Showdown

Today's Tids Issue 4,417

Watching Chaos...sadly:

“If the English language made any sense, lackadaisical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers.” – Doug Larson

Roses are Red

AOC is green.

What she’s said

Vents my spleen.

I’ve come to sense that people rarely remember what you did well. Or sometimes, that you even did something.

Politics seem part and partial to everyday life, That is if you only watch cable news and read national newspapers. But to most, politics is infinitesimal in the grand scheme of life events That is, if you have a life. Most don’t give whit about it, mainly react to other’s emotions – those who only see life through controversy. Personally, I’m more interested I breathing fresh air with a hint of ocean salt, and looking for excuses to do nothing and avoid responsibility.

The real reason President Trump wants to meet with Xi is to save the 4^th of July. Yes, nearly 95% of all fireworks are made in China – 0ver 70% of all professional fireworks. In addition, China is the biggest manufacturer of American Flags. If Red China gets its way Americans will waive the White flag and feel Blue. Zowie.

Opulence doesn’t do it for me.

The Question:

One of my favorite songs is “Twist and Shout “. It has been a hit for several singing groups. Who was first to get people dancing in the streets? Bonus: Elvis Pressley’s last concert was in which city – Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City or Phoenix. Extra Bonus: Name America’s all-time top bicyclists.

The Headlines:

--Mnuchin Positive Words On Trade Talks Has Stocks Looking Upward; Treasury Secretary Says We Are 50% There.

--Robert Mueller Says He Will Testify Before Two Congressional House Committees.

--New York Cabbies Facing Financial Ruin; Medallion Value Plunges; Cab Driver/Owners Looking for NYC Bail Out.

--Dems Eager To Watch beginning Of Big Primary Debates Tonight. (See Yesterday’s Tids for Line-Ups.

--Iran Looking For Excuses Not To Listen To America.

--Oregon Repub Senators Still In Hiding In Effort To Halt Climate Legislation; GOP Fiercely Opposed To Gov. Kate Brown And Dem Legislator’s Biggest Priority.

Have you ever noticed that home businesses selling on places like Espy are very creative in the way reconfigure cartons?

Some financial experts are advising clients to take a hiatus from matching employer’s 401K contributions, and use those funds to pay down debt. Is that a sign that some are warning subtly that a recession is possible and that minimizing debt wakes it easier to survive.

The most “American made Car is the Jeep Cherokee! And that company is owned by the Italian Fiat corp. The rest of the most American cars (Percentage of all components made here) are mostly Japanese producing in southern states with less union interference -- #2 being Honda Odyssey followed by Honda Ridgeline, Hinda Passport, Chey Corvette, Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon and #10, Acura RDX. The all-American Ford F-150 only shows up at #13 just before Honda Accord.

The sad NYC cab story could be one long, interesting Tid.

Now, I’m no financial expert but I’m getting the feeling that some in the biz think that the Dow and other indices are hovering near their tops, based on current fickle global conditions. I seem to write the s same reason for up and down movements every day – Trade talks rumored. This appears to me as more manipulative than actual. We’re near the top and we need to create trading margins. Dumber things a have been said about stock market flux, and now I’m joining in.

New England used to be the land of Rock-Ribbed Republicans. (I’m still rock-ribbed but fighting the effects of some hairline fractures.) Yet of the 6 states there is only one Repub left in Congress – Susan Collins of Maine. A good solid moderate. Voting Republican in New England feels hopeless. In Rhode Island it is apocalyptic. 

Note, Susan Collins has been repeatedly voted as the Most Bi-Partisan member of Congress. And she is in trouble now just at this point in history when this county of ours needs bipartisanship more than ever. To replace immovable ideologues. Unfortunately, Maine is now producing more ideologues than lobsters.

Personally, I find Megan Rapinoe annoying. And that was well before her current antics. I won’t be inviting her to my 4^th of July cook-out.

The Answer:

I thought it was first recorded by the Isley Brothers but they were the group that made it famous. The Phil Medley/Bert Berns written tune was first recorded by the Top Notes. After the Isley’s, the song was covered famously in their first album by the Beatles and then by the Tremeloes and The Who. Bonus: In 1977 Elvis gave his last performance at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.  Most fans left for their hotel with broken hearts. Extra Bonus: Greg LaMond is one American who makes the top ten world best ever at #8, after legends Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Jacques Anquetil, Beryl Burton, Eddie Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Sean Kelly. Other Americans who are well known are Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis, Tyler Farrar, Tyler Hamilton, David Zabriske, Davis Phinney and Andrew Hampsten.

