ADD Epidemic.

Today's Tids Issue 2,567

Opening Stuff:


Well, today is the last weekday in March. It was quite the March, with the kind of temperatures and sunny days people generally seek in Florida around this time. Golf courses opened, petals opened and more Republicans opened their minds to the fact that Romney may be the best candidate.

I'm expecting grave attention deficit disorder this morn among Tids readers as they dream of winning $540,000,000. March 30 is a glassy eyed world.

My faith is renewed in the American Idol voters. Keeping Holly will provide more melodic and diverse nights of entertainment. However compared to the cool professionalism of 16 year old Jessica, 17 year old Holly descends at times into that deer in the headlights uncertainty. Skylar needs to break away from her formula. According to me! -- after this week the top four men are Phillip, Colton, Joshua and Deandre. The top four women -- Elise, Jessica, Skylar and Holly.

0-Man always touted himself as the bipartisan President. Well, he has to be real happy after seeing the House yesterday vote down his Budget 414-0. It must have been really baaaad. Apparently, the Repubs attached the President budget to their own to see if the total package would gain some Dem support. Obviously the Pres plan, full of tax increases and whopping deficits, didn't even sit well with the Dems in an election year. But, that's politics.

The Question:

I buy clothes I like regardless of labels. But many people follow the designers. Who are considered the top ten "Men's" fashion designers?

The Headlines:

--Paul Ryan Endorses Romney.
--Wall Street Could Enter April On Up Swing.
--Midwest Business Barometer Drops In March.
--Consumer Spending Growth Outpacing Income Growth; Saving's Accounts Declining.
--Islamists Rising In Post Daffy Libya; Experts Consider Country A Mess.
--Scientists Say There Could Be Billions Of Planets That Can Support Life Like Earth; Heaven May be Getting Over Crowded.
--China And Apple Agree To New Work Conditions.

Jan Brewer for President.

With the scorched earth campaign effectively killing the perfectly healthy filler inappropriately named "Pink Slime", 1,500,000 additional cows will have to be killed. Wait till PETA hears that? It will also increase the cost of hamburger for those on a budget. Wait til anti poverty groups hear that? Nobody ever died. Nobody ever got sick. But ABC news got a shot at a Pulitzer. isn't that about it!

To fill the enormous amounts of news air time, the press often looks to the sensationalism like the above Tid to rationalize the mundane. Think of the poor Moms they are scaring with their unexplained reporting on the increased incidence of Autism, from 1 in 110 five years ago to 1 in 88 in a new report. They showed worried frowns on mothers wondering when this gray wave of a serious disease was going to strike their household. Yet, knowledgeable doctors report that the increase is due to two rational premises. One -- they widened the definition of Autism. Second -- They increased the screening for many population segments where before there was no screening at all. In other words there has been no scary rapid increase in this terrible affliction, disease. They are just reporting better numbers about something that has always been there. And a broader definition that is truly apples and oranges. I'm not trying to minimize the seriousness and angst of Autism, but trying to take the dear out of bland numbers.

Blatant Biased Bastions Of The Press Department.
Of course ABC (Abetting Barack's Campaign) has become notorious in its tinnily disguised Obama campaign support puffery. So last night I'm holding my stomach watching CBS. The always suspect Scott Pelley brings on Bob Schieffer to discuss the meaning of the George Bush support for Romney. Schieffer immediately switches the subject by saying I'm not sure what Bush for Romney means, but here's an endorsement that probably isn't good for Mitt Romney. Then he proceeds to show a one minute video of National Plagiarist Laureate Joe Biden bashing Mitt, a clear piece of Obama presidential advertising. These guys are criminal. Why do we have protection of the press any more, anyhow?

A reader sends this note: "A friend of mine just started a new business in Afghanistan. He's making land mines that look like prayer mats. He's doing well. he says prophets are going through the roof."

I see where there is a federal law against bothering Canada Geese during "nesting season". What better time to reduce this menace to golf shoes.

Since the beginning of time, health care has been an irrational entity for two basic reasons; 1. People use it with no sense of personal responsibility for the costs. 2. Bottomless pockets of gold always produces runaway spending.

Reading between the Lines Movie reviews:
--The best film of the week is Salmon Fishing In Yemen. This is a wonderful romantic comedy, a pleasant film about a wealthy Yemen Sheikh who wants to bring Scottish fly fishing to the dessert. A great cast has Ewan McGregor as the Scottish trout expert, Emily Blount as the Sheikh's PR person in charge of the idea and Amr Waked as the Sheikh and Kristen Scott Thomas great as a journalist. I don't think you can go wrong with this one.
--Mirror, Mirror is a real live person version of Snow White. Kind of silly.
--The Titans is an adventure film sequel with zillions of special effects. If you want action, you won't be disappointed.

Note to Almost Near lovers: Next week is grand finale week. This afternoon I'm reading part of the ending to a group of writers. Hopefully I won't be battered and bruised too much. You will love next week.

The Answer:

Giorgio Armani tops the list. He is followed by Hugo Boss, Gucci, Prada, Michael Bastian, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Ralpf Loren, Tom Ford and Calvin Klein. Interestingly, the guy advising American Idols on dress, Tommy Hilfiger, is 28th. What's the matter, couldn't they get Nike!

While people across America await their $540 Mil, we learn that the largest gambling operation in the world, the Foxwoods Indian casino, is $2 Billion in the red. The 540 Tribal members who had been receiving $100, 000 per year are now receiving nothing. Money from the casino operations is funding food banks and training for outside jobs. As more states approve casino gambling to fund their mismanagement and over spending it is becoming obvious that there are just so many dollar around. Gambling is not the panacea.

Oil the mitts; Tape the bats.

Today's Tids Issue 2,566
Opening Stuff:

Let's hear it for accountants! Say something nice to your number's guy or gal today. Today, as these brave, lonely warriors in the battle against taxation excess enter the final two weeks of the annual season where only the strongest survive. Tighten those green eye shades; Sharpen those pencils. America needs you.

Everybody here on Acquidneck Island are quite pleased to see the expansion of Sears. That sounds like it might have been written in the 1930's doesn't it? But it's true, the small Sears service store expanded to Sears "Hometown" Store, and now carries stuff people need without being a land gobbling big box. It's a local small business owned and operated by a local trusted guy Joseph Kilty. Prices are good and the selection is about as good as you need. Developers like coming in over here and stuffing giant stores on what was once beautiful farm land. And the fact is, for the most part we don't need them. But that's what developers do, they build -- whether we need it or not. That's why it's nice to see a local guy do something sane.

Smoky the Bear was happy to watch the sheep douse the flames. Only ewe can prevent forest fires.

The Question:

Vangelis write a lot of mesmerizing music. Name four of his most famous scores for the movies. What is his connection to Steve Jobs?

The Headlines:

--Market Falls For Third day After Jobless Claims Fail To Meet Expectations.
--While Wallowing In the Morass of Daily News Americans Take Heart Knowing That Baseball Season Opens One week.
--Best Buy To Close 50 Stores; Erase 400 corporate Jobs.
--Marc Rubio Endorses Romney.
--Banjo Genius Earl Scruggs Dies At 88.
--Bombings Continue In Middle East.
--Tweeter Irresponsibility Overwhelms Texas Grandmother; Mindless Bieber Tweet Demonstrates Annoyance Factor Associated With Excessive Tweeting; Idiot.

American Idol: First, last night was just one great, entertaining night. And Stevie Nix was excellent, putting more into the mentoring job than most I've seen. Elise was fantastic as was Phillip, Jessica and, yes, DeAndrea. The judges loved Joshua and Heejun. I thought they were fair. The judges gave Holly a hard time, but I really enjoyed her. Colton opened and was good, but later I felt he paled in comparison to the others. Colton is still my fave for all the way. Skylar always makes me smile, but her song choices are becoming repetitious. The big question is on this night where everybody was very good, who gets the axe. I'm putting Deandre, Heejun and Holly in the bottom three. I think Heejun should go, but it could very well be Holly. Can you say Pia? When it's close the women always go. My last remaining five should be Colton, Phillip, Jessica, Elise and Joshua. How great is Jessica?

Did you hear about the Congressional junket that came back from Las Vegas disappointed? They learned that "The house always wins" didn't mean them.

I don't read any story that has "diversity" in the headline. It's sad, because so many of these "diversity" stories are pretty innocuous and often just relate scenes of groups of people having fun. Nothing about the diversity BS at all. And, I like to read about people having fun.

I never had a Portuguese meal I didn't like.

Mike Huckabee has quietly assumed the role of reasonable statesman in the Republican party. And, most GOP'ers listen to him.

Seriously, I read all of the so-called news every day, and have trouble finding real headlines of new significance.

The tee-shirts read, "Hoodies don't mean we're a criminal". Yeah but, they certainly don 't do much for the attractiveness of the population. Take super coach Bill Belichick for example. Is there a more slovenly looking coach on the sidelines than this hooded genius?

In case you didn't notice, the ObamaCare advocates have been releasing little heart pulling health care anecdotes to the nightly news broadcasts who gobble them up without thinking of the big picture. It's sad to see how far our protectors have fallen.

Almost near: Chapter 65 continues. --"Audrey, Audrey...Tucker was in my room and he is going after Rebecca. I've been shot." Samantha grimaced.
"Hold on I'm coming"
"No, no. call Sparrow. Tommy...Tucker is running to the Holiday Inn across the street. I can see him now from this window. That must be where he has Rebecca."
Sheila was still sobbing, now rubbing her mom's back. "Are you Ok Mom, You are going to be all right?. We didn't mean to bring Tucker here. He said you wanted him to. He was nice mom. Who is he?"
Sam turned and hugged sheila. She felt her own tears running down her cheek, partly from the sharp pain in her thigh, part becasue of the trauma of her daughter. A kid who has seen too much bad in her life. "Just relax Sheil, it's going to be fine." Samantha's eyes started to close.
Shes sensed the presence of someone, she shook awake thinking that Tucker had returned. her eyes lit up when she saw it was Audrey and a guy who seemed to be taking stuff out of a small suitcase. "Where's Rebecca?"
"Don't worry, Sparrow has already had the Holiday inn put an electronic block on that room. He is running as fast as he can to find Tucker." Samantha smiled and drifted back into her dream.

