In Text we Trust.

Today's Tids Issue 2,518

Opening Stuff:

The state legislature here wants to pass a bill banning texting in classrooms. I'm not sure that's the way to go. Kids should learn why it is not smart to text in classrooms and parents should be teaching them. The state ruling on private actions is never the best road to pursue.

But then, who is going to teach the parents who continually text in restaurants and entertainment venues interrupting the enjoyment of many of those around them. But that's the problem, isn't it. People these days think "freedom" is just another name for irresponsibility. Every time somebody doesn't use his or her mind, the Gov rushes in with more regulations.

You probably didn't know that Ed Freeman died last Wednesday -- Ed Freeman, Captain in The United States Air force. Maybe it was reported but got lost in the rush to report the Seal/Klum breakup or the latest about Kardasians. That's the way it is these days. The real heroes are lost in the cacophony of a throw-away culture. Remember Ed? He's best described by the words of a Viet Nam soldier lying in that God forsaken jungle wounded, his unit outnumbered 8-1; Intense enemy fire 100 yards away. The CO had ordered that MedEvac helicopters stop coming in. It's too dangerous. The soldier lies there knowing he's not getting out. The gun fire intensifies. His thoughts drift to a family 12,000 miles away he will never see again. Over the gunfire, faintly at first, he hears the thump, thump, thump of a Huey. It looms above, with no MedEvac markings. Is it the enemy, he wonders. But, it's Ed Freeman who is not a MedEvac pilot. Freeman a battle tested Huey pilot while on an incursion heard the radio call and on his own came over to the trapped unit. He came, into the midst of machine gun fire. He lands as deadly salvos envelop the space around his copter. 3 of the injured are loaded aboard. No time is wasted. He takes off, again through deadly fire. He returns 13 times. Returns to take every one of the wounded out. 29 guys. Buddies. Ed Freeman kept coming back even though he himself had been hit 4 times in the arms and legs. You may have heard of Captain Ed -- He won the Medal of Honor. But, you didn't see a report of this heroes death.

One of the Tids more brilliant readers suggests that the Republicans should be arrested for "Indecent Exposure"! Love it.

The Question:

Name five characters from the TV program "Chuck" which bites the dust Friday after doing a good job over the years of growing up from their inane beginnings to a watchable and sometimes moving program.

The Headlines:

--RI Mourns Popular Governor Of Late 70's, Early *0's Dies At 81; Ed garrahy Was A Nice Guy, Who Kept the State Working During 1978 Blizzard.
--Ahmadinejad Says Iran Ready For Nuclear War.
--New Home purchases Fall In December; 2011 Worst Ever Year For Home Sales.
--Unemployment Bennies Request Rise; Trend Still Positive.
Tears Over Giffords retirement Show Softer Side OF Congress.
--China Not In Favor Of EU Ban On Iran Oil.
--McElroy Leads Woods By 3 In Abu Dhabi Golf; Luke Donald 4 Back Of Leader; McElroy Tied With Gareth Maybin, Richard Finch and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet.
--NBC's Grandstanding Williams Disrespects Paul And Santorum At Latest GOP Debate.

Gina Raimondo has this advice for all who are fighting government expenditures for pensions and public employee benefit deficits: "Don't sugarcoat the problem for expediency's sake; Have your facts straight so when Union negotiating begins the numbers are indisputable." Sounds like good advice for anybody in any negotiation -- personal, public or otherwise.

Jack Bauer's new...oh wait a minute...Kiefer Sutherland's new show "Touch" will for some take time to get used to. There were times last night when I wasn't sure I was watching the show or a commercial for a movie about a comedian in Iraq. Actually I was confused most of the time. And then, there was that phone that worked its way around the world! Anyhow, it kind of came together in the end with some cool, heartwarming scenes and an understanding where it will be going in the future. I know one thing, you will need to use your imagination and suspend reality at times.

Newt is starting to sound like a Liberal slug. Now I don't know if he approved his latest commercial that said Romney hates Immmigrants, purposely leaving out the qualifyer "Illegal". This omission is a long time, well known trick of the agendized Left. Newt is just another divider, a political hack who is playing the class warfare card, who appears to be able to do anything to get elected. A genuine political insider plays in the arena of divisveness that today's voters are saying they hate. Hey, Newt can bring down the house with his one liners, and bombast. I like it too. But, on closer exmaination, can he bring the country together. Get things done.

On the other hand, Romney doesn't seem to be able to connect with the man on the street. Or at least that's the new tact that Government give-away artists are using against him today. And fellow Republicans too.

I guess the best way to pick the GOP nominee is to listen to the Dems and which candidate they are dissing most.

I don't know whether I"m more excited about the "Chuck" two hour finale this Friday, or the Pat's Super Bowl game. Life is tough.

