Salvation and Baseball.

Today's Easter Tids Issue 2,802

Opening Stuff:

 

I can see clearly now the cross that's there.
My mind perplexed of the words I hear,
"I thirst"; "God, why have you forsaken me"
Is he God? Or merely tortured man we see.
He is, the Savior; Sent by God, his only Son.
This man for us; The Resurrection; We have won.

Not much to write about today. After remembering, absorbing the magnitude, the meaning of Jesus dying on that cross; Reviled by doubters, suffering as a human, so that future generations may be free from past original sins...for ever, and ever.  What else is there?

The Question:

Who were the few gathered below the cross as Jesus died?

The Headlines:

--Billions Around The World Remember the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

--North Korea Reacts To US/SK Exercises With New Threats; Deployment Of Missiles.

--As Markets Reach New Peaks, Analysts Warning Of Pull-Backs.

--Cyprus Banks Reopen To Calm Public.

--Bombs Throughout Middle East, North Africa Continue To Kill.

--Chief Justice Roberts Latest Victim Of Credit Card Fraud.

--All Girls Smith College Rejects Transgender Applicant, Calliope Wong.

--Boston College Threatens To Expel Students In Organization Giving Out Free Condoms.

One of the big ongoing battles lately in Rhode Island has been for the Chairmanship of the Republican party  -- 3 guys fighting for the right to lead the state's 137 Republicans out of the desert. But, out of obscurity comes the truth.

Easter Morning always seems brighter than the average day, even when it's raining.

After eating the ears off the chocolate bunny, downing a ham dinner shared with great friends, New Englander's will be focusing on Monday when the Beloved Red Sox open the 2013 season against the Ya-Ya-Ya...Well you know who I mean. That team from the Bronx. I and some fellow Sox'ers are feeling slightly less despondent after the Spring. The pitching looks better and a couple of rookies could be a pleasant surprise. Actually I feel great, like the Red Sox days of yore, before they won the two World Series. Those days when they made you cry more than thrill, but the thrills they gave were exceptionally rapturous. So, it's a wait and see year, and I love the unknown. I guess you feel the same about your teams.

One of the great lessons of today, Good Friday, is forgiveness.

What does Lazaro have that I cannot see? Once again he escapes as the best of the guy singers last Wednesday, Devin Levez, got axed. Well, next week a female singer will definitely be in the bottom three, probably Amber or Janelle. An internet poll has Candice as the Favorite to win it all closely followed by Kree and Angie.  Janelle is next down a peg or two. Amber, surprisingly to me, is down with the guys.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

Not a banner week, but here goes anyhow.

--The Host may or may not be good depending on how over the top they treat this old formula. An unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories. Melanie Skylar risks all to save loved ones.

GI Joe: Retaliation; The title tells it all. GI Joes must not only fight mortal enemy, but also threats from inside their own government.

--In Tyler Perry's Temptation, Ivy League educated Marital relations expert can't solve own marriage problems. She breaks her own rule to have an affair with client, which develops into dangerous situation. Could be ok. Warning: A Kardashian is in this movie.

The Answer:

There were three Mary's -- His mother, His mother's sister and Mary Magdalene. There were two or three soldiers, three criminals on the other two crosses and several Jewish officials and one passerby who came to mock him. The disciples were in hiding.

Which came first, the Chicken or the Easter egg? What came before the universe? Yes that little egg we see in baskets of green grass, roll or hunt each Easter Sunday is truly part of the big question. It is a symbol of the mystery; of what God has touched in the past. The answer is of course, God came first. And that explains everything.

Happy Easter everybody!

I leave you with something truly beautiful for Easter morning, the final movement of Gustav Mahler's  8th Symphony: The Resurrection
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYM54vhLYTU

Open air.

Today's Tids Issue 2,7801
Opening Stuff:

Some days you just feel a closeness to everyone you know even though they are miles away. It's like the world has let down all the barriers and memories flow freely. Some days you sense if you reached out, an old friend would be there to shake your hand. Give a hug. Say, "How you doin' old friend."

Left leaning columnist Juan Williams cut through the crap about guns and murder in his WSJ piece yesterday; A well thought out column that focused on race. His opening was that whites are more against gun control than blacks because whites just don't get murdered enough. But he didn't stop there. He said the real problem isn't guns at all but the lack of family continuity in the black community. Among other things, he traced the growth of out of wedlock births since the civil rights movement, showing a modest increase among whites during those changing times, a slightly larger increase for Hispanics and among blacks an explosion to 74%! He noted than when black leaders, including President Obama, point out this very real problem in places like Chicago, they are threatened by the old black controllers like Jesse Jackson. 54% of all gun killings are among 13% of the population, blacks. Why he asks do young people in the black community consider gun ownership a right of passage, going to jail a badge of honor. Why, he answers, because there is no family unit. That is the issue. That is the problem, he says.

Fireman bring the dalmatians along in their trucks to help them find hydrants

The Question:
Who was a Mortician Beautician before becoming a famous comedian, TV and Film personality? Bonus: What famous British author drown herself outside her Sussex Home. Hint: Her name is in the title of an oft performed play.

The Headlines:
--4th Q GDP Growth Sluggish At 0.4 Annual Rate; Misses Estimates; Business Capital Investment At 13.2% Stronger Than Expected.
--Dow Up; S&P Breaks Record.
--US Sends Stealth Bombers To SK AS NK threats Escalate.
--Madoff Says Banks In On Scheme; JP Morgan On Hook With Congress About Missing Documents And Madoff Ties; Arch Criminal Names Mellon, HSBC and Citi As Scam Partners..
--Boston's Mayor Manino To Step Down After More Than Two Decades.
--Italy's Bersani Makes Another "Last Ditch" Appeal.
--Bombs Continue To Kill Throughout Middle East; 15 Dead In Damascus U. Mortar Attack.
--Putin Showing Off Military Might In Black Sea Exercises.

