Pun-ctuation!

Today's Tids Issue 2,948

Opening Stuff:

Congress is punny! Could Ohio Rep Marcia Fudge be trusted as chair of the House Finance Committee? Should Tim Kaine be minority whip? Isn't Senator Graham, Crackers? During Rep Slaughter's killer speeches Rep Ellmers is glued to her seat, while Rep Duncan just nibbles on donuts. Of course Rep Petri can still dish it out, and Witty rep Cleaver can cut anybody down to size. Meanwhile, I'm just Biden my time waiting for the next Weiner roast.

This is the point where I say, "Seriously, now!". But I don't feel terribly serious this morning. Kind of frivolous and lightheaded. I need that kind of unwinding respite after sitting through these evenings of one run  ALCS games where my beloveds face the unrelenting and powerful Tigers -- 3 to 2 and we're going home. But, I know it isn't in the bag with Scherzer and Verlander on tap. What a God Damned great series!

Besides, who really thinks the debt/shutdown charade is serious? It's just the august body playing games with the voters again in October.

The Question:
Poltergeist and The Dead Zone sit at numbers 75 and 74 on the list of all time horror movies. Name the Top 10.

The Headlines:
--Continuing Kinder And Gentler Fed, Positive China Growth Buoys Early Stock Trading.
--Shutdown Deal Includes Funds For Secret NSA Monitoring Agency.
--Union Sponsored Report Slams Leading RI Candidate For Gov, Gina Raimondo; AFSCME Expose Reveals Hedge Fund Takeover Of Public Employee Pensions Across The Country; Raimondo Lashes Back Calling It A Union Strategy to Return To A Pension System Unaffordable To The Taxpayer.
--San Fran Rail Workers Strike.
--Saudi Arabia Rejects Its Election To UN Security Council; Says It Doesn't Like Double Standards Of Members.
--Syrian Jets Bombard Eastern City To Atone For Killing Of Key General; Gunman Kill Top Commander Of Libya's Military Police Force..

Having Pun yet?

This is the season when the giant cruise liners visit our pleasant harbor. Restaurant owners tell me they always put on a couple of extra big pots of Chowdah. That's what people want when they step upon New England shores, and they gobble it up I'm told. It brings a lot of clams into cash registers.

Is it just me, or do all members of the experienced generation send emails to grandchildren followed by texts to tell them to look in their inbox!

I think those new Campbell's Skillet Sauce are worth experimenting on.

Actually, Congress acquiesced because they were tired of late night TV host's comical wea-puns. Shoot me.

Speaking of companies that have to continually reinvent themselves as tastes change, Job's Apple could at some time down the road become the next Land's Polaroid. Both companies got their start using the immense brain power of inventive geniuses. When Land left Polaroid to the professional managers, they lost the facility of Land's foresight and inspiration. Some are saying the similar loss of Jobs will eventually lead to the slow decay of Apple.

Lost in all of the inane discussions about "Shut Down" was a new report showing that the pressure from Tea Party budget hawks had lowered the deficit to its lowest level in 5-6 years. Sequester works.

Most people with half a brain realize that global economic dynamics will continue to lower average wages for American workers. No longer is the US in control of its own destiny. The biggest bloc fighting inevitability are the public employee unions who fail to, or just don't want to understand that the folks just don't have the income to sustain the tax revenue of yore.

The past tense of Pun is Punt, which is what while Puntificating, congress did with the budget

It was just announced that Salsa had taken over from Ketchup as the most popular food accompaniment...just in case some people out there don't believe that America is changing dramatically. Have you seen Hunt's or Heinz Salsa yet? If they are as smart as they have been, you should.

Speaking of evolving, every once in a while we see a news item about some bone fragment or skeleton  accompanied by a headline like "New evidence of evolution". Of course there is evolution. Don't you think that God is smart enough to factor that into the overall scheme of an incredible universe?

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The Fifth Estate could be a satisfying movie primarily because Julian Assange is a truly intriguing character whether you like him or not. And insights into the netherworld of Internet espionage is a great story in itself. Well, the movie is good not great, but informative , about a world we can't see which will play a significant role on the future of nations around the globe.
--I liked Carrie the first time around, and this sequel about a young, shy and friendless, religious mother dominated HS girl with telekinetic powers doesn't lose a step as it is reintroduced to the the new generation. You want to root  for Carrie all the way whiclehtingking much you would hope all kids bullied by the heartless gangs of bullies would have her powers too. It's relevant, well acted and well done. Original Carrie lovers will find a way to quibble with the remake, but new audiences will like it.

