Blood for freedom.

Today's Tids Issue 2,141
Opening Stuff:

Years ago this weekend was called Decoration Day, a day when the families of North and South Civil War dead placed flowers on graves. It was changed officially to Memorial Day and became a special time to remember all veterans. I think maybe we should change the name again to Preservation of Freedom day. To remind people that what they enjoy in the US of A didn’t come cheaply. People fought so we could speak freely, worship openly and vote out scoundrels. That it takes guts to preserve a great society. And it is the responsibility of every citizen to contribute to its future strength and continuation.

I was listening to 0-man’s press conference on the Oil Leak when a question arose on the Arizona Law. He gave his usual answer which always ends with a phrase something like, “I will vigorously pursue immigration reform”. Wait a minute. What is this “reform” thing all about? We have a fine immigration program where good people who play by the rules gain citizenship. All people are asking is to punish the criminals – illegal immigrants and companies and people that hire them. How hard is that?

The Question:
What are the five largest companies on The Standard & Poor 500; The smallest company?

The Headlines:
--BP Officials Waiting To See If Mud Infusion Stops Largest Oil leak In History; 0-Man Says He And His daughter Worry About It.
--Expect A Soft Final Day Of May Trading; Futures Mixed As Disastrous May Ends.
--US Spending In April Stagnant; Lowest In 7 Months; Wages Sluggish.
--NK Said To be Selling Nuke And Ballistic Missile Technology.
--1000th Death In Afghanistan Reported.
--Waffling Continues On “Don’t Ask…” Controversy.
--Weather Experts Predicting really, Really Bad Hurricane Season; Say It Will be Worst Since 2005.
--Hurting Celtics In Do Or Die match With Magic Tonight.

Back to More Stuff:

Eric Holder and 2% of the American Public don’t think that the 2nd Amendment grants citizens the right to bear arms.

Why do New Yorkers think it is a good idea to build a Mosque on the site of the World Trade Center Islamic slaughtering of innocent Americans?

I see where 0-Man is taking a page out of Jimmy Carter’s Nuclear Determent Strategy. You remember Amy, President Jimmy’s chief A-Bomb advisor. Well it appears that 0-Man and daughter have morning catastrophe confabs on the oil problem.

I held an iPad in my hands yesterday and I have to say it is one cool device. And can only get better. This will be the wave of the future especially as new iterations increase capacities and add even more functionality. Microsoft had better get hopping.

I’m for putting crosses on every street corner if only to watch atheists foam at the mouth. There is nothing more humorous than an irrational blatherer.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 74 continues. –The FBI agents were actually quite pleasant as I entered the room. Jack stood and immediately walked around his desk to give me a welcome back hug. He pulled back and gave me a serious, “Be careful” look and then announced this Sarah Durham (“Sarah” I thought) who has been very involved with BiEm but as you know was in a coma during the days that revealed the awful plot there.
The two rose and shook hands. “Hi I’m Josie Rivera” and “Hi, I’m Michael Hansberg” they said. I just smiled warmly and sat. I looked behind me and saw Laura Siegal, our lead attorney sitting there with a pad full of notes on her lap and a small recording device in her hand. She nodded to me. I liked her.
Josie opened first. “Jack here has been filling us in on what he knows about the conspiracy there. This has become a complex issue at many levels over and above the criminality. It appears that it was a rogue operation (“Appears?” is thought). In addition to the criminality we have to gather some insight as to the ramifications of illegally gained technology and how it may relate to FDA and other government approvals.”
“That is quite a responsibility,” I acknowledged in a friendly, sincere voice.
Josie smiled back. “Actually, before we get into your knowledge about BiEm and the responsibilities of various principals there, Michael and I want to learn more about your “untimely” accident. The police tell us that they had patrol following you because of a report of a Black SUV…” She interrupted herself – “Sounds like a “B” government conspiracy movie, doesn’t it.” Michael laughed a bit, and then we all chuckled. She continued. “A black SUV following you from a small cafe called Marie’s.” She paused. “Why was the police car behind you?”
I immediately answered, “Because my friend Kent Middleton noticed something strange and called the police. I believe he was being followed too.”
“Kent Middleton was a friend of yours?” Josie interrupted.

Wall Streeters are making the big bucks and the Government is trying to say the economy is back on track…but the folks ain’t buying into the fairy tale. Cause on Main Street it’s still pay as you go, and the dough just isn’t there yet. Especially for the “Go” part. AAA says that Americans will spend only about $809 for summer travel versus a higher $876 (When Air fares were lower) in 2009 -- The year even the Gov says was the worst. So the good news in a continuing jobless “recovery” and declining portfolios is that the travel industry people are offering great deals, if you look around.

You have to believe that somewhere in the bowels of Congress someone is proposing that in addition to those who died on the battle field, we also honor on Memorial Day those are fighting the battle of global warming.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Sex in the City lovers will certainly love this version #2 even though it is entirely over the top and fairly dreadful. It is forced and tired. The ditzy, glitzy, gabby girls are having varying degrees of difficulties in their relationships (Yes Carrie too). Samantha is given a First Class all expense trip for four to Abu Dhabi which takes the foursome away for much needed breathing room…and of course to a place that is glitz personified. All of the high fashion and exotic settings, including an ultra-lavish all Gay wedding, can’t hide the choppiness of the plot and a failed attempt to recreate was apparently was good about #1. I’ll refrain, thank you.
--The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is another of those movies based on a video game. But all of the fantastical, yet cheaply executed, effects can’t over come a sleepy Jake Gyllenhaal and mediocre plot. It has something to do with the sand in the handle of a magic dagger which can momentarily transport a holder back into to solve, say a murder. Don’t rush out. And don’t expect Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Sabu.

The Answer: Exxon is tops and is followed surprisingly by Apple which just leaped over Microsoft. The last two are Wal-Mart and Proctor & Gamble. The smallest company on the S&P 500 is the New York Times Company.

A Fitting End:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
--Moina Mitchell, 1915