Donuts?

Today's Tids Issue #2,412
Opening Stuff:

Personally, I have been able to overcome the vicious rhetoric designed demonize to Dick Cheney. I like him. I like his sense of humor; His no nonsense approach to situations of all kinds. I like a little torture now and then. He knows how to cut through all of the BS. He is probably the only kind of guy who can right the ship. And no doubt, righting the ship of state will be torturous for many.

It now looks like towns full of Quadahfi supporters will be rebelling against the rebels. The MiddelEast beat goes on.

The Question:
Name five great violinists. Quick now...no Google.

Today's Headlines:

--Strong July Factory Gains Push Stocks Up Nicely.
--As Much As $60 Billion Has been Lost To Waste And Fraud In the Iraq War.
--Security Building Across Country In Advance Of 10 Years Celebrating The 911 Tragedy.
--Stocks Move Down, Bonds And Cash Up As %-ages Of Balanced Portfolios Preparing For Uncertain Markets.
--Qadhafi Son negotiates Surrender.
--New Data Says Economy Will Soften, Not recess.
--Vermonters Eying Long Cleanup; Main Roads Have Disappeared.

Back to the Cave Department:
A hurricane brings out the best and the worst in humans. The worst is kind of terrifying. Like having to bring in the national Guard becasue some of the dummies could figure the simple logic of passing orderly through intersections when traffic signals were out of order. Or fights in McDonald's over hamburgers and, get this, in Dunkin Donuts over donuts! "The Donut Wars". God help us.

The only thing sexy about Sarah Jessica Parker is the name of her movie.

The Justice Department of the USofA has filed suit against AT&T's $38Bil Buyout of T-Mobile, saying it would subtract a competitive power from the marketplace. Competitive power? COMPETITIVE POWER? This is the competitive power where you can't get service if you wander of off the main road a few incenses. And rarely on golf courses when you are trying to hide the fact that you are really not in the office. This the competitive power that did not work during the power outage when you needed it most . When all of the real competitive powers -- AT&T, Verizon and Sprint -- were working just fine. No, I think that the Merger is an absolute necessity for the country to get rid of T-Mobile. It is useless, as useless as tits on a bull, florists and assistant media buyers.

America's Got Talent: First I gotta say what stood out, amd that was Landon Swank. Swank has what it takes to go somewhere in the entertainment. Clever tricks and personal appeal to go with it. After that, the night was somewhat of a mystery. I like the "King" but I didn't get much out of his display. I was mad at Fatally Unique for stealing from West Springfield. This could be the end of the line for the getting tried routines of Gymkata (Like a high School Cheer review) Summerwind and Smage Brothers + Grammy (A little more hold-you-breath danger, though.). I didn't like Steven Retchless the first time he was on and I still don't (Can you say Retching) and Professor Splash did what he does. Courageous? Yes! But... Anna Graceman, Landau Murphy and Snap Boogie I have liked, but they weere a little less than in previous shows. Silloettes could be the multi person act to make it to the five. The rest of the five -- Swank, Boogie, Murphy and Graceman...and maybe Mr. Kinetic,

It's possible that the most pleasant days on earth for those of us who live near the ocean are those following two days after a hurricane or Nor'easter...when the infestation of surfer dudes have left the scene.

How come the Muslim holy month of Ramadan gets so much public excitement in the newspapers and and broadcast news, while more and more Easter goes unnoticed except for the candy and Bunny?

I understand the hardship, but I think habitual complainers love the opportunities afforded them by power outages to rant on the radio and write pithy little letters to the editor. How else could you explain their general lack of knowledge and understanding about the immensity of the task to deal with widespread damage to electrical wires that can kill instantly.

Almost Near: Chapter 36 continues. --Tucker watched the interaction between Dante and Samantha. It bothered him, but if they were to get anywhere with this Samantha caper, than these kind of comfortable moments for her were a must.
"Oh Tucker!". Samantha looked at him suddenly, a kind of condescending sympathy oozing from her eyes. "I have forgotten all about you."
"How fleeting is romance! How temporary is love" He smiled. Samantha frowned. Tucker got up and went over and kissed her. "I think it is good you and Dante are close and enjoying eachother."
She reached over her shoulder and squeezed his hand, then immediately turned back to Dante. Who, Tucker could see clearly, wanted the intimacy of their conversation to continue. "I'm going out for a little walk. It's good you two can talk alone. They barely noticed when he left.
Tucker smiled at the AA as he walked through the lobby and out the door. He was feeling jealous about the attraction to a man by a woman who had no idea who she was. By the woman he had loved who wasn't there anymore. Maybe that's why she left me years ago. maybe I was too plain, to dull for her fantasies. But, I don't think so he thought...even though she married a rogue like Rudy. No, he knew, Dante was just one more of her crutches. Just as his dream town he created for her has been for many years. What happened? he smiled now as he pulled his phne to call Audrey. She'll have some answers. He knew she would.

There is nobody worse for the Black community than Al Sharpton (And some of these other race baiting Black leaders in congress and elsewhere. But then, he's on the board of directors of the gigantic civil rights industry. What would you expect from a person who has to keep evil alive. When you win a revolution, and the CR movement was a revolution, you have to step aside and let the accomplishments of the future bury the ills of the past. And, it can be done.

The Answer: 
It's always nice when I think of a question that I find a better than average answer. #10 on the all-time greatest list ahead of Fritz Kreisleer, Mischa Elman, Giuseppe Tartini, Ole Bull, Jascha Heifetz, Angello Correlli, Antonio Vivaldi, Pablo de Sarasate and #1 Niccolo Paganini. Honorable Mentions go to Eugene Ysaye, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Francesco Maria Veracici, Joseph Joachim, Nathan Milstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Anna-Sophie Mutter and Wolgang "The Kid" Mozart. What about Nigel Kennedy, Zino Francescatti, Sarah Chang, Hillary Hahn. Pinchas Zukerman or mark O'Conner. What about Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg?

Just think of the violence levels in the Middle East if here were Dunkin' Donut shops.

Oh no, not another northeast Hurricane prediction. I hate it when they come in two's.

PPD.

Today's Tids Issue #2,415


Opening Stuff:

I was at a meeting this week when an older (Yes older than me) woman I like was complaining about the poisonous barbs continually being flung at the poor embattled President Obama. I started to say that it was the new world of crass public debate. That Bush was treated to some of the most disgraceful, unthinking vicious rhetoric of any President in History. But then, i figured she'd probably respond, "Yeah, But, he deserved it." So there we are. A new society where people who genuinely like each other can resort to lowest common denominator assaults on a neighbor's personal beliefs. People don't try to explain facts, they try to disguise history. And most of all, destroy personal reputations with often made-up or exaggerated slander. Has politics ever been lower? Probably. It just looks lower because the voters seem to despise each other more. And we see it evry day on endless TV.

If you still don't think we live in an interconnected global neighborhood, just check out the stock market for a couple of days.

Speaking of the global economy, the big German car manufacturer is bring out an electric version of the classic "Beetle". It's called a VoltsWagon! Shoot me.

A Tip-O-the-Tids-Cap to the Cumberland RI Little League Baseball Team that goes to war tonight against Oceanside CA. How can you not root for the little guy?

The Question:
Who do you think Americans voted "Least Trustworthy Celebrity"? Guess the Top Ten

The Headlines:

--World Stocks Set Ominous Tone For US Friday Morning Plunging On Concerns Of Global Recession.
--Suicide bomber Kills Forty In Pakistan Mosque; Afghan Suicide Bombers Kill 10 In British Compound In Kabul.
--World Leaders Ask Assad To Take A walk.
--White House Orders Agencies To Cut Budgets; May Be The Day Bureaucrats Awaken To reality.
--Storms Destroy Structures At Giant Belgium Music Festival Killing Five, Injuring 70.
--BofA To Cut 3,500 Jobs In Coming Quarter.
--China-Georgetown Basketball Game Erupts Into Near International Incident; China Expected To Ban NBA Players From Playing There During Lockouts.

I take daily brisk, energetic walks to keep my juices flowing and to keep my body in primo athletic condition awaiting that NFL call-up. Generally it's to the Super Market. Where...I buy puffy Cheetos because they're lighter for the trip home. "NFL Rookie found with car full orange snacks. Say's, "it was a mistake" In a short press conference, the agent revealed there were numerous orange fingerprints on the navy blue uniforms of the police, but the lawmen said they were only looking for autographs." Ever the dreamer.

I think I'm seeing a stock market of generalizations where computers aren't smart enough to see the specific! It sounds like a socialist style financial market place where every stock falls or gains equally regardless of accomplishments or failures.

I find it odd that the local NEA is apparently against Charter Schools which are very good for the kids and good teachers. Oh maybe I do understand the wiles of this organization which sends thugs to the General Assembly to violently intimidate their foes.

Gary Giordano may be one of the all time dumbest alleged murderers in recent history.

Tatoos must be really expensive. Current Celtic and former Cleveland player Delonte West who has made over $14 Mil just applied for a job at Home Deport! He needs cash badly, he says. $14 Mil and all you have to show for it is a body full of Tatoos. What a wacky world we live in!

Yesterday I wrote mainly about being able to do just about anything if you put your mind to it. So how come I still have so many typos? No mind?

The United States of Kardashians:
A new study by MIT and soon to be reported in the American Journal of Political Science reveals that a large majority of uniformed voters pick candidates solely on looks! The majority of this very large group are big non-news TV watchers. It measured different population segments based on the type of shows they watch. As one wag commented, "Shocker! They are saying people who are stupid and shallow are making stupid and shallow choices.". Anybody have a comb!

