Today's Tids Issue 2.763
Opening Stuff:
 
I was really happy this morning, snowflakes drifting down; that intense quiet that only occurs when the earth turns white again. And then, I had a small bout with local government logic, and now I'm mad as hell. Rats!

There's a lot of rationalization going on by both sides of the political spectrum on what exactly the economic numbers really mean. The left says that the rise in unemployment is good, and of course the right says we're doomed. The fact is that we are in a slow growth mode no matter the rationalization. And it may be worse. Nobody is talking about the effects of the low interest rate as an impediment to growth. That the 1% interest rate is the number one concern of many companies, forcing them to shift large amounts of cash reserves to shore up no growth pension funds; cash last year that was used for plant expansion and capital improvement. For instance, Ford just shifted $5 Billion into a weakened pension portfolio, about the same amount hey spent last year to build factories...for, you guessed it, workers.

Venture capital companies are also under the gun, as their sources for capital dry up, and there are fewer good investment opportunities. The total amount of capital for all VC companies has fallen from $40 Bil in 2007 to $20 Bil today. Here's the point about the two stories, capital sources are thin despite the Fed continuing low rate. Yesterday I wrote about the new Dem "Make It In America" Bill proposal where companies could apply for Government grants. Do you see where I'm headed with this Conspiracy theory? The Fed keeps the rate low, and Big Brother emerges as a favored financier. Is my paranoia showing.

The Question:
Double "Q" Bonanza. 1. What are Alabama Shakes, Fun, Hunter Hayes, The Lumineers and Frank Ocean? 2. This question will force people to go back a ways, and it may be too far for some. The classic 1938 Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall live recording of Sing, Sing, Sing featured three trumpet players, a pulsating drum performance with a memorable solo and a piano solo which is considered classic, a one of kind in history. Name the musicians. Who wrote Sing, Sing, Sing?

The Headlines:
--Justice Department Memo Says It Is Ok To Kill US Citizen Abroad IF Believed They Are al-Qaida Linked; Document Provides Legal Rational To Support Drone Attacks.
--Improving Home Price report Has Stocks Moving Upward.
--Dell Going Private In $24 Billion Deal; As PC's Decline, Company Wants Wall Street Off Back.
--0-Man To Offer Small Package Of Spending Cuts, ta reform To Satve Off "Sequester"; Plan Is To Offer Congress More Time.
--North Korea Threeatens Stronger Measures Than Nuke test.
--Iran's Ahmadinejad Visits Egypt's Mursi In Historic Meet; Iran, Egypt Union Would Squeeze Israel.
--Japan, China At Odds After China Aims Weapon Radar At Japan Warship.

There's nothing better with which to regain the promise of morning's happy glow, than a giant bowl of ice cream. For me, it's vanilla. Personally, I believe all Ice Cream makers should judged on how they use the basic vanilla bean, and not by stuff they put into it. "Epicurious" judged 13 makers and here's how they rate on vanilla. #1 Whole Foods! The First Runner-up was Breyers Natural and Third was Ben & Jerry's. The rest of the thirteen in order were: Lasalle, Turkey Hill, Haagen Dazs, Graeters, Stoneyfield Farm, Ronnybrook Farm, Edy's Slow Churned, SoCo Creamery, 365 Organic and Blue Marble. The judges were particularly disappointed with Blue Marble becasue they like their other flavors. They described Blue Marble as "Bad Vanilla Frosting". Hmmmm.

But then, I come from that school of thought that also believes that pizza makers should be judged on their ability ot make a good basic cheese pizza, just as ice cream makers be judged on basic vanilla. And Fried Chicken makers on rich creamy gravy.

How come liberals seem to like naming their cats Atticus?

Obama continues to trumpet his Tax the Rich slogan. It's pretty well known among those with brains that more taxes from the rich will not reduce the deficit, but will cover Obama's pet programs which are in creases to a budget, if the Senate ever decides to wake up.

In their SB commercial, Subway gave us a good idea about their target demographic -- people who think it's hard to say February! I guess if you can isolate a dumbed down customer base, you can sell them anything. 

Actually, I'm on a health kick. I notice that brown rice is better for you, so I took white rice and stirred in dark chocolate syrup.

With advancing technology, the 2nd Amendment should be expanded to allow citizens to own drones to protect themselves against a rambunctious government assault form the sky. Or at least ground to air missiles.

Israel may have elected a more moderate government calling for attention to domestic issues, but surrounding developments may soon revive a call for tough Netanyahu style aggressiveness. Iran and Egypt talking plus Hezbollah reactivating, threaten any possible peaceful environment. We can all wish for nirvana, but reality keeps on getting in the way.

The Answer:
1. The five names are the nominees for the Grammy Best new Performer award. Huh?  2. Sing, Sing ,Sing was written by Louis Prima and is still performed today. But nothing will ever compare to the improvisational Carnegie Hall event. The piano player was Jess Stacey and the drummer was Gene Krupa. The trumpet players were Harry James, Ziggy Elman and Chris Griffin. Interestingly, the original title was Sing, Bing, Sing -- for Bing Crosby.

Sing, Sing, Sing got all of the publicity, but another Carnegie Hall concert featured an equally exciting improvisational moment for "Honeysuckle Rose". It sneaks up on you, and soon you're just bouncing along to the beat.

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