Some people are never happy even when it's free.

Today's Tids Issue # 2,335

Opening Stuff:

I guess people don't dream as much any more because they just pull out their long suffering credit card and buy a plane ticket

The Libyan spokesman for the Rebels says they are disappointed by the UN help. You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.

The Question:
What was the name of Dagwood's father? In what town do Blonde and Dagwood live? Bonus: Andre Previn was nominated for 13 Oscars. How many did he win and what were they?

The Headlines:

--US Prepares For Shutdown; Sides Far Apart.
--al-Qaida Is Smelling Blood As Yemen Crisis Deepens.
--Dish Network Acquiring Blockbuster With $228 Mil Bid At Auction.
--Ozone Layer Loses During The Winter.
--Japan Stops Seepage Form Nukes; Now Building Safeguards To Stop, Suppress Explosions.
--Government Decision To Allow Construction Of Massive Nationwide Broadband Network Using Airwaves Next To Those Used For GPS Could Interfere With All Navigation Systems.
--Wall Street Betting That Earnings Will Grow And M&A Will Flourish Has Markets On Upward Track.
--Jamestown Golf Club Hails The First Foursome Of The Year; the Mighty Four Posts A Record Team Total Of 223.

Back to More Stuff:

Obama's budget speech yesterday afternoon was fraught with contradictions...just like any of the other politicians he was ridiculing.

Forget the Mayan calendar. People paying outrageous sums of good money to watch Charlie Sheen do nothing is a sure sign that the end is near.

Have you ever seen so much movie publicity as there has been about naming the cast for the upcoming Three Stooges film. Maybe Sheen would fit right in there.

I see where Bristol Palin made $262,000 about teen pregnancy prevention. Better than going to college. I hear that now men's groups are organizing to sue for equal opportunity. Stay tuned.

Almost Near: Chapter 14 continues: --Samantha talked to Dante as she walked to her car and started the drive downtown to the police station. "Dante! Thanks for calling. I juts spent about a half hour with a woman here in Dalesford who was the neighbor of my parents. It was hard to pay attention to her, but in the end she gave me the name of a detective who could be helpful."
"Can I talk now?" Dante started laughing. "Hey, I think I came up with something too. I was at court when I bumped into an old classmate -- remember Lloyd Cameron?" I don't remember anybody Samantha thought to herself.
"Oh yeah, wasn't he the goofy guy with the black rimmed glasses in the chemistry club?"
"Not even close, he was the curly headed guy on the baseball tema who could pitch like hell." Samantha interjected saying she did remember so he would get to the point. "Well, he is second in command at the police department now, so I asked if he knew anything about the Wilcox family. At first he squinted, then paused. Finally he said 'Why do you ask'?"
"That sounds like something did go on before they moved so quickly."
"He wouldn't talk in the lobby of the courthouses saying he had a meeting. I think there is more to it than that. I'll be seeing after work."
"Maybe we'll both have more juicy stuff by then! Look forward to your report!" Samantha felt good. Kind of. She still didn't really know who she was, or better why she wasn't her anymore.

The Providence Journal has been using this "Truth Meter" idea since the weeks prior to the last elections. The object is noble trying to examine the veracity of political statements and claims. Of course, I worry about built-in bias from a newspaper that told us the best candidates for the two hottest offices were Linc Chafee for Gov and David Cicillini for Congress.

The Answer:
Dagwood originally was the playboy son of billionaire railroad tycoon J. Bolling Bumstead. (Dagwood was so inept as a playboy, that once he got lost in his mansion and had to join a sightseeing tour to find the front door.) With the depression though, a comic strip about a millionaire neer-do-well and a happy go lucky flapper (Blondie) didn't fit the national mood of anguish, so the strip had them married and becoming the ultimate loving family living in Farmville. Bonus: Andre Previn as first nw as a jazz pianist. But his love was classical composition. Along the way he had thirteen Oscar nominations and won four -- for Gigi, Porgy and Bess, Irma la Douce and My fair Lady.

The End:
Have you noticed that the people who get something for nothing are the ones who complain the most?

It doesn't appear that experience in business counts as much as being able to rapidly adapt to new technology. It is probably why middle aged people have more trouble finding better jobs.

As the life expectancy average keeps on rising, I might be approaching middle age again.

Eat at home.

