Time Travel to The Sixties Again?

Today's Tids Issue 2,223
Opening Stuff:

In California we have the big issue that would legalize marijuana. In RI we have a bunch of misguided zealots seeking to remove “Plantation” from the official state name. A name that only relates to the States hard working Aquarian origin (Way before you know what). These are just two of the most visual symbolic efforts engendered by stowaways from an era of protest and disruption. Demolition crews chipping away at a once sturdy foundation.

Which leads me to Joy Behar and her recent “B” word tirades against Sharon Angle. She excuses her use of salty language as being a common tool of comedians. So she’s saying comedians are basically crass, crude and insensitive. This too is just another legacy from the anything goes sixties.

It’s a sad day when the President of the United States of America, the fading leader of the free world, goes on a faux news program and comes across as smaller than the host!

And then there is the latest list of best cities in which to live – Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Omaha, Fort Worth, Austin, Des Moines, Madison, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Denver. The tone of the reasoning behind the selection can be found in the sentence about Pittsburgh: “…has made a major transformation from an industrial town into the 21st Century as a hub for Education, Health Care and The Arts.” -- All activities requiring huge amount of Big Government support. Can you say “Decline and fall of the Roman Empire”.

The caption from this morning’s “Close to Home” cartoon struck my funny bone: “Our mortgage is now owned by a guy named Lenny the Squid in Bayonne, N.J.”

The Question:
In addition to James McArthur (Danno), Lisa Blount also died yesterday at the young age of 53 due to complications from a rare chronic blood related disease. For what is she best known? Who is her actor husband and what was his latest notable role?

The Headlines:

--GOP Laughlin Now In Statistical Tie With Cicilini For 1st Dist Congressional Seat.
--DOW, S&P Drop On Profit Taking; Merck, Chevron Disappoint..
--Fla Dem Senate Candidate Meek Says Monica-Boy Didn’t Suggest He Resign; Says He Will Stay In Race.
--N/S Korea Fire Shots At Border.
--Danno Dead; Book Em’ God.
--China Surpasses US With Fastest Super Computer.
--Democrat Rumblings Say That Even If Dems Sneak In, They Will Not Reelect The Nancy; Yeah right; And I’ll be Able To Repay My Mortgage Even Though I have No Source Of Income.
--Report Says BP Knew Cement Was Bad.
--Four Football Field’s Long Super Liner Launched In Helsinki; Will Carry 8,500 People.

Back to More Stuff:
When you see numbers like 66-75% of students entering Connecticut State or Community Colleges can’t read, you have to wonder if High School students think that college is just one more entitlement. Like a smart phone or a car at 16 years old. And then there is the bigger question why these student were allowed to graduate from High School in the first place! May be a few failures along the way would light a few fires under privileged butts.

So, do you think the lonely will be taking more air flights to get a TSA “Pat-Down”?

One of the cleverest bits I’ve seen or read lately is the parody based on the wonderful poem “Casey at the Bat”. This time it is the 0-Man letting down Mudville. Check it out. http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/obama_at_bat.html

What ever happened to Yellow Chicken Gravy? In my small world it is one of the great gourmet classics. Yes gourmet, because to me it doesn’t get any better than this. Here’s quick look at a recipe: Melt a ½ cup butter in a heavy skillet. Add ½ cup flour until smooth. Then 2 ½ cups chicken broth, 1 cup canned milk, 1 tsp salt and ¼ tsp tumeric. Cook to thick, smooth and yellow. My mother would put an egg in it, but I don’t know exactly how and I can’t ask because she died. Tis would also be terrific with the addition of lemon! And, if your taste buds are willing, grated parmesan cheese.

Charlie Baker looks like the best bet for Massachusetts Governor.

How loud would be the uproar if Meek quits and shuffles his votes to Crisp. Crisp, who was clobbered by Rubio in the primary and trails him again in the race for Senate, is turning into the Cowardly Lion before our eyes. A man with no heart who stands for nothing but his own political future. He is certainly not the first choice of Floridians by a wide margin.

Some researcher more than likely working on a Government grant has announced his latest discovery that Hitler liked bread and marmalade for breakfast. Is the world going nuts…or am I?

How come when the market drops because of “Profit Taking”, I never get any?

I feel for those good blue collar, socially conservative Democrats who must bristle at the take over of their party by the liberal secularists.

The Answer:
Lisa Blount was widely acclaimed for her roll as Debra Winger’s pal in Officer and a Gentleman. She won her own Oscar (Shaed with hubby for producing her documentary “The Accountant”. He husband is Ray McKinnon who played the football coach in Blind Side.

The (Week) End:
Did you ever think that you would live in an America where people would think it nothing to perpetrate voting place fraud? I always thought that was the stuff of dictators and third world countries. Just one more glob of diminished personal integrity immigrating to the 21st Century from the Laissez Faire sixties. Today’s Today's Tids depresses me. Fortunately the cold air is returning this weekend to snap me out of it. Let’s hope this is an indication of a windstorm turning around The Country come Tuesday night.

I'll be dreaming beautiful dreams this weekend!

I coulda bin a millionaire.

Today's Tids Issue 2,222

Opening Stuff:

It looks like The Tids is paying its Twos today

I have often wondered how many $100,000 baseball cards I may have had in my old Baseball card collection. You have to wonder how many millions of dollars Mom’s all throughout the US of A threw out when junior left. Oh well it’s just mere money compared to the great hugs and moral support.

The just announced New York Times Poll says that the core of Obama’s 2008 support is unraveling faster than a speeding bullet.. As we enter the final days of the campaigns, Catholics, women, less affluent Americans and Independents are switching their allegiances to Republicans. If women choose Republicans over Democrats as polls indicate, it will be the first time that has happened since tracking began in 1982! Smaller government seems to be a driving issue. So much so, that 57% of the country are all for more people without experience! Wipe it clean! Remember the poll a couple of days ago that found that 84% of Americans said that the American System wasn’t the problem but that the people in it were.

The Question: How do you think the student athlete stacks up against the general student body in graduation rates? Name the BCS schools best and worst rates and the same for the Top 25 Basketball schools.

The Headlines:

--Indonesia Death Toll continues To Rise; Tsunami Warning Device Failed To Operate Because Of Lack Of Maintenance.
--Positive Data Pushing DOW To Higher Opening.
--AP Poll Reclassifies 2011 Economic Growth To “Painfully Slow”.
--Exxon-Mobil Quarterly Sales At $98 Billion!
--Unemployment Claims Drop Sharply To 434K; Extended Unemployment Benefits Ready To Expire.
--US Northeast Quadrant Cleans Up After Weird Massive Hurricane Like Storm.
--34 Year Old Pakistan Native, Naturalized US Citizen Farooque Ahmed Nabbed In Plot To desory Washington DC Subways.

Back to More Stuff:
Solidify The Base Department: Not!
This is funny…to me. You would have to consider that people paying $7,500/plate to dine with the Prez would be part of his strong base. For weeks we have been seeing farmers, florists and chefs rapturous over their preparation of din-din for 0-Man. But alas, as the local glitterati arrived they learned that The Man had begged off saying that because Michelle was off (doing his job), “I have to go home to tuck in the girls, walk the dog and pick up poop!” God help us all.

My new nickname for The Prez, 0-man and Prime Time…is “House Mom”. “I can’t come to the Red Phone right now because Malia Ann is having her first 'You know what'."

Pickum’ pitfalls are producing plummeting prognosticator pride. This is the ultimate “On any given Sunday…” season. This week’s dilemma are multiple: Denver/SF, Wash/Det, Miami/Cinn. Jax/Dall, TB/Ariz, Indy/Houst and Pitt NO. I could throw in New England/ Minn too, but NE had too many “Homer” points going for it. Pitt is good but NO should be good. Denver looked like a comer before last week. And, is Dallas ready under Kitna to beat a so-so Jax? Here we go. New, a mad Denver over SF, Indy squeaks, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, TB and New Orleans. The so called easier picks are KC, NYJ, St. Louis and Oakland. Guaranteed Seattle will make this game one I should have put in the Pick em’ Poser category. Current record to date is 66-38.

Just when you thought that authorities were getting a handle on TV’s negative effect on kids, the kids move over to texting and FaceBook.

The next time an electronics appliance salesman offers you a chance to buy a product protection policy for $438, think about the Indonesian Governemtn official who decided it was ok to buy the Tsunami warning device without a maintenance contract.

The advertising business has always been best at predicting the public’s traits and motivations. So, the news that the average TV commercial is going to 15 seconds because of overwhelming evidence indicating a declining attention span, we have to step back and take a look at society in general. The first observation is that the majority of public will never take the time to understand the truth about issues that affect everybody. And as someone once said: “If you are oblivious of principles that really matter, you are destined to live in oblivion.” Actually, I think it was the Tidsguy who said that. Must be a short attention span thing.

After just two games in the NBA, the fans in Cleveland must be having a love affair with The* Boston Celtics. First the Celts knock off the traitorous outcast Lebron and the Heat (Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that everywhere he walked in beautiful Cleveland yesterday, people were grabbing his hand or slapping him on the back for a job well done), and the last night the Celts blew a lead that gave the Cav’s their first victory.

* If they can say The Ohio State, then I have no problem with The Boston Celtics.

A hammock is a napsack.

The good news for RI is that the Attorney General candidates all say they are for more and stronger laws against Public Official Corruption. The problem now becomes determining which of the candidates are in the Public Officials pocket. I’m think Walling and Little.

The Answer: 
The average grad rate for student athletes is 64% versus 63% for the general student body. Among BCS schools, Stanford is tops followed by, surprisingly, Miami! The others are Iowa, Vriginia Tech and Missouri. The worst are Oklahoma and Arizona, the only 2 schools below 50%. In basketball tops are Villanova and Brigham Young at 100%! (Note: Last years winner and runner up, Duke and Butler, were at 83%. The worst were really bad. 4 were in the 30% with lowest UConn and Maryland at 31%. The others were Temple and Baylor.

