Long shadows

Today's Tids Issue 4,487

Wakening to beauty:

When the autumn sun breaks free from the dark of night,

The shadows are long, and crisp upon glistening dewy grasses.

The trepidation of night shadows fade.

Urban shadows herald the return of energy.

Country shadows define the artistry of nature.

I stand quietly staring, absorbed in the stillness,

Of an awakening morn, Of birds that call.

I stand comforted by shadows long.

Rosh Hashanah began last night. “On Rosh Hashanah, everything we do is imbued with extreme significance. We stand in judgment before the heavenly court while each of our actions, words and thoughts are scrutinized>” –Rabbi Moshe Schuchman

In case any White House staffers have missed it, it’s always about the coverup.

Janet Yellen thinks the Fed is too optimistic on the economy. Hmmm.

I believe the human race would be better off if they spent the early morning hours listening to soothing non-intrusive music instead of blaring headlines, and anxious commentary.

There are pork tenderloin people, and there are loin-of-pork people.

The Question:

Name one thing associated with each of ten following people: Johnny Mathis, Angie Dickenson, Jenna Elfman and Debbie Allen.

The Headlines:

--Futures Project To Healthy Opining On Wall Street; New In-Bev Asia IPO Opens Strong; J.P. Morgan Boosts Apple Stock Price Target.

--Congress On Recess For Two Weeks; Shiff And Cohorts Pushing On; Trump Wants To Meet Whistleblower.

--China Has Quietly Doubled Troops At Hong Kong Border In Advance Of Country’s Big Anniversary Celebration In Biejing.

--UK MP’s Plan Vote Of No Confidence For Boris Johnson.

--Saudi Prince Says Iran War Could Collapse Global Economy.

--Al-Shabab Extremists Attack US Military Operation In Somalia.

--Giuliani Blasts Biden In Morning TV; Says I Am Target Because I Have Facts.

--NYC Passes Ordinance That Could Fine Those Who Mention The Words “Illegal Alien” Up To $250K.

--Ilhan Omar Says Wall Street Should Pay $1.6 Trillion To Wipe Out All Student Debt Regardless of Income Status.

--Subaru And Toyota To Join In Swapping Ideas For The Development Of Driverless Cars.

I will continue investing heavily in PepsiCo as long as their food scientists continue to discover new ways of using Cheetos in mainstream meals.

Culture wars are well underway, becoming common fodder infecting the brains of newer generations. A local well-regarded documentary filmmaker with whom I have some involvement has been described: “She is drawn to stories of cultural hybridity and the ‘repurposing’ of cultural traditions to address contemporary social issues.” Words like repurposing bother me. “Hybridity” was originally a biological term referring to “mixture”, i.e. in genetics, “the offspring of dissimilar parents or stock, especially the offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different genetic bases. In the 19th century it was employed in racial theory. Today academic disciplines use it in discourses about race, post colonialism, identity, and to racism and Multiculturalism. And globalization. A picture is worth a thousand words. A focused moving picture is worth a million. But what you may be seein’ isn’t what’s bein’.

Until Spell-Check can learn to assume that any word begins with “peo” is more than likely going to be “People”, I will avoid driverless cars.

Transgender in History: Susan B Anthony.

Hybridity is a Labradoodle, and should be loved.

“On Rosh Hashanah we are aware that God is judging us. But God is truly judging us every moment of every day. It is only on Rosh Hashanah that we, as a people, pause to reflect on this phenomenon.” –Michael Mascolo.

Academics a have to think, and think they must to maintain their presence in university halls. One of our local ponderers came up with a theory that says excellent quarterback Tom Brady is the new symbol for white supremacists. The kinesiology professor at URI actually concluded, “It is white supremacy that explains the popularity of Tom Brady”. I’d say deluded. He goes on to say, “Brady’s success is only explained by the ‘fact’ that he sold his soul to the Devil decades ago and is watched over by a barely disguised Cerberus in the form of Bill Belichick.” Famed legal mind Jonathon Turley is flabbergasted over this, wondering in his own column if six Superbowls has anything to do with his fame. But, here is the real issue. The leading newspaper in the state of Rhode Island, one of the oldest in the country, the Providence Journal, but this person’s rantings on the front page! And of cures it all went viral. And, you wonder why the electorate is confused. You wonder what your kids are learning expensive colleges.

I have wondered before and I will continue to wonder, why so many people today look for deeper meaning in simple things when there are none there. Much of what we see and much of what enjoy is only what we see and enjoy.

Seriously, all presidents should have the freedom to talk to foreign leaders privately.

Words to the wise: If you are drunk and have an open bottle of Vodka in the front seat of your car, it is probably not a good idea to rear-end a police car. I guess people think differently these days.