If you look at a lot of really cool developing technology, you'll notice that much of it is capable of eliminating people from the workplace -- from factories to airports to hospitals. I expect that the next big development will be robots that go to school for kids. And, the robots will learn a lot more too. RI test scores finally go up!

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Conan The Barbarian is a pretty awful movie. The star Jason Momoa who has no personality tries to save his world form fierce rivals with armies of giant humans and scary monsters. Don't go.
--It smacks of Same Time next Year. Emma from a working class family who wants to save the world and Dexter a wealthy heir who thins the world his his playground meet after graduation and discover a fascination with each other. Even after a night of anticipated great sex goes wrong for the right reasons. They then meet each other on July 15 for the next two decades of their lives and we see it all, the agony, hopes, dreams and realization. The chemistry between the actors is not great but it could be a decent entertaining story. Elvis Costello fans will liekthe original song Sparkling Day.
--Fright Night, a 3D remake of a 1985 film, has one big flaw. It isn't scary.
--5 Days of War follows the lives of a renegade American journalist and a Georgian schoolteacher during the five day Russian/Georgian war. It's an escape from tyranny film and it is pretty good.

Almost Near: Chapter 5 continues. --Audrey had been making plans since the first time she met the woman who she believes is Florence Quimpere. Her main objective is to appear friendly and concerned. She sensed that Florence was truly a caring women. She needed to be her ally and friend. And most important, a person these perhaps traumatized children could trust.
She felt comfortable walking up the neat brick path lined with small white hydrangeas. There were vines with beautiful purple flowers she didn't recognize climbing to the roof, framing the entrance. She inhaled before knocking thinking oddly "I could live here." The house put her at ease as she waited. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a curtain pulled back and quickly released. She was hoping that it wouldn't be Florence opening door. She was looking for whoever owned the house to become an envoy. She heard footsteps. The door opened.
"What do you want?" It was Florence.

The Answer:
Paris Hilton received the absolutely least trustworthy prize beating out several moral degenerates -- Charlie Sheen, Brittany Spears and Kanye West. Also making the list of infamy are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiger Woods, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Donald Trump and Lebron James. In case you are interested, "Most Trusted" were #1 Betty White -- followed by Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Kate Middleton, Will Smith and Johnny Depp.

The Weak-End:
People who vote by looks are also easily swayed by disingenuous negative rants against candidates too. There is no more important time in history than now when the real truth of the facts need to be explained. But, I fear that bare, unfetterd information is not part of a formula in political science.

There is nothing that can't be done.

Today's Tids Issue #2,4104
Opening Stuff:

I heard a story the other day about a women in North Providence, a seamstress, who decided to give sewing lessons to her grandchildren and a couple of kids in the neighborhood. Well, it turns out that she was so good that in a short period of time her classes grew to number 50. With people waiting in line. She turned the second floor of the tripledecker in which she lived into a classroom and sewing workshop. But her success didn't stop with financial success. She now holds a fashion show with all clothes made and modeled by students that brings in thousands of dollars, all of it going to support ALS charities. There are bright, good people throughout our fruited plains of whom you never known, but who continue to exhibit the qualities that made America great.

I see where Merkl and Sarkozy want Balanced Budget Laws for their AAA rated countries, Germany and France. Sound familiar? O...and By the way, didn't the 0-man always want European style of Government here?

The Question:
What were Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble's maiden names?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Opens Sharply Lower On New Bank Worries.
--New Jobless Benefit Claims Move Back Over 400K To 408,000.
--Organized Assailants Attack Areas Of Normally Quiet Southern Israel; Groups May Be Former Egypt al-Qaida That Moved Into Vacuum Created By Removal Of Egypt Security.
--Morgan-Stanly Ready to Declare Global Economy Near Recession.
--SEC Employee Says Agency Destroyed 9,000 Documents Related to Investigation Of WS Major Bankjs and Hedge Funds; SEC Says destroying Docs Associated With "Matters Under Investigation" Was Routine Up To This year.
--US Expected To Call For Departure Of Assad.
--US Justices Department Investigating S&P Over Their Mortgage Bend Ratings.
--British Hacking Scandal Investigation Growing In Intensity.

Back to More Stuff:
Beneath the salacious headlines about college athletic programs going wrong and athletes themselves going to jail, there are thousands of student athletes who go to class every day, get good grades and contribute positively to the society around them.

Every President of the United States of America who toils in the White House amidst a constant barrage of poison darts deserves to have a vacation. Period.

You know you're having a better than average day when you have to fix a lot of ball marks on the green, near the pin.

Brain eating amoeba. God. Does that sound awful.

I used to think that writing about something that had never existed would be next to impossible. Now I look forward to it. .

America's Got Talent: The broadband cops said I was a couple of megs over my daily limit.* So I had to kick out my little piece about the Tuesday competition. Here it is from yesterday: I was entertained by Shevonne, The Fiddleheads, Charles Peachock. and The Kenetic King. I thought the Summerwind Skippers, Landon Swank and Yellow Designs Stunt Team were ok. I was disappointed in the West Springfielkd and hoped they didn't mess up their chances. I thought they were one of the best the week before. I'm picking Shevonne, Landon Swank, Kenetic King and Fiddleheads (Mainly because I love Bluegrass.) The big question is West Springfield. Did they blow their chance? How it turned out: The top five in no specific order were West Springfield, Kinetic King, Landon Swank, Summerwind Skippers and Fiddleheads, with Fiddleheads losing out in the Judges pick session. I was really surprised about Shevonne; Hope somebody important saw something great in her.

Any day you are feeling a bit bleak over the irrationality gripping the country, just remember that when you watch the President speak to Congress you don't see Nancy Pelosi sitting behind the podium any more.

If you don't have some kind of addiction, then you probably aren't alive.

I think Karl Rove sucks. Sometimes you just have to be direct. Maybe if changed the "K" to a "C". Nah, I'm not that shallow.

I'm thinking about climate change, and I'm wondering this. In the 70's, industry a started reducing the amount of so-called bad emissions into the atmosphere. Cars were being built better and regualrly tested for exhaust problems. In other words, if you were to draw a graph you would see the amount of bad stuff being released going down over time. Then you could draw another line on that graph which shows climate induced weather irregularities going up with modest surge during the past 3-4 years. So I guess my wondement is this: Wasn't the climate more stable when we had particles of industrial progress floating in air?

Why is it so hard for so many to understand the fairly simple economic principle that living beyond your means, spending more that you earn, over time is impossible.

By the way, the Government doesn't earn anything. It legally extorts. I just wanted to clear up the incongruities of a popular statement -- "Government spending more than it earns".

Almost Near: Chapter 35. --Audrey dropped off Tucker at the Airport. He gave her a quick kiss as he leapt out of the car for that anguishing dash through security to an almost closed boarding ramp door. She watched him for a long time wondering what the attraction was. Especially since he was on a mission to save his former love-of-his-life from herself. He was average looking and pretty insecure, but, but, he made her feel comfortable. She felt good when she was with him. And she felt that warmth she remembered caressing her body.
She shook her head quickly from side to side. "Enough". No time for sentimentality. I have my own mission. She looked to the rear, saw no traffic and eased into the line of cars, mostly dirven by the confused trying to navigate the cacophony of an un familiar airport departure zone. She saw an opening, and like a scatback accelerated through it, breaking free from the scrimmage.
It didn't take long to get back to the quiet neighborhood of neat but small homes. She found an open spot about a block and a half from her quarry. She turned off the motor, breathed in deeply and put on her investigative reporter's hat. Tucker was moved to the fringes of her mind.

I live in a small city near a parking lot. I have noticed that cars of young couple are more often than not driven by the women. Does that mean that all of the men have DUI convictions or just that the women have jobs.

I have never understood why some don't think that getting a college education worth upwards of $200,000 is enough payment for kicking around a football or dribbling a basketball.

The Answer:
How about Wilma Slaghoopal and Betty Jean McBricker. I bet you knew that.

Seriously, some people just have as knack of walking away from challenges. It's called the rationalization/procrastination combo, combined with a significant dose of fear of commitment. But, most challenges are not that difficult. It is almost always a matter of putting foot on front of another. Although at a higher level than walking. So...how come I'm not a scratch golfer? Huh? Huh?

*It's conceivable that it wasn't the Broadband Cops, but my sieve-like mind that omitted the AGT review yesterday.

Eco is the word; Nomics is the suffix.

Today's Tids Issue $2,412
Opening Stuff:
I started to type that the US has a major EcoProblem. But of course, the interpretation of that would depend upon whether you are an environmentalist or business person. When you live in a fragile waterlogged state like RI, you just have to be an environmentalist. But, the issue at hand is all about economics , or we won't be able to afford ecological planning and implementation. And one of the problems that always comes with a swinging pendulum is that the warm and fuzzy eco's have gone to the out edge producing many too many restrictive regulations that make it more and more difficult for economic entities to survive. It is now the other Eco's turn.

Yesterday the traders found their positive news in mergers and some economic data. Today they'll find some negative news to make some extra dough on the profit-taking downslide. It will probably be something about the plight of Europe which has become a handy little investment tool for the manipulators. As in -- Plight equals Blight for American investors.

Normally I don't like the results when I see old favorites "brought up to today". But this Dr. Seuss redux sent in by a reader is not the usual lark, but actually on the mark -- "I do not like this Uncle Sam, I do not like his health care scam. I do not like these dirty crooks, or how they lie & cook the books. I do not like when Congress steals, I do not like their secret deals. I do not like ex-speaker Nan, I do not like this 'Yes We Can'. I do not like this spending spree: I'm smart, I know that nothing's free. I do not like their smug replies, when I complain about their lies. I do not like this kind of hope. I do not like it. Nope, nope, nope...."


The Question:
A reader blasted me yesterday for my mildly disparaging inference about the tediousness of Nat King Cole. He suggested a question: In what movie did we first hear the song "Nature Boy".

