It's too damn hot.

Today's Tids #2,439)
(Written 10/10)

In "There may be hope for the Republicans" Department, there are significant signs that GOP Social conservatives are recognizing that Romney's strength in financial and economic matters may be the the most solid credential of any candidate, Repub or Dem. They're coming to the point of thinking that maybe Romney is exactly what the country needs right now.

One thing you can take to the bank is that there is no chance now or in the future that Lucy will ever leave the football in place for Charlie Brown.

Daily Question: Holiday Double Q Special. 1. Massachusetts cranberry harvesters had their biggest year in history. Does that include the Pilgrims too? Name four largest Cranberry Producing states? 2. Name the ten worst sports contracts.

Today's Headlines:

--Market Finally Stable As Brokers Take Columbus Day Off.
--Netflix Drops Unpopular "Quickster" Program.
--Dems Want To "Own" Wall Street Takeover Protests.
--"Fast And Furious" Subpoenas To be out Shortly.
--Surprise: "Millionaire Tax" Would Hit Dem States Hardest.

An automaker could take the industry by surprise by announcing the return of the Bench seat in front so cars can actually carry 3 couples to dinner, instead of taking two cars. Talk about gas savings. How inventive, a bench seat. The insides of today's cars appears designed to carry coffee cups over people. How about a an affordable convertible center console. How easy is that?

I never thought I'd get that day when I had to make the choice --gas or coffee. I'm figuring that all of the cheap Latin American labor has sneaked into the US. How else could you explain a 33%-60% increase in coffee in less that 6 months. Or, it's some creepo Wall Street futures trader middleman taking his cut out of the coffee costs...and adding nothing to the process.

I'm continually perplexed at the Government of the United States of America consistently resisting their own, and the efforts of states, to ferret out "illegal" immigrants. It would be less of an enigma if Illegals were allowed to vote. Hey, wait a damned minute! Under Chicago law they are allowed to vote.

A-Rod should be called "Mr. December". That's when he does his best work...getting his team to pay him $275,000,000 til he's 42 yo. in 2017!

Paul and Cain win all of the straw polls but Paul never shows up on the national polls. What's that all about?

You have to figure that the big CVS style drugstores In Wash DC have large inventories of throw-away cell phones.

The "Coddled" Generation is now experiencing what most over 45 have known all their lives -- money doesn't grow in trees. I hear the 20's people complaining that the jovial they expected don't exist any more. Aside from the fact that there are just too many kids in college who would be better served in some kind of occupation directed post HS education. it is also not a new phenomena. yes, even in the so called happy - "I Like Ike" years seniors in college were wondering where they would ever get a job. Of course the we had that cultural of change in the seventies that brought us double earner families. Now we have the prospects of new technological efficiencies reducing the need for people in general. Will two earner families be forced to exist with one? And how many other industries like housing and entertainment that are or have flourished to unfathomable heights because of additional disposable income? Can you say Paradigm?

Quiz Answer: 1. Wisconsin is the largest followed by Mass, where it all began, and then New Jersey. #4 could be any other state form Nova Scotia down NC and west to Minn. And, all of the others would be significantly below the top three. BTW, the Cranberry is a relative of the blueberry family. We know that blueberries are blue, but what is a "cran"? 2.Number 10 is Grant Hill - great guy hobbled by injuries. He is followed by Ryan Leaf -- bad guy hobbled by stupidity. Then we have Rick DePietro (NY Islanders), Rick Pitino (Bost Celtics), Larry Hughes (Cleve Cavs), Michael Vick (Atlanta), A-Rod (Texas followed by NYY), Ben Wallace (Chi Bulls), David Beckham (US Soccer savior) and Demarcus Russell another in the mold of Ryan leaf. I could also name five or six of Theo Epstein's (Red Sox GM) losers as right up there with this list.

Happy Columbus Day everybody!

Keep it in balance.

