Have a nice day! And, smiley faces too.

Today's Tids Issue 4,132

For simple smiles 😎

I don’t have anything rapturous, curious, outrageous, intelligent or controversial to say right now, except, Good Morning. How are you. I hope you have a nice day! I know people who laugh at clerks who say, “Have a Nice day.” But you can see from that little twinkle in the eyes of many of those underpaid diligent workers that tells me they mean it. Giving a stranger little energy for the day ahead may mean a lot to those who have to stand and sometimes take the barbs of the disgruntled. So, giving a little happiness might make their backs a little straighter, the feet a little less achy and the heart quite a bit happier. So, have a nice day. And I mean it, as I believe so do many others who repeat that little phrase day after day. 

The Iran deal is a lot more than just Trump’s view versus Obama’s action. It is a sprawling international picture that involves China, Russia and Europe. It is an integral ingredient of internal Iran strife where hardliners are looking now to reformers for assistance in moderating citizen opinions. China needs their oil, but more so the country has become fundamental to their China Road western expansion. China workers are all over eastern Iran building infrastructure. For Russia, Iran is a military front in addition to a trading partner, and not simply because of the Iran forces in Syria. So, while political parties here bicker, the conversations between Germany, France and Britain with Russia and China; the US talks with China; the Russian alliance with Iran -- all intermingling, all reliant on the intricacies of individual discussions and negotiations. Someday I’ll find out what’s going on there. Personally, I think Iran is in the weakest position of all but has plenty of pseudo allies propping her up for many different and sometimes conflicting reasons. Right now, I see widespread inter-connectivity seeking commonality. Nothing is as it seems.

Broadway explains the Iran predicament, Department:

From Anna and the King of Siam: “I didn’t touch you. I shoved you. Why don’t you have one of your servants shove me back?”

“It is a Puzzlement!”

Hillary has become so political, that she has lost her ability to ever become an authoritative spokesperson.

The Question:

In what US city in 1763 was the first life insurance policy issued? Bonus: Who is Stefan A. Halper?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Looking For Another Good day As China Cuts Tariffs On Cars And Car parts.

--Godman Says That US Economy Is Strong Enough So That Equities Can Co-Exist With Higher Yielding Bonds.

--SK’s Moon To Brief Trump Prior Too Kim Talks.

--Zuckerburg In Europe For More Mea Culpa’s.

--Obamas Sign Multi-Year deal With Netflix; Couple To Produce Scripted Series, Reality Series, Documentaries and More; Obama Production Company Called – “Higher Ground”.

--Stacy Cunningham Named First Female President Of NY Stock Exchange.

One of the main problems with the Tids is that I often make these sweeping generalizations. And, I doubt if there is anybody more against sweeping generalizing than me. Like yesterday I referenced declining standards in America. Well, I believe that the bar has been lowered significantly. The problem is that by offering that broad-brush opinion, I may seem to be implying that everybody has been dragged down by the relaxation of stricter codes for good civilized living. In fact, I believe that that the majority of the people still strive, still love honestly with all their hearts, still are extremely honest, are still giving. The problem is that some tend to praise antics, the wrong accomplishments; snicker at someone trying to keep standards higher. And that’s what gets the attention, the spotlight.

It feels like we are half way through summer now that I am seeing Movie promos for July!

Last night was the Finale for The Voice. Each of the four remaining contestants sang a “Cover”, an original song and a duet with a coach (Too bad, Blake didn’t let Adam sing with one of his two). I didn’t leap out of my chair for any of them. I think Iiked best the original song for Kyla about as well as anything. Britton’s own song was very good as was Brynn’s. Maybe most consistent for the evening was Spensha, how while not scream you off the stage outstanding, emitted soothing pleasantness. Kyla opened with another Beatle’s redo, but I just thought it was a screech session. She has so many beautiful tones, but last night they opted to put loudness ahead of versatility. In Britton’s cover, one of my old favorites Good Lovin’ by the Rascals, he reminded me of Pat Boone trying to be like the good early rock n’ roll singers like he was with Little Richard, but not makin’ it; especially with his awkward dancing. So, who is going to win? Kyla may deserve it for her over all body of work. And Spensha seems to have a following in the huge country area. But, I’m guessing that Brynn came through last night as the best and will beat out Britton for the Youth vote.

The iTunes sales had Britton Buchanan’s personally written original song, “Where you Come From” as #1 overall. The next TV singer was Brynn’s original “Walk my Way” as #3. Spensha had #4 with Old Soul and was followed by Kyla’s “Last Year” at #7. Brynn had a second tune in the Top Ten at #8 with “Skyfall. Also form last night there was #14 Britton, #18 Kyla, #21 Britton/Alicia duo, #25 Brynn/Kelly duo, #28 Spensha, #37 Spensha/Blake duo and #41 Kyla/Blake duo.

Democrats are pro-choice except on guns, trade, health care, schools, smoking, union membership, cars, plastic bags, food and light bulbs.

Swiss Cheese is recommended for Holistic diets. Shoot me!

The other day I asked a young adult who I know and like, “Who is Mike Pence”. She had no idea. So, when I see crowds of angry students yelling and shouting and marching in the streets, I have to figure that is a bunch of students who like to yell and shout and march, just as others like to play musical instruments or sports, or make scrap books.

