Gag him.

Today's Tids Issue 3,857

For thinking before you speak:

Some USA observers say that flag waving has become gauche, not something necessarily to promote to achieve standing in proper circles, especially the within rising population of chic leftists. Look down on America, ferret out old sins. Unfortunately, pundits sometimes fail to look inside of the hearts of people, the vast majority of Americans of all races and genders and economic strata. They hear the critics and propagate the myths. Ignoring the greatness of this country and all of its vital contributions to millions here and around  the world. They forget the goodness of free individuals and the majority of the government that has reached down into every level of society with the hopes of lifting them up; at least feeding them today so they can prosper tomorrow. I know my heart feels with pride the full meaning of the Red, White and Blue. Our flag will ever wave, and those that would paint it black will know that the power of love will smother the venom of hate. Oh say canwe see… I hope so.

Donald Trump seems to be having love affair with Andrew Jackson, picture in Oval Office and all; so much so that now he is attempting to raise him from the dead. Yesterday in a newspaper interview he wondered why Jackson didn’t do more to stop the Civil war. He was dead, Donald. God help us. God help the Repubs.

Fomo is changing America. And not for the better. In case you aren’t familiar with this new popular term, it’s “Fear of Missing Out”. Yes, people have been known to quit jobs, lose loves, forget responsibilities, go into debt and pursue activities not necessarily good for them. It has become epidemic with the advances in social networks which can make relatively mundane  events look more exciting than they are. It produces an unhealthy sense of inadequacy. It leads to melancholy, boredom and insatiable need to see and do everything. Fomo is capable of consuming everybody, except old curmudgeons.

The Question:

Who was the first woman jockey in the Kentucky Derby? Bonus: Only four other women have ever ridden in the Derby. Name them.

The Headlines:

--Kim Jong Un Warns Region Of Nuclear War; Options: Diplomacy Through China, Economic Sanctions, Military Action If NK Attacks SK Or Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Becomes Feasible.

--Markets Look to Open lower; CVS Surprises With Strong Earnings, Merck and Pfizer Looks Great; Fed To Leave Interest Rates Unchanged.

--Merkel Meets Putin To Discuss Syria, Ukraine Crises.

--Russia, OPEC Oil Production Cuts Have Oil Price Rising.

--Former Trump Aide Carter Page Cooperating With Congress On Russia Probe.

--)Ver 40 Arrested In may Day Marches; People’s Climate March Crowds Leave Behind Mountain Of Trash.

--Microsoft About to Unveil Surface Laptop.

Protest marches are yesterday’s news. Can anybody tell the difference between one protest or another? To me they are just a gray blur, hordes of people motivated by revenge, boredom, loneliness and misinformation. As even the media turns them off, lets hope they are not motivated to achieve visibility by more fires and aggression.

Love is Blind. An FBI Agent translator who was supposed to interview a ruthless ISIS terrorist, instead fell head over heal in love, and married him. Love conquers all.

If you want to be able to understand headlines these days you have to saty up to date on Internet slang. One of the latest phenomena, to me, is “Catfishing”, where Internet predators fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into emotional/romantic relationships. He predators may be motivated by revenge, loneliness, curiosity or boredom. (See above) Women and men are discovering that happy relationships with online boy or girlfriends may be phonies. Fomo has people joining in, whether or not is it si good for them.

I see where the Hollywood writer’s strike was averted. That’s too bad. I was hoping for some better ones, scabs or not.

Getting rid of obvious criminals in politics is harder than it seems as many people feel that their personal criminals have a dispensation from laws because they are representing them.

Flaunting laws and reasonable rules is a new national pastime. Too many people have become too adept at rationalizing rules and picking and choosing laws not distasteful or inconvenient for them. Just yesterday, my good friend and I were playing golf with another twosome we didn’t know. They seemed like a decent pair. E were on a well-manicured, excellent, challenging but fair course. Over time my partner and I noticed that the other two were driving their carts well beyond the markers that divert carts off the fairways. One of the two said, “I’ve never seen markers this far away from the greens and I’m tired of walking. (How about for exercise?). Perhaps the markers were a little further away because of wet conditions, and he course superintendent was trying to preserve the course for another day. You know, like for other people who will appreciate it. The one, louder of the two, declared, “I’m never coming back here.” Thank God. I’m sure many of you have your own little tale of law and sensible rule flaunters.

Of course, I would have a lot of problems with Bloomberg forced nutrition laws.

BTW, speaking of rule breakers, I feel for the airline personnel who have to put up with unreasonable, rule breaking, selfish, inconsiderate and often totally out of control inebriated passengers, and that doesn’t include many who have no clue about civility. Call me an elitist. I love it.

