Opening Stuff:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; Only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; Only love can do that." --Martin Luther King Jr.
A morning of soft Bach is worth 5 blood pressure pills.
A morning with no politics is worth 10.
The conviction and sentencing of a Newport Woman, Elizabeth Baldwin, for Investment fraud is a reminder that she in fact represents the absolutely worst kind of criminal. One who belies trust. Not unlike a sexual predator adult who takes advantage of an innocent child. Amoral to the core. She, who would look investor customers in the eye while they told her of how they were mortgaging their homes, raiding the kids college funds to take advantage of her promises. She a "socialite", who's life style was built upon the backs of average working families and her "dear" friends, many who are now broke, without homes wondering where their future had gone. Capital-ism punishment?
The Question:
Define the following words -- Coffee, Willy-Nilly, flabbergasted, Flatulence, Pokemon, Freisbeetarianism.
The Headlines:
--Huntsman Out; Will Shift supporters To Romeny.--America Remembers MLK Jr.
--Bodies Still being Found In Hull Of sunken Cruise Liner; Cowardly Captain In Big Trouble; Ship 2 1/2 Miles Off Course.
--Choppy Trading Expected Today.
--Now Prez And Congress Have to Figure Out How To Pay For Contribution To SS Cut; Prez Wants To raise Airline Fees(?); Ideas Range From Cutting Corp Jet Tax Breaks To Dumping Surplus Gov Stuff On Ebay.
--Iraq Bombings Continue.
--AlQaida Captures Town South Of Yemen Capital.
From the latest in the ongoing harangue about fat Americans I read that in the 1970's the obesity rate was 14% while now it is 34%. That seems to parallel the corporate growth of Dunkin Donuts. Yes, to paraphrase their slogan, "America waddles on Dunkin Donuts".
I grew old with Margaret O'Brien, but she never knew it.
In my pre-game Prep Saturday, I went to the cupboard to get some popcorn. I pulled out two boxes. One said, "Paul Newman's Organic, 94% Fat Free, Unsalted, No Partially Hydrogenated Shortening". The second box said, "Orville Reddenbacher's Butter." Which box do you think I picked?
Why do I think that going on a dinner date with a nutritionist would be like going to another job?
Well, the old cliche "Defense wins Championships" ain't dead yet. Two really high powered offensive teams, NO and GB, lost to better defenses and a third defense dominated team Baltimore also moved into the final four. NE looked like an all-world defense Saturday night, but this was against a one dimensional offense, so the fans will have to wait til next week to see if the improvement is really there. We lost Brees and Rogers, but still have an excellent final four with the San Fran, NY Giants and Balt/NE games. TV execs should be happy. And the world needs happy TV execs.
Also over the weekend was the latest in the Celebs fawning over each other award ceremonies, which are becoming as monotonous as the GOP Debates. Hollywood was aghast that the really awful Bridesmaids movie didn't get the best of nod, but to me the omission suggested that perhaps there was a bit of sanity remaining Glitterville. However, everybody seemed elated that the overrated Descendants and its star got awards for best Drama film and best actor -- which seemed more like a longevity award for Clooney. Streep won for Iron Lady and The Artist won Best Pic. I'm betting that's the way Oscar will go too, so I'm DVR'ing some old episodes of "Chuck" for that evening.
Ok, everybody who thinks John Edwards is really sick raise their hand.
Political Ploy Department:
Anybody who doesn't think that Obama is running against the Congress just has to look at his announcement last week about seeking powers to cut the size of government. (A long time Conservative, or should I say Sane, position.) What this really does of course is to force conservatives to join him in his grand plans for America, or if they resist be branded as obstructionists. That's the formula now...isn't it? If I were Congress, I would say great, we'll give you power, but the EPA and energy departments have to go. This could be one of the great new battles.
Spring is just around the corner -- I just sent in a check for my Golf League! And I'm just getting started skiing! Ain't life grand.
"Subway" has lowered the bar for the Great American sandwich.
It appears that John Edwards will be employing the Providence Mafia defense -- wheel into court on a gurney with hanging drip bags.
Finally some statistics that verify the Tids solid reporting by the Economics Editor that Manufacturing is not the salvation for jobs recovery. Manufacturing jobs are down from 30% of all jobs in 1950 to about 9% today. Yet, factory output is way up and so is productivity. It's the old formula, when output goes up in times of declining jobs productivity soars. Manufacturers are finding was to produce without people. So all this talk about bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US will result in lots of job losses overseas in third world countries but minimal job additions here. There is also talk about bringing back "call-center jobs" using new technology, but they are lower wage jobs in the $10/hr area as opposed to the manufacturing jobs in the $20+/hr that produced the great American middle class. I'm sorry to be negative, but that 's the way it works. Bringing back "Made in a America" is a great feel-good slogan, but I'm afraid the grassy suburban neighborhoods of your will be populated by advanced, intelligent machinery.
I read where some celebs paid lots of dough to look great on the Golden Globe Red Carpet. In fact one wore $5 Million with a capital M in jewelry and dress. $5 Million and she didn't look as good as a lot of women I know wearing Fleece and jeans. I don't get it. Really. America's economy is based on people buying over priced stuff they don't need. And that includes everything fro $10 dollar hotdogs at sports events to designer clothing.
Almost Near: Chapter 57 continues. --Audrey nudged closer to the older policeman as Tucker joined them. She watched him closely, his calm, his shift into charismatic mode. "What's all the excitement?" He put his arm around Audrey in a mock hero to the rescue gesture.
The policeman looked at Audrey for a clue. "We're lookin' for someone", was all he said.
"You know that Audrey here," he squeezed her, "is one of the great investigative reporters for the Little Rock Gazette."
"Have you been drinking again," she glared. "You sound a little more weird than ever."
The policeman scratched his head. "We have work to do." Audrey didn't want to leave the group.
The policeman ignored her and Tucker as the other, brusk cop turned back towards the old policeman. "Nothing here." Tucker started moving away now. The first guy stared after him as he moved down the hallway to the back of the bar. "You know that guy lady?"
"Yeah, he's my date."
"I hope you aren't as rough on him as you were with me." all of a sudden this guy seemed human."
"She's an ace reporter from the big city. Know's that John Barton. Why'd you ask if Barton sent us?"
The Answer:
Of course, I'm looking for alternative humorous answers: Coffee - The person upon whom one coughs; Willy-Nilly - Impotent; , Flabbergasted - Appalled over how much weight you have gained; Flatulence - Emergency vehicle that picks you up after you have been run oer by a steam roller; Pokemon - A Rastafarian proctologist; Frisbeetarianism - The belief that when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof where it gets stuck in the gutter. Thanks to the expansive mind of a Pennsylvania reader.
I was going to end the Tids this Morning with some funny lines from the Golden Globes. But, I couldn't find any.
No comments:
Post a Comment