Hanging Up.

Today's Tids Issue 4,518

Losing Relevance:

To me, one of our great modern threats are all of these techno scams mainly visible through those constant irritable phone calls. These are pretty smarts scammers who can know just about everything about anybody as they can simply scour open sources like Facebook or Pinterest for personal induration. According to authorities like The FBI and US Postal Inspectors, the best solution is never answering calls no matter how curious you become. And certainly never dialing back the number to make pithy comment, lie I’ve reported you to the FBI (The next call you get might be, “Hello, this is the FBI…”). If you get something from your bank, Hang up and call the number you know for your bank, or any other Institution for that matter.  Don’ be enticed. In addition, many sites like Words with Friends or dating sites are open doors into your home and lives. Operatives there are patient, and will reel you in.  Change you email passwords often. Often that’s all they know, hopefully for only moments. The good news is that enforcement agencies, statewide or nationally are beefing up their ability to prevent and investigate, and hopeful reclaim losses. Be alert. I could go on for a long time, but, after all, this is only a Tidlet.

You can expect to find lots of good on foiling scoundrels at your State AG office.

New cheer in College sports departments: Rah, Rah, Sis-Boom-Bah, we got the best EBITDA.

Whatever happened to racoon coats?

After watching Bill De Blasio trying to execute flawed progressive dreams, NY’ers say they would really like to have their old Mayor back. Of course, by now you have heard they may have to share Big Bubbly Beverage Banner Billionaire Bloomberg (6 B’s) with the rest of the discouraged Dems around the USA. Despite some annoying proclivities, he is a formidable presence and could fill the gap for many a Dem voter becoming less sure of what they have before them now.

Speaking of Dem candidates, the silent one, Pete Buttigieg, is emerging.

At what point does grave robbing become archeology

The Question:

Who is Norman Lloyd? Bonus: On this 30 Year anniversary of crumbling the Berlin Wall, Richard Allen NSA for Reagan says five men were instrumental in tearing down the Berlin Wall. Name them.

The Headlines:

--US recession Odds Dwindling.

--Stocks Nowhere’s-Ville; New Statements On China US Trade Muddled; Trump Rules Out Lifting All Tariffs; “Safe Havens” Like Gold Decline; Disney Whistling While They Work To Happy Profits; Gap Misses, Dropbox Hits.

--Michael Bloomberg Opens Door To Entering Dem Race; Says: “Current Field Of Candidates Is Ill Equipped To Defeat President Donald Trump.”

--“Whistleblower” Lawyer Email Says He Sees Start Of Coup To Bring Down DT One Month After Inauguration.

--Forecasters Saying Next Week’s Blast Of Cold To break Hundreds Of Records Across The Nation.

--Peaceful World Celebrates Destruction Of Berlin Wall 30 Years Ago.

--DoJ Admits FBI Mistake In Michael Flynn Case.

Back in the 1980’s I would sit with the editor of the big magazine I worked for to discuss pushing the idea of rebuilding or modernizing US Machine Too Manufacturing Industry and Steel producers. Our main thrust was elevating the idea that it is crucial to the USA to maintain control our own national productive capabilities in the event of major wars. At the time the Japanese and Germans were eating our lunch in developing new technology, while our companies were beholden to and passed around by investment opportunists. So, last night I see a report about fraudulent US firm using China to make security equipment for US military and other government facilities. Yes, the Chinese, who have been stealing our technologies for decades, would now have eyes and ears within our most classified faculties. Control thyself. That’s my motto.

If two people on opposing sides of the Earth simultaneously dropped a piece of buttered bread and the breads landed butter side down, the Earth would become a sandwich.

Nice new pic at the Tids site -- worldviewetc.blogspot.com --. It was taken by my granddaughter who lives steps away from that lonely this cold November morn. Several of her friends flew into watch.

Actually, I always kind of liked Michael Bloomberg until he started acting like an annoying helicopter parent, an intolerant nanny.

The King of Satyrs tried to direct a TV cooking show, but he was panned by critics.

