Keep it simple stupid.

Today's Tids Issue 2,278

Opening Stuff:

K.I.S.S. has always meant Keep it simple stupid! But I could also say it means Kids in School Suffer. Not because it is hard, but because in the main the adults have screwed up a good thing.

The problem with education has been and will be the word "Reform". Too many people with degrees want to play in the kids sandbox with their pet theories, when things used to be just fine when left in the hands of the teachers teaching kids who basically understood that getting smarter was the real cool thing.

Only about 18% of Americans think that the New Health Care Bill is ok the way it is. This is according to a brand new Rasmussen poll. Over 75% think it needs to be dismantled and rebuilt or at least have many key areas fixed or eliminated. It needs help. Even several prominent Dems have joined the chorus saying it needs help. Where were they when it was being rammed through Congress without being read? Maybe, every bill done by this overwhelmingly caustic Congress of the past two years should be redone. Passing bills to meet timetables generally results in bad legislation. After about 225 years, I'd have to say that no new bill is absolutely urgent. Because I would guess that somewhere, someplace in the wording of all of the laws and bills that have been placed there is something that can cover just about anything.

The President of China, America's largest creditor, said in advance of this week's meeting with 0-Man, "The Dollar system is a 'Product of the Past'." This society of ours isn't our grandfather's world anymore. The return to normalcy will never be what it has been.

The Question:
Kevin Costner has made some of the worst movies in history and a few of the best. His first one of notoriety was one of my favorites. Name the first and some winners and losers.

The Headlines:

--China's President Hu Jintao Arrives; US Companies Stress Many Goals Including Stopping Theft Of Intellectual Property.
--Baghdad Suicide Bombs Kill 45 Iraqi Police Recruits.
--CitiBank Revenue Report Has Futures Backtracking.
--In Pre-Market Trading, Apple Shares Drop 4.5% Over Job's Health Concerns.
--0-Man Says He Will Review All Gov. Regulations With the View To Eliminate All That Slow Job Creation And Reduce Global Competitiveness.
--UN Seize Iranian Weapon's Shipment In Nigeria.
--Nostalgic Romanians Eye Return To Communism.
--Cheney May Have Heart Transplant; Comedians Ready To Pounce.
--Swiss Bank Whistle Blower Hands Over Cayman Island Secret bank Account Records To Assange And Wikileaks.

Back to More Stuff:
So did you hear about the doctor who fixed his squeaky desk with caster oil?

How Things Change Department:
In Pawtucket RI, the birthplace of America's Industrial might, there is a place called the Kalon Club. In a way it symbolizes success across a manufacturing rich America. It was an exclusive Men's club. You know the kind, scorned by feminists and looked down upon by the self appointed righteous. But in fact, its members (And members of clubs like this over the country) were the people who through their sweat, genius and risk taking investment gave America its solid and critical middle class. The middle class that has always been the core of our country's overall strength in the world economy. But, today I learned that this venerable old Kalon Club will be turned into a marijuana growing farm in the center of Pawtucket. So that is what has become of America. Weed instead of wrenches. Pot instead of productivity. Joints instead of job security. Mary Jane instead of Manufacturing. What's next? I shudder to think.

It stuck me as odd that a section of the Sunday Paper would be called "Beauty", and then would be featuring Snooki. Man, what a mess. Maybe I'm not hip.

Almost Near: Chapter 2 continues. --She opened the door to cocafony of hustle and bustle. Grand Central Station on the Cove. She felt energized and immediately noticed several faces that may have been familiar. Josh Simpson, editor of the little newspaper, Sara McRusterson who owed the insurance agency, Jerry Hendricks the boat-builder and Margery McNaughton who she rememebred as a policemen and now looked like the chief. Several shot glances at this intruder into their club. But, they all went quickly back to their discussions and laughs, showing no recognition. This was not the homecoming that she had expected. She was sensing a graying of her vision; Like of clouds slowly blocking the sun.
Rather than push as she had with Mrs. Fletcher and Jimmy, she moved towards and sat at an empty seat at the counter. She shuffled the knife and fork, placing them in a design that suited her compulsions. The glow in her face desolated into doubt. She didn't look different. Her hair is still brown and tied back. She still smiles that enormous smile from the heart. She feels she in her perfect place. But, the people she knows or at least thinks she knows, don't seem to be there with her. Now she talks silently to herself, "Maybe Aunt Ginny can sort it out for me. Maybe I have forgotten more than I remembered."
An older waitress approached. Her face looked as sad as Samantha now felt. "Ain't seen you here before," and then she laid down the menu and turned over a cup. "Coffee?"

