Speed is too fast.

Today's Tids 9/23 Issue 2,428
Opening Stuff:


Happy Autumn Everybody! What you have sensed for 3-4 week now is officially here. The promise of color on mountainsides, pumpkins on porches and vodka and apple cider martini's will be fulfilled as the days and nights have finally become equal. Dentists will rail against cute kids in expensive costumes eating candy. But, the cheerleaders will cheer ad the players will smash heads. Enjoy Soccer, football and field hockey; The cheers and accomplishments; The pride in hearts and the smiles on faces. There is no better time of year. Next stop, Winter. Do you smell the snow in the air?

Most good drivers look two three cars ahead in an effort to anticipate problems to provide time to react positively, under control. That's the way Wall Street used to look at the world of business too. But, not today. They seem to have their eyes riveted to the car in directly in front of them. A slight variation in the norm leaves no time for a thoughtful adjustment often resulting in panic or bad decisions and the inevitable crash. Actually, it's the computers in charge of watching the car ahead. Oh, they can react much faster than humans, no question about that. But, are they as thoughtful as humans. Can computers say, "Hey, wait a minute. Let's not be hasty. Maybe there is an alternative." Speed is great for the traders, but it's destroying the confidence in everyday Main Street investors.

In case you don't remember, one year ago Obama said to the UN That he would welcome a Palestine state right away. That led the Palestinians to believe they had the US support to get to the point where they find themselves today -- submitting a bid for UN membership. But, now the Prez says he will veto the action...that very action he in fact inspired. I guess the Palestinians aren't up on the shallowness of US politics.

The Question:
In an effort to counter the dangerous effects of soap on the cultural environment, "All My Children" gets thrown into the dumpster this week. Name five of the show's more famous alums. Which one of the actors is most famous for not winning anything?

The Headlines:

--Romney Appears Strongest In Latest Debate; Perry Sags In Stretch Run; Seemed Unprepared For Obvious Questions.
--Stocks Appear To Rebound After Early Sell-Off.
--Late Thursday Night: Finance Minister From 20 Leading Economies Pledge "To Take All Necessary Actions To Preserve The Stability Of Banking Systems And Financial Markets...".
--Palestinians Prepare UN Statehood Bid.
--Solyndra Execs Take The Fifth At Congress Hearing.
--Italian Prosecutors Say Judge Must Throw Out Amanda Knox Appeal; Asks Judge To "Ignore 'Obsessive' Media Campaign."
--Yemen Prez Surprises, Returning to Capital War Zone; Everybody Confused.
Nothing is Sacred Department:
Did you see where some scientists are disputing the foundational theories of Albert Einstein. Apparently they found a subatomic particle that moves faster than the speed of light! Gadzooks! The next thing you know someone will come out and say the Cheetos are unhealthy.

As far as I can tell, the AARP has become a branch of the Democrat Party and a mouthpiece for the unions.

Debate Notes:
It looks like Perry could be eaten alive by Obama in a debate...maybe with a little Texas hot sauce. Romney and Newt could be the strongest candidates in terms of national TV debates with 0-Man. --On the under-card last night, Bachman slipped down to tier three after Santorum clearly was the best performer of the "All the Rest" crowd. --In fact, with Perry's act getting a little thin, the Rick-ster from PA may become the new darling of the Iowa Social Conservatives. --Cain and Newt also looked good. --The big disappointment to some was the failure of Huntsman to capitalize on his strong showing in a recent NH poll. One glaring problem, he needs a better joke writer. --Paul went the somber, statesmen route, which left him appearing as dull as the stage curtains. People love his off the cuff oddities, and last night they were disappointed. --And then there was the other almost Libertarian Gary Johnson who got the best laugh with "My neighbors dogs create more shovel ready jobs than President Obama!". unfortunately Johnson ripped that joke off of Limbaugh who used it earlier in the day on his program.

Shortbread comes and shortbread goes, but you can always count on Walker's.

Remember when companies would spend many thousands on annual reports to perhaps sway the investors in their favor. Seems kind of laughable today, doesn't it.

Do you know what bugs me, really bugs me? That they are just starting the trial in Cheshire Connecticut for the second soulless barbarian who killed and raped Doctor William Petit's wife Jennifer and daughters Haley and Michaela. Brutally butchered three innocents. It was way back in 2007, and now the doctor has to live it again. The brutality of Steven Hayes and Joshua Komissajevsky will live now again in the hearts of Petit and the rest of the family. And there is just no just reason why it should. People are up in arms about the death penalty because of the recent Georgia case. This pair should have been executed 4 years ago, laws or no laws.

PETA should love executing these two who are giving animals a bad name.

You're always surprised when waiting in a Dermatology office seeing a person limp in. What.s that all about?