The Answer:

Of course "Chariots of Fire" vaulted this Greek rock band guy (The Forminix, Aphrodite's Child) onto the world stage. His other big movie scores were Blade Runner, 1492, Conquest of Paradise and Alexander. He wrote operatic type pieces, "Opera Sauvage", and scores for documentaries, the beautiful "Antarctica". Steve Jobs chose Chariots of Fire to launch his first Macintosh computer!

Maybe Chariots of Fire should be the theme of the Republican campaign this year. But, then, 0-man would bash them for not buying American. The world is weird, and it was Wednesday yesterday.

In case you haven't noticed, the novel Almost Near is coming to a thrilling conclusion. Anybody have any ideas for the next one. 

Through different eyes.

Today's Tids Issue 2,563
Opening Stuff:

The dawning cold penetrated to the core of my bones; the returning winter's air invigorated my skin, watered my eyes. Yet I am not a flower or tree that had burst forth at suns first warmth. I will survive, but the flowers brightening fields; Or on trees that bare fruit, may never have their life fulfilled. Fruit production will be down, but Cheetos will fill the shelves. The world is never the same through different eyes.

You have to wonder what the North Koreans and Iranians are thinking of Obama's bold stands, threats against them, after hearing him tell the Russians to hang with me because things will change after my election. I am totally not surprised because this President has totally not lived up to his words the past four years. This is exactly what makes electing him so dangerous for the US future. He has a plan, and it will be no holds barred a if he gets back in. You have to believe that he has "whispered" to his liberal base the same promise for his post election actions, as he has to the Russians. That's just the way he is. And it's not pretty.

The Question:

There were 43 recorded state executions in the world last year. The US was 5th. Name the four countries with more.

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Flat After Monday rally.
--Syria Agrees To Cease Fire According To Annan.
--Olympia Snowe Gives Prez "F" As Communicator With Opposition.
--More Earthquakes rattle Japan.
--East Greenwich Stands Out as Financial Fortress As Other RI Communities Struggle for Survival.
--Stockton Cal May Be Biggest Bankruptcy Ever; Detroit Also On Brink.

Tim Tebow is even "exciting" off the field. Yesterday at the press conference he said "excited" or "exciting" 46 times.

The Women's NCAA Basketball Match-up between Kentucky and UConn is a good one. UConn was not supposed to be here at all this year. Kentucky is on a mission to join their men's team as a final four participant. UConn is trying to over-achieve and Kentucky is trying to take a first step on the road to matching UConn's record setting 3x's men's/women's dual success. To add to that dynasty built upon the shoulders of Adolf Rupp, at this college of Wildcats known for Basketball excellence since the beginning of time.

Do you get the feeling that the Cameron dive to the bottom of the Marianna Trench is about as newsworthy as Heraldo Rivera breaking into Al Capone's safe?

The Trayvon Martin case is demonstrating clearly the chaos that can occur in a land without laws, or if laws and legal systems are disregarded.

I know many people who are strong supporters of Santorum. For the most part, they like his courage in not wavering from a strong, fundamental belief system. A fundamental belief system that a large majority of Americans hold to. Many though sense he would have a hard time drawing Democrats and Independents, even those more than ready for change, in enough mass to beat "0". So, it is probably good news that the Rickster has said he would run as Vice President.

During all of these years of stuffing information into this muddled brain of mine, one thing among others that surfaces from time to time is the formation of land masses. I can't imagine that the earth is going to be like it is today forever. So, when I read about earthquakes in Japan or volcanoes in Hawaii, I wonder if we are at the beginnings of a new geography? The earth is an unstable pile of rocks, and the inevitability of significant change is is always there lying just below the surface.

Olivia Snowe says she is the same Republican today that she was when she first ran for office in 1976. I would agree. The true values of real Republicans haven't changed. It's the way republicans have been redefined by the opposition that has changed.

Almost Near: Chapter 65 continues. --Tucker stepped out into the hall and turned back to the frightened mother and daughter. He looked at Samantha and nodded while whispering "run to the exit for the stairs".
Samantha in fast, unexpected move, shoved Sheila back into the room and slammed the door. Almost in the same move, she drove her shoulder into the ribs of Tucker, sediment him sprawling; she following him hard to the floor. The gun dropped but only inches from his hand. Samantha dug in her heels to lurch forward, just as he grasped the gun.
She looked at the barrel turning towards her head. Don't Tommy, don't.
He froze. Don't call me Tommy. is eyes glazed. His panic at rethinking his past gave her a second to continue her push towards him. The gun went off. The sound was enormous echoing down the narrow hall.
Samantha felt a pain in her thigh. She collapsed to the floor. She grimaced, but she knew she couldn't pass out. She heard pounding on the other side of the door. "Mommy, Mommy".
Tucker rose. He looked bewildered. Disassociated. All of his calculating cool gone.
Her only weapon she now knew was to shout Tommy! Tommy, Tommy, put it down. He was just standing there, incoherent. Doors down the hall, doors started opening.

The Answer:

First of all China executes, they say, thousands each year, but the numbers are tightly held within the country. So, that leaves Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the US as the top official executioners.

I'm not so sure all of this social media is such a good thing.

Keep your chin high, EVP.

Today's Tids Issue 2,561
Opening Stuff:

The Repubs should start spending more time thinking about getting Senators and Representatives elected. It is not only the best protection against the possibility of four more years of you know who, but will greatly enhance a Repub President's chance of edging around this drifting ship of state.

[Note: If there is a giant blank space above, it was supposed to be a humorous cartoon that said: (Woman) "Well it's about time Obama started running some campaign ads." (Daffy Duck) "This isn't an ad...It's 'NBC Nightly News'..."]

Old athletes never die, they just relive old injuries.

Last night proved once again that on American Idol, mediocre male singers will always beat a good woman.

The Question:

Hunger Games advance ticket sales are the highest in history. Which movie held the previous honor as highest all time advanced sales. Which five movies have the Highest box office total sales?

The Headlines:

--S&P,Dow Continue Flatness.
--RI Unemployment Inches Up To 11%.
--Prez Says, "If I Had A Son, He Would Look Like Trayvon."; Weird.
--Hunger Games Could Set Pre Premier Ticket Sales Record.
--"0" Taps Dartmouth Prez Jim Yong Kim For World Bank Post.
--Swiss Jewelry Company Creates 150 Carat, All Diamond Ring Worth $70 Million; NBA Stars Trading In Cars To Buy.
--Sarkozy Asks For Jail Time For Those who Surf Terrorist Sites.
--Rhetoric Up As supreme Court begins To Tackle ObamaCare.

OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) proves once again that one brand doesn't necessarily rub off on another. OWN would have worked if the Queen was on 20 hours a day. I have seen many times over the years where a company tries to use a strong brand to build up a newer or lagging brand. It almost never works. Consumers are smarter than you think.

Mel Parnell died Wednesday night. He along with Ellis Kinder were the aces on the Red Sox 1940's-50's pitching staff that was bolstered by some of the best hitters in baseball. I remember Mel Parnell well. He must look askance at today's 5 inning starters. For instance in 1949 when he made 40 starts, he went 27-7 and had an Era of 2,7 with 27 complete games and 295 innings! 27 complete games, against pre-expansion, high quality line-ups. You were da man Mel Parnell. Enjoy the big mound in the sky.

In Boston in the 40's the Braves had "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." The Red Sox had Kinder and Parnell, but they didn't rhyme with anything, so they had to fight for their own history. Kinder made most of his history by being able to stay out drinking til 4:00 AM, and then pitching and winning games. Probably ate red meat too.

I could never bring myself to investing in Home Builder Corporation Stocks. When they are successful, it means we are losing a lot of beautiful landscapes.

I'm only casually paying attention to the Republican primaries now.

I'm surprised that more bicyclists aren't hit by cars.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--This week is all about Hunger Games. People have been buying advanced tickets for weeks based on the popularity of the book trilogy. The movie is a combination of Truman and the Roman coliseum -- controlled mayhem for entertainment money. This giant reality show has teen age teams fighting each other til death under the control of hidden TV producers with the prize being food for the districts they represent. It is good and while it is kids killing kids, the violence, while obviously there, is visually minimized. It's a well made movie, but you have to hope kids don';t start doing this in the back yards. Or, are city neighborhood gangs already doing it in the streets.
--In 4:44 - Last day on Earth, we watch a couple face the end, getting beyond the anxiety by enjoying their havens of sex, art and skyping good-byes to family and friends, It's fair fare, and probably depressing.
--In Brake, CIA Agent Jeremy Reins (Stephen Dorff) wakens in side a sealed trunk in a moving car. He has no idea about how he got there. But soon realizes that he is the center of attraction for a group who want to mentally torture him into revealing secrets about the President -- which he has sworn never to reveal. A potential catastrophe on the brink.

