There ain’t no smiley faces in North Korea.

Today's Tids Issue 3,500!

Opening Stuff:

The big news yesterday was the North Korea detonation of the H-Bomb as alleged by Jung Il. It is very significant according to leading NK followers as they say we (NK Analysts) did not think they would be this far along this fast. It is also agreed among those who know that key Iran scientists and military people would have been standing there watching the progress of their alter ego nuke building ally. Maybe there was more to the firing of rockets by Iran last week than originally considered. SK’s LG Corporation may have to detonate their “Life is Good” slogan.

Anything else that may have come across as news yesterday, was just politics as usual.

There is no truth to the rumor that RI’s Governor Gina Raimondo spent the holidays baking Toll-House cookies for the General Assembly. Did I just make a sexist insinuation? Shoot me.

Competing Slogans on Wall Street this morn: “Go to cash to avoid the crash” versus “Keep calm and carry on”.

My Smart phone keeps on reminding me that I have not met my walking goals. I don’t have any walking goals.

Hey, wait a minute...did I just type issue #3,500! Zowie! Yikes! EeeeeeHah!

 

The Question:

Two presidents were married on the same day, today January 6. Who were they and what were the maiden names of their well known wives.

The Headlines:

--Seismic Readings Seem To Confirm That North Korea Successfully Detonated H-Bomb; Russia First to Denounce Country As Breaking International Law; Some Experts Wonder If It was H-Bomb Or Just Fourth Atom Bomb Test.

--Apple IPhone Production Scaleback Leads Dow Opening Downward By 230 Points; All 30 Dow Components In Red; Saudis Slash Oil Prices; NK Challenge To global Peace Hindering Stock Enthusiasm.

--Auto Industry To Announce Record Sales; GM Is Company Up Most, Ford Is Car On Top; Small SUV’s Replace Small And Midsize Sedans As Leading Sector; AutoNation Stock Down 13% On Fears Of Luxury Car Sales Slowdown.

--Anti Refugee Forces In Germany Grow Stronger After Middle Eastern And North African Youths Are Seen Molesting, Raping And Robbing Woman In Cologne.

--US Launches Air Strikes In Afghan To Retaliate Against Deadly Raid On Special Forces In South East; Helicopters Remove Injured And Dead; US Forces No Longer Trapped..

--RI’s Governor Raimondo Delivers Map Of Controversial Truck Toll Locations To General Assembly.

--Low Knowledge Liberals Weep Along With 0-Man At News Conference Where President Goes Around Legislative Branch Of USA.

The concern over the latest news of a NK blast is about the progress of that country in its objective to develop a miniaturized warhead for rocket or missile delivery. An H-Bomb success truly furthers their progress, and that is the big worry.

Trump tells reporters to ask Bill Clinton what he thinks of the Cosby situation. Bill is thinking I should have been nicer to Hillary or today I could be on a nice warm island somewhere. When you think about it all realistically, Bill Clinton is really  the kind of creep that gives men a bad name in the eyes of many women. BC by any other definition is BC. Cosby used the power of drugs and Clinton used the power of Office.

A new report says that US prisons is a breeding ground for future ISIS style terrorists. Obama will probably let them out to eliminate the problem.

So, did you hear about the Indian retailer with a Sikh sense of humor? He named his Times Square shop, Turban Outfitters.

So Hillary has promised to investigate fully “Area 51” if elected. Think of the jokes from late night comedians on that trip.

Probably the most annoying voice among the Hollywood wannabe activists could have been Samuel Jackson who said recently about what happened in San Bernardino, “…how much I really wanted that to be just another, you know, crazy white dude…”. Of course, that sounds bad, but what he was really saying is “Oh s---, It’s (the Jihadists) here.” Just to clear the record. I’ve heard that example being used in arguments about reverse racism. From the “PC” point of view he should have said “Some Crazy” period. It pays to read beyond the sound bites, on both sides.

It seems to me that for the next 12 months Obama will issue exec orders and travel the world to meet with friendly leaders. So the nation will sleep, while the President pads his resume. And this within world full of serious skirmishes and an economy looking like it may stumble.

A local news observer suggests that if Kim Jung Il was doing to dogs what he is doing to humans, the US would immediately declare war and send in an armada.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 39 continues.