The End:
When you see the 007 Aston Martin going for $4.3 mil, remember that it isn’t that the car is really that valuable, it’s just that there are too many people with more money than they need. I'd be more than happy to work as someone’s trusted confidant for my remaining years. Hell, I’d even take $2.15 Mil. That’s cheap for reliable, heady conversation. And, you don’t have to change my oil.

And…displaying the Ten Commandments is wrong Because…?

Today's Tids Issue 2,221

Opening Stuff:

Some people are running around outside, flapping their arms and shouting Eeeeeeeeee-Hah! But for me, this warm spell is turning me back into a slug, a spongy mushroom. And just at the time when my body started moving again.

Around here, and probably in many other cities and towns across the country, schools aren’t allowed to teach anything about religion lest some single minded person will drag a town to the Supreme Court. This raises a question: If you can’t mention religion, how can you teach US History? Huh? Like, much of the US was settled based on religious beliefs. Like the Pilgrims who were trying to escape persecution in order to practice their religion. And how these Puritan became depots in their own right, forcing enlightened leaders like Roger Williams, John Clarke and Anne Hutchinson to found RI. RI, the state called “The Lively Experiment” by Clarke because of all things it separated church from state while promoting freedom of religion for all sects. Amazing. It was this state that first allowed Quakers. Which, because of their ties to Barbados, fostered the idea of economic trade between the island, RI and England. And eventually slavery. Yup, I think there is something to be said about teaching Religion in the schools. Not to mention that it has something to do with the moral integrity of a society.

The Question:
Name the Top Ten States for worst business climate. Hint: think political leaning or drift.

The Headlines:

--Indonesia Double Disaster Death Totals Rise; Tsunami Up To 272 With About 300 Missing; Volcano At 30.
--Hurricane Like Storm Leaves Midwest With Heavy Damage.
--Technical Glitch Knocks Ten Percent Of US Nukes Off Line.
--Surgical Instruments Left In Patient At RI Hospital – AGAIN!
--Stocks Decline; Fed Fix Found Flimsy.
--GOP Congressional Candidate Laughlin Accuses Foe, Prov Mayor Cicilini, Of Hiding City Financial Problems.

Back to More Stuff:
Nobody is working harder on his campaign than RI’s 2nd Congressional District candidate John Matson. John is the kind of fearless guy who could go down to DC and start turning things up side down for the betterment of all people. He has a big heart and high degree of common sense. And boundless energy. The problem is that there are many little laws and regulations that make it very hard for the independent People Candidates to get out the message. It’s time to send the Puppet back home and put a doer in Washington.

Last night on Dancin’ With the Stars, what’s good and what people think is good were in dramatic conflict. The high scoring and judge favorite team of Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovaloni were knocked out by the voters in a shocking episode. Actually it, like “American Idol” “America’s Got…” has become less about the talent and more about who people like and which voting bloc is the largest. Frankly it’s a lot like the US elections where the best people are left sitting on the sidelines.

The Unions must be breaking editorial knees, because all of the Providence Journal Election Day Editorials endorse the same old political hacks who have put Rhode Island in jeopardy of being sold to China for cents on the dollar.

Hanging around the pro shop for early morning tee-off’s is getting depressing. Yesterday the discussion was about enumerating ex golf partners who one day are playing and the next day are laying silently in boxes surrounded by gladiolas.

I’m starting a new protest movement named C.R.A.P. –Committee for Restricting Apples in Pork! There are so many food writers promoting recipes with the fruit that got Adam kicked out of paradise, that soon some people will begin to think that pork actually tastes better bathed in fruit juices. It’s pork gravy that makes pork taste great. Gravy then, gravy now. It has always been gravy! Let’s get that straight.

My Boston Celtics had a nice win against The Miami Hype last night. But I guarantee that the next one is going to be tougher. James is good.

The Answer:
Believe it or not, the once great New York State is at the of the list of states with the worst biz climate. Odd since this is the seat of the financial world. Next is the liberal California followed by the very democrat states of New Jersey and Connecticut. Ohio, once a bastion of Republicanism has been drifting further and further left as has been Iowa. Maryland is next and is loaded with big Government workers. Next is the state just declared most liberal in the nation -- RI. Which, probably edged out that long time liberal nest of lefties, Minnesota. Last but not least is North Carolina, which lured thousands of jobs from Union ravaged states, only to se that round of jobs move out because of high labor costs.

The End:
Thou shalt Love God, not swear, go to church, honor mom and dad, not kill, not steal, not lie, not covet wives or things. Hey, that’s pretty radical stuff and should be stricken for the human mind.

Don’t be Rhode Island.

Today's Tids Issue 2,219
Opening Stuff:

The Tids can be excruciatingly vocal, Or humble as a country yokel, But carefully picks the right focal, that all politics are local.

In Rhode Island, the latest poll has Indy Chafee leaping ahead of Dem Caprio (Chafee 37%, Caprio 28%, ® Roubitaille (25%), and Laughlin edging past Cicilini for the old Patches’ seat. These are fun races, but the real races that can effect real change in this beleaguered state (Beset by over 70 years of debilitating Dem/Union rule) is to replace all of the existing General Assembly reps and senators with anything else available. If the voters continue to put up with what they had, they can expect to flounder. Maybe we should replace the state animal Quahog with the Flounder. It seems to work.

Have you ever noticed that the TV commercials for the bigger chain restaurants like Applebees, Outback or Olive Garden never show tempting visuals featuring piles of vegetables? I wonder why? Because nobody would go there!

The problem in America is that media abetted politics focuses so heavily on the little accusations and personal idiosyncrasies, that it effectively clouds the potential for a broad base of the electorate understanding real problems and interpreting the good solutions. Some may call it good politics. I call it a disservice to the taxpayer.

One of the more inane political commercials and symptomatic of the above is one where RI Gubernatorial candidate Caprio pats himself on the back for refusing his official state car when he was first elected Treasurer. The cost of a car is meaningless in a state that is floundering into bankruptcy, With one of the highest unemployment percentages in the US of A. Where a “Greece-Like” general assembly bows down to economy busting special interests.

Is there a more arrogant appearing person than Yoko Ono? Oh yeah…him too.

How could I have done it! In providing the answer to Friday’s Q on popular TV families I forgot to suggest as left out of TV guide’s list one of my all time favorites…The Nelsons – Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky. And by all time favorite I mean Radio before TV! Thanks to my favorite Cleveland Punster for that one. And another Ohioan suggested Bonanza’s Cartwright’s, with Hop Sing standing in for Mom. And in today’s culture, Hop Sing for Mom is not so far fetched!

The Question:
Here are four quick Questions: 1. What does the “57” in Heinz 57 stand for? 2. What words do the letters ZIP in Zip code represent? 3. At any given moment, what percentage of the world’s population is drunk? 4. How many people throughout the world are have a birthday on the same days as you?

The Headlines:

--US Economy Still Expected To Grow In 2011; Economists Lower Expectations Of Pace of recovery.
--New AP/GfK Poll Says 1/3 Of Electorate Still May Switch Candidates; “Fed Up With Democrats “ Is Still Most Impactful Issue; Gay Voters Say They Are Angry With Dems..
--New Air Force Manual Warns Of Swift And Devastating Cyber-Attacks.
--RNC Steele’s “Fire Pelosi Bus Arrives This Morn In RI Just Ahead Of Scott Brown And 0-Man; Prez Not expected To Endorse Dem Caprio During Visit.
--Work Begins On 600 New Homes In West bank.
--Iran Restricts Social Services As “Too Western”.
--Afghans In Helmand Province Said To be Very Angry At Alleged US Bombing Of Mosque That Killed 25.
--Bedbugs Have Potential Tourists cancelling NYC Visit.

Back to More Stuff:
Last week was a bad one for talk radio. And you couldn’t even get away from repetitious politics by going to sports. The sports were pretty much 24/7 on head to head tackling. And the political was all about Juan Williams firing. It just goes on and on. This illustrates a problem with talk radio in general. Each new host/commentator really believes they have a brand new take on something. And there just isn’t any more to a 15 minute story.

I see where the 10 top woman icons who would inspire fashion are Cher, Diane Keaton, Anna Wintaur, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Di, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker and now, Lady Gaga. God help us all.

Reading too many Scripts Department:
Have you been following the saga of Randy and Eva Quaid? -- You know Randy, the lesser of the Quaids. Well it just got weirder. The twosome have been sought for several instances of serious trespassing and illegal squatting. They tried to escape to Canada and were nabbed on several warrants. They asked for protective asylum out of “fear for their lives”! Or as stated so eloquently by Eva: “Don’t force us to return. Our lives are in danger. Eight friends including David Carradine and Heath Ledger have been murdered under mysterious circumstances…”. I didn’t make this up. Keep them in Canada so they can’t vote for Democrats.

The headlines the past two days have been full of an hysterical warning of the extinction of tigers. So, I’m thinking, how would that affect me or the rest of the world. Well for sure, bunny rabbits and other cute little furry things would be happier. Princeton would need a new mascot. Siegfried and Roy would be out of work.

10 eastern ski areas were ranked among the top 50 in the world. #1 in the Eastern list was Mt. Tremblant – Quebec. The rest were Whiteface – NY, Stowe – VTY, Okemo – VT, Stratton – VT, Sugarloaf – ME, Sugarloaf – VT, Sunday River – ME, Smugglers Notch – VT and Loon – NH. Sunday River had lots of snow Thursday Morning and was the first in the nation this year to open for good skiing. Gentlemen, Ladies – Start your Shushing!

I remember when Okemo was considered a nice little Mountain laboring under the gigantic shadow of the very popular neighbor Mount Snow.