Almost Near: Chapter 65 continues. --Tucker turns back towards the window, blocking out Samantha's rants. He doesn't like screaming. She is yelling something about how she left him before they were to get married and ran away because he was molesting little girls in town. He only heard noise now as he looked down and watched detective Sparrow walk into their hotel. He turned. "Hi Sheila, Mom's noisy, isn't she?" Sheila latched onto her Moms leg. He puled a small revolver out of his jacket. "I think it's time we all go over to see Rebecca. Don't you think that's a good idea, Sheila. She looked at him with fear in her eyes, and slowly shook her head. "Good. I thought you'd agree. Little girls always agree with me."
Samantha stopped talking when she saw the gun. She reached down and wrapped her arms around Sheila. "Don't do anything crazy Tommy.
"Don't call me Tommy."
"Ok, Tucker. Let's just go and see Beck." Samantha looked calm. but inside she was terrified, not necessarily about the danger, but about what she just remembered about her Tommy Lambert. The awful truths this man and even her father, which she had been blocking out since the day she left for any place not like New Castle. She ended up in Little Rick, and thought Rudy was her savior. "Comon' Sheil," She turned so she wouldn't have to look at that man she thought she was gone forever.
"Wait!" The mother and daughter stopped. Tucker came over and cracked the door. He turned to Samantha. "Let's go. He shoved the gun into her ribs. To the Stairwell, Run."

The Answer:

--Hunger out did Twilight Saga in Advanced Sales. The top five all time box office giants are Avatar, Titanic, The Dark Knight, Star Wars IV, Shrek 2, ET, Star Wars I, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest, Toy Story 3 and Spiderman.

Frankly, I never felt hot one bit during this week of weatherman rants.

Have a spectacular weekend.

The world is a human place.

Today's Tids  (#2,559)
Opening Stuff:


Emitting sunshine to those around us will always bring back rays of warmth and comfort.

I was struck by the news item "Millions mourn Death of Pope Shenouda, 4 decade leader of Coptic Christians." Here's a man of whom few around the world are aware. Yet he has been a spiritual leader to millions in a world where it is never comfortable to be a Christian. The Middle East. Where Christianity began, but has not thrived. This 1900 year old church based in Egypt has 18 million faithful around the world. 10% of these are in Egypt, fighting daily for their beliefs. Facing the possibility of death, while so many Christians around the world take their religion for granted; let their churches around them crumble.

I kinda like this: "You cannot choose the direction of the wind. But, you can always adjust your sails."

The Question:

1. Which five Presidential Libraries get the most visitors? Bonus: One of my favorite boyhood sports heroes of the fifties was football player Dick Kazmaier. For which football power of the day did he play?

The Headlines:

--NFL Commish Kills Saints; Coach Peyton Out $7 Million For Knowing About Bounty Scheme.
--French Shooter In Jewish School Killings Had al-Qaida Ties.
--Romney Romps In Obama State.
--Tebow To NY Jets; Dysfunctional Team Gets Weirder.
--Afghan Alleged Mass Murderer had Checkered Past As Financial Manipulator.
--Massive 7.4 Earthquake rattles Mexico; No Deaths Reported In Remote region 114 Miles from Acapulco.
--Utah Governor Signs Law Mandating 72 Hour Wait before abortion.
--Yemen Militants Kill American Teacher.
--Illinois Tea Party Candidate Ousts Republican Veteran In Primary.
--Alterations In Currency Wars Could Have Significant Impact On World Markets.
--Oprah Axes Rosie, 35 Staffers As OWN fails To Build Audiences.

One of the best examples of America gone Mad is this Caruola Act here in Rhode Island. This legislative travesty allows school boards to sue Town councils for more money. Which is basically school boards suing neighbors who in fact elect the Councils to watch their money. I think it boarders on legalized crime. The good news here is that they are trying to get rid of this law designed to enable spending of money that doesn't exist.

When the Dems slur Repubs in the vilest of terms, the media is comfortable calling it satire. When the Repubs satirize Dems it is called demonic.

Up the road from here in Tiverton a dairy farmer reports that at around noontime, somebody pulled a trailer up to his place and stole 18 of his best milk producing Holsteins. Think about that for a second.

The recent statement -- "Does it (The Glass Ceiling) still exist or is it an outdated metaphor that fails to recognize woman's progress." -- for sure will raise a cacophony of irritable yapping. But, I see it as probably correct. Too often the leadership of historically oppressed groups keep the rhetoric going so they can retain their job. But the successful emerging out of these groups say, that was then, it's time to move forward.

Almost Near: Chapter 65 continues. --"Where's Becca, Tucker?"
"Is that all you have to say to me, after all I have done for you."
"Beck's all right Mom." A giddy Sheila looked up with eyes as big as Frisbees. "Tucker and I helped her after she fell down and hit her head.
Samantha looked at Tucker with eyes that could kill. "That's true Sam, she fell and now she is sleeping. She is dying to see you."
"Comon' Mom, let's go to her room."
Samantha stood speechless. Was this true?, she wondered. Her head started to get confused again. She was remembering so many times when she stood in the world and everything she knew as real started to disappear into some thing that was like a dream. Always a beautiful dream, but not real. She needed to deal with what was real. She knew she had been doing better. Don't give in. Don't fade away. Your girls need you. Tucker had turned to the window as she fought herself. Then raising her voice, "What did you ever do for me, Tommy!"
Tucker looked over, his eyes flashing, but his voice low, "I'm not Tommy."
"You are. Your Are. You're Tommy Lambert." She paused and looked down at Sheila, "I thought I had lost you."

The Answer:

1. The Reagan Library has the highest attendance. Next is Lincoln followed by Clinton, LBJ (????) and Kennedy. 2. Dick Kazmaier played for Princeton, winning the Heisman and Maxwell awards as well as All America. He was drafted by da Bears, but chose Harvard (After a stint in the navy) to get an MBA. He founded his own investment company. The Patty Kazmaier Award given to the top Women College Hockey Player memorializes his daughter who died of a rare blood disease after her own excellent college ice hockey career. In other words, those were the days when athletics were but a part of getting an education first.

So, I was checking out of Shaws Wakefield (A local NE Supermarket chain) and said to the clerk, "Slow day". "Yup," she answered, "bad for business." I replied it will get better when the tourists return. Prettify hectic I bet." Yup, busy, but the tourists are a lot nicer than locals." "Really?" I said. "Yup," she answered, "locals can be real mean." I looked at her for a minute. Then I said, "You're makin' me feel bad" She glanced over. "Tough. It's true."




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Anything is possible, and it ain't always good.

Today's Tids Issue #2,556
Opening Stuff:


Do you get the feeling gold owners are selling off to buy Apple -- the new world currency?

How interesting is the parallel between Goldman Sachs customers who say they don't care about morals as long as they make money, and Rhianna who says she partnered with Chris Brown, the guy who beat her to a pulp, because it will be good for the sales of her new album? Am I still on the same planet?

Close the bridges! Nancy Pelosi is trying to get on our Island.

The Question:
We are long past the era of great comedy teams. name five.

The Headlines:

--Tornado Rip Through Michigan.
--Global Mood On Financial Ills Improving.
--Netanyahu Makes Argument To Defy US Calls For Restraint Against Strike On Iran; Says Israel Can Go It Alone.
--Karsai Lashes Out At US Over Recent Killings; Says US Is Not Cooperating.
--North Korea Announces Plans To Launch Long Range Rocket.
--PIMCO's Bill Gross Believes Possibility For QR3 And QE4; World Private Economies Too Weak To Support Robust Growth; Bond Markets Uneasy.
--People With Nothing to do Line Up for "New" IPad.
--Santorum Would Ban Hard Core Pornography.
--Mysterious Honeybee Deaths Linked To Corn Insecticide.

Last night, what many think about American Idol's demographics was clearly reinforced when 3 women were in the bottom three. Heejun, the so-called comedian and dreary singer, who just about everybody put on the bottom of the post Wednesday night list, didn't make the bottom. Frankly, for the most part, the woman this year are much stronger and generally more entertaining. But,,we will have to succumb to the whims and dreamy eyes of teen girls who just love the guys. Can you say Sanjaya Malakar?

Of course, the good news is that RI's Erika made the top 10. Interestingly, while grabbing a quick bite last night couple came in and sat next to us. The woman asked if they would turn on American Idol. I asked if she was rooting for Erika. She said Erika was her best friend, and that she and her man often sang together with her in plays. She said, she used to get inside tips form Van Pelt, but now rules strictly forbid loose lips.

Greg Smith is sleeping with Sandra Fluke.

Our electric company just announced a 5.6% rate increase due to the increased costs resulting form renewable energy certificates. The company says this is just the beginning, It is expected, they say, that speculators will be jumping into trade these certificates, pushing up electricity costs way past where it has been for a century. It looks as though tis is another attempt to force up the cost of standard energy to justify the high expense for the more inefficient alternative energy. Alternative energy is an decent idea, but not necessarily a sensible one.

The best new food thrill in town is "Risotto Thursday Nights" at 180 on Broadway!

At least, I would have expected the "New" IPad to add "Flash". Pixels! Ho-Hum.


Back in the fifties Jerry Lewis made everybody laugh with his clean, wholesome stupidity. Today's kids are getting crass, degenerate stupidity.

Last week I wrote that Iran is following the North Korea game plan. That is, agree to anything to buy time. So what do you read this morning after the most recent US/NK agreement, a mere two weeks old? NK is testing long range rockets.

I think labeling beef fillers as "Pink Slime" is an injustice to something that may be perfectly ok.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--21 Jump Street is about two guys Schmidt and Jenko who are ready to leave adolescence and become adults on the police force. Because of their youthful looks, they are asked to go undercover investigate a violent and dangerous High School drug ring. They quickly learn that their greatest anxiety and terror come from being a teenager again. This will do well at the box office.

