Too many people with too little to do.

Tpday's Tids Issue 2,819

Opening Stuff:

 

Washington State is a pretty spectacular place...for vistas. But, not so much for rational thinking. Their legislature has just voted for gender neutral words where Fisherman will now be a "Fisher", Penmanship will now be "Handwriting" and Freshman will now be "First Year Student". How incredibly insane is that? Will there be Language cops giving out tickets. They say that they have yet to come up with a suitable replacement for Manhole Cover. How about street hole cover? How hard was that? Of course they think that replacing "Journeymen" with Journey-Level" is suitable. Ststrangely, this all happened right after the enactment of liberal Marijuana laws. Is there a connection here? Well I was laughing along my morning about the loons in the Northwest corner when I read farther to see, "Washington joins other states like...Rhode Island". Hey, wait a minute, RI's Chafee-Lite just signed more liberal marijuana laws.

There's a story out that the Boston Bombers probably had no Foreign help. But, the reporter on the story is ABC's Brian Ross who more often than not gets it wrong. So, I'll wait for the facts.

The Question:
Double "Q" Tuesday: 1. What are the five top causes of accidental death in the US? 2. Which five countries eat the most bread per capita?

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Up Stone Early After Europe Posts Positive Gains For Three days; Wall Street Holding Breath Over Apple Post Closing Announcements.

--European Stock Gains Should Power US Today.

--Two Canadian Men Arrested After Muslim Community Exposes Plan To Bomb Passenger Train; Men Supported By al-Qaida in Iran; First al-Qaida Act In Canada.

--Israel Says There Is Evidence Of Chemical Usage In Syria.

--Car Bombs Rattle Capitals Of Iraq, Lybia; French Embassy In Lybia Struck; 23 Dead In Iraq As Incidents Rage On.

In RI, there are only about three and a half degrees of separation. I know a guy who's sister is the best friend of Boston Bomber's wife. And, I knew when I called him last night that he would tell me something like that.

Do you ever realize how meaningful to others a casual conversation opener like "Howya doin' " might be?

The world is such a disbelieving place anymore. In a news item, Israel says The (Syria) regime "probably used nerve gas on its people. Now the Israeli's know that Chemical is Obama's so-called hot button, the red line that would cause him to act. So I'm immediately thinking is this an Israel ruse to draw the US into the Syria mess? "Probably" is not a conclusive word. 

Growing career opportunity Education: Drone Piloting School.

There is no doubt in my mind that Fiat/Chrysler is sissyfying the Jeep.

I have always wondered why when say, Police departments do what they are supposed to do, people laud it as unique. Now, I'm not demeaning bravery and danger on the job, but police and/or firemen (Oops, sorry Washington state. or the Coast Guard enter into dangerous situations because that is their job description. Or, how about how the cost of police protection at a big event is isolated to be "X" Million, when the police are doing whet they are already being paid to do. Like when the cost of the Secret Service, which is paid to protect the President at all times, is considered as "Extra when the Pres takes a trip. So people go to work and do their job and sometimes they are just being paid for what they do and other times when doing exactly the same thing they are an expense. Must have something to do with politics.

Speaking of dangerous jobs, how about accountants who have to find truth in audits? Let's hear it for accountants, our last paragons of truth.

What would the people in Washington State's Government be doing for the last six years if they weren't scouring state regulations, administrations and legislation to eliminate the words "man" or "men" from all written state documents? Why did taxpayers have to pay for people sitting around in dull grey rooms with metal furniture, amidst paper cups half full of coffee and donut crumbs, making up replacement names for traditional and well accepted descriptions of occupations and inanimate objects. Sounds a little like communist Russia to me.

1984 was just a little too early.

If you can get past the blood oozing's, "The Following" is one of the best, most tense thrillers on TV in years. Every time you think they must have finally run out of new ideas, they sneak one by you and you are completely surprised.

The Conscience: Chapter 19 continues:
   Mrs. Biglietto was a dark haired, very attractive woman, about my age, Though not as worn down by a constant alcohol transfusion. Her English seemed more natural than Papa. Some day I will surely introduce him as Mr. Papa. Sanna and Ernesto, took their seats on the couch as I turned my chair towards them. Angelica sat in the soft leather chair that matched the couch. This was obviously the small talk session before they beat me up at lunch.
   "That was a terrible thing at Mr. Stevenson's boat yard yesterday. Have you talked to him. Has he said anything?" Papa nodded along with his wife's words as if he was saying them in unison. His eyes looked soft, non-threatening. Sanna's eyes were more alert, like her daughter. I quickly told her what I knew. She paid strict attention, making notes in her mind I would suspect. Half way through my little talk she crossed her legs, skirt riding up up bit. I thought I noticed her eyes flicking down, asking mine to follow. Which they did. Two things drinking causes -- over eating and declining resistance to woman's advances. Now this wasn't an advance, Well I'm thinking it probably wasn't, but I seemed to be breaking down fairly rapidly. I glanced over at Angelica and felt guilty.
   I was surprised to have my wandering imagination interrupted by Ernesto, who up til now I thought was basically staging for his wife., "Mr. Morgan,"
   "You can call me Jeff," I interrupted.
   "No, I will call you Mr. Morgan Until I trust you." My stomach tightened. I glanced quickly at Sanna's knee. Ooops, Already I'm breaking his trust. Then I eyed the bar by the window. "I don't know why you are here. We had a business deal moving to completion, but my wife," He looked at Sanna. "She had a call from one of her contacts saying that Mr. Stevenson was sending a lawyer to mess things up. And now we have an explosion. So, you are bad portafortuna." God, Italian again. But understand the word "bad".
    "But," now he smiled, my daughter says you are a nice man, and could be trusted. So we can proceed, but you will see me watching you." He stood. "Enough with the friendly part of this morning. Lets go to lunch and talk, what do you Americans say, "Turkey"? I have never said Talk Turkey in my life. But I nodded anyway.
    I stood and looked over at Angelica and mouthed, "Thank you". She smiled a little and walked over to her parents. Ah, three against one.

The Answer:
1. I don't think you would be surprised to learn that Auto Crashes is #1 (43,200). The next five  are Falls (14,900), Solids, Liquids Poisoning (8,600), Drowning (4,000) Fires and Burning (3,700) and #6 is Suffocating (3,500). Rounding out the top 10 are Firearms (1,500), Gas Poisoning (00), Medical, Surgical Misadventures, Complications (500) and Machinery (300). 2. The Country that runs away witht eh bread eating title is Ireland followed by UK, New Zealand, USA, Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Ukraine and Canada/Mexico. I wonder if anybody ever suffocated to death by bread?

I just have to figure that there are many in Government who's job it is to create programs solely designed to create new hiring opportunities. 

Before a mother knows the sex of her baby, it's a hidden agender.

Have fun today. Wait a minute, that might not be appropriate for everybody. Oh well, screw it, have fun anyhow.

SB Week Survival Kit.

Today's Tids Issue 2,520

Opening Stuff:

One thing you can take to the bank this Super Bowl week is that some newspaper or Internet site will publish a story about how to have a nutritionally healthy, Green, SB Party!

Over the years in this little column about everything and nothing, I have looked for and reported on human oddities. I am finding now that odd and weird have become the norm.

The Middle East seems to be at the point where the rest of the world was in 1636 before Roger Williams and John Clarke established freedom for all religions in Rhode Island.

This week the Tids management will help take you away from the onslaught of irrelevant SuperBowl information and favorite team angst by turning your stomach with an avalanche of varied and sundry equally annoying subjects.

The Question:

Who was the wealthiest President? Who have been the 10 richest Presidential candidates?

The Headlines:

--Florida Multi-Car/Truck Crash Kills 10, Injures many More; Observers Say Smoke Shrouded Area Looks Like End Of The World.
--Catholic Sunday Masses Across Country Included Letters Written To Protest Obama Dictates That Force Religious Non-Profit Groups To Offer Birth Control Under Obama Care.
--Romney Surging In Florida; Even More Conservative Panhandle Region Pausing Over Newt baggage.
--Greek Debt Wrangling Will Keep Stocks Lower.
--Over 400 OWS Protestors Arrested In Oakland Cal.
--"The Help" Dominates SAG Awards.
--Assad And Syrian Rebels In Open Fighting.
--RI Looking For Ways To Improve Fishing Industry.

One thing I really don't like about the Internet is that when being intrigued by a headline I'm brought to a video story as opposed to a written story. I rarely listen to the video story but will always scan the written versions. Most of the time I find that the headlines are better than the "Rest of the story"!

The Florida political story coverage is becoming a little too heavy. I tuned into a couple of Cable News networks yesterday after hearing on the radio the news about a massive and particularly gruesome multi car accident on I 75 in Florida. All I got were the barbs and sniping of candidates crammed in between the pompous pronounce-iations of pundits. They managed to slip in 3 seconds or so about the Florida tragedy. A horrendous accident where at "Least" 10 lost there lives and others were badly injured. I think we have lost our perspective.

Good news for Michelle Obama...she did not kill the Twinkie all by nutritious herself. The burdensome Union contracts are the main culprit. There are over 100 separate contracts within the company, most inhibiting attempts at improving efficiency. Example: Instead of using one truck to deliver multiple brands to super markets the company is forced to use multiple trucks i.e. One for Twinkies, one for Wonder Bread. In addition to eliminating opportunities to be more competitive, the years of unrealistic contracts has produced a pension overload in the Billions of dollars. One that cannot be met.