Of the top 100 Colleges, 36 had openly liberal speakers and but 3 had the courage to bring in a Conservative. The fact is, it should be Neither. It would better with neutral speakers who would help these soon-to-be new denizens of the real world cope and understand that they have now the ammunition to make their own decisions, to see in their new communities through their own eyes instead of the persuasions of professorial ideologues.

There I go again, implying that all College professors are innately liberal and socialist leaning with their only goal being to lead children astray. Well, in this case based on a lot of evidence, maybe I’m somewhat correct. But, I will continue to have an open mind. :o)

As the many years go by, I wonder if people today realize that Tommy John did something else other than have surgery?

Patients should be able to bring lawyers to doctor’s offices before they sign those patients releases that tend relieve doctors of any responsibility contributing towards patient misfortune.

A principal of a High School in Cherry Hill NJ had to get on his knees and grovel for mercy after the black community complained about his reference to the happiness in 1776 surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence as a HS Prom motivation. I just tired of this injured feelings complaint BS where just about anything said can be manipulated into a “horrific” insult.

More and more people just don’t know about and certainly don’t understand the heritage of our Republic, a history which made it great among all countries in the history of the world. Just as they dou’t know that Tommy John was a very good pitcher before his Rotator cuff injury. He had a life time 3.34 era and won 288 games. He was pretty darn good, even if for a while he was a damn Ya, Ya, Ya…

The Answer:

The first ever American life insurance policy was issued in Philadelphia. The American first Life insurance companies were founded by Presbyterian Synods in Philly and New York and called “Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of Presbyterian Ministers. The first Modern Life Actuary was William Morgan. The word “Actuary” was created by Edward Rowe Mores who had established in 1762 the “Society for Equitable Assurances on Lives and Survivorship.” Bonus: Stefan Halper is a man who had been a well-connected GOP Admin advisor. In mid 2016 he reached out from his Professor job at Cambridge U in England to 3 Trump campaign advisers for talks about international events. At some point after that he began working for the FBI as a secret informant buried inside the Trump organization.

Hope your day is full of Good Lovin’, good fortune, good talk and isreally, really, really nice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB0bVXBH2K8

Talent. Love.

Today's Tids Issue 4,131
For Exploring your hidden talent:

Music is where you find it. It doesn’t need a 60,000 fan packed stadium or a sedate, solemn symphony hall. You might feel your foot tapping to the tones of a lone singer sitting behind a piano in a darkened corner bar. Or from guitar at a memorial service in a simple little white, spired church on a hillside above the sea.

Talent is everywhere. Not always in lights; nor on front pages. It is grandma playing a piano and little children’s eyes aglow. It is man sitting in his favorite room, a violin tucked under his chin. He knows he’ll never be Heifetz, but people who listen though open windows think he could. It's a bagpipe and fife and drum players in colonial military organizations. There are so many who never step upon the grand stage, who haven’t been anointed, but I know they could.

The Brother-in-Law Effect, Department:

The RI State Legislature is often a plodding, indecisive law making body. But all of a sudden in one week without even funding a special investigative task force, they are off to the races on all sorts of new ideas for gambling in the state. How did they get so smart about gambling so fast? Maybe they know someone.

Brook Farm revisited. The new ideological concept rampaging trough the democrat party is “Jobs for All” and at higher pay, regardless of what you contribute. Probably because they were one-upped by DT on the jobs front, the leaders of the old working man’s party are digging back into those eras of promised utopias for a unifying campaign strategy. The problem is that all of the Dem illuminati’s want to be known as the leader of the pack of promises full of free stuff for all. It is a first step in a potential trend which could lead to all jobs being created by The Government if not encountered by intelligent votes.

If either Meghan or Harry were historians, they may not have picked yesterday for their wedding. So, while millions were losing their minds over royal vows for life, others were commemorating the 482^nd anniversary of Ann Boleyn losing her head.

The Question:

Who came first, Aristotle or Plato? Bonus: For what famous “First” was electric car taxi driver Jacob German known? Extra Bonus: What were most watched TV series final episodes?

The Headlines:

--China Trade War In Hiatus; Markets Up Over 350 In Late-Morning; US And China Agree To reduce $370 Billion Trade Deficit..

--Trump Admin Looking For Harshest New Sanctions Unless Iran Eliminates Uranium Enrichment Program And Ceases Support Of Regional Terror Groups.

--Bernie Says Dem Leadership Missing Voter Mood; Voters Want Socialist Free Stuff Says Vermont Warhorse.

--Maduro reelected President Of Venezuela In Sham Election That Was Boycotted By Opposition.

--Gina Haspel Sworn In As First Female CIA Director.

--NE Pats Brady, Gronk Skip First Training Camp Days; Cleveland And Celtics Meet Tonight; Warriors Romp Over Rockets; NHL Nevada Crushes Jets. Lightning Leading Washington.

When you think About it, the looming possibility of a Nobel Prize for Trump, plays right into the negotiating plans of Kim.

I think I need to wait a lot more time

Ere I try to write more words sublime,

And also, attempt to make them rhyme.

In caution, so as not to look the fool

I’m enrolling in the local poetry school.

The perfect Crime Handbook: Step One -- Eat Cheetos before leaving fingerprints.

The big wedding yesterday reminded me that there is nothing better than a good ole’ protestant hymn heartily sung.

