One side is enough.

Today's Tids Issue 2,202

Opening Stuff:

The Connecticut animals who butchered 11 and 17 year old sisters, raped and murdered a wonderful mom and beat the hell out of the father and husband are the reason why we have a death penalty. Plain and simple. Yet the lawyers are creating a scenario to suggest that this unconscionable rampage was the fault of the Police. And the real criminal act may be that of Radio and TV talk show loons who by merely raising the suggestion for disc\ussion give credence to an excuse for savage murders. My hope is that correct sentence of a death penalty doesn’t get appealed for 15 years.

What a cheery way to start off the beginning of a beautiful fall weekend. But, think about how cheery the world would be without animals roaming among us? But, there are some who would walk behind these criminals with plastic bags.

A gimme is best defined as an agreement between two golfers…neither of whom can putt very well.

The Question:
Today marks the 148th anniversary of the bloodiest single day battle in US history. What was it and how many were killed. Name five other bloodiest battles. (Not including NYC/Chi gang wars).

The Headlines:

--Consumer Confidence Shows Decline; Lowest level In A Year; Stocks Falter.
--Five Arrested In Britain After Alleged Threat To Pope.
--Elizabeth Warren Named By Obama To Set Up Consumer Financial Protection Agency; Says, “The Time for Financial Ticks And Traps Is Over.”
--Engineers Ready to Put Final Plug Into Leaky Gulf Well.
--Heavy Damage Indicates That Tornado May have Hit NYC Last Night.
--Seattle Cartoonist Who Supported More Caricatures Of Mohammed Urged By FBI To Go Into Hiding.

Back to More Stuff:
I was walking through the family room when my eyes were diverted to a “Breaking News” announcement on the TV. It was the John’s Hopkins murder things yesterday. The scene appeared to be one of reporters milling around. I quickly noticed a ‘blonde’ woman among the somber men and discrete female news people. I smiled to myself and said “Ah, Fox News is on the scene!” Sure enough, within moments the Blond reporter was ID’d as Fox newsperson Molly Henneberg. Profiling works.

I’m a bit of an habitual profiler myself. For instance, I think all people wearing flat brim Ya – Ya –Ya (Well You know How I Mean) caps look either dumber than hell or like criminals. How unfairly dogmatic am I? But, this morning I read where more people being arraigned in NYC for some criminal act or activity wear Ya-Ya-Ya (WYKWIM) caps than any other head covering.. For every 3 wearing a Mets cap, 100 are wearing a Bronx BB Team cap. And no other team across the land comes close. Hey, wait a minute…don’t most rappers wear the dreaded Ya…NY baseball team cap? I think so. I don’t want to rush to judgment though..

I look around our economy and see too many people being paid by people to do things which they could easily do themselves.

The establishment Pols and the self absorbed pundits appear to be awakening to the fact that the Tea Party is going to be a real force this fall. They are realizing that this so-called party really isn’t about partisanship at all. It’s about people simultaneously reaching the conclusion that nobody in Washington listens to people any more and it has to stop. This is “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more” like we have never experienced before. A lot of smart every day people are real tired of the condescending attitudes of privileged leaders. “Her me, or you’re out!”

Headlines that don’t deserve to be printed Department:
The dominant headline in Yahoo News this morning was “How Bill Clinton Kept his Promise to Chelsea.” You might think that a former President could get into the news for more than promising a daughter that he would lose weight.

Like say Jimmy Carter, where yesterday it was revealed that he is now blaming the deceased Ted Kennedy for his failed presidency. This egocentric ex says that Kennedy purposely squashed his Health care program to get even with him for winning the primaries. What a nasty little man.

This is the United States Government…Check you egos at the door.

Through The Same Eyes: Chapter 94 continues, --I ducked behind a big old Lincoln wishing it was one of those giant pick-ups. I looked back to my right. Bill was looking around the parking lot. He pulled out his phone. No Billy. No. Don’t dial. I reached into my pocket and fumbled to find the ring volume button. “Ri…” Got it. Did anybody hear that? I looked to the ramp. The man had disappeared. Where was he? I got to the ground, laid out flat and looked under the cars. I saw legs to my right walking towards the area where my car was parked. To my left I saw Bill’s feet standing there. I could only imagine where his head was looking. Eventually he’ll see my car. Don’t go there Billy. I was his mother again. I pulled out my phone and speed dialed. As I heard the ring in the distance another pair of legs walked up behind Bill. His turned, as I heard him say “Hello”.
“Casually turn this off, put your phone in your pocket, look around, shrug your shoulders and go back down to the office.” I hung up immediately. I watched Bill’s feet as he turned. He stepped sideways. The other feet
moved with him. Bill’s feet started backing up. The other man turned and walked towards Billy. Now I saw two sets of legs surrounding Billy’s. Pressed against a tire. My phone rang. They redialed my number.

