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Today's Tids Issue 2,216
Opening Stuff:

Yesterday, Times Square Bomber Faisal Shahzad did exactly what most intelligent observers said would happen if the misguided Obama/Halder plan to bring Gitmo prisoners to NYC for trial was to occur. He used the trial for a stage. He had absolutely no remorse and enjoyed the time in the spotlight. Among other things he said; “Brace yourselves, because the war with Muslims has just begun, Consider me the first droplet of blood that will follow.”

Muslims? I didn’t think we were at war with Muslims. I must have misread the newspaper.

It is not news to learn that a new AP/GfK poll says “White Working Democrats” flock to Republican party. Hard working Dems have always migrated towards the Republicans when their own party rears its Liberal head. These people, in the main, believe strongly in a conservative work effort. In fact, the movement of working Democrats to the GOP side is one reason why Ronald Reagan did so well. They were the Reagan Republicans.

I know most of you don’t read the daily novel installments – Through the Same Eyes. But, if you do, you can tell by today that it is just about over, and I’ll be looking for a new topic. If you have any suggestions, I’m always all ears. The next couple of installments will be the wrapping up loose ends Epilogue. In case you are interested, the finished novel will contain about 82,000 words, 429,000 characters, 1,100 paragraphs and 5,700 lines! Talk about arthritic fingers!

The Question:
Today in 1927 marked the arrival of the first talking mmovie. What was it? Who was the well known singer star? Name five big hit songs of the star.

The Headlines:

--Patriots Trade Randy Moss To Vikes For Third Round Pick.
--IMF Sees World Economy Gaining; Strong Asia Revival Will Offset New Growth Downgrade For US And Weaknesses In Europe.
--Market Futures Down On Poor Private Sector Hiring report.
--It Looked Like Science Fiction As Toxic Red Tidal Wave Overwhelms Hungarian Town.
--Gunmen Attack 25 More NATO Trucks In Pakistan.
--South Korea Says NK’s Nuke Threat Dangerous.
--September Retail Sales Edge Up On Back-to-School purchases; Luxury Purchases Lack Luster.
--Maine Lobstermen fighting Virulent Lobster Skin Disease; Disease More Cosmetic, Not Affecting Succulent Meat.

Back to More Stuff:
You probably have heard of the fiery Anne Hutchinson, one of the founders of Rhode Island and certainly one of the framers of beliefs that served as the basis for much of the 1st Amendment and separation of church and state. She was put on trial for...well…being too smart…for a woman! She had many supporters including the wealthiest man in the Colonies at the time, William Coddington. She could have gotten off with a warning or at least a quick dunking in the town square. But, her innate desire to speak the truth kept on getting in deeper with her accusers. So, in the end she was convicted and received the ultimate punishment of the times. They took away her guns! Think about that for a minute.

The only acknowledged Socialist Senator, Bernie Saunders of Vermont, used his time on CBS Sunday morning to rail against the rich with true Bolshevik revolution rhetoric. Forgetting that without the trust fund babies and the super rich NYC refugees, VT could easily be the poorest state in the union. It’s is just a fact.

So, did you hear about the blond who had the longest password in computer history –MickyMousePlutoHughyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento? Yup, she said it needed eight characters and one capital.

Unemployment in RI remains among the highest in the nation because the extended unemployment benefits are among the highest in the nation. And definitely higher than hourly wages for many jobs that are open and available. Good economies don’t have safety nets that turn into vocations.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 96 Continues. –I continued to hold Kent tightly in my arms amidst a growing chaos around me. I heard people running, shouting for help. I heard them calling police and ambulances. I heard bells as elevators came and went. But I just leaned down to place my ear next to Kent’s heart. To hear the final beats of his life.
I felt his hand move up to my back. It reminded me of all of the caresses. “I’m still here, “I heard him whisper. And I smiled and raised my head to see that wonderful warm grin of his that I could always see while others didn’t.
“I’ll drink a diet coke to that,“ I smiled back. I felt him scrunch his had into my back. He made me feel safe as he lay dying.
I heard him cough a couple of times. Then his chest started heaving violently, as if he were trying to find enough air to spend a few more minutes with me. And then it ended. I could no longer feel the beat of his body. I heard nothing in the background. I was over taken with deathly stillness.
I held him tightly and rocked gently.
I heard foot steps come near me and my lover. I raised my head to see a concerned Henry standing just in front of a dazed appearing Paul.
“Kent died.”
I lowered my head and caressed my memories.

