Away in a Manger.

Today's Tids Issue 3,475

Opening Stuff:

The retailers are touting Christmas and infecting people with the spirit of the coming of the birth of the lord, to aid in opening wallets wider. But when the shelves are bare and the cash registers stop jingling to the sound of reindeer bells, the anti believers will emerge from under their piles of presents to clear the public square of any mention of the reason for it all.

Speaking of nice gifts, a reader sends in this observation: “When the first guy finished building the first clock, how did he know what time it was?” Tne reader tells me it is from oe Biden’s post P Book – “Things I thought About in My White House Office.”

It’s interesting how the mind works. While reading with utter disbelief of this weekend’s Mississippi incident where a man killed a Waffle House waitress by pulling out a gun and shooting her through the head after she told him he couldn’t smoke..I’m thinking that the smoking laws are too restrictive. Maybe I’ll sell that to the NRA excuse machine.

Irony: The deranged killer in the Colorado Planned Parenthood site was protected from police by the bullet proof glass installed to protect PP workers from deranged killers.

The Question:

Name five White House henchmen during the Watergate caper. Bonus: What are the five cars are most expensive to insure?

The Headlines:

--Worlds Largest Pension Fund, Japan Government Pension, Loses $64 Billion In Giant Stock Sell-Off; World Iron Ore Prices Crashing; PMI Falls Into Contraction Territory.

--Best Cyber Week Deals: Groupon (61.8 % Discount Average –Consumer Electronics, Toys); eBay (Best for Apparel, Accessories), JC Penny (#1 for Computers, Phones, Appliances); Bon Ton (Best for Furniture).,

--Country Leaders And Corporate Execs Gathering In Paris To halt Carbon; Conference Leadership Saying Part Of Their Credibility Problem Comes From Dubious Proposals Of Many Climate Group factions.

--Gun Violence Threat Shuts Down U Of Chicago.

--Putin Applies Sanctions To Turkey; Ergodan Finally Says It was stupid to Shoot Down Plane; Putin Snubs Erdogan At Meeting..

--New England Pats Lose First Game and Super Tight End Gronk; Carolina Continues Undefeated; Redskins Surge into First Place In Weak Divisions; GB Continues To Falter.

--US Residents Tired Of Right, Left And Middle Wing Lobbyist Ownership Of Politicians; Trump Considered Solution Which Scares All From the Obama-Left-Soros Relationship To The Hillary Foreign Government Cabal To Then Lowliest Republican Congressman Dining On Lobbyists Credit Cards.

--Michelle “O” Welcomes White House Christmas tree,

Orgasm in Paris, Department:

(Or, the Climate Climax)

You know, Obama may be right after all when he says the biggest threat is climate change. From what I’m reading about the liberal gathering in Paris, one of the major decisions will be about how to limit the production of oil. This could easily start WWIII with all of those countries who’s wealth and stability is based on the production of oil fighting for their future Rolls Royce’s. Or maybe the will be like farm subsidies. Are you ready to send your tax money to Russia, Arabia, Iran and Venezuela to not produce oil!

Of course the zanies in Paris are the sane branch of the Climate Change gang. A group in London is seriously proposing that the Paris convocation eliminate meat from diets. And you think vegetarians are just cute little women in the lettuce department.

A reader sends along this comment: “The United States Constitution does not exist to grant you rights; those are inherent within you. Rather, it exists to frame a limited government so that those natural tights can be exercised freely.”

I don’t pay any attention to U of Kentucky basketball because it takes too much effort to become familiar with players who are gone in a year or less. One and done is not my view of “College” athletics.

On a similar note, an old neighborhood friend reminded me of the time when I was a ringer, along with two other boys, on the 12-14 yo Boy Scout baseball team, and drove up to a game in my car! Yikes.

I often say that I don’t pay much attention to these racial and liberal induced college kid protests because so many are based on false premises. Then I’m thinking of all of the good people who truly are against abortions as bad for the health of young children...and then seeing this nut go on a tear in a Planned Parenthood clinic. The opposition will now surely use this one incident against sound arguments and or evidence of Planned Parenthood wrongdoing.  Every good plotter of data evidence throws out the extremes to determine a realistic view of opinions. US mass communications unfortunately today thrives on the opinions of the extremes…99% of the time on the opinion of the extremists who fit their agenda.

I’m all for fighting for more PC this time of year – as in Pro-Christ.

I read where the number of sports referees is declining rapidly as the lack of respect by kids in sports increases.

