The Election Starts Today.

Today's Tids Issue 4,570

Lowering Expectations:

Are you on pins and needles? I’m not. The real question is not whether or not the Prez will be found guilty, but how well the Repubs can soften the perception of the charges.

I may go skiing later, so this could be a quick Tids. Every once in a while, I like to see of my legs still work.

The Gov of Va with media support induced the premise of a scary gathering of Gun Owners in Richmond Va. It turned out to be a fun fest for a broad cross-section of Americans who just happen to be gun owners too. Many of the blacks attending were heard joking and laughing, “Look at me, I’m a white supremist” Most observers said it was the safest, best behaved protest march in years, including all of those media supported, much publicized activist movements hither and yon.

If money doesn’t grow on trees, why do banks have branches?

Are the Dem insiders trying to get rid of Bernie Saunders? One of Bern’s close allies, AOC, says the Democratic Party is “center/right”. That is defiantly not what mainstreamers want to hear. Do you kind of get the drift that the Dem powers-that-be are beginning now to put in place a scenario that would assure a well behaved and tidy convention in the summer -- i.e. Stop Bernie now! The last thing the power brokers want is Sanders with a lot of votes, and a long list of his vocal supporters demanding stage time. Personally, I look for a lot of Bern victories and confusion in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

All is not politics and climate change. Yes, escapism is alive and well as Hollywood glitterati fans are all atwitter Over Brad and Jennifer Ogling.

The Question:

What was the name of the supersonic plane that was a joint venture between British Airways and Air France? Quick, this is easy. Bonus: Who was Jill Eikenberry?

The Headlines:

--Davos Gathering, Impeachment Trial And Spreading China Norovirus Effect On Global Markets Have Investors Cautious At Opening Into Late Morning..

--Trump Trial Begins This Afternoon; Tramp Extols America And His Virtues At Davos.

--Supreme Court Will Not Rule On ObamaCare UntilAfter Ec=lection day.

--Iranian Lawmaker uts $3 Million Prize On Trump’s Head.

--Hot Stock Of The Day: Novavax; Maker Of Flu Vaccines (NanoFlu)  Is Up 60% In Early Trading.

--Air France /KLM Looking To But Malaysia Airlines.

--Shale Boom Slowing.

One of the biggest threats to the USA and the constitution is the erosion of this basic tenet of law: Presumption of innocence. Social media and rapid communications in general put people in “prison” in nano seconds. Why even a couple of Dem congress people and supporters said during the impeachment mess, it’s up to Trump to prove his innocence. No, that’s not how it works in the US.  Pelosi: “…Mr. President, that means if you have anything that shows your innocence – than you should make that known.” Former CIA director Brennan: “People are innocent, you know, until alleged to be in some kind of criminal activity.” “Alleged” is guilty? Rep Max Rose(D): “Trump must prove he is innocent on impeachment.” But it is more than just Trump, way more. It seems more and more often, seeds of guilt are planted into the malleable minds of citizens at all levels, meaning the “innocent” now charged loses a large part of his or her ability to defend themselves.

Lee Westwood last weekend won his 25^th European Tour golf titles at the big event in Abu Dhabi. He has also won 2 titles on the US PGA Tour and placed within the top ten 60 times; 160 in the top 25.  Lee may be the greatest golfer of all time who has never won a major championship. His best in the 4 Bigs were 3 seconds and 3 thirds; 10 Top 10’s. That’s one reason why I have been rooting for him over the years. Who else would be in the Best Golfer never to have won the big one? I guess Ricky Fowler would be next followed by Matt Kuchar, Brant Schnedeker, Paul Casey, Mark Lieshman, Luke Donald, and Ian Poulter.  There are a couple of youngsters still waiting like Jon Rahm, Tony Finau, and Xander Schauffele who knocked on the odor a couple of times last year. Will he be next? Or will Lee Westwood surprise everyone with a Masters win this April?

If politicians don’t have doom to prophesize, hey basically don’t have much to sway voters.

Because of all the politicized climate rhetoric, I wonder, is anybody perhaps actually monitoring some natural cyclical events that may be contributing to the climate alteration as it has over the past multi-eons.

Techno-Revenge Department: Peter Schiff (No Relation), an active cryptocurrency skeptic found himself locked out of his digital wallet as his Password to his Bitcoin stash would not work. Don’t make your AI friends mad.

These are the days when the ice cubes I your drinks get bigger, inside the house.

By the way, Kevin Johnson CEO of Starbucks said he is going to attack outright Climate Change. he will do it with an environmentally friendly menu and happy climate packaging. Let’s see, the great coastal cities of the world may be underwater, and Starbucks is going to change its menu.  If I was a comedian, I think I could do a pretty good standup routine on climate.

42% of the people who are not invested in the stock market say the #1 reason is because they don’t have enough money. They spend too much of their income at the local coffee shop and gambling casino.

According to “making your millions” experts, the key to making your millions is “being an expert” at something. I have always been basically a generalist, which means I can publish this multi subject Tids for free.

The Answer:

Of course, you all knew immediately that the first supersonic passenger plane was The Concorde. Bonus: Jill Eikenberry is a pretty accomplished actress having been nominated for 5 Emmy’s and 4 Golden Globes, with one “Best Actress”, for her role in LA Law. She and her husband Michael Tucker often appeared together in TV series, films and on Broadway. She is a strong, active advocate for Breast cancer early detection and Research. She even produced a documentary called, “Destined to Live” which featured survivors, including Nancy Reagan.

So, there we have it. The generalist strikes again.

Hope you all survive the rhetoric.