It takes a what?

Today's Tids Issue # 2,456
Opening Stuff:

It was one of those days, when you just had to do it. The post snowstorm fall sun glistening above the sprawling seas that surround this Island in Narragansett Bay had beckoned me to the shore. I stepped upon the sand and there I stood, alone. Nary another human dotted the expansive beach. The healthy winds were blowing out of the north to the sea -- upwards, it felt, to 20 knots. I braced myself. Yet, the waves were small, the sea behind them calm. In the glare of the sunlight though, magical. seeming to pour thousands of diamonds upon the sand. Glistening as they fell before where Seagulls patrolled, looking for food from the sea. And one lone interloper, a sandpiper, a child among giants. A courageous little feller speeding along the waters edge as only sandpipers little legs can speed. Seeking out his own morsels in competition to the ravenous gulls. Darting between the scavengers, one small courageous bird never giving an inch to the larger foe.

A good friend and neighbor has gotten interested in a Kenyan orphanage. Matter of fact he just came back from two emotional weeks in that high unemployment African country. Working with his daughter in the orphanage; feeling the pain of the parent-less or left behind children. There about 2.3 million orphans in Kenya, and over 49 million in Africa. Some 7 million of those are the result of the Aids Pandemic, but a huge number are simply the result of abandonment by poor villages. Children born with defects it appears inhibit their potential to contribute to the Village; They are left in the wild to fend for themselves. It takes a village works in a barbaric sort of way when they rid themselves of non-performers. It's inconceivable to people with hearts. Unimaginable to us in the land of plenty. In our America where even the poor have never felt true hunger and the hopelessness as they do in deep Africa.

You can repair a broken Jack-o-Lantern with a Pumpkin Patch.

The Question: 
Name 9 famous "Collectibles, which from an investment point of view, are totally worthless.

The Headlines:

--Dollar Spike has Stock Opening Lower; DOW Down 140 At 11:00.
--Iran Parliament Expected To Summon Ahmadinejad For Questioning Over Economic Policies.
--Danaca May Camacho Of Philippines Declared Symbolic 7,000,000th Person In World Population.
--Jeb Bush Becoming Silent Voice Of Authority For Republicans: Says Party Needs More Than Bond Of Hatred For Obama To Succeed.
--Australian Court Orders Quantas Back Into Skies.
--Palestine Admitted To UNESCO.
--Odd October Storm Dumps Up to 2 Feet Upon New England Villages.
--Cain Deflects Rumors Of Women's 1990 Claims Of Inappropriate Behavior.

Have you ever noticed how well a sports team full of people with possible polar opposite ideologies can work so well together as a team?

Consumers as a group can can do anything they want and succeed in opposition to bad business practices. All, without any Government intervention at all. Unless, of course, the government intervenes to prop up the bad businesses.

Time mag has a poll out that says The Hill could beat em' all in '012! In spades. She beats Romney 55-38%, Perry - 58-32, Cain - 56-34. In the same poll 0-Man nips Romney 46-43, Perry 50-38 and Cain 49-37. What it says about voters overall is that they're not enthusiastic about 0-Man and that they don't like the Republicans in general.

I'm wondering if the production of over-thirty baseball players diminishes because of skill deterioration or because of the security that comes from mega-millions contracts that are generally introduced at that age level.

In the "whatever happened to" department, I'm focusing on one of my favorites of yesteryear -- Kate Jackson. She was the glue in Charlies Angels, and the star in the enjoyable Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Jackson had one of thoise early life's option moments when she was the original choice for the Meryl Streep role in Kramer vs. Kramer. Spelling of CS said her schedule was too tight and refused her the position to get a big head start on the big screen. She was trapped into TV, albeit into a couple of pretty good roles. After scarecrow she worked, but not on center stage. She married often, but two years seemed to be the limit for each. Her most recent efforts were Angel related as she appeared in nostalgia efforts with Fawcett and Smith. Most recently she sued her agent for ruining her financially. She now works as a spokesperson for important and very personal charities -- breast cancer which she had and was in post lumpectomy radiation while filming Scarecrow; and Heart heath where she underwent open heart surgery.

A man with a seasoned political eye thinks that the Tea Party and OWS should join forces and get a term limit bill passed post haste. I agree. People in power too long owe too many favors to too many people with lots of money and power.

Only 34% of Americans now view ObamaCare favorably. There was small decline in support from Repubs to 11% and a similarly small drop in Indie support to 32%. The big drop came from Democrats who went from 65% to 52%.

RI sports columnist Bill Reynolds observes that while many RI'ers are leaving the state because of the economy, the OWS have vowed to stay put! Which will surely help keep our Nation top five unemployment status in tact. There's always a silver lining somewhere.

Halloween is but once year, and in story after story I see articles about nutritious treats. Give me a break. Get a life.

I'm really happy to hear that more students (Especially out-of-state) are coming to URI because of its growing academic reputation as opposed to the lure of living in a party house by the ocean. I would expect that most people across the nation would like to see having fun in college swapped for getting as smart and serious as the rest of the world.

Almost Near: Chapter 48. --Audrey jumped over the rotting log only to find her foot sucked into the mud on the other side. Tucker had asked John if they could see the site where Rudy's body had been found, and without thinking why, her curiosity pushed her to side with him. But now, she is wondering why she was walking in this mess, when just asking Barton a few good questions would produce the same results. But, Tucker seemed interested, maybe becasue a good fiction writer needed to experience possible scenes for new novels.
"Over here." Audrey looked over and saw Barton and his guys standing by a shallow hole about the length of an adult Quimpierre. As she walked she looked around wondering how a body could bee brought easily this far into the dense woods.
"God, John, it had to be somebody as big as Bounty to carry a body the size of Rudy in here. Or maybe Rudy was killed here. But why would Rudy want to come to this God forsaken piece of earth in the first place." She was smiling at John who was giving her the rolling eye look. She saw Tucker walking around the fringes of the area. "How was he killed anyhow, John?"
"I don't know if I should tell you that...even if it is the great Audrey!" Audrey crooked her arm and made a muscle. "But, since you so charming and at times even helpful, he was bashed on the back of the head. And I'm thinking that because there is a shallow grave here, it was probably a shovel."
"Yeah, but why was he here."

The Answer: 
Number 1 are those cherubic Hummel figurines. The rest are Beanie Babies, Franklin Mint Collectibles, Hess Trucks, Thomas Kinkade Paintings, Precious Moment Figurines, Normal Rockwell Dinner Plates, Lladro Statues and Cabbage Patch Kids. No surprises there.

Have you heard about the premiere $25,000 ski packages being offered by some Colorado resorts? One of the main benefits is getting "1st Track Skiing" before the lifts open for the masses. So, the benefit is having to get up in the middle of the dark night to ski first! I think I'd give my 25K to an African village.

We have a growing list of orphanages in the US. They're called "Assisted Living Homes For Seniors".

Ach du lieber!

Today's Tids Issue 2,455
Opening Stuff:

I have often said in this daily mess that anybody who lives in this delightful state -- about 30 miles wide and forty miles long, completely surrounded by ocean and where lakes abound -- and doesn't have the heart of an environmentalist, has the brains of a stone wall. How could you not appreciate the work of Save the Bay when seeing yesterday dolphins lolling and frolicking off Barrington Beach and up the Providence River. Yes, that Providence River! Makes you feel good to be alive.

Yesterday Wall Street celebrated a massive bailout of irresponsibility. So as warm as the feeling was yesterday as stocks rose, the proposal only reduces Greece's Debt to GDP ratio from a whopping 160% to a whopping 120%. And none of this will become a reality until the takers give up something to make it happen. In other words, don't go crazy investing after this euphoria.

New Word: "Ineptocracy(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) - A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers." Thanks to a good reader and keen observer of mankind.

The Question:
Friday Two Parter! 1. Number one shouold be easy. Name 7 good Julia Roberts Movies. 2. Name five of the best all-time Vampire movies.

The Headlines:

--St. Louis Says Alive In Fantastic World Series 6th Game; Good Weather Predicted For Finale Tonight.
--Stock Buying May Pause As Investors Come Down From Euphoria; Many Realizing Challenges Ahead; Profit taking Will Aslo Contribute To
--Tunisia Military Steps In As Post-Election Protestors Storm Government Building.
--Death toll In Baghdad Twin Bombings Rises To 32.
--Job Cuts Looming As Companies Pare Down For New Year: Whirlpool - 5,000; Altria Group (Marlboro Cigarettes) - Cut 15% Of Salaried Employees.
--Betting Internet Site Has Romney Shooo-In For Nomination With Support Of 62% Of Wagers; Cain, Perry Far Behind In Low Teens.
--Providence RI Issues Ultimatum To OWS: Get Out Of Park In 72 Hours.

Nobody should be surprised to hear that the head of the Cranston Fireman's Union stood up yesterday to accuse the RI Treasurer of "cooking the books" to create a pension crisis. That's what Union leaders do when there are no facts in their favor -- they reach inside their Rosie O'Donnell encyclopedia of unknown knowledge and create a myth. Just make something up. Like that. That may work when trying to intimidate across a negotiating table, but this time the crowd across the table are taxpayers who are getting real tired of overpaying for the unfounded promises of Union Leaders; supported by their brethren in the legislature.

Regardless of what the jury determines, I think Jackson killed himself. Most addicts do. Let's put it this way. If I sat in front of the TV with 50 bags of Cheetos eating away, eating til my body ceased to function normally, and somebody passed by and threw in a fifty-first. And, I keeled over and died -- was it the 51st bag that killed me? I don't think so!

Have you noticed that newt Gingrich keeps sneaking up in the polls.

