It's a mad, mad, mad world.

Today's Tids Issue #2,394
Opening Stuff:

How can my life get so complicated when I really have absolutely nothing to do?

To agree, or not to agree. That is really the only question. Surprisingly, corporate profit reports have been very good, actually excellent, this July. July is often the big Question Mark Month especially in a sour economy. The results should have put a positive foundation under an indecisive market. But, alas, our friendly lawmakers got into the mix and what happened is what usually happens -- chaos and fog. So the markets which so many retirees rely upon, and so many small businesses look to for confidence, are laying waste to the indecisive pigheadedness of political wrangling. As we used to say when a ball was lost in the bushes in those wonderful days of sandlot baseball with broken bats and tape wound balls -- "Just pick it up. We'll look for it later."

Leading debt holder China is now saying that, “Political brinkmanship in Washington is dangerously irresponsible.” That, “The debate over raising the debt ceiling has kidnapped the worldwide economy” Also – “The ugliest part of the saga is that the well-being of many other countries is also in the impact zone when the donkey and the elephant fight.” Germany and other big creditors are uttering similar sentiments. In the end, this may be the kind of debt collector pressure that brings a solution to the table. Everything always happens at the end.

The Question:
Name ten of the juiciest politician sex scandals.

The Headlines:

--The Clock Ticks Down.
--US Economy Grows Less Than Expected In Second Quarter.
--Merck To Layoff 13K; That Adds Up to 25,000 Corporate Layoffs For The Week.
--Egyptians Try To Rally For Unity Amidst Deep Rifts Between Liberal Activists And Islamists.
--Libyan Rebel Military Chief Shot And Killed; Deflated Rebel Groups Confused.
--AWOL Muslim Sympathizer Soldier Arrested After Terror Plot Revealed; Soldier Charged Earlier With Child Pornography Wanted To Kill Military People At Fort Hood.
--Phoenix Leads Country In Decline Of Home Values; Median Prices Down 53%.

I find it hard for me to imagine that if Myra Kraft were still alive, that we'd be seeing Albert Haynesworth joining the Pats.

I have been informed by a good friend in response to my comments about the uselessness of calorie reports at fast food shops, that she finds them helpful. And, believe me, I respect her opinions a lot.

The Freshman Republicans are doing what they said they would which is indeed a rarity in Washington. That is certainly a change, but it may also mean that nothing will ever get done, because the Schumer-Reid Gang could care less about principle.

Clown Fish aren't funny.

Speaking of principle, how about that freshman Illinois (R) Congressman who fight for spending cuts? Joe Walsh is really against spending including his own. But, while there may be a chance with the Prez and Dems, there is no chance with his wife to whom he owes $100K in child support payments! Yikes!

Bristol RI is a great little town.

You have to think that most Americans, those who actually listen to the DC harangue, have had it and spend most of their time now looking for pleasant distractions.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I love the title Cowboys and Aliens and I love the concept that has a gritty western with all of the gritty western characters and clichés finding aliens in flying saucers also home, home on the range. It smacks of reality, with good acting and plausible plot considering the subject. It is worth the time. And lord knows, we really need escapism these days.
--Steve Caril is not a draw for me in movies. I have been disappointed too many times. So the question is how good is the movie Crazy Stupid Love? Not bad. It’s about a man who’s well ordered life goes whacko when he believes that his wife is cheating on him. It better than the average romantic comedy. I’ll rent it if Netflix is still in business after Wal-Mart.

It shows you what kind of America we have going for us these days in our enlightened society. In researching today's "Q", I thought of several subjects and found readily available more info than I could ever assume existed. Like: Athletes in Prison; Celebrities in Rehab; Corporate executives in jail. You get the picture...behind all of the Public Relations there is a reality we rarely see.

A caller to a radio sports talk show says the rumors are that a new improved Haynesworth said he'd play any defense combo for the Pats: "4-3, 3-4, it doesn't matter. It still adds up to six."!

A reader tells me that after the most recent "O" plea to the public, Congress received 35,000 calls/hour. Normally he says it is 20K/H and during the ObamaCare it was 50K/H! The Tea Party newbies refusal to bend, he comments, could mean that most of the calls urged "Stay the Course". We've got to stop the spending. And opportunities like this just don't come along that often.

Almost Near: Chapter 31 continues. –It took about a half hour of winding through the streets and alleys of Chauma -- Not much of a town but the people looked happy and relatively prosperous. The oil industry had been good to these small bayou towns. The car was in a driveway next to a well groomed southern style colonial home with the flowering vines framing a comfortable Victorian style porch. Audrey drove the car a block and a half down the street and parked. “I’m going in,” Audrey squeezed Tucker’s hand and gave him that smile he has grown to look forward to.
“Why just you?”
“Cause I’m better at this than you. You’re too nice.”
“I think you’re nice!” She punched him and then kissed him on the cheek and leaned to open the door. But, Tucker pulled her arm and turned her to kiss her on the lips.
Audrey started to lean into him, and then caught herself, pushed away and rubbed her lips. “See, I’m not so nice.” Tucker just stared at her as she climbed out and walked down the street. She turned after a couple of steps, “Call your girlfriend. She needs help. She needs you.”

The Answer:
I have to start with Clinton. After all, he was President, and you have to admit it was juicy. Of course Teddy K retired the Congressional Sex Trophy. He was a professional along with his pal Chris Dodd (Who isn't officially on the list because he was never caught ..or at least it wasn't reported). Then we have Gingrich, Barney Frank, John Edwards. "Wide Stance" Craig, Wu, Packwood, Spitzer, Wiener and the dumbest of them all who asked the media to follow him around -- Gary Hart. And, I have to believe that is just the tip of the iceberg, which as we all know is melting fast.


When I first read that Californians were actually going to vote on whether or not to allow circumcisions, I knew for sure that the world had begun its downward spiral towards Armageddon. But, today maybe there is hope that our great grandchildren will see the sun in 2070. A judge said nonsense – take it off the ballot.

The latest GDP growth number of 1.3 following a revised downward 0.5 for the first Q don’t say we’re headed to a double dip. They say we have never gotten out of the first dip. It ain’t over til Madeleine Albright sings. (No offense Madeleine…I just felt like typing that.)

37 years of Cheetos for all.

Today's Tids Issue 2,396
Opening Stuff:


As the employer of my government I'm now actually beginning to feel like a Credit card company that sends out a notice: "Congratulations! Because of your long standing and ability to send us outrageous sums of interest, we have just raised your credit level...which...actually...I see...you will surpass in 50 seconds. If you don't already have it, open the link following and keep it in your favorites. http://www.usdebtclock.org/ 45,070,318 food stamp recipients?

Just to put the national debt in perspective -- at an average price of $3.50 per bag, you could purchase 4,148,797457,142.8 bags of crunchy Cheetos, which is 13,305.5 bags for every man, woman child and illegal immigrant in the US. Uh-Oh...that was an hour ago. Add 3.2 more bags/person! Oops, make that 2.7 more.

Voters and their reps who are crying for, and only want one thing from their Government - financial sanity - are being labeled as kooks and radicals.

The Question: 

Double Bonus Day! 1. What was the name of the first Nuclear Submarine? 2. Name five of Robin Williams movies.

The Headlines:

--22 Deaths Related To Heat Wave.
--Iffy Stock Day.
--30 Year Space Shuttle Era Ends.
--Germany, France Reach Deal On Euro-Debt Crisis.
--0-Man Says He Would listen To Short Term Extension Of Debt Ceiling.
--Middle East Countries Continue Doing What Middle East Countries Do.
--Fewer People Seeing Smoking As High Risk.

A new study shows that but 0.55% of Federal Employees have been laid off or fired since the beginning of belt tightening for everybody else in America. In fact, in some giant boondoggle bureaucracies like the FTC and FCC, zero have been dismissed for any reason. I don't think I have to comment more.

Bristol Palin is proving that you can make millions in America contributing, doing and standing-for absolutely nothing.

I often am skeptical of our local weather men predicting bad things like this week's heat wave moving East, Some times I sense they feel left out when big time weather related tragedies occur in the South, West and Midwest.

What exactly do you think Tiger Woods is doing?

I'm thinking that there would have been more outrage at the "Gang of Six" debt solution since it eliminates the Home Mortgage deduction. This at a time when everybody is wailing over the plight of a depressed home building and real estate industry. But, I have heard nary a tear drop falling upon a plat house wall to wall carpeting. And all of the media fawns are giddy over it.

I've been reminded that compromise has been the American way since the FF's put forth the first laws and the Constitution. I suggest that that the previous compromisers had some sense of what their opponents stood for and understood that it might be good for the country.

We spent billions building this little space home in the heavens and now we're just leaving it there? I don't get it.

The Answer:
1. If you said "Nautilus" like I did you'd be wrong. It was the Savannah! 2. The funny guy was a big hit in "Good Morning Viet Nam". Some other notables were Dead Poets Society, The World According to Garp, Awakenings, Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Patch Adams, Insomnia, August Rush and One Hour Photo. He made over 60 movies, so I'm sure I missed one of your favorites...that is if you liked Williams.

