My "24" addiction

Today's Tids Issue 2,061
Opening Stuff:

A lot of cameras are going to be aimed at Ice dancer Tanith Belbin during the Olympics. She will be the next overdone media phenom. But, this partner of Ben Agosta is a great looking skater. http://z.about.com/d/goeurope/1/0/u/X/tanith-belbin-picture.jpg

How do you ever get an economy back to realistic normalcy after it has been propped up artificially with government dollars? Especially when the big money these days is made by the skimmers and over charging for fairly unskilled services. This isn’t your grandfather’s manufacturing value-added economy. Historical patterns may not be as relevant. Be careful.

The Question:
Yesterday was the Birthday of the great Author Charles Dickens. He was born in Portsmouth England. How many cities or towns in the US of A are named Portsmouth?

The Headlines:
--Toyota Recalls 437,000 Prius Hybrids, Globally.
--Second Major Snowstorm Bearing Down On Mid Atlantic; Northeast Expected Also To Get Hit This Time Around.
--State Farm Insurance Says It Warned The NHTSA Safety regulators In 2007 About Disturbing Trend In Unexpected Acceleration For Toyotas.
--Senator Shelby Releases Hold On 70 Obama Appointees.
--Medical Myth News: Sugary Soft drinks Bad For Pancreas; Beer Good For Bones.
--Afghan Avalanches Roar Into Kabul Killing 28, Stranding 100’s.
--US Futures To Open Higher With Hope That Europe Will Aid Greece.

More Stuff:

While we weren’t looking China has not only been owning our debt but buying up the stock of our companies. For instance, they own over 2 Billion of Morgan Stanley. During 2009, the world’s largest country quietly snapped up $9 Billion in US company ownership including stakes in Citi, BofA, Apple, Coke, J&J, Motorola and Visa. This could be the first step, say knowledgeable observers, to diversify its more than $2 Trillion in foreign currency holdings away from the US Treasury Bonds. Not only that…but they always get the Pandas back!.

Snow does what the Tea Party movement wants to do – slow down Washington.

In case you are interested, the Colts have been installed as the favorite to win next year’s SuperBowl. They are followed by the Chargers, Saints and Patriots. Rams are called least likely to win it all. The Patriots?

I’m already tired of constant news reports about happy New Orleansans. That’s what happens when you be come a curmudgeon.

24-um:
Wow! Another good hour. I think it is one of the better days for the 8 year series. Although the President is starting to annoy me with her sing-songy attitude. And that Dana and the sleezeballs episode, while interestingly done, doesn’t seem to make much sense in the grand scheme of things. But, Jack and Renee are great. Don’t you like the way a pair of dark rimmed glasses changed the demeanor of Jack? Annie Wershing, the actress portraying Renee is doing a fantastic Emmy winning style job. You have to know what Jack was thinking as Vladimir fondled Renee in front of Jack, who obviously has feelings for her. I thought Jack might commit more when Renee broke down and he initially responded “You have me”. But, he quickly went back to the business at hand. Send in your comments. Now I have to wait another week. Help me. Kthunk. Kthunk. Kthunk.

The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 53 continues. –“These are serious accusations, Sherriff. And it seems somewhat circumstantial.” She stopped and looked at me. I was about to respond when the phone buzzed, her assistant announced that she might want to take this call…”It’s Jack Wiley of RL&H.” Isabelle said “Put him on”, and immediately switched off of speaker phone. “Jack, what a pleasant surprise.” She listened. “Of course I do. I feel for Sarah, How is she doing. She listened. “I’m glad you are taking over for Mrs. Durham.”, she hesitated, “It makes me feel important”. She laughed that executive phone laugh. “This afternoon? Things are a little crazy here.” Then “Oh.” She was listening again. “Ok, I can squeeze you in by 3:00. Thanks jack.” “Me too”. She hung up and was silent. It was like that lull after a hurricane. The staties and I just sat and waited. She finally turned. “So, what do you want to do now?” “We would like you to bring us down to Seymore Bromsky’s department. Obviously, we had to talk to you first. We could have gone there first but, as a courtesy…” “As a courtesy? It seems like I’m the last to hear. That was Jack Wiley President of our most likely investor company who seems to know everything. Don’t you think this Durham connect is odd?” Now she glared.

More Stuff:

The Clintonistas are back! And they are here to rescue the ObamaHealth. That’ll help. Sure.
The cost of living has never affected its popularity.

Did announcer Robin Roberts when interviewing Michelle Obama about her new overweight children program actually ask: “They are saying people are making light of your husband’s campaign promise…”

Who are “they” anyhow? And was Robin Roberts named after a baseball player?

Be sure to check in and take a peek at http://todaystids.blogspot.com You will find weekend gems in there. Well, maybe not gems…perhaps little pebbles from Stone-head.

I have never been terribly concerned about reforming health care. But I imagine it has grown a bit unwieldy and we should be taking a look at it. But, should the government be the group taking a look at it? Then…maybe it has become so huge and unwieldy because so much of it through Medicare and Medicaid is already funded by the deepest pockets in the land. If it had been funded by people who had to watch what they spend, it may never had reached its current unwieldiness state. What makes me more leery of this entire affair is the presidents apparent addiction to the passage of some kind of bill. Addictions are not good and tend to make people do and say irrational things to feed their habit. Watch out!.

One sign that never gets tired: “If Pro is the opposite of Con than what is the opposite of Progress – Congress?”

The guy who was acquitted thought it was a “grand” jury.

Great…now the government is laying the groundwork to take over the way your kids eat. It used to be Uncle Sam – “I want you.” Today it’s Nanny Obie: “I want your children”.

The Answer:

Portsmouth England was founded in 1194. There are also Portsmouth’s in Iowa (Pop. 225; est 1851), Ohio (Pop 20K), New Hampshire (Pop 23K; est. 1623), Rhode Island (Pop. 18K; est. 1638. The largest Portsmouth is the Virginia version with a Pop of 101K. The Ohio version was built as a result of Ohio River traffic. New Hampshire’s jewel is the third oldest city in America. Portsmouth RI is the first town founded by a woman – Anne Hutchinson – and regarded by many as the first democracy. There was a post office named Portsmouth in Michigan.

The End:

The headline on the entertainment page shouts “Queen of Mean” Lisa Lampinelli returns this summer. Why would I want to subject myself to the insults of some angry loudmouth, who will probably use too many four letter words which will send a brain dead audience into riots of laughter. I’d lean over and ask “What’s so funny and the clod next to me with tears in his eyes would say “She said I was a dumb F---“. Ah humor. Spare me. Whatever happened to funny?