Typos and all.

Today's Tids   Issue 2,971
Opening Stuff:

"At least it's me". That's what John Steinbech said when he commented on his own speech accepting the Nobel Prize for literature. "Write what you know", another great man told me. Let it flow, the way you feel it, the way you see it, the way you know it from experience -- your own way. For some writing is about breaking down fears of acceptance, sometimes forcing would-be's into not being who they are. Life is like that too,, for all people doing anything. Everybody can do it well if they do it the way they feel it. O, there will be typos in life along the way, but consolidating your energy into your own self, not diluting your innate power by working to imitate others, will help you excel...and everybody will see you as you are. Which is almost always very good.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Dems present a 2014 campaign strategy that said: "Don't elect Republicans because there is no Filibuster power remaining to stop their conservative executive branch bureaucrats, federal judge nominations."

Another poll, CNN/ORC reports that the percentage of Americans who say that Barack Obama has the ability to lead dropped by 12 points to 40% in a month. And, that his approval numbers have hit new lows. Dems will respond saying, "But George Bush had low numbers for a much longer time". Of course the nation doesn't win or lose based on Presidents of different generations out competing each other in polls.  What is relevant is the integrity of the president and the confidence of citizens at the current moment, and whether or not he has the ability to run the nation. Oh, and in another aspect of that CNN/ORC poll, 53% now say he dishonest and untrustworthy.

The Question:
1. Everybody knows that Rosemary Wood reported the infamous "Gap". How long was it? Bonus: Which company is the worlds Largest fashion retailer?

The Headlines:
--New Housing Construction Reports Show Uptick; Apartments Main Contributor.
--Karsei Balking; US Set To Pull Out All Troops.
--Putin Stops To Visit Pope On Way To Berlusconi Mansion for Bunga-Bunga.
--Obama Blasts Back At Allies, Dem Congress People, Netty, Scoffing At Iran Nuke Deal; US Has Already Sent $8 Billion To Nuke Wannabee.
--Selling Pressures Mount Against FaceBook, Other Big Tech Stocks; Is There A New Tech Bubble.
--Fighting, Protesting, Bombing Continues In Various Middle East Countries.
--Providence Colleeg Women Win NCAA Cross Country Championship; Men's Hockey Team 1st In Hockey East, 4th In Nation; Soccer Team Lost To Maryland In NCAA Playoffs; Men's Basketball Edged Out By Maryland In VI Paradise Jam Championship Game.

Last Night, the Voice was very entertaining, starting with the rousing Queen's "Somebody to Love" from James Wolpert. Jamaican Tissane Chin followed wth a raggae song from her homeland, "No Doubt" and she charmed and excited. Tissane may be the best of the bunch. Caroline followed with another excellent effort singing, "Dog days are Over". So to me, the first three were definite keepers. Young Jacquie Lee finished the night with probably the strongest performance of all, singing "Who's Loving You" powerfully, magnificently, angrily and without a hitch. In between, I personally was luke warm. The usually excellent Michael Schuler was so-so, lost in the confusion of too much back-up, though nicely animated in his routine. I got bored with Will Champlin's "At Last", but the expert critics loved it. I liked Cole Vosbury singing "I still Believe in You", but it may not be good enough to keep him going. Ray Boudreaux may have brought down the house with "Gimme Some Lovin' ", but again, will the voters buy it. Schuler should be in danger, and some so-called experts think that Wolpert and Boudreaux will be in the bottom three also.

Each day this week I try to think of another thing to be thankful for. God, there are so many! Tids friends who allow this mess to enter their homes each day. Good people I see around town every day who's positive presence belies the negativity often drawn from the highly publicized antics of a few. But, today I'm thinkng about thanking Rhode Island. Yes, Rhode Island, this state of immense beauty and gnawing flaws is one of the few who will not let Big Box stores open and interrupt the most wonderful Thanksgiving day. Thanks Rhode Island for keeping it special. We have lost so much that once was sacred.

You gotta figure that the Admin likes Karsei balking. Bringing home the troops would be a boon for 0-Man's image.

I'm calling this the "Seltzer Economy" Everybody is looking for the bubbles, and many are vigorously shaking the bottle. Will the eruption be the next self-fulfilling prophecy?

I just saw a headline, "The best Superbowl half Tine Show ever." If they ever had a good one it would be the best.

The Answer:
1. In case you forgot, Rosemary Wood performed her contortionist like editing job for 18 1/2 minutes. Bonus: Dow says that Inditex, the Spanish giant retailer, is one of the worlds best stocks for sustainability. It is huge around the world with 6,100 storss,has just opened 46 stoees in the US. You can expect to see many more as this behomoth has big growth objectivesm and plenty of dough to get there. the first US stors are Zara, and Massimo Dutti. I expect you'll be seeing more Zara stores popping up across the USA.

Hunker down, we're in for a big blow.