Almost Near: Chapter 65 Continues. --"We'll hear from Tucker." Audrey was giving Samantha a pep talk. But, she was starting to believe that her new friend Sam was emerging from that cocoon which had hidden her from the world for many years. She could see a fire in the eyes. Maybe it was just because of the nature of any mother to develop a sense of controlled violence when children are in danger. But, something seemed deeper than that. They stopped before Audrey's room. Audrey actually turned and gave Sam a huge hug. "Spruce up, and we'll get a bite to eat when Sparrow arrives. I'm just a couple of doors away."
"Thanks Audrey. You have given me a lot in a short time. I feel things entering my mind which have been missing for a long time. And some of it makes me cringe. But," she looked into Audrey's eyes, "Some how now I feel like I want to face it rather than run away." She smiled at Audrey, and inserted her key.
She quickly entered the room, and immediately bolted the door. I haven't overcome all my fears, she thought.
"Surprise Mommy!" Samantha shrank back to the door. Sheila ran smack into her stomach with a big hug. She looked over and saw Tucker, Calm. Smiling.
"Welcome home, Sam."

The Answer:

Several come to mind immediately -- Abbott and Costello, Laural and Hardy, Martin and Lewis, Rowan and Martin. George and Gracie, Elaine May and Mike Nichols, Stiller and Meara, Marx Brothers, Pryor and Wilder, Belushi and Achroyd and Obama and Biden.

We live in a surprise a minute world. That's why so many people seem inert.

Have a great weekend, and love the Irish tomorrow and the Italians Monday.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Today's Tids Issue 2,555
Opening Stuff:

You think you have heard it all, and then you read that the NCAAP and several other activist groups are running to the United Nations to file a human rights complaint against US states enacting Voter ID Laws. Let me repeat that, the United Nations. The Democrats are willing to cede US Sovereignty to the Russians, Iranians and other assorted sham democracies to preserve the opportunities for fraud in US voting. Putin and Ahmadinejad would love no voter ID. The NCAAP is hoping the UN will exert pressure on states by shaming them! This is true folks. And it isn't a pretty picture.

Too often people look back and rue the decisions they didn't make instead of putting all of that energy into moving positively into the future.

The Question:

A new list of the healthiest "Fast Food" breakfasts has just been issued. What do you think they are?

The Headlines:

--Markets Open Higher On Better Unemployment News And Favorable Manufacturing Data.
--Swiss Bus Crash Kills 28 mainly 12 Year Old Kids On Ski Trip; 24 Injured.
--Ron Paul May Deal With Romney.
--Gingrich Takes Shots At Media And Own Party For Not Understanding His Big Ideas; Says He Is Only Candidate Left Still Focusing On Ideas And Solutions.
--US Sneaks Alleged Killer Soldier Out Of Country; Afghans Angry.
--Clooney Heads List Of Super Wealthy "O" Donors Invited To Biggest Barak Bash Of Presidency; Money Grabbing Feast Intended To Honor Britain's Cameron.

American Idol: The music didn't send me last night, but even with less than entertaining tunes (To me), Skylar, Colton and Phillip still proved to be formidable competitors for the title. Jessica Sanchez and now Joshua also look to be in that upper echelon list. I liked Erika's song but she didn't move me. She has a great, strong voice but her performances come off as just adeqauate. She and Elise are the elderly twosome, and somehow age works against you with what appears to be a female, younger demographic. Shannon has a strong voice, but seems robotic. I think Deandre has talent but his performances seem weak. I fell asleep during Heejun Han's effort. Holly has a terrific voice,and I liked her song and her, but I didn't think she was as tremendous as the judges thought. Interesting that the judges said Jessica should do more ballads. Last year they told Pia she was doing too many ballads. The bottom four are Heejun, Deandre, Shannon and Erika. Heejun should go, but the demographics may save him.

You probably have read about that ex-Goldman Exec who in a Wall Street Journal Op Ed piece yesterday said that GS was "losing its moral fiber". The company "Is part of our Rip-Off culture" and has to "weed out morally bankrupt people", he continued. The real sad part of the issue may be found in the results of a fast, informal survey of GS customers after the statement. The general consensus seemed to be, "As long as they're making me money, I don't care about morals." Nice, just plain freaking great!

Think of all the wasted ink and paper "Green" loving celebs could save if they could keep their egos and missteps out of the news. Unfortunately one of the biggest industries replacing manufacturing in the country is gossip.

Last night I watched Bucknell, who lost to Lehigh in the Patriot League Championship, thrash number one seed Arizona in an NIT matchup. So, I'm revising my selection for the Lehigh-Duke contest Friday night. Lehigh by 7.

Unfortunately, too many voter constituencies in America think the solution to the country's problems is "Give me more money."

To tell you the truth, I'm just biding time getting ready for bagpipes Saturday. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Almost Near: Chapter 65 continues. --Tucker and Sheila had entered the employee entrance of the Hampton Inn. Tucker was waring a hat that covered his face, and Sheila was actually looking quite happy anticipating seeing Mom. They looked like a normal dad and daughter out for a walk.
"How about we surprise Mom?" Sheila's eyes lit up. She nodded wildly. "Ok, you go down to that desk over there, and tell them your mom forgot to give you a key to her room. Say, I'm Sheila Quimpierre, and my my mom is Samantha Wilcox."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely." he stuck a positive thumb. She turned towards the lobby. After a few steps, she turned and looked for confidence. She saw Tucker standing there, smiling."
He watched her stand waiting for someone to notice her. She looked back and Tucker motioned his hand to say something. Finally he saw her lips moving. The clerk smiled and then looked around the lobby. Tucker didn't think it appeared he was looking for anything in particular. Like police. The clerk then looked down and started typing. After a few minutes, he looked up and handed Sheila a card key. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Tucker felt his heart beating a little faster as she ran towards the elevators.

The Answer:

Actually a list of healthiest fast food breakfasts is a tool I use to determine which foods to avoid. If it doesn't contain sausage, count me out. Anyhow, here they are: Starbucks "Protein Plate", Subway "Western Egg White and Cheese Muffin Melt", Au Bon Pain "Large Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal", Jamba Juice "12oz Mango Peach Topper", McDonald's "Scrambled Eggs + English Muffin", Jack-in-the-Box "Breakfast Jack" and Burger King "3-Piece French Toast Sticks".

Attention spans are just too damn short.

There's lots going on in the sports world this week, but when it's not going on in your world, nothing is really seems to be happening.

Me, miserable?

Today's Tids Issue #2,543
Opening Stuff:

Santorum is looking like a winner after two big victories in the South. The even more significant finding is that the Conservative team of Newt/Rick got over 70% of the vote. Of course New Yorker's will say, "Yeah, but, it really is only the South." Yet, the center of gravity for the US continues to shift further west and yes, gulp, to the dreaded south where they don't talk like they do in the NYT's newsroom. The dreaded South where many of the auto companies and other bigs are building new factories. It's an interesting situation abrewin', cause the Reagan Democrats may be rising again to upset the pundits applecart. Mitt could fall a few votes short, and the convention could decide it. Let's hear it for regionalism.

You can always tell when Obama's poll numbers go down. ABC Nightly News will do an innocuous puff piece about something that has no relationship to news. Last night it was about the dog. Abetting Barak's Campaign marches on.

Delaware is just behind West Virginia, Kentucky and Mississippi on the unhappiest state list. Delaware! How can you be miserable in a state with oceans, lots of land between people and corporations who love to pay taxes and ask for little more than being on the list of Delaware corporations. Southern states are always on the lists leading me to believe that the list is compiled by people on Manhattan Island, NYC, where people just don't appreciate people who speak Southern. The point is that there are more and more lists of just about everything telling people how they feel, who they are or what they should be doing. I think most are compiled by people trying to get money for something. The Government loves to tell people they are miserable so they can take charge of their lives. I live in Rhode Island and according to lists, my life should suck! Yet, I'm the happiest guy in the world. Go figure.

The Question:

Name five Movies where Billy Crystal made you laugh.

The Headlines:

--6.8 Earthquake In Japan Followed By 6.1 Jolt; Tsunami Warning Not Issued.
--Santorum Sweeps; Romney Team Says They expected It.
--Ahmadinejad On Iran Parliamentary Hot Seat; Prez Grilled On Economy And Appointments.
--WS Opens Flat After Tuesday Spurt.
--Panetta In Afghanistan; Bomber Kills 9.
--US Big Banks Do Well On Fed Stress Test.

Four high school kids Dan and Jake Kilcoyne, Bryce Kelley and Mike Marsella walked into the cavernous NYC armory. They were used to being not noticed coming from the very rural Charleston, Hopkinton, Richmond RI area -- an area as rural as Nebraska in the RI state of mind. Around them runners were stretching, jogging and psyching themselves out for the New Balance HS Indoor Track Championships. There were crack teams with long histories of dominating this meet. But, the RI four felt good about themselves. Their event, the 4x 1 mile, was the feature relay event. The last of the day. They watched and waited. The moment came. The announcer shouted out the names of the teams, but mispronounced theirs, Chariho. But who knew. The gun sounded and Jake stayed even the first leg. Bryce took it to them and had a small lead. Dan lost the lead but held second for Mike. After two laps, Mike was neck and neck...and then it was over and the little team from nowhere had won it all...including setting the US National Record for the HS 4 x 1 Mile! The boys were met at the I-95 exit by a town fire engine. It led their van through the woods and the agricultural fields. To the High School that many have never seen, yet now stands proudly next to the giant irrigation machines. And beautiful green fields.

Here's a pretty easy recipe to add some deliciously tasting Green to your weekend menu. It's called "Green with Envy Cheesecake Bars". Preheat oven to 350. Mixes 1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (About 30 cookies) with1/3 cp melted butter. Press into bottom of 9" sq baking pan. Refridge. Blend 3 pkgs (8oz) Cream Cheese with 1 cup sugar. Add 1/2 cp sour cream and 1 tsp peppermint extract. Mix. Now, add 3 eggs (1 at a time) and blend well at low speed. Pur 1/2 batter over crust. Add 1/2 tsp Green food color to remaining. Mix and pour over batter in pan. Bake for 25-30 mins. Cool on rack and then refridge (Min 4 hours). melt 2oz semi-sweet choc. Drizzle pleasantly over cheese cake.


