Suck it up.

Today's Tids Issue 4,444

Fours Yourself:

There are days when you just have to wake up and do it, no matter how irritable it may be. So that’s the albatross around the necks of Tidster-like opinionators who must adhere to their moral committeemen to interpret the news fairly, even when it means listening to Elizabeth Warren. God help us all.

Last night it was Bernie and Liz against moderates. Yes, the two Progressives and leaders in poll numbers were joined at the hip denouncing the rational ideas right of them. There were some good lines by the moderates like Delaney, but the CNN panelists continually tossed the advantage to the two progressives who routinely blasted away at fat pitches. But, the divide between the two opposing spectrums was clear in discussions of Free Healthcare versus how to pay for it. Yes, when it was over the woman who hates big business and the man who hates capitalism entirely (Except for how it generates his own wealth) emerged. Though, I’m thinking the moderate effort may have connected, too. Even as the sensible on stage pointed out that a nomination for either one of them would hand the election to Trump. On the lesser-light side, Williamson got a lot of notice even as she pushed the spilt between blacks and whites. Beto joined her on seeking reparations for slavery. The media and many Dems anticipated the arrival of newcomer Bullock to bring new, rational thinking, but he eventually stumbled Under Bernie/Liz assaults. Another noticeable division between Dems onstage was over decriminalization of border crossings with moderates crying for reality, called laws. So, tonight will be different where the two leaders Biden and Harris will surely not be joined at the hip.

Before digital, you could actually get away from it all.  

I come from a family of failed magicians. I have two half-sisters.

The Question:

What are the 5 top selling pickup trucks in the USA? Bonus: A good pickup needs a good rifle on the gunrack behind the driver. What are the top hunting rifle brands?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Ramping Upward Ahead Of Expected Fed Rate Cut; Apple Stock Climbs Rapidly In After Hours As Company Surprises With Strong Top And Bottom lines.

--US/China Talks End With No Deal In Sight.

--Repub And Dem Spending Fever Has Treasury Continuing Record Debt Sales.

--Mystically, Williamson Gets Most Favorable Internet Response After Debate; Many Say Marianne Is Clear Winner In Debate.

--NK Fires Test Ballistic Missiles, Again.

--Trump Admin Drafting Plan That Would Allow Citizens To Import Drugs From Canada.

--China Orders Removal Of Arabic an Muslim Symbols For Capital

When Dems call you a racist, you probably aren’t.

You could spend half a day answering email customer satisfaction surveys. Ah, the digital world.

A reader reminds us that the body is 80% water. He tells me that he is not overweight, but just flooded! I think I’ll have to do a better job of editing reader comments.

I wasn’t terribly excited about last week’s group of AGT contestants moving on to the Live shows. That’s why you didn’t see your usual sharp-witted analysis. My mind was dulled. Maybe I’ve just seen too many dance groups, magicians, electronic light shows, singers and weightlifters to be interested. I’m totally in the DVR mode so I can eliminate all judge utterings. Thing I can’t eliminate, so far, is the host mugging before the camera messing up the flow of a good act with a silly comment.

I googled, “How to start a wildfire.” I got 48,100 matches.

Political observers aren’t necessarily sure if anybody won the Dem debate #1 outright, but most are pretty sure that CNN was a loser.

New York Times: Warren and Sanders marooned together on Fantasy Island.”

I wonder if the audience will be very large for the Trump/William Wild debate.

Fiat/Chrysler is expected to have a hybrid Jeep in a year.

Transgender moment in history: Susan B Anthony.

In case you are wondering, Alphabet (Google) has just overtaken ten year “Cash Reserves” Champ, Apple. People who look at magazines and newspapers may think advertising is dead. But they just don’t understand Google and other big sites who can hang ads on just about anything.

A lot of surgeons can do excellent work repairing knees and hips and shoulders. But some of them are also pleasant to be with.

Hematologists have a blood relationship with their patients.

The Answer:

#1 is the GMC Sierra/Chevrolet Silverado. Next is the Ford F-Series followed by Dodge Ram, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. Bonus: You hear a lot of hyperbole about guns, but do we really know what hunters are buying. Interestingly, many of the best are famous names from the past (Single shot bolt or lever action) like #1 Winchester Model 70. Considered number two is the John Moses Browning designed Winchester 1894. #3 is the “American Long Rifle, also known as the Pennsylvania, Shenandoah or Kentucky. #4 is Remington 700 followed by Ruger 10/12. At #6 is Mauser Model 98 and then Marlin 336, Savage 110 and Mannlicher Schoenauer. #10 is the Weatherby Mark V.  The two runners up are the Marlin 60 and Winchester 1873. In case you are interested, the Top selling shotguns are Winchester SX4, Fabarm ELOS D2, CZ-USA CZ 628 Filed Select, Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 and #5 F.A.I.R. Iside. Next are Browning, Barretta, Tristar, Caesar Guerrini Invictus and Franchi Affinity 150^th Anniversary.  American Rifleman Magazine says in reality it is nearly impossible to rate guns because they are so personal to the Hunter. You can’t tell a died in the wool Winchester lover that he’d really like a Remington.

