The skies opened. the light shone.

Today's Tids Issue 4,094

For Easter Morn:

Easter is quite the amazing day. It is special for believers as well as of all sorts of non-believers and deniers. It’s a day that represents the purest of love. A day that does not discriminate against a single soul on Earth. It is day of new beginnings equally for all races, genders, religions, societal layers; for every single person that lives. It is the day where hope is reality. It is the perfect day; one without hate or differences.

I have written about Easter many ways over the years, but in every effort, I always see pure blue heavens and radiant sun. I see it through eyes uncluttered. I don’t challenge, I accept. I feel a calling, an uplifting. I feel my heart weep tears of joy.

Simple words maybe imperfect for a day that is perfection. I grope for expressions that might be worthy of the moment so grand. In the end, I always return to Mahler, to define the emotions. Happy Easter, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y. Caress a Peep. Love thy neighbors as if they were yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RONBzkthUjM

Finding the music.

Today's Tids Issue 4,092

For the Promise:

“Day by day, day by day; Oh Dear Lord. Three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, Follow thee more nearly. Day by Day.” –Godspell.

Well, today is it, the opening of baseball season. The AL teams to watch, they say, are the Actros, Indians, Ya, ya, ya (WYKWIM), Angels and Red Sox. In the NL it is the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Washington, NY Mets and Diamondbacks. Regardless of experts, though, I know your dreams for your local team are still firmly secured in your heart. But, hope is what each year Baseball is all about. Hope is what gets you through those unbearable slumps each year. Baseball has proven over the years that nobody is out in the first month, that underdogs rise.

BTW, who are “They”, anyhow. And how often over the years have they been wrong.

What’s the sense of accumulating knowledge if you don’t use it. I think about that every time I’m tempted to turn on the GPS to find a way to a place I’ve been to all my life. Modern technology does that to you.

You know you are in a relaxed mode of life when you don‘t mind following a stopping school bus.

The Question:

Quick – Name the twelve Apostles.

The Headlines:

--Last Trading Day Of Quarter Starts On Up Note; Brokers Seem To be Moving Away From FANG Stocks And Into Commodity Shares And Value Stocks.

--New Jobless Benefit Claims Fall To 45 Year Low; US Savings Rise To 6 Month High.

--Feds Bust MS-13 Illegal Immigrants Responsible For 13 Murders That Terrorized Las Vegas.

--Jeb Bush Mocks Trump, Calls For Return To Sensible “Buckley” Conservatism Going Forward; Tells Yale U Audience That Conservatives Have To Regather To Meet New Challenges Of Technology And Global Completion.

--8 Members Of Family Dead After SUV Plunges Off Pacific Highway Cliff.

--Ex-VA Head Shulkin Bitter In Post Firing Comments.

--Ecuador London Embassy Suspends Assange’s Internet Access.

--White House Says There Have Been No Talks Of Pardons.

--Facebook Releases Directions To Help Users Protect Privacy.

Yesterday around here the skies were a bit gray over 40-45-degree waters, but the harbor was full of white sails and darting boats. When it’s cold and dark, and stormy afar, the sea will call and men and women will come to challenge.

How terrible was it to hear that around the world Volvo racer John Fisher was swept off his boat into the stormy freezing South Pacific?

It’s pretty easy to see around us growing support for movements that would “divide and conquer” an orderly society – Women against men, Races against races, immigrants against illegal immigrants, gender identification against gender identification, Rich against poor. But, as I look around at average people I don’t see the hate in their hearts as espoused by the groups who say they represent them. Nope, it isn’t truly a growing divide, it is just the way it us reported.

To see all others more clearly, to love all others more dearly; to relate more sincerely…

The Final four match-ups may get better ratings than Easter Sunrise services, but all spotlights will be focused on a Nun – Sister Jean – who has just happened to have broken the record for sales of Bobble Head dolls.

In Case you forgot, FANG stocks are Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google. They are part of what is called the Mega-Cap Technology Stocks, which has fallen 6.3 %. My guess is that you will see suggestions from various gurus recommending getting back into a handful of winners for the future like Alphabet(Google), Amazon and Apple.

The Answer:

I’ll do this form memory too – Peter, John, Simon, Matthew, Thomas, Judas, two named James, Andrew, Bartholomew, Jude and Phillip. I didn’t do too well. I missed Simon, Andrew, Bartholomew, and Jude.

God has been praised in many a song – from classical masters like Bach and Handel, to simple song writers who want to express the glory. It’s all about love in the heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwNrXc5sKeE

Let’s just all settle into a garden.

Today's Tids Issue 4,091

For quiet gardens, calm days:

Well, we’re in the middle of that holiest of all weeks, and all I’m hearing are promos for the Final Four.

Do you find yourself whispering in your own home so your electronic “assistant” can’t hear you?