There are a lot of cool things in this new world of technology, but one that amazes me every time I use it is wireless printing -- from DeskTop, laptop, IPad or smartphone. There's still a lot of genius goin' on around here.

If athletic teams would play with the precision teamwork of a symphony orchestra, they would be impossible to beat. Maybe the new generations of Bach, Beethoven and Dvorak could write the game plans. And orchestra members could teach subjugation of talented persona for the benefit of all.

Of course the big dichotomy is the jobs versus lower priced goods for consumers. Let's see, wages are going down and will probably continue to do so for a while. People with less cash in their pockets demand lower prices and sellers look for cheaper produced goods. In the US there are two ways to for US companies to accomplish this: !. Make them in cheap labor countries or produce them on highly automated machines that don't require people. Which of course means that the historic higher paying middle income jobs continue to evaporate. And people wonder why JC Penny just instituted a 40% discount on all merchandise. That's because the just passed so-called Boom Christmas sales season revealed that people mainly bought highly discounted products. And, that's the way it is, this January in America 2012.

Last week the traditional network news reports hailed the reported 2.8% GDP growth rate for December. "It's over. We're back!" What the gleeful faces didn't report was the opinions of most economists who said the 2.8 December brought the yearly GDP to a quite lackluster 1.7% and more importantly that much of the 2.8 came from the production that built up business inventories, which will necessarily slow the first six months at least, of 2012.

One of the latest "weirdness-is-taking-over-the-world" incidents is that insane reaction to a High School's choice the name Cougars for it's teams. This was for a new Utah High School in a state known for the wily felines in the wild and where one of it's Major Universities, BYU, is already known as the Cougars. The reason: It was considered insensitive to Women! Can you believe that? I can't. The authorities overrode the students own choice for that nickname and told them they would be known as the Chargers. To a person the students asked, "What's a charger". Editors Note: Since the incident, a well known Cougar, Demi Moore, has been sent to rehab. I guess she couldn't take the insensitivity. Help me, please!

I was pleased to see this morning that the Providence Journal followed the Tids lead in last Friday's bit about the lunacy of another grandstanding state law, this one banning cell phones in schools. A law the Editorial writer said would result in another unnecessary mandate from above where each school district would have to locate additional funds to enforce. They summed up with the sentence: "Red tape and mandates continue to swamp RI's local communities, as part of America's propensity to turn everything into a law." OK, Providence Journal. that's good...but how come you are so for Obama and so against anything Republican. That is mainly what Repubs are asking for -- Less regulations, less federal dominance, more freedom for individual states to act in the interest of their citizens.

"The Good Wife" was excellent TV last night.

The Answer:

Of course the Father of our Country George Washington was the wealthiest of all Presidents. However since he was never a candidate, this richest list is made up entirely by modern day hopefuls. There may be others like the Roosevelt's, Adams, Hoover, Jefferson or Kennedy who may have made the list if their wealth was calculated in today's Dollars. Number Ten is John Edwards! After the infamous Personal Injury Lawyer we have Rudy Guilianni, John Huntsman, Hillary (She did well after coming to the White House having never owned a home of her own), Al Gore, John Kerry, Mitt, Steve Forbes and Ross Perot.

Have some extra dough for Super Bowl Wagering? Here's some bets you can get: Odds on whether or not Kelly Clarkson's belly will be bare - 3-1; What color will be Madonna's hair when she begins the show; Will she be wearing fishnet stockings. How many times will the cameras show Peyton Manning; Giselle Bundchen; Tom Brady's son. How many times will they show David Tyree's 2008 SB catch. Let the nuttiness begin!

It's obvious!...isn't it?

Today's Tids Issue #2,309
Opening Stuff:
There's something about March 1 first is just special to me. Maybe it is the thought of little seeds underground scrubbing up before they burst fourth as buds then flowers. Or, the fact that snow doesn't matter any more as it is now just a cleansing blanket as while waiting for the green. It is a day that skies just seem brighter. And I'm thinking that is because of all of those people around the world who just start smiling again. Or maybe it is me and something I love about March 1.

Correction Department: Just about everybody noticed that I didn't get my percentages right on the Congressional religion Q. That's because the answers were absolute numbers. If you are still interested a good reader worked out the percents: Prod - 57%, RC - 29, Jew - 7, Morm - 3, Other, 3, and No answer religion -1.

And because of that...I promised one good reader a refreshingly new pun. (If the Tids are late it's because it's so hard to find one.) How about "Corderoy pillows are making headlines!" Or, "Practice safe eating: Always use condiments." OR "A shotgun wedding is a case of wife or death." Or "Show me a piano falling down a mineshaft and I'll show you a flat minor." I have written so many puns in these 2,300+ Tids that I really haven't found any new ones. I was going to make a joke about not remembering puns but I forgot what you call the disease.

I think we have hit a milestone in American history where the "Public Servant" has been replaced by the Taxpayer Servant.

The Question: 
 This comes from a reader. What are the chief oil producing US states, and why were we caught napping om the latest oil shortage.

The Headlines:
--Libyan Rebs Win Big Near Tripoli.
--WikiLeaks Found To Have Doctored Widely Released Nobel Prize Nominee Tape That Showed US Soldiers Firing On Unarmed Iraqis.
--Russia Spending Splurge Building Up Military.
--DOW Way Off On Oil Worries.

Back to More stuff:
Our Congress runs like Spell-Check...continually missing the obvious.

We could reduce the number of people working for the Fed Gov by half and all we'd be doing is getting rid of overlap.

Around Tampa Fla I saw a gigantic Rebel flag looming over the interstate at the exit marked Martin Luther Kink Jr. Highway.

Drinking lots of water is probably healthy but paying for in little bottles isn't.

I use to pass these large, fancy, expensive RV's and think they must be owned by a rock star. But now I realize they are probably owned by public employees on a retirement trip.

Almost Near: Chapter 10. It has been an incredibly hectic day In Tidsland, but we'll get serious tomorrow as Tucker begins his search to unravel Samantha and she does the same for herself.

When you realize that 70,000 protesters were imported to Madison Wis, then you know it's not about better education but the pocketbooks of big labor bosses. Good teachers will always get hired and paid.

If people in charge continually overlook the obvious, then you'd better duck and cover.

The Answer: 
We forgot to check the oil in Alaska, California, Coastal Florida, Coastal Louisiana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas,Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas because all of the dipsticks are in Washington DC.

The End...Hopefully.
I'm going mad!

Why are we always in the middle?

Today's Tids Issue 2,296

Opening Stuff:

Incandescent bulbs keep you warmer while reading on cold nights.

0-Man announced with a great deal of personal satisfaction yesterday the well deserved ouster of Mubarak after the resolute protesting by good people citizens. However, unlike the peaceful ouster of the democrats in the House by US peaceful protesting citizens, it didn't happen in Egypt yesterday. Mubarak stood there and said I'm staying and it will be good for you. Now what?

The "Now What?" was just answered.  Mubarak has just resigned handing the reins over to the Army! Now what?

This is perhaps one of the most complex diplomatic enigmas in the history of the US. The very existence of Israel, for instance, could hinge upon the succession of power in the Egypt. In fact 32 years ago today Khomeini stepped into the breach opened by the Iran people's revolution against the Shah and gave us the Iran we have today. Several factions within Egypt see a similar result as their goal. Carter's admin missed the opportunity in 1979. Let's hope we have better observers in this admin than the Dupnik of the hour, National Intelligence Director James Clapper.

The Question: 
Speaking of enigmatic diplomacy, who were the three people who sat chummily together and signed the Yalta peace treaty 66 years ago to day? Bonus: The list of the 10 most popular dog breeds has just been dropped on The Tid's pet desk. Name them.

The Headlines:

--Stock Markets Following Bouncing Egypt Moods.
--Mubarak Has Left Cairo; Army Backs President; Protesters Apoplectic; 0-Man Perplexed.
--GOP Brings Out Sharper Knife To Increase Cuts To $100 Billion After Near Rebellion By House Conservatives.
--White House Report Urges Winding Down Mortgage Giants Freddie And Fannie In Five Years; Admin Proposes Wider Role For Private Sector; Says Congress Will Have To Make Decision On One Of Three Options..
--Air Traffic Control Mistakes Have Doubled In Past Year.
--Trump Surprises Conservative Gathering By Hinting At Prez Run; Palin And Huckaby Noticably Absent From Shindig.
--Microsoft Joins Nokia In Smart Phone race.
--140 Killed In South Sudan Fighting.
--Fleeing Tunisians Arrive In Droves In Italy.

Back to More Stuff:
This is just nutty. It cost the taxpayers $450,000 to fly the four F-18 Fighter Jets from Virginia to Texas for the 4 second SuperBowl Flyover. But, because of the cold weather they had to close the roof and nobody could see them!

The woman who exposed to the world the self taken photo of bare chested Congressman Christopher Lee was named Gawker! How funny is that.

Dolphins are so smart that after just two days of captivity they can get humans to stand by the side of the pool and feed them fish.