May the 4’s be with you!

See you all tomorrow.

Always.

Today's Tids Issue 4,443

Happy Days:

Occasionally you have a day of many little incidents all of which are positive and refreshing. Like yesterday. Maybe I’m on a hot streak for a day or two. Or maybe what I worry about aren’t really worries at all. Life is such a mind game. Personally, I prefer procrastination and optimism. Anyhow, I was smiling a lot yesterday. Things realistic that you hope for have a tendency to pop up every once in a while. Enough rambling. Onto serious Tidsifying.

The other day, doctors said adults should not take aspirin regularly unless they have been diagnosed with a heart problem. What if they haven’t been diagnosed with a heart problem because they have been taking aspirin?

As a lad I always wanted to grow up to be a crusty, old, rude New Englander. But, I have always had trouble being rude.

Speaking of rudeness, the second go-around of Dem debates begins tonight.

The Question:

Name the original cast of Friends. Bonus: Name three of Hillary Swank’s best movies.

The Headlines:

--Capital 1 Data Hacked. Seattle Woman Gets 100 Million Names and More; She is Arrested Before Much Harm Could Be Done. SS #’s of 150,000 Stolen.

--Markets Open Lower After Trump Tweets Lower Expectations For China/US Talks; Key FOMC Meeting Begins This Morning, Expected To End Tomorrow With Rate Cut; Wall Street Poised; Apple Earnings Expected After Market Close Today; Many Other ‘Bigs” Will Report Today.

--Uber Cutting Four Hundred After Seeing Slower Growth; Huawei Strong Despite US Sanctions.

--Goldman Sachs: Bull Markets To Continue.

--16-Year-Old Kyle Giersdorf Wins $3 Million In “Fortnite” Tournament.

--More Than A Dozen New Dens Join Call For Trump Impeachment Proceedings; Total Now At Just Over 100

Cause of Ocean pollution and fish kills: Sun block. Why hasn’t California passed that ban yet?

Spell Check hates “Tidsifying”.

Evolution was faster than the time it takes to get rid of bad, corrupt governments.

There is a lot of truth in the Baltimore harangue. Somewhere. But insults and counter accusations are not the way to get people to come to the table to seek solutions. Politicians try to establish beachheads, while the people cry out.

The future King of England has released a new book of images of cetaceans. He calls it “The Prints of Whales”.

Yesterday I thought of two or three better-than-average Tidlets, but couldn’t find a pen to write them down. So surely you won’t notice. But I see the gaps, and worry about something of which you have absolutely no knowledge. That’s really one of the oddities of living -- knowing something somebody else doesn’t know, but thinking they must know for sure, which is actually quite impossible…at least for today.

Things actually do get better over time despite anguished cries of older citizens yearning for days of yore. But one thing is much worse, quite terrible in fact. That is the threat from fentanyl, which DEA Agents now say is the worst scourge ever to hit society.

In the stupid things people do department, a woman complained in one of those neighborhood chat-sites that she was out of touch with what is going on around town because she has given up reading or listening to news because she couldn’t stand hearing or seeing the name Trump. Crazy. So, now she just complains about things going on of which she knows nothing.

The Ten Best School Systems Are Massachusetts, NJ, Conn, Virginia, Vermont, Minn, NH, Nebraska, N Dak and Wyoming. The worst are NM, Louisiana, Ariz, Miss, WV, Alabama, DC, Oregon, Nevada and Alaska.

In case you are interested, it was reported this morn that Venezuela has had the worst five-year economy decline that anybody can remember, probably in history. Even more significant, the mammoth drop is not for the first time ever based on an war or internal military conflict. Just imbecilic, ideological government decisions.

Do you think there are more hyphenated words now than ever before?

With the massive, record setting Cap 1 Hack Job by Seattle’s Paige Thompson, women have achieved another new milestone in equality.

Torture Department:

Tonight, the first of the second Dem debates will feature Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, but Buttigieg, Beto, Amy, Williamson, Delaney Hickenlooper Ryan and a newcomer, Steve Bullock, will be looking to gain traction. The media is most excited about Night two with a return match between Joe and Kamala, while hoping not to be lost in the shuffle are Booker, Andrew Yang, Castro, Tulsi, Michael Bennet, Inslee plus two confused New Yorkers, Gillibrand and De Blasio.  Note, going into the debates a Brand new Quinnipiac Poll has it Biden 34%, Warren 15%, Harris 12% and Bernie 11%.

There are some sensible Dem candidates who have been left behind by the media. Many of them will look good tonight, maybe better than the favorites; yet tomorrow, headline will focus on fireworks, controversy or some perceived courage. And the words of the truly best man or woman will get lost in the tweeting Buzzsaw.

