The Beginning.

Today's Tids Issue 4,334

Tick-Tock:

Every morning would lead to a better day,

Perhaps of fulfilling work or relaxing play,

Romping with lover near a shimmering Bay!

If indecisive politicians with feet of clay

Or viral negativity, didn’t get in the way.

There are three pretty significant headlines this morning: 1. Nuclear Powers In Conflict; Pakistan Shoots Down Two India Planes. 2. President Trump and President Kim Jong Un Begin Meeting To Reach Decision That Could Reduce Nuclear Threat. 3. Elijah Cummings Gavels To Order House Oversight Committee Interrogation Of Former Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen. Which headline do you think will get the most coverage in the Main Stream Media? I’ve already looked at several varied outlets. It is Michael Cohen. Donald/Kim meet is mentioned and India/Pakistani is hard to find at some. Ratings. Ratings. Ratings.

As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.

One of my resourceful friends sent me this from the mind of John Updike: “Writing is easy. You just stare at the blank page until little drops of blood appear on your forehead”. Hemmingway also had a quote that involved blood and writing, but Updike’s was better.

The Question:

Alec Baldwin’s brothers get a lot of publicity simply by hanging on his coattails. How many bros are there and how many can you name?

The Headlines:

-- Two India Planes Downed In Pakistan And Kashmir; India Says It Has Shot Down Two Pakistan Planes. India Pilots Taken Prisoner; Pakistan Closes Air Space.

-- President Trump And Kim Jong Un Meet To Begin Anti-Nuke Discussions.

—Michael Cohen To Sit Before Public Congressional Questioning.

--Escalating Geopolitical Concerns Has US Stock Markets Opening Lower.

--Newark, Nashville, Chicago and Miami Trying To Lure Amazon After NY Loses

--WH End Runs Dems To Insert Trump Judge On 9^th Circuit Court.

--Two African-American Woman Begin Run Off For Mayor Of Chicago.

--House Hearing On Climate Change Cancelled After Not Enough Democrats Show Up.

--Army Spent $8 Million To Treat 1,500 Transgender Troops Since 2016

--Weight Watchers Shares Tumble; Oprah Loses $48 Million In Minutes; Lowe’s Says US Economy Remains Strong.

At this point in time, it is apparent that the man in government who will get the most air time and ink in the coming year will be Elijah Cummings. He will be investigating every aspect of anything that has a connection to the Whitehouse – from Sarah Sanders diet to the energy efficiency rating of Secretary Perry’s house.

Just in case you are interested, nuke powers India and Pakistan are the second and sixth most populated counties in the world.

God created stock analysts to make weather forecasters look good. He hasn’t found a way to make hackers look good.

The new NBC program “Enemy Within isn’t too bad. A little too much over the top heroism and melodrama takes away from what could be a thinking person’s show. It’s based on the fact that there are a huge number of spies operating in this USA, and there is are moles snuggled in around every corner of society. It’s always good show when you don’t know who to trust. The lead character Erica Shepherd played by Jennifer Carpenter is pretty good, so far. But, TV lately has a way of ruining potential good concepts with over acting and predictability, and bad dialogue. And, human interest side stories that get in the way of main plots.

The NFL just introduced 32 new Official team Logos. As a critic said about the NE Pats logo, “It will take you a while to figure it out, but when you do you’ll hate it”. He was absolutely correct. The Green Bay Logo looks more like a swastika than anything else. The Jet’s effort is overworked and contrived. Some look like the existing logos, but in general, it is a disappointment

If you think that the Dems planning to question Cohen on the morning when Trump sat down with Kim is an accidental coincidence, you have entirely missed the vitriol in the nation. And the fact that it is known around DC that “Clintons Super pal and Cohen Lawyer Lanny Davis choreographed the entire session.”

Today is one of those days when the ice cubes I your drink grow bigger.

Every time I think that the Catholic Church is finally waking up to the horrors of child abuse, something worse happened.

And to think that two days ago I was planning on getting out my summer clothes.

“It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by then I was too famous.” --Robert Benchley.

Did you hear about the guy who swallowed popcorn kernels just before he died? The cremation was a spectacular memorial service.

The Answer:

Kind of a dumb question today…and I didn’t even like Alec Baldwin. I’ll be honest with you, I hear so much about these guys I actually thought there were far more than just four – Alec, William, Daniel and Stephen. Stephen’s daughter Hailey is married to Justin Bieber, in case you are interested. Actually, Adam Baldwin gets a lot of publicity, but he is not a brother. Maybe he just changed his name!

Regardless of the importance the 3 headlines, I imagine there will be a lot of talk tonight and tomorrow morning about what Cohen has to say. The Trump defense will say that Cohen is a proven liar, but that will have no effect on the damage that will be the result of Cohen’s Remarks. This will be step one in Impeachment hearings.

BTW: The hearing just began, and after headache producing positioning by both sides, Cohen stared his remarks, calling the President a “racist, con man and cheat”. That will be the headline tomorrow.

It’s one of those days when you start the Tids one way, and the news changes the hedging.