If you are looking for hyperbole, just check out some of the writeups on The Wedding. Hollywood stars aren’t American royalty and Meghan Markel is not carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. And I have seen many a “Most Stunning of Brides Ever” walking round here for Newport Weddings.

Overthrows start small, like perhaps people calling for Trump’s dismissal a day or so after his election. That’s how places like Venezuela work. Maduro’s emergence was the result of mob rule after Hugo left the scene. In México, 36 political candidates for office were murdered but those who don’t want courageous people trying to rid the country of drug empires. The press is often overly giddy about people marching in the streets, and people certainly have the right to voice their opinions on mass. But sometimes the crowds aren’t as big as they appear. Sometimes the shouting is not countered by evenly balanced, fair minded interpretations. And over time, little ripples of dissatisfaction develop into all-consuming tidal waves. And when over time a sensible society disappears, you wonder how you could have missed it.

Watching the Volvo fleet, sails colorful and billowing, hulls knifing though the first chop as ocean meets bay, sail beyond the horizon was a sensual thrill and a lesson about fulfilling what your talent demands.

Putting up “Wrong Way” signs to prevent motorists from entering exit ramps probably won’t work too well at eliminating 2:00 AM accidents, as the soused can’t generally see, much less read.

Tonight, is the Finale Of The Voice. Could be a good show.

I’m glad I wasn’t invited to The Wedding, as the post wedding chicken dinner didn’t seem too appealing. Maybe they had to cut back on food costs in order to pay entertainment from Elton John.

It was interesting to see General Electric and Wabco (Westinghouse Air Brake) looking to join in merger. Tom Edison and George Westinghouse were two of the early inventors. Their surviving companies, Westinghouse Electrics were fierce rivals and prime contributors to the industrial might of the USA. But interestingly, George loved his Airbrake so that he that he spent his energy on that key element of railway efficiency and safety, while letting others develop his electric company. And now Edison and Westinghouse are back together again. Something kind of cool about that.

The Answer:

Plato was Aristotle’s Teacher, and both were known as the “Fathers of Philosophy”. Bonus: On May 20 in 1899, Taxi Driver Jacob German was driving his electric cab at 12 mph in an 8-mph zone. A policeman on a bicycle overtook his cab plodding along on NYC’s Lexington Ave and Jacob became the first person ever arrested for speeding. He went to jail. Note: In 1904, the first ever paper speeding ticket was given to Harry Myers for going 12 miles per hour on West Third Street in Dayton Ohio. Extra Bonus: The number 10 most watched series finale of all time, was Home Improvement. At #9 we had Family Ties and then at #8 All In The Family, #7 The Cosby Show (Yes, that Cosby), #6 Magnum PI, #5 Friends, #4 Seinfeld, #3 The Fugitive and #2 Cheers. I’m sure you already guessed that the #1 All Time Most Watched Finale was M*A*S*H.

I listened carefully to the words spoken by the priest Saturday at The Wedding. I heard commitment, responsibility. I heard how integral marriage is to an orderly society. I heard that love often brings sacrifice, and sometimes real hardships, yet from which strength is nurtured. I thought, why aren’t more people rushing in into marriage to give to one person, which begets so many more. Is the prospect of commitment too hard in a society of lowered standards?

“Walk On, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you will never walk alone.” Humming yet?

Degrees of differences:

Today's Tids Issue 4,130

For bridging small gaps in human understanding:

A perfect scene of contentment is sailing upon a quiet bay in an old wooden catboat as the late afternoon breezes push wrinkles across the water.

The Volvo sailors will leave here Sunday for Cardiff Wales, pushing the bows of their sleek craft into ocean swells, reefing in sails before gusting winds. Grinding. Watching. Feeling. Looking for the edge. Body’s are pushed to limits. Hearts are filled with satisfaction. Eyes pierce the night skies, and open wide to morning suns glancing off the ocean roll that never ceases. And winning is all that counts; no matter the terror, no matter the hardships, no matter the pain. On the horizon, a land form, a harbor, a quiet haven beckons. But the elation isn’t in the journey ending, but the race to the finish. The fight for the prize.

Gas will soon become a noticeable, irritable household expense burden, and to many, the economy will look very bad. Just incase you are wondering what may affect the midterm elections.

You may never find tomorrow if you always think of the way it was.

The Question:

What was the Original Name of United Airlines?

The Headlines:

--8-10 Dead In Santa Fe Texas High School Shooting.

--Stocks Wandering As Brokers Analyze Economic News; Deere Profits Explode.

--According To WSJ, US Is Scrapping Plans For Military Games With SK; Concerns Rise Over Impact On Anticipated NK Summit.

--Hawaii’s Kilauea Erupts Massively. Smoky Flumes Reach Up 30,000 Feet.

--Second Possible Eruption: White House To Ban Funds For Clinics That Discuss Abortion With Patients.

--Trump Fully On Board With Kim Meeting: Pledges Protections For Kim.

--Venezuelan Military Discontent As Economy Plunges; Military Mum Tis Year on Potential Coup Plans.

--Suzanne Scott Named Fox News First Female CEO.

--WH Admin To Wage War Against Leaks.

--Crazed Anti Trump Gunman Arrested At Trump National Golf Florida Resort.

--Cambridge Analytics Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Lately the last thing

Lately, the last thing I tell myself to remember, is the first thing I forget.

