Happy Birthday Ludwig!

Today's Tids Issue 2,489

Opening Stuff:

At any given moment, any Beethoven piece could be one of my favorites. That was part of his genius. He could write to many moods. I think that is where he changed the music world. As brilliant as some of his composer predecssors may have been, they could never get out of their own way. Luddy, broke molds. Reached higher, and delivered majesty never heard before. Luddy?

How come the Fed keeps on boasting a decline in or a holding steady inflation rate at a time when the average person fears going to the Supermarket. It gets harder and harder to believe government stats.

Europe is on the brink of a recession, and those new austerity programs will contribute to the continent's downward spiral into a full recession in early next year. This will drag down the world economy and suck the air out of the USA already moribund GDP growth rate. So be prepared to feel the gloom for six months or so, according to leading London economists. But, China will emerge after the first quarter with very robust growth rate and pull along much of the rest of the world...except EuroZone. You can't put walls around your country any more.

The Question:

Steven Bochco was a prolific and inventive writer. Name five of his TV shows.

The Headlines:

--Markets will keep People Guessing Today.
--House And Senate Agree On Governemnt Funding Deal.
--New AP-GfK Oll: Americans 52 to 43 Say "Obama Should Be Voted Out Of Office"; It's 50-50 On Whether He Will Win; Job Performance -- Overall - Approve/Disapprove 44/54, Economy - A/D 39/60.
--Fitch Cuts Ratings Of Goldman, Deutshe Bank, Barclay, Credit Suisse, Citi, BNP Paribas, BoA.
--Popular SC Gov Nikki Haley Endorses Romney.
--Russian Customs Seize Iran-Bound Radioactive Material.
--World Court Says Killing Of Quadaffi May Have Been War Crime.

Some how the Tids Entertainment Editor muscled the Sports Editor aside, and the pig skin picks missed yesterday. (For the record, our crackerjack team included the Thursday Florida Championship -- and the winner we picked was Atlanta.) Last week was a little better and raised the year to 139-69 (67%). The puzzlers this week are Seattle-Chi, Miami-Buff, Det/Oak, Jets-Igles, Balt-SD and Pitt-SF. And because of the Tebow effect versus the porous NE defense, that too. Chi, Buff, Oak, Phil, SD and SF are my winners, mostly based on need to win versus nice to win. The rest are NO, Cinn, Houston, GB, Tenn, NYG and Ariz. Oh yeah, the Pats are the best team that Denver has faced this year. So, with a roll of Tums in my hand, I go with my guys. But something inside says that if Tebow starts rallying I could root quietly against myself.

Years ago when you forgot or failed to send out a Christmas card, people would think you didn't like them any more. Today, people think you died.

Debate Department:
Well, the Newtster continually under asault at the big debate last night, seemed to weather the storm pretty well.Hhe used self depretiating humor and facts to blunt the attacks primarily by Bachman and Santorum about Fannie/Freddie loot and ProLife stance. He brought down the house with his belittling of Obama over the Canada pipeline decision. Even though he was the focus, it wasn't all Newt. Romney and Paul looked very strong as did Santorum. Life marches on in Republand as all on the stage agreed with Paul's assessment -- "Everybody on this stage is capable of beating Obama."

The front page of the Prov Journal had in Gigantic black agate type -- "War Over". With all due respect to our fallen heroes, the headline for a war that most thought ended several years ago didn't seem to have the impact like it did for WWII.

Poser of the Day: Would you feel comfortable dating or having as a friend, Amanda Knox?

Putin seems to be a remnant of the old Us versus the evil West regime. In fact he seems to genuinely hate the the US. Now I'm no conspiracy theory guy, but I'm thinking that the CIA is organizing those protests.

Well, maybe Bach was pretty fantastic.

Some of the people down at ESPN are saying it's refreshing to be telling positive stories about Tim Tebow. They admit a certain level of being disturbed when mired down, as they often are with sports "heroes", in the mud with ongoing deplorable stories about slugs like Rothlesberger and Vick.

The culture didn't get any better when NBC decided to pick Howard Stern as a judge for America's Got talent. Stern was one of those early TV icons whose basic recognition was a result of a devotion to obscenity. Well, at least he didn't take off his clothes like some of our newer pop divas.

