Your mother wears army boots.

Today's Tids Issue 2,656

Opening Stuff:

The Lefty Dems when faced with the rational arguments like those of a pretty smart GOP VP candidate, seem to have resorted to sophomoric sophistry to support their unwavering ideological positions. For instance, a writer to a local newspaper (And the newspaper actually printed it it) said that he thought he remembered seeing Paul Ryan somewhere. "Aha," he said. "I remember, it was on the Dave Garraway show. It's those ears. It was J Fred Muggs" Stupid. Just plain stupid. And then there was Barbara Boxer yesterday saying that Republicans are probably confused because they didn't like their mothers. It is truly a sad sight watching the reactions of liberals when faced with the truth.

Every once in a while I just gotta have a high butterfat content Ice Cream cone, with a capital "IC"! Am I going to go to hell? Or worse will I be on "The List" of Michelle Obama?

The Question:
The movie The Truman Show had quite the cast, even in some minor roles. Name 5.

The Headlines:
--4 People Shot Outside The Empire State Building In NYC.
--Money Has Been Going from Stock Funds To Bond Funds.
--Orders For Durable Goods Rise 4.2% In July; Market Lower.
--Lance Armstrong Gets Lifetime ban; Stripped Of 7 Titles.
--Seoul Korea Court Rules That Samsung Did Not Violate Apple Design; More Crucial US Court Rulings Expected Shortly As Jurors Continue To deliberate.
--New Research Shows That Most Americans Are Disturbed By High Abortion Numbers, But Want It To Remain Legal.
--House Sales Show Uptick.
--Brown & Hopkins Of Gloucester RI Now Officially Oldest Continuously Operating General Store In America; End Of Business For Grays In Adamsville RI Opens Door For B&H.

If you watch the new Obama campaign commercial featuring Bill Clinton, you have to wonder if the President is now running on the Clinton economy instead of his own. You know the Clinton economy, the economy that gave us the DotCom recession.

I watched one of my all time favorite movies last night -- The Truman Show. Maybe it's the long interlude of Chopin's piano concerto that keeps me coming back. Or that this romantic old fool loves to see true love win out in the end.

Remember when Pepperidge Farm was considered a luxury bread, bought mainly for special occasions. or to impress your neighbors and friends.? Now people regularly pay $5 to $7.00 for an artisan bread or reasonable facsimile! Pepperidge Farm is still very good eating and only cost about $3.50.

Levi Strauss was a "jeanius"!

Have you noticed that EuroConcerns are creeping back into the news? I have.

The deeper the pain, the more exhilarating the victories. That's why I am a die-hard Red Sox fan. And the Sox are giving new meaning to the word die.

The Truman Show is the only Jim Carrey movie where he doesn't over antic himself out of a good plot. And many of Carrey's films had good plots, often quite good, but interrupted by too much buffoonery.

I often speak of the relevancy of numbers. For instance above we see the news item "House sales show Uptick". Yeah, they are up from the previous best month March to about 350,000 units. Economists say that for a viable economy we need about 700,000 units. And the headline fails to mention that the price average is about 1/3 that of the high 2006 levels. So where are we really, and will Wall Street today grasp upon that number so they can go to the Hampton's happy.

What's really Killing the Economy, Department:
While into numbers, here's a pretty disconcerting stat, which for several years now has been predicted in this poor man's answer to a real financial newsletter. Since 2010, the average earnings for the US Middle Class has fallen from $72,956 to $69,487. Because of many factors, a service based economy just cannot support the same wage gains as an manufacturing based economy could assure. You could see this coming. Then the global economy showed that people in foreign lands can answer phones equally as well as Americans for much less money. For a while after globalization and the condensing of manufacturing, the economy had been driven by "But, that's what I want to earn," philosophy -- Unsustainable to say the least. Public employees are learning that taxes can no longer support automatic salary and benefit increases. With lower average wages there will be even less taxes, unless the governments go the punitive route. Finally, we had a national growth premise based on people buying lots of stuff they never really needed. This is a Tid that could go on forever. But you get the picture. The future is murky without some serious re-thinking about the present.

In terms of bulk, what's the difference between a small notebook and an IPad in a Keyboard case?

Has there ever been more media attention given to one man who gave back absolutely nothing to society, than that given to Rodney King? Hey!...wait a minute...I just wrote about him.

I watched the ex-President of Penn State in an interview, and he is about as believable as Barbara Boxer.