American Idol:
Fortunately the men are still bad enough to make a mediocre performance by Angie look decent. Once again, Lasaro proved he doesn't belong on that stage. But why muck around in the slop when I should lauding, standing and applauding all of the good things that happened and especially a great performance by Janelle; A late bloomer who just continues to get better. Candice seemed below par last night, but she is still one of the best, as is Kree who just stands up their in her coolness and mesmerizes. Again I liked Amber. To me, Devin is the most consistent of the men. Now Burnelle is a mystery, mainly becasue the judges love him so much and I am always left quite unimpressed. The bottom three should be Angie, Burnelle and....Lasaro, who should go. Alas, last week he was a piece of crap, and he didn't even make the bottom three. An Internet poll has it Janelle, Amber, Candice, Kree, Devin, Burnelle Angie and the man who makes excuses.

We could argue for decades, but same sex marriage will be legal everywhere within a year or two. It's just the way things work.

I was looking at a can of Bumble Bee Tuna yesterday and thinking, what do Bumble Bees have to do with fish? Nothing. Many of the great, top of mind brands we seek would never be with today's advanced marketing technology. A brand name suggestion would be tweaked, pinched, squeezed, bent, punched, stretched and hammered until the perfect name appeared, like "Contuity". What the hell does that mean? I like the old brand names which may have been named after a daughter or a pastime or place lived, and caught on because the product it represented was great! As best as can be determined Bumble Bee was the name of one of the sailing fishing vessels in 1899 when the company began.

Ever since it stormed on the scene, Nike as a brand has rubbed me the wrong way for some inexplicable reason. Maybe it's been their commercials, or maybe just the irritable appearing, to me, "Swoooosh". It was inexpiable, until last Monday when they pushed out over Twitter an ad showing Tiger Woods and the line "Winning Takes Care Of Everything". So, that's about it, right. Do anything but in the end, make sure you win.

If you are out there loving your calamari, there's  a good chance it came from New England and most likely Rhode Island. Of the 12,963,000 pounds caught in NE, 7 Million pounds are caught in these local waters. So while Florida and the Caribbean have swim with Dolphins, we can counter with swim with squid. How great is that!

Some kids go though their early years thinking they're 4-6 years old, because that's what it says in their underwear. Me, I'm medium.

I think that 13.2% increase in business capital investment including new facility construction is one of the better numbers to come along in years. The release of funds by companies could signify their collective more positive outlook for future. As they always say in the executive bathrooms...Something has to happen before something happens.

Stepping on Christians has become the national pastime in some sectors of this free society. Making fun of sacred beliefs is the fodder of playwrights and comedians; crass artists. But, earlier in this holy week, a Florida Atlantic U. Prof. took it literally, asking students to write in large block letters on a piece of paper -- "Jesus". They were then to place the paper on the floor and step on it! The intent, says the school, was to provoke discussion. But you know some intolerant person or persons thought it hilarious.

Here's some more actual headlines from real newspapers with College educated journalists: "Marijuana Issue Sent To Joint Committee"; "Republicans Turned Off By Size of Obama Package"; "Study Shows That Frequent Sex Enhances Pregnancy Chances."; "Seventeen Remain Dead In Morgue Shooting Spree.".

Have you noticed how hard it is to read foreign film subtitles on certain backgrounds. The current new favorite color seems to be yellow, and it does not help at all. I should think that with all of the available computer technology, a program could be written that monitors changing backgrounds and alters word colors appropriately.

The Conscience: Chapter 17 continues.
"Much is a good word," I answered. I was in an inured state. 
Angelica just stared at me for a few seconds, cool as ever. "You are right. These are things that are not normal. The explosion bothers me a lot. Even though it appears to make my bargaining position stronger, it is an intrusion in the way we like to operate. It feels like somebody else is interested what we are doing. I am a very suspicious woman. I have suspicions about what you may be trying to get from me. I have suspicions about what competitors do. I have suspicions of what my employees are doing when I'm not looking. I have suspicions about my parents who own this company."
   Now it was my time to pause. What does she really think of me? "So, you are a cautious person." I smiled, and she laughed at that, at her own frailty.
    Surprisingly, Mr. Morgan, I am beginning to trust you even after I caught you sneaking around my company. Why did you go to that building last night?"
   I told her of my run-in with Mr. Mean, and that it aroused my curiosity, like Area 51.
   "Area 51?"
   I explained Area 51, and she replied, "O so now we are aliens!" She laughed at her own remarks.
   While she was laughing I stupidly said, "You are not an alien, but you are out of this world!"

The Answer:
1. Whoopie Goldberg started life as a Mortician Beautician. She was nervous in this new job until a day or two after starting when she heard a creaking sound and turned to see one of the body storage drawers opening. When completely out, she saw a body rise and wave at her. Before dying from fright, her boss jumped off the table and said, "That is the worst thing that can happen here and it won't, so there is nothing to be scared of." She was cool with the job after that.  Bonus: Virginia Wolfe was the woeful soul who drown herself in the cooling waters of a lake near her home. That's why nobody is afraid of her.

As you travel around life's road bend, he most pleasant sight is an oncoming friend.

Have a great Holy Thursday everybody.

Laissez Faire or Bust!

Today's Tids Issue 2,800
Opening Stuff:

There are just some things that should never be improved upon. And one of them is Peep's. There's a recipe floating around for homemade Peep's that claims to be...are you ready for this...better than Peeps. No. Peeps are Peeps. They are the ultimate. Dirty, rotten store bought Peeps can't be beat. They are what they are. And Grandma in the kitchen cannot make them better.