Actually, I was reluctant to put in the "Q" Section that second of the two parter Q this morn. I just didn't want to contribute to this morass of Halloween writings about candy calories, costumes, pumpkin recipes and and assorted ghouls and zombies, all which has a tendency to deaden my soul.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--In the future all humans stop aging at 25. The only way to stay alive is to steal, inherit or buy more time. Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in this Sci-Fi film where the Timberlake character gets a windfall of time that gives him access to the wealthy where he and Seyfried set out to destroy the corrupt system. Not too bad.
--Hunter Thompson boggles my mind. Maybe this film sorts it out. It's slow, but well acted. The Johnny Depp character wants to get away from the noise of 1951 NYC , and lands at the downtrodden San Juan Sun in Puerto Rico. He languishes in the rum soaked life, but eventually reaches a turning point in his life challenged at many levels as he fights for security amidst a group of lost souls bent on self destruction.
--Lover, fighter and outlaw Puss In Boots joins street smart Kitty Softpaws and mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save the town. Good kids movie, and probably enjoyable for Parents along for the ride.

Some dreamer wrote in the paper this morning: "If we don't pay college tuition for Illegal Immigrants, they will go on the dole." How about if they go back to Mexico. We won't have any on the dole and we won't be paying for there education too. Illegal is the word.

Almost Near: Chapter 46 continues. --Samantha edged towards the door. She looked back at Dante lying so peaceful and content appearing, yet entirely helpless. Her heart felt what her brain was seeing. She mouthed to Mary, "I think it's time for me to go." She turned and put her ear to the door. There was no conversation, no noise.
All of a sudden there was a cacophony of sound, beeps and sirens. She turned to see Mary smiling, lifting her finger off of one of the buttons on the life support machine. Now she heard action in the hall. The door knob turned rapidly. Samantha ducked behind a curtain near a sink, three feet to the right of the door. The door flew open and Jack barged in, looking straight ahead at Dante, and Mary now looking concerned, hovering over him. She heard the footsteps of running nurses getting louder. Just as she saw the first one jump in, Sam slipped around the door and into the a hall. She looked both ways past several more nurses on their way to save Dante, and then walked quickly to the nearest left turn.
If they weren't after me before, they will be now, she thought to herself. I seem to be a fugitive from at least 2 police departments, and I know no reason why. And no Dante to help me.
Maybe I should call Tucker. But something inside her made her shudder.

I have to laugh at Perry calling Romney a flip-flopper. First of all he is adding fodder to the Democrat opposition. Second, he changed from being a Democrat and a huge supporter of Pinocchio, Al Gore. Thats not a flop. That's a swan dive off the high board.

The Answer: 1. My first recollection of Julia was in the wife abuse story Sleeping with the Enemy. And then I liked her in Pelican Brief, Notting Hill, Erin Brockovich and Conspiracy Theory. Many more of you loved her in Petty Woman, Steel Magnolias and Mystic Pizza. She also hit it in Runaway Bride, Michael Collins and My Best Friends Wedding. I'm sure you all have many more favorites. 2. Check out this list of best all-time Vampire movies: Nosferatu (1922), Dracula (1931), Rabid, The Lost Boys, Near Dark, Vampire's Kiss, Cronos, The Addiction and The Blade.

The German population after the EuroZone financial plan announcement are wondering why it is always them who do things right who have to bail out people who make bad decisions. Sound familiar.

In closing -- this from a world traveler an loyal Tidster: "No matter where you stand on the matter, if you are at all a fan of irony you have to appreciate this bit of contradiction. There's a flap at Occupy Wall Street because many protesters feel that the free food shouldn't be available to all, but only to those taking it more seriously. The serious feel the others are just freeloading at the protest for said free food; that the "cause" is irrelevant to their presence. So to sum that up: At Occupy Wall Street, those who feel they are "working" harder do not want to share with those they feel are not."

Every community over time replicates every other community. Because...they are all filled with human beings.

Have fun in your weekend community! See you all Monday morning.

Super-Committee Kryptonite?

Today's Tids Issue 2,454
Opening Stuff:

There are two bleak, stark signs that portend winter's just around the corner. One is leafless trees. The second is mast-less harbors.

The clock is ticking on the Super Committee decision. And Wall Street is starting to strategize for it. I expect this announcement in the next month will for a while supplant EuroZone as the driving force for stocks. Nobody, but nobody expects the group to achieve what the country needs. In fact, Moody's has done some preliminary analysis to support another possible downgrade to the US credit rating. Get ready for some financial aches and pains as strength is sapped from markets.

The Question:
Name Ten Snacks you always thought were healthy, but now, maybe not so much.

The Headlines:

--Countries Reach New Deal After All Night Hard Fought Negotiations.
--Wall Street Rallying.
--Huntsman Continues To Woo College Students; Main Message: Let's Un-divide The Nation; Compromise to Get Things Done.
--Country Shows Modest Economic Gains In Q3; Passes Danger Of Slipping Back Into Recession.
--Turkey Quake death toll Pushing Up Through 525.
--Romney Crushing Cain And The Rest In New Hampshire; Not So Great In Rest Of Country; Forbes Predicts Perry As GOP Nominee.
--OWS Warriors Concerned As Oakland And Atlanta Crack Down On Public Mess.

In response to my item yesterday about crickets needing sex before professional fights, a reader says "So? It sounds just like our Professional sports teams. Who's your daddy?

I see that a restaurant here has a new menu offering of pork bellies. You eat Pork Bellies? I thought you just traded them on the futures market.

When approaching a poker table, a good player always avoids the folding chair.

God, I almost forgot the Pigskin Picks! That's how bad last weeks results were. Jax over Balt? Our record now stands at 67-36 with the percentage falling to 65%. Can we bring it back up in this Topsy Turvy season? Who knows. But, here goes. The ostensibly tougher games are Pats-Steelers, Dal-Phil and SD-KC. Yeah right. The rest are easy. Here goes nuttin': Pats, Tenn, No, Houston, NYG, Carolina, Balt, Denver, Buff, SF, Cinn, Philly and KC.

Consumers are quite excited about four of the new really small cars -- Volkswagon Beetle (Biggest; Most expensive), Fiat 500 (Safest; Best for In Town), Chevy Sonic (Least Expensive) and Hyundai Veloster (Quirky, Upscale interior.), Just in case you are interested. Test drivers say they are all fun!

One of the things I hate about progress is that they often change things that are just perfect the way they are. Like my Braun coffee pot that makes good coffee and was compactly designed, priced right and unadorned with mystery switches. I have bought many of the same model, and have had the same good pot for years and never felt lacking. But now...I'm being forced to upgrade...to what? A product manager's dream. That's about it.

And...beating earnings estimates isn't what it used to be either. Whoops and huzzahs are coming from Wall Street as corporation after corporation beats analysts estimates. But, like tests for students, the bar has been lowered -- quite a bit lower. So be cautious, as the upbeat talk may be more "I want it" euphoria rather than "We did it" euphoria. But then, Wall Street wouldn't fool us, would they.

As far as I can remember, Tea Party protestors used indoor toilet facilities. And, what's with those incessant drums anyhow. And, where are the environmental police when you need them? Ugh.

The McCarran-Walter Act also know as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA) requires among other things that all aliens possess proof of identity, documentation that determines their status as legal. Basically many states, even though under the Constitution all immigration authority lies with the Feds, are passing laws that are exactly based on that 1952 landmark law of fairness. Why? Because the Feds are not enforcing the Federal law and, it seems, trying to subvert this law that has existed for 59 years. Here's the scary part. In a legal brief, Obama's Justice Department under Holder stated (According to Kansas SoS and Immigration legal expert) that it will not pay attention to the 1952 Law. Can you say rolling over in their 19th century graves?

Almost Near: Chapter 46 continues. --"Hi Jack," the Policeman turned towards Mary, "This is Dante's new paralegal, Deborah Highsmith. How's it goin' in there dahlin'." Jack scanned Samantha like a grocery checkout clerk.
  "No noise is good news." Jack, a policeman both Dante and Mary enjoyed loved his dumb jokes. And he laughed. Samantha smiled at him, radiantly and confidently.
"Nice to meet you Jack." She held out her hand and jack shook it...still eying her.
  "You too...ah, what'd you say your name was?"
  Mary quickly answered "Deborah" thinking that Samantha might forget who she was. She smiled to herself. "Ok if we go in?" Jack nodded and reached for the doorknob.
  "Still, looks the same," he uttered as the women passed through. He smiled at Samantha.
  "I think he likes you Sam."
  "I think it best if we, I, don't stay here long." She caught her breath as she turned towards Dante. His head was complete bandaged, and his arms appeared to be in some sort of traction. He appeared part of a machine that beeped constantly. But in this case she thought reassuringly. She walked quickly to the bedside and touched a small patch of on his hand not buried under tubes. "Dante." Dante." "She looked at Mary. "Do you think he can hear me?"
  Through the door they could hear Jack talking on his phone. They thought they heard the word "Deborah".

The Answer: 
Number one is that fiber favorite Granola (Too much sugar). The rest are Yogurt Smoothies, Bran Muffins, Whole Wheat Wraps, Fat Free Cheese, Fat Free Salad Dressing, Rice Cakes, Pretzels, Veggie Burgers and Diet Sodas. Most of the reasons for the negativity is the ingredients added to make tasteless things tasty. Fortunately I have always resisted the attractions of healthy foods.

Men of Steel could not penetrate the wall of partisan politics.

Pillars of sand

Today's Tids 10/26 (#2,453)
Opening Stuff:

I remember writing about 9-12 months ago recommending that Netflix takeover and run all administrative functions of the government. Now they are the government, blundering along to the tune of a $45 Stock price collapse yesterday. The poster child for arrogance undercutting rational intelligence.

I see where the Hospital Industry association just reported that total operating revenue growth is down to an all time low. That's fine, but what about ER, ICU, Imaging and Rehab revenue growth?

Just when you think that science is losing its touch, along come the Chinese who have determined that before Cricket Fighting matches (Very popular in China), the warriors need lots and lots of sex! These male crickets are fed a diet of soya beans, carrots and corn and are weighed before each fight on little scales. And, just before the fight, they are thrown in a cricket sized room with females. eeehah! A man likened to a sports psychologist continuously monitors their moods. Every word of this is true. They are not taught sex education in cricket schools. It just happens.