Today's Tids Issue # 2,323
Opening Stuff:

Did you feel something special Yesterday? Did your heart fly to the moon. Did you walk on clouds? Did you drive out to the countryside for an ice cream cone? It was the first day of spring! The day ground rumbles from the energy of flowers ready to burst forth. The day the sun's warmth caresses your body a little differently than the week before. The day you slog through the mud from thawing fields. Happy Spring everybody.

Some of the best chefs I have ever encountered are people like you and me who are very adept at cooking great food in their own kitchens.

The Question:
What iconic Pennsylvania Company is poised to produce it's 500 Millionth product this year. (Hint product used for habit now in disfavor.)

The Headlines:

--Daffy Vows Long War; US Says Libya Forces In Disarray After Bombings.
--Stocks Expected To Show Healthy Rise; News Of AT&T Purchase Of T-Mobile Leads Positive News.
--Buffett Says Japan Tragedy Presents Solid Buying Opportunity; Good Companies Siffering Temporary Downturn Will Rebound Soundly.
--New Smoke From Japan Reactors Have Workers fleeing.
--Tanks Deployed In Yemen Capitol.
--Russia's Putin Says UN Action In Libya "Reminds Him Of Crusades".

Back to More Stuff:
It seems to me, if I remember correctly, that the substantive reason used by the US when finally attacking Iraq was because the outrageous dictator there snubbed the UN warnings. The WMD's were the fodder of late night comics, but the arrogance of the tyrant ignoring UN ultimatums was the legal reason, as it is today in Libya. The political powers are dolefully and sanctimoniously proclaiming that attacks on Libya are humanitarian. But, where were they during the slaughter in Darfur, or for that matter the carnage in China?

Where is it written that my obligation in life was to support over priced restaurants.

"What a Crock" Department:
I see where they are selling out the Charlie Sheen traveling medicine show. But, nobody knows what he is going to do. Will he go into a coma as fans blindly roar in approval? Will he trash the stage injuring some first row fanatics? Will we see EMC's rush on stage and perform lifesaving resuscitation?
Americans love to be taken.

Is it me, or do others think it's too much of "All Oprah all the time". And, when will it ever stop.

Almost There: Chapter 13. --"Dante Wallowitz?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"Oh, Dante, you probably don't remember me.. I'm Samantha Wilcox!" Samantha listened to silence on the other side of the line.
After a nervous 2 or 3 seconds "Of course I do. Wow...Samantha. It's been, what fourteen, fifteen years.?"
"About fifteen. Well Dante, you have certainly done well for yourself. A lawyer!
"It's noce you think it's an honorable profession." Dante laughed putting Samantha at ease. "What brings you to town."
Samantha's initial reaction was to say "I don't know." But she answered, "I wanted to talk to you about my parents. Martha told me you handled their house closing."
"Yes I did. But, it was along time ago.."
Samantha interrupted before he could formulate an excuse. "How about it I come over in about a half hour. Are you busy?"
"I'm always busy or else how could I charge clients. But I have few free minutes left. I would love to see you." But don't count on learning much."
"You'd be surprised about how little can be a lot." Dante laughed as they hung up.

In case you were wondering, the Top Ten teams in the just completed NCAA Wrestling Championships are Penn State, Cornell, Iowa, Oklahoma State, American U, Arizona State, Minnesota, Lehigh, Boise State and Wisconsin.

Obama seems to be pretty good at playing the "rope-a-dope" game. He's not doing much, issuing a little boiler plate here and there in response to national and global emergencies. A master politician through and through. And, there isn't anything much lower than a politician.

NPR reporters are saying the real reason that NPR is sinking is because their management sucks and has no clue about how to survive. They are probably operating their company in that entitlement twilight zone.

The Answer:
Zippo is the product! For eighty years smokers relied on this flip top device, and even today the brand is considered ultra-cool. The company will produce about 12 million lighters this year but the future will rely on the successful application of their famous name to a variety of products like leisure clothing, watches and cologne. I'll believe it when I see it.

The End:
Actually I'm thinking Zippo Cologne Odeur de Fumee; Clothing reeking of stale cigarette; Watches showing years lost from smoking.

Solidarity kills.

Today's Tids Issue 2,310
Opening Stuff

Some day I'm going to learn to not let things in the outside world beyond my control bother me. Sit back in my chair instead of sitting on the edge. See the world for all that is good and not seek out things that could go wrong. To blindly accept the decisions of our elected leaders...hey wait a minute. I am going mad. I think I'll just live tense and take extra blood pressure meds.

When are they going to bomb Somalia?