   Beth and her kids wwere sitting in her little blue Nissan up by the white fence next to the giant old colonial church. Nancy and Jared parked in a space two down from her, looked around and got out. Nancy and Jared both felt their hearts clench as they looked once again at the spot where they had been clobbered by the Rackovic monster of the day. Jared glanced up at his window now silent and empty feeling a little tug for it’s comfort of a few weeks ago, then jogged towards Beth. Nancy started handing him luggage and plastic bags. Finally he carried a little, sleepy girl while Nancy with Beth walked the boy towards her car.

   In about 4 minutes they were in a quiet neighborhood of late 19^th century small homes, some rehabbed and other waiting for a lucky buyer. Nancy drove the car up a long narrow driveway into a one car garage in the back. “Welcome to our new headquarters’ Ops center,” she said smiling as she got out.

  Jared looked around and wondered about just how many properties this woman owned. She must have read his mind because she continued saying, “My family has always had homes for many given situations, and I have always followed that. It’s in all of my blood lines.” She laughed a bit at that and squeezed Jared’s upper arm. Every time she touched him he felt special in the world.

   Inside they stowed their stuff around the room. When the motion stopped, Nancy said, “Let’s get some sleep, because tomorrow we start the battle!” She smiled, paused and looked down, “How do you want to help, Henry?” The little guy, messed up hair partially down over his brows just stood there, eyes wide, looking up at her. Jared was doing the same.

The Answer:

A couple of Georges, Washington and HW Bush, both married on January 6^th – GW to Martha Dandridge and HW to Barbara Pierce.

A couple of people wrote to say they enjoyed listening to Phil Collins yesterday. I figure if I write a variety of things one or two will get something out of at least one thing every day.  

Thanks to TB for his yesterday’s blitz of ideas. I’m not sikh of them.

Aaah, the soda in the garage is nice and cold.

Today's Tids Issue 3,499

Opening Stuff:

Now cold frosty nights are coming, Fa-la.

Snowmaking machines are humming, Fa-la

Soon slopes will be covered with white, Fa-la

I’ll point tips down and take flight, Fa-la

Careen down slopes, bold and brash, Fa-la

Catch an edge, and seriously crash, Fa#*$%-la, la, la!

Ouch!

Many national somewhat non-partisan observers are thinking that a good campaign issue for Repubs could be, “making Government honest again”. These pollsters, Repub and Dem seem to think that the biggest hidden issue in the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Main Street is general distrust by the public of all government officials and bureaucrats. Many people with half a brain know that the main objective of almost all bureaucrats is keeping their fiefdoms healthy and growing whether or not necessary at all to the welfare of the nation. And they make up stuff (Read that: Pull wool over eyes of the folks) to keep the waste going. That’s why Trump is winning so far.

I think that one of the great marketing efforts has been accomplished by Boer’s Head Meats. Personally I like more choice and prefer Deli’s that prepare their own roasts. But those are things of days gone by.

The Question:

Name the candidates who lost the last ten US presidential elections.

The Headlines:

--EuroStocks Uneven; US Bears Push Stocks Higher At Opening, Stays in Plus Area Through Morning; Asia Markets Lower.

--New el Nino Storms Slamming California.

--Iran Unveils Second Underground Missile.

--Mohammed al-Nimr, Brother Of Slain Cleric, Blames Obama For His Death; Says President Should have Used His Influence With Saudis To Stop Execution; Nimr Now Hoping That US Will Help In Staying Crucifixion Of His Son By Saudis; Son At 17 Arrested For Protesting During Arab Spring.

--Fiat-Chrysler Has Best December In 90 Years

--NFL Gold Rush On As Three Teams Vie For LA Super Media Market; St. Louis, Oakland And San Diego; NFL To Get $550 Million Moving Charge; SL Seen As Favorite.

--Bernie Sanders Vows To break Up Banks.

--Coughlin Out At NY Football Giants; Pagano Surprisingly Resigned Through 2019 By Colts.

One of Trump’s better lines comes with his plan for welfare reform: “The country needs a safety net, not a hammock.”