I wonder why at times I look out and see my country looking more like a third world tin horn dictatorship.

The Answer:

Diane Crump was the first Kentucky Derby female jockey. She was also the frost women of ride in any pari mutual race, that at Hialeah. Being the first ever was not an easy task, as she was heckled so ferociously by the crowd that she needed a police escort to get to the post. Two previous potential first women jockeys were on tap to race but anger and “Rock throwing “ by male Jocks forced them to renege. In that 1970 Derby Crump was 15^th out of 17, but she was a winner all the way! Connecticut born Crump has a successful Equine Sales Business now. Bonus: The four other Derby female riders were Patricia Cooksey (14 Years after Crump), Andrea Seefeldt, Julie Krone and Rosemary Homeister.

I feel like waving the Good Ole’ Red, White and Blue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3Soeca99k&index=19&list=PL64CC3EBD34E165CF

Flowers and fuses.

Today's Tids Issue 3,856

For the first fine day of May:

Happy May everybody, the month of Mexicans, Moms and memorials! And for Catholics and Christians, the month to celebrate Mary. Horses will run fast and race cars will run faster. Tourist destinations will brace for what appears now to be another crowded summer. And of course, it is that time of year when people who like annoying music crank up the volume, open the car windows and drive into quiet enclaves. The good news is that we won’t be bombarded any longer with 100 Day analyses, and hopefully not by NK missiles. Despite what mysterious weather patterns may bring, we can be assured that we will be dazzled with the flowers artistic, grand landscapes magnificent; into which we can wander to diffuse anxious minds. Yup, may can be a good one.

Self-doubt can bring you from the brink of brilliance to the depth failure. I think of Brahms, who took 16 years to write is First Symphony. Some accounts say that he was too much in awe of Beethoven, the style of Ludwig’s Fifth; that mental block had him fighting through doubting the beauty of what he was creating -- which not sure, he continually over worked. But, when it was premiered it was pretty well accepted, and received support from many friends in the music arena. Now his four symphonies rank with the best of all symphonies ever written. But even a master like this third of the “B’s”, worried that he couldn’t be good enough. So, that’s why I think of Johannes, when I’m thinking this Tids, or some short story or novel sucks. You never know what you got until you go out there barefaced before he throngs and do it.

By the way, if Froma Harrup can have a weekly national column then there is hope for all of us hacks. The successful are often not the most talented, but those with the least fear.

Speaking of Fear…

Backed into a corner, Department:

While some say we are doing well with China with regards to the NK affair, the China UN rep certainly didn’t back up Tillerson last Friday. We seem to be fencing with a lot of devils. When was the last time the USA faced something like this? As I explore my aging mind for other war on the precipice moments, I don’t believe there are many parallels in history. Kennedy against Russian missiles in Cuba? Maybe. We weren’t hanging out there before WWII like we are now for what could be #3. While Kim probably can’t unleash a nuclear Armageddon, he has the distinct capability of taking out 30,000 American soldiers, destroying Seoul and perhaps reaching deeply into Japan. Lots of nervousness in this big stakes game of chicken. And what about Kim? Is this now boiling down to his ego being disrespected? Is that the real issue? We can only hope that his elders will advise him to talk to the US and China. “They really like you Kim”. You know Kim has now reached 27 years old. I know some pretty thoughtful, mature 27 year old’s in the US.

Isn’t it interesting that the Japanese managed to move an entire naval force across the ocean in 1941 and nobody knew it until the first bombs fell and machinegun’s strafed? But today, we can see everything within a nano second or so. And, it is even scarier.

Today when somebody shouts, “Light up!” – everybody turns on their phones.

This modern day fascination with anything celebrity is creating a lot of very bad entertainment that is raking millions.

The Question:

Aretha Franklyn’s great R-e-s-p-e-c-t was a cover of a song of what well Known singer? Bonus: What famous world conqueror killed 10-40 million innocent people during his reign? Super Bonus: Name 2 films for each of these three movie directors.

The Headlines:

--Congressional Leaders Agree To A One Trillion Dollar Budget…for Four Months; Wall And Anti Sanctuary City Monies Voided.

--Market Futures Indicate Positive Day In Wall Street.

--14 Killed In Weekend Storms. In Midwest and South.

--Trump Slams Constitution; Says System Of Checks And Balances Archaic; Priebus says Admin Looked At Changing Libel Laws That Protect Journalists; White House Reiterates Trump Promise Of Getting Rid Of Loop Holes For Hedge Fund Managers...

