No news, is good news.

Today's Tids Issue 4,407

Extra, Extra!

When you think about it, a lot of the national news today would have in the past been a small local incident that nobody ever heard about. Each morn I search far and wide for headlines significant to all and there are days when really, nothing at all is happening. A lot of what we are glued to is of only prurient interest, or opinion generated. Not news at all. We watch other’s human tragedies, immense tragedies and feel lucky it isn’t us. But we tear up a bit, and pray, and then look for the next fire or storm or accident. We see isolated car chases which make people fearful to drive. We hear of rampant killings in cities and become afraid of leaving our homes. And, on it goes. I have to think how much more pleasant, simpler life would be if smart phones couldn’t take pictures or videos. Then we’d be just reading or hearing mainly about what’s happening in our towns, which is generally nothing.

I think a huge threat to local societies is eh emerging national news behemoths effectively diminishing local journalism capacity. The big national sites and cable news programs are trying to institute what they call local news, but basically they’re just gleaning from money challenged local press without paying for content. I’ll take local news any day, but it looks like it maybe one of those things 20 years from now we would wish we still had…that is if we can remember we had it.

One day Japan’s PM Abe warns of an accidental start of war between US and Iran, and the next day two oil tankers are attacked in the strait of Hormuz. In the midst of hot tinder boxes, we need cool minds

Eye Rolling, Department:

What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh! It’s Father’s Day weekend ahead and the Tids Management is officially granting all fathers Dad-Power to tell bad jokes to their children.

This could be a very exciting US Open. Spieth (Finally) and McIlroy are on definite upticks. Tiger Knows Pebble Beach – remember his 15 shot victory. Some are even saying, watch out for Phil because he knows Pebble too. Koepka, well Koepka is Koepka and he shows up for the big ones. DJ is due. And then, there is always that surprise – Rahm, Fleetwood, Na or Molinari. Or Cantlay for his first big one. Will Justin Thomas be back in shape or will Ricky stay with it on the final day? And speaking of Day, how about Jason; and Justin who by any other name is still a Rose. Maybe Finau will be the big surprise.  The odds for the US Open have Brooks K at 9/1 tied with Dustin and Rory. At 10-1 we have Tiger. Jordan and Patrick Cantlay are 16-1. Ricky is next at 22-1, followed by Rahm, Rose and Schauffele at 28-1. And I haven’t even mentioned Adam Scott, Matsuyama, Snedeker, Casey, DeChambeau or Kuchar. Hang on everybody, this will be a good one. Fore!

The Question:

Name the Ten Top Music hits of the 1980’s. (They had music hits in the 80’s?)

The Headlines:

--Tanker Attack Has Oil Spiking; Euro Stocks, US Futures Surge On Higher Oil Prices.

-- Amazon On Hiring Spree In China; Tyson Launches Attack On “Beyond Meat” With New “Raised & Rooted” Brand.

--No Blues Singing In Saint Louis As Fans Celebrate Big Stanley Cup Victory Over Hapless Bruins.

--President Says He Would Welcome Dirt On Competitors From Foreign Countries; Dem Candidates Blast Him; Interviewers Stymied Prez Asserts Exec Privilege Over 2020 Census Docs.

--Two Oil Tankers Attacked In Gulf; US Navy Assisting Sailors On Board.

--Memphis Riots Intensify After Social Media Messages; 25 Police Officers Injured; Riots In Response To Shooting Of Suspect After He Rammed Police Cars and Drew Fire Arm.

--Maine Joins 7 States And DC In Legalizing Assisted Suicide.

--5 Arrested In Big Papi Apparent Assassination Attempt. One Says He Was Paid $7,8000 To Kill Boston ex-Slugger.

Now when you buy something over the internet, you get harassed by associated vendors trying to sell you add-ons. Thank you, Al Gore.

One group watches women’s soccer because of women’s rights. Another group watches for athletic skills and competitive excitement. And a large group finds it a boisterous background for drinking in bars.

The woodworker explained the wood smoothing tool to me in plane language.

The David Ortiz mystery gets stranger and stranger.

There are three classes of voters in America: Democrats. Republicans. Those who will drink heavily until the election is over.

The world’s population grew to 3 Billion in the first 2 Million years. In the fifty years from 1960 to 2010 it more than doubled to 6.8 Billion. I think they all come to Newport RI on a sunny weekend.

The Hong Kong protests are a great example of what a communist, government-controlled country can do to a once vibrant society.

Population growth will be an immense problem for future housing, food and uncontrolled migration. We all like to look back at simpler times, hoping they can return, but the truth is that with new hordes of people it will only become more complex. Whether or not we like it, technology will be a serious answer. Today it’s about games and entertainment, but tomorrow it will be about the games of life itself.

It seems like every financial institution under the sun is putting out a list of 7 must have stocks for a potentially cloudy future. I just agree with the ones that look like mine. I sleep better at night.

Years ago, Americans would worry about the poor being undernourished and too thin. Today they worry about the poor being over fed and too heavy.

New media has created a controversy over the score of the Women’s Soccer game, and excessive celebrations. Athletes work very hard to be very good, and kindness doesn’t enter into a winning formula. But, sportsmanship should always be built in to a winning atmosphere.

After listening to some of the soccer score comments from people, I got the feeling that a lot of people would like to  have trophies for all so teams like Thailand wouldn’t feel bad.

The Answer:

The Tids is read by people of many ages, so I have to guard against drawing from too much of my childhood, as delightful as it was. So I’m hitting the Eighties today. According to Billboard, #1 was “Physical” (Olivia Newton John). Next was a particular favorite of mine, “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Cranes. “Endless Love” by Richie and Ross was #3 followed by “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor), “Every Breath You Take” (The Police), “Flash Dance. What a Feeling” (Iren Cara), “Another One Bites the Dust” (Queen, “Say Say Say” (McCartney and Jackson), “Call M” (Blondie and at #10 “Lady” by Kenny Rogers. The next 10 songs were “Centerfold”, “Starting Over”, “I love Rick and Roll”, “Ebony and Ivory”, “That’s What Friends Are For”, “Upside Down”, “Abracadabra”, “Billie Jean”, “Say You, Say Me” and “All Night Long”. As a little bonus, the top musical artists of the 80’s are Madonna, Michael Jackson, Queen, Prince, David Bowie, Duran Duran, George Michael, The Police, U2 And Whitney Houston. Some other bigs down the list were Guns and Roses, Van Halen, Journey, Arrowsmith, Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper and Foreigner.

Don’t let the news get you down. It will be different tomorrow.

Sing a happy 80’s tune!