Yesterday when I wrote about getting around congress as being in  direct conflict with the original idea of America breaking from the traditional past of sovereign dominated Europe, I purposely did not mention guns. The Pols always use visceral issues to emotionally charge constituents to agree allow them to lower standards or as in this case start gnawing at the foundations of a solid constitution assuring freedom and control by people. Pols will often choose children as their foil, as did Obama when he used as his reason -- stopping the killing in city neighborhoods. Of course, guns are not the problem in city neighborhoods, and he a as community organizer knows that better than anyone. But, getting at the truth and solving real problems does not rise up in the hearts of biased cowards.

By the way, a gallop poll asking the public to name their most urgent concerns among 23 national issues, found that gun control was 19^th on that list of most pressing problems. Number one was “Dissatisfaction with government” followed by “The Economy”, with unemployment  and immigration tied for third.

I would have to admit that I’m pretty scared about getting pneumonia. Oh, I’m pretty scared of “Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!” And slimy snakes in the bushes and toothy sharks below. But, in real life, Pneumonia sneaking up has me looking over my shoulder.

This may appear to be overly simplistic, but the Patriots ills began when Nate Solder went on the DL. “O” Lines rule.

All you have to know to realize that neutering the power of police is a bad idea is to look at that city in Mexico, Temixco, where 24 hours after newly elected Mayor Gisela Mota was inaugurated, drug cartel assassins came to her home, beat her and shot her dead. She won the race with a campaign based on police reform – to eliminate police currently under control of gangs.

I always laugh at people who say, “now that the lottery is at $400 Million I’ll but a ticket.” Does that mean that an opening number of say $20 Million is meaningless to them?

BTW, a headline that says that Manhattan apartments are more costly than ever has absolutely no relevance to me. It probably means that we pay way too much to spend an evening of dinner and a show in the NYC.

Food for Thought, Department:

A columnist named Howard Gold makes these predictions for 2016. Argue among yourselves: 1. No US recession – Economy muddles along. 2. Fed raises rate 3-4 times. 3. Bears replace Bulls as dominant. 4. Oil goes to $20 before truing corner. With secular bears in charge of commodities, bottom fishing is a bad idea. 5. The Repub ticket will be Trump and Cruz. 6. Private Equity firms help George Lucas buy Star Wars back from “White Slavers” Walt Disney for $10 Billion.

The Netflix series Making of a Murderer grabs you and holds your interest. It’s pretty scary on a number of levels.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 38.

   Nancy immediately called Beth after receiving the threat to kill Fred from Rackovic, or whoever was running that organization. “Beth, get your kids, pack some stuff and go to that Newport parking lot behind the Brick. I’ll meet you there. I’m getting worried because the thugs are getting scared.” She didn’t mention angry because several are dead.

   Jared came in from packing their own car. They had retreated to another small hunting cabin she owned in the woods south of Swansea near Touiesette. It was probably safe, but she wasn’t sure how much Fred really knew about her, or how much he may talk to save his skin. Now that she had warned Beth, she pulled out the note that was delivered to her mail box down town. She had called her friend the postmaster and asked him to bring her mail to his home. The thugs were probably now watch that box, so invisibility was the new slogan.

  She had two days to come forward with all of her ownership papers and authentication, or Fred’s body would be dumped outside Town Hall. She figured, that if she came forward, she and Fred’s bodies would be dumped. She probably had a little more time as the Box watchers would never see her and they couldn’t be sure she ever saw the note. Next she expected a call on her cell phone.

 

The Answer:

Here’s last 15 runner’s-up in the US presidential elections: Mitt Romney, John McCain, John Kerry, Al Gore, Bob Dole, The great GHW Bush, Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, George McGovern, Hubert Humphrey, Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon and Adlai Stevenson. Before that we had Adlai again and two Tom Dewey’s. Check out the entire history http://www.iweblists.com/us/government/PresidentialElectionResults.html  (Horatio Seymour?)

As promised, Phil Collins comeback starts now:

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-006&ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-tyc&p=you%20tube%20phil%20collins%20biggest%20ht&type=

Can we get the Dutch boy to stick his finger into the Wall of China?

Today's Tids Issue 3,498

Opening Stuff (For the Year):

Well, I hope the New Year started off as good for you as me…and that was pretty damn good. After checking out at BJ’s (Like Costco’s in NE), I actually found in the free boxes bin one that looked like a box, that was perfectly sized for what I bought. Life is good.

