The National Elixir, “Big Mac”.

Today's Tids Issue 4,185

For releasing inhibitions:

Where are all those tree huggers when you really need them? The newest scheme for making money in this state that’s tough on business, is cutting down hundreds of acres of forests for solar farms. I’ll take shady groves, green copses, rippling streams and old stone walls. I guess hugging trees depends upon which side of progressive you are on. And the nuttiness beats on.

Continuing on in this the world of confused loyalties, I see where the Koch Brothers, hated by Dems, are saying they will donate to Dem candidates who vote against Trump’s tariffs. I guess pro-business depends on which side of conservative you are on.

I love the aroma of pure unadulterated chicken broth simmering on a stove.

One of the more disgusting elements of our society are those who loot the homes of people who were evacuated because of wildfires.

The Question:

In what country is the mountain K2? Bonus: What was the name of the 19-year-old Frenchman who George Washington made a Major General in The Continental Army?

The Headlines:

--US Stocks Holding Steady Ahead Of Apple Report And Fed Meeting; Tyson Says Tariffs A Drag On Profits; Samsung Lumbering Under Weight Of Slow Moving Mobile Devices; GE Said To be Putting Digital Assets Up For Sale.

--Morgan Stanley Thinks Markets Look Exhausted; Analysts Exacting More Selling Especially In Tech, Discretionary and Small Cap Sectors.

--Mueller Begins Manafort Trial; Special Investigator Looking For Big Turn Against President.

--US Spies Say NK Building New Nuke Sites.

--Trump Says He Would Meet With Rouhani Without Preconditions.

--Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek Hinting At Retirement In 2020; He Suggests Alex Faust Or Laura Coates As Replacements.

--New Report Says Hollywood Diversity Plans Not As Effective as Ballyhooed; Women In Major Roles About the same As 2007; Old People And Minorities Also Well Below Anticipated Improvement Estimates.

Yesterday I rhapsodized over fresh local corn, but several reminded me that I missed it big, that it is also prime time for fresh local tomatoes. I see many a glorious smile from faces staring longingly at plates full of those red beauties.

The new CBS show premiere, “Pink Collar Crime”, gave me the impression that they were trying to justify criminal acts. Frankly, it was a bit weird.

I came across a survey that was designed to evaluate the differences between, not men and women nor whites and people of color, but crunchy and puffy Cheetos. You know the important things in life. First you should know that you get 104 puffy’s in a bag compared to 378 crunchy’s. People think that puffy’s are cheesier and leave a better aftertaste, but they think crunchy’s taste better. The differences though are quite close and come down to slight personal variances like the Puffy’s being too large for average mouths or the crunchy’s being too hard for older teeth. Science marches on.

The Governor of RI has been calling herself the new business candidate, and yet yesterday to compete with a rascally opponent of the Sanders ilk, she came out strong for progressive business endangering programs. No wonder in this state we have a greater need for a Psychologist Laureate than one of lyrical talents.

One thing that bothers me is how small verbal lapses of ten, twenty, thirty years ago are now blown up into major hate headlines.

Speaking of looters, the idea of Medicare for all looks like a calculated attempt to redistribute wealth. Pure and simple.

If you think the puns I publish are bad, you should see the one’s I reject.

We have two new residents here in Newport – one the personal chaplain of Queen Elizabeth II who will set up shop for a month at one of the local Episcopal churches.  Judge Judy who just bought a very once home on a hill is the other one. One sits at the righthand of the Queen, and the other thinks she is the Queen.

Sorry, I have been a little overly wordy about local affairs. But, as I have always said, if it’s bad its happening here first. And if progressives like our bad, they’ll be bringing it to you next.

One thing that President Trump is learning but not accepting well is that the Republican party is not made of lemmings.

The Answer:

K2 of skiing fame is not located in Nepal, but in Pakistan. Bonus: The great friend of the fighting for freedom USA a was Marquis de Lafayette. 19 years old! Some kids around here don’t even begin looking for work until they are 20.

The greatest of elite chefs will admit that they often luxuriate in a Big Mac. Those who can’t admit that, you don’t want to know. Enjoy your cravings!

Nervous Laughter

Today's Tids Issue 4,184

For Self Indulgence:

C-o-r-n! Yes, there are just 148 shopping days to Christmas, but there is no better gift than native local corn. The delicious season, which lasts a little over a month, has just begun. Of course, the greatest paring is with a fresh off the boat lobster in a buttery bun -- sweet and crunchy crustacean dabbed with a minimum of mayo and lemon juice; perhaps a little black pepper. But, alas with all that delight comes a little anguish. You always wonder what you should eat first and what you should save for last, as each taste is extra special. Corn, lobster? Lobster, Corn? Ahh, the decisions of summer.

Oh yeah, and today is National Cheesecake Day. In case you are looking for a tasty dessert. Except, would you really want to dilute the perfection of sweet lobster and buttery corn with a mere confection?

Personally, I think comedians could do more for the heeling of this country than any other group with a microphone. Unfortunately, many contemporary wags know they can get cheap laughs, regardless of whether or not it is funny, by feeding the anti’s anything that supports their anger.