Almost Near: Chapter 41 continues. --Within five minutes Samantha found her self near a breakwater that led to a little harbor. She climbed up the giant rocks stumbling twice, cutting her knee and scraping her hands. She winced.
Standing on the mass of rocks, she was in the open for all to see, but it was the only way out. She quickly looked around and saw nobody. She had to act fast. They are probably not looking for her down her, but that could change in a second. She took off her slippery shoes, put down her head and ran along the pier, jumping what at times looked like small chasms with dark bottoms. As she neared the end she felt nimble, never slowing for any of the challenges. She jumped the five feet down to the sand at the harbor side of the breakwater. She leaned back against a rock and started breathing again. At first deep, and then fast.
Her eyes now scanned the harbor, criss-crossed with connecting docks. It may be her safest way to get away from...from...what? Why was she running. She closed her eyes. Think. Think. I must be running from something. It seems like I have been running for years.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Moneyball based on the book by Oakland A's baseball team GM Billy Beane is a winner. Even if you don't like baseball. It's really baout the little guys beating the Big Guys. Beane's "A's" had little money so invented, with the help of mathematicians and other creative people systems to pick the best young talent and find the best on the trash heap. It's true. It's interesting. And...it moves. I'm going.
--Killer Elite is an over the top action movie with a plot that's tough it decipher. DiNiro is a retired special ops agent, looking like DiNiro all the way. He is to rescue his mentor. To do it he faces 3 tough as nails assassins and their cunning leader. I'll wait til it gets to TNT.
--Abduction is another weak movie. The first "Star" vehicle for Twilight delight Taylor Lautnor is a loser, not coming close to quality of the twilight series, and he is lost in mediocrity. He learns that his parents are not really his parents. Subsequently he finds on a website a picture of long time missing child -- him. He flees in fear while The FBI races to save him and unravel the mystery. Sounds interesting, but it is just a bad movie that had audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter over the inadequacy of the dialogue and script.
--Dolphin Tale is a very pleasant, heartwarming family movie. Obviously it's about a dolphin and kids. What could be better, even if you have seen the plot before.

The Answer: 
Of course, Susan Lucci is the Biggest Loser in Soap history. If you're a Regis watcher, you know Kelly Ripa. Others are Josh Duhamel, Sarah Michelle Geller, Christian Slater, Malissa Leo, Lacy Chabert, Michelle Tractenberg, Linsy Price and Kim Delaney. They have to start somewhere. Where will they go as the soaps go?

Maybe there are just too many people trying to make too much money for Wall Street to be sensible any more.

Michelle Bachman is toast.

Have a great weekend!

18th Century all over again.

Today's Tids Issue #2,395
Opening Stuff

The nation hangs on the words of Timothy Geithner. Why? He has never run a business or ever made a business decision. He has only been associated with big finance. Which has contributed to an impressive succession of resume building jobs. This doesn't mean that he isn't smart, it just means that he has done anything. If you check into his entire career you'll find that he has been nothing more than a bureaucrat. And do you know what bureaucrats do? They protect their bureaucracies.

You know that you're developing a personality problem when "smart" phones reject your name and number.

I was watching an AARP commercial on the debt dealings and the implied selfishness sickened me. But...I thought! -- That is the problem with a America. The failure to teach people to understand the the big problem but rather to use people to produce one sided solutions. How are we every going to accomplish anything difficult when you have groups like AARP extorting government representatives with threats revolving around the power of 80 Million votes. Everybody does it and that is why we are in a hole. -- Wall Street, Public employees, farmers, environmentalists and Indian chiefs too. Somebody is out there trying to drill a new air and food hole, but the granite in our leaders heads is making progress slow.

The Question:
Name the top 10 brands receiving the "Most Buzz", according to the Brandindex Buzz scores:

The Headliners:

--House Passes Energetic "Cut, Cap And Balance" Economic Future Bill; Bill Model For Strong Action Going Forward; Senate Expected To Wimp Out With Traditional Band-Ade Compromise.
--Markets Flat.
--June Home Sales Fall.
--NFL Players Say They Are Not Tied To Thursday Deadline To Get deal Done.
--Clinton Says He Would Raise Debt Ceiling Without Congressional Approval.

In case you are wondering, the word is that Casey Anthony eloped with Strauss-Kahn.


America's Got Talent Department: The biggest dilemma I saw was Dani Shay. She finished up strong but as they say on AI, she was a little "pitchy". I say dilemma becasue I like her. This was not a great night on AFT. A bad comedian, an uninspiring magician, a mistake prone juggler all capped by a horsed dropping a large one on the stage. Which some say may have been the best performance of the night. The act of the night was probably The Sillouettes, where this night the shadow makers created patriotic figures. Also decent was Mona Lisa and Daniel Joseph Baker. Not a memorable two hours.