Put me in that group who thinks the new Jeep Cherokee is a cop-out to conformity. They call racy, hip and sexy, but it isn't the beloved square, original Jeep Cherokee. It isn't a Cherokee at all. I was excited they were bringing back my old favorite, until I saw the picture. Rats.

Everything is changing, some for the better and others for the worst. But you ain't seen nothing yet until you visit a urinal at the Lehigh Valley Pa. Philadelphia farm team, "The Iron Pigs"* There's an electronic game attached to the urinol that turns on when a fan approaches. The man controls the screen action by his "aim". Yikes. I guess the more beer you drink, the longer you get to play!
(*Note: The Iron Pigs refers to the proud heritage of the Lehigh Valley when steel production reigned at one of America's biggest and most famous mills, Bethlehem Steel. The "valley" consists of three cities within 15 miles of each other -- Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.)

The Question:
In 1972 an actor refused to accept the Best Actor Oscar for the role in a film voted Best Movie. Name the actor/actress and the film.

The Headlines:
--North Dakota Governor Signs Bill Banning All Abortions Where Heartbeat Is Present.
--Italy's Comedic Change Party Says It Will Never Back Center Left Government
--"O" Appoints First Woman Head Of Secret Service; Move Expected To Cut Down On Agent Visits To Prostitutes.
--SC May Be On Way Towards Sidestepping Gay Marriage Controversy; Let The Hysteria Cool, They Seem To be Saying.
--Cyprus Government Setting Controls To Avert Bank Run By Anxious, Scared Depositors.
--North Korea Increases Threat Level By Cutting Communications With South.
--Admin Official now Makes It Official That Costs Will Rise Under Obamacare.
--Supreme Court To Acept Case Against IRS Slapping Extreme Penalties On ta Shelter Cases.

I wonder if that urinal in the Lehigh Valley also analyzes your DNA and sends it int the FBI. You never know.

My heart aches for those in Cyprus. How hard is it to watch your own hard earned money become the pawn in a financial transaction to save politicians from their bad decisions. Think about how we would feel if the US Government told us that because of the National Debt, they ware taking half of what we have in our savings, checking and investment accounts. Of course they would only tell you that after they had successfully squelched the 2nd Amendment.

A reader suggests that Yesterday's School test taker's answer to the Caesarian Section question had to be made up. Everybody knows that today's' kids know a lot more about pregnancy and birth than the Roman Empire, if anything at all.

The American colonies revolted and reorganized under a new constitution for one simple reason -- harmful intrusive government policies they had known and didn't ever want again. They didn't write a constitution authorizing the government to pry into every citizens life. They wrote it to be exactly the opposite -- a  minimalist central government authorized by its parts, the States, to provide services that cross state lines and defend the people. Let us alone, and we the people will become great again.

Brakes screech, horns of cars behind honk...as you eye an antique shop with interesting appearing stuff at he opening of the quaint bard. Interesting appearing until you get within 15 feet of it, and see nothing but junk. And this, you think is the best they have to attract drivers speeding by. From screeching brakes to heart breaks in a matter of seconds. Antique stores are definitely not what they used to be. Antique's Road Show has inflated prices to the point where the dealers are having trouble finding good affordable stuff. Most of the stuff I'm seeing now is yunger than me, and if I may say so, of lesser quality.

The left never gives up trying to demean Republicans. Yesterday somebody released super 8 films of what they are calling Nixon buffoonery. That was what 50 years ago.

Speaking of buffoons, I think our Governor is getting a bad rap. I'm not saying he doesn't look like a buffoon at times when speaking or answering questions, but I believe he putting together some promising programs for RI and the future. I was speaking to a successful RI business man the other day who said, "When you're in the trenches like I am, you sense an undercurrent of new initiatives coming from Chafee-Lite which would most certainly lead to important improvements. Unfortunately his antics often become the bigger story from a lazy media and idiots like the Tidster." So there!

I see where Mark Zuckerberg is going to use part of his multimillions to start a Political advocacy group. Let's see...his constituency are millions of people who think it's a good idea to give away all of their life secrets to the world at large. And, he is going to rally them to help get America off of its downward spiral. Beware of idle billionaires, becasue they think they have inherited the Earth.

The Conscience: Chapter 17 continues.
   I was early for my afternoon meeting with Angelia. I had calmed my anxiety and trips into my nagging consience with a couple of strong vodka's on he rocks and a beautiful Chianti with a delightful pasta lunch. I was glad I minimized my alcohol intake for the meeting. One must stay sharp with Angelica. That, so far is what I have leraned most.
   She only kept me waiting for less that a minute.,"  I had just picked up a magazine in Italian, which would be impossible to read, when the giant wooden doors to her office burst open and her smile emerged. I just say there with my jaw on my lap. Something inside said I should rise and act like a human. I refused to say "Wow! do you look great". "Hi Angelia, you seem to plan your schedule well. She smiled again, and I didn't shrival up into a blob on the floor.
   "I do when I'm waiting for you," she said. Of course now I was utterly speechless. "Did you enjoy that magazine," she added as she turned, a signal for me to follow. I looked at the magazine, smiled and threw it on the table. It landed neatly.
   "So Jeff," she started before she reached her desk, a lot has happened since we last met formally."
   "I would say that you are very observant." That brought a little grin form her. "And it makes me think about a lot of inconsistancies."
   "Inconsistencies," she said with a quizzical, amusing inflection.
   Well I guess you might call an explosion that destroyed half of one company involved in a negtiaton is inconsistent with normalcy. And of course you sneaking around your own building in the middle of the night is at least odd."
   "I guess we have much to discuss today, don't we?" She reached for a glass of water that made me think of gin.

The Answer:
The Godfather won best Picture and Marlin Brando was the reluctant star. I didn't care.

Go out and stand in the sun, look up into the sky and shout, We the People, endowed with certain unalienable rights...can do it. We, us, all hardy Americans can strive because the potential for success lies within the heart of every individual. Laissez Faire or bust.