Twist and Shout sounds like a good description for tonight’s Dem Debates.

Even if you can’t dance, you might get moving with this hump day interlude:

https://www.bing.com/search?q=You+Tube+Isley+Bortehrs+Twist+and+shout&pc=MOZI&form=MOZTSB

Life: Beware of the typos.

Today's Tids Issue 4,416

I can do it all by myself:

One of the things that the promoters of these idealistic societies always forget is that people are individuals at the core. Some are leaders, some like to be led. Some are dreamers. Some like to fight. One person’s monarch butterfly is another person’s walk-off home run or homemade quilt. Some are book smart and others learn it on the street. Idealism is a nice idea, if you aren’t dealing with good old-fashioned human beings.

I just read of three deaths from a series of rip tides in Florida. Do you think that because of all the whiz bang inventions and cultural changes that too many people have lost sight of how to take care of themselves? Forgetting that the power of nature is not a computer game. That there is no government bureaucrat regulating rip tides.

I start this thing every day thinking that as I approach about 90,000 daily Tidlets, there is probably not much more can say without repeating myself. But then somebody opens their mouth.

The Question:

Quick, name the 9 Supreme Court Justices.

The Headlines:

--Trump Adds Sanctions To Iran Specifically Targeting Ayatollah Ali  Khameini; Rouhani Says, “White House Afflicted By mental Retardation.”

--Markets Open Lower; Consumer Confidence Index Plunges To Lowest Level Since September 2017 – At 121.5 versus Analyst Expectations of Matching May Number Of 131; Powell Set To Give Economic Outlook Today.

--International Economic Bellwether FedEx Sees Slowing Of Global Activity; Company Is Suing USA Over Shipping Products To Banned China Companies.

--Nancy Trying To Temper Liberal Activism In The House.

--UK Foreign Minister Jeffery Hunt, Running For PM, Says He Sees No Way They Would Join US In War Against Iran.

--Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban On Immoral, Distasteful and Scandalous Words And Symbols.

--Italy to host 2026 Winter Games And Para Olympics.

--Japan And China Look To Strengthen Ties At G20.

--Questionable Penalty Call Helps USA Women Gain Final Eight With Penalty Kick 2-1 Win Over Spain

Bernie Sanders walks into a bar and shouts, “Free drinks for everyone!” He looks around and says, “Who’s buying.”

I will probably have to watch the Dem debates this Wednesday and Thursday to get a feel of the flavor of the attack meet for ensuing Tidlets. On the first day of this two-day talk marathon, the biggest polling “star” is Elizabeth Warren. Expected to add entertainment that night are Bill DeBlasio and Spartacus Booker. One-time starlet Beto O’Rourke will also be in that one. It will be interesting to watch Moderate Amy Klobuchar. The rest for that night are Ryan, Inslee, Gabbard, and Castro. Night two is loaded with front runners – Biden, Sanders, Harris and Buttegieg. Kirsten Gillibrand will try to reinvent herself once again. The rest for Night 2 are Yang, Williamson, Hickenlooper, Swalwell, and Bennet. They will be talking about 7 Issues: Health Care, Climate, Trade, Immigration, Foreign Policy, Race Policies and Personal issue priorities.

I’ll be giving flavor awards to the perceived winners with the tastiest comments. Top prizes being The Crunchy Cheeto Award for tangy responses and the KFC Gravy Bowl for silky smooth delivery. Other awards will be Puffy Cheetos plaques for hyperbole, Chester’s snacks for simple honesty, Utz Dark Russets for down to earth sincerity and Hollandaise sauce misleading answers. Hollandaise is best at masking bad taste. You got to make Dem candidates appear palatable somehow.

The last show of James Holzhauer’s run on Jeopardy was one the highest rated TV shows of the year. If you exclude NFL Football, it is among the true elite, beating out super finale Game of Thrones 14.5 Million to 13.6 million. 4 of Holzhauer’s shows were in the top ten of the highest rated shows of the year topped by the Finale of Big bang. In fact, Jeopardy is huge rat8gns winner all year long averaging about 9 million per night. People like what they like.

The media will be trumpeting this week of Dems taking to debate. Meanwhile the same press will be tempting Trump to take de bait.

I have the same problem seeing typos that I have trying to keep my eyes squarely fixed upon the ball in golf.

Speaking of not taking care of yourself, how about that new KFC Cheeto’s Chicken Sandwich? Of course, to me, that poses a conflict. Does Cheeto dust and rich creamy KFC gravy go together?

Is backing the supreme religious leader of Iran into a corner a good idea?