Mubarak is sounding a lot like those CEO's who come into clean house and at the first corporate wide meeting they are introduced as a "People Person."

I don't know about you, but these natural gas explosions seem to be much too common and they bother me. As Carol King would sing, "I feel the earth move under my feet..." When you feel that, run like hell.

Almost Near: Chapter 6 continues. --And then he kissed Samantha. Not hard, but gently. As if he has been holding in a rapidly growing passion that needed a release or it would explode violently. In a way that would not do too much harm to the insecure Samantha. In a way that would enrich the quality of this embryonic relationship. In a way that would help this union grow stronger.
It was she who kissed back with an energy that surprised Tucker. He appeared to be reluctant to respond with the same fervor. To succumb to the feelings he felt overtaking his controlled judgment. He wanted her but worried that she only needed him.
Then she stopped as quickly as she started. She still held the blouse in her hand that she was unpacking when Tucker entered. Now she twisted it nervously. "I'm sorry," she whispered as her breathing and ebbing hunger muted her words. She looked at him. There was a sense of contentment coming though her doubts.
"What for?" he asked. "I felt everything you felt. I know there is a strong bound between us, even after but a few days. His had reached down and squeezed hers. Never say you're sorry to me. I accept who you are. Your life you have lived. The emotions inside you. Your faults and your most beautiful heart."
Samantha reached up and gave him a gentle kiss that said thank you.

Inevitability Department:
It seems to me that bureaucrats are becoming much too infatuated with the idea of black boxes in cars so they can collect data. It's the old where there's smoke there's fire maxim. The Government snoopers will float these ideas and let them be discussed and pretend to listen to the public. Then, they get some lame brain in Congress to propose the idea and Voila!...You are under surveillance 100% of your time driving in your own car. Save me from technological advances. The gov will probably post your driving habits on FaceBook. Gadzooks Robin. Where is that cave when I need it?

The fragile JD Drew of the Boston Red Sox is already warning the fans that his hamstring injury of last year may haunt him again this year. And, I thought this would be one of those "Contract" years where he would have to play above his head to get another inflated contract for the remainder of his career.


Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The Eagle takes place in 140AD. A Roman soldier seeks to discover what happened to his father's legion in Scotland, then known as the end of the earth. He is accompanied by a former member of the British elite but now a slave after his parents family were murdered by the Romans. He seeks revenge against all Romans. The two are at once dependent upon each other but adversaries too. It is actually a nice historical piece, but maybe not have enough action for some.
--This is animated Version of the often told Romeo and Juliet story only through he eyes of Garden Gnomes. It's ok.
--Just Go With It is the big romantic, star studded cast movie of the week. To cover up a lie, Adam Sandler a plastic surgeon enlists his assistant and her children to help him with a charade as he pursues the much younger school teacher of his dreams. Others are Jennifer Anniston, Brooklyn Decker and Nicole Kidman. Looks like you've seen it before, but probably enjoyable.

Unemployment in RI has gone down to about 12%. But 14.3% of RI'ers are still on food stamps. Underemployment is still high and doesn't appear to be declining nationally even as the Admin reports fairly significant drops for the jobless.

Sarah Palin is 47 today. It seems as though she has been around much longer than that.

The Answers:
Strange bedfellows have always been a part of diplomatic history. The Yalta peace agreement was signed by three powerful men sitting cheek to cheek in Yalta: FDR, Sir Winston and mass murderer Joseph Stalin. Bonus: The Labrador Retriever retains its title as Most Fave Pet. Next are German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier, Beagle, Golden Retriever, Bulldog, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle and Shih Tsu.

The Weakend:
The White House put the Congress in a box with their just announced recommendations for housing mortgages. The upshot of a bigger role by the private sector could be that 30 year fixed rate mortgages would disappear and variable rate mortgages would become more predominant. The FHA would be the only remaining Gov. institution associated with the housing industry.

James Clapper is in an excellent position to retire The Dupnik Murphy. Forever.

The future of mortgages is a much too deep a topic upon which to ride into a comfortable mindless weekend. So...my wife asked me what I was doing today. I said "Nothing". She said "That's what you did yesterday." I said, "I know, but I wasn't finished."

A crush on life.

Today's Tids Issue 2,255

Opening Stuff:

I was watching "Criminal Minds" last night at am now firmly convinced that I'm not a psychopath...despite what you may feel when reading the Tids. In fact, I'm am probably the polar opposite, a heart on the sleeve romantic fool.

Bob Feller was a bigger than life super hero to kids in the 40's and 50's. I still feel the same. Enjoy your new aura Rapid Robert,

The Question:
There are many, many great classical composers, but this one born 240 years ago today did more to transform music from pleasantly tedious to powerfully beautiful. Who was he and what are his best known works and how much did he write?

The Headlines:

--Today Is "V" Day In The House On Bill Allowing Americans To Retain Their Money Instead Of Forking It Over To Bureaucrats To Waste And Congress People To Earmark.
--Markets Down On Mixed Economic Data.
--UK Upholds Decision To Grant Bail To Assange.
--Admin Says That Despite How Bad Things Look, US Making Progress In Afghan.
--Foreclosures Tumble.
--IRS Audits Up 11%; Enforcement Revenue Topped $57 Billion.
--Euro Rolling Debt Crisis Said To Be Systemic.

Back to More Stuff:
We have a government that could probably rid itself of several hundred departments and agencies, many dating back to FDR. And then yesterday we get more evidence of how quickly givernment can become bloated when we see Hillary stand up there saying that she needs about...get this...5,000 more people in her State Department. Is anybody listening?

Hope for the Future Department:
A reader writes to tell me that yesterday her six year old son came up to her and asked, "Do you believe that Michelle Obama was on the Disney Channel?" My friend asked her son what he thought about it. "Weird", was his answer.

Or maybe not...Maybe the problems that seem to be inherent in the education system are actually the result of extreme arrogance of the Educational elite. I give you this example of an educational recruiter telling the citizens of Claremont NH why it will be tough to get a good person for their Superintendent job. Zimmerman, a former Super himself said, "It is easy to search in a wealthy community that has children who come from an extraordinarily talented gene pool. By comparison, Claremont has poor people, poor children and disorientation in the family and the community." So lets hope his saying that basically we have to give up on communities where teaching is more difficult isn't in the hearts of all educators. Or else there is no future for all children. Idiot.

Unfortunately, the European protesters are complaining about a reduction in salaries and wages that were never economically viable in the first place. Of course, over here in America the experts are looking for a rebound in housing to lead the recovery...forgetting that the giant housing industry of 3 years was also not economically viable. So I guess the big idea is to forget the mistakes of history.

Word is out that next year the new Republican led Congress will bring Freddie and Fannie back into the picture as the real culprets that led to the recession. Stay tuned and watch Barney bluster.

With a 13-3 scorecard last week, I felt good about going into this weekend until I took a look at some of the games. Will our 141-66 (68%) record suffer a concussion with posers like huge games Indy-Jax, Eagkes-Jints and NO-Balt. And then there are the toss ups Buff-Miami, Cleve-Cinn, KC-St. Lou, Hous-Tenn, Det-TB and yes the desperate Jets against a better Pitt team. Also, there is red hot New England who goes against the points agianst best defense in the league, Green Bay! Well, first I'm doing my homer thing, especially since NE has already beaten all of the other so-called best "D"s". Then I pick the, ahem, easy games Chi over Minn, Atlanta over Seattle, Oak over Den, Dallas over Wash and Carolina over Arizona. I can't put it off any longer. here goes: Pitt, St. Louis, Tenn (Mario Williams out), TB, Buff, Indy, Balt. I love Philly but I have to go with the Giants. And...in that classic interstate Ohio war I'm picking Cleveland. This could be a disaster week.

Everybody is hailing yesterday's big meeting between our socialist President and big business. Basically what I have heard is that Business iterated in the meeting what they have been saying for two years now: We don't know where you are going, we don't trust where you are going based on what we know now, so have been keeping our cash on the sideline. Prove to us that something is changing.

The worst states for retirees are Nevada, Mich, Alaska, SC, Maryland, Tenn, Ohio, NC, Missouri and Arkansas. Not far behind are NE states RI, Conn and Mass -- Nice places to live if you can stand the taxes. In fact, the 10 states with highest cost of living in the 3rd quarter are Hawaii, Alaska, Cal, NJ, NY,Conn, RI Maryland, Vermont and New Hampshire. Illinois was considered the state in the most fiscal peril. The others are Arizona, Fla, Cal, Ill, Mich, Nevada, NJ. Oregon. RI and Wisc. Of course, if you can't afford to move then you are stuck where you are. So stop reading "Best of" polls and have a drink!

Is strong coffee heavier than average coffee?

How Newspapers create hysteria department:
A story reporting on the US Gov. lawsuit against private biz BP is accompanied by a large photo of one of the seven or eight birds found covered with oil. Hell it may be the only bird covered with oil. But the media loves it so much they have tried to make the symbol if the accident by showing it over and over again.