How deep is the ocean; How high is the sky.

Today's Tids Issue 2,798
Opening Stuff:

Happy Holy Week everybody! A profound week it is. A time to look beyond the stars, in a universe that has no end. To consider overwhelming love, so deeply beyond human comprehension. To consider your humility, an infinitesimal spec in a vast unknown. Yet within, greatness in every heart. Free will, Singular talent. Holy week, seven days which are the fulfillment of complete love -- Agony, crucifixion and death, resurrection and salvation. A week at times beyond the scope of human understanding; Yet a week that is only meaningful because it was human.

And, of course, Passover. Passover, which begins tonight with Seder, and celebrates for seven days the commemoration of a work of God that freed the Israelites from their slavery under the Egyptians. The celebration of passover from Exodus, which was the rebirth for a great people; The creation of a Nation under Moses. A nation under laws of God that serve Jews and Christians alike; and all people who live as loving, giving humans. Passover most precious to the Jewish people, is a celebration of deliverance for all people under God. A time when all people who live under love thank the Jewish people for their courage.

A health care system that relies on a wellness utopia where flawed human beings change into perfect physical specimens and don't get sick, is doomed.

If you look around you, it's pretty obvious that fashion designers create mainly for fashion critics.

The Question:
Triple "Q" Easter/Passover Week Special: 1.  It's NCAA B-Ball Time, March Madness, Final Four and all that hoopla.  Considering all of this movement between NCAA conferences for big bucks, how many of the 119 1-A big football colleges Athletic Departments are in the Black? 2: Name the consensus Top Ten All Time Golfers. Bonus: Why do Jews eat unleavened bread at Seder?

The Headlines:
--Snow Cast Pure White Brilliance Over Land At Beginning Of Holy/Passover Weeks.
--Cyprus Deal Has Investors Smiling Again.
--In Fighting Among Syrian Rebel Sects Has Leader Of Western Backed Groups Stepping Down; Moderate Al-Khatib Concerned By Formation Of Provisonal Rebel Government By Muslim Brotherhood Sympathisers.
--Gay Nation Atwitter As SC Justices Dust Off Seats For Marriage Hearings.
--Victims Of Past Shootings (Columbine, Va Tech et. al) Urge Establishment Of Dispersal Organizations For Donations; Too Many Of Existing "Non-Profits" Keep Too Much Of Money.

I really feel sorry for Nancy Pelosi. I really do. The politcs of political correctness is stewing her brain. It's sad for a human to watch another human decline, struggling to include all constituencies (Except conservatives) in every sentence uttered. It's one of the tough things about being a human with heart, watching others suffer.

Most people who don't see the truth, don't want to.

As the world becomes more automated, we will eventually go back to marveling at the accomplishments of the unconnected.

I'm thinking too much today.

After all of these years I still don't understand the now departed "Tuck" Rule, and how it saved the Patriots from that disastrous fumble. You see, conservatives say, "Hey, he dropped it, period. It's a fumble. Game over." Liberals say, "It looks like he dropped it, but it wasn't his fault. Give him another chance."

There's something about headlines like "Obama approves aid for Rhode Island". Like it's his money or something.

Some people call a multi-talented person with broad interests a Renaissance Man. I call it advanced A.D.D.

Ask the LA Dodgers what they think of the just completed World Baseball Classic.

If you walk into a garden shop and wonder which plants are best for sun or shade, you really don't have to ask. A good farm stand or plant shop owner will have it all arranged by where the sun hits most and least. Just look around you, the answers are always there.

Speaking of walking on water, did you hear the one about President Obama dieing suddenly in Jerusalem while visiting the Holy Land? The undertaker there told US officials that it would be beautiful to have him buried in this Religious place for only $100, or he could be flown home for $1 Million. The diplomats huddled and come back saying they will ffly him home, The undertaker, puzzled, asks why. "Well," says one diplomat, " 2000 years ago a man was buried here and rose from the dead three days later. We just can't afford that risk."

When  the left hand is injured, a right handed person all of a sudden learns how many things they did automatically with their left hand

The first baseball game I ever saw was the Brooklyn Dodgers versus the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were a Dodger nemesis in those 1940's years -- very good teams with Nicholson, Cavaretta, Borowy, Hack, Sheffing and of course Andy Pafko, who killed the "Bums" at every meeting. But, of course the big news, the big draw that day was Dodger First basement, the player astonishing the world with otherworldly exploits, Jackie Robinson. All eyes were always glued on #42, slashing hits to the outfield, dancing off the bases, taunting pitchers, stealing home. I sat there my first time in a big league stadium, in total awe. He always delivered, and as kid that what was all that mattered. But the new  movie "42" due out in a week or so will be all about that Jackie I never knew as a kid with a ratty glove. It will show many more battles to survive than the first JR movie showed. All I knew about Jackie Robinson was what he did, and how I wanted to run like him when I with my pals walked on that dusty field of yore, with taped up balls and broken bats.

The Conscience: Chapter 18 continues.

   Jeff thought he felt better about being in Genoa after talking to his voice from the past, Jason. The big problem he was now all of a sudden was facing was that his head was clearing and too many conflicting thoughts were fighting for beach heads in his sodden brain. It hurt. He tapped his pocket for the feel of a life preserver. Ah, this one feels like Scotch. Jason smiled to himself.

   The better solution was to ignore the side battles in his stomach and com up with a solution. Don't reach inside your coat ot that inside pocket. He looked around the square where hundreds walked quickly by from all directions oblivious to his little war. He felt that familiar shiver, a drop of sweat on his forehead. Ah shit, he muttered. His had ran up to part his coat. Just one  little reinforcement. His head was turning as he reached inside, and he caught sight of the big Biglietto building where yesterday he was behaving like a sane efficient lawyer, if there is such a thing he thought of Angelica methodically moving through her morning. Why was she there last night. Sneaking around her own warehouse. Why, why, why.