Blumenthal of Connecticut is exactly the kind of lifetime, sniveling little politicians that we don’t need in Congress. Wrestling mogul wife Linda McMahon has narrowed the margin from over 25 points to within the margin of statistical error in her underdog battle with this stagnant pol who lied about his military record and would probably lie about anything that would undermine his ideologies or his chances to win. It appears that the unknown McMahon is the beneficiary of a lot of deep seeded anti-Blumenthal sentiment as opposed to an overwhelming “For Linda” wave of enthusiasm. A raced to watch.

Reading between the Liens Movie Reviews:
--The Town is a much anticipated crime thriller, and it doesn’t disappoint. Set in grimy Boston and written, directed and starred-in by beantowner Ben Affleck, this yarn keeps you moving along. A band of coldhearted master bank robbers could be defeated by the love the leader for a former hostage. In the last robbery, a woman hostage is released to become the main witness for the police…and is now living in fear of reprisal. Her life is on edge until she meets Doug. Love at first sight for both. But, Doug is the leader of the gang who terrorized her just weeks earlier.
--Easy A is a pretty good teen flick. A girl tells a little white lie about losing her virginity to enhance her social status, and this clean cut girl finds her life paralleling the story of Hester Prynne in her favorite English Lit talc, The Scarlet Letter. Initially disturbed, she then finds a way to use her infamy for fame and fortune.
--People seem to be liking the supernatural thriller Devil. It is the story of a group of people trapped on an elevator, and one of them is the devil! Lots’ of heart stopping moments. Not for claustrophobics.
--The kids animated film of the week is Alpha and Omega. Wolves named Kate and Humphrey hitchhike trying to get to their home lair after being removed to the east by Park rangers (Probably because there are more ranchers herds upon which to prey than there are in the big cities). Along the way they encounter angry bears, prickly porcupines and a golfing goose.

The Answer:
The bloodiest single day battle of course is Antietam of the Civil War. A scourge where 3,650 died in one day. However, Antietam was well down the list of bloodiest Civil War battles – They are in order Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Spotsylvania, Battle of the Wilderness (Virginia), Chancellorsville, Shiloh, Stones River and then Antietam. After Antietam you had 2nd Battle of Bull Run and Fort Donelson (Tenn). The bloodiest all time is questionable. One list has 800,000–1,600,000 - Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943), 670,000–1,500,000, Siege of Leningrad (1941–1944), 700,000 - Battle of Moscow (1941–1942), 400,000–680,000 - Battle of Kiev (1941) 500,000 - Battle of Smolensk (1941) 370,000 and Battle of Voronezh (1942).Another list of the Bloodiest WWII battles lists Leningrad, Stalingrad, Battle of the Bylge, Normandy and Okinawa. They are all bad. And if somebody you love dies in it, its is always the bloodiest battle of any war in history.

The Beginning:
Of course nothing is as bloody as political wars these days. Where deception and outflanking the voter is becoming the norm.

Actually, I’m a scratch golfer. I write down the good scores and scratch out the bad ones.

Love your week end. go Pats!!

Word Play is Punderful.

Today's Tids Issue 2,199
Opening Stuff:

Tis sad to know that some people have never seen the magnificence of dawn.

Many a day I feel like Charlie Brown. Dreaming of things that will never be. Trusting without hesitation. And thinking that a simplified life is a wonderful thing. Fortunately I know no Lucy’s.

Business is having it tough in this uncertain economy. But John Deere has always used sound business policies to keep a steady course even in the roughest times. In fact to keep consumers happy they will stand behind every product…except one. The manure spreader!

The Question:
What is paronomasia? There three ways to practice the art of Paronomasia. What are they?

The Headlines:
--Poll Numbers: 0-Man Dips To Lowest Numbers On Handling Economy At 41% Down From 44% Last Month; 81% Say Economy Poor Up From 72%; But, 75% Agree Unrealistic To Turn Around In 18 Months.
--11/12 Jurors Ready To Convict Blago Of Political Corruption Crime Spree; Mistrial Declared On All Major Counts; Convicted On One Of 24 Counts.
--Five Most Stressful Cities: Las Vegas (Duh), LA, Houston, Tampa, Riverside Cal.
--Barney Frank Wants Fannie And Freddie Abolished.
--Seattle’s Traffic Court “Judge Judy” Suspended Because Of Excessive Insults.
--Found So-Called Terrorist Interrogation Tapes Much Ado About Nothing.
--Despite Growing Concerns About Health Of Economy Markets Edging Up To Achieve Technical Levels.

