Today's Tids Issue 2,932
Opening Stuff:

 
JP Morgan must be real-ly baaaad! Yesterday the company offered the Government $3,000,000,000 to cease criminal investigations! What doesn't the company want to come out -- jail time worthy offenses...for the Dimon level Execs? The Government countered saying No! Those "Billions isn't enough for the number of cases involved...". The big banks are not necessarily bothered by big payouts, it's sitting in a cell next to Bubba that has them sweating at night. If JP had to fork over $3 Bil, it would represent less than half of their quarterly $6.5 Bil profit.

Sorry for the inordinate selection of tasteless typos yesterday. When time traumatizes tempo, typos total-up.

One thing for sure, we can still enjoy old time America by savoring a genuine country ham from the wonderful Smithfield company of the Virginia hills. A Smithfield ham...how great is that! Not so fast Tids Guy. the venerable ham company akin to biscuits and creamy sausage gravy has been bought by -- China!  Yikes. If we can't maintain control of Smithfield hams, what's next? Venezuela purchasing Jack Daniel's still? God help us.

The Question:
What formerly perfect, now separated Hollywood Couple have the same birthday -- today?

The Headlines:
--Markets Foggy As dollar Slips And Political Sideshow Confuses Future.
--Autos Lead Durable Goods Sector Towards Strong 3rd Q Ending.
--Amazon Intros New "Fire HD" With Live Video help Desk; Company Continues To Focus Matching IPad At Lower Cost.
--In Wake Of Navy Base Murders, US Finding Systemic Weakness In Security Clearance Programs.
--Iran's Rouhani Oozes Charm But Says Little To Assuage Ahmadinejad's More Aggressive Threats.
--Latest data Shows That 15% Of Americans Do Not Use Internet; 92% Of Non-Users Say They Are Not At All Interested And Have No Intention Of Going Online Ever.
--77% Of Instagram Users Say the Company's Security Policy Makes Them Afraid To Use The Service.

With the announcement of the new ObamaCare rates, CBS News focused its report on a nice hardworking youngish black man. The first 80% of the news blip had him saying in different ways, "Hey, not bad! I can really afford this". Then it was revealed at the end that the US Taxpayer was chipping in on half of his premium. Once again we have Government intervention that removes consumer discernment from the equation. The health car cost structure will remain fictitious, and  will continue growing to enormous heights.

Speaking of taxpayer largess, when is our infusion of billions into JP Morgan going to begin trickling down to us?

I like Bed, Bath and Beyond because they have wide variety of a lot of stuff in a condensed area. 

The "Club Scene" seems to bring out the worst in people.

California has passed a new law that would allow kids to "Scrub" ill-conceived postings of words and photos. Sounds good on the surface In the old days it would be the kid's mouths that would be scrubbed. And, there was a direct connection to the mind.

This is just another step in a declining society that says it's okay to say you're sorry, instead of thinking intelligently or asking permission beforehand.

It's a society where a President can say Red Line before realizing the full meaning of the potential ramifications.

It's a little early to start reporting on the Voice. The first night produced sob stories and fair contestants. I enjoyed Usher and Shikira last year, but Christina Aquilera and CeeLo Green were understated and easy to watch on their return to the ugly red chairs. It's too early to run down all of the contestants, but Holly Henry and James Wolpert were unique and particularly entertaining for me..as was powerhouse belter country gal Shelbie Z.

Amazon is the Gillette of the Technological age, selling near breakeven points, tablets to build up sales of books, music, videos and physical products. The Fire HD has been described as the "Vending Machine" for consumer purchases. For the low cost of a pretty good Android tablet, the owner must put up with some easily removed intrusiveness.

One thing the older generations can say safely and with a pleasant degree of satisfaction as they sit down to a Smithfield ham dinner is that, "All of their friends and all of the people they've ever dated were individuals they actually met and interacted with in person.

Did I say Smithfield? I meant Smiphfierd.

The Conscience: Chapter 28 continues.
    I shook hands with the new comers while nodding at my associates. I was going to say pals but, I wasn't really sure of anything yet. Smith's grip seemed to linger a bit. His eyes said something, but I didn't have the encryption available. He reached up and patted my shoulder as he released the grip.
   I sat in my chair which was in limbo, with Jace and Wu lofty in heavenly perches facing Smith and Washington on the brink in purgatory. Was I to be an observer or Mr. Interlocutor? 
   "All of a sudden James, You and Mr. Washington have become apparent critical ingredients in our quest to merge," Jace began. "You guys are all about mountains of money, so we can't delude ourselves by thinking that you may not be a player in our negotiations. How did you get involved with Biglietto, way over there tucked up into the northern corner of Italy?"
  Good question, Jace, I thought.
    Without hesitating Smith answered, "So you're wondering Mr. Montgomery how a couple of simple black boys could look beyond the cotton fields of Alabam, and see opportunity in a thriving industry in Europe?" Jason's face reddened.
    Maybe not such a great question after all, I thought again. But, I now have another kind of respect for Smith. And all of a sudden he is controlling our meeting.
    Jason didn't stammer as much as I had expected, "Not at all James," Jace said "James" in a friendly warmish way. "I," he turned towards Wu, "we, know a lot about you and respect you and your company. In fact, we envy you. We want to know why one of the great financiers became interested in a decent but not extraordinary boat building company. 
   "That's much too long a story, Jason. Let's just talk about today. Your problems. That's why we're here, correct? To shed light on current problems." James looked at me, as if for approval. I smiled back. It was kind of a stupid grin, actually.

The Answer:
Of course, it is Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones who have brithdays today. Michael will probably have a candelabra on her cake and Matt Damon will jump out in a speedo! Zowie. 

Everybody should aim for something higher rather than lower than they think they are capable, so that if they fall to he middle they'll be twice as high as aiming low. Almost everybody has a lot more in them than they think. Except those who think they walk on water.