In case you missed it, John Matson, the "Carpenter" from Hopkinton RI has announced that he will run against 2nd RI district Congressman Langivin. This time this candidate, I should say warrior, who is sick and tired of everything about government that everybody else is sick and tired of, and has the guts and is willing to do something about it, has put a lot of his own cash into the kitty and hired an experienced consultant. People in restaurants, on golf course, at work, in social gatherings complain, but it's guys like John who listen, and say why not? -- "I can do it. I can carry their message to DC. I can make the people heard." Send your donations to the John Matson for Congress campaign. He is the guy who can make your best investment pay off.

Almost Near: Chapter 58 continues. --Samantha felt like she had ben holding her breath for ten minutes. But, after a little over a minute of perfect silence, she let it go. She stood there silently. Breathing in. Trying to work the tension out of her body. To free up her mind so she couold think. Be alert. She took a couple of steps towards the door. And placed her hand on the knob. Slowly she turned the knob. He can't be there she thought. The door cracked open and she looked down the hall towards the elevatiors. It was empty. She pushed opened the door and as she looked behind it, the elevator bell rang. She froze. She tried to get her feet moving backward. they weren't working. The doors to the elevator opened. One leg, finally, moved back into the door frame. As she started to move the other leg, a figure appeared out side the elevator. It was Sparrow. She stared running towards him. And he towards her.
"Samantha. Samantha! Are you ok?" She didn't answer, but ran into his arms, stunning him, throwing her arms around his neck.

The Answer:

--First there Is Chuck Bartkowsy (Zachary Levi) and the fantastic Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski). The rest of the long timers are Mogan Girnes (Joshua Gomez), John Casey (Adam Baldwin), Ellie Bartkowski (Sarah Lancaster), Devon Woodcomb (Ryan McPartlin), Lester Patel (Vik Sahay), Jeff Barnes (Scott Krinsky) and Big Mike (Mark Christopher). In case you are interested, Sarah Walker, Chuck's wife, has been brain washed by evil villain and ordered to assassinate her husband. I guarantee you will enjoy the ending. It's simplistic, but I like it. Hmmm!

More people have to learn, understand and feel why things are, rather than being told by the government.

Women in charge.

Today's Tids Issue 2,487
Opening Stuff:


Well...nothing happening in the world, I'm outta here! Just k-i-d-d-i-n-g.

There's a lot happening in the world, it's just that a lot of Americans don't seem to know it. As more evidence of America losing in its collective mind, I give you Yahoo's "Most Searched Items for 2011". Here's what Americans want to know: Starting with #1 we have iPhone. then the inquisitive minds go to Casey Anthony, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, American Idol, Jennifer Anniston, japan Earthquake and Osama bin Ladem. Ask!'s list had Kardasian, Justin, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Kate Middleton, Ashton Kuthcher M. Jackson (Dead -oooo-weee-oooo), Selena Gomez, Lohan and Sheen. "So that's the way it is, this Wednesday 2011."

The Question:

Name the the worst Corporate execs for 2011.

The Headlines:

--Euro Fade has Clueless Lane Looking To Declining Market.
--China Imposing Tarriffs -- 2%-21% -- On Car Imports From US;
--Obama Reaches New High In Un-favorability Rating.
--House Passes Payroll Tax Extension; Now In Hands Of Dem Senate.
--Time Mag Man -- Man, Person, Thing of the Year: The Protestor.
--Man Kills 4, Injures 122 In Belgian Shopping center.
--Media On Sideline Ready to Pounce Upon Gingrich Mistakes.
--Sandusky Lawyer Mistakenly Suggests Calling "Gay Sex Site" For Truth About Accusations.

I listen to the TV show "The View" in the background while working away, and come away with one thought: I hope if the country is ready for a woman president, that this is not an example of what we will get. Aspirin anybody?

I really hate that Idea of "American being ready for a woman, black, Hispanic et. al." Or "It's time for a ..." It was brought home as I watched a hokey local program (I watch it every year) that would choose the "Guest Host for A Year" for the "Rhode Show". They had five finalists as always and this year it happened to be all women. In little recaps of their resume's they all looked intelligent, spritely and attractive. Certainly Maria Gonzales was too, equal or better than the others. But, for her closing remark she said "It's time for a Hispanic." I don't think so...it's time for who is best.

Looks like the Cougar abandoned the cub. America's anchor woman Katie C has taken the milk bowl away from her 17 year young beau, Brooks Perlin. She says it was becasue of priority conflicts attributed to ...what?...age difference. For the record she is 54 and he is...what! math problem.

"Feeling Wanted" in the NBA is spelled M-O-N-E-Y!