The Preakness is tomorrow, if you can find it in between Wedding news. The favorite is Justify, which looks like a true Triple Crown Contender. At 1-2 he his followed by Good Magic at 3-1. The next of potential favorites are Quip 12-1 and Lone Sailor 15-1. The rest are Tenfold and Bavarzo 20-1 and Sporting Chance and Diamond King 30-1.

In the latest nutty professor caper, a University of Akron Info Technology program prof would give female students higher fake grades to make them more acceptable to information industries. What a terrible insult to females. U of A said nay to the play for pay by Liping Liu.

Surprise, surprise – Suzanne Scott, the first female CEO of Fox News, is blond! Who woulda thunk it.

It could be called “Fix” News, as the conservative station usually is on top of repairing misconceptions broadcast by the Main Stream media.

Many of you probably hadn’t noticed, but during the last ten weeks, lawyer and former Hilary supporter Michael Avenatti has been interviewed 74 times on CNN ad 56 Times on MSNBC. Just in case you wondered where the ideologies 0f Stormy’s legal eagle were perched.

One of latest news travesties is the reporting by many on Trump’s use of the word “Animals” to describe gangs that kill maim and rape. The media and also Nancy Pelosi have re-characterized the descriptive word by taking it out of context to infer he was talking about sweet moms and kids crossing the border illegally. That’s the problem with the chance of ever getting together. Many “truths” are like the axe that severs.

My fear of roses is a thorny issue. I don’t know what it stems from, but it seems likely I’ll be stuck by it.

Politicians always talk of something new, but when you look at it all closely, you have to ask why is that different than what we already have. Differences in reality are like the same present in new wrapping paper and gayly colored ribbons.

Separated at birth: Stormy Daniels and the new CEO of Fox News? It must be the blond hair.

“Oh My Gourd!”, shouted the farmer, as his pumpkin won the blue ribbon at the State Fair.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--The promos for The Book Club looks so-so and the critics and audiences agree. I’m not thrilled about the so-called “iconic” cast of Jane Fonda Mary Steebergen, Diane Keaton and Candice Bergen. Mary Steenbergen is Iconic?) But then Casts are rarely motivation for my movie going. But, Bergin does come off as the winner in this tale of 4 women in a book club discussing the Shades of Grey trilogy. And also, I rarely go to movie because actors are old talking about things old people talk about. So, I have built in biases about the film. Then, as I said in the beginning, most who have seen it deem it quite average.

--Ethan Hawke plays a middle-aged parish Priest at a declining historic Dutch Reformed Church in rural Upper NY State. Like many churches, the pews are empty here, but not at the mammoth church in the valley.  When a pregnant woman asks Hawke to council her “Radical Environmentalist” husband, he is confronted by his own tormented past. He finds redemption in violence. This has good reviews by all.

--The adventure style movie lampoon, Deadpool 2 continues the mirth as hero Ryan Reynolds battles ninjas, the yakuza and a pack of sexually aggressive dogs. In the end he wins his “World’s Best Lover” coffee mug.

The Answer:

The United Airlines began as, the brainchild of William Boeing. The “Boeing Aircraft and Transport Company” gained its early strength with one of the first ever Post-Office contracts. The current United and Boeing companies were an amalgamation of many companies that included Pacific Air Transport, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, their first passenger service – Stout air Services, Varney Airlines and National Air Transport. Out of this mess of companies and more  came anti-Trust lawsuits out of which came two giants of today – Boeing Airplane Company and United Aircraft (United Technologies).

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjOvglYEzcg

Dogs and salads.

Today's Tids Issue 4,129

For Italian Dressing:

My heart feels like it is leaping out of my chest right now. I don’t know why, but it is great feeling. You know how it is, when you just start smiling at something you see -- a scene, a memory, a name. And everything looks good, rain or shine.

Facebook, or something like it in the future, could become one big global nation. Don’t laugh.

In the latest chapter of my autobiography, “No Life”, I reveal all the techniques and the time I spend replying with pithy answers to Automatic Reply, “Away from the Office” emails. It’s a nice way to create friendships without encumbrances.

What’s the difference between beer nuts and deer nuts? Beer nuts are a $1.75, and deer nuts are under a buck.

Have you noticed, they’re back. Yes, the TV food, talk and news shows are loaded with new recipes for Summer Salads! God help me.

Hamas says that almost all of those killed in the Gaza skirmish were their own soldiers in battle – just in case you need a little enlightenment after anguished news casts.

The Question:

Who were the Traveling Wilbury’s?

The Headlines:

--Market Futures Iffy; WalMart Reports Above Expectations And Promises More Inroads in Global markets; JC Penny Misses.

--Senate Moves Net Neutrality Bill To House.

--Mexico Looking To Finalize Trade Deal With China.

--Happy Anniversary, Mueller Investigation.

--Mueller Tells Trump Legal team He Will Not Indict Trump, To Conform With Rules About Presidents.

--Markle’s Dad To be No-Show.

Did you see where Oil Companies are dropping the word “Oil” from their names so they can fool potential employees with anti-fossil fuel leanings. Do they really want employees who can be so easily hoodwinked by a superficial name change?

