The dreadful “T”.

Today's Tids Issue 3,058

Opening Stuff:

 

I expect to see a lot of lambs as I stroll around the countryside this weekend. It’s that time, right? The weather is settling in just as the snowbirds filter back into the North. I hear that my favorite little golf course is opening next week, and it will be fine as soon as they shovel away four tons of winter goose crap. It’s that weekend to take a long walk, maybe out upon craggy rocks surrounded by the churning sea. To hear that contented roar; to smell that magnificent aroma of fresh salty air; to bow before the mighty ocean surging back with the energy of our reawakening world. To stand in the breeze and listen to the lions roar, fading away.

 

Some days the “T” in Tids stands for Tedious, especially when I find myself spiraling down into the darkness of some political enigma; my own vortex sucking me into complex inconsistencies; grasping my heart, squeezing my brains until I am encaged in words with no escape. See, there I go again.

 

I see where the Congress has sent the IRS chief Josh Koskinen a subpoena for specific Lois Lerner emails. The Chief replied that it would take a couple of years before they could reply. Now I figure that if the IRS sent me a subpoena, they probably would put me in jail if I said I’ll get back to you in a two years. Get rid of them all, before I go crazy.

 

The Question:

In only eleven states, a coach is not the highest paid public employee. Name them. Bonus: Which of God’s non human creatures probably were not on, nor invited to be on Noah’s ark?

 

The Headlines:

--Markets Up Strong As Feb Consumer Spending Impresses WS; Fed Sees No Rate Hikes Until 2015.

--Russia Seen Building Up forces At Ukraine Border; Security Council concerns Mount.

--US Appeals Court Upholds New Texas Abortion rules.

--Financial World Eyes Japan Consumption Tax Hike Set For Tuesday; Worries That New Tax Could Send Public Debt Laden Country Into Steep Decline.

--Malaysian Mystery Moves 630 Miles North.

--Postal Employees Found Using Taxpayer Funded Travel Cards To Withdraw Cash for LV Gambling; Cal Senator Caught With Mobsters In FBI Sting.

 

Economics department:

--Wall Street economists came out this morning predicting a strong year for 2014. They figure the cold Winter sapped the energy of a strong start, but good technical’s suggest a rapid rehabilitation leading to a strong finish. They say that signs of improved employment and better than expected consumer spending could deliver a 3.8 growth rate, the best GDP year, they say, since 2005. --On the other side of  the financial coin is the drying up of the Fed Welfare for big finance, which could slow stock gains. –And then there is a new survey among consumers who think by a margin of 48-39 that the job situation is getting worse—a complete reversal of a similar poll last summer. The poll also reveals that the biggest economic problem facing average Americans is “rising prices”. What bothers these people most about taxes is the way government spends “their” money..

 

So Already I don’t Like this Movie, Department:

In Noah, the ark builder and his families are depicted as God loving vegetarians, while the bad guys are meat eating secularists. How does Noah reconcile naming his son Ham!

 

You have to love being beaten to death with one story in order to stay up and watch Hannity at 10PM.

 

It appears that “O” Is following the Clinton playbook, spending a lot of time out of the country when things domestic are disintegrating. Note: Current admin travel expense: $16 Mil)

 

Ok, I’m ready for a Pistorius decision. See, I’m just another short attention-span American.

 

I sense this tendency to want to throw up when I listen to the illogic of the minimum wage argument.

 

The TV show “Scandal” has been reinvigorated. I lost interest a year or so or go.  But lately, it has crept back up on me, and now I’m taking a crash course on who’s who.

 

Over in Germany, former Chancellors Helmut Schmidt and Gerhard Schroeder have come out in separate statements saying that they understand Putin’s aggression in Ukraine. The two blame the EU for forcing Ukraine into a “Me or Them” choice. Interestingly, Schmidt warned that over aggression by the West could force Putin into taking further actions. In a poll, Germans in general think it is natural for Putin to take back Ukraine. Schmidt says he does not understand the logic of eliminating Russia from the Group of 8 just at the time when it is important to maintain a dialogue. One of the great things about Americans not knowing as much as they think they know about the world is that makes for great arguments late at night over a glass of brandy.

 

The University of Dayton has become the new darling of the big dance. The fact that URI is in the same league, The A-10, makes their achievements very follow-able up here

 

Somebody described the American Idol finalists this year as “Rough around the Edges”. I couldn’t agree more. Some who  seem to escape show after show just plain can’t sing. A couple of them, though, are beginning to emerge, but over all I think it is just a nutty year for the old talent show. CJ or Sam, and not Majesty Rose should have gone last night. The fact is, any of them can go and I wouldn’t feel a thing, unlike years past.

 

So, I guess with the NLRB acceptance of college sports unions, the world of higher education now revolves around 80 to 100 football players. So now, when the union bargains for higher wages, do you think there is any chance at all of Colleges being able to require academic achievement to reach upper levels of pay?

 

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--Everybody is talking about Noah and the director who coveys the Bible story more as a myth. He has manufactured his $130 Million version of the event not to inspire but for entertainment purposes only it appears; this movie, where Crow plays Noah well and piously, takes on the appearance of a Sci-fi blockbuster, and you will like it the way you liked Brave Heart or Lord of the Rings. It is a very well done entertainment vehicle with good acting. The fact that the director chose to have the good guys eating veggies and the bad guys eating meat is a little stupid…If you ask me.

--Bad Words is about a 40 year old guy who is an annoying adversary to lots of kids in this movie about spelling bees. Personally, the movie doesn’t appeal to me, primarily just because I don’t like the lead character as played by Jason Bateman, and the many insulting jokes. Along the way he meets a 10 year old boy from India, who he befriends in a crude way. So that’s basically the situation.