So, how about that ex-SC Justice Stevens saying he would get rid of the 2^nd Amendment. He would make a great Mayor of NYC, creating or eliminating laws by knee jerk reactions. What ever happened to “deliberate”? I can think of several amendments that should never have been amendments in the first place.

Have you ever noticed that people eat pears on Tuesdays?

The Question:

What are the Top Ten Sources of Fiber?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Stumbling; GE looking To Buffett Riding In With Cash; GDP Jumps To 2.9%; Housing Strong In Feb Reversing Downward Trend.

--NK Nuke Sites Busy As Satellite’s Reveal New Experimentation; Trump Says, “Kim Will Do What’s Right For His people”.

--Mega Millions Jackpot Grows To $502 Million.

--White House A Happier Place As 22yo Former Disney Star Caroline Sunshine Brightens WH Press Department.

One of our delightful local seaside seafood places, Aunt Carries;” will be opening April 6 for its 98th season. It’s one of my favorites, and it is always a good sign for all when the seasonal places open. That also means that all of those wonderful, traditional local Ice Cream places will not be far behind…and I can go sockless once again.

The new national average expense for members of a wedding party is $728. In the Northeast it’s $1,070. No wonder friends more and more go into hiding just days before engagements are announced.

Well, “the Battles” on The Voice ended last night and it is on to the knockout rounds that precede the live shows. I am still not enamored by any one person. Obviously, there are some very good and talented singers. One of the purported favorites, Hannah Goebel, left under mysterious circumstances. Apparently, she had made a tape for her last night’s performance but was no show for the featured battle. One of the more unfortunate issues was Alicia being forced to eliminate an excellent Livia Faith in favor of an even more excellent Terrance Cunningham. Ironically Alicia was the only coach with a ”Steal” remaining and she couldn’t steal her own contestant. Why not? She used her steal on the last duet, but Jackie, a nice country/pop singer was not up to the eliminated Livia. I like the duets best, that is in terms of entertainment. Now I’ll get n to learning the names of the survivors so I can bring you those exciting week to week updates.

Younger people keep suggesting that I replace my rather large CD collection with digital downloads. You know, to be hip. Like being hip for thousands of dollars replacing something that is perfectly ok (Think of the wedding parties I could be in for that) Well, this morning I read that CD’s are out pacing digital music by a lot for album sales. In 2017, digital downloads accounted for less overall revenue than physical album sales. Practicality lives.

If I had a kid playing baseball I’d spend a lot of time teaching him or her to hit to all fields. The favorite defense of new mangers is to overload the right or left side of the infield. In Houston, the manager will institute a four man outfield for several defensive instances. So, how valuable does hitter become when he or she can hit the ball where they ain’t?

Yesterday I wrote a little poem about Tuesday as Museday, but as the day wore on I saw it as Trump’s Tuesday Floozeday Newsday. It sounded kind of funny last night.

On the other hand, the opening of seasonal businesses means that the tourists will not be far behind and RI parking lots will look more like NY and Conn.

Yesterday, I mentioned that one of the biggest problems in America is the emotional knee jerk response to incidents. I still think it is. But, one reader wrote immediately to disagree, saying that it is without question “The breakdown of the American family”.

On a related family improvement note, Walmart is removing Cosmo from checkout lines over concerns about racy covers, sex exploitation and promotion of alternative sexual activities. Walmart is a family store and children shouldn’t be casually exposed to “hypersexualized and degrading article titles” Walmart is working with the national organization National Center On Sexual Exploitation (NCSE) which began as the organization “Morality in Media”. Everything in America isn’t what Hollywood says it should be.

I’m not surprised by the downturn in Tech stocks. For the last several years it was basically a too good to be true industry. But now, chinks are showing the public that these technological wonder companies are run by humans too.

On a similar note, communities are tiring of Airbnb’s being plopped into the middle of their neighborhoods without regulations or in may cases any regard for people who live there all year long. In otherworld’s, costs will be going up for these companies that now hav t act like adults.

If you really have nothing to do you can read NFL mock drafts.

The Answer:

Obviously there will be a lot of discussion on this answer, depending on which doctor is pushing which favorite list. One definitive list starts with Beans as best, and goes on to Whole Grains, Apples, Spinach, Flax Seeds. Legumes, Broccoli, Carrots, Chia Seeds and Quinoa. Other lists add cabbage, Avocado and Raspberries. I’m actually more interested in the top sources of protein – which actually tastes good: Eggs, Salmon, Halibut, Tuna, Steak, Hamburger, Pork Chops, Chicken, Turkey, Roast Beef, and surprisingly – Pepperoni. I would expect that gravy qualifies there too.

This commemorates the day Jesus prayed in Gethsemane before being betrayed by Judas. This is one of the best moments from Jesus Christ superstar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3mFBh2z9sc

Biggest National Problem: Overreacting to emotion.