Who says Obama isn’t creating jobs. Why, right now as I speak, the biggest industry in Rhode Island is the preparation of the dinner for the 0-Man fund raiser at the East Side Providence residence of the Chace’s’. (The Chaces, BTW, are the family who owned Berkshire-Hathaway and sold it to you know who.) The $7,500 a plate affair easily tops the GOP $500/plate luncheon featuring Scott Brown earlier in the day. And the party of the rich is what?

The DOW just finished a third in a row “Up” week. But, it doesn’t seem to know where it is going. There is just a ton of money and enough fund managers looking for bonuses to keep it moving. But economic basics aren’t supporting a boom. Are we in for a January thaw?

Maybe the President “Not Endorsing” him is all Caprio needs to push him over the top. Scuttlebutt around the state is saying that several well known and respected Dems are not voting for Caprio.

The Answer:
1. The “57” stands for the 57 varieties of pickles the company used to offer. 2. ZIP stands for Zoning Improvement Plan which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with mail delivery. 3. At any given moment in the world, 0.7% of the people are drunk. 4. 9,000,000 others (+ -) share the same birthday as you.

The End:
By the way…Wooly mammouths have been extinct for 10,000 years. Has anybody noticed?

Thanks all of you from cities and towns afar for putting up with my Rhode Island observations today. But, just remember that the lunacy that prevails here could overtake your state too if you don’t vote smart.

In the liberal east, those who are close to moderate are considered extreme rightists. In the Midwest and Southwest those who merely conservative are considered socialists.

Well, there's still the comics.

Today's Tids Issue 2,218
Opening Stuff:

This weekend looks like prime leaf time around here. Actually, there just isn’t anything bad about this time of year. The seniors have all moved to Florida, so the golf courses are playing fast again. I’m enjoying the comfort of corduroy pants as I crunch leaves on cool forest paths. The ocean glistens like a lover’s eyes. The air invigorates a body emerging from summer sluggishness. All in all, life is pretty fantastic.

Except for Juan Williams, who’s sudden boot by NPR is proving once again that the national gang of liberal intelligentsia are all for the 1st Amendment as long as what you are saying supports their beliefs.

When watching our current Congress at work, we should be taking a lesson from Mexico, a country that has seen an incredibly rapid deterioration after the criminals were allowed to run wild.

And…speaking of politicians, a magician is a “super duper”.

In addition to saving the future for pensioners, Sarkozy’s action on retirement age may have additional collateral benefits. For instance, the rude and culturally poisonous Lady Gaga has cancelled her Paris concerts in some kind of brain dead reactionary sympathy move. The French don’t know how lucky they are to be spared from that glitzy monotony.

The Question:
TV Guide just listed their favorite all time TV Families. They were in order Huxtables, Simpsons, Tanners (Full House), Sopranos, Partridges, Fishers (6 Feet Under), Bluths (Arrested Deelopment), Keatons (Fam Ties), Bunkers, Bradys, Conners (Roseanne), Seavers (Growing Pains), Waltons, Walkers (Bors & Sis), Cleavers, Jackson/Drummend (Diff Strokes), Ewings (Dallas), Barones (Raymond), Pritchetts (Mod Fam and Jeffersons. In a limited poll, viewers rated their favorites. Which of the above do you think came out on top? Name a show you think they missed.

The Headlines:

--Marlets Zig-Zag Waiting For G-20.
--Economic Growth Gage Falls To Six Week Low.
--Anonymous Person deposits $10,000 In Crisp Dollars In Memorial Donor’s Box And WTC Site.
--Cholera Outbreak Hits Rural Haiti; 142 Dead.
--Gulf Corals In Oil Spill Zone Appear Healthy.
--0-Man and MonicaMan Are Running Wildly Across Country To Save Out Of Control Congress.
--Verizon Profits Drop 25%; Beats WS Estimates; Investers Await Addition Of I-Phone..

Back to More Stuff:
If you have been watching the earnings report you might think our economy is based on companies that keep you idle, over feed you and put you back together fall apart. And you would be right. The bellwether industries this quarter are Electronics-Wireless-Computer-Internet, Fast Food and Health Care Products and Services.

Pakistan’s successful blockade of critical US supply transports hasn’t gone unnoticed by our deep pocket’s Congress and Admin. The US has increased military aid by $2,000,000,000! What a country.

Remember when Will Rogers said "I only know what I read in the papers"? Jeez, would he be in  trouble now!

Think about how much good the celebrities could do if they really understood the facts instead of reacting to some emotional artificial stimulus. Basically it just proves once again that actors are just good at reading other people’s lines. And these days their lines are being written by by people who don’t seem to like what America has been.

How come the pictures of shouting people I see in the French pension protest look like college students?

Silly State laws Department:
In Montana, it is against the law to have sheep in your truck cab without a chaperone! I wonder what that’s all about?


Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The trailer for Clint Eastwood’s latest “Hereafter” makes it appear as though it is entirely a Matt Damon vehicle. In fact it is three stories – Damon a psychic is looking for lava and a normal life without death; Cecille, a French TV reporter, is haunted by her near death experience; And Frankie McLaren is a foster child morning the sudden death of his twin brother. The stories eventually come together. You will find it slow and somber at times, but the end is uplifting in this movie that is spiritual and tends to support an afterlife. But then, what would you expect from an 80 year old director.
--I don’t like prison movies, so there is a high degree of probability that I won’t see “Stone” starring Edward Norton as a tough guy prisoner and Robert DeNiro as his very religious parole officer. For some reason, Norton has his sexy wife seduce DNiro thinking it will get him out of jail sooner. The religious DeNiro bends to the attraction quickly. Norton has regrets. It’s actually kind of an irritable movie.
--Woody Allen’s new little sex comedy “You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger” looks good to me. It has an all star cast including Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts, Gemmma Jones and Antonio Banderas among others. Watts and Anna Friel look for love in all the wrong places. The film which opens and closes with song “When You Wish Upon A Star” shows how people’s wishes for romance don’t always turn out to be the sweet dreams they had hoped for.

In the Town of King NC (Pop 6,000) the ACLU acting on complaint by one citizen got an injunction against the display of a Christian Flag at a veteran’s memorial. 63 year old Ray Martini, an Air Force Vet, was irate. He decided to put the flag back out there. He then set up camp beneath it to guard it. He has received food and blankets from towns across NC and from many other states. The town is now awash with fluttering flags. The same Christian flag hanging from hair salons, barbecue joints, general stores—well, just about anywhere in the town. Except government buildings. I’m wondering if it is the same single citizen who when living in East Greenwich had a seventy year old memorial to a good doctor, a cross, removed from a triangle at an intersection. Send a note to Ray!

I was surprised to see the cover of the October 4 Time Magazine with the feature story headline: “How the first nine months shape the rest of your life.” Could this traditionally abortion supporting editorial staff be having a change of heart?

In the first line of a predominantly anti-Republican rant in the Providence Journal’s editorial support of Barney Frank, they say: “Recovery from the financial crisis requires ‘intelligent’ leadership. The entire editorial reads like something you might hear from Lady Gaga or Rosie.

In case you missed it about Barney’s Babies, Fannie and Freddie, it was reported this morning that the terrible twosome needs another $215 Billion. I love that intelligent leadership.

The Answer:
The two that “the folks” seemed to like best and which were significantly ahead of the rest were The Huxtable’s and The Keaton’s of Family Ties. Also doing quite well were the Cleavers, Barone’s and Seaver’s, and they were followed by the Partridges, Bunkers, Brady’s, Walton’s and Conner’s. I think they left out My Three Sons and 8 is Enough. And, if you are really old you might throw in Father Knows Best! All the rest were so-so or worse.

The End:
If the press stopped following ideologies and started thinking again, we might have a chance of getting this government back in shape. If this formerly august group honestly interpreted the truth of candidate statements, ignored blatant dirty tricks and stopped being blind cheerleaders, maybe intelligent people would start running for office again.

Some of these Republican and Tea Party candidates say some of the dumbest things I have ever heard.

The Joke’s on us.

Today's Tids Issue 2,217

Opening Stuff:

I guess the reason Jon Stuart and other comedians have become active in the political progress is because they thought Congress was part of their union too. At San Fran’s Hungry I we hear Nancy Pelosi crack up the sheep, “We have to pass this bill so we find out what’s in it!” LOL. Tears in eyes. God, these jokers are good. And then over in LV on the big sate of New York, New York the Reidman is saying, “All taxes are voluntary!” God, I’m laughing so hard it’s killing me.

India, Russia and Germany’s swift and utter rejection of Geithner’s “Proposal for numerical targets for sustainable trade surpluses and deficits (Which would greatly favor the US growing deficit) is just the latest example of how in the old world where the US got what the US wanted is a world that has passed us by. We seem to be just another player among the major economic players.

The riots in France and Greece and other socialist countries show clearly that the entire idea of entitlements is a bad one. People who get fired from jobs don’t get anywhere as angry as those who have taken away something they never earned in the first place.

The Question:
First! I have to give you the answer to yesterday’s Bonus Q. (I forgot it in the answer segment) The 1st newspaper to announce the bombing of Pearl Harbor was the Westerly (RI) Sun which came out with the full story Sunday afternoon. Charles Utter, the long time Editor, was a member of a religion called the 7th Day Baptists who in 1679 broke away fro the original Roger Williams Baptist Church so they could worship on Saturday! Thus they were at work early Sunday Morning. Today’s Question: There are many jokes about husband’s mothers-in-law, but the wives may be suffering more. Wives were asked if they would rather see their mother-in-law or go to a gynecologist, stay home and clean house, do jury duty, do taxes or have a root canal. What do you think are the percentages for each?

The Headlines:

--Misinterpretation Of Mayan Calendar Postpones “End Of Earth” Indefinitely.
--Toyota Recalling 1.53 Million Lexus, Avalon and Other Models For Brake Fluid And Fuel Pump Problems.
--Positive Earning’s reports From US Companies Have World Stocks Surging.
--9th Circuit court: Keep “Don’t Ask…” As Is.
--Stewie, Worlds Longest Cat, Is Purr-fect 4 Feet From Nose To Tail Bone.
--Nokia Cuttin 1,800 Jobs Following String Q3 Report.