Let's see, the country can't pay its bills and yet every employ among their 16 million still has a job. This while state and local and private sector employees are suffering massive layoffs. Looks like the FedGov Inc. CEO is asleep a the wheel. Any Board of Directors would ahve fired him by now. Hey, that's us.

Whoops! Make that 4.1 additional bags.

Stars and Stripes Forever!

Today's Tids Issue #2,397
Opening Stuff:


Well, here we are, right now, either at the end of "Forever"; or the beginning of a new sanity that remembers what our"Forever" used to stand for. Let's hope we are in the process of getting past the idea of a whole new America where the stars fade into one big patch of a Blue federal government. And the red and white stripes blend to be come a indistinguishable pink; a fading memory of our courageous beginnings. Let's hope we recapture the ideals espoused by the commitment to "Forever", with higher standards for people, a new dedication to rational responsibility, innate honesty and less government for all.

I have to tell you that I give up. I surrender unconditionally. I just can no longer understand The Prez and the House and the Senate and their proposals, counter proposals, re-countered proposals, inside-out proposals and upside-down proposals. Iterations, manipulations, equivocations and obliterations. All I hope is that it all ends before I run out of Tylenol, Or is this entire scenario the work of lobbyists for th e"PainKiller" industry. Kill my pain.

But then, if the world was a logical place, it would be the men who road sidesaddle.

The Question:

Triple Bonus Friday -- 1. Who was the designer of the Washington Monument in DC? 2. What was the name of the tree that was a part of comedian Orson Bean's act? (Or maybe a better question: Who was Orson Bean!) 3. Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, and what were the original words?

The Headlines:

--US Government Befuddled.
--Wall Street Pleas To DC For Clarity; Market Staggering.
--Powerful Blast Tears Through Government Offices In Oslo, Norway; Prime Minister's Office Among Those Hit.
--Unemployment Rises In 28 States Plus DC; 8 States Decline; 14 States Flat.
--House Budget Plan Goes To Senate.
--Remote Alaska Volcano Poised To Erupt.
--Germany's Merkel Praises Eurozone Agreement to Bailout Hopeless Greece for Second Time.
--Heat Wave Leads Eastern news reports.
--GE 21% Profit Improvement Could Inspire Market Today; Caterpillar Profit Decline Spooks Markets. Markets Confused.
--Today Marks The 2oth Anniversary Of the Arrest Of Jeffery Dahmer.

I believe that almost every single human being's brain is capable to rising to higher standards. Some are just willing to work harder to do it.

I have often fought the battle against "Lazy brain days".

Two of the larger problems in America revolve around the people who take to much, and the people who don't give back.

A headline "The Mother of all Lies", where the first word of the subhead is "Obama" just gets my attention! It was a Kathleen Parker column about the Bogie man's repeated use of his mother's bout with cancer to sell his biggest mistake -- ObamaCare". In case you forgot, 0-man repeated at nearly every sales stop his heartfelt tale of his cancer ridden mother's battle to death with an uncaring Insurance Company that refused to help because of "preexisting conditions". The fact is that her treatments were fully paid for by her company's insurance policy. She was denied "disability insurance" which would have helped pay deductibles or un-reimbursed expenses. According to the NY Times, the White House declined to challenge the account in a new book by Janny Scott, an NYT's writer and author of the book: "The Untold Story of Barak Obama's Mother."

I just have the feeling that there will be a lot contradictions arising out of the "NewsCorp" testimony as the hacking investigation continues.

I prefer a day when the cool damp fog blows off the oceans as opposed to a bright, sunny, suffocating humid day.

Why do I worry when I read the headline: "Banks leading stocks higher."?

I don't use "Numbers" or "Bullets" when I type in Word (Or pretender) because it gives the computer license to take over. But then I have always done things the hard way.

In a new book for Seniors on Texting, "FYI" means found your insulin.

Almost Near: Chapter 30 continues. --"Here. take a look at this." Thelma pulled at a wrinkled piece of paper that looked like a printout of a web picture and placed on the Lobster Cove place mat in front of Samantha. A beautiful young High School senior with fearful, yet penetrating eyes looked back at the now aelert younger woman. Samantha squinted. She looked up at Thelma who now was more stony faced than ever.
"Nice looking girl." She looked up at stony and smiled. "Don't I wish I was her." The continued silence from the waitress made Samantha squirm on her stool. "Where was this girl from?"
"It's under the picture."
Samantha read for a few seconds. "I've never heard of New Castle."
Thelma put her hand to her chubby chin. "So, where did you live before you came here."
"I spent most of my summers here. Probably before your time."
"I've been here 40 years, longer than you've been alive."
Samantha was now as silent and as rigid as Thelma. "I'm from up North."
"New Castle's up north."
"I mean way up," Samantha was thinking, trying to look casual, "Belfast Maine."
"Hey Bert! Looka this."She grabbed the paper, twisted Sama head and held it next to her. "Like twins!"
Bert, the town's newspaper editor walked over and peered at the paper. then Samantha. "Hmmmm." He looked at both again. "Could be, but I donno." He scratched behind his ear. "Where's you say you're from?"
"Upper Maine. I'm goin for a walk." Sam got up, threw a couple a bucks on the counter and left. Bert picked up the paper and stuffed it in his pocket. He winked at Thelma, who smiled.

Many of the people interviewed about the demise of Borders Books complained that they were going to miss a favorite "gathering place". Of course, book store patrons are supposed to buy books. Maybe that was a problem.

Music should only be judged by how beautiful it sounds and not by the costumes worn by the performer(s).

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The first if three pretty good movies this week is Captain America: The First Avenger. I remember the hero from my youth and the movie does my memories justice. An experiment turns Steve Rogers into a super soldier and he sets out to wage war against the HYDRA organization led by Red Skull. Good action and a plot that holds together.
--A surprisingly excellent little French film is Queen to Play, a kind of "Karate Kid" for Chess players. Helene (magical Sandrine Bonnair), a chamber maid at an upscale hotel watches two young lovers play a sensual, flirtatious game of chess on a person sized board in the court yard. She is mesmerized by the game and goes home to buy a chess game for her Hubby. She becomes addicted and very good. She also has a second job working for a Henry Higgens style doctor (Played by Kevin Kline). She asks the grumpy doc to teach her chess. you can imagine the rest. Very good.
--Pals Dylan and Jamie Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis) thing that the addition of sex will be good for their friendship. They soon learn that getting physical always leads to complications. A better than average romantic comedy.

The Answer: 1. Robert Mills, the so-called first American born great architect, designed the Washington Monument. The Charleston SC native also he also designed and built many historic churches and other buildings in Philly (Where he grew up) and Baltimore. 2. Orson Bean, a dry comedian, made people laugh while he built an Eucalyptus tree out of paper. 3. In 1892, Socialist Minister Francis Bellamy wrote the the Pledge: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all." "Under God" was added in the 50's when the godless communism was infecting minds. Bellamy's daughter objected to the change.

The Weak-End:
I guess I'm not an elderly relative yet, because my kids aren't checking on me as ordered by the local weatherman.

The only heat I ever feel is on the days when I miss a chapter of "Almost Near"!

Do you believe that when the debt cacophony finally subsides, that the Tids could actually be funny again?

Have a great weekend!

18th Century all over again.

Today's Tids Issue #2,395
Opening Stuff

The nation hangs on the words of Timothy Geithner. Why? He has never run a business or ever made a business decision. He has only been associated with big finance. Which has contributed to an impressive succession of resume building jobs. This doesn't mean that he isn't smart, it just means that he has done anything. If you check into his entire career you'll find that he has been nothing more than a bureaucrat. And do you know what bureaucrats do? They protect their bureaucracies.

You know that you're developing a personality problem when "smart" phones reject your name and number.

I was watching an AARP commercial on the debt dealings and the implied selfishness sickened me. But...I thought! -- That is the problem with a America. The failure to teach people to understand the the big problem but rather to use people to produce one sided solutions. How are we every going to accomplish anything difficult when you have groups like AARP extorting government representatives with threats revolving around the power of 80 Million votes. Everybody does it and that is why we are in a hole. -- Wall Street, Public employees, farmers, environmentalists and Indian chiefs too. Somebody is out there trying to drill a new air and food hole, but the granite in our leaders heads is making progress slow.

The Question:
Name the top 10 brands receiving the "Most Buzz", according to the Brandindex Buzz scores:

The Headliners:

--House Passes Energetic "Cut, Cap And Balance" Economic Future Bill; Bill Model For Strong Action Going Forward; Senate Expected To Wimp Out With Traditional Band-Ade Compromise.
--Markets Flat.
--June Home Sales Fall.
--NFL Players Say They Are Not Tied To Thursday Deadline To Get deal Done.
--Clinton Says He Would Raise Debt Ceiling Without Congressional Approval.

In case you are wondering, the word is that Casey Anthony eloped with Strauss-Kahn.