The Question:
As Domino's Pizza Chief Marketer says, "(We're going artisan) as an excuse to charge a lot of money." With tongue cheek he explains why his company is getting on board with his new (Wink-Wink) artisan pizza. But three food group manufacturers take artisan very seriously. Name them.

The Headlines:

--Market Healthier Again On Good Earnings Reports; Durable Goods Orders Up.

--Panetta Calls North Korea A Serious Threat; Increases US troops In Region.

--Former Goldman Board Member Rayat Gupta Surrenders To Feds; Details Of Charges Still Unknown.

--IBM Names Female CEO.

--Nokia Unveils 2 Windows Smartphones.

--Libyans Seek Further NATO Help.

--The 0-Man Continues Is Presidential Campaign Today With The Announcement Of A New Student Loan Reduction Program; Once Again, Prez Finds Way to By-Pass Congress.

--Pathologists Confirm That Amy Winehouse died from Over Consumption Of Alcohol.

Just when you think you have heard it all, the US Justice Department announces it is seeking to Legalize a Rule that essentially says it's ok for the Government to "Lie"! Yikes! But, I guess we shouldn't be surprised since laws about Truth in Advertising specifically do not apply to Politicians. Sinatra was singing about the Government -- "...my, way...".

The new reports on car reliability are out. The big gainer is Mazda and the overall standout is Jeep! Chrysler made great inroads and Ford faded significantly, although the Fusion is still solid. The Japanese cars are over all the best, and many European cars are at the bottom.

But...I prefer dealing in superficiality. Car logos. My choice for worst logos are Hyundai, Buick, Chevy (Not for memorability but because it conflicts with the car design. Ditto Buick), Subaru, Cadillac (Much too gaudy) and to a degree Honda. The best in this shallow person's heart are Saab, BMW, Nissan, Audi and Mercedes. I also like the letters only logos, particularly Volvo, Jeep and Land Rover. This brings me to the new Hyundai Equias, which at nearly $65 k is in the market to compete with cars like the $78K Mercedes. It has tons of great features, drives beautifully and is a significantly great automobile...but that logo says cheap and down and dirty to me. It doesn't say to the prestige driver, "I'm not my low cost step brother."

The Netflix case is a great example of the power of the free market place and why we don't need the Government to step in and fix business injustices. The people will walk away, just as they are now starting to find humanized banks beyond B0A. It has always worked and will as long as the formula remains pure. And bailouts will do nothing but preserve the idiots, inane and thieves.

Hey, speaking of runaway cost escalation, why isn't the Prez castigating Universities for greed like he is Wall Street and oil companies. Has there been more inflation than that in the cost of a college education. The average price of homes is falling beneath the cost of a 4 year education. So what does he do, he bails them out with a loan abatement program.

Oh yeah, and why are students with big loan commitments protesting Wall Street anyhow? They should be protesting the Colleges and professors.

Talk about One Hit Wonders -- a performance artist in NYC gave birth on stage in an Art Gallery! What do you do for an encore? Have sex on stage in a few weeks to preduce props for next performance? Wadda a country!

I see where United Kingdom scientists have produced "Super Broccoli". Sounds like a great sequel to "The Killer Tomatoes That Ate Chicago."

Almost Near: Chapter 46 continues. --"Samantha!" Sam looked around and saw Dante's assistant Mary walking towards her.
  Samantha smiled. A friend she thought. I could use a friend. "Mary, a sight for tired eyes." Mary smiled back frowned as she glanced towards the policemen. She slowed her pace. When she reached Samantha, she hooked her arm, suggesting they walk down the hall and not into Dante's room. "What's going on." Mary was silent.
  They turned a corner and after a couple of yards. Mary stopped and turned towards her. Sam immediately started rambling. "How is Dante? What happened? Did they catch the driver? Why's there a cop at the door?
  "Shh!" Mary looked back at the main hall. "First, Dante will live. But, it will be a while until he comes out of an induced Coma, It's a good thing." A tear rolled down Mary's cheek. Samantha shuddered.
  In a voice you could barely hear. "Thanks. I'm happy that he will be all right." I'm very happy. She felt a little beating in her heart.
  "The police came to the office right after the "accident". They wanted to know about who he had been with that day. And then any known enemies. You know the usual stuff. Then they asked if I knew or Samantha Jergens. Or, Samantha Wilcox."
  "They asked about me?"
  "Yup. Apparently police departments send out notices about incidents to home towns of crime victims. You know, as a way to undercover suspects. Well, Dante you may remember was mugged in the town where your parents lived and died. And you are a suspect in that. And having two names makes you even more suspicious."
  "So..."
  "So, I didn't want you to walk into that room like a dummy."
  "Oh, that's me alright. But, Mary, this dummy is getting smarter." She hitched up her skirt and stood taller. "It sounds like the Police think this may not be an accident."
  "Dante called me just before he was hit, saying he and Tucker were looking for you, and that you seemed to have some kind of breakdown. But, he added that he felt for you, like a man in love would! That's what he said. Like a man in love would. He smiled through the phone. I could feel his happiness."
  Samantha was quiet fro a while. Mary could see she was enjoying what she heard about Dante. "I came back here because I trust Dante. I needed him." Mary reached over an squeezed her hand.

The Answer:
The chips and snack industry is definitely one. In fact Frito-Lay's Doritos Artisan chips are out of sight. The Spokesman says we're going all out -- well, maybe not Cheetos, he ads. BTW, have you noticed that Cape Cod which initiated great "Kettle Chips" now has repackaged using the word "Kettle" on their bags. Next are sandwiches in chains like Starbucks. They are quite proud of their "Veggie & Monterrey Jack artisan breakfast sandwich. Really? Boxed chocolate manufacturers are developing lines that are pieces of art in a box. But Domino's Russ Weiner says Artisan equals expensive

Whatever happened to the great institutions?

RI: The Crisco State.

Today's Tids Issue 2,452
Opening Stuff:

Our politicians here have for years been greasing the skids for inflated pensions and Gov Employee bennies, and now we are them. Greece that is. While I know it seems irrelevant to you across the country when I talk about RI, our plight is fast becoming a test case for potential rioting in the streets, ala the "Seat of Civilization". The union leadership, who got this state into it's current mess, are making not so veiled threats about encouraging resistance, that could include violence to stem the gathering storm among taxpayers, led by fearless and knowledgeable State Treasurer Gina Raimondo. In her efforts to re-stabilize the state, she has even moved Chafee-Lite away from his election benefactors. But, this task is a nearly impossible one even without the interference of Union leaders who's main object is to protect their power base at the expense of the taxpayers. As you watch your own deteriorating local economies keep an eye to the east.

I suspect we're going to hear a lot of about Sharia Law now that the toppled dictators are being replaced with Islamist groups. It will appear that the harsher ramifications of their law will be soften or hardened by various media based on their ideological views. And Islamist leaders with a view to participating in a world economy will moderate their views and their definition of the guiding religious law. Where will it all go -- war or peace. I really don't think anybody knows for sure, but there's a lot of opinions already floating around.

I don't know about you, but my body isn't feeling any tingling from the OWS operation.

The Question:
After seeing the movie Contagion, many people became more aware of surfaces they touch. According to Kimberly-Clarke (Kleenex) hygienists, What are the filthiest surfaces with which people come in contact?con tact

The Headlines:

--Consumer Confidence Tumbles To Lowest Point Since March 2009!; Increased Retail Sales Belie Lack of Confidence

--Perry Unveils His Tax Plan; Proposes Taxpayer Choice Of Current System Or 20% Flat Tax Which Includes Preserving Mortgage, Charitable Deductions For Most And Increases Standard Deduction To $12,500; Caps Spending At 18% Of GDP.*

--Daffy Buried.

--Yemen Force Fire Upon Protestors Killing Two.

--Analysis: Observers Say 0-man's New Homeowner Relief Program To Be Of More Help To Presentational Campaign Than Homeowners.

--Profit Reports: Winners -- UPS, Xerox; Losers -- 3M, Netflix; Non-Discript -- UBS Minimal On One Time Gain.

* See more details of Perry tax Plan:
http://news.yahoo.com/rick-perrys-economic-fix-20-flat-tax-cap-022547777.html

Which citizens elected George Nee President of Rhode Island?

The anti religion folks some how confuse the Constitution's "Freedom of Religion" with their "Freedom from Religion. Yeah...that's it. They're just confused. Not a resentful, bitter bone in their collective bodies. Must be one of those typos missed by "Spell Check".

The more you try to write about and interpret the news, the more you learn that there isn't any real news on a day to day basis.

With the rise of all if these gigantic medical specialty operations, I think there is a bigger than ever need for some kind of quarterback to guide people thought the morass. Too many of the so-called specialty centric experts care little about other aspects of a person's health situation. The Internist, family doctor, or whatever your want to call it, is probably the most important element in efficient, correct medical care.

Almost Near: Chapter 46. --Samantha's hand started to shake as she pressed slowly pressed the off button on her phone the phone. Dante was in the hospital. He was mowed down by a hit and run driver.
  She had called for the comfort she had begun to find in his presence and needed now. And also, because she felt she needed Dante's legal mind on her side. At least her mind was able to reason now. She seemed capable of making decisions. She had locked up the house and drove the stolen car to a lot next to the Bus Station in downtown Gloucester. She left the keys in the ignition and the window cracked, hoping that some joyrider might just take the car. Amd I becoming diabolical she thought. Or have I always been like this. She wiped the the steering wheel and everything else she may have touched. And got out. As she turned, she saw a bus with Portsmouth New Hampshire on it's front sign idling in one of the stalls in the station. Fishermen, she remembered, often traveled between the two ports. How did she know that?
   Now she looked at the Hospital as she got out of the Taxi. What would she find. She entered and with just a few minutes she found herself on the fourth floor, looking at Dante's room. And the policeman sanding outside the door.