I was watching the British Parliament interrogation of the Murdocks and came away with the same impression that I have taken form US congressional assaults. The elected haughty can't understand why a good business can't run like them, a Government. With all of the inefficiencies, the over staffing and the redundancy. It's why they keep on asking questions that have been answered. It's why business people have martinis when the leave Congressional or Parliamentary hearings.

In 2002 it was 55%. Today 77% of all US banking assets are controlled by 10 Banks. The big six are Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, BofA and Wells Fargo The other 4 are MetLife Inc., Taunus Corp, HSBC and US Bancorp. None of the problems that caused the big 2009 failures have been fixed. These giants still have mountains of risk, debt and leverage all resulting instability. All of the QE's and Bailouts were designed to get the banks to start lending. But it looks as though they are using most of that cash for expansion. 1,000 banks are on the "Problem List". Are you scared yet?

Some laws are passed to assure that products are brought up to higher standards. But when those standards are met and often surpassed, they never rescind the mandates but just make people pay for something they don't need year after year. A good example of thgat is the annual emissions testing. Sometime in the nineteen seventies the laws were passed to establish testing for auto emissions. But, today's new and improved cars have pretty much licked the problem. Yet consumers are still ordered to pay under penalty of fines $60-100 Bucks to test something that works perfectly.

And...Alabama is still collecting a tax to "serve the neediest of Civil War Veterans"!

We lost the manufacturing business for pretty much the same reason that the average investor struggles while the only big money made consistently on Wall Streets is from derivatives. . Side bets! In both industries the MBA trained new manager looked beyond the main business because of the demands for profit which were not possible through normal operations. It is why jobs disappeared. I totally believe in the capitalist system. And, it has performed best when business people remembered that responsibility to the country comes along with the license that enables "Free Enterprise".

Almost Near: Chapter 30. --"Hello. Hello? Tucker?" As hard as she wished him there she was only rewarded with, "Hi you've reached Tucker. I'll call you back. Leave a message." This time she slammed down the phone. She needed his words. She needed to hear his voice. he is what made her fairy tale Lobster Cove so perfect She heard a car out side, and jumped up. But it was just a UPS truck turning around in the driveway.
She looked out, and decided to take a walk to town. She needed to talk to someone. Her little windbreaker slipped on easily and she reached in and pulled her cell phone out of the pocket. The screen door slammed beind her as she walked down the path to the road. She felt better already. She dialed Tucker's cell phone and this time left a message. "Hi, Miss me?" She laughed warmly into the phone. "When are you coming home? I miss you. O.. Anyway, I just called to tell you when you call, call my cell phone. I'm going for a walk."
Within minutes she could feel the stronger breeze off the harbor. And the smell. The beautiful smell of salty air. Before she knew it, she was opening the door to Lilies. There were a few tables taken but it wasn't the morning noise. She decided to endure The Grump, so she sat at the counter.
"Hello".
"Coffee." Words were spare when you sat at the counter. She was used to this now. Originally she was concerned that nobody knew her, and the surly Thelma reinforced her sense of isolation. But now she knew that this waitress was just not a talker.
The thud of the cup and the rattle of the spoon brought her back. She stirred the coffee for no reason. Maybe it was a habit because she never took cream or sugar. Now she felt odd, and as she looked up she saw Thelma staring at her. And, with a little smile on than granite face. Samantha blushed.
"Ya know. You look kinda like that missin' woman. You know, that one the good lookin' lawyer's lookin for. Well, how about that!"
.
People say they don't want experienced business people in relevant cabinet positions because it is like having the fox guarding the hen house. Yet people are willing to elect union leaders to state legislatures to create laws controlling the income of their members. Go figure. I guess the news media doesn't understand.

Boy, do I sound angry this morning. But as I look around at AARP, and people complaining about having to work til they 're 70, and why isn't somebody taking care of me... I just know as many do that this country is totally out of control. When I see elected officials worried primarily about getting re-elected than bringing a America back to its greatness where self initiative combined with caring hearts with little or no government intervention were the ingredients of the American pie. Where freedom rang best when it was coupled with resposibility. That's why I'm angry. It's tough to keep it in.

The Answer: Number one is Subway, proving once again that without question Buzz does not translate into good quality. The rest in order are Ford, Lowes, Amazon, history Channel, Netflix, Cheerios, UPS, Discovery Channel and Google.

Is this the most important congress since the beginning of the United States of America's time? Haven't we reached the "Fat, Dumb and happy" point on the curve that describes the life cycle of a nation. Either we wake up, put "United" back into the formula and go froward. Or we sit in our lazy boys or yachts or bar stools or church pews or poker tables or kayaks and complain about the other guy while we flush away the greatest, most giving country in history. It's that simple.


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