Back to More Stuff:
An interesting effect of the economy on Dem and Obama popularity and chances for re-election is that of the huge block of Obama student supporters. The wide eyed and idealistic of college days are now in the real world and feel a new, different kind of sense of urgency. He’s going to have to find a he number of illegal aliens to make up for the lost of students.

The Dems and 0 may also have added to their woes with the support of the mosque thing. Most Americans who oppose it (63% of New Yorkers in a new poll today) aren’t disputing that they may have a right under the constitution. They are concerned an=bout the sensitivity of a religion that would mock sacred ground. And to many it looks like Cuomo, Obama and Bloomberg just don’t get it. You saw how fast Harry Reid ran away from it.

Has anyone every coined a better phrase to describe today’s 24 hour news assaults than Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”?

An abundance of Government money will generally tend to incubate incurablefraud.

One of the basic rules of clear writing is avoiding the overuse of adverbs. One well chosen verb will always describe the action better. And while we are on the rules of grammar, remember that a double negative is a no-no.

The Tids has been a supporter of a better understanding of puns. This simple yet controversial form of word play and humor has been discussed for centuries. Oscar Levant said: “A pun is the lowest form of humor…when you don’t think of it first.” Ambrose Bierce said: “A form of wit, to which wise men stoop and fools aspire.” But Poe probably got it right: “Of puns it has been said that those who most dislike them are those who are least able to utter them.”

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 89. –“Listen, Kent, I work for you so you can do whatever you want to do. But, I have to tell you that your boss is on the warpath and it is worrying me.”
Over the year or so since we hired the security firm, I listened patiently to the ego rants of Cotter, but now he was fast becoming my most important ally. And a good guy to have on my side. “I’ll try to get Izzy under control again. But, just do what I say and it will work out just fine.” I had called him to ask that he tell the guard out front that he was closing down the operation and that I was taking Laura. He agreed immediately and quickly saw my reasoning of not telling Isabelle. He was sleazy but he knew how to ally himself. And he taking care of himself was good for me. “Thanks Jason.”
I was about to press the off button when I heard him again, “Kent, I have to warn you about your friend Durham. She is your friend?” I nodded at he phone. He continued. “Isabelle is making noise about permanently getting rid of Sarah Durham. I don’t like it.”
I looked at the phone. Like it was my enemy. “I’ll take care of it. Thanks.” Then I spoke again. Keep me posted about anything to do with Mag…Sarah. Are you still watching her?”
“She spotted us, so my guy turned in the old car and rented a Volvo which seems to fit in better with the neighborhood.”
I hung up. I went into the room where Laura was still sitting staring angrily at the wall. Her head turned. Her eyes seemed blank. “Let’s go.” Her face transformed with a smile that I would never associate with Laura..

Newt Gingrich is becoming a waffler just like all of the rest of them.

It must be something that happens to politicians. The power? Probably. In business it’s called the Peter Principle. In politics it’s the petering out of principles. Did you know that scientists have discovered a parasite that resides in brains of animals and prehistoric remains. And they believe it may still be at work in the brains of humans. Hell, all you have to do is look at Washington DC. You don't need another taxpayer supported grant for that.

The Picasso Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art In NYC has drawn 700,000 people since the April opening. The lowest attendance baseball team, Cleveland has had just over a million for the same time period. I wonder if you can get a hot dog and a beer at the museum?

It’s not at all surprising to learn that there is a rise in hearing loss among teens. New info has one in twenty with a loss of hearing at some level. Maybe they measured the kids while they had an iPod stuck in their ears.

The Answer:
Paronomasia is the act or practice of “Punning”. There are three kinds of puns: 1. Homographic (Antanaclasis) – Multiple meaning from a single spelling –Eat a pickle; In a pickle. 2. Homophonic (Polyptoton) –Sound alike words with different spelling – Idle and idol. 3. Double Sound – Substituting sounds as in “Knock-Knock” jokes -- “Orange who; Orange you going to open the door. And then there are the different classes of Puns. “Daffynicians – Pasteurize: Too far to see.; “Tom Swifties” – You’re a real zero, Tom said naughtily; “Spoonerisms” – Three cheers for our queer old dean Victoria.; “Signs of the times” – Sign on divorce lawyer’s wall: Satisfaction guaranteed or your honey back.; “Definitions” – Egoist: One who is me deep in conversation.; “Palindromes” (Sentence that eads the same both ways) – Madam, I’m Adam.; “On the job” – I used to be a ballet dancer but found it too-too difficult.