The Answer:

Everybody but me probably can recite the cast of Friends upside down and backwards – Jennifer Anniston, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudlow and Courtney Cox all appeared it the full 236 episodes. The only other actor appearing in triple digit episodes (149) was James Michael Tyler as Gunther. Bonus: Hillary Swank has been a pretty good actress in just about everything she did. The people voted Million Dollar Baby as #1. The rest are Boys Don’t Cry, PS I Love You, Freedom Writers, Conviction, The Gift, Insomnia, Amelia, The Next Karate Kid and Dallas Buyers Club.

Always is a pretty good commitment. I will love you always, I will think of you always. I will always be with you. I will always remember the little things you did. I will always be there when you need me. You are always on my mind. And I just can’t tell you why. It’s just always been that way.

Much too sensitive.

Today's Tids Issue 4,441

Has anybody seen Prudence:

Why do they call these the dog days of summer? Dogs don’t like them either.

Looks like Trump just lost the Baltimore vote. What’s next?

Break dancing is an Olympic sport? Why not ballet?

Nothing will have you sitting up straight and paying wide-eyed attention more than Puccini’s “Tre sbirri, una corrozza” from Tosca.

The Question:

What is Cymbeline?

The Headlines:

--Bi-Coastal Weekend Shootings Leave 25 Wounded And 5 Dead; Cal Shooting Occurred At Gilroy Garlic Festival While NY Shooting Was At Old Timer’s Festival In Brownsville Section Of Brooklyn.

--Hope For Better China Talks Has Stock Futures Edging Up For Today.

--Trump Continues His War Against Cummings And Baltimore; Michelle And Barack Speak Out For First Time.

--Cost Guard Seizes Huge Piles Of Cocaine.

I think I know why dinosaurs became extinct. They were vegetarians.

I was feeling a little sad Sunday morning after Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe quest for the championship was shattered. This great hope of France had lost his yellow jersey the day before in the second to last big Alpine climb by enough time to give Columbia rider Egan Bernal a 64 second lead in the Tour de France. Then on Saturday, Julian, who has held the leader’s Yellow for most of this year’s race, was broken on the final giant Alp ascension. I had hopes for a miracle, but chances were slim that he could make up enough time on the last big climb against the stronger uphill rider Bernal. I had hoped to be writing a different, more poetic ending to this years test of human endurance.  Alaphilippe has been tough and quite courageous throughout. In my mind I was writing that he would feel the vibrations from the pulsing of 10 million French hearts pounding for him. That it would drive him beyond his own capabilities. But, alas it was not to happen. Yesterday on Sunday, Egan, a 22-year-old from Columbia road down the Champs-Elysees. Oh, it too was grand story for the country of Columbia and the entire of Continent of South America. But not for the hearts of the French, who though sad still applauded appreciatively as Bernal rode proudly up the avenue. Maybe next year. Je suis avec toi!

This isn’t about whether or not DT deserves to be impeached, but about the fact that from Day 1, the opposition has set their sights on impeachment as retribution for winning an election. This kind of thinking is why so many third world countries disintegrate – no stability. Elections are elections. Great societies thrive on the integrity and acceptance of the results of elections. Despite what they get.

The fact remains that Baltimore is a city that needs a lot of help, and the Dems aren’t and haven’t been doing it.

There are political strategists who think that the Dems will stalemate at the convention and Michelle Obama will be the savior nominee. Some are even suggesting that this is the reason why “O” Hasn’t backed Joe.

A local big hospital just sent out a warning, “Don’t eat anything white.” Are they racist?

Writing the Tids has become very difficult. Even when writing about simple human observations, you have worry about whether or not you are offending women, people of color, ethnicities or human idiosyncrasies. And I used to leave my doors unlocked, too.

One of my ongoing pet peeves is when the ESPN broadcasting team preempts my local broadcasters. This is especially annoying when they try to balance out the reporting. I’m only interested in hearing nice stuff about my team. I am a devout homer.

The President of the Providence (RI) School Board is also the lawyer for an afterhours nightclub which has been condemned by city officials for an environment of lawlessness. I know some teachers who feel some Providence class rooms are also like that.

And, there are a lot of city kids who don’t think teachers care.

A local quandary involves a woman who is noted for being a lover and caregiver of animals, and is in fact a husky regarded member of several organizations like “Sav a Lab.” Over last weekend she left three of her dogs in her Subaru on a 95-degree day and they died. She looks like a kindly, attractive 65-year-old woman, who says she had he AC on and the engine running. They say ten AC failed. The oddity is that the car was in the parking lot of a little grocery store in the small island village of Jamestown. She was the store for an hour and 33 minutes. This is a sad story at many levels.

But, not as sad as the one about a man upstate who yesterday left two infant children in the back seat while he went to work. He found them dead when he returned. He said he didn’t know they were there.

The Answer:

No, Cymbeline is not a new app. It is one of the lesser known works of the Bard, William Shakespeare. It is one of his romances. It feels like Othello or Winter’s Tale, a near comedy dealing with innocence and jealousy.

This Tids feels like an old dog out there panting for life.