Irrational Exuberance, again?

Today's Tids Issue 2,363
Opening Stuff:

With the announcement of the Groupon IPO, and the Social NetWork Industry Group's gathering momentum in the rush for big $$$, I am reminded of the eerie big casino days of the late 1999/2000 Internet bubble where the uninitiated would overpay for often fictional values. Believe me, I was there and I know how superficial some of the stuff was. Many of the companies had as much substance as a campaign promise. And no financial achievements. Except for the business creators who sold out early.

Paul Ryan might just be the best GOP candidate for President. Facts based crisis managers like he and the proven Mitt-ster might be the best choice for the country over the shallow rhetoric mongers. This is, of course, if the good of the country as a whole is still what matters.

Gene Roddenberry fought hard against Hollywood's TV titans to get his Star Trek on the air because he was an enterprising kind of a guy.

The new annoying expression feeble DC Politicians are latching onto is "We have to sit down and talk like adults." Excuse me.

The Question: 

A special Saints and Sinners Duo: 1. How many Popes have there been since 1950? Bonus Q: Name the three best known men who beginning in the fifties engineered gigantic sex empires?

The Headlines:--Unemployment Ticks Up To 9.1% As Employers Add But 54,000 Jobs In May; Oops -- Stock Futures Plunge.
--Geithner Predicts Congress And WH Will Avert Debt Crisis; Moody's Warns US About Credit Rating.
--Explosion In Sunni Mosque Kills 16 Iraqis.
--South Korea Says It used Pictures Of NK's Ruling Family For Target Practice; NK Vows Military Action! Is This A Joke?
--China Says US Is Real Culprit In Global Hacking Wars; Accused G-Mail Hacker Says US Attempting To Bring Down Arab And Other Governments.
--Criminal Indictment Against John Edwards On Books.
--Microsoft Unveils Some Features Of Soon To Be Released Window's 8.

Back to More Stuff:
Most disgusting news item of the week:
A man apparently intent on committing suicide walked into the San Francisco bay area ocean...while local fire and police people stood on the shore and watched him flail and die. They said the budget cuts had stopped their water rescue training classes and the availability of survival equipment! They must be kidding. How about their hearts? Did reduced budgets cut out their hearts too? Let's hope this isn't a new low in Union negotiating tactics.

National Donut Day Department:
The day after much too much news about the healthy eating Pyramid being replaced by some circle gimmick, I'm happy to report that the nation has not lost its senses. Today is "Krispie Kreme Free Donut Day" in honor of the waddler's holiday. Suck em' up America!

I was looking at that nutritional healthy eating circle/plates design, and as far as I can determine all of the stuff I want to eat is on the back of the plates.

The USA has morphed into a collection of federal dollar supported fifedoms. Meaning, that too many many people are fighting too many people when they all should be working together for a better whole. Everybody wins when the entity is healthy and not splintered.

This just in from the high end fashion world: Tiffany's, the legendary jewelry company, has just announced a new, expensive line of diamond and emerald clustered electronic monitoring bracelets. Law authorities are concerned that the Hollywood loonies will be zanier that usual looking for home confinement. On a related note, local caterers are producing home confinement quick meals, which even celebs can cook! The world is a wonderful place. Obama says, "The US is constantly innovating, and this is good news for for job growth."

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--This week, it's the X-Men First Class, the ultimate series of "Diversity", it's-not-how-you-look-but-who-you-are, movies. Actually, acerbic tongue in cheek aside, this is a pretty good, entertaining movie as the mutants discover things about their abilities and powers. This prequel gives a better understanding of what has come before. There are surprises, humor and generally good all around watching. In fact, I will dsownload it with vigor from Netflix some day. If you can afford the theater, it would be worth the dough. But...be sure to bring along your nutritional circles when approaching the refreshment stand.
--Beautiful Boy is a grabber. Parents hopelessly grapple for an explanation why their only son committed a mass shooting at his university before taking his own life. Their already strained marriage is tested as they learn they only have each other. People like it.

When the stimulus money disappears in the next month or so, the States are expected to be facing daunting increased Medicaid spending demands of up to 20%. And then problems of today will seem like a gnat on an elephants rump.

Changing Times Department:
The worldwide admired "Steel City", Pittsburgh; The darling of productive manufacturing; Once after NYC the city with the most Frotune 500 corporate world headquarters -- US Steel, J&L Steel, Alcoa, Westinghouse, Gulf Oil, Heinz, Clark Candy to name a handful. Yes this city, the paragon of industrial might now boasts as its largest employer -- Pittsburgh Medical Center. Yikes!.