--Sabotage is a Schwarzenegger vehicle about a DEA raid which is in effect a theft operation planned by te agents where the agents take and hide bundles of loot. One by one they are assassinated. It might be good on Fx some day. I’d go if I needed a popcorn fix.

 

The Answer:

In the East you have New York, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Delaware. In the North Central it is North and South Dakota and Montana. Nevada and Alaska round out the list. The Basketball Coach is the top guy in Cal, Ariz, Nev, Wisc, Mich, Ind, Kty, Fla,NC, NJ, Conn and RI. The football coach is tops in the rest of the states except in Minn where it’s both sports and hockey too. For your info, Med School Dean is tops in N&S Dak, Mass and NY. College Pres is tops in Hawaii, Vermont, NH, Montana, and Del. Law School Dean is tops in Maine. Out in Nevada the top guy is the Med School Plastic Surgeon. No kidding! I wonder what Harry Reid used to look like. Bonus: Fish and sea creatures.

 

I’ve got to get the Tids back into the lighter side of my heart. Or, just turn off the TV.

 

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

 

 

I’m looking at bright skies, but seeing a cloudy future.

Today's Tids Issue 3057

Opening Stuff:

 

Somehow a national tragedy has been buried in the morass of news for titillation and ratings. The Mudslide in Oso Washington came suddenly, a roar of a mile of mountain rumbling down upon unsuspecting people doing the ordinary things we all do every day – eating, cooking, sleeping, playing with kids; Laughing, crying, elating, loving. Within seconds a giant blob of oozing mud smothered their lives; it has probably claimed the lives of over 150 Americans, when and if they ever get to a final count. It just breaks my heart when I see the devastation and the survivors, so alone in their grief. So, these are days when I try to see if my prayers still work.

 

Musing on Brussels, Department:

As I listened yesterday, I was beginning to think that the Prez was making a pretty good speech in Brussels, until it went on and on and it became another everything but the kitchen sink political harrangue. As I listened further it became more like he was writing a grant for another Nobel Peace Prize. It was apparent that the president’s premise is that Putin is breaking laws and we have a peaceful way to bring him before the world court of opinion. But Putin sees the world through a completely different set of eyes. So while the Obama speech seemed tempered and rational, it was only rational to the way the President and his followers think. It was irrelevant when compared to the way Putin thinks. He still believes in muscle, and knuckling under the weak. Interestingly, “O”  talked about big countries bullying small one’s, but over here, he doesn’t seem to feel anything for the small conservative organizations being bullied by the most intimidating organization on earth, the IRS. It would have been a great speech if he understood Putin.

 

I listen to stories of real, average people helping others and realize how many people, people who may not speak the king’s English or make a lot of money or wear the latest designer clothes, are damn, just better human beings than I. I am continually amazed what people do for people.

 

The Question:

Name 5 of Quenton Tarantino’s Movies. Bonus: What did Paulie Parette do before her current success.

 

The Headlines:

--Putin Moves More Troops Into Ukraine Area; Nato Commander General Breedlove Warns Congress That Buildup Is” Not Congruous With respecting Borders”.

--Dems Manchin And Landrieu Moving To Introduce Laws That Would Fix ACA; Concern Growing Among Dem Incumbents That Health Law Could Sicken Their Candidacy For 2014; Patients  Running Out.

--Rand Paul Putting Together Strong National Network.

--Kids Stop Buying Fed Funded Michelle Obama Healthy Lunches; School Districts Losing Money As More Kids Bring Own Lunches.

--Lehman Brothers Shell To Dole Out An Additional $17 Billion to creditors: Funds would go To Hedge Funds And Big Wall Street Banks.

--Candy Crush Stock Not So Sweet; Owner King Now Has Worst Public Offerings Of Year.

--Jefferson Parish La Bans Sagging Pants That Expose Skin And Undergarments.

 

New Jersey, Rhode Island and Illinois politicians may be concerned about losing their title as leading candidate for most corrupt states after reading about new Mayor Patrick Cannon of Charlotte North Carolina who was ousted after just 6 months for accepting $48K from a FBI agent posing as a business man wanting special favors. That is just the tip of the iceberg for Cannon, who is no piker. He has solicited more than $1 Million in bribes, hotel rooms and airplane tickets. In just 6 months! Yikes! As a guy named Doug Larson once said: “Instead of giving politicians h=the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.”

 

While the Dow seems to be ticking upward pleasantly lately, I’ve begun to notice a serious negative trend for Nadaq. This exchange is generally the focus for a lot of excitement among investors, yet it may now represent more and more companies with what appear to be overvalued stocks.

 

I don’t know about you, but there is just something that bothers me about college football players carrying picket signs for dear old Dartmouth. With the unions getting so interested, you would think that all of these football players were going to college for money instead of learning and getting smarter. I can see a union contract that would limit study time, as it may get in the way of a good draft spot.  

 

I now realize why President Obama was so excited to speak in Brussels before the European Union; he thought it was part of AF/CIO.

 

I see where hedge Funds and Big WS banks are getting $17 Billion from the old Lehman shell. Maybe the recipients of that should dole it out to all of the retirement accounts which were crapped up by their ineptitude and immoral management of money. Not to mention back to the tax payers who bailed them out.

 

In case you are into planning for an international get away, the top 10 travel spots so far this year are: 1. Caribbean Cruise, 2. Cancun 3. Mediterranean Cruise 4. Rome 5. Danube River Cruise 6. London 7. Punta Cana, Dominican 8. Paris 9. Playa del Carman, Maya, Mexico 10. Montego Bay Jamaica. Don’t forget the sun block!

 

America could solve its economic and local political problems by sending all the unions to China, India and a host of third world countries.