The Headlines:

--Fitch Rating Service Reaffirms USA AAA.
--WS Drops On Weak Euro-Data (See Item Above Written BeFore Opening)
--Industrial Output rises; Calms Recession Fears.
--Europe Solution Stalls; Merkl-Sarkozy Meet.
--0-Man On Trail Grapples For Eco-Fix And Political narrative.

Back to More Stuff:
All of those experts deconstructing Tiger Woods these days have has indicated that his guiding principle underlying the comeback could be found in the maxim: "Change is always better". He'd better check Obama on that one.

It looks like Iraq needs a good ole fashioned brutal dictator to quell the violence of freedom. Ooops!

I play so much Free cell on the computer that I think my cards are fading. Maybe it's the afternoon sun. I could put #30 lotion on my screen.

I heard someone comparing the Federal government to a family that makes $21,500/year, has expenses of $38,000, with credit card balances totaling $126,000. Sounds like a pretty deep hole to me.

Analysts on both sides are saying that the Prez is turning into "Cliche Man" as the ability to generate realistic solutions to an enormous problem elude his grasp. And I agree that a fix to an economy is not a simple one despite the cries form both sides.

I don't know whether or not the newest US export will help with the trade imbalance, but it is certainly going to add to a negative US stereotype -- Gang organization! Yup, the English gangs say proudly that they are copying the American model for street violence. I wonder if we can claim copyright royalties?

For the newcomers to The Tids, the Novel in serial form, "Almost Near" is about a woman who returns to the town she loves only to find that nobody there knows who she is. While there she finds one man who seems to care. Unbeknownst to her, he does who she is. He sets out to find the causes behind her apparent trauma. She sets out to find out who she is.

I have never had any inclination to eat shark fin soup. Does that make me an environmentalist? Save the environment -- Eat Cheetos!

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. Before Tucker could stop the car or ask about "Tommy", Samantha was the out the door of the still rolling car. She hurried up the front walkway of her home. She slowed for a minute, turned, "Common Tommy, you'll love seeing what Martha has done to the house." Then she turned and ran up the stairs. She looked so happy, he thought.
Tucker took his time, trying to figure out what to do next. he thought meeting Dante might be tough on her, but never expected this. By the time he reached the door, it was open and a little girls was hugging Sam's legs. "Mama, Samantha's back".
Back? Tucker then realized that this was where she must have gone the days he ran from Lobster Cove.
A woman came up behind the girl and smiled enthusiastically at Sam. But then her eyes opened wildly, "Tommy! You're back together." Then she ran out and gave him ahuge friendly hug.
"Yes, Tommy and I seemed to have oicked up right where left off." Tucker closed his eyes and shuddered.


In reaction to the Tea Party Movement, ex-"O"staffer Van Jones has launched the "American Dream Movement". Jones, a true progressive says his party is for higher taxes on the rich, corporations and Wall Street; Expanded safety Net More $$ for Education & infrastructure; Curbs on Lobbyists (Like the American Dream Movement?). The basic premise of the organization's campaign and "Contract" is that "the nation isn't broke; it's merely imbalanced."

The Last American Dream Movement I remember was when Frank and Congressional panels made it easy to assure home ownership for all regardless of their ability to pay the mortgage. The American dream has always been about equal opportunity for all. Not equal results for all.

The Answer:
The song "Nature Boy" always bothered me. It was from a wierd little movie "The Boy with the Green Hair." I didn't see it becasue it didn't have guns or Bugs Bunny in it. The song was also revised in the 2001 movie Moulon Rouge.

The End:
While I believe in protecting the environment, I am not particularly infatuated with environmentalists who build unwieldy tyrannical organizations that seem to take pleasure in intimidating their fellow citizens.
.

The world's a pretty great place if you turn off the TV.

Today's Tids Issue #2,398

(Written 7/25)

Opeing Stuff:

God! How awful was that mass murder in Norway. It is almost impossible to express the proper feelings with mere words. I put on Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor. That's that most beautiful piece of music that paints for the mind the majesty of Norway and the quality of people who have made that Northern land flourish. The music heightened my emotions. I felt chilled, with a tear welling in my eyes as I thought of these magnificent youth gunned down by a fanatic. In the depth of tragedy, remember the greatness that went before. I don't know these people. But I feel I should remember each one of them, sacrificed before the altar of ideological derangement. I will remember them every time I play Grieg. They will never be forgotten.

Before insurance, dentists and doctors tended to charge according what the average market could pay. In other words, prices conformed to average American budgets. Insurance companies, like any good company, have always been on the lookout for new market opportunities to provide growth and compensate for dying markets. As they were in the second half of the 20th Century. Of course health and related markets loomed large because everybody gets sick or has a toothache. Unfortunately with the advent of "insurance", consumers stopped making decisions and tended to overspend that big pile of "free" money! And then...poof!...the gov got involved and greatly expanded the pool of "free" money. Now everybody thinks they are entitled to 'overpaying", and the forces of market dynamics be damned. Example #412 of why capitalism doesn't work when the Gov gets involved.

And a left leaning Gov. which bailed out Wall Street losers instead of letting the markets decide their fate, will be the first to say that capitalism doesn't work any more.

Developers have a nasty habit of destroying the pristine.

Did you hear about the guy who peeled a bell pepper?

The Question:
Who was considered the "George Washington of South America" and where was he Born.

The Headlines:

--Norway Mourns.
--Prez, Congress Far Apart.
--Stock Market Futures Fall With Debris Of Collapsed Debt Talk.
--Geithner Says Dept Ceiling Will Be Raised.
--Moody's Downgrades Greece, Warns Of Default.

"People think and act with their mind; but choices are made with the soul." --Jack O'Rourke

Funny line from a Funeral Department:
Bruce Sundlun died over the weekend and at his funeral yesterday one of the sons from five of the former Governor of RI's marriages stood up to eulogize: "Good afternoon everybody. As Bruce Sundlun's oldest son...I least I think i am..."

In an in interview during a report for the media's latest hysteria over the weather, a young man exclaimed with vigor: "I love the hot summers so I can go inside and sit in the A/C!" Save us.

Things I like: Grassy fields with stone walls and haystacks; Juan Sibelius; 18th Century antiques and colonial homes; The US Navy; Small towns; Smiles and eyes; Corn on the Cob; Folk and bluegrass music; Vanilla ice cream; Cool ocean waters; Sports and more sports; Gravy and snacks; Preservation; SUV's; Sail boats; Plays and musicals; Unlocked doors; Radio; Honesty and responsibility; Logic; Quiet; Nice little stuff.

Portable air conditioners would be truly portable if you could get them up and down stairs!

Yankee Magazine has name Middletown RI's own Susanna's Ice Cream as the "Best Ice Cream In New England."

I always thought Bill Clinton really enjoyed saying "Shalikashuili". Sorry, that's about all I know about him. The former Chairman of the Joint Chief's and chief Bosnia episode adviser, died yesterday at 75.

Almost Near: Chapter 30 continues. --Samantha rushed from Lillies. She buttoned up the lightweight sweater she was wearing and shivered in the 78 degree Indian Summer heat. Her friends here were laughing at her. She could feel it. She was good at feeling the emotions of others. Where was Tucker. Tucker would help them understand.
She turned and went down to the dock where Tucker's dory swayed with the lines holding it snug against the forces of changing tides. She turned and looked back towards the town. People walking the beautiful streets of her dreams. Not paying attention to her. Just people she has known going about their business.
She dialed Tucker's cell phone. It rang. "Hello, leave a message."
"Tucker. I need you. Please call. Please call Tucker. please." Her voice drifted away form the dead silence. She pressed the off button.
Everything was so quiet, she wasn't sure she was alive. A seagull swooped, just missing her head and plunged in to the water below her feet. She looked back at her town, and it didn't look like her town so much any more.

As far as I'm concerned any money that a government receives from a citizen is a tax. A tax by any other name -- Beach parking, Water/Sewer rates, Licenses -- is a still a tax. And in this economy more and more local and state managers are creatively resorting to upping rates or adding fees so they don't have to say the word -- Tax.

I don't think I'm the dumbest guy in the world, but I just saw the latest love child of cultural elite, the movie "Sarah's Key" and I thought it was average. Nice music, nice acting, but the story was full of holes with ending that was so brisk that I thought they were sweeping me out of the theater for another standing room only crowd. "Hey, we gave you half a great movie! You want an ending too?" But then, maybe I'm just not smart enough to get it.

Antiques and junk posing as antiques seemed to have been the most inflationary products of our recent two decades.

Pro athletes should never allow women (Even if it is the hotel house keeper or room service) who knock on there hotel room door late at night for two reasons: 1. The woman may have a plan for extorting the athlete. 2. Athletes notoriously have no self restraint.

The Answer:
Simon Bolivar was born in the country of "The Karl Marx of South America", Venezuela. He is the man who liberated South America from Spain.

You can buy Susanna's Ice Cream at the local "Sweetberry Farm"...which means it's going to be really, really expensive.

As one woman observed on the furor over Michelle Bachman's migraines: "I'd rather have a President who had headaches than one who gives us headaches.

I 'm still thinking of those innocents slaughtered. Thanks Edvard.

Whoops!

Today's Tids  Issue #2406
(Written 8/8)
Opening Stuff:

So, the big news, I mean really, really big news Saturday morning was a first-ever in the history of the United States of America! And where did the local Big Time newspaper plant this story of 23 decades...in an eensy-weensy left hand bottom of page six! In this same edition of our Big Time newspaper the lead editorial espoused the desirability of becoming a European style "Welfare State". Of course they may be thinking of themselves first as a welfare state, perhaps the only road to survival for newspapers.