The Answer:
#14 is Aliens followed by Let the Right One In then Night of the Hunter, Rosemary's Baby and #10 Jaws. #9 is Psycho followed by Frankenstein (1931), The Invisible Man (1933) and Alien (1979). #5 is  Nosferatu (1922), #4 The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1923), #3 Bride of Frankenstein, #2 The Original King Kong and #1 Repulsion. Surprised? Check out the entire 75:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/guides/best-horror-movies/

Oh, the original Carrie is #48.

Over in England, the city council shut down the pay per use public shower because it ran into Fee-douche-iary troubles. Aren't you sad you waited for this? (Note: In England a douche is simply a shower of water.)

Happy perfect weekend, e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!

In order to move others deeply we must deliberately allow ourselves to be carried away beyond the bounds of our normal sensibility. -- Joseph Conrad

Today's Tids Issue 2,947

Opening Stuff:
I dream of simpler days. Those days when the wants of humans were more similar than not. When things like honesty and civility and morality were admired and emulated. When the voice of the public was clear and not filtered by opiners with pens and microphones. When public figures were admired for good and not for depravity. I dream of simpler days when people got along. And understanding was more important, when we could forsake our prejudices and see beyond. 

We have just finished another ego power trip in Washington. "Hey, look at me...I'm important". I can make you squirm. and, then I can save you." What a crock!

This just in from reader with good sources in DC: Because of all the hatred, violence and hostility associated with it, The Washington Redskins are changing their name to simply, The Redskins.

The Question:
What are the top 10 most haunted cities in America?

The Headlines:
--Congress Wakes Up; Next Emergency Expected After First Of year; McConnell Get's $3 Billion From Deal For Kentucky.
--Stocks Down As Market Worries About Fragility Of Economy Unable To Withstand Simple Shutdown
--Republican Tom Price Emerges As Possible Successor To Boehner.
--Animal Rights Groups Want To End NYC Horse Drawn Carriage Rides.
--New Dem Star Booker Wins NJ's Lautenburg Seat.
--Wisconsin Adds Sales Tax To Amazon Shopping Cart!
--Fraudulently Modified Documents Free 2 Murderers From Florida Prison.
--Sluggish Stocks Forceing More Seniors Back Into Workplace.
--Merkel To Enter Full Coalition Talks With Center Left.
--Syrian Deputy PM Says Peace Conference Planned For November 23; Happy Thanksgiving.

Pick em', Department:
We fared pretty well last week with an 11-4 record raising our Y-T-D effort to 60-31 (67%), I doubt if we'll beat that again with more than a few games on tap that could go either way. For issuance I'm picking the Pats over the annoying J-E-T-S, but with all of NE's injuries, who really knows. And tonight we have a dangerous Arizona against a Seattle Team that can be beaten on the road. I'm taking Arizona. TB is mad, but an underachieving Atlanta is madder. "da Bears" are iffy, and Washington needs a win. The Skins are for me.  I think an improving Philly will surprise Dallas, and a tough Buffalo team will lose another close one at Miami. Carolina has up and down weeks and I'm expecting them up at home. In a battle between two rugged "D" teams, I'm thinking Detroit has a better offense than Cinncy. At least a semi-breather...SD should win over Jax. Nobody wants to play Tenn, but they still haven't solved the QB problem and SF will win. Even though Houston needs a win, it's tough not to pick KC. Cleve has been exciting but GB is rounding into form, good form. The media darling game of the week is Indy-Denver and the cover boy QBs. Denver is just a better overall team. The real game of the week is Balt-Pitt. Is Pitt really back? I love their receiver Brown and they are at home. Pitt. In the "Who has sucked worse, Bowl" I'm saying the Giants will finally win one against Minn. I could be 4 and 11 this week. Someday I'll make it easy on myself and just pick favorites.

I read a headline this morning that said, "The sea level in RI is rising much faster in RI than in the rest of the world."! Say what? A sea "level" is a sea "level". Water rises equally. Fill a tub someday. It will come to you. Beware of screechers, for they are covering up some truths.

Being possessed by significant hoarder instincts, I find it very difficult to delete inbox and sent emails. Yesterday I sucked it up. I feel...refreshed, liberated.

