Getting started slowly.

 

Today's Tids Issue 5,938 

Paradigmamics: 

 

I like to go outside each morning and breathe in that clean fresh, brisk winter air. It tends to clean out the sludge created overnight by heated houses. So, I started the Tids sludge free, but will my mind go along with that?  

 

In reality, today I'm just spinning wheels waiting for my beloved's to play the J-e-t-s! I hope I paid my “Prime” bill.  

 

The old phrase, “Down to my last Penny” became a reality yesterday. Companies can easily adjust to eliminating dangling pennies from prices, but what about the state and local government taxes. They'll most likely will say just round it up to the nearest nickel. But that will be taxation without representation, and you know somewhere in this state at least somebody is licking their chops thinking windfall riches they can waste.  

 

Time may be a great healer, but it is also a lousy beautician. 

 

The Question: 

What does the number 57939 mean in Washington DC? 

 

The Headlines: 

--Congress Votes in Budget Bill Ending Shutdown; Trump Signs. 

--Stocks Lower as Investors Eye Fallout Form Shutdown; Shut Down Could reduce 2026 GDP Estimates by $11 Billion; Street Sees Clouds over Interest rate Reductions as White House Says it Will Withhold October Jobs Reports; Fed Says it Will Look for Private Jobs Data. 

--Russia Mounting New Attacks Against Ukraine. 

 

This week Trump put a 106% tariff on Italian pasta. That is just plain nuts. Another screwball decision in a tariff scheme thatis the antithesis of free market pure capitalism. Seen any horses with missing heads lately? 

 

The Ole’ Tidspickers were done in last week by a total of about two minutes when three games flipped against the mighty Tids team. We went 8-6 last week bringing us to 91.5-54.5 (62.7%). The really bad news is that this week really looks like Parity Week with too many games looking like toss ups to me. There are three big ones – Rams-Seahawks, Eagles-Lions and Chiefs-Broncos. The Rams and Seahawks lately have been playing better than any other team. But I give the Rams the edge in a really good game. The Lions and Eagles pick is super tough in that while they are both well above average, they both can also look pathetic at times. I will just give Philly a nudge because of the homefield. KC is a fan-favorite and Denver has been solid but sneaking by at times. I'll take The Broncs at home. Before I travel off to foggyville here’s a couple of picks that may be easier. I like the LA Chargers over Jax unless the Jags show extreme resilience by getting off the matt of embarrassment from last week's debacle. Won't happen. Tennessee is at Home, but Houston is putting is all together and will win. Baltimore seems back with a vengeance, and Cleveland will not be happy.  

 

Ok, onto the tossup games. I like Miami to continue their surge against depleted Washington. The experts are asking, can the Patriots make it 8 in a row playing after a short week. Well, the Jets are coming off a short week too, and their only offense last week were kick-off and Punt returns TD’s. Pats! Carolina has shown sighs but tend to lose just when you think they are somewhere. Atlanta is similar and have home field. I go Falcons. Buffalo got embarrassed last week. TB is still in it for NFC South. But the Bills will show up at Home and they will be mad. The Bears actually may be for real Minn is all over the place I'll stick with Chicago. I like Green Bay to find themselves against Giants now with new coach and back to QB Russell Wilson. Cinn has struggled and Pitt has a lot of questions. But Iigo Steelers. San Fran and Arizona is interesting. The Cards have moments, but the Niners are steadier. Shanahan will win it. That brings us to Dallas-Las Vegas. This should be easy for the Cowboys, right. But not the way the Dallas team plays at times. Fortunately, they are playing against a Raiders team that looks lost most of the time. Despite LV’s cheerleader coach, Cowboys win it.  

 

Did you see where NBC intrepid newsman Richard Engel was in Columbia reporting on Fisherman woes there.  I guess the US audiences have lost interest in Middle East skirmishes and the dreadful continuation of bombing of Ukraine citizens by Russia. Though... Richard always goes where there is the most action. Is his instincts telling him the next war will be the US against Columbia and Venezuela.  

 

I once told a woman I got lost in her eyes. She reminded me that I also got lost in a he department store last week. 

 

 

In case you’ve been having doubts the list of the world’s strongest military’s has been released and the USA is number one, Russia is number two followed by China, India, South Korea, UK, France, Japan, Turkey and Number Ten, Italy. The next tier has Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, Germany, Israel, Iran, Spain and Australia at 19. Egypt and battle fatigued Ukraine are tied for 20. Who knew? NK’s Kim must be upset. 

 

My guess is that all of these streaming channels will find a way to merge ot be bought by the Ellisons. Then instead of myriad $10 payment bleeding our budget slowly it will be one massive chunk between the eyes. Ouch 

 

After the shut down fiasco, the analysts are saying that the Dem leadership is dead and the AOC rascals will try to follow Mamdani to emerge on top. That will just give Trump something to fight. And call names.  

 

I'm thinking lately that the vast majority of Americans are pretty moderate with the best of good old fashioned conservative values. And I'm including liberal thinkers in that group. A lot of people think differently than others, but today’s environment is telling them to meet in the middle. Labeling for political gain has crapped up rational thinking.  

 

I walked past a homeless guy with a sign that read, "One day, this could be you." I put my money back in my pocket, just in case he's right. 

 

The Answer: 

57939 is the number of US soldiers and sailors and Airmen who gave their lives in that dreadful Viet Nam war and are carved forever ito the Viet Nam Memorial. Remember that number the next time that somebody says going to war will solve everything.  

 

That’s enough for today. I t ink tomorrow I'll end the week writing about romance tomorrow.