It's such a grey Monday, maybe we need a little sunshine before I become totally despondent. Being an eternal dreamer, I can easily slip away from reality to a grassy pasture surrounded by stone walls on three sides and the ocean on the other. Where you can waft into your senses salty air aromas, and feel the soothing breeziness cooled by the relentless seas. Pick a flower. Step on a cow paddy. The New England countryside is a beautiful place.

I'm reminded of a time in the 1970's when the leaders a nice little town in Idaho received a gigantic check from the Federal government. The reason: The town fell below the arbitrary national poverty levels used as a basis to give away taxpayer money. The Town leaders scratched their heads, and sent it back. "Look around", they said to the perplexed Government official. "Do we look poor?" The latest census says that 46 Million Americans are below the "poverty" level. Yet, a only a small fraction of that are indeed the poor and downtrodden buggers as suggested by the word "poverty". Additional research of the 46 Million shows that most live in their own homes or nice apartments with TV's, DVR's, modern appliances, indoor plumbing and at least one car. A majority have two. In fact, most who fall below the arbitrary poverty level today, say, just like those folks in Idaho said 35 or so years ago, "Hey we're pretty darn happy." Maybe here's an area where we can start shaving wasted dollars sent to states and cities to combat a mirage.

The Question: 
Name the five of the countries that still have a AAA Credit rating.

The Headlines:

--The World Awaits Wall Street; Asia Markets Crushed By US Downgrade; Europe Rallies On New Bond Plan To Support Weak Sisters.
--US Stock Futures Tumble.
--Moody's Says US Must Find More Deficit Cuts.
--Police Shooting In London Incites Riots, Fires.
--Gunman Kills 7 In Quiet Copley Ohio Neighborhood; Man Wlaks Through 3 Houses Shooting Randomly.
--Salena Gomez, Justin Bieber Teen Coice Award Winners.
--Red Sox Come Back To Beat Ya-Ya-Ya-...In Ten; Sox Get To Ace Rivera In Ninth.

Anal Department:
I'll tell you what bothers me on Sunday mornings -- Advertising inserts that stick out of today's more narrow width newspapers and crumple around the edges providing a disorderly start to my awakening. A messy newspaper just puts me in a foul mood. Which just gets worse when I dribble coffee down my clean shirt.

There's no truth to the rumor that Mubarak has sent out for Casey Anthony's lawyer.

If the US Government was as tough on countries that took our money and spit in our face as they are on their own so-called obese citizens, the international aid money saved would surely fatten our treasury.


Virginia Tech University has 30,000 students and 6,500 employees. That's 4.6153 students per employee. Looks like a Government in action to me! No wonder tuition's are going through the roof.

With federal, state and local government chiefs afraid to utter the word taxes, expect fees and fines to soar. For instance, Connecticut just collected about $1.2 million in fines from companies that failed, or more likely forgot, to register as a company doing business in the state. The fee to register is about $150. Some of the fined companies had to pay $20,000 to $27,000 in fines! What's that all about.

Surprise a Minute Department:
It seems as though every day we learn something new about what is buried in the bill that nobody read before passage, the new National Health Care Travesty bill. And what's been dug up is about as pretty as a decaying corpse too. Why just last week, Massachusetts boasted that a loophole would give them over the next ten years $1.3 Billion in free money!

You have to expect that the feds are using the same slight of hand tricks in defining obesity rates as they did establishing what constitutes poverty.

Almost Near: Chapter 32 continues. --"How is she?" Audrey wiggled into her seat and hooked the belt.
"You were right. I should get back. I also talked to that lawyer who is out searching for her. There is somnething terribly wrong."
"And, I think we are in the right spot to find out what it is. These adorable kids I just watched are most certainly hers. Florence knows a lot more than she probably thinks she knows. What time is your flight?"
"Oh...I haven't had time to do that." Tucker pulled out his phone and searched for an airline app. "Do you know how these apps work?"
"She's a romantic luddite!" Smiling, Audrey grabbed the phone in mock frustration. She pressed a couple of buttons. Hmmm-ed. Hmmmm-ed again. "Ok you're booked on a 9:30 tonight to Boston." She passed the phone back. "Type in your credit card number."
While Tucker tapped his phone Audrey continued. "Now what? We've got to talk to those Kids, but we don't wnat to scare anybody. Especially the children."
"Shit! I hate typing on these small keys."

The famine we're reading about in Northern Africa is just a small example of a catastrophe waiting to happen in 30 years or so when many of the African nations will have populations bigger than the US.

I remember the day my Dad threw me out of the house after I told him I wanted ot be a politician like his dad. I wonder what that was all about.

Actually there were politicians of note on both sides of my family. No wonder I have so much trouble tracking my genealogy!

The new Democrat Buzz Phrase: "Tea Party Downgrade." It will be dripping off the lips of every Dem spinmeister and shallow spokesperson. Guaranteed. That's right after they pepper the airwaves with the Buzz Word of the moment defining a Tea Party comprised of every day Americans as -- "Terrorists". Government spending is a problem regardless of how the excuse mongers and name callers try to avoid it. And thank God some people are willing to stand up so this essential issue won't drift into the backwaters of DC.

Some pretty well connected industry experts are telling me that the real reason for the slow return of manufacturing jobs, if they ever come back, is the lack of trained skilled workers...or even trained unskilled workers! You can see it in the supermarket when a deli person can't slice ham to the correct thickness.

The Answer:
Our northern neighbor Canada is one. The rest are Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Mann, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. We now join Belgium and New Zealand as the three countries in the AA+ column. In case you are curious, China and Japan are AA- and Russia is BBB.


Happy?

Mike Kelly for President!

Today's Tids Issue 2,411

Opening Stuff:

The Republicans are doing exactly what the Dems did in the eighties -- splintering the party into opposing narrowly defined groups. Even those groups that basically agree with each other on the need to slash the size of the giant federal blob that's suffocating the potential for creative minds, disagree fiercely on the means to their noble end. Add to that the millions of Americans who'll vote for anything that moves with a smile on its face and makes promises of wealth without responsibility, and you are probably assuring that an inept President get reelected by default. In other words, the Republicans are doing exactly what the Dems hoped they would.

The simple logic Department:
This must be a movie set! It couldn't be Congress. Nobody makes sense like this in Congress. Check it out:
http://pawatercooler.com/v3/?p=22696

All I ask for going forward is to always have a kitchen big enough for a Cuisinart Toaster Oven.

Yesterday was the 66th anniversary of the Japanese Surrender ending WWII. It was one of the truly euphoric days in US, and world history. I'll never forget running around the neighborhood.

The Question:
Double Bonus Day: 1. We are supposed to be in a new era of convenience and communication. But in the not too distant past...lots of merchants regularly brought their products to the front door. Name five things that people up through the fifties could always count on being available in the neighborhood. 2. Ben Afleck actually directed a movie titled -- "I killed my lesbian wife; Hung her on a meathook; Now I have a 3 picture deal from Disney". No kidding! Fortunately he could also act. Name five of his pics and 3 that he produced.

The Headlines:

--It is Expected That Death Total Of 5 Will Rise In Aftermath Of Indiana State fair Stage Collapse; 14 in Hospital Considered Very critical.
--Google To Buy Motorola Mobility For $12.5 Billion; Move Expected To Put Android Software On Popularioty Par With Apple's I-Stuff.
--Red Sox Fab Wins PGA Tournament; Pat Bradley Nephew Keegan Wins In His First Major Appearance.
--Stock Futures Rising Prior To Week's Opening.
--Wave Of Death And Violence Rolling Across Iraq.
--Former Al Gore Supporter Rick Perry Throws hat In Ring As Staunch Conservative.
--Bachman Shows Her Campaign Is Well Oiled; Wins Iowa, Forces Pawlenty Out.

Back to More Stuff:
The new rule that allows NFL officials to review every touchdown could make for some very long games. It seemed like it took about five minutes to review the first two TD's in the Pat's-Jax preseason game. And that game didn't count! Shoot me.

New Gallop Poll --Obama Approval ratings by Religious segment; Muslims - 80%; Jewish - 65%. Atheists, Agnostics et.al. - 60%; Catholics - 50%; Protestants - 37%; Mormons - 25%. Hmmmm.

In the future, I expect that marriage licenses will be granted after the submission of blood tests...and credit rating scores. "I didn't know you owed $55,000 on credit cards!"

Sugar-Free chocolate, ice cream and other tasty sweet delights have come long way from the early days if inedible "treats".

One of my favorite all time "Cowboy and Indian" movies was the 1950 film - Ambush.

I have never been inclined to buy nostalgia based CD collections of music from my youth. I just hum to myself. I'm more apt to spend money on music that would be a new discovery for me. why would I ever want a collection of Connie Francis, Kay Starr and nat King Cole?

I was dismayed over the weekend by the rants of sports experts about the preponderance of "No Names" on the PGA leaderboard. Some of these so-called sports guru's actually said the had not heard of them?* Why are they on the air? Did they stop to think that maybe the unlikely leaders were there because the "Big names" sucked; and that the Steeles, Dufners and Bradleys were better! How great was that final round anyhow! Could the celebrity factor have made it more exciting? I don't think so. *(BTW, Steele and Bradley had both won a tournament this year and Dufner was one of the hot players through May.)

It is much the same problem that is rampant through out our national system of matters of choice. Especially in this apparent new era of celebrity Presidents. People are looking for starlight over qualities of character; making them more easily led.