I think the reason why NFL referees have been looking so foolish lately is because of the constant addition of new regulations by The NFL like White House or RI Legislature. Just play the game. Many of the Regs are designed to enable mediocrity among less creative teams or effect a certain outcome like more offense -- just as the USA Tax code is designed to inspire things like marriage, house ownership and moving corporations off shore so they can make more money.

If you’re used to paying your way, then you are probably less susceptible to fraudulent phishing expeditions on the Internet.

Wall Street’s smartest are trying to figure out why ESPN subscriptions are fading fast. The answer is simple. New Englanders are bailing out because they see ESPN as the organization that pumped up the DeflateGate travesty. We’re a quiet yet vengeful group.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 31:

   “God Nancy, you’re going to get me, us killed. Have you lost your mind? It’s only a freaking casino.”
   “It was only a freakin’ casino, Fred, but when they started whacking my friend with 2 by 4’s, intimidating honest people and sending a small army of gun toting thugs, any chance for civil discussion was eliminated. And you know it, dear Fred. Do you feel like you’re on an island full of cannibals with no boat?”

    There was a pause. “Ok. Ok, Nancy, I got involved and it’s bad, real bad. Jackovic is the ‘good’ guy, if you can believe that.” Nancy smiled at the other end of the cell.

    “I’m calling, Fred, because I think you would rather work with us, than them. I think the good news is that they need you regardless of what happens, which means you are probably safe…for now.” She paused for a reaction. She’s thinking his face just turned white. “So, we want you to be careful. Hey, Fred,” Nancy paused a second, “You’re still a neighbor, still an old friend of the family, and me. I can get over the fact that you tied to knife us all in the back, one time. Just one time, Mr: Town Council chairman. The way you get back into our hearts is by working with us now. Be pliable to them, but get us information. Maybe we can save your life”

   “I’ll try,” came a weak reply.

   “Have they said anything about the missing fat guys.” Nancy looked up from the phone over towards the northwest, to the shoreline where the family homestead had stood for hundreds years, and saw smoke rising. She knew they had begun their revenge.

The Answer:

The Nixon WH and “contractors” was quite the cast of characters – Charles Colson, E. Howard Hunt, G. Gordon Liddy, Egil Krogh, David Young and and CIA liaison John Paisley. Also here was Jeb McGruder, James McCord, Virgillio Gonzales, Bernard Barker, Frank Strugis, Eugenio Martinez, John Erlichman, HR Halderman, Ron Ziegler, John Dean and Rosemary Woods. Oh yeah and Alexander Butterfield. Bonus: 5 cars that are good buys but not so much for insurance are #1. Nissan Altima, Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Hyundai Electra. The primary reason is that they rate high on the stolen car lists.

Speaking of the inane, a reader asks if we are destined to totally disregard our past because what is known today was not available in prior times. He exclaims that the Princeton students want to obliterate Woodrow Wilson from the campus where he was President before ascending to DC – because he was a segregationist. The greatness of America has been the ability to realize the need for changes as generations discover, but that’s change for the future and not wallowing in a past as so many the new voices do. The new protestors want to accuse the past regardless of the facts of the time. And are unwilling to accept that part of the past that is in opposition to their agendas. So let Woodrow stand for all that he did, and move to today and tomorrow. (Republicans and other sensible, intelligent people might want to ban Woodrow for giving us the IRS and income tax!)

Hang in there – reason will conquer: Wake up this week to one of my favorite tunes, Hang On Sloopy:

 https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-006&ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-yff16&p=lyrics hang on sloopy&type=

So that’s Sloopy. Jeez, I always thought it was Hang on Snoopy and was about a dog sleeping on a roof of a doghouse!

I’m full of turkey…but “Tidlets”, not so much.

Today's Tids Issue 3,474
Opening Stuff: 

I’m happy to be telling you that I’m not typing this thing in a tent outside Target!

If Thanksgiving is solely a holiday for the USA, why is their no significant news from around the rest of the world? Huh? Could it be that when Publicists get a day off, there is no new information written for journalists?

Gravy popsicles! I like it.

There are times when Rimski-Korsakov’s Scheherazade is about as soothing a piece of music thet you can find.

The Question:

Name 3 Gail Sheehy Books Bonus: What is the more common name for Bill Nye?

The Headlines:

--World Economic Data Roll-Out Will Be Gut Check For Wall Street Denizens Next Week; Could Big Either Way

--FBI Tracking At least 48 High Risk Terror Suspects.