Which reminds me of the august NCAA academic watchdogs. What a farce. Apparently the academic records of "The" top high school player and Kentucky recruit, Nerlens Noel are under investigation by the NCAA. They are worried about whether or not this phenom actually qualifies for College -- when he has already been named the Top NBA Draft Pick for 2013! He's a millionaire on paper, and they're worried about academic integrity.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The Apparition recalls the unrelenting apprehension and terror of the Amityville Horror. A force accidentally conjured up in a university parapsychology experiment is haunting the home of a young couple. Their fear feeds the the growing monster. they in a supernatural expert, but they may even be too late. Scary.
--In Premium Rush, a bicycle delivery guy is given a package from an  old girlfriend that must be delivered by 7:00. What he doesn't know is that the guy in the back suit is determined that the delivery is not made. There is constant chase action on the bike. And, the minutes til 7 is shown on the screen from time to time. But, the movie is much more than a big chase, with several side stories woven into the central theme. Tense. May be great.
--General Education is about a boy who has been raised by an intense father to be a tennis player. He gets his college tennis scholarship, but one thing stands in his way and his dad's dreams, He didn't graduate form HS. He must go to summer school unseen by his parents. Along the way he learns more about his alcoholic mom, teen sister and finds in the end what he really wants to do for himself. Not bad.

The Conscience: Chapter 5 continues.
  "Just fill it up half way. After all it is morning." I smiled. I should g=be able t get that to my lips with out spilling it on my one good suit. I just hope the ice doesn't rattle too loudly. I watched jase pour the Kettle One
  "If I remember correctly, you'll probably like a sliver of lime." I gave him a smiling thumbs up." I took the glass and on the way back to my seat, drained about a quarter of the vodka. I immediately felt that familiar warmth enveloping my longing body, and with a new level of confidence.
  "My research before coming down showed me that this merger, if you want, it makes a lot of sense." I looked up quickly and notice two interested sets of eyes. "If there is a fit in this business it is Barnard Yachts and Genoa's Baglietto Panfilos. Their CEO must know that too, if they are willing to merge or, but you out."
  "She does, but she worries about me." Jase began. "You my friend look like an honest non-threatening person". Non-threatening, that's me.
  What's her name?
  "Signora Angelica Baglietto."
  "Oh, an heir."
  "More than the usual coddled heir. A ruthless business person."

The Answer:
In addition to Jim Carrey and Natascha McElhone as the two in love, there was Laura Linney, Holland Taylor. Ed Harris, Paul Giamati, Noah Emmerich and yes even Phillip Glass who even as a composer of much of the music, had an on-screen moment or two. It was just a great cast of character actors.

Hey...wait a minute! The old demeaning phrase, the favorite of 11 year old boys in the sandlot, "Your mother wears army boots", is now a badge of honor! Thanks to all of those mothers serving heroically in the Armed Forces.

So, when we go completely over to Cyberwarfare, with the they be called the Dis-Armed Forces.

"Good morning, and in case I don't see ya: Good afternoon, good evening and good night!"

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Keep you eye on the shell with pea.

Today's Tids Issue 2,652

Opening Stuff

FaceBook is behaving much like the DotCom fantasy that brought about the Clinton recession of the late 1990's. Like the Bush Boom, the Clinton climax was based upon Wall Street dreams enticed by promotionally induced hysteria. In the late 1990's there were dot com companies built upon nothing except cleverness by the very smart perpetrators. Eager, ill-informed buyers clamored to hitch a ride on the rocket to the moon. I was a part of that merry-go-round until Alan Greenspan eventually termed it as "Irrational Exuberance". Those two words combined with a Jack Welch (GE) Interview that coincided with the lifting of bans on founder stock selling broke the back of a market that was mostly a myth. Millions were made by a few and dreams were shattered for many. FaceBook may remain, but at a valuation level that equal its worth. But this new reality will now cast a suspicious eye on many Internet IPO's,

Let's see if I have this correct -- Independent RI Gov. (38% of Vote) Lincoln Chafee-Lite who has avowed time and time again that he is a classic, true Republican has announced that he will be attending the Democrat convention! What's that all about. Too many horse kicks in the head?

The Question:

"Sparkle", a movie opening today, is a remake of a 1978 Irene Cara movie. For what two things is Irene Cara best Known?

The Headlines:

--New Afghan Police Attack Kills Two More US Soldiers.

--Wildfires In West Continue Rampage.

--Dow Up Early; S&P Flat.