I think one of the signature issues on ballots November 2 will be an RI referendum that would ask voters to drop the word Plantation form the official state name. Of course some believe that this word which at the time simply meant “big chunk of land” has too many slavery connotations. I think it would be far worse to dismiss the history of the state just to appease the guilt complex of several misguided white people. Maybe we should also ad the word “Gay” to the referendum with the hopes that it might return to its old meaning of Happy!

A guy named Mujibar was trying to get a job in India. As part of his interview he was asked to use the words “Yellow, Pink and Green” in a sentence. No problem he answered: “The telephone goes green, green. And, I pink it up and say, “Yellow, this is Mujibar”. He was made supervisor at the call center. You probably have spoken to him.

I have to say, that once past language misunderstandings, I find the tech help from India enthusiastic and useful.

The Answer: 
The movie was the Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. His other famous songs were My Mammy, Swanee, California Here I Come, April Showers and Toot, Toot tootsie. He knew how to liven hearts, and stimulate tear ducts.

The End:

There is no truth to the rumor that activists are trying to add an amendment to the Providence Plantations name change vote that would ban Al Jolson for singing in Black face.

Oil or "0": Which is slicker?

Today's Tids Issue 2,147
Opening Stuff:

The other day I nudged my sundial with the lawnmower and I’ve been late for dates ever since.

A larger than life, true American cultural hero died Saturday night. John Wooden, a basketball coach set a record that will probably never be broken and established principles for leadership and living that should govern for the course of history. A strong Christian, he once said: “If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.” His “Pyramid of Success” book is considered not only manual for coaching success but a basic handbook for every leadership level. Oddly, his life espouses the virtues that many religious conservatives value, but he declared himself to be a liberal democrat. 3 of his favorite leadership maxims are “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, “Flexibility is the key to stability” and “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

And then…there are politicians Department:
GOP Senator Corker proposed a mandatory 5% down payment as requirement for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac backed mortgages. The Dems voted it down which was lunacy itself, but it is the words of the Chairman Dodd that really are truly disturbing: ”Passage of such a requirement would restrict home ownership to only those who can afford it.” Read that again. Is he aware of the current recession and the reasons behind it? Did he get paid off by mortgage bundler thieves? Will the final resting place of the Conn senator be memorialized with a headstone in the shape of a dunce cap? And, you think there is hope for this country? Oh yeah, there is if we vote out the scoundrels in November.

Unfortunately, maybe because of his long association with government only style jobs, 0-Man does not seem to realize that businesses have to be managed with an eye towards cost control for the benefit of those who provided the capital though investment.. And while the oil leak is a disaster, and a disaster against which BP will end up spending billions, the company still must stop the leak and repair the damage within a framework of keeping the entity alive. It is appalling that the Prez denounces paying dividends (Which retirement funds of many of his citizens must rely) and advertising that puts the company’s efforts in perspective. A cost they must endure only to battle against governmental demagoguery.

The Question:
Wooden, who never asked for a raise and often turned down luxury awards, lived by a 7 Point life’s Creed given to him by his father. How many of the seven can you name?

The Headlines:
--Two New Jersey Men Planning Fort Hood Style Massacre Arrested On Way To Somalia For Training.
--Hungary Latest Economically Precarious Euro-Nation; Markets Drop.
--Oil Continues To Ooze; Coats Nearing $1.5 Billion.
--Tornados Ravage, Kill In Ohio.
--Gunman Mows Down Five In Miami Restaurant.
--India Courts After 25 years Convict 7 Union Carbide Employees Of “Death By Negligence” In Bhopal Tragedy.
--The Sun Comes Up Once Again On Monday Morning.
--Celts Even Series.

Back to More Stuff:

For a couple of months now, the RI Department of Motor Vehicles has been closed on Wednesdays so its employees can attend classes to learn the new computer system. Sounds moderately intelligent, doesn’t it? That is, until you learn that AAA, which also provides similar DMV services for members, received their instructions about using the new system in a single email! And it seems to be working perfectly.