As far as I have heard, it’s Laurel. But, while I still scratch my head about little instances becoming world affairs in nanoseconds, there is a bit of message with this one. People hear things differently. In this case it is odd to say the least, but in general that’s probably because people aren’t  listening to one another but only thinking of what they will say next about themselves or their issues. Wives tend to think that husbands never hear them, and are prone to sending their beloveds to ear specialist, where of course, according to docs, the hearing in 9 of 10 cases is perfect.

Yesterday I read that Michigan State U had agreed to pay the victims of Nassar $500Million. I’m thinking, where does a State U find that kind of cash rolling around the quad. This morning I learned that they expected to get it from increased tuitions and state aid. Then I’m thinking how culpable intrinsically are large institutions whether public or privates for the dirty deeds of a deplorable individual in their employ? They’re culpable because that’s where the lawyers find the money. It’s a terrible thing what happened to young innocent girls, but now kids coming to that school and tax payers will have to pay.

Personally, I believe negotiators can accomplish a lot more in private without media blowing it in headlines and inuendo. There’s a time for transparency and a time for seclusion.

If a large majority of summer lovers are eating some kind of fruit, veggie, starch salad all of the time, how come they call it dog days?

How come when you go on vacation there is this pressuring feeling that you have to do something every minute of the day? But when you are home there is no pressure to do anything and you feel like you’re on a relaxing vocation?

Turkey seems well on its way to becoming the bad boy nation of the world. As writer Lisa Kennedy Montgomery puts it: “Turkey has become a shady, authoritarian, rights stomping, ISIS appeasing hellhole”. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

I want to get really, really excited about the Celtics winning the first two games against Cleveland. But, I know there is a distinct possibility of it all being fool’s gold. But it is tough to sit still, and even tougher to watch the last five minutes.

One of the real basic economic problems in US society is the continual growth of Fed, State and local employee functions. Even Ehen towns and cities get smaller, employee clusters increase. In the private sector, employees would be cut as companies dwindled, pure and simple. But in government, union forces have just become much to dominant for sensible cost-effective management. Take for instance, fire departments. Now we know these gals and guys are the bravest and the job is scary difficult and life threatening, but the fact remains that on average nationally a firefighter is involved in one fire every 22 days. And the incidence of fires is declining because that because of better building materials, alarms and safety rules. I think we need some kind of hybrid Volunteer/Professional fire department scheme. Feather bedding is back.

While Stormy, Mueller and Tweet-a-Mania hog the headlines, the number one subject of interest among Americans is – health care!

The Answer:

 George Harrison had this idea for an album. So, he called together his friends to start a band – Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. They recorded two albums. The term “Wilbury came from another Harrison recording session after recording errors were created by faulty equipment. George quipped, “We’ll bury ‘em in the mix.” After that Lynne and Harrison used the Wilbury (We’ll Bury) tag for any small error in performance.

Dogs eat greenery generally just before they vomit.

Here’s a story that’s a little far-fetched -- A man dropped a stick five miles away from home and his dog retrieved it. / Did you hear about the dog who when asked “Who’s Pavlov?”, answered, “That rings a bell.” / The Alaskan neighbor said the man’s dog was fat, but he answered that he was just a little husky. / Did you read about the female dog who a policeman ticketed for littering? / The dog’s glee was through the roof, roof.

London bookmaker’s odds say it is 4-6 that Markle will be late to the church, and 2-1 that the Queen will wear a blue hat.

Toys are expensive.

Today's Tids Issue 4,128

For Unencumbering:

Keeping up with the Jones is killing the Smiths. Every time somebody over-pays to be accepted into a desirable neighborhood, everybody who just wants to live comfortably in a pleasant neighborhood will have to pay up over time. The government says we have no or little inflation. Of course, that’s because housing is not included in inflations statistics (CPI). Maybe we will have to import our neighborhoods from China.

Well, you knew it had to happen. Things were just going much too smoothly between the US and the historically erratic Kim for there not to arise a possible stumbling block. Obviously, Kim feels he has given and is now looking for some “Good Faith” in return before the summit. It's called negotiating.

Thanks for explaining the word “many” to me, it means a lot.

I have been extremely busy doing absolutely nothing so far this week. I fact, this is the first morning where I feel I’m out from under any compelling time crunch. But, alas, I seem to have lost out in my quest for words to type. I guess they don’t call me “Panic-Man” for nothing – writing my best stuff when under time constraints at the last minute. This reminds me of college.

Music appreciation has always been in the ears of the beholders, and the music of today isn’t beholding to the ears of yesterday.

The Question:

How old were Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI when they got married? Bonus: Who was Pierce Brosnan’s co-star in the TV series Remington Steele?

The Headlines:

--NK Threatening To Cancel Summit; Revelations Unnerve Wall Street; Stocks Above Water After Early Morn Sinking; Macy’s Routs Sales Estimates And Projects Strong Rest Of Year.

-- Gina Haspel Passes Through Senate Judiciary Committee; On Track To Be First Woman To Head Spy Agency.

--1800 Pages Of Transcripts For So-Called Trump Tower Collusion Meeting Between Russian Lawyer Natalia and Donald Junior Shows No Indication of Any Collusion; Meeting Was About Adoption, As Young Trump Had Said Earlier.

--Powerful Northeast Storms Kill 5, Knock Out Power And Snarl Commuting.

--McConnell Prefers Inter Party Cooperation For Approval Of Trump Appointees Over Nuke Option; Senate Leader Says Cooperation Is Picking Up this Year.