The Answer:
If you listen to Ludwig Von Beethoven's first symphony, it is not noticeably different than that of Mozart, Hayden and other previous composers of the day. But from there on, it is a magical transformation into what eventually became know as the Romantic period. The first Symphony I ever bought way back when was his 7th, and I like it even better today. Of course he is known for his wonderful Ninth, Eroica, Fifth, Mass, amazing piano concertos and rousing overtures. In all he write nine symphines, five piano concertos (6 including the choral), 32 piano sonatas, 10 violin sonatas, 5 cello sonatas, one french horn, 2 masses, 16 string quartets and numerous other quintets and trios for various instruments. He wrote one opera "Fidelio" many lieds (Songs) and several other concerti and many pieces of occasional music. He was a helluva guy.

The End: Big
It's easy to get down, but it's much more fun to stay up!

Look up and smile

Today's Tids Issue 2,247
Opening Stuff:

I have to say as I look around this beautiful country that I still see lots and lots of happy families. Millions of people with the same hopes as ever, with same sturdy back bone and love in their hearts. A lot of today's micro analysing can easily confuse the macro picture of a rescilient creative american with a strong moral compass. With millions of more honest immigrants wanting to emulate the image of the resourceful innovative American. We just have to make a few adjustments.

Facebook made a big announcement yesterday saying in part they want the Facebook experience "more of a reflection of their real lives..." Say what? A web site will be a reflection my real life. Why would I want to reflect my life upon a world stage in the first place? I still don't get it.

The Question:
Here's a multiple parter: 1. When and where was Phi Beta Kappa established? 2. Who was the first President to be born after the US was Independent? 3. When was the Washington Monument completed? 4. In what year did Thomas Edison invent the telephone?

The Headlines:

--GOP/Dems Nearing Agreement On Tax/Jobless Benefits Package.
--Wall Street Opening Lower On EU Worries.
--Iran stroinger As It heads To Geneva Talks.
--Anti-American Fighters Trickling Into Iraq At Greater rate; Funding For al-Qaida Increasing,
--Generals Come Out strongly Against "Don't Ask..."
--Bernanke Considers Unemployment Rates Critcal; Expects Slower Economy For 5 Years.

Back to More Stuff:
I think there could be something to the theory that news overload can migrate into a full blown physically dibilitating virus. This especially true for news with a high percentage of politicians ramblings which conflict detrimentally to sane thinking, reasonably logical minds. A logical mind can deteriorate exponentially into quivering masses after continuous bombardment by irreconcilable ideological arguments. In fact. my doctor has advised me to stop watching the news and to just listen to Christmas Carols.

Have you noticed that in 1942 FDR disbanded the WPA (Works Progress Administration) It was disbanded because it was no longer necessary. How many departments in the bowels of the US bureaucracy could be wiped out with out a ripple of an effect on day to daty living?

Rangle's consistent denial of any wrongdoing is classic among Washington players who have been there much too long. He is the new poster boy for term limits.

I need a new computer, but I expect in a couple of months I'll have an array of "Pad" devices from which to choose. A device that many are saying it's all you need.

The University of Connecticut at 8-4 getting one of the major bowl games just because the Big East is part of the BCS power structure is just the latest bit of evidence illustrating how bad this year ending championship system has become.

Did you read where some medical experts are now saying that the benefits of sun bathing far out weigh the risks of melanoma. What's next...gravy softens aging arteries?

There is no question that Sarah Palin is in grave danger from overexposure. Not only doesn't she wisely sit back and bake cookies for a while but she decides to go camping with another manufactured celebrity, Kate Gosselin, and her 8 kids! What's that all about? What's next...a Palin/Kardashian credit card for unwed mothers.

The passage of the tax extension for all will add some certainty to the economy and could contribute to increased rehiring.

The Answer:
1. Phi Beta Kappa was established at William and Mary in 1776. 2. The first Person born after Independence Day who went on to become President was Martin Van Buren -- Born Dec 5 1782. 3. The US Corps of Army Engineers put the cap on the Monument in 1884. 4.. Thomas Edison didn't invent the phone! Alexander Graham Bell did it in 1876. The Tids trickster strikes again!

The End:
Seventy years ago tonight American military people in Hawaii went to bed looking forward to a peaceful Sunday morning.

Tonight I'll fall asleep way before the greatest game of the century ends, And then wake up repeatedly throughput the night trying to learn which team won. 

полезный идиот

Today's Tids Issue 2,210
Opening Stuff:

There is a term sometimes attributed to western sympathizers of Lenin’s ideologies -- полезный идиот or “Useful Idiots. It has come to identify all those naïve or elite minds being manipulated by political movements, hostile governments and terrorists looking for support of suspect but emotional causes. It was recently mentioned to describe the reason for Obama’s latest college tour – rounding up the useful idiots.

Here’s a rule of life you can count on: “A pot roast on Sunday assures gravy for the rest of the week.”

When a snowstorm cancels all flights it is called a Winterruption!

The Question:
Who was the Guest Host on the first telecast of Saturday Night Live? Name three things for which he was known.

The Headlines:

--It’s Hold Your Breath time In Chile; Rescuers Ready To Haul Out Survivors.
--Seniors Expected To Cut Down On Spending After Learning Of SS Freeze.
--Transportation Unions Expected To Shut Down France In Response To Sarkozy Move To Raise Retirement Age By Two Years.
--New Study Says Too Much TV Harms Children; Bloomberg Mulling Banning Of TV IN NYC.
--Attentions Seeking Author Hurls Book At Obama; Prez Employs Full george Bush To Avoid Missile.
--Market Futures Pointing Down.
--Unemployed Lack New Skills Necessary For Available Jobs.

Back to More Stuff:
This Food Stamp thing in NYC is just the tip of an iceberg that could sink the good ship America. As the Big all encompassing government pays for more and more of the groceries they gain the right to tell you what groceries to buy. Be that wall street firms and banks, auto companies, energy companies, doctors, healthcare facilities, towns and cities. When you accept the government dough, you are in for plenty of woe. It’s just the way it works. And too many people these days want it to work that way.

All this talk about the yuan is a big yawn. But, in fact it should be a wake up call for the US Economy.

Politicians talk about bringing jobs back to America. Actually it is easy, but that is the one reason why they will never tell you how it can be done. Jobs will flow back if wages in America go down. All of this global talk is great for a select few. But remember, the oceans are global and they are all at the same level. That’s just economics 101.

Newspapers covered that national convention of litterbugs – you know the “The one nation working together rally” in response to the Glen Beck rally – with reverence. In fact a letter to a local newspaper points out that the photo of people peacefully holding innocuous signs accompanying an AP article, was far from the whole story. The writer said that other signs just out of sight were for groups that included “National Conference on Socialism”, “Socialistalternative.org”, “Socialism for the 21st Century”, “Ohio U. For Democratic Socialists”, “Capitalism is failing, Socialism is the alternative” and “Organizacion Marxista-Leninista de los Estados Unidos”. It’s a new world out there and there are plenty of Useless Idiots to support it.

Things are changing too fast for me. In fact, I think the vegans have taken over the ant-acid business. Do you realize how hard it is to find a Tums that isn’t fruit flavored? Another push into berry-ville? What’s that all about? Don’t they know that peppermint, wintergreen and spearmint are leaves. Are green leaves supposed to be good for you? It’s getting tough to live in this world.

The big news for 2012 isn’t going to be about which republican is going to run against “Prime Time” but whether or not 0-Man is there after The Hill challenges him for the Dem nomination. .

Seismologists are reporting that there actually no earthquakes in southern cal. It is an odd cultural occurrence that produces’ the simultaneous revving up high bases car radios in South Central LA that is rattling the buildings.

The Answer:
I rank George Carlin up there with the funniest of all time. First, George could be very funny while being clean. Although he was widely known for his 7 words you can’t say on TV and for a long list of names for a certain part of the female anatomy. Mostly, though he could comment humorously on simple acts or facts of daily life. Like “If the Cincinnati Reds were really the first major league baseball team, who did they play?” And, “A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” Check out http://blogzarro.com/2007/05/100-greatest-george-carlin-quotes/ for a long list of Carlin Quotes.

And, Carlin has a good close for today’s start: “Think how stupid the average person is, and realize that half of them are stupider than that.”

Congress: Laughable.

Today's Tids Issue 2,208

Opening Stuff:

Isn’t the current Congress already doing enough to make a mockery out of a once great institution without having to bring in a comedian to pile on? But then, nobody takes congress seriously any more?

Which brings me to the Quote of the Week*: It’s from Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. “Roger Clements could get 30 years for lying to Congress, but Congress people lie to us and they get re-elected for two years.”

Did you hear about the horse trainer who decided to move over and work with deer to make a fast buck?

Bach’s Brandenburg concerti are a great way to start the day. But, I only listen to four at a time.

“Government Doesn’t Create Wealth; It Uses Wealth Created By Others“ Department:
Last night on Fox, John Stossel -- in a special titled “The Battle for the Future” -- did an excellent job breaking down the ills of an American ideal gone astray and where there is hope for getting the country back into the hands of the people. It looked at “Makers vs. Takers”; The biggest danger in America – Public Employee Unions…the parasite killing the host; A disincentivized workforce; A far too big Government. Look for reruns of this program. It covers all of the reason why the tea party has been successful as an upstart; Why Americans across the land regardless of party, socioeconomic status color of skin, are so angry

The Question: 
What was Andrew Lloyd Weber’s first hit show? Name five other big shows form this master of melody.