--GM To Reorganize Globally...Again.

--UN Quits Syria Monitoring Mission; Says It Can't Operate Now That Syria And Rebels Have Chosen Path Of War.

--New Attacks Across Iraq Kill Nearly 100.

--CDC Recommends That Baby Boomers To Get Tested For Hepatitis C.

I asked a friend of mine, A former US Army officer still doing regular consulting work for the Army, why the commanders don't ban soldiers in Afghanistan from having a drink or coffee with Afghans in police uniforms. He said, "They Can't". "Can't?" Said I. "Nope," Said he, "Being friendly to the locals is part of the US Government strategy for bringing the war to a peaceful end." "Putting soldiers in jeopardy of death is a strategy?" said I. "You got it," said he.

The good news is that the nights around here are getting cooler and cooler, meaning that the ocean temp should start dropping from higher than usual temp levels. The cycle for a pleasant brisk fall has begun. get out the fleece!

While this week's golf tournament, The Wyndham,  appears to have a weaker field, it may be the most exciting of the year. It is the last tournament for some to make the cut for the FedEx Playoffs, and others to improve their position i, which can mean a lot as the tourney moves forward. The top 125 make it. The bubble players to watch are those 126 to 130 playing to get in and those from 120-125 to stay in. 126 is Brandan Steele, followed by Ratief Goosen, Heath Slocum, Y.E. Yang and Gary Woodland. 125 is Rod Pampling who is preceded by Jhonathon Vegas, Jason Bush, Trevor Immelman, Boo Weekly and Jerry Kelly. In case you are interested, here's how the Ten in Jeopardy fared in the first round: Only three are in the top 25 -- Woodland, Immelman and Yang.

Since Post WWII, here are the 3 year recovery from recession stats, from best to worst. 1948-49, 25.4%; 1981-82, 18.5%; 1960-61, 18.4%; 1969-70, 16.4%; 1973-75, 14.1%; 1953-54, 12.4%; 1990-91, 9.8%; 1999-2001, 9.0%; 2007-09, 6.8%. Also, the current recovery has unemployment at 8.3% while the highest for all the others was 7.0%. Also, consumer spending is significantly lower. In looking at the statistics since 1990, I get a sense of paradigm change going on, where stats of the past aren't as relevant or meaningful to the present. The changeover seems to parallel manufacturing falling off a cliff, and the subsequent diminishing of a stable, well paid middle class. Newer middle class jobs are often cyclical or shorter termed due to the encroaching efficiencies of new technology. And of course, the lower paid workers of a global economy. It ain't your grandfather's economy anymore.

Family Fun at national Parks became quite tragic yesterday. In one section of Yosemite a ten year old boy was killed in a roaring stream while his 6 yo brother is missing. In another area called Curry Village, a popular lodging area, a man was stricken with a rodent borne disease and died. His wife is in serious condition. 

Like the UN could have stopped rebel aggression against the Government and vice-versa. 

What I'm seeing as the current level of reporting on the election is a series of "Gotcha" headlines that will bear little influence of the final vote. So basically, I'm trying to keep my temperament calm because it just isn't worth getting distraught over misinformation.

I just casually dismiss any headline that starts, "(X celeb) pleads guilty to DUI Charge".

If there ever was a classic example of why Democrats shouldn't be able to vote, it's that Harry Reid keeps on getting elected.

The young lawyer over-advised by an  associate looked up and said, "Get off of my case".

Reading Between the Lines Movie reviews:

--Sparkle, Starring Jordan Sparks in the Irene cars role, is musical journey about a prodigy singer trying to make it a tough world. Issues tear her family apart. She tries to balance her romance with her manager with dealing with her single mother and other unexpected roadblocks. She eventually brings in her two sister to form a trio. Some decent Motown music. Good little striving film.

--All of the Expendables are back plus a couple of new additions. The band of mercenaries accept what looks like an easy job and quick paycheck...until one of heir own is murdered. Now revenge is the guiding force and the team cuts a swath of destruction on the way to atoning for the death of there brother. Lots of action will reward action seekers.

--Paranormal is the animated feature for the week and it may be a little scary for kids. A misunderstood boy steps forward after a town is attacked by a band of zombies. The boy, Norman, is able to speak to the dead and he will also have to take on witches and ghosts. And Adults who wonder about his strange talent. The show is a little bit about kids understanding kids who aren't exactly like them.