Today's Tids Issue 4,090

For Reflection:

It must be Tuesday

Cause it feels like Muse-day.

When your mind dreams,

Of chocolate vanilla creams.

Sees smiles in passing clouds

Harmony in gathering crowds.

A day to be less frantic

To softly fly, as a romantic.

To remember a soft kiss.

Luxuriate in wistful bliss.

To envision what might be,

If all views would somehow agree.

I don’t have much in common with Providence RI Sanctuary City Mayor Elorza, but I have to say I appreciate his veto of the banning of plastic bags law, even if it was for the wrong reasons. At least he thought before overreacting to emotion.

Yikes, Department:

It was just announced that the average Wall Street broker bonus for 2017 was $184,720. I think I missed that fork in the road.

So, did you hear about the guy who could use two typewriters at one time? He was fired for stereotyping.

The Question:

Many a newspaper headline over the years have been 180 degrees wrong. One that comes immediately to my mind is “Dewey Beats Truman”. Where does that headline fall in the top ten all time extremely wrong headline list?

The Headlines:

-- Stocks Open Higher As WS Tries To Claw Back; Markets Soften By Late Morning;; Wynn-Dixie Files For Bankruptcy; Microsoft Near One Trillion In Value; Novartis Sells Stake In GSK For $13 Billion.

--Kim Jong Un Seems To Have Made A Secret Trip To China; Kim’s First Visit Ever Outside NK May Be Tied To Upcoming Trump/SK Meeting.

--Diplomat Roulette Continues As Russia Ousts Two Form Australia.

--Trump Tweeter Goes Silent After Stormy Interview.

--IRS Expected To Audit Fewer Americans This Year.

--Cambridge Analytica Whistle Blower Says To UK Committee That Company Used Data-Power To Secure Elections Around The World Including Many Developing Countries, And Brexit; Zuckerberg Refuses To Testify Before Same Committee.

One of the great retirement programs is being hired by a big national basketball college and then being fired within a year for a poor performance, while collecting a contract payout of a million and up. “I’ll have another tequila please, and would you rub a little more sun block on my back.” The key is getting a two-year contract for a million per, and then being absolutely horrible the first year. Insulting Alums would also help. A Million-dollar buyout is chump change to big athletic departments.

Never have the rewards for failure been so high as they are in this society with too much money.

I see where several legislatures around the country, including now RI, are advising their police departments to label White Nationalist groups as terrorist organizations and arrest those suspected of alleged crimes against minorities. I wonder if sanctuary cities will welcome this newly disadvantaged group into their safe haven?

You may have seen news suggestions that Kim may have made a secret rip to China. Some are saying he Amy be there to ask Xi, “Exactly what is this Trump guy all about, anyhow.”

What do you think of the proposed NYC laws that will force employees to disconnect from company email after work hours? Personally, I see no value in it something that takes away an individual’s choice. (Unless of course you are some kind of communist/socialist who want all people to have the appearance of being exactly the same) Obviously, according to observers, it entirely disenfranchises those who work harder. So basically it designed for those who just want to get by with the minimum and not be criticized for it.

Oops: The NYC law as proposed above has absolutely no exemptions – like for doctors or law enforcement people. It has been noted that over the years NYC has made many a mistake with their “Knee-Jerk” reaction laws. I think one word in there gives us aclue to their general buffoonery.

I have read lots of US and state census reports dating back to those first issued around 1800. Almost all ask whether or not respondents are a citizen of the US, a perfectly natural question for a legitimate, transparent society. Now a foreign nation is up in arms, suing the government over the addition of that question to our upcoming census. Oh, wait a minute, that wasn’t exactly a foreign nation, It was California.

“Snake Oil” sales people abound in the USA today, and now they have TV and the Internet to augment their pitches, and still have the ability to move quickly from town to town before John Law (or today The FDA) catches up with their claims for magical cure-all elixirs. But in fact, there was a real Snake Oil salesman from the Southwest, Clark Stanley -- “The King of Rattlesnakes”. He combined medicinal lore brought here by Chinese railroad workers with guidance from Hopi medicine man and created a story for his secret oil milked from snakes. He became so successful and rich that he built snake oil factories in the East including a large one in Providence RI. Now, there are some who would say it must have been built on Smith Hill, the current location of the State government. But, it was elsewhere in the booming metropolis of yore. Unfortunately, in 1906 the “Pure Food and Drug Act” was passed and agents declared there were no health benefits at all in “Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment.”.

I have never read about a snake oil salesman being arrested for mis-claiming the benefits of rich, creamy chicken or beef gravy -- just in case you are interested.