I've been keeping an eye on those Tebow games. Last Sunday I tuned in with about 3 or 4 minutes left, Denver down by 10. With the ball in the hands of daBears. I thought, no miracle comeback... no way this time. Then I watched and wondered one more time -- who says he can't pass. I've played a lot of sports and watched tons of games and have learned one thing. The player with the big heart always has the chance to come out on top.

I love "Hokey" stuff.

A major difference between China and America is that China is all Chinese. Over here, the "Melting Pot" is looking more like a bowl of succulent creamy gravy or rich cheese sauce that separates upon reheating. It's time for oneness. Again.

I really don't like today's oft repeated phrases like "Man-up" and "Go girl."

Almost Near: Chapter 55 continues. --
"I grew up in the same town as Samantha, so of course I know them They seemed nice. I moved away when I was in my early twenties. Wanted to be a writer! Can't do that in your home town, can you?" Sparrow just looked at him with no reaction. Hi stare seemed to unnerve Tucker. He looked quickly towards Samantha. She was smiling quietly. "That's really about it. I heard they had moved. I think Sam and I heard that together from her friend....um..."
"Martha?" Samantha looked composed to Tucker.
"That's it. So, detective Sparrow, what have you found?"
"I didn't say we had found anything. I just always thought there was something odd about it all."
Tucker felt a vibration in his pocket, reached in picked up his cell phone, mouthed "excuse me" and looked down. He frowned. "I've got to take this." He rose and left the table, walking towards the cash register area.
"Waddaya think."
"I think what he said is probably true, but I don't think he said anything."

The Answer:

Topping the list is Reed Hastings who in twinkling took the smooth sailing Netflix into a chasm where 800,000 customers left in what seemed like seconds. Worse than losing customers, was the loss of the edge the company had enjoyed ahead of the rampaging Google and Amazon. Next were RIM co-CEO's Mike Lazardis and Jim Balsillie who forgot about the competition while trying to buy an NHL Team. And then there was that worldwide service outage atop of executive inattention. RIM joined Netflix in losing "half their market" in one year. Third is Leo Apotheker who couldn't figure out whether HP was keeping or selling its computer biz. He was only there 11 months, and missed every financial target. For is failure he received a $25Mil Chute, $7.5 mil Severance, 580,000 shares of various stock forms and a $2.4 Mil bonus to relocate his family. Maybe OWS has a point.

If you always found a ringing phone at home annoying, why would you want to carry a phone with you when you're away from home?

Irrational Exuberance, again?

Today's Tids Issue 2,363
Opening Stuff:

With the announcement of the Groupon IPO, and the Social NetWork Industry Group's gathering momentum in the rush for big $$$, I am reminded of the eerie big casino days of the late 1999/2000 Internet bubble where the uninitiated would overpay for often fictional values. Believe me, I was there and I know how superficial some of the stuff was. Many of the companies had as much substance as a campaign promise. And no financial achievements. Except for the business creators who sold out early.

Paul Ryan might just be the best GOP candidate for President. Facts based crisis managers like he and the proven Mitt-ster might be the best choice for the country over the shallow rhetoric mongers. This is, of course, if the good of the country as a whole is still what matters.

Gene Roddenberry fought hard against Hollywood's TV titans to get his Star Trek on the air because he was an enterprising kind of a guy.

The new annoying expression feeble DC Politicians are latching onto is "We have to sit down and talk like adults." Excuse me.

The Question: 

A special Saints and Sinners Duo: 1. How many Popes have there been since 1950? Bonus Q: Name the three best known men who beginning in the fifties engineered gigantic sex empires?

The Headlines:--Unemployment Ticks Up To 9.1% As Employers Add But 54,000 Jobs In May; Oops -- Stock Futures Plunge.
--Geithner Predicts Congress And WH Will Avert Debt Crisis; Moody's Warns US About Credit Rating.
--Explosion In Sunni Mosque Kills 16 Iraqis.
--South Korea Says It used Pictures Of NK's Ruling Family For Target Practice; NK Vows Military Action! Is This A Joke?
--China Says US Is Real Culprit In Global Hacking Wars; Accused G-Mail Hacker Says US Attempting To Bring Down Arab And Other Governments.
--Criminal Indictment Against John Edwards On Books.
--Microsoft Unveils Some Features Of Soon To Be Released Window's 8.

Back to More Stuff:
Most disgusting news item of the week:
A man apparently intent on committing suicide walked into the San Francisco bay area ocean...while local fire and police people stood on the shore and watched him flail and die. They said the budget cuts had stopped their water rescue training classes and the availability of survival equipment! They must be kidding. How about their hearts? Did reduced budgets cut out their hearts too? Let's hope this isn't a new low in Union negotiating tactics.

National Donut Day Department:
The day after much too much news about the healthy eating Pyramid being replaced by some circle gimmick, I'm happy to report that the nation has not lost its senses. Today is "Krispie Kreme Free Donut Day" in honor of the waddler's holiday. Suck em' up America!