Back to More Stuff:
Did you happen to see the septic tank truck with the sign on its side that said “Yesterday’s meals on wheels.” Or at church, “7 Day’s without God makes one Weak.” And of course the Plumber, “Don’t sleep with a drip; call your plumber.”

You want to hear drivel? I’ll tell you where you can hear drivel. It’s on the Larry King Show with a fawning LK interviewing Jon Stuart on the ills of the Tea Party.

Every time the US Auto Industry needs a boost, Toyota issues a major recall. What a great marketing plan.

The hardest days of the beautiful Fall months is “Bye Week”.

Jeez, was last week’s Pick-em’ Spot awful. I have not seen as unpredictable season as this in along time. This week, the hot TV game is between the Giants and the “expert’s” fave, the 1-4 Cowboys. I’m saying the Cowboys go 1-5 as the Giant’s “D” keeps room a roamin’ out of the pocket. I’ also can’t go against what looks like my rejuvenated Pats team. They are playing with the vigor and guts they showed in the early 2000’s. On the rest for the most part, I’m going home team in this any team can win season. So the winners are Balt, Chi, Atlanta, Tenn, Pitt, TB, NO, KC, SF, Seattle, Denver and GB. Last week another mediocre 7-7 bringing the year to 57-33. Will this be the comeback week? I have no way of telling.

The thing that has bothered me most over the years about the New England Patriots is watching Jonathon, Myra and Robert Kraft give each other “High Fives” at the end of victories. They just look like people out of touch trying to look like Joe Lunchpail. And, frankly, I feel the same way about myself when I am forced into returning a high five.

Sign over a Gynecologist’s office “Doctor Johnson at your cervix.” And the the sign on the door to the maternity delivery room: “Push, Push, Push.”

The Answer:
51% of wives would rather to housework than sit before the throne of Mom-In-Law. In fact many wives call her Monster-in-law. 36% would take the gynecologist, 30% jury duty, 28% taxes and root canal. But, it is even worse than that. 76% said they would never take parenting advice from m-o-l, 83% would never ask for relationship advice and 94% would seek sex life advice. Which actually makes a lot of sense.

The End:
Really, what wouold be the difference if trained comedians ran the government instead of elected comedians. At least, press conferences would be funny. And how about ta laugh riot State of the Union. The Justices would be rolling on the floor!

Why do I have to know how to read; I’m making up my own language anyhow.

Today's Tids Issue 2,216

Opening Stuff:

I think I have found the problem that may be inhibiting a faster economic recovery. 2,000,000,000 people per day watch videos on YouTube! They don’t have time to shop. And probably exercise too. Maybe it is also the cause behind the alleged perception of increased obesity. Bring back Pepsi and Coke. And bread pudding with caramel sauce. Two b-b-b-billion people per day!

Did Aliens Bring me to Another Planet Department:
I show up with some friends at the golf course early in the morning…generally about 15-20 minutes before they open. That way we are assured of first or second off the tee, and a nice fast round. This morning I’m standing moving my arms, clearing cobwebs out of my head, when I hear “That wasn’t a fox trot, God Dammit!” “Yeah, but I liked the way her skirt swooshed,” said another. And a third, I kinds a liked Florence Henderson, but she probably doesn’t have much of a fan base left.” they all laughed.” I said “How about those Pats on Sunday?” Silence. They all looked at me. The turned to each other “yeah, maybe you’re right, It was kind of a funny looking Foxtrot.” I think I have to catch up with the world!

The Question: Name the five top social networking sites and their membership. Bonus Q: What was the first newspaper to report the bombing of Pearl Harbor…and why could it be first.

The Headlines:

--Markets Look To rebound After Large Tuesday Loss.
--Rangers, Giants Win To Take 3-1, 2-1 Series Leads Over Eastern Foes.
--Bristol Palin Hangs On At “Dancin’”; Henderson Feels The Tip Of The Ballet Slipper.
--SC Judge Thomas’ Wife Seeks Apology from Anita Hill; Hill Says Never.
--Super Typhoon Sets Course For China.
--UK Staking Future On New Austerity Program; French Workers Riot Against Austerity.
--Earnings News Lifting Wall Street.

Back to More Stuff:
“Good morning Mr. C!”. Not so fast Fonzi. Tom Bosley. known as the Sherriff in “Murder She Wrote” and for his starring role as Mayor LaGuardia in Broadway’s musical “Fiorello”, but mainly and always as Richie Cunningham’s dad on “Happy Days”, died last night at 83.

The Fox Network was promoting their NFL game as “The Game America has been Waiting For!” Two NFL teams each with a 1-4 record. Dallas and Minnesota. Would they say the same about Cleveland San Francisco? Probably not. But hoards of people will click there because some promotion person says don’t miss this game between two losers. Nothing is anything nay more.

Hypocrisy Department:
Yesterday, the NFL fined Pittsburgh Steeler Harrison $75,000 for a vicous hit on a defenseless receiver, this morning on the NFL Store web site you could buy a framed 11 x 14 photograph on Harrison’s aggressive hit. There is no shame.

I'm thinking that any congressional candidate needing more visibility should have as his slogan “A sausage, egg and cheese n a biscuit in every pot.” That would get my attention.

The Trinity Church in Newport still has the same organ it has it since not too many years after it was built in…1726. before shipping the organ from England to Newport, it had to be tested to the satisfaction of the buyer. The man they brought I ot test it was George Frederick Handel.

63% of the students entering Rhode Island community “College” read at the 6th grade level. I think they watch too much YouTube.

The Answer: face Book has 500,000,000 members, squishing the first big social site MySpace (66 Mil). The rest are Twitter (150M), Linkedin (75M), Digg (28) and FourSquare (3M and growing)

The End:
Good fiction demands large portions of truth.

It’s in the music.

Today's Tids Issue 2,215
Opening Stuff:

Isn’t it great how God’s system uses Fall to reduce the average temperature by a few degrees each day so you can slowly adapt from the hot summer to the cold Winter! I love it when a good plan comes together.

I love music. But, then who doesn’t. Some are mesmerized by rhythmic beats. Others by emotion stirring, rhapsodic melodies. Me, I like discovery. In classical music there is always some thing new to discover even after listening to one piece it many times. I love inventiveness which can be found in Folk or heavy Rock or Jazz. I detest repetitive, pop trends; The sameness in over commercialized popular fads. And that goes for Mozart too…who I find as tedious as the monotony of the latest Disney wonder child. But, then why would anybody care what I thought. After all, music is personal.

You just have to love German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her comment about the German experiment in multi-culturalism as having failed completely was in support of a Central Bank Director’s observation: “The country is being made more stupid by poorly educated and unproductive Muslim immigrants.” Why can’t we have politicians who are unafraid to tell the truth? She went on to say, “We feel tied to Christian values. Those who don’t accept them don’t have a place here.”

The ugliest bigots I have seen in a long time are those creating extreme prejudice against fat people. A steady stream of “Obese” stories has a tendency to characterize this group of probably honest, giving and loving human beings as lower that drug dealers and just above child molesters. Somebody has to step up and stop the profiling (Oops, bad choice of words) of these hardy and happy eaters. I think it has something to do with the super egos of skinny health nuts.

The Question:
After I finished that childish tirade about the unfair condemnation of the amply proportioned, all I could think of was the phrase, “I kick sand in your face”. To what does that refer?

The Headlines:

--Bar Too High For Apple; Investors Penalize Shares 6% Even After record Earnings Performance; 4.2 Million iPad Sales Beat Mac computer Sales, Failed To Reach Analysts Hope For 5 Mil.
--Bank Of America Posts $7.7 Billon Loss On Special Charge; Goldman Posts Good Gain But Warns Of Changing Operational Culture That could Affect Future; IBM Echoes Similar Concerns About Future Revenue Streams..
--French Retirement Protests Take More Violent Turn.
--California’s Crystal Cathedral Megachurch Enters Bankruptcy One Time TV Powerhouse Owes $43 Million.
--Saudi Arabia Warns Europe Of New Threats From Yemen al-Qaida.

Back to More Stuff:

The French protests about raising the retirement age by two years is a good warning of how economies can run amok under socialist systems. Where the growth industries are public employee jobs. Rhode Island has exactly the same problem.

Two of my all-time favorite short pieces are Prokofiev’s Symphony #1 (Classical) and Benjamin Brittain’s “Young person’s Guide to the Orchestra.”

One of Bill Keane’s kids wonders why if Oranges are called Oranges, lemons aren’t called “Yellows”.

A reader who with his wife produced a 300 recipe cookbook, sent me this recipe for Swedish meatballs – Which is one of the great receptors for perfect brown gravy. In a skillet sauté til golden 1/3 cp onions in 2 tbs butter. In bowl mix 1 egg, ½ cp bread crumbs and ½ cp milk. Let stand 5 mins. Now add 1 ½ tsp salt, 2 tbs sugar, 3/8 tsp Allspice, ¼ tsp Nutmeg, 1 lb ground chuck, ½ lb mild pork sausage and the buttery golden onions. Mix well. Heat 2 tb butter in same skillet. Mold meat mixture into ¾ “ diam balls. Brown well on all sides and place in casserole. Now the Grrrrr-avy! In fat left in skillet, stir in 3 tbs flour, 1 tsp sugar, 1 ¼ tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Slowly add 1 cp water and ¾ cp heavy cream and stir to thicken. Had meatballs and heat well. Ho9w great is that!

Yesterday’s Providence Journal ran large photos of the two guys battling for faire Patricks form congressional seat. The caption in large print under Dem Cicilini’s pic said “Roots run deep.” And, all I could think of was that his father was the chief lawyer for Raymond Patriarca (Ruthless boss of the New England Mafia) and that today his Brother is the mob lawyer.

