There is no law that says doing nothing isn’t good for you.

Today's Tids Issue 3,552

Opening Stuff:

Shrillary overcame the Ides of March, but the backstabbing continues in the Repub party. God, what choices. Trump widened his delegate lead over Cruz and is over half way home with 646. But, now Rubio’s 169 are in play and I can’t imagine them going to the guy who dubbed their guy “Little Marco”. With 169, Cruz total would grow to 566. Bernie didn’t surprise, but gained delegates and now has a total of 844 which is somewhat close to Schrill minus the Super’s. It looks however that she is in, while the GOP heads towards doomsday scenario. God help us.

There I was jumping off my bike before it stopped, watching it as it careened into the forsythia bush. I smiled at the noise and abrupt landing, and walked towards the big empty field. I looked around and wondered if I had gotten it wrong, shrugged my shoulders. I took off running as fast as I could towards the bare spot in the crab grass and slid like Jackie Robinson. After my personal exultation and flashes of big league dreams, I looked down at the big tear in my jeans at the knee. Uh-oh, it’s going to be tough going home. I leaned back and lay still, looking at the puffy clouds in the blue sky. It sure was relaxing here. Puff! “Ouch!”. I looked down and saw the black taped baseball that had just kicked up dust before it landed on my hip.  There was little Danny, smiling as he came towards me, glove in hand. I guess I wasn’t in the wrong place. I stood. “Hey Danny, feel like Pitching today?” Of course he did, Danny was great pitcher, even though he was the shortest of us all.  Finally, as if on cue, the kids who lived near the field walked in and the others zoomed up the little hillside on bikes – which most like I, leapt off and sent the bikes crashing. Everybody was laughing and punching arms. It felt good. This was the perfect place. We chose up sides, and I got to be with Danny. That was good, because I hated his curve ball.     

I wasn’t originally going to get a brain transplant, but then I changed my mind.

The new Movie starring Jennifer Garner, “Miracles From Heaven”, opened today and got some pretty good reviews. I suspect you’ll feel good after watching it.

Great truth: Now matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

The Question:

Name five things that you should not buy at Home Depot or Lowes. Bonus: What is “Aunt Effies Farm”? Double Bonus: Jerry Lewis was the laugh riot of my giddy youth. Can you name 2 of his movies?

The Headlines:

--Obama Nominates Merrick Garland As Supreme Court Candidate; Obama sternly defies Repubs To Block It; Repubs Reaffirm They Plan To Keep Seat Vacant Till New Year.

--Markets Continues In Barely Negative Slumber Land Which Is Better Than Nosedives.

--Russia Brings Back Jets; Putin Says Assad’s Regime Is Now Safe.

--After Brussels Shooting Yesterday, US Warns Of Possible Terrorist Action In Washington DC.

--American Student Captured In North Korea Sentenced To 15 Years Of Hard Labor’ Kim Increase Nuke Threat Talk.

--New ISIS Video Shows Huge Bible Bonfire.

--Repubs Hammer Obama’s EPA Over Flint Water Problem.

--Former Mich State Basketball Hero Mateen Cleaves Arrested For Sexual Assault; Pawn Stars Chumlee Home Found Full Of Guns And Drugs – Police still Investigating Sexual Assault Charge Against Him.

Kitchen Aide has introduced a new line of sharp looking “Black Stainless” Appliances. People will be running not walking to their appliance store into get hip and trendy in the kitchen. I’m happy with what I have!

Shout Alleluia!, Department:

The changes I made to the Tids yesterday seemed to work just perfectly, so if you see people in Ohio and Florida walking on air again, it’s because The Tids is back in their morning mail. So, I will continue with the new headers, “A Column called Tids for (Fill in the date)” In the new Tids I have also omitted the link to the On-Line version, which I can see many have used in the past. Yesterday the click–in rate fell dramatically. If you miss not having it, Google --  world view: etc! Then put it in your favorites for handy access.

I read where there were 447,000 absentee ballots in Ohio. Where were they all hiding?