The Headlines:

--Failing Levee Frocing Portage Wisconsin Residents To Leave Town.
--Israeli Settlers Cheer Expiration Of Construction Ban.
--Unilever Deal And Other M&A Activing Copuld Push markets Much Higher This Morning.
--US Helicoptors Continue To Effectively Kill Insurgents In Pakistan.
--Only 36% Of Teens Think Texting While Driving Could Kill Them; 55% Think Drinking While Driving Could Kill.
--Powerful Endicott Nips Salve 29-28.
--Unilever Buys Alberto Culver For $3.7 Bil.
--Malls Across Country See Up Tick In Biz After Banning Unaccompanied Teens.

Back to More Stuff:
Did you see that news item about the discovery in Bing Crosby’s basement of a long lost film of the final of the 1960 World Series? I was living in Pittsburgh then and really got into the team, especially when they were facing the dreaded You-Know-Who’s! It was actually a memorable week, work in the morning and make the rounds of supplier hotel parties in the afternoon. It was a week of a wide emotional variation. Huge ups and sudden downs. The worst of downs coming as the e Ya-ya-Ya (WYKWIM) went up in the top of ninth. And then there were two outs. The bottle of Bourbon had enough for 4 shots, enough for four distraught Westinghouse ad guys sitting forlorn in a now empty room. Now the four ready to toast a job well done. And then…and then Tony Kubeck made “The Error”. Man on first. And now the great Bill Mazeroski was at bat. Still last of ninth. Still two outs. We glanced at the screen and lifted the glasses. What!!! Maz hits it out! You could hear a deafening roar of cheers emerging throughout the city. From open windows throughout the city. From the streets below. Our amazing Pirates had beaten down the pompous team from New York. Now we lifted the glasses in a victory toast. It was a grand day.

Best Golf Tip Ever Department:
I pulled up to the designating parking spot and two guys came over and started unloading the back of my Jeep. The older guy, said smiling, “Want us to take the golf clubs too!” We both started laughing. It was the fall “Free Shredding of Old Documents Day”. Golfers know the real problem.

What is more efficient…Millionaires paying more taxes so it can be filtered through a wasteful, bloated bureaucracy? Or leaving the money with them so they can spend it efficiently at their discretion. Creating jobs or distributing it to Charities or for projects throughout the towns and regions in which they live.. Where 100% of the dough gets to the charity unless it is corrupt or has a crook for an executive director. Or a bookkeeper who hits the local casino a little too often. Oh wait a minute, the Gov already doles out what’s left of the tax dollars to suspect local organizations like Acorn.

The AG candidate who says he’s going to root out corruption in the General Assembly and look under the hood of the unions running this state will definitely get my vote. Not a candidate who promises to be tough on elderly abuse. Which is nothing more than pap for a large voting block.

Giving up a seat on a bus for an elderly person is an act of "chairity".

Another funny line from a local columnist suggests that Jets receiver Brayton Edwards probably taunted the police officer when he was arrested for drunken driving.

Doonesbury has been very funny this week. It’s about Warren Buffet visiting a fellow billionaire who has yet to join the group pledging half their assets to combat disease in Africa. The more I think about it, the more it becomes apparent that these self made billionaires have egos big enough to want to stand alone in front of their fortunes and determine where their charity goes with out the help of other Billionaires. And, lets face many of these billionaires give to charity all of the time, and don’t seek credit notoriety. Basically, Buffet and Gates are acting like Big Government billionaires – “I know better,; Let me spend your money.”

Duh Headline of the Week:
“Obama Rejects GOP Plans.”

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 96. -- I saw the three of them sitting there in the glass bowl office; that of my trusted mentor Jack Wiley as I walked with confidence now next to Trooper Dan. Which one was the biggest manipulator? Jack, the man who’s every instinct I followed on my way to the top of the corporate financial world? Isabelle, a person I now realize I barely knew? My beautiful lover? My Kent? A man who has made feel like I always wanted to feel. A man who has touched, explored, stimulated every part of my body. Surely intimacy would not blind me.
The trooper moved forward and grabbed the door for me. My eyes were riveted on the threesome. Jack looked scared. Isabelle looked like a mad woman. Kent’s eyes looked deeply into mine. Into my heart. And I felt the fever of true love.

I saw a news program lauding a school class for letters they wrote to get money form companies. Are we teaching the next generation to be grant writers? Is that the future of our society? Creating a new middle class of beggars who are experts at getting money from producers. It’s like walking out of your supermarket to hoards of kids essentially begging for money for sports leagues, school trips, scouts or other after school activities. Not too many years ago, kids just went out and did it.

Do you think that moms let kids play things like X-Box because they don’t get as dirty as they would playing outside? Is that because working moms didn’t have time for extra washing? Bill Keane suggested that.

I just read a Wedding Notice that said the Bride had a Masters Degree in Exercise Science! Exercise science?

The Answer:  

Weber’s first hit written with Tim Rice was The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Weber and Rice soon followed up with Jesus Christ, Superstar. The two
some continued with Evita, their last together. Weber’s firsts solo effort was Cats followed by Phantom, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful games, Bombay Dreams, The Woman In White and Love Never Dies. The two people who most influenced his dream to be a songwriter were Frederick Loewe, Lionel Bart and Richard Rogers.

The End:
American starts coming back this Novemeber.

*(I had already written it down for Today, but saw repeated in a Saturday sports column. Which leads me to believe that it is sweeping the country and you may have already seen it!)

Chix Come Home to roost; roast?

Today's Tids  Issue 2,211
Opening Stuff:

We just reported the worst auto sales month in America since 1983. And, it pretty much proves what many good economists were saying about clunkers at this time a year ago. “We are just borrowing from tomorrow for a sales spurt today.” It also turns out that auto companies were borrowing from their future profits to offer out of the world discounts last year. This is yet one more example of why real economies can’t (Yes can’t) function with government intrusion.

Why is the UN and “Climate Change Organizations” sending poverty ridden countries multi-billions of dollars to reign in global warming when all the people want to do is eat?

DVR’s are great for political speeches…that is, to tape several alternative programming options the night before. Actually, I know several who watched “Mad Men” instead of the Prez. Is that just a coincidence or a subconscious action.

The Question:
15 years ago, the ribbon was cut opening the striking new Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in beautiful lakefront Cleveland. The first inductees were introduced in 1986. Name them. Hint – There were ten.

The Headlines:

--Earl Gets Stronger; East And Northeast Watching Path Closely; Experts Confident That There Will Not Be A Direct Hit As Travel Lines Get Closer To Nantucket Island.
--Tony Blair: Clinton – “Most Formidable Politician; Brilliant Thinker”. GW Bush – “Straight Forward And Direct; Very Smart; Intuitive; Calm”.
--Stephen Hawking: “God Did Not Create Universe.”
--Samsung Unveils iPad Competitor “Galaxy”.
--Jobless Claims Nudge Down; Productivity Falls dramatically. Markets Up Slightly.

Back to More Stuff:
He had to throw away his socks because they waren’t worth a darn.

A columnist sent me scurrying for these lyrics: “Good authors too who once knew better words, now only use four letter words. Writing prose, anything goes. The world has gone mad today, And good’s bad today, And black’s white today, And day’s night today…” Well you get the picture. This was written in 1934 by Cole Porter…and it certainly hasn’t gotten any better.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 92. –My car seems to be inhaling the road as my mind was racing ahead of me to Boston. Everything that appeared perfect now looks suspicious. Isabelle, Jack…Kent. Kent. How the thought of his name infects me with electric feelings. Yet while I want to be next to him, to hold him, to have him inside me, I find a small sense of resistance rising along with the good feelings. And, why would Jack so quickly abandon me? Was I just part of his master scheme? Or did I deserve it because of my distractions with Kent. Now, I have to trust Bill. I think he is still on my side. Was he putting me on too? Have I given up on myself and not known it. The phone rang.
I looked and saw it was Henry. “Hi Sarah,” he started ever so formally for him. I just had a phone call from Middleton, and he is worried about you.” My heart stopped! Kent is worried about me? I smiled little as Henry went on. “We should have thought about it first. But he reminded us of your watchdog, and your previous accident.” I looked in the rear view mirror as my knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. “Did you mention your little incident to him?” Henry asked cautiously. Probing.
I sat there. I didn’t, I said to myself. But, now it makes sense. He knows about the tail because he is part of it. “I told him,” I lied.

Government Grant Department:
With a great big headline, a newspaper reports on a new medical cancer related study: “Removing Breasts, ovaries reduces cancer rates.” I’m going for a Government grant. My premise: “Removal of head eliminates brain tumors and addictive behaviors.”

We haven’t had a good recipe in a while. How about buttery rosemary roasted half chicken over creamy polenta. First make the polenta. In sauce pan bring 4 cps water, 4 cps milk, 3 tbs butter to boil. Add 2 tsps salt and whisk in 2 cps polenta. Whisk thoroughly and constantly 3-4 mins. Simmer 45 mins part cover; mixing every 10 mins. Add ½ cp crème fraiche and 1/3 cp Reggiano Parmesano. Now the chix. Preheat oven to 450. S&P 4 skinless breasts and place in baking dish. In bowl, combine 1 ½ tbs unsalted butter, Zest of ½ l Lemon, 2 lg cloves garlic minced, 2 rosemary leaves. Spread over chix. Cut rest of lemon in slices; arrange around chix. Roast 30-40 mins (Chix temp 175 degrees).. Serve over polenta and let chick goo ooze in. Put something green like totally buttery beans on the side.