I was looking at that nutritional healthy eating circle/plates design, and as far as I can determine all of the stuff I want to eat is on the back of the plates.

The USA has morphed into a collection of federal dollar supported fifedoms. Meaning, that too many many people are fighting too many people when they all should be working together for a better whole. Everybody wins when the entity is healthy and not splintered.

This just in from the high end fashion world: Tiffany's, the legendary jewelry company, has just announced a new, expensive line of diamond and emerald clustered electronic monitoring bracelets. Law authorities are concerned that the Hollywood loonies will be zanier that usual looking for home confinement. On a related note, local caterers are producing home confinement quick meals, which even celebs can cook! The world is a wonderful place. Obama says, "The US is constantly innovating, and this is good news for for job growth."

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--This week, it's the X-Men First Class, the ultimate series of "Diversity", it's-not-how-you-look-but-who-you-are, movies. Actually, acerbic tongue in cheek aside, this is a pretty good, entertaining movie as the mutants discover things about their abilities and powers. This prequel gives a better understanding of what has come before. There are surprises, humor and generally good all around watching. In fact, I will dsownload it with vigor from Netflix some day. If you can afford the theater, it would be worth the dough. But...be sure to bring along your nutritional circles when approaching the refreshment stand.
--Beautiful Boy is a grabber. Parents hopelessly grapple for an explanation why their only son committed a mass shooting at his university before taking his own life. Their already strained marriage is tested as they learn they only have each other. People like it.

When the stimulus money disappears in the next month or so, the States are expected to be facing daunting increased Medicaid spending demands of up to 20%. And then problems of today will seem like a gnat on an elephants rump.

Changing Times Department:
The worldwide admired "Steel City", Pittsburgh; The darling of productive manufacturing; Once after NYC the city with the most Frotune 500 corporate world headquarters -- US Steel, J&L Steel, Alcoa, Westinghouse, Gulf Oil, Heinz, Clark Candy to name a handful. Yes this city, the paragon of industrial might now boasts as its largest employer -- Pittsburgh Medical Center. Yikes!.

While we are on the subject of things that people tell us we shouldn't or should do about our health, I bring you news of two turn-around's on health advice. Did you ever see those people in rigorous almost etherial stretching exercises before and after athletic activity? Well, the US Track & Field association after a two year study of stretchers and non-stretchers have proven conclusively that both groups performed equally with no adverse effects! And then there those energy drinks -- which docs are now saying could be too much for most people especially gulping teens. And it appears nobody can pinpoint the effects of the so-called vitamins in them. They say, "A couple of cups of coffee will do the trick.". In other words, don't panic over medical news hysteria. It will change.

Almost Near: Chapter 24. --"Well, Audrey, that was better than I expected."
She looked up at him with fluttering eyes, "That's because you are so strong." And then she punched him firmly in the stomach, and he responded with an over acted Oof! They laughed.
"Right now everything possible is racing through my head. From how fast can I find those children to did Sam kill Rudy out of fear for her life. It is obvious that Rudy was the real monster in this insane family. Bounty is all roar, the sister Agnes crazy and the mother pitiful." He paused. "I feel for the mother."
"For starters, I like the New Orleans connection. Florence Quimpierre, if she can be found almost sounded rational compared to her sister Myra. In fact, I need a short vacation, and I love this story. I think you need me" Tucker looked down at her and grinned pleasantly. "Forget it Tuck!" and she tapped him again in the belly.
"I don't know if I could survive a couple of days with you!" And then they both laughed, again. And this time Audrey looked over and grinned pleasantly.
The grin was fleeting as she went Billy business. "Let's first check in with Detective Jackson. I think is is a good idea to sty in touch there. He 's a good guy, he's interested, he trusts me, and we might need his help along the way." Audrey reared back her fist, Tucker flinched and they both laughed. There heads turned towards each other with pleasant grins on their lips.

The Answer:
1. In 1950 the reigning Pope of 11 years was Pope Pius XII. John XXIII took over in 1958. Then we had Paul VI (1963), the one month term of John Paul I (1978), the beloved John-Paul II (1978) and Benedict XVI. 2. The big three who took advanatage of more liberalized view of communication are of course, Hugh heffner (Playboy), Larry Flynt (Hustler) and Bob Guccione (Penthouse.) In many ways this changed the USA forever.

The WeakEnd:
North and South Korea are going to war because the SK's were taking target practice at photos of the NK Royal Family? Gadzooks. The world has lost its mind.

All I can think of when I see the hoards hunched over tapping on little boxes in restaurants, buses, ballparks, churches or even atop Mount Everest, is that perhaps Samuel Morse had it right in the first place!

Love your weekend, and make your gardens grow.