Scenes while sitting on a bench at a high traffic Factory Outlet Mall, Department:
--I decided to do a footwear survey. After a healthy sample of over 500, I found that 99% of women wore flip-flops or sandal style shoes. Almost all of the rest wore sneakers. I was hoping that my boat shoe style would show up well, but I found overwhelmingly that sneakers of one kind or another were the heaviest for men at about 95%. Sandals were definitely next. Boat shoes were about 0.6%. –Of the occasional people who spoke English, intelligent conversation by walker’s-by weren’t apparent. One well, dressed decent looking twenty something said to her boy friend, “Yeah…but she has a big butt.” Other’s were like, “Call Ruby, there’s a sale at Coach”, or “Where did I park my car?” –Most interesting, however, were the fairly large number of Indian women in traditional garb walking around. I’m thinking…”Why are they here?” I didn’t see a Saree’s Are Us!

Did you see where the kids national Spelling Bee was interrupted by a protest urging simpler spelling of US words. Me, the typo king should certainly be in favor of that. But, once again it is yet another step in the march towards the softening of brain cells. Enabling the lazy to get away with not demanding the best of themselves. I wonder what John Wooden would think of that? Or is this all about making it easier to text with out criticism?

And, how unfortunate that the rabble-rousers chose a special day for talented teens to vent their anger. It is just one more example of “Me First”.

Yesterday our beloved “Prime Time” urged against optimism for a solution to stopping the big leak. This was just after a disastrous negative jobs report when he said, “This report is a sign that our economy is getting stronger by the day.” That’s the Chicago Two Step in action!

It could have been done 30 years ago, but at least they may be getting the message up at the RI State House. A new law reduces the highest tax level from 9.9% to 5.8% and could put the company back in the race for move-ins instead of move-outs. Maybe they have figured out, or more likely forced to recognize that government jobs based economy is not an economy at all. Maybe they are listening to the anger of the people. Or at least until the election is over in November. We’ll see.

Providence RI is pulling out all stops to become the “Second City” of fashion! You heard that right. The city of wiseguys, wonks and wieners is drawing on its considerable design talents, old world city charm and amazing collection of eateries to build a major “Fashion Week” Center between NYC and Boston. The key: Young designers who like the opportunity and the deep talent at RISD. And maybe…the new lower taxes for top wage earners.

Reader Outrage of the Week Department:
Having barely gotten over the lack of a traditional Red Sox game on Memorial Day, he was astonished to hear that “New York, New York” was no longer the main song for the Belmont stakes. Some 16 year old rock star sang the memorable “Empire State of Mind.” But then, I remember when they used to sing “East side, West side, all around the town…”, a long standing musical tradition like The Derby and Preakness. But alas, when you go commercial you give up your soul.

Frankly, I have not liked the post Beetles McCartney’s music. And have really never gravitated to the arrogance associated with his stardom. But, he is a legitimate cultural innovator and probably deserves all of the awards he gets…like the one at the White House last week. However, in stead of being gracious, and thanking Americans for all of the millions he has made on this soil, he took the moment to berate a former President: “After the last eight years, it’s great to have a President who knows where the library is.” Disgraceful. And they called him “Sir Paul” all night long. You can take the boy out of Liverpool, but you can’t take the Liverpool out of the boy.

Hey Paul! You don’t end sentences with “is”.

BTW…did you know that many music and cultural historians consider John Lenin’s tune “Imagine” the Communist Manifesto?

Joran Van der Sloot is starting to look like one of those truly evil people of history.

How come the world pays so much for beauty?

The Answer: Simple yet luxurious in their value and often hard for many to achieve especially in a more conflicting world…when maybe they are needed more than ever: --Be true to yourself. –Make each day your masterpiece. –Help others, --Drink deeply from good books, especially the bible. –Make friendship a fine art. –Build a shelter against a rainy day. –Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day. Hey, how can you argue with that?

The End, John:
With all of that Wooden wisdom buoying up my character, I should have a great day today. Hope you all do too.

But to all of those who battle through the weekend while anticipating the next segment of TTSE, sorry. It just didn’t flow this morning. But the good news is that it didn’t flow with character!

Nobody ever sees the heroes.

Today's Tids Issue 2,117
Opening Stuff:

I awoke upon a cotton candy cloud. I floated through ginger ale skies. Slipping off my sugary cloud, I slid down peppermint sticks into butterscotch ponds. I walked through chocolate flower fields. Finding sweetness in a sour world. While trying to stay on my diet. One serving of this sickly sweet Tid is well beyond our daily carbohydrate requirement of 300 grams. But, it feels great!

