The courageous are just around the corner.

Today's Tids Issue 3,880

For the Battlers:

I’m in those years when I leap into the air to click my heels together and don’t quite get there. I feel good, factoring in that aches and pains are natural now. Then, I think of so many other people, people who fight battles each day so foreign to my petty grievances. Everyday people are heroes too. Men and woman and children who look up, only to see up further away, I can’t imagine the struggle to keep hope alive when there doesn’t seem to be any in the neighborhood. But, somehow, I have seen how they always reach down to find something many might never have known they had. My hearts is pounding, my brain racing as I type this. For I know there are friends and complete strangers who are in personal wars with sometimes indecipherable demons. There is fear and apprehension. And I believe there is always something else in all the everyday heroes. Grim determination, resolute courage. I hope I can find it if I need it. Aches and pains – Pshaw!

Thanks, everybody for the many good wishes you all sent along. I wonder if my fingers will still work when I’m in my nineties. Or will I just dictate to Siri or Esther or whoever is the AI body-less voice of the day.

Disney Parks’ attendance is in decline around the world, except in their Shanghai operation. Does this mean that parents wallets are shouting louder than the “pulleeze, pulleeze, pulleeze Daddy, Mommy”, kids? The costs have become huge, compared to overall wages keeping pace. Is going into debt so kids can keep up with the Jones Junior a thing of the past? Everything is cyclical, and often newer generations are opposite of the past.

The Question;

Quick now, name the counties of Central America. Hint: There are seven.

The Headlines:

--Week Opens Mixed, Q1 US Productivity Falls; New Uncertainty Over Middle East Stability And Oil Affecting Stocks Trump Bids To Privatize Air Traffic Control..

--5 People Killed In Disgruntled Worker Shooting At Orlando Warehouse.

--Trump Blasts Own Justice Department, Courts On Watered Down Travel Ban; Tweets More Than Like Hurt His Case..

--Bomb Scare At Turin Italy Soccer match has Fans Scurrying For Exits Injuring 1,500.

--Arab Powers Cut Ties with Qatar.

Powerful India Rocket Launches Satellite Into Space; Success Puts India In Middle Of Space Technology Competition.

--Left And Right Extremists In Portland Protest Marches Found To Be Armed With Hatchets And Crowbars, Clubs, Mace, Knives, Hammers and Brass Knuckles; Black Clad “Antifa” Left Activists Attack Flag Clad Right Wingers.  

--Putin Controls Meghan Kelley’s Premiere “Sunday With Meghan” Series.

The mood of the country can be controlled by the tenor of the press.

That is, if the press ever wanted to go neutral and help out.

I saw an interesting chart the other day. It showed the almost obscene increase in the administration segment of the US Health Care system. The cost of doctors and even high priced equipment has gone up, but negligible when compared the cost of creating paper. Has reporting information become the most important part of healthcare? How easy would it be to rid the system of it, if government and ether payers simplified their demands and mandates. And then there is the big legal cost question, which innately produces sizable, added cautionary expanses. I criticized ObamaCare when I saw no mention of Tort reform of any kind ,If they were serious about producing a more cost effective HealthCare system, tort reform must be looked at. And now I have to  say the same about HCII and HCIIa. Why do these people keep on trying to fool us. We are paying more for a man-eating bureaucracy and the retention of a bloated legal system. Stop that, and see how a health care system can work efficiently,

Trump was thinking seriously of invoking “Executive Privilege” to bar Comey from testifying.  The old “where there’s smoke there’s fire” axiom would just explode into a roaring inferno if he were to nix Comey.

Hitting another new low, now Kathy Griffin following the Hillary escapism model – Playing the victim.

When do you think that Rex Tillerson will resign?

One thing I just don’t get. How does the Cialis two tub theory work?

My biggest current personal conflict arises when choosing between Lay’s Wavy and Ruffles

I’m getting older and should be wiser, but there is still one thing I don’t understand: Exactly how does the Cialis two tub theory work?

It’s too bad that Erin Hayes is leaving Kevin can Wait. She was a good comedic actress.

Tip for the diet conscious snacker: Puffy Cheetos are lighter than Crunchy.

Jimmy Pierson the former Red Sox hyper active outfielder of the fifties, could have been and excellent ballplayer, but became known for something else. People loved to laugh at him, maybe some not knowing his deep dark struggles. But in the end, he learned much about his Bi-Polar problems and through intense, often painful therapy normalized himself. And more. He set out to help other people understand the totality of mental illness. He died yesterday. He played a good game.

The Answer:

Mexico isn’t one of them. They are Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala, el Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.

You would think after waiting longer than usual for the Tids that it would be good! Hey, I’m older, slower.

See you all tomorrow.

Where is Joni Mitchell when you need her?

Today's Tids Issue 3,879

For multi-colored sprinkles.