--Guatemala Follows US lead And Moves Embassy To Jerusalem.

--Putin Walks Across To Open Crimea Bridge; Stray Cat Beats Russian President Across; US protests: Putin Answers, So?

--The Voice Final Four Selection Begins With Upset As Spensha Baker Surprises And Joins Favorites Brynn Cartelli, Kyla Jade and Britton Buchanan.

--Amazon Cuts Whole Food Prices For Prime Members.

--Carolina’s NFL Team The Panthers To Be Sold For $2.2 Billion.

An illegal is a sick bird.

In our long history, only two presidents have been impeached – Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. But neither were found guilty by the Senate -- Johnson winning out by merely one vote shy of the two third’s majority needed. Clinton needing 67 votes for conviction only received 50. The thing is, the wild crazier Dems can shout impeachment, but the chance of getting any president of office is minimal as long as the opposing party has less than 67 members. Rabblerousing works in loose cannon, third tier countries, but not in civilized Republics.

My Grammar-Check system seems to be having a bad spell today.

In case you are interested, the Housing costs are not included in the CPI because housing is not the price of something consumed because within that number is the capitalized value of future housing consumption. The fact remains, that people can’t afford housing today, so they will never understand the value of long term capital growth. And if wages rise to afford new high cost homes, companies paying those wages will necessarily increase the cost of consumed products. And higher mortgages sucks money out of current day consumption. So while you can make sense out of the explanation it is not necessarily common sense.

Christie’s International has revealed that so far this year there have been 36 homes offered for sale with price tags of $100 Million or better! It is a signal that the global wealthiest have gotten over the uncertainty associated with Brexit and the Trump Election. The most sought-after markets for the trophy homes are Hong Kong, New York, London, Singapore and San Fran. But, the hottest could be Paris, Washington DC and LA. How come Wash DC, which should be the model for Affordable Housing? Oh, it is? Yes, for lobbyist and retired lawyers.

Nobody was more in shock last night at The Voice results show than Spensha Baker after being named as the first singer for the final four. That immediately pushed the pre-show favorites one rung lower. And surely enough, one of the most consistently high vote getters, Pryor Baird, missed out.

Liberals often cross the line into the capitalist corner when they see their towns add whopping taxes on corporate sales and profits.

The first computer dates back to Adam and Eve. It was an Apple with limited memory, just one byte. And then, everything crashed.

Warren Buffet Sells stocks Seldomly but when he does it is for one of two reasons. First, to raise cash to buy something eh sees as having a better future, He will even sell at a lower price in order buy something even cheaper. (With $100 Billion in cash today, this does not happen often.) The second reason does occur more often and it seems more often in these times of rapidly changing fundamentals and landscapes. For instance, he sold IBM because he misjudged the company’s competitive challenges – or, “When your original thesis no longer applies get out”. In other words, don’t keep a company because it is historically simply big and powerful.

A North Carolina man lost his lawsuit against the city for whom he worked. While on a coffee break on a job he lit up an eCigarette and soon started coughing violently, so much so that he died. He died from his own smoking and sued the city because he was at work at the time. Shoot me. BTW, the court threw it out. Thank God.

Spell-Check says Unencumbering is not a word. But the way I see it, to go from encumbered to unencumbered, you have to go through the process if unencumbering.

There is no truth to the rumor that Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Loretta Lynch were seen talking to Kim Jong un about how to make Trump bend before the summit.

The Tids Economic Department has often suggested caution when investing in Chinese ventures. Of course, the problem being the enduring threat of surprise government interventions. I was talking to an ex-commodities trader yesterday who told me the sad tale of the demise of a one super successful grain transport compony Trans Coastal Supply. All was well until one day when a Chinese inspector rejected the grain shipment due to the discovery of a non-Beijing approved genetically engineered strain. Bingo: Company dead. Part of the problem was also that the company had dropped all of its eggs into the Chinese soup.

The Answer:

Marie was 14 and the King to be was 15 when married. So, basically the couple reigned in statuary rape. Bonus: I always thought Pierce Brosnan got too much of the publicity when I liked Stephanie Zimbalist much better.

No matter how much a wannabe tries, he or she can never afford a bigger boat than the people they are trying to catch.

I can afford to go to a gym, but I can’t afford the clothing you need to work out there.

Silent sounds.

Today's Tids Issue 4,127

To mellow:

I had a long walk in the fog this morning. Personally, I like fog. I like fog horns blaring, relentlessly warning. Baroomp. Baroomp. I like the way the settling mist blocks the sounds of human activity. I like the haze creeping over open fields; oer the edge of the rippling water line. I enjoy these dense mornings when people rollover and stay in bed just a bit longer. Fog is peaceful, caressing, loving. I own my little patch of the world when fog is my fence.

I am seeing increased activity to mobilize forces against the continuation of the Electoral College -- Probably starting in California where there is little regard for the stability of a well-conceived nation. California is a vivid reminder of exactly why the founders thought the college was a good thing in the beginning to blunt the power of large population masses. That’s called giving everybody a chance. Interestingly, The Hill only won 57 counties out 3,141 in the USA. Trump won the rest. In New York Trump won 46 of 62 counties. In the five counties of NYC, Hillary had an edge of 2,000,000 votes. Hillary’s national margin was about 1,500,000. The Electoral College allows people living in nearly 4 Million square miles of the country to be equal in Washington with those living in just 319 square miles – the total of the big cities. Failed socialist experiments have always grown out of the urban area discontent. Is that where we want to go?

