May the flowers ever wave in gentle breezes.

Today's Tids Issue 3,874

For the Hearts of Brave Soldiers:

“The 30^th of May 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in the defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and Hamlet churchyard in the land.” –General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Logan called it Decoration Day and he chose May 30^th because it was not an anniversary of any particular battle. Even in this military edict written as only military edicts can be written, you can feel the tears, the heavy heart of a man who saw his soldiers die in one gruesome battle after another. He spoke for all American generations, for those on a Massachusetts village green in 1775 to an IED ripping apart a soldier in a desert back country village. Every death every eternal injury hurts all Americans who care, who understand the price of freedom and the responsibility that goes with it. And America remembers their heroes. I will stand on a corner tomorrow, and my heart will pound to the rhythm of footsteps marching by; my mind will wander to the jungles, deserts, icy hilltops and looming seaside cliffs. And I will look into the eyes of courageous warriors. I will whisper silently, You are not, ever, forgotten.

I’d like to get paid for a job where I can forecast something like, “70% chance of 11 or 17…” Yikes! Talk about escape opportunities. This by the way is the new prediction for 2017 of the National Hurricane Center, which will be changed in August. Happens every year.

The Prez is fond of saying that he will not reveal his plans because he doesn’t want to take away the element of surprise in military actions. I totally agree with that. Telling the media where to place cameras on a beachhead in advance of a military assault has always eluded me as being rational. But, now we hear that DT has told the Philippine’s enigmatic leader where two of our stealth submarines are located. Say what? Is he nuts! One of the great defense mechanisms of the USA is our secretly deployed underwater watchdogs with nuclear missiles. God help us.

We all should really worry about the demise of the big circus. It is just the latest, best example of how grand old US institutions can be brought down by a focused purposely financed small group of fanatics. Peta brought down Ringling and Barnum, pure and simple. The citizen’s representatives are bickering while the intent intensify, and nobody notices until it is too late. What’s next? Cheetos? Aaaarggggh! I don’t think our heroes fought for a world without circuses.

The Question:

How many stars were on the American flag when General Logan first gave us Decoration Day? Bonus: What was the original name for the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Expected To Be Flat On Rainy Friday After Six Day Winning Streak; Q1 Economic Growth revised Upward To 1.2%, Durable Goods Orders Down 0.7% IN April.

--Eyes On Trump Behavior As G7 Begins; Mood Down After NATO Actions; Climate And Trade Expected To Be To be Heated Discussions.

--Britain Seeking A Second Bomb.

--Christians Assaulted In Egypt: 25 dead, 26 Wounded After Gunmen Attack Bus Filled With Coptic Christians.

--China Tightening Security On NK Border.

--Pinko Record Set On The “Price Is Right”.

--4^th Circuit Court Of Appeals Upholds Ban Against Ban Based On Trumps Campaign Remarks.

--Body Slammer Wins Big Over Sanders-ites In Montana.

--Rasmussen Poll Has Trump Favorables Up to 48%.

The new journalism: The headlines are always an opinion. The body is sometimes a story.

Remember when there were unique thrills where everybody stood up and paid attention? In 1953, one person Edmund Hillary and his Nepalese guides had scaled to the top of the world -- Mount Everest. Get this, in 1990 72 people made it to the top of Mpunt Everest. In 2016 641 people hit the top. As one person remarked, “it looked like an escalator at a downtown department store”. With the mass ascensions come a new danger, says one experienced mountaineer “The biggest problem on Everest is the toxic mix of inexperienced climbers and unqualified guides.” 10 people have died so far this season. It is just one more example of too much of anything taking away the thrill. Why people in this new world of too much information are so easily bored.

One of the reasons I have been so in support of MAGA is the hope that we will begin to reduce the nationwide incidents of pervasive rudeness. But, the President’s shoving aside a European diplomat for a photo op is not my idea of leading by good example.

The two big lies of the moment in American Journalism: 1. Saying that Republicans are against immigration without defining the difference between traditional, waiting your turn, non-chaotic  entry and sneaking in unlawfully. 2. Omitting the fact in the reporting of Trump’s 7 (now 6) Banned countries, that they were chosen by Obama, and just picked up by the new Admin.”

I wonder if General Logan ever said, “Ok men, get out there an sell some cars!”

In a late arriving comment from the Chief Cardinal supporter in our Bird Wars,” Cardinals would never lower themselves to dance to Elvis music.” I say, that’s unamerican!

Trump complained yesterday that there are too many German cars being sold in America. I wonder why – because they are good cars?  A lot of citizens would revolt if his actions were to take away the availability of Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche and the BMW made Mini.

The Tids has ranted against “Showrooming” as basically unethical consumer behavior. That is when consumer go to brick and mortar stores to learn about and see demonstrations of products, and then go home and order them cheaper online. Now that the stores are beginning to get hammered by online purchases they  have a new strategy to attack the real problem – procing! Yes, if the prices were equalized, showroomers would place the order while they were in the store getting basic and comparative information, formerly with no intention to buy. Stores like Target, Best Buy and Wal-Mart are guaranteeing the best Internet price for everything in the store, Clerks will bring up Amazon and others on store computers and match the price, and certainly the delivery. Now Americans can shop without a guilty conscience. MAGA!

Stalin’s Secret Police Chief Lavrentiy Berea: “Show me the man, and I’ll find a crime.” Beware of Government investigations.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--The Best of the weekend is probably Berlin Syndrome, a well-written thriller. While on vacation in Berlin, an Australian Photog Clare meets a local named Andre and instant movieland attraction occurs, After a night of passion, Clare feels certain this is her special man for life, until she realizes that he has left and locked her in the room. She thinks it is a mistake, but Andi has no intention to ever let her go.

--Personally, I got tired of Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, and this new sequel ”Dead amen tell No Tales”, is just more of the same. Unfortunately, lots of people love that more of the same. The dead men is Captain Salazar who with his men have escaped from the Devils triangle with a goal of killing every pirate at sea and especially Jack. who is a little down at the moment; who parks up at the impending threat.

--Brad Pitt’s War Machine is a satirical comedy about American fighting in Afghanistan. It is based on a true story book by David Michod: “The Operation: The Wild And Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War In Afghanistan.”

--Baywatch is probably as simply terrible as it was in the original TV program, which many who love people in bathing suits watched religiously. In this one Dwayne Johnson has problems with Newbie Zach Efron until they join together to solve a massive criminal plot that could ruin the Bay.

The Answer:

There were Thirty Seven stars on the 1868 flag. Obviously, the separatist states had returned. Also in 1868, the 14^th Amendment was passed, Andrew Johnson was impeached and hen acquitted, the term “Great American Novel” was first used by John William Deforest, William was by far the most popular name n  America,  the first volume of “Little Women” was published, US Grant Defeated Horatio Seymour for President and Thomas Edison filde for his fist patent – the electric vote recorder. Bonus: The BPOE was originally known as the “Jolly Corks”! Yikes.

Happy Memorial Day, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!

We remember the brave men of wars, but we never see their fear, their tears, nor the love they have in their hearts for those not there. We are only reminded of their courage, but not their souls.  

--