Today's Tids #2,441
(Written 10/12

Opening Stuff:

I read an interesting Letter to Ed this morn about technological advances and personal character. The author cited Steve Jobs: "(My Success) is not to be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other peoples actions." The author finds that a narcissistic observation as shortsighted and an insult to all of those who laid the groundwork for progress that enabled people like Jobs to make new advancements. But the bigger notion in opposition to the debilitating effects of the rejection of dogma is that, "Ultimately the great achievements in technology are liberating and contribute to the progress of mankind only if they are joined to the attitudes of purity, honesty and faith...". The depth character in a society is found far beyond it's material achievements.

Government jobs analysts probably fail to recognize that while there are more available private sector job openings than one would be led to believe by the political rhetoric, the private sector unlike the Feds they can only afford to hire people who can actually do the work.

Speaking of a person who has the best possibility of stimulating a logy private sector jobs economy, the Mittster looked very comfortable in the mostly economics, rather bland debate at Dartmouth College last night. Perry didn't blunder, but he also didn't score either. The panel seemed to treat the entertaining Cain as the frontrunner spending an abundance of time going after his 9-9-9 plan. he mainly shrugged-off their comments. Michelle became even more minute. Actually the Christie endorsement of Mitt preempted the entire debate.

Daily Question: The Netflix disaster "Quickster" collapsing under consumer pressure in just 23 days happens to be the worst new product introduction of all time. Name ten other big time flops.

Today's Headlines:

--Slovakian Agreement On EuroZone Financing Has Stocks Up Early; Deterioration In Italy Could Be Next Big Determent To Stock Momentum.
--Wal-Mart Same Store Sales Up For Third Straight Month!
--Blackberry Outages Spread To North America.
--Prez Loses Big On Senate Jobs Vote; Key Dem Senators Defect And More Promise To Vote Against If The Bill Moves Froward.
--Chrysler, UAW Agree On contract.
--Biden: Nothing Off table After Iran Rooted DC Assassination Plot.
--U Rhode Island Economists Say State's Economic Indicators Have Fallen To Lowly 42; Index This Low is Evidence Of Extremely sluggish, No Growth State Economy.
--28 Killed In New Iraq Internal Disruption.
--Repubs Push FTC To Ease Sanctions Against Food Companies And their Advertising To Kids 2-17.

I see where last week's Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in an intense battle to retain her Liberian presidency against also Harvard educated rival Winston Tubman (Nephew of former Liberian Prez William Tubman). Apparently the population is very dissatisfied with Sirleaf's inability to provide a better life, electricity, running water and jobs.

Here's a good Life Maxim: Don't elect Nobel Peace Prize winners to important higher offices.

The big discussion on the early morning radio sports show today is the sports experts horror at non-active Red Sox players during the game sitting in the locker room eating chicken, biscuits and gravy! Frankly, I applaud the players and have an new sense of admiration for their choices in life. Instead of caviar and champagne, they crave gravy!

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed happiness over the Wall Street protestors raging around the US as the "beginning of the ultimate toppling of capitalism in America. He gloated saying "(The USA's) corrupt foundation has been exposed to the American people." So the Islamists sense that people on the streets will bring down WS far more effectively than planes into buildings. Lets see, now the protestors have the backing of Michael Moore, Susan Sarandan, The Public Employees Unions and the Ayatollah. How can they go wrong.

Of active PGA players, Briny Baird and RI's Brett Quigley are the two golfers with the highest career earnings (Nearly $12 Mil) who have never won a tournament. Does anybody care.

A reader filled me in on the derivation of the word cranberry after my musing a couple of days ago, "What exactly is a cran?" This astute observer of relevancy tells me that it was coined by none other than our beloved Pilgrims who described the look of those bushes in bogs laden with hanging reddish berries as appearing to look like a "Crane", those magnificent birds of the wetlands. "Crane" became "Cran" during the great recession of 1689 when the extra ink for the "e" became too expensive.

My biggest complaint about the 0-Man campaign jobs Proposal is that it just continues to abet the bad management practices of state and local governments. With the prospects of bailouts in the air, people will continue to make make bad risk choices -- and that includes politicians, financial and business corporations and people in their comfy homes. And this all continues to lead to the final destruction of personal accountability and responsibility. It is the ocean silently eating away at seawalls protecting safe harbors.