There are a lot of Repubs becoming re-enthused as the early report of the “Blue Wave” in November seems to be peeling back. But regardless of the fact that the Dems Have no message other than hate Trump, or the fact that the economy many be doing quite well, and that there may be a new peace in historical trouble spots -- the fact remains, it is a mid-term election pure and simple, and things beyond logic will always happen.

The Question:

Some people think free speech can go too far. Give me five circumstances where this can happen.

The Headlines:

--Rising Treasury Yields Slow Stocks In Morning Trading; Retail Sales For April Look Squishy.

--Gaza Calm After Yesterday’s For TV Demonstration That Kills Over Fifty.

--Melania Trump Doing Quite Well After Kidney Procedure.

--Flight MH370n Experts Think Disappearing Plane Was Result Of Pilot Suicide.

--London Getting Polished for Royal Wedding.

--Black Man Thrown Out Of Cheesecake Factory Restaurant By Staff Fr Wearing “Make America Great Again” Trump Hat.

States with questionable economies like RI are having Aha moments, rushing to the possibilities of sports gambling. But, I do see some cooler heads in the state gov questioning the wisdom of building funding upon the backs of addicts. For those addicted to gambling, nothing will change because it went from illegal to legal.

The media asking Arab nations for honest opinions about anything Israel like yesterday’s US Embassy opening, is not unlike trying to get honest opinions about the current American President for the RI Congressional “Four” – even when he does something neutral and good for all. That is the problem with identity politics – you never get to the nub of the truth.

Google Is announcing more ways to use collected personal data to help users get more from their services. One of them is Google automated finishing of your sentences as you type emails. You don’t want to ask me where I come down on this latest intrusion into the use of my brains. I will boycott that for sure. Do we really need global homogenization of personalities? I don’t think So.

Google will say, it is good for us. But, they don’t know us, despite what their date shows.

Well, The Voice eliminates four people tonight. It’s a big night. Last night my favorite performance was “It is Well With My Soul”. by Caleb Lee. I also thought Caleb did quite well in his duet with Pryor Baird. The problem for an improving Caleb is that Pryor seems to have a larger base fan support group. Brynn led it off the show with a wonderful interpretation of “What the World Needs Now”. She will be a finalist. After Caleb, my second most enjoyable performed was the duet between Spensha and Kyla. I liked that duet even better than Kyla’s singing of “Let It Be”, which was merely terrific.  Probably number four for me last night was Britton’s “The Rising”.  Spensha, who I like, and who also has a good following didn’t quite make it last night. Jackie Foster started well but became too over the top for too many minutes. Pryor was his usual confident self, but I would prefer Caleb over him in the male Country competition. As I have said, Prior is a little narrow in his versatility. So, I’m thinking that Kyla, Britton and Brynn are in the final for sure. And the fourth sport will probably go to Prior, as My man Caleb is just coming on strong to late. He wait, a minute, I forgot my favorite, most entertaining, the happiest man of all Rashun LaMarr. I always enjoy him, so I have to give him the “Mr. Congeniality” Award.

When she first saw those first strands of grey hair she thought she’d dye.

In case your are interested, The iTunes best sellers were: Kyla Jade #2, Britton Buchanan #3, Brynn Cartelli #4, Caleb Lee #6, Pryor Baird #8, Spensha Baker #10, Rashun LaMarr #35 and Jackie Foster #46. So, there you have it. If the storm tonight doesn’t knock out power, we may get to see it all unfold.

Speaking of performers, the top Business Sector Stock star for April was Energy with a growth of 92%. That was followed by Information Tech 31%, Financials 26% and Industrials 25%. The question is, can oil prices continue to surge to push the Energy Sector along for another month.

Are you feeling blue? Yes cyan.

The Answer:

The people of the US think free speech goes too far when it incites panic and violence with misinformation. 2. Threatens physical violence against another person or group. 3. Uses it to limit somebody else’s free speech. 4. When used as recruiting for a terrorist group by espousing its beliefs. 5. When passing off “Fake News’ as the truth. Others: When using for slurs against a person or group, or espousing views to support hate ideologies.

The Tids has gone silent, finally. See you all tomorrow.

Cock-a-doodle-doo.

Today's Tids Issue 4,126

For scrumptious sausage egg sandwiches:

If this morn you feel cooped up and have this urge to go crazy and move your legs and bob your head, don’t worry about it. It is National “Dance Like a Chicken” day! Flail your wings and enjoy the irrational exuberance. If you are uninhibited, then maybe you can pullet off.

This is national “Police Week”. For starters, wouldn’t it be nice if the News media refused to show snippets of Police behavior in highway confrontations without clearly explaining what might have actually happened, instead of leaving it to inuendo.

Anxiety, and not rational order, seems to be in control of the stock markets these days. Consistent Q1 positive performance results are being superseded by looking for accidents, unexplained forces and upheaval leading to an overall environment of super sensitive caution.

I just finished an omelet for breakfast, but I’m still feeling peckish.

The Question:

What is Occum’s (Ockham’s) razor? Bonus: What is Hickham’s Dictum? Extra Bonus: What is “Lamping”?

The Headlines:

--As Tensions Ease In Global Markets, US stocks Could Go Higher Today.