Why do radio people think repeatedly saying "P--- me(you) Off" is in good taste and needs to be said at all? "But Maaa, I heard it on the radio."

Speaking of educating people in the basics of good grammar and sentence construction, I hear that there is a new movement designed to adapt to new technology while at the same time reducing school budgets. Many school curricular will only focus on 140 characters per week.

This just in: AI's gentle Giant Jermaine Jones will be dropped by the show for concealing a criminal offense on his entry form. The Tids predicted he would go this week because he was boring. So, does that mean they add one more who was overlooked because of the Jermaine recall?

Stupid Headlines of the Day.
"Pregnant TV stars in Sky High Heels". "New Jersey capital makes emergency toilet paper buy.

And, now our civilized culture will be treated to a day in the life of the Clint Eastwood family. Yes, it is a new TV show. God, who cares. Shoot me. Oh, wait a minute, Clint likes that.

Here's another headline: "Limbaugh's Slut Comment has Staying Power." Issues have staying power if the media want them to have staying power.

Meanwhile back at the White House Political Action Center, a crack team is spending millions developing one of the best state by state re-election organization, maybe in the history of the USA. Just ready for somebody in the admin to press the button. Many an election has been won by organizational expertise. Hey, wait a minute, Romney had the best, most expensive organization.

Thanks for all of the help with Francis, Frances. Now tell me about Stationary, Stationery.

I have my annual cough now, and I'm finding it builds rock hard abs. So, I'm quitting my gym.

Almost Near: Chapter 65. --Samantha sat alone deeply within her own world. Across the room, Audrey and Sparrow were animated, talking about the failure for Tucker to show.
"I'm not surprised.' Audrey observed, "He's a very bright, engaging and elusive guy. He, if he is who we think he is, must always be thinking ahead. I think he's here. He knew Samantha wouldn't be alone."
"He's that good, Huh." Sparrow and Audrey had hit it off, he looking at Audrey as a contributor rather than a non-police person. It was a compliment to both. "If he was responsible for Rudy's death, and as it is beginning to appear, he had something to do with the deaths of her parents," Audrey nodded her head towards Samantha, "then he has been ahead of a lot of people for a lot of years."
"I think he's watching me." Two head turned towards Samantha who was sitting over a barely eaten BLT in the corner of a hotel conference room. "He knows where I am. He always knows where I am."

The Answer:

I think Chrystal is a pretty funny guy. My favorites are When Harry Met Dally, City Slickers, Running Scared, Throw Mama From The Train, The Adventures Of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Forget Paris and the two Analyze This movies.

So now that the banks have gotten a gold star form the Fed, does that mean they will go crazy again? It's the way cycles go.

In case anybody cares, I eat red meat and I love it.

Behind the fluff.

Today's Tids  (#2552)
Opening Stuff:


Every morning I enjoy listening to interviews of European financial analysts. (Yeah, I know, borrrring). But we get so much news about everything filtered through media, it's informative to listen to what the people on the scene say. Cutting thorough all of the ups and downs of the daily news, Europe is coming down to this. Greece is still the tip of a titanic like ice berg. And Greece will get worse as its main source of jobs, the Government, is forced to make cuts to meet the demands of lenders. Portugal is looking like Greece, but Spain may be the real problem being too big for a bailout. European financial analysts are now reluctantly resorting to the American phrase, "Kicking the can down the road" as the best way to describe the reality of the progress. The up shots: The healthy countries are talking to each other about getting the losers out of the Euro. The Euro will continue to fall against the dollar; resulting in a run up of the US trade deficit as exports from Germany get cheaper. And like a seasonal, allergy it will continue to irritate Wall Street.

As far as I can see, the New IPad is basically a figment of the Eye-magination. The IPad 2 is perfectly acceptable for the majority of people. The HI Rez of the "New" does not make the "2" look bad at all. Most people can't do anything more on the new one than they are already doing on the 2. It's like my watching the big HD TV screen and then going to another room to watch on the 25 year old Sony -- no significant satisfaction change to me. It's like buying a house on the ocean for the view, and then a year later often not noticing that the ocean is there.

Congrats to the Brown U Women's Ski Team for winning the NCAA Slalom championship and for second place in the Giant. Come to Providence and watch them practice on College Hill...avoiding buses and tourists. Excuse me, I like to cheer the locals. It's part of my DNA.

One of those things that has haunted me over the years is Francis or Frances?

The Question:

Quickie "Q" Plus:1. One of my favorite acting performances ever was by a newcomer to me playing a car dealer in the frozen north-land. Who was the actor and co-star and what was the movie? 2. One of the most prolific songwriters was Neil Sedaka. Name five tunes.

The Headlines:

--Retail Sales Up; Market waiting For Godot -- I Mean Bernanke; S&P 500 At 4 Year High.
--Political Eyes On Alabama And Mississippi.
--Arab League Accuses Syria Of Crimes Against Humanity.
--NYC Police Chief High In Polls After Muslim Flap.
--US Drone Attacks Kill 16 Alleged Militants In Pakistan.
--Iraqi Death Squads Target Gays And Emos (Men Who Dress In Distinctive Western Influenced Style)
--Former World News Editor Rebekah Brooks Re-Arrested.

I read a column this morn that doesn't surprise me at all. In fact, it verifies much of what The Tids has observed the past several years that so much of the news is publicity driven. The proliferation of news outlets combined with tighter reins on Newspaper personnel leaves the door wide open for other people generating and writing the "news". And the other people are Public Relations people hired by governments, groups and businesses who want to control what is read and seen. Check out these facts: In 1980 there were about 45 PR workers per 100,000 and 36 journalists. In 2008 it was 90 PR to 26 journalists. And that doesn't take into consideration the slews of amateurs hammering stuff out to the Net. Be careful about what you believe.

Where there's smoke there's Fire, Department:
The White House slipped out a report from one of their Economists late last week that issued a warning of slow growth going forward. They indicated that it would be slower than what the US has enjoyed for decades. I happen to agree, and we have talked often the past several years about paradigm change going on with middle class wage opportunities. We've noted how globalization eventually tends to level all waters. So, this admission is quite significant, and probably very accurate considering that bad news in an election year is not good for candidates. But, the WH economists see the truth and the Politicos are getting out the forecast preemptively, probably to reset the bar lower. I'm thinking this is maybe the Department of Education running the campaign now -- You know, lower the standards and everybody starts looking pretty great.

After the outburst by American Airlines nutty flight attendant, there was the typical knee jerk reaction for new laws that would require mental testing of Airline employees. I suggest they test Youth League Sports coaches first. And, for that, matter, kids parents.

I have a lot of fun during the year poking fun at experts..mainly in sports, politics, finance. Now there is a new website called Pundit Tracker. It will track the predictions of the political talking heads, as well as people like Jim Cramer and even Oscar prognosticators. Could be fun, and even informative. The site may be a little lightweight, but it's a good idea.

This could be the year of US City bankruptcies. And that's exactly what kicking the financial can down the road will get you every time. Often, band-ades can't hold back the blood.

As I was watching Tiger Woods packing up and leaving the golf course Sunday, I'm thinking he got a text on the 12th hole; "Your playing like crap. Use the old ankle injure ruse and come over for an exciting afternoon. You'll like what I'm wearing" Now we know why he was limping.

I can't think of anything more that I would want to do less than this supposed new exercise fad,"Stationary Bike Racing". All work and no scenery. Help me.

According to a very knowledgeable source, Iran's game plan for nuclear development appears based on the North Korea playbook. This is the combined opinions of both NK and Iran watchers -- Agree. Buy time. Renege. And then do it all over again. Iran is also considered buy close observers to be saner than it appears. There threat gives them a degree of control but the reality is that they recognize that launching --and launching is the operative word here -- The Bomb is pressing the button that result in their own annihilation. This is not their objective. The nuclear deterrent strategy lives.

The Answer:

1. I loved William Macy in Fargo. And was there a better co-star than Frances McDourmand? 2. Sedaka was kind of a happy but goofy little singer but he could write songs. He has written or co-written (Mainly with Boyhood pal and lyricist Howard Greenfield) over 500 songs! Yikes! Some of Sedaka's (He was Edye Gorme's cousin) best that he sang were were Oh Delilah, Stairway to heaven, Calendar Girl, Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Bad Girl and Next Door to an Angel. He also wrote, Who's Sorry Now, Where the Boys Are, Love Will Keep us Together, Laughter in The Rain and That's When the Music takes Me. Enough.

I have a little bit of the White House within me. That's why I'm tucking my Final 4 picks down here: Baylor, Wisconsin, Michigan State And Kansas.

Thanks to Hyat Alvi, Ed Fitzpatrick and assorted London analysts.

Laughter turns off your brain.

Today's Tids Issue 2,551
Opening Stuff:

Hee Hee. Ha ha ha ha. Hardy hardy har-har-har. Hee HEE, HO HA HO! Catching isn't. Now it's your turn... one from your gut. You know the laugh, the one that just roars out and you can't control it. Are you eyes squinting yet? Just start laughing til you fall off your chair on the floor. Look around. Anybody watching you. Yeah, I bet they are. They're probably sittin' there trying to hold in a big blast. You know the kind. The cheeks start to puff...and puff. Puffing...puffing... puffing. And then they just can't hold it in and out it comes. A rocket blast, spit and all. And now they're laughing harder than you are, and you just have to join in to catch up. Then all you can hear is laughs, laughs, laughs, within you and all around you. Go ahead. Just let it go!. Soak it up. It's the best way to start the day.

Just remember as you go through life that at the opposite end of every "send" button is a "delete" button.

The Greece solution is all about screwing capitalism to keep alive the entitlement mentality of Socialism.