I can easily see for the future a US military with far fewer people and a lot more cool gadgets. I can see a future where the US won't be rushing in to put down skirmishes around the world.

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --"So you're the guy who entrapped my quiet little newspaper, drawing us all into a murder investigation." Tucker just stood there stone-faced, looking at this Editor, unemotional, kinda gruff, tie askew, sleeves rolled up; sitting there, eyes boring into Tuckers; confident, unrelenting but not arrogant. Audrey standing by his side elbowed him as if to say don't let him beat you down.
"Well Jess, I can call you Jess, right Jess." Audrey looked at Tucker now in a new way. He seemed different than that loveable bumbler.
"You are lucky I came along. This is a great story at so many levels which it seems to me you have yet to figure it out. Your visceral reactions seem that of a small minded politician or dead ended middle manager, not a leader of people with great minds like Audrey." Tucker turned to her and smiled, pleasantly? Sarcastically? Triumphantly? None of the above?
Jess's mouth hung open. He turned towards Audrey who stood there with a similar expression of disbelief.
Tucker didn't flutter an eyelash. "So, I'm glad I got back before you did something rash. Did either of you do anything to minimize the police suspicions of Samantha? Did...'
"Ok Tucker," Audrey's face was red. Jess relaxed back in his chair to watch the action he could see coming. "When did you start under appreciating the only friend you seem to have lately, expecially now that your dizzy ex-girlfriend's brain is flutterinfg somewhere in outer space." Audrey stopped short, realizing that her anger made have pushed her too far. Then she thought, did Tucker push me on purpose?

Quiz Answer: Of course everybody thinks first of the king of product disasters, the symbol of corporate failure -- The Edsel. But it actually took three years to close the factory doors on that one. Then I think of "New Coke" which is right up there with Quickster, being pulled in 77 days. In between those two is HP's IPad competitor "Touchpad" which hit the bricks after a mere 43 days. The other notables are RJ Reynolds Smokeless Ciggies, Google's Lively, JooJoo (Inferior Ipad Competitor also know as CrunchPad), Mobile ESPN, Orbitz Soda, Microsoft Bob, McDonald's Arch Deluxe (To appeal to Urban Sophisticates and at cost of $100 Mil, most expensive flop in history), Pepsi A.M. and Crystal, Cosmopolitan Yogurt, HD DVD, Coor's Rocky Mountain Spring Water, Joost (An inferior predecessor to Hulu) and finally we're back to Edsel the most notable, but obviously not the quickest to fail.

The best way to solve a lot of problems is to walk away and come back to see amazing possibilities you never saw the first time.

That is the much better alternative to rushing it through only to come back to see glaring errors that will never go away.

The Countdown to choices.

Today's Tids Issue 2,219
Opening Stuff:

I’m going to vote in the primary this morning just to show my concern. I’ll put a check against some of the Republicans because that’s where I have to vote. But, this year, the big mystery surrounds the Independents and the new Moderate Party nominee for Governor who I am beginning to believe is a pretty good person to receive serious consideration. But that action won’t happen until November. Today it’s all about who emerges on the crowded Dem side of the ticket.And building up the numbers of GOP and Indy voters.

In a non-scientific poll of diverse political observers, it was unanimous that the RI political commercial most likely to cause viewers to fall to the ground holding their sides in rapturous laughter is the one where former RI State Democrat Party Chairman Bill Lynch looks into the camera and says we should vote for him because he is an outsider

(Use this space to pause and laugh out loud)

In a new AP/CNBC Poll, 61% of investors say that wild gyrations on Wall Street (Not those in after work bars) have made them wary of using the stock market as part of their financial management tool box. In fact, and this is telling, 56% say that the “market is only fair to some investors”. Lets face it, the market today appears to many as mostly largely “Perception” with the accompanying public relations manipulation. The small investors who represent billions don’t like it and are pulling out of stocks mainly to go into more conservative venues. “Everyman” also doesn’t like computerized trading at all. Not only is the economy in a swampy mode, but confidence among smaller investors most likely to use Mutual Funds is waning fast. More reasons to be cautious.