With marriages and the bearing of children coming in later and later years, it's hard to know when looking at a family whether it's kids are with parents or grandparents.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. --Five minutes later Sam broke out of her trance, peering more closely at different scenes and places as we entered into town. Still not talking. Still distant.
"Turn left".
"What?"
"Turn left. I want you to turn left"
Tucker knew where left would take them. There were not many options in a small village. It would take them to that one particular front door that had so many vivid, final, painful memories for him. Would the presence of her there reopen the pleasant ones?
"Why do you want to go this way."
"It just feels right to me. I don't know."
"Why were you so silent back there?"
"Was I silent? Maybe I was dreaming. Small towns do that to me." She reached over and pulled his right hand away from the steering wheel, grasping it tightly. Looking at him, smiling, she said, "You like you belong in this town."
He wondered whether this seeming familiarity of her own town would be good for her. Or send her crashing.
"Stop!" He felt her hand grow warmer and tighter as her home, that home that he knew as part of both of their lives, loomed powerfully before them.
Suddenly, she dropped his had as though it were a burning log. "Get away from me Tommy."

The Answer: 
1. How about the milkman, the bakery guy, the knife sharpener man, the fresh fish guy, the Good Humor Man and the potato chip service. I bet you can name more. 2. Fortunately the 1993 lesbian meathook fiasco was only 13 minutes long and he is still after 18 years deeply embarrassed. He lept upon the red carpet with his pal and co-partner Matt Damon after Good Will Hunting. Some of his other starring rolls that I remember were in The Town, State of Play, Jersey Girl, Paycheck, The Sum of All Fears, Shakespear in Love, Pearl Harbor, Boiler Room and Reindeer games. He has been in 39, so you probably have your own favorite, Produced movies were Third Wheel, Reporter, Feast and Speakeasy. he also wroite and directed "Gone baby Gone".

What's with all of this nostalgia stuff? Maybe Mike Kelly thinking like the sensible fifties made me do it.

I always laugh at the self-anointed NBA star who says he wants to be traded to a winning team! As one fifth of the team, he is part of the problem!

We need a Republican with a good tan.

Today's Tids Issue 2,410
Opening Stuff:

I love these cool mornings. It's too bad they can't soothe the stock market.

Here's how smart the Repubs are -- They have their first major debate on the night that NFL football returns to TV. And, becasue of the contract negotiations, this opening had the anticipation by many almost equal to that of the Super Bowl. What debates?

But as your trusty opine-er on world events, I did try to get a grasp of the debate which turned out to be more hard hitting than some of those preseason blocks and tackles. The mild mannered Tim Pawlenty went after Bachman with one of the better lines of the night. After listing a series of major issues like ObamaCare that she said she worked against but were passed anyway, he concluded, "...If that's your view of effective leadership with results, please stop because you're killin' us." He also implied that she was a serial liar after she attacked his record a Governor. The rest of the debate was a combination of political cliches and talking points. While Pawlenty actually made a little noise for a change, Romny employed the "smile and don't say much" strategy. It's hard to see where a president emerged from this event.

After Tiger's 2nd double bogie, His agent Mark Steinberg was seen rushing form the course, grimacing,  presumably to get a second mortgage on his house.

The Question:
Everybody knows George Hamilton. Did he ever make a good movie? If so, name it. And, what did his mother invent to make his life one of luxury and tanning.

Today's Headlines:

-- Consumer Sentiment Falls To Lowest Level Since 1980.
--July Shoppers Brought Retail Sales To Largest gain In Three Months.
--Selective Short Selling Bans Have European Countries Taking Sides; Germany Wants A Total Ban On Naked Short Selling While Britain, Netherlands And Austria Want No Action At All.
--DOW Up 152 At Noon.
--US Post Office Cuts Of 120,000 Employees; Congress Pondering.
--Obama Strategist Says That Any Staffer Who Besmirches Romney Will Be Fired.
--Britain Riots Cooling.
--"So You think You Can Dance" Names Melanie Moore "America's Favorite Dancer"; Moore Easily beats Out Runner Up Sasha Mallory, 3rd Place Marko Germar; Winner Got Amazing 47% Of Vote.

Back to More Stuff:
After four busy days of massive swings, it appears that the traders are in charge, plundering the markets for their own personal benefit while those who naively believe that the markets are still the vehicle for capitalization of companies and the engine that propels American business growth. sit bewildered, wondering how they can ever save themselves from financial ruin.

An old saying in the editorial trenches of newspapers: "If you want entertainment, go to a movie. If you want fiction, buy a novel. If you want both, watch TV news." Regardless of how much I criticize the editorial choices in some newspapers, I believe that the so-called main stream press has resisted to a degree the temptation of going the "People" route as Time Mag did when they were looking for anything to which the  masses would subscribe. But as the ad linage sags, we have to hope that the papers will not just resort to "Tune in to see the latest burning multi-family home at 11:00!".

Free Cell has made me a better person.

Reading between the lines Movie reviews:
--There is a certain euphoria surrounding the intro of the movie help. Is it because of the popular emotional subject or the general popularity of the book. Or, maybe the movie is that good. Around the dawn of the civil rights movement. 3 very different black women come together in a clandestine project that puts them all at risk. The daughter of one of the three, who all work for young white wealthy Mississippi  wives, is just home after graduating from college. She sets out to write a tell-all book about what she experiences at the homes where the women work as maids.
--30 Minutes or Less is a below average overly raunchy comedy about a Pizza delivery guy who's life is abruptly alternated when he is kidnapped by a couple of inept criminals who force him to rob a bank. I like the title.
--I'm tired of "Glee" the Program, but at times enjoy the Music. "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" is probably pleasant at times, but without a plot anywhere to be found, it flounders to the point of becoming boring. Really, really boring.

Things to avoid as you grow older Department:
Is there anything more annoying that while at the checkout counter having an older woman in front of you fumbling though her pocketbook looking for that quarter she knows she has. Oh yeah, there is -- her geezer husband trying help out, looking for that dollar bill he knows he has in his wallet. If he can friend his wallet.

These professionally trained Political hit squads that jam halls to belittle speakers and disrupt a key element of the political process, honest informing debate, remind me of the thugs who showed up at picket lines to beat the hell out of honest people. The use of these hall groups by party operatives just sends the political process deeper into the sewer. And continues to destroy any element of credibility that may be left for Pols.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 Continues. --Samantha was all smiles and good humor as they drove up Route 1 through pleasant small towns and along side beautiful ocean and countryside views. In Newburyport they found a little clam shack by the Merrimack River where they stuffed themselves with every fattening fried food on the menu. "I love fried scallops" shouted Samantha in a burst of genuine enthusiasm for loving being alive. Tucker got totally caught up in Sams resurgence. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and take her on that picnic table for all the world to see wonderful, unabashed love making.
She looked at him smiling at her. "What are you thinking my dear? Is what I'm feeling."
"Caught!" And Tucker reddened.
He grabbed her hand and they strolled starry-eyed back to the car like two people completely in love. And Tucker thought about what could have been so many years ago. He kissed her and she plopped into the seat. Her skirt billowed as a breeze blew through the open door. When he got into the other side he looked into her eyes which reflected the warmth of the giant smile on her face. "You know Tucker, if you don't stop being so nice, you're going to have a woman utterly in love with you. Take that as a warning." The she leaned over and kissed him again.
What is it with me and women in cars, he thought as he backed out and turned back onto Route 1.
The general all around happy aura continued until they were winding out 1a towards New Castle. Samantha's  eye sslowly glazed over. And Tucker noticed her lack of comfortable chatter. She appeared in a trance. "Sam, Sam. Are you all right." But she didn't answer. She was back into that world, that MapQuest can't find..

Interesting, isn't it, that the Consumer Sentiment Index reported its lowest level since the last days of the beleaguered Jimmy Carter. The last President before 0-Man without a clue.

Maybe the Prez should go back to school. Here's Business Week's list of best U's offering On-Line Degrees: Kaplan U., U. Phoenix, Walden U., Liberty U., Ivy Bridge College, Ashford U., Post U., UMass Online, DeVry, Rasmussen College, Capella U., Colorado tech U., South U., American Intercontinental U., Boston U., Grand Canyon U. and U. Liverpool. And, none of these colleges will embarrass you with the NCAA.

The Answer: 
George Hamilton certainly had an unusually adventurous life starting at 12 years old when he had an affair with his stepmother!. Say what? Maybe she liked his tan. Some of is early films were Home from the Hill, All the Fine Young Canibals (I remeber liking that one), Lights in the Piazza and Two Weeks in Another Town. Later he was in Atime for Killing, Where the Boys Are, You're Cheatin' Heart, His only blockbuster where he actually had something to do with the success was Love at First Bite.mainly he was known for his "Tan" and his fling with Lynda Bird Johnson. He was guy who may have been the Lady Gaga of leading men. There was aways a rumor going around that Hamilton had lots of dough because his mom invented "White Out". Not true. His dad was a successful Band Leader. Michael Nesmith's (Monkees) Mom invented White Out.

The Weak-End:
I still can't understand why I wrote so much about George Hamilton. But then, people have been writing lots of nothing about him for years.

While the computer has knocked out "White Out" for its original purpose, kids found it to be a wonderful recreational drug for inhaling. Who says America's creative spirit is declining.

Have a beautiful weekend everybody.

I'm f-a-l-l-i-n-g-!

Today's Tids Issue 2,409

Opening Stuff:

I heard the current stock market being described as "Carl Wallenda with a middle ear infection."

Out of Thin Air Department:
When I see news reported about the world financial situation as a cause for up or down movements, my first reaction is to wonder why the so-called experts didn't see it coming? How can self acclaimed geniuses be surprised so often? Like yesterday, when out of the blue the problem that effected my declining pension fund was all-of-a-sudden the weakening French banks. It is almost like the big investors have this vault full of negative or positive information that can they retrieve and release at any give moment to drive a market to match their current manipulation strategy. Skepticism and cynicism abound in the hearts of the excluded.

