Are we in the stupid age?

Today's Tids Issue 3,985

For Enlightenment:

You really can’t freely say or do anything anymore lest you be caught on a hidden mike or a cell phone. In fact, anything you say will be probably be criticized as demeaning by somebody or some organization. I wouldn’t worry though. While those of the concerned angst will get the news exposure, the silent half will probably agree with you. So, while my head and arms are firmly locked in a Stock on the town square, I will hear the cheers in the background…and smile inwardly as the lashes keep coming.

How stupid are people who think there could be such a thing as nuclear war? And why would anybody want to consider beginning mutual destruction?

Feeling sentimental about wonderful companies of the past is a human frustration that will be occurring at a more rapid pace than ever.

A local sports columnist suggests that the next Zombie movie will have everyone walking around looking at cell phones.

Much of the accusations being voiced these days between warring political parties are basically about nothing. Much of what happens in politics, while distasteful to regular human beings, is not illegal. For instance, opposition research is just part of the game. Yet many of the so-called explosive headlines against Trump and or Hillary are just that, politics as usual. Now, hacking into another computer system is exactly the same as picking a lock at The Watergate. I tell you this to help reduce unnecessary agita. It’s better to feel good and healthy than over concern yourself about what one politician is doing to another. You’ll know when something really important happens.

On Friday a couple of locals sailing from Jamestown across East Passage towards Newport were followed by a pod of playful dolphins. The name of their boat was Arion. Arion was the poet of Greek mythology who after being pushed off a pirate ship was saved by a pod of …you know what…Dolphins. Oooooo-Weeeee-Oooooo.

The Question:

What do you think were the five main causes of death in 1910? Bonus: Today murder is a scary aspect of daily life. How many murders were there in 1910? Super Bonus: What were Richard Dreyfus best roles? Extra Super Bonus: A number of well-known movie stars were first discovered in American Graffiti. Who were they?

The Headlines:

--Markets Tip-Toe Into Morning After Mueller Action and In Anticipation Of Fed Chair Pick; September Consumer Spending Increase Largest In 8 Years..

--Paul Manafort and Aid Rick Gates Surrender To Authorities As Result Of First Mueller Indictments; Likely Charge Is Money Laundering; Direct Ties To Trump-Russia Unknown.

--Powerful NHBA (National Homebuilders Association Comes Out Against Tax Revision Proposal.

--Iran’s Rouhani Says Country Will Continue Producing Missiles; Mattis Says Threat Of Nuke War Is Accelerating.

--New WSJ/NBC Poll Has Trump Rating At Lowest Point; Largest Downward Change Is From Independents: All – Approve 38%, Disapprove 58%; Dems – 7%, 89%; Repubs – 81%, 17%; Indies – 34%, 57%.

--Kevin Spacey Said To Have Harassed 14 Year Old Boy; Comes Out Gay.

I don’t know any pop songs. I don’t recognize the names of any of the newer actors and actresses; I barely know a name on an NBA roster. I think I’ll just enjoy living in my own little world.

We may be producing smarter and smarter, better educated people than ever before in history, but then, if they can’t get along with each other, than how bright are they really. I grew up with and stayed in touch with an old neighborhood friend who stopped talking to all of his old friends the day Hillary lost. That’s doesn’t seem too bright. He lost more. You know, they talk about air and water pollution, but the real poison is in words of organizers that would infect minds so disastrously.

Lately, I have had several meals with a variety of sensational gravies. Now see, gravy is supposed to be bad for your health. But the rich taste of that creamy meat based nectar is so thoroughly enjoyable to me, that my body relaxes entirely, suppressing undue stress. Aaaahhh!

Did you know that the skin and pit of an Avocado is poisonous to many birds and animals? Yes, it is a fungicidal toxin known as Persin. Happy guacamole dip everybody.

I have learned over time not to believe positive reports about the potential of the stock AMD.

I’m stocking up on regular old, simple AM/FM radios just in case some CEO somewhere says we’re not making radios any more. Nobody uses them in the App age. Really?

Remember when in all of the old adventure movies the biggest threat to our intrepid heroes was the dreaded “quicksand”. Whatever happen to quicksand. “Don’t panic Roger, don’t wiggle. I’ll find a tree limb to get you out.” “Glub, glub, glub.” “Damn, too late.”

As you can see by the Question today, I have stumbled over some facts abut 1910, which happens to be the year my grandmother, a school teacher, died during childbirth along with her baby girl. Of interest among many things, doctors at that time when only 6% of Americans had high school degree, said that heroin was deemed the perfect guardian of health. Readily available along with Marijuana and morphine at corner drug stores, “H” was said to: Clear the complexion; give buoyancy to the mind. Regulate stomach and bowels. Halleluiah! Sounds a lot like what Pot retailers are pushing today. I wonder why it was later banned from drugstores.

Achieve a buoyant mind – read the Tids.

Sitting there on Friday night I was watching reports on a storm coming up from the south about to go head to head with a big storm coming from the Midwest, and all I’m thinking this could be another “Perfect Storm”. And low and behold on Saturday morning I learn that this is the anniversary of that huge storm of 1991! I hope George Clooney is safe in a home port.

As look at old companies trying to reinvent themselves it is becoming apparent that they don’t like the cyclical nature of capital goods manufacturing. So. My question is, who will manufacture heavy machinery for America if we go to war against today’s major manufacturers of Capital equipment. Maybe we can inundate the enemy with confusing apps.

The Answer:

The big five to worry about were Pneumonia and Influenza, Tuberculosis, Diarrhea, Heart Disease and Stroke. Bonus: There about 280 murders in the entire country in 1910. Super Bonus: Personally, I remember Dreyfus first from Jaws. He was the guy I looked to for comic relief to bring me down from utter terror. I liked him in Goodbye Girl too (He won Best Actor Oscar), but his true first winning role was American Graffiti. He was great in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Always, Down and Out In LA and really delightful in Mr. Holland’s Opus. Extra Special Bonus: Along with Dreyfus, we found Harrison Ford, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams and Mackenzie Phillips.

When the power goes off, the cable TV ceases and the Wifi stops, you can still feel attached to the outside world with an AM/FM battery driven radio. Don’t give up the ship.

One of my favorites Laura Ingraham begins her new Fox show tonight at 10PM.