Ear buds.

Today's Tids Issue 4,125

For Moms:

Happy weekend edition, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y, he says Red-faced!

Mothers get flowers.

Mothers get gifts

But love that showers

Gives them the lifts.

Hindsight. I’m listening to story after story lately about how somebody of today thinks he or she has all the answers because the analyze events of the past using today’s knowledge based on today’s laws. There are of course all the new stories that dredge up improper sexual relationships of 30-, 40, 50 years ago. Politicians forget how they voted in the past as the protest their own favorite actions. One notable story that has been misrepresented is th e one against CIA nominee Gina Haspel. What she oversaw in her time that is being criticized with erroneous hindsight today was an interrogation program fully approved by US laws of that time. After the harangue about Abu Grab, the laws were changed. She has said she would abide with the new laws just as she did the previous laws. Hindsight makes sports yahoos and politicians appear bright, but they often tarnish the truth by missing all the facts of a situation. Yup, Hindsight is a great pastime for people who know little or have to make rapid decisions under pressure.

Why do I like Jonathon Elgar like I do? Is it because his music always touches your heart?

In another era before general acceptance of everything tech associated, Uber would have been known as “Gypsy Cabs”.

One of the most beautiful stretches of untouched natural lands are Connecticut’s coastal marshes between New Haven and Old Saybrook – slow moving, winding creeks; birds fluttering and flocking; grasses gently waving in breezes. There is nary a sign of humans or human activity in sight. And it never changes even as cities go from prosperous to blights.

You can give Mom Flowers, but she'd rather you took the buds out of your ears.

The Question:

Andrew Carnegie was quite the heartfelt human being considering that he was a dreaded Capitalist. How many Libraries did he create? Name two of his other charitable contributions. Bonus: What is the Gig Economy?

The Headlines:

--Markets Rest Comfortably After &th Day Of Gains.

--US Stealth Fighter Intercepts Russia Bombers Off Alaska; Sarah Palin Saw It From Her Kitchen.

--NK To Demolish Nuke Test Site Ahead Of Meeting Between Leaders,

--Trump Announces Plan To Hopefully Lower Drug Prices.

--Iraqis Vote In First Election Since Beating Off ISIS.

--Trump And Netanyahu Aligned Against Iran

--Food Stamp Reform Divisive Part Of New Farm Bill.

--Admin’s Mulvaney Asks Congress To Cut Spending.

I just came back form New York City, you know the hub of the brilliant liberal minds of our day; the financial capital. But, you would never know it walking the streets or roaring through subway tubes, as nearly 80-90 % of the people I saw had heads buried into phones or ear buds blaring in their ears. New Yorkers have never been known as the friendliest of denizens, but now they have an excuse.

In case you haven’t noticed, the current median CEO pay is $26 Million. No wonder we have inflation.

We have been producing Artificial Intelligence  for several decades now. That began when schools decided that it was good for kid’s self-esteem to give higher grades and diplomas whether or not they earned them.

One of the unintended consequences of rampant Air BNB is the growing rental costs for apartments. Many landlords now measure their property values against what they could be getting if they made them Air BNB accessible. This is an issue that many cities and towns, facing the disappearance of affordable housing, are looking into.

Speaking of the dangers of Air BNB, dd you see the story of the NYC woman who had a luxury rent controlled apartment for only $1,500 a month? She decided to go ABNB to supplement her income. It was entirely illegal on under the rent control statutes. She lost her apartment (Not just her lower rent) and was fined $185,000. Yikes. Keep your eye on local town meetings.

While many are contemplating “handsfree driving”, we have yet to solve the current driving epidemic – “Brain free driving.”

Being a “States rights” guy I have to accept the nutty rules and regulations of California. Being a freedom of choice guy, I believe it is the option of all not to live there.

“To err is human. To forgive is canine”. Thanks to For Better or For Worse, Comic.

There’s an inmate a a local RI prison named John Carillo. In 1973 he stabbed a guard to death. He was designated the most violent man in the prison system and relegated to solitary confinement. Ten years later, a judge said t hat was too harsh, and he was returned to the general population. Yesterday the 73 year old Carillo stabbed another guard nearly to death. I guess violent was in his DNA. I guess he has a problem with authority. I guess he wasn’t reborn after his years in prison

I have been noticing that most of the stories about today’s Tech giants are Prodigal Son tales about them attempting to return to the laws, morals and ethics of a civilized society.

The Answer:

Andrew Carnegie believed in the “Gospel of Wealth” -- “That wealthy people were morally obligated to give money back to others. He funded the building of over 2,000 libraries in cities and towns across America. In retirement, his hobby became finding ways to give. He established the Carnegie Corporation with a donation of $125 Million, which was used to aid colleges and other schools. He donated $10 Million for Teachers pensions. He established the Carnegie institute which funded scientific research. He established the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace and funded the building of the Hague Palace of Piece which houses the World Court. And to think that this considerate kind-hearted man was a “Capitalist”. Horrors. Bonus: The Gig Economy is one where there  is a growing population of temporary or contract independent workers. It is expected that by 2020 40% 0f Americans will be Independent Contractors.

We don’t need progressives. We don’t need socialists. And we certainly don’t need communists. We don’t need Government laws or government intimidation. What we need is morality and ethics being taught along side of business plan scheming. There are many ways for the super successful to give back and there is certainly plenty of extra money lying around households with which to give. Stop big government schemes. Do it yourself.

If you ever tire of today’s “open concept” home designs you can always crawl into your quiet den with ear buds. Earbuds are today’s walls.