“According to a new U.N. report, the global warming outlook is much worse than originally predicted. Which is pretty bad when they originally predicted it would destroy the planet.” –Jay Leno.

Stop! Before you read another word, go out and buy a friend a doughnut. A cream filled, chocolate topped donut would be nice if you’re in the neighborhood! Happy national Donut Day everybody!

I don’t know much about the Paris accords. Most noticeable to me yesterday was that as usual the media only reported one side of the story, and I know for sure there are two sides. Now, honestly, I have no clue as to whether or not Trump had a point, but I heard many a learned person leading up to and post the announcement saying the accords were economically bad for the US. The fact that the liberal left is so upset about this dent in their march to global wealth redistribution leads me to believe that there is a chance we can, and should re-make a climate change agreement a little more rational for all.

If James and Durant, and Love and Thompson play even, then the NBA playoffs is really about whether Curry is better than Irving. Or, is that too simplistic.

The Question:

Newsmax has announced The Top 100 Most Influential Libertarians. Name the top ten. Bonus: Who was the first American to break the four-minute mile

The Headlines:

--Markets Open Higher Even As Job Creation Numbers Miss Estimate; Unemployment Rate Hits 18 Year Low; Paris Decision Had No Effect On Markets.

--US Meal Kit Service “Blue Apron” Files For IPO.

--Laptop Fire On Jet Blue Heats Up Laptop Ban Discussions.

--Trump Expected To Ask  SC To Look At Travel Ban.

--Harley To recall 46,000 Bikes Due to dangerous Oil Leakage.

__ Mount Everest Climbing Officials To Institute New Monitoring Techniques To Stop Lying By Wannabe Summiteers; Many Instances Of Photoshopping Their Appearance On Top Discovered.

I have an idea for Planned Parenthood. Why don’t they help people to plan for more baby deliveries in June, thus more happy, understanding Geminis and harmony in the world. How great is that!

Yesterday, the Cleveland Browns made a trade with the New York Jets, and the world yawned.

Fruit goes bad. Cheeto’s don’t.

Killington, the big ski resort in Vermont, announced this morning that for the first time ever they had skiing in June. Probably to celebrate the Paris accords.

Get this: Kathy Griffin is suing the Trumps for being bullies. Do I still live on the same planet? And people wonder what “make America great again” means!

Hillary is re-emerging as the fly in the ointment, not that Trump can’t do that all by himself. Is her new strategy to make herself look more deplorable?

Why is the press considered a valuable watchdog when they rarely report both sides of a story so a public can make an informed decision instead of solely an emotional one?

Spell-Check Still hasn’t recognized Trump.

Reading Between the Lines Movie reviews:

--Wonder Woman could be the blockbuster of the decade. Critics and audiences love it. The Amazon Princess living perfectly on a women only island has her life interrupted when a pilot crash lands. She learns that WWI is strangling the planet, and uses her super powers to restore the peace. Well done, lots of excitement.

--I have no idea who Captain Underpants might be, but his “First Epic Movie is opening. CU, they tell me, is a worldwide sensation. Two imaginative mischievous students hypnotize the school principal into believing he is a mindless superhero Captain Underpants. This animated movie will do well.

--I, Daniel Blake is new Cannes winning film by super director Ken Loach. A gruff but good man lives in a world that used to be. He is a widow, a woodworker, and has never owned a computer. Living comfortably by his common sense and strong moral code, this is all  interrupted by a heart attack, Now unable to work, this self reliant man rebuffs the Welfare system and finds a struggling woman with two children, and life changes for both. Well done with humor and kindness.

--In “Dean” a young illustrator, and his father have problems atfter the death of his mother, his wife. Dean Moves as far away from his sadness as possible, NYC to LA, while Dad sells the Home. Setting out on new paths is not as simple as it might be, especially when love interests enter the scene.

The Answer:

First the list developer notes that they chose to omit less credentialed Libertarians Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Howard Stern. #1 is Ron Paul. He is followed by Rand Paul, Thomas Sowell, John Stossel, Charles Koch, David Koch, Gary “Where’s Johnson, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Ed Crane and Steve Forbes. ( Forbes list ahs him #1). Some Other notables are Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, Clint Eastwood, magician Penn Jillette, Drew Carey, Tom Selleck and Glenn Beck. Incase you are interested, #100 Joel M. Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Value management. He is credited with developing economic value added (EVA), considered the fourth financial statement in corporate finance. Bonus: In 1957, Don Bowden was the first American to break the barrier.

I could be a conservative libertarian. That’s like a libertarian with a few added rules to follow.

Have a great weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!

Empty headed and happy.

