A comet has left it’s orbit.

Today's Tids Issue 3.533

Opening Stuff:

Inertia, it is “the tendency to do nothing.” In physics it is “the property of matter to continue in its existing state of rest, or uniform motion in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external force.” Are you beginning to see a picture of the USA here? We have had “straight line politics for decades, and people see it as doing nothing. The innate fallacy of Inertia is the cause for the emergence of Trump and Sanders who espouse action instead of spouting philosophy. Inertia is the establishment.  

President Obama now says that his filibustering of SC nominee Alito was a mistake. You can’t make this stuff up.

Sorry, I have no comments on the Apple refusal to help the FBI. Basically it seems that Apple is saying that they want to protect people who crazy enough to put their life history and financial assets access on a phone in their pocket or purse, which any two-bit thugs can steal in a shopping mall. Hey, wait a minute, that wasn’t very nice.

The Question:

Name five of the best known characters of Mark Twain. Big Bonus: Reports are saying that China though its proxy Belgium is dumping US treasuries. Which countries or entities hold the most US debt?

The Headlines:

--Jobless Claims Fall To 3 Month Low; Iran Relents After Balking At OPEC Call For Increased Production; EuroStocks Uneven, US Futures Positive, But Dow Opens Unremarkably Near Zero..

--Apple IPhone Sales Fall For First Time.

--WSJ/NBC National Poll Now Has Cruz Edging Out Trump.

--Syrian Kurds Man Behind Murderous Blast In Ankara; Turkey Pints Finger At US.

--Pope Tells Huge Crowd On US/Mexico Border That Drug Cartels Are Hell On Earth.

--Sanders Draws Even With Hillary In Nevada; Las Vegas “Hookers For Hillary” Campaign  Falling Apart As Some In Sex Industry Switch To Bernie.

Amoral people have no clue about right and wrong. That’s what I think about when I watch the Clintons.

Many of the polls I read in “Real Clear Politics” show that not only can’t Trump beat Hillary, he loses to Sanders by even more points. RCP is the best of sites for broad base political news and pure reporting of multiple polls.

I have to say that American idol last night failed to raise the hairs on the back of my neck. Talk about sameness and mediocrity! Of course, a lot would have to do with songs I like versus what they selected. I have never heard so many squeaky little voices trying ooze out feelings. So who was good? Shelbie Z showed me she was talented but I didn’t like her performance that much. Manny was predictable, but has stage presence and a pretty good voice. I liked Amelia Eisehhauer and have for most fo her performances. Lee Jean has possibilities, but was not great last night. I thought Trent Harmon’s performance was overkill, but I would put him near the top of my list. Dalton Rapattoni is going to be a factor, and he didn’t hurt himself last night. I had mixed feelings about Olivia Rox, and while she was disconcerting and uneven last night she has talent and that “It” thing and should survive. Adam Lasher didn’t thrill me, but the judges like him and will keep him. Another on the fence is a Judge favorite Jenn Blosil who was absolutely terrible in the beginning and barely made it workable in the end. She will be the toughest choice for the Judges. The others who will be among the five to go are CJ Johnson, Kory Wheeler ((Who made me feel uncomfortable) and Tristan McIntosh. It will be interesting to see who survives.

One commenting tweet describe last night’s Idol as “Boring to Awful and back to boring.” I agree.

Since its inception, I’ve been watching the new TBS show, Angie Tribecka, created by Steve Carell and his wife –and I havenever stopped smiling.

I have not heard anything more divisive than Hillary’s pandering to the NCAA with her “Systemic Racism” speech. If you think the country is severely divided now, wait to see what would happen if she were ever to be voted in. I cannot think of anything worse for America, including the countries infatuation with Bernie’s socialism.

Jeb bringing his brother into the campaign proved for sure that he was pure establishment in this new anti-establishment era. The reaction of Niki Haley backing Marco even after a sit-down with GW Bush is cement shoes fro a good guy, Jeb.

The Answer:

Well, you gotta think first of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. And if you say Huck than Jim cannot be far behind. Becky Thatcher comes to mind too. Then there is Tom Canty from Prince and the Pauper, and of course the Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Pudd’nhead Wilson, and then Hank Morgan and Merlin and others in King Arthurs Court as Mark saw them. Big Bonus: China is still #1 holding $1.246 Trillion (Down $18.4 Billion). Next is Japan with $1,123 Trill (Down $22.4 Bill. Belgium holdings are down $22.4 bil that is attributed to a sell-off of China holdings. Belgium was #3 but after a total year long reduction of $292 Billion they are not in the top ten. Other big debt holders are Oil Exporters, Caribbean Banking Centers, Brazil, Switzerland, U, Taiwan and mighty Luxembourg.

Little too much Politics today, and short, but I shall return with light and airy vigor tomorrow. Keep the faith.