The Answer:

I think after you read this answer you'll be humming all afternoon. Cara earned a Golden Globe Nomination for her 1980 performance in "Fame" and her recording of the title song became an international hit. In 1984, Cara won an Academy award for co-writing Flashdance... What a Feeling.

Often I can get the Tids out earlier, but invariably I get interested in topics I research and just keep on clicking away from site to site. It'a an occupational hazard.

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Repubs get energized.

Today's Tids Issue 2,648

Opening Stuff

After the weekend flurry, you have to wonder whether it's Ryan or Romney who is running for President!

All you have to know about why the Middle East may never be fixed could be found in Yesterday's headline: "Gunmen Kill Seven Targeted Iraq Shiite Muslims." That's opposed to shooting the Sunni's who were swimming beside the Shiites in a popular Iraqi waterhole. Hatred is innate and violent. Western negotiators who go in and say "Be like us", just don't get it. Neither side wants to know the truth. Sound familiar.

Tell me again why sending Dwight Howard to LAL is good for the NBA. Here's a league with pockets of so-called stars in 4 or 5 big glamor locations compiling glitsy records against workmanlike teams struggling for financial stability in 25 other cities. The NBA has be come the Harlem Globetrotters Show all over again, with a handful of teams the trotters and the rest of the league the Washington Generals.

The Question:
Who was Desiree Washington? What is she doing now?

The Headlines:
--Stock Markets Imitate August; Dull, Hazy And Cooling.
--Dems Repeat Hallow Criticisms Of Paul Ryan Over Weekend.
--House Sues Holder Over "Fast And Furious".
McElroy Breaks Nicklaus Margin Record In Winning PGS.
--New Quakes In Iran Continue To Kill.
--Romney Says His Economic Plan Rules.
--Extravaganza Brings Down Curtain At Olympics; London Event Considered One Of Best In History.
--Google Cuts 4,000 Motorola Employees.

The Democrat convention appears more and more as a platform upon which the Hillary's 2016 run will be built. And, you can take that to the bank. If "0" loses, the two some will ride in on white chargers to save the Democrat party. And Democrats will open their arms, apologizing profusely for not accepting the  spouse as their 2008 candidate.

The closing ceremony proved to once again, that music has gotten worse over the the decades. Queen rocked. The Lennon appearance was a nice touch.

I type these Tids in the hottest corner of the house. You can tell by the uneven, foggy thinking.

These are the times when I wish I was apolitical for a few weeks.

Do you get the impression that a lot more golfers are wearing red shirts for the final round of golf tournaments.

Waddaya want to bet that now with the great Paul Ryan on the ticket, the Dems run the pushing grandma off the cliff commercial for a month? Huge. But, the irony is that most people with brains, Dems and Repubs alike, know overtly or covertly that the only solution to the debt monster is getting at the entitlements. Ryan is the only guy with a plan and the plan will have no effect on existing Medicare recipients. The Congress and Lynden Johnson stole the SS Trust fun and it would be asking to much for them to give up a few lunches with lobbyists so the people could start getting it back? Remember the people?

The healthcare mess began way back when insurance based medical programs began. People didn't pay the bills, so they stopped thinking about what they were spending. Everybody just piled on after that.

The Conscience: Chapter 5 continues.  --
  Jason was executive all the way -- Tall, strong walker, dressed casual but distinctive; he showed up well against the background of minions. I was starting to breathe hard as I followed his determined walk, What is this -- some kind of executive marathon training exercise. Maybe he gave me the $25K advance for hospital expenses. Jason pulled a tiny device from his pocket, pressed something and the doors blew open. I stopped in my tracks. Mouth dropping like an anvil. His office looked like the interior of a $4 Million dollar sailing yacht, teak, brass and canvas and upholstered money.
  As I stood there looking like the cabbage that fell of a truck I heard the booming voice of my old pal, "Are y'all just gonna stand there like a gawking idiot, or are you gonna come in and start earning your money?"
  I didn't say anything. I just straightened up and took a purposeful stride into his heavenly impressive business playground. Jason was already sitting by the time I reached his desk, which looked like a small aircraft carrier. He motioned me to the seat to his right. The left seat was already occupied by a stoic looking Asian who I assumed to be my friend on the phone, Eugene Wu. He didn't look so friendly now. I felt that familiar cold sweat enveloping my body.
  "Anybody like a drink before we get started?" I wanted to shout, "Me, me, me". But I looked up at my friend's glare and said "nothing for me". He barely heard me.