America's Got Talent Department: The biggest dilemma I saw was Dani Shay. She finished up strong but as they say on AI, she was a little "pitchy". I say dilemma becasue I like her. This was not a great night on AFT. A bad comedian, an uninspiring magician, a mistake prone juggler all capped by a horsed dropping a large one on the stage. Which some say may have been the best performance of the night. The act of the night was probably The Sillouettes, where this night the shadow makers created patriotic figures. Also decent was Mona Lisa and Daniel Joseph Baker. Not a memorable two hours.

I was watching the British Parliament interrogation of the Murdocks and came away with the same impression that I have taken form US congressional assaults. The elected haughty can't understand why a good business can't run like them, a Government. With all of the inefficiencies, the over staffing and the redundancy. It's why they keep on asking questions that have been answered. It's why business people have martinis when the leave Congressional or Parliamentary hearings.

In 2002 it was 55%. Today 77% of all US banking assets are controlled by 10 Banks. The big six are Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, BofA and Wells Fargo The other 4 are MetLife Inc., Taunus Corp, HSBC and US Bancorp. None of the problems that caused the big 2009 failures have been fixed. These giants still have mountains of risk, debt and leverage all resulting instability. All of the QE's and Bailouts were designed to get the banks to start lending. But it looks as though they are using most of that cash for expansion. 1,000 banks are on the "Problem List". Are you scared yet?

Some laws are passed to assure that products are brought up to higher standards. But when those standards are met and often surpassed, they never rescind the mandates but just make people pay for something they don't need year after year. A good example of thgat is the annual emissions testing. Sometime in the nineteen seventies the laws were passed to establish testing for auto emissions. But, today's new and improved cars have pretty much licked the problem. Yet consumers are still ordered to pay under penalty of fines $60-100 Bucks to test something that works perfectly.

And...Alabama is still collecting a tax to "serve the neediest of Civil War Veterans"!

We lost the manufacturing business for pretty much the same reason that the average investor struggles while the only big money made consistently on Wall Streets is from derivatives. . Side bets! In both industries the MBA trained new manager looked beyond the main business because of the demands for profit which were not possible through normal operations. It is why jobs disappeared. I totally believe in the capitalist system. And, it has performed best when business people remembered that responsibility to the country comes along with the license that enables "Free Enterprise".

Almost Near: Chapter 30. --"Hello. Hello? Tucker?" As hard as she wished him there she was only rewarded with, "Hi you've reached Tucker. I'll call you back. Leave a message." This time she slammed down the phone. She needed his words. She needed to hear his voice. he is what made her fairy tale Lobster Cove so perfect She heard a car out side, and jumped up. But it was just a UPS truck turning around in the driveway.
She looked out, and decided to take a walk to town. She needed to talk to someone. Her little windbreaker slipped on easily and she reached in and pulled her cell phone out of the pocket. The screen door slammed beind her as she walked down the path to the road. She felt better already. She dialed Tucker's cell phone and this time left a message. "Hi, Miss me?" She laughed warmly into the phone. "When are you coming home? I miss you. O.. Anyway, I just called to tell you when you call, call my cell phone. I'm going for a walk."
Within minutes she could feel the stronger breeze off the harbor. And the smell. The beautiful smell of salty air. Before she knew it, she was opening the door to Lilies. There were a few tables taken but it wasn't the morning noise. She decided to endure The Grump, so she sat at the counter.
"Hello".
"Coffee." Words were spare when you sat at the counter. She was used to this now. Originally she was concerned that nobody knew her, and the surly Thelma reinforced her sense of isolation. But now she knew that this waitress was just not a talker.
The thud of the cup and the rattle of the spoon brought her back. She stirred the coffee for no reason. Maybe it was a habit because she never took cream or sugar. Now she felt odd, and as she looked up she saw Thelma staring at her. And, with a little smile on than granite face. Samantha blushed.
"Ya know. You look kinda like that missin' woman. You know, that one the good lookin' lawyer's lookin for. Well, how about that!"
.
People say they don't want experienced business people in relevant cabinet positions because it is like having the fox guarding the hen house. Yet people are willing to elect union leaders to state legislatures to create laws controlling the income of their members. Go figure. I guess the news media doesn't understand.

Boy, do I sound angry this morning. But as I look around at AARP, and people complaining about having to work til they 're 70, and why isn't somebody taking care of me... I just know as many do that this country is totally out of control. When I see elected officials worried primarily about getting re-elected than bringing a America back to its greatness where self initiative combined with caring hearts with little or no government intervention were the ingredients of the American pie. Where freedom rang best when it was coupled with resposibility. That's why I'm angry. It's tough to keep it in.

The Answer: Number one is Subway, proving once again that without question Buzz does not translate into good quality. The rest in order are Ford, Lowes, Amazon, history Channel, Netflix, Cheerios, UPS, Discovery Channel and Google.

Is this the most important congress since the beginning of the United States of America's time? Haven't we reached the "Fat, Dumb and happy" point on the curve that describes the life cycle of a nation. Either we wake up, put "United" back into the formula and go froward. Or we sit in our lazy boys or yachts or bar stools or church pews or poker tables or kayaks and complain about the other guy while we flush away the greatest, most giving country in history. It's that simple.


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Little things that count.

Today's Tids Issue #2,392
Opening Stuff:


What would the world do without Blue tarps?

The Veggie Guardian Angels are telling us to skip Celery, cukes and Iceberg lettuce. Those greens aren’t green enough, they say. Even if you enjoy them. It's like NOW type organizations saying you’re not really an acceptable woman unless you are a liberal woman. I'll take a conservative woman and a wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, bacon and lots of artery clogging blue cheese dressing any day!

Is the US selling it's soul to survive? The board of the NYSE as agreed to sell 0ut to Germany's Deutsche Boerse. Yikes! The US stock exchange owned by a foreign company. But, states and towns have been doing it a lot lately...selling their heritage for a few bucks to stop gap bad financial management by elected official and their appointees. It's not unlike selling a meaningful family heirloom for a few hundred bucks to buy groceries. Hmm...Grandma's brooch never tasted better. Burp!

The Question:
DoubleDayQ: 1. Hey, that sounds a little like a Harry Potter character, so lets get in the Potter mood with a quickie from that popular series. Which creatures drain Peace, Hope and Happiness from the air around them -- A. Boggarts B. Dementors C. Grindylows D. Your in-Laws? 2. Give me five of your favorite Linda Ronstadt songs. Quick now. Right off the top of your head.

The Headlines:

--Obama Admin Recognizes Libyan Rebs As Legit Government Of Embattled Country.
--Deals Plus Google, Citi Earnings Lift Stock Market.
--The Bogeyman And Repubs Move Closer To Debt deal.
--Italy Preparing To Pass Austerity Package; Should Help Quell Financial market nerves.
--NFL Talks Seem To Be Nearing Resolution.
--Another Indonesian Volcano Erupts; Thousands Flee Spewing Lava.

Back to More Stuff:
You go in and overpay for a calorie packed cupcake and you're considered hip and with it. But pull a Twinkies pack out of your pocket and your put on a boat to Kalaupapa, Molokai.

Is Netflix trying to be the instrument of their own demise? Or is their new, and very surprising pricing policy simply a way to assure that the new streaming business will not cannibalize their very good original business and the huge investment in it. But, I suspect a lot of people will be dropping the streaming segment because there just aren’t a lot of newer movies available.

I’m getting a sense that some media types in the US are using Murdock’s Hacking woes in Britain to attack Fox News.

The women's soccer success is being characterized by some as being some kind of Cinderella story. This woman's team is no Cinderella! It's just that non-soccer fans are awakening to the hype and are themselves surprised…primarily because they didn’t know anything about it in the first place. But real soccer fans know that this is a great team destined for a championship.

I have a tough time with righteousness.

The Governor of RI just signed 150 new bills. You'd think that after 375 years or so that would be a law somewhere covering just about anything that needs to be covered. Or are most of the bills ingredients for intense nannyism? Or brother-in-law's businesses?

Protesting groups against the new “Voter ID” law make no sense.

Is there a stash of Charles Schumer man sized cut-outs in every government institution or public venue in DC or NYC? How else could the unctuous pol from the Empire State be standing behind every speaker in a nightly news soundbite clip? Did you ever notice that he wears the brightest tie to divert the viewer from the speaker? What a creep.

It appears that the great new perk for Frequent Fliers will be faster passing through airport security. The Homeland Security folks have announced that fliers they know will probably be getting a break at the x-ray machines. Isn’t that…like…reverse profiling?

I’m loving this early morning British Open. And how great was it awakening to Tom Watson’s Hole In One! Nice guy, a real gentleman, and he gets all of the respect from his adoring British fans. Hey Lady Gaga and emulators -- You don’t have to go weird to be admired.

I continually read where experts are always looking for special short term reasons for “Slow Growth” and “Sluggish Economy”. Like currently they’re touting “High gas Prices” and “Low hiring”. But the fact remains that US has undergone a paradigm change. A service economy -- people selling hamburgers to each other – can’t grow at the higher rates of a high leverage manufacturing economy. And even if Mfg were to return, the leveling of a global competitiveness would certainly reduce the average wages for middle Americans as compared with the old heyday! We can put out heads in the sand, but in the economic realities will control the patterns of growth. It’s just the way it is.