The USA doesn’t have coups. Third world dictatorships have coups.

Around here, we always knew that Becky’s Barbecue was as good as it gets, anywhere. And now, big national survey has acknowledged that our feelings were right. In an extensive research project, an organization called “United Steaks of America” developed a list of the best Barbecue in America. And tasted them all on a national BBQ tour. And our own little Becky’s shop of Middletown RI came up #6 across the smoked nation. #1 is Cherries BBQ Pit of Montana followed by Ridgeview BBQ in West Virginia, Mission BBQ in Va, Community Q in Ga, Matt’s in Oreg, Becky’s, Whole Hog Café in Arkansas, Lewis BBQ in SC, Smokin’ Yards in Colorado and Phat Jacks in Nebraska. 49 eateries were tasted from Alaska to Maine and everything between. BTW, Becky was born in West Virginia. Sadly she died of cancer at a youngish age after establishing her esteemed eatery. He husband and sons diligently carry on, and the only thing musing is Becky’s smile...and her Y’all.

There’s no truth to the rumor that Bill Di Blasio is bringing in rescuer dogs to act as Emotional Support Animals for the homeless. That would be good for the neighborhood. That isn’t to say that he hasn’t thought of it.

The College schedule this weekend has two good and meaningful games this weekend: Number #2 LSU battling #3 Alabama, and #4 Penn State against #11 Minnesota. They are all undefeated. Another interesting game has the surprising Wake Forest meeting an always tough Virginia Tech. Everybody is fighting for the best Bowl payoff. Just like any good business.

Governors and mayors around the nation have learned, and are very upset, that Di Blasio has been giving NYC homeless a wad of cash and pointing them in the direction of unsuspecting cities around the county to find a new home. Most often the cities where the NYC shunned have set up housekeeping have bigger homeless problems of their own, and less money than the Big Apple. Let them eat fruit.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--I grew up on movies like Midway. The critics are way down on this one, but regular people who like what they like are all for the WWII drama. This is a true story, about an historic turning point battle between the American Fleet and the Japan Imperial Navy. Lots of action and real heroes. Happy Veteran’s day.

--People also love Doctor Sleep, the continuation of the traumatic story 40 years after the events of “The Shining”. Young Danny scarred from his ordeal is grown and looking for peace. Whoops. He meets Alba who shares an extrasensory power, Shine, similar to his. She needs him to fight the awful Rose and adherents who feed off of young Shine from those Alba and Dan. In the process, he awakens ghosts of the past.

--“Last Christmas” is a nice little, uncomplicated Romantic Comedy, which, again, critics hate but people enjoy thoroughly. Kate, an unhappy woman playing an elf in a Christmas shop meets a man too good to be true, who just happens to see through all of Kates barriers. But, despite the clouds  he conjures in the glorious season, the heart wins out.

-- In Playing With Fire, fire fighters battling big wild fires find that the challenge of human dramas is almost as great as the fierce work. Doesn’t sound like it’s for me.

The Answer:

Norman Lloyd is a 105-year-old actor, and if you have ever watched movies or TV has impacted your entrainment life. He started acting in the 1930’s in Eva Le Gallienne’s Civic Theater. Since, he did everything from writing, directing, producing to starring in good drama. He began a long association with Alfred Hitchcock producing the acclaimed “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”. He had memorable roles in films like “Limelight”, “Dead Poets Society” and “The Age of Innocence”. Many remember him best for his role as Doctor Daniel Auschlander in Saint Elsewhere.  He has been married for 75 years. Happily. In Hollywood. Bonus: Ronald Reagan, Helmut Kohl, Mikael Gorbachev, GHW Bush and Pope John Paul II.

One of the reasons the elderly are picked on, in addition to the fact that they tend to have money, is that they are a trusting group by nature. Learn to be skeptical and even discourteous. After all, it is you that owns the phone. They are interrupting and intruding on your time.

But, you can still be kind to the Tids.

Have a great, call-free weekend, E-v-e-r-yb-o-d-y.