All Mac n’ Cheeses are not created equal. I have seen that Mn’C moniker attached to some pretty dreadful plates of that food staple of my youth. And often the worst of the dishes are in the most gourmet of restaurants. Mn’C isn’t gourmet. it’s just Good,. And it isn’t something chefs are supposed to experiment with. The best I ever had was of course my Mom’s. But then that’s where mac and cheese came from…Mom’s kitchens. I can still remember it coming out to the table in clear glass bowls that showed the crispiness clinging to the buttered sides and the rich brown crunchy top. And I would sit there while good old fashioned drool formed at the corners of my lips.

On my comments two days ago about entitlement bicyclists and Obama crazed Subaru owners, I received a letter from a good friend – an avid bicyclist and Subaru owner. He agreed with me on the Subaru observation but had reservations about over stereotyping all bike riders. He said he has ridden over 28,000miles (Oh my achin’ butt) and always tries to observe the laws of safe driving. As do most of the people he knows. He doesn’t live in the East.

Here’s something I can’t figure out. Because of my inability to type well, I often mistype words, especially “form” instead of “from” and “Governemtn”. And spell-check always lets governemtn go through. Does spell-check know something I don’t, or is governemtn just s confusing that even spell-check has given up?

The Answer:
The first Ten legends were Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Don and Phil Everly, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Elvis Presley. “I found my thrill on blueberry hill.”

The surfers were here at bout 6:00 am. But there is not quite as much surf as there is anticipation. Kind of reminds you of the Obama presidency.

Vacation Tids continues…

Today's Tidlets Issue 2,190
Opening Stuff:

On a day when in Kenya the people ran to the polls to support a new Constitution that would vastly curtail the powers of the President, the US Congress voted for a so-called “Jobs” bill that would effectively dilute the state’s power to determine their own education policies in the future. The Dems demonized GOP’ers in their typical fashion as they paid homage to Union backers with a new bill that would direct $10 Billion to help pay for teachers salaries. The States, the last bastion of common sense where budgets by law must be deficit free, will by accepting money printed in DC be indebted to the government's education direction and regulations. So let’s hear it for the ancestral home of the Prez. Where they have seen and despised the tragedy of an Executive Branch dictatorship free from checks and balances.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand the “Waver Wire.”

Did you hear about the exotic dancer who had to quit because she couldn’t put up with the daily grind?

While sarcastically casting aspersions at the importance of August, I forgot about one of the most important ever events in US history. VJ Day. That stands for Victory over Japan. You may have missed it because 49 politically correct states have rejected the idea of celebrating that day when masses of Americans took to the streets to breathe a gigantic sigh of relief with the defeat of the murderous Japanese army. So let’s just take a second and think about the millions of US soldiers who died on those crumby little islands or in immense Naval battles to vanquish a foe who snuck into Pearl Harbor one Sunday morning to kill sleeping Americans.

The Question:
A new poll just out this morning announces the most liberal state in the US of A. What is it. How does the same poll describe the nation?

The Headlines:
--Rudy Giulliani’s Harvard Student Daughter Caroline Snagged For Shoplifting; Will Probably Exhibit No Shame If Dad’s Publicists Can Effectively re-Write History.
--Cal Fed Judge Overturns Voter’s Explicit Demand For Ban On Gay Marriage.
--Nolan Ryan Led Group Tops Contender Mark Cuban Gang In Auction For Bankrupt Texas Rangers Baseball Team.
--Kagan Expected To Be Latest NYC Liberal On Supreme Court.
--High State Labor Costs May Force Home Town Hero Harley Motorcycle To Leave fro Another Friendlier State.

Back to More Stuff:

Now that Apple is becoming immensely successful with the intro of iGadgets, you can expect hackers to start paying a lot more attention to security deficiencies in the company's software. Somewhere in his vault Bill Gates is Smiling.

You have to love the columnists who are busy writing columns about why they aren’t going to write columns about Bret Favre this year. And…Jeez, I just did it myself.

Now that the FTC has successfully come down on Intel for overpricing computer chips, I think it is time they went after baked goods, convenience store soda pop and state and local government employees. We have to get back to some kind of value system.

There was glee on Wall Street yesterday as a better than normal July service sector jobs employment report was announced. Keep your eye on that one for the end of September report. That’s when those summer service jobs that got rolling in July will start to decline for the Winter. If Wall Streeters’ were looking 6 months ahead like they want you to believe they do, they may have noticed that.

With the approval of Kagan the SC is danger of becoming an institution of special interest groups.

The Answer:
According to Gallop this morning, the most liberal state is the one from where this morning missive originates…that’s rii-iight… Little Ole’ RI. And once this word gets out, more libs will come our way. And more government will get in the way. Actually the biggest pocket of lefties is right in our Nation’s capitol, DC! Surprise! As far as our good nation as a whole, the poll says that overall the majority of the people declared themselves as Conservative or very conservative. Conservatives out number liberals across all states by 20% points. Will somebody send the Ocean state a life raft? Or are we already to far adrift?

(Actually, while Rhode Island has the most declared liberals at 32% Moderates are the highest at 36%. 29% of Ocean Stater’s are conservative.)

It looks like everybody in the country is going conservative except those naming Supreme Court Judges.

I may be back tomorrow. And then again...

Just do it...right.

Today's Tids Issue 2,177
Opening Stuff:

I was gong to start this Tids with an imaginary fantasy -- calling up icy winds from Canada North to cut though the suffocating Summer heat. I wanted to herald the joy of a sensible Fall that begot an early Winter. A time for the rejuvenation of sagging bodies and new stimulation for sluggish brain cells depressed by unyielding heat and humidity. But then I thought, this wouldn’t be fare to vacationers and all of those businesses that rely on oppressive heat and burning sun for economic survival. Wait one minute, do we want an economy based on weather?

If the US government was run by Netflix, everybody would probably be pretty happy. The company is efficient, understanding, flexible, creative and tough where it has to be. In fact if the phone companies, cable networks and Wall Street were also as good as Netflix, the entire country would be in pretty good shape.

Year after year, The British Open is one of the best sporting events. It savors tradition while maximizing competition with an undercurrent of civility. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could capture the same levels of honesty, responsibility, ambition, perfection, determination and understanding in the general society?

Conspiracy Theory Department:
It was pretty obvious that 0-Man, The Great Mocker, delighted in using Goldman Sachs as his punching bag as he made a case for the Financial Reform bill. The day that the Bill passed and became ready for his signature, the Justice Department came down with a slap on the wrist fine for the financial giant – a fine that would easily be paid with the funds from two days trading. No fraud charges. No jail time for scammers. No new restrictions on bad behavior. Yes Goldman, the second largest contributor to 0-Man, came out of a mess that left average people struggling, stronger and richer than ever. And the new law…a big joke. It doesn’t even mention the thieves at Freddie and Fannie. There is nothing in it that the “Too Big’s” won’t be able to circumvent after a few hours, or at least days of studying. Meanwhile the average American will find it tougher to get credit while facing increased bank fees. Yup, it pays to contribute to this administration…this congress.

The Question:
In 1960, 50 years ago, Good jobs across the demographic spectrum were plentiful and well paying. Name the Fortune 500 top 10 then.

The Headlines:
--Economist Says Slow Recovery Continues.
--Abortion Foes Win Big One In Health care Overhaul; 0-Admin Grumbling Over Loss Of Funding For Murder In Insurance Pools for Needy.
--BP Says $ Billion Spent To Date.
--Overseas Stocks Down After Friday Debacle In US Markets.
--Tid’s Corporate Pension Plan Strategy fails For 457th Consecutive Week As Powerball Selection Falls Flat.

Back to More Stuff:

Hank Cochran, one of the great songwriters of America, died Friday night after The Tids went to press. He wrote #1 hits for Eddie Arnold, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, George Straight…well…all of the greats of Country Music. He never used the “F” word, advocated shooting cops or beating up yo woman. He wrote about the heartbreaks of love and the joy of living. He made you cry. He made you smile. He kept you humming. It was music that all of the family could enjoy.

It Has been 41 years since a young woman named Mary Jo Kopechne died tragically in an unfortunate act of gross negligence where nobody was ever brought to justice for her death.

I see where 0-Man is loving his cocoanut ice cream up on the Maine coast during his vacation. It must be an Indonesia thing. It’s tough to rid your self of things learned as a child.

BTW, the media types are lauding the Prez for the relatively small amount of vacation days he has taken since being in office. I think it is because he can’t stand to be away from potential face time on TV.

I have no trouble blaming the entire Gulf oil spill on a Government that forced oil companies to operate in areas a mile or more below the surface of the ocean.

I wasn’t surprised at all with the 250+ drop in the Dow Friday, July 16. It happens just about every July 17th when there is uncertainty or instability in the Market. And always after things are looking positive in recent weeks. Check it out.

