Smiling is infectious.

Today's Tids Issue 3,729

for Jocularity:

Right now, I think what America needs most is a sense of humor. We haven’t had a funny President in decades. Maybe Trump can hire a funny Press Secretary. I think I’ll march in the streets — “We want more jokes, We want more Jokes…”

The favorite brew of a nefarious hacker is Key Stroke Lager.

Three things I don’t understand: How health care works, why people don’t comprehend that it is illegal to be undocumented, and, The Cloud.

To me, there was always something pleasing about Gwen Ifill. Regardless of our political differences, she was always listenable, and presented her views fairly. She could make you think about the way you thought in a good way. She didn’t berate, but reasoned. The news community needs more like her, on both sides.

My greatest hope right now is that Trump supporters don’t view the election as a mandate to allow them to act stupid. A handful will though, and the media will extrapolate that to the whole, fueling further disunity.

The Question:

I meant to ask this Q last week. What are Leonard Cohen’s Greatest songs?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Trading Mostly Higher; Retail Sales Showing Unexpected Strength, Beating Estimates.

--New Syrian Regime Airstrikes Blast Aleppo; ISIS IN Mosul killing Civilians As Iraqi Troops Move In.

--Google And FaceBook To Squeeze Out Fake News Sites; Twitter Cracking Down O Hate Speech.

--Is Giuliana Is Considered Top Choice For Secretary of State, Or Is It Trial Balloon.

--Egypt High Court Overturns Death Sentence For Former Islamic President Morsi.

--3000 Year Old Mummy Found In Egyptian Tomb.

--Obama Calls Trump Pragmatic; Implies That Campaign Outrage May Be Block To Sensible Decisions; Tells Dems To give Trump A Chance; Will Soften Trump Image With Allies.

No group benefits more from having all immigrants documented, than immigrants.

Spell Check keeps wanting me to separate Ifill into two words.

A lot of people are looking at the new impact of social media as a main news and information source in light of the Trump (and previous Obama) election. In a small survey I saw yesterday, it asked, “Who is better informed: People getting news from Newspapers, Social Media, TV , Radio or all the same? #1 was newspapers at 29%. TV and Social were tied at 15%. Radio was 6% and 22% thought that all media were equal. So, what I’m seeing is that the media that informs better is near death, shrinking rapidly, while the sound bite and potentially totally erroneous sources are rising fastest. Are we on the way to becoming an uninformed nation?

From this perch, it appears that CBS will be relentless in their effort bring down Trump.

Kiplinger says you can’t do better than Costco’s Kirkland brands for Olive Oil, Bacon, and Tequila Anejo.

While you weren’t’ looking, Christies sold One Billion Dollars’ worth of art this week! Sotheby’s only brought in $747.7. It is somewhat bothersome that there is that much extra cash available for investments in art, when people are crying in the streets for assistance, or even food. Basically, high art collecting has become a boasting contest among the so-called 170,000 global ultra-high-net-worth individuals with at least $30 mil in cash to spend. I saw one painting that went for $37.1 which was reminiscent of some of my early art attempts before I understood how to paint. It was basically stick figures with a penis, and probably a super deep meaning. I think I’ll get back into art.

There were some very pleasant performances on The Voice last night. My particular favorites were Rube Tuesday By Darby, the country singing of Josh and the power songs of Ali, We and Courtney. Billy Gilman was very good too, but I just couldn’t get into his song. I can say the same thing about Sundance, who is one of my favorites, but last night was a bit too much of a screamer.  And Austin is another who’s song took him much too high to the point of appearing out of control. The judges love Christian, but I thought he took forever to get going. Aaron has an interesting voice and was good last night, but I would never sit through a concert with him, much less a whole album. And, Brendan typically puts me to sleep, which is a good reason he should remain last, so I don’t miss the rest of the program. One has to go, and I would say SaRayah would be the one. That said, here are the top and bottom three form a mini poll on last night: Top – We McDonald, Ali Caldwell and Billy Gilman. Bottom – Courtney Harrell, SaRayah and Josh Gallagher. Shows you what I know. The country vote may push Josh higher. You remember how the president election went, don’t you? The flyover states rule.

Three things I don’t like: Tattoos, Nose rings and giant Under Armor logos on the front of clothing

I think the golfer to keep an eye on is the Swede Alex Noren. He has only won 4 tournaments on the European Tour since July! He may make his presence felt next year in the US. He has risen to #9 in the world. In case you are interested, the new world list has Jason Day still at #1 followed by Rory, DJ, Stenson, Jordan, Hideki, Adam, Reed, Noren and Bubba. BTW, Tiger has dropped again, to 861 in the world.

I have never liked Wanda Sykes. She epitomized unfunny comedians who bullies audiences into laughter with intimidating, outrageous anger.

I see that Twitter is cracking down on “Hate” Speech. But, one person’s Love speech is another person’s hate speech. How are they going to decide?

Did you see where NYU hired back the Professor who had been dismissed because he thought Political Correctness has gone amuck on the college campuses. And, they gave him a raise!

Three Things I love: Small wooden grey dories in back water coves, Beautiful music and Tids readers.

Amazon is the latest company that will focus on an employee’s strengths only in annual reviews. Weaknesses are out. I’ll give trophy for that.

The Answer:

LC started out to be a country singer in Nashville but got sidetracked to NYC and went into late sixties Folk music. Number one of his ten best songs that first brought fame was Judy Collin singing his Suzanne. Everybody touts his Hallelujah, but I find it tedious. After that we have Master Song, Dress rehearsal Rag, Stranger Song, Diamonds in the Mine, Chelsea Hotel #2, Tower of Song, Memories and one of my favorites, So Long Marianne.

Three things I understand: Going to church is good for people, even people who are alike are different, and the heart often knows more than your brain.

And, number four, it doesn’t get any better than laughter.

What do you do if attacked by a clan of clowns? Go for the juggler!

--What happens when you give a politician Viagra? He gets taller!

--“Siri, where is the best place to hide a body?” “That would be on the second page of Google search!”