I can see clearly now.

Today's Tids Issue 2,529
Opening Stuff:

Every once in a while you have to stop and wash the potato chip grease off your glasses.

Have you noticed how murky life gets when you try to filter reality through political correctness?

Hey, you gotta talk about Greece on regular basis, doncha. After all, it is the poster child for what America does not want to be. Our public employee unions, however, seem intent on bringing us there. There was a suppressed reaction yesterday on the news about the Greek Gov reaching an agreement. And with good reason. First the Euro Central Bank Chief yesterday pointed a finger at the Greek leadership where he essentially said "I don't believe you until you take some action. Sell an airport. Words. We've heard your empty words before". Couple that with the fact that there will be an election in April where an entirely new set of officials could come into office and squash any agreement. Second, having listened this morning to several analysts in London who say the problem is more immense than what is driveled out in the news. There is no industry. Athens is the most expensive city in Europe. I can see it taking generations before they can clean out the muck in the great black hole called Pensions. Everything about the Greek economy is a mess. And believe me, there are many here who think the Greek social economy was a good idea.

The Question:

Robert Wagner is know for a successful man and Wife sleuth TV series. Name it. Name his co-star. What is she doing now since the series?

The Headlines:

--EuroChiefs Wary Of Greek Austerity Goals; Unions In Troubled Country Striking In Streets; Violent Activity Mars Day.
--US Markets Down After Another Greek Disappointment; DOW down 115 At 11:18.
--China Shows Signs Of Slowing Domestic Economy.
--Banks Agree On Homeowner Help Program; NYT's Analyst Says Settlement Is Murky And Will take 6/12 Months To See Who Qualifies; May Take 2-3 Years To Show Results.
--White House To Offer "Accommodation" To Ameliorate Assault On religious Freedom.
--CPAC Expected To Be Setting for Sorting Out Repub Candidates.
--Former NYT CEO Janet Robinson Named Chairman Of Board Of Trustees For Alma Mater Salve Regina University.

I thought President PrimeTime laid out the problems and culprits associated with the housing crunch that strangle the pocketbooks of many good, well intentioned innocent citizens. However, there seems to be more questions than answers about how the injured will be rewarded, and how much of an effect this will have on huge overall mortgage problem. Maybe he designed it all that way to make Congress look bad when they dawdle over moving it forward becasue it just doesn't seem plausible. (Those questioning the reality of this as a solution come from both sides of the spectrum.)

One of the Tids brilliant observers of the world sends in this form a sign by the side of the road: "Islamic terrorists are like King Salmon -- Life is good until the Seals show up!"

Yahoo news published photos with the teaser headlines "McCaulay Culkin seen walking in NYC looking gaunt and scruffy." I thought he looked gaunt and anemic when appearing Home Alone.

I was thinking of re-upping, getting back into the military to serve my country in my waning years. And then I had this vision, a vision inspired from a news item yesterday the new soldier diets. Here was Mrs. "0" standing at the front of the army dining hall with big S...Eatin' grin holding the "New Mess", a plate overflowing with Broccoli, salad greens and whole grains. SOS!! This is true.


Correction Department:
A particularly keen Tids observer noted that Mia Farrell was not in the first True Grit. Upon further review I notice I had left out the words "Hal Wallis originally wanted Mia to play Mattie in True Grit. Actually, Robert Mitchum warned Mia away saying Director Hathaway was awful to work with. Interestingly, Kim Darby said she was afraid of horses and unlike Steinfeld (Whom she admired as her replacement), she was afraid of horses. Get this: "The woman who was my double," she said "was about 65 years old!" See, you can learn from typos and editorial mishaps.

I originally thought that No Child Left behind was a good idea primarily becasue I believe there is a need that standards for all aspects of American life should be raised. But also, NCLB is a great example of why the Feds should stay out of our schools. Period!


"The Spoilers" is what I like to call the current crop of political publicists and P/R people. They take clearly defined positions and muddy them to the point where it is impossible to see a solution or any chance for agreement and understanding.

The NCAA is exactly the type of organization we should not want governing the USA.

Reading between the Lines Movie reviews:
--Safe House starring Denzel Washington as Tobin Frost and Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston looks like a winner to me. CIA agent Weston has a nowhere posting in a So Africa Safe House and has never seen an occupant. He startled out of his relaxed, playful existence when Tobin, the most dangerous man he has ever met, is brought in for his safeguarding. All hell breaks out, and Matt and Tobin become an unlikely duo who entirely distrust each other but must stay rely upon each other to elude bad guy killers.
--In The Vow, Channing Tatum plays the loving husband trying to regain the affection of his wife Rachel McAdams who has lost her memory of him after a car accident. Add in her annoying parents and former lover for whom she still has yearnings and you have s decent romantic drama.
--Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a predictable adventure story with a big cast. An adventurer sets out with his step-father and besutiful daughter to answer a distress call from an island that should not be where it is. They find strange life forms and others secrets and the soon to blow volcano looms above. Eh!

Almost Near: Chapter 60 continues. "Florence, this is Audrey. Remember me?"
"Of course, deary. The kids never stopped talking about you after you left. You can't imagine how happy you made my little twosome."
Audrey now smiling to herself, almost forgetting the urgency of the call, "Thanks. Jeez, thanks."
"But, I have tell you Awdray, it's real weird that ya called. That Tucker friend of yours," Audrey stopped breathing, "was here this monin' and he's out now with the kids. Takin em for ice cream and ta buy some toys at the mall.
"What!" Audrey hoped she didn't scare Florence. She tired to soften her reaction. "Wha, What time did they leave?"
"Hope that's ok." Audrey was thinking in overdrive.
"I was just worried about Tucker. He seemed a little sick when he left, and I noticed he forgot some of his medicine. But," she laughed to sound relaxed. "I certainly didn't expect to find him there. That's an amazing coincidence. I was just calling to say hi. When he returns," Audrey didn't expect Florence would ever see him again. "Have him call me." And under her breath she said. If he doesn't come back call the police...or get out that big gun of yours and shoot him. "I'll be talking to ya Florence."

The Answer:

Stefanie Powers was the co-star in Hart to Hart. Betcha didn't know that her birth name was Stefania Zofya Federkiewicz! She was in many TV, film and stage roles after the hits series, but is still really best know for H2H. She spends time now in touring and local plays. Mostly though she as President of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation and Director of the Mount Kenya Game ranch, she spends her time working with zoos and speaking on wildlife preservation.

This will be a great weekend. Promise.