About two weeks or so ago we saw the world Leaders tromping around Camp David only stopping occasionally for photo ops with smiling faces. The photos and videos we saw were accompanied by news reports like "World Leaders keenly focused on solving Europe Debt problems". Aha, rejoice...the world is saved from economic disaster. Yesterday the market went down 161 points and the news was accompanied by phrases like "Fearing a financial 'Rupture' in Europe..." Oh yeah, the yield on a benchmark US bond hit its lowest point since World War II. Moral of the story: When World Leaders smile together, run!

There are signs coming from both sides indicating that the two presidential candidates will keep their campaigns well above the mud. Unfortunately the big money is in the Super Pacs which will shovel out the crap in huge annoying mounds.

The Question:
Andie MacDowell must be getting older because the ex-Model turned movie star first appeared on the big screen in 1984. What was the name of that first movie. Another actress who seems to have been around for 100 years is Brook Shields. How old do you think she is?

The Headlines:
--WS Opens Flat; EuroWoes Weigh Heavily On Analysts Minds.
--Recovery Losing Momentum? -- Job Creation Number For Month Comes In Below Analysts Expectations; Unemployment Apps Go Up Again.
--Historic Wall Street Law Firm Dewey & LeBoueuf Embark On Walk Through Complicated Bankruptcy Proceedings.
--Multiple Blasts Across Baghdad Kill 11, Injure Many.
--RIM Sinking fast; Patents And Network Have Value.
--Angry Birds Upgrades iOS With Ten New Levels.
--Middle East Continues To Confuse Experts.

The only significant group that unions really have left are public employees. That's one big reason why the Wisconsin recall vote is so important. The big difference between the vote and last year's rallies against Gov. Walker is that the bulk of the massive protest turnout came from other states and can't vote there  now. We hope.

FDR as everybody knows explained the insurmountable differences between private sector collective bargaining and that where employees unite against their neighbors who are in fact the employers. Public Employee Unions are basically an unnatural entity. A logician's enigma.

Where are you if you see a pig wearing a scarf, feeling beautiful, walking calmly down a highway? You might think it was the ever fashionable San Fransisco. But, no it was the old steel town it self, Pittsburgh. The pig, by the way, and has been quite elusive. The State Police have set up Beau Pig twitter account, but so far the Pig has not answered.

Yesterday, President Obama called Romney to congratulate him on achieving his official status as GOP Nominee.. Now, if I was the Mittster, I'd be standing there looking at the phone wondering where and when  the Commander and Chief was going to begin flanking maneuvers.

Do you find that you think you have nothing to do, yet you are continually battling to find enough time to do nothing.

I think the failure of the FaceBook IPO is a good thing. It is a warning to everybody that foolish risk taking will not be rewarded. It has many other small companies with delusions rethinking IPO's. So why is it a good thing? Well, the Clinton recession of the late 1990's was the result mainly of businesses that were financed upon a promise and unable to sustain the promises. Most stocks were sold based on "theoretical", MBA Biz Plan style potential and the aura of good results for one or two companies with substance like Microsoft or Amazon. FaceBook has elements of promise. But, perhaps this time investors remembered history.

Rondo can shoot?
The Answer:
Personally, I got the answer wrong. I thought it was "Sex, Lies and Video Tape" because that is the first time she made an impression on me. She started her career as a fresh faced cosmetics model and then got her breakthrough role as Jane in Greysroke: The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. Interestingly the voice of Glenn Close was dubbed in and the audience missed the natural calming North Carolina cadence of her voice. Brook Shields is but 47.

This Tids feels like a quiet summer day in the country. With insects buzzing and field grass high and gently waving in breezes. And the creaking of the clasps as I swing gently in a hammock.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
And nothin' but nothin' goin' on.