 

I tend to tip restaurant servers well because I realize they don’t get a lot in wages (I also tip according to the quality of their service). Now the Dems in congress, of all places, want to force restaurant owners to raise wages. So these lawmakers who get all of their high priced dinners and lunches from lobbyists want to make it more expensive for the average diner and more costly for business owners. Of course what they really want are more wage taxes from waiters and waitresses. They think everybody is getting a free lunch like them, which they continue to castrate free enterprise one little slice at a time. Ouch!

 

Immediately after electing a new Speaker would forge a new era, the Legislature in the state with the highest unemployment went right back to work – talking about promoting calamari! Now think about this for a second. RI has as one of its few remaining assets and industries, beaches and tourism. Ok, if they promote RI’s great nation leading calamari resources, you have to wonder how many vacationers would want to come and swim with squid?

 

The Answer:

Tranatino’s became a cult favorite with Reservoir Dogs, called the “Greatest Independent Film of all Times”.. He zoomed up with Pulp Fiction. He then released the pleasant little mystery based on Elmore Leonard’s Book Rum Punch – Jackie Brown. Kill Bill was another pace setter and was followed by Inglorious Bastards and Django unchained. He’s a director that draws audiences unquestioning, but not me.  Bonus: Paulie Parette started  her career-chase wanting to be an FBI agent, but somewhere along the way while In John Jay College she found a niche in the production of commercials, voice over’s bartending (Where she dressed like she looks now in leather bra and white Mohawk)  and lead singer in an all –girl band – Lo-Ball. Their song “Can’t get me Down" was in the movie Legally Blonde.” She had a couple of roles in TV shows including the first episode of “24”, and then snagged the role of Abby Scuiuto in NCIS. She owns a donut/bake shop and is big into charity, especially advocating for gay marriage. She is engaged but won’t get married until everybody else in the world can marry. Good excuse.

 

For those in Oso, a couple of firemen who died yesterday in Boston doing what they do; for all the good people in this world we don’t know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPeVIuRjUi4

What snow?

Today's Tids Issue 3,056

Opening Stuff:

 

If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates. –Jay Leno.

 

(Note: Written before market opened) I’m hearing of some monster valuations for the Irish game maker King Digital’s pending IPO mainly because of their super popular game Candy Crush Saga, which after all is but a fad, destined to be replaced by the next “hot” techno-pastime. Aren’t some of these valuations for companies based on fads, with no profits reminiscent of the late nineties when eager investors were virtually conned into getting on board the train or be left at the station. There is nothing in history that says Candy Crush won’t become another Farmville or Angry Birds. King has set a per share price of $22.50 which would give it a $7.3 billion valuation, almost exactly that of Farmville’s owner Zynga, the former hottie that reached twice it’s opener, but now languishes at $5.00. The chances are that King will open strong and if you can actually get shares, you may make a buck or two if you can get out fast enough. (Oops! – the IPO opened down 6% and has just passed down 10%). Maybe the market is answering the bigger question that I was alluding to earlier: Are we getting too excited about stuff that has no real value or staying power…just to be there? The answer this morning is, Yes!

 

A observant reader writes to say the scuttlebutt around the back halls of the State House is that George Nee, head of the AFL/CIO in RI told (Ordered?) legislators not to talk to the media during the selection of the new Speaker process. Sounds like Nee, who really runs RI, didn’t want anything negative to come out about his handpicked candidate. Now you really know why businesses in general run past RI as fast as possible – the state is an arm of the AFL/CIO.

 

The Question:

Bonus day! 1. What are considered the five most undervalued stocks on the Dow? Bonus: What does the following list mean to you: Xiaomi, Palantir, Jongdong, Zalando, Uber, Airbnb and Sogou?

 

The Headlines:

--0-Man Refuses To Acknowledge That Romney May Have Been Right About Russia As Threat; Demeans Putin’s State As Mere Regional Power.

--Official Death Toll In Osa Wash Hits 24; Officials Warned Of Potential Mudslides In 1999 Before Building Of Homes.

--US Lawmakers Introduce Bills That Would Eliminate Tax Credits For Solar Industries.

--Pentagon Warns That China Is Waging “Three Wars” To Force USA Out Of Asia; Wars Are Psychological,  Media, Legal Operations That Present Asymmetric Military Technology Which is  Surrogate For Kinetic Conflicts; Says US Unprepared To Counter.

--Arab League Rejects Israel As Jewish Homeland.

--North Dakota Average Incomes Have Doubled Since Start Of Oil Flow.

 

RemDog Morality, Department:

Here’s a little moral, cultural conundrum for you. Jerry Remy, a former pretty good second baseman, Boston area native and long time beloved color announcer on the TV broadcasts is under pressure from sports yahoos to step down from his announcer job. The Problem: His son beat his girlfriend and mother of his child to death. The righteous are saying that Remy enabled his son’s existence, a troubled existence that began around 12 years old and included some 80 run-ins with the law, with relatively few days in jail. Maybe Jerry Remy should have been home more. Maybe the son was one of those black sheep types that appear from time to time in good families. There are plenty of ball players whose lives are on the road in the early days of their children’s growth, and most of the kids seem to do ok. I have no problem with Remy staying on. His real problem is the cancer that seems to be recurring more often than it should.

 

Jerry Remy’s daughter recently told her brother’s now deceased girlfriend, “My brother is going to kill you. Get out.”

 

The new RI Speaker promises to find oil in Rhode Island. Citizens cheer and fall inline.

 

“A politician is a fellow who lay down your life for the country.” –Tex Guinan

 

In the “Did-You Know” section of the marvelous Tids today, we examine the scrumptious cashew. The cashew isn’t a nut to the standards by which we measure nuts (No, I’m not talking about Harry Reid talking on the Senate floor). The cashew doesn’t come in a shell, although it grows on trees. At first appearance it looks like a sumptuous apple. But a closer look reveals a thick green stem which oddly is the shape of…a cashew! The “cashew apple” itself is pulpy and juicy, often used in tropical fruit drinks. The outer skin of the cashew stem, though, is toxic, capable of creating skin rashes ala poison ivy. Roasting the stem removes toxins, and the roasting must be done outside to avoid smoke irritation of lungs. So now you know why cashews are expensive – hazardous duty pay! BTW, whoever first thought of not throwing away the poisonous stem?