Anchors Aweigh Department:
For years I have thought that East Greenwich Rhode Island was the birthplace of the US Navy. After all, in front of the Town Hall (One of the five Original Colonial RI State Houses) there is a hefty bronze plaque that says so. But lately the big discussion in the papers around here is a coming event where experts will actually declare which was first – Providence, Philadelphia, Whitehall NT, Machias ME and Beverly or Marblehead Mass. What! No EG. A travesty. But here’s the facts. To combat British raids at seas, the RI Assembly meeting in east Greenwich on June 12 1775 commissioned two ships, the Katy and the Washington. (Two ships by definition is a navy.) Stephen Hopkins brought the RI document to The Continental Congress who accepted it October 13 as official for launching the first U.S. Navy. Of interest, the Katy was renamed Providence which, as most of you should know, became the ship of John Paul Jones. So let’s hear it big for East Greenwich.

Scary Department:
A minister from a church in a more depressed part of Providence was speaking a week or so ago to another congregation in a church in the upscale East Side near Brown University. One of the topics was the increase in homelessness. Now…pay attention. The husband and wife minister team said that it was well known in their area that taxis from Connecticut arrived there on a regular basis depositing homeless in this neighborhood of Providence. Because the benefits were greater here in this near bankrupt state than they were in one of the richest sates in America. It’s like the underground railroad of your except very different. I remember when people used to migrate to find better jobs. Now they do it to find some ting for nothing. And the beat goes on.

The real question is: Who is paying for the taxies? It is accomplished if you noticed by putting an “I” in taxes!

Everybody wants the US to improve its trade deficit. Of course that means selling more goods and services overseas. To do that, US companies must be competitive. That is, get the costs out, which means lowering the wages of labor or automating to decrease the number of workers. So if you are wandering where the middle class went, you have to look no further than the expanding global economy.

When you think about all of the daily errors we encounter from people in the service industries, maybe it is a good thing that we don’t build cars any more.

In two consecutive nights on TV I saw Jerry Brown stumbling and bumbling his way through a public appearance followed by ex wrestler Governor Jessie Ventura in a megalomaniac “Duh” explanation of the country’s current state of affairs. And I looked them both and thought that “Yikes! – We are being taken over by has-been political hacks with pony tails!

The Answer:
Kicking sand in the face was the opening to the famous Charles Atlas comic strip ad for his muscle building business. It’s about an embarrassed skinny kid who gets his girl back after going to CA Muscle school and flattening the big bruiser. Today the skinny kids just write nasty things about large people. Less sweat.

The End:
So, if God has this plan to help people adjust to temperature, do you think that the promotion of Florida for the Winter is a Muslim anti Christian plot?

I love to blow my own horn. Many things I hear described as new on news talk shows have often been previously explained in The Tids. Pay attention.

Up with people.

Today's Tids Issue 2,214

http://todaystids.blogspot.com

When North Korea announced that Kim Jong Un would replace dad Kim Jong IL it was known as a bad heir day!

I’d take that capsule, beaten and battered just as it was when the last miner stepped safely upon the Chilean land once again, and transform it into a beautiful monument for all to see. I place it smack right in the center of the busiest square in Santiago. As a wonderful tribute to the best in humanity. The courage, cooperation and love of man for his fellow beings.

Which brings me to a comment in the comic strip “The Buckets” where the wife asks “Who do you want to win the $10,000 for The Funniest Video.” And, the husband answers, “None of them showed any behavior I want rewarded.”

Which reminds me of how often we get bombarded by loathsome athletes deeds -- Beating up wives and girl friends, assaulting strangers, shooting guns and taking drugs. -- And then watch apologists rush to their defense. But last week at the end of the Atlanta-San Fran series something quite excellent happened and I never saw a word or heard a comment about it. Is it because you can’t make money off of goodness? After the third out that ended the game and gave the Giants their elusive title, the SF players didn’t rush to jump in a pile and squirt Champaign. Nope, the players turned to the Atlanta dugout and started to applaud retiring Atlanta manager Bobby Cox. This was the venerable manger’s last game; it was obvious that the players thought highly of how he ran his team and contributed to the overall quality of their sport.

The Question:
I am really out of touch with with drives kids and many young adults to stare hours upon hours at their Mobile Phone. Name the top all time selling Mobile Phone Games.

The Headlines:

--4 T0 12 Inches Of Snow Whitens Killington.
--Germany’s Merkel Says Multi-Cultural Society Has Failed.
--Super typhoon ravages The Phillipines.
--US Firms Say The Lose More From Electronic Rather Than Physical Theft.
--Stocks Up On Stringer Than Expected Citi Earnings; Market Awaits Apple’s After Closing Report.
--400 Charities report Billions Less In Donations.
--BoA Expected To resume Foreclosures.


Back to More Stuff:
I hear that kids this Halloween will be dressing as “Incumbents”. They’ll be wearing paper bags over their heads.

In case you are interested, Health.com picks the five healthiest Fast Food restaurants: Panera Bread, Jason’s Deli (Editor’s Note: Real good deli’s are healthy), Au Bon Pain, Noodles and Company and Corner Bakery Café. Notice how many of these places got their start baking “White” bread. So I figure that if I keep on eating good old white bread, I’ll eventually evolve into a health nut.

The only thing dumber than Verizon’s automated computer system may be “Spell Check.’ For instance when you mistype “to” as “Ti” how hard would it be for a computer to recognize that the only two letter word that starts with a “t” is to! No, they give you six or seven options that begin with “Ti”.

While we’re on Microsoft, how long will it be until this giant crumbles? We may have an inkling Monday when Apple reports earnings, and more importantly, sales of the iPad. Big Windows’ users Dell and H&P will be eying those numbers to. The reality is that more and more PC users don’t need much more than an Internet/eMail machine. All of the gigabyte computing power probably goes unused by most.

There’s a hole in the heart of Baby Boomers everywhere. June Cleaver ( Barbara Billingsley ) died last night at the age of 94. The perfect mom. Always there for the Beave and Wally. And for her loving husband. But most of all for all of the kids of American (And adults) who enjoyed the happy refuge of the Cleaver households. Her own real life sons say her innate goodness and loving kindness didn’t end at the show. She was exactly the same at home.

But, that was then and this is now. However there are way more homes today like the Cleaver household than TV would want you to believe. Today the Beave would be binging home a gay friend. In fact movies and television have an inordinate amount of gay people romping across the stage when you consider that best estimates put the gay population at between 2-4%. But, what I really don’t comprehend is why gay America would stand for those clichéd portrayals of their fellow brethren.

When listening to classical music, often the most intriguing and emotional part are the undertones of cellos and bass violins. The ear automatically goes to the flurry of the main themes which is only one dimension of the piece. Beethoven’s Seventh, 1st and 4th movements and Tchaikovsky’s 4th, 1st movement are good examples. If I knew anything about music you would probably understand what I was saying.

One reason never to buy movies is so you’ll never have to read stories with headlines like “What to do with all of those VHS tapes.” But, headlines like that makes me fret about the future of my 400 plus classical CD’s. I tried to convert them to an iPod, but it is just too long a process to be efficient. I guess I’ll be ok as long as somebody still makes a CD player.


What ever happened to eloquence and statesmanship?

US Politics Today Department:
Sorry kids, but new research says that Dinosaurs ate their pals for dinner. Yes these popular creatures may have died off simply because there were no more friends to eat. The next thing you know some body will be writing a paper saying that Liberals really hate their American heritage and consider themselves above our traditional way of life. Isn’t anything sacred anymore?

The only way to stop this is to keep the name “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” alive.

Are the Polish shiny?

The Answer: Number One is Block Breaker Deluxe. The rest are Sonic the Hedgehog, Angry Birds, Doodle Jump, Final Fantasy IV, Flight control, Pocket Gold, Flick Fishing, Bubble Bash, Coin Stack, Cut the Rope, Doom RPG, Guitar Hero III and Super Bomberman.

The End:
I think a big part of the ills of the world is the media dwelling on the negative. The world was re-invigorated by the love and courage of the Chile miners. But as far as I can tell, the media is spending a lot of time looking for something they may have done wrong. It’s disgusting. People are basically good.

How good is your brand of tea?

Today's Tids Issue 2,213
Opening Stuff:

Wow! Time sure flies when the air is crisp, the sun is low and glistening and the leaves are turning. We’re half way through beautiful October and I have yet start sewing my Halloween costume. I’m thinking that there will be Chile miner costumes and kids dressed as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. I heard of a couple going as Jack and Jackie – well half Jackie. The other half of the female costume will depict Marylyn Monroe. I heard of another humorous couple costume – interlocking puzzle pieces. I expect we will see Red, White and Blue Teabags or lots of scary Nancy Pelosi masks. Me, I’m going as a meatball sandwich.

I’m starting to see the possibility of a lot of fractured voting on November 2. As Tea Party candidates begin to make real progress in campaigns around the country, you have to wonder how many will siphon votes away from Republicans and Independent candidates, probably making the prime beneficiary Democrats, who the majority may not want. The net result is a continued Dem majority in the Congress…and the first Plurality Congress. It’s possible. It’s sad.

Some of the best golf of the year is taking place in the PGA Fall Series and the Nationwide Tour right now. The reason, every golfer is playing for their future and the avoidance of “Q” School. Every shot counts. Every player counts. You like tension? This is all tension.

The Question:
Based on a combination of the four categories Gas Prices, Insurance Rates, Infrastructure/Safety and Legal Protections…which are the five worst states for drivers? Bonus: What does Clint Eastwood say are his six favorites of movies he has directed?