There are times when in this morning mess when I feel inclined to voice my opinion or review foods and assorted cultural events in the world. Be it known, that these are my humble thoughts and not those of someone who actually has good taste or anything better than a pedestrian palate.

Any time you want to catch up on a back issue of The Tids, Google: World View: Etc! Observing the achievements and foibles of humans. This is good for insomnia.

Oh great, thousands upon thousands of Fed employees are going back to work this morning. Basically that means that roads will be congested, and millions will be just taking their naps in different places.

Frankly, I don't know who is worse...the Washington establishment who's power-grabs play havoc with the stock market, or the hidden global investment gangs who manipulate the stock markets for their personal gains. These factors have definitely eliminated common sense from investing.

Today at 2:00 PM the AFSCME (American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees) is releasing what is said to be a devastating report about Hedge Funds ripping off pension funds. The report will reveal how for 10 years Hedge Funds have been secretly and systematically taking over Public Employee pension funds. Obviously since the study is by a Union it will be slanted to their position against returning to sane pensions for public employees. But, it is expected to unravel the dirty little truths about a distasteful intrusion by big money firms that basically cost too much, and with mutually disparate objectives.

Spell Check is at it again. I type "thes" and numb-nuts SC can't figure out that perhaps I wanted to type "these". Maybe it will get better now that the Fed employees are back at work.

The shut down illustrates too clearly that the Government has become much too big a piece of the economy.

One thing we know for certain about all human beings is that they are entirely different. That little bit of knowledge can go a long way to solving a hell of a lot of problems.

The Answer:
No, the answer isn't Washington DC. Number one Haunted place is new Orleans. I read several polls and some place Baltimore second. The consensus list after NO is Savannah, Gettysburg, Chicago, Salem Ma, Charleston, Portland Or, Athens O (Yes, this little town in southern Ohio shows up on all polls. Maybe it's the Ohio U Students), Key West Fl and San Francisco.

I started this mess with a plea for a smpler more civilized America and I have to end with an example of what a godless, liberal enabling society could look like. I'm talking about 14 year old girls harassing another 14 year old human being to death. And then having no remorse at all. There is just too much public acceptance of wanton killing, too much adulation for flaunters of basic societal rules. We are in serious danger of establsihing a new normalcy for generations to come.

Interestingly, in the nineteenth century the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead once said, "The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended to destroy human sensibility, magnanimity, and truth."

Goin' nowhere.

Today's Tids Issue 2,941

Opening Stuff:

If you can be satisfied with a little bit at a time, you'll do better in life, career and golf.

Ideological extremes will never come together. Of course I don't believe saving America from socialism is extreme.

When you think about it, the instant communication vehicle Twitter is exactly what a population that speaks before it thinks doesn't need.

I've been reading Stephen Hawking's very interesting book on anti-gravity. I just can't put it down.

The Question:
In a Public Policy Opinion Poll, Registered voters were asked to rate Congress (House and Senate) against common annoyances: dog poop, cockroaches, Miley Cyrus twerking, jury duty, toenail fungus, Vladimir Putin, DMV, IRS, Anthony Weiner, pot holes, Public Radio fundrasing drives, Charles Manson, witches, Wall Street, Hipsters and hemeroids. Congress came out better than four of them. Which four?

The Headlines:
--Republicans Offer New Plan; Nothing Off Table Says Boehner.
--Street Sells Off; Social Media Stocks Lead The Way Down.

--President Holds New Press Conference; Same Words.
--Biz Leaders Urging Congress To Strike Debt Deal; Lingering Could Really Hurt Economy.
--Anti_Army Protests Increasing At Egypt Universities.
--US Treasury Issues New Forging Proof $100 Bills; Admin Says they Are Not Written In Chinese.

What's the Nanny State going to do now that it has been revealed that one of it's Hollywood faves has Type 2 Diabetes. Tom Hanks is thin and fit and eats the so-called right foods. The release by ideologues of inaccurate data about Diabetes and it's cause has been mind-boggling, and never questioned by our crack press corps. Or, should we say, Press Corpse!

Don't you wonder as you sit in morning traffic jams around big cities, how many people are late for work each day?

In 2006 Senator Barack Obama said: "...Increasing America's debt ceiling weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means 'the buck stops here'. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today on the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and an a failure of leadership. America deserves better." I don't write this to disparage our President (Wink, wink) but to illustrate the dishonesty, triviality all of our politcal leaders. Nothing they say means anything, and nothing they do helps America. Actually, when they do nothing it helps America.