I thought last night was particularly delicious when the Jets went down. There is nothing more pleasurable than watching the TV cameras scanning row after row of hangdog Jets fans.

Daily Question: Four presidents have been assassinated. Name them…and name their successors. Which two Presidents were rumored to have been assassinated probably by poison.

Today’s Headlines:
--Sarah Shourd Freed; News Reports Uncertain About bail And return For Trial.
--Big Primary Day: Key Fights In Delaware; New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Maryland, Mass and DC Expected To Illuminate Inclination Of Voters.
--Republicans Say They Will remain Firm On Back Tax Cuts For “All” (As In Every Person) Americans.
--Positive August Retail Data Has Stock Futures Gaining.
--Clinton, Mitchell Says Peace Talks Moving In right Direction; But No Evidence Of Progress Reported.
--Lady Gaga Holds Press Conference To declare “I Am Not A Piece Of Meat”; Majority Of Americans Respond “Who Cares”.
--Apparent “Miraculous” Healing Of Massachusetts Jack Sullivan Has Cardinal Newman On Fast track For Beatification.

I think all of these guys who shave their heads are loosing their individuality. When you see a group of them it is much like looking into the window of a newborn nursery at the hospital. All the baldies look pretty much the same. But cute.

Is the incessant chanting at Meadowlands of “J-E-T-S, J-E-T-S an attempt by New Yorkers to tell the rest of the world that they know how to spell?

A reader reports that Buckwheat of “Our Gang Comedy” fame has become a Muslim and changed his name to Kareem of Wheat.

Another reader reminds us that “Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed those who are dumber.”

The stat of the Day Department:
Yesterday was the first time since the season of 1915 when two New York baseball teams finished the 9 innings on the same day scoreless.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 93 continues. –I saw eyes peering at our somber march into Jack Wiley’s office. If Izzy was trying to be inconspicuous, it wasn’t working. I noticed Sarah/Maggie’s number one man Bill Claxton looking up from a phone conversation in surprise. And then speaking quickly into the receiver. Was he talking to her.? I felt a little pang at the thought. At the end of elegant corridor the oversized, hand carved wooden door opened. (I thought only government buildings could afford doors like that.) Jack Wiley, an imposing Jack Wiley but not the smiling Jack Wiley stood in the opening. Isabelle went up to him and gave him a small hug. And yet, it wasn’t a business hug. Jack spent a little too long kissing her cheek in return, and then looked up and came to me…very much the businessman. “Hi Kent.” Shook my hand and ushered the three of us quickly into his office. An older looking guy dressed like a prep school graduate was sitting in a leather chair at the corner of a very expensive rug just to the right of the large Chippendale style desk. Or, maybe it was real. Jack turned to Jason and me and introduced Jeff Symington. It was obvious that Izzy already knew him. Izzy has been busier than I ever would imagine, I thought.
“Kent,” started Jack mechanically, “This isn’t going well.” Your incredibly convoluted plan apparently created questions in the minds of observers. And, you haven’t been able to control them. Now,” he looked over at Jason, “we have to take an action I never would have wanted to take. We have to get rid of observers.” I stayed silent. He’s talking of Sarah. Maybe Henry, Sally. Paul Durham. His head lowered as he said, “I really liked Maggie Durham.”

Of course you have to wonder about people who come up with the stats that more and more support actions by organizations and government. A new fact says that Americans are washing their hands more in public restrooms – 85% today versus 77% last year – and that only 7% of women don’t wash as compared to 23% for men. But, who is standing in public wash rooms watching you? That’s the eerie part of this stat. it will really become weird if the next survey says that men only use two squares of toilet paper compared to the women’s three. Big brother is everywhere these days.

It didn’t tale media long to begin scaring the public about gas lines that might be under their sub-divisions. It’s not that natural gas safety isn’t critically important, it’s just that media should take a couple of breaths before they go berserk with scare headlines and news clips. Just another reason to believe that for every news producer there is a brother-in-law lawyer somewhere ready to file a suit.