The Answer:
Desiree Washington was the women, Miss Black America from RI, who accused Mike Tyson of rape. There is still a lot of controversy on the decisions. Most critics and observers agree that Tyson's view of morality is far different than the vast majority; That he probably considers rape as normal sex. Washington has pretty much disappeared, with most people thanking she still lives in Coventry RI and models for a living.

This column has to get funnier tomorrow. Politics has a way of changing senses of humor into depressing exasperation. It's a damn shame.

Survival 101.

Today's Tids Issue 2,647 Opening Stuff Jeez, does time fly. August is one third gone already. It's going so fast that I missed yesterday. Rats!! I just spent a couple of days up in Vermont with an old pal from the old neighborhood. I knew I was in trouble when I walked into his home and saw he was watching the Al Sharpton Show on MSNBC. Then he told me he was an avowed liberal. So I figured that the reason he called me Richard for two days was because of political correctness. You have to wonder that if the US Army tells it's men and women not to hang around with Afghanistan looking people in Police Uniforms, that ACLU will come after them for racial profiling. The Question: Name the Top Ten Saddest all time movies. I'm going with Bambi. The Headlines: --Romney Selects Paul Ryan. --Afghan Police Continue To Kill Unaware, Trusting US Soldiers. --Obama Pledges All-Out Response To Drought; He Is Expected To Meet With Rain Clouds On Tuesday. --Undecided Voter Numbers Growing Fast. --Syria, Jordan Forces Clash at Border; International Observers Worry About Expanded Regional War. --McGill U. Report: Ground Water Being Depleted Faster Than Replenished. --Howard Traded To LA In 4 team Megadeal. One thing you can always count on is that if you see a mountain you can expect to see a valley...or be in one. Sounds like good advice for stock purchasers. A day at the race track is a series of long waits between brief heart palpitations. My old socialist friend, a former economist with the Dept of Labor, actually believes in his heart that the US Federal bureaucracy should take over the running of the US and that includes running States and Towns. You have to wonder how many other happily retired Bureaucrats believe likewise. This is the real reason why the USA is in trouble. The millions upon millions of active and retired "Crats" will always be among the highest percentage of voting citizens and they will always vote in the vast majority to keep the monster well fed. Anybody who says that any negotiations with the Taliban are going well, is a fool. There's been an enormous amount of fortunes made by by people willing to do work that nobody else wanted to do. All of those little, made in Vermont products with hand written labels designed to appear as thougth there's a little old gray haired lady sitting in her kitchen table next to a wood fired stove cooking a magic "natural" sauce and filling jars, are really the product of a well conceived, well financed corporation probably run by a retired CEO and his kids. But, I did have a great home roasted pork sandwich made by a little grey haired older woman in a country store on a back road in the Green Mountain State tinged with red. This just adds to my belief that some of the best food is often found in a small out of the way town rather than in some over priced, trendy urban/suburban restaurant. I guess it just depends upon where you are on the Gourmet scale. Paul Ryan is a great choice. Moderate Democrats, a large voting block that could go either way, may argue that Ryan is too much of a lightening rod. I see him as an honest guy who sees the enormity of the problem and has the guts to stand tall and offer real solutions. A lot of the highly visible conservative talkers are ranting about the lack of visceral response from Romney against the continued Obama team misguided, misinformed attacks. As an old marketing guy, I believe it is too early to expose your most aggressive plans to a sleazy, say anything, do anything adversary. Let them come. Let them feel confident. Let them walk into a dead end canyon. And then, close the off the entrance and pounce. Personally, I think that is what Romney is doing. Timing is everything. And Ryan is just the first step in the beginning of the real post convention campaign. I still believe as I go through old cities that were once vibrant with broad manufacturing based economies, that Urban renewal of the 60's was the worst thing that ever happened to the beauty of America. It is a classic example of the Federal folks dumping huge piles of money around the landscapes of the purple mounted majesties, and local pols giving to anybody with a cement mixer. You can see the cities that are reviving t day around great old buildings versus the cities marred by a concrete block representing nothing dominating a downtown that probably had been a beautiful place. A reader writes this morning to suggest the Republican slogan: "Romney & Ryan; R&R -- Renewal & Recovery". He asked that we pass it around. It could also represent what it has always meant and be accurate -- R&R, rest and recuperation, after the wearing Obama years. The Answer: OK, Bambi isn't there, so you know how inaccurate this list is. #1 is Titanic. Next are The Green Mile, The Notebook, Schindlers List, Grave of the Fireflies, A Walk to Remember, Marley and Me, the Bridge to Terabithia, Hachi: A Dog's Tale and Pursuit of Happiness. Bambi is 39 and among other films I know, or that people have told me are sad we have Ghost at 48, Terms of Endearment - 36 and one of my personal favorites, Pay it Forward - 32. And Love Story which is about as sad as it gets is 91! See the entire list of 100: http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/top-ten-saddest-movies.asp How can you believe that a Democrat/Liberal really has love in their hearts when over the years they say so often, "I hate". Actually my old friend the liberal is still a good old friend. Because what you did together as kids growing up never changes. One thing you can count on in the coming weeks is that our fourth estate, taken a bit by surprise with the Ryan selection, will use every waking minute digging up and presenting anything negative they can find about Ryan. And if they can't find it, they'll make it up. Why is it again that we protect the freedom of the press? Is it September yet?