I reported on Brexit yesterday, drawing mostly from a Wall Street Journal article. This morning Bloomberg chimed in, and their organization sees some concerns rising over the next year and a half. Bloomberg has its own daily Brexit barometer where they carefully measure changes on a “daily” basis. Lately, as reported by WSJ, the UK economy has been ticking upward from lows immediately following the vote. But there are potential dangers ahead, like Tariffs on imported food (Very large economic item in England) and transplanting people as job opportunities shift regions. These are just two examples of many predictable complications. The assorted ramifications of this massive shift are far more complex than a simple answer of good or bad.

The Answer:

#1 All Time Bad Headline was “Titanic Sinking; No Lives Lost.” The story went on to say all were safely transferred to Cunard liner Carpathia. The rest are -- from a September 20 1862 Louisiana Paper, “Washington Falls To The Confederacy”, New York Tines, 1924 – “Hitler Tamed By Prison". Next was the Dewey/Truman headline. #5 was “Peace on Earth” in 1918 from the Chicago Herald Examiner, topping a story that assured readers that they would never see a vicious war like WWI ever happening again in the world. Next from The Guardian, “Rock” (And Roll) Dies with Elvis". Also, the article said he died from a heart attack and not from an overdose of prescription drugs (Can you say Prince). Here’s a good one: “No More Babies after 2015”. In 1910, several articles reported on a study by a Cornell professor Walter Wilcox who had positively determined that Child bearing will be “unfashionable” for American women by 2015. The article went on to say the US would be importing babies from France. The rest are New York Times in 1981 saying “Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals.” (Aids mislabel by paper as cancer” Also in the NYT’s in 1956, “Fidel Castro is Dead.” Some others: “Mars inhabited by Vast, Giant, Thinking Eyeball” (Salt Lake Examiner, Tribune 1912), “Dungeons and Dragons Deadly” (1985, Lakeland Fl),

There is nothing better than having a few good emotions, as long as you don’t foist them on others.

Just being Human is No Excuse.

Today's Tids Issue 4,089

For the human us all:

I often discover new likes in music past discarded. Maybe it’s maturity or experience gained from learning. While I always enjoy that wonderful feeling of new discoveries, I am even more pleased to learn that I can actually grow in my thoughts. So, maybe there is hope after all in the world of confused, uninformed hatred for others. If an old curmudgeon like me can open his eyes to new light and Musial reveries, then, well, well, I just can’t believe I’m the only one.

I don’t know about you, but I go to plays, shows, movies and athletic events for one reason: Entertainment! I don’t pay to have my head explode, nor do I feel disappointed if some supposed social issue is overlooked, replaced by a simple smile and positive thrill.  

Add to my list of those who qualify for capital punishment, Robo-Callers. And, I’m seriously considering adding entertainment critics to the list. I know, I know, this is the week for compassion and forgiveness, but have seen no evidence of God’s approval of this group of merchants and moneychangers in the temple of civilization.

Too often in this world of ours, opinions outweigh facts.

Several of you brighter than I wrote to remind me that Bolton as the NSA pick does not have to be approved by Congress. Sorry for the misinformation. Regardless, Bolton is a true lightening rod with knowledgeable people from all sides either strongly for or against him. He is not a middle ground guy. As one particularly well-informed reader told me, “Bolton has been swimming in the DC swamp since the Reagan Admin.” And, you all know about swamps – stuff clings to you.

The low point of the current NCAA Basketball championship occurred when the losing Kentucky team declined to shake hands with winners, Kansas State. Compounding the insult was coach Calipari saying it wasn’t such big deal; enabling unsportsmanship, saying it fell victim to the heat of the moment. What’s he teaching his kids (mostly one-and-doner’s who only see college as a necessary steppingstone to their NBA goal), it’s only human to be unsportsmanlike?

I always enter this week of passion with a heavy heart. I fear for a man who will be ridiculed, beaten and inflicted upon; who will cry out to his father, and wonder how he can endure what he sees around him. After all, though God, he is only human. As are we. This the week that reflects, more than any other time of the year, on being human; facing defeat and wondering why we may have been forsaken. But, we never are, are we. For within us all as humans is ability to look up and the strength to rise above..  

The Question:

What are the six components of the “Electromagnetic Spectrum”? Bonus: What great American Poet Died On Robert Frost’s Eighteenth Birthday? Extra Bonus: How do the Top Luxury cars rank in US Sales?

The Headlines:

--As Trade War Threats Fly, China And US Talking About New Agreements; US/Korea Revise Trade Deal; US Stocks Could Have Healthy Jump Today After Solid Higher Opening.

--Tragic Death Of Iowa Family Of Four In Mexican Condo Said To Be From Toxic Gas.

--6.6 Earthquake Hits Papua New Guinea; Massive Russia Mall Fires Kills 64.

--Stormy Daniels Ridicules, Dishes Dirt On President Trump; Most Of Info Had Been Released Before: Says Relation Consensual, Not Interested In #MeToo; Trump Legal Team Takes Action Following Her Comments Of Threats By Trump Lawyer.