 

I think that the PGA should have a “Young Turks” promotion. The way things have been going it appears that the quality of some of the new kids is so good that it will become tougher and tougher to for the Tournament sponsors to rely on having “Big Names” in the final rounds. Phil and Tiger and even Rory at his tender age, are more often also-rans rather than Arnie Palmers charging up the fairways. People will have to find enjoyment more from loving the competition of the game, rather than affixing themselves to celebrity.

 

There’s a helluva lot of money floating around these days just aching to be spent.

 

Holly Misto was a very successful coach of Westerly RI HS girls basketball team who suddenly resigned, and was joined by her assistants in complete support. The only clue she gave was the statement “The parents don’t understand the concept of ‘team’.” I thought it was interesting, as Holly was so loved by her players to the point where many graduates who went on to greater things came back on the scene to praise her, not only as a sports coach, but as a person who improved their understanding of life and prepared them for it. I can only think that some whiny “Darling” got the ear of her parents – who weren’t prepared for real life. I’ll be back on this one. Here is her complete and only statement. You figure it out: “My staff and I resigned freely and not as a result of any wrongdoing. I reached a point where I could no longer effectively coach my team in the context of significant interference from several parents who misunderstand the meaning of team. And my assistants agreed. The interference was continuous throughout the season and escalated during playoff week.”

 

The NCAA tourney would be much better and more predictable if all players were required to proceed to senior year. And, the NBA would be better too. Having “Game” is only a part of the equation.

 

The Answer:

Intel heads the list of five most undervalued which also includes, Chevron, JP Morgan Chase, IBM, and United Health. Bonus: These are some of the companies that form a list of 45 heavily invested in by Venture Capitalists and valued at over a Billion Dollars. In order they are China’s Xiaomi and US Drop Box valued at $10 Bil followed by Palantir at $9B and Jingdong at $7.3B. the rest in  are Zalando, SpaceX, Spotify, Pinterest, Uber, Jawbone, Square, VANCL, Legendary Entertainment, Bloom Energy, Alronb and Woodman Labs. Might be a list to keep in your back pocket, just in case the bubble still has life. http://graphics.wsj.com/billion-dollar-club/

 

I hear a lot around here about all of the snow we have had this winter.  People must be imagining it based on reports from the north and NYC, Philly and DC. I shoveled less snow than I have in years. It has been colder, and perhaps we had more snow events, but definitely not more snow.

 

Happy Birthday to Steven Tyler! Have a Stella and rock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZfZ8uWaOFI

 

Zowie!

Today's Tids Issue 3,054

Opening Stuff:

 

I was just sitting here this morning looking for a thought or two, when I felt my heart growing and realized it was from the music of affection, tenderness, warmth, filling the air around me. The strains of romantic classical music powered the eternal engine of love to expand within my chest. The passion of caring forges an intimacy with everything created, a zest for enthusiasm, appreciation for the comfort from all the affection you have received. Everything looks more beautiful. Feel it. Capture the day. Be selfless.

 

“Noah”, the movie, has certainly become a lightning rod for controversy. The Christians say it is another lame attempt by Hollywood to promote environmentalism, with many Gore-Like preachers and not one single mention of God. The director is walking away from the notion that it is biblical in any way, even though it is set for release during the Holy Easter Season. Atheist Bill Mahr uses it to call, “God a psychotic murderer”! And islamists hate it like they hate everything else. So basically, the Muslims, Christians and atheists all hate it. H-Wood gurus defend themselves by saying, “Movies aren’t meant to preach. Movies aren’t sermons.” Yeah, sure…have you seen any of the Oscar winners over the years.

 

It’s tough to have an elated heart when you have to feel so much sorrow for all of those families devastated by the mudslide in little Oso Washington. Sitting, with hope, but knowing.

 

The Question:

Double “Q” Day: 1. Name five professional female race car drivers. 2. This is easy – what are five of Elton John’s greatest hits?

 

The Headlines:

--Latest reports Say Up To 176 Missing In Washington Mudslide.

--Supreme Court Takes On Constitutional Religious Freedom Versus ObamaCare Birth Control Mandate Case.

--New Reports On Housing In Line With estimates; Consumer Index Surprises, Up More Than Hoped; Stocks Moving Up.

--China Will Not Commit To Sanctions Against Russia; US Pays Russia $70.7 Million For One Shuttle Ride On Russian Space Ship Soyuz.

--“O” To Call For End Of NSA Bulk Data Collection.

--9 Year Old Girl Barred From School After Shaving Head In Support Of Friend With Cancer.

 

I feel for the missing passengers of MH3780, and certainly the concerned relatives, but the coverage has been entirely overdone, serving mainly as face time for retired pilots who had little more to offer than the guy standing next to you aT KFC. Waiting for gravy.

 

How can a person with love in his heart be such a cynic? It bewilders me.

 

“Mr. Kent, your son Clark has been caught in the boy’s room sniffing Kryptonite.”

 

If you ever need a comforting voice and a lot of information about the newest technology, and how to solve little computer or Internet problems, tune in you radio to Leo Laport.

 

Benghazi Update, Department:

Apparently there is a consulting company called Beacon Global Strategies (BGS) which knows more about the attack, and the O-Admin response than any other entity. But!, the willingness of Pols to dig deeper is hampered by the fact that BGS has deep ties to Hillary Clinton and others in the controversy – and is so intertwined with the admin and Capitol Hill, that nobody it seems on either end of the questioning feels good about opening this can of worms. It just shows how screwed the citizens and tax payers really are when their officials and elected representatives owe more to those sucking at the national teets, than the people who supposedly own the country.

