Opening Stuff:
Reminder: "Fast Food" is not defined as something you can eat during Lent!
The first big "Q" of the day. If the above heading for this issue is less than pithy, how long will everything else be. When will you all fall asleep? Maybe expanding away from soundbites into one or two sentences that complete a thought which helps educate rather than disparage, is a new trend we should invigorate in America.
Rudi Dornbush a very well known German economist who spent much of his life at MIT and other US haunts -- "The Europeans are so rich they can afford to pay everybody for not working". How's that working out for ya. He forgot about the economic reality of replenishing the money supply that breeds taxes to pay public employees or Fed funded industries. That's why Europe is going from Keynesian to Calvinism -- Based on a basic truth of Calvinism, "The Calling". It fostered concepts like "The spirit of Capitalism", "The Protestant Work Ethic" (Early New England USA) and basically the idea to guide a life -- hard work and saving.
The Question:
Lee Marvin, a decorated WWII hero was talking to Johnny carson once about two of the bravest men he ever knew. After the War they became well known children's program stars. Hint: It wasn't Howdy doody.The Headlines:
--Gunman Kills One, Wounds Four At Ohio's Chardin HS.--Stocks Retreating From S&P Four year.
--7 More US Military Injured In Afghan Hand Grenade Raid.
--Just In: Coast Guard Rushing To Cruise Liner On Fire; Liner Afloat And Passengers Not In danger.
--Assassination Plot Against Putin Foiled.
--Under Siege Gov Walker Of Wisc Says Union related Moves Last Year Have Saved State Tens Of Millions Of Dollars.
--Oscar Night Almost ends On Time.
--BP Seems To be In Settlement Mode In Advance Of Now Postponed Trial.
Every morning I enjoy my chuckles while reading Dilbert. This morning the engineer with the funny tie approached the Pointy Haired Boss to explain the concept of his PowerPoint presentation: "For my intelligent viewers I have data. For the morons I have manipulative anecdotes." How come Obama uses so many anecdotes?
How many of you working in cubes and offices have the same complaints of those on this rather large survey by the magazine Fitness. First, 79% feel aggrieved at the workplace. Wow! Is it because things are that much worse than the past or that people just love complaining more? Expect more for doing less. Number one complaint among both women and men (Slightly more men) is Body odor! Hygiene of fellow employees is tops including looking clean or personal habits like clipping fingernails on the desk. Next is workers stealing credit for ideas. Women slightly more disturbed here). Employees 18-34 don't like how hard it is to speak up for themselves. Next is lack of privacy and overhearing loud personal phone calls. The lunchroom is full of complaint situations with number one being employees stealing from the common refrigerator. And...eating smelly foods like a garlic anchovies pizza. Me I never complained because I was the one who smoked big black cigars.
How shallow am I Department:
I was reading an obit about a 41 year old woman who seemed like a delight in life. I was feeling quite sad until I read that she was a Jet's Fan. What's wrong with me?
Is Hunter Mahan the top US Golfer now? He sure looked calm and focused against the presumed knew world's #1, Rory, didn't he? I still don't like his hat choice. But then, I'm pretty shallow.
I agree with Romney's call for upping the age for Medicare. 65 was an arbitrary age limit based on life spans of people 70 or so years ago. It isn't because people can't work or are dying off that causes them to retire at 65 (Or for Public Employees 40's and 50's!), it is that people just get tired of working. Or employers get tired of them working for them. But both of these decisions are made because there is a source of income in place that will provide medical and income. I think the country could adjust to a 70 year old retirement, entitlements kick-in, age.
Frankly I dislike SS Benefits being called entitlements. Most people paid in big money over 40 or 50 years. If it were put into mandated personal retirement accounts it would amount to something in addition to other retirement savings. The gov and liberal media like to use the word "Entitlement" to bail old pal LBJ for his criminal act of robbing the SS Trust funds.
I thought the Academy Awards were pretty good last night. Shows you what happens when they bring back somebody as good as Billy Crystal. Circus de Soleil was fantastic. There were really no surprises although I was hoping for local fave Viola Davis, and found myself holding my breath durig that call. Christopher Plummer gave a very good speech. One of the better ones in many years to me. Does Streep ever stop acting? It's hard to know when she is real. I loved Octavia Spencer. Malissa McCarthy needs a new act. I didn't like the leg on the door frame in the movies and it was annoying last night. Does sage really want be known for her ability to act out diarrhea? Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz made a great presenting duo. The actors talking about movies sequence was good the first one and a half times it was used. I couldn't read the names during the Memorial tribute. Nice music though. I don't care about designer dresses. Hugo?
The Unemployment number is a movable average with people coming and going, regardless of how high the number may be. People enter the rolls and Government expense goes up. People who leave after finding a job, don't materially spend more because they have been already spending Gov out-of-work dough. Government involvement will generally blunt typical expectations associated with free enterprise economic systems.
Sarah Palin upon returning to the Governor's office after the VP campaign wrote in an email "One must be single, wealthy or corrupts to function in the political system." She also liked to do battle with people carrying derogatory signage in her public appearances, as oppose to having to answer the cowardly snipers in the media.
Did you ever see that Gillette commercial that shows three clubs shaving some unsightly hair masses around their nose and chin, donning over the top garb and walking into a crowded downtown...where the perfectly dressed chicks stop in their tracks to gawk. And, Gillette wants you to believe it's because of the razor! I don't think so.
I still like Mitt Romney. Many talk about a moral life, but Mitt quietly lives a good, moral, family life, one most Americans would like all Americans to follow. That's Romney's connection with the average man on the street. The essence of living life isn't about Cadillac or snow mobiles, it's about how you quietly live it honestly day to day, inside and out of the home.
Did you see that pic of President Bashar Assad and his wife Asma voting. They looked like the perfect, successful, upwardly mobile American couple, didn't they? Just shows you how a camera angle can change emotions. This guy is a murderer?
The Answer:
Marvin, a Marine who landed on Iwo, said he served under the bravest man he ever knew -- a stout guy who stood up on Red Beach directing troops as bullets and mortars targeted this obvious leader. He stayed until every man was led to safety. He did the same thing several times. His name was Sergeant Bob "Captain Kangaroo" Keesham. The second guy, and apparently whimpy little man, was in fact a Navy Seal with 25 confirmed kills in Nam. "He was a master in small arms and hand to hand combat, able to disarm and kill in a heartbeat." Mr' Rogers said he wore the long sleeved sweater to cover the tattoos on his forearms and Biceps.I see where the Governor of RI, republican to the core Lincoln Chafee-Lite, is backing two liberals Whitehouse and 0-Man. Despite his protestations that "I am a pure Republican", we all know that he is what he always has been -- a blacksmith.
The official Tids Action Movie Critic says that "Act of Valor" is outstanding.
See you all tomorrow.