The Headlines:

--Reid Angle Face Off In Debate; Twosome Unable To Agree On Anything.
--Fed Expected To Buy Treasuries To Rejuvenate Economy; Bernanke Undecided On Size Of Plan.
--GE Sales Slump Rattles Recovery Hopes.
--Unexpectedly Higher Auto, Electronics and Appliance Sales Push September Retail Numbers Up 6%.
--Israel Declared Hottest Real Estate Market On Planet.
--Whoopie! And Joy! Turn backs On Guest O’Reilly And Walk Off View Set.
--Swiss Complete Longest Tunnel.
--First Chile Miners Released From Hospital After One Short Day; Docs Impressed With Overall Health Of Group.
--3 In Cleveland Scam Mortgage Lenders Out Of $7 Million.

Back to More Stuff:
For some reason there are often some funny typos in Church Bulletins. For instance this one: “Today’s Sermon: ‘Jesus Walks on Water’; Tonight’s Sermon: ‘Searching for Jesus’. Or…”The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due to a conflict.” And finally – “low elf Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use back door.”

Some of the vacuous in the local intellectual elite crowd have managed to place a referendum on the RI November 2 ballot that would ask the people to vote to change the official name of state from Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to Rhode Island. The political correctness gone amok reason is obviously because the word Plantation dredges up thoughts of slavery. At least for the mentally brittle who some how think they are guilty of something that happened a couple of hundred years ago. Anybody with an ounce of curiosity would soon learn that “Plantation” refers to a “community where agriculture is a primary occupation”. And this word Plantation was applied to RI around 1660, long before the first slave was traded for a pint of rum. If the academic crowd thinks that changing a name will somehow make the past good again, they should look to Brown University – Named after John Brown who made oceans of money as the primary mover in the notorious Triangle Trade.

Did you see where Minister Terry Jones received a brand new car for not burning the Koran. (Or is it Quran). Extortion is alive and well.

Reading between the lines Movie Reviews:
--I’m seeing a decided trend towards geezer movies as agents try to keep fading careers going. The latest might not be bad primarily because of the presence of Helen Mirren who has the=e talent to push most things above formula blah. This one also has Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Richard Dreyfus and the oldest actor on the planet, Earnest Borgnine (Who is planning his 175th Birthday Party). It’s about retired former CIA assassins who are now framed fr a high profile killing and become targets of their old organization. They rejoin each other and uncover the biggest Government conspiracy in history.
--Conviction is a well done real life story about a woman with no career and no future, who after her brother is sent away for life for murder, goes back to get her High School, College and eventually law degree to free him. Uplifting tale about Rhode Islander who finds the DNA evidence that sets him Free. (Back Story: Brother died shortly after freedom falling off a fence as he cut through backyards. Sister is suing sister for not getting credit in film for her contributions to brother’s release.)y captured
--Buried looks like a bummer downer about a guy captured by Islamists and buried in a box with a cell phone pencil and paper. After ninety minutes it gets a lot tedious.

Whoopie and Joy seem like such happy names. You have to wonder why they are so angry.. And, if you haven’t noticed, Joy Behar may be the biggest bigot on National TV. Check out her anti Christian/Catholic rhetoric. 

For the most part weather people issue dire warnings of things we have experienced every year of our lives.

The Answer:
California (Ranked very low in all categories) is tops followed by Illinois (Low in all but particularly low in :Legal rights.), New York (Very bad in road maintenance and legal rights), Michigan (How ironic…This state crushes drivers on insurance rates. Q: Does this Auto Capital of US they know something about the quality of manufacture that other states don’t?) and Alaska )The gas pipeline state with highest gas prices, and frost heave roads). Of course you have to know what movies he has directed first! They are “Bird”, “Letters From Iwo Jima”, “Million Dollar Baby”, “Mystic River “, “The Outlaw Josey Wales” and “Unforgiven”.

The Weak End:
Sometimes on Friday my brain just stops working. There is nothing left inside it. I’m taking the rest of the day off.

Love your weekend.

Community, Sharing, Cooperation, Love.

Today'sTids Issue 2,212
Opening Stuff:

I could see the heart of Sabastian Pinera swell several times over the course of the evening as one by one the miners returned to their loved ones.

I loved the phrase I heard yesterday, “Trickle up Poverty”. Obviously refers to a down grade of the upper and middle classes if income redistribution actually gains momentum. It is the inevitable result of taking from the producers. Then I learned it was the title of a new book by Michael Savage. Hey, it still works.

Let’s see…when Dem candidates really need help (Like Feingold fighting for his life in Wisconsin), Michelle O is sent out to inspire voters. And then the Clintons run out to regions where 0-Man is perceived as unwelcome. So, I’m thinking that the 2012 Convention will pit Veggie-Girl Against The Hill for the nomination.

If I were Adam, we’d probably all still be in Paradise. Apples just don’t do anything for me.

The Question:
This bonus Q-day! Ehah!! Part One: You can find many great artists from Van Gogh to Michelangelo who were thoroughly depressed. But only one well known artist was a true out and out alcoholic (Or at least only one admitted it to his/her biographer). Who was it? Part Two: While we’re alcoholic prone celebs, one actor played the world famous superspy, martini stirrer 007 more than any other. Who was it and name his Bond films.

The Headlines:

--The World Rejoices; Politicians Unable To Corrupt The Passion Of People For Fellow Human Beings as Citizens From China To Iran To Ireland View The Emerging Miners Through The Same Loving Eyes.
--Armenial Criminla Enterprise Medicare Scam Defrauded Government of 163 Million!
--New Jobless Claims Rise To 452,000; Economists Had Expected 445K.
--Markets Open Higher On Jobless Claims Rise; WS Hopes News will Force Central Bank To Pimp New Money Into Economy.
--Over 288 Thousand Homes Seized In Third Quarter; 816,000 Homes Have Been Foreclosed Year-To-Date.
--Queen Elizabeth Cancels Annual Buckingham Palace Christmas Party Out Of Concern For Citizens Enduring Tough Economic Times.
--Afghan Peace Chief Thinks Taliban Ready To Talk.

Back to More Stuff:
Did you hear about the executioner who when not working just hung around?

This is becoming one of the toughest NFL pickin’ seasons ever. A season where it appears any team can beat any other team. Last year’s two Superbowl teams are struggling. And the experts pre-season “Hot” teams have disappointed…except I guess the dreaded Je-Je-Je…(WYKWIM). Look at this weeks match-ups where picking the winner would be as much luck as skill or NFL knowledge: NE-Balt, Miam-GB, KC-Hous, Atl-Phil, NO-TB, NYJ-Den, Oak-SF, Dal-Minn (2 expert hot picks at 1-3), Indy-Wash and Jax-Tenn. They are coin flippers. And if the NYG’s were still playing like they were two weeks ago, I’d be picking Detroit who is getting stronger. And who knows which Jints team will show this week? Enough intro. The time has come. I’m thinking that home field advantage is my out when I pick NE and several others GB, Houston, TB, Denver, SF, Minn and Washington. I see Atlanta, San Diego and Tennessee as visiting winners in the tougher games. For the rest it is Chicago, Pitt and Giants. Last week’s 9-5 brought the Tid’s team to 50-26 (65.7%).

I was fairly disgusted last night when flipping through the channels came across the Daily show where a comedian, Olivia Munn, was making fun of, ridiculing the miner’s ordeal. Somehow we have to refortify our culture. Give it a rest already.

There is a lot of talk and grandstanding about the illegalities associated with many foreclosures. It is a serious problem and certainly an indication of shoddy work in an overwhelming tide of defaulted mortgages. But, the fact remains that, whether properly signed or not, the initiation of the paperwork was the result of people not paying. It is said that after all is said and done, there will be but a handful of foreclosures overturned.

This years election is as much about the press giving up their place in society as unbiased protectors of the truth as it is about discarding a Congress that seems to have totally lost its way.

You have to worry about where our grant money is going when you learn about a professor at U. Vermont writing a paper on “Whale Poop that is fluffy like a tuft of wool.”

Speaking of smelly stuff, did you hear about the Captain and the sailors at sea? At the morning inspection the ships captain told the First Mate that his men smell bad and perhaps he should suggest that they change their underwear occasionally. “Aye, Aye”, said the First, and he ran below. He gathered the sailors and announced, “The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and he wants you to change your underwear.” He continued, “Pittman, you change with Jones; McCarthy, you change with Witkowski; Brown you change with Schultz.” The moral of the story is that someone may come along and promise “Change”, but don’t count on things smelling any better.

The emotional at times Michael Savage, a self proclaimed refugee from 60’s radicalism, is absolutely right-on a lot more than he is misguided. You just have to stay calm and pay attention.

The Question:
Part One; Jackson Pollack is acknowledged as a very creative contemporary painter. But he was equally competent and putting away the sauce. Actually to many, his paintings look like his brain on vodka. Part Two: Roger Moore was the most prolific of the martini stirring spy. Well at least in number of years playing the role. He made as many Bond’s as Sean Connery, 7, but one of Connery’s “Never Say never Again” was not considered officially part of the EON Production series. Moore’s are Live and Let Die, The man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View to a Kill.

The End:
You gotta hope that the world learned a lot from the Chilean miner endurance and cooperation about living together for the good of all. In fact I believe that if we didn’t have politicians and the media exploiting differences that we could achieve that. Everybody wants to be loved.

As soon as I get the inspiration, I’ll be back again with a new installment novel.So far I've had two suggestions from readers: 1. A Buxum starter on a golf course. 2. Why Boston and the world have an innate hatred of the Ya-ya-Ya's.

The brightest, warmest sun ever.

Today's Tids Issue 2,211
Opening Stuff:

I was going to start off this morning with an eloquent paragraph about the early morning fall sun glaring off cruise liners as they made their way through our East Passage over quiet glistening waters awaiting fluttering sails of trim boats. But then I thought…there is no more eloquent, glistening sun than the one that the Chilean miners saw as they emerged form their dark dungeon. That’s the sun that counts.

Joan Sutherland was a helluva singer!