 

And while we weren’t looking, the education Industry complex seems to be on the verge of overtaking the military industrial complex as the prime threat to people having a say in their own lives. School Boards will become eunuchs as more of the money comes from state and federal governments.

 

Politicians are quite adept at releasing incredible non-sensible press releases.

 

Oh yeah, have you heard about the hoards of FBI, IRS and RI State Troopers who swooped in on the home and office of the RI Speaker of the House, Gordon Fox. This is looking like a where there’s smoke, there’s an inferno moment. Now there’s a battle for his job  mainly between a progressive liberal named Marcello and a so-called “for-all-RI’ers” business as usual hack Matiello, who’s slogan is, “I will unite the legislature.” My question is, unite to what? – total Union domination? The Repubs in the esteemed body should be making a play for power trading demands for their votes. But, alas, there are only 6…count em’…6, Republicans.

 

As a kid I thought Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky‘s Romeo and Juliet was one of the prettiest of melodies and general all-around heartwarming musical pieces. That is, until I heard Hector Berlioz Romeo et Juliet. It always pays to look on the “B” side.

 

Down at the NFL annual meeting the leaders are talking about adding pass interference calls to the growing list of reviewable replays. O great, more time watching rear-ends of refs with heads in a box. I’m say, go back to no replay at all. It evens out, and the games are faster. But, the players like replays because the advertisers have more opportunities to pay into the salary war chests.

 

The Voice:

Last night was very entertaining with several people going home who I thought were pretty good , like Alaska and Madi (I thought the short dark haired woman was understated and maybe better than the other two) and Tanner James in particular. Josh Murley was also pretty good. Of the winners and keepers last night, I like Dawn and Hawkes, Madilyn Paige, Bria Kelley, Josh Kaufman, and frankly, I believe then woman with the bad name “Music Box” might be a surprise. Informal voting has as the strong top 4: Josh Kaufman, Bria Kelley, Madilyn Paige and Dawn And Hawkes.

 

Sign in “Shoe” comic strip: “Rare Books. (Medium and Well Done books too.)”

 

The Answer:

1. Everybody knows Danika Patrick and everybody should remember Janet Guthrie who was the first great woman to qualify for Indy.  She was followed by Desire Wilson and then Lyn  St. James and Sara Fisher. The rest are Amber Furst, Milka Duno, Simona Del Silvestro, Ana Beatriz Figuereido, Pippa Mann and Katherine Legge. 2. Candle in the Wind is the best selling record of all time, but I have to think much of it centered around the funeral of Diana. I always liked Rocketman. Elton had 58 Billboard Top 40 singles, so your list and mine could be 180 degrees off. Some others were Crocodile Rock, Daniel (His 1^st Billboard #1), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Bennie and the Jets and I Guess That’s Why they call it the Blues.

 

There is nothing better than the robust laughter from beautiful hearts.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_cmYrXH85M

When the world stops thinking.

Today's Tids Issue 3,053

Opening Stuff:

 

Human relations can be very complex or very simple; the underlying reality is that humans need humans, no matter who they are and how much they decry the existence of others.

 

Years ago upon leaving a Motel, the husband would throw the luggage in back of the vehicle and the wife would ask, “did pack my toothbrush, bra, hairbrush?”. Nowadays it’s, “Did you pack my charger!

 

Recently, I’ve seen a rash of YouTube vids and news stories about humans saving Deer from certain death. Have you ever seen a deer turn back to the human and say thank you? I wonder if PETA knows this?

 

Have there been any more TV shockers than last night’s killing of Will on The Good Wife? Can the series survive without his very important character?

 

The Question:

What is the element “Polonium” named after? Who is Marya Sclodowska?

 

The Headlines:

--Hope Wanes That 18 Others Will Be Found After Oso Washington Mile Wide Mudslide; 8 Already Found Dead, 8 Wounded.

--Ukraine Concerned Putin Will Mount New Attacks; 0-Man In Europe For G-7.

--Sources Saying Search For Malyasian Airplane May Be Over; Confidence Growing That Indian Ocean Site May be Final Resting Place.

--Results Of Internal Investigation Say That Christie Had No Involvement In Bridge Closing.

--Egypt Court sentences 529 Morsi Supporters To Death; Brotherhood Could Mobilize.

--Head Of National Constitutional Sheriffs Organization Says Northeast States Very Cavalier About Violating Constitution. New York, Vermont And Conn have Laws Against Ownership; Sheriffs Across Nation Are Refusing To Enforce New Gun Restrictions.

--US Sending Troops, Aircraft To Uganda To Hunt Warlord Kony.

--Bill Clinton On Board For US Control Of Interne; This is WC’s Latest Latest Thrust Aggainst O-Admin; Expect More As Mate Gears Up For Run.

 

The allegretto which is the 4^th movement of Mahler’s 5^th Symphony is a helluva a piece of comfortable music.

 

Are machines eventually going to overcome minds? I read where a college professor has a new app that allows him to 3D Map interiors which he said will be useful to him to find his classrooms! C’mon! The more we make our minds lazy the more the mind will cease to exist. We have programs that help people parallel park and shop for groceries. They are clever, but I believe it’s better to force ourselves to think. Hell, we have politicians who are pretty much programming weak minds on how to vote.

 

The NEA is one of the singly most powerful and effective lobbying organizations in the country. They probably would like to bring all spending under the control of USA Educational department, cutting out local school boards. So, I was intrigued by the action of RI NEA, an equally powerful operation, in it’s selection to endorse the third leading candidate for Governor, Clay Pell. They may think the grandson of Pell Grants Claiborne will be a national power some day and are willing to put their necks on the line to get him started in RI. I wonder what younger Pell promised them? Free figure skating lessons?