Quiz Answer: Everybody should know that Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and Jack Kennedy were assassinated. But did you know right away that Andrew Johnson, Chester a Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson were their successors? The two rumored assassinations were Zachary Taylor and Warren Harding.

When Boehner made his tax compromise comments Sunday, all I could think of was the wishy-washy republican congress of the mid 2000’s. Everybody was looking for real change and all they did was jump into bed with the Dems. Political incest produces some deformed bills.

Plant well!

Today's Tids Issue 2,183
Opening Stuff:

I watch the grasses, the long stemmed flowers wavering in the breezes. The playthings of fickle winds willing to be drawn to the whims of shifting wafts; Or violent gusts. Yet the roots are strong. They flirt but never leave. I watch the wind driven grasses hoping that we can build strong roots for generations of those to come. That they may resist the winds of temptation. The breezes of appealing lures. I wonder. Are we loosening too much of the soil around the bases of our children?

Frankly, I kinda liked Tony Hayward.

A new Gallop Poll reports a high degree of uncertainty looming for the 2012 elections…at this point. Overall it has the 0-Man leading Republican candidates in general 44% to 42%. In other words, it’s any body’s game. The big new difference is that 45% of Independents prefer a Republican candidate to 31% for “Prime Time”. The survey names Romney and Palin as the two leading candidates. Specifically, a Rasmussan poll has Romney and 0-Man in a dead heat and 0-Man leading Palin 48-42. A “real Clear Politics” Public Policy Poll shows that Huckabee will be Obama’s toughest foe come 2012 with 0-Man a scant 46-45 leader. This same poll shows 0-Palin – 50/44, 0-Romney – 47/42 and 0-Pawlenty – 48/35. A little hypothetical idea stimulation for you. How will the November elections affect what 0-Man will become for the remainder of his term?

The Question: Today marks the 70th birthday of one of the famed Warner Brother’s cartoon characters (Hint: His antagonist had a lot of twouble with “R’s”.) Name five WB cartoon favorites. Bonus Question: Bobby Gentry is 66 today. Who is she and what did she do?

The Headlines:
--White House Circling The Wagons Around War Leaks.
--New Nielson Poll Shows That Hispanic Support Of El Presidente Is Cracking.
--Strong June Existing Home Sales Keep Market Flying; Good Earnings Reports Also Support More Positive Outlook For Economy.
--Balgojevich Trial Nearing End; Blago Lawyer Risks Contempt Charge As Dispute With Judge over Mandated Exclusions From Closing Gets Heated.
--Russian Spies Receive Celebrity Treatment On Their Return To the Mother Land.
--Huge Natural Gas Reserves Found In Mediterranean Waters Bordered By Israel And Lebanon; Ownership Dispute Could Rise To Conflict Between Two resource Poor Nations.
--World Profits Picture Has US Futures Market Soaring This Morning.

Back to More Stuff:

One of the major leaks about the current wars in the Middle East and central Asia is that allies like Pakistan aren’t as strong as they are portrayed by admin officials. Duh.

With the stock market looking quite strong and news supporting continued steady economic recovery you can count on one thing for sure. We are going to have a scary retraction in stocks sometime in the next five weeks.

Somehow, I think Blago will go free.

Has the arrogance of politicians ever been more apparent than there in little Bell California. Is there a grimier demonstration of leadership corruption or sadder example of the lack of voter intelligence?

I think the greatest example of “Change” is the President’s willingness to appear on any TV show with a few points in ratings. Of course, his latest kicking and screaming adventure in Boob Tube land is on the equally annoying “View”. Gag. And then there is “Hope”. Hope that this President would just lock himself in the Oval Office and read the constitution.