I love Barley, and I would make a side dish of barley and rich brown creamy gravy and be damn happy. But there are tons of recipes that could liven any menu. Roasted barley with beef stock, shallots, black pepper and olive oil. Or, white wine, lemon, butternut squash, toasted pecans and grated Parmesan cheese. And then there is barley with cremini mushrooms and caramelized leaks. Barley is healthy, tastes great and will make a star out of the cook! Check out these 56 recipes at:
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/barley-side-dish

Prez and henchmen Lolla-Pelosi and the ever laughable Harry Reid tell Boehner that if he passes a "Clean" no-strings budget they promise to talk about anything the Speaker wants. That is the newest big lie in America. OBama? Pelosi? Reid? Are you kidding me! That threesome deserves the "Snooker of the Week" award.

The LA Dodgers are looking like the Dream Team...for big sports agents. There has been a lot written lately about the surge of small market baseball teams with regular guys earning good but sane salaries...and performing better than the big salaried teams with superstar free agents. Now the Dodgers with the big payroll are looking like the perfect team. And the hope of 2014 Free-Agents. Salivating agents may raise sea levels. It must be Magic!

One thing that God has never revealed is why heavy traffic moving at 70mph all of a sudden becomes a parking lot; And, why all of the lanes are moving faster than the high speed lane furthest from exits and natural congestion.

If you're getting a Cat Scan or some other look see procedure, why don't they scan a wider area to check out more possibilities on the same dime.

Peyton Manning has always been a better passer than Tom Brady. Brady just had that knack of squeezing out wins.

The Answer:
The United Sates of America Congress did not do well. The 535 did beat Weiner, Cyrus, Manson and Putin. Do you think ganging up on Congress, the representatives of the people, is a good idea. I don't.

So, two fishermen were out one the lake and one caught a giant carp. Just as he was getting it into the boat, his wallet slipped into the water. The carp got away and swam after it, returning with the wallet balanced on his nose. Soon other carp appeared and the wallet was passed around, nose to nose. The fisherman's pal said, he had never before seen "Carp to carp walleting"!

"T"-Shirt of the Week, Department:

Thanks to an insightful reader with a great sense of humor. If you can't see the pic, send an email and I'll send it to you.

Will the increased number of candles on your cake as you age cause skin cancer?

Today's Tids Issue 2,942

Opening Stuff:

One thing you learn for sure over the years -- you are never as old as you think you are on your Birthday. Birthdays are landmarks for successes, accomplishments; Those special days when you can look back at all the love you have given to the world around you. And look ahead to being even better than you are today. I love birthdays. Maybe it's the cake. Maybe it's the smiles on everybody's faces.

A good reader sends this "thought for the day": We always hear about Social Security running out of money. How come we never hear of welfare running out of money?

The Question:
What are the Favorite colors of men, women? Bonus: What is the favorite color for Mums?

The Headlines:
--Boehner Asks Repubs To Apprehensive Short Term Debt Level Increase.
--Stocks Soar On Potential Deal To Avert US Default.
--New Jobless Claims Zoomed Up 66,000 To New Six Month High; Retail Activity Off Projections.
--New AP/Gfk Poll Has Obama Approval rating Down To 37, But Repubs Taking Heat For Shut Down.
--Egypt Criticizes US Aid Cuts; Israel Hopes Move Doesn't Hurt Peace.
--Canada's Alice Munro Wins Nobel For Literature; Considered "Master Of Contemporary Short Story".
--Consumers Unenthusiastic About OC Roll-out.
al-Qaida Supporters Kidnap Libyan PM In Retaliation For US Kidnapping Of a-Q Leader.
--New Report "From Committee To Protect Journalists" Published In Wash Post Says Obama And Admin Have Had Chilling Effect On Journalism. Phione Records Of Over 100 Journalists Seized; Obama Blames It On Bush.

Every time Yahoo tells me it has improved my Email, I loose the parts which had always made it easy to use.