--Homebuilding Slows As Homes Get Too Expensive For Largest Market Segment; Auto Dealers saying Cars Are Getting Too Expensive.

--Polls: FN – Economic Confidence Growing; Repubs Narrowing Mid-Term Election Congressional Voting Gap.

--Facebook In All-Out Apology Tour.

--Kids Against Guns March Organizers Say Crowd Was 850K; Crowd Analyzers Say It Was Closer To 220K; Venerable Remington Firearms Company Declares Bankruptcy.

I’ll tell you what gets my human spirit going – the smack of balls against bats and the season opening call of “Play Ball!” That’s what. It all starts again around here on Thursday. Good luck everybody – may all of your teams do you proud!

If you have been reading about Brexit the past couple of months, you would have the impression that the British Isles will sink into the Irish Sea. But, that just isn’t the way things are going in reality. In fact, the country is having an exceedingly good year with the number of people working at an all-time high and income inequality nearing a 30 year low. Manufacturing orders are pouring in, and everywhere you look you see robust economic activity. Despite Brexit angst, life is quite pleasant in foggy England. Let’s hope Wall Street sees this and revises its tendency towards overreactions to moments. The economies here and around the world are very strong, yet the street continues to overdramatize runaway negativity. That may be good for broker commissions, but not for investor sanity. Look beyond the moment.

Here’s a newspaper headline that has me perplexed: “The Lack of ‘Weather Spotters’ in Newport has made measuring snow totals difficult for the National Weather Service.” Say what?

So, the big question of the day is, “Will mother Sally Forth eat the ears off her child’s Chocolate rabbit once again this Easter morning?” I just love a good continuing plot, don’t you? But, when you think about it, many journalists create equally non-sensible, ad-nauseum stories.

The storyline that won’t go away is Stormy. (I wrote this before last night’s 60 Mins.)

A few people with microphones espouse as a good idea national internet voting on issues, when, in fact, it is basically mob rule and the first step into third world descendance.

Humans still need a lot of help and replacing them with robots is not the answer.

These new meal kits are basically somebody else’s idea of what you enjoy for dinner.

Regardless of potential legal ramifications for Trump and Cohn on the Stormy issue, a porn-star connection is not what you want to see in our White House. “It’s only Human,” doesn’t cut it. But, you have to figure that Bill Clinton is a bit envious.

Remember how Americans laughed at Italy and it’s bunga-bunga President Berlusconi’s sex parties?

Like never before, the media likes to focus on the turnover of Trumps staff. While he has been wild and unpredictable, he is not alone as for example Obama’s first communications director lasted but 92 days versus Trump’s 134 days. Obama’s interim Chief Of Staff Rouse lasted only 104 days, shorter than Priebus. As far as Comey goes, he was only the second FBI Chief ever fired. The first was William Sessions who was fired by Bill Clinton “after he refused to step down amid Personal, ethical concerns in 1993”. (There are still questions on that one – whether or not it was justified or political.) Of course, the schools today don’t teach history any more, just innuendo.

The Eternal Quest, Department:

You’d think that with all of the TV golf matches I watch that something may have rubbed off by now, that perhaps I learned something. Alas.

Did you see where Cardinal Dolan of NYC said that the Democrats have abandoned Catholics. A lot of it is about pro-life, and general demeaning of Catholics and Christians. But, more is about the restrictions against broader opinions. For instance, DNC National Chairman Tom Perez “insisted that pro-life candidates had no place in the modern Democrat party.” (Does “modern” mean giving up morals, ideals and values? Not solid Dems I know.) Former Hillary staffer Annafi Wahed says the Dem “Big Tent” is now a pup tent. She also said she attended the CPAC conference (Conservative Political Action Conference) and said, “she was made to feel welcome – a courtesy, she had to admit, would not begiven them (Conservatives) at a meeting of political liberals”. As Dolan ends his observations to is congregation In St. Pat’s, he says, “as saddened as I am to write this, it is true.”

Among other national silliness, is this obsession by the NFL to determine exactly -- what is a catch. I have solution – don’t use instant replay. Just play the game. A catch shouldn’t be determined by slow motion versus actual speed of the game.

Most of the time I just write simple factual statements or comments. But you would be surprised how often people assume them as being vicious political activism.

Do you think Trump putting Pompeo and Bolton in place is part of a strategy to scare Kim? So far there’s no word out of NK, but plenty of concerns from allies.

The Answer:

The six wave components of the Electro-Magnetic Spectrum from lowest to highest frequency are Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultra Violet, XRay and Gamma. Bonus: Walt Whitman died on Robert Frost’s 18^th Birthday!  Extra Bonus: Lexus leads the way with 159,080 cars sold. Next at 134,319 was BMW. The rest are Audi (109.6), Acura (106), Infiniti (78.2), Mercedes (72.7), Cadillac (68.3), Lincoln (61) and Volvo (57.7). There was a day in America when kids wanted to grow up to own a Caddy. But GM management ruined that dream in the 1980’s. The fastest growing luxury car in US sales is Hyundai’s Genesis.