   The first question that always came to his mind these past couple of days was, why am I here in the first place. Evvy had hit it on the button when she said, "That sounds weird to me." $25,000 checks out of the blue from from former friends but essentially strangers is definitely strange. Here I was oozing off a bar stool like meltng wax when an old friend who I remembered most for slurring blacks rings my phone, becomes my angel from heaven. His voice just now had immediately had brought back all of those memories from that sultry Mobile Alabama night. The dead eyes of the body, and the haunting eyes of that boy. Yet here I am

The Answer:

1. Just 19 0f the 119 1a Athletic departments were in the black. The athletic programs had become the big casino in the sky, where Presidents of U's were betting to get the hoped for big pay off. But most are finding they ae subsidizing athletic programs at higher and higher rates, sucking valuable resources from the main mission, making people smarter. 2. The top ten Golfers are always 1 and 2 Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. the rest of the ten on various lists are Bobby Jones (He even misses one list!), Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Walter Hagan, Sam Snead Arnie Palmer, Gary  Player, Gene Sarazen or Tom Watson depending on the list. On one Top 20 list, three women made it -- Micky Wright, Anika Sorenstam and the great "Babe" Diedrickson Zaharias. Other than Gary Player, the other foreign player mentioned was Sevi Ballestaros. Bonus: As you all may know, the Israelites marked the front doorposts with the blood of a lamb so that the Angels bringing plague to the Egyptians would Pass over them. In their rush to leave the Jewish people left before their bread could rise.

I see where the new headline for the past couple of days has been, "Kerry makes surprise visit to (Fill in blank)." I'm seeing a great Saturday Night Skit in that. I'm sure you can too. Start laughing!

So if you see me and it looks like I'm wandering aimlessly, unseeing...don't worry, I'm just pondering.

To have and to hold.

Today's Tids Issue 2,797
Opening Stuff:

The key issue in the gay marriage arguments is the First Amendment. You know the one, it protects religion from Government (As opposed by the way the ACLU and partners have used it against religion). A state may pass a law condoning same sex-marriage, but the 1st forbids states and Feds from forcing churches to perform them when they are against issues of faith. On the other hand a religion can't prevent the "Marriages" by others who would perform them. It may be distasteful, and probably abhorrent to many of those who consider marriage a sacred sacrament; A practical sacrament at that, meant to procreate children in a family based orderly system. But, man's law is part of the system, as is the great gift of free will possessed by all humans.

A guru of mine says that brains need open space in which to relax. Composers do it with soft passages against hard arguments; Artists paint blue skies to ease the pain of bloody wars. So, why not the Tids? Relax:





                                                                                        (Blank)





We live in a country where small groups control big ones. A large contingent of Hassidic Jews many years ago moved from Brooklyn NY to Spring Valley NY, which years and years ago I remember as a place that sounds like it's name, a flourishing landscape in rolling hills. But that was before the Tappan Zee Bridge...and people. Now it is mainly Blacks, Hispanics and the Jews. And really crowded. The Jewish group built their own schools for their kids, and now have formed coordinated groups to beat down the costs of public education, creating an uprising among the majority whose kids use those schools. Organized minorities are beating the crap out of established majorities. It is the new America.

Cheerleader outfits ain't what they used to be.

The Question:
As far as I'm concerned, good windows often make the building. Name five US window manufacturers.

The Headlines:
--Marine Kills Two At Quantico; Harry Reid Asked Not To Comment.
--Stock Markets Open Higher Good Retail Reports After Yesterday's Sell-Off; Holds Strong During Day Micron Leads Techs Up.
Blackberry Stock Drops After Intro Of New Z10: Lack Of Buzz Cited.
--Germans In New Poll Say EuroZone Mess Will Worsen; Cyprus Residents To Vote On Finance Plan.
--Bombs Fall In Gaza As "O" Proclaims Peace.
--Pope Urges Dialogue With Islam.
--President O Hits The Middle East Photo Op Trail In Time For Easter News Stories.
--Fighting Continues In Many African Nations.

And, up thar in Montana, a law was passed allowing people to collect Roadkill" for food! Moose ala Lexus! Sounds good to me.

Speaking of roadkill, how about that American idol decision last night. The organized minority is at it again, and the result maybe excellence leaving and mediocrity remaining. Now, Paul, who was voted off was not great, but Lazario who didn't even make the bottom three, was awful this week after being really, really bad this week. Frankly he can't sing, and I just don't like him at all. A whiner. A morose little individual, who for some reason has the Judges always talking about his courage.

A&C seems to be a foreign concept to President Obama. That's Advise and Consent in case you're from outside the beltway..

Last year the excitement was Lehigh U's athletes who go to class upsetting Duke. This year it's Harvard taking center stage. But nobody should be surprised at Harvard. Tommy Amaker, former Duke All American point guard, is the coach and he has had the team moving up several years. Remember Jeremy Lin.

I'm tellin' ya, the solution to the salvation of the US is to bar state and federal legislatures from meeting for two years.

While much of America has jumped into the frenzy surrounding the road to the Final Four, many cities in the cold North are equally excited about the road to the Frozen Four -- NCAA Hockey Championships. Up here it is better than ever as locally we have two teams in the semis of their major conferences. Tonight Brown begins a 2 of 3 series with #2 in the nation Quinnipiac (ECAC Hockey Conference) and #16 nationally Providence College starts a 2-3 Against Mass-Lowell, #7 in Nation and 1 In the big Hockey East conference. A win for both locals puts them in the national countdown. They will be wars.

As I grow older in this world, there is one thing I continue to learn -- you can never predict the tastes of other people.

