Legal limits.

Today's Tids Issue 3,244

Opening Stuff:

 

Is a social worker struggling to help a dysfunctional family living in squalor overcome dependency any less talented than and actor reading somebody else’s words? There are so many great people in this world doing little things incredibly well and professional, yet society insists on elevating some over others. Brilliant engineers create wonders in anonymity so those defined as creative can glow in the lime light. Maybe the world would be better off for all if life’s stars were selected based on what they produced instead of how they looked or dressed. (Maybe like on The Voice where the talent is only heard and never seen by the selectors). I have always tried to have a lot of respect for everybody doing a job well, regardless of where they fall on the hierarchy spectrum. I think I’m rambling here, but we have to start somewhere to get back to finding the good amidst the glitter. There’s nothing a human likes better than a pat on the back.

 

Happy Chanukkah Everybody!

 

I may talk to myself over bad penalty calls in Football, but how much are the people who were sucked into the Barbara Walter’s “Fascinating” people show mumbling incoherently after learning that the Most Fascinating Person of the Year is – George Clooney’s Wife! Am I still on the same planet?

 

The USA culture question of the Week: Is Deborah Anne Norville the secret daughter of Joan Rivers?

 

Did you know that Sea Turtles can breathe through their rear end? Talk about bad breath.

 

The 17 yo kid who yesterday said he made $72 Million in the stock market announced this morning that it was just a big hoax. God, I had already sent him all of my savings. Rats!

 

The Question:

The highest priced house for sale currently in the USA ($195M) is in the state of California. Name the next 9 states of the Top Ten with the priciest single family homes. Bonus: name the three most important Jewish religious holidays.

 

The Headlines:

--Russia Takes Massive Step to Protect Spiraling Ruble As Oil Revenue Dilutes; Raises Interest Rates From 10.5% TO 17%; Emerging Markets watching Closely; Jimmy Carter Says It Won’t Work.

--Socks Up 150 Points At 11:30 AM

--Senate Approves 37 Yo. Anti-2nd Amendment Boston Doctor, Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General; Murthy Also Big Supporter Of ObamaCare’; Activist Doctor May Want Vegetables As the National Food Staple.

--The Jebster Announces He Is Exploring Run For President.

--130, Mostly children, Now Dead After Taliban Attack On Pakistan School.

--Google Seeking To Challenge Amazon.

--Tax Deductions For State And Local Taxes Among Many Tax Breaks In Jeopardy As Congress Languishes As Legislation Deadlines approach.

--ObamaCare  Insurers Loosening Rules On Payments To Overcome Difficulties With New Signees And Also Some Problem Headaches Held Over From Original Computer Glitches.

--Globe Edgy Over Tumbling Oil Prices.

--Feds Finding More Americans Aiding ISIS

 

Some are saying that last night’s The Voice finale, with very nice original songs for each contestant and great duets with the team leaders Blake and Adam was the best show in the history of this popular songfest. It’s looking like the kid who has been sneaking up through the ranks the past several weeks, Chris Jamison, is emerging as the star of the season. I thought Matt was going to be the popular winner, and he still has a large enthusiastic following. But he’s been losing a step and last night with “Over the Rainbow” was just plain flat. (It’s hard to be flat with that old favorite of mine.) He got back into form with his “Original”. But, was that enough to overcome Jamison who is showing that he may be the best singer of them all and certainly more youthful and contemporary. I would tire of his style, though. I would not tire of Craig Wayne’s country stuff, and he was good twice last night. He is my personal favorite. Last night it seemed to be a battle between those three, and Damian became what he was, a Wild Card add-on, although singing well on the original. My guess is that the young crowd, mainly girls, will push Jamison to the top, but, Craig was also very good last night and the country folk like and are loyal to their people. Matt, who I really thought was the best early on is not inspiring lately. It will be very close, I suspect.

 

There’s not a happier Christmas Ad then the one for Benny’s, a Rhode Island Institution.

 

Lately I have encountered inconsideration and irresponsibility among young people at a rate unheard of in the past. Does the USA have a future in the hands of this trophies for all crowd? But I guess for every publicized jerk or beer commercial induced asshole behavior, there is a kid contributing to the quality of the community in which he or she operates, be it sports, academia, music or caring for others.

 

All of these hacked emails being released about celebs really just confirms what many already thought about their egos, superficiality and inadequacies. But then, nobody believes what they read any more especially if it conflicts with their agendas or misconceptions, so they probably won’t lose a step with there rabid fans. Hell, there’s a woman engaged to marry Charles Manson saying he didn’t kill anybody and that he was the victim of a government conspiracy. In fact there are people raising their hands saying “don’t shoot” because a guy who wasn’t there said it happened.

 

Maybe there has never been anything sadder than the Newtown Connecticut massacre of innocents, but I cannot agree at any level suing the gun maker.

 

There’s no truth to the rumor that a Ferguson looter/protester thinking it was a convenience store, burned down his own house and then sued the fire department for racism when they arrived too late to save it.

 

Hint to pet owners: Never take your dog to an assisted living complex where some of the residents may have dropped stool softeners behind the couch.

 

A guy I used to enjoy, Bill Cosby, just gets uglier and uglier.

 

The Cosby caper reminds me that the media as never used the phrase “Alleged” when reporting the accusations against the comedian. The media tends to play favorites especially in the use of the word “Alleged”, attaching it to stories of potential crimes about people they support, versus assuming guilt for people they disagree with

 

Cultural anthropologists wring their hands about overpopulation. But, only 10% of the people live in the Southern Hemisphere. So, why again do we have to seek settlement opportunities on Mars?

 

The Answer:

After Cal, the next state on the High priced home list is New York ($140)  followed by Florida ($139), Connecticut ($65), Colorado ($59), New Hampshire ($48M), Georgia ($48), Rhode Island ($45), Nevada ($$38.75 and Bigger than everything Texas $37.5. The five states with lowest high priced homes are North Dak, South Dak, Miss, Ark and Nebraska. Bonus: I went immediately to my “A Gentiles Guide to Jewish holidays” which I always keep handy. Years ago The Tids “Q” asked for the various spelling for the holiday which the unknowledgeable may have pronounced hanaka. There were about fifteen different spellings, and the AGGTH uses Chanukkah! This “Festival of Lights” starts today and goes til December 24, which when you think about it this year, it is kind of cool in that the Old testament ends and a new light emerges for Christians. The Holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The lighting of the Menorah as has nothing to do with Christmas, but retail stores have promoted the idea of gift giving. The first big holiday is Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New year which occurs around September. Eight days later we have Yom Kippur which is the day of Atonement and quite important. Passover coincides with Easter but has no bunnies as it very serious to Jewish history, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. I could go on for a while as Jewish history is all very interesting and basic to the beginnings of Christianity and good moral living in general. There are several lesser known Holidays – Sukkot, SheminiAtzeret/Simchat Torah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim (Rescue of Jews from Hitler), Yom Ha-Shoah (Remember Holocaust), Shavu’ot, Tisha B’Av and 5 other minor fasts.

 

Well, we made it for another day,