To me, Romney looks like a fool in his Southern campaign. The crowds didn't come there to hear him jest about saying "Y'all". Or pandering to their southern roots. They came to hear what's inside his head in his own USA dialect. How what he thinks will bolster their support for him. Great leaders lead by being themselves as opposed to being puppets on the strings of consultants. I think Charles Krauthammer should write his speeches. It would be all over. By the way, I am for Romney, who I believe would be a great president for our times. That's why get so mad when he acts stupid.

It isn't just Romney trying to be not himself in order to get elected, 0-Man does it all of the time, trying to sound hip or blue collar -- finishin' all of those words with unbecomin' "a's" or minus "g's". It just doesn't work, and it is a major irritant to me about Obama. Among lots of other things. And, another note to Presidents: Stop telling jokes unless you're good at it, like JFK. Clinton was terrible at telling jokes. And I wouldn't listen to a joke from Nixon even if it was funny. Actually, after Nixon told a joke it wouldn't be funny any more anyhow.

I'm already tired of the Peyton Manning tour. More and more Americans are getting more and more excited about less and less.

The Question:

Ok...what do you think the following recipe ingredients make: 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar (Plus a little), 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt 2 tsps baking powder.

The Headlines:

--US Master Sergent Alleged Murder Of 16 Afghan Civilians Frays Country's Relations; Is This The Sign To Leave?
--China Trade Balence Plunges; Dims Enthusiasm On WS.
--New ABC/WashPost Poll: Romney 49, "O" 47; Santorum 49, "O" 46; Among GOP Leaning Voters On Repub Nominations - Mitt 33%, Rick 29%, Newt 14%, Ron 12%.
--Swiss Voters Turn Down National Referendum To Increase Vacation From 4 Weeks To 6 Weeks; Say It Is Bad For The Economy. Duh.
--Kentucky, North Carolina, Syracuse, Michigan State Top NCAA Seeds.
--Newly discovered Love Letters Reveal Nixon's Sensitive Side. Huh?

Did you see that news item about Dick Van Dyke getting married at 88 to a 46 year old woman! On a similar note, golf analyst David Feherty had to disappoint a gathering by telling them that co-host, golf legend Nick Faldo couldn't make it because he had to attend the birth of is next wife.

How are your brackets coming?

I was reminded over the weekend that one of my early material goals was to live in a Royal Barry Wills designed Cape Cod Style home. Do I still have time?

In case you missed it, you probably forgot all of your ills and worries if you started off the Tids laughing. It's the way it works.

Of course, GW Bush was always himself and people hated it.

I heard a pretty good radio interview Saturday with a guy named Mike Murphy -- "The Deaf Comedian. He told few of his comedy routine jokes "I never really liked Christmas. My parents would give me gifts, like a Walkman without earphones." But this engaging man had a lot more to say to the host Gene Valente. He is trying to lead the charge for Cochlear Implants, and has found it tough going at times, in particular with some deaf groups. He mentioned that at deaf school he saw deaf kids bullying those who had received implants. He went on to say, "I learned all of the tools -- lip reading, signing, but I am so grateful I went to implants. To hear, little things...like driving through an intersection when a fire engine is coming. Or going home at night and hearing 'Hi dad'."

The phrase I just never have and probably never will be able to live up to: "Center of the cup. Hit it firm."

Too much time, or too much media Department:
--How much time is wasted on FaceBook or reading todaystids.blogspot.com? There has to be something better for the minds of America. And safer too. Take the two women who "befriended" each other only to learn they were married to the same man at the same time. Oops! I still don't get FB.
--And, how about about that restaurant review by an 81 year old food critic from Grand Fork ND? She wrote a very favorable review of the opening of the newest, grandest, largest restaurant in that town -- Olive Garden! She posted it on her paper's website, somebody for some reason caught it and it went viral -- 1.290,00 hits viral! Are there that many more people out of work with nothing to do, or is this part of the slowdown of the American workplace. Olive Garden -- that's funny. Hmmm. Viral! Jeez, the Tids are sitting on the edge of virility!

Did you read where the California loonies have legislated a change forcing two private companies -- Coke and Pepsi to alter the formula for caramel colorings. The hysteria of these mindless "Nannies" was based on a lab test that injected mice with a dose of the so-called carcinogenic ingredient equivalent to a human drinking 1,000 cans of soda a day for 50 years. We have to get rid of these people.

Memo to Lindsy Lohan: Saturday Night Live didn't do it for ya.

I'm tying my Springtime TV entertainment hopes to the premiere of the new series "Missing" with Ashley Judd. She has always been good in thriller movies. And this series looks to have the possibility of being a cut above the regular fare. Simple plot, tough woman.

Personally, I think the food critic job is a pretty great gig. They eat at great or not so great restaurants on an expense account, and then pull out the handy-dandy Food Reviewers template and inserts the new data. Have you ever read these reviews? They're all essentially the same -- from Grand Fork to NYC to Providence -- I see the same format, the same style, the same adjectives and even the same inflections Is this some kind of DNA thing?

Almost Near: Chapter 64 continues. --Tucker lifted Rebecca and gently placed her on the bed. Sheila, backed into a corner watched with "what's going on here" eyes. Tucker turned towards her, "don't worry, he said in a quiet friendly manner, She's fine. It was an accident." He pulled back the covers, and gently placed her in the bed. He bent and kissed her on the forehead, and pulled the covers around her. he shivered.
Sheila hadn't moved a muscle, watching the almost ritualistic fascination of her sister by this man she barely knew. He stood and turned towards her. She cringed back. "We're going to see mom now". He reached and took her hand and she obediently followed. Fear had become her guide. They walked into the Living area. You sit here a minute. I'm going to get a band-ade for Beck." He said Beck like she was his best friend. He fumbled around in his luggage and pulled out a band-ade, "See", he held it up for her eyes while slipping a syringe in his pocket. "Just a minute and we'll be going. Beck will be safe here. I know Mom will be very happy to see you." Sheila's eyes softened a bit.

The Answer:

Personally, I wouldn't have a clue, but I imagine many of you knew it was a cookie. But...it isn't just any Cookie --it's an original Girl Scout Cookie back in the days when Girls Scouts actually made them! Happy 100th Birthday Girls Scouts Of America. Here's the rest of the recipe: Cream butter and sugar. Add well beaten eggs, milk vanilla, flour, salt and baking powder. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Roll dough thin an cut into trefoil shape. Sprinkle extra sugar on top. Bake in 375 degree over for 8-10 mins until edges brown. Anybody know what a trefoil shape is?

Maybe Girl Scouts is a great way today to get youngsters out of the smart phones and into the world around them.

Yesterday morning to pave the way for the Irish, I pulled out my Waking Ned Davine sound track. Watching the Irish next week is always good for the laugh button, that is if they can ever stop those Danny Boy tears.

Mike Murphy the deaf comedian said, "The deaf really don't like the blind. It's about those sunglasses. Did you ever see a deaf person with earmuffs".

Laughter is the best Medicine. In fact, there are organized "Laugh Groups" which have become great sources of positive therapy for, perhaps parents who have lost a child or are dealing with severely ill child; or people undergoing their own painful treatments for serious diseases. It's quite simple. They come together, sit down and just start laughing. For a whole hour they just sit there and laugh. It's a great kind of an infection.

What Solar storm.

Today's Tids (#2,549)
Written 3/8
Opening Stuff:



For a pedestrian electronics guy like me, the big news about the just announced "New" Hi Rez IPad is that you can now buy IPad 2 for $399.

There's more to Rhode Island than an out of control public employee pension plan Department:
Why would anybody move to Rhode Island? To win PowerBall, that's why! So, to make it easy for everybody to have a good chance of attaining instant wealth, I'm starting a new Web Site: http://www.sendmeyourmoneyandi'llbuyapowerballticketfor10%ofthepot.com. Oh yeah, RI is also filled with beauty, surrounded by a magnificent ocean, is loaded with history and has some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

If somebody said to me, "Quick, who is your all time favorite athlete," I could easily answer Roger Staubach. If I thought about it for a moment I'd add Carl Yaztremski, Bob Cousey, Ben Hogan and of course Bobby Orr. If I reached down a bit I'd go to Pee Wee Reese, Dom DiMaggio and Carl Furillo. And I'm probably forgetting 2-3,000 other faves.

The Question:

Peyton Manning is identified with the Indianapolis Colts, but it appears his career will end elsewhere. Three other greats -- Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath and Joe Montana -- were and are identified with their original teams. Name the teams and where did each of these Hall-of-Famers end their career?

The Headlines:

--The Effects Of Solar Storm Miss Earth.
--Congress Wrestling With Syria Dilemma.
--Wall Street Brighter As Greek Swap Takes Shape.
--Kofi Anna Rejects UN Intervention; He Says, "More Force Could Make Things Worse."
--Household Debt Rises For First Time In 3 1/2 Years.
--Israel Seeking Arms from US.

American Idol: I am definitely being entertained this year. First -- This Jessica Sanchez is an amazingly mature singer with a great voice that is expressive and shows humor and humanity. Before looking for the winners and losers, thee are several singers who bring something different to the show and should be kept just for entertainment value. Phillips, Skyklar, Erika, Colton and d'Andrea are a handful that come to mind. There are other good singers, but these bring more than a good voice, the extra something that makes a show like this more interesting. Last night, I had trouble seeing all of the negativity expressed by the judges about Shannon. I thought Elise and missed it, and Jimmy Rosado gives me nothing. My favorite performances were Colton Dixon and EVP. I like Skylar too. I thought Phillips was fun, but couldn't really hear his voice. My guess is that the bottom three will be unfortunately Shannon (I think she can grow), Elise and Rosado. My early guess to win it all -- Colton Dixon.

Some world leaders are saying about Iran, "Actions speak louder than there words." That's exactly the same way I feel about President Obama.