As the carpenter said to me…”Bored yet?”

Maybe soccer is bad for you.

Today's Tids Issue 2,152
Opening Stuff:

I sense that many in this country are trying create a feeling of national guilt because we are not a strong soccer country in a world where soccer is king. Let’s see…The US is the most robust, singularly successful economy of the last 200 years. We are the freest country that ever existed. And we were never particularly good at soccer. In fact in recent years where soccer is showing some gains in popularity, the basic economy is changing intrinsically for the worse and freedoms are being chipped away on a daily basis. Maybe soccer is baaad.

I’m beginning to think I’m naïve. An intellectual vacuum. People keep on telling me that they are giving up the newspaper because there’s nothing in there any more. Yet I spend hours reading it each morning and come away fully satisfied with the use of my time. What do these people know what’s missing that I can’t see? It’s disturbing to feel so inadequate.

God, how awful was that flash flood that swept in upon sleeping campers and took the lives of 16 to 40 souls who were enjoying the calm and comfort of open skies and uncluttered forests next to a once rippling stream. How horrible. My heart aches.

The Mexican drug cartels are appearing to be considerably more dangerous and vicious than the Taliban. And, they are killing out of control with in inches of the US border.

The Question:
Here‘s a few questions for today. 1. Who was the first TV couple to be seen in bed together? 2. What state has the highest percentage of people who walk to work? 3. What was the frist novel ever written on a typewriter? 4. Each King in a deck of cards represents a different king in history. Name the king for each suit. 5. And finally, what is the most popular name requested by boat owners for their boats?

The Headlines:
--Moody's Downgrades Greece Debt To Junk Status.
--US Markets Up Early; Contracting In Afternoon..
--Pilot Strike Forces Spirit Airlines To cancel All flights Through Thursday; Thousands Stranded.
--BP Board Meeting On Dividend Action.
--Ethinic Violence In Kyrgystan Escalates to Levels Unheard Of Even By Kyrgystanians.
--US Discovers Over A trillion In Mineral Assets On Afghan Territory.; Could Be Boost for Economy There.
--Sausage-man Singer Jimmy Dean Dead At 81.
--Celtics Win; Lead NBA Series 3-2.
--World Cup Security Guards Riot Over Wages; SA Armed Police Called In..

Back to More Stuff:

A local sports writer summed our current state in a America nicely: “Nothing unravels a society faster than the lack of jobs.”

A leaked White House document indicates attempts by admin lackeys to make an end run around Presidential promises that helped him get the Health Care monster passed. This admin and its leader are sounding more and more like a group that will promise anything to get to point “A” and then work to change it to get where they always wanted to be in the first place. And that lack of trust is not comforting.

There was an omission in the email delivered Tids that was in the todaystids.blogspot.com location: “The Tids word of the day is ‘Caring’. It’s good for two hearts.”

The women at the local bar called the crude postal worker junk male.

There is no question in my mind that in the coming years the major organic farming crop will be medical marijuana. Don’t be surprised if you find it at your local Farmers Market next to the peony bushes. Farmer’s daughter baker types will be hawking marijuana laced chocolate chip cookies for hospital patient gifts. I love it when good things happen and it all comes together.

I used to think that lady Gaga dressed up to look weird for promotional promises. I’m finding that she doesn’t need to dress up to look or behave weird. In Fact she may have taken celebrity arrogance to the greatest heights yet. Just recently her out of control “Me” insanity after an American Idol gig and during a Mets game has proven conclusively that she is indeed from another planet and doesn’t need bazaar costumes to prove it.

We didn’t have Lady Gaga before soccer became popular.

There is one big problem I see coming with all of this Big Time College Athletics Conference Expansion. As the colleges destroy tradition, and the competition for the big bucks gets more vicious, and as more and more colleges break more and more rules to get a head, and more sanctions are delivered, putting more and more colleges on probation….will there be anybody left to play in these ridiculous outsized leagues? What a mess.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 78. –Thanks’ Henry I thought as I drove over to my house. Thnanks a lot!“Why don’t you have coffee with your friend Kent and see what you can learn", he asked me. That’s like telling an alcoholic to guard your vodka stash. I don’t think I can do it Henry. I’m getting scared Henry. Can’t you see it in me? You’re the detective. I just sat listening to the hum of the motor as I blindly drove.
Then it came. My shoulders shuddered. My chest heaved. I started crying uncontrollably.
I dove to the side of the road and and let the tears flow. All alone.

