So far and yet so close.

Today's Tids Issue 2,234
Opening Stuff:

Driving down Broadway last evening, we came upon a traffic slowdown. Unusual for that time on a Sunday night. As we neared the end of the traffic line we looked towards our left a noted we were in front the Memorial Funeral home. And standing shoulder to shoulder along the walk in front were forty plain ole American citizens...with large flags in their hands. And, around the corner was a line of thousands waiting to get in to pay their respects. (A line I understand that had been like that through the day) Tears came to our eyes. It was for 22 year old Sergeant Michael J. Paranzino who was killed in Afghanistan by an IED last week. A likable young man with a wonderful wife and two children. He loved his Army. And people from throughout the Island showed their love for him and appreciation for his ultimate sacrifice.

My guess is that if US companies increase sales throughout Asia as 0-Man promised in his speeches, the products will be made in factories in Asia. Just as Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Korea do here. The nature of Globalism that so enchants our Emperor of the World fearless leader and his supporters is that jobs go where companies operate most efficiently. Pols who say they can bring home jobs can only do it if they get their union pals to cut salaries and benefits by half.

An Age Discrimination court case is a "Birthday Suit"!

Derek Jeter getting the Gold Glove for shortstops this year is like Obama getting the Nobel or kids in High School getting "A's" and "B's" and then having to take remedial English when reaching college. Is there any value left, or is everything just hype and celebrity?

The Question:
Which four countries hold the most dollars in the US Treasuries and how much? Bonus Question: Who was the women who in 1889 attempted to go around the world by train and ship in a challenge to Jules Vernes classic book "Around the World in 80 Days". How did she do?

The Headlines:

--Patriots Look Like Champions Against Pitt; Beloveds Regain Form Missing In Browns Game Disaster.
--Sarkozy Loads Up French Government With Conservatives In Weekend Confab; Entitlement Burdened Greece Re-Elects Socialist Leadership; Papendreou Says We Want To Be Like Rhode Island.
--Major Credit Card Delinquencies Falling As Outlook Improves.
--Lame duck Session Features Hobbled Dems and Energized Reps.
--Irish Crisis Worsens; Greek Budget Shortfall Higher Than Originally Reported.
--Karsei Asks US To End Night Raids.
--Ohio Authorities Seek Three Still Missing After Finding 13 Year Old Daughter Bound And Gagged In Man's Home.

Back to More Stuff:
Before I go an inch further, I have to pay my respects to Frederick Alvin "Allie" Briggs who died at 84 over the weekend. "Allie" was descendant of East Greenwich RI farmers who loved horses. He was a lover of baseball and most important the inventor and owner of "Allies" Donuts, easily the best in the East and perhaps the entire United States of America. Talk about contributions to American society!

If I were a betting man, I'd put all my money in France over Greece.

Frankly I just don't read anything about "Don't ask, don't tell." But I guess what they are basically saying is...if your unit marches in a Memorial Day Parade, don't wear pink.

A house trailer is a wheel estate.

As far as I can see, Obama has just become a big bunch of words. Where anything he says is subject to dramatic change at any given moment.

Let's hope that America isn't becoming as bad as "America's Team". (I actually wrote this before the surprise win by the cowboys yesterday. I thought the simple fact of a upbeat appearing roaming the sidelines as opposed to the dour, bewildered looking Phillips was a major improvement.)

There is a theory floating around that says that the Dem defeat at the polls may be good for the Mid East peace process. The idea being that 0-Man may have more empathy for the fragility of the political environment in which Netanyahu has to operate. Where before, "House Mom" couldn't understand why the leader of Israel couldn't do anything he wanted, now he may consider maybe there is something to this "Political Pressure" thing..

Every time I see a little increase in a bill form necessary services like the Gas, Phone or Television Company,...et.al., I wonder if it a small tax to raise money for the Lala-Pelosi Health Care Bonanza. Or when walking or driving wondering where the camera is that is watching me. Welcome to the paranoia era.

It's gotten so bad that yesterday when I received a phone call from Florida from out Electric Company, I told the guy, who appeared being helpful, that I wouldn't talk to him because there were too many scams coming out of Florida.

Ireland which has socialized itself into a financial quagmire is seeking $83-$110 Billion from the EU for something called "Sovereign Debt" reduction That sounds like California.

And then there is the Auto dealer in Central Florida who is offering a free AK-47 with the purchase of a pick-up truck! What a country.

The Answer:
Everybody has heard of China's holdings of $868 Billion of our Treasuries. But japan isn't far behind with $836B, Next is United Kingdom with $448B and then Brazil with $165B. Bonus Q: "Nelliey Bly" was one of the pen names for Elizabeth Cochrane who at the age pf 25 not only made it around the world, alone, In 76 days 6 hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds, but had also achieved acclaim as one of the first great Investigative reporters. She was a courageous reporter who who would often insert her self into horrendous conditions (Like an "Insane Asylum") to bring the world the truth about institutions and politicians.

The End:
And then you notice that four Chinese banks will be the lead underwriters of the much ballyhooed GM IPO. And then I have this Nigerian Bank continuously writing to tell me they are holding my family fortune! The world is getting weirder.