Layng quietly in fields

Layng quietly in fields
Glstening lights

Monday, March 7, 2016

No surprises.



Today's Tids Issue 3,545
Opening Stuff:

I dream of writing some day, the most beautiful words in every way. Words that would inspire, and bring smiles, and touch the depth of every being’s lives. And Tears. From happiness and love. Falling upon the written page, wetted ink spreading the emotion. That’s what I would like to do. Thoughtful words with deep meaning too. No matter the inclination of the recipient -- Something so perfect that it empathizes, sympathizes and romanticizes across the sensitivities of all humans. But alas, I don’t have the talent, I didn’t pay attention school. I could never develop such a tool. And after all, my vocabulary is quite small. Yet, I think this is a marvelous goal. Maybe one, if I look, is really in my control. You see, I have a heart, and feelings deep inside. I sense the emotions of all who wake. It is from their goodness I would take. Angst and suffering would temper what I say; infuse understanding and care. I would fill my heart; feel it swelling warmly in my chest; I would open the gates, let it drain through an open mind, and fleeting fingers would do the rest. Maybe the greatest words don’t come from books, but what pours out from love. Maybe we can all cut through what binds our giving. I ‘d like to write words that never die for all the living.

Sometimes Tchaikovsky’s 1st Symphony gets lost in the shuffle, and it’s a shame.

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Hillary and her loving hubby are happy about this FBI investigation. I think they see little coming out of it that they can’t spin, and sometime in June they can announce after it fades into media archives that they are once again just the poor victims of the well known vast right wing conspiracy,

The Question:
111 Supreme Court Justices have served on the Big Court. 9 are considered to be a step above the rest. Who do you think they are? Bonus: The Supreme Court someday will be looking at the Marijuana issue. Which five countries are “Highest” on the weed usage list? Speed Bonus: Quick now, what does BMW stand for?

The Headlines:
--The Nation Remembers First Lady Nancy Reagan.
--China Stocks React Positively To Beijing’s new Plan For Economic Growth.
--CPAC’s Darling Cruz Makes Headway Against Trump In Saturday’s Caucuses And Primaries; Trump Now Tied To Gambling Mobster Robert LiButti.
--Sanders Gets Tougher With Hillary I  Latest Debate; Bernie Takes Three Of Five Races Decided Over Weekend.
--North Korea Reinforces Nuke Threat Ahead Of US/South Korea Military Exercises.
--Iran super Billionaire Babak Zanjani Sentenced To death for Corruption;
--Peyton Manning To Retire.
--Taliban Bon-ms Kill * In Afghanistan In Retribution For Execution Of Islamic Militant

Nothing surprises me anymore about what people do on social media. Unfortunately, a lot of it is disheartening. Too reflective of an irresponsible society. Digital litter. But, then maybe I go too far. Like so many things, the evil gets the headlines, while the good that people do is blurred by sensationalism of negativity.

My biggest current quandary is what do to with my Tids Easter message. Should I repeat last year? Nah, I never repeat. That’s my eleventh commandment. If you can’t create something new, don’t waste other people’s time. But, how many ways can you say love of mankind. Maybe I’ll find a new one. I have two weeks.

Aside from the immensity of the technology, nothing about the prospects of a self-driving car impresses me. And, I always worry about something the government is promoting so vigorously.

I have found over the years while writing this thing that many ideas get lost in the haze of disturbing befuddlements from various and sundry opinions. Even opinions quite neutral, may be in disagreement with another’s core and transfer negativity throughout everything else. It’s not just here, but throughout communications involving people with free minds and sincere convictions. I’ll just keep on spouting from my inner soul and hope that in the long run it balances out for all.

Of course, I do purposely try to irritate vegetarians. I call it tough love. Pass the gravy, please.

I get the feeling when listening to Sebelius that he strives to get his audience interested in the contribution of all of the individual instrument groups before joining together for grand crescendos. Maybe he would make a good president.

If I get an investment tip from my robot stock adviser through my car’s computer system, will my driverless car swerve off the road from the  pulsating excitement?

It is not surprising to see Trump softening some of his somewhat tyrannical stances.

I think I’m becoming older than vintage or retro.