The Answer:
The filthiest surface of all is one that your wallet tells you to avoid! Gasoline Pump Handles. After that in order of filth we have handles on public mail boxes, escalator rails and ATM buttons. The next big group of germ breeders were Parking meters and kiosks, crosswalk buttons and buttons on vending machines in shopping Malls. I'm going to line of designer hazard clothing for busy people on the go.

Either there is a dearth of human quirks these days, or my mind is getting lazy. I think it;s the latter, becasue humans are always doing stupid things. But then, how many times can you write about The Government.

Now what?

Today's Tids  (#2,450)
(Written 10/21)
Opening Stuff:



I have to tell you that I had no emotions one way or another while watching the demise of Daffy. In fact I found my self most focused on the former dictator's male pattern baldness.

Maybe, it was becasue I have seen so many Middle East angry mobs on TV that I have become immune. Maybe Media's visual focus upon only the anger and barbarian appearing mobs detracts outsiders from understanding the hearts of the millions of people in the region, who are most likely the same as anybody else you know. Including ourselves.

I loved Brookins and Cassett's Comic Strip this morning that had the Senator rationalizing the country's movement towards Third World country status as providing Movie stars the opportunity to adopt US orphans.

The Question:
1. Name all of the TV "Judges". Hint: It isn't Naomi or Ashley. Bonus "Q": In the news this morning: Worlds 7th largest economy passes "Cap and Trade Law". Who is it?

The Headlines:

--Markets Up Ahead Of Euro-Union Summit; Summit Could Remove Clouds Hanging Over Markets, Return Focus To Corporate Profits.
--Republicans
Say Prez Is Picking Public Fights Instead Of Talking Compromise.
--Senate Vote Falls Way Short Of Movinf Forward Two Selected Pieces Of So-Called Jobs Act.
--Obama Signs Three Trade Deals (South Korea, Columbia, Panama); Biggest Since NAFTA.
--Daffy's Death Cost US Taxpayer $1 Bil.
--AP-GfK Poll: 7 in 10 Americans Say country Moving In Wrong Direction; Less Than 40% Believe That 0-Man's Jobs Act Will Do Anything Significant; Only 41% Say Gov Can Do Something About Creating Jobs.
--"End of World' Expected On Friday, Two days Before German Satellite Expected To Crash into...What?

Were Pols born on another Planet? Department:
I wonder.
I am really tired of these weasels with no business experience coming out to the public with statements like "These fees are reprehensible" or "Disgusting". Instead of allowing the free market to make the change, they only understand government making laws to force companies to change. Have they forgotten that there are Anti-Trust laws in place that can stifle the appearance of collusion? No, these clowns only know government as a solution and they perpetuate the evil big business myth to the detriment of the future greatness of America.

The real news about the final nail in the Libyan coffin, is what's going on behind the scenes among the many tribes who participated in the takeover. What type of Government will emerge? Will it be worth the US investment? This will be interesting to watch. Can you say Egypt?

We've gone from "Sweetheart" to "Tweet-Heart".

I think what is interesting about these deposed dictators is that once you take them off the throne they aren't any different than any other person on earth. They look like drug addicts in withdrawal.

By the way, why the focus on mob rule anyhow. We have enough problems in the US without the media conveying the idea that mobs instead rational discussion and eventual voting is the way create positive changes. There are too many people around who love chaos and the opportunity to throw things.

Diners with split personalities always request separate chaecks.

One of the nations greatest Halloween treats is Providence's Roger Williams Park gigantic and the amazingly creative Pumpkin Display

Did you catch the video of Hillary joking with Karsai about the "Pizza Man" running for President. I guess her diplomacy stops at the border. Nothing like the Secretary of State creating in the minnd of foreign Country President negativity about a possible US president. Hill and the Afghan thief appeared to be great buddies.

Almost Near: Chapter 45 continues. --Barton turned quickly back to Tucker without responding to Audrey. "So..."
"So?"
"When was the last time you visited Little Rock?"
"About three or so weeks ago? I met Audrey over at the newspaper, And we took it from there."
"Are you a lawyer? You heard my first question, before you came out three weeks ago had you ever been in Little Rock Arkansas?" He stared at Audrey. "Is that clear enough for you?"
"No."
"Really?"
Barton flipped a couple of pages of some papers.
"This sounds like an interrogation, John." Anger flashed through Audrey's eyes, but she was calm. "Tucker came over to help you with what he knew."
Tucker leaned forward. "Exactly. Actually, I came along with Audrey to find out what you knew. You already know what I know if you talked to Audrey. She's a pretty good reporter."
"I know what Audrey told me, but I don't know what's inside of your head. Where's your girlfriend," Barton smiled at Audrey, who reddened slightly.
"I don't know. She disappeared."

Reading between the lines Movie reviews:
--No Oscar winners in this week's lineup, but Horror movies fans will like Paranormal Activity 3. Like the first two about children who befriend an evil spirit in the cellar, it starts slow and builds to a scary conclusion; With many heart stopping, hair-raising moments along the way. And...some very unique surprises!
--The Three Musketeers is a not so very good version of the well known story. Clanking of swords can't over come the tediousness of the script. Hot-Headed young D'Artagnan joins forces with 3 rogue Musketeers to stop the evil Richelieu and a face-off with Buckingham and his treacherous Milady.
--I put Margin Call on my Netflix queue 2 months ago, and looks like I won't be disappointed. In 2008 just before the collapse. players in an investment firm become entangled when an entry-level analyst discovers something that could prove to be the firm's downfall. Great analysis of financial and Moral decisions. Stars Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Paul Bettany. Unfortunately, it will probably try to paint business black.

The Answer:
1. Judge Judy pops into my mind first and then Joe Warner and Joe Brown. But there are plenty more -- Greg Mathis, Mabeline Ephraim, Marilyn Milian, Glenda Hatchet, Mills Lane, Jerry Sheindlin, Maria Lopez, Lynn Toler, David Young and of course Ed Koch, Bonus: The World's seventh largest economy is California, USA, and yes, they have just passed an onerous Cap and Trade bill. Keep you eye on that ones.

Nothing is ever over anymore. News cycles just come to an end.

My big problem this weekend is what NFL game to watch. Bye weekends are mind-boggling.

Love your weekend.

Breathe in the day, aaaah!

Today';s Tids  Issue #2,448
(Written10/19)
Opening Stuff:

There are so many ways to get you heart apounding each morning. Beginning with that first glow of sunlight creeping neath the dark carpet of night. Or maybe, it's the antics of birds and small animals scurrying outside your window. Or breathing in that first deep wisp of cool crisp air, unfettered by the climate of the day to come. Or perhaps a wistful thought that takes you somewhere over the rainbow. Or a simple smile of a special person remembered. Or the challenge every new day brings. Every morning is a new awakening of not just the body, but the heart and the soul.

When replying to emails of people just introducing themselves to me, I always start with "Nice to eMeet you."

A newly charged battery is Power-full.

The seeds of doubt are often planted by a casual remark from another person. And really have no meaning on your life.

The Question:

Name five great historic Hotel Resorts In New Hampshire. You may be seeing them in the news as they are beautiful backdrops for smiling candidates.

The Headlines:

--Turkey Launched Full Military Section Into Iraq.
--GOP Debates Most Heated To Date; Romney Is Focus Of Others Attention But Never Backs Down; Perry Looks More Comfortable.
--Used-Up German Satellite Hurtling Towards Earth' Expected To Hit Friday.
--SS Recipients Gifted 3.5% Cost Of Living Increase Just In Time For Campaign Season.
--2-Day Strike Shuts Down Greece.
--Despicable Philadelphia Disabled Benefits Scam Appears TO Be Nationwide operation; Ten More Arrested.
--Midast: Syrians Rally For Assad; Syria's Opposition "National Council" Recognized By Libyan Rebels As Country's Legitimate Authority.

Back to More Stuff:
RI Treasurer Gina Raimondo could go on to become another in a long line of the great RI Governors. Unfortunately Union leadership can't deal with facts and honesty. And rest assured they will be out there with the baseball bats of innuendo and character assassination. But this time, I think RI'ers will see through the charade. Raimondo is that good. That believable.

"The man who questions opinion is wise; The man who quarrels with fact is a fool."

Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Immediately after serving the food, Johnny dug in. "Johnny!" said his mother, "Please wait until we say our prayer." "We don't need to," came Johnny's reply. "Of course we do said Mom, "We do it every night before eating at home." "Yeah, but," replied Johnny, "This is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!"

The sub headline to a story about deportation informed us that 55% of the illegals deported had felony convictions. It should have read "other" felony activities.

While we weren't looking, two young RI woman golfers, NK's Samantha Morrell and LaSalle's Juliet Vongphouney, are tearing up the Southern Colleges women's Golf tournamenst. They placed one and three in the latest and have been at or near the top all Fall.

If you haven't noticed, the price you pay for all of this wonderful free Tids stuff is having to read about my RI boasts.

No matter how many dictators are deposed in the Middle East, the fact remians that there will always be Sunnis and Shiites taking violently opposed sides assures unrest for ...centuries?"

Why did anyone ever think it was necessary to invent the word "re-iterate?"

The Hamas leaders, who reveled in the release of prisoners by Israel, said that this validates force over the peaceful methods of Abbas as the preferred avenue to achieve a Palestinian state. Many of the released violent bombers and insurgents acknowledged they were eager to get back to killing Israelis. So much for the UN.

A cartoonists view of the way the media Cover's "WS Occupy" Versus "Tea Party", Department:
Cartoonist William Warren clearly defined the differences of how the media reports on tow recent groups bringing a message to the country. The WS - "Fueled by Passion"; TP - "Fueled By Anger". WS wool hat - "Cool"; TP Red white and Blue Top Hat - "Stupid". WS Sign "Capitalism sucks, Behead Bankers" - "Sensible concern and mere hyberbole"; TP sign "Less Government" - "Hateful Slogan". WS'ers - "Legitimate voice of America"; TP'ers - "Radical Fringe Movement". WS Book "Marx" - "Academic Literature"; TP Book "Adam Smith" - "Extremist Literature". WS button "Occupy Wall Street" - "Just a Button"; TP Button "No Obama" - "Racist".