Pick-'em Time:
Not a stellar week for picks last week. Maybe I'm trying for too many upsets. By now we should know the teams, but with all of the injuries this year, teams change rapidly. For instance, Tennessee which looked like an up and comer became average with loss of their excellent young QB. That's the kind of season it has been. Take tonight for instance -- the Giants should have won one by now, right. But, Chi was playing well and is at home, and NYG have not shown much. Da Bears. There are a few more this week that appear to be easier picks. Yeah, right!  In my heart I believe the Pats can win, but after last weeks no-show, I have to go with the Saints who are playing very well. KC should roll, unless their heads are getting big. Philly will keep TB down. In an upset I'm picking the Ravens over a Clay-less GB. I like Minn over Carolina, Det over Cleveland and Houston to wake up over St. Louis. My real upset is for the Steelers finally to get on track against the surprising J-e-t-s, Jets. Tenn and Buff have been playing teams tough, but now both have lost good QB's so they will lose to Seattle and Cinncy. Do you think Denver has a chance against Jax.? I do. I have to pick SF over Ariz, who has played very well, and Dallas to survive against Washington...even though I'm rooting big for the Redskins! Another upset has SD beating the new media darling Indy. A meager 7-6 effort brings the year to 49-27  (64.5%).

The fishermen around this state are saying the waters are cooler this year than last. They can tell by the way the fish are biting. They know cool. They don't sit labs calculating it. They live it. So, if you want to get a real gauge of the changing climate, talk to a fisherman.

Don't you love it when an architect gets praised for designing exciting new buildings -- on a campus or in a government center or city -- that match the tone of existing arhitecture...even when the existing architecture is bad. He/She did a great job of perpetuating ugly!

If the Government closes all of the parks, where will the homeless stay?

Andy Pafko died last night. During my formative years, he was one of my all time favorite baseball players, whether as the guy who could kill you as an opponent playing Left Field for the Cubs, or as a hero on the Dodgers. He was a solid career .286 hitter (With many .300 seasons in his heydays,) a timely hitter in clutch situations with many 100 rbi seasons and a 4 time All Star and candidate for MVP. But in these days of Political Correctness he is only remembered by the new sports writers as "Having played with Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron".

Why didn't we stop sending money to foreign governments during the shutdown?

I wonder if Short Story excellence in the future will be measured by how well they adapt to Twitter.

The USA has become loony.

The Answer:
Blue is number one for both sexs, 57% fro men and 35% for women. For women it then goes purple, green, red, black, orange, yellow, brown grey and white. For men after blue it is green, black, red, orange, grey, brown, white and yellow. Bonus: But some how...Yellow is the big inning color when it comes to buying mums.

Have a perfectly delightful Columbus Day weekend, and don't let any of the various loons rooming inside and out of our TV's dissuade your admiration for Chris by demeaning the man who sailed the ocean blue in 1492.

Before him only shoreless seas.

Today's Tids Issue 2,943

Opening Stuff:There are challenges you eagerly take on willingly, and then there are those come whacking you behind the ears with a two-by-four when you least expect it. But, if you always exercise the power in your heart and the courage in your soul, you can beat just about anything.

 

Except maybe, a golf course.

 

Do you get the opinion that there are too many faceless committees trying to run the wars around the globe. How can you run a good war these days if you have to send a monthly report to some mystery global government?

Brookins and MacNelley tell us the Monroe Doctrine is, "Diamonds are a girls best friend"!

New research from the nutritionists say you can live longer eating dark chocolate and drinking beer. Unless, of course, you are a diabetic.

The Question:
What is the great lesson learned from Christopher Columbus?

The Headlines:
--US Stocks Hanging In There As Markets Open After Yesterday's Bonanza.
--A Bunch Of Guys Asked To Check Syria's Chemical Weapons Win Nobel Peace Prize; I Don't Get It.
--Gold Continues Plunge In Early Trading Minutes.
--International Human Rights Committee Says Syrian Rebels Committed War Crimes.
--Swedish And Finnish Consulates In Libya Hit by Car Bomb.
--Kerry Off To Afghan's Karsei To Work On Deal To Keep Troops There After Official UN Exercise Ends.
--Tigers Verlander With Dominant One-Hitter Wins Playoff Berth Against Boston

The Old Tids official philosopher is at it again, sending along this piece of wisdom: "The gov't tells us not to judge all Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics. But then, they tell us to be sure to judge all gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics."

It wouldn't be hard for me to believe that more people in the US are upset that Bruce Jenner on the K-Show portrayed himself as the happy husband while he and wife Chris were separated, than those worried about the shut down. That is the new American reality show.

This issue of the Tids was interrupted several times for instructional journeys into Clonewars. I never realized how much I have been missing in life! How out-of-it I have been these many years. There are two worlds in America, and I'm not talking Libs and conservatives. I'm talkng the people who can identify each and every of the thousands of similar appearing clones by name and how they function in the Star Wars universe, versus those who step on them with bare feet early in the morning. Ouch!