On a similar note…will there be a more overwrought, smarmy news period than that day or two when Babwa Walters returns to the public from heart surgery.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 85 continues. –“Hello Kent.” Somehow, her voice always makes me feel like something I have never been. Even as I become leery of her subtly changing persona, I am always drawn back to her. I find it hard to escape her.
“Hello Sarah/Maggie,” I replied. “It is unusually good to hear your voice today. You put Isabelle in a bad mood.” I laughed a little.
“Oh really,” she said almost triumphantly.
If you have a minute or two, I could really enjoy a Diet Coke at Marie’s. If you have the time.” I added. Are you at Henry’s I thought? And then without a moment’s hesitation she said she would love to see me. She would love to see me, I thought. I would love to see her I knew. Something has happened since she last left my place. Yet, she still looks into my eyes the same way. She still makes feel like somebody I have never been.
“I’m in the parking lot at Bi-Em. I just had to get out of there. How about fifteen minutes?”
“How about a half hour, she replied.” That’s odd I thought. Why do I feel what I feel so rapturously, but examine every word she says. Because I know she isn’t telling me the truth. At least some of the time. I’ll take a drive trough town, I thought. “That would be fine,” I answered.
And Sarah/Maggie replied softly, almost in a whisper, “I’m looking forward to it.”

Well, tonight’s the night. Yup, it is the night when America decides if its most talented people climb walls, perform fiery magic, sing yet another soulful song and or belt out with vigor just about any song ever written.. I personally like the rock climbers, but it will be between Alice and Antonio. It’s totally a guess. For the encore, It would be helpful if they voted the host Nick Cannon off the program.

The Answer:
Everybody has to love Bugs who is 70 years old today. Also from WB Loony Toons is the frustrated wabbit chaser Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Tweety Pie, Sylvester, Daffy Duck, Pepe LePew, Road Runner, and a host of some of the most lovable characters in American entertainment history. Bonus: Singer, songwriter Bobby Gentry had a meteoric rise with her huge hit song “Ode to Billy Joe.” This was the biggest hit of the year knocking the Beetle’s Sgt. Pepper’s album out o top place she won Best Female Artist and Best New Performer Grammies. And then just as if she jumped off a bridge into darkened waters she faded from the public view. She lives quietly and presumably happily ion LA.

The End:
I have been moved by breezes, shaken by powerful winds. Yet I have felt the tug of strong roots bringing me back.

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”

Forgetting the past.

Today's Tids Issue 2,070
Opening Stuff:

Happy Birthday George! You have always been an inspiration to me…even though you were a southerner.

Irony Department:
At the end of the revolutionary War, Rhode Island was the only one of the 13 not to ratify the new Constitution. The citizens of the smallest Colony said they fought the war “To shed a strong centralized Government bent on taxing their trade and they were in no mood to create another one.” Today, Rhode Island’s own government has practically taxed its entire economy out of the state! Historical Note: By not ratifying, RI essentially became a foreign country. On his 1989 Nationwide tour GW purposely snubbed RI. But after the Bill of Rights with all of the most important freedoms of which RI was a leading proponent, the 13th Colony did sign on. GW came to this state that has always loved him and his presence.

Have you ever noticed that people think their dog is so smart because he or she can find the closet that contains doggie treats? “Isn’t he cute?” Gag.

The Question:

What is the name of the German town that presents the famous Passion Play? How often is it presented, Why?

The Headlines:

--New credit Card Rules In effect Today; Credit Card Companies Had Plenty Of Tome To keep Revise Schemes And Keep Rates Onerous.
--Suicide Bomb In Eastern Afghanistan Kills Tora Bora Commander;; TB Leader Headed Efforts To Capture OBL.
--Pre-election Campaigning In Iraq Sees 8 Shiites Shot Or Beheaded.
--Security Regulators To Take Up Short Sale Restrictions This Week.
--Fewer People Falling Behind On Mortgages; China Retail Sales Soaring; Oil Back Over $80;
--As Congressional Hearings Begin, Toyota Mounts All Out Lobbying Assault Teams.
--4,000 Lufthansa Pilots Begin 4 Day Strike; Worldwide Travel Could Be Severely Disrupted.
--Daughter Of Austin Tax Protester Calls Dad Hero For All Americans; Says Suicide Flight “Inappropriate”.