But, who cares! Tonight the Patriots kick off the NFL Pre-Season. Elsewhere readers in Jacksonville, Baltimore, Philly, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Arizona and Oakland can also retreat into a rhapsody of bone crunching hits, pass catching wizardry and elusive running.

The Question: 

Everybody (Well almost everybody) has heard of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Scott McNealy, Larry Ellison and Andy Grove. But these cyber stars were but co-founders of the companies, and over time have become the faces of their famous companies. Name the companies and their co-founders.

The Headlines:

--New Unemployment Bennies Apps Falls To 395K, A Four Month Low.
--Stocks Futures Brightened After Jobless report; Market up 136 In Early Trading; Moves Up To 265 In Late Morning.
--Britain's PM David Cameron Promises Swift And Thorough measures To End Wanton Street Violence.
--US Trade Deficit Widens To $53.1 Billion.
--Belgium's InBev (Parent of Anheuser) Concerened That Sluggishness Of US Markets Will Impede Company's Need To Raise Prices To Meet Rising Costs.
--New England Patirots Sign Logan Makins To Six Year Contract.

Back to More Stuff:
New Reuters/Ipsos Poll: --Obama slips 4 points to 45%; 73% of Americans think country is "Off on wrong track" (Up 10 points form July, Matching early days of recession); 47% thing "worst is yet to come"; Post "Deal" negativity -- Repubs - 49%, Tea Party 42%, Dems - 40%, Prez - 42%, Boehner - 37%.

More Polling: Washington Post -- 75% say "No Chance Washington can repair economy"; 80% dissatisfied with way political system is working; 70% - Washington focused on wrong things. Gallop -- Anti-Incumbent wave emerging; Independents and Repubs more similar with negative reactions to "Deal" compared to Dems where approval of deal out weighs disapproval. But don't worry, it will all change again after the Super Committee gets muddled down.

I didn't care when Madonna brought out her big Narcissistic picture book, and I certainly don't care about Lady Gaga doing the same thing. I guess that makes me really old.

I really have little trust in the financial markets, but that's all I seem to have. Except a mattress.

The US population seems to be a combination of the Angry, the Smug, the Irresponsible and the Sheep. Excuse me for being arrogant.

There are often times when the GOP looks like a circular firing squad.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. --"What the hell is wrong with me?"
She didn't cry, She didn't look terrified. She just gazed hopefully at him as a man, the only person who could help; Who she could trust. Tucker looked at her for several moments.
How do I answer that, he thought. "I'm glad you miss me. You don't know how deeply I hold you in my heart." She smiled a little at that, but he ached knowing that she may never understand how true that is. Now it was he who had to compose himself. It was he who knew everything except the cause of her trauma. He could tell her everything, but she could be too fragile to grasp it all he thought.
Samantha reached over and grabbed his hand. A breeze ruffled her blouse. And the flowers by his back door behind her; the soft, now waving flowers which seemed as a frame behind her beautiful face.
"Samantha," he started now more forcefully. Taking charge. "You and I are going on a trip!" Her eyes widened. "We are going to New Castle New Hampshire to see that Lawyer. Have you ever been to New Castle? I know a nice little Inn on the water." She squeezed his hand.
"I'm scared. But, I think you are right. It may just be a mistaken identity. We have to find out, don't we? Besides, I like discovering new places."
Tucker hid his emotions. He wanted to cry as he watched the woman he had loved with everything he possessed live alone in another world.

It seems as though Lady Gaga is living by the Madonna handbook of self promotion.

My guess is that the more realistic Liberals are recognizing that the need to stop spending is not a political fairy tale. The representatives of this emotionally driven business sector will appear more conciliatory to protect their huge Social Services Industry that relies solely on Government spending for revenue.

This is that time of year when you realize how bad baseball has become. There is so little left to play for 2/3rd's of the teams, so that almost all games become as intense as lackluster pre-season games. And that includes big rivalry teams like the Red Sox and that Bronx team who are already both pretty much assured of a play-off berth. The Big market team concept is killing the game for the masses.

I turn on games because I am a genuine sports nut. The drone of a game in the background is part of the summer noise for me. Like crickets in fields of multicolored wildflowers.

The Answer:
Gates co-funded Microsoft with Paul Allen; Jobs - Apple, with Steve Wozniak; Ellicson - Oracle with Ed Oates and Bill Miner; McNealy - Sun Microsystems with Andy Bechtalshein and Vhad Khosla; Groves was the business guy who facilitated the big pay-off for super semiconductor engineers and Intel co-founders Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. And the co-founder of most successful careers is a good spouse or partner.

I enjoy driving country roads; Seeing people nurturing the gardens by their homes; Watching a family of ducks waddle across the road in front of me -- appearing to nod thanks for stopping, as mom and dad nudge a straying duckling to the side of the road.

Wouldn't it be sad if social networks called for a flash mob there?

Flash Mob.

Today's Tids Issue 2,408
(Written 8/10)
Opening Stuff:

So, the Bernanke plan worked for about 17 1/2 hours. Just long enough for the big traders to make few billion on a fast buy/sell program.

The social networks can rally the oppressed against tyranny, bring families together for reunions, call for hoards of irresponsible teens to descend upon quiet neighborhoods for dangerous keg parties and, as we're seeing in the burning streets of London, rouse the criminals for wide spread unprovoked attacks and robbery. The London travesty is just the most visible example of flash organized gang robbery sprees that are also occurring regularly throughout America. Flash Mobs are fun when they are singing Christmas Carols, but not when the flash is in the torches. Islands of safety in cities and countrysides are perhaps no longer havens anymore because when discovered, instant calls for mayhem can go forth from Blackberry's and IPhones.

How much of that money being sent to Somalia and Ethiopia will trickle through he fingers of despots and reach the suffering masses? That's what always bothers me about the pleas for help. Who gets the money?

I am really getting tired of all the traffic jams this summer. Whatever happened to the concept that high gas prices will put a damper on driving?

The Question:
Good Morning America is in the process of determining through a viewer vote the most beautiful place in America, They have narrowed it down to 10 finalists. (Hint, one is mentioned in te middle of the Tids today.) Name the ten.

The Headlines:

--New Worries About bank Balances Drives DOW Down 512 Points.
--Republicans Keep Control Of Wisconsin Legislature After recall Vote fails.
--Fed Dramatic Pledge Of Two Year Moratorium On Rate Increases Spurs Markets for a coupel of hours.
--Harry Reid Suggests Most Partisan Dem Senators For Super "Joint Committee"; Patty Murry, John Kerry, Max Baucus Have Power But Little Compromise In their Hearts; McConnell Adds His favorite Partisan Republicans; Super Committee Appears To have No Chance..
--UK Fighting Back Against Criminal Thuggery.
--Ahmadinejad Asks UN To Step Into London riots.

This so-called "Super Committee" already look like a big joke. First of all, they're putting politicians on it.

It's probably already been done, But if not, why Not -- somebody should write a book about Nancy Wake. In fact this WWII super spy and leader of French resistance performed so effectively in so many different dangerous situations behind the scenes, that a whole series of books could be written about this fantastic woman from Roseneath Wellington new Zealand who died at 90. Wake was tso a mazing and so effective against the Germans that at one time she headed the Gestapo "Most Wanted" list.

America's Got Talent.
I'd call last night's You Tube Special repetitious, Even the good acts of the night were repetitious. Maybe that's what happens when you go from the small video to the large live stage. Personally I enjoyed the Cloggers, the West Springfield dancers, Gymkana. I could have liked Brett Daniels, Kevin Colis, Beth Ann Robinson, Matt Wilhelm and Powerhouse. I didn't think much at all of the 8 year old contortionist, the basketball juggler, the dog act and Aeon (All though thye had some skills.) Hw=who goes forward? Kevin Colis, Matt Wilhelm (People like black light shows), West Springfield and Gymkana. Illusionist Brett Daniels could be five.

The theater stage performance of a story about puns, is a play on words.

Brag and Boast Department:
Magnificent Newport RI was featured on Monday's Good Morning America as one of their "Ten Most Beautiful Places in America" series. The program did a great job Monday displaying for all to see the beauty and glory of my town.

And, while we are boasting, local Chef Kevin Gaudreau of The Pier just won first prize on the Rocco's Dinner Party TV show. Celeb Chef Rocco Dispitito holds a small competition two determine the two chefs who will prepare a major multi-course dinner for his friends. Kevin won it all with a down to earth dinning room and an array of creative takes on Pub food.

How Blatant is that!, Department:
I see where th 0-Man team are planning a big patriotic promotion just before the 2012 Presidential election -- The release of a new big Hollywood movie based on the Seal's raid and killing of Bin Laden. Yesterday he tried to use the death of the Seals to promote non-partisanship for the coming debt nogotiations. That was part of his speech designed to rally the stock market. The market dove off a cliff while he spoke. Tyhe Presidential Seal of Approval.

They have announced a new process to determine the gender of the baby within two weeks of conception. The promoter of the idea says it will help parents plan better baby wardrobes. Say what? Many view it as a potential to increase early abortions as parents plan the perfect family. So let me get this straight -- Science can now say it is a boy or a girl, but abortion promoters say that it really isn't a child. What a crock.