I was surprised to read that in the Latest Brown U Survey Gina Raimondo had but a 52% approval rating among RI'ers. But digging down you see that only 37% of Dems approve versus 60-61% for Indies and Repubs respectively. I guess Dems don't want to be saved from a deteriorating RI. Other RI stats: 85% approve voter ID's; It's 77% to 11% for the Christmas tree. And the best news of all- Cicilline has an approval rating in the low twenties!

Reading Between the Lines movie Reviews:
--I have enjoyed all of the Mission Impossible movies, and the new one, :Ghost Protocol, they say is even good! Blamed for the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt's gang must go under the radar to clear their name and prevent another attack.
--There is so much action in the new Sherlock Holmes offering that it is nearly impossible to find the plot. It is another H-Wood effort that sacrifices a solid mystery for over the top action. Professor Moriarty is at large and his intellectual capacity may be equal of Holmes. His moral depravity eliminates any sense of logic in solving the case. That is the struggle.
--Alvin and the Chipmonks: Chipwrecked is...well...Alvin and the Chipmonks.

Almost Near: Chapter 56.
--I reached out with loving arms across the glistening skies.
To feel the warmth we knew as budding flowers blossomed.
To be your rock upon which to cling in the surging seas of life.
Now I see you running free, amidst the sandy dunes.
Will I disappear beneath the tides; Will I be hurled upon your shore.
  Tucker looked concerned as he sat in the window seat on the flight back to Little Rock. He would see the face of Samantha in the clouds, and then see it disappear, drawn apart by winds outside the rushing plane. He could feel the plane shudder has the face of Samantha disappeared. And then it would return. It bothered him
After the call from Audrey, he went back to the table and sat for a another half hour telling Sparrow pretty much nothing. Even though he knew everything. He could tell by Samantha's expression that she knew there was more. He had looked at his watch, and declared "Gotta catch a plane." Samantha rose and took his hand, quite tenderly he remembered, but not with that need she had shown these past months. Sparrow shook his hand, smiled, "Keep in touch," he said. Then Tucker/Tommy left not looking back. He had wondered what Sam may have looked like as he walked away. But he didn't turn. Sparrow could be a problem he thought.

The Answer:

Bochco got ink in his pen while working on a team that wrote shows like Columbo, McMilland and Wife and Ironsoide. He became a hit-maker with critically acclaimed Hill Street Blues. His other big hits were LA Law and NYPD Blue. He also wrote a series of lesser successes like Hooperman, Murder One, Brooklyn South, City of Angels, Over There, Philly and Most recently Raising the Bar.

I usually start pacing the floor Sunday morning in anticipation of the Patriots game. It seems that today I can't sit still awaiting the clash of two dissimilar quarterbacks. Brady the All pro who is 1-5 in Denver and who will be dodging two great edge rushers. And the miracle man Tebow, in reality still an unknown, facing the most porous defensive backfield in the league.

Love your weekend!

Give me a good Mormon any day.

Today's Tids Issue #2,356

Opening Stuff:

Lest We Forget Department:
As the Pols continue to try to divert attention away form real issues that take real courage to solve, it was refreshing yesterday to hear this reminder from Timothy Geithner: "..The country's debt is so severe that Congress must deal with it or face the risk the country will be charged much higher interest rates to borrow." It is impossible for intelligent people, if there are any courageous enough to remain in Government, to keep their heads in the sand on this one. It is real, and real scary. Lets take another look at the Ryan proposal. It is that serious folks.

Where have you been all my life Tyler Seguin?

How many times do you found the perfect solution to a project, or perfect words for a writing after moving your mind to another place for a while, and then coming back. You invariably see right in front of you what had been there all of the time but you never saw at all the first time.

Police have reported that the shooting behind the carpet store was rug related! Thanks as always to Cassatt and Brookins.

The Question:
A reader sent me a list of "Red Neck Country" medical terms. See if you can come up with their definition of these common terms: Dilate, Impotent, Cauterizem Caesarian Section, Pelvis, Tumor, Artery and Bacteria.

The Headlines:

--Mississippi Waters Inching Closer To Tops Of Levees.
--Wall Street reluctant To make Bets Ahead Of Fed Food For Thought.
--HP Disappoints: Dell Glistens After Reporting "Blow Out" Profits.
--Germany begins Lobbying For European To Head IMF If Alleged Rapist Steps Down; Europe Debt Problem Biggest Factor On World Financial Stage.
--Bus Attack In Eastern Afghan Kills 10 Civilians.
--More Cases On Extreme Home Makeover Appearing To Be Fraudulent; Producers Worry That They Will Taint The Truly Needy.