ObamaCare has already grown so large, that legislation would probably be unable to stop it. It's like one of those giant mushrooms growing beneath the ground. And there isn't anything uglier than those giant mushrooms.

Roasting meat in the oven has an aroma that must be a little like heaven. Veggies cooking on the stove presents an odor acrimonious to my senses. Case closed.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The Little charmer of the week may be Admission, with Tina Fey and Paul Judd. Billed as a romantic comedy, it is a little more serious than what you might expect considering the female lead. As a straitlaced, by-the-book admissions officer at Princeton, Tina is surprised when visiting a high school to find that a prospect may be the son she gave up for adoption when she was younger. Get the picture. I think it will be a good one.
--Olympus Has Fallen is the big promo pic of the week. the president is kidnapped by a terrorist who seizes controol of the WH. A disgraced security officer finds himself trapped in the building. Is this sounding like Diehard? It is a pretty good suspenseful thriller, and I'd probably go; probably by mysllef!
--The Croods is latest big time animation film and it's looking tired. The Frist family embarks oan a vacation trip only to find their special place destroyed. this means they must move to unfamiliar territory and learn how to overcome insecurity and fears to survive. It is rated Mediocre.

People take cats to vets? Why.

The Answer:
Anderson comes to mind first. probably becasue they begin with "A". They make a good practical window and may be the most commercial of the major quality producers. Pella is good as are Jeld-Wen, Atrium, Marvin and Simonton. Microsoft Windows are great if you like to live in dark rooms.

The people best served by your opinions is you.

Have a fantastic weekend every bidy, and be sure to read the new Tids self help book -- "1037 things you can do with Palm fronds during a long ponderous sermon".

All that we don't see.

Today's Tids Issue 2,796

Opening Stuff:

 

When Winter lingers on, it 's always a big surprise when somebody says, "It's Spring! When all of sudden those little birds sing. When you trade the skis for clubs. And know you'll be seein' Red Sox Flubs. But for what I'm really thurstin', is all those flowers aburstin'! The reds, blues and yellahs, Bring together a gal and her fellah. Of course there's the miles of green, that accents every beautiful scene. The exclamation point is the day of Easter, A holy one, and a chocolate feaster! So happy spring everybody! go out and stand in the sun. Maybe it won't seem like 33 degrees.

As the camera pulls back from the earth blossoming into spring, we see the sadness between the colorful petals. The vast areas of poor, struggling human beings reaching out. The smoke rising from skirmishes that seem to be occurring a higher rate than ever before in modern history. We see the oppressed, suppressed and depressed. And we see hearts of people that care, who may not be aware. And we hope as we look below that the beating of good and generous hearts will merge in love with jungle drums, food and comfort for the worlds slums. As we move further away we see that the world is indeed small among the stars of the universe that has no end. And our problems are in reality equally small, compared to those we cannot see.

The Question:

What artist do experts say has been "the most faked artist of all time"? Name three other most faked artists. Bonus: What are the most often forged signature celebrities?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Up Nicely At 11:00.

--Congress Pressing "O" To Act Against Syria; Chemical Weapons Driving New Concerns.

--Kim Oversees Drone Attack Drills In North Korea; NK Being Blamed For Computer Crash In SK.

--Obama Vows Undying support For Israel; Huh!

--Cyprus Continues To Worry Wall Street.

--Top Colorado Law Enforcer Shot Dead On Eve Before Signing Of New Gun Laws.

--Majority Supports Benefits For Same Sex Couples; Support For "Marriage" Versus Civil Union Is More Cloudy.

--Italy Still Trying To Form Government.

If somebody wrote a book, "The Decline of America", Harry Reid's picture would be on the cover.

Football is turning in to badminton. (Sorry Badminton lovers). Every year for the past few new rules creep into the game that take away a part of what the game has been. This year they are proposing the elimination of peel back blocks "anywhere" on the field, backs hitting tacklers with the helmet and overloading formations in attempts to block kicks. Personally, I was a pretty good peel back blocker, and...frankly...I always though as a runner a good stiff forearm under the rib cage was quite effective, especially since putting my head down meant that I could no longer see where I was going. It's beginning to sound like Mayor Bloomberg is running the NFL. Three rule changes here, 2 or 3 there and before you know it, you have badminton. Oh, wait a minute...how fast was that birdie traveling? Oops, there goes badminton.

I always thought that the seasons changed on the 21st of the months in which they change. All these years living under a cloud of deceit. And now I have been freed. The 21st is the nominal date for the changeover, with actual beginning of each season falling on that day or one day before or after. So there you have it, flexibility in nature not found in government intrusiveness.

The headline in this morning's paper, "Soda is bad, banning is worse", said it all.

As long as Harry Ried is around, Joe Biden will have a chance of looking smart. Yesterday the man without a brain declared that the deaths of 7 Marines in a Nevada training exercise was the result of sequestration. Not only was it an outright lie (Marine Corps Brass Blasted him with the facts), but it is a disgraceful, contemptible, dishonorable, disrespectful, malevolent use of dead soldiers to foster a political objective. Democrats must really get embarrassed when they see Harry "Did I say That?" Reid approaching a podium.

The Conscience: Chapter 16.

   Wu was sitting in front of Jason's desk, looking for a piece of paper to put between the polished wood and his coffee cup. Jason was just sitting quietly looking at the ceiling, then the window and onto the floor. He's been like that since the explosion. but Wu knew him well. He knew that Jason's mind was working all of the alleys and byways of his past and present. Wu knew how to be patient.

   "That coffee smells good, El," Jason finally said and got up and walked to get himself a mug. He poured it, looked out the window now fogged from the steam from the cup. Jason wrote Biglietto in the grayed surface. "Let's call our drunken friend." By the time Jason moved back into his seat of power, Wu had Jeff on the line and was handing the phone to the boss.