Red Sox player Beltre is batting .333 at the plate. But he’s batting a thousand in the crippling of fellow players department. Outfielders Elsbury and Hermida are out with cracked ribs for extended periods after running into the third baseman. The infielder is generally supposed to give way to the onrushing out fielders who have a better perspective of the hit ball. Maybe it’s an English-Spanish translation problem.

I seem to be going through a lot of fishing line lately. Unfortunately it’s to tie the rose to the trellis on my roof.

Jessica Watson, 16 yo. Australian who sailed singled handed around the world was hailed a hero upon her return. But here in the Nanny state outraged non-sailors with a typewriter (Ooops computer) are calling for the parents scalps. On board the French fishing boat that rescued her, Abby went back to her blog. She sounds calm and under control and I have to love her line: “Within a few minutes of being on board the fishing boat, I was already getting calls from the press. I don’t know how they got the number but it seems everybody is eager to pounce on my story now that something bad has happened.” Then commented on the press and others guessing reasons for the problem, including her age. “…Since when does age create large waves and storms.” She went on to say I was ready for it, I was prepared for it, and it came. http://soloround.blogspot.com/

“Duh Headline of the Week Department:
Double Duh! For this one in Parade Mag: “Should suspected terrorists be allowed to buy weapons.” Excuse me? How about “Should you say no to Hannibal Lector if he asks to give you a hickey?”

The Answer: 1. Fred and Wilma Flintstone were first to snuggle under th covers. Does this mean that everything we see on South Park will be come common for the rest of programs? 2. Alaska 3. Tom Sawyer was the first novel ever typed. But that shouldn’t be surprising since Twain’s home at the time was Hartford Ct, the typewriter capital of the world. 4. Spades – King David, Hearts – Charlemagne, Clubs – Alexander the Great, Diamonds – Julius Caesar. Obama is the joker. 4. “Obsession” is the most popularly requested name for boats.

The End:
If you try to ruch and do too many things at once in the morning, you’ll probably drop your toothbrush in the toilet bowl. Have a grrrr-eat day!

My "24" addiction

Today's Tids Issue 2,061
Opening Stuff:

A lot of cameras are going to be aimed at Ice dancer Tanith Belbin during the Olympics. She will be the next overdone media phenom. But, this partner of Ben Agosta is a great looking skater. http://z.about.com/d/goeurope/1/0/u/X/tanith-belbin-picture.jpg

How do you ever get an economy back to realistic normalcy after it has been propped up artificially with government dollars? Especially when the big money these days is made by the skimmers and over charging for fairly unskilled services. This isn’t your grandfather’s manufacturing value-added economy. Historical patterns may not be as relevant. Be careful.

The Question:
Yesterday was the Birthday of the great Author Charles Dickens. He was born in Portsmouth England. How many cities or towns in the US of A are named Portsmouth?

The Headlines:
--Toyota Recalls 437,000 Prius Hybrids, Globally.
--Second Major Snowstorm Bearing Down On Mid Atlantic; Northeast Expected Also To Get Hit This Time Around.
--State Farm Insurance Says It Warned The NHTSA Safety regulators In 2007 About Disturbing Trend In Unexpected Acceleration For Toyotas.
--Senator Shelby Releases Hold On 70 Obama Appointees.
--Medical Myth News: Sugary Soft drinks Bad For Pancreas; Beer Good For Bones.
--Afghan Avalanches Roar Into Kabul Killing 28, Stranding 100’s.
--US Futures To Open Higher With Hope That Europe Will Aid Greece.

More Stuff:

While we weren’t looking China has not only been owning our debt but buying up the stock of our companies. For instance, they own over 2 Billion of Morgan Stanley. During 2009, the world’s largest country quietly snapped up $9 Billion in US company ownership including stakes in Citi, BofA, Apple, Coke, J&J, Motorola and Visa. This could be the first step, say knowledgeable observers, to diversify its more than $2 Trillion in foreign currency holdings away from the US Treasury Bonds. Not only that…but they always get the Pandas back!.

Snow does what the Tea Party movement wants to do – slow down Washington.

In case you are interested, the Colts have been installed as the favorite to win next year’s SuperBowl. They are followed by the Chargers, Saints and Patriots. Rams are called least likely to win it all. The Patriots?