So, I guess if want your children to grow up to be excellent stock managers as you plan for retirement, then you would expect the parents to abort boys, now considered inferior to female sin the investment business. in favor of the now acclaimed female.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. -- "Hi Tucker." Samantha looked alert and very happy; very beautiful in a navy blue print blouse and off-white shorts. She was barefoot, but didn't seem to mind the clam shells. She couldn't take where eyes off of Tucker. Her "Hi Tucker" was soft and caring.
Tucker now walked quickly towards her. He put his arms around her, and kissed her lovingly, gently on the lips. Then he pulled her into him. They melded, flowed together as if they were one. It felt like what he remembered from years ago. His perfect fit with Samantha Wilcox. But she couldn't remember. Could she? Or was it still part of her too?
Samantha started talking like she had rehearsed it. "I am so happy to have you home Tucker. Not just because I love to look at you. Not because you make me happy." She looked up at him again. Pleading. "I'm confused Tucker. I am so totally comfortable here in Lobster Cove. Yet something always seems missing. A lawyer from New Hampshire is looking for me, and I've never heard of him. When you leave, I'm floating in space.

The Answer:
Of course, I'm voting for Newport and Cape Cod. I live in Newport and spent my youthful summers on the Cape. the rest are Ashville NC, Aspin, CO, Cape Cod, Destin FL, Grand Tetos jackson Hole WY, Lanikai Beach HA, Point Reyes CA, Sedona AZ and Sleeping Bear Dunes MI. Want to vote? Here it is: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/best_places_USA/

I'm depressed. -520

Well,,, at least Jennifer Lopez is returning to AI for 2012.

Teardrops on combat medals.

Today's Tids Issue 2,407
Opening Stuff:

How much longer must a nation cry for brave, fallen soldiers?

I think that one of the contributors to the size of financial meltdowns has to be the highly computerized buy/sell programs used by Wall Street. The way I read it, at certain points on traumatic days the Computers brush the humans aside and take over. The planet of Apes? Or I should say "600 Pound Gorillas".

The President seems to think that the Buck still stops at Harry Truman's desk.

It's looking a lot like Washington is fiddling while Rome burns. How else could you explain the insulting spokespeople sent to the podiums across this land. They have no answers or solutions and the country is learning that talk and rhetoric doesn't work any more.

The Question:
Triple Play! 1. Name the five "Geekiest" cities in the US. 2. Who is Melanie Griffiths' Mother? Name five of her movies. 3. How many members of the Tea Party are there in Congress?

The Headlines:

--Americans Rush To Drug Stores For Tums: Market Opens Near 138 Points Higher; Drops To +3.8 In 10 Minutes; Up 200 At 10:00AM: As I Press The Send Button, The DOW Was .
--Asian Markets Stabilize; US Futures Rebound Heartily; "Insiders" Are Buying.
--Violence Spreads To Even Civilized Sections Of London; 525 Arrested; Protest Has Deteriorated To Wanton Looting.
--Syria Defies World With New Raids.
--Lybia Says NATO Attack Killed Dozens Of Citizens.
--US Workers Less Productive For 2nd Quarter In A row; May Indicate Slow Down In Hiring.
--Nyad Stops Swim Halfway To Cuba.

Back to More Stuff:
I think I'm going to climb a tree at Walden pond. Of course that would only be on weekdays...as on weekends it is just another morass polluted by crowds of humans.

I see where France is going to Baguette Vending Machines. I hope they are smarter than Wall Street computers.


The Fighter who became a Lawyer went from boxers to briefs.

A keen minded reader and Government watchdog sent me a note wondering if the Congress and 0-Man will move the Government Employee Pensions into the Federal General Fund as LBJ did with all of our hard earned Social Security dollars.

I don't know if you noticed, but last weekend at the PGA Tournament Stevie Williams made $140,000 while his ex-boss made $58,000.

But, Stevie Williams is still the bag toter. You would never have known it listening to his post match "I-Me-My" interview. It was Adam Scott who won by 4 strokes.

Congress leaders have agreed on on way to reduce spending. They have ended the 200 year old Page program. Now what are Congress people going to do on those lonely nights in DC?

Almost Near: Chapter 34. --The trip to Lobster Cove from Logan Airport seemed a strain for Tucker. His chest was tight as he imagined what Samantha might be doing to herself. He would have preferred to go to New Castle first if he had a perfect plan, but his emotions were driving him now.
His heart felt a sadness when he jumped out of the car leaving Audrey behind. Her look of tenderness seemed intended for him. Yet she may have been showing her feelings for the distraught Samantha. He was beginng to learn that through her gruffness and practicality, there was an extremely sensitive woman. His thoughts of her made him smile a little as his car approached the white Church on the corner announcing Lobster Cove. He turned sanely, but then jumped on the accelerator of his rented Versa. The car took off belying it's diminutive size. Not wanting to appear panicky,He slowed as he entered the driveway. He liked the sound of the crumpled clam shells under the tires. Funny, but his coastal driveway always said home, safety, to him.
Before he could put his foot down on the shells, the door opened and Sam came out, slowly. She looked calm. There was a wonderful naive sparkle in her eyes.

Somehow, the National Democrat Party leaders think that calling the Tea Party names -- which will surely rally the party together and help them grow -- is a good idea. What the name calling says loud and clear is that "we're afraid of the TPM." Besides, if the Tea'ers cut spending, how are the Pols going to bribe the voters? In fact, the Dems look so edgy and jumpy these days they could be called The Coffee Party.

In the rush to point fingers, just about every Pol and pundit is losing creditability including Rushbo, who yesterday for some reason contrived a totally misinformed anti Yahoo News rant.

The Answer: 
1. Number five is Durham NC. Four - Huntsville Al, 3. Framingham Mass, 2. Boulder CO and the #1 Geekiest is San Jose (Duh)! 3. 6 thru 10 are Lowell Ma, Washington DC, Ithaca NY, Bethesda, MD and Seattle-Belleview. 2. Griffith is the daughter of Hitchcock fave Tippi Hedren. Her top movies are Something Wild, Body Double, (Oscar nominee in) Working Girl, (The scary) Pacific Heights, (The dreadful) Bonfire of the Vanities, Born Yesterday, Shining Through, A Stranger Among Us and Now and Then. 3. There are estimates that say anywhere from 79 to a 100, with the best answer considered to be 83. So...basically the pols are blaming everything on 83 people in Congress.

Americans are tired of Politicians looking back. The front is a clean slate.

Tom Brokaw said a week or so ago that "...no matter what you think about the Tea Party, they played by the rules of American politics: They got angry, they got organized, they got here and they got what they wanted, and they did it with discipline. Whether or not, in the long haul, it's good for the larger universe is a very open question at this point. If you want to change Washington, that's what you have to do. You have to get organized around your passions and your interests." -- Tom Brokaw, Meet the Press, August 1.

In case you are interested, the Tea Party is 75% white, which is exactly the same as the total population. It has a higher male population and a slightly higher Christian right population than the US numbers.

There is a small but grassroots movement beginning that would popularize the word "Liberalites". If you like it, pass it a long.

Beware of vegetarian politicians.

Today's Tids Issue #2,395
(Written 7/26)
Opening Stuff

The word out of Washington is that they are bringing in Jerry Springer to mediate the dysfunctional debt meetings.

Let's see...Moody's says it is ready to downgrade the US credit rating. This is the same austere group who gave sub-prime loan packages triple AAA ratings that eventually led to the worst crumbling of America since the 1930's.

The heat wave always breaks one day after you finally succumb to buying an air conditioner. Actually, where I live it never got too bad and certainly not even close to what they had in the Midwest and parts of the East. But people complained anyhow, probably because they were conditioned to do so by the media.

The Question:
Who was Marjories Lord? Who is her famous actress daughter?

The Headlines:

--NFL Back In Business.
--The Prez And Boehner Make Opposing Speeches.
--Norway Killer Says There Are Other Cells Like Him.
--World Community Leaning To allowing Daffy To Stay In Country If He Steps Down.
--Huntsman Building Team To Go Head To Head With Mittster In NH.
--Monster And Other Big Employment Site Adviing Unemployed Not to Apply.

Overpriced Department:
Just what everybody needs, an $80.00 hot dog. Yup, you can get it at the Brocton Rox Stadium (The Mass. member of the Canadian Baseball League). A 1/2 pound dog is deep fried and rolled in truffle oil, then sprinkled with porcini dust, white truffle shavings and creme fraiche...and finally topped with roe and caviar! How precious is that. How disgusting to the palate of a gravy boy. And the wallet of a cheapskate.

I played golf yesterday with three guys I didn't know, one of whom prayed before the god "Vegan". When he saw my stash of Oreo's, he tried to get me to eat his fruit while adding in-your-face sanctimonious hints about healthy living. But I kept my cool. Then, I noticed something -- he took at least one stroke off his actual score for six holes in a row. I asked one of the others what kind of guy Lenny was. He answered, "He's a stickler for the rules." Going to church does not make you a Christian. I'd rather be fat and honest. Or maybe fruit just rots your brain.

Apparently the Dem lawmakers are upset with Harry Reid's blind support of Obama at a point in this never ending, no-hope-in-sight debate where they really want independent leadership. Meanwhile, Chuckie Schumer continues to be pictured standing behind anybody available in every News clip. How does he do it?

Here's an example of how the media colors the news. In a crowd photo of the Norway mourners this morning, the center of the picture featured, even highlighted, one perfect smiling black boy. This in a country that is predominately white, with only 3% people of color. What are they trying to prove?

You know something serious is going on in Washington when it was learned yesterday that 0-Man had cancelled not one, but two Fundraisers. Nobody in DC ever cancels fundraisers.

There are a lot of promising TV show plots that don't quite make it for me because too much attention is focused on making the stars attractive or sexy for publicity. Prime Suspect appears to be headed in that direction with the only resemblance to the great British show being the name.

"Go Figure" Department:
At a time when more and more heterosexual couples are living happily together unmarried, the gay community is running to the altar.