Some times I get the feeling that Government is letting the costs of traditional fuels rise so the so-called "Green" alternatives won't appear as outrageously high priced and cost inefficient as they are today. Where is the anger over rising gas prices as there were in the Bush era. Actually, elitists and some academics have always liked high gas prices. It makes them feel so "European." And now they like it even better. It makes "Green" appear affordable.

People are now saying that Gold will rise to $25,000/ounce in anticipation of the US government creating massive inflation to pay for the deficit in cheaper dollars.

Most of the people I see shouting "Let's return to civility in our speech.", really only mean that everything will be ok if you agree with them.

Some day, some how, we have to bring down the EPA. The first amendment line on Religion might just do the trick: "Congress shall make no law repecting the establishment of a religion". It might just work, as this powerful and quite arrogant group represents to many a "Religion". They have the unbridled power to force citizens to do their bidding under penalty of severe punishments. They are behaving much the same as the Church of England and the monarchs who created it. Or like the Catholics in the Spanish Inquisition. Or like the Town Fathers Of Salem mass. This goop group knows no bounds and tends to see all average citizens as "witches".

You have to love The New York Post and its Sunday Pre-Game front cover. A large picture showed a right foot with "Go" painted on the big toe nail and J-E-T-S painted on the other four. The huge black Headline above: "Lick-em"!

Next year the New England Patriots, in addition to their division, play the NFC East, AFC West and Pitt and Indy. At home it's NYJ (Again!), Indy, KC NYG, SD, Miami, Dal Buff. Away it is Pitt, NYJ, Phil, Oak, Mia, Wash, Den and Buff. I'm predicting Superbowl. Hey...we're back!

I'm a NIMBY and proud of it.

My spies in Chi-Town report that our Gov. Lincoln Log-head was the subject of ridicule on Chicago Talk Radio Monday Morning. Now there's the kind of national recognition we need to bring in more business. However, I was told by this Tids reader that no matter how bad Chafee-Lite may appear for RI, RI will never be as bad as Illinois.

The Answer:
Some of Kevin's worst were Prince of Thieves, Waterworld and The Postman. The first great Costner film (To me) was No Way Out. He followed that with a great performance as Eliot Ness in The Untouchables. Of course, Dancing With Wolves is is most famous. He was acclaimed for acting but the real achievement was the Best Picture and Best Director awards fro him. Also good were Revenge, Field of Dreams, JFK, Bodyguard and Bull Durham.

The End:
And in closing, a new report says that 45% of college students learn nothing in first two years! Gadzooks. That's $50-100K down the drain and what for? Well the report goes on to say that only 36% learn anything after four years!! Oh, the kids know how to get good grades, but they are retaining little according to testing designed to determine exccctly what they may have learned. Here's how the students say they spend their time during a full week -- 168 hours: 51% of the hours is for socializing, 24% for sleeping, 9% Outside activities (Working, Volunteering, Student activities), 9% attending class and 7% studying.

You think maybe the problems of the education system maybe one of misguided priorities..By all participants?

Is it in there?

Today's Tids Issue 2,103
Opening Stuff:

Whatever happened to paying for quality products and having them last?

Smoke and Mirrors Department:
The Government will collect and supposedly accumulate healthcare money for five years or so before spending it on the promised services. This will falsely appear as a deficit reduction – added revenue without accompanying expenditure. Unless of course congressional leprechauns are spending their new found pot of gold on something other than for which it is intended. Remember these are the same folks who forgot about the word “Trust” in the Social Security Trust Fund.

The Question:
Keith Kellogg founder of the great Kellogg Cereal Company was born 150 years ago today. Name the five top selling brands of cereal.

