Keep it simple.

Today's Tids Issue 2,200
Opening Stuff:

What do you think would happen if a space ship full of aliens landed on earth with the intent of destroying all humans, and the first thing they saw was a little puppy sitting there looking up at them with big brown eyes wagging its tail?

There are some things in this world that will always make your heart flutter and face light up in a great, humongous smile. Of course one is the little puppy with big brown eyes and a wagging tail. And then…of course…there’s the Bride looking beautiful, standing at the front of the church waiting to make that most important stroll. And the parents beaming in the front row. It always gets to me, I’ll tell you.

Good ole’ logic tells me that any sane taxpayer would vote against any candidate endorsed by any public employee’s Union.

I learned two things from the gulf oil spill: First, the Government should never force oil companies to drill at depths a mile below the surface. Second, the companies employ brilliant engineers and possess great technology which will enable them solve/fix any program without demagoguery from government officials.

The Question: Two Parter: 1. Off the top of your head give me five of what you consider the most famous naval ships and I’ll give you mine. 2. Which five states have the highest percentage of DWI highway deaths?

The Headlines:

--Yemen al-Qaida Branch Warns That Israel Action Against Iran Would Provoke Jihadist response Across The Globe.
--Philly Fed Consumer Confidence Index Lowest Since July 2009; Stocks Tumble 1%.
--New Jobless Claims Top 500m000 For First Time In 9 Months.
--Last Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq.
--Flood Aid Now Pouring Into Pakistan.
--New, Junior Senators Want To Change The Way the Senate Works; Younger Group Fed Up With What They See.


Back to More Stuff:
I’ve always been a big advocate of not paying for something that is readily available free. Like mowing your own where you can save twice by not hiring a lawn service and by not having to pay for exercise at a gym. And then of course there is water which comes out of taps and doesn’t have to be in plastic bottles that eventually mar the country side. Books are free at Libraries (Remember them?). Also free is basic software, cell phones with contracts, credit cards, tax preparation, DVD Rentals, checking accounts, shipping, News (Though I will balk here and buy a newspaper), Pets at pounds, and lots of personal financial assistance like credit reports or budgeting plans.

There is something that intrinsically bothers me about the idea of press releases from the CIA. And the idea that the press needs to know.

In the Dungy against Ryan flap, the press has to associate Dungy’s criticism with the phrase “He is a Christian”. Did it ever occur to these mindless observers that it may be better if people in society knew more than one universal adjective? And, Dungy sees this. Which brings me to HBO, a company that seems to think their TV fare is better because they can use the “F” word liberally. Like that some how that makes their stuff more authentic. Personally I think it’s sad. Like littering minds with trash. Who’s going to pick it up?

BTW, if you’re keeping score, Ryan’s mom called to wash out his mouth with soap. Rex said “Sorry Mom”. Maybe he should also add…thanks for your concern Tony.

Obama’s Foreclosure Act might be a decent idea if the Government was not involved in any way.

One of the disturbing aspects of this foreclosure problem is the use of Government approved services like Safeguard Properties who are employed to winterized abandoned properties. Many home owners and new buyers find that not only are they irresponsible (And inept) in the way they treat the homes, but that often fixtures and other personal property is found missing. A local real Estate company selecting a local plumber, engineering service would be safer and much…much faster.

Sometimes the dumbest joke makes me smile for a while…like this morning when cartoonist Wiley said “Before the wall there was China’s Great Velvet Rope”.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 89. –“Kent, maybe we should just go somewhere. Get lost. together.” Laura looked over at me. She seemed so soft. So vulnerable. I was looking at her differently all of a sudden, which was a bad idea since I was driving. A bad idea because we were not part of an idle incident we could walk away from. The human test body was good idea that is now approaching disaster because there are way too many people involved. Sarah would never have brought so many people on board. I looked again at Laura.
“Stay calm Laura. You are now free. But, you have to stay out of sight. I’ll get you a place in Keene New Hampshire. You’ll like it there and it is easy for me to get up there”. I didn’t expect I’ll be going that way much, but she needs to believe I care. My cell rang.
It was Izzy. As I picked it up I heard Laura mumbling, “you need a cooler ring tone.”
“Hi Iz…what…”
“Come in to see me now.”
“That’s it? Iz. No Hi Kent, hello Dr. Middleton.” Jeez, she could be annoying with her regal impression of herself. Like she thinks it was her ancestor who gave her jewels to finance Columbus. “I’m busy right now.” I didn’t show any more emotion.
“Ok. Get here as soon as you can. It’s Important.”
Laura looked over at me and actually smiled. “Maybe you would like to come to Keene with me!”
We both laughed. That’s odd.

