Mom and Pop world.

Today's Tids Issue 3,078

Opening Stuff:

 

It’s always sad when the chains take over. They work by formulas based on averages rather than being part of the people, despite their PR. Fighting for the last donut shop, drugstore, ice cream stand is not unlike standing your ground for states and local governing rights. Even in big cities, neighborhoods find their own, create their own specialized services. It’s the nature of people who understand freedom, who feel secure in their own control, down to the last donut.

 

Last night at Fenway Park the yahoos booed the great Jacoby Elsbury. They should have been booing management for letting him go.

 

The construction industry here is whining, wanting help from the state to reinvigorate their tired industry. They seem to forget that in the mid 2000’s they overbuilt for a market that couldn’t afford what they were selling, and that the State of RI is and has been declining in population. But, that is it today, isn’t it. Everybody wants everything regardless of whether it’s realistic. Maybe Chafee-Lite could proclaim “Add an addition for a homeless person” Day.

 

The Question:

Today is the birthday of a man considered to be the worst US president of all time. Who is he? What did he do wrong? Name the next worst nine on the list of bottom ten

 

The Headlines:

--Russia Sternly Warns Of Force.

--US Paratroopers Arrive In Poland; US Journalist Held By Russian Separatists.

--Facebook Crushes Earnings Estimates; Stock Up Slightly In After Hours.

--Egypt Says US Aid Necessary to Fight Jihadists.

--Obama Says USWill Back Japan Over Islands Dispute With China.

--Georgia Gov To Sign Bill expanding Gun Carrying Rights.

--IRS Agents Awarded Large Bonuses; Some Have Disciplinary Problems, Owe Back Taxes.

 

Have you noticed that in big stores like Costco, BJ’s et. Al., people drive their baskets like they are in England.

 

A smarter than average reader warns about the Energy Master Limited Partnership (MLP) funds presented here Tuesday. He says the MLP’s are under tax scrutiny, which always sends caution flares to me. Because of the growing deficit the Government is looking anywhere and everywhere fo dough, and they focused on the partnerships. If action were taken it would obviously dramatically reduce Returns. For the moment, Congress has turned their eyes away. Morningstar says they see a move to add taxes there as unlikely and add if changed, the effects on the valuations will be minimal. It’s not like Wall Street forecaster have ever been wrong? I’d check it out my friend’s warning, but for now they are churning out dollars for investors.

 

Something bothers me when I read that a person was fired because using your initiative in difficult situations is against company rules.

 

Governor Chafee-Lite said yesterday that he is adding to “National Prayer Day”, “National Day of Reason” for atheists. So help me God.

 

One of the hardest things in life is bumping into a friend in a store, and having to word joust for about 45 seconds until his face connects to a name in your brain. Smiling helps. Scratching you head doesn’t.

 

I have no intention of supporting a war backing Japan over China because of a couple of rocks in the ocean.

 

The monster morasses of manipulation maraud on. And, the people are helpless in their wake.

 

The people who are trying to get Gov approval for their new powdered alcohol product warn users not to snort it. Of course, that means that people will immediately try to snort it.

 

In an effort to save money by better utilizing existing Fire department assets, a council woman from the East Side Providence suggested that they could use all of the idle fire engines to respond to false alarms. God help us.

 

The Answer:

James Buchanan, the Prez before Lincoln, is chastised for his indifference to the Civil War. He is also receiving negative votes for his views on slavery. Academics looking back point to his Inaugural Address where he called the territorial issue of slavery, “Happily a matter of little practical importance”. He also seemed to be a pretty firm States Rights guy, saying that the US has no more right getting involved the Sovereign States than it does with “Russia or Brazil”. He was referring again to slavery which he said should settle by those who are involved in it and not distant bureaucrats. The next nine worst according to university academics are Warren Harding, Andrew Jonson, Franklyn Pierce, Millard Fillmore, John Tyler, US Grant, William Henry Harrison, Richard Nixon, Herbert Hoover and Zachary Taylor.

 

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