The Bell Curve is ringing.

Today's Tids Issue #2,836
Opening Stiff:

Google is the new Microsoft. Android is to the new devices as Windows was to PC's. Apple will never be the universal player like the above two, because they keep their software for their own products. On the other hand, the once mighty king has been forced to compete with Google with Bing and develop window's products for a  host of tablets and smartphones. Of course, the new self-proclaimed Tech  "Overlord" (Or is that Earth Emperor) Larry Page wished that the idea of competition could be replaced with collaboration, where other tech giants like Oracle and yes Microsoft just fold their products into his. With that, he has said, Google could solve world hunger.

The changes in the world we can see every day all around us can be boiled down to this. In my formative years we did really stupid things and somehow got through it all without another whisper. Today stupid things are done and sent around the world for all to see.

Ok, the real scary part of the IRS thing is that as a government grows huger and huger, the normal demographic distribution of masses of people within it will mean more and more of them will likely be constitutionally impaired operatives. It's just the way demographics works. Demographic differences can be plotted within groups of hard core liberals as well as groups of conservatives, and most certainly in giant Governemtn agencies.

The Question:
Double "Q" Day --  1. How old were Marie Antoinette and Louis the 14th when they were married? 2. What movie and which stars were awarded the first Oscars 84 years ago today.

The Headlines:
--Surge In Jobless Claims Erases 6 Week's Gains; Labor Economists See Labor Market Stabilizing But Not Growing.
--Obama Forces Resignation Of Acting IRS Head Miller.
--Six Dead In Texas Tornadoes.
--2 Americans Among 15 Killed In Kabul Bombing.
--Powerball Pot Grows To $475 Million; $300 Mil Would Be Lump Sum take
--Turkey Asks US To Absorb Growing Numbers Of Syrian Refugees.
--"O" Meets With Military Leaders To Take On Sexual Assault.
--White House Releases 100 Selected Emails On Benghazi Scrambling.

American Idol comes down to the precious two tonight. Both performed really well last night, but the judge's orgasms over Candice may push her over the top. Kree looked sharp in the long red dress, and I thought that her singing of Angel was my favoriteof the night. Most critics said that while it was amazingly close and that Kree Harrison came back to where most thought she should have been all year long, they gave the nod to the powerful performances of Candice Glover. Now it all boils down to fan voting. How strong is Kree's "Country" support. Many were quite surprised when she beat Angie, so maybe she has the votes. I have been hot and cold on Kree, but never wavered on Candice. One of those voting websites has it Candice 62% and Kree 38%.
I think the community of US Journalists, after seeing this crack in the shield they've thrown up around their President Obama, will be writing a lot of columns which open like this, "It is deplorable that the IRS would single out one politically related group..."But"...!

There's a rumor out there that the Prez will be announcing a huge Unilateral cut in the US Nuke arsenal. The rumor suggests that he may do it by Executive Order and without Congressional Authorization. So the question remains, is this a rumor based on fact, or just people taking advantage of cracks in the White House opaque wall and trying to widen them with innuendo?

Barbara Boxer is the latest frustrated Democrat to go back to the amusing exaggeration that Republican cuts led to the Benghazi massacre. When Americans have been in danger or under attack abroad, we have never run first to accountants before taking action.

A column in the Washington Post suggests that Eric Holder seems to be proud of not knowing anything about everything that is going on.

Julian Bond is not doing the NAACP any good by describing the Tea Party, "Here's a group of people who are admittedly racist." Where did that come from. People who want smaller, more effective government are racist? God help us from the myopic.

The Conscience: Chapter 20 continues.
    "Yes, I am an American born in bred in the dusty South outside of Mobile Alabama. Ever been there?" Milton smiled up at Jeff still holding his hand, though now moist.
    Jeff felt his legs shaking as he answered, "Yes," he said. He  hesitated, withdrawing his hand and placed it firmly on the table to steady himself. If Milton was inside Jeff's head he'd have heard cries of vodka, vodka, does anybody have vodka. "Yes I was there, many years ago. I hated what I saw." Jeff stared off as if he was seeing the whole ugly scene again. His absence was noted by the other two, but he came back quikly to the present and looked at Milton squarely in the eyes. "I hated everything I saw down there in 1957." He turned to Antonio, "How nice to see you again."
   The old family patriarch looked up, now quizzically, and said the same. Jeff loosened his tie, to help him beathe, to anchor his trembling hand. "I'd better go back to my table. Nice to meet you Milton. I'm sure we will be talking."
   The two watched for a moment Jeff walking back across the dining room floor, "He looked scared of you, Milton. Have you ever met before.
   "Never. I felt the same fear."

The Answer:
1. Marie did not marry Louis the 14th but did marry 15 year old Louis XIV when she was but 14. Marie was Austria Queen Maria Teresa's 18th child, and the marriage was one of political alliance for the two countries Austria and France after the 7 Years War. And she probably really said, let them eat cupcakes. 2. Actually, there was no statue called Oscar unntil , but the first Academy Award Ceremony was held at a private $5.00 a plate dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. the best picure was Wings. Emil Janning won Best Actor for work in two films and Janet Gaynor Best Actress for roles in four films. Frank Borghezi won best Director and Charlies Chaplin won an Honorary Award. Some other big pics were Seventh Heaven, The Way of All flesh, Street Angel, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, The Crowd, Two Arabian KnNights (Named best Comedy) and The Racket. Hollywood officially adopted the Nickname for the Academy Award, "Oscar" in 1939. It is said to have been named by an Academy Librarian Margaret Herrick (Who subsequently became Exec Director), as looking like her Uncle Oscar.

It is well known that over-reachingitis is a serious conservative disease. The symptoms are giddiness and conclusion jumping, and a total disregard for patience as the facts accumulate.

No matter the politics, there is something good and honest inherent in most people that transcends differences and binds them in friendship. There's just something about hearts.