The Lazaro Effect.

Today's Tids Issue 2,812
Opening Stuff:

Ben Carson is getting a fast education on the vast difference between truth and politics.

It isn't often that American Idol appears "above the fold", but last night was significant, where honesty won out over emotion. Lazaro at long last was voted off. He had been decidedly the worst performer for weeks, but was buoyed along by a block of obviously misinformed voters and sympathy. He represented a sad new tendency within the American culture -- it's everybody else's fault but mine. But last night eyes opened wide and said a big gigantic "no" to carrying along mediocrity for another week. Maybe Lazaro is the symbol of an America rising from the dead.

Keep your eyes open for lower priced PC's. The latest sales numbers are so bleak that shortly prices could tumble dramatically. Call Mothers Day, Christmas in May. The problem is that Mom would probably prefer a new tablet over a lower price laptop, even with rose covered covers. Now, if that Lenova "convertible goes on sale, I'm there.

The Question:
Need to get away over the weekend? What do you think, according to Travel and Liesure, would be the best ten European cities to visit.

The Headlines:
--Unexpected Dip In retail sales Has Wall Street Opening Lower.
--Kerry, Obama Denounce NK Rhetoric.
--Iowa Restricts Use Of Drones By Police; Cites Privacy Concerns.
--Starbucks To Lower Price Of Bagged Coffee.
--Bankrupt San Bernardino To Renege On Bond Debts In Favor Of Continuing Payments Into Pensions.
--Dog Killing Epidemic Growing Faster Than potatoes In Idaho.
--Religious Bombings Continue In Iraq.
--Russia Warns US Of Overstepping In Human Rights Restrictions.

At first I thought the Texas college knife wielding slasher of 14 was perhaps a gun sympathizer tying to make a point. I was happy to learn that he turned out to be a stark-raving lunatic exactly like the mad men who kill with guns. I think that might be a clue as to a solution in the mass killiing problem.

Free Lunch, Department:
It seems like I'm seeing more and more TV commercials for products ranging from motorized scooters to car windshield repair, where the main theme is "At no cost to you." As in don't worry, the government or insurance company or some other big donor in the sky will give it to you "free". Kids demand music on the internet free; adults download their movies. No body seems to get the idea that someone somewhere has to pay for all of it. Of, yeah, I forgot, the rich will pay for it. We'll just raise their taxes.

Do you know what I'm not liking today? Professional golfers bringing back white leather belts. What's next, Nehru jackets.

It looks like yesterday we may have generated a Bumper Sticker War. A resourceful reader answers yesterday's 1st Bumper Sticker of the 2016 campaign with his #2 entry: Monica Lewinski's X-Boyfriend's Wife for President.

Changing Times, Department:
Up in enigmatic Michigan, a call to that great state's Human Services Department will get you "Press 1 for English; Press 2 for Spanish; Press 3 for Arabic." Now take your Blood Pressure. It is expected that the most frequent question may be: "What kind of benefits do I get for my three wives?"

In the things we'd be aghast if we knew about it, Department, I give you one of the items in the Obama budget, with a small "b". Did you know that liquor makers get a tax break for adding flavors? In his proposed plan, The Prez is going to eliminate the break, but how did that get in there in the first place. I don't think Congress debated fully on that lobbyist add-on. For instance I would have voted for "Butterscotch in Ice Cream" tax deduction before strawberry in vodka. As we have seen in the past, "marketing" today is getting Congress to pass laws.

I only care about Cuba if we learn that Kim Jung-un has installed  nuke missiles on a launch pad in Havana.

Who last Fall would have imagined a Frozen Four Championship (That's NCAA College Hockey) game between two teams a three wood apart in Connecticut -- Yale and Quinnipiac. How about Brown and Providence College next year? Don't be surprised.

The irony of Government and Unions is that they chase away more jobs than they save.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--"42" is the big one this weekend. It's about Jackie Robinson's battle to overcome prejudice while keeping his batting average up. He was my hero as a 9-10 year old, and every kid wanted to steal bases like Jackie. I saw him in Ebbets field in 1947. He always lived up to his expectations and the movie lives up to the quality of his reputation. Good acting and well told story.
--I think Disconnect, about people looking for human contact in a wired world, looks like a winner. It involves several stories of lives all affected by cyber happenings. A lawyer who can't get away from his cell phone while the family suffers. A widowed cop whose kid cyber-bullies. A couple who enters a dangerous situation after their secrets are exp[osed on-line. And more. All of these strangers eventually come together.

The Conscience: Chapter 18 continues.
   After the two phone calls, I managed to nurse a martini instead of gulping it down. It was probably a bad idea as I felt agitated ridng up in the Biglietto Building elevator. I was feeling dread, but I didn't know why. As I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Angelica already in the reception room talking the amazing looking executive concierge. I was probably standing there with my lower jaw on my knees. I looked over at Angelica and felt guilty ogling Brianna the beautiful. I think I regained my composure as the boss turned and came over to plant the kiss on my cheek. It helped make up for the lack of alcohol.
   "My parents will be in shortly. They are anxious to meet you. Especially mother. She must have heard of the "Bello Americano". She looked me up and doiwn, smiled approvingly in a sarcastic type of manner and turned. "Today at lunch we will get to the meat of this negotiation. Would you like a drink before they arrive. I said yes at "D-R".
  I was enjoying the mini-rush after two sips when a door in the panelled wall behind Angelica's desk burst open and in walked her mother, followed by papa. Her mother's dark eyes bore into my soul.  She looked like she was reading my inner life. She didn't throw up so she hadn't reached the bad parts. The parents came around either side of the desk, and greeted my warmly with handshakes. "So nice to meet you Mr. Morgan." It was warm and friendly. I was surprised.