I was bothered this morning about the report of the homeless person who was stabbed trying to save a woman from a knife wielding assailant. The unknown man fell to the ground and lay there for over an hour before medical help arrived. During that time street cameras showed many people walk by, glance and move on, while blood streamed from his gut. A Good Samaritan with nothing on this earth, trying to give another a better life than his. A hero that nobody could see.

It will be entertaining TV today as unctuous lawmakers take center stage in an effort to belittle Financial execs. Ever the cowards, these Pols feel that Americans are so against the Wall Street barons that they can sink to lows never before known even to congress people. It should be a juicy afternoon. Would any of these faceoff a knife wielding savage?

And, in about 4 months or so these same self righteous hypocrites will be standing in line on Wall Street looking for campaign handouts from the bonus babies.

The Question:
Portugal was one of the richest countries of all during the era of the great Portuguese explorers. I as a kid was always fascinated by their accomplishments. Name the most famous.

The Headlines:
--Ford Posts $2.1 Million Profit On Strong Sales.
--Oil Company And Authorities Race To Control Slick That Threatens Four States.
--Procedural Vote Slows Passage Of financial regulatory Package; Dems Now Looking At Changes To “Bailout” Component; GOP Sys This Bill Will Pass And Be Stringer In Fight Against Bad Behavior On Wall Street.
--Congress Prepares For Embarrassment Of WS Execs.
--Calif Tech Police Raid Home Of Gizmodo Editor; May Be In reaction To Story Broken About New iPhone.
--Strong majority Of Americans Agree With Arizona Anti-Illegal Law.
--Porsche’s Highly Touted Just Released Panamera In total recall; Could Be Black Mark Against Company Out To Take Share from Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes Benz CLS.

Back to More Stuff:

Do you get the sense that the medical drama “House” is turning into “Desperate Doctors”?

24-um: --President Logan was at his evil best. Is eye movements are among the best ever on TV. –And how about the weasel of the moment, President Allison. Frankly, I never liked the President. She made me feel irritable when she appeared. –I’m liking Chloe in her role. –But it is Dana, the woman who kept us all guessing, who has become the emerging centerpiece of this last great episode of the greatest program in TV history.

One of the things Dems like to do in the aftermath of the Health Care debacle is recall the Government run plans of SS and Medicare…and or several laws that apparently changed human inequities. Of course it is an irrelevant argument because absolutely nobody knows if we would or would not be better off without the two black hole programs which are not working very well financially at all. Or if natural evolution could change human garbage without a legal mandate. The Dems fail to take into consideration the indomitable spirit of American people and their resourcefulness in finding solutions without the assistance of big Government. They fail to understand that the heart of good people can always overcome. It is totally conceivable that without SS and Med we would have been a stronger than ever nation today.

What honest Wall Streeter wouldn’t want some regulations that keep the dishonest under control? An industry based on trust must rid itself of the untrustworthy.

I was a little disturbed about that stripe running down one side of Sergio Garcia’s trousers at the Zurich Open this past weekend. Worried that the athletic gear makers were plotting to infect the golf clothes industry with abominations I see on grown men walking in public. I was envisioning silky golf pants flopping in the breeze. Basketball style shirts with players names across the back. Where is Payne Stewart when you need him?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 68. –After my Sarah/Maggie left, I went back up to my room and bathroom. Nothing appeared disturbed. I wondered if she had seen Laura’s jeans in the closet. If she had, she would easily have connected them to my wife who was known by almost everybody in town to drop in from time to time. And he thought, if Sarah still was as under my control as she appeared she would definitely assume that. That’s the real question, isn’t it? What was she like last night? She certainly wasn’t reticent. In fact, she overwhelmed me for a change. She couldn’t get enough she attacked and attacked. She wore down these aging bones. I must have been out solid when she went up stairs. She showed no shame being there. She wasn’t look for me the wit, the intellectual, the shy appearing man who made her smile and feel comfortable. She was look for me the lust machine.
But, when she left me standing there in the bath room. She seemed different. Did she look guilty? Scared? Evasive?
My cell phone rang. Oh no, it was Laura. I hope she isn’t coming over. “Hi Laur!” I answered smilingly.
“I just saw your aging girl friend going down to the Sherriff’s office.”
“Don’t worry about her”, said matter-of-factly. One thing I don’t need is a hysterical Laura. Laura is very cool but capable of extreme weirdness when agitated.
“Don’t worry. I’ll stay cool. I’m coming over to clean your house. What do you want for dinner?”