Almost Near: Chapter 29 continues. –“We are concerned about two little children and a missing mother, and we thought Florence Quimpiere could help.” Audrey was now using a little Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup. “We have spoken to a lot of people including Miss Quimpierre’s sister, and there seems to be a big mystery surrounding the disappearance of Rudy and his wife and children.”
“Wha chu care about the Quimpierres?”
“Tucker, the man standing here with me, knew Mrs. Quimpieree many many years ago, and has reason to believe that something bad has happened. Either to her or because of her.” The house was now eerily silent, foreboding like the house itself. The door rattled and then creaked open. A woman, large but pretty in a way peered out. She didn’t look as gruff or threatening as her voice. In fact she looked a little scared.
“My name is Agnes Couture. Florence was a friend of mine.”
“Was?”
“Well, she still is, but she ain’t here. I call that a was.”
“Can we come in for a minute? Maybe you can help us locate Miss Quimpierre.”
She’s a Missus. She just kept her name. Ok, common in.”
The house was very neat inside. Audrey and Tucker were not afraid to sit on the chairs which surprised them. “Thanks, Agnes.”
So, waddaya want?”
“Did Florence ever talk about her nephew’s children?”
“That nephew was no good.” After that fairly forceful opinion, she proceeded to tell them just about nothing. They were there about fifteen minutes, when Audrey rose and said “Thanks. That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Agnes shook her head and smiled for the first time.”
Outside the door, Audrey said, “I think she’s Florence and the kids are nearby. I doubt if she listens to Justin Bieber CD’s too often. Or wears Hanna Montana tops.”
Tucker smiled and patted her on the butt, “Hey, you’re some kind of reporter!”

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--It’s a very good farewell to Harry, Hermoione, Ron Weaseley, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Severus Snape, Malfoy, Voldemort. Longbottom, Other Weaseley’s, Lovegood. Harry fasns will be very sad about the end of an era but they won’t be disappointed at the finale.

And a how about that report about how the June consumer price index had its biggest dip in years. When the gov this spring was reporting that prices were stable and there were no signs of inflation, they didn’t include the fast rising gas and food prices! Remember that? But now when they want to show a lower average price they cite lower gas prices as a major contributor. Creeps!

The Answer: 1. The Dementors were the cloud producers. But, you all knew that. 2. Linda’s best known were probably Blue Bayou, You’re No Good and maybe When Will I be Loved. Her duo with Aaron Neville Don’t Know Much was also a huge hit. She is among the prolific songsters ever and has joined in with just about every other singer of her day at one time or another. She sang in every genre from country to jazz to folk to sleepy romantic pop. I liked her best in her early days with the Stone Ponys where her biggest hit was Different Drum. Some other big hits were Heart Like a Wheel, Simple Dreams and Living in the USA.

Personally I liked Angel in the Morning by Merrilee Rush.

Are you ready for some weekend!

Too many fish in the dory.

Today's Tids Issue #2,391
Opening Stuff:

There is nothing that soothes more after a humid July day than a gentle evening summer rain. God's sprinkler system.

It may take me a little longer to finish this mess this morning as I'm watching the British Open.

I don't know whether or not Elizabeths of Portofino's (Post Road, Warwick) is destined to become a new household name in RI dining, but i was impressed with their Surf n' Turf --a nice sized tenderloin capped with mozzarella and tomato over lobster risotto. Or their English Toffee Creme Brulee desert. Of course it may have been the sage crepes filled with large shrimp, scallops, lobster and lump crab wuth a sherry cream sauce. Oh well, it's nice to see Portofino back in print. The new management seems to be doing justice to an old favorite.

As bad as many of our elected representatives may be, it is still better than some kind of pure democracy, direct vote by electronic media system. For instance, here is an interview between a Boston TV reporter and a potential voter in the aftermath of the devastating southern tornadoes which obliterated almost everything including houses of worship: She asked a woman from Tupelo how the total destruction of churches may have affected their lives. Without hesitation the woman replied "I don't know about the other people, but we haven't gone to churches in years. We get our chicken from Popeye's."!

The Question:
This is a curious one. Consumer Reports asked 30,00 to rate "Most Delicious" or "Least Delicious" for Burger Chain burgers, chicken Chain grilled or roasted chicken, Mexican Chain tacos, Pizza Chain pizzas and Sandwich Chain subs. Which chain came in "least delicious" for each category.

The Headlines:

--Debt Ceiling Negotiators Seem Further Apart; Major Problem Appears To be How To Avoid Blame.
--Moody's Warns On US Debt.
--Strong JP Morgan Earnings Have Stock Futures Rising.
--India Authorities Investigating Who's Behind Mumbai's Latest Tragedy.
--Euro Financial Crisis Expands To 17 Nations Facing Tough Questions.
--Jobless Claims Fall But Stay Above 400,000.
--Middle East Stills As It Has Been -- Dreadful.
--Emmy Nominations Announced: Mad Men Romping With 19.

Athletes and celebs will continue to do and say stupid things because brain dead fans always rush to their defense.

There are the brain dead fans, and then there are the honest, caring fans like that Lopez kid who thought it best to forgo the potential riches and give the 3,000th hit ball back to the guy who did it. Everything should end well for a kid like that, Except when the IRS gets a whiff of a windfall. He was presented with a tax bill for the gift of appreciation that included prime seats for the rest of the season and assorted memorabilia. But, through it all -- from the criticisms for being honest for not cashing-in to the sudden debt due the Taxman, he kept on smiling. Cause he knew in his heart he had done good. And so did everybody else with an honest heart. And that includes Miller Highlife who paid the kid's tax bill.

Just think how good things could be if the government had actually "managed" all of that money paid into the Social Security "Trust" Fund. Now these arrogant, righteous crooks are running to the defense of seniors to get their votes, when they are responsible for the mess in the first place.

Putting the government in charge of anything that used to work well is a bad idea. They just don't get the concept of efficiency and honesty. For instance, most states and towns have chased away many businesses and are left with one big, third world style industry -- tourism! And many are blowing that too. How many managers of manufacturing companies would close three quarters of their factory during the busiest season? Probably none and those that might soon would have to shut the doors. But, town leaders start massive construction projects on the busiest roads at the most congested intersections right at the time when the spenders are trying to get into town. Mayors and town managers just don't know that they are in charge of an industry. And if you want it to succeed, you can't run it like a government.

I'd stop in a twinkling and go into an Ice Cream store. I'd probably stop, and without much of a pause go into a home-made chocolate store. But, I doubt if I'd stop at all to go into a cupcake store. I guess I'm that American who doesn't get it.

A former public employee was talking about fisherman and how he doesn't understand that they don't get it. That they are ruining their own futures by loading their boats with too much fish at a time when fish populations are diminishing. Which...actually is not unlike Public Employee Unions being bewildered by the requests for them to step back from new demands for benefits and wages when the wallets of the paying public are becoming as empty as the Grand Banks. Of course he doesn't understand it!

Almost Near: Chapter 29. --Audrey and Tucker sat in their rental car looking at home that no human could live in. The mail box said Couture, which was good. Audrey had learned that Florence was staying there. The house was right where the convenience store clerk said it was, but they should have been more concerned when the the teen said "You goin there? Why the hell would you go there." Now they knew.
"Why don't you go up and see if anybody is home." Tucker said...and then ducked before a smiling Audrey could slug him again. "Oh, ok, if you're gonna get nasty about it, I'll go with you."
They got out of the car and walked through the knee high weeds that seems to be part of a walkway. Bugs of all shapes popped up as the moved forward. "Before we leave, ask her about their landscaping service," Audrey quipped while Tucker was flailing at the unwanted intruders and taking in the paintless, failing clapboards, tree branches on a roof and vines climbing every where. And looking around for critters and slithery things bigger than bugs. The Steps creaked as they went up, and Tucker hesitated thinking it might break. Audrey yanked him forward.
"Want me to knock?" Audrey just stared. Tucker knocked on the glass part of the door. Nothing happened. He knocked again, this time harder and longer. "Do you hear something in there?"
"Yeah I do."
"What do you think it is?"
"I think it's human."
"Go away!" A voice with a distinct bayou accent blared out through the cracks of the building.
"We're here to see Florence Quimpierre."
"Ain't no Florence here!"
"Prove it!" Audrey was ready for a fight.

I went to a little concert last night by a very good band named Abbey Rhode. The all Beatles's fare was good. And the rainstorm that sent the audience scurrying for shelter was exciting and invigorating. But, I had to wonder while watching the audience, what the band thought about a crowd with the rhythm of an Al Gore.


The Answer:
Well, it looks like the near generic names for each category came in last. McDonald's, KFC, Taco Bell, Subway/Arbys (Tie) and Little Caeser's/Sbarro all were claimed "Least Delicious" for their so-called specialties. Shows you what advertising can do! The "Most Delicious": In-N-Out Berger/Five Guys (Tie), Chick-fil-A, Chipolte Mexican Grill, Firehouse subs and Papa Murphy's Take N' Bake. The best sub shop anywhere, somehow excluded from the survey, is d'Anglos, just in case you are ever in the northeast!