The Headlines:
--Geithner To Visit Biggest Creditor China; Will Discuss Dispute Over Currency.
--UConn Woman Match UCLA’s Back-To-Back Undefeated Seasons; Stanford Had UConn On Ropes Before Second Half Resurgence led By Incomparable Maya Moore.
--7.7 Quake Off Indonesia’s Sumatra Island Fails To Deliver Tsunami.
--Iran Ridicules 0-Man’s New Nuke Strategy.
--White House To remove Terms Like Islamic Radicalism From Official Documents Describing US Security Strategy.
--Stock Futures Lower.

Back to More Stuff:

As we have heard over the months, the White House is brainstorming ideas to add jobs. Typical of this brain trust is their idea to make all gas stations “Full Services.’ That’s the way unions think you grow business; by adding perfectly unnecessary employees. Do you think that anybody close The Great Mocker has any idea how capitalism works?

American Idol’s Beatles Week has been sloppy the past couple of years. However, last night they all stepped up to Abbey Road and crossed safely. The big problem is who goes. Even the Timster looked decent, maybe his best yet. Considering how he fared when he was awful, he’ll probably escapes the bottom three tonight. My bottom three are Aaron, Andy and Katie. Katie is only there because she doesn’t seem to be connecting to the voters. Actually I vote her in the top three last night along with BoSox and Casey. A man has to go. Period. And it will be either Aaron or Andy. I’m saying Andy. Of the rest, the Judges loved Lee’s hey Jude. I thought it was mediocre. Michael Lynch belongs in the Bottom three, but won’t be there. Siobhan was pleasantly bluesy last night. She continues to be one of my favorites. Maybe we can get rid of Tim next week.

A good early adoptor Techno-reader has these comments on the iPad. He, a devout user of all things Internet, thinks that the new product’s greatest advantage making owners look good to other Tech-adopters. Apparently though, technophobes are aghast at the Time magazine app costing $4.99 for just one issue –an issue featuring Steve Jobs on the cover. Our reader also noted a woman in her car looking at her new iPad. She seemed to be thinking, he thought, “What do I do with this thing now that I own it?”

It seems that just about every day I read a headline “Right Wing Hate Groups on the rise.” But when Left Wing Hate Groups were popping up everywhere, tossing bombs at Bush, the media was their biggest cheerleader urging on their assault on the non-intellectual with the Texas twang.

If there are so many more people out there loving dogs and animals more than ever, how come there are so many new pet shelters springing up around the neighborhood?

I forget…why was I supposed to be so interested in Elian Gonzalez?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 64 continues. –Murph though a minute. “You know, he started, I don’t think I ever knew that until we were rescued.” He stopped talking and looked off into space. I though he was just taking a deep breath, thinking about his ordeal. All of a sudden he started again. This time with more energy as if he thought of something. “You know,” he started again. “When those guys in that black SUV stopped me on the road Laura was with me. I remember now looking over at her, ready to play the hero and tell her not to worry. But,” he paused and stared out; as if he was seeing her again in his mind. “But, she was as cool as could be. She was just sitting there as if nothing was happening. Like she was watching a cooking show on TV or something.”
Richie chimed in, “Laura was always scary to me…to us.” Jen and Barbara were nodding vigorously.
I asked. “Where in the SUV did they put you and Laura?”
“You know, I don’t know.” Murph answered quickly. “They stuck a needle in my arm and I went out fast. I never saw anything happen to Laura. And while I was scared as hell when I woke up in that weird room, all wired up or somethin’, I never realized that Laura wasn’t there at all.”
“Maybe you should be bringing in Laura,” I suggested to Henry who was busy making lots of notes.
I turned to Richie, who was holding Jen’s hand. “Tell us more about Laura.” He looked at Jen, almost for approval.
“As I said she scared all of us, except big Murph there, who probably would do anything she asked to keep his good thing going,” he smiled a little, “If you know what I mean,” he finished.
“She scared me too,” Murph quickly added.

Why do I have this sensation that more foreign heads of state are laughing at us more these days?

Though not excusing at all the abhorrent atrocities of the pedophile priests and the enabling of further sickening activities by Vatican upper management, I can understand the reasoning that secularists may want to discredit the Pope for his stands against abortion and gay lifestyles.