Which reminds me that freedom of the Press is intertwined with responsibility of the press. Freedom of the Press is designed to help protect the people from a tyrannical government. But irresponsible reporting may harm the country even more.

There is way too much “Play In Review” during football games. Once enlightening, instant replay is now a good candidate for the USA Museum of Good Things Overdone Gone Bad.

How come you rarely hear anybody saying that the cost of college is much too high? Only that we have to find a way to bail out people who overpaid.

A wealth tax is not an income tax, and thusly could be unconstitutional considering the provisions for apportionment under the 16^th Amendment. But, there are loopholes in everything, and if by some incalculable means Warren, Sanders or their disciples become Prez, they will be hiring lawyers adept at finding ambiguities.

Some cloudy days are only there because my glasses are ditty.

There are unambiguous truths, and there are those who interpret unambiguous truths as partisanship. I believe this is a significant problem in the country today. If you can’t assume a basis for intelligent conversation, then there is no intelligent conversation

The other day while playing golf my cart partner asked if I liked Camille Saint Sans. Of course, I do, a lot. So, for three days now, I have been thinking I gotta find some time to play a concerto or symphony of his. And I did. And yes he is great, to these tin ears.

Rhode Island: “The Roadblock State”.

Dick and Jane will return tomorrow. Some how today, long shadows of the morn got in the way.

The Answer:

Johnny Mathis – Maria; Angie Dickenson – “Dressed to Kill” or Police Woman; Debbie Allen – Fame; Fran Drescher – The Nanny; Jenna Elfman – Funny in Dharma and Greg.

I wanted to create a beautiful picture of long shadows in the morning, but words really don’t do it. Maybe music can.

I am closing today with a musical interlude that always has people awakening from their trance or looking up from their smart device, leaning forward mesmerized by beauty of this Elgar poem, and its emotion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUgoBb8m1eE

No antacids.

Today's Tids Issue 4,486

Love or Money:

Jane: Friends are Good.

Dick: We should be friends to friends.

Jane: Being friendly is helpful.

Dick: Friends are there when you need them.

Jane: President Trump needs more friends.

Stomach queasiness test:

I read the transcript of the suspect phone convention between Presidents. To this man’s eyes it read like a love affair. When I read so-called controversial memoranda and ballyhooed evidentiary reports, I always gage my feelings by the amount my stomach turns over at the mention of an item. I felt no gastric twinges when reading this one, and saw it as somewhat innocuous. And to think, we are riling a nation over this. Pretty sad.

I always thought my neighbors were nice, quite friendly. But then they put a password on their Wi-Fi

In politics the truth is always affirmed trough biased eyes.

Repubs: The Complaint is an “Impeachment Dud”.

Dems: Trump has clearly committed a criminal act.

Could it be that the College game of the week is a Pac 12 contest? Yes, there are actually two teams in that recently less than powerful league with top 25 rankings fighting this coming Saturday – #17 Washington and #21 Southern Cal. The only other game between top 25 teams is ND versus Virginia. I’m hearing that college game attendance is down. But never in Columbus Ohio or Alabama. (Note: Pac 12 Oregon is also ranked at #13.)

The Question:

Who is Wally Coron, and why is he regretful?

The Headlines:

--Impeachment Wars Take Off.

--New Optimism For China Progress Should Push Stocks Higher.

--Atria And Phillip Morris Call Off Merger

--Congress Committee To Interview/Interrogate US Intelligence Chief Joseph McGuire Over Ukraine Caper.

--US Weather People Concerned That Storm Karen May Be Looping Back To USA.

--UAW Submits Potential Strike Ending Proposal To GM.

--Former French President Jacques Chirac Dies At 86.

--Vaping Giant Juul Withdraws $100 Million In Advertising.

--Trump Appears To be Losing Repub Support In Senate.

--McDonald’s To Test Beyond Meat.

Actually, I am having fun making up Dick and Jane conversations to begin the Tids. I don’t know whether or not you get anything from it, but I am. Regardless of diversity, climate, bad rich people and other leftist hallucinations, the Tids a basically about me having fun.

The progressive left is all for getting rid of straws. So how come each succeeding accusation of Trump is always the last straw.

AOC says the Dems should be “Willing to lose the election” over impeachment.

So, the mighty Tids sports department was looking like another big wining week after the one o’clock games last Sunday, But alas we fell rapidly giving us a three week total of 32-15-1 (67%). We need a healthy dose of comeback this week. I have yet to pick a Thursday night winner but this will be the week, guaranteed. Philly is so-so and GB is playing well and are home. GB to break the Thursday rut.