This Iran thing is a conundrum if there ever was one. Satellites have just observed Iran cleaning up nuke experimental evidence just as they saying for the benefit of the US and others, "Let's talk". Other sources say they have recently tested a nuclear trigger. There is word among those who know that China is delivering missiles to Iran which could carry war heads to the US Mainland in 3 years or less.The Prez wants talk, and the Israelis are fearful for their very existence. Panetta wants to talk to the UN and congress is saying, "What about us?".

We have to stop with all of these memorials around the National Mall. There's a lot of discussion now about an Eisenhower 4 football field large memorial. I mean I like Ike. Who didn't. But you have to stop with these precedents, or some day we'll be forced to add Clinton and Obama.

After enjoying the best efforts of a decent restaurant, I find that upon coming home, the handful of Ruffle's potato chips is just as tasteful and satisfying. I guess I'm not much of a gourmet. Actually it's a lot cheaper not to be a gourmet.

The Lie of the Week Department:
On the Indianapolis podium yesterday, the day before the Colts would have to pay Peyton Manning $28,000,000, owner Irsay said "It isn't about the money.". Meanwhile Manning all class stood and thanked the fans.

Almost Near: Chapter 64 continues. --Tucker had ordered a couple of on-demand movies for the kids who were no in the bakc bedroom of the suite laughing and kidding each other, nervously in anticipation of seeing mom. "Everything Ok in there!". Tucker yelled from his perch at the front room window opposite Samantha's Hotel.
Within a half hour, he saw what appeared to be an unmarked police car, pull under the portico at the other hotel He sharpened his eyes. The driver door opened and that Detective Sparrow jumped and went to open the curb side rear door. "My, my", Tucker said to himself, "Look what we have here. Two for the price of one!" He watched Audrey get out and look around the area. Her eyes seemed to look into his as she made the 360 degree scan." She's a smart one he thought. I should have taken care of her when I saw her last week. I guess I'm getting soft. "I'm sorry Audrey, I really liked you. But you should know it's all about Samantha. You always called her my girlfriend."
"Can we go out to eat tonight? Who you talkin' to in here anyway." The girl looked around the room. Tucker looked around at s Sheila, and then bakc down at the hotel entrance. Samantha had gone in but Audrey and the detective were talking. This kids knew Audrey. "Why sure my firned. He quickly moved toward sthe girl and ushered her into the room. "So where do you guys want to eat."
"When are we going to see our mother?" Rebecca stared at Tucker with Rudy's eyes.

The Answer:

Unitas, Namath and Montana will always be known as the QB's for Baltimore Colts, NY Jets and SF Forty Niners, and not where they finished, San Diego Chargers, LA rams and KC Chiefs.

The solar storm missed the Earth but seems to be residing in my mind, That's why the Tids are so late. Man it's weird in here. Ooooooo-weeeeee-oooooo.

Kick off your shoes.

Today's Tids Issue 2,550
Opening Stuff.

There are day's when the world slows down; you sense the beauty in details of little scenes passing by in slow motion; small events that raise the beat of your heart, bring small shivers to your spine. You savor and store them away for a busier day. And relive their beauty when the sun turns into gray.

Need a bailout, come to America. France's Peugeot-Citeon is drowning in red ink, and guess who's stepped in to tow awy the wreck -- the US taxpayers thorugh it's GM reclamation. The day after GM bought the financial mess, Moody's downgraded the P-C bonds to Junk Status. They dumped $400 Million of US Taxpayer assets into Junk Bonds! Auto experts are dumbfounded as to the reason why GM would need to pay that much for anything that Peugeot possesses technologically. And here's an interesting facet, they paid that much with no plans to renegotiate labor contracts bleeding the company -- a near impossibility anyhow in a socialist country. But hey, President OBama loves Europe and the French. Maybe it's just part of the planning for his next world job.

The Question:

I have always been intrigued for some reason by Linda Fiorentino. Maybe it was her wry smile. The last movie I remember with her was "Where the Money Is" with Paul Newman. Name five of her other better known films.

The Headlines:

--Economy Adds 200,000 Jobs For 3rd Straight Month; Market Ticks Up.
--Netanyahu Has Bunker Busters On His Mind.
--Greece Looking Forward To "Next Bailout" After Bond Swap Finger In The Dike.
--New Documents Showed Japanese Feared Fukushima Meltdown From Day 1.
--Pope Denounces US Political Push To Legalize Gay Marriage.
--Repubs Take To the South; Illinois Next Big Delegate Contest.
--Pakistan Taliban Say the Will Attack If Bin Laden Widows Aren't Released.

American Idol: I agree with letting Jeremy go. But, what last night's show showed me is that the younger set is voting again. That's why I wasn't surprised that 16 yo Shannon made it, and frankly I think she will grow as the show wears on. More indicative of the youth vote maybe the fact that one of the older singers Erika Van Pelt was in the bottom three women. (She could have been as high as 8 overall). She has a big voice, but with and a presence more attuned to the likes of older viewers. Of course I think she's fantastic becasue she works around the corner from here. I'm thinking next to go will be Jermaine Jones. At least, that's from my perspective of people I don't want to watch any more.

It seems that one of the underlying issues in America is that people have traded feelings of community for feelings of self.

In a related note, a news item says that banks are foreclosing on churches in record numbers. The church, one of many institutions, which for years which bound communities together, are losing membership...to what? To people's need to satisfy their personal whims? BTW, another new study shows compellingly that church goers are far happier than secularists. Even committed liberals agree, (Those with the ability to think rationally) saying there should be no question that this is not true.

For all of those spend more per gallon on water than gas, check out these recent research findings. The vast majority (Except those in Newport RI) say tap water just as good or better. Second, you are as likely to find impurities in bottled H2O as you are in water from taps. Three, 25% of all bottled water comes from city water supplies including Coke's Dasani. And, there is that plastic bottle that takes 17 million barrels of oil each year to produce. So you are drinking a beverage that costs more than gas whose packaging is a part of the consumption that is increasing the cost of gas.

The good news about the Greek bailout is that the creditors will only lose half of their money! Everybody is worried about the Greek gimmie society, and not the people who make their largess a reality. The same thing is being played out in the RI statehouse right now as we speak where union supporters there (Aren't they all?), are putting forth collective bargaining bills that will only result in holding the Public Union employees creditors hostage -- The RI taxpayer. The beat goes on and the only thing that happens is that people pay more for the same mediocrity. You can never let these union leadership thugs off the hook, because they will never give in to common sense. Union leaders here are a little like those in Teheran -- they'll say anything to buy time.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Friends With Kids is one of those younger generation family movies where the leading couple has a kid because of the old biological clock, and their best friend's growing family, but isn't really sure they want it. The father said "He's 100% for it but can only give 50% of his time. (Are we really becoming more civilized?) It's predictable but actually entertaining.
--Silent House is a grabber about a young woman sealed in her house after her father has been grabbed by unseen forces. It is a study in terror as the girl wonders about what's outside her hide-away.
--In John Carter, a movie based on an Edgar Rice Burroughs book (He wrote the Tarzan novels), Carter a former military captain is transported to Mars where he finds that the survival of humans there is entirely in his hands. Not great.

Almost Near: Chapter 64 continues. --"Something is weird here. When are we going to see our mother." Sheila moves towards the door.
"There's nothing weird here. I'm going to take you to your mother in a few minutes."
 Rebecca has not relaxed her Rudy like stare. Tucker's brow begins to sweat as he remembers the last time he saw that stare, just before he hit their father with a shovel. But he deserved it. These children don't. They're part of my family.
Rebecca bolted for the door. She almost reached it, but a swipe of Tuckers arm knocked her against the wall, banging her head as she fell into a lump.
A confused Sheila started to scream. "What did you do to my sister?'"
Tucker rushed to her and knelt down, "Sheila, Sheila, don't scream, Don't cry. It was an accident. I would never hurt you and your sister. Comon' let's go see if Beck is ok." And then we'll go see Mom."

The Answer:

Linda Fiorentino was in many decent movies. She may be best know for Dogma, but she was always good in the others like The Last Seduction, Men In Black, After Hours, Once More with Feeling, Body Count, Chain of Desire, Strangers and Larger than Life.

I particularly like taking it easy.
Gone the days when stomach's queasy.
Worries and frets and thinking about
Visions of woe that never turn out.
The best thing good for the human brain,
Is to think about sun and not the rain!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Gold at the end of the Rainbow.

Today's Tids Issue # 2548
Opening Stuff:

How about we start with a little puzzler that will get the cranial synapses zapping. This little poser is all about using the logical side of your brain. There are three bins of socks, one marked "Black", one marked "White" and one marked "Black and White". But, the three boxes are mislabeled. Your task is to correctly label the boxes by reaching without looking into just one of the three boxes and pulling out a sock. From that you should be able to relabel the boxes. What box would you start with? Why? Answer below.

The word from friends around this town of mine is that the phrase "Good things happen to good people" came true for sure when the big lottery winner was revealed as Louise White. Her son Leroy is a well known, much loved musician, and even better known as a man with a gigantic heart. It is expected that he and Mom and extended family with their trust "Rainbow Sherbert" will do a lot of good for a lot of people with those winnings.

The Question:

Double Q Day: 1. When was the Star Spangled Banner Made Official? What was the previous anthem? Bonus: Bobby Sherman composer of among many things, the music for Mary Poppins. He and his brother also write the most played song in the world. What is it?

The Headlines:

--Mitt Wins Ohio, VT, Mass, Virginia, Alaska, Idaho; Rick Gets Oklahoma, Tenn, North Dak; Newt Georgia; Delegate Math Makes Likelihood Of Mitt Win Almost A Certainty.
--Private Sector Adds 216,00 Jobs In Feb; Market Up On News.
--Super Con-Man Alan Stanford Found Guilty Of Bilking Investors Of Billions.
--Apple Holding Press Conference Today On new IPad; Faster Chip, Sharper Pic New Claims.
--Peyton Manning To Become Free Agent Today; Miami, Washington Appear As Leading candidates To Land Super QB.
--Akhilesh Yadav New Rising Star In India; Heir Apparent Rahul Ghandi Thrashed By Young Man From Nowhere.
--NYC Muslim Group Steps Up To Support NYC Police Department; Say They Protect Us And If They Have To Look At us To Find Terrorists, Than That is Good For All Including Us.