I’m already tired of constant news reports about happy New Orleansans. That’s what happens when you be come a curmudgeon.

24-um:
Wow! Another good hour. I think it is one of the better days for the 8 year series. Although the President is starting to annoy me with her sing-songy attitude. And that Dana and the sleezeballs episode, while interestingly done, doesn’t seem to make much sense in the grand scheme of things. But, Jack and Renee are great. Don’t you like the way a pair of dark rimmed glasses changed the demeanor of Jack? Annie Wershing, the actress portraying Renee is doing a fantastic Emmy winning style job. You have to know what Jack was thinking as Vladimir fondled Renee in front of Jack, who obviously has feelings for her. I thought Jack might commit more when Renee broke down and he initially responded “You have me”. But, he quickly went back to the business at hand. Send in your comments. Now I have to wait another week. Help me. Kthunk. Kthunk. Kthunk.

The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 53 continues. –“These are serious accusations, Sherriff. And it seems somewhat circumstantial.” She stopped and looked at me. I was about to respond when the phone buzzed, her assistant announced that she might want to take this call…”It’s Jack Wiley of RL&H.” Isabelle said “Put him on”, and immediately switched off of speaker phone. “Jack, what a pleasant surprise.” She listened. “Of course I do. I feel for Sarah, How is she doing. She listened. “I’m glad you are taking over for Mrs. Durham.”, she hesitated, “It makes me feel important”. She laughed that executive phone laugh. “This afternoon? Things are a little crazy here.” Then “Oh.” She was listening again. “Ok, I can squeeze you in by 3:00. Thanks jack.” “Me too”. She hung up and was silent. It was like that lull after a hurricane. The staties and I just sat and waited. She finally turned. “So, what do you want to do now?” “We would like you to bring us down to Seymore Bromsky’s department. Obviously, we had to talk to you first. We could have gone there first but, as a courtesy…” “As a courtesy? It seems like I’m the last to hear. That was Jack Wiley President of our most likely investor company who seems to know everything. Don’t you think this Durham connect is odd?” Now she glared.

More Stuff:

The Clintonistas are back! And they are here to rescue the ObamaHealth. That’ll help. Sure.
The cost of living has never affected its popularity.

Did announcer Robin Roberts when interviewing Michelle Obama about her new overweight children program actually ask: “They are saying people are making light of your husband’s campaign promise…”

Who are “they” anyhow? And was Robin Roberts named after a baseball player?

Be sure to check in and take a peek at http://todaystids.blogspot.com You will find weekend gems in there. Well, maybe not gems…perhaps little pebbles from Stone-head.

I have never been terribly concerned about reforming health care. But I imagine it has grown a bit unwieldy and we should be taking a look at it. But, should the government be the group taking a look at it? Then…maybe it has become so huge and unwieldy because so much of it through Medicare and Medicaid is already funded by the deepest pockets in the land. If it had been funded by people who had to watch what they spend, it may never had reached its current unwieldiness state. What makes me more leery of this entire affair is the presidents apparent addiction to the passage of some kind of bill. Addictions are not good and tend to make people do and say irrational things to feed their habit. Watch out!.

One sign that never gets tired: “If Pro is the opposite of Con than what is the opposite of Progress – Congress?”

The guy who was acquitted thought it was a “grand” jury.

Great…now the government is laying the groundwork to take over the way your kids eat. It used to be Uncle Sam – “I want you.” Today it’s Nanny Obie: “I want your children”.

The Answer:

Portsmouth England was founded in 1194. There are also Portsmouth’s in Iowa (Pop. 225; est 1851), Ohio (Pop 20K), New Hampshire (Pop 23K; est. 1623), Rhode Island (Pop. 18K; est. 1638. The largest Portsmouth is the Virginia version with a Pop of 101K. The Ohio version was built as a result of Ohio River traffic. New Hampshire’s jewel is the third oldest city in America. Portsmouth RI is the first town founded by a woman – Anne Hutchinson – and regarded by many as the first democracy. There was a post office named Portsmouth in Michigan.

The End:

The headline on the entertainment page shouts “Queen of Mean” Lisa Lampinelli returns this summer. Why would I want to subject myself to the insults of some angry loudmouth, who will probably use too many four letter words which will send a brain dead audience into riots of laughter. I’d lean over and ask “What’s so funny and the clod next to me with tears in his eyes would say “She said I was a dumb F---“. Ah humor. Spare me. Whatever happened to funny?