World View: etc!: Historic hysterics.

Today's Tids Issue 5,155

Where has innocence gone:

Some people yearn to find themselves. Other take control and create themselves. And there are many who are who they are and are happy about it. I’m still trying to get better at Wordle.

Today is National Superhero Day. Too bad they are but of the imagination of kids with dreams. We could sure use them in Ukraine.

There was a story in the paper yesterday about a ranking security officer at local college charging the school with racism because people he works with were avoiding him. I checked with good source and found that the reason people avoid him is because nobody likes him. It has nothing at all to do with race. That’s the problem with a lot of this racism nonsense – you can't tell the truth. And false accusations only hurt the real racist situations. Can you say chicken little.

What did the beach say as the tide came in? Long time, no sea.

The Question:

The word “Historic” has become very popular for News headlines lately as people of color are appointed or hired as the first in many positions or occupations. Who was the first black NBA coach and when was it? Bonus: Who was another historic figure, Dennis Tito?

The Headlines:

--US Economy Unexpectedly Contracts To Annualized 1.4% GDP Growth Rate; Supply Chain Problems, Inflation And Russia War Disruptions Still The Problems; Markets Open Higher, But WS Expects Another Bumpy Ride.

--EU Scrambling After Russia Cuts Gas Supplies.

--California Declares Historic Water Drought; Citizens Told To Reduce Outdoor Watering Earlier Than Usual.

--Winning $473.1 Million Powerball Ticket Sold In Arizona.

--Three RI Men Accused Of Voter Fraud; The Three Registered And Voted In Two States

I am really excited for the Boston Celtics. It’s not just because they are in the championship series but because they are just a fun, talented team to watch.

There are apparent bargains galore out there on Wall Street, but traders in the knew would be reluctant to say it’s time to dive in. The bottom maybe deeper that thought. I hate to write stuff like that.

Acupuncture is a jab well done.

50 to 100 years from now people will be looking back at 2022 as one of the most historic years in history. But they only find that journalists were less creative and with a smaller vocabulary than in the past.

In western Canada in the Cascades, they are now preparing to remain open for skiing on Memorial Day. It’s one of the latest skiing days I recent history... historic oyu might say. Meanwhile the harbor here seems filled again with floating docks and I’ve seen a few boats tied up. The water temp is still below 50 degrees so the onshore breezes continue to be brisk. Yet, younger generations only go by what they think calendar changes indicate so they are clad in tank tops and shorts. Skiing in Canada and in the 30’s at nights here. It’s not historic, it’s reality. Brrrr.

Dunkin Donuts is adding cornbread donuts to their menu. I could go for that, if I ever went into Dunkin Donuts.

Things that make me cringe are like the that murder last weekend of 10-year-old Lily Peters in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin. Just pie this pretty, innocent child riding her bike from a visit with an aunt. A 14-year-old boy she knew grabs her, and in his carefully planned attack strangles her, beats her with a stick and brutally sexually assaults her. And he tells the police he is proud of it. What has happened to respect for other human lives. How are children so young becoming so callous. I shudder.

I often worry about how small my mind can be -- like worrying about Cheeto shortages while millions the world over are crying out for basic food to survive.

Millions like me will be watching the NFL Draft tonight and then complaining about their favorite team's choices. My Pats need a lot of help at several positions, and probably most of all, speed. “Big” doesn't seem as important as “Speed” these days.

It’s just about 6 months until the November elections. Expect a lot more heat this summer, and it won't be because of global warming. It will be more about friction and fiction.

Speaking of Historic, in just 20 baseball games this year NY Mets’ batters have been hit by a pitch 18 times. Pitchers are blaming it on the balls but I think it is because pitchers are throwing more breaking balls harder and harder to get into the 100mph record books. As we well know, we often blame inanimate objects for harmful acts perpetrated by humans. If you get my drift.

The Answer:

Way back in 1966, Bill Russell was named the first ever Black NBA Coach. I don’t think it was labeled historic; I just think people at the Boston Celtics thought he was the guy who could do the job best. Bonus. Dennis Tito was the first ever Space Tourist back in 2001. He, a Denver businessman and engineer, self-funded an 8-day trip to the ISS. He took off in Russia's Soyuz TM-32 in Central Asia. That was pretty historic. Dennis who? He came back in the Soyuz TM-31. He said it was amazing.