It's far from a groundswell, but republicans are starting to pick favorites for 2016. According to the new Zogby Poll Christie is tops with 11.4% of Repubs, closely followed by Jeb Bush 11.2% and Rand Paul 10.9%. Looks like they're waiting for the Messiah to drop in for an earthly visit. 

The big problem with the shut down madness is that through gross exaggerations Obama and the Congress have backed themselves into seemingly irreversible positions. When, you think about it though, it should be easy for them to get as they are all quite adept at reversing positions with blank satres on their faces using creative disingenuous reasoning.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
You kinda feel you know the big movie of the day, Captain Phillips. Not just because you were riveted to the original news story, but because the commercials have been non-stop. Despite the fact that you know the beginning middle and end, it is very good movie and well acted. And, they say it is "Suspenseful" I'm not going to rush to the theaters, but I will see it some day if only to find out what the Oscar excitement is all about.

The Answer:
They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow,
Until at last the blanched mate said:
"Why, now not even God would know
Should I and my men fall dead
These very winds forget their way,
For God from these dread seas is gone.
Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say"--
He said: Sail on! sail on! and on"

How many times did we read that poem in grammar school? How many times were reminded never to give up even when storms rage and we seem so very alone. How we must find within our soul the courage never to give up. To sail on and on, no matter the battles we face. Of course, I wonder if they even still read a poem that speaks of the power of God. I've never forgotten it.

They should have Elder Hostels on things that grandchildren know and of which grand parents have absolutely no clue.

Well, time to sail on into my weekend amorphous state. And, look for the courage to endure the New England Patriost Sunday game.

Have a great weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!

Sacrifice! Are you kidding me?

Today's Tids Issue 2,944

Opening Stuff:

Is it any wonder why people love sports? They're exciting, entertaining, athletes often making plays beyond imagination. The thrill and the reward. Even when you're low or even just plain down and out, it's never over. There always a chance to come back from the deepest gloom. Like yesterday in Boston when Tom Brady lofted a perfect pass and Kenbrell Tompkins made a sensational catch to win in the final seconds. Or later when a lackluster effort by Red Sox was elevated to a heart stopping win with the sweet swings of Ortiz and Saltimacchia bats. There's always hope. Never give up.

Idealistically, not raising the debt ceiling should signal to the world a return to sensibility and the need for universal sacrifice to get there. Realistically, a corrupted world economy craves pouring more good money after bad to salvage an artificially buoyed financial community.

Once again RI farmers have beaten them all from throughout New England* in raising the biggest pumpkin! Rhode Island: The Thanksgiving State -- Biggest pumpkins and biggest turkeys in the state legislature. *RI routinely wins biggest pumpkins in the country, usually against farmers from Illinois, which coincidentally has the biggest turkeys in the State House.

In case you missed it, the newest released Gas and Oil production numbers have the United States of America passing Russia as the largest in the world producer. Put a fence around the Middle East.

The Question:
What do you think are the Top Ten best Broadway Musicals of All Time

The Headlines:
--Budget, Debt Ceiling Negotiations Go Nowhere Over Weekend; Repub Sen.Portman Predicts Debt Deal By Thursday.
--Americans Fama, Hansen And Shiller Win Nobel Economics Prize For Analyzing And Forecasting Asset Prices.
--Iran Nuke Talks In Geneva Hopeful.
--al-Qaida Back In Charge In Iraq.
--Sarah Palin Back On Campaign Trail Stomping For NJ Senate Candidate Steve Lonegan; Lonegan Has Cut Lead Of Celebrity Dem Booker In Half.
--Mass Evacuation Saved Thousands Of Lives In India Cyclone.

Mark Zuckerberg just spent $30 million to buy four houses, er mansions, surrounding his own, for he acknowledges...Privacy? FaceBook has just announced it is changing a key privacy feature that will expose 100 Million people to the world in which they don't want to be seen. I guess you have to have money to hide these days.

As bad as the Republicans may be behaving in the eyes of many, an all Dem Congress with Dem President after 2014 would be a National disaster.

Phrases I could do without are, "Best ever Mac 'n cheese" and "On Steroids", which is often used in sentences like "Mac n' Cheese on steroids". And besides, nobody made macaroni and cheese like me ole' Mom!

