Where are we?

Today's Tids Issue 3,637

For

I think that global warming is affecting magnetic north, because it appears many too many people have lost their moral compass.

I have a small sense that the Dallas shooting may change the message from black lives matter to all lives matter. Think about that for a second or two – how unifying would be a switch to “all lives matter” – that everybody counts equally.

By the way, I haven’t heard much out of Putin lately, have you? My guess that he is relaxing at his summer Dacha reading emails he hacked from Hillary’s server. Maybe that’s why Obama is moving 1,000 US troops into Poland. Putin knows what Obama knows.

The Question:

What do you think are the Top Five Clichéd Lines form Bachelor/Bachelorette? Bonus: In the 1934 All Star game, which pitcher struck out in succession Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin? Super Bonus: What was the name of the great young catcher who’s career was ruined by an extra competitive slide by Pete Rose?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Opens Strong, Hitting New Highs; Brokers Worried About New Success; Goldman Says Neither Stocks Or Bonds Look Good..

--ABC/WashingtonPost Poll: 56% Of All Americans Disapprove Of FBI Decision Not to Charge; 57% Say The Incident Worries Them About Hell Would Act In Office; Of Indies, 33% Say They Are Now Less Likely To Vote For Hill, 5% Say More Likely..

--BLM Dominates Weekend Cityscapes.

--New Reuters Poll Indicates That Americans Would Love A Third Choice On The Ballot.

--Teresa May Likely Next British PM.

--Trump Says That Women Should Be The Ones To Decide On Abortion.

--WalMart Steps Up Competition Against Amazon Prime Offering Free Shipping With No Minimum.

Writers enjoy exaggerating people’s idiosyncrasies. Unfortunately too many people don’t see exaggeration and apply them broadly to groups. See, writers are the problem in an intricate world.

One of the great things about school activities like sports, drama clubs and bands is that kids stop using their phones for a few hours and interact face to face. Unless of course you see drama club kids interacting personally like somebody else.

The latest great false premise in the US is that all of the police shootings are racially motivated.

One of my Sunday morning favorites is the Credo from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.

In a majority of cases where police are at scenes where civilians are killed, they are there in mostly tense, dangerous situations because civilians called them for help.

I hear most people asking builders and renovators for giant kitchens. Then they put in large islands that offer the convenience of a galley kitchen.

On January 17 2016 Hillary said: “No bank is too big to fail and no individual is too big for jail”.

That moral compass comment is real in America. It’s not really just about the lowered standards in anything goes entertainment, but the way supposedly intelligent, successful people forsake their conscience – Business people that rip-off trusting customers; politicians caught lying who tell lies to hide the lies; priests, organization leaders and teachers who take advantages of children. The list goes on. You know it. I just think of how much better we all could be if we didn’t spend so much time avoiding truths that define a civilized society.

One of my really favorite anticipations of youth was going to NYC to eat in a Horn and Hardart’s Automat. In case you aren’t familiar with an Automat, it was a restaurant where the walls are filled with hundreds of windows. In each window is something great to eat like Mashed potatoes and gravy or chocolate cream pie. You just put nickels and dimes into the slot, open the door and pull out your favorite. Good too. Or at least to the big eyes and endless stomach of a 10 year old boy.

Did I just say, “Put in nickels and dimes”! No wonder I’m having a problem with inflation.

Being moral doesn’t mean you can’t lead your own life the way you want to.

It’s quite human for people to bicker.

For oldsters, it’s good for the ticker.

It may be only about a missing TV clicker,

Or the sayings of your local vicar,

Or bad news events getting sicker,

Or which Nascar is actually quicker,

Or simply because you’re just a nit-picker.

But emotional anger will begin to flicker,

When one of the two begins to snicker

Or when consuming too much liquor!

I was looking up the word Intricacy and believe it or not a “Dump Trump” ad popped up! How weird is that. The definition is “The quality or state of being complex, or having many parts”.

Uber can now check erratic driver actions thorough the app on the drivers phones. The company sends out an instant report card at the end of a trip in the form of constructive assistance. The real problem is that the closer that Uber gets to the drivers in such advisory communications, the more they are in danger of the IRS reclassifying these drivers as employees and not independent contractors. Independent contractor status is key to the profitability of this fast growing company.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 66 continues…

   Things didn’t generally bother Nancy, but when somebody she doesn’t know seems to know a lot about her, she gets nervous. More than ever she had to think clearly. And, it was essential they get away from this island, for 325 years a safe haven. Her life and that of many unsuspecting Sakonnet citizens was in her hands.

   She scrambled down the the hillside, being careful not to disturb any growth that may give a sign to an inquisitive passer-by.

   At the bottom, she squatted and then looked out again with her binocs. It appeared that they in the boat would be unable to see the area near the mouth of her inlet.

   She leapt across the small opening, told Jared to duck down with Fred, leaned down and pulled the bow forward, finally turning it sharply on it‘s midship against a rounded rock. Now she knew she was out of sight from the babysitters, so she stood and walked the boat to the point where it would put the center of the island between them and the waiting bad guys.   

   “Guess what?” she smiled climbing into the boat. Jared started to answer her rhetorical question but not fast enough, “We’re rowing!” With that, she leaned below, told Fred to sit up and look alive, then pulled out the two oars. “Jared come up and sit with me.” He did immediately and she handed him one oar. “Ever row much?

   In fact, Jared was a pretty good man with the oars.

   Silently, they moved away from the island, always being sure to keep it as a barrier to watchful eyes. About a quarter of a mile away, she stopped and rested. “Feeling alright…” A sound of motor raring to life cut thought the dawning. The three froze.

The Answer:

OK, ready for this trivial tripe: 1. She/He isn’t here for the right reason. 2. I’m not here to make friends. 3. I didn’t realize it would be this hard. 4. I’m definitely falling for Her/Him. 5. Can I steal you for a second? I think the silliest of them all is #13 on the list – “I’m 25 and this is my last chance at love.” Look for the complete list on www.ranker.com Bonus: Super pitcher and Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell struck out that all star murderous row – to thunderous applause. Super Bonus: I bring up this incident because I always liked ray fosse and still feel bad about the career ending jolt in a friendly exhibition game. BTW, Fosse only 23 at the time, was batting 312 a-with 16 home runs and 45 RBI’s at the AS break. In his next 8 seasons the young talent only hit 27 more HR’s.

Hey, I know humans can’t be perfect. Look at me! But there is just too much enabling of bad behavior. Too much acceptance of declining values as a “new normal”. Wall Street criminals are often haled, and thugs eulogized. Truth in advertising laws enacted by politicians apply to everybody but politicians. People who talk about moral standards are derided by comedians and liberal elite. There’s nothing old fashion about listening to a conscience and feeling guilt. A little self respect and regulation is even better for people around you.

First, we have to start with litterers!

Ben Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious they are in more need of masters.”