The nation stopped.

Today's Tids Issue 2,272
Opening Stuff:

It is sad that it always takes a terrible tragedy like the one this weekend in Tucson for the the nation to pause and feel reality. To all of sudden see the insignificance so many petty daily "hangnails". There was no other news over the weekend.

There is something I truly enjoy about the expression, "I can smell the snow". It is always said during that calm under graying skies as the temperature drops in anticipation of a new blanket of white.

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this past week reminds me of a huge Robotics show I attended back in 1981, the early days of Robot technology. What I noticed among the slew of major manufacturing companies showing off their version of a robot, was that most of the humanoids weren't working. I talked to several principals of the companies that rushed to get something thank looked like a robot on the floor. Most said we're here because we have to be here. Most said, "Somebody is going to be a winner, and we want to get our name on the scorecard". Well in LV, there already is a winner, Apple, and the 80 or so Tablet manufacturers there (Some with products far from ready for consumption) are only there so the Jobs' machine doesn't run away and hide. But maybe they already have. Droid based machines, the best of the promising bunch, will be splintered between many manufacturers who will then essentially be competing among themselves, with each individual manufacturers brand only getting a small market share %. Leaving the I-pad alone to keep looking and acting like the leader. This is about the best reality show in town. It will be exciting to watch.

I don't think Rex Ryan is refreshing. And besides, I don't watch football for "refreshing". Ryan is just one more step downward towards the cultural lowest common denominator. Remember when we used to celebrate the honorable?

It's like that Doritos/Pepsi commercial where the snack and soda pop are substituted for what is the most sacred part and essence of the celebration known as Mass. And when somebody comments negatively on the commercial, they may be ridiculed as having no sense of humor. Why are so many people trying to rationalize stupidity or irreverence. Why are we laughing away our values and responsibilities.

Political commentators on either side who spend time demeaning the time Presidents take for vacations lose all credibility in my eyes.

The Question:
Here's a couple of health related Q's. Name the five signers of the Declaration of Independence who were physicains. Name two early scientists and one prolific composer who dropped out of mweidcal school. What werr ethe first medical schools (All in Europe)

The Headlines:
--Bristol RI's Hidleberto Moitoso Named New England Patirots "Fan O The Year"!
--Congresswoman Giffords remains Critical; Some functional Responses Give Hope.
--Portugal May be Next Victim Of Europe's Debt Crisis.
--Portugal mess Pushes Stock Futures Lower.
--Arctic Blast Coats South With Dangerous Ice.
--Killing Continues As Sudanese Vote ON Splitting Country.
--Investors Appear Unmoved Even As Big Corporate Earnings Are Announced; 32% Increase For S&P 500 Was Expected.

Back to More Stuff:
For two years now, Obama has been trying to find a cure for the nations economic woes. It only took new Governor of RI, Lincoln Chafee, one day to find the solution to this problem that has befuddled economic experts around the globe -- Gay Marriage. Just yesterday he reinforced his thinking repeating "Gay marriage is an economic issue."

Home prices are expected to recover to previous highs by 2021. That is not adjusting for inflation. In some places like Las Vegas and other overbuilt western areas, it could take as long as to 2035. As an economy goes global, the traditional economic rules don't count as much.

And, here's another thing that bothers me. Politicians standing on a stage nudging people next to them to look at people they are pointing at in the audience. God, I must be fragile.

Tissue.

God Help Us Department:
As consistent readers, you have probably noticed that I end most Chafee-Lite Tids with the phrase "God Help Us". As an opponent of overkill reporting so prevalent in the media these days, I was going to lay off the Blacksmith for a week or so. You know, like maybe he'll get better once reality sets in. That is, until I read a letter to the editor this morning that ended with, "When a man like this is empowered to administer Rhode Island via a non-mandate of union driven slight plurality..." He finished with the phrase, "And may God help us all..." See, it isn't just me.

The guy in Tucson who murdered six and almost killed the Congresswoman was described as "A pot smoking loner who was disjointed." Shouldn't that be "a pot smoking loner who was 'jointed'?"

Health Care isn't about health, it's about ideology.

And Heath Care reform certainly isn't about saving money. Or at least not as far as I can see. The new Pelosi-Palooza would create a bigger pot of money and more people sucking off of it. New industries will be formed. Colleges will develop new majors. And, the bigger the pot the more that will be wasted. The problem remains that the people think it is all free. And the Health care "Professionals" keep defeating fiscally responsibility with the exhortation, "Don't worry, you don't have to pay for it."

Almost Near: Chapter 1 continues. --Samantha looked at Mrs. Fletcher. Waiting for her to break out into a gigantic laugh like she remembered, saying "Sammy, you look just great too!" Like she always did. But Mr's Fletcher just stared at her and Samantha stared back.
"But I was here all of the time. Remember how I used to love your cranberry gingerbread with my coffee?"
"My cranberry ginger bread is my specialty, but I just don't remember you. Maybe I'm getting old."
"I'm Ginny's niece. I spent many days up at her house."
"My friend and favorite bridge partner Virginia Macomber is your Aunt? She never mentioned her niece." Mrs. Fletcher looked up at the ceiling. What did you say your name was?"
"I'm Samantha Jergans. You used to call me Sammy." Mrs. Fletcher's eyes went blank. She picked up her pen. Samantha bent over and picked up the dropped piece of paper and laid it gently back on the counter. Samantha looked at her with disbelief. Her shoulders sagged. She turned and went over towards the soda fountain area and sat a little table for two. It was very quiet. The little bell over the door tinkled startling Samantha. She looked ovr at a middle aged couple. She thought she recognized them. the man turned his head and looked at her. He turned back and continued talking to the woman who looked up at him and laughed a little. The little table was comforting.

Yesterday Police in the once renown resort town of Acapulco found the bodies of 19 people (!5 decapitated) bringing the 24 hour total of dead to 27! You know why there are so many ghastly killings in Mexico? Because people in the US keep on buying and using so many drugs. It's as simple as that. Remember when Elvis made a movie "Fun in Acapulco"?

Restaurants come and restaurants go, but I still love eating at Twin Oaks.

Thomas Paine was the first Tids Guy.

The Answer: 
You have to wonder what physician signers Benjamin Rush, Matthew Thornton, Josiah Bartlett, Lyman Hall and Oliver Wolcott would think of today's Government intruding health Care edict. Galileo, Charles Darwin and the unstable but brilliant Hector Berlioz dropped out of medical school. The first medical schools were Balogna, Padua, Montpellier, Paris, Leyden and Edinburgh. And, writers Arthur Conan Doyle, Anton Checkov, John Keats and Somerset Maugham were also doctors.

The End:
Here's another possible solution to our economic woes. Weather men! Their over reporting of possible storms frighten people into staying home often leaving restaurant, retail and other business people standing in the front windows looking at dry streets devoid of cars and potential customers. It happens more than we think.

There's a good chance that The Tids and your beloved novel "Amost Near" will be missing Tuesday. Have to go to a funeral of a good friend.

The world it is achangin'.