Actually, it would be good for Americans if one or two of the forgotten Dem candidates were to emerge from the mass at the end of the debates. Up to now the public has been force fed by a media picking up publicity releases from campaign operatives.

All of a sudden Google seems to have taken over my phone as all of a sudden it is sending me news blurbs from CNN. How did that happen.

Is President Rouhani a Democrat?

For the life of me, I will never understand the appeal of Joe Namath. But now that he seems to be in favor of Tom Brady being the GOAT, I’m taking a second look. I’m basically a hypocrite. Maybe I should run for President.

The Answer:

Now without looking up the answer I’m saying the Nine are Brent Kavanaugh, Roberts, Soto-Mayor, Ginsburg, Thomas, Alito, Kagen and the other new guy and the old guy. Ok Now I look it up and find that eh two metal blocks are Stephen Breyer and Neil Gorsuch. That Sonia’s Sotomayor is one name, that Elena’s last name is spelled Kagan and that it’s John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Clarence Thomas. Almost getting some of it right will never make it on Jeopardy.

Well, the early morning blank page took on a little life after all. Well, that’s my opinion. 

I just burned 2,000 calories. Hmmm, that’s last time I take a nap while baking brownies.

Out with Bullhorns.

Today's Tids Issue 4,415

Hey, we're just people:

I know lots of people from opposite ends of the political spectrum who are good friends and thoroughly enjoy each other doing things together. Humanity is much more than politics.

Delightful Discovery, Department:

I had a nice long walk on the beach last Friday. Nobody was there, like quiet days of yore. Only me and a seagull, and stones and shells of intriguing shapes and colors. Just me and the sea. It was raining. I’ve decided to only go to the beach when it is raining.  And, there is no charge for parking.

Compare that with listening to clutters of politicians stepping on each other’s liens, changing so-called deep-seated principles to gain a few extra votes, making promises they can’t keep, creating illusions of systems that can’t work…and you know where I’m going when things get stormy.

CBS New the other night did a little piece about the last graduate from the old school on Cuttyhunk island in Mass, almost visible from that walk on the beach above. It reminded me about what I have loved about Old New England since that very young age when I first became aware of what is truly beautiful. The simplicity, the quiet havens, the people going about their work. It’s one reason why I was rooting for a small island school, just off this island upon where I live, that was on the chopping block earlier this year. It survived. For now. But encroachment is the new normal, and it is not pretty at all.

The Question:

Who are these people: Diana Trask, Joss Whedon, Malissa Rauch, Joel Edgerton ad Selma Blair?

The Headlines:

--Trade Optimism Rises; Stocks Should Open Healthier; Wall Street Has Eye On G20..

--Trump Complains That His Aids Are Trying To Push Him Into War.

--Cash Challenged Connecticut Passes New “Mansion” Tax.

--Biden Says He Will Reverse Trump Tax Cuts First Thing After Winning; Sanders Intros Radical Plan To Erase Student Debt.

--Dems Make Their Case In South Carolina.

--Hawaii Morns Nine Killed In Fiery Skydiver Plane Crash; Pickup Truck Crashes Into Line Of touring Motorcyclists In New Hampshire, Killing 7, Injuring 3.

--Pen Pals: The Release Of Private Text Messages Reveals That Fox Commentator Hannity and Paul Manafort traded Hundreds Of Texts About the Mueller Investigation; Hannity: Everything In The Texts Has been heard On My Radio And TV Programs.

--Bitcoin Hitting New Highs.

Hillary Price suggests aspirin sprinkles for ice cream headache relief.

Do you know what I’m getting tired of? I am getting real tired of celebrities in TV talk show chats hawking books they have “written”.

Frankly I glaze over watching almost all celeb interviews.

Do you know what I always hated as a kid? It was the burning of the roof of my mouth with hot pizza. I still do.

It’s hotter in baseball parks now that all the fans have left.

Up in Massachusetts, some Pols are proposing “Guaranteed Income” for all. You have to wonder if that is designed to support the brand new shiny giant Wynn Casino that just opened this week. Yikes!

Changing Attitudes:

Americans, and probably all humans the world over, have always readily accepted new trends and reacted favorably to promoted hysteria. But there are signs that many of the recent national mindlessly accepted issues of the past are getting second looks. For instance, people are learning that Google is not a papal imprimatur, as it appears millions (Yes, millions) of businesses on their apps are fakes. Con jobs. And yes, some are questioning papal imprimaturs. The states are cracking down on bogus emotional support animal syndrome. Washington state and Colorado are proving after the time since Marijuana approval that it is not an innocent pastime but preying on kids seeking higher highs. “MeToo” accusations are not being accepted at face value as they had during the early rush. Society is not being cowed by mass support without investigation. In fact, counter suits are the new norm. It’s old pendulum concept of action and ultra-overreactions returning to common sense.