Did you read where there is a bed bug infestation at theaters and other locations around Time’s Square the Big Apple? You thought it might have been fruit flies!

Memo to college freshman who have never seen a phone with a cord: Between 1941-45 the biggest industry in Newport RI employing 12,000 was the torpedo factory on Goat Island. With surrounding areas chock full of Victory Gardens. And air raid sirens going off on a regular nightly basis. Sometimes you can’t have everything you want.

Mexico Prez Calderone Loves to complain about American citizens while his own are living in severe fright or reeking terror through the streets and alleys of small villages and large cities. Last night police found the body of Edelmiro Cavazos, Mayor of Mexico’s 3rd largest and quite quaint tourist city Santiago. He was blatantly abducted from his own home by four SUV loads of drug Cartel killers. Maybe he should start emulating American’s concern for law and order.

What do you think a band of illegal aliens would say as crossed the border and saw a little puppy sitting there looking up at them with big brown eyes, wagging its tail? Dinner!. Sorry folks, it was in there.

The Answer: My list includes Providence (J.P. Jones), Constitution (Old Ironsides), Monitor & Merrimack (Break through Technology, USS Arizona (The Beginning), USS Missouri (And…The End) and USS Nautilus (First Nuke).[ A historian names the ten most historically significant ships of all times – Victoria (Magellan), Lusitania, Mayflower, Nina, Titanic, USS Arizona, USS Constituion, Noah’s Ark (!), Bismark and Yamato (The defeat of which for some marked the beginning of the end of WWII). 2. The highest DWI States are North Dakota (46%), Wyoming (42), Montana (40), Hawaii (39) and Rhode Island (38).

The Hope:
I sit here hoping that some day everybody will wake up and learn to understand the value of money again. Maybe it could start with a couple of “No’s” at the Wal-mart toy department or Apple iPod store.

We live in a Republic?

Today's Tids Issue 2,086
Opening Stuff:

Surprisingly, the notorious 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said no to a professional atheist who was championing the removal of God from the pledge and money. But, what I really liked was the comment from one of the judges: “The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded.”. And as I look around, I sadly see and hear it is not just the atheists who have forgotten the ideals upon which the Republic was founded.

Everybody knew there were way too many people going to law school. But, now we have more proof that many of these often intelligent young people are discovering there just isn’t enough work out there. Why else wound somebody in the Swiss government proposed a abill authorizing state funded lawyers for dogs. Rumor has it that it will be known as the “The Puplick Defender” program.

The Question:
Who are considered the Top 10 pop dancers of all time?

The Headlines:
--February Retail Sales Show Surprising Uptick.
--Suicide Bombers In Lahore Pakistan Kill 43, Wound Additional 100.
--Bankers Readying For New Wave Of Foreclosures As Delinquencies Continue To Pile Up.
--US Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals Say OK To Retaining God In Pledge And On Money.
--UBS Says IRS Has 20 Swiss Banks In Its Sights.
--Dems Scrambling To Meet Arbitrary Deadline For HC Approval.
--Harry Reid’s Wife Seriously Injured On Virginia Highway After Truck Hits Her Van.

Back to More Stuff:

The “New Wave of Foreclosures” mentioned in the headline aren’t the only effects of foreclosure affecting homeowners wanting to sell. Real estate sources tell me that the previously foreclosed inventory has been piling up in banks. The word out there is that there could be a massive release of these homes to the market in the spring. This will certainly lower the average price in the market place which is very bad news for those who were legitimately considering selling. Not only will the will the glut push down prices, but many potential buyers are waiting for the ”bonanza” slowing the housing rcovery.