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --Samantha hung up quietly, "I'll see you soon, Tucker." She hung up quietly, before he could answer. Her mind racing with thoughts of how Tucker spoke and reacted. And coupled with what she had been reading this little room. This little locked room.
She picked up the one journal again and reread his account of her leaving him, and the sad meeting with her mother. He talked of the sadness, the scared look in her eyes. Her heart ached thinking of her Mom. Her mom who she could only remember as a bit of grey in the background. Was her mother's fears her fears. Why she was lost in this new world that had no meaning to her?
As she re-examined the writings, she saw an anger in man she must have known, must have loved. Yet, she only knew him now as kind and caring and gentle. Until yesterday. 18 years ago, she must have run from this man for some reason. She felt a chill take over her senses. She shivered. Something is wrong. I know something is wrong. Lobster Cove is not a safe place any more.
Samantha meticulously put all of the papers and journals bakc in the order she found them. She scanned the room, adjusting little items she may have moved. Satisfied, she closed the door and reset the padlock. Looking down she brushed away some dirt that may have come from her shoes. She returned the key to position under a bowl on top ofr the refrigerator, carefully placing the bowl back on the exact right spot. Now, she had to get rid of the stolen car.

The Answer:
These great Inns, magnificent structures nestled in the mountains or along the rugged sea coast have been pretty much taken over by chains who saved their history and grandeur from the wrecking ball. They are The Balsams, Wentworth by the Sea, Mountain View Grand Hotel, Mount Washington Inn and, and.. what is that fifth Grand dame. Ah yes North Conway's Eastern Slope Inn. Or, is it the Bretton Woods Arms?

Raindrops are part of a necessary cycle. Someone's job depends on them. How else would Poland Springs and Perrier be able to gouge consumers.

Karaocke President.

Today's Tids Issue #2,447

Opening Stuff:

The networks spend millions developing, researching and producing new shows. They are experts and draw upon vast experience and scientifically authenticated knowledge to predict the winners for each new TV season. And then most of the new shows routinely fail. Drop like the Red Sox in September. I think they are the same guys who recommend stock picks. Or, free agents for the Red Sox.

Some of the new TV shows barely started. Revenge fell off after the first week, but not as much as the two just cancelled shows Playboy Club and Charlies Angels. The soapish Revenge has captured an audience and will stay. Like wise Person of interest, Prime Suspect (Boring) and Unforgettable, which seem to have some life. X-Factor is doing well, but frankly I have found it irritable. Among the sit-coms, 2 Broke Girls and Whitney (So far) are getting some support. But "How to be a Gentleman" is heading towards the not so gentile ax! One thing I have noticed personally, is that while I love mysteries and crime shows, there all of a sudden seems to be a sameness among them all. This is the kind of trend which usually signals paradigm shifts. Lets hope it isn't to more reality shows, which are really becoming tedious.

Amorality department:
What's this...the Supreme Court is going to waste money and time determining whether lying is protected under "Freedom of Speech"? But then, like the word "Illegal" i guess lying has also lost its meaning in this new "anything-goes-as-long-as-you-can-say-kumbaya-in-the-end" world. Think of the legal fees and court time already spent getting this case about a man lying about his receiving wartime medals all the way up to The Nine. But then, I guess it is significant. If lying isn't deemed protected under Freedom of Speech, then we would have cease all political campaigning!

The Question: 

Double Doozies. 1. Name five great Chicago criminals of lore not including politicians. 2. Name ten characters from the TV show Cheers.

The Headlines:

--Stocks Edging Up Early.
--Goldman Reports Deeper Than Expected 3Q Loss; BoA Posts Profit..
--New Poll: Cain Tops In Likeability; Romney Tops In Electability; Independents And Conservatives Say Cain Also Matches Their Views Best.
--S&P Downgrades 24 Italian Banks.
--Hillary Arrives In Libya As Daffy Forces Counter Attack.
--As Palestinians and Israel Exchange Prisoners, Israel Approves 2000 Unit Complex in Disputed Settlement"; Peace Hopes Dimmed.
--GOP Heading Towards nevada For Latest Round Of Debates.

I think pitcher John Lester hit a home run, when in response to the incessant media babbling about beer and chicken, he said, "All the media hysteria regarding clubhouse antics is overblown and unnecessary." The sports pages and radio talkers have latched on to the sensational (And I don't think eating chicken with gravy is sensational) and never, I mean never talk about whether or not the players weren't good enough to compete. It is symptomatic of all news these days where filling too much time and holding audiences is more important than reporting honest, real news.

Typically of today's culture of uninformed hysteria, people are comparing the WS occupiers with the Tea Party. Just because they are there and because they are groups of angry people. At keast the Tea Party went to the den where the problems lie. The same problems that the WS'ers are protesting (If that indeed is what they are protesting) all eminate in Washingtron DC. Nothing ihn this country really happend unless the the 545 out of 300,000,000 extend their will. As columnist Charlie Reece of the Orlando Sentinel said at the conclusion of last his well written, thoroughly documented piece before retiring: "(The 545) are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country."

And remember all of the hysterical hoopla about the Palestinian and Isabel presence at The UN? Well, it's back to business as usual with Israel approving exactly what the Palestinians don't want -- more construction in Gaza.

As I walk around a golf course I am constantly perplexed why people can't put garbage and cans in their carts or bag and dispose of it all when get finished. The same goes for tourists who seem to think it's a good idea to unload in the streets or parking lots.

A good and knowledgeable reader had some objections to my long term use of the name "Clueless Lane" for Wall Street. So, let's just call them irresponsible and leave it that.

Uh Oh! Somebody stole Obama's teleprompters! Yikes! Will the markets crash without Presidential cheerleading from the podium? Yes, it appears that a big truck full of presidential stuff follows the "Non-Campaign" ObamaBus everywhere. Among other things like signs, seals and sound systems, it contains the teleprompters. A couple of opportunistic thieves saw the truck parked at a Court in Virginia, and snagged it! How easy was that.

When the going gets rough, sing about Pizza!
Have you heard Herman Cain sing his Pizza song? He's actually quite a decent singer. To the tune of Lennons "Imagine" he sings: "Imagine there's no pizza, I couldn't if I tried, Eating only Tacos, Or Kentucky fried. Imagine only burgers It's frightening and sad. / You're lichky you have pizza, to feed your kids for you, Only frosting or cookies, and no dishes you muyst do. Imagine eating pizza, Each and evry day." Sometimes you just have to escape the BS.

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --"I'm up in Maine, just sitting on a bench by the sea south of Portland. It's really quite beautiful up here Tucker. Maybe some day you and I should come back for a weekend together. It would be a beautiful time. Don't you think?" She waited for his answer. Something inside was telling her that she should not reveal anything to Tucker. She should try to sound disoriented but not of the raving sort. All of sudden she was thinking rationally, and it made her feel good, confident.
"I'm glad you are safe." His voice sounded kind, gentle. "You sacred me."
"Didn't mean to do that. I just had this massive panic attack. You know me." And then she laughed. When Tucker continued she could tell there was a smile on his face.
"Now I feel better, much better." Why was he feeling better she thought. "How did you get up there?"
"Oh, I just stole a car!" Then she really laughed. "No, no...Tucker. I'm just kidding. I hitchhiked to Portsmouth and then took a bus. It was really quite easy."
"You really do sound great. When are you coming back. Oh, where did you say you were again?"
"On a bench. On a beautiful bench. All alone. Nothing but me and the shorebirds, and the waves crashing of on the shore. See you soon." She hung up.

I think the world would be a better place if everybody read the daily and Sunday comics.

The Answer:
1. Al Capone and Frank Nitti are the best known of a long, long list of Chicago mobsters as is Tony Accardo. Then we have run of the mill Public Enemy #1's John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. Funny thing though, every time I read the name of a well known criminal I think he/she must be from Chicago. And Chicago is such a wonderful place. Just shows you the power of TV and movies. 2. The original players, Sam, Carla, Coach, Norm, Cliff, Diane was a great cast that got me into the program. I never thought Woody Harrelson as Woody (after Coach's actor Nicholas Colasanto died) added much, but i did like the addition of Frazier Crane and Lilith. Kritie Alley as Rebecca actually starred in more episodes than Diane Chambers as the Sam Malone foil, but I thought the show was better with Shelly Long.

And the soon to be born 7th Billion earthling should remind us that the biggest problem in the world is the vanishing stuff that sustains life. Think if the ramification of that potential ingredient to rampant world anguish and anger far outweighs the daily ills of the Kardashians.

The party's over?

Today's Tids Issue #2,444

Opening Stuff:

How much smoother would our political world be if no candidate was beholden to any party, but only to the truth as each candidate sees it. And the voter would have to determine which version of the truth suits them without the assistance of "Spin-meisters", Media consultants or partisan talk show hosts. Who knows, we may get Presidents who can actually lead all of the people. I know, it's a crazy idea. Purity in politics. Impossible.

Remember when in the '40's and '50's "Woodies" (cars) were the greatest status symbol of all? At least to me, whose heart beat rapidly when they drove by majestically.

One of the great little joys of life is fixing your own ballmarks on the green.

The Question:
Who won the Americana Music Association "Artist" of the Year" award. Who did the winner upset? Who was the third top nominee. What was the "Song of the Year"? And, who were given Lifetime Achievement Awards?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Still Trying To Ride The Positive Side Of The Euro-Zone Debt Deal.
--Good Google And Superior Retail Data Has Market Up All Morning
--Perry Proposes Energy Program To Create 1.2 Million Jobs.
--Italy's Wild And Crazy PM Retains Power By The Width Of A G-String.
--Hulk Hogan Says He No Longer Supports The Prez.
--% Of US Families Struggling To Put Food On Table is 3 Times Greater Than China.
--US Votes Against Plan To Strengthen IMF In Euro-Zone Crisis.

I see where Gay Military personnel are going to hold a convention! What's that all about?

"Ga-Ga" Law Suit has British court nixing "Goo-Goo"! This actually happened yesterday. God, has this world gotten nutty beyond belief or what.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The big years is a comedy with a bi comedic cast -- Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. And it's about Birding". That's birdwatching. It is about an intense competition to becoem the worlds greatest birder. The movie follows a race across the continent with each of the three trying to discover the most rare species, and probably something about themselves beyond their feathered addiction. It's not terribly funny, but the it is also not too bad.
--This week also brings a couple of remakes of old favorites. The first is the high Energy, musical footloose. The story is about a tragedy in a small southern town where because of a car accident that killed 5 teens, a minister lead the charge ot ban loud music and dancing. And energetic lad, who just happens to be smitten by the minister's daughter leads the charge to challenge the ban. It's a good cast led by Kenny Wormald, Julianne Howe, Andre McDowell and Dennis Quaid. Pretty predictable plot, but the music and dancin' will keep you hoppin'.
--The second redo is the 1951 horror film, The Thing. Scientists discover buried in ice this vegetable blob in a crashed alien space craft. The scientists bring it to life, which turns out to be a very bad idea. The scientific team bans together to save themselves from being killed one by one. One big hitch. The Thing can assume the identity of anything or anybody it comes in contact with. And now the scientists can't tell the good guys form the bad. Will keep you on edge.

While we weren't looking, the Capitol city of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, went into bankruptcy. How many other entities are hanging on by a well manicured fingernail? The problem is that too many cupboards that look attractive form the outside are bare on the inside. And many of the usual sources for extra cash are in as dire straights as the as the borrowers. It's the tip of an iceberg that may just be harboring The Thing.

Which brings me to a little piece of local sadness. Wilson's of Wickford, a classic men's and women's clothing store that was an institution in a quintessential New England harbor side town, has announced a bank forced auction of the business. Once again it is today's story of not being able to do business as usual. That counting on the next day always bringing a new resolution to today problem is a thing of the past. The store's bank is a great bank and the store is a great store. But, in today's new economic world there is just no longer a there, there anymore.

Almost Near: Chapter 45. --Samantha was as calm as she had felt in years. What she was reading in that securely locked room should have made her tremble, her heart beat out of control, her face turn red with rage. And, doubt her very existence. But she was seeing everything in these words as pieces of a puzzle that somehow resonated in her jumbled mind. And, that was ok with her.
She also began to feel sorry for Tucker, or whoever he was, as a lost man. A beautiful writer searching for something. And that something seemed to be her. Somehow this man had lost something important in the past. She new that he had created a life for her that for some reason she had accepted as a place that was better than the place she was in. Why, did she enter the dreams of a poet? What was wrong with who she had been.
She felt the vibration against her thigh from her phone in her pants pocket. She remembered she had turned off the ring while she had been hiding on the docks. She flipped open the phone. It was Tucker. Now a small fear gripped her. She battled it. Tucker was the biggest piece of her puzzle. She knew that now, and that instead of running from him, she must control him.
"Hi, Tucker. Sorry I had to run off like that. But my fragile brain was being assaulted by two good men". Dante's face flashed by.
Tucker's voice was gentle and quite comforting. "I understand, Sam. Maybe I was pushing too much. So, where are you, anyhow?".

The Answer: 
The Americana Music Association is a loose confederation of "Roots Rockers", "Alternative Country Players" and "Wayward Folkies". And there members including greats like Allison Krauss and Emmylou Harris, produce some terrific sounds. The upset winner was Buddy Miller who also happens to be the most prolific winner in the history of the event. He upset the audience Favorite and former Led Zeppelin front-man Robert Plant. Third among the nominees was Elizabeth Cook. The song of the Year was Justin Townes Earle's "Harlem River Blues. The lifetime awards went to Lucinda Williams, Jerry Douglas and Muscle Shoals producer Rick Hall. It was a great time down in Nashville last evening.

The Weak-End:
I'm thinking that if there ever was a time in the history of the world when individuals should start taking control of their own lives, this is it! But, somehow I sense it is going in the exact opposite direction.

Have a fantastic weekend everybody

Minds to mush.

Today's Tids 10/5 (#2,436)
(WrittenWednesday, October 5, 2011 12:59 PM)
Opening Stuff:

Has there ever been a time in society when simple little things became so incredibly complex?

I'm thinking seriously of forcing myself to watch Dancing with the Stars so I can provide that insightful Tids overview you all crave. If I can just mute the judges and the emcee, I might make it

If you are having a good day and want to keep it going, don't open a Verizon invoice.

Daily Question: Name what you think are the five most dangerous metropolitan areas.

Today's Headlines:

--Private Sector Job Growth Has Market Up; New Jobs Added Still Far below Avrage Needed For Robust Return Of Economy.
--New Polls: Cain Ties Romney; Obama Econ Approval Low; Congress Lower.
--Israeli Wins Nobel Chemistry Prize For Quasicrystals.
--After Ten Years, Afghans Tired Of War Too.
--US Vets Say Iraq/Afghan Wars Not Worth It.
--Somali al-Qaida Vow More Attacks.

I'm thinking that I'm going to concentrate on up and down hill lies as the next step in solving the golf enigma. Easy. yeah, right!

You know you're at a fund raiser for an artists group when the only hors d'oeuvres are fruit chunks. Get me some Cheetos!

If you think the world is ugly now, wait til we get into an all out Trade War with China. U-G-L-Y. It might be the next gigantic global economic event with ramifications everywhere. Sell gold. Buy rice.

Herman Cain Department: Perry has dropped to third and Herman has moved to the top virtually tied with Mitt. This basically says that there are still a lot of negatives for Mitt. The Prez has successfully shifted some of the blame for the economy from himself to Congress. Even though the Prez economy approval numbers are an extremely low 35%, Congress is even lower, and that low Congress number is generally attributed to tea Party members. And that negative image about Congressional Repubs is starting to infect the GOP candidates, especially Tea Party faves. And thus we have Herman emerging in the Repub party as others sink under the weight of perceived obstinate by people just trying to helps make the country whole again. It also proves that most people don't get or understand the big picture.

Lately I have noticed more visibility for Liberal radio talk show hosts who seem to be trying to imitate the success that conservatives have had dominating the radio for over twenty years. It is going to increase the sound levels of poisonous discourse, further dividing a country into vicious enemy camps. The biggest losers will be the people in the middle who just want the country to work like it always has, so they can deal realistically with daily problems and enjoy their accomplishments.

Next to verizon bills, listening to Washington makes my mind turn to mush. McConnell says "Let's vote immediately on Obama's Jobs Bill", and Jay Carney, who's boss has been publicly demanding an immediate vote, says it's a disingenuous stunt.


I see where 0-Man's former National Security Adviser Marine General James Jones has said that the President's ouster of Mubarak has alienated most of the other Arab counties as they now see the US as an ally not to be trusted. They see the President of the US of A being easily swayed by mob rule...in their streets...according to Jones in a recent speech. So, you have to wonder if the 0-Man will call forNATO to support the takeover of Wall Street.

This stock market is so volatile that by the time stop typing a 7 word market status update, I look up and the market can be down 50 points.

Almost Near: Chapter 43. --Samantha guided the boat deftly up the Piscataqua over to Kittery on the Maine side. She felt good about herself, and riding in this boat seemed to paint a clearer picture about her past into a mind being pulled in so many directions. It wasn't complete, but it made sense to her. It made her comfortable to know that she must have done things like motoring around a harbor in a boat. She thought it a good step to remember something she hadn't thought of in years. But, she frowned at the same time thinking there are so many gaps. So many lives it seems she led that are in conflict.
A small opening between to large rocks near the Northern shore appeared, and she turned the boat so it passed midway between them. How did she know to do that? There was a small floating raft in the still water framed by the rocks and the shore. She headed up wind and slid to a feathery stop against that rubber edge of the raft. Like she knew what she was doing. She grabbed a cleat and pulled the boat taut to the raft before securing the lines. She sat, still, and enjoyed a wave of pure relaxation caressing her body. A feeling of security she hadn't felt in years. Or, in years that she could remember. At that, she laughed at herself. Quietly at first, and then heartily. She looked around thinking if anybody saw her they would surely lock her up.
She hopped up on the raft that joggled a bit when she landed. She steadied herself for a second or two, and then with one giant leap flew through the New England air til she felt the pebbly shore under her feet. Ahead she saw a path just as she had hoped. Right where it was supposed to be. So far, so good. Now what?

Actually I think Conservatives would be happy with Mitt Romney. But then, I'm also thinking that the smartest guy on the slate who keeps sneaking up through the polls, The Knutester, could be the guy in the end.

Quiz Answer: Well, Sarah Palin must have locked up the shotgun becasue #5 is Anchorage Alaska. Next is Flint Mich followed by Springfiend Ill, Memphis Tenn and the place where you really don't want to walk the streets is De-troit!

Personally, I think the world would be a much better place if we just got rid of Cable news. For starters.

IMourning.

Today's Tids Issue #2,437
(Written 10/6)Opening Stuff:

Steve Jobs was greeted and cheered at the pearly (not Bill) gates by Thomas Edison, Sam Morse, George Westinghouse, AG Bell, Eli Whitney, Samuel Slater, Marie Curie, John Deere, George Eastman Ben Franklyn among thousands of others who's innovations and inventions changed the times in which they lived.

A Harvard senior who also writes for the very excellent Web Site "Real Clear Politics" suggests that 0-Man could win it all if he dumped The Plagiarist and replaces him with a moderate Repub VP candidate.

A small news item this morning says that the (Amanda) Knox family is near bankruptcy. Yeah, right! The bonanza is just beginning.

Daily Question: Quick...How many colleges are their in India?

Today's Headlines:

--Palin Nixes Presidential Run; Comedians Industry Expected To Take A Hit.
--Computer Icon Dies; Will Apple Still have The same Vision?
--Progress With Europe Plan Has WS Up For Third Straight Day; Tomorrow Profit-Takers Woll Blame Greece Worries For Decline.
--Putin Blasts US Missile Defense deal.
--New Jobless Claims Climb Back Over 400K To 401K; Economists Expected 410.
--Swedish Poet Thomas Transtromer Gets Nobel Lit Prize.
--Afghan Taliban Leader Says Returning Hard Line Islamists To Power Only Way To Stop Fighting.
--Unions Using Wall Street Protestors To Promote Class Warfare.
--0-Man Holding Press Conference Today Tp Promote Congress Action On Jobs Bill; Yesterday White House Poo-Pooed GOP Call For Vote On Jobs Bill.
--Microsoft Considering Yahoo Bid.

John Huntsman may be exactly what this country needs. One of his views: We need an economic solution that is as big as the problem, and all we are getting are small quick fixes and Foo-Foo dust. I like it. Foo-Foo Dust! You don't need to be a comedian great orator of dancer with the stars to be a great President. Maybe what the country finally will realize that we all need a person who can act as opposed to one who can get headlines.

When do you stop picking the Philadelphia Eagles? You know, that dream team! That is indicative of the season to date where very little is a sure thing. This week it is even worse as I only see three picks as easy - San Diego over Denver, NYG over Seattle and New Orleans over Carolina. Every other game is a toss up. Like KC at Indy where KC has the better record! There are several posers like that one and many are among losing teams. Well here goes -- Indy, Arizona over Minn, Houston over Oakland, Buff over Philly, Jax over Cinn, Pitt over Tenn, SF over TB, Atlanta over Green Bay, at home Detroit over da Bears and NE (Gulp!) over the dreaded Jets. Believe Me, my stomach turned on every one of those picks. Last week the Mighty Tids Sports department went 12-4 for a to-date 45-19 or 70.3%. Next week is anybody's guess.

Steve Jobs. A genius no doubt. A billionaire for sure. And the guy who facilitated plugged-in kids.

India's Aakash Tablet to sell in the country to students for $35. This watered down but utile tablet would have retail price of about $50. There will be a lot of new pressure on the IPad margins as lower prices bring more competitors into the fight.

According to retail watchers the best bargains for October will be in Winter Clothes and Household Goods, Local Foods, Sports Equipment, Holiday Staples (Spices, Oils Broths), bathing Suits/Resort Wear and European Get-Aways. What about Diet Coke or Pepsi?

The top five highest taxes states are Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Maryland. The lowest taxes are found in Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Alaska.

This may sound weird, but this morning our IPad email stopped working! Oooooo-weeeeeee-oooooooooooo.

A reader sends me a pic of this sign in front of a Florida Business: "We'd rather do business with 1,000 al-Qaida Terrorists than one American Soldier". Blasphemous? Pushing Freedom of Speech?" It would be if it wasn't in front of a Funeral Home!

And how about the spokesperson of that out of common sense Westwood Church group who texted a serious, and unfounded assassination of Steve Jobs character after his death. At the bottom of the message is said, "Sent form my IPhone".

The lead judge in the Knox trial who acquitted her says that she probably knows a lot more than she has said, but there just wasn't enough evidence to make the connection.

Providence College beat them all in a "Brains" completion Called NESN's (New England Sports network) College Face-Off. PC topped UMaine the other finalist in a knowledge competition that included Boston College, Boston University, Umass, UConn, UVermont, and Northeastern. Next year the champs will probably ask, to make it more interesting, the addition of other NE schools Harvard, Yale, Brown and Dartmouth. What no URI, the only state U left out?

With Sarah and Chris not running, who's going to amp up the Repubs?

Almost Near: Now all I need is a car. Sam was still feeling the confidence she gained maneuvering the Grady White into that hideaway cove. Not just because she did it, but becasue she remembered the cove and how to get in it. If she remembered that, what else could she force out of that dizzy head of hers. That thought made her smile.
She walked up to Whipple Ave, one of the main drags. The town should be cuter she thought, but it's as gritty as ever. As ever? She must have spent time here. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the big Kittery Ace Hardware sign. They have a big lot behind the store. People up in this country town leave their keys in the car. Right. Her she felt her pulse pounding now. I'm not a thief, am I? She walked into the hardware store and an old guy in the back fixing screens looked at her. As if he knew her. She turned her head quickly. She didn't need to meet an old friend now. Behind the Pittsburgh Paint display she saw a door out to the back of the store. She picked up a couple of those cheap little spongy paint brushes, and plunked a $1.50 on the quarter. "That'll be $139." The woman picked my money and gave me back the 11 cents. She didn't say another word. Nobody up here talks more than they have to.
She now knew that she had to get back to Lobster Cove. Tucker said so much on that dock. He must know a lot about her past. There had to be something in that house. Something I sensed I knew was there. Why does my mind blot out so much. Is everything in my past that bad?
She went to the back of the lot like she had been going there all her life. The row of cars furthest from the store were shaded by a line of old lilac bushes. She figured that must be where the employees park.


Quiz Answer: India has 25,000 Colleges! Yikes.

I think when I abbreviate in emails I'm saving ink.

It's too damn hot.

Today's Tids #2,439)
(Written 10/10)

In "There may be hope for the Republicans" Department, there are significant signs that GOP Social conservatives are recognizing that Romney's strength in financial and economic matters may be the the most solid credential of any candidate, Repub or Dem. They're coming to the point of thinking that maybe Romney is exactly what the country needs right now.

One thing you can take to the bank is that there is no chance now or in the future that Lucy will ever leave the football in place for Charlie Brown.

Daily Question: Holiday Double Q Special. 1. Massachusetts cranberry harvesters had their biggest year in history. Does that include the Pilgrims too? Name four largest Cranberry Producing states? 2. Name the ten worst sports contracts.

Today's Headlines:

--Market Finally Stable As Brokers Take Columbus Day Off.
--Netflix Drops Unpopular "Quickster" Program.
--Dems Want To "Own" Wall Street Takeover Protests.
--"Fast And Furious" Subpoenas To be out Shortly.
--Surprise: "Millionaire Tax" Would Hit Dem States Hardest.

An automaker could take the industry by surprise by announcing the return of the Bench seat in front so cars can actually carry 3 couples to dinner, instead of taking two cars. Talk about gas savings. How inventive, a bench seat. The insides of today's cars appears designed to carry coffee cups over people. How about a an affordable convertible center console. How easy is that?

I never thought I'd get that day when I had to make the choice --gas or coffee. I'm figuring that all of the cheap Latin American labor has sneaked into the US. How else could you explain a 33%-60% increase in coffee in less that 6 months. Or, it's some creepo Wall Street futures trader middleman taking his cut out of the coffee costs...and adding nothing to the process.

I'm continually perplexed at the Government of the United States of America consistently resisting their own, and the efforts of states, to ferret out "illegal" immigrants. It would be less of an enigma if Illegals were allowed to vote. Hey, wait a damned minute! Under Chicago law they are allowed to vote.

A-Rod should be called "Mr. December". That's when he does his best work...getting his team to pay him $275,000,000 til he's 42 yo. in 2017!

Paul and Cain win all of the straw polls but Paul never shows up on the national polls. What's that all about?

You have to figure that the big CVS style drugstores In Wash DC have large inventories of throw-away cell phones.

The "Coddled" Generation is now experiencing what most over 45 have known all their lives -- money doesn't grow in trees. I hear the 20's people complaining that the jovial they expected don't exist any more. Aside from the fact that there are just too many kids in college who would be better served in some kind of occupation directed post HS education. it is also not a new phenomena. yes, even in the so called happy - "I Like Ike" years seniors in college were wondering where they would ever get a job. Of course the we had that cultural of change in the seventies that brought us double earner families. Now we have the prospects of new technological efficiencies reducing the need for people in general. Will two earner families be forced to exist with one? And how many other industries like housing and entertainment that are or have flourished to unfathomable heights because of additional disposable income? Can you say Paradigm?

Quiz Answer: 1. Wisconsin is the largest followed by Mass, where it all began, and then New Jersey. #4 could be any other state form Nova Scotia down NC and west to Minn. And, all of the others would be significantly below the top three. BTW, the Cranberry is a relative of the blueberry family. We know that blueberries are blue, but what is a "cran"? 2.Number 10 is Grant Hill - great guy hobbled by injuries. He is followed by Ryan Leaf -- bad guy hobbled by stupidity. Then we have Rick DePietro (NY Islanders), Rick Pitino (Bost Celtics), Larry Hughes (Cleve Cavs), Michael Vick (Atlanta), A-Rod (Texas followed by NYY), Ben Wallace (Chi Bulls), David Beckham (US Soccer savior) and Demarcus Russell another in the mold of Ryan leaf. I could also name five or six of Theo Epstein's (Red Sox GM) losers as right up there with this list.

Happy Columbus Day everybody!

LOL.

Today's Tids #2,440)
(Written 10/11)

Opening Stuff:

I guess the you can sum up the ineffectiveness of the Obama presidency with the observation that the man who talked about "ending the Red-State, Blue-State America" would have only done that on his ideological terms, and has in fact poisoned the rhetoric more than any other president in my lifetime.

The rumor is that Red Sox GM is being seriously courted by The Chicago Cubs. It's interesting in that the Cubs current predicament is often attributed to their bad free agent signings. If that's the case they have the right guy in Theo, who has been miserable at that too.

Daily Question: people have always rushed to chicken soup when the blahs come to make you feel crummy. Name five other foods that can perk up your downtrodden body?

Today's Headlines:

--Wall Street Flat.
--Mother Of Missing baby Melissa Expected To be Arrested.
--Dem Controlled Senate Expected To Nix 0-Jobs Bill.
--"Occupy Wall Street Spreading Around The World; Protestors Moving Away From WS To Protest In Front Of Exec Homes.
--Christie Endorses Romney: Mitt/Chris Ticket On the Horizon?
--Hispanics Upset Over 0-Man's Unfilled Immigration reform Promises.
--Wall Street Could Cut 10,000 Jobs In 2012.
--Egyptian Actions Against Christians Could Put Roadblock In "Arab Spring" Progress.
--Iran related Terror Plot In Washington Disrupted.

The Associated Press has detailed the disconnect between reality and rhetoric in Obama's Jobs Bill speechifyin' campaign. Among other things they opine, he focused on the negativity of Republican house member's where significant Dem house members are equally vocal against the bill. He forgets that the Senate is controlled by Democrats, who have done nothing to "Act immediately" for over a month. And, he rails at Republicans for not explaining the their resistance, dismissive of the fact that they have done so in detail. Basically he is hoping for an ignorant electorate. Pretty sad, isn't it?

Speaking of things not working like clockwork, how about that Egyptian mess. Many pundits including this one felt that while the uprising may have been noble, there was always the fear of not knowing what may emerge in place of the dictator. Predicting the Middle East is bad science.

What smells worse, the evil deeds of fraudulent financials people or the Boston, DC and NYC parks after the Protestors leave.

The only thing I got right in last week's NFL picks is the phrase "This ain't gonna be easy this week." Wow! And how bad is Indy? And Philly?

Almost Near: Chapter 44. --Audrey hung up the phone after an angry call to her editor who had changed a major part of her new story on the Quimpierre brothers. She was tense and actually sweating a little. being nice to that creep is not good for my longevity! She smiled to her self as she did often to shrug off the antics of loons. Yet, she didn't feel as relaxed as usual. She felt exposed and didn't know why, until she turned her head slightly and say a serious Tucker behind her staring at the back of her head. Now she did feel better and broke out in ot an enormous smile while standing turning towards him. He remained inexpressive.
"Aren't you excited to see me sourpuss? I mean has that old girlfriend of yours retrieved her magic from the past?" he looked at her. "Tucker? Tucker?" Finally his eyes lit up.
"Oh, save me from myself. I was so mesmerized by you sitting there I forgot where I was." He frowned slightly, "What did you say about Samantha?"
"Nothing, Nothing, Just a little bit of my annoying sarcasm. But, how is she? Did you tell her about the police here. They're goin to want to take to you, you know. Aren't you glad you returned?"
"Are you finished?" Audrey blushed slightly.
"I always talk a lot when I'm happy to see someone."
At once, Tucker started to look relaxed. "Let's go out for a cup of coffee, and you can fill me in."
"No." Audrey seemed abrupt. Serious now. Not playful any more. My editor wnats to see you. We should do that first. It will be better for you." She nodded as if for him him. "Ok?"

Quiz Answer: Some nutrition experts say you will feel better when those nasty colds take hold if you eat or drink -- Kefir/Yogurt. Green Tea, Garlic, Orange fleshed veggies like sweet potatoes, squash or pumpkins and Oysters! I'll take chicken soup, Thank you.

Somebody other than the usual suspects has to start pointing out to the masses all of the places where 0-man is erring in his rhetoric.

Bumper stickers. 1. Obama has become laughable, so I was liking the bumper sticker LOL where the "O" was that circular symbol from 0-man's 2008 campaign. 2. OBamaCare: Call us when you're shovel ready.


I'll be better tomorrow. Promise!

Sorry about the presidential rantings, but every once in awhile I have get him out of my system.

Keep it in balance.

Today's Tids #2,441
(Written 10/12

Opening Stuff:

I read an interesting Letter to Ed this morn about technological advances and personal character. The author cited Steve Jobs: "(My Success) is not to be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other peoples actions." The author finds that a narcissistic observation as shortsighted and an insult to all of those who laid the groundwork for progress that enabled people like Jobs to make new advancements. But the bigger notion in opposition to the debilitating effects of the rejection of dogma is that, "Ultimately the great achievements in technology are liberating and contribute to the progress of mankind only if they are joined to the attitudes of purity, honesty and faith...". The depth character in a society is found far beyond it's material achievements.

Government jobs analysts probably fail to recognize that while there are more available private sector job openings than one would be led to believe by the political rhetoric, the private sector unlike the Feds they can only afford to hire people who can actually do the work.

Speaking of a person who has the best possibility of stimulating a logy private sector jobs economy, the Mittster looked very comfortable in the mostly economics, rather bland debate at Dartmouth College last night. Perry didn't blunder, but he also didn't score either. The panel seemed to treat the entertaining Cain as the frontrunner spending an abundance of time going after his 9-9-9 plan. he mainly shrugged-off their comments. Michelle became even more minute. Actually the Christie endorsement of Mitt preempted the entire debate.

Daily Question: The Netflix disaster "Quickster" collapsing under consumer pressure in just 23 days happens to be the worst new product introduction of all time. Name ten other big time flops.

Today's Headlines:

--Slovakian Agreement On EuroZone Financing Has Stocks Up Early; Deterioration In Italy Could Be Next Big Determent To Stock Momentum.
--Wal-Mart Same Store Sales Up For Third Straight Month!
--Blackberry Outages Spread To North America.
--Prez Loses Big On Senate Jobs Vote; Key Dem Senators Defect And More Promise To Vote Against If The Bill Moves Froward.
--Chrysler, UAW Agree On contract.
--Biden: Nothing Off table After Iran Rooted DC Assassination Plot.
--U Rhode Island Economists Say State's Economic Indicators Have Fallen To Lowly 42; Index This Low is Evidence Of Extremely sluggish, No Growth State Economy.
--28 Killed In New Iraq Internal Disruption.
--Repubs Push FTC To Ease Sanctions Against Food Companies And their Advertising To Kids 2-17.

I see where last week's Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in an intense battle to retain her Liberian presidency against also Harvard educated rival Winston Tubman (Nephew of former Liberian Prez William Tubman). Apparently the population is very dissatisfied with Sirleaf's inability to provide a better life, electricity, running water and jobs.

Here's a good Life Maxim: Don't elect Nobel Peace Prize winners to important higher offices.

The big discussion on the early morning radio sports show today is the sports experts horror at non-active Red Sox players during the game sitting in the locker room eating chicken, biscuits and gravy! Frankly, I applaud the players and have an new sense of admiration for their choices in life. Instead of caviar and champagne, they crave gravy!

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed happiness over the Wall Street protestors raging around the US as the "beginning of the ultimate toppling of capitalism in America. He gloated saying "(The USA's) corrupt foundation has been exposed to the American people." So the Islamists sense that people on the streets will bring down WS far more effectively than planes into buildings. Lets see, now the protestors have the backing of Michael Moore, Susan Sarandan, The Public Employees Unions and the Ayatollah. How can they go wrong.

Of active PGA players, Briny Baird and RI's Brett Quigley are the two golfers with the highest career earnings (Nearly $12 Mil) who have never won a tournament. Does anybody care.

A reader filled me in on the derivation of the word cranberry after my musing a couple of days ago, "What exactly is a cran?" This astute observer of relevancy tells me that it was coined by none other than our beloved Pilgrims who described the look of those bushes in bogs laden with hanging reddish berries as appearing to look like a "Crane", those magnificent birds of the wetlands. "Crane" became "Cran" during the great recession of 1689 when the extra ink for the "e" became too expensive.

My biggest complaint about the 0-Man campaign jobs Proposal is that it just continues to abet the bad management practices of state and local governments. With the prospects of bailouts in the air, people will continue to make make bad risk choices -- and that includes politicians, financial and business corporations and people in their comfy homes. And this all continues to lead to the final destruction of personal accountability and responsibility. It is the ocean silently eating away at seawalls protecting safe harbors.

I can easily see for the future a US military with far fewer people and a lot more cool gadgets. I can see a future where the US won't be rushing in to put down skirmishes around the world.

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --"So you're the guy who entrapped my quiet little newspaper, drawing us all into a murder investigation." Tucker just stood there stone-faced, looking at this Editor, unemotional, kinda gruff, tie askew, sleeves rolled up; sitting there, eyes boring into Tuckers; confident, unrelenting but not arrogant. Audrey standing by his side elbowed him as if to say don't let him beat you down.
"Well Jess, I can call you Jess, right Jess." Audrey looked at Tucker now in a new way. He seemed different than that loveable bumbler.
"You are lucky I came along. This is a great story at so many levels which it seems to me you have yet to figure it out. Your visceral reactions seem that of a small minded politician or dead ended middle manager, not a leader of people with great minds like Audrey." Tucker turned to her and smiled, pleasantly? Sarcastically? Triumphantly? None of the above?
Jess's mouth hung open. He turned towards Audrey who stood there with a similar expression of disbelief.
Tucker didn't flutter an eyelash. "So, I'm glad I got back before you did something rash. Did either of you do anything to minimize the police suspicions of Samantha? Did...'
"Ok Tucker," Audrey's face was red. Jess relaxed back in his chair to watch the action he could see coming. "When did you start under appreciating the only friend you seem to have lately, expecially now that your dizzy ex-girlfriend's brain is flutterinfg somewhere in outer space." Audrey stopped short, realizing that her anger made have pushed her too far. Then she thought, did Tucker push me on purpose?

Quiz Answer: Of course everybody thinks first of the king of product disasters, the symbol of corporate failure -- The Edsel. But it actually took three years to close the factory doors on that one. Then I think of "New Coke" which is right up there with Quickster, being pulled in 77 days. In between those two is HP's IPad competitor "Touchpad" which hit the bricks after a mere 43 days. The other notables are RJ Reynolds Smokeless Ciggies, Google's Lively, JooJoo (Inferior Ipad Competitor also know as CrunchPad), Mobile ESPN, Orbitz Soda, Microsoft Bob, McDonald's Arch Deluxe (To appeal to Urban Sophisticates and at cost of $100 Mil, most expensive flop in history), Pepsi A.M. and Crystal, Cosmopolitan Yogurt, HD DVD, Coor's Rocky Mountain Spring Water, Joost (An inferior predecessor to Hulu) and finally we're back to Edsel the most notable, but obviously not the quickest to fail.

The best way to solve a lot of problems is to walk away and come back to see amazing possibilities you never saw the first time.

That is the much better alternative to rushing it through only to come back to see glaring errors that will never go away.