My naïve concept of the USA was that that this country was designed in a way where singular minded wishes of kings or oppressive ideas from dictators were to be a thing of the past in governing because of the three equal branches of Government. Did you happen to notice the word equal? I don’t believe there is an amendment to the beautiful constitution that says executive orders are available to get around the will of the people as represented in Congress. But, we seem to have a President who doesn’t care for anything that isn’t on his own plate. I’m beginning to doubt that people in the new generations and in the fourth estate understand the concept of equal branches (As in having the same or identical to in value). Congress representing diverse peoples in diverse states butting heads with out of control Presidents is what the country is all about. Are presidents going the way of pop culture, becoming out of proportion to reality? Am I missing something? Happy New Year.

The really good news is that 2016 gives you one “Do-Over” day. So if you have a real downer, you have sunshine assured freebie coming on Feb 29. How great is that? Double Zowie!

Christian McCaffrey is one, truly, amazing football player.

Oh yeah, the pressure is off as I have already broken my New Year’s resolutions. Last night I had a giant helping of KFC gravy, and the night before a grandson thrust a bag of Cheetos right under my nose. What’s a human to do? Breakem’ early and relax. That’s my motto.

The Question:

Triple “Q” Start to New Year: 1. The great cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond died. Name five of his greatest movies. 2. What was the name of the first American born saint? 3. World villains have occasionally been named as Time Man/Person Of the Year. Name three (Obama doesn’t count.)

The Headlines:

--Dow Plummets 400 Points at Opening After China Markets Halted Down 7%.

--Hezbollah Attacks Israeli Troops On Lebanon Border.

--Saudi Ceases Relations With Iran After Burning Of Embassy I retaliation For Hanging Of Shiite Cleric; Saudi Allies Scaling Back Ties With Iran; Oil Prices Climbing.

--Netflix, Amazon Shares Fall Seriously After Down Grades; Fiat/Chrysler Stock Off 1/3 After Ferrari Divide.

--Huge Quake Rattles Northeast India; 8 Dead.

--FBI Has Eyes On Oregon Militia Standoff.

--GM Invests $500 Million In Lyft.

Do you know those movie scenes where a camera pans into a romantic setting softly illuminated by 25 to 30 candles. I’m afraid my attention would be continually diverted, more concerned about hair being caught on fire, or knocking candles into a combustible gossamer curtain fluffed in the fan induced wind. For me, keep it simple.

Iran and Saudi Arabia -- the classic Sunni-Shiite battle smoldering in the dessert while the West runs around with pails of water hoping to smother a potential inferno fueled by deep roots -- is making me very nervous. Rhoumani looks like the peace keeper, though his strings are pulled by Kahamanhi who doesn’t. The real problem may be the newish King of Saudi, Salman bin Abdulaziz, who along with his controversial son Mohammed bin Salman is a lot more hard line than former kings who preferred basking in gold plated rooms. The sands are blowing.

The world financial markets love consistency, and the Middle East is as consistent as ever.

There wasn’t a lot of publicity about the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index falling to 42.9. That’s a double Yikes!  It was a super drop 0f 5.8 points to bring it to the lowest outturn since July 2008. This Institute of Supply Management number is said to show USA expansion when at 50 or above. Order backlogs were the largest segment of the index in decline. PMI Data shows that backlogs have been in decline for 11 months. So below 50 is a contraction of the economy, and when it is as low as 42.9 it indicates a contraction at a faster pace. Just one little piece of data to add to the mystery of where the stock market may be going.

Couple that with Santa’s failure to show up for the year end rally, and you have to wonder about where 2016 markets are going.

And then, we had China!

The good news today is that I get to wear my new cold weather boots.

Last night as the counter person pushed towards me my KFC order, I observed, “Quiet in here.” She replied, “I like it.” “But,” Said I, “you aren’t making any money?”. She looked at me with a knowing grin, “I am.” I heard of another big time fast food place that is losing customers at local outlet because employees don’t seem to care, and are only keeping the place barely clean. There’s a point here somewhere about a society that sees too many getting money for doing nothing, and one where doing something gets no reward.

