Today's Tids Issue 4.512
Unsettling:
BOO! Yeah, I know.
The Tids are scary every day.
Hey, do you think that
the Dems picked Halloween on purpose as the day to vote for Impeachment? They
are crafty little devils.
Washington DC has always had a split personality,
but today it is defined by exultation and glee for the Nationals World Series’
win versus the gloom of an impeachment process.
A lot of today’s technology
and entertainment vehicles have stolen from people the opportunities to use
their imagination.
When I was a kid there were
no greater heroes than the soldiers, sailors and army air force pilots in WWII.
We heard the news reports and we visualized the sweat, the courage and the resolve
of fighting men on sandy pacific islands and European fields. We felt it and
saw it within ourselves, and reenacted it every day on lawns and in fields, behind
garages. And I believe most of us have never forgotten those days and visions those
heroes.
Over all, Africa has never
been known as a region of stable governments. Countries are either coming out
colonialism, have ruthless dictators hijacking paper democracies or military coups
or civil wars of one kind or another. But, in this morass of governmental volatility
there are a few steady entities, like Mauritius, Botswana, Cape Verde, Namibia and
Ghana. There are many reasons for such stability, with most agreeing the main one
being, “Years of normal governance, where fair and free elections have yielded peaceful
transfers of power and no coups d’etat have occurred”. Do you ever think we would
have to look at Africa for a good governing model? Do you see where I’m going with
this.
MSNBC commentators floated the idea
of Impeaching Pence right after Trump. That would make Nancy president and would
make the USA look like a tin horn third world out-of-control nation. You think
that is preposterous. Rep Al Green said, “Pence could be in line for impeachment
down the road.” This is not America.
And yes,
I think it is preposterous. But it is sad to here people seriously talking about
overthrows.
The Question:
In 1517, the significant 95 Thesis was written. What
was it? Bonus: How long did it
take to create Mount Rushmore sculptures. Extra Bonus: Name two of tom
Paxton’s best songs.
The Headlines:
--House To Hold First Formal Vote On Impeachment
Rules.
--China Trade Doubts Rise Again And Markets fall.;
Chinese Officials Suggested They Will Not Be Able To Make Concessions On Some
Major Economic Reforms; Apple And Facebook Beat.
--Washington Nationals Rally To Win World Series; Championship
Is First For Nation’s Capital Baseball Team Since 1924; WS Ratings Down.
--New Raging Cal Fires Heading Towards San Bernardino
Homes.
--Senate Repubs Taking Drip, Drip Of Accusations Against
Admin Seriously.
--Hong Kong Falls Into Recession.
--Northeast trick Or Treaters Expecting Super Windy,
Rainy Evening.
Why do I see so many people
in parks and on streets and over fields and in news reports of charity walks
carrying their dogs? Isn’t it good for dogs to walk?
The Mighty NFL pickers had another good
week
bring in our yearly record to a more respectable 75-43-1 (63%). Tonight, we
have San Fran proving that they are legit, winning over Arizona -- who could
give them fits. But. Ok, now I’m picking an awakening Philly over a disappointing
Chicago, Houston over Jax, Buffalo to rebound over Washington (Who’s players will
be recovering from Nationals celebration), Seattle over TB, Cleveland waking up
just in time for Denver (Two Good “D’s” in that one), Green Bay which has looked
very good all year over the Chargers, and Dallas over the struggling New York Giants.
Of the posers,
I have to pick Carolina over a team I like, Tennessee. The KC vs Minn tussle could
be a war and the edge I see for KC is home cooking. The Jets-Miami affair doesn’t
deserve to be singled out for anything, but it is equally tough to pick between
two losers. The Jet’s D isn’t bad, but I go Miami[RH1] .
I don’t know why. Indy is doing well in the division, but Pitt always has to be
considered as a factor. This is a tense game this week and I like Pitt. I have
been pulling for Detroit and Oakland all season, so I may be a little over
emotionally involved for this one. But I pick Oakland. Which may be really
dumb. And lastly, we have the Pats against Baltimore. Some experts are saying the
Pats undefeated record is a myth because of a weak sched. I understand that,
but I’m not buying it. The Pats “D” is very good, and Baltimore’s D isn’t
sensational. Brady wants this one badly. I staying with my heart. Have to.
Is home field advantage becoming a myth?
In the 7 game World Series just completed, no team won a game at home. I
believe, though, it still holds for football and Basketball.
On Monday’s The Voice
I was really entertained with the duet between “Hello Sunday” and Lauren Hall. The
three were fun and all should have won, and they did, with Kelly picking Hello
and Blake stealing Lauren. That was the last of the “Battles. The Knockouts started
and I have some early favorites already: Loved Cali Wilson whose emotional, perfect
pitch song beat out the powerful Marina Cello. Some others I liked were country
Boy Jake Hoot, Katie Kaden belting out “Piece of my heart” and a very talented
Max Boil. I like the enthusiasm of Katie and she opens eyes, but I have to see
her do something else. A small poll had Lauren Hall Tops in the battles. And Max
Boil #1 in the First knockouts.
Manufacturers continue to develop larger
and larger new TV screens, but they are telling me real cool progress is being
able to stream sports and movies to your phone! Squint much lately.
Most Americans didn’t bat an eye when al-Bashir
was arrested last July. This is the former leader of Sudan who started as a socialist,
became a capitalist and then when on to be pure Islamist. He created the incubator
for Islamic cohesiveness, turning Khartoum into an Islamic Jihad training camp,
where all of the fiercest gathered, including OBL for five years. He was a
butcher and rapist who kept the people in line with his brutal RSF – Rapid Support
Force -- led by two Generals, including Mahamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti). His
country became Bankrupt, so he turned to making deals with Xi of China and
Putin of Russia – his new bailout pals. They, both want strong strategic positions
in Africa. China has already built a naval operation way larger than one of the
USA. So, Bashir is gone but the country is in the hands of Hemeti and his RSF
Partners. And in reality, China and Russia. Geopolitical observers have placed
this powder keg at the top of their radar. Some see it as all about China and
it’s desires to dominate all waters between Sudan and its mainland. For starters.
Keep an eye on this mess. It is significant.
My endoscopist said
she would look me up sometime.
The Answer:
In 1517 Martin Luther wrote his thesis denouncing what
he saw as abuses in the Catholic Church, notably paying for Indulgences. It w s
the beginning, as you know, of the Protestant Reformation. Bonus: The sculpting
began in 1927 and was complete in 1941. Extra Bonus: Tom Paxton gave us
some great songs, namely “The Last thing on My Mind”, “A Bottle Of Wine”, and “Whose
Garden Was This”.
Use your imaginations.
Don’t let your brain be infected by somebody creating it for you.
“The true sign
of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination>” –Albert Einstein