The Answer:
Number one is Rome. While there take in  the comedy show in the Federal Office Buildings.The rest in order are Florence, Istanbul, Prague, Venice, Paris, Barcelona, Saltzburg, Vienna and Krakow. I'd probably pick, Vienna, Saltzburg, Prague and Barcelona.

Good news, Carnival Cruise has a Boston to Venice Special, $500 and a auxiliary generator in the bath room. Any takers?

Have terrific weekend wherever you go. See you Monday.

What to do. What to do.

Today's Tids Issue # 2,330

Opening Stuff:

As the debt mounts every day and the deficit clock continues click away to the point when creditors stop lending or rapidly increase interest, Congress has come up with a new plan. They'll all gather in a large dark room and repeat 100 times, "It will go away." It will go away..."

As Libya enters it's annual insect infestation season, citizens rejoice over the new "No Fly" zone.

The Question: 
People often wonder about what to do about their jobs/careers. Give me Ten signs that it is time to quit your job.

The Headlines:

--March Jobs Addition Number, 201K Meets Expectations; Feb Number Revised Downward To 208K.
--Stocks Rise On Data And M&A Activity.
--NASA Sends Back First Photo Of Mercury. http://www.space.com/11254-nasa-photos-mercury-orbit-messenger-spacecraft.html
--Libyan Rebels Retreat.
--Japan Nuke Dangers Rise.
--House Kills Obama's Ill Fated Foreclosure Rescue Plan; Left And Right Have Criticized The Plan As being Ineffective And Too Costly.
--Economists Worry That Nations With Strong Economies (China, India) Are Improving Too Fast And Weaker Economies (US) Too Slow.
--Ariz Gov Brewer Signs Into Law First Bill In Nation Banning Abortions Because Of Race Or Gender Of Fetus; Ban Prohibits Parents From Using Abortion As "Selection" Aid.

Back to More Stuff:
Have we forgotten the masses of Japanese dead and suffering and the devastated cities as the ADD news media turns its attention to the sexier nuke story? I haven't

Woman's Final Four looks good. UConn overwhelmed Duke on the way to what could be the second three consecutive championship run in the last 9 years. Baylor's loss was a big surprise, making Texas A&M the potential upset king...queen. Baylor has everybody coming back and could go into 2012 as #1. I love the guard play of Notre Dame. Stanford, the only team to beat UConn, could meet again for the championship. Great scripting here.

The powerful Eastern teams were shut out of the "Frozen Four", with mighty New Hampshire the last of the east bowing out in the eight. Much of the country overlooks the NCAA hockey championships, but they are among the most exciting.

Almost There: Chapter 13 continues. --Audrey turned serious and put on her reporter hat. "I went to the files and found what I thought I remembered. The Quimpierre disappearance was actually a fairly popular event about a year ago. You know, one day they are a family living on a street, coming and going. Taking kids to sports events. Occasionally going to church. Having people, over for cookouts. Then one day nobody sees them. Just like that, gone with no word of where they went."
"Family?" Tucker asked.
Audrey shuffled a couple of papers. "Yup, kids about 13 and 14. Two girls." Tucker nodded for her to continue. "There were a lot of interviews with neighbors and friends of Rudy. His friends, male and female, always wondered how he snagged a beautiful, well educated intelligent woman like Samantha. Rudy apparently had a wild childhood and ran with a pretty tough crowd before he became a "model" citizen.
"I met her alone. No husband. No 13 and 14 year old girls. Maybe I have helped you stumble on a book possibility that will make you famous!"
She smiled, "I looked you up on the web and found that you are a pretty good writer yourself." Audrey seemed very comfortable with this stranger.

Something must be going on because one by one NFL Team owners are coming forward saying "There will be a football Season this year." Bud Adams and Arthur Blank are the latest two. They must know something.

If chanting doesn't work, Congress people are expected to don Ruby Red Shoes, close their eyes and click there heels together three times. Yup that should do it. Talk about no heart, no courage and no brain!

My brother -in-law and I played golf with a couple yesterday. The woman said her name was Ruth, but she hated her name so she said, "You can call me Charlie." Golf is better when the atmosphere is relaxed.

The Boston Red Sox have just announced that the name for their new spring training stadium to open next year will be Jet Blue. For me it is much too close to the blasphemous Jet Green.

The Answer:
1. You aren't learning anything new. 2. You never (Rarely) have a day when you wake up excited to go to work. 3. You spend the majority of the time web surfing. 4. You don't like your co-workers. 5. Too little money to pay bills. 6. You spend time looking for other jobs. 7. You haven't had a raise in two years. 8. The boss sucks. 9. The company isn't doing well. 10. You are always stressed.
I would add that you hate the politics, you're stuck in a quagmire and the job doesn't allow you to maximize your personal strengths.

The End:
Jan Brewer for President.

I still can't figure out why I picked the name Audrey for my newest character in Almost Near.

This just in: The entire Congress has voted to resign on mass and leave the deficit problem to successor solons named by Governors.