The Question:
What is – 2 cups of flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 sticks of unsalted butter, ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract? And, why is important to know this?

The Headlines:
--The World Hugs The Freed Miners; One Miner Emerges From the Bowels Of The earth About Each Hour.
--New Ancestry Data Shows Obama And Palin As Related.
--JP Morgan Chase Profits Rise 23% To $4.42 Billion: Bank Able To Set Aside $1,55 Bil To Cover Personal Banking Division Losses Going Forward.
--Ahmadinejad Trip To Lebanon Expected To Increase Middle East tensions.
--Security Rises At India’s Commonwealth Games After terrorist Strike Warning.
--Secy Of Defense Gates Says Courts Should Not Set Policy On Gays In Military.

Back to More Stuff:
I don’t know if Connecticut’s Linda McMahon will win or not, but she is sure making it obvious that if voters get tangled up in their party allegiances and elect Blumenthal, the state will be represented by a myopic loser.

When you come right down to it, everybody out there working hard is hoping some day to get the gravy.

Most Tea Party leaders are saying that if the Republicans had done the job when they had the Congress, there would never have been a Tea Party movement! The Tea Party, they say isn’t Republican or Democrat, but represents a sensible alternative to a governing body that has grown immune to the needs of voters and taxpayers and is virtually ineffective for the people.

The newscasters are worrying about whether or not the Chilean miners will suffer claustrophobia on the trip back up to the earth’s surface. They’ve been living in a dark hole a mile under the ground for two months! God what idiots!

But Useful Idiots for leftist politicians.

They must know that communist countries have always shut down the press, but for some reason here the main stream press seems to think a socialistic form of government is a good idea?

Through the Same Eyes: Epilogue continues. –The kids were all over me during my first days home. Attentive and very loving. Happy they said that I was all right. But I could sense that their feelings were much deeper, and that the tragedy so close to them was affecting their sense of security. I loved them twice as hard back.
Paul? Well…Paul…Paul was just Paul. Looking at me like a new lover. Yet with the eyes of a man who knew everything about me and accepted me for what I meant to him. He always was like that. I often anguished over my intoxication by Kent because of the unequivocal love that Paul had for me. It’s why I questioned myself. The character of who I had become in the arms of Kent Middleton. Maybe me, Mrs. Independent thinker, actually held a great sense of entitlement that enabled me to disillusion myself. Maybe my life of achievement has really been one of denial.
Here I am -- a person who cheated on her husband and was used by people she thought respected her; A life’s work that lead to brutal murders and a complex business fraud – sitting in the corner office of LR&H feeling comfortable that this is where I should be; That I am the only person who can put it all back together again.
Jack Wiley, a man I believed in and trusted with my life and future had used me. He always wanted more than his successful but small Boston investment bank provided. And it had provided for him extremely well. But, not in his mind, and especially his wife’s. Isabelle was an old classmate of his, and he learned from her about some brilliant scientists creating a new business in the high growth potential Bio-genetics business. They became lovers and he pulled some strings with his local cronies to generate start-up financing and appoint Izzy as President of the new company BiEm. Kent, the founding scientist, knew what it would take to beat other smart competitors and he set up the convoluted vandalism plan that would eventually produce live subjects for testing. And the death of Bromsky. The dreadfully weak Symington was another old school pal of Wiley I learned later, and became the inevitable snitch in my operation. They -- Izzy, Jack and Jeff -- were essentially controlling my every move. The one thing they hadn’t figured on, was that Kent would fall in love with me.
“Hi Boss.” Bill Claxton, no worse for wear after his beating, had stepped into my room. “Legal just called me. The new Name for BiEmbyo is approved – “Middleton Genetics”.
“Good”, I smiled. “Roll out the publicity on our hero scientist…and make sure they know how much Kent was loved!”

The Mexican investigator in charge of the case about the shooting of an American on a South Texas lake was found decapitated; His head was in a suitcase. I have a great idea for a nuclear bomb strike.

Why does the public have to endure endless apologies by ESPN for sexual predators like Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger, Tiger Woods and now the tedious Brett Favre. It just shows how an investment in personality can dilute moral integrity

One of the reasons I’m never too impressed by celebrities is that all too often I see them wearing Ya-Ya-Ya…(Well…You Know Who I Mean)…caps. I mean how smart can they be?

The Answer: If you follow the directions about you will make delicious short bread, one of the finest foods on earth. It is important to know this because you can dip it in chocolate. Crumple it over ice cream or make an amazing pie crust out of it. It is one of our most important food groups.

The Tids would have a lot more daily information if I could read my handwriting in my notes.

полезный идиот

Today's Tids Issue 2,210
Opening Stuff:

There is a term sometimes attributed to western sympathizers of Lenin’s ideologies -- полезный идиот or “Useful Idiots. It has come to identify all those naïve or elite minds being manipulated by political movements, hostile governments and terrorists looking for support of suspect but emotional causes. It was recently mentioned to describe the reason for Obama’s latest college tour – rounding up the useful idiots.

Here’s a rule of life you can count on: “A pot roast on Sunday assures gravy for the rest of the week.”

When a snowstorm cancels all flights it is called a Winterruption!

The Question:
Who was the Guest Host on the first telecast of Saturday Night Live? Name three things for which he was known.

The Headlines:

--It’s Hold Your Breath time In Chile; Rescuers Ready To Haul Out Survivors.
--Seniors Expected To Cut Down On Spending After Learning Of SS Freeze.
--Transportation Unions Expected To Shut Down France In Response To Sarkozy Move To Raise Retirement Age By Two Years.
--New Study Says Too Much TV Harms Children; Bloomberg Mulling Banning Of TV IN NYC.
--Attentions Seeking Author Hurls Book At Obama; Prez Employs Full george Bush To Avoid Missile.
--Market Futures Pointing Down.
--Unemployed Lack New Skills Necessary For Available Jobs.

Back to More Stuff:
This Food Stamp thing in NYC is just the tip of an iceberg that could sink the good ship America. As the Big all encompassing government pays for more and more of the groceries they gain the right to tell you what groceries to buy. Be that wall street firms and banks, auto companies, energy companies, doctors, healthcare facilities, towns and cities. When you accept the government dough, you are in for plenty of woe. It’s just the way it works. And too many people these days want it to work that way.

All this talk about the yuan is a big yawn. But, in fact it should be a wake up call for the US Economy.

Politicians talk about bringing jobs back to America. Actually it is easy, but that is the one reason why they will never tell you how it can be done. Jobs will flow back if wages in America go down. All of this global talk is great for a select few. But remember, the oceans are global and they are all at the same level. That’s just economics 101.

Newspapers covered that national convention of litterbugs – you know the “The one nation working together rally” in response to the Glen Beck rally – with reverence. In fact a letter to a local newspaper points out that the photo of people peacefully holding innocuous signs accompanying an AP article, was far from the whole story. The writer said that other signs just out of sight were for groups that included “National Conference on Socialism”, “Socialistalternative.org”, “Socialism for the 21st Century”, “Ohio U. For Democratic Socialists”, “Capitalism is failing, Socialism is the alternative” and “Organizacion Marxista-Leninista de los Estados Unidos”. It’s a new world out there and there are plenty of Useless Idiots to support it.

Things are changing too fast for me. In fact, I think the vegans have taken over the ant-acid business. Do you realize how hard it is to find a Tums that isn’t fruit flavored? Another push into berry-ville? What’s that all about? Don’t they know that peppermint, wintergreen and spearmint are leaves. Are green leaves supposed to be good for you? It’s getting tough to live in this world.

The big news for 2012 isn’t going to be about which republican is going to run against “Prime Time” but whether or not 0-Man is there after The Hill challenges him for the Dem nomination. .

Seismologists are reporting that there actually no earthquakes in southern cal. It is an odd cultural occurrence that produces’ the simultaneous revving up high bases car radios in South Central LA that is rattling the buildings.

The Answer:
I rank George Carlin up there with the funniest of all time. First, George could be very funny while being clean. Although he was widely known for his 7 words you can’t say on TV and for a long list of names for a certain part of the female anatomy. Mostly, though he could comment humorously on simple acts or facts of daily life. Like “If the Cincinnati Reds were really the first major league baseball team, who did they play?” And, “A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” Check out http://blogzarro.com/2007/05/100-greatest-george-carlin-quotes/ for a long list of Carlin Quotes.

And, Carlin has a good close for today’s start: “Think how stupid the average person is, and realize that half of them are stupider than that.”

John Matson for Congress.

Today's Tids Issue 2,209)

Opening Stuff:

There’s no Truth to the rumor that as the NY State nanny government passes more and more laws banning foods, drinks and activities, gangland leaders are knocking off each other to gain control of black markets for sweet soda and transfats. If successful with these products, Gang and organized crime leaders are expected to use the profits to open a chain of smoking huts on beaches…disguised as Ticketron booths for the Eliot Spitzer show.

Which leads me to my main topic of the day…turning our government back over to citizen leaders instead of career politicians. Neighbors who enter the fray without the big money backing; People who see the need to change a declining system; Who have the guts to sweat out raising money from real people; Who want to restore a sensible, limited government. Independent thinkers without cluttered minds being pulled astray from the people by special interests. I’m talking about a guy like John Matson, a hard working carpenter from the rural South County in RI. A good man who is just tired like many of his neighbors of watching Party Puppets elected to Congress year after year. Lifetime politicians joining in with other members of an out of control congress who just don’t get it any more. Whom somehow think that Government built this outstanding country of ours. A congress that has seemed to stop listening to those who really built the country. The people. Matson, and I know many other new candidates like him around the country, have the brains and the courage to question, and then stop, the accepted antics of these apologists for agendized parasites.

My body seems to loose its edge when the Patriots are in Bye Week.

