World Affairs

President Trump is scheduled to meet with Putin on July 16th in Helsinki, Finland. This is the day following the World Cup Championship Game in Moscow on the evening of July 15th. The Russian team is still in the running in the group of 16. Putin will be on such a high flying the 545 miles to Helsinki after such a celebration.  And our guy may have a bruised ego after the chilly reception expected in the U.K. on July 13th. Hardly an even playing field but he is taking his wife with him for "moral" support. Nothing good can come from this.
tjs

Stowaways I

In the days of break bulk vessels, USL had the North Atlantic range well covered. On a westbound voyage, just before departure from Europe, several stowaways slipped on board and secreted themselves in hiding. They figured on a ten day voyage to New York and had provisions and water for survival. But half way across the Atlantic, the vessel suffered a mechanical failure and had to be towed back to a European port. By this time all of ten days had elapsed and our unmanifested passengers figured they had arrived at the Big Apple and came out of hiding and were apprehended by security as they headed down the pier. It's all about unintended consequences.
tjs

Lights Out

How now Dow Jones! This stock market measure

was introduced in 1896 reflecting the top 30 stocks listed. General Electric (GE) has been a member since 1907. But over the years the listing has rotated from steel and railroads to insurance and service industries reflecting the times. But now, next week, GE will be dropped from the listing - the last of the original firms making up the list. The times they are a changing - power generation is hurting - financial services not as profitable and surprisingly, their stock dividend has been cut. They say fame is fleeting  - but GE had a 110 year ride. BTW, for you stock market followers, GE's replacement on the list will be the Walgreen Group.
tjs

Human Interest

There used to be a saying in the world of merchandising "Does Macy tell Gimbel?" Macy's store in a Alexandria, Virginia mall closed recently and was abandoned and converted to a homeless shelter prior to being razed. A local woman who had worked there placing price tags on items recently returned as a homeless person. Little did she think she would ever have a second career at her employer's emporium. Coincidentally, the mall property is owned by the Howard Hughes Group, he the famous recluse, aviator, owner of TWA, discoverer of Jane Russell and builder of the Spruce Goose flying boat which now in a museum. It all seems like two civilizations clashing. But I can't stop thinking of that homeless lady going home.
tjs

Politics vs Religion

On the issue of immigrant children being separated from their parents, A.G. Jeff Sessions is quoting St. Paul's letter to the Romans. The last time St. Paul was invoked politically was during the 1950s campaigns. Norman Vincent Peale, a prominent minister, had used a reference in disparaging candidate Adlai Stephenson's qualifications. When a press reporter asked Adlai to comment he replied "Frankly, I found Paul appealing and Peale appalling." He was just warming up for his later jousting with the Russians at the United Nations.
tjs

Summing it up

It's one of the ironies of this Summit: That the casino magnate stayed home and the reclusive dictator went out and visited a casino. I'm sure he played the "RED" squares.

There has been much ado about the slick four minute video Hollywood prepared showing what N.Korea might look like in a future fantasy. It almost seemed like Trump was attempting to seduce Kim and reminded one of Matthew 4:1-11
where the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms in their magnificence, etc. But Trump ended up extolling his real estate.
tjs

Summit Trivia

Chairman Kim arrived in Singapore on a borrowed 747 from China Air and made by Boeing.

It was reported that he brought his own food with him. Did not mention a taster.

Then a pundit mentioned that he had a portable toilet flown in - something about not wanting his DNA to be discovered. If that is a lie it certainly is a wHOPPER!............Now on to the World Cup and give Putin equal coverage.
tjs