--Retailers Say Black Firday Off to Great Start.

--Obama Tying Legacy To Weathermen Instead Of Military Strategists.

--Wasserman’s DNC Deep In Debt; RNC Treasury Flourishing.

--Erdogan Rhetoric More like To Inflame Moscow Than Tame Putin.

--Man Arrested After Jumping White House Fence.

What’s worse? Waiting up to stand in line for a Black Friday deal? Or rubbing the sandman out of your eyes after sleeping off a gigantic meal while writing the Tids?

I was somewhat dismayed when I read recently that the annual labor day Jerry Lewis Show that raised millions for humans with MS had been lopped. Then yesterday I realized what I had long suspected – Dogs have overtaken humans as the most popular fellow earth mate, and we should do everything possible to care for them. Frankly, I’m finding that domestic bunny rabbits are pretty darn cool.

In a small town in RI, colonial home of several well known Revolutionary War heroes, there was a big movement to gathe together Indigenous People’s day to celebrate instead of T-Day. Yet, it was the first meeting between Pilgrims and notices that makes Thanksgiving so meaningful. And I offer no hand to history revisionists.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews;

--Creed is the latest in the Rocky series and may be one of the best. It follows the boxing career of an up and comer which just happens to be Apollo Creed’s son, and who’s handler and coach is Rocky himself. It has the same uops and downs and uplifting fiish.

--On the Other hand Viktor Frankenstein is not worth a smidge of your time. You know the story and this is too much of that old story. The trailer looks awful.

--The Good dinosaur is not so hot as compared to other films like it, but kids will enjoy it anyhow. It asks the question, what if the asteroid missed the earth and Dinosaurs survived?

Not only do I never shop on Black Friday, I barely shop the other 364 days of the year. Does that mean I’m a communist?

The Answer:

Sheehy is a pretty prolific writer known earlier for Biographic sketches of leading personalities like Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Newt Gingrich and George W., but is best known for Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life. Other books are, The Silent Passage, Sex and the Seasoned Woman and New Passages: Mapping Your Life Across Time.  Bonus: You all know it’s “Bill Nye the Science Guy”.

I could have called today’s morning mess, “From Giblets to Tidlets.

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

I remember the laughter.

Todays Tids Issue 3,473

Opening Stuff:

I’ve been writing a bit about thanksgiving, maybe more than you all need. Yet with all of the thoughts, I have not talked the about all of the people no longer at the table. Those beautiful people we all can still see sitting in those spaces now empty. We hear the laughter they always brought; the sharp wit and endless conversation; the pleasant praises. The uncles who at too much, the parents who helped you fit in to the big people’s table a little better each year. The siblings and friends who were always with you – when all was good and when you needed a lift. Your stomach may get filled beyond capacity, but your heart can never be stuffed too much.

Here’s a quickie recipe that people (except me) seem to enjoy. Open a bag of your favorite prepared stuffing and follow directions. But, to the stuffing add diced carrots, sweet potato and butternut squash. To the chicken broth whip in two eggs. (I’d add a little butter) Scoop finished mixture into cupcake pan and bake. Stuffing cupcakes!

Personally, I like sugar Maples best of all the trees God planted on our mountains and upon te grassy fields on rolling hills drifting down to the ocean

The Question:

Name six of the giant balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Bonus:  Forbes Has released its new list of the Most Valuable NHL Franchises. Which of the Original six teams do you think is not among the top six listed?  (Hmmm – Microsoft word must have had a Black Friday deal on the number “Six” today>)

The Headlines:

--Market Up Ahead Of TDay.

--Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Says Jet Shoot Down Was Planned Provocation By Turkey Government; Russia Says We Still Like Turkish People.

--Costco Chicken Salad Pulled Off Market.

--Russia Sends Air defense Missiles To Turkey To deter Turkey.

--Blacks In Chicago March Again Against Death By Cops, But  Not About Murder in The Neighborhoods.

--Nobody Marching Over Blatant Murder Of Indiana Pastor’s Pregnant Wife

This just in – McDonalds is donating 10,000 bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on a bagel to help the FBI test for terrorists among Syrian refugees.

