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.