That IMF Chief and Socialist candidate for the French Presidency, Strauss-Kahn. sounds to me like a true "Don't-you-know-who-I-am" elitist slug. A lover of the fruits of capitalism who espouses the community of socialism for his groveling minions. Despite the protests of his well paid lawyers, and innocent til proven guilty observance.

Personally, I like the Honda Element, but nobody seems to agree with me.

The great Harmon Killibrew died. He was for many years the 5th all-time Home Run hitter...that is until the steroid era! This fan favorite was known to be one of the nicest and most honest of all players ever. But, when it came to steroids, his seldom displayed rancor arose.

The networks are beginning to formulate their Fall programming now in time for the Summer ad sales push. CBS has three new Dramas -- 1. "Person of Interest" thriller form "Lost" creator Abrams; 2. "Unforgettable", a police dram about a cop with flawless memory; 3. "A Gifted Man", a surgeons ex-wife returns from the grave. #1 looks like it has a chance for me. There are also two new comedies -- 1. "2 Broke Girls" about two diner waitresses; 2. "How to be a Gentleman" about a refined newspaper columnist and an unrefined personal trainer.

So far, I have yet to see a network announcing the return of "24". Or even a reasonable knock-off of one of my all time favorite shows.

I see where the increasingly out of control Chris Matthews called Sarah Palin "Profoundly Stupid" again. He used as justification her first ever TV interview with Kati Couric...3 years ago. I agree that Sarah has some flaws, but how flawed is this supposedly intelligent journalist who can resist continually stooping downward himself towards profound stupidity.

One of the good things about hemp rugs in multi-hues of brown, is that coffee stains don't show.

The biggest obstacles to healthy eating based on a BH&;G survey to 3,700 women are : 1 (Tie) - "Not drinking enough water" and "Too Much Junk Food" (48%), Too Big a portions, overeating (42%), Can't afford high cost of healthier food (39%), Emotional eating (35%) and at 34%, what I think is the real problem for everybody despite what they say above -- Poor Will Power! I'm an expert on this, folks. Oh, Healthy food doesn't taste good. How about that one.

I have no problem with this Mormon thing in politics. Frankly, most of the Mormons I have known have been heads and shoulders above many other people I have met. They are in general kind, caring, honest and certainly giving. So I guess it bothers me quite a bit when Repubs are willing to throw under the bus good men like Romney and Huntsman primarily because they are Mormon.

Even if Tiger Woods reagins his health, he will not have that intimidation factor going for him against the new younger players. He won many tournaments in the past just by being in the mix and having leaders crumble after looking back and seeing him charge.

Almost Near: Chapter 21 continues. --"Hi!," Tucker smiled and tried to act confident and cheery,"I'm..."
  "I know who you are Sonny." Your that Easterner writer guy trying to get some dirt on my good family." She glared and definitely wasn't cheery. Tucker stiffened. "Well, Buster, you came to the wrong place."
  Now it was Audrey's turn to interrupt. "Listen, Mrs. Quimpierre, if that's who you are, you don't know what you're talkin' about and frankly your just actin' as dumb as your boys do when they come to town." The woman stood there speechless. "Now if you'll take a second to listen, Tucker might be helpful to your family and you to him. So lets go over an sit on those old benches over there." She turned and whispered to Tucker, "I'm not steppin' into that dirty old house." She squeezed his arm and chuckled under her breath.
  When they turned to sit they saw the Woman following them, but still with the evil eye of suspicion. She sat. OK, I'm Mrs. Quimpierree, and I don't much like what you have to say about my boys. But I'll listen to you."
  Tucker explained that Rudy's wife might be his former fiance who strangely left him 18 years ago. She listened quietly and nodded several more times. He finished with a couple of questions. "What did you think of Samantha? What kind of a person was Rudy? And what do you think happened to their children?

The Answer:
Dilate -- To Live long; Impotent -- Distinguished, Well Known; Cauterize -- To make eye contact with her; Caesarian Section -- An Area in Rome; Pelvis -- Cousin of Elvis; Tumor -- One plus one more; Artery -- The study of paintings; Bacteria -- The rear entrance to a cafeteria.

The End:
Good hitting is exciting, but winning is all about good pitching.

Now that the Trump ego train has left the GOP political scene, maybe we can get back to reevaluating solid performers who who don't see the need to wear clown suits when taking the podium. Maybe we need a dull but resourceful person to get the USA express back on track.