--26 Palestinians Killed, 900 Wounded In Protests Over Moving Of US Embassy To Jerusalem.

--Pompeo Says Trump Looking For Long range Deal With Kim.

--New Volcanic Rumblings Cause More Evacuations In Hawaii.

--West Coast Citizens Concerned Over Increasing Activity In “Ring Of Fire”; Hawaii Volcano Could Be Building To Major, Violent Eruption.

--Suicide Bombers Attack 3 Christian Churches In Muslim Indonesia, ISIS Claims Responsibility.

--Chechnyan Knife Wielder In Paris Was On Police “Watch List”.

--Celtics Open Eastern NBA Final With Impressive Win Over Cavs; Basketball World Knows That It Isn’t Over Until Lebron Sits Down.

--Facebook Suspends 200 Apps In Data Misuse Probe.

RI loves to extol its favorite Sons and Daughters, but I have never seen a feature story about Stephen Calabrese. Stephen went to Moses Brown School on a leafy campus in the shadows of liberal Brown University. He went on to become a lawyer and renown law professor at Northwestern, Yale and others. Along with Ed Meese, Robert Bork and other conservative intellects, he with students of the early 1980’s was a Co- founder of the Federalist Society, and is currently the Director, CEO of the Yale Branch. Calabrese and others as students in the elite law colleges began the federalist society movement as a protest against the liberal Ideologies governing the teaching at those schools. Among the tenets of the FS, is “It is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be.”

The US Agriculture Department wants to dereggulate the poultry industry.

Wall Street Observers say that most risks are already priced in. So, what is the problem.

I’m already exhausted. I spent the morning tidying up the house for the cleaning lady.

I was rummaging around some of my old stuff looking for cufflinks for my grandson’s prom outfit when I came across a few old papers I had written 60 years ago on finance and economics. The first big surprise was that I found no typos! Zowie! Second, I learned that I was as big a contrarian then as I am now. In a surprisingly deep paper about dividends, I suggested that other than fraud and manipulation, dividends were the only avenue where earnings would reach the owners. In a paper about John K. Galbreath’s concept of countervailing power. I labeled it “Galbraith’s Myth”. And lastly, in a critical answer to a letter to the NY Times by economic wiz Seymore Harris (Before became Economic advisor to JFK and Lyndon J), I opened with, “Mr. Harris, who is obviously a Democrat, has listed a number of incidents but failed to support his remarks with anything substantial, other than is own personal belief in a schism aligned to the environment in which he thinks (Harvard)”. So, I’m glad I haven’t changed one iota, but saddened that I seemed so much more intelligent back then. Saddened also that what we are outraged at today, was occurring back in those sweet 50’s too.

Enough about me, but I just wanted you to know that this Tids thing is based on beliefs that must be resolute.

Dems will think this heresy, but some serious political analysts are comparing Trump with another man of the 50’s, H.S. Truman – as in two guys ridiculed and laughed at by the media and many Americans, who rarely listened to advice and often went against their own cabinets, but in the end produced a lot of good for the country.

Of course in the 50’s it would have been McCarthy to the rescue for sure after learning as we did this weekend that out in California (Yes, that California) a legislator has proposed replacing Washington and Lincoln birthdays with a May Day holiday. If you continually write-off America’s’ magnificent past, it is far easier to cripple a nation. Especially when the fastest growing population segment doesn’t speak or read a lot of English.

A pig was trying to see his house, but a sty got in the way.

In all the years I have been driving, I have never used the mechanism that adjusts steering wheels.

Actually, I should be quite conflicted as I come from families of dedicated Quakers and staunch Catholics. How polar opposite can you get?

Why did the chicken cross the road? To educate possums.

Just in case you have some Romaine in your fridge, you should be aware that May is national salad month. Take Benzodiazepines and throw it out.

I have enjoyed the Fx Show, The Americans. But, as we approach the last few episodes of the series, I’m thinking the writers are starting to paint an uglier, more ruthless picture of our favorite modern American family of four so they can kill them off without audience remorse.

Today is also National Buttermilk Biscuit day. So, at least this morning for breakfast, I’m in line with the eating trend of the moment.

There are days and weeks on Wall Street where it seems like the chickens are dancing.

60 minutes has always looked like a pawn for personal injury, class action suit lawyers.

The Answer:

Occam’s Razor “is the problem-solving principle that, when presented with competing hypothetical answers to a problem, one should select the answer that makes the fewest assumptions”. In other words, for a better chance at success, always begin with simplicity over complexity. Bonus: In the medical profession, Hickam’s Dictum is a counterargument to the use of Occam’s Razor. Occam would suggest that a diagnostician should assume a single cause for multiple symptoms. Dr. John Hickam’s dictum tends to say, “A man can have as many diseases as he damn well pleases.” What he has said is that in ten pursuit of a diagnosis, no particular diagnosis should be excluded solely because it does not appear to fit the principle of Occam’s razor. Extra Bonus: “Lamping” is hunting at night using off road vehicles and high-powered lighting to dim the senses of the prey. In the Urban dictionary it is the pursuit of happiness by lying comfortably on a couch in your underwear a dimly lit room. And, definitely squashing all urges to dance like a chicken.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from lame and outdated jokes and humans dancing like chickens.

Hopefully I have strewn a few seeds for thought across the global barnyard.