Almost Near: Chapter 31. --Just as there car pulled out to follow who they though was Florance Quimpierre, Tucker's phone rang. He looked down and saw Samantha's name. It said Samantha Quimpierre. He looked over at Audrey, now seriously following her prey, and let the phone ring. "Who was it? Samantha? You should talk to her." Audrey was talking professionally, not taking her eyes off the car a couple of hundred yards ahead. "It could be important. After all, it's because of her that we are in this swamp. I think you're too emotional for this job." This time she did turn and smile at a confused Tucker.
He looked down and saw "Missed Call" that quickly morphed into "Voice Mail". He pressed the button and put the phone to his ear. His face ashen-ed as he heard Samantha's plea. "I think I'd better call her back."
"Don't worry I'll still love you!" Again, a soft smile.
"Hi Samantha. What's the problem?" He listened as she told him about the waitress and the picture from the New Castle yearbook. "New Castle?" he was now nodding into the phone. "You say you never heard of this Dante and have never been to New Castle. Of course you haven't," he said in a soothing tone." Tucker sat back and just listened while she talked. His face reddened a bit. He looked over at Audrey "Of course I miss you. I'll be home in two days." he nodded some more and smiled into the phone. All of a sudden the car became deadly silent.
"She sounds bad. but..." the car came to a screeching halt, and then quickly swerved into a side road. "What the hell happened?"

The Answer:
Marjorie Lord became a household name as Danny Thomas's wife in the late fifties-early sixties TV series Make Room For Daddy. Marjorie married actor John Archer and they produced the very successful Anne Archer. Hollywood is not unlike state and local governments -- nepotistic!

Let's see...Michelle O has a vegetable garden. Hmmm. maybe we should check The "O's" golf score.

Why don't people like "Happy" any more!

Today's Tids  Issue #2,397
(Written 7/27)
Opening Stuff:



They say the President finally used the Veto word yesterday. I think they are wrong. I think he has been using it all along as in the context of..."If you don't do what I'm askin' I'm sendin' Vito to break your legs!". Wadda country.

"Circus Smirkus" is worth the price of admission.

How many people going into a fast food restaurant do you think read the calorie content of meals they order? How many do you think know exactly what a calorie does?

The Question:
Three Quickies! 1. What is fibula? 2. What does Mahatma Gandhi and Genghis Khan have in common? 3. Name one of the early achievements of Romans. Bonus! What was the name of Bigs Bunny's debut movie?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Open Down For Third Day In Row; Markets Expected To meander Until Government Figures It Out.
--There is No Hole in Dunkin's Stock Debut; Share Prices Of New Offering Soar To $44.
--President At a Loss; Congress Befuddled.
--Putin Close To Running For President Of Russia.
--Syrian Troops Still Killing Citizens; 8 Is Latest Death Total.
--Congress Preparing To Investigate Credit Rating Executives.
--Kandahar Mayor Killed By Suicide Bomber.
--Walter Reed Hospital To Close After 102 Years Of Serving Soldiers.
--Olympic Silver Medalist, Skier Jeret "Speedy" Peterson, Commits Suicide.
--Winehouse songs Move Up On Charts After Death.

A meal that cuts french fries in half and substitutes apple slices for dessert is not "Happy". It's MMMMMM --Meals My Mother Made Me Munch -- all over again.

America's Got Talent Department:
First, Mauricio Herrera sucked, looking more like a Gong Show loser. And, the three little kids were cute but not as good as some first and second grade end of year talent recitals I've seen throughout the years. But, how do you "X" cuteness? The rope skippers were energetic -- and good, but an act that could wear out its welcome. Seth Grebel's escape act was professional and he could move on. The band Poplyfe captured my interest, but I found my mind wandering. Maybe YoYo man Ian Johnson could join up with the Summer Skippers...again good but limited. I am not a big fan of the Rat Pack songbook, but I have to admit, the kid Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. did the crooners proud. I can't watch Captain and maybelle and I hope they lose. Period. I'm not interested in cheerleaders Becquerel cleavage is not talent. Monet is another of those cases where you wnat to "X" but the heart breaking story says know. Professor Splash is a hold your breath act, but...common. It's one and done. Lys Agnes is brilliant and the most talented of the bunch. The final four from this group should be Agnes, Murphy, Grabel and...and...Poplyfe or Monet.

Netflix is one of my hero company's because they are so efficient. But their streaming while cool, actually sucks unless you love loser movies and old TV programs. Now, the mighty Wal-Mart rears one of it's serpent's heads with fresh to DVD streaming movies. And. that could be a huge problem for Netflix future. Netflix should have a better price (If they can get fesh to DVD movies) because while Wal-Mart says their movies range from a $1 to $4.99, I suspect the new ones are in the higher price range. The best part... another big business war in the world of paradigm change. I love watching the movements.

I just saw a bunch of people dancing the "Charleston" and it is a totally happy event compared to many of today's dances.

I think we're living in an "In your face" world. "These are my morals, my life style, my ethics...and you'd better get used to it -- or else!"

I just want to get back to unlocked doors and open minds.

Almost Near: chapter 31 continues. --"Jesus! What happened!"
"Her car slowed, and I thought she started turn. I wanted to get out of the way." Audrey put the car in Park and turned to Tucker. "How is your long lost former fiance?"
"Not good. I would say very bad. But, she mentioned something about a picture of a girl form the New Castle High School Yearbook being shown on TV, and Thelma -- she's a grouchy waitress at the little cafe in Lobster cove..."
"God, everything is so quaint up your way. Go on."
"Thanks for the comment. It's really helpful. Samantha is from New Castle and so am I. And I bet that picture was probably of her. And here's the bad part. She told me she didn't recognize the girl."
"That does sound bad. Uh-oh. She's pulled the car out of the driveway and is continuing down the road again. Maybe she saw us, or got worried about about all of a sudden being followed on road that nobody travels; Right after two strangers show up at her house. Maybe she's smarter than I think. Get out a map. Where could she go on this road? We are going to have to guess at her options, or she will never lead us to where we think she should lead us." Audrey now frowned as she put the car in reverse while Tucker looked at the map.
Before Tucker could speak, Audrey suggested that he should call an airline and arrange a trip back to his friends side. "She needs you." There was a genuine kindness in Audrey's voice.
Tucker looked at her. He heard it too. Now he felt torn.

The unintended consequences of the liberalized "Illegal" immigrant laws that allows kids to become citizens with freebies is what 0-Man recently stated as part of self-serving speech, "...The heartbreak of families split up by deportation..." How about this -- Deport the entire family! No heartbreak. Or how about the cost of all the freebies that's draining the National Wallet. There is nothing good about "Illegal" immigration, especially the condoning of lawbreaking. And it all gets worse when Pols try to fix it.

The Answer:
1. A fibula is a small lie. 2. Gandhi and Khan both have strange names. 3. The Roman's first major achievement was learning to speak Latin. Bonus: Bugs made his debut in "Wild Hare" in 1941.

Better sell all you stocks. One of the major contributors to the Dot Com irrational exuberance era was the over expansion of Krispy Kreme and the out of controls stock price. Dunkin Donuts went public today in a big way. A sweet sign. Or a stale economy emerging.

Are you happy yet?

If you were paying for this, you'd be short changed today.

Today's Tids  Issue #2,393
Written 7/28/2011
Opening Stuff:


In a Nutshell Department:
A reader sends a terrific cartoon that say's all about the mess we are in. (Picture)Two news reporters at a desk. The first says "Today both Republicans and Democrats moved closer to raising the debt ceiling to solve America's financial problems." The second reporter says, "In other news, blood alcohol levels will be raised to solve...".

Obama man and US "Jobs Czar", Jeff Imeldt his moving the headquarters of his General Electric X-Ray division to China. He says no jobs will be lost in the US, but also adds that all of the new high tech (higher paying) jobs will be in China. So the question is why would a big Obama supporter take jobs away from America? Could it be that it's because the X-Ray plant jobs are now in Wisconsin. And that the Union Prez is doing this to get back at the Wisconsin Repubs for screwing with the collective bargaining? Nah. Politics isn't like that. tis is the kinder gentler President.

The Question: 
What common drink increases the power of aspirin and other pain killers?

The Headlines:

--House Vote On GOP Bill Could Be Key Step Towards Resolution.
--Market Fades As Concern Over Debt Vote Escalates.
--Better Jobs Repiort Brings A Little Tittilation To Wall Street Hearst.
--US Slams Iran For Secret deal With al-Qaida.
--Professor Splash Surprises At AGT.

One thing we know, is that the Tea Party can count, can add. And their numbers which almost anybody with a half a brain will agree with tell us that we need to do something big to start a downward trend on this debt thing. The thing the Tea Party doesn't get is that they can take a little now to get a lot later. Stop the spending.

If a deaf person goes to court, is it still called a hearing?

Being right and getting things done are too different things. Believe me I want what the Tea Party wants. but at times these enthusiastic, concerned people let being right get inthe way of constructive judgement. I reminds me of the woman who said she was Right, after being hit by a car in an intersection. Not looking both ways before entering an intersection even if you are entirely right, is not always the best course of action.

It's either S or V. That is in the Debit mess either ending in Resolution or Revolution.

The tongue is the only muscle in the body that is only attached at one end? Maybe that's why we don't understand politicians.

I was at a place today where you couldn't hear a thing. Incredible silence amidst towering pines and in marshes caressed by wild flowers. It was totally amazing. I'd never seen anything like it. Oh, occasionally you'd hear the lonely crack of a golf ball blasting from a club face. And then a another more distant crack as it careened through the towering pines. And finally a saaawoop as it gets sucked into the marsh.


The swine flu vaccine in 1976 caused more death and illness than the disease it was supposed to cure.

The Answer:
Barrista's are also doctors of a sort, as they dispense the coffee that enhancs the action of pain killers.

Aren't you glad you don't pay for this mess anyhow?

The best thing for everybody, whether or not they know it, is a cessation of spending