FEMA Director Napolitano was in RI saying “We want to bring Rhode Island back to where it was”. To which RI’ers were shouting, “Oh no! Anything but that!”

Why am I getting this feeling that the US developing an ostrich security plan – head in the sand. Everything I see coming out of this White House seems to dismiss or excuse all of the haters in the world except Republicans. Let’s see, Islamic Radicals don’t exist, but right wing hate groups are really evil. Is that about it?

The Answer:
Cheerios is number 1. Next is Frosted Flakes and then Honey Nut Cheerios, Post Honey Bunches of Oats and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. In addition to Cheerios and Frosted Flakes some of the other favorites still pulling their net weight are Captain Crunch, Lucky Charms, Trix, Corn Pops, Coco Pops, Rice Krispies Fruity Pebbles and Raisin Bran.

Food for Thought:

If pasta and anti-pasta can exist on the same table, maybe Israel and Palestine can do so in the Middle East tangle of spaghetti.

You can always find something good.

Today's Tids Issue 2,074
Opening Stuff:

How great is the news that Pakistan and India are talking to each other. Any time that mortal enemies with nukes sit down to chat in a friendlier than average way, it is always good news. In this case it is even better. With an easing of tensions on the Pakistan southern border, it frees up troops to fight the hated Taliban in the North. What it comes down to is that the Pakistanis hate the North Pakistan Taliban even more than the old foe India. Ironically, the Pakistanis love the Afghanistan Taliban. Can you say heroin?

Hey, you have to take your good news where you can find it. I find it in touching my toes…and then rising back up straight again. And not having to call 911.

I’m on the side that says lets get rid of the alleged waste in healthcare first – and that includes adding serious tort reform --and then start building a new program after we see what we have left.

The Question:
The Harris Interactive Research Company has completed a massive poll across 1,000 brands across 42 product categories to determine the “Highest Rated Brands” by consumers. What are the top five?

The Headlines:
--Nothing Gained At Summit.
--Stocks See A Little Sunlight Through The Snowflakes.
--New York, Non-Coastal New England Buried Under Snow.
--Pundits Wonder If Complicated Reconciliation Is Next Step After Summit.
--AIG Loses $8.9 Billion.
--Iraq To reinstate 20,000 Sadaam-era Army Oficers.
--Ethics Panel Finds House Ways & Means Chairman Rangel Found In Violation Of Rules.

Back to More Stuff:

Cute, Cuddly Thieves and Killers Department: --If the Killer Whale was a pit bull he’d be dead. The perception of cuddliness counts. –Doris Thompson is a life long thief and willing to steal from anybody. She’s received serious jail time 7 times. But, because she is 80 something and some people think she is cute, she has achieved kindly eccentric status. But, if she gets out again, lock your doors. She rationalizes her thievery of medical offices by saying that doctors are cheats and keep their money in drawers. But here’s her explanation for a 55 year life of crime: “I wouldn’t do all this nonsense if the government gave us more money.”! Tell her to start robbing some illegals before they send it home.

Don’t expect many novelists of the future to be romanticizing their favorite “dog eared” Kindle.

Wiley in his cartoon series “Non Sequitur” often explains the feelings of average folks about complex subjects in simple terms. For instance, today he depicts the Garden of Eden with a nude Adam and Eve standing behind bushes and a leering snake dangling form a tree next to a big ole’ apple. The captions says: “He says it’s a subprime fruit we can have at an adjustable rate, so what’s the worst that can happen?”

Dangling the Rosy Red Apple for fun & Profit Department: Bernanke says that the Central Bank is looking into possible shenanigans by Goldman Sachs and other Clueless Lane companies revolving around the use of high risk financial instruments like Credit Default Swaps (CDS) to make bets that Greece would default on its debt. Is Wall Street the biggest Bookie joint in the universe?

Don’t you wonder how groups of people or countries can hate each other for thousands of years?