There are a few posers this week, leading off with – Dallas/New Orleans and even Jax/Denver. Cleveland/Baltimore should be a poser because the Browns need it and Baltimore can begin to run away with their division if they take it. Ravens. The undefeated, Pats/Buffalo, this week is a tough pick, with the Bills playing at home and playing well. We know the Chiefs are the amazing Chiefs, but Detroit has not lost either (they should have not tied their first game). Will Matt Patricia call is former boss Belichick for advice on how he stopped the Chiefs last year? And then there is the Midwest match, potential war, between the Vikes and Bears. Ok, let’s do it. The Saints are good throughout and will surprise the Cowboys. Jax has surprised and Denver is getting better every week. I picking the Broncs to win #1. I would love to see the Brownies pull this one out, But until the Ravens reveal some hidden flaw, I got to stay with the home team Balt. The Bills look good and their fans are another player on the field. But I believe the Pats are just that much better. Go Pats. The Chiefs may be just a little too good for the improving Lions, but believe this will be one of the fun games to watch. Holding my breath and I’m going with the Bears in another watchable game.

Of the rest, I go Chargers over Dolphins, Giants over Red Skins (I’d pick the Skins but they have let me down too often this season.) Texans and Panthers is a good game, but the Texans need this and will finally come together. I’ve bene for the Titans all season and have gotten nowhere. The Falcons aren’t bad. Now what. Atlanta at home. I have Jacoby Brissette and the Colts over the Raiders, Seahawks over Cards, Rams over Bucs and Steelers over Bengals.

For the past decade women have been passing by men in education and income. So, a new Cornell study finds that all modern marriages are not necessarily entirely about love. Dollar signs are a big part of the new marriage formula. With the majority of successful women looking for men with at least equal incomes.  “If I were a carpenter and you were a lady…”

I’ll tell you what doesn’t pass the gastric twinge test. Gerald Nadler talking.

Overheard more and more among Repubs: “This is not the Republican party I belonged to.”

I believe the same could be written about many democrats.

By the way, I think Elizabeth Warren has figured it out. Be quiet and let the rest of them talk themselves into oblivion.

Jane: I see Shiff.

Dick: Can you spell Shiff?

Jane: S-h-i-f-t-y.

Dick: I see Nadler.

Jane: Can you spell Nadler.

Dick: H-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e.

Jane: Oh Dick! That doesn’t sound like Nadler.

Dick: That’s what Nadler sounds like to me.

I read a little piece in the paper today about the progressives beginning a well-organized grass roots program here to replace not only Repubs, but moderate Dems instate government. If they’re doing it here you got to figure it is what will be happening across the country. Progressives never give up. These are the little movements that scare me.

Some diets I see that are designed to avoid death, look more like a living death to me. I call them zombie diets.

My friend said he had the body of a Greek God. Then I explained to him where Buddha came from.

The Answer:

Wally Coron invented the Labradoodle, and says it is his “Life’s regret”. He is concerned that too many people have jumped on the cross-breed bandwagon with little concern for the results of their experiments. He says that his Labradoodle is a “Frankenstein monster”. Originally, he thought it would be the perfect guide dog for the blind. But, he says, “I find that the biggest majority of labradoodles are either crazy or have a hereditary problem. But, don’t tell that to owners of the lovable crossbreed. They like what they have. Coron’s tirade on ABC News was against unscrupulous breeders who breed just about anything for dollars and notoriety.

Well, today it seems will be another queasiness test day. Supposedly the Congress will release the declassified report about the whistleblower. Right now, all we know is that some Dems and Repubs who aren’t friends of Trump are scowling over it. Dems always scowl.

Is love still there:

johnny cash if i were a carpente - Bing

The Merry-Go-Round

Today's Tids Issue 4,486

Shiffless Weekend:

Jane: I see happy people.

Dick: I see smiles on faces of people looking forward to a nice weekend.

Jane: I see people gong to autumn country fairs.

Dick: I see people getting mad on golf courses.

Jane: I see lovers walking hand in hand on deserted beaches.

Dick: I see people fuming because more roads are closed in Rhode Island.

Jane: I see you and me sitting closely side by side with breezes blowing through our hair; salty ocean spray upon our faces.

Dick: I didn’t know you used semi colons.

Politics has become much too pervasive in American life.

The gymnast’s work on the asymmetrical bars was unparalleled.

If Americans are looking for a kinder, gentler nation, I don’t see it coming from Democrats. At least that’s what I gathered while observing the vitriol from several Congressional inquisitors yesterday. And…I’m not even talking about the big one.

Actually, I’d like to declare the Tids an “Impeachment Free Zone”. You know, a place where people can come and enjoy without running out for Tums when it’s over.

