Nobody was ever meant to understand government.

Today's Tids Issue 2,810

(Written 4/10/2013)

Opening Stuff:

 

What I dislike most about an early, warm Spring, is not being able to wear sweaters to hide that Winter flab.

The vitriol from the left in the wake of Margaret Thatcher's death reminds us of how deep the divide between right and left remains -- here within the US and probably between the US and socialist leaning nations. It is no longer, trying to get along, but my way or the highway. There just doesn't seem to be any common ground. Thatcher proved how privatization can remove the grey pall from above a country in the throws of death. The unsustainable England which she inherited was quite similar to the public employee controlled states, cities and towns of the recent USA. Creeping socialism where more and more of the propulation is supported directly by the Governemnt. It is unsustainable, and that has been proven over again, in Greece, Ireland, California, Rhode Iland, Detroit and of course pre-Thatcher Britain. So, if Margaret Thatcher is the Iron Maiden, is Gina Raimondo the Steel Magnolia, the flower of sanity blossoming in RI.

The Question:

Haley Joel Osment is no kid any more, but he made some very good movies when he was. Name Three. What was is first minor role of note?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Continues Upward After Hitting Highest S&P Ever; New Warnings For Steep Autumn Decline Whispered On The Street; Goldman Says Now The Time To Short Gold.

--President's Budget Has United Dems, Repubs Against It; Obama Continues To Hammer Rich People With tax Increases.

--North Korea Moving Missiles, Again.

--Key Senators Agree On background Checks.

--Tens Of Thousands Of Demonstrators In Capital To Rally To Abet Illegal Activity of Immigrants Who Disregarded US Laws.

--Syria Rebel Nusra Front Swears Allegiance To al-Qaeda Zawahri.

--14 Wounded In Texas College Stabbing Spree.

--Arkansas Senate On Track To Cut Off Funds For Abortions.

Occupy Wall Street protestors are getting $100,000 from NYC because the police allegedly ruined some of their camping equipment. Let's see, that's like a small country invading the US solely for the purpose of getting war reparations. Is this a sign of the apocalypse?

An informed reader is betting that Hollywood will produce a raft of movies about female Presidents to pave the way for you-know-who. Soften voter brains, and facts don't count.

Speaking of gambling, did you hear about the guy with the slot machine winning wife? It was his bettor half.

When is a toll a fine and fee and and a tax? When governments are involved. You won't believe this. They have just finished building a bridge on the  north end of this island where I live. The enlightened ones in the state government are putting in the an all automated toll area. For EZ_Pass people the toll would be from 83 cents to about $3.50 depending on where you live. For non EZPass people the toll is $4.00. Of course there are no cash booths in an all automated system, so the state will take pictures of the license plates zipping through the automated system. The state will then charge the owner $1.50 for processing the picture making the total toll $5.50. But in it's wisdom, the state says the fine that makes the toll $5.50 is not a fine or a toll but a fee. So in these convoluted public minds, they haven't actually raised the toll. Except the poor tourists who have no option but to pay the total $5.50 tax. Is this a sign of the apocalypse?

Oxymoron of the Day: "Best recipe for Veggie Meatballs."

I read a news item about a restaurant that had been a three time nominee for the James Baird "Best New Restaurant". So my question is -- if a restaurant can be considered for best new restaurant 3 years in a row, when is it officially deemed old?

When countries flounder, they have 8 ways to fix their problems and none are good: First is Taxes, which is just another name for #2, Direct Confiscation. Next are Inflation, Capital Controls, Simple Wage and Price Controls, Advanced W&P Controls with severe penalties, Increased Regulation with Severe Penalties and Start a War to distract the public. It will never happen here becasue this is the government "Of the people". Right!

The Answer:

Sixth Sense was one of the better movies of the last decade or so. And who didn't love Pay it Forward, even with the sad ending. And, he was very good in AI Artificial Intelligence. His first part of note was as Forest Gump's son. Osment was a good kid who won several Best Young Actor Awards. The just departed Roger Ebert  Called him at the time of AI, "One of the best actors now working." Osment cemented his Hollywood roots when he drove into a brick mailbox while driving under the influence. He is a very good Golfer they say except when, of course, driving under the influence.

It may sound like I'm giving up hope, but basically I'm just trying to get through the first three days of the week until the Masters begins. And then the problems just float away. Or at least you can put your head into something enjoyable.

The Americans is on tonight.