I talk here about local places I love and what they were and what I hope will be preserved in the future. I know that many of you have the exact same experiences in midwestern fields, western mountains or southwestern desserts, anywhere in this USA. I just hope you are inspired to spend time in places that are uniquely special and comforting. The first thing we have to do is get rid of Google Maps.

Is summer over yet?

It is often said that the naïve go forward without fear; that sometimes, those who think are blinded by knowledge.

I have always enjoyed the third movement of Tchai’s 4^th – you know that good ole’ Scherzo, pizzicato ostinato movement.

Scientists keep on trying to make robots look like humans. But, I observe many a human who appear to spend time trying tom make themselves look like robots.

A very good and likable local news guy named Jim Taricani died this morning, 23 years after a heart transplant. He was an intrepid investigative reporter going after the New England Mafia based in Providence and many crooked politicians. He was sentenced by a judge for not revealing sources. He was respected by all. I met him once after knocking a door of a home for sale near Salve Regina U – his. He was about as humble and pleasant a person as you’d want to meet. Sometimes you feel for people you don’t really know, because you know they gave back. they did their thing well. Note: Jim’s transplanted heart was still healthy when he died.

Taricani said that he had several offers to move to other cities. But, noted, that where else could he find such a steady stream of such a bread variety of cases to investigate! I guess he didn’t receive offers form Chicago or New Jersey.

One of the great musical mood transitions is going from Tchai to Chopin. From war to love.

I’ll tell you some things I will never forget. It’s all of these historic symbols and statues taken down or discarded in this era of cleansing history with a non-discriminating brush.

There are people who when seeing a beautiful butterfly only think of a creepy caterpillar. That’s why I don’t like them landing on my shoulder.

I thought people gave up using “air quotes” years ago. I guess some habits are hard to break.

It must be presidential campaign time. New Yorker Mag has revealed another person -- Hillary-supporter, Elle-mag-columnist, woman’s rights advocate E. Jean Carroll, who alleges she was raped by Trump around 1995. It’s odd though. She says in her tale that “Trump was among a number of men who forced themselves on her”, including Les Moonves. Actually, it’s tough to write about incidents like this because I will always first accept the pain of the accuser, and then look for the evidence and reaction from the accused, of course always innocent until proven guilty. In this case, based on history, it is certainly possible that DT was aggressive. But that must be juxtaposed against the timing of the release of information. But, I have to tell you in this get Trump, disparage conservatives era, I am skeptical of all sensationalism. And the real victims in these cases of possible false or inflated accusations are the women who have been seriously violated in the past. Your basic conundrum.

If it’s tourist season, does that mean we can shoot them?

There is an 1836 federal Law that provides for the return of revenue surplus to the states. Remember states…to which the Fed is beholden, and from which the Federal government derives all of its power. Today. the Feds can’t even spell s-u-r-p-l-u-s.

The 30^th horse died or was euthanized due to track injury in California racing since the December 26 beginning of the current season. I don’t know about you, but somebody should be doing more than it appears anybody is doing about it. But then, we’re talking about California.

The Answer:

We haven’t had our popular “Who are these people Q” in quite a while. Being celebrity challenged, I wonder almost all of time, are these people these. And sometimes I find they are more familiar than I remember. Today’s random selection, of which I have no knowledge until look them up right now, could be illuminating or Duds! If you remember “Don McNiell’s Breakfast Club” or “Sing Along with Mitch (Miller)” you have seen or heard Australian singer Diana Trask. As a newbie entertainer, she opened for Sinatra and Sammy D Jr. She was a regular singer on The Jack Benny Show. Her first hit was “Lover is another name for Fool”. She had a lot of hit country singles like “Say When” and “When I get My Hands On You.” Joss Whedon is a producer, director, screenwriter best known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He wrote the scripts for films The Avengers and Justice League. Malissa Rauch was Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz  on the Big Bang Theory. Joel Edgerton is an Australian actor best known for the “Secret Life of Us” and many other films like Black Mass, Red Sparrow and The Great Gatsby. He won the America Best Director Award for “The Gift”. Selma Blair has been in many films like Cruel Intentions, Legally Blond and Hell Boy; and TV shows like Anger Management and American Crime Story. She earned a Grammy nomination for her reading of the audio book, The Diary of Anne Frank. So now I’m smarter. You probably knew all this.  

America has never been about getting stuff for free.

I live inside my music and in my dreams.