Overkill Department:
I think almost everybody agrees that Blind Side was a fine movie and probably a very good book. But do we need any more of Michael Oher? He, an excellent human being, is about to publish his version of his story. And right after that, Liegh Ann Touhy and hubby Sean will bring forth their own memoir. Once again, the commerce watering down value.

From five to ten years ago during my time with a manufacturing industry magazine we were writing quite regularly about the need for the US machine shop industry to transform themselves from the commodity style product to the complex, super quality product. Software and amazing machines allowed these small companies to take on and accomplish formidable new challenges. Among the most visible of new opportunities was the arise of the medical component industry. Last Friday CBS News did a piece on a southern machine shop that beat the odds by moving from the traditional but now very fragile auto parts manufacturing to medical. Maybe a new Web news site that writes to consumers about coming economic changes in the world of industry would help prepare them for events heralded by the consumer media five-eight years later.

The Answer:
I’ve been to the fort and sailing academy of Prince Henry the Navigator which is at the most southwestern point of land in that narrow country. When standing n the cliffs looking westward you have a real sense of foreboding, about falling off the end of the earth. Your mind while staring into the depth of a black ocean pounding on the rocks far below marvels at the bravery of the history book titans - Ferdinand Magellan, Bartolemeu Dias and Vasca de Gama. There were 69 15-16th century Portuguese explorers, many with well known Rhode Island names like Andrade, Cunha, Escobar and Teixeira. Let’s hear it for the glory days of Portugal.

The End:
When I was in my late teens I mentioned proudly to my father (a son of a politician) that I was thinking of politics as a career. He then proceeded with a rant against the occupation with a torrent of four letter words that would make Wanda Sykes blush. So, I went into advertising, a nice honest occupation.

What will happen to the world as we know it when “24” fails to appear next year?

IWHC

Today's Tids Issue 2,083
Opening Stuff:

Some economists want you to feel that if you don’t buy stocks now, you are going to miss out on the big bonanza. Many other equally reputable economists say it is a time to be really, really cautious as there are still too many unknowns about the scope and safety of the recovery. Sounds a little like walking the plank. On one hand you’re off the scary ship. On the other hand you have to swim 40 miles through shark infested waters to gain your freedom. If you can find the right direction!

I was thinking over the night about our current and just past conflicted Presidents and their obsessions over the Iraq War (IW) and Health Care (HC). IWHC, hmmmm. IWHC – The Infernal Woes of Hapless Chiefs.

The Question:
Mare Winningham had a nice part on “24”last night. Name some of her movies when she was in her prime.

Today’s Headlines:
--Prime Time Launches Latest Campaign Against Insurance Companies.
--Toyota Shows That Shorting “Gimmick” Shown In ABC Lawyer Promo Video And Later To Congress Affects All Cars The Same Way; Professor To Privately Meet With Toyota Engineers.
--Malicki Looking Like The Winner In Iraq; Total Voting Down From 2005 Election.
--Culture News Special: Tiger And Elin Caught Kissing In Public.
--1 Year Anniversary Of Stock Market Low Has Stocks Futures Lower.
-- NBA Star Allen Iverson May Have Gambled Away $200,000,000 In Earnings; Reports Say High Paid Star May be Destitute.

Back to More Stuff:

New York up-state Democrat Congressman Eric Massa may be seen by some as an angry man spouting off frustration in a sour grapes tirade. But when he evoked the name of Rahm Emanuel, describing the Admin operator as the son of the spawn of Satan who would kill his mother for a vote --- he became entirely believable to me.

Remember that the Tids political columnist warned at the time of the selection, that Rahm Emanuel's presence diminsihed the credibility of the new admin for "Change and Hope" before it got started

Too many people think that smart people are smart about everything.

Roll around in your mouth for a couple of minutes the names of these two organizations: National Enquirer and Pulitzer Prize. The tastes don’t compliment each other well, Do they? That’s what the chiefs of the PP thought when the NE story about the John Edwards Love baby was nominated for the esteemed award. The chiefs of the prize committee initially nixed the idea saying we don’t recognize the efforts of checkbook journalism. Surprise. It turns out that the NE did it the old fashioned way, with dogged legwork and courageous reporting. They got the tough story while many of the so called media elite probably tried to suppress the dirty dope to protect the slime ball from North Carolina. At least, that’s the way it looks to me.