While we are on the subject of things that people tell us we shouldn't or should do about our health, I bring you news of two turn-around's on health advice. Did you ever see those people in rigorous almost etherial stretching exercises before and after athletic activity? Well, the US Track & Field association after a two year study of stretchers and non-stretchers have proven conclusively that both groups performed equally with no adverse effects! And then there those energy drinks -- which docs are now saying could be too much for most people especially gulping teens. And it appears nobody can pinpoint the effects of the so-called vitamins in them. They say, "A couple of cups of coffee will do the trick.". In other words, don't panic over medical news hysteria. It will change.

Almost Near: Chapter 24. --"Well, Audrey, that was better than I expected."
She looked up at him with fluttering eyes, "That's because you are so strong." And then she punched him firmly in the stomach, and he responded with an over acted Oof! They laughed.
"Right now everything possible is racing through my head. From how fast can I find those children to did Sam kill Rudy out of fear for her life. It is obvious that Rudy was the real monster in this insane family. Bounty is all roar, the sister Agnes crazy and the mother pitiful." He paused. "I feel for the mother."
"For starters, I like the New Orleans connection. Florence Quimpierre, if she can be found almost sounded rational compared to her sister Myra. In fact, I need a short vacation, and I love this story. I think you need me" Tucker looked down at her and grinned pleasantly. "Forget it Tuck!" and she tapped him again in the belly.
"I don't know if I could survive a couple of days with you!" And then they both laughed, again. And this time Audrey looked over and grinned pleasantly.
The grin was fleeting as she went Billy business. "Let's first check in with Detective Jackson. I think is is a good idea to sty in touch there. He 's a good guy, he's interested, he trusts me, and we might need his help along the way." Audrey reared back her fist, Tucker flinched and they both laughed. There heads turned towards each other with pleasant grins on their lips.

The Answer:
1. In 1950 the reigning Pope of 11 years was Pope Pius XII. John XXIII took over in 1958. Then we had Paul VI (1963), the one month term of John Paul I (1978), the beloved John-Paul II (1978) and Benedict XVI. 2. The big three who took advanatage of more liberalized view of communication are of course, Hugh heffner (Playboy), Larry Flynt (Hustler) and Bob Guccione (Penthouse.) In many ways this changed the USA forever.

The WeakEnd:
North and South Korea are going to war because the SK's were taking target practice at photos of the NK Royal Family? Gadzooks. The world has lost its mind.

All I can think of when I see the hoards hunched over tapping on little boxes in restaurants, buses, ballparks, churches or even atop Mount Everest, is that perhaps Samuel Morse had it right in the first place!

Love your weekend, and make your gardens grow.

Congress: Laughable.

Today's Tids Issue 2,208

Opening Stuff:

Isn’t the current Congress already doing enough to make a mockery out of a once great institution without having to bring in a comedian to pile on? But then, nobody takes congress seriously any more?

Which brings me to the Quote of the Week*: It’s from Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. “Roger Clements could get 30 years for lying to Congress, but Congress people lie to us and they get re-elected for two years.”

Did you hear about the horse trainer who decided to move over and work with deer to make a fast buck?

Bach’s Brandenburg concerti are a great way to start the day. But, I only listen to four at a time.

“Government Doesn’t Create Wealth; It Uses Wealth Created By Others“ Department:
Last night on Fox, John Stossel -- in a special titled “The Battle for the Future” -- did an excellent job breaking down the ills of an American ideal gone astray and where there is hope for getting the country back into the hands of the people. It looked at “Makers vs. Takers”; The biggest danger in America – Public Employee Unions…the parasite killing the host; A disincentivized workforce; A far too big Government. Look for reruns of this program. It covers all of the reason why the tea party has been successful as an upstart; Why Americans across the land regardless of party, socioeconomic status color of skin, are so angry

The Question: 
What was Andrew Lloyd Weber’s first hit show? Name five other big shows form this master of melody.

The Headlines:

--Failing Levee Frocing Portage Wisconsin Residents To Leave Town.
--Israeli Settlers Cheer Expiration Of Construction Ban.
--Unilever Deal And Other M&A Activing Copuld Push markets Much Higher This Morning.
--US Helicoptors Continue To Effectively Kill Insurgents In Pakistan.
--Only 36% Of Teens Think Texting While Driving Could Kill Them; 55% Think Drinking While Driving Could Kill.
--Powerful Endicott Nips Salve 29-28.
--Unilever Buys Alberto Culver For $3.7 Bil.
--Malls Across Country See Up Tick In Biz After Banning Unaccompanied Teens.

Back to More Stuff:
Did you see that news item about the discovery in Bing Crosby’s basement of a long lost film of the final of the 1960 World Series? I was living in Pittsburgh then and really got into the team, especially when they were facing the dreaded You-Know-Who’s! It was actually a memorable week, work in the morning and make the rounds of supplier hotel parties in the afternoon. It was a week of a wide emotional variation. Huge ups and sudden downs. The worst of downs coming as the e Ya-ya-Ya (WYKWIM) went up in the top of ninth. And then there were two outs. The bottle of Bourbon had enough for 4 shots, enough for four distraught Westinghouse ad guys sitting forlorn in a now empty room. Now the four ready to toast a job well done. And then…and then Tony Kubeck made “The Error”. Man on first. And now the great Bill Mazeroski was at bat. Still last of ninth. Still two outs. We glanced at the screen and lifted the glasses. What!!! Maz hits it out! You could hear a deafening roar of cheers emerging throughout the city. From open windows throughout the city. From the streets below. Our amazing Pirates had beaten down the pompous team from New York. Now we lifted the glasses in a victory toast. It was a grand day.

Best Golf Tip Ever Department:
I pulled up to the designating parking spot and two guys came over and started unloading the back of my Jeep. The older guy, said smiling, “Want us to take the golf clubs too!” We both started laughing. It was the fall “Free Shredding of Old Documents Day”. Golfers know the real problem.

What is more efficient…Millionaires paying more taxes so it can be filtered through a wasteful, bloated bureaucracy? Or leaving the money with them so they can spend it efficiently at their discretion. Creating jobs or distributing it to Charities or for projects throughout the towns and regions in which they live.. Where 100% of the dough gets to the charity unless it is corrupt or has a crook for an executive director. Or a bookkeeper who hits the local casino a little too often. Oh wait a minute, the Gov already doles out what’s left of the tax dollars to suspect local organizations like Acorn.

The AG candidate who says he’s going to root out corruption in the General Assembly and look under the hood of the unions running this state will definitely get my vote. Not a candidate who promises to be tough on elderly abuse. Which is nothing more than pap for a large voting block.

Giving up a seat on a bus for an elderly person is an act of "chairity".

Another funny line from a local columnist suggests that Jets receiver Brayton Edwards probably taunted the police officer when he was arrested for drunken driving.

Doonesbury has been very funny this week. It’s about Warren Buffet visiting a fellow billionaire who has yet to join the group pledging half their assets to combat disease in Africa. The more I think about it, the more it becomes apparent that these self made billionaires have egos big enough to want to stand alone in front of their fortunes and determine where their charity goes with out the help of other Billionaires. And, lets face many of these billionaires give to charity all of the time, and don’t seek credit notoriety. Basically, Buffet and Gates are acting like Big Government billionaires – “I know better,; Let me spend your money.”

Duh Headline of the Week:
“Obama Rejects GOP Plans.”

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 96. -- I saw the three of them sitting there in the glass bowl office; that of my trusted mentor Jack Wiley as I walked with confidence now next to Trooper Dan. Which one was the biggest manipulator? Jack, the man who’s every instinct I followed on my way to the top of the corporate financial world? Isabelle, a person I now realize I barely knew? My beautiful lover? My Kent? A man who has made feel like I always wanted to feel. A man who has touched, explored, stimulated every part of my body. Surely intimacy would not blind me.
The trooper moved forward and grabbed the door for me. My eyes were riveted on the threesome. Jack looked scared. Isabelle looked like a mad woman. Kent’s eyes looked deeply into mine. Into my heart. And I felt the fever of true love.

I saw a news program lauding a school class for letters they wrote to get money form companies. Are we teaching the next generation to be grant writers? Is that the future of our society? Creating a new middle class of beggars who are experts at getting money from producers. It’s like walking out of your supermarket to hoards of kids essentially begging for money for sports leagues, school trips, scouts or other after school activities. Not too many years ago, kids just went out and did it.

Do you think that moms let kids play things like X-Box because they don’t get as dirty as they would playing outside? Is that because working moms didn’t have time for extra washing? Bill Keane suggested that.

I just read a Wedding Notice that said the Bride had a Masters Degree in Exercise Science! Exercise science?

The Answer:  

Weber’s first hit written with Tim Rice was The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Weber and Rice soon followed up with Jesus Christ, Superstar. The two
some continued with Evita, their last together. Weber’s firsts solo effort was Cats followed by Phantom, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful games, Bombay Dreams, The Woman In White and Love Never Dies. The two people who most influenced his dream to be a songwriter were Frederick Loewe, Lionel Bart and Richard Rogers.

The End:
American starts coming back this Novemeber.

*(I had already written it down for Today, but saw repeated in a Saturday sports column. Which leads me to believe that it is sweeping the country and you may have already seen it!)