Today's Tids Issue 3,515
Opening Stuff:
The
current political season became an NBA game about 8
months ago. You just find yourself sitting and watching it through haze waiting
for the final two minutes. Is it over yet?
My
body is adjusting nicely to 20 something degree days -- and
that is a good thing. Once you get your mind beyond negativity, life is generally
pretty easy.
As
the Bernie Sanders campaign continues to gain momentum, I’m
expecting any day now for The Hill to call for a special press conference,
where she will sit stoically and turn to the camera: “I did not have textual relations
with that server.”
The
reason JFK press conferences were so enjoyable to
watch can be summed up in two words. “Wit and Brevity”. Those words should be carved
into a sign on the door into the press room.
The
Question:
Ben Franklin was firmly against the Bald Eagle as
a symbol for America. What did he prefer in its place? Bonus: What were the first five National Parks? Double Bonus: What exactly does Siri
stand for?
The
Headlines:
--Dow Gets A Futures Boost Leading To A Triple
Digit Opening; Street Trying To Weigh Potential Effect Of Fed Meeting.
--Anti Abortion Activists Charged By Grand Jury In
Planned Parenthood Investigative Videos.
--Sanders Push Continues; Hill Drops Below 50% Nationally;
Key Black SC Congressman Switches Support From Hillary of Bernie.
--Supreme Court Says Juveniles Originally Sentenced
To Life Without Parole Should Be Eligible For Parole.
-- Iran Prez Rouhani Asks Pope's Blessing before
Continuing Biz Trip In Europe.
--Jamie Dimon Of JP Morgan And Lloyd Blankfein Of
Goldman Drop Out Of Billionaire’s Club; More Than A Dozen Like GoPro’s Woodman
and Twitter’s Dorsey Drop Into Mere Multi-Millionaire Category.
I’d
like to be able to use “Siri” more, get to know
her, but I’m shy.
In
response to a Tidlet yesterday about smart people using
their brains for criminal activity, a reader reminds me of our political class highlighted
by a well known wife of a world class philanderer who help create the lose standards
as examples for the new generations. “But, Bill did it.”
Mr.
and Mrs. Gingerbread Man were looking forward to bedtime
when they could slip into clean cookie sheets.
I
see where the UN is starting the Syria peace talks on schedule
despite not having any of the participants present. It’s like a SNL interpretation
of a political debate – the show must go on regardless of facts.
Cam
Newton is one of the best QB’s I have ever seen –
maybe one of the best all-around football players. Some people, though, are thinking
his celebrations are too long, inappropriate and tedious. Of course you know what
that means. It means that ESPN reporters and their brethren who think they are
more important than mere sports analysts, will start calling anybody with that
opinion, “Racist”. It is sad that you can’t criticize some people for what they
do. In addition some of these sports people will criticize other reporters as raciest
if they give more ink to the old man of football, white Peyton Manning. How far
away from the truth are we forced to go?
I
had to love Chris Christies comment to a misinformed
reporter trying to make a big issue out of his campaigning instead of staying home
after the storm that caused flooding after a super high tide: “Want me To go
down there with a mop?”
RI’ers
were not worried about the state’s Attorney General
when it was learned that a woman broke into his office. He is generally in Florida
on vacation.
There’s
great NCAA men’s basketball game in Providence
tonight featuring #8 Xavier against #10 Providence. It will be on Fox Sports.
America
going soft, Department:
“Nether snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night
stays these couriers from the swift completion of tier appointed rounds.” So
how come I didn’t get my pile of leaflets on Saturday.
Many
days when writing with radio music in the background, I
perk up to hear a piece that catches my attention. Often it is Saint Sans.
Maybe
it’s me, but I just don’t find Sarah Palin “Whacky”. Sorry
pundits.
Democrats
were Donald Trump way before Donald began launching
insults instead of facts. Maybe that’s why so many Dems watch SNL.
The
Parking Lot: Chapter 22.
Nancy was
on the phone when Jared walked in. She mouthed, It’s Fred.
After the
gun battle, the two of them drove back to the Newport house as fast as the old
car sucking along on its last breath would take them, They scuttled the car in
the giant parking lot of the nearby slots casino, removed the plates and fingerprints,
and walked through a couple of neighborhoods to the house.
The newscasts
were full of the shoot out and explosion.
Most important to Nancy and Jared was the rescue of Fred, who looked
more embarrassed than harmed as he walked, held steady y two stet troopers to a
waiting ambulance. The video shifted to a police spokesman who said it appeared
that some of the dead and wounded were “known Characters” in the area. A reporter
commenting on the scene thought it was odd that the Tiverton Town Council President
was apparently being held captive in the building locked in a grimy cell like room.
“There’s more to this caper than we are seeing on this screen this afternoon. Stay
tuned to Channel 6 for the latest,” said the stern looking man in his most serious
concerned voice.
Beth’s
little girl came running through the room laughing about something as Nancy
continued talking. “Well Fred, we are all very happy to see you somewhat in one
piece. It must have been frightening,” she consoled. She listened and rolled
her eyes, covering the mouthpiece, “He is saying that he had no problems, and
was his usual cool self.” She smiled at Jared and continued. “Well, I’m glad we
rescued you anyhow Fred. You never know how many of your fingers they may have
sent us if we didn’t act fast.” She heard the silence.
“Yeah,
well, thanks, you never can tell what might have happened,” came now a sheepish
reply.
“Well,
you’re welcome Mr. President. We like you despite our duplicity.”
The
Answer:
Ben like the idea of the Turkey to represent the cornucopia
of plenty for the USA. Bonus: The
first National Park in America was Yellowstone, although in 1872 it was called
a Public Park. The first public space to use the phrase national park was Mackinac
Island (In 1895 it had been transferred to Michigan and is now a State Park.)
Note also that the first Federal protected land was Hot Springs Arkansas. After
Yellowstone and Mackinac we had Rock Creek (Wash DC), Sequoia And Yosemite. The
rest are Mount Rainier (1899), Crater Lake (1902), Wind Cave SD (1903), Mesa
Verde (1906), Several volcanic parks in 1916 – Lassen (Cal) plus three in Hawaii,
and #10 Rocky Mountain (1916). Grand Canyon (1919) and Zion (1919) were the final
two before 1920. The Most visited is Smoky Mountain National Park with 10
Million followed by The Grand Canyon with 4.7 Mil. Double Bonus: SIRI stands for “Speech Interpretation and Recognition
Interface”. I wonder how many of the new tech generation will name their kid
Siri?
The
Turkey! Think about how history looks upon the lowly turkey
and exalts the well known bird of prey, the Eagle. Think about having the
Turkey as the national symbol and headlines like, “Imperial America gobbles up
new territory”. Or perhaps Bernie Sanders slogan, “Let’s kick the stuffing out
of US Capitalist Turkeys.” Meanwhile turkeys roam freely around here, and nobody
cares. But, alas the poor raptor the American eagle, beset upon by bird lovers
for protection. “I don’t need no freaking protection. I’m a killer.”
See
you all tomorrow. Maybe something will happen that I can
write about.
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