The Novel:

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 56 continues.
I was feeling kind of beautiful as I sat up in my bed awaiting Kent, and Izzy. My mind was racing but not as fast as my heart. I heard a commotion outside my room. I sat up straight, and took another quick glance at the mirror. I’m feel like a girl on her first date. I looked up.
“Hi beautiful. Good news.”
It was Paul. “Paul! What a surprise. I’m sure my cheeks were brilliant red.” He ran in and gave me a huge hug. I guess he didn’t think I was brittle any more. “I pushed him away. Just a little.
“I found a baby sitter for the kids, called the hospital and asked them to send up an extra dinner for me. I thought it was time we had a little romantic dinner!”
I looked at him. He seemed so happy. I didn’t know what I felt. But, he was bubbling. That is very nice Paul”. It sounded flat.
“They wouldn’t let me bring a candle.” He laughed. “I heard from Kent Middleton’s group that the financing went through. They seemed happy to have me on board and of course very happy for the future afforded them by a certain brilliant financier!”
He picked up my hand and held it.
“I can hardly wait to have you at home.”
Before I could answer, I heard footsteps entering the room. Kent followed Izzy to my bedside. I looked up and my heart leapt. Kent started to smile that little smile of his. Then I noticed that his eyes went to my hand in Paul’s.

Back To More Stuff, Again:

Clinton will never stop distorting the truth about his perjury.

I guess one of my favorite things is applauding people who overcome big falls. People who pull themselves up without the manufactured façade of a public relations campaign. I have been disheartened lately over the unwarranted outrage by YouTube aficionados, Tweeters and FaceBookers highlighting some bad notes hit by former great and now recovering Whitney Houston. I firmly believe that this woman wants to make it back to, at least, herself. 10’s of thousands of Australians during her current tour are loving what she is doing. However, because of some personal inadequacies Tweeter and YouTube twits are relishing her occasional, very occasional stumble. And, broadcasting throughout the world.

I was disappointed with the removal of Joe Mendes from the idol last night. I thought the kid connected and frankly was very refreshing amidst a lot of the crap I saw Wednesday evening. I’m guessing the judges were surprised too. As was Urban who was totally amazed that he survived over Mendes. The Tids correctly picked 3 of the 4 castoffs. But, the miss was a big one.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I’ve been watching the trailers for “Cop Out” wondering who would ever watch that except the brain dead? The critics this morning totally agree. But, there are plenty of brain dead out there who will flock to this because of favorite stars like Bruce Willis, Tracey Morgan and Sean William Scott will do stupid things and be in car wrecks. Willis is very Willis, but I personally tired of that act shortly after “Moonlight”. The plot is thin and the jokes are very weak. It’s a buddy picture about two cops trying to stop the spread of a Mexican drug gang. The funniest thing about this movie is watching Director Kevin Smith trying to get out of an airplane seat.
--The great Russian author Leo Tolstoy may seem like a dull subject as the premise for a movie. But this film starring Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti and Kerry Condon is quite good. It is centered around the fifty year marriage of Tolstoy (Plummer) and his wife (Mirren) and her efforts to stop her duped, communist leaning hubby from donating the family fortune to a anarchistic peace movement just before the great revolution. I think it looks good.
--The Crazies with Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell is much better than you may think. For some mysterious reason people of a small Iowa farm town are turning into homicidal maniacs. Nervous townsfolk and a no-holds-barred lawman make for some excellent escapism.

There is absolutely no reason to give into old age. You are always the same person and you will be surprised at what you can keep on doing, if you don’t believe it’s time to start stopping doing it. And, that goes for people who think turning 40, 50, 60, and 70 is getting old.

Do you think anybody will notice when the players in Major League Soccer go on strike as planned?

You can always find anecdotal evidence (See “Summit”) to support any cause you support. It’s just a cheap trick used by salesmen without a good story. I know. I used it often.

The Answer:
The 2010 winners are Hersey Kisses, M&M Plain chocolate, Hershey’s Milk chocolate candy bar, Google and Duracel Batteries. The top 10 in 2009 were M&M plain, Hersey Kisses, Arm&Hammer baking soda, Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, Hershey’s bar, Kleenex, Campbell’s, Google M&M Peanut and Crayola. You are not alone in your cravings for chocolate!

The End:

Roses are red.
Snow is white.
I hope your weekend,
Is a pure delight!


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