Walt Whitman was nurse during the Civil War, and much of his writings at that time of unimaginable horrors that touched all, were of comforting the needs of the miserable and rejoicing in personal battles won. He wrote: “There is something in personal love, caresses, and the magnetic flood of sympathy and friendship, that does, in its way, more good than all of the medicine in the world”.

Where this goes, I know not where.

Today's Tids Issue 4,088

For searching:

If anything can lift us out of the March Northeast doldrums it is surely romance. You know that feeling that is in the air; the warmth you can feel but don’t know why. The feeling of a rebirth humming below the surface, a rebidding, a blast of light challenging the grey. Here’s that beautiful stillness, reflections from glancing eyes, a sense of life. The world slows, and we sense the beauty. We hold hands, we rush into arms. We feel the hope of another new day.   

The atheistic elite have awakened the Christians. They shouldn’t have done that. Christians have been attacked for centuries by much more formidable foes than a few loud comedians and elitist talk show gabbers… and they have persevered, because love and faith are stronger than guilt induced paranoia. Christians love, and forgive; they live by the light.

Jay Leno said last night, “If they arm teachers, does that mean they have to give librarians silencers?”

John Bolton may never get confirmed. I personally like the way Bolton avoids Pollical Correctness and goes to the heart of the matter, but I think his hawkish traits will scare enough Senators to stop the process. Outside the beltway, though, I have heard some pretty reasonable thinkers saying they love the choice of John.

The Question:

In the early 1960’s actress Maureen O’Sullivan was co-host of NBC’s Today. Who was the TV announcer (Several Jackie Gleason hows who was her co-host

The Headlines:

--Stocks Poised For Further Instability After Yesterday’s Disaster: Trade War Continues To Depress Optimism; New Report Of US Durable Goods Surge Easing Investor Agita.

--Senate Joins House In Passing $1.3 Trillion Spending Plan; President Tweet Says He May Veto Because of No DACA.

--ISIS Related Gunman Takes Hostages, Control Of French Shopping Center.

--150 Pilot Whales Stranded On Australia Beach’ Rescuers Stream To Incident But Only 6 Survive.

--Wall Street Enthusiasm Over Target-Kroger Merger Is Premature; Two Companies Say There Are No Talks Between Them.

--Facebook Users Sid To Be Running to Instagram After Security Revelations.

--Trump $50 Billion Tariffs On Chinese Products Could Hurt Victoria Secret, Under-Armor, Champion, Addidas.

I’m concerned about the stability of my household. I have so many different helpful tech associates that I can see in the future Alexa hacking in to ChromeCast to plot an undercutting of Siri. She would surely call on Roomba for assistance, while Smart TV sits smugly above it all sending out fake news reports. Meanwhile, my toaster keeps burning the toast while my electronic violin plays a sad song.

The average person measures Tax laws by their effects on themselves. But they may have to look at their favorite sports teams for the real impact. The elimination of the “Like-Kind Property” qualifier for all but real property could be a big problem. To best explain it that is the tax proposition that allows people to be free from capital gains taxes while upgrading their homes. Teams used to be able to eliminate that capital gains for “The amount an asset (Players) appreciated while it was held by an investor (Teams). This could significantly affect the marketability of players and free agency. You never know what’s really going on in Washington. Ask Rex Tillerson.

I am squarely in the anti-tariff group, but if their use changes China’s appropriation of US Intellectual property policies, then I can see a benefit here. But, I only know what I see on the surface.

Have you noticed that the latest two Trump cabinet nominees -- Kudlow and Bolton – are TV personalities? There’s no truth that Buffy the Vampire is on a list for new Secretary of Defense.

Just when you thought Amazon was going to rule the world, Google steps in. They have a new shopping center known as “Shopping Actions” which includes stores like Target, 1-800-Flowers, Home Dept and Ulta among others. Everybody will be in that act pretty soon.

Google is a pretty smart company, but it falls short on catchy names. Like calling it’s version of Alexa and Siri, “Assistan”t. It’s like going back to caste systems.

There’s no truth to the rumor that the 150 stranded in Australia whales were using a new Auto-Driving radar system.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--“Paul, Apostle of Christ” is a clear example of Critics bias versus Audience approval – 23% of Critics likes it; 93% of people like it. Actually, even the Washington Post critic likes it quite a bit. It is a well told tale of Paul, his conversion to Christianity, his rise as a leader on Christians in a world that is afraid of them. (Like today).