Pelosi (For about 30 minutes) was the main attraction at a $1,000/plate dinner at the Jamestown RI seaside home of the CEO of the Princeton review. A crowd gathered with many signs like “Wait Til November”, “Poster Child for Out of Control Government” and “Next year you’ll be Flying Commercial.” But, it was a guy with a megaphone in a boat that said it best : “Was a half an hour worth $1,000? (She apparently didn’t hang.) If that doesn’t describe the overspending government, I don’t know what does. Of course many of us would have spent $2,000 to have her not show.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 83 continues. –“What’s the word of the day. Henry” I said cheerfully as I walked in. I looked in the back room facing the from door as I passed by and saw that Murph sitting there, not looking very brave at all. Not the fearsome Murphy I heard about from Richie Holden and his friends.
In answer to my owning query. Henry’s eyes flicked towards the sad looking Sam Murphy. “I’m about to let him go. I brought him in to talk more about Laura.” He smiled a knowing smile. “It seems he didn’t know this Laura well. She had never gone to school with him or any of the kids. She just showed up one day at their local hangout and went for him. He told me, “She sure knew a lot more about sex than the girls in school. Like she was older or something.” He smiled a lot when he said that.
“Henry, you do a bad imitation of a teen.” I laughed and he turned a little red. Any how, this kid has a lot more information now that he is out from under the spell of Laura. He remembers seeing her a couple of times with an older, “A smart looking guy” he said.
“Well, we know that was her uncle Bromski.”
“No it wasn’t, Henry continued. “He said he knew her Uncle and this guy wasn’t him. He said he looked like a guy who might be working at the same place as her uncle.”
Kent? I thought. No, it wouldn’t be Kent.

Remind me to cancel my subscription to the Princeton Review.

Criminal charges against BP would be a travesty, especially in light of the Gov allowing G-S to get off scott-free (Believe me $550 Mil is scott-free to that money machine) with no hint of criminal fraud charges.

The Vatican is looking dumber than Congress these days as they tie a new doctrine against child predator priests with a ban on women in the priesthood. Why can’t “august governing bodies just do things right. What bothers me most here is that the "V" apparently didn't have enough support to vote for a regualtrion that would ban monster priests. They had to compromise.

Don’t you just love the modern America, watching dads walking the dog with their young daughters and sons…teaching them how to pick up poop with plastic bags! What a great future!

The Answer:
Today, Wal-Mart is number one. In 1960 it was GM, Standard Oil, Ford, GE, US Steel, Mobil, Gulf Oil, Texaco, Chrysler, Swift & Company, AT&T, Dupont, Bethlehem Steel, Amoco, Westinghouse Electric, Armour, General Dynamics, Shell, Boeing and General Foods.

It was a pleasure watching the calm and cool of British Open Champ Wusthazen… Orsthizen… Ousthuzer… Usthosen… Oosthuizen – Louis Oosthuizen. Congratulaions champ.

Look for it. it's there.

Today's Tids Issue 2,153
Opening Stuff:

As you drive around through city streets or comfortable country lanes; As you look at houses big and small or rich and poor or urban and country; As you see a housewife getting into her car or a man walking across a field or a woman jogging on a rural lonely road. You are always looking at something that could turn into a novel or a great story. Just let your imagination run wild.

There is absolutely no restaurant to which “I just have to go!” It probably costs too much anyhow.

A tip of the helmet to those remaining Big 12 College conference members who are saying “No!” to expansion offers, and working hard to keep their own traditions alive.

The Question:
What are the two most heavily regulated industries in America?

The Headlines:
--European Stocks Up.
--Hitmen Kill 10 Mexican Police; 28 Die In Jail Riot.
--Brown Rice Eaters Less Likely To get Diabetes.
--America On Edge Of Seats Awaiting 0-Man Talk In Prime Time.
--US Demand For Oil Ups Barrel Price To $76.
--5.7 Earthquake Rattles San Diego Baseball Fans During Game.
--Rates On US Short Term Treasuries Fall In Auction To Lowest Levels Since January.
--Obama Mouthpiece Gibbs Says, “We Have To Get BP Out Of The Claims Business.”; New US “Change” Government Poised To take Over Another Private Responsibility.

Back To More Stuff:

I just changed the layout and appearance of this "The Tids" blog. – Check it out and let me know what you think and send your opinion: --I hate It. --It makes me sea-sick. --It’s confusing. –You have no taste. –It’s soothing and makes me want to pay you good money for the Tids. –I never read the old blog anyhow, so I don’t care.

The Novel.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 78 continues. –I still didn’t know how I felt when I walked into my beautiful Fosterville home and saw Jill and Jax standing there; With smiles on their faces; Just as though nothing at all happened and there were no traumas that could affect their entire lives. I just saw my two wonderful children waiting to welcome me home.
“Hi Mom!” Jill said cheerily. Naturally.
I looked at that smile and her handsome brother standing next to her. And I started crying. Uncontrollably. Then I felt through my teary mist four arms wrapping around my thighs and waist.
“Was your first day back to work too much for you mom,” I heard Jax say in a loving, consoling almost manly tone. “Huh Mom?” And then quiet except for my sobs. “Mom?”
I’m Maggie the Magnificent I told myself. The strong one. Nothing bad ever happens to me. I ride in on white horses.
I stooped down and wrapped my arms around them. But still didn’t, couldn’t, say anything.
The phone rang.
Jax left me and ran to it. Jill hugged me tighter.
“Hello,” I heard Jax’ voice. A take charge voice. “Mom’s crying’” I heard him say.”I think work was too hard for her today.”
That made me smile. I stood picking up with me a much too heavy Jill. I felt the sobbing slow. I had strong people who knew how to take care of me. I couldn’t lose with that kind of love.
“Who is it Jax.” I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
“It’s Mr. Middleton,” he said proudly.
My heart leapt. Or was it a stab of pain?

Signs of the Times Department:
In gigantic letters in front of a neighborhood BP gas station: ”Locally Owned!”

The left were the first to shout, “Get out of our bedrooms”…but they are the first to rush into people’s homes and tell parents how to raise their children.

Just as drug users have been the reason for the growth of now violent Drug Cartels, environmental activists rushing around the world in trains, planes and automobiles have contributed to manic deep water drilling. Celebs in private planes can’t say that the fuel they use doesn’t affect demand.

I could get stoned for this, but I’m beginning to think that Trader Joe’s is overrated. Except for Two Buck Chuck.

One of the newest fast growing intrusions into a persons life is in the area home selling and buying. The government will soon be all over that. In fact I just read a little squib that offered a state sponsored “Course on Home Buying” which when completed would “entitle the participant to a certificate of completion that would be necessary before being able to buy a house” under certain circumstances. Shoot me.

I’d like to have the chance to vote for Michelle Bachman for something.

It’s starting to appear that the new Health Care monster was designed to eventually force corporations into breaking the rules so they (Big Gov.) can take over company supported healthcare too. And then BG can say that they tried to keep the promise: “If you like your current program you can keep it”. But corporate greed forced them to step in to protect the common person. This is because the way the plan is written, it gives little leeway for companies to make changes based on sound business practices.

The Big Government propaganda seems to be working as I have heard stories of seemingly intelligent people in business saying that America should do a way with big corporations and make all business individually or family owned.

The Answer:
The two Big’s encumbered with the most Government handcuffs are the Nuclear and the Financial industries. Well , at least they stopped the contamination from the nuclear industry.

A Simple Observation:
I have always been the master of the obvious, and many years ago a friend coined a term to describe my simple utterisms: “Huntisms”. One I remember saying and him being astonished over the simply stated logic was “Health is Good.” So there you have it; Today’s problem in a nut shell. Everybody wants health, and could be easily fooled into overlooking the grave potential injustices of our current Big Government monster. That is why we have to be especially vigilant and not bow to emotional urges based on mainly anecdotal evidence. There is no better way to control the masses than by telling them “We are going to help you not die.” We need to make a change in November just to vote out this expensive intrusion into the American way of life.

Believe in your heart.

Today's Tids Issue 2,140
Opening Stuff:

Let’s hear it for thoughtful people. You know the kind of people…nice people who decided to so something nice for another human being just because it is a nice thing to do. It could be a small gesture for a husband or wife, sister or brother, lover, friend or complete stranger. Something a thoughtful person knows he or she does for someone else who may not even see it but somehow senses their life is a little better in some way. Without question, unrewarded thoughtfulness is one of the finest of human traits. Oh, did I say unrewarded? A thoughtful person always has the greatest of rewards…the goodness in their hearts.

On the other hand we have Wall Street. The losing turn-around yesterday was ascribed to “Euro Jitters”. I’m thinking that euro jitters is just the latest excuse of the day for traders who, in the face of increasing skepticism by the general public, want to justify taking profits. Remember when the market was supposed to reflect an economy 6 months down the road?

Diet books are successful because they reach a wide audience.

The Question:
Name the four terms used to define the severity of a declining stock market. And what are the percent of decline represented by each? Bonus Question: The Tilapia has become ubiquitous in seafood counters everywhere. What exactly is a tilapia?

The Headlines:
--Oil Leak Plugged.
--Stocks Rise As Large Debt Holder China Shows Confidence In Europe.
--Economic Rebound Slowed Last Quarter.
--9th Chinese IPhone assembly Line Worker Jumps to Suicide In Protest Of Bad Working Conditions At Job’s Factory.
--NK Rips Up Military Agreements With SK.
--Many States Set To Ban “Silly Bandz” In Schools; Child Bracelets Said To be disruptive.

