With A little help from my friends.

Today's Tids Issue 3,952

For light brothers:

“Economic pessimists are out of their minds.” – Warren Buffett, yesterday.

For some odd reason, I just enjoy standing outside on a windy, stormy day.

Now, I’m not the smartest guy in the world, and that is definitely true when comes to insurance of any kind and in particular healthcare. But, it seems to me that after yesterday’s Senate intro of a new Health Care revision effort, we have boiled it down to a clear difference– Socialism versus Federalism; Single Payer Big Gov or States control. Who knows better about citizens of individual states -- Joe DC Bureaucrat or your state capital neighbor? “Individual” is the operative word.

I worry about dreamers. I worry about all those American kids struggling to be free from unfortunate home circumstances, neighborhood trauma. All those kids black, white and tan who can look out and see what America has to give, but must expend most their energy just trying to be safe in their own bedrooms, schools, neighborhoods. Regular American kids with parents who don’t care, with a society that doesn’t see. Every kid who can look out, has somewhere deep inside dreams. Yet, so many only see roadblocks, and can only live their dreams in their minds. I see too many kids caught in webs with no way out.

The Wheel of Fortune program is probably learning the problems with prerecording the new year of shows in the summer before. Lately with great fanfare, they have been giving away trips to Caribbean islands destroyed by Irma.

The Question:

Name Five Big retailers that closed store locations in 2017, so far.

The Headlines:

--Market Awaiting Directional Information From Yellen; Looking For Clues On Inflation, Economy; US CEO’s Looking For tax Reform As Key issue; 20 Big Retailers Close So far In 2017; UPS Hiring 10,000 For Christmas.

--Maria Takes Dead Aim On Southeastern Puerto Rico

--Mexico Earthquake Deaths Up To Over 200; More Children And Teachers Missing From Collapsed School.

--Trump UN Speech Receives Some Praise, Some Astonishment, And Fervid Denunciation By Iran And Venezuela; Many US Conservatives Liked No Nonsense Tone; Some World Leaders Would Prefer More Politeness; Media Trashes Speech.

--Emmy Ratings A Tenth Of A Point Off All-Time Low; Sean Spicer Will Not Be Invited Back.

Last night, America’s Got Talent had its big final contest night. The judges were maniacal over just about every act. But there were but a few that really stood out. One of course was Darci Lynn Framer who brought down the house with duel puppet singing of “With a little help from my Friends. It certainly made me smile. Darci might feel a little pressure form Angelica Hale who’s 9 yo body belted out Symphony like a pro. Evie Clair sang a beautifully Satchmo’s “What a Wonderful World” that seemed to mesmerize the entire theater. But, I didn’t know at the time of its full meaning. “Her Dad (With a capital “D”) who she loved so much, had died earlier in the week. It was perfect. I admire Kechi Okwuchi and Mandy Harvey, and love their singing, but I didn’t particularly like either of their songs, even though they sang them well. I have to say that among ten, the most talented is singer songwriter Chase Goehring. He has you looking for what is coming next and always pulls it off. It’s not geezer music he writes, but his words are poignant for today and his delivery unique. Preacher Lawson is funnier with his body movement than his jokes. He holds my interest but, doesn’t really make me laugh. The Diavolo acrobatic dance group does keep your eyes a poppin’ for sure. It is just one great perpetual motion, whirling, almost primitive experience. My head was spinning at that act that looked like Las Vegas for sure. Sara and Hero were active as always, but they had some flaws in an act that is becoming repetitious to me. Maybe Darci Lynn good get the dogs singing. Light Balance does something technologically beyond my comprehension and they did it very well last night. It was their best performance of the series last night and could inspire a lot of votes. Regardless, only Darci truly amazes and entertains me.

Spoiler Alert: A small directional poll I found and participated in, has Darci at 56% followed by and Angelica at 15 % and Light Balance at 9.08%. The rest in order at or below 5% are Mandy Harvey, Diavalo, Evie Clair, Sara and Hero, Chase Goehring, Kechi Okwuchi and Preacher Lawson.

I haven’t gotten into Ken Burns Vietnam. I was neither a protestor or a fighter.

Veggies and Depression, Department:

A large study from Bristol University in England among 10,000 people concludes that vegetarians (vegans even mores-so) are nearly twice as likely to be depressed than meat eaters. Lack of Vitamin B-12 (7% of Vegetarians and 50% of vegans) is a major issue contributing to depression. Also, a greater intake of nuts adds too much omega-6 fatty acids “which have been linked with an increased risk of mental health problems”. There are other factors including lack of enough seafood, and too much phytoestrogens form soya and vegetables. The study also shows that longer the person has been a vegan or vegetarian the higher the risk. The scientists have not ruled out “the possibility that the vegetarians’ decision to adopt their diet could have been a symptom of depression from the start.

In other words, moderation is good for just about everything.

You have to love the name of the newest dessert restaurant in Proovidence RI: “Sin”.

We live in a world of conflicting perspectives. For instance, rabbits do not consider rabbits feet lucky charms.

Think about what Anthony, Mott and Stanton could have done if they had Twitter. That’s Susan B., Lucretia and Elizabeth Cady, in case you missed the inference.

Tomorrow begins the big PGA Golf year end finish – the FedEx Championship final. It’s any body’s chance to win the final event but only about five or six have chance at the yearlong points prize of $10 Million. The odds have it as Spieth 5-1; D. Johnson 7-1; Fowler 8-1; Thomas, Rahm, Day 10-1; Rose 12-1; Casey, Matsuyama 15-1; Leishman, Kuchar, Koepca 20-1. I think it will be thrilling

Liberal Quandary: “Could we actually be wr, wr, wr, wrooong? Perish the thought from your intolerant minds say some who are among many in a big leftie split over supporting “Antifa”. “If it’s left, I’m with it,” say some. While others are thinking that perhaps they have a moral conscience beyond strict dogma, that there are other points of view after all.

I was talking to a friend yesterday, and we both wondered why we didn’t develop an interest in something specific, so we could be like Jane Goodall at 83 going around the world talking about gorillas. It’s all about the decisions you dismissed while young.

The racist thing in this country is one of our nations great shams.

A good meteor shower can rock your world.

The Answer:

Some of the closings have been more dramatic than otters, but they are all downsizing for purposes of cost cutting. Some of the more notable That means almost all or all) closings are Radio Shack, American Apparel, Bebe, Hhgregg, The Limited, Payless and Wet Seal. But, may other stores had serious reductions due to lower foot traffic an increased Internet competition (Maybe even fromthemselves): JC Penny, Macy’s, Sears/K-Mart, CVS, Michael Kors, Guess, Gymboree, BCBG, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aerosoles and Rue 24. Hope your Wi-Fi holds up.

It turns out that Jose was one of the best things that ever happened to surfers up here.

Thanks for getting me through the night.