I wish I had thought of that.

Today's Tids Issue 3,853

For Following Dreams:

I sit with many different folks who will tell me of trails blazed by people. It may be a child or uncle or friend. A middle-aged woman or graying octogenarian. The trails they blaze are new paths for something they have always been, a hidden flair that blossomed, or was allowed to be released. In some instances, I have been able to see evidence of this talent and it always quite remarkable, I mean really genuinely excellent. “Where did that come from,” may be the first cry of amazement. “And, why did take so long,” maybe the next revelation. Of course, it was always in there, crying to be unbound. Too often talent is shackled by pre-ordained futures or societal expectations. Then one day or week or month, a person feels something pushing to get out. It’s a scary time as the talent emerges – art, music, writing. When it begins to creep out, you say. I’ve never down this before. Am I good enough. But, innate talent is distinctively you. It’s not new. Its’ just new outside of you. But, somehow left in hibernation. It is sad if it never comes. But a marvelous day when the world around your realizes for the first time the wonderful fullness of you. When somebody wlaks up to you and say, “Hey, you are really good.”

The first bones of the Tax reform Bill look like a good basis to build upon for small, and large business, and regular people. Conservatives seem mainly against it because they can’t see the additional income needed to balance the reductions. There are several “wish upon a star” scenarios in the initial hope list that project money rolling in. But, there really is little to seriously criticize at this point because we are only seeing an initial framework -- unless you are the national media.

It was surprising to read that the ACLU backed Anne Coulter After her speech was cancelled. But then the National Legal Director David Cole said “For the future of our democracy, we must protect bigoted speech from Government censorship.” He added, “the best way to combat hateful speech is trough counter speech, vigorous and creative protest, and debate, not the threats of violence and censorship.” So, basically The ACLU isn’t siding with Coulter in the least, but warning against and Government other authoritative censure. To make their point, they are  putting out a not so veiled condemnation what they “think” she and other conservatives say. It’s a crazy, lunkheaded world.

You hear a lot of rumors that the US treasury is lobbying to get rid of pennies. What then, am I going to do for ball markers?

The Question:

Yikes, It’s Quadruple “Q” Day! 1. When the Constitution was approved, there were only 3 federal laws. Name them. 2: Name the last Five Canadian Prime Ministers. 3:  On what Pacific Island was the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan killed? 4: Name two Sheena Easton songs.

The Headlines:

--Nasdaq Rides To New High On The Strong Backs Of Techs; S&P, Dow Move Upward After Flat Morning.

--White House Will Continue Funding ACA Averting Showdown With Dems.

--US, Mexico And Canada Agree To Renegotiate NAFTA.

--FCC Chief Reveals Plan To Reverse The Mistake Of New Neutrality.

--General Flynn Being Investigated By the Department Of Defense.

I’d like to have been the proverbially fly on the wall at the President-Senate NK confab yesterday. I guess they are telling us that this is a pretty serious situation. I can’t find too much to tell you about this so far. Loose lips sink ships.

Is yesterday’s ESPN bloody layoff telling us that there will be a time in the not so distant future when the big networks won’t be able to afford over paying by billions for Pro League TV Rights? What will the gaudy salaries of athletes look like in 2025?

You don’t believe that the TV rights can change that fast? Think of all the things people used to know that set them apart and now it is barely useful at all, like shorthand.

It said by knowledgeable sources that Hillary brought a bevy of lawyers to her long-anticipated interview with the three FBI agents in charge of her case about her sending classified emails over a personal computer. It is also said that the three FBI agents would rather have enjoyed hanging by their thumbs from the Golden Gate Bridge listening to fanatical protestors justify burning the American flag. It has been called internally by some as the most useless FBI suspect interview in history.

I see that the Trump admin may be muddying the interpretation of immigration laws by taking large stands on small issues not related to people entering illegally, but which could raise questions about the magnitude of the illegal entry as to its being a violation. That’s legally speaking, not morally speaking.

I don’t think the Supreme Court likes the Trumperino. Maybe it started when he failed to introduce them at the big joint session. Maybe it’s because he stupidly criticizes judges. And maybe it’s because of the above where his legal advisors insert themselves into cases and create unnecessary questions.

It’s hard for me to believe that there isn’t some kind of organized effort to bring down Fox News. The station is a thorn in the side of all those who prefer that Americans don’t see arguments against their premise. This latest accusation of racism looks very fishy to me.

The Answer:

Ok, here we go. 1. Wouldn’t it be nice if we only had 3 Federal laws today. The subjects covered by the three original federal laws were Treason, Piracy and Counterfeiting. 2. Today we have Justin Trudeau who followed Stephen Harper. Some of you, like me, may think that Pierre Trudeau was next but he wasn’t. I was Paul Martin who preceded Jean Cretian and Kim Campbell. In fact, Pierre wasn’t even next as they had Brian Mulroney and John Turner. I plead guilty – I thought I would have known more. Do you know that Benjamin Franklyn had nearly made a deal with England for us to become a Commonwealth? That means we would have been like Canada and Australia, and having nice visits from the Queen today. But, the French who hated the British decided to become our ally, and the war was on. 3. Magellan was killed by natives in the Philippines. 4. Sheena’s first two big songs were “Modern Girl” and “9 to5”. Sheena was a hot singer in the eighties with songs like We’ve got tonight, Telefone and Sugar Walls. She did the themes for a couple of James Bond films and even had a successful duet record with Prince, “The Arms of Orion”.

If you feel it inside, let it go!

Sorry for the lateness’ of your favorite view of the world these past couple of days. I’ll get better.