But, that could be difficult, when everything is about impeachment and not living gently among people day to day.

I think IPO enthusiasm is waning.

At the time of the Clinton Impeachment, Gerry Nadler said that the nation will be suspicious if we seek to overthrow an election, and it will divide the country for years to come

The Question:

Fleabag was a big winner at the Emmy’s. What do you think are considered the best British TV comedy series ever?

The Headlines:

--Washington Reacts to Whistle Blower Complaint; President Calls Those Who Gave Him Or Her Info, Spies, Who Should Be Dealt With “The Old fashioned Way.”.

--Stocks Open Higher On Friday, Rebounding From Previous Day Impeachment Concerns; Peloton Shares Down After First Day Of Trading.

--Impeachment Poll: 7 Of 10 Americans Paying Attention; All Questions About Value Are Statistically Equally Divided; Trump Beats Pelosi In Approval Ratings; McConnell Third.

--Active Military Suicides Peak To Record High; New Pentagon Report Reveals.

--Japan Says China A Bigger Threat Than Nuke Armed NK.

If anybody would ask me, I would prefer seeing more of our governmental energy being focused on combatting cybercriminal activity and defending the country against cyber warfare.

Here’s an offcial Tids salute to former ICE Chief Mike Homan for standing up against the bullying, the belittling interrogation from yet another congressional committee for firmly placing the blame for any crisis at borders squarely upon congressional inaction. For telling the truth that is never heard. He said rather than “Political Theater” for TV cameras, enact. He explained clearly that the agency “rescued hundreds of women from sex trafficking, saved thousands of children from child predators, and seized enough opioids in one year to kill every man, woman and child in the country twice.”

And…similar kudos to Vicki Porter who quickly, and gently put aggressive Congress woman Talib in her place after the congress woman tried to intimidate and ridicule the witness.

The glitz, fire and rampaging from stage to stage at the next super bowl halftime will be in the hands of a female duo – JLo and Shikira. JLo says she wants to fly. Regardless, I’ll be at the fridge.

That Congresswoman Talib is one nasty sounding woman.

I have an apology to make. A couple of days ago in a Tidlet called “First Impressions” I, after seeing Greta Thurnberg for the fist time, said she looked like one scary dude. I likened her to maniacal killer doll, Chucky. But I have since learned that she is Asberger’s. She said, “I have Asberger’s, I’m on the autism spectrum, so I don’t really care about social codes that way.” She said her Neurodiversity makes her think different…”. While hyperfocused on certain stimuli, Asberger’s are able to reject other stimuli. It’s better to have all the facts before blurting, and I didn’t.

I think that college professors are supposed to be smarter than the average person. If so, why can’t they figure out how to translate their convoluted writings in to simple sentences that people can actually understand their positions. Or is confusion just part of the academic mystique.

A solution to the vaping thing seems complicated to me.

You know, there are a lot of quotes out there from 1998 Dems against Clinton’s impeachment which are exactly the same as Repub quotes today. One says that pursuing impeachment will only serve to create a revenge society. The merry-go-round just keeps on spinning and its only the people sitting on the horses that change. Political revenge is the new national abdication. And it is killing America.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

I always liked Judy Garland and rooted for her during her many relapses. So I am inclined to go to the new film “Judy” starring Renee Zellweger. It is tough to ask any actor to step into the ruby red shoes of the entertainer Judy Garland. The film seems to dwell more on her accomplishments than failures, on her innate wit and charm, and of course music that will send the proverbial shivers down the spine.

--Abominable is the Animated feature of the week and it is Ok, but not great. Although audiences will probably love it Yi and her musical friends find a young Yeti on the roof  her apartment, and name him Ernest and go out and try to reunite the magical intruder with his family far away.

--The Death of Dick Long is a black comedy, they say. Its about the death of friend after band practice at home. They decide not to report the death, but one of the bandsman’s wives and daughter become suspicious. I believe it could be hard to follow and perhaps harder to enjoy.

--The Day Shall Come appears to be an anti-Homeland Security pic about setting up a popular black preacher as a terrorist. Supposedly funny and well done.

After a busy day, plumbers are usually drained.

The Answer:

Number one is Faulty Towers. Next is Backadder followed by Monty Python’s Flying Circus, The IT Crowd, Are You being Served, Keeping Up Appearances, Black Book. The Office, The Inbetweeners and at #10 Father Ted. Fleabag was #14. Personally, I liked Benny Hill.

“I’d like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony

I’d like to hold it in my arms,

And keep it company

I’d like to build the world a home

And furnish it with love.

Grow apple trees and Honey bees

And snow-white turtle doves.”

What! No Cheetos?

Have a great weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!!