, civilized society.
The Golden Globes
was once again, like so many of these glittering displays, pretty much about
actors pretending to be humble. It started off well with some pretty sharp
Fey-Poehler humor on Crosby and NK. The NK stuff was clever and well executed. --The
rest of the evening was giddy people walking up to the stage. --I thought “The
Affair” winning for Best TV Drama was a bit of a surprise, but the rest went to
form. --Certainly Boyhood as best Pic wasn’t a surprise, nor was it’s director
elevated to top dog. --My man Michael Keaton won as expected for best Actor in a
“comedy or musical” which in fact was a pretty dark gloomy drama. –Spacy’s
acceptance speech was a little convoluted as he went for best acting in an
acceptance thanks you. His HoC’s wife played by Robin Wright should have won
something. --I thought the creator, writer producer of The Affair, Sarah Treen’s
speech was the best of the night. Her last line: “Writing the Affair made me
understand the importance of a strong marriage.” The H-Wood attendees didn’t understand her. --I liked the presenters Kristin Wiig and – I liked
the recognition for Fargo and Billy Bob.--All in all it was just more of the same
ole’, same ole’, a resume padder if an Oscar doesn’t materialize next month.
One of the great things
about reading the Sunday comics is that when you chuckle, you know that somewhere
somebody else is smiling along with you. It feels great.
Actually, one of the
main reasons that NYC dwellers seem so uptight harried and analyst addicted,
is because the NY Times has no comics. Yes the cultural elite from the grey
canyons of New York never laugh on Sunday; they don’t get to enjoy all of the nutrition
from simple humor in their daily and weekend diets. So the message here is,
never be intimidated by a fancy New Yorker in a lavish garment. You read the
comics and they don’t.
Did you hear about
the guy who thought he was a gentleman because he preferred blonds?
I used to be a big bird
feeder guy. It was always amazing to see the broad variety of feathered
friends and intelligent squirrels who used to gather around my winter food
bank. I’d like to do it here in the city by the sea, but I’m afraid I’d only
get seagulls.
This USA fascination
with celebrity is annoying. Journalists skim the surface of full stories
when reporting, for instance, inductees into sports or even acting halls of
fame. In cases where say 15 people are inducted, they will only report the 2 or
3 who may have graced the pages of People Mag. Another case of not telling the whole story.
American travelers
yearning for more than the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Rocky Coast of Maine,
Lincoln memorial, getting high in Colorado, need look no farther than East Lansing
MI,, Seattle, Fort Mitchell Ky, San Antonio or Philly where yo will find The
Moist Towlette Museum, Dialysis Museum, Vent Haven Ventriloquist museum, Toilet
Seat Art Museum and Mutter Museum of Medical Oddities, There is a Museum for
every inclination. America’s got it all!
I love Airline food. Always
have. But, I’m kind of worried about flying in the future now that the “Diet Detective”,
a Public Health professor (Probably comics non-reader) from Hunter College/City
University has started rating airlines on the healthiness of food. These nutritionists are ruining my world. They
probably don’t read comics either.
You have to think
that way Oregon Duck football players are being dismissed from the team, that
an The OSU alum is in charge of NCAA Drug testing. Or, maybe it’s just the Oregin
lifestyle that reflects the team – wide open and free.
The Answer:
The top ten all time hits from Motown are: I heard it
through the Grapevine, I’ll be There, Baby Love, Fingertips Pt.2, Ain’t No
Mountain High Enough, War, I Can’t help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), My Guy,
The Love You Save and I Can’t Get Next To You. Bonus: If Urban Meyer wins he will match Nick Saban as the only
coach to have won a championship at two colleges. Of course, Bear Bryant leads
with 6.
One of the problems
contributing to a declining protective press is that the staffs are declining
to the point where they are forced to rely on releases from people and organizations
with an agenda. And, some of them just want to believe in what they see rather than
taking the time to investigate fully.
It’s going to be a
good week, full of great new ideas and tempered application of them.
Tomorrow is for dreamers.
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