A lot of the people calling Trump a Fascist probably don’t know what a Fascist is. This is really another of those perception problems – if people shout and appear authoritative, then they must be a Fascist. But if that is true, then Shrillary is definitely a fascist. If she follows Obama’s path she will be on the road to true Fascism in the USA. In fact, that is probably one reason why Trump has so many followers who are in fact tired of the Obama movement towards what some would consider fascism. In reality though, Historians and experts have trouble pinpointing the real definition, true meaning of the word. The one word they can agree on is Authoritarianism, which can be either from the left or right, and generally adheres to the principle of a strong central government  that pursues limited freedoms and puts restraints on legislatures. It has been described by the right as anti Capitalism and by the left as Imperialistic capitalist dictatorship. Of course in a Three branch Government like the USA Fascism can’t really exist, even if the president regularly exhibits tendencies towards self-governing through administrative regulation and executive orders by-passing true laws. So you could say that Hill’s avowed objective to continue Obamaism would be an extension of his perceived inclination towards authoritative fascism. And Trump who’s overt chauvinism towards other countries is in effect an ultra-nationalistic attitude found in many Fascists. But, in this instance with the campaigns, it is basically schoolyard name calling, a political pejorative startegy. This was much too long to be defined as a true Tidlet!

Absentee ballot voters usually cast their voice before they have heard the whole story.

Here’s a Convention scenario that could be problematic for Repubs and the Nation. Establishment Repubs block Trump nomination even though he has a clear and extensive plurality. Trump delegates walk out. The Republican Party implodes. Hillary is elected.

In case you are interested, probable SC nominee Merrick Garland was Valedictorian of his Harvard graduating class and has been the law Clerk for SCJ Brennan. He appears moderate, but with leanings towards environmentalist efforts against power plants. He is also strong on law and order, but on the other hand is also for stronger gun laws, and in particular against laws that would allow guns for self protection. Note that 0-man is looking to sweeping changes in gun laws as his next presidential feather. He will languish.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 51 continues.

   After a quick shower and a lot of laughs Nancy and Jared were back on the couch, Nancy serious and Jared trying to forget how happy he was a short while ago so he could refocus with her. Nancy began, “It is obvious that there is somebody in this…,” Jared was staring at her with his quirky smile. She punched his upper arm. “You have to stop smiling or I’ll get nothing done here.” Then she leaned forward and put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips, just brushing the lips, remembering the love she had just felt, feeling the warmth rise in her body. Jared moved closer

   She pulled back, “Ok now Jared, this is serious,” he looked at her and they both broke out laughing.

  Jared finally came around and started listening intently, offering comments as Nancy outlined all of the possibilities of those who may want to have her out of the picture, or at least destroy her priceless information. “I think it has to be the Howlands,” Jason offered.

  Nancy stopped talking and slowly turned up towards him. “Of course it is, you genius.” Nancy had the same feeling but let Jared take his bows. She then began telling him the story of the Hicks and the Howlands.

The Answer:

I talk or imply thoughts about perceptions versus reality a lot. There is certainly a perception that all stuff is cheaper in the Big Box Home Improvement Stores. Not so. You should not buy cleaning supplies. Prices are better at Target and Wal-Mart for starters. Stay away from Home décor – rugs, lamps, wall art, furniture, pictures. The choices are limited and it is typically costly. Next to avoid is small appliances which are better bought at Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s. (I’d go to Sears for a better selection.) # 4 on the no-no list are Grilling Supplies which are best bought at TJ Maxx and Home Goods or on Amazon. Again, the best place to buy batteries is a store like Costco, BJ’s or Sam’s. Bonus: Aunt Effie’s Farm in Auburn Mass is where the brilliant Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid fueled rocket. Aunt Effie’s Farm, I love it. Super Bonus: I laughed at dumb stuff too when I was young, but it didn’t need to be laced with “S” and “F” words to get the chuckles. Jerry kept me rolling on the floor in movies for all the family like The Nutty Professor, The Errand Boy, The Bell Boy, Cinderfella, Sad Sack, Hollywood or Bust,  The Caddy, The Stooge, Scared Stiff and At War With the Army. He was also in the little known short, “How to smuggle a hernia across the border.”

I have some good recipes for tomorrow, and hopefully a lot less politics.