For years I always called the august organization’s award the “Chicken Shocker” award – Pullet Surprise.

The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 58 continues. –It felt good to be in real clothes again. I felt like twirling as I might have done as a child. Watching my skirt flair out in the backyard breeze. But, my still wobbly legs were not cooperating even though my feelings were in fantasy land. I was deeply inside my imagination when I heard a clatter. When I looked up I saw Jill and Jax standing at the foot of the bed with these incredible monster grins on their faces holding a huge sign “Our House Needs Mom’s Laughs”. Talk about teary… I beckoned them over, and behind them a beaming Paul moved into take the sign. They bolted to my open arms knocking us all back on to my bed. We laughed uncontrollably.
“Thanks everybody.” I looked up at Paul. “And especially you my beautiful husband.” He actually turned red. He could not speak.
He came over and kissed me hard. “The kids giggled, “OooooooooH!” I looked at them and then I turned red.h
Paul went over and packed all the junk I had accumulated during the past two weeks. The kids took the vases of flowers out to the nurses. I felt really good. The phone rang. Paul glanced my way.
“Oh hi” It was Kent. “I’m doing very well Henry.” I said. Why did I do that? “I’m in the process of getting out of this place, so I can’t talk.” He was telling me how lovely I looked when he was last here. “Ok. I’ll drop by when I can walk a little better. I’d love to hear from you all of the dope about our little caper.” I smiled at what Kent had replied.
All of a sudden the room didn’t feel quite so happy.

Back to More Stuff Again:

"24"-um: As they have quite often this year, almost the first 45 minutes were devoted to re-establishing or affirming some characters and situations A lot of time was spent on the tense bomb sequence, and it was well done. But, that was the first excitement and it was almost 50 minutes into the hour. The revelation of the bad leader being the daughter's lover was a much needed spark to the storyline. But, that was kind of in the back of my mind. Or at least, I hoped for that. Next week could be sensational if they live up to the promise!

When you think about it, maybe the salvation of the print press is to start digging deeper and reporting with more gusto stories that may even go against the papers bias. To begin to hold feet to the fire instead of looking for the excuses. The people are crying out for a credible defense against the free-to-do-as-they-want politicians.

While I’m all for protecting the second amendment (As I am for all of the freedoms), I’m having to think that packin’ heat in a hip holster at a mall or restaurant is a little bit of overkill. .

Controlling 3-4 Word Phrases Used By Moms Department: “You like that blouse?” You’re wearing what?” “You’re dating whom?” “You like that make-up?” “You like that haircut?” “You’re going there?” “Of course you’re busy!” You get the picture. You always know, even when you are approaching your own “senior” status. Send in some you may have experienced over the years.

The news item about the Tiger/Elin public kiss had my mind reverting back to the staged Bill/Hill dance by the lagoon in the post Monica days. You know how victims of fires and disasters call the refurb teams to get out the stench? Celebs have the same hot line available personal mishaps. Cleaning up after stupidity is big business.

A headline that starts “Gibbs brushes off…” always means to me, dig further.

Irish Extortion(?) Department:
A well known music store and tourist trinkets shop in Newport RI was the scene of picketing yesterday by members of the large Irish community. The object of their scorn were T-Shirts with the usual insults to Irish like drinking and partying jokes. However it may be deeper than that. The owner, a respected Newport businessman, for the first time in recent memory (Because of the economy) refused to buy an ad in the official Saint Patrick’s Day Parade program. The Leprechauns made us do it!

Did you hear about the middle aged ex-athlete who saw in the mirror, a waste of time?

There is evidence aplenty that many Democrats are running openly against Obama policies. This is one reason why the Commander in Chief is ordering (Strongly suggesting) his troops to give up their seats for health care. The end-of-March deadline proposed by the nations leading political showman is probably their because once in anti admin campaign mode there is no turning back.