This shut down scenario is really quite interesting. Just one short history chapter ago, a lot of Republicans were elected to stop the onrush of an ever encroaching big government. In the House there are actually many who are voting on principle, like doing what they were elected to do. How novel! The problem is that while many Americans see a need for the importance of reversals in the decline to a lower standards America, they weren't quite ready for the pain it takes to get there. So while Dems and libs like to call Tea Party legislators "Whackos and extremeists" I think of them as the only honest people in Congress.

"Nomorobo" is a new service available to people tired of robo-calling for products and services or illegal phoning to foist scams -- which reminds me that the the most annoying robocaller here in RI is Congressman David Cicilini.

As you get older you continually look for signs that your body is functioning well. I thought seeing my fingernails growing nicely, consistently was a good omen until somebody told me that fingernails continue to grow after you're dead. Yeah,.. but not with orange Cheetos dust.

Over the past couple of days, 80,000 cattle were frozen to death on the plains of South Dakota. Just in case, you are keeping score on global warming.

The baseball playoffs generally prove that good pitching can stop a steamroller offense in it's tracks.

Weekend News: In Iraq 15 people at a vegetable market were killed in a car bomb blast. In Peru, 14 people were killed when a bus ran off of a mountain road. These news items, like so many today, aren't surprising at all. As sad as they are for families left to grieve, they happen all of the time. We  live in a statistical world. Everything whether good or bad is inevitable.

The Answer:

There's always room or argument here, but here is a list I have found and at which you can throw rotten tomatoes if the mood moves you. #1 is a surprise to me, even though I liked it -- Gypsy! After that we have My fair Lade, Dweeny Todd, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on Roof, Oklahoma, Cabaret, West Side Story, Music Man and A Chorus Line. Te next ten are Chicago, The Fantastiks (Must be an "In-Cri=owd thing as aalways underwhelming to me), Show Boat, Carousel,Company, Sunday in te park with gerge, The King and I, Little Shop of Horrors, How to Succeed... and Nine. Big hits Les Miz and Phantom are 52 and 59, behind something called Urinetown at 29! Something to do today, check out rest o list:

http://everythingmusicals.com/everything_i_know_i_learn/the-100-best-musicals-of-all-time.html

Yesterday I was driving down Broadway here when just past the big Catholic Church a woman driving a pick-up darted out in front of me. She stopped, I stopped. There was no danger only the rush of surprise. She stared at me and then feverishly began making the sign of the cross. I was thinking, wait one minute...God doesn't save us from stupidity, the big government does. That's the real separation of Church and State. "Big "G" giveth free will and small "g" taketh away.

Don't stop at vegetable markets. It could be bad for your health.

Is it Hide n' Seek or Kick the Can?

Today's Tids Issue 2,945

Opening Stuff:

With the arrival of ObamaCare we will have to go back and add an amendment to the Constitution requiring the election the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the newest most powerful person in America.

The older you get the more coincidences you encounter.

It's conceivable that we may have a national health care system with no doctors. But, everybody will be covered. Yikes.

The Question:
Who are considered the Top Female Musical Broadway and Film performers?

The Headlines:
--Senate Closing In On New Deals For Budget And Debt.
--Potential Deal Has WS Cranking Up For Positive Day.
--Major Quake Rattles Central Philippines; Typhoon In viet Nam Causes Evac Of 122,000..
--NSA Inside People's Smartphones; Millions Of Contact Lists Captured So Far by Secret US Gov Organization.
--Series Of Dry Ice Explosions Causing Jitters At LA Airport.
--George W. Bush Heart Condition Said To have Had 95% Blockage.
--Snowden Leaks: The Worst Is Yet To Come According To London's Guardian.

People can write and people can opine, but nothing really matters until people out of your control engage their brains. And lately, I'm seeing more and more evidence that that may not even be possible.

If you are trying to solve all 1,000,000 games of Freecell, then you must have no life. Hey, wait a minute...

In response to yesterday's "Question", more people were amazed that South Pacific, an iconic Rogers and Hammerstein musical of the era, was left out of the top ten. It was, for some loony reason, 56th.

It's time to get out the flannel shirts.

If these Tids today feel a little underwhelming it's because I'm having trouble matching the excitement of the Sox and Pats Sunday comeback victories.

Ironically, the highlight of the Columbus Day parade yesterday was the Royal and Ancient Order of Hibernian's Bag Pipe band.

Even for people who don't believe in God, the USA was better when the most of the country lived lives according to the basic precepts of God as written in the bible.

