Rules, Fairness and a good chocolate cake.

Today's Tids Issue 4,098

For Fairness:

The scale of information is tipped in favor of all those with nothing better to do but comment on Instagram and the rest. This barrage of minutia wouldn’t be quite so bad if it wasn’t repeated by so-called responsible journalists and news services.

I just got a stock case class action suit,

With promises galore of plenty of loot!

But it will be Lawyers making a buck,

While the “class” ends up, out of luck!

I’m looking forward to a great Masters. I think I’ve said that several times already this week. So, it must be true if this old Tidster is repeating himself. But, lots of really good players are peaking together at the rights time. And Tiger is back much bolder, to strike fear in the hearts of those looking over their shoulder. Watson, and Rahm. Mickelson and Spieth; Thomson and Johnson, just keep to keep this brief. But, who knows, there may be a surprise – like Kutcher, Noren or Rose! Maybe the Champ, Sergio, will rise.

The stock market is a great example of how badly people act based on initial emotions, and how sensible they can become when the facts are in.

The Question:

What President received an Honorary Law Degree from Harvard 13 years before he was inaugurated? Bonus: Bat Masterson with his old pal Wyatt Earp cleaned up the west and in particular, Dodge City. That accomplished, he went on to a new career. What was it?

The Headlines:

--Markets In Strong Rebound; Economic Advisor Kudlow Puts Tariff Picture In Proper Perspective; Trade Deficit Rises To 9 ½ Year High; Home Prices Up; Investors Looking To New Opportunities In Europe.

--Trump Signs Order Asking States To Move National Guard To Border; Prez Following In Footsteps Of Obama And GW Bush.

--JP Morgan’s Jamie Dimon Says Protectionism Not Good For America; In Letter To Stockholders He Says That Immigration Reform Is Critical To Future Of US..

--Second High School Group Marches To Counter Anti-Gun Marches.

--Iowa Expected To Be Latest State To Ban Sanctuary Cities.

--US Thunderbirds Pilot Killed In Crash.

--Poisoned Russian Spy Daughter Recovering, Growing Stronger.

--“Uber For Kids” Service Launched In Denver.

--Chip And Joanna Gaines Tearfully Exit The Rehab Stage.

Police continue to get a bad rap as media insists on forgetting the two “F’s” in reporting – Fairness and Facts.

You have probably noticed that I was not in favor of these tariffs from the very beginning. I believe in open and free markets, minimal or no government intervention. But with tariffs, saying yea or nay universally is not necessarily a black or white situation. That is particularly evident when we consider China, an nation which historically has not played by rules that govern other free trade nations around the globe. So, I have to back off a bit, but look forward to the tariffs as being an impetus to drive positive talks with China – a nation that obviously has designs on being the biggest economic player in the world. Talks that will create understanding and fair play for all sides. Fairness is always a win-win situation.

If you think women have a problem with sexual harassment, consider the plight of the female Killer Whales – Orcas. Often, the male will kill a baby whale as a ploy to induce the female into having sex to replace it. At least that’s what scientists are saying after observing a scene of a father drowning a baby whale and the mother enraged, butting the male in a bloody battle. When the baby was obviously dead, the mother stopped the assault and the two apparently swam away together. Now the scientists will wait out the gestation period to see if there is a new birth at the proper time.

I still am not seeing a long list of personal favorites on The Voice. I would say that I like best so far Brynn Cartelli, only 14 years old, and more unique and amazingly mature compared to some of the rest. That’s not to say there aren’t other very talented candidates after two nights of KO’s: Kaleb Lee, Johnny Bliss, Pryor Baird, Terrance Cunningham, Christlana Danielle and Drew Cole. There are several others that the coaches like, but not to my personal taste. One thing I have noticed, is that Blake is gong heavier into Pop, but with mixed results. And lastly, Kelly Clarkson is a great coach addition and continually brings a smile to my face. In fact, this may be the best four coach team with Alicia Keyes and Adam Lavine both being great. The Tids Entertainment Editor will go into action when the live shows begin.

The Tech industries keep on inventing Whiz-Bang products that I will never use.

Bugs Bunny was a rabbit with fleas.

A well-known women around here often seen at flower shows is named Barbara Blossom.

Word of the day – Fairness: “Impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination.” (Oxford Dictionary) Fairness: “Marked by impartiality and honesty: Free from self-interest, prejudice or favoritism.” (Merriam-Webster).

That seems like a pretty simple concept. Understanding and implementing it must be more complex, judging by what I read.

Making a great yellow cake with rich thick chocolate frosting doesn’t occur if put in more eggs because you favor eggs over baking soda. A good cake has no bias.

As we seem to be approaching the next global cooling cycle, I’m thinking that the Masters will have to be moved to August. Ice caked azaleas don’t cut it.

As I watch kids talk of their college majors, I’m beginning to think we will become a nation of healthcare workers and entertainers. Sing me a happy tune as I insert my angioplasty balloon.

If you read about FaceBook and its current ills you will see the word Psychographics popping up often. Psychographics have been the goal of advertisers basically forever, even if they couldn’t pronounce the word. They say the concept was first formalized after WWI. The term became official around 1967, and I became involved in a major research project involving the concept around 1972. Basically, it is a marketing activity that builds upon demographics, trying to associate a potential consumer’s personal likes with buying patterns. Gathering data was quite expensive in the early days, requiring tiered and segmented reach programs to research demographic populations and regroup them by personal activities and desires, and then match them to product sales objectives. Now, it’s not so hard – people give you everything about their personal lives and activeities for free…and companies like FB use it. It is not so hard to understand. If you a reasonable conversationalist, you talk to another person about what may interest them.

The Answer:

George Washington received an honorary law degree from Harvard in 1776. He was inaugurated in 1789. Today at Harvard, tey probably want to remove his statue. Bonus: After his wild, wild west days, Bat Masterson moved to the New York Morning Telegram newspaper where he became a “Sports Editor”.

Old cotton pickers never die, they just bale out.

Old Tidsters never die, they just pun-ish their readers.

Be Fair.