The End:
Did you notice that I got through that entire bit about the Lopez kid without having to type Ya, Ya, Ya...or Je, Je, Je. (Well you know what I mean) It was tough.


One of the great advantages of the cooler, less humid days is that I don't have to take showers so often. It's my contribution to the ecology.

Remember, you can always read the Tids at http//:www.todaystids.blogspot.com
Reply to Lynn Zarrella
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In the end, the bills will be paid.

Today/s Tids 713 (#2,390)
Opening Stuff:



Who will break first...the Dems or Repubs on the Debt, or the Players or the NFL on the season? I'm going with the Players.

A room upgrade at a hotel is a suite deal!

And then there is the Puppet Senator from RI, Limousine liberal Sheldon Whitehouse, who was just praised by the local newspaper for pressing, "Obama not to capitualte to Republicans deficit-reduction demands." Wouldn't that be like capitulating to Americans who are becoming increasingly scared to death about the growing almost uncontrollable deficit? Isn't this really symptomatic of the entire national problem...Pols going for votes over solutions.

The Question:
Name Harrison Ford's best movies.

The Headlines:

--Wall Street expects Good Day After Good News About China Growth.
--Debt Ceiling Gap between Parties Widens.
--US Army Ranger Awarded Medal Of Honor.
--Italy Says It will Pass Austerity Plan By Friday.
--China's Economy Grew Faster Than Predicted; Good News Eases Inflation Worries.
--Bernanke Back On Hill Wednesday; Sell Your Stock.
--Lybian Rebels Looting Seized Towns.
--Sherwood Schwartz Dies; says He Liked Both Ginger And Maryann.

America's Got Talent Department:
It's down to 48 and most importantly the bad acts are gone. I can watch again. The first 12 legitimate candidates vied last night. My personal favorites were Squonk Opera, Snap Boogie, Anna Graceman, Dezmond Meeks and Duo Aero. The worst of the night was so-called funny man J. Chris Newberg. Close behind him was the talking parrots (I had trouble taking my eye off the woman's missing tooth.). I enjoyed watching the Funny Little People, but don't know what to do with them. i thought I would like The Fiddleheads, but they didn't live up to my anticipation. Bring on the next 12!

I noticed that Sharon Osbourne's biggest criticism for many candidates was the bad choice of music. This from a woman who married Ozzie Osbourne. Where's my ear muffs!

Say what! The calorie counting, nutrition pie chart Queen had a 1,700 calorie lunch yesterday consisting if a major burger, fries, milkshake and ...diet coke. I say good for her. She's human, and she should be. But what I'm really seeing is that the campaign gurus are saying we need the burger joint vote, and Michelle you are the sacrificial lamb. You gotta figure that she's probably happiest of all.

Does that mean that I don't think vegans are human? Hmmmm.

I see where Glenn Beck got a standing "O" in the Israel Knesset...for telling the truth about the Palestine/Israel predicament. He said what the US main stream media won't, and the Israeli Gov/leaders loved him for it. Unfortunately, in the US he has been ridiculed, chastised and relegated to kookiness by a media that hides the facts. No wonder he's off to Dallas where he will launch his own network GBTV! You have to wonder what Boston's leftish PBS station GBH is thinking about that name.

Boehner makes more sense than any of them, but you'll never hear it reported correctly from the media. Think how much better off our country would be if media actually did it's job without bias for either side. If the people don't know, it isn't going to work.

Have you ever seen a more pretentious crowd than when walking through an all organic food emporium? I always have trouble hiding the burger grease on my shirt.

The way the Media immediately ran to the defense of the burger eating First Lady, you'd have to believe that if she clubbed a baby seal to death, they would rationalize the action as saving the cute pups from a more horendous death as food for polar bears. You know, those fuzzy, adorable coke drinking animals who are stopping the US from becoming Oil independent. Yup, those bears.

Weird News Department:
--As Tablets begin to flush away Microsoft profits, Bill gates has decided to reinvent the toilet! Yup that's his next big project. But, this is could be a huge stepo forward for a healthier Africa where water is unavailable and there is no way to safely remove human waste. It may take Gates billions ot do it, but it could save hundreds of millions lives. --Also in Africa, Kenya specifically, it appears that "stinky socks" could stop maleria! that's gigantic. Apparently health authorities find that srtink socks attract mosquitoes by the droves. They just hang the odoriferous hose by traps and Poof!, no more skeeters. Kenya authorities are reaching out to US teens for donations.

For CSI lovers, forget the great William Peterson and magnificent Laurence Fishburn,. It is now time to cheer for Ted Danson. Wouldn't Norm make a great CSI investigator. The series needs a little comic relief.

I see where the US is worried about the vacuum that will be left after the assassination the Afghan President's brother Ahmed Karsei. Ahmed has been described as a politician know for taking kickback, family ties, violence and disloyalty. Hmmm...sounds like Chicago and New Orleans.

Almost Near: Chapter 28 continues. --"Unfortunately, the best I could do was this picture of Samantha Wilcox from our high school yearbook." Dante held up the eight by ten copy and the camera zoomed in.
Samantha Jergans sat there transfixed. That is a pretty, young girl, she thought. I almost think I know her. The Host and Dante continued talking, but Samantha decided she was tiring of their chitchat and was now changing channels to Fox News.
She felt restless this afternoon and the TV was making her more so, not the relaxation pill it had always been before. She got up, threw the remote on the coffee table and started walking around the house looking for something to do. But her thoughts kept returning to Dante and that girl inthe picture. She went back to the living room, picked up the remote and returned the channel to NEN. She just stood there in the middle of the room, the overhead fan blowing her hair as if on the hill near her tree.
"Thank you Dante Wallowalski! Did I get it right!" The host rose with a bright smile and shook his hand. "That is truly an eerie story. Well maybe eerie is the wrong word. But it moved me in a strange way. Do you have a final word Dante?"
Thanks, Clair. I just want to iterate, if you have information to call me at 983 555 1961." Dante leaned over and kissed the host gently on the cheek as the camera went black and then to a comercial about depression medicines.
Samantha stood their with a faint blush. There was something about that kiss that bothered her.

The Answer:
Ford hit it big in Star Wars. His other big successful series movies were Indiana Jones and as Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy stories. I particularly liked him in Presumed Innocent, Witness, The Fugitive, Sabrina and The Devil's Own. I think that his next, Cowboys and Aliens, has a chance to be a winner.

What really scares me about our global future is the rapid growth of Nigeria and Ethiopia destined to become two of the worlds most populous countries. Let's just hope that Gates gets those toilets working.

You have to be alive to vote.

Today's Tids Issue #2,386
Opening Stuff:

(Editor's Note: I had a wonderful Tids for you this morning and something happened to crash Mozilla! That which when combined with Yahoo email's inexplicable inability to save what I wrote, forced me to start again. This will be lite!)

Oh, oh, oh! Let's go fly a kite. / Up to the highest height / Let's go fly a kite! / And sewnd it soaring / Up through the atmosphere / Up where the air is clear / Oh, let's go fly a kite! Kind of gets you off to a nice day, doesn't it? Mary Poppins had that knack.

Am I dreaming, or did I just read that RI's Gov Chafee-Lite actually did something sensible! Yes he did! He signed a bill that would require proof of identification from voters. Of course there are always howlers. But, the only people who could howl about this are illegal Immigrants and political operatives to like to cheat. A bill like this in Illinois could be a nuclear explosion!

The Lybian event is the kind of war that could only be started by lawyers. You know the drill...technically legal but suspect when it comes down to being moral or ethical or rational. Hey...wait a minute! This war was startled by a Lawyer.

The Question:
Two Q Excitement. 1. What was Ringo Starr's real name?

The Headlines:

--Markets Up Strong In Early Going.
--Obama Says He Is Willing to Look At Cuts In Social Security and Medicare.
--Apps For Unemployment Bennies Down. Gov Says It Could Be Distorted By Holiday.
--Casey Gets 4 Years; $4K
--Elizabeth Smart To become ABC Commentator.
--Thousands Of Syrian Flee Their Towns After New Threats From Assad.

Back to More Stuff:
Did you notice that Casey showed up for her sentencing wearing her let's go party hair!

Don't you think that Hollywood is following in the shadow of John Wilkes Booth as they blatantly try to fulfill his dream of assassinating Republicans.

Often the most liberal of all in the media are sports writers and sportscasters.

GOP Senator Kyl says that the GOP has already agreed to $150-200 Billion in new revenues...just to keep the record straight, Most of the revenue increases are in new fees and from the sale of Federal properties. Also, GOP Rep. Cantor said his group would consider closing loopholes if Dems agreed to tax cuts elsewhere. So, when you hear the anointed one demagoguing from the Oval office, remember that there is another side which has done far more than he, way before he.

BTW, don't let anybody fool you. Fees are taxes. I'm seeing state city/town governments raising fees for just about everything from water to beach parking. To them it is just the same revenue stream from the same pockets by another name...one that does not incur the wrath of the Tea Party. Sneaks.