--On the other hand, the critics favorite movie of the week is the phycological thriller Unsane. A young woman is involuntarily committed to mental institution. She doesn’t know if her greatest fear is real or delusional. Oh yeah, Audiences are not as hot for this one as are critics.

--Pacific Rim Uprising is your basic misdirected, youthful hero rising up to save society from evil, with lots of action. Predictable but probably ok for those hoe like this style.

I didn’t know you could still say, mental institution.

Oldsters should work to keep their bodies flexible so they can tie the stings on the back of their hospital jonnies.

The Answer:

Jack Lescoulie was the partner of Maureen in that no-man’s land era of The Today Show after Dave Garraway. He was also host of The Tonight Show after Steve Allen.

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

Pugilistic Politics Pummels Prudence.

Today's Tids Issue 4,087

For more glitter than bitter:

I say to myself, why be bitter?

Why give into Lachrymose?

Why let precious light fritter?

Look for all the gold in those,

Who have made your life glitter.

After all, I’m just a loving critter.

I think I’m going to be under attack. As you know, I at times leave you humming with a music event from YouTube. But YT is growing tired of leaches like me in addition to feeling renewed pressure from cash-for-music competitors to pay up for music as they do. So, I hear that their first strategy will be to inundate me with ads until I surrender, seeing the light of paying for uninterrupted service. If that doesn’t work they will just stop offering free stuff altogether. Like everything, the internet is becoming expensive.

Remember when college athletics were an innocent pastime, guys and gals competing for the sake of pride and school spirit.

You can cajole Americans into stupidity for just so long. Pretty soon when an emotional creative movement creeps beyond basic belief systems, people see another light, one of truth that opposes misdirection. Californians are waking to the fact that there is something inherently wrong with cities that harbor criminal entry into the USA. You can fool me once…

The Question:

Name the family Is known for high wire walking. Bonus: What was the name of Pamela Smart’s Husband?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Dip On China Reaction To Trump Tariffs; Big Country Raises Interest Rates Following Fed Move; Tariffs On China Could Hurt Walmart And Best Buy.

--China Ratchets-up Anti-American Tariff Response Talk.

--Facebook Finally Admits It Makes Mistakes; Anti Privacy Company Concerned That Disgruntled Members Will Opt Out.

--No Motive Found In Recorded Confession Of Austin Bomber; Had List Of Planned Future Attacks.

--More Towns In Cal Expected To Follow Lead Of Los Alamitos In Kicking Out Illegal Sanctuary City Status.

--Latest Nor’ Easter A No-Show In New England; Big Snow Punishes Pennsylvania And New York.

--Biden Versus Trump; Schoolyard, Schoolboy Antics Cloud Adult leadership.

--URI Counters With Strong Package, But Basketball Coach Hurley Leaves For Old Time Rival UConn l.

As far as I can determine, a Biden-Trump campaign would be more like a burlesque show.

It’s too early for me to start analyzing The Voice contestants. Frankly, nobody has really had me stand up and shout Huzzah! Maybe I have just seen too many of these same ole’ singers producing the same ole’ stuff. But, I have to say I always enjoy the Battles, the duets, regardless of talent levels. I also have to say that Kelly Clarkson has been an enjoyable addition, and that she has put together the most entertaining duets. There have been some great ones so far, but I really don’t remember the individual singers. In an unscientific poll after the first week of the battles, four singers have emerged in the minds of critics and viewers: Brynn Cartelli, D.R. King, Jackie Foster and Christina Danielle. BTW, the duets didn’t score core well on ITunes’ downloads – one being 98^th and the other that scored being 133. But, The Voice is doing much better than the American Idol Revival.

The only way to ensure complete safety in the new world of driverless cars is to replace human pedestrians with robots.

I seem to be getting chicken lately that has the consistency of leather or hard rubber. Tastes weird and surely messes up a meal. Turns out that chick producers are concerned about “Woody” chicken, as they call it. And, they say, it is not harmful to humans. Except, when you had your tastes buds revved up to something chickeny delightful. Has chicken also gone the way of disagreeable politics.

Actually though, if you put gravy on politics is still leaves a bad taste.

A lot of people dining out are turning to small plates or multiple appetizers. What I have found from modern day food emporiums as a result of new appetite limitations, are meager menus with fewer and fewer ostentatious options.

Picking up discarded, though well-established, brands and keeping them alive on the internet is probably a pretty good business going forward.

The Only problem with “Homeland” is that you have to wait a week to renew the wonderful tension.

One of the great questions looming for the future is what will be the impact of Auto Driving on $230 Billion auto insurance Industry? And all of those employees? Add that to the endangered groups that will be affected by driverless cars and trucks and delivery vans.

Whoever came up with the phrase, “Nickel and dimed to death”, probably didn’t realize at the time that he or she was referring to the modern day Internet and cable communications.

