Celtics in Seven!

Today's Tids Issue 2,119
Opening Stuff:

There is a new war a minute it seems in this changing world of ours. But, the only war I’m interested in is the one that is set to begin in Cleveland this weekend – the Boston Celtics versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. We New Englanders think it will be a bloody doozy! Note to Cleveland readers: We are most concerned about the ever energetic Anderson Varajou. James gets what James gets; even, it appears, with one arm tied behind his back. Of course, some think that his left handed foul shooting trick is all about increasing his already out of sight visibility, and assuring prime ESPN Sportscenter highlights! Is this series all about winning before James’ next contract, possibly elsewhere? Will that scenario place more pressure upon the Cavs? Probably.

You have to like that reasoned approach from the Supreme Court about religious symbols on Public Land. Some don’t think the real reason why Christmas exists should be acknowledged. Crèches don’t necessarily champion a religion, but recognize a fact. Several years ago, around 1992, a guy (A professor at liberalish type college that specializes in social services) moved in around the corner from me. The first thing he did after signing his deeds and mortgage papers was to sign another set of papers authorizing a suit against the town for removal of a cross on a small island in the middle of an intersection of two country-ish roads. The cross was placed there in 1927 as a memorial to the good work of a local country doctor. This was similar to the reason that the cross in the Mojave was placed on a rock in 1935. The cross in the middle of two roads wasn’t a religious, in your face movement. It was a symbolic representation to honor a man who did unto others as he would have others do unto him.

A media observer commented yesterday, “We are in the era of fact-free journalism.”

The Question:
What do you think Americans are doing this year with their tax refund?

The Headlines:
--Oil Slick Bigger than Thought; New Estimates Say That Damaged Well Is Producing 5,000 Gals/Day Instead Of 1,000.
--New Obama Appointees, If Approved, Would Make 5 Of & Federal Reserve Board Members Obama-ites; Janet Yellen, Sarah Raskin and Peter Diamond Expected To Be Approved.
--SEC To Probe Hedge Funds Use Of “Side Pockets” As Means To Prevent Clients From Withdrawing Billions During Crisis.
--Spain Downgraded As EU Crisis Widens.
--US Profits Indicate America Ready To Reignite.
--Head Of Pakistan Taliban Plays Mark Twain: “Reports of My Death Are Premature”; Militants Get Propaganda Victory As Early Reports Of Leaders Death Are Discredited.
--Fla’s Crisp Expected To Run As Independent.
--Man Walks Into China Kindergarten And Stabs 28 Children.

Back to More Stuff:

One of the things I like about cooking is having lots of things going on at once and having them all come together at the right times. Tasting good is just hopeful fallout to the process.

In response to a couple of yesterday’s items about illegal alien laws and banning of toys at fast food joints, a California reader writes: “I care more about my grandchildren’s toys being stolen out of their homes by illegals than toys being eliminated at McDonalds’s!!!”

Another reader commenting on the Goldman affair suggests that Goldman had to figure out what do to with all of the paper which was the result of Government forced bad mortgages.

The more you listen to the anti-Arizona law zealots, the more you realize that they are either irrational or disingenuous. They will never equate the word illegal with the word criminal. And, there will never be agreement on a good solution for a serious problem. Especially as Pols turn to jelly.

With people pouring billions into things like “Synthetic CDO’s, you have to wonder why others think there is safety in gold. Nothing is backed with much any more. There’s something about the word “Synthetic” that is scary and all too descriptive of financial bubbles.

Smoking on subs has been banned. So, I guess going out on deck for a smoke is problematic. How would you like to be under the ice cap with a guy trying to crack the habit?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 68 continues: --Sarah was looking at me in a knowing way. She had a small look of concern on her face. She could not possibly know what is in my mind or heart. Nobody does. Even those I seem to let in to roam around. They think they feel what I feel, but they never will. Yet, my Sarah/Maggie thinks a little like me. I should be more aware when I’m with her. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her. I like her.
“How are you feeling now, Sarah?” I decided to change the subject.
Henry chimed in before she could answer. I have to believe she was happy for that. “Sarah is one tough person. Frankly Kent, I have really enjoyed working with both of you. Most lawmen wouldn’t admit that two civilians could be so helpful.” He just paused and smiled that pleasant smile of his. I like him, but he is a cagy old guy, and I know he loves to make people feel too comfortable. “How is your business going now that this has all come out?”
“We’re doing Ok, and you just reminded me of all the work I have a ahead today.” I took the opportunity to quickly stand and walking behind Sarah, where I gently drew my hand across her back, like a waitress looking to increase her tip.” A reminder to Sarah that my touch was important to her. I got what I wanted. I had to do something about Laura.
“Good-bye Kent,” she smiled. “Maybe I’ll see you around town.

A reader writes to make us aware that a Movie “Corpus Christi” is set to be released in theaters between June and August. It is a mockery of Jesus, depicting him as a gay leader of a group of homosexuals. Maybe we need more crosses at intersections after all.

Britain’s Gordon Brown proves once again that he should never have been elected Prime Minister in the first place.

It has been pretty clear that loving Great Britain as a long time and important ally has never been a priority in 0-Man’s heart. But that could all change (And Change is the word) as upstart Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg as been surging lately on a campaign eerily similar to that of our own beloved “Prime Time”. Right now Conservative Party leader Cameron has a slight edge over Brown and new young darling Clegg. Brown looks like a loser to me. Clegg and Cameron, both 43, are emerging as energetic and very good debaters. Clegg uses Obamesque lines like “Something really exciting is beginning to happen. People are beginning to believe, beginning to hope”. But political pollster Andrew Hawkins noted that “many of Clegg’s enthusiastic new supporters know little about his party’s centre-left policies, raising questions of sustainability.” Interesting reminiscence of the last year and a half in US politics.

The Goldman thing has given me a new idea for post retirement income. I’m going to bundle all of the credit card bills of my neighbors, slice and dice them into mini securitized packages, set up a lemon-ade style stand in front of a local brokerage and hawk them to greedy investors. “One to a customer” will really suck them in.

The big difference between the US Debt/GDP ratio and that of EU debt bound nations is that the US can print it’s own money if necessary. Not good, but possible. The EU nations in trouble like the US – Greece, Italy, Ireland, Spain, France – are tied to the Euro and thus not in charge of their own money supply, making their debt more binding. But, not a pretty picture for the US or EU bad boys.

The Answer:
It appears that sensibility and necessity is winning out over irrational exuberance. 30% are paying down debt, 28% are saving it. 26% are paying for energy and food. 7% splurged and went on vacation. 9% aren’t sure or don’t know.

Green Ending:
Celtics In seven!