The media is touting the comeback of jobs in the now financially robust auto industry. Of course the real reason is that wages have been cut from the former suffocating $28/hr to $14/hr. This is a good indicator of how are culture will be changing over time. More jobs at lower pay.

So, the Debt Ceiling debate seems to be coming down to each party positioning themselves to look least worst. Of course the Republicans will have to be twice as good becasue the media will only give them half the credit. Am I paranoid? You betcha!

Florida Legal experts are saying that porbation could have been the worst sentence for Casey Anthony. Apparently the Florida probation requirements are very srict. The observers say that her penchant for minor criminal acts would have her in constant violation of her rules for freedom resulting in a lot of additional jail time. Of course that would give her more time to write her book! How American is that!

The IRS is also very American. Apparently Miss Anthony owes the Feds $6K in taxes fro a payment by ABC News to eh Lawyers and her. It is also possible, so say knowledgeable observers, that the IRS will be looking at her sources of income before her jailing. Can you say un-reported under-the-table income? Authorities don't like people who they think are guilty even when found not guilty.

The Answer:
Ringos Mum called him Richard Starkey.

Well this Tids was much better before the Mozilla attack!. But it could be even worse tomorrow...like non-existent. But I'll try. I owe you.

It was intrusive Government, stupid.

The 4th of July Tids #2,384
Originally Written 7/4
Opening Stuff:

1776 --The Declaration of Independence:

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new
Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from

the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Daily Question: How many signers of the D of C were there? Name five

Today's Headlines:

--American's salute their flag, honor with pride their country, rejoice in the freedom fostered by their founding fathers.
--30% of American Families Run Out Of Propane Gas During Fourth Of July Cookouts; Wives Lock Husbands In Sheds.
--Post Fourth Litter Pick-Up Suffocating Town Budgets.

Flags and bunting are the Decorations of Independence.

"Those who cannot learn from history, are doomed to repeat it." Department:

Year after year surveys are taken about the beginnings if the United States, and year after year we learn that mnay people have little idea of why they are getting a holiday. Among some of the answers, 25-30% of celebrating Americans do not know that the US Declared and fought for freedom form the binds of England. Or that the first Fourth was in 1776. IOt gets worse when asked specific questions about the Founding Fathers. The good news for men is that they fare much better than women on these historical questions. So, the next time a man hears, "Take out the garbage." rebut with "Oh yeah...who spent the winter at Valley Forge." To which she will reply --"You, if your don't take out the garbage." Yes honey!"

I love sitting on a curb of a small town Main Street listing ot the Rat-a-tat soiunds of the drums, the baroooms of the trombones, the blare of the trumpets. I love watching the wobnderful smiles of pride on the faces of children and adults. I love standing to salute the Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard marching by.

Quiz Answer: 56 representatives of 13 colonies signed The Declaration on this day in1776. And then the bells rang!
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton.

Have a great Fourth everybody! And hope your neighbor doesn't set off fireworks after midnight. Creeps.

Post 4th Reality.

Today's Tids (#2.383)
Originally written on 7/5
Opening Stuff:


There are few spectacles more heartfelt, more enlightening, more prideful than that of immigrants from countries around the world regularly taking their pledge as newly minted Americans.You can see it in their eyes. Feel it in their smiles. So...tell me again why we need immigration reform?

I loved Sports Writer Bill Reynolds line in the Saturday paper," (RI's) Scarborough Beach is like Jersey Shore on training wheels.

Why don't they just flood the middle east with Ice Cream trucks. Everybody stops for Ice Cream. Hell's Angels stop for ice cream. As do firemen, and hit men. Nurses, ultra cool teens and hedge-fund mangers. People from every conceivable demographic and occupation stop for ice cream. And they smile at each other as they try to lick around the edges before it melts. So why wouldn't Assad and Daffy and Ali Abdullah Ssleh...and the rebels fighting in their countries; the Jews and the Palestinians stop for ice cream. And just enjoy it and the others who are enjoying it with them. Did you ever watch demeanor's changes people are handed an ice cream cone? I think it would work.

"Estate Planning for Pets"? Pet Lawyers? Assisted living; Retirement homes for pets? Shoot me.

Daily Question: Double back to work "Q". 1. Name the five most expensive colleges in US. 2. Julie Nixon Eisenhower is 63 (Yikes) today. Name 7 other presidential kids of the past 50 years.

Today's Headlines:

--Congress Back To Argue debt Ceiling Increase; GOP Firm On No Taxes; Dem Leader Says GOP Argument Flawed.
--Stocks Losing Steam After Five Good Days
--Mexico Authorities Widening Search For 7 Missing Americans In Fishing Boat Accident.
--India Health Minister Calls Homosexuality An Abnormal Disease From the West.
--NFL Negotiations Muddled As Retired Players Sue Owners And Current Players For Seat Ar-t Table.
--French Writer Accuses Strauss-Kahn Of Rape; Journalist Says He Attacked Her During Interview For Book.
--Anthony Jury In Deliberation After marathon Summation By Defense.

Feeling Older Department:
Featured at a 4th of July Antique Car Exposition was a1950 Plymouth. That is the first car I ever bought! It was during while a college student during 1958. It cost me $50. And, that was a hard amount to come by! That good old hunter green box on wheels (Way before Volvo) lasted a long time, and got me where I wanted to go. So, it wasn't an MG-TD, Jaguar KX150 or Triumpf-TR2!

Is it me, or do motorcyclists seem to operate under a separate set of speed limit rules?

Somehow, maybe because RI is so small, the greed driven minds of the legislature seems to look at developers and builders as their masters as opposed to the people who live in towns. Why else would a state legislature want to impose developer friendly only zoning restrictions on towns that are perfectly content and capable of managing their own lands. Which, by the way, is exactly the way it should be. Intrusive Government is the problem, stupid! In case you never read the complaints in the Declaration of Independence.

It costs corporations a lot of money each year to print product use instructions, among other things, in both English and Spanish. Even through the US is an English speaking country. Doesn't make much sense.

Going to church doesn't make you a christian just as standing in your garage doesn't make you a car.

Gridlock seems to occur when the priority is on winning rather than solving the problem.

Bakery goods are getting prohibitively expensive...at least to cheapskates like me.

And, I would never pay to watch a Hot Dog eating contest. Nor would I even go to watch if it was free...and they threw in a lifetime supply of Cheetos.

It is embarrassing though, when out dining with friends you look down and see that telltale orange under your finger nails.

Almost Near: Chapter 27 continues. --"I think I found Florence. She's down in the bayous as they say in the song." Audrey turned and smiled and Tucker chuckled a bit. "We're going to Houma to check out the newspaper there, and get the lay of land. She might be in a house between Houma and Chauvin, a place where you don't to go "awanderin", as my source said, without a little help from your friends."
Tucker laughed again at her song reference and started singing the Beatles tune It didn;t take long for Audrey, who also added a rhythm section by pounding on the steering wheel, to join in. Tucker added his own version of a guitar sound which sent them both into uncontrollable laughing.
"Wa, wa, watch the road!" Tucker blurted teasingly through his uncontrollable howls as he put his arm on Audrey's shoulder. She flinched slightly at the touch, but just enough to force the car into a small ditch just off the road. She easily brought the car to a halt. Dropped her hands into her lap and just sat laughing.
Then without warning, she turned to Tucker, raised up her face and kissed him.

Quiz Answer: 1. Bates College of Maine at $51,300 tops the list of colleges with the highest tuition. Second is Connecticut College (Across the street form the US Coast Guard Academy), Middlebury, Union and Colby College (ME). The next five are Sanford-Brown ("For Profit" - Va), Sarah Lawrence, Vassar, George Washington, And Columbia University. (For complete info, check out http://gawker.com/5817092/ ) 2. How many of us remember those charming publicist moments with Amy Carter, the Birds Linda and Lucy Johnson, The dysfunctional family survivors Tricia and the aforementioned Julie Nixon. The rapture over Presidential darlings all started with John-John under the presidential desk and Caroline looking ever so comfortable as a first child. Of course The Reagan children -- With Wyman: Maureen and Michael (Adopted); With Davis: Patti and Ron.--were a hard for me to sort out as in who belonged to whom. The First Bush had 6 including 3 boys who either ran for political office -- Jeb and George -- or Neil who got caught up in banking scams. The lessor know GHWB kids were Robin, Marvin and Dorothy. And then their was Chelsea named after a song. George B. had the rambunctious Twins Jenna and Barbara. And now, now we have two extraordinary daughters -- Sasha and Malia -- who will teach Congress a thing or two about how to get things done. Oh yeah, and the interim Prez Gerald Ford had four good looking kids-- Jack, Susan, Steve and Michael.

In case you are interested The Top Two Colleges in a neck and neck race for the title of "Most Annoying" Liberal Arts College are Sarah Lawrence (VT)and Wesleyan (CT). Swarthmore is a close second. There are also strong opinions that Oberlin and Bard should be in the race.

Last night I thought the DC 4th effort looked like a TV program (Smits was overbearing as an announcer) and the NYC fireworks were about 45 minutes too long. I didn't get the spirit until the Boston Pops show came on with McBride belting out Independence Day and the Pops and marine bands doing justice to Stars and Stripes Forever.

