Artificial Barriers

Today's Tids Issue 3,984

For Digging Deep:

It is simply impossible to describe the stunning beauty of the Autumn seas.

When I watch those kids struggling to learn how to walk in those moving Shriner’s hospital commercials, I realize that deep down in the hearts of all people there lies this innate courage to overcome obstacles. In many cases, achievement is just getting beyond the mind. 

Standard opening for most news broadcasts: “President says….” “Critics quick to respond.”

A tree expert responding to a home owner’s concern about what appears to be an ailing tree, “It’s bark is worse than its blight.” (Thanks to Shoe).

So, what are we going to do about the Kurds. You know, the Kurds a people scattered throughout the Middle East that historically have loved America; a group of earnest people who have been a solid ally. They have been such an ally that some leaders in that vast community have suggested they become our 51^st state. There are 20-30 million Kurds, now seem to be caught between diplomatic jousting. Somebody here should be standing up tall and just saying, thanks. They have fought bravely and smartly for the US and other Western countries. But, now they seem to be a pawn on the desert chessboard. Something positive should happen for these people. Maybe they are the only people in the Middle East who need a country of their own. The plight of the Kurds weigh heavily on my mind.

The Question:

Name the Top Ten All Time Baseball Players.

The Headlines:

--US Q3 GDP Running At 3% Growth.

--Tech Earnings Power Strong Nasdaq Opening; Dow Follows: Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon Earnings Up Significantly

--Russia Test Fires Four ICBM’s With Advanced Warheads.

--Catalonia Votes To leave Spain; Spain Prosecutor Expected To Level Rebellion Charges Against Those Responsible..

--Released JFK Docs So Far Show Little New.

--Slipping ESPN Expected To Layoff More Staffers.

--Leftist billionaire Tom Steyer Spending Over $10 Million Calling For Trump Impeachment.

Now that Catalonia has declared its independence, maybe it could merge with California. It has a nice ring to it.

All that is needed for a good Autumn golf game in the North is warm mittens and soft balls.

Some of these left-wing commentators on the Niger ambush seem to dwell on the separation of Sgt. Johnson separated from the rest of the unit. The way the ask it seems to imply that they could make this into a segregation scandal. These days, you never know what shotgun accusation may be coming your way.

This Virginia Governor race could be very telling. Keep an eye on it. Most recently, Repub Ed Gillespe has taken a small lead in the new poll, but there remains huge undecided of 27%. Good race to follow if you like analyzing the mood of today’s political leanings.

Did you hear or read that on November 8, 2017 the embittered left is planning on renting halls in communities around the country for “Scream Outs.” Yes, the party goers are expected to lift up their heads towards the sky and scream violently for an hour. You know, to get rid of that anger that continues to linger after a full year. Has America gone nuts.

Actually, I feel sorry for good old traditional democrats, many who seem to be befuddled by the grassroots takeover of their party by the intolerant left. An old local Dem legislative battler left the party yesterday for a couple of reasons, but the main one which he stated was that just doesn’t recognize his party any longer.

But then, Bannon versus Republicans is equally as confusing.

When did the NFL become a political football? Now they are taking surveys to determine the beliefs of fans defined by their political affiliation. Frankly, I always though football fans liked football first, and were defined by the teams they supported.

BTW, I think the TV show, Designated Survivor is written by the DNC, or worse the far left. Where have you gone Jack Bauer?

My random golf swing is tending toward the power fade, which is quite trendy these days,

The Golf tournament in Shanghai this week has a field that rivals some of the big four Majors. What’s interesting watching golf in Malaysia, South Korea or China is that it looks exactly the same as here or Europe; the people dress the same, they move the same; the course looks the same. You think you should see golfers being toted around in rickshaws instead of golf carts. It just shows that so many of the stereotypes of yore have basically disappeared. Except of course in the veiled Middle East.

I feel sorry for the Assistant Principal of a high school around here who was forced to resign after he pinned down a15 year old student who had been assaulting two members of the High School staff. My personal observation is that perhaps a few more students need to be pinned down occasionally. The super lib mayor of Providence thought the resignation was appropriate.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--Nobody seems to like Director Clooney’s Suburbicon. I was prepared to enjoy this murder mystery, built around social satire, but it tries to do too much and fails at most of it. It mocks 50’s tranquil suburbia (The left doesn’t want anybody to believe that the fifties were that happy). This apparent mess was even written by the Coen Brothers who I happen to like. They say it is a tale of flawed people making bad choices.

--On the other hand, “Thank You For Your Service” is a nice film well-acted about a group of soldiers returning from Iraq who struggle to integrate back into civilian life and even their own families. Will the war ever leave their minds?

--There’s another new film that revisits that eerie house in Amityville LI. Not so hot say the critics, but I have a hunch it is a decent film for those who like scary things.

The Answer:

This is a list that everybody will have an opinion about. Babe Ruth still comes out on top. He is followed by Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Stan Musical, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner and Rogers Hornsby. The next ten are Marilyn Monroe’s lover, Cy Young, Ken Griffey Jr. Walter Johnson, Roberte Clemente, Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Sandy Koufax and Randy Johnson. Shoeless Joe is 21. My man Yaz is 52. There are a few of those currently playing in the top 100 – Albert Pujols (24), Mike Trout (55) and Clayton Kershaw (72)

Some of what many have to overcome are barriers put up by others wanting to retain power.

Have a great weekend…E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!!