The Answer:
Interestingly, one of Mare’s notable first parts occurred when she was 12 yo in a school play. She played Maria in a version of Sound of Music…opposite classmate Kevin Spacey! She started in TV with parts on Police Woman and Starsky & Hutch and continued as a feature player throughout her career in many TV Movies. Her first film successes were in One Trick Pony and Threshhold. She received more fame in Saint Elmo’s Fire and was one of the original “Brat Pack” alums. Other films were Miracle Mile, Turner & Hootch, Wyatt Earp and The War. Her greatest recognition came in the form of SAG and Academy Award Nominations for her work in the 1995 film Georgia. She also won Golden Globes and Emmys from her strong TV movie performances.

A Bang-up Ending:

I see the second amendment as assuring a margin of protection for average citizens against the potential of an aggressive armed government. I don’t see it as a perpetual license for people running around shooting each other, or themselves in after hour’s clubs.

Snoozing through Canada

Saturday Shorts 2/13
Opening Stuff:

They could easily have cut an hour out of the Olympics opening ceremony and not lost anything. These shows are becoming tedious, and last night’s version was a more of a yawner than any…and a good cure for insomnia. The opening duet between Furtado and Adams was as lame as it was underwhelming as the signature start of the big show. In fact, all of the individual pop singing events were too long and not terribly well done. Hold that, Lang was ok, but again too long. Some of the graphics technology was very good but again to long. The tap dancing and fiddle segment was enjoyable, but too long. The wire flyer was very intriguing and pleasantly ethereal. Even with out the mechanical glitch at the torch lighting, it still was awkward, especially considering that Gretsky had to hop in the bed of a pickup truck and be driven two miles to light the real cauldron of flame. C-.

The new Democrat offensive appears to be that of pushing the Republicans into a corner on so-called “popular” issues where a no vote without substantive reason would become an opportunity to condemn the party as obstructionists for obstruction sake. And they would love nothing better than that. The ultimate aim being, get the GOP to bend on the Health Care morass. Or, allow the Dems to move forward with a reconciliation passage of health care arguing that their hands were obviously tied by generally uncooperative, negative GOP.

“House”, “24” and “Damages” are a pretty good Monday night 1,2,3 punch!

The Headlines:
--US And Allies Sweep Into Marjah; Key Positions Easily Secured By British Troops.
--Olympic Crowds Mourn Death Of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.
--U. Alabama Huntsville Neurobiology Professor Amy Bishop Arrested For Shooting That Killed Three And Seriously Wounded 4 Associates; Knowledgeable Observers Say She Wasn’t As Good As She Thought She Was, And Her Tenure Was In Jeopardy.
--0-Man OK’s Loans For Nuclear Plants In Georgia.
--Slushy Snow Halts Opening Of Ski Competition.

Back To Stuff:

Sign on local commercial fisherman’s boat: “Tilapia is not seafood”.

Separated at Birth Department:
KD Lang and Wayne Newton.

It was nice to see the launch of the big offensive in Afghanistan. Every day it seems we see a new report of key victory and more deaths of Taliban fighters and their leaders. This new offensive is against a “major” Taliban force that numbers a mere 1,000. We’re not talking big numbers here, and there are no caves in Marjah in which to hide. Remember when Bush first launched the Afghan attacks? The Taliban were driven out quickly and efficiently. This could be the same. But, the big problem may not be the Taliban in this center of poppy production. It may be those dazzling orange flowers themselves. Ridding the country of income from poppy’s, rids the Taliban of finances. But in doing so, there is a danger of alienating the people who also benefit from the sales of poppy based products. It would be like trying to rid the US of a gambling based economy. It may not be an honorable profession, but it helps people eat.

I think the new robber barons are athletes and movie stars. Well maybe a few of clueless on Wall Street.

News Flash: The ads at the Olympics Opening ceremony were far better than those at the SuperBowl. Several on GE Healthcare were particularly well done. Other notables were AllState, Sun Chips, AT&T (Skiboards), Visa and British Columbia.

While on the subject of commercials, there was one that was particularly offensive because of the circumstances. Immediately following the gut wrenching videos showing the death of Luger Nodar, a RI furniture company selling mattresses, Cardi Brothers, showed in a cartoon ad the three owners bobsledding and one dozing off ultimately causing an accident eerily similar to the luge tragedy. Note: Cardi’s is a very good bunch of people, but somebody wasn’t watching the store..

As I watched the 99% white, winter Olympic athletes march in, I had to think that the biggest sports competition this weekend is the NBA Basketball game. Can you say equal opportunity lawsuit?

The good news is that the US team had nice hats for a change.

Love is good!