The Question:
Since a lot of people enjoy celebrating the Discovery of America and have some leisurely time, here’s an anagram Q to test your minds. Rearrange the letters in the following phrases or words to make new phrases. 1. “Dormitory”. 2. “The Eyes”. 3. “George Bush”. 4. “Election results”. 5. “Eleven plus two”

The Headlines:

--World Applauds As Chile Rescue Breaks Through To Trapped Minors; Steel Reinforcing Tube Installed. First Minor Expected To See Daylight Tomorrow.
--No Cost Of Living Increase For Social Security Recipients For Second Consecutive Year.
--Chinese Arrest Wife Of Jailed Dissident Who Won Nobel Peace Prize.
--Microsoft Expected To Enter Phone Biz With Partner AT&T; New Competitor To Google And Apple Will Use Windows.
--Stocks Rise As benanke Utters “S” Word.
--Chinese Buy 1/3 Control Of 600,000 Acre Huge Chesapeake South Texas Oil Field.
--Peter Diamond, Dale Mortensen and Christopher Pissarides Win Nobel Economics Prize For Theories On Unemployment/Available Jobs Dichotomy; Some Note They May Have developed Prize Winning Theory While Reading The Tids.

Back to More Stuff:
Over the weekend I was in a group of people who were talking about how well the “Recovery Act” was repairing local roads. I guess I’m not that smart, because I always thought that one major reason for our state and local taxes was the maintenance of roads, streets and country lanes. I guess I have been living under a misconception. Silly me. I must be from another planet.

If Whitman and Firorino win in California, you can bet that somebody will ask the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to place an injunction on the results. And the court will do it.

Our Nobel Peace Prize dissident is living in the White House.

Tonight’s NFL pre-game will be dominated by sex, Moss and video phone photos. But in reality, it should be an exciting games by two good teams. The Je-Je-Je (WYKWIM) are unfortunately a formidable team, but the Vikings have more urgency. That said, I’m looking forward to the fans signs.

You know the country Is in trouble when you realize that RI Senator Whitehouse is on the “Intelligence“ committee.

When an athlete says, “I got to get me some of that Bling”, he is by definition saying “I got to become showy and tasteless.”

Through the Same Eyes: Epilogue. –The days following the slaughter at HR&L were hectic and confusing…and heart wrenching for me. My heart went out the door with the stretcher carrying Kent’s body. I don’t remember how long I sat on the floor with blood pooled around my thighs; clutching the cooling body that will always be warm to me. I only remember arms lifting me as other arms took Kent and laid him flat on the floor. I felt arms encircling me from behind and realized it was Paul. Paul tying to give me strength as I stared transfixed into Kent’s now lifeless eyes. But filled with the life of memories past. An EMT walked over and placed a sheet over Jack Wiley and then Kent. I slowly expanded my arms to gently break the grasp of Paul. I took a step, bent to a knee and pulled back the sheet to take one last look at that face. I then pulled the sheet back up knowing that Kent’s image will never leave my mind, and will always affect my body. I stood, turned and looked at Paul, who showed me loving concern. I reached my arms behind him and laid my head on his chest. I felt my friend Henry’s hand warmly touch my back and give it an anxious rub. Now for the first time I wondered what Paul was thinking. Knew.
Hours later I was still there talking to police. Dan, was not hurt badly and joined me filling in the blanks as law enforcement people tried to put together the events. Dan said that Kent was the hero of the day and probably saved the lives of many in addition to mine.
The people in the office were all sent home for the rest of the day. It was obvious I realized even as sat there rattled trying to remember details of a tragedy, that was going to be up to me to put everything back together. I was going to have to be Maggie the Magnificent again. But then as I thought about Jack using me as well as Isabelle and maybe even Kent, I wasn’t so sure I could ever be again what I thought I was.
Finally, I was able to leave, worn but still living on memories of my deceased lover. Paul was sitting by the elevator. He looked tired. His eyes rose up. He smiled. A loving smile. “Ready to go home to Fosterville?”

There is no truth to the rumor that Will Travers, shocked by the in ability to stop the Houston Harbor terrorist attack, will spend the next year in the series looking for Jack Bauer.

It would be nice if on my computer there was also a little thermometer reading down near the time. To warn me that I’ve been sitting in the cold too long.

I get it, our taxes pay for brainy people who set up the circumstances that cause recessions so that our tax federal money can be returned to local governments to fix roads. I knew there was a plan in there somewhere.

The Tids goes to great lengths to bring opinions and facts about just about everything that is going on in the world. But, I’m sorry to say that I just don’t have the stomach to tune into the Eliot Spitzer show. You’ll have to figure it out yourself. Sorry.

The Answer:
I think these are pretty clever and kind of amazing: 1. “Dirty Room”. 2. “They See”. 3. “He Bugs Gore”. 4. “Lies – Let’s Recount. 5. And Truly amazing…”Twelve plus One”. And, you have to wonder if the original Presbyterians knew the anagram of the name was “Best In Prayer”!

The End:
Remember, there is a John Matson in your Congressional district too. Don’t let a good candidate, who will work for you, get lost in the morass of party bosses and biased media politics as usual.

Hey, I’m a little late. So what. It’s a holiday.

Headless Horsemen.

Today's Tids Issue 2,207
Opening Stuff:

They say that the sale of Halloween decorations is starting to approach that of Christmas. But, amidst all of the skeletons and ghosts, orange and black we have also been introduced to a highly skilled, new set of artists -- Pumpkin carvers. And it is very enjoyable art form. And you have to believe if Van Gogh, Leonardo and Cezanne were around today, they’d be doing some great work with everybody’s favorite orange Fall gourd. But maybe not up to the level of some local carvers I’ve seen.

And like a broad field of orange pumpkins, it is harder and harder to pick out a winner in politics too, as candidates moderate their views to get a elected. They look good from the top, but when you turn them over you often find something rotten or at least discolored. And of course the handlers hollow them out, carve a personality into their face and brighten them up with a candle. But after a few weeks, like a politician in office, they become useless.

The latest report says that 42,000,000 Americans are on food stamps! And the total is growing. Just in case you were wondering how the recovery is going. (Note: In April 2009 it was 33.2 Million up 19% from the year before.)

The Question:
Everybody up here in New England is taking a position on the randy Moss trade. Some think it will kill the Pats as Moss was not only a great pass catcher but also an important decoy that freed other receivers. Others say that the loss of Moss will allow the Pats to return to their Super Bowl winning schemes of the early 2000’s. This is a discussion that will go on, but one thing for sure, Randy Moss put up the numbers. How does he stack up against the all time NFL receivers?

The Headlines:

--Alcoa Report To Begin Earning’s Season; Revenue Gains Or Losses Should be Major Factor.
--Stock Futures Flat.
--Russian Military Successfully Tests New Advanced Ballistics Missile
--Roy Halladay Pitches Second Playoff No Hitter In History; No hit Effort Is Pitcher’s Second Of Season.
--Killing Floods Continue To Overwhelm Asia
--Toxic Red Sludge Reaches Blue Danube.
--Peru’s Mario Llosa Gets Nobel For Literature; Gifted Story Teller Cited For Work On Political Power Structures.
--Powerful LA Teachers Union To Fight New Layoff Agreement; Results Could Affect Teacher Job Management Throughout The Country.

Back to More Stuff:
I’m at that point in this crazy political season that I’m feeling more and more like Ichabod Crane…beset upon by Headless Horsemen.

What I learned last week that there are no “Easy” weeks for NFL pickers. What looked like a potential big win week turned into a disaster with many upsets, or at least games not going to form. An 8-6 week brings us to 41-21 or 66%. What I’m seeing this week is that there are no clear cut winners, even though Buffalo is playing. I go Detroit, Balt, Houston, Washington, Chi, Atlanta, Jax, Cinn, Indy, NO, Tenn, San Diego, San Fran and NY jets…and pray.

With over and mis-reporting by wall to wall media, the new national pastime is jumping on and off hysterical bandwagons.

And, for sports fans the next overdone event will be the Monday Night Favre/Moss hookup against the raucous Jets. Count on it.

If I lived in New York State, I’d move. The next thing you know, this “Nanny” state will be forcing everybody to eat their peas, or Cable TV to their homes will be shut down.

Yesterday in a group of story tellers, we were discussing the use of the word “Substantial” to describe a large woman. Everybody agreed that there are many large people who aren’t “Obese” just because they are heavy. Some people are just big, and it is all about inheriting “big” genes. We agreed that substantial was a word of affection. But, some of the overly gaunt healthy eating despots don’t want to hear about larger people being “just right” for who they are.

Actually, you don’t have to turn over the Obama pumpkin this time. He is campaigning like an out and out socialist. No hidden agendas now. It is an obvious panic attack as he tries to reestablish himself with his beloved lefties.

To all TTSE’s lovers. I need a break after yesterday’s traumatic ending. Or was it traumatic. Maggie/Sarah has Kent’s love in her heart forever and is not fighting it any more. And Kent died knowing M/S would hold him her heart until that time when perhaps they might meet again...depending upon here they are.

Come to think of it, the amoral Ichabod is probably a bad choice for an analogy since his behavior is more a like that of a congress person. I am therefor invoking Poetic license.

I thought vision yesterday of the “Presidential Seal” falling off the podium while the Prez spoke, was quite symbolic of a disintegrating Presidency.

The Answer: 
Randy Moss 935 is 10th in number of receptions behind Jerry Rice (1,545), Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Tony Gonzales, Andre reed and Art Monk. It is unlikely that he will catch Rice, but with 3-4 seasons left he could move into second place with only fifty or so catches per season. Moss with 152 TD catches is already second behind Rice (207). And in yardage, Moss is 6th with 14,465 behind Rice (22,895), Bruce, Owens, Brown and Harrison.

The End:
As we approach the Halloween season, my only wish is that the early settlers would have planted Cocoa trees instead of pumpkins.

Let’s keep the pumpkins out of office.

Warning: Tomorrows Tids could be short. Take out a book from the library.