Freedom is not Free.

Today's Tids Issue 3,335

Opening Stuff:

It was one of those gloomy, sometimes overcast chilly days, the kind movie directors look for when they want to portray a particularly somber funeral service on a windswept plain with severe woman in long black dresses. Except the men in the picture we witnessed yesterday, were survivors just a hairs breath away from such a dismal scene. The 14 and their companions were not of the 22 Middle East wars veteran soldiers who each day commit suicide. Each day. These were men on crutches, with prosthesis, in wheelchairs and all with post combat syndrome. Yet they came forward under this sunless sky with broad smiles that changed the mood of the clouds above, after competing in a sailing race associated with the presence of the Volvo Ocean Race. Three days before they had never sailed but came here for two days of intense learning and one day of hard-nosed head to head competitive sailing. Under the leadership of Sergeant Major Corbin, a positive man with brain cancer who has a son who lost both legs in Afghanistan (As he said, “On our last trip to Kabul), and in conjunction with Newport’s “Sail to Avail” program dedicated to enhancing the lives of the handicapped and wounded Combat Soldiers, these guys found a new life, and for many a way to lift themselves out of despair. As one solder said, I was suicidal a week ago, just another week of feeling suicidal. I felt the depression lift as I battled with my boat and team mates. Team mates, always. I was mere feet away as I watched these men and woman revel in their sailing accomplishments. I gained a new understanding of real pain. I felt it. I glanced at people next to me, and I could see it in their eyes too. But, the soldiers smiled. But, I will never forget what I now understood lay beneath those smiles.

Baseball is better when Kansas City has the best record in both leagues. Now we just have to raise up Cleveland.

Recent reports seem to indicate that restaurants are getting the largest portion of what would be US savings accounts. “I like to eat, and I’ll figure out how to live the rest of my life when I get older.” Is tis the new mantra.

The Question:

What are five good tips for buying a home?

The Headlines:

--Taliban Attack In Kabul Kills 14, Including One American.

--Analysts Raise Opinions On Alibaba for the Long Term; Say Apple Is still Great Buy With Room For Growth.

--Engineer Of Train In Philly Derailment Says He Has No Clue.

--Australia Gov Tells Actor Depp: Get Your Dogs Out Of Town Or They’re Goners.

--King Of Bahrain Chooses Horse Show And Meeting With Queen Elizabeth Over Trip To Obama’s Camp David meeting.

I think that 0-Man has put himself in a box on this Iran Nuke treaty thing. I think it, but the Saudis believe it thoroughly, and it doesn’t appear that anything that will be said At camp David tat will change the minds of the major players who live in the region. Further, it seems the US has lost any semblance of a leadership role based on the current diplomatic path. The gap is so wide, despite protestations from the Admin, that it appears that Saudi Arabia which financed the Pakistan Nuke program, is meeting with that country to help develop their own program. They are aying that oif the US is offering Iran a treaty that llows growth of nuclear materials production, then we must keep pace with out=r own program. Great, just great. A nuke for every country in a region where murdering forces reign, where human life is disregarded.

The caption under the pictures of the Clinton’s dozing at the Reagan funeral was attributed to Ronald himself rising up from the casket for one more quip: “I see that the Clintons are finally sleeping together.” Thanks to a long time reader of particular brilliance.

Some people may look around at all of the beautiful, colorful tulips in bloom and wonder if they are using energy efficient bulbs. –Thanks to Brown and the Walkers.

I don’t know anything about Grey’S Anatomy, but I’ve heard people who love it saying they were sorry to see Patrick Dempsy go. I figured it was some kind of career move and his demise was written into the script. His demise was written into the script alright, but it was for some mysterious “Inappropriate relationship” on the set? Maybe they should write that relationship into the script! Think of the ratings!

Yes, it’s always think of the ratings, but rarely these days do they think of the mushy brains of kids they are molding. Kids must think, watching many of these sitcoms, that people over 20 do nothing all day long but talk about sex.  Maybe that’s why college campuses parties are rocking out of control. It’s ok, I saw it on TV.

US to Iran: “Send aid to Yemen through the UN”. Iran responds: “Through the UN? Are you kidding!” Maybe Iran is pretty smart after all

This deflated ball thing should never have risen to the national focus status it did. Brady was penalized for lying to investigators and it appears he should have, but we still don’t know anything about the deed. We know some balls were supposedly below the lower legal limit, but I haven’t seen any statistics on exactly how much air was in any of the balls. When hearing the complaint from Sleezeball Irsay’s Colts, the league could have said we are taking control of the balls for the playoff. They could evn have said we’ll adjust the air to the lower limit for tom and to whatever limit Andrew Luck prefers. But, somehow, this misdemeanor became a national emergency. And the irony is, that after the balls were inflated to the refs desire, Brady was better than ever.

I’m seeing a Repub strategy emerging, and that is a return to US world leadership which has obviously declined under President Obama and that could be attributed to The Hill’s presence as Secretary of State – despite how well Tia Leone appears to be doing.

The Answer:

A home deal doesn’t have to be as adversarial as it sometimes appears. 1. Be ready with everything in place including pre-approved financing. 2. Try to minimize conditions and that includes inspections. Bring inspector to viewings. 3. Be Flexible, on move-in dates and inclusions. Learn about sellers needs to help make offer really compatible. 4. Introduce your family, and don’t hide interest in home. In a bidding war, a seller who wants it most could be favored. 5. Show the sellerer you are serious by increasing earnest money, If you really want the house, why put up obstacles that irritate the seller. The seller really wants to sell it.

I learned something yesterday. I learned that it can be easy to dismiss stories, but to look into the eyes of those who have fought for your safety and freedoms is to see the true value of all I have and everybody whom I love.