Back To Stuff:

I love that word somebody coined to describe today’s Nightly News anchors as Emo-Journalists. How much pathos, angst, congenial emotion can they get into a smile, a frown an eye movement. Forget the news analysis. Look for the human drama. And now the anchors emotions are a part of the story.

How come sick people have to walk to the back of a drugstore to get medicine while healthy people can buy cigarettes up front? But then we call living units that are stuck together apartments. And home ports of safety conscious airlines, terminals! I guess we’ll never know these answers or why lemon juice is artificially flavored and dish washing liquid contains real lemon.

There is no truth to the rumor that some Hollywood entrepreneur is planning a “Best Celebrity Apology Awards Show” to take up the slack after the final sob on the Oscars leaves fans as empty as post NFL football or 25th hour “24” fans. Tiger Woods so far is the odds on favorite to take the annual Return To God award. Stay tuned.

Have you noticed that almost always classical record producers combine the Grieg and Schuman Concertos in A on one CD. You would think that they could be more creative than that.

You have to figure that there are a lot of knuckleheads running healthcare companies. How insane is it, with the dark clouds of Federal control looming everywhere, to announce an in-your-face 33% and higher rate increases for direct payers? It gives the Obama admin the trump card it needs to get the HCapallooza roaring again. Steps are already underway to give the Feds veto power over insurance company rate setting. The feds taking another step into states rights territory is the latest insult to what remains of the US constitutional concept. Watch carefully. This admin seems to look for any possible excuse to jump in and take over…anything.

The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 55 continues. –It was as though the hand of Maggie/Sarah was in control of the meeting. Both sides assumed that my Maggie, my Sarah had ordained the outcome, and they were there to fill in the blanks. Young Bill was up with an amazingly accurate and easy to understand financing procedure. Jack being there made sure that all questions were answered immediately. It wasn’t long before Jack Wiley and Isabelle Philips were shaking hands and a PR person had popped in to take photos for the big Press Release. They were all smiles when Wiley asked, “So, what’s going on with Bromsky?” Izzy looked at him, and became resolute. I don’t know much at all. I do know that Henry Boulder the Sherriff of Fosterville and two state trooper detectives are in his area now and have been since you arrived. I have no further word.” Jack looked interested and then asked, “But we do know that Bromsky made progress adding to the development of your products even though it was though a forbidding and despicable activity. Isn’t that right Mr. Middleton?” He turned his head quickly and was now staring at me. In my unflappable best I answered, “Exactly”. I could tell that Wiley was expecting me to elaborate, but I don’t elaborate. He was now searching for the right words as the noticeable silence dimmed the brightness of the room.

Back to More Stuff Again:

A new report hailed by Global Warming disciples says we will get fewer but stronger hurricanes. However, like much of their historical hysterical pronouncements they couch the forecasts with phrases like “There’s not enough evidence” or “doesn’t make clear”. The only thing for sure is that the media will run anything with the initials GW as important news even with the apparent hedge factors.

Isn’t it unfortunate that the Father of our country and the biggest scam in history have the same initials?

Republicans may be smiling today, but if the economy starts to nose upwards by June it could be a whole new ball game. And, I won’t be surprised if Obama backs the GOP into a corner in this week’s televised campfire chat. There could be a lot of ghost stories for the Republicans emerging later on. Be careful of what you wish for!

If you couldn’t get excited watching the USA-Canada hockey game last night you should check into an emergence ward immediately.

Harry Reid says that he isn’t worried that he is way down in the polls for his reelection to that Nevada Senate seat of his. More proof that he is brain dead.

The Answer:
I’m sure the little Bavarian town of Oberammergau is right on the tip of your tongue. This story of Jesus is the most “powerful" and "moving experience” of any. It should be, this town has been doing it every ten years since 1634. That is a year during the 30 Years War when the “Black Death” was sweeping across Europe. The town made a pact with God to spare them promising to put on this play once a decade. They have never been touched by the plague. 500,000 are expected to view this play where all of the parts are played honorably by locals, mostly farmers. The 5,000 residents of the town give their entire lives to the play. Hey…just like high school football in Texas.

The End:

Actually…I love dogs. I just think people are more important.