More confusing than ever.

Today's Tids Issue 4,482

Aspirin:

Well folks, this is the last weekend of official summer. A great majority of people I have talked to this past week are very happy that the heat is gone. But judging by the way people continue to crowd beaches, I’m sure many more will miss the sluggishness of a summer day than enjoy the sun on a cool autumn morning. We got opinions on weather and food, politics and religion, entertainment and sports teams, active people and couch potatoes. Oh, I just listen to people enjoying what they enjoy and then go merrily on my way doing what I enjoy. And right now, it’s feeling refreshed.

Today’s headlines involve a threat of a US/Iran war, an invisible whistleblower and China/US trade issues, and there are just no clear-cut answers, much less unambiguous source information. I used to be able to figure out some of this stuff. I guess I’m most worried about Iran. Resolving missiles is difficult.

Golf is a little like writing the Tids – somedays you are decent, and other days you just plain suck.

In their effort to get away from fast food, the French are eating more snails.

The Question:

Quick now -- Who were the presidents replacing assassinated Presidents Lincoln, Garfield McKinley and Kennedy? Bonus:

The Headlines:

--Stock Markets Higher; Apple Joins $1 Trillion Club; Fed Rep Bullard Wanted Higher Rate Cut To Buoy Recession Heading Manufacturing.

--US Trade Representative At New US/China Talks Announces 400 Chinese Products Exempt From Tariffs.

--Six Tropical Storms Raging Across Southern Atlantic Today is Record:

--Colt, Leading Producer Of AR-15 Assault Rifles, Ceases Production; Colt Prez Cites Over Production As Reason.

--New iPhone 11 Series To Hit Stores Today.

--Facebooks Zuckerberg Has “Constructive” Meeting With Trump At White House.

--Trump Fighting Against NY And California Legal Actions Requiring Candidates To Release Taxes.

--New Jersey Hezbollah Sympathizer Arrested For Planning Attacks On US Monuments; White House, Statue of Liberty And Fenway Park Among Targets.

Texting can be dangerous, Department:

At her wedding during the reciting of the vows, the Bride surprised everybody including her husband “to be” by reading his texts to another woman. Until death do us part. Yikes.

The NJ Man with apparently Hezbollah sympathies had a plan it appears to blow up US monuments. Isn’t that similar to many vocal socialist appearing groups who use Fredon of Speech and other constitutional freedoms to advocate blowing up US history, institutional and other foundations of US greatness. A bomb by any other name is still a bomb.

I never repeat Trump mocks of political rivals. I like my mocks better.

I forgot my phone when I went to the men’s room yesterday. There are 367 tiles.

I see where Hillary is still finding new ways to excuse her loss to the Trumpster. Is she also watching a lackluster group of Dems and planning to jump in as the savior? You never know.

I’m seeing a lot of ticky-tack penalties being called in the NFL. After all, this is football where players incidentally or purposely collide. It should be noted that it is extremely difficult to stop flying in midair, just because there is a QB in the way.

The woman who didn’t want to go to her doctors appointment, just called in sick.

It ain’t your grandfather’s sandlot football any more. Major college football teams, it appears, are asking their players to swallow a small electronic pill to monitor body temperature or wear special glasses that measure eye movement. It is all part of the scheme to collect date to improve performance. Ok, take ecteronic pills but  don’t dare take anything to remove the pain from injures. Unless of course, you can get more data.

The old socialist Bill de Blasio resisted the criticisms until Billy Crystal came along with a late-night quip. This morning he ceased his going-nowhere Presidential candidacy. Actually, I was going to type in the quip, but upon re-reading it just wasn’t that funny.

Apparently masses of students from around the world are going to skip school today to protest about Climate change. Are they going to wear brown shirts?

Merrily down the stream! That’s what more and more TV viewers are saying as they cut the cord with traditional TV viewing, Roku predicts that in five years over 60,000,000 Viewers with be streaming, but probably still screaming about uninspiring shows. I’ll adapt, just so long as they don’t start charging me for NFL football.

Roominating: Considering the price of accommodations.

A remarkable little university that just keeps on getting better every year of its existence inaugurating new president today. She is Dr. Kelli Armstrong and the University is Salve Regina in Newport RI. It sits powerfully on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and its academic significant is growing with each full moon tide. I like to watch things grow. (Dr. Kelli is Bates College grad with advanced degrees and academic acknowledgements from UVa, BC and MIT, with previous stints at Bates, Tufts, UMass and Boston College.)

This “Whistleblower” thing is the latest controversy that has me rushing out for headache remedies. The charges and countercharges have my head spinning, like now with a less than a well-defined complaint about something involving Trump and the Ukraine. The intelligence community’s top watchdog, “Refused to share the details of the complaint”. But, Joe Anonymous Source has convinced the paragons of truth, the NY Tomes And Wapo, that Ukraine is involved in something secret between the two presidents. Rep Shiff wants access to everything about something virtually not described and the WH denies everything about this currently amorphous issue, whatever it is. This could be big, or drift away like so many hysterical accusations. Right now, it is the latest addition to the migraine list.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--So far for Downton Abbey, I have seen mixed reviews, from ponderous and simplistic to a “grand” rewarding for fans of the Popular TV series. The Crowley’s prepare for the big day when the King and Queen will be coming to their well-known home. The Royal’s servants take over the house much to the chagrin and outright anger of the loyal Downton staff -- Royals versus Loyals. And of course, their is a small mystery, a scandal and romance intrigue.

--Of course, critics hate Rambo: Last Blood, but fans will enjoy the exploits of Stallone’s hero. He must confront his past, rediscover his combat skills as he seeks vengeance. What else. I’d go.

--I’m always suspect when Hollywood uses the word “Corporate” in a title. It is general a slur business film. Demi Moore is a ruthless CEO of huge company. She leads her team to a New Mexico team building caving weekend. The cave caves, and she and her heterogenous group of career climbers are all trapped. How will they survive.

--“Villains” might be good. A couple of inept criminals break into a home only to discover a secret and two sadistic home owners who will do anything to keep their secret.

--In Ad Astra, Brad Pitt plays an astronaut who travels to the outer solar system to find his missing father, but uncovers a penitential planet destroying mystery.  I’m not sure about this one. Find his missing father at the edge of the solar system? Floating? Playing pickle ball on a small planet?

The Answer:

Well Andrew Johnson replaced Abe and we probably new that LBJ replaced JFK. But were you positive that VP Teddy Roosevelt stepped in for McKinley and VP Chester A Arthur for James Garfield?

I wonder if Jimmy Carter is concerned that the accuser society will be after him to ruin his reputation because about 40 years ago he lusted after women in his heart? I lay awake reviewing my past.

People used to feel that they could use the sins of their past as foundation for building a better, smarter future. Of course, that was before Twitter and Facebook, and the latest social medium of the moment.

I’m confused, but not bewitched, bothered or bewildered.

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