17 Americans were awarded the “Medal of Freedom” yesterday, but when watching CBS News last night you only learned of 4 or 5, mainly those related to liberal movements or NYC (Not good reporting for all of USA). Actually it looked like the James Taylor program, and it put me to sleep like most of his songs do. This morning I could also not find the full 17 named in the morning paper. So it comes down to the Tids once again to give you all the news – The 17 are Bonnie Carroll (wife of deceased recipient Brig General Tom Carroll), Peggan Frank (daughter of deceased recipient social activist Billy Frank Jr.), Black NASA mathematician Katharine Johnson, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, Barbara Mulkowski, Lee Hamilton,  Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Streisand, James Taylor, Stephen Spielberg, Itzak Pearlman, Stephen Sondheim, Gloria and Emilio Estafan, William Ruckleshaus and and another social activist Minora Yasui. It looks like the A list for an NYC cocktail party.

If you watched the opening of the “Dancin’…” finale or an numbed of TV events, you would think that tomorrow is Christmas day. By 2022, Santa will be leading the 4^th of July parade to the pulled pork stand and salsa.

It was encouraging to see the new Top Four as selected by the NCAA football playoff committee. It was nice to see Iowa, a team that has done nothing but win convincingly, finally sneak into #4. And national draw ND, which committee members like to promote for the playoff series, didn’t deserve being there after watching that questionable effort against BC.

Say anything to get elected Hillary now promises never to say “Illegal Immigrants” again. But Hillary, that’s better than saying US Benefits Thieves.

Gots to do the NFL picks a day early. There are three games tomorrow and I have to pick the Lions (Always good on TDay) over the disappointing Eagles. Is a Tony Romo team capable of giving Carolina its first loss. Difficult, but I have to stick with the Panthers. The Pack looked like the Pack last Sunday, so I’m going with them over the Bears. The Texans are confident and the Saints ain’t. I like the Bennies to bounce back over the Rams and Vikes to do the same against the Falcons. The Giants are going to beat the Skins, and the Bucs will take Indy. One of the tougher picks is KC against Buffalo. KC at home is tougher. I like Oakland over Tenn and Jax over the SD. The Jets- Miami is another pickum’, but I go Jets. The Cardinals will overwhelm the Niners. The Steelers will make it tough for Seattle at home, but home team survives. The Broncos beat the Pats? Nah! In the No QB Bowl I’m going with my heart and picking the Browns. A decent 10-4 last week gets Tod's Sports to 105-58.

In pop music, it’s all about the screams. I thought the voting on The Voice was a little odd as it related to talent. It is becoming obvious that teen girls have taken over the twitter machine. This kid Sunshine must have received the 2^nd most votes Monday night and that seems incredible to me. Young girl fave Zach also was near the top and above the best singer of them all Jeffery Archer. Of note, Amy Vachal, Jordan Smith and Emily Ann Roberts were 4, 6 and 8 on the ITunes Top 100 downloads.

The Parking Lot: Interlude:

As Jeremiah lay quietly in the next room appearing better, but very weak, the Hicks family joined together with all of the brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles, and with the members and now relatives in the Wampanoag Tribe for a huge Thanksgiving Dinner, They thanked God for getting them through wars and climatic hardships, and for the support and guidance of the family’s friend and adviser for so many years – Squanto. Richard released Howland to his familty for the day, but didn’t expect to see him return, voluntarily.

Reading Between the Lines Midweek Movie Reviews:

--The Family favorite Wizard of Oz has been re-released fro the season. As you kow it follows the adventure of a young girl transported to a surreal landscape where she kills the first person she meets and then teams opup with three strangers to kill again. Children will weep.

--On the other hand, Brooklyn looks to be a favorite for all. An Irish lass comes from Ireland to NYC in the mid fifties and makes a life for  herself,  including falling for a a nice Italian boy. But family needs call her back to Ireland where she meets a nice Irish lad. Yet this well written flick is not about these love tales and possible conflict, but of the life a nice woman with her feet on the ground. It is well done and interesting.

The Answer:

The new balloons are Red from Angry Birds, DINO, Ice Age’s Scrat and his acorn, and Ronald McDonald. Some returnees are Spongebob, Snoopy and Woodstock, Doughboy, Paddington, Pikachu, Toothless, Mighty Morphin Power Ranger and Thomas the Tank. Bonus: The top five were of the Original NHL six – 1, New York Rangers 2. Montreal 3. Torinto 4. Chicago 5. Boston. Theother member of the first six was Detroit which came ina #8. The rest fothe top ten were 6. Vancouver 7. Philadelphia 9. LA Kings and 10.Washingtn caps.

Let the youth remind us of the goodness for which we give thanks:

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-006&ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-yff16&p=thanksgiving%20hyms%20you%20tube%20&type