The band are my friends.

Today's Tids Issue 2,065
Opening Stuff:

I find it more interesting going to music concerts where the bands are unknown as opposed to paying tons for a big name. Often the results are incredibly satisfying, especially if you go to a place known for bringing in good talent. It is an adventure in discovery. You sit there waiting, “what have I gotten my self into”. The band ambles up on to the stage. “Looks like any other band”. They play, and you muse, “I don’t think this is what I expected”. “But, they are talented”, you concede. The various members talk to you between songs, and you start to like them as people. You get into the power of the music, and you become part of the excitement. It feels good. By the end of the evening you are examining them minutely…the way they move their fingers over strings. The facial expressions…the way they interact with each other. Now they are distant relations. And by the time you leave they are like new friends. And you are close to them. Maybe they’ll say “Hi!” if I meet them on the street. Or go to another concert.

A US Census commercial says “Help fill out the census so you can get money from the government to make your town better.” How un-American is that statement? How about keeping the money the town so the towns and the people can do it themselves? Is the census the only way people can get back what was there’s in the first place? Is this Admin approved commercial an indication of socialist thinking?

The Question:

We used to honor which Presidents in February. Now we honor the office. Which four Presidents were assassinated and which presidents were nearly assassinated.

The Headlines:

--Evan Bayh Says He Will Not run For Re-election; Shocks Democrats.
--Snipers Slowing Marine Advance On Marjah.
--Hill Says Iran Becoming Military Dictatorship.
--Deep South Gets Second Day Of Snow; Snowbirds Cry Fowl…Or Is It Foul.
--Harry Reid Down 30 Points In The Polls.
--U Alabama Huntsville Students Concerned University Un aware Of Killer Professor’s Violent Past.
--Astronauts Overcome Problems And Attach New Lookout Section.
--Belgian Trains Crash Head On Killing Over 12 Including Governor.

Back To Stuff:

The new life saving exercise, Continuous Chest Compression CPR seems to work and you don’t have to breathe into a stranger’s mouth. It’s simple, but you must do it right. If someone collapses due to cardiac arrest, immediately dial 911. Position the victim back down on the floor. Place the heel of one hand on the other and the heel of the bottom hand on the sternum (Center of chest), Lock elbows and begin compressions at rate of 100/min. Raise heel off chest after each compression. The object is to force blood to the brain. Once it reaches the brain, continuous pressure will keep it there. It is best to set up a relay team to make sure compressions are totally continuous until EMT’s arrive. In the case of drowning or drug overdose, it will require two mouth-to-mouths after 30 compressions.

Snakes live in tropical rain forests. I don’t like snakes.

You have probably seen a lot about Danika Patrick’s first big NASCAR effort. Most of the stuff I have read relates to her unfortunate accident, portraying her as a “victim” being in the wrong palce at the wrong time. The facts from a major behind the scenes player in NASCAR are that she was not ready for the big Nationwide series yet. Early in the race it was noted that she had a lot of trouble drafting, and became noticeably unnerved according to radio conversations when she encountered “dirty air” when riding close on the tail of the car in front. This caused her to fall back in the pack, although she was continually urged by her crew to claw back up. Each time falling behind, and finally into the morass that caused her game ending accident. It was noted that any driver coming out of Indy or road racing needs time, a lot of time, for the transition. The promoters jumped the gun on this one.

The currently “Chic” Trader Joe’s food emporium has a line of “Reduced Guilt” brand name products including Brownies and Potato Chips. I can’t remember the last time I felt guilt eating something that tastes good.

Let’s hope all of America doesn’t resemble some interesting economic facts just released about Rhode Island. In the 1999-2009 decade 22,900 jobs were gained and 16,900 (74%) of those were in the deficit building areas of Health and social assistance and education. Of the 41,100 lost jobs, 35,500 (86%) were in the traditional economy drivers, manufacturing and retail. This is not a plan for a growth economy. It’s a plan for draining public treasuries.

The new most powerful person in that depressed state of RI, Speaker of the House Gordon Fox, vowed that his primary drive will be Jobs, jobs, jobs. His first key appointment was a woman to head the Labor committee who has been a major player in the state AFL/CIO. Labor’s stranglehold on the operation of the state is one of the major reasons why good companies with real jobs in growth industries don’t come in or, if here, leave.

Has there ever been a meaner little kid than Lucy Van Pelt?

“Sucker born every minute” Department:
Why would anybody spend good money for a seat in outer Slambovia in a 90,000 seat stadium to watch a bad basketball game which you probably can’t see anyhow?

The Novel:

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 55. –A lot has happened during the past few days. Isabelle called me as soon as Henry left with the state police detectives. She was cold, and the meeting that followed started out icier than the Northwest Passage in January. Mainly, she was upset with me for not keeping her in the loop about my suspicions about Bromsky. She was also disheartened to learn from Henry that I had worked closely with Sarah who just happened to be the most important person for the financial future for BiEmbryo. I told her that it was just a casual coincidence. I reminded her that we were only looking into a series of fairly innocuous acts of vandalism. It was only at the last that they led us to Bromsky. I listened for about ten minutes while she aired out all of her irritation. I have to admit, she was right about every little innuendo, except Sarah and my relationship. Which is the only thing that matters. When she finally relaxed a little. She said, “Jack Wiley will be here at 4:00. He called to tell me what Sarah Durham had said, and about her recommendation that we move forward together. I decided to stop playing hard to get and take the offer before everything broke apart. I need you here then.” I said, “Good.” She finally smiled, a little…”Ever the wordsmith, eh Middleton.”

More Stuff Again:

In the “Tids Saturday Shorts” review of the Olympic’s opening ceremonies: “While on the subject of commercials, there was one that was particularly offensive because of the circumstances. Immediately following the gut wrenching videos showing the death of Luger Nodar, a RI furniture company selling mattresses, Cardi Brothers, showed in a cartoon ad the three owners bobsledding and one dozing off ultimately causing an accident eerily similar to the luge tragedy. Note: Cardi’s is a very good bunch of people, but somebody wasn’t watching the store.” On Sunday, the Cardi Company ran a full page ad acknowledging the horrible coincidence and sincerely apologized. But that is just the way the Cardi organization has always been – They care.

I think what will become apparent as the new US and Allies military attacks in Marjah continue is that fewer and fewer Taliban will be found. This gorilla style army seems to know overwhelming odds when they see it. Better to scoot and live to fight another day. Which, as far they should be able to determine according to the broadly announced Obama strategy, will be a bout a year or so from around now.

“House”, “24” and “Damages” are a pretty good Monday night 1,2,3 punch!

Dick Francis kept me interested page after page, book after book. When in doubt, I always reached for a Francis mystery. He died yesterday at his home in The Caymans at the age of 89. His son will carry on.

The Answer:

Of course , for some reason PC thought it better to stop honoring Washington and Lincoln and fete them all. Don’t ask me why. Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy were assassinated. Attempts were made on Jackson, T Roosevelt, FDR (Before inauguration), Truman, Nixon, Ford Carter, Reagan, HW Bush, Clinton and GW Bush. There were several attempts to get Obama before he was elected. It is rumored that both Zachary Taylor and Warren Harding were assassinated by food poisoning. Interestingly, Giuseppe Zangara, who killed the Chicago Mayor Cermack during what was believed the FDR attempt, was executed one short month after conviction. What ever happened to swift justice?

The End:

Is Uncle Sam the brother of the Father of our Country?