On a related note, several reports are saying that banks are still very resistant to approving mortgages, even in many apparent so-called “No brainer” situations. The real-estate folks are a frustrated, but hardy group.

American Idol Update: Well, the Tids Entertainment Editor was close with the men’s bootings, but way off on the women. I missed on Alex, but after viewing the episode last night I could agree totally with the results. He isn’t ready. Although I must say he seemed to be loved by his fellow singers. And frankly, while I picked Garcia because of his performance Wednesday night, I really wanted him to stay. Let’s hope he recaptures the magic that got him there in the first place. I thought Lilly was a lock to stay, and I believe the judges did too. My sense is that while she brought what I considered a pleasant, unique quality to the show, she may have been beyond the mainstream of voters. That is often the case – popularity over talent (As it is too often in politics). I thought Katelyn would stay just because she seemed generally good, and her Tuesday effort wasn’t bad at all. I personally liked Lilly and Kate and would have preferred neither of them had been standing there together.

I may have to start issuing reports on one of the major dance competitions just to keep the dance readers happy.

One of the more annoying popular expressions is one often used against decent hardworking people or corporations, “He/She/They is/are only in it for the money.” Of course they are, this is the United States. Being in it for the money should never be a negative criticism in a free Republic.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 59 continues. –That was the beginning of a creative adventure. Seymore asked me to sit next to Laura presumably so he could see me while he was pontificating. I gladly accepted. Within a moment I felt a pleasant pressure from Laura’s thigh. That helped me endure the man. By the end of the evening I had learned where Laura lived, and when Bromsky left for the Men’s room, we exchanged phone numbers. The following week we innocently met at Maries.
I learned that she abided her uncle for her own purposes. I asked her how many older teens she knew in the area. That’s when she said this kid Murphy was hot for her, but she found him to be stupid and rather disgusting. “He has a few friends.” She said. “And,” she added, “I think he fancies himself as there leader.” A few more meetings and I had confidence that’s she was as diabolical as me. Between us we hatched a plan that would eventually provide my project with human test subjects while the police were looking the other way. And in a way that would make me look like the good guy.
The next piece of luck was meeting Sarah/Maggie. Unfortunately, I have grown to like her too.

Have you seen the movie “Invention of Lying”? It’s about a guy living in a society where everything anybody in it is saying or has ever said is the absolute truth. The main character for some reason has a small brain malfunction, and of course the lie that comes out is totally accepted by in this instance a bank teller. He gets free money. He then finds he can just stand up in front groups and they totally believe everything he says. I think that is the kind of power that Obama thinks he has

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I’ve been looking forward to Green Zone and I am finding I won’t be disappointed. Some myopic reviewers who think anything about Iraq should now be compared to Oscar winner Hurt Locker are just missing the fun of this thriller. It may be a little anti Bush/War as it is about the failure to discover WMD’s. So I will probably just dismiss the politics from my mind and concentrate on the conspiracy and the good acting of Damon and a fine cast.
--The young set will love this one as it has many of the qualities that tuned Something About Mary into a cult winner. A young twenty’s something is in a dead end airport security job. Against all odds the very successful and gorgeous Molly falls for him much to the amazement of his friends parents and yes girlfriend. Now the guy has to figure out to make it work in this “Outrageous” comedy. Now the big questions is: “Is it good outrageous or bad outrageous.

On AI, one long time fan of the show tells me that he thinks Ellen has been a disaster and that he expects that the show will become a total piece of garbage when Simon leaves next year.

In reading that quote from the 9th Circuit, I'm wondring ho many people know they live in a Republic. And how few actually know what a republic is>

This current group of Idolers is a teary one.

The Answer:
Michael Jackson is number One. He is followed by Prabhu Deva, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Jenna Dewan, Fred Astair, Chris Brown, Madonna, Paila Abdul and Natalia Oreiro. Don’t kill the messenger. For choices not in the top ten click her and scroll: http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/top-ten-dancers-of-all-time.asp

The Thoughtful Finale':
“Work like you don't need the money, love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching”