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Today's Tids Issue 2,717

Opening Stuff:

Well, next week begins the time of celebrating the great gift that keeps on giving all year long -- the love of families.

Governor Chafee-Lite thinks it a good idea to name as chief honcho of the states overall education system a guy named George Coroulo who thinks it a good idea to have town school boards suing town councils for more money -- which doesn't even begin to make sense. His mindset is one that could undo all of the progress made by Dorothy Gist, while bankrupting towns long the way.

Finding sneakers for basketball players is no small feat.

The Question:
Sad news junk food lovers: After a prolonged strike, the union has forced Hostess to throw in the towel. The company will be selling off it's assets and the jobs for workers will no longer exist. Name five Hostess products which have reached cult status over the years.

The Headlines:
--Markets Opening Down -- Again.
--Obama Meeting With Reid, McConnell, Boehner And Pelosi. Prez Offers Smaller Plan.
--Turkey Prez Accuses Israel Of Staging Pre-Election Stunt In Gaza; Egypt Prez Calling For Truce.
--Israel Calls Up 16,000 Reservists.
--Veteran's Parade Float Caught On Railroad Tracks As Train came By; 4  Dead, 17 Injured.
--GOP Presidential Hopefuls Already Laying Groundwork For 2016.
--Miguel Cabrerra, Buster Posey MLB NL And AL MVP's.
--Petraeus testifying.
--Salvador Dali Etching Found In Tacoma WA Goodwill Store.

When did the words "I don't have any more money with which to pay you," stop making sense to union bosses?

Did you hear about the guy who stopped to smell the roses and developed an intense allergic reaction.

You have to expect that the conference between the big Five -- Prez + 2 each from Senate and House may have trouble moving forward considering that Mitch McConnell said of 0-Man's latest proposal just two days ago, "It's a joke." He also reiterated his opposition to taxing the "rich" and stated the Republicans will fight any WH proposal that doesn't include serious entitlement reform. So, it doesn't appear much will happen except that just before The Man steps upon the stairway to Air Force 1 for a trip to Asia, he will turn to the camera and say something to the effect that the Repubs are ruining America. And he, the do nothing President who frankly is the only real culprit, will disappear into the clouds.

I think I realized yesterday why young people work out so much. It's to have the strength to carry all of the booze, wine and beer out of liquor stores. I sensed tis as I was trying to lift a twelve pack of beer from a cooler shelf above my head. You know the drill, try to look cool to the muscular youths around you while wondering how you will ever be able to complete the task.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The last time a big movie about Lincoln was made was in the 1930's and I saw it in the forties as  part of my eduction in school The memories of the man are indelibly stamped firmly in my brain. The new version by Speilberg is excellent with amazing acting by all of the lead characters -- Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, though none reach the premiere status of Daniel Day Lewis as the Honest Abe. It moves from civil war strategies to the 13th amendment discussions to the relationship of Mary Todd and husband Abe. Hopefully it will become a new source of enlightenment for today's kids.
--Unfortunately, most kids will probably go to a new version of the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, and vampires. I don't know anything about the film except that some say it isn't as good as the other films in the series. But, saga fans are man and they will go.
--Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina explores the capacity for love that is actiivel alive in eery person's heart. As Anna questions her happiness  and marriage, change that comes infects many around her. A good  film and will garb your emotions.

I lift a glass of warm grog to the seamen who work the docks dressed for winters wrath; performing tasks against the bite of icy harbor waters that never relent; hardy men and women rarely noticed by people who only see the order of boats in safe harbors when the warming sun calls them back to the sea.

The Answer:
It was the stubbornness of the union chiefs which directly led to the closing of Hostess, but it was the growing nanny state led by food nazi's that contributed to the declining sales and the disintegration of jobs for good people. But, through the black cloud are the smiles on kids faces enjoying Twinkies, Wonder Bread "That builds strong bodies 8 ways*", Ding Dongs, Devil Dogs, Ho-Ho's and Natures Pride. Not so sweet is the loss of jobs for 18,500 good people.
*Especially good for butter and sugar sandwiches.

Have a perfect weekend everybody! Start thawing your turkeys.

There must be more to observe today, but it just doesn't seem to be flowing into my mind.