If I fry it, they will come.

Today's Tids Issue 2,643
Opening Stuff:

You go your way. I'll go mine. And I promise I won't tell Twitter.

As I look out the window watching the morning sun repeatedly thrust against low hanging clouds only to be repelled by the looming grey, I know I can still go outside and feel the warmth upon my back. But nooooo, I'm stuck here writing this mess.

"An emboldened Tea Party says 'Romney had better move to the right'." That sounds like a threat if I'm reading the above news report headline correctly. My initial thought was , what are they going to do , not vote for Mitt and hand the Presidency back to "0". But see, that's not what the Tea Party said at all. It's just misrepresentation be the headline writer once again. What the TP actually said was "If we can control both houses, and if Romney is elected, he will be forced to become more conservative."

The Question:

What did Gore Vidal actually do?

The Headlines:

--US Futures Brighter After Draghi (ECB) Remarks.freedom of speechfina

--Holmes Psychiatrist Warned His School Of His Aggressive Tendencies.

--New Jobless Claims Up Over Last Week.

--Empirical President Obama Has Signed Secret Order Authorizing US Support For Syrian Rebels.

--One Half Of US Now Considered Drought Disaster Area.

--San Bernadino Third Cal City Filing For Bankruptcy; $1 Billion In Debt.

People ate chicken yesterday. Readers reported from round the country that their CFA's were lines-round-the-block packed. Even up in communist Massachusetts the real people turned out in droves to enjoy clucking in triumph over hysterical intolerance. Even now the press continues to fan the flame by using the Phrase "Against gay marriage" instead of what Cathy actually said which was reiterating support for marriage as defined in the bible.

Sudafed: Brought litigation against a government official. Rubberneck: What you do to calm down your wife. Primate: What a wife does to remove mate from in front of TV. Selfish: What a worker at a seafood store does.

The headline this morning reads, "Trading firm Knight Capital Seeking Financing after erroneous trading position wipes out $440 Million". Is that anything like the Australian (Reported in Tids last week) who hid his sole assets of $15,637 in the "oven" instead of under the mattress? Stupid is as stupid does.

Note: Many people in lines waiting for chicken were there, not to support a stance on traditional marriage, but out of anger against the intolerance of groups (And small minded mayors) who promote aggression and threaten retribution against those who speak freely.

Instead of cleaning my glasses, I just read the morning paper on the IPad.

Newt Gingrich tells the Tea Party that Romney is already on the right.

The Answer:

Gore was basically most famous for being a liberal darling, maybe because his first big novel "The City and the Pillar" was best known as the first to feature unambiguous  homosexuality. Vidal spent a good portion of his younger adult life trying to figure out what his name was. His dad was a super athlete, All-American from West Point and Olympian, while his mom was basically a wealthy playgirl who at one time was married to Jackie K's step dad. Vidal was a prolific writer in many fields. He wrote of his experience as a sailor in a WWII novel and had Broadway hits The Best man and Visit to a Small Planet. He wrote for TV and was a screenwriter on Ben Hur. He probably achieved more contemporary popularity with the controversial Myra Breckenridge. He was above all a literary, cultural fad that never faded. He never stopped writing and the subjects are varied from pillorying Ronald Reagan to analyzing Armageddon. But, through it all he was best known as the champion of sexual liberation. The power of his essays may be one reason why liberals are so intolerant today.

The Obama executive branch is beginning to look smaller and smaller.

And I thought the people in greater Chicago were married traditionally and went to church on Sundays. Sorry Rom -- silly me.