 

In case you are in planning for funding your retirement, the 23 obits in yesterday’s Sunday Providence Journal added up to 1,871 years for an average of 81.34. 8 were in the 90’s and 7 in 80’s. One each was in the 40’s and 50’s, 4 in the 60’s and 2 in the 70’s. Then average age continues to go up!

 

A reader sends information saying that reliable sources say Obama has drawn a new line in the sand; he has “Unfriended” Putin in FaceBook.

 

A speaker I heard yesterday said there are two basic cultures: the Culture of respect and the culture of Guilt. Guilt is what used to keep society civilized, where person could feel shame for wrongs, ask forgiveness and move on. The culture of respect is threat based environment of people like Aaron Hernandez or organizations like the Mafia, where when wronged, you kill the adversary. How do young people escape negative societies into which they were born? Does the society of being nice, hold more promise than being held on high due to violence; Is starting at the bottom on minimum wage more of a lure than making thousands with the local drug dealer? How do people ever learn when they only know what they are?

 

I don’t know about your teams, but then Red Sox seem to have an awful lot of good, or should I say “could” players in the minors, just a hair away from playing every day in the majors. How do you keep them happy down on the farm after they’ve seen the monster? The latest is Dan Butler, maybe officially fourth in line for top catcher, but playing as well or better than the rest. He is just one of several super prospects a including yet another catcher named Christian Vasquez. Pawtucket RI is a nice place to play, but not for a career. Maybe the talent pool has become so rich, that we need a few more teams. Or, perhaps the high salaries of no-cut contracts keep active far too many beyond-their-peak players clogging lineups.

 

If you ever receive a notice to upgrade your browser to a faster “Conduit”, hit delete and run away as fast as you can. Conduit is a search engine that can hijack your browser, change your home page and redirect all searches to it’s answers, and it is extremely difficult to remove., There is a ligit “Conduit”, but the sensible thing is to just stay away. BTW, there is a lot of other malware identified as Windows or windows related products for security. You just can’t be too careful.

 

If you don’t understand “Streaming”, it would be a good time to learn about it. It’s where entertainment is going to be, that is, until they can transmit it all to your eyelids.

 

In the Buffett/Quicken Billion Dollar Bracket contest, there were just 3 remaining eligible contestants by the time the Tennessee/UMass game rolled around. After that it was over. An imaginative reader writes to suggest that the next Impossible Sports Pickem’ Contest should be naming in order the top ten finishers after the final round in the Masters.

 

The Answer:

Polonium was named after the homeland of Marya Sclodowska who was born in Poland. When she discovered Polonium and Radium she was Marie Curie!

 

We have used more of out Military might looking Flight MH370 than we have in five years of wars. Or, it seems that way.

 

Happy week!

 

International Brackets

Today's Tids Issue 3,052

Opening Stuff:

 

While driving west across the bridge from here yesterday, I looked up at the receding sun behind a giant cloud. I saw a very bright smiling mouth and two eyes, each with powerful, gleaming, well defined rays beaming to earth below. I thought, that could easily be the face ot God. Then I remembered earlier in the day passing a funeral home; how I was impressed by the very long line of mainly young people waiting to get in. I was reminded later that there had been a young beautiful woman who had recently died, a woman who lived in Sanderstown, Sanderstown, where those beams from above were focused. I just thought I’d pass that along. Probably means nothing.

 

Republicans and people with brains will rush to the polls out of the single fear that if the Dems take the House, Nancy Pelosi will be in charge.

 

You have to wonder if this Ukraine thing is just one more element of March Madness. I can see Putin having brackets of his own, only his have Russia versus Ukraine, versus Belarus, versus Georgia, versus Latvia and Lithuania and Estonia. Then, maybe Poland and Turkey.

 

The Question:

What were the ten top disasters in Space Programs?

 

The Headlines:

--AMA Docs Find “Grace Period” Rule In ObamaCare That may Have Them Paying For Patient Care.

--Putin Issues Sanctions Against US Officials; NATO Begins Military Exercises In Bulgaria; Obama Goes On Ellen Show.

--Mt. Gox Finds 200,000 BitCoins In Discarded (Electronic) Wallets.

--US Coast Guard Budget Crunch Has drug dealers Back A Sea.

--Harvard, Dayton And North Dakota State Head Upset List On First Day Of NCAA; ND State Disrupts 83% of Brackets Vying For Billion Bucks.

--Vanishing Plane Hunters Still Focusing On Area West Of Australia.

 

How about a sip of dark Roast to toast Howard Schultz, the Chairman of Starbucks, for his giving $30 Million to help the men and women returning from the wars! How many billions are wasted on frivolity and excess that could be transformed by private people into helping others?

 

When the sculptor finished his work, he said, “That’s a relief”!

 

While President Obama got down to serious prepping for the Putin confrontation on the Ellen show, It appears that Putin is wakening to the dangers to his dominance by the presence of FaceBook and Twitter. It is expected that it won’t be long until he shuts them down. He can own the TV stations and newspapers, but he can’t control the opinions of dissenters in cyberspace.

 

RI is sinking and a lot of it it is due to unions starting way back when textile companies left, and continuing through to the demise of manufacturing. The only people left to organize were in the biggest industry supported by taxes, Government. Basically a no growth industry, income and benefit demands increased annually until there was no more money. So now faced with reality, the Unions stubbornly acquiesced to some cuts, that is, if the membership voted for them. So these Union heads devised a system that among other things said, “Ballots not returned will be counted as a ”Yes”! One of the first ballots out went to a dead person! The beat goes on.

 

I talk to a lot of younger families who only buy the basic TV stations and get everything they want through streaming, on Netflix or other services. It’s just the way it is, and only the start of the way it’s going to be.