The Answer:

Of course, you knew that the Wallendas are the family that walks the tight rope. That is, as opposed to the Trump family. Bonus: Pamela Smart’s murdered husband was named Gregory. Lots of extra points of you got that one. Het, somebody has to remember the poor soul.

Seniors citizens with stock portfolios are going to be very angry if Tariffs send the markets crashing.

I could become bitter

With disturbing lachrymose.

Letting loose with disturbing twitter.

But then, I have never been a quitter.

Choice?

Today's Tids Issue 4,086

For Making Up Our Own Minds:

We are building weapons and massing armies, but the biggest threat of all could be the silent one, that gutless destroyer that roams in dark places on the internet…internationally and domestically. Why am I not seeing a bigger Exec, Congressional push on this?

I’ve been taking some courses on Osama Bin Ladin which necessarily includes Islam’s negative views of American culture. I’m told that many of Islam laws are designed to help people protect them from themselves; that the great difference between to the two cultures is American freedom of choice versus no choice. So how come laws are being passed to ban foods I like, the convenience of plastic bags; smoking and guns – to protect Americans from themselves.

The EU revealed a plan to tax big US Tech Companies Like Google, FB, Amazon and Others. Is this the next shot fired in a trade war? How messy will it get?

The Question:

Chip Taylor was quite the song writer, Name a few f his best. Bonus: What is fascinating about Chip Taylor’s family relationships.

The Headlines:

--Austin Bomber Blows Up Self As Police Close In; Mark Conditt Had No Previous Record.

--Markets Inching Up.

--Dems Honing In On Zuckerberg As Info On Trump Election Connection Emerges; FB Share Holder Files Class Action Against Company For Misleading Statements; FB Fined In South Korea For Limiting User Access.

--Analysts Say Nothing Peculiar About Zuckerberg Selling 1,14 Million Shares of Facebook Two Weeks Before Latest Revelations Of Chicanery By Company; Stock Price Dropped 6.67% After Knowledge Of Deception Became Public, Two Weeks After Stock Sale.

--Obama, Biden And Others Said To Have Made Billions Off Of China Trade Deals And Regulatory Policies.

--Fed-Ex To Place Office Locations In Walmart; Initial Effort Will Include 500 Stores; DHL Strengthening Push Into US As Internet Orders Increase rapidly.

--Milk In Short Supply At Stores As Northeast Revs Up For Latest Nor’Easter.

The hot new dish foodies are trying to foist upon the trendy is called Shashuka. It’s basically a Mediterranean dish of eggs poached in a crushed tomato stew with chopped bell peppers, sliced Serrano Chiles, and seasoned with Coriander, Cumin and Paprika. It is a pretty basic dish that becomes a fad mainly because of a cool middle eastern sounding name. No thanks

If you ever decide to make a cross-country Zoo adventure, you might want to use as your check list the oldest Zoos in America: They say that the Museum of Science in Boston is the oldest, but I don’t classify it as a pure unadulterated Zoo. Of those, the oldest is the Philadelphia Zoo, followed by Central Park (NYC) Zoo, Lincoln Park (Chicago). Roger Williams (Providence RI), Cincinnati, Buffalo (NY), Maryland (Baltimore), Detroit and #10 Dallas. The well-known Bronx Zoo is 12, and Boston’s real Zoo (Franklyn Park) is 16.

In case you haven’t noticed, it is asparagus season in the north. Buy stock in hollandaise sauce ready-packs.

Did Carly Fiorina fail in her presidential run because she’s a dedicated adherent to ethics?

In the olden days big fires ruined big cities on a regular basis – Like Boston’s 1760 fire that destroyed 376 structures or the 1788 fire in New Orleans that destroyed 856 structures. I wonder if anybody blamed that on climate change.

It is easy to believe that the climate is changing. It is hard to believe the rants of climate change activists.

When two magicians saw something special in each other on their first date, it was love at first slight!

It’s really awfully hard to be a good old fashion surreptitious criminal anymore.

We used to have weather, but now we have events.

The Answer:

Wild Thing was one of Chip’s best, but I always liked Angel in the Morning. Some others are Willie Nelson’s He Sits at Your Table, I Can’t Let Go, I Can Make it with You, Any Way That You Want Me, Try (A little Bit Harder) and Son Of a Rotten Gambler. His songs were sung By the Hollies, The Troggs, Willie, Anne Murray, Janis Joplin, Emmy Lou Harris, Evie Sands, Jimi Hendrix and Merilee Rush. Bonus: I went to High School with Taylor and he was a great glover, in fact originally looking for a pro career until he found his mark in Music. His real name is John Wesley Voight, and yes, he is Angelina Jole’s Uncle and Jon’s Brother. He had another brother Barry, who I knew well. He was a quiet guy giving the younger two the spotlight.

I relish freedom of choice.

“Any way you want me”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPGfy03pdAs