Back to More Stuff:

The energetic BoSox (Chrystal Bowersox) overwhelmed the retiring DeWyze during last night’s AI finale. I will say that week after week leading up to the final choice, Lee D was consistently solid. But in this observers eyes BoSox grew each week and during the final two shows when the rubber meets the road, she was the power. I would say also after watching last night’s extravaganza that the finals could easily have been Bosox and Casey…and even Siobhan who was strong and professional. DeWyze may have been the fifth best performer on that stage last night. It’s all about the demographics of the voters. Plain and simple. He’s looked at as a “Heartthrob”. Why? I have no idea.

“Hang on Sloopy” by The McCoys is still one of those songs that gets my juices aflowin’.

How come it takes a recession to get the roads fixed? I and all others have been paying taxes for our entire working lives and one of the things most think we should be getting is decent roads. It couldn’t be that the government officials are squandering our money? Nah!

I like to read those little columns entitled something like “On This Date in History”. I have noticed of late that many of the most exciting accomplishments occurred in 1937. Kudos to those born in that year.

Writing handwritten notes on the steering wheel while driving is much more dangerous than texting. I cringe at the many little acts of stupidity of my life time which today have been declared criminal acts.

I don’t think the majority of hard working Americans ask for much from their taxes. Good roads, garbage pick-up, police, fire and education. And on the national side defense and…and…and…jeez, I don’t know what else we need from the Feds.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 74 continues. Just as I started to say Hi to our own smiling receptionist, Bill came around the corner. His eyes reflected the mood of the environment I felt as he elevator doors opened. Molly said “It is so nice to see you back here Mrs. Durham. I wish it was a happier day.”
“Why? What happened,” I started to ask. But, Bill interrupted and said let’s go to your office. I made a funny grimace at Molly and she actually smiled a little more cheerily.
Bill wasn’t so cheery. In fact Bill was not in the slightest like the boy I promoted two months ago. I placed my laptop next to the desk, looked around to see that everything seemed to be the way I left it. That was comforting. I always look for comfort just before the storm. I sat and spun my chair towards Bill who was now sitting to my left in front of the desk. “Well, it’s nice to see you too, Bill!” I said with syrupy sarcasm.
“Sorry, Boss,” He answered quickly but still somberly. “I’m a little nervous. The FBI showed up here this morning. You couldn’t have picked a worse day to ease your way back into work.” The phone rang. “That is probably Jack”, advised Bill. He watched me pick up the Phone.
FBI I thought as I placed the receiver to my ear. “Maggie, get down here.” Then dead air. “Oh, and welcome back.” Jack hung up.
I looked up quickly into Bill’s eyes. “So?”
“The FBI wants to talk to us about BiEmbryo. They have been with Jack most of the morning. I have a feeling Jack is dying in there and will throw everything your way as soon as you walk in.”
“He should!”. I stood up. “This isn’t going to be a walk down the Main street of Fosterville.” I smiled down at Bill. I think he enjoyed it.

The new Governor of New Jersey hit it on the nose when he told a complaining teacher that if the amount of salary wasn’t sufficient that maybe she should seek another career. And explained that the revenue to support government style jobs is finite. Do they still teach economics in High School?

Is the ragin’ Cajon Carvelle starting to beat the drum for his candidate Hillary for 2012? His blasting of Obama yesterday over the oil spill certainly looked like the first salvo against The Hill’s opponent. Then of course, he went on to beat unmercifully BP, which made it also appear that he was on the payroll of oil spill litigation lawyers.

The Answer: The four levels of a declining stock market are “Noise” (0-4.9%), “Pullback” (5-9.9%), Correction (10-19.9%) and Bear Market” (20%+). Bonus Q Answer: Tilapia is a fresh water, warm climate bottom feeder that grows fast and big and is ideal for aquaculture. Not only does this fish have the commercial advantage of reaching edible size quickly, its fast growth and relatively short life assures minimum amount of mercury in the system. This popular fish is also herbivorous assuring that there are plenty of edible delicacies for other fish and less algae and oxygen sucking plants that undermine pond or lake health. But, as most New England fisherman say, “It isn’t Seafood”.

End Tids:
The Celtics are making me really, really nervous.

Hey Arlen Spector…the American Idol job is open.

I thought Paul Abdul was excellent in last night’s tribute to Cowell.

National Day of Morning.

Today's Tids Issue 2.138
Opening Stuff:


Now what?

Tis a day of morning indeed. Because even after a commendable final episode for “24” that included a Presidential meltdown, a couple of tense assassination events, a shot to Jack’s chest and a teary good-bye between Jack and Chloe – it ended. And the reaction I had wasn’t “Man was that a great ending”. It was “It’s over and I’ll never have it to look forward to again. It was hollow.

One of the outcomes of a disappearing manufacturing base is the artificial inflation of non productive wages to maintain the semblance of strong middle income populace. The result becomes an economic house of cards based on economically unsustainable tax supported state and local government jobs and many fairly unskilled service jobs. A recent example of this came to light when several RI towns thought they could save money by converting water meters from manual reading to electronic reading. They went out for bids and were the process of accepting one from Ohio, when they were informed that there is a RI “Make Work” law requiring that Licensed RI plumbers do all of the work. The bid they wanted would cost $365K to replace 7500 meters. The one they would be forced to accept by law would cost $526K for only 3500 meters. Can you say Greece!

The Question:
Name the five most infamous Germans of WWII.

The Headlines:
--World Stocks Weaken On Euro-Economy Fears.
--North Korea Threatens Military Action In Disputed Waters; US Begins Submarine Maneuvers In Same Area.
--Oil Taker Collides With Bulk Carrier Off Singapore.
--Lindsay receives Serious Ankle Bling.
--Britain Bans Doctor Who Linked Autism With Vaccine.
--Cal Legislature Pushing For $5 Billion In Tax Increases As Opposed To Necessary Budget Cuts.
--Analysts Looking At Cooling Of House Sales.

Back to More Stuff:

Protective Helmet Society Department:
Our save-you-from-yourself national leaders have infiltrated the venerable Naval Academy at Annapolis. Yes the leader of the country’s fearless marine based military is about to ban a 70 year old obelisk climbing ritual because somebody might get injured. A good fun, everybody love’s annual event will be banished from the face of the earth because of blatant nannyism. What’s next? Are we to succumb to more lobbying by the manufacturers who forced hi-tech car seats upon us? Only this time the effect will be forcing children to wear helmets until they are seven?

Common sense runs amok even in battle. The so-called beginning of the end Afghan offensive is stalled where it began in Marjah. Many who looked at this based on past Taliban activities could see it failing over time. The Generals are hemmed in by artificial deadlines, and the Taliban are best at abiding time. In the meantime, blood is flowing faster than the Gulf oil spill as the bad guys routinely lop off heads of Marjah collaborator suspects and scare the bejesus out of Afghans in general –undermining the objective the campaign which was to acquire unyielding allegiance for the citizenry.

A reader sends along this bit of quirkiness. Two animal rights defenders were protesting the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn , Germany . Suddenly, all two thousand pigs broke loose and escaped through a broken fence, stampeding madly. The two helpless protesters were trampled to death.

I am always looking to better my health. So in an effort to “Go Brown” – replacing whites like rice and bread with brown versions – I am mixing KFC gravy with my rice. It takes on a healthy glow and tastes great.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 74: I felt more comfortable with Paul in bed last night. But I kept thinking the intensity wasn’t the same as with Kent. Was it because of the adventure with Kent. Was it because Kent Middleton was a special person. That Kent was like me and we were totally compatible. I was trying to calm my self with motherly chores like getting the kids breakfast and then laughing with them as they ate. All to what? Assuage my guilt. Or to procrastinate my feelings. Where were my feelings anyhow. I never felt anything but pleasure when with Paul…or Kent.
The phone rang. The woman I hate most in life, the caller ID lady garbled the name of “Clax Tonwill” and I picked it up the receiver. “How are you feeling” were his first words. The he went on about my plans.
Today was my first day to drive back to work and test my energy. (Even though Kent has thoroughly tested it already and I passed with flying colors.) “I’m feeling good, and should be there by 10:00. I ave had a few meeting, as you know with Izzy and others, but I really want to catch up with you. Get your opinions. A lot has happened since I was in the accident, and I am positive that I am light years behind you.”
“Don’t worry Boss,” he replied in his usual comforting way. Then he added somberly. “You will be interested in talking to our lawyers about the conspiracy mess and how it may relate to the company’s fortunes.”
“Thanks, Bill, I can hardly wait.”

I have noticed lately that when talking about antiques you I have to use the expression “at the previous turn of the century.”

A terrorist named Khay Rahnajet didn’t pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with “Return to Sender” stamped on it. Forgetting it was a bomb, he opened it…and you can understand the rest of the story.

The Answer:
After Hitler, the leading men in the 3rd Reich were Herman Goring, Joseph Goebbels, Rudolf Hess, Heinrich Himmler, Ernst Rohm and Martin Bormann. They wouldn’t have lasted so long if Jack bauer had been on the scene.

It's Over:
The good news is that Jack was last seen running, probably to the set of the promised movie. I can hardly wait.
KThunk. KThunk. KTnunk.