It is impossible for me to imagine the fear felt by people as fires bear down on their homes.

You don’t know until you play the tune. I never realized how many out there are fans of Maureen McGovern. She has one of those special voices.

On Friday, golfer Keegan Bradley finished his final four holes -- birdie, eagle, birdie, eagle! I don’t do that too often.

The Question:

What was the name of the Beatles first hit record. You know this, or do you? Bonus: Who was the father of Nancy Kassebaum Baker? Super Bonus: Name ten of Frankie Laine’s greatest hit songs.

The Headlines:

-North California Fires Continue To Rage; Death Toll Rising; 650 Homes In Redding Destroyed; Two More Killed In Yosemite Area Fire; Fires Fury Frightens Throughout Over Heated Far West.

--Dow Up After Strong Showing By Cat; Techs Struggling; Koch Warns Trump Of Recession Potential Due To Tariffs; Consumers Beginning to Feel Tariff Price Increases. .

--Trump Warns Of Gov Shutdown Over Wall Dream.

--Few Clues In Hunt For Missing Iowa Jogger Mollie Tibbetts.

--CBS Leslie Moonves Latest Big Brought Down By Alleged Roaming Hand Syndrome; Board Grappling With Problem; Redstone Battle Still Riling CBS Shareholders.

--Ruth Bader Ginsburg Says She Expects Five More Years On SC.

--NYT’s Sulzberger Meets With Trump; Tweets Indicate Little Progress Made.

--Iran’s Rial Hits Record Low Against Dollar.

--Two Falmouth Ma Police Officers Gunned Down.

Where is Will Rogers when you need him?

While the elitist “chortlers” were mocking Tim Tebow, he was using his money and considerable energy for good, including the just opened new Tebow CURE Hospital in the Philippines which specializes in pediatric orthopedic care. I’ll get down on a knee for that one.

Internet observers say there was absolutely nothing wrong with “My Space” when it fell off the earth. Are you listening, Facebook?

People have been dreaming of flying cars since I can remember. Considering the way cars are leaping off streets into homes and businesses these days, I’d be really worried about drivers in the sky.

A guy who I know who was standing in line to meet Sean Spicer during a book signing stop up the road from here said to a reporter asking why he was there: “I don’t like the President’s personality, but I like what he is doing for the country.” That seems to be an oft repeated theme these days. How do you keep his presidential policies going without feeding his ego?

“Good natured” seems to be a phrase of the past.

You know you are a redneck when you think fast food is hitting a deer going 65mph. Hey, wait a minute, red necks are people too. Where’s the ACLU when you need them. Where’s the outrage.

A “Sit-In” seems to me to be a pretty tame type of protest. Not in Egypt. 75 members of the Muslim Brotherhood who protested the removal of the elected president Morsi were sentenced to death! Yes, death! There are 660 similar cases in the court pipeline. 

The USA has just become the world leader in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, with reductions nearly twice that of the nearest country, Ukraine. Many of the so-called “Paris Accord” members actually increased emissions, notably China, Spain and France. Which just says, that treaties can be nothing more than political fun and games, while action is action.

What was the line from My Fair Lady – “The French don’t care what they do, actually, as long as they pronounce it properly.”

People will always gravitate to people they like, regardless of government mandates and cultural revolutions.

There are fewer and fewer special, quiet places away from the madding crowd. And with the advent of instant messaging, I doubt if there will be any special places remaining for the refuge of future generations. Unless, of course, they consider sitting amidst teaming crowds a refuge.

Do you know what class of alleged felons aren’t considered innocent until proven guilty? Workplace abusers and harassers.

Have you noticed that the media continually labels Michael Cohan as Trump’s “fixer”? For any other president in trouble, legal advisors have always been referred to as lawyers.

The Sean Spicer book tour reminds us once again that the left is only interested in their Freedom of Speech.

The Answer:

You all knew immediately that the Beatle’s first big hit song was “Love Me Do”. Bonus: If I had given you Nancy’s full name – Nancy Landon (As in Repub presidential candidate “Alf”) Kassebaum Baker, you would have gotten that easily. Most of you probably did. BTW, that Baker part was her second husband, Howard Baker -- the Senator. Super Bonus: I forgot how dominant Frankie Laine was on the airwaves in the late forties/early fifties until looked up his hits – That’s My Desire, Mule Train, That Lucky Old Sun, Jezebel, High Noon, I Believe, Rawhide, Cool Water, Lord You Gave Me A Mountain and The Kid’s Last Fight. He also sang the themes for movies like 3:10 To Yuma and Gunfight at OK Corral.

A friend of mine was attending local baseball game of the New England Summer College Baseball League, when he nudged his son saying, “Look, isn’t that Sean Spicier Over there?” The son looked for a second or two and answered, “I don’t know, maybe it’s Malissa McCarthy.”

You gotta keep on believin’, because as for as long as the Constitution stands tall, the stability of a well-founded foundation will carry us through despite the occasional chaotic interruptions.

I believe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--j7wvtOi1s