   "Jeff my old friend, tell me what you know." Jason smiled, and nodded a couple of times, finally pressing a button to put the call on speaker phone. As the sound came on, Jason looked at Wu mouthing, he says he isn't drinking, much! "I just put you on the speaker and Eliot is here in my office."

   "Hi Eliot."

   "I know its been a short time since our blast here, but what have you learned if anything?"

   "I don't how much I have learned, but I have a few pieces that may lead us somewhere. First, I just met the oldest Biglietto under an unusual set of circumstances." Jeff related the story at the cafe and their interest the explosions story. "So, that tells me they know something or it is meaningful to them in some way." The old guy is a crafty old Italian, and it may be hard for me to get close to him. But, I think that Angelica trusts me," Jeff didn't tell them about getting caught by her in the building. "I also think she has some suspicions about something to do with your disaster." Jeff paused while Jason added "Good, Jeff. Good". 

   "So, Jason tell me about the your mess. Do you know anything yet that I should be looking at?"

   "Nothing, my friend I'm just trying to put pieces together in my mind. And you have given me something new to chew on." Jason told Jeff a little about the explosion, and then said good bye and turned to Eliot Wu.

   "Your candidate for this job is a lot sharper than you told me he would be."

  

With all of the Nannyism going on in NYC, I suggest the new nickname, Granny Smith Apple. And if the city continues upon its socialist path...Red Delicious.

The Answer:

19th century Barbizon landscape painter Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot is the most copied  of all time. In fact jokes have been made about him, like "It used to be said that Corot painted 800 pictures in his lifetime, of which 4,000 ended up in U.S. collections." The others are Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali and Auguste Rodin. Bonus: Elvis and The Beatles are by far the most forged celebrity signatures.

Oh yeah, and speaking of the first day of Spring, I just got a note from a Soldier friend of mine who said he is shivering in the snow in Germany. 

Generalizations are a cancer on society.

Fur Coats For Robins.

Today's Tids Isssue 2,794
Opening Stuff:

Today is the last day of Winter. I don't think so! Tomorrow we may rejoice psychologically that winter is gone; The beautiful frozen ponds will be magically transformed to calm waters, with fish jumping in the shoreline reeds; Lush greenery framing the cool rippling waters. Turtles slithering into the water, Frogs croaking like singers at a drunken fraternity party. Yeah sure, the end of Winter. It's looking as though it will be winter-like through June. Rats!

So the Arizona voter ID case went to the Supreme Court yesterday. Once again, ideology squanders the natural advantage of simple logic. One way to get people to show their ID cards or Licenses when registering to vote, might be to sell cigarettes at the registration sites. Extra money for the state too. Especially NYC whee the nutty grandmother is now proposing hiding cigarettes in the stores that sell them. And then charging $10.50 a pack.

The Question:
I remember in those days gone by, singing aloud with my friends, words slurred by too many beers and who knows what else. Singing happily over those transformative years, the simple uplifting music of George M. Cohan. Everybody knew the worlds and joined in. It was a highlight of any evening on campus. Name the five patriotic and lilting songs of the great composer fom RI

The Headlines:
--7 US Marines Killed In Nevada Explosion During Training Exercise.
--Improving Housing Numbers Have Stocks Climbing; Cyprus Banking Still An Annoyance To Investors.
--Iraq Continues To be Unstable And Dangerous; 56 More Killed In Bombings.
--Supreme Court Rules Against US Publishers In Copyright Dispute; Opens Door For Foreign Resellers..
--Pope At First Mass As Pope Preaches Protection Of The Poor.
--Chemicals Alleged Used For First Time In Syrian War; Both Sides Blame Each Other For deaths Of 26 As Aleppo Battle Signals New Desperation.
--Southeast Storms Knock Out Power Across Region.
--Socialists In Venezuela United Against Capriles; Could Be Landslide Victory For "Chavistas".

New Immigrants to our fair land are better off moving to states like Texas, bypassing NYC and other large US cities like Chicago or Detroit. It is there they will learn self determination, the ability to overcome and rise above. To learn that the America they they have known from afar is one that provides opportunity for all to succeed, that the paths which are there to fulfill the opportunity. They will see that it is not an America of handouts and government intrusions that would bind them in the shackles of dependency. It is truly free.

The big controversy around here is something called NECAP. That stands for New England Common Assessment Program and is a test designed to measure whether or not kids learned anything before graduation. Of course some kids say it isn't fair to hold up a degree from High School based on one test, and many academics and teacher groups have joined in protesting against this measurement of educational output. Now, I'm thinking NECAP as in Kneecap. And perhaps a little gentle persuasion with a lead pipe to keep kids on the right path; to wake up their Brains to the opportunity education provides. Just a little tap. A nudge.

Now that I hear that Obama has put "Cancelling the White House Easter Egg Hunt" on the budget negotiating table. Weird, huh? Maybe people could go to Bloombergs wonderland and hunt for cigarettes. Cancelling the Easter Egg Hunt! If Tweedledum had said it, you would have thought it unusual or quite odd to say the least. Or was that Tweedledee. 

I'm seeing more and more stock market seer's wondering if it is becoming the time to cash out.

Every time you think you have a handle on the world, something changes overnight. Must have something to do with twittering.

Speaking of Twittering, did you see where Jack Dorsey, the Founder/inventor of this new human appendage, is thinking of running for Mayor of NYC. But, he says he may not talk to people, but will send them plenty of messages. Maybe like a scavenger hunt about where people can find clues about his platform, or where they can locate the missing cigarettes. God help us.

The Conscience: Chapter 15 Continues.

   I stood there dumbfounded, not feeling comfortable at all. The old man looked pleasant and calm, but I knew this Grandfather knew for sure that I was sitting there while the crazed man came to his table. I felt the ole' no booze in the blood stream anxiety rising in my veins. I looked at Angelica for support. It worked. Why is that, I began to wonder.