 

Talk of the over suspension of Black students is prevalent among news reports today, all implying that the suspensions are not deserved but somehow due only to race. What a country.

 

People who buy cars in Winter should wait to late spring until complaining about not getting advertised miles per gallon. Cold reduces efficiency. BTW, new technology makes large cars as efficient as those super mini’s and automatic transmissions as fuel efferent as standard. A well maintained car will sustain it fuel efficiency as it ages. Also additives will not improve gas mileage and may hurt the engine. New fuel injected engines do not require frequent air filter changeovers. And, EPA estimates are no guarantee of getting the mileage efficiencies promised. Just incase you are being told something different

 

Some people think that the “Green” people have put sanctions on the USA, preventing us from sending the oil an gas to Ukraine and Europe which would neutralize the strengths of you know who.

 

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--I think the SiFi movie Divergent may be ok, with a bit of reality making the plot in the future believable. The world is divided into two groups based on virtue. A group called Divergents are considered not fit for either. When word about destroying all divergent is heard, out heroine rallies together the others to fight for their lives, as they say.

--I like Muppet movies mainly because I liked the rainbow song. In this one, the crew is on a world tour only to find themselves embroiled in a criminal caper where the evil one is a dead ringer for Kermit.

--In “God Is Not Dead” a radical professor on the first day of philosophy class orders the class to write a paper disavowing the existence of God…or they will fail. Our hero a devout Christian is torn, hold to his beliefs, of fail. When he nervously tells the prof he won’t do it, an angered teacher challenges him to present researched, intellectual arguments proving the existence of God. How does he do?

 

The Answer:

#10 is the crash of the high altitude test vehicle X-15 and the death of pilot Michael Adams; 9. Sous was destined to failure from the beginning when it could lock onto the space station and upon returning was blown into an submerged in an icy lake. Surprising to all, the Cosmonauts survived. 8. Gemini * Rolled uncontrollable after a failed docking maneuver, with pilot Armstrong near black out. 7. Apollo 1 where Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee died in a fire. 6. Voskhod 2 was the first space walk mission, but the rentry failed nearly killing the men. 5. Soyuz 1 hurled to earth after mechanical failures while orbiting. 4. Soyuz 18a failed on take off, and faced a peak of 21.3 G force before parachutes deployed and upon landing near a mountain cliff, a small bush snagged the chute and saved the ship from plunging over. 3. Soyuz 11 was the first mission to board a space station. However upon entry a valve blew and the men died from high altitude decompression. If they had worn their space suits, they would have lived. 2. After a 16 day stay in space the ship gliding to descend suddenly disintegrated killing seven. 1. Challenger as we know exploded upon take off.

A little weekend traveling music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFLZ-MzIhM

Have a good one, E-v-e-r-y-b-od-y!

Happy Zepole E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!

Today's Tids Issue 3,050

Opening Stuff:

 

Yup, it’s Happy Saint Joseph’s Day. Around here it’s big as the great bakeries push tons of zepole’s out the front door. These are incredible cream puff type pastries, baked or fired with fillings from pastry cream, to custard to ricotta, and variations there-of, all with a rich red cherry on top. This, all for a saint who sometimes gets lost in history, as wife Mary and step-son Jesus get all of the publicity. So maybe that’s exactly why he is a saint, a husband who knew when to be quiet.

 

“We have enough youth. How about a fountain of smart?”

 

Big Malls are closing at a rapid rate. Of the 1,100 enclosed malls a decade ago, 400 have closed down tight or have been reutilized. However, the competition isn’t directly the Internets, as many may surmise. It is mainly the consolidation of big former anchor stores. For instance, former reliable anchor department store chains like Bloomingdales, Marshall Fields, Hudson’s, Dayton’s and a few others are now all Macy‘s. Gone are Gimbels and Donaldson’s, while survivors like Sears and JC Penny are barely hanging on. Retail is supposed to be one of the survivor industries for the country, but stores are closing everywhere. What’s next? Will everybody be working for the Government, healthcare, Sports teams or UPS?

 

Crimea: -- In the post take-over discussions, many seem to forget that Ukraine is an economic disaster. A big part of the impetuous behind a large percentage of the population wanting to go Russia was due to a package from Putin that included Pension restoration and security and significant increases in annual income. Hell, RI’ers would vote for Russia. – The US and European leaders are tip-toeing around the sanctions because the new global economic web affects everybody. Not only does Russia supply over fifty present of European energy, but there are numerous corporate intertwinings like those of Perelli and Ford for starters. US and European banks have large holdings in Russia. In other words, there are serious discombobulations that encumber logical minds.

 

All of these chain casual dining places are trying to give the impression they care about healthy eating. And, most of them seem to feature steaks with tomato chunks on top. How utterly distasteful is that.

 

The Question:

What is the world’s most recognizable sports team song?

 

The Headlines:

--Market Not Gellin’ Waitin’ For Yellen.

--Israeli Air Force Attacks Syrian Military Installations In Golan Heights, Escalating Tensions After Bombing Incident The Day Before.

--Crimean Forces Take Ukraine Naval Headquarters Without resistance.

--Toyota Settles Unintended Acceleration Problem For $1.2 Billion.

--Two USA’ers Share $400 Mil from Mega Millions Drawing.

--“Pot” Lobby Working To Introduce Marijuana To DC.

--Republicans Gaining Confidence About Taking Senate In November; Chris Matthews And Robert Gibbs Join Chorus Of Dem Naysayers; Tids Political Editor Thinks Dem Tears Are A Ruse.

--Oracle Disappoints; Shares fall 4%; Microsoft Shares Rise 5% To Dot-Com Boom Levels After Revealing Plans For Introducing IPad, IPhone Versions Of “Office Suite”.