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If the water looks cloudy, stay out of the pool.

Today's Tids  (#2,382)
Originally written 7/1
Opening Stuff:

BooooooM-M-m-m-m-m...! Happy July everybody! Light up the sky and celebrate America! Of thee I sing, Sweet land of liberty. Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob! But no pasta salad thank you. It is a month where people seem to let down their hair and stop worrying for a while. Until the middle of the month when 2nd quarter earnings reports come in and the real fireworks begin. And the end of the month when moms are thinking, "Doesn't school start soon?" It is a month, indeed, of contradictions. Have fun, and don't eat too many lobsters.

Remember...Always scrub the paint off your hands after you put away the paint can.

There's still plenty of money in the world. It's just not getting around much any more.

It's pretty easy to see Rick Perry becoming the Republican nominee when the dust settles.

Daily Question:
Name five movies starring the charming Leslie Caron. Note: Even if she wasn't always the star, she always stole the show.

Today's Headlines:

--Three More US Soldiers Killed In Peaceful Iraq.
--Geithner Weighing Resignation.
--Minnesota Government Shuts Down In Budget Dispute between Dem Gov. And Rrepub Legislature.
--RI House Postpones Vote On Binding Arbitration; Will Sneak It Through Later When Citizens Aren't Paying Abstention.
--Syrian Government Continues To Kill Citizens.
--Hugo Chavez Still Fighting Cancer After Surgery Removes Tumor.
--Discrepancies Arising in Story of Strauss-Kahn Accuser.
--NBA Union Locked Out; Two Sides Are Light Years Apart.
--NFL Negotiations Still Look Promising.
--New Kansas Law Shuts Down Two Abortion Clinics.

In Rhode island the citizens have to hire lobbyists to protect them from their elected representatives!

These so-called government shut downs are a lot more hype than reality. Generally all essential tasks like police and critical needs, like for instance emergency road construction, are biz as usual. They padlock roadside rest areas, close state parks and stop selling things like fishing licenses. And blame each other for the shut down. And when it is over, it's usually business as usual.

Meanwhile, the musical group kept on overeating, creating more band-width!

I think of little babies and smile. Then I think of little babies who are killed before they are able to come out of the womb. And then I think cold blooded murder. And I cry.

Why are states even involved in passing laws that condone or ban gay marriage? Their only involvement should be decriminalizing anti-discrimination laws that may hinder a religious leader or priest, minister or rabbi who refuses to marry. And adjusting civil law to offer benefits to all couples who meet rational standards.

Just think how TSA agents would wield their arrogant power if they were to be unionized. Yes the AFL/CIO is targeting this fresh new group of government unwritten labor as third next bonanza for union management survival. Of course, it could be worse. The teamsters could be organizing them.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I have to be honest. I thought Forest Gump was tedious. So I'm really wondering if I would want to wade through this new Hanks vehicle Larry Crowne. It is about a guy with a fair job who can't get promoted becasue he has no college degree. He gets fired and then divorced. Life is not good in this saccharine soap. Hanks goes to college and sure enough his professor is a dour Julia Roberts. The other 30 years younger students like this guy Larry Crowne and a lot of the film is about the interaction of the generations. But in the end, it all boils down to the Hanks-Roberts relationship. People will probably like it. I'm not putting it on my A list.
--The beginning of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon is excellent. It uses clips for the first walks on the moon and has a very nice,believable documentary feel. While exploring the dark side of the man in the moon they discover a dormant evil menace that wound bring war to the Earth that is so large that even the Transformers alone are unable to defeat. The problem is that after the wonderful set up, and the acting of a truly amazing cast, it enters into a war scene that is entirely too long. Probably a film I would watch if surfing through the USA, FX, AMC, TBS or TNT channels a couple of years from now.
--People who love Paris will surely love the beautiful opening of this film as the camera makes love to the City of Light by the Seine. And the good thing is that the story is also a wonderful tale of nice people in love and fulfilling dreams. I would go to this one. Woody Allen is back!

Our kinder, gentler President is out there playing his class warfare card again. It is not becoming to the office.

Pools where you don't want to swim Department:
A body of a woman was pulled form a public swimming pool in Fall River after lying in the body of the "cloudy" waters unnoticed by swimmers, Life guards and health inspectors. I'm thinking that cloudy waters might have been a clue for the health inspector! get me outta there! Ugh.

Almost Near: Chapter 27 Continues. --"So, how is she."
Tucker hesitated, maybe a little too long as he tried to come up with the perfect answer. "She had a few enigmatic moments, but overall she was quite normal." He paused thinking that maybe normal was not right word.
"Normal?" Audrey quickly glanced sideways at him, but immediately back to the road as a car cut her off trying to get to the passenger pick-up parking at a another terminal. "God, I hate driving through airports. People are always in a hurry and never are quite sure where they are going." She breathed in. "So, how normal was she." She said "normal" with a slightly sarcastic inflection.
"Well, she cooked dinner, was friendly and said she missed me."
"How much did she miss you?" The she slammed her hand on the steering wheel. "Forget I asked that. Of course the person you knew briefly would miss you. Was she the same as before? Did she say where she had been? Of, God, I'm sorry about all of the questions."
"Don't be sorry. You are part of my life now. Basically she implied that she never left. That she enjoyed all of the town's people while I was away on business. She was two different people while I was there. Actually she was two different people within the first hour! It was unnerving. Right now she is comfortable with me. It was like we had been together all of our lives." Tucker looked over at Audrey. She looked serious. Thoughtful. "More important, tell me what you have been up to?"
Now on the open road, Audrey seemed to settle into her seat. Her arms relaxed she turned to him. "I'm only here for a good story. Don't be uptight. If you think you still love her, that's how you should feel." Tucker noticed that her fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

Quiz Answer: Leslie Caron first captured the hearts of movie goers with her role opposite gen Kelley in the Oscar winning American in Paris. Nobody could ever forget hr in Academy Awrd for best actress as Lili. And the of course there is Gigi, one of the nicest musicals ever. She was in Daddy Longlegs with Fred Astaire and several others that included L Shaped Room, Fanny and Father Goose. She always said of wehrslef, "I'm just a hoofer."

The cloudiest pool of all is the Government. And we are all forced to swim in it.

But, don't let the clouds ruin the excitement of a great weekend. The sun is always up there.

Actually, I hate big weekends. If you don't feel like doing anything, society makes you feel guilty.

No wonder the money is gone.

Today's Tids (#2,381)
Originally written 6/30
Opening Stuff:


Using input from the National Association of Manufacturers and Council for Competitiveness, a company called Wizard Industries put together a list of the top states for business. The formula rated ten categories: Cost of doing business, Workforce, Quality of life, Economy, Transportation and infrastructure, Technology and innovation, Education, Business friendliness, Access to capital and Cost of living. The top ten were Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, Iowa and Nebraska. Rhode Island was 50! What a surprise from the public employee union state.! RI's ranked best for Quality of Life (24), Education(24) and Technology and innovation (28). They were worst for Cost of Business (46), Infrastructure (49), Business Friendliness (48) and cost of living (43).

Fresh caught-that-day bluefish is back on the menu at Chopmist Charlies (Jamestown RI). I'm going!

I think I'm angry today. I don't like being angry. I like to be happy. On the sunny side of the street. With a smile for my umbrella. But, it's not working. I think I have to turn off the news.

Daily Question: Name three cities which have just been declared "Greenest", and the Top Ten Dirtiest cities in America.

Today's Headlines:

--Much Of Recent Gains Have Been Result Of End Of Quarter "Window Dressing" By Fund Managers; July to Open Iffy.
--Obama Recalls Carter's Use Of Nuke Expert Daughter Amy As he Chides Congress For Not Being As Dedicated As His Girls.
--New Unemployment Numbers Show RI As Third Highest In Nation; Among NE Neighbors, RI is 10.9%, Maine 7.7. Mass 7.6, Vermont 5.1 and NH 4.8.*
--White House Schizophrenia On Issues Sign Of New Concerns About Reelection.
--Plane Monitoring Radiation Over Fire Threatened Los Alamos.
--Kabul Hotel Bombing Raises Concerns About Extreme Chaos In Afghan After US Pull-Out.
--New Lloyd's CEO Axes 15,000 Jobs.
--Javier Colon Wins "The Voice" Singing Contest.
--Justin Timberlake Part Of Group Buying "My Space".

I decided it was about time to start getting interested in America's Got Talent. But, I was wrong. They are still in their "Gong Show" stage and It is just plain annoying. Well, to me ay least. I'll wait until all the acts are probable contenders. Actually when they finally do reach their real talent portion, Howie Mandel and Nick will still be insufferable.

It's about the Penguin in new Zealand...Hey! It's a bird.

