Common objectives.

Today's Tids Issue 4,529

Smiling forward:

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for. I think I’ll start making a list over his weekend just in case somebody wants me to make a toast next Thursday. If not, I’ll still savor the good I have received and love all who gave it to me.

The good news today is that the “Price is Right” is back on TV.

Once you get through the first few miles of a walk on a chilly, windy day, the rest is piece of cake. Or is that a cake walk, or a walk in the park? Do cakes walk?

Everybody should be concerned about what Fiona Hill said about Putin wanting to undermine America by creating bitter party divisions; to pit one party against the other. To “delegitimize our entire presidency…to put whoever became president under a cloud.” To create rifts between the US and its allies in order to diminish America’s power in the world. She seemed to be urging congress to come together to focus on Putin as the enemy, and that an assault of the very essence of our democracy is a major, crucial problem that should have bipartisan attention.

The football gods were probably quite upset when Penn State lost to Minnesota, and were tarnished with a loss before facing an undefeated Ohio State., which still is the game of the week despite the fact it is not not two undefeated team. How good is OSU? Very good, from what I have seen. And they are at home. Personally I’d like OSU to be undefeated until they meet U Michigan, and that team with the better fight song and a decent year may just get the job done. There may a couple of other good games, but none are really super important, and certainly none are between two equally competitive teams. So, it’s OSU and PS. Pretty sad at the end of the year when you can only find one meaningful game.

The Question:

Today, Tom Hanks becomes Mr. Rogers. What are considered his top ten movie roles?

The Headlines:

--Markets Bouncing Back After Xi Jinping Reinforce Hopes That Beijing Wants Deal With US; Stocks Still Up Through Noon EST.

--New Polls: Emerson College -- 45% Against Impeaching, 43% For (October 48% for, 44% Against); Among Independents – 49% Oppose, 34 % For (October 48% for, 39% Against.); Marquette U – 40% For, 53% Against (October – 44% Favor, 51% Against.

--Impeachment Consideration Moves To Judiciary Committee.

--Trump Says He Wants A Trial.

--Uber Founder Travis Kalanick Cashes Out Dumping $1.5 Billion Worth Of Stock.

In reference to yesterday’s comments about Congress versus MLB eliminating forty-two minor league teams, a reader comments, “Yes, 42 communities just lost their summer. We understand that here as state officials including the Governor didn’t understand the intrinsic value of a AAA team, now in a year off up the road to Worcester, who did.

Warren rhetoric is beginning to sound like what brought down the Romanovs.

A reader suggests, that Netanyahu being indicted proves that you can indict a ham sandwich… even in orthodox Israel.

Something new, in additions to Putin tricks, is creeping to our democracy – “Ranked Voting”. It is an “every vote counts scheme” most likely conceived in response to dismay by some over the long implemented Electoral College system. It is being used around the country in several cities. It encourages multiple candidates.  Take the Dem primary for instance. Current Dem rules necessarily void votes cast for any candidate who does not meet a 15% of the vote standard. Under a Voter Ranking system, their vote choices would be wasted. In a multi-candidate race, the candidate with the fewest votes is dropped, but the voters who voted for him or her would still see their second choice as viable. Get it? 21 states have already approved the system. I think it has a lot of shaking out ahead.

I’m not trying not to create a conspiracy theory, but it is conceivable, yes plausible, that many state department Diplomats were just a bit upset when their former Boss lost to the Trumpster. It’s certainly possible.

When Mr. Ed sold all of his pick-ups except a single Ford, he became a one truck pony.

One of the great things about playing golf in late fall is that you have the golf course to yourself. And it is never as bad as it looks on the weather maps. But, don’t tell anybody.

If those two new post hearings polls are correct, the Dems are losing Independents. If those polls in the “Headlines” are correct, the impeachment mess was not good for Dems. They both show a fairly significant reversal of opinon.

I see where Airbnb COO Belinda Johnson is stepping down to spend more time relaxing with her faulty. I hope she doesn’t live I a neighborhood with a lot of Abnb’s. It’s probably a good idea to phase out. Earlier this week we learned that Providence RI instituted new regulations governing the activities of Airbnb’s, and they will change the current operations al lot. (Unless somebody gets paid off) I know that the city I live I is considering the same. as I have heard and read that many communities across the nation are too. Making a few bucks on the side is one thing, but changing the character of residential neighborhoods is a grave misfortune for home owners.   

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--There’s been a ton of publicity for “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and it should do well with the millions who were raised by the quiet, kindly guy in the sweater. Mr. Rogers is a “triumph over cynicism”. It’s about two friends, Rogers and a jaded writer who overcomes skepticism learning of kindness, empathy and decency. Maybe I should see it!

--Dark Waters is another of those struggling lawyer willing to lose everything to bring down big bad corporation, Based on a true story, it is said to be tense, entertaining and shocking.

--“Hala” is about a 17 yo Pakistani American teen who struggles to balance desire with family, religious and cultural obligations. She struggles with a secret that could unravel her family.

--Frozen is back and will be entertaining, regardless of what critics may say.

--People seem to like “Bridges”, a good action thriller about an NYPD detective who is tracking down a couple of cop Killers, and what he finds is a massive conspiracy. He finds that he the pursuer becomes the pursued.

The Answer:

Everybody likes Tom best for Forrest Gump. Next is Saving Private Ryan followed by The Green Mile, Big, Cast Away, Apollo 13, Toy Story, Catch Me if You Can, League of Their Own and Philadelphia. Personally, I liked Sleepless in Seattle (#11) and You’ve Got Mail (19). I’m just an old romantic.

It is TD Countdown week.

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