   I heard words in broken English filtering into my mushy brain, "So Mister, did you get laughs from our little drama this morning. I was a kinda wondering why your ears moved towards me when Bruno came running over." He looked over towards Angelica, who was quiet, alert. "Now I know. Angelica told me of her new American friend." He looked at me again. "So, you are the man from America." he said in a way that made Angelica turn and look at him.

   "I am that Lawyer," I quickly answered wondering why Angelica was looking as she did. "And, now I know why you and your friend were so interested in the explosion." I expected him to say something about how precarious our negotiation may be come.

   "Yes, unfortunate." The look towards his granddaughter said to me, it's in your hands my beautiful little child. I could see he loved that woman, but also would not make excuses for her obstacles.

   He took one last look at me from my head to my brown American shoes, put out his hand, said, "Come Angelica, time to go to work." Her eyes moved quickly toward me, and she turned. There I stood.

Tax the rich or your kids can't hunt for Easter Eggs! God help us.

The Answer:

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, Over There, Give my Regards to Broadway, You're a Grand Old Flag and Mary's a Grand Old Name. And often Harrigan! Who hasn't sung along with that medley? Maybe people under fifty. Sing along to this old time piano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwGShYl27ic

Well, life is great if you don't watch political arguments on TV.

That blank page look.

Today's Tids Issue 2,796

Opening Stuff:

 

As much as you try to control your own life, it always seems that there is always somebody somewhere working against your beautiful ending.

If Hollywood would make a movie about the Government like they do about out-of-control buses and runaway trains, it would be the scariest of them all. And the scariest part would be that they would not know how to end it.

The Providence Journal reads better in the morning when the The Providence College basketball team is winning again.

The Question:

The regular American idol Tid's review is below. There's an ongoing poll on the net that gives you an indication of where the voting may go for tonights results show. How do you think the singers ranked after last night?

The Headlines:

--New Apps For Unemployment Bennies Rise To 336K; Trend Line Continues Down.

--Oracle Miss Pushes Stocks Down.

--Khamenei Says Iran Will Destroy Israel Cities If Attacked.

--NK Renews Threats Against US; Says It Will Attack US Bases On Japan And Guam.

--Obama Tells Palestinian President Abbas That Israel Building On West Bank To Good For Peace.

--All Basketball "Big East" Adds Three Teams -- Butler, Xavier, Creighton; Announces Big Contract With Fox Sports.

--Italy Government Still Wandering Streets Of Rome Looking For A Leader.

--Deep Throat star Harry Reems dead At 65; Life Fell Into Alcohol Induced Homelessness Until Rescued By Christianity.

There's a lot of discussion around the subject of hiding the past sins of convicted felons. I'm having trouble on this one. My initial reaction is, of course employers should know what they are getting. But, how about the human being who may be raising a family or be responsible for a child. Then I remember a discussion I had with a probation officer who said less than 5% of released convicts overcome their wayward habits. It's an environmental thing, you know. Many are raised in environments where crime is the norm; Crime becomes innate because they know nothing else. Add to that strangulation of drug addiction, and you are facing some pretty tough issues. But then, there is that man, that woman, who have to raise a child and need a chance to do so. I guess it all comes down to the honesty of human beings. A business people having trust and ex-convicts having the courage to rise above a past and world successfully in a world they may have never known.

I don't know where this puts me on the scale of people with discerning tastes, but I'm a big fan of Stouffer frozen foods. Their Mac n' Cheese, Lasagna and Spinach Souffle are always satisfying to me. And I'm never disappointed with their chicken entrees. 

American Idol Department:

I think the girls did it again. I particularly enjoyed the controlled vibes of Amber last night, more than ever. Candice can just flat out sing. Angie was magical and Kree brought me into goose bump territory. I was very pleased with the Janelle performance, as she showed that she is equal to the quality of some of the more touted girls. I came away with a smile on my face after her performance. Then we have the dishrags, four guys who exhibit nothing, and sing at times like a fourth grade talent show. Sorry fourth graders. Lazaro should definitely get the ax, but, how much sympathy vote will he get. I think Paul could grow into being a competitor, but also could go if the sympathizers keep Lazaro alive (He should have gone last week). Burnell is the big fave of the Judges, but I have been underwhelmed during these final ten sing-offs. I thought Devin was pretty good last night, but again, no personality and nowhere near the girls. I would not cry over any of the four boys leaving.

Oh yeah, and to me the Beatles Show on AI has always been one of the low points of the season as contestants always struggle over the complex melodies.

I read this morning that our (RI) House Speaker Gordan Fox and Treasurer Gina Raimondo are putting together a plan to establish a fund which would pay for road construction and maintenance. Silly me...I always thought a portion of taxes had always been put aside for that.

Perhaps one of the more notable signs of an improving economy came last night when the Texas Legislature Restored cuts made during the depth of the recession. Oh...I forgot... down there they create the jobs that increase potential taxes.

Legislators spend more time creating laws that make up for government mistakes of the past

A concerned reader is asking for more* adjectives to describe Harry Reid and the depravity of his words about the death of Marines in the Nevada Training exercise. Send em' along. *More than in yesterday's Tids.

The Americans is one of those shows that always leaves me starving for more.

The Answer:

If this poll is a good indicator (I can tell you it was a little off last week with Lazaro coming in last but winding up 6th!), tonight my wind up like this: The poll singers has Candice #1 at 25 % and Lazaro last 0.82%. In the middle it goes 2. Klee, 3. (Tie) Janelle, Angie, 5. Amber, 6. Burnell, 7. Devin, 8. Paul.

As one rock said to another rock after hearing the complaint, "I feel like I'm slowly falling apart" -- "Those are my sediments too."

And thus ends another wayward Tids.