Today's Tids Issue
3,685
For remembering:
Dear
God.
Please protect me from media consultants, political party strategists and analysts…and
candidates. I promise to be good. PS: Where do you put them after they die?
The
stock market is looking a lot like Mark Twain’s idea of
New England’s weather.
I
walked the docks of our City’s gigantic boat show yesterday,
said to be the largest of its kind on the East Coast. Hundreds upon hundreds of
brands of all kinds of boats from skiffs to harbor launches to mega sailboats
to ginormous yachts and beyond, and it reminded me of the endless aisles of
prolific selections at a wine store. Who buys all of this stuff? It just shows
you how much money is out there floating around the world.
There
are people you do not know who quietly contribute
to the world. They bring love to families and friends around them. Then one day
like every other mortal in history they pass away. Some are celebrated across
the world, but those exalted have no greater impact on all those they have
touched than every good mother, father, spouse, perfect friend.
The
Question:
Among all Time greatest Songwriters Beethoven is
ranked #34, Burt Bacharach is 44, Bach is 52, Neil Diamond 55, Michael Jackson
61, Cole Porter 64, Rogers and Hammerstein 69, George and Ira Gershwin 71, Cole
Porter 72 and the writer of the all-time best selling song White Christmas,
Irving Berlin, is but #77! Who do you think are ranked by the American public
as the top ten?
The
Headlines:
--Market Futures Lower.
--Obama Trying To Take Over Oceans; Creates 4,900
Square Mile No Fishing Zone Off Of New England.
--Clinton/Trump Now In Dead Heat Among Registered
Voters; CBS Analysis Shows Trump Closing Gap In Key Electoral States.
--Deutsche Bank Says There Is No Chance It Will Pay
US Justice Department $14 Billion Settlement Over Housing Securities
Operations.
--US People On Food Stamps Plummeting; Eliminating
Work Rules Waiver Due To The Former High Unemployment Has More People Seeking
Jobs.
--Today Marks The Start Of Obama’s 100 Day Race To A
Legacy; SHS Handing Out Life Jackets To Public.
It
appears that the increase in hacking is forcing some web
sites to increase the difficulty of those questions, that you used to have to
answer like, “What is your name?” Now expect Q’s like, “In what year did you
abandon your dreams?”, or “What was the name of your favorite unpaid
internship?” and “What was the name of your least favorite Child.” See we live
in a new world and reader Tony knows all about it and keeps us current.
Actually,
there is a good chance you are being hacked as I type. It
doesn’t appear any more that there is any defense against the deplorable
marauding urchins who would vandalize any person’s daily life and invade their
most personal feelings. Fortunately for most of us, they can’t make much money
publicizing what most of us do. I guess that being innocuous is the only real
protection against cyber gangsterism.
Football
pregame shows have become overdone and much too
repetitious. Or maybe it’s just me who has been around too long, heard too many
similar analyses of tackling, passing, rushing, running and catching
techniques. I just wait for the kick-off, and then figure it out myself.
I played
football in High School and college and did ok even though I was slow, not
particular evasive or highly skilled. I was good at putting my head into
somebody’s gut and beating them to the punch. Now they seem to be taking the
head out of the game. Yikes, what would I do.
Only
in Rhode Island can a guy like Gerry Zarella be made to
appear like a sympathetic victim.
They
just announced the closing of another hardware store. There
used to be three nearby and all were good. Now since Home Depot moved in there
is but one, and life is not better.
Mentioning
the age of a person holding a gun as a police officer
advances is the media implying that a kid, say 13, is harmless. It’s sad, but
kids can be killers too.
The
ACLU says that students have the right to sit during the
Pledge of Allegiance. I have the right to think the kids are immature and
unpatriotic and are easily led by irresponsible activists.
The
Parking Lot: Chapter 70.
Alex tried
to talk to several of his fellow “investors”, those as they walked out that had
the look of increasing skepticism on their faces. He found that most shied away
from expressing their feelings and concerns. Dead Attorney Generals will do
that to people. But, reading between the lines he sensed that some implied that
if he sticks his neck out they would step in to be sure his neck wouldn’t bleed
out too rapidly. That made him feel better.
Alex was an
old Rhode Islander and one of the few in his college class that hung around the
state to scavenge for the few good jobs. Actually there were many 30 or so
years ago, and it was a great place to work.
He spent
thirty years in real estate law, and that is probably how his name got thrown
into the pot of gold. He actually spent a week or so patting himself on his
back for being so well connected.
Now, the big
question was, who was he connected to who could get him out. He smiled at his
little humor.
He was
walking pretty quickly now, anxious to start his little plan of withdrawal,
when he heard the clicking of woman’s heels walking faster than him. “Alex,
Alex,” he heard. He turned and wasn’t surprised to see Claudia almost running
to catch up with him. He put on the giant “I’m really happy to see the last
person in the world I was hoping to see,” smile. And stopped. She came up
smiling too, and hugging. Claudia loved hugging, especially when she wanted
something.
“Alex, you
left so quickly, and I really wanted to talk to you. After all, you are the
smartest guy in the room. She had him and he opened his ears.
“Why thank
you Claudia, he whispered stepping away from her embrace. Stop, or some of the
homeless people will get ideas.” She laughed.
“That was
an important meeting today, Alex, and I’m not sure I got across my message.
Let’s go down to the fish place and have a quick drink? It won’t hurt.” She
squeezed hand.
Alex looked
around for assassins.
Reading
Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Snowden is about the polarizing National Security
leaker Edward Snowden. It is tense and could have been excellent if director
Oliver Stone was as daring as he has been with his past big films. He leaves a
little on the table and the film is a little like kissing your sister. Good
acting and some new information about the untold personal story of the man now
in Russia. Traitor? Or patriot telling the truth to the public?
--Bridget Jones was a great character in the
beginning but has been diminished by Hollywood’s penchant for thoughtless
sequels. However, the original joy from Bridget’s romantic misfortunes is revived
in the newest “Bridget Jones’ Baby”. Great leading men in Colin Firth and Hugh
Grant. Who is the father?
--Blair Witch is a bad rehash of the original. Stay
away from the forest.
--Critics love The Beatles: The Touring years, but
audiences not so much. If you are an old Beatles fan you’ll be there. If you think
their songs are sounding a bit dated, you’ll probably stay home.
--I don’t know anything about Australia’s Hillsong
United, but I can tell you that you will be inspired with tis look at the
“astonishing” rise of an International Church from humble beginnings. Loaded
with music ]that will warm your good hearts. The audiences love this one and
the critics are lukewarm. 50 Million people sing their songs each Sunday
morning. Yikes!
The
Answer:
Any list that doesn’t have some of the above icons
on the top twenty leaves me to be skeptical of the voting audience. On the Top
20 we have as #1 Lennon and McCarthy followed by Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Paul
Simon, Neil Young, George Harrison, David Bowie, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Jonie
Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Elton John and Bernie
Taupin, Carole King, Ray Davies, Billy Joel, Freddie Mercury, Tom Waits and Van
Morrison. Prince? This is obviously a popularity contest ranking.
I’ll
be loving you…always
With a love that’s true, always
So on this weekend grand,
Bury your feet in beachy sand
And enjoy your days, well-tanned,
Always*.
With a little help or Irving Berlin.
*“Always” was written 91 years ago today by Irving
for his wife to be, Ellin McKay. It became a favorite among lovers dancing in
halls around the country who were sure he had written it for all of them for
that very moment.
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