 

I think the vote for marijuana in DC should be put in the hands of the US public. After all, it’s bad enough  now before the considerable negative potential of a stoner executive branch and congress

 

I’ve been seeing statement after statement from leaders of foreign countries that all say, “We can’t rely on Obama.” Personally, I don’t think President Obama wants to be relied upon.

 

“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you place the blame.”

 

Some of you newer readers may have noticed by now there are more than a few mentions about eating food. With all of this hype about eating what’s good for you, the Tids  voice is necessary to preserve the notions that it’s fun to eat what you like too. Besides, for every new “Breakthrough” research project that says something is bad for you, it is never long before another breakthrough says they made a mistake. So it’s a lot like waiting for tie widths to come back, what’s bad to eat today, will be an revolutionary elixir tomorrow.

 

The leading candidate in the Governor race here said yesterday she has a new job plan that will also fix roads and bridges. Wait one damn minute! There are two things wrong there. First, it is only a temporary relief for the jobless economy here and does nothing to fix the real problem of companies with real jobs skirting our borders in droves. More important though, I pay taxes for police and fire protection, schools, garbage pick-up…and roads that work. Shouldn’t they be fixing roads on a regular basis, while budgeting funds for the future when bigger projects like bridges come due. Why is always a special project? They couldn’t be mismanaging our money, could they? Huh? Huh? It’s simple, governments waste money on a regular basis. Remember the First Amendment – Freedom of Movement! Or, something like that.

 

“The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.”

 

Just to show you where the great US economy is going, in this state yesterday -- a state that was the father of and leader in manufacturing in the USA -- it was announced that a company from Ireland was building a new factory here…to make sandwiches!; jet engine blades to sandwiches. Yikes! Yes they make those delightful sandwiches found at convenience stores. Who needs late night comedians? Just read the newspaper.

 

Is Microsoft giving up on Surface and other new Windows 8 based products? You could say that as they gear up to offer their main competitor to them and Droid, an IPad and IPhone version of The Office Suite. Stay tuned and buy Microsoft. Although, it would have been nicer if I told you that yesterday.

 

“Xerox and Wurlitzer will merge to produce reproductive organs.”

 

Food Scientists have announced 7 foods that will provide long lives for Diabetics: Chia Seeds (Green hair in my digestive track? I can hardly wait for the next colonoscopy), Chili peppers (Ouch), Vinegar, Nuts, Cinnamon (Like in yummy, gooey rolls?), fish and yogurt. I think I’m going to die.

 

“When Blonds have more fun, do they know it?”

 

Reporters in the field tell me that Corned Beef was very hard to get this year. It must be that more and more people are pretending they like it. “Hey, look at me, I’m Irish!”.

 

The Conscience: Chapter 41 continues.

     Sitting in the back seat with Angelica, who all of a sudden was appearing tense, I watched Sanna texting throughout the short trip. We arrived at yet another beautiful contemporary building which somehow fit nicely with the medieval Genoa waterfront. A clean logo against a marble facade suggested there was a quality restaurant somewhere inside. As we stopped, Sanna turned, “You will like this Jeffery. Only the best for you.” I could not tell what that look on her face meant at all. I looked at Angelica for the support I was now feeling a need for, and didn’t get back what I had hoped. There is only one support tool remaining, I thought to myself, and I felt that craving rising quickly as I pulled open the handle, pushed the door and stepped onto the pavement. There were no nips in my pocket. Cold turkey is stupid, I thought.

     Sanna walked quickly ahead, like we weren’t there with her. I caught Angelica, placed my hand on her right shoulder, and received a mechanical stare in response to my kneading fingers. I felt that boat of safety leaving my island, fast. I was tempted to make an excuse and run into a bar I saw ahead, for a little confidence that would get me to the restaurant which I now see is on the top floor of this 8 story building. I put my shaking hands in my pocket. It’s going to be hard to get that first drinks to my lips without a serious spil.

    “What’s wrong”, I said to her.

“I’m scared. Don’t bother me. You don’t know my Mother’s looks like I do.” I was waiting for her to say “damn Yankee”, you know, like it’s in her genes. I needed a laugh. More than that I needed to get back that day or two of real confidence I had going for me, now dissipating at a rapid rate..

We were ushered to a nice table near a large window with a great view. I had a feeling I’d be looking over my shoulder. Something had happened between Sanna’s office and the car. It must have been that call. As I started to sort through the possibilities of it might have been, Sanna rose and said, “Angelica and I are going to bagna delle donna.” Angelica didn’t look happy to hear that. But, mom was mom, and she rose, dropping a small piece of paper. I pulled it over with my foot, reached quickly, and read, “You should leave”. My chest started pounding, and strangely my craving was being satisfied with my own juices. I stood, and immediately felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. I could tell without looking that it was my friend Bruno. It did not feel like a love tap.

 

“If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.”

 

The Answer:

The song that clearly defines a sports team is that whistling, clapping tune that has introduced the Harlem Globetrotters for 65 years – “Sweet Georgia Brown.” The trotters have won over 22,000 games while losing about 358. Of course they played a lot against a team featuring Red Klotz, a smart guy who developed a very good traveling “patsy” team. Jersey numbers have been retired for these greats: Reese :Goose” Tatum, Margues Haynes, Wilt Chamberlain (I don’t associate him with the team), Meadowlark Lemon and Fred “Curley” Neal. The team has been around since 1920, and grew to fame under Abe Saperstein.

 

Kick back, and enjoy the original by “Brother Bones”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opmwfRqdGsg

 

Gotta go shoot some hoops to get ready for the grandchildren.

 

I have sprinkled throughout Today’s mess a series of aphorisms from a couple of good readers. So in closing I offer, “I think Congress-People should wear uniforms, you know, like NASCAR drivers, so we can identify their corporate sponsors.” I’ll vote for that!