Waving strong through whines and wars.

Today's Tids Issue 3,888

For the Red White and Blue

When you are feeling blue look to the field that holds the stars. When anger turns your face red, think of the stripes that represent the founding basis of a nation grand; for fairness, for understanding, for commitment to each other. Old Glory has gotten us through riffs and wars, and we need it now to wave true more than ever.

I think that what a lot of people are thinking when they say let’s make American great again, is simply being able to play a baseball game with out the fear of looking over their shoulders for a gunman. Maybe Congress should rethink their priorities and say to each other that their biggest challenge is heeling the divide. Is their anything more important? Is there? Maybe they should start talking to each other as adults. That winning isn’t everything, but unification is. Unification means seeing, and stopping the bluster for a moment to listen too. The divide in American is what is wrong. The intensity of the anger is what is wrong. Laws come and go, but love for a fellow human is the glue that makes a nation great. We seem to have lost that.

I thought Sessions did a good job overall, and was particularly adept at stymieing attempts at accusatory innuendo by the more vociferous Dems. He did have a problem, where most pre-testamony observers said he would, trying to walk the fine line of being honest and protecting his boss when asked about private conversations. Democrat hacks like Jack Read will say he is was awful and almost criminal, but most Repubs were quite pleased with his efforts. And surprisingly, CBS News was refreshingly honest in their report.

Though in a tight race with President Trump, right now I would say that British PM Teresa May has the lead for  The Dumbest Political Move of the Century” trophy.

American Ninja Warrior has way of sucking you into watching it. At least for me. I sit there wondering if I could have done that in my youth. Probably not – it takes a severe training regimen.

The Question:

Who is Jack Bannen and Maria Gibbs? Bonus: How long is a Jiffy? Super Bonus: Which European nation first recognized the US flag? What is a Vexillologist? (Spell-Check doesn’t know). When can you fly a flag upside down? On the first flag, why were the stars displayed in a circle?

The Headlines:

--Congressional Majority Whip Steve Scalise Shot In Alexandria Virginia; Four Others Wounded, Rand Paul Says and Others Say, “ It Could Have Been A Massacre Except For Bravery Of Fast Responding Police.

--Stick Markets Hovering Around Zero; Bank Stocks Lower After Mediocre Data; Lower Retail Sales.

--Many Dead, At least 50 In Hospital As Raging Fire Consumes 26 Story London Apartment Building; Officials Worry About Collapsing.

--Trump Pushing Senate Health Care Version; Mark Wahlberg Asks Country To Rally Around President; Gingrich: “10% Less Trump Would Be 100% More Effective.”

--“Bachero In Paradise Halting Production After Allegations of Sexual Assault; Megyn Kelley Ratings In Slump After Only 3 Shows; AGT Contestant Killed In car Accident Just before Taped Session Was To Be Aired..

RI’s Senor Senator Jack Read is on the “Intelligence” committee?

I wonder if they still celebrate Flag Day in California?

One of the bigger problems eroding USA trust is innuendo news, unnamed sources news and named sources who don’t have a clue about what they are saying.

All spring the news releases out of MLB headquarters were all about speeding up the game. For the first time in the 117 years since the Red came to this planet, they just played 3 consecutive games in over four hours! Somebody isn’t getting the message.

One of the hot new job openings for young college grads is “Sub Prime Brokers”. Say what? Aren’t they the same eager, aggressive sales people who broke the country’s back about 10 years ago. Yes they are, and the real estate industry must be running out of credit worthy potential customers. Why else would they walk out on to the edge of disaster again to make home ownership available to those not quite able to pay the bill. Are we stupid or somthin’?

Quote of the day: “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Unknown.

A guy moved to Switzerland because he thought their flag was a big plus.

Four or five years ago I wrote about a Chardin Ohio teen, about 13 years old who during a school shooting saved the life of a classmate. It was a feel-good story about how great our youth really are when you brush away the stereotype. But, I don’t feel so good today after learning that the same boy who had just graduated from High School was killed along with his friend in a car crash. There is just too much carnage on the roads. And it seems to take the lives of talented youths. And the world is sadder because of it – talent  never ripened. Now that’s a stereotype I’d like to eradicate – teen killed in car crash.

If we had never had instant replay in sports, nobody would ever miss it. The games would go on, and teams would win or lose. Fans would have fun arguing close calls. And over time everything would even out.

I just can’t drink much coffee on hot days. Ice cream, ice cream…gimmie Ice cream!

I was looking at all of those famous donut shop iced coffees that looked more like milk shakes filled with cream and sugar and caramel etc., and I’m thinking the slogan should be changed to: “America Waddles on Dunkin’ “.

Hank Ketchem: “Do you know what apathetic means?” “No, and I could care less.”

Only two SUV’s received the highest “Good” rating for headlights – Volvo XC60 and Hyundai Santa Fe. In “acceptable” category we had Acura MDX, Acura RDX, BMW X5, Buick Envision, Infiniti QX70, Lexus NX and RX, Honda Pilot, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander. In the lowest category “Poor” there were Infiniti QX60, Lincoln MKC and MKX, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, GMC Terrain, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Jeep Wrangler, Kia Sorrento and Toyota 4Runner. All the rest are in the below average “Marginal” Category.

BTW, I had a Volvo XC60 and the headlights were significantly amazing.

You know your political career could be over when you see yourself quoted in the newspaper: “I am not a pervert.”

The Answer:

Jack Bannen was the son of “Red Ryder” (Jim Bannen) and Bea Benaderet as Gracie Allen’s side kick, and a premiere character on Petticoat Junction and Beverly Hillbilly’s. Jack himself was a favorite on the Lou Grant Show – Art Donovan. You also know Maria Gibbs too. She was George Jefferson’s reliable maid Florence Johnston. Interestingly, there was another Maria Gibbs, an English woman born about 1773. She became a rather beloved English actress in leading theaters -- Drury Lane, Covent Garden and Haymarket. Her husband was the renowned writer Tom Coleman. He wrote many roles for his wife, one being in “She Stoops to Conquer”. Bonus: Yes “Jiffy” is a measurable unit of time. It is 1/100^th of a second. Super Bonus: Which European nation first recognized the US flag? France! What is a Vexillologist? (Spell-Check doesn’t know). An expert on the history of flags. When can you fly a flag upside down? When used to signal trouble as in an SOS at sea. On the first flag, why were the stars displayed in a circle? The stars were ina circle so no one state would be above another. We have to get back to that kind of thinking.

A Dane was talking to his American friend about the red, white and blue in the Danish flag. He said his flag symbolizes taxes. “I see red when I talk about them. I turn white when is receive the bill and am blue after I pay them. The American said, “Same with us, only we see stars”!

Happy Flag day everybody! Wouldn’t it be cool if at about noon everybody walked outside their homes or businesses or schools and stood quietly, and saluted as one? Yes, one, as in unified belief in the Red, White and Blue.