Fair is fair Department:
I never saw much in Michelle Bachman except that she looked pleasant and at times mimicked confidently good ideas that I and many hold dearly in our hearts. But now with the vitriolic response from the media condemning her every move, I have to take another look. If the main stream media despises her then she must be doing something right. Let's take her recent rounds of the Sunday morning talk shows where the hosts asked the identical question** about her poor showing in PolitFact, a company that researches the truth in political statements. You may have seen PolitiFact analyses in your local media. They badgered her about her truth record according to the arbitrary opinions of that service that showed out of 23 of her statements 1 was true, 2 were 1/2 true, 4 barely true and 7 were falsehoods. Of course they didn't offset this Q with the information that 29 months of Obama statements have been rated as false 49 times and barely true 39 times. In oither words Bachman is George Washington compared to Obama. But...you'll never hear that reported by the media.

**This raises another question about the veracity of the media. Why are they asking the same question using almost identical nouns and sadjectives? Is it becasue Schieffer, Stephanopoulos and Gregory are actually operating divisions of the DNC? It sure sounds like it. But then, that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

A classic example of why government isn't working anymore occurred last night when the RI Senate over the unified objections of the representatives of the people that included all of the state's school committees and leaders of towns and city governments, voted for "Binding Arbitration" which essentially would tie the hands of those elected officials who manage the money of the people.

But, the control of governments by a few is not just a RI problem. Over in Connecticut for instance, that government has been described this way: "With it's extravagant law for collective bargaining for public employees, Connecticut has put itself under minority rule in the extreme. First the sovereign people must get the permission of their employees just to operate a government. And that government's operations are largely determined by a minority of those employees."

But, I have to say that I appreciate what many of the employees do. Over protective workplaces can breed a class of non-productive employees, but the majority are trying to do a great job for the people. Unfortunately because of their union leadership tactics which often border on extortion of the taxpayer, the beleaguered citizen may look upon the employee as the villain. BTW, my comment about union employees striking against Union leadership is getting some favorable reviews from disparate demographics.

I wish the budgeting season would end so I would wake up so angry each morning. There is nothing more illogical than labor negotiations -- from tradespeople to public employees to millionaire sports heroes -- and I just can stand the lack of logic and irresponsible irrational thinking.

* Connecticut is not included because too many Ya-Ya-Ya...(WYKWIM)...live there now!

If there is anything that is not meaningful to me, it's that Princess Diane would have been turning fifty.

I think the Yahoo Email Spell-Check is brain dead.

0-Man, who once said he will not use scare tactic,s said yesterday that the Republican's anti-new taxes stance will kick kids out of college, allow food inspections to lapse, reduce life saving medical research and turn old people into paupers.

Almost Near: Chapter 27. --"Hi Sam, my flight was great and I didn't flirt with any of the flight attendants!"
"Very funny!" Samantha was laughing and feeling pretty good, even though it took a lot last night for her to grasp that Tucker was flying off again. But, after a long discussion she began to understand more about this man she now knew she was totally and unequivocally in love with. That a writer just didn't sit around dreaming in his study. Part of what he did was getting out and meeting editors and book publishers. And then of course, she wilted and he took her gently to bed and touched and kissed and caressed every part of her aching, yearning loving body. She could not remember a more beautiful night. She held the phone, smiling.
"Sam. Sam. Are you there?"
"I am, but not really. I'm in your arms again. Feeling your arousal, Loving your touch...warmed by your body caressing mine."
"Oh, I'd better get back fast. I won't be able to concentrate." Tucker was remembering their beautiful night together. But that was interrupted by the sight of Audrey in a rental car pulling up to the curb. She smiled at him as she came around the car to get his back and throw it in the back seat, and he smiled back. "My limo is here. I've got to scram.
"I love you Tucker. And I will miss you."
Tucker looked around. He felt touched by the softness of her words. The sincerity in her voice. The completeness of her giving. The love behind it all. He saw Audrey urging him to hang up and get in the car. He turned his head aside as he watched her duck down into the seat. "I love you too. I'll be home shortly."

Quiz Answer: The Greenest cities are San Fran, Vancouver and NYC. Let's see...the Nanny City, The Riot's Are Fun City and the Myopic City. The ten dirtiest starting with the worst are New Orleans,Philadelphia, LA, Memphis, NYC, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Miami, Atlanta and Houston. San Fran is 12. Hey, NY and SF are a dirty green. Other dirty cities are DC 13, Boston 14 and Mickey's place Orlando 17.

The happy news is that for every irrational government mandate, I see a thousand people on their own helping others every day.

It's always there, regardless.

Today's Tids Issue 2,380
Originally written 6/29
Opening Stuff:

Some days, despite all of the delicious political stories that tumble out of a giving heaven each day, you got to bite your tongue and go the other way. You have to think about the sun that brightens the blue sky. Even when hidden by gray clouds, it is always there, never wavering. Like love in the heart that is always strong no matter the minor dilemma or anxious tragedy.

More cats would attend Mass if it wasn't for the Dogma.

You have to love the Providence City council which in an attempt to do something about the rowdiness epidemic after the nightly closings of the many downtown clubs (Some times death and serious injury) decided to vote for a 3:00 AM closing instead of the current 2 AM. Their logic..."It will give them another hour to mellow out."! yeah sure. And...how many club owners are cousin's of City Council members?

Daily Question: Name five celebs who after very successful TV show careers became even bigger starts in the movies.

Today's Headlines:

--3/4's Of a million British Civil Servants To Go On Strike Against Attempts By Governess To becoem Fiscally Responsible; Union Leaders Promise Summer Of Discontent Until Government Begins Spending Irresponsibly Again.
--Stock futures Brighter.
--Diabetics get New Blood Vessels From Donors.
--Wild Fires Continue To Threaten Los Alamos; Floods Still raging In Upper Midwest.
--Bank Of america To Spend $85 Billion Settling Claims By Lenders Over Poor Quality Mortgage Backed Securities.
--Tom Petty Nixes Bachman's Use Of His Ditty "American Girl" For Her Campaign; Same Song Was Hillary Staple In 2008.
--Tiger Woods Says he Will be Slow To return To Tournamnets.

Governor Christie pushed through his new Worker Benefits program which greatly reduces the cost to taxpayers for civil servants. He did it with an enlightened bi-partisan group who know that for the good of all something had to be done. It is no longer a matter of winning and losing debates; It is now quite simply, survival! Christie like almost all governors has to fight the professional union backed candidates who now cram most state legislatures with one objective in mind: Damn the ability to pay. Full speed ahead for luxurious contracts.

Go Green -- Recycle the Government.

While you weren't looking, Barnes Noble's "Nook" caught up to and passed Amazon's "Kindle" as the best, most usable book reader, according to Consumer reports. The moral. neer sit back and rest on the laurels of your past, cause somebody is just dying to pass you by.

Did you read where last night Glen Beck's family was abused while at a Hitchcock movie being shown in NYC's Bryant Park. One angry mob-ster shouted "We don't like Conservatives here." You see, mn ay of these kinder and gentler libs have the dis-illusion that society has set aside little venues where only they can be acceptable inhabitants. Like a story I heard about Rhode Island College, a fine little college in RI, . Apparently a moderate republican enrolled in a Socialolgy class. He was rebuffed by the professor whoi said (Paraphrasing) "Only democrats can be in social services jobs.

Maybe it's just my warped mind, but I wondering if maybe it was bedroom antics that had something to do with Tiger's injured leg. It's like when I look at a politician and think, "I wonder what he is lying about now."

Illegal Immigrants protesting for better free educational opportunities waved a sign during an Atlanta Ga. sit-in yesterday: Will No Longer Remain In the Shadows". Solution: Sun drenched Jail Cell with a view.

The RI state legislature is on the verge of passing a bill approving "Binding Arbitration" for teacher disputes involving financial matters. First, the fact that the Union leadership is all for it makes very suspect to me. And then there is the comment from a more reasoned Chairman of the East Prov School Committee when asked what he knows about Binding arbitration: "Shut the lights. Lock the door. See ya later." He went on to say Binding Arbitration would be the end of RI.

Almost Near: Chapter 26 continues. --"Isn't interesting how we were both so entranced by Samantha?"
"For me, it was seeing my bestest firend in the whole world after 18 years. For you, it must have been something else." Martha looked at dante and thought she saw a tinge of blush. But, in my enthusiasm. I know now I missed a lot. For instance, she asked a lot of questions. Mandy," she looked down at her daughter who was taking this all in, "told me that Sam asked her what my name was in a round about way. In fact, now that I look abck on the scene I realize that she is quite the actress.
"Or maybe she was desperate. Think about it. She didn't know anything about her life. And maybe not about herself either. Yet, she came to this house. her house. We have learned tis past hour or so that she knew practically nothing about this town and the people init, yet she came to this house."
"Maybe we should look for Tommy Lambert." Martha looked at him like a scientist making a discovery. "If anybody knew moere about her past than me, it is Tommy."

Quiz Answer: The first two how entered my mind were Tom Hanks and John Travolta. But then, how about George Clooney, Bruce Willis and Jennifer Aniston. And how could I forget Will Smith and the adorable Flying Nun Sally Field. Oh yeah, and Mork. Some might say Meg Ryan, Kevin bacon and Demi Moore came to H-Wood via the tube, but they did it in the daytime soaps and were never night time living room sensations. Your turn.

What you need is always nearby.