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.