Today's Tids Issue 3,878

For Looking for the Good in People:

It’s June! And I love June. Maybe it’s because of Gemini’s. You know, those happy go lucky Twins. You know Gemini’s, defined as communicators, charmers, team players, and having the unique ability to see opposing sides. Hey, “seeing both sides”. How great would that be for our currently distressed USA. Gemini’s for Government. Over the years I have welcomed June in many ways --  perhaps at times overusing “oon” adjectives and nouns. You make me swoon, so let’s spoon under the moon and get loony. Yes, this is the month Brides and empty wallets for parents. The last days fo school for kids, and hen vacations and camps -- and parents empty wallets.. But most of all it is the quintessential relaxing month, the month of Geminis, and everybody else with a smile in their hearts who will enjoy being entranced by the Twins gleeful magic! Enjoy it.

Why does somebody feel it is necessary to release the police tapes of Tiger Wood’s arrest? For the benefit of  a voyeristic America? So TV and newspapers can sells subscriptions? Why do we insist on further embarrassing a man already ridiculed by his police pic, and many written reports and comment on news, sports and gossip shows. Is kicking people when they are down the new American pastime. If we continue to tear down reputations of every body and institutions, there will be nobody and nothing left to believe in, to respect, to admire. I’m tired of all this tearing down people. Of unfunny comedians, of inconsiderate reporters. Do people enjoy tearing down the successful because of envy and jealousy? Is that it? If it is, it is a sad commentary on who we all are. Up With People. We need it more than ever.

It’s about time for country lanes and orange day lilies.

The Question:

ESPN just released their list of the World’s 100 Most famous Athletes. Name the top 10.

The Headlines:

--Stocks Expected to be in “Wander”Land As Financials Hurt And Oil Confuses; Fed’s Williams Bullish On Economy – Expect More rate Hikes; Uber Posts $708 Million Loss.

--Trump to Announce Paris Decision At 3:00PM.

--China And US Talking About NK Sanctions; China Using Back Channels To Suggest NK Easing Of Missile Tests.

--High Taxes In Connecticut Forcing Another Move By Giant Company; Aetna To Follow GE Across the Border After 150 Years In Hartford.

--WH Layers own On Knees Begging For Less Tweeting.

--Japan Military begs Major Drill; Join US carriers With Eyes Towards NK.

--Obama’s Pick Up DC Mansion Fr $8.1 Mil.

--Griffin Fired By CNN.

This constant barrage against Trump does not bode well for future US presidents of all ideologies, unless, unless psychotic pixie dust could be is sprinkled upon the stilted minds across our vigorous landscape. Let’s face it if the Dems (Mainly left) are successful in circumventing an honest election and force Trump out of office, and then Pence, and then Ryan, and so forth, you can be sure The Repubs will respond when a Dem prez is next elected. This is a very bad un-American trend, not accepting elections by the people under the election laws of The Constitution. A chaotic America is not good for the world, an certainly not itself.

Food Tip from the Tid’s Kitchen: Our ever observant chef sends in this hint -- “If you add coconut oil to kale, it makes it easier to scrape it into the trash.” The Tids is on your side.

Once they start whittling away at the AGT roster, I’ll be watching again and giving you my predictions. How great is that! I get real tired of the judges and the MC’s antics, but the talent can be very good. Earlier this week, the 12 year old ventriloquist, who the producers are building up as their first sensation of the year was excellent. Worth a check on YouTube.

How Typos change meanings, Department:

 A reader tells me my headline Typo of yesterday made a significant change in a News headline. For the Tiger Woods story yesterday, I meant to write “No alcohol involved.” It came out , “Now alcohol involved”. The gossip shop “Extra’ ran with it! It was better for ratings, and the had a source!!

You don’t have to have an ideology to dislike what Kathy Griffin did. You just have to be a human being.

On the other side of the human scale is Jennifer Garner, who I think would be a very good friend. Maybe I like her because she was a HS band member from West Virginia who made it big, while retaining a sensible outlook on real life. Well, that’s my perception. So, that said, I might march in my first protest supporting her as she roils against the new People mag story of her marriage and family. America would be a better place if we put a blankets over Hollywood.

Hillary said Yesterday, “Anti American forces are going after our economy and they are going after our unity as a nation.” She says it is Russia, I say the forces are USA progressives.

If you have more money than you good ever use, what do you do? You do what Howard Hughes did, you build bigger air planes in the desert. Paul Allen, Microsoft heir just rolled out massive plane bigger than the fabled “Spruce Goose”. But this one may fly. It is expected to be used as a launching pad for smaller more efficient sattelite carrying rockets. It looks weird to me. But the what do I know. He made $35 Billion and I didn’t. BTW, Richard Branson is doing the same thing and would be Allen’s biggest competitor in the new field of Low Earth Orbit. (LEO)

The Answer:

Just case you are interested, Tom Brady, the local superman is but #21. Tops is Christiano Ronaldo followed by Labron James, Lionel Messi, Roger Federer, Phil Mickelson, Neymar, Usain Bolt, Kevin Durant, Rafael Nadal and Tiger Woods. Woods may jump 5 spots on the recognition scale.

Here’s the deal. Build somebody up today. Look for the good.