Black Friday is just plain nuts.

Today's Tids Issue 3,228

Opening Stuff:

 

This is the day that begins the week that’s all about thanks. Of course there’s the obvious thanks, for family and parents and siblings who have picked you up when you’ve tripped along the way; who have cheered your little accomplishments. An surely the love of your life who brings you to special, extraordinary, inexplicable heights, sometimes with just a smile or the simple comfort of a consoling look from beautiful eyes; the touch of a soft hand. And then there are all the little things that get you through the day – seeing the world of beauty around you; being able to hear the magnificence of music; watching people care for each other. I’m thankful knowing that there are far more good people on earth than the evil.  I’m glad I can still see things through younger eyes and revel in simplicity. There is an encyclopedia of stuff for which to be thankful – like never being enticed to watch the Kardashians; not finding ways to bend, tear or mutilate the Ten commandments, a basic rational guide to life. What a great week it is.

 

I’ll take team play any day over individual stardom: It is interesting to note in a recent incursion into statistics, I found that the top 4 scorers in the NBA play on teams with a combined record of 18 wins and 32 losses. Those are Labron, Kobe, Carmelo and Anthony Davis (Has yet to attain first name only status.)

 

I have to figure that the surprising continuing success of the Kay Jewelry really rather ugly “Open Heart’ design for necklaces etc is due to the Millennium generation’s avoidance of commitment. Keep your heart open, you never know what’s around the corner.

 

Uh oh, Sheldon Whitehouse. A robot sub exploring under Antarctica has discovered than not only is the ice growing there, it is considerably thicker than thought by scientists. Maybe, as the ice gets thicker and sinks lower into the sea, it is pushing the oceans up on coastal shores. Yes, say even Woods Hole scientists now thoroughly perplexed by the conflict between their scientific models and real evidence from satellites and now this underwater sub. The ice mass is growing bigger, and that white stuff you see falling isn’t snow but the dandruff from eggheads scratching their noggins.

 

The Question:

There are fifteen car models, many you have seen around for years, that just seem to refuse to die. Name Ten.

 

The Headlines:

--Hagel To Resign As Defense Honcho; Word In Pentagon Is That he Was Fired.

--Iran Nuclear talks Stumble; Postponed Til July.

--Ferguson Grand Jury Has Made Decision On Darren Wilson; May Announce Within Decade, Or After Agitators get Tired Of tent Living.

--Mittster Leads NH Presidential Poll by 19 Points.

--Sanctions Plus Falling Oil Prices Costing Russia $140 Billion.

--Russian Tightens Control Over Black Sea Region Of Georgia’s Abkhazia Province; It Is Said Putin Likes View Of Black Sea.

--Red Box Proving DVD’s Aren’t Dead.

 

 I read where the US is sending into Mexico military units disguised as Mexican Navy personnel to attack Drug Cartel locations. This is a good thing. But, I wonder if it isn’t a bit like the Taliban and the rolling hills of red poppies waving in the breeze – a beautiful scene producing income for thousands of people regardless of the horror it wracks on mankind. As disgusting and a inhuman the Cartels can be, lots of Mexicans are probably making their living in that enormous industry south of the US border. The point being, while we may destroy sinister drug lords, are we alienating the people – only this time closer ro our core. While we may be making ii safer for people to live in their own country, can they afford leaving there as a leg of their economy collapses? Will thy=ey build a new economy in a country now develop of murderers, or will they escape to suck off the giant Teet north of the border? Nothing is simple.

 

Smatter than you average bear – “Hey, Boo-Boo”!, department:

Animal conservationists attached GPS devices to western grizzlies to determine their habits, What the have learned could be quite disheartening to the great white hunter: Grizzlies track hunters for prey! Some day it may be the hunters themselves, but right now these intelligent beasts have learned that the hunter will eventually bring them elk or deer or even Uncle Yogi. And they will be in their camps stealing the carcasses while they slee.

 

Why don’t the insurance companies spend the money they do on what appear to be lawyer driven new plan prospective in an effort to actually try to make it clear as to what the customer is buying. After about three of a 100 or so pages of the so-called description of my new Part D program, I gave up an took a nap. What a waste of paper and ink.

 

Money doesn’t last forever, Department:

The Vanderbilts, Hartfords (A&P), Kluges (Metromedia), Pulitzers and Strohs (beer) all lost their enormous fortunes either through poor investments, generational waste, carousing or high debt structuring.

 

How long will it be until giant tobacco companies re-emerge to wrap their arms around the fledgling Marijuana but promising industry?

 

One of he things I like about Jennifer Garner is her straight eyebrows.

 

Super running back Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks was fined by the NFL $100,000 for missing  a press conference. That’s insane.

 

Have you seen all of those dodge Brothers commercials which seem to show a couple of carefree inventive guys whooping it up as they leave big bad Ford to go out on their own and create a better Dodge Car. It is true that Dodge in the ‘20’s was number two auto after Henry’s car. But the Dodge boys had made millions for years as a leading manufacturer of parts and engines for all of the Detroit auto makers, including Ford. When Henry decided to build a huge new factory he stopped dividends to stockholders. The Dodge Brothers had been receiving a Million/year in dividends, so they sued and Henry bought out their stick for $25,000,000. These rather stoic brothers were not living in one room walk-up’s while risking everything a on a new car.

 

The Republican house blockage of Obama pet projects is one of the remarkable congressional achievements of our history. If we can escape the next two years, historians may even say that Boehner’s congress saved America from itself.

 

The Answer:

Some cars are just well built, and more importantly, well loved by owners so that they just keep on chugging along. First is the “Dawn of man” to  1996 Volvo rear wheel cars including classic 240. Next is the 1989-2005 Buick LeSabre followed by 95-97 Jaguar XJ6, Ford Crown Vic 92-07, Chev Camaro and Pontiac Firebird 82-02, Ford Escort, Toyota Camry 92-Present, Mercedes 240D/300D/300TD from 1975 and beyond, Jeep Cherokee 87-01 (My baby), Subaru Wagons 1990 to pres, Saab 900 79-93, Volkswagon van 50-92, Geo Prism 84-10, Buick Roadmaster Estate 91-96 and the venerable Honda Accord 76 to Present

 

When I played football as a kid I would often emulate my heroes of the times, 1940’s stars Doak Walker, Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, Charlie Trippe,  Johnny Lujack, Emil “Six Yard” Sitko and Leon Hart. My friends touted Blanchard and Davis of West Point. But then,  I was as narrow minded as a kid as I am now, and rejected those back-to-back Heisman winners out of hand as I was a rapid Navy Fan! Just as I don’t get excited today about Jeter – the Ya, ya, Ya…(WYKWIM). Once a meathead, always a meathead.