Speaking of new lows in America, Senator Barbara Boxer yesterday called Republicans "Domestic Abusers".

Now they tell me. I could have gone to NYC yesterday and bought for $60 a work of art by street artist Banksy that may be worth $1000's and more!.

Success as an artist these days is more about publicity than technique.

The Answer:
Number one is Judy Garland followed by Julie Andrews and then Lisa Minnelli, Ethel Merman (Who I would put at 1 or 2), Barbara Streisand, Carol Channing, Rita Moreno, Angela Lansbury, Shirley Jones, Chita Rivera, Gwenn Verdon, Patti Lapone, Bernadette Peters, Judy Holliday, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Vera Lynn, Doris Day and Betty Hutton.

You know your employer is changing to Obamacare when you're getting your breast exam at hooters, your primary care physician is wearing pants from Goodwill Industries and Viagra has been replaced by a Popsicle stick and duct tape!

Enjoy this perfect day!

Same ole', same ole' just doesn't work anymore.

Today's Tids Issue 2,946

Opening Stuff:

 

Mums are dangerous

to your health, Yes, that dazzling display of color often seen along highways and nestled against stone walls on country lanes is so enticing that drivers are often found hypnotized by the magic of this Fall miracle of color. Transfixed by raw natural beauty. Texting may be disconcerting, but the powerful draw of yellow, rust, maroon, golden chrysanthemums bunched together in compelling arrays is mesmerizing. Irresistible.

I just read a story where I learned that new schools are being designed for easy transformation into office space when the building is deemed obsolete. So that its it, free enterprise is getting wasteful government leftovers.

Drama, Tension and Agony, Departement:
The Red Sox-Tigers game last night was as good a baseball gets.

The Question:

What are considered the top Fall blooming flowers?

The Headlines:
--Stocks up 210 Has Street Sees Happy Ending Grimm Washington.
--Lawmakers Begin Last Ditch Effort On Debt Ceiling, Shutdown.
--Baltimore Port Longshoreman Go On Strike.
--Russia Renews Vow Of Faith In US Debt.
--Iran Offers Concessions On Nuke Program.
--Suicide Bomber Kills Pakistan Official And Others.

In case you missed it, flossing does not dramatically improve chances of fewer cavities, if at all. Several studies over the past five years determined that brushing well is just fine, and adding mouthwash works just as well to defeat decay as the dentist's and dental hygienist's favorite remedy most often recommended accompanied by an accusatory, intimidating stare. (Note: there is some evidence that indicates that non dental humans are just incapable of using proper flossing techniques. That children flossed by Hygienists do have lower cavities:-)

I have a lot of trouble resisting breakfast sausage.

"Zero Tolerance" is a ploy used by officials to avoid their responsibility, enabling them to eschew making tough, reasonable decisions.

The reason we're having so much trouble with the budget and the debt ceiling is because the people having the problem with budget and debt ceiling are the people who put us in jeopardy in the first place.

Since WWII the only war of relevance to the USA was the first year of the Afghanistan payback. All the rest were basically to keep Generals busy and the military industrial complex profitable. Too many young Americans have died or have been maimed for basically nothing.

If President Obama really believes in "fairness for all", as he says, then he would have to take Affirmative Action off the table.

I have to say, that chefs in good restaurants can chop and stir and create, decorate plates for welcoming eyes, but a good dish of Kentucky Fried Chicken is still as good as it gets.

When you think about it, America is becoming subject to the egos of men and women who back themselves into corners. Unfortunately, we elect them.

There are far too many inane conversations in America. And Hashtag is one of the main reasons for them.

Maybe we should keep the Budget conversation going a little longer, because when it stops we are going to be subject to President Obama's immigration harangue. We only need immigration reform because too many recent immigrants have broken the law. I really, really dislike the disingenuous of the immigration discussion. Break the law.-- Go to jail. That would solve the alleged need for immigration reform.

In Europe today there are now thousands of Mosques all with congregations larger than those of churches.

When you think about it, maybe the most dangerous place on earth is Pakistan. This country apparently constantly under siege by terror related groups already has the Bomb.

The Answer.

Well, obviously I have to say garden Mums top the list. Others are Sedum, many types of Asters, Michaelmas Daisy, Caryopteris, Momtauk Daises, Helenium, Sunflowers, Amenome and Heliopsis.

A walk in a Fall garden is living art. Enjoy it.