--Pope Warns Of “Broad Destruction” If NK Tension Escalates.

--Trump Tells Big Crowd In Harrisburg He’s Happy To Be 100 Miles Away From Washington Correspondents Dinner; WCD Takes On Somber Mood Praising Work Of Journalist – “We Are Not The Enemy Of America”.

--Great Swiss Mountain Climber Ueli Steck Dies In “Mountaineering Accident” Near Everest.

--Grading Trump Economic Contributions: Wall Street A, Main Street B.

--US Soldier Killed In Iraq: Third American To Die In Week.

--Wanton Mayhem: Casual Gunman Shoots 8 Killing One At San Diego Pool Party; Four Dead In KC Home Shooting; Policeman Knocks On Detroit Home Door, Shot In head; Auto Plows Into 8 Walking Near Florida Home..

So momma Orca pulls little baby orca aside and says, “Now, you stay here and watch closely, I’m only going to do this once.” Then she swims over to the other Orca mommas and they proceed to separate a junior gray whale from its Mom and then kill it within 20 minutes. No, these moms are not playing Mahjong, they are doing what Killer whales do! And to think everybody got upset by putting these creatures into captivity when they could be out there snuffing the world’s grey whale population. But then, Orca lovers say they are almost human. Hmmm…maybe they are. Check out killing for fun on FaceBook and YouTube. Crazy.

I’m not so sure about the mental capability of US sports fans either. A headline touting CBS Sports app stories of the moment says, “Watch Isiah Canon trash-talk Isiah Thomas>” Say what? This is something to be devoured, emulated and treasured. Where are we going. No wonder ESPN is in trouble -- they have survive the digital appetite for continuing coverage by reporting on drivel like this

The Repubs convince everybody of how dangerous the world and neighborhoods can be so people will look to them for protection. The Dems convince people how needy, helpless and dependent they are so they can feed them and regulate their lives. That’s about all that politicians do.

From what I’ve been seeing sprinkled across newspaper “Home” sections and in commercials associated with those home rehab shows, ugly furniture is coming back.,, starting with Ellen.

What I believe we are seeing is huge effort to assure a Dem Congress in 2018. Little about what is going on is about protecting people or USA progress, but regaining pawer. Many in the media seem gleeful, unfortunately, about the potential for a failed presidency. The Congressional Dems will limit as best they can success by the Repubs. And, sell the idea that the people need a Dem congress for protection from Trump. The media will agree.

Watching Trump speak extemporaneously is I imagine like it would be if I had ever watched any episode of “Housewives of…(Name your trash)” Get off the size of the crowds already.

I have never been able to hold off sleeping during a Haydn Symphony. He must have known about the insomnia effect of his works. In fact, his “Surprise” Symphony was an attempt to wake up audiences by inserting a sudden Tympani explosion after a soft passage. But, his idea of a musical explosion should never be confused with Tchaikovsky. But I have to say that his Choral Piece “The Creation” is wonderful music to ears. Darwin would probably not agree.

100 people a day die from opioid OD’s. What’s that, about 36,500 Americans leaving this world because the need to get higher? This pattern of needing to seek out new highs must start somewhere. Anybody have any ideas?

If Trump is supposed to be so smart, why is he at war with everybody he needs to help him?

I don’t like Beethoven’s first Symphony because it sounds too much like Mozart.

The Answer:

Aretha’s version of R-e-s-p-e-c-t is the greatest, but Otis Redding did it first. Bonus: Genghis Kahn may have been the most powerful and successful conqueror in history, but he was also among he most ruthless, killing people at will and not just in the course of battels. Super Bonus: Jane Campion is a seriously feminist movie director/mogul now director of the Canes Film Festival. Her fist big film was the Piano (Bored me to tears). Ts new Zealander also gave us An Angel at My Table, Portrait of a Lady and In The Cut. Lars Von Trier has won many Cannes awards for films like Dancer in the Dark, The Idiots, Breaking the Waves and The Element of Crime. Allen Arkush directed one of the true cult hits, at least among many male golfers – Caddyshack. He also did Hollywood Boulevard and Elvis meets Nixon. He directed many excellent TV shows like Fame, St. Elsewhere, Moonlighting, LA Law and Parenthood.

Some feminists seem to exhibit surprise that woman can walk upon any stage with any one. I’m don’t. It must be some kind of martyr thing.

Well here we are again in May, when kids firmly believe that school is actually coming to an end. Yes, there’s something special about May into June and September into October. I can’t put my finger on it, but I can feel it. Enjoy it. Turn of the news.