This trend towards open floor plans in homes, knocking down all roods so people can see each other at all times, isn’t so surprising considering how much of their personal lives people throw out there on the social media.

It is totally no surprise that the UConn women’s basketball team just keeps steamrolling opponents. I worry though that they are racking up one sided victories over teams in their rather mediocre league. How will they handle the bigger challenge? Probably Ok I guess, since they went into South Carolina’s den and took down the #2 at the time team.  But it will be a test because the Women’s NCAA tourney gets better and better as many more top rung female athletes become available to spread greater talent around to a broader array of teams.

I’ll tell you who is surprised – Political Pundits. I heard a rather informed unbiased statistician speaking Sunday morning who likened this season to the early signs of a paradigm change like in the Thirties when FDR altered the national political mood dramatically, and in 1968 when Nixon began to dismantle “Solid” Democrat south. This guy and others also noted that pundits often are 180 degrees wrong 100% of the time, like Bill Krystol who I like but who freely admits he generally misses on his picks. The smarter poll watchers who don’t try to fulfill preconceived opinions are saying that what has been historically accurate, may not be usable for current forecasting as guys like Trump cross party lines for all Americans and Bernie taps into the hidden human desire for sensible socialism. So, search out the forecasters who are questioning the past. Avoid the stars. The only way to understand what’s happening is to realize that it is entirely different

But, it is not so surprising in Terre Haute Indiana where this town in Vigo county has been used by political analysts for 4 decades as the predictor of presidents. What analysts are finding there now in this year of perceptible change is that the populace is looking at the traditional political results differently too. Terre Haute, America USA, has Bernie and Donald as the general election candidates.

I promised myself I was not doing politics today. But, how can you not do politics. It’s part of life.

If Hillary beats out Bernie by a margin based on Super delegates only, will the UN observation team step in and determine the election illegal?

The Parking Lot: Chapter 49 continues...
   Big Howland was properly mourned and buried in the small cemetery behind the church. But, Elizabeth and Jeremiah noticed that many of the Howland side supporters seemed relieved that the disruptive man was no longer part of their community.
   Elizabeth and the women had joined the men in front of the simple white church. Jeremiah was talking to Tommy Howland, pleasantly but animated. The rest of the family spilled out, coming from the cemetery. They stood near their lines of carriages looking at the huge Hicks contingent. Like a message from the pulpit inside something clicked, and one by one the Howland men and women and harbor towns people began mingling with the Hicks and those from the Eastern country side farms.
   Elizabeth’s face remained stoic, but inside she felt a sense of relief. She had really never felt guilty about killing Big, but she was concerned her action could have caused an eternal divide which would be devastating for Richard’s plans and maybe even the peace of her own family.
   The sounds of people greeting and talking grew louder. She walked over towards Jeremiah and put her hand softly on his cheek while turning to Tommy. “I’m sorry, Tom.” The younger Howland looked at her with a blank stare.
   “Don’t feel sorry, Elizabeth. He did it to himself in ways you will never understand.”

The Answer:
The nine who stand above in the h=eyes of historians are nicely broken into three groups. “The Game Changers” or “Intellectual Leaders” are the first three. The group begins with John Marshall, and then we see Charles Evans Hughes and Earl Warren. The next group of three is called the “Contrarians” -- Louis Brandeis, William Brennan and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Finally, the last three are the “Visionaries” – John Marshall Harlan, Hugo Black and Joseph Story.   Bonus: The USA and Spain are tied at Number one with a 7.6% usage rate. Next are Italy (6 .90), France (4.8) and Netherlands (3.3). The survey further says that these numbers refer to habitual type usage. In the US and Spain that would be about 21 out of 30 days per month. Speed Bonus: BMW is Bavarian Motor Works.

Was Oliver Wendell Holmes seeing the court of today when  traveling by train to DC about a century ago? The Conductor asked for the ticket and Holmes looked high and low but could not find it. Finally the conductor assured him that he knew who he was and when we arrived at the destination he could find it and mail it. Holmes replied, “Dear man, the problem is not my ticket… the problem is … where am I going?” The selection of justices has been a guessing game since the beginning of the Federation.

My sister made a mean crown roast of pork stuffed with wild rice.



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