I see where the word Solidarity is cropping up more and more in the Wisconsin mess. Now when I think of that word, I think of the valiant Lech Walesa fighting for his workers against the Polish Communist government. Not public servants fighting to suck more blood out of their employers...honest hardworking, tax paying neighbors.

The Question:
There was some good news for the economy this morning as the auto industry surprised the experts with giant leap in Feb. What percentage did sales go up and which auto makers do you think did best?

The Headlines:

--Libya Bloody As Daffy Vows To Fight Til Last man Is Dead; Warns US To Stay Out.
--Senate Joins House In Sending Two Week Budget Extension To Prime Time; House Bill Cuts Two Weeks Of Spending By $4 Bil.
--Chafee-Lite Misspeaks On Narragansett Indian Buyout Of Twin River Non-Casino.
--VW To Bring Back Fabled 50's-60's Mini-Van.
--NJ Congressman Rush Holt (D) Beats Watson In Jeopardy Game.
--Stocks Expected To Rebound After Sell-off.
--Buffet Sees Uneven Recovery; Looks For Deals.

Back to More Stuff:
A college graduation is a senior moment.

I can't see any difference between Charlie Sheen and many of those trouble seeking, over paid, self absorbed athletes who put them selves in untenable positions. Oh yeah, maybe Charlie has better publicists and an more gullible fan base.

Several Repubs are slowly dipping their toes into Presidential waters. There is a thought going around among some of these courageous warriors that perhaps Obama may be too hard to beat in 2012. So the one who emerges may be the one who shows a little guts to take on this incumbent knowing that a change will be very important for the country. The loudest early rumblings so far are from Huckabee (Foot in mouth with Kenya remarks), Ghengris (who is expected to announce the formation of a presidential exploration committee) and The Donald (Trump) who is beginning to make the rounds and yesterday announced that a new web-site www.should trump run.com already has 400,000 subscribers. It is just beginning, but this is exactly the time when it should begin. After all, 0-Man has been running for six months.

I like to separate the teachers from the other Public Employees union activities. But that doesn't mean I think the NEA is anything better than a dishonest, vile organization.

Almost Near: Chapter 10. --Tucker Louttite had never loved a woman as he had loved Samantha Wilcox. In fact he never loved another woman at all. He met her when they were 12. She had worked her way onto his softball team, and he didn't like it at all. A girl for chrissake!. He laughed at the memories. But, he also remembered that from the first moment she ran to shortstop, that he couldn't take his eyes off her. And, boy could she play softball. Of course, that's what was really important at the time.
By the time they had finished college and were 24, he was ready for marriage. He asked her. He remembers how her eyes lit up. And then how she looked so seriously at him. Almost questioningly. He thought of this as an automatic. They were destined to be man and wife. Weren't they? But she answered, "Wow, I'll have to think about that one!" The next day she disappeared from his life.
I called her mom and she told me that it was time for Samantha to go. That's all. But, she would tell me where she had gone. Or why.
I broke down and cried. Her mom just watched me. She didn't move to hug me or hold my hand in support. She just said "I'm sorry." and then she added. "Tommy Lambert, You were good for Samantha. But, it had to end. I'm sorry." She closed the door. I'll never forget standing there.

If everybody hasn't figured out by now why public employee unions are a bad idea for the good of the country going forward, than they don't want to figure it out. They just want to follow a bad idea blindly.

Frankly, I'm getting tired of all these PE Union discussions. Sorry I brought it up.

Some of the rest stops on Florida interstates look like assisted living complexes.

Why is "Elton John and partner to attend royal wedding" one of the six lead headlines this morning? There are just too many publicists in this world.

Does VW's announcement of bringing back the mini-van mean that we will once again have to put up with hippies? Or, do they see a big market for delivery vans for medical marijuana factories?

Is Charlie Sheen trying to out perform Gad-Daffy for the title of "Public Mad Sycho (PMS)" of the year?

Sorry shampoo makers, but I think my hair looks better when using bar soap.

The Answer:
Sales were up 27% with GM soaring at 49%. Toyota was next (42), Nissan (32), Honda (22) with ford and Chrysler lagging at 14 and 12%. (Although Chrysler's increase was considered positive considering recent doldrums,)Trucks and those nasty SUV's led the way again.

The End:
If there is any positive solidarity going around, I think it is among regular taxpayers who want to get free spending governments under control.

I know, I know, Psycho doesn't start with an "S". I just needed something to get to PMS. see, I started out calm, uncaring this morn, and now I'm getting angry.