Standing ovations don’t seem to mean what they used to. People just seem to stand up immediately after watching or listening to somebody do something they can ‘t do themselves.

Duh news of the morning – NCAA Football playoff game ratings down 38%! It doesn’t take a genius to (And there ain’t no geniuses here in Tidsville even though it was predicted as loser programming last week) to know that most of the majority of potential viewers are out reveling on New Years eve. What do colleges care about stupidity – they were already paid by Bowl owners.

Talking about those brainiacs at the NCAA, how about the slate of New Years Eve and New Years day feature bowl games that produced a combined score of 337 to 110. And, most of the 110 points for those losing teams, some who looked like they didn’t show up, was in garbage time against the dominant team’s substitutes. Most of the TV sets clicked off at half Time.

Oops, Department:

One of the biggest Tids typos of the year wasn’t exactly a typo, but more like a sign of severe digital collapse in a normally orderly mind. I had a small error factor of about 5,200 when I came up with the number of 7.8 Million words written last year in the Tids. It was more like a half million, or to be exact, about 523,700 words, or about five decent sized novels. Sorry about my delusions of grandeur!

Wayne Rogers did well in a second career becoming somewhat of a financial guru, but to me he remains one of the funniest guys ever for his role in M*A*S*H. And who will ever forget his last appearance on that show. Another old favorite hits the trail beyond the stars.

Did you happen to notice that the network news programs had features on Natalie Cole’s death but barely mentioned Wayne Rogers.  Do you think the National News media is prejudiced?

I don’t know where Rhonda Rousey came from, why she is so popular and why she is mentioned endlessly in Internet news and Twitter or Instagram feeds, but it won’t bother me if it stopped.

And while we’re on sports reporting overkill, get ready for all Peyton Manning all of the time after his insertion produced a comeback win for Denver. That said, I think he handled his post game interview beautifully.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 37 continues…

   Fred felt his legs turning to the proverbial jelly. All pretense of a positive confidence posture was leaving him like sand crabs at low tide. He took several deep breaths and tried to stand up a little taller, but he could see in the eyes upon him that they knew he was a goner. Intimidators know their stuff. “I’ve been helping you every way I could,” he finally said. He wondered what his words sounded like.

   All he saw was a smiling Rackovic, a smile that definitely said, sure Fred, sure, you’ve been great. Suddenly he felt his arms being drawn back and he found himself being held in a position he had never ever experienced. It hurt like hell, and he could feel the urge to let loose some tears. But, he had to hold back. God, what were they doing to him. He heard a whisper through bad breath into his ear, “That was for Charlie.”

  “You see Fred,” Rackovic started, “our guys here are very upset about what may have happened to their friends.” He looked up and held Fred’s eyes. “What you can do for us about the casino and our other plans for your town don’t mean much at all anymore.” Suddenly Fred felt himself being driven across the room and into a wall. He only saw black as now new pains traveled rapidly from his head down through his jaw and shoulder to his toes. Then arms let go and he fell into a clump.

The Answer:

1. Among his 0ver 90 films are Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Deer Hunter, Deliverance, Bonfire of the Vanities, Witches Of Eastwick, (The super flop ) Heaven’s Gate, Surgarland Express and the Long Goodbye. 2. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was born in 1774 in New York City of the British Empire, and went on to Emmitsburg MD where among other things she founded the Sisters of Charity. 3. Mass murdered Joseph Stalin was 1942 Time Man Of the Year. Time began it’s naming of most influential persons in 1927 and in addition to Stalin, it has included serious world ogres Adolph Hitler, Nikita Krushchev and Ayatollah Khomeni. (The Khomeni selection produced an enormous backlash in the USA, and since the mag has soften its selections.) Actually, the Time list is an interesting amalgamation ranging from the villains above to groups like Ebola Fighters to all Presidents since 1927 (Excluding Silent Cal, who didn’t make enough noise to get in. The man/Person of the Century was Albert Einstein followed by FDR and Ghandi, who originated the ever-popular Gandy Dancers Ball. https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-006&ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-tyc&p=pu%20tube%20gandy%20dancers%20ball%20song&type=

Have a great New Year starting right now!

Whoops! China market collapses. Iran and Saudi Arabia draw lines in the sand. And the President of the USA will be talking today about getting around the representatives of the people, Congress