90% of all allergies are due to just 8 foods: Eggs, Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Wheat, shellfish and fish. Let's see -- Cheeto's - OK! Gravy - Fine Red Meat - perfect. Life is good; Other Three Vow To Stay.

So...what do you think are the chances of the Prez calling ex Governor Sarah Palin to apologize for one of his mouthy supporters, Bill Maher, calling her a "C---"...and then returning the $1 Million the crass late night ideologue donated to the "O" SuperPac? I mean, at his press conference he implied how he is all for women while the Republicans are against them.

My next door neighbor is a kindly Doctor from Israel. Also a man who is involved politically here in pro-Israel groups. I could see the worry in his face yesterday as we both walked in from parking our cars. His mother is still there, and in conversations of the past he has always said, "we have gotten used to living in that on-the-edge world. It's part of life." Yet last night he was talking the possibility of obliteration. How impossible it might be attacking the bunkered Iran weapons. But, he saved his greatest concerns for the instability of Egypt, just south on the Israel border. I think he feels that there is still a certain amount of face saving, time borrowing bluster in Iran, but the hatred in Egypt is at a point of erupting in an all out assault. Sometimes it's good to get a feel of reality through an unflitered source

Based on what I see from the Obama Admin, I think its about time the ACLU steps up to defend the entire American population. Unless of course ACLU means really American Civil Liberties "As We See um' " Union.

Sarah Palin revealed last night that she voted for Newt and would be a candidate for the 2016 race. Just in case you are bored with the current race and are looking ahead.

The new IPad is supposed to have a much clearer picture! Really? The only reason my Picture isn't clear is because of the potato chip grease on the screen.

The Answer:

1. Francis Scott Key's poem set to the music of a popular British drinking song "To Anacreaon in Heaven" (And also tune for Luxemburg's National Anthem), was first used officiall in 1889 by the US Navy, the White House in 1916, and then after public pressure made the official anthem by Congress in 1931. Before that the National Anthem was considered to be "Hail Columbia" composed by Philip Phile for the inauguration of George Washington -- "Hail Columbia, happy land! Hail, ye heroes, heav'n born band, Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause...". Bonus: The world's most played tune is "It's a Small World After All."

Yesterday morning it was 19 degrees. Today it is a robust 60. Get out those shorts and stow away the socks. Maybe the song should be renamed "It's a weird world after all."

Puzzle answer: You reach into the box labeled "Black and White. Let's say you pull out a white sock., then it means of the remaining boxes the one marked "white" should be  "black" and the one marked "Black" should be "Black and White".

Up close and personal...on your smart phone.

Today's Tids Issue 2,547

Opening Stuff:

It's about Freedom, stupid.

One thing I have noticed more frequently while observing today's family at malls, where the mom is pushing a baby stroller or hand in hand with a couple of kids, dad is a five or so paces back looking down thumbing along on his smart phone.

How smart is a phone which in an instant can take family members, friends, people in groups away from one another to another world. I guess in the past people would just mentally fade away.

Small Asian observation you can analyze any way you want Department:
"Sometimes people need time for learning. People always learning all though their life. Look at Mama Bird; she push Baby out of nest and that's it. If Baby Bird fly, good for Baby. If Baby Bird fall and crack head on ground and get eaten by Cat, then he need to do better next time."

Netanyahu is no dummy. This conservative leader who clearly has had problems with the leftist 0-Man chose this time visit when everybody knows that the Prez will do anything to get elected...even become a war monger! Bebe knows that "O" lost some of the influential Jewish vote and that there is no better time than now to press the US for military support.

The Question:

The new Bloomberg Ten Richest Guys in the World list is out. Name them.

The Headlines:

--New Greece Fears Stifle Market At Opening; Bond Group Sees $1 Trillion Default Risk..
--Bibi And Barack Agree To Keep Each Other In the Loop.
--Romney Coming Back In Ohio; Some Expect Mitt To Do Well Enough To Start The Nomination Wrap-up; Newt Says He will Be Big Winner Overall.
--Russia Protestors Fear Putin Will Use Force.
--Smell Of Death Every Where In Homs Syria.
--Abrupt Halt In European Consumer Spending Sucked Life Out Of Euro Economy To Close Out 2011.

It's looking like Sandra Fluke is far from the naive innocent thrown into the den of political wolves and fat conservative white men. She is a well known woman's rights activist plucked off the campus by Dem Congressional leadership, which now looks to be a carefully plotted strategy to transform the Presidents attack on Religious freedom into a GOP attack on woman. The mission was to change the discussion to poor young college girls being screwed out of free stuff. The big bonus here was Limbaugh getting stupid., and that really changed the subject. The media loves to go after the man the Admin hates.

Limbaugh should be apologizing to Republicans. I doubt if Ms. Fluke really cares. She achieved exactly what she wanted to achieve -- martyrdom.

Did you hear about the Real Estate Agent who called her latest boy friend a cozy fixer upper?

When the NE Patriots videoed opponent's sideline signals, the team was fined 1/2 million dollars. Now we have the Saints paying defenders to maim, and the uproar is more muted; the possible penalties appear to be less stringent. It would have been louder if one of the Jets or Giants were targeted.

Hey, did you see that 0-Man is going to hold his first news conference of the year today? How come I see him on TV at least once a day? Well, anyhow it's good to talk to the folks. With all of the problems about the growing deficit, raising gas prices, Iran's nuke, Greece's possible default, Putin's election -- you know little things --you can be sure that our deft media will ask lots of questions about the Republican's attack on women! The Press Conference will be a fluke. Stay tuned.

You have to figure it a Good idea as you age to challenge your brain by doing crossword puzzles totally in your mind; without writng down the letters. It's probably impossible, but it's always good to keep the bar high. I think I'll start with the Jumble.

It really bothers me to see the Episcopal Cathedral St. John being forced to close their doors. This is one of the founding religions in the state of RI where "Freedom of Religion" was first written into a law.

While in RI, I have to say that Barry Hinkley, the Repub candidate running against incumbent liberal secularist Whitehouse, had better develop a personality fast! His commercial featuring his cute son is making great points and gaining notoriety, but Hinkley doesn't seem to be able to deliver the message well in person. His family builds great boats though.

Many Conservative women are wondering where the media uproar was when Schultz called Laure Ingraham a slut, or when Bill Maher called Sarah Palin the "C" word. And that is just a couple of the multiple leftist slurs against non-liberal women. If the Fluke affair proves one thing it's that the media will bury what it wants to bury and over expose what it want exposed, with little consideration of journalistic fairness.

I have to tell you that I have always held it against Rush Limbaugh for knocking the First George Bush so hard during the 1992 election that it gave us the Clinton's. Let's hope that last week he didn't serve up 4 more years of 0-Man.

Almost Near: Chapter 64. --"Don't you kids get used to room service, cause that's not the way it will be when we see Mom. But," Tucker High Fives the two girls who have catchup around their mouths and French fries in their hands, "That burger was great."
"We agree Tucker!", Tucker smiled to himself. The kids were now his best friends. He liked having children as friends.
"Want to talk to Mom?"
"Yeah!" Their smiles sparkled and Tucker felt it, enjoyed it.
In a few seconds, he heard Samantha's voice. "Hi Sam, tired of waiting for me?" He let that sink in. "I'm not coming there, you know. How many people do you have there with you?"
"Where are my kids, dammit, Tucker!"
"Oh they're just great," he turned to Sheila and Rebecca and held up his phone towards them, "aren't you kids?"
"Yesssss!" the shouted in a bubbling unison, "We're having a blast with Tucker. he's a great guy."
"Don't hey sound happy Sam. I'm going to put this on speaker phone and you can talk. Isn't that great?" Samantha said nothing.
The kids couldn't talk fast enough about how much fun they would all have when they got together. He noticed that Rebecca turned to the window, and started to describe what she was looking at. Tucker clicked the off button and let Rebecca finish her description of the Hotel across the street. "Oops, it looks like we lost the signal.

The Answer:

The top 20 have a combined net worth $679 Billion. 9 of the world's Top 20 are Americans. #1 Is Mexican Telephone guy Carlos Slim who beat out Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. #4 is Ikea owner Ingvar Kamprad followed by Bernard Arnault (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton), Spains Amancio Ortega, Larry Ellison. The Koch Brothers Charles and David are 8-9 and Brazil's Eike Batista, who vows to be number one by 2015, is 10, The American Dream travels well.

It's interesting to watch this Obama campaign in action. They must, as you would imagine, have files upon files of all the negatives uttered about their man during the past two years -- from the birth certificate to his socialistic tendencies to his European style big government plan. On a regular basis the WH operatives release little facts -- dutifully picked up by the media -- that suggest he is entirely something other than the prevailing opinions by Republicans. It is very subtle, but it is quite brilliant -- because it creates doubt. The refutations tend to belittle popularly held opinions about the man who wants to mandate everything and etch away freedoms.

I have to be honest with you, my original theme for today was to talk about the intrusion of the smart phones on relationships between humans. But, this Fluke deal has become so much bigger than the initial hysteria, that I had to take time to put the flare-up in perspective. Everything about Obama is about intrusion into long stand US freedoms. And the more ruckus the political consultants can raise the more they can obscure the reality of the Obama dream.

I think the operative word of the day is "Fluke"! How come she pronounces her name "Fluck"?

OK...here's the question of the day. How many Republicans out there hate women?