No GOP candidate this year?

Today's Tids Issue # 2,324
Openign Stuff:


I'm beginning to think that the Republicans will be unable to field a candidate with any hope for victory at all. There has been a spate of articles all dwelling on the political liabilities of any potential candidate. The wives of Newt. The flips of Mitt. The antics of Sarah. The gaffs of Huck. No matter who, there's always something. That is, if you read all of the political opinion columns being floated about these days. Under the guise of being impartial, they iterate each of the candidates negatives, over and over again (Until it finally becomes reiterate). Which would have as the result effectiverly preempting the ability of many good people to shine without costly and time consuming make-overs. The articles also try to factionalize the candidates against competing groups within the GOP. And it all looks messy.

Does the future prospects of a "World Community" mean that leaders of countries will meet at the UN to decide the course of people in the name of humanitarianism and effectively bypass the Congress and will of the people of individual nations. Some globalists want it that way. Big Government at its uncontrollable biggest.

Is there anything funny happening in the world any more?

The Question:
Name ten common plants that you didn't know were toxic.

The Headlines:
--Libya Rebels Regroup As Daffy Forces Bombarded; US Jet Crashes.
--Geopolitics Have Wall Street Opening Flat.
--Portugal Gears Up For Political Collapse As Debt Worries Rise.
--Progress Made In Bringing Power To Nuke Plants.
--Yemen Head Says He Will Step Down At End Of Year; Could Be Problem For US.
--Uprisings In Syria And Bahrain get Bloodier.
--Japan Quake Forces Auto Parts Production Shutdowns.

Back to More Stuff:
The normally crisp Tids Sports Department totally missed the big story when it reported on the wrestling championships yesterday. It failed to mention Anthony Robles, who won the 125 pound class and was was voted the Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament. This honor is always a tremendous achievemnet in this hard fought highly competitive tournament of talented athletes. Anthony was born to a 16 year old mother in California...with one leg! It never set him back a moment. Always positive. He started winning at an early age. And, in the championships he had to wrestle at higher weight level. The officials included the estimated weight of of a second leg to determine his weight class. It never phased him.

The Big East is the Big Bust in this NCAA tourney.

Japan and Libya taking the eyes off the ball Department:
The Dallas Fed head Richard Fisher has urged the US Central Bank to refrain from any further stimulus measures. He says the U.S. debt situation is at a "Tipping point". "If we continue down the path on which the fiscal authorities put us, we will become insolvent. The question is when". Yes, in addition to solving the world's problems we still have an economy in ICU. Feeling better?

There's been a raft of Baseball players axed this spring where the teams owe big bucks on contracts. 10's of millions of dollars this year will paid out for nothing. Maybe they should look to Russia, where when a player refuses to to step aside and walk away from contract with no payout, goons are sent to pummel him. The offer is simple. "Stop demanding a payout of you remaining contract, or you will never play soccer again." Easy. I guess it's a cultural thing.

I haven't had good napoleon in quite a while.

Almost Near: Chapter 13 continues. --Dante's assistant smiled and told Samantha that Mr. Wallowitz would be with her in a moment. Samantha had just turned to sit when the officce door burst open and a smiling well dressed lawyerly looking man walked in hand extended. She assumed this was the former High school heartthrob Dante. She immediately offered her hand saying "Wow, Dante you grew up beautifully." She was now becoming a master of her new charade.
 "I was just going ot say the same about you!" All smiles he stepped back to admire this woman who he barely knew as a teen. "You grew up well," he said with a flirting eye.
Samantha feigned a blush and played the shy girl role as Dante guided her into the office. The assistant was rolling her eyes.
"Nice office, Dante," Samantha started. She has learned how to control the conversation in all of these new situations where she was supposed to know more than she did. "Martha Worthington and I often talked about the gorgeous senior named Dante."
"Well you can be sure my pals and I scoped out the incoming freshman girls. But that's irrelevant now , isn't it?" He paused and looked at Samantha. "We're both nicely matured adults now, aren't we."
Samantha smiled pleasantly, "Yes we are. But, I'm hear to find out something about my parents. It seems as though you were the last to be in contact with them."
"KNowing you were coming I went into my files for that house closing. I didn't find much. I remember that your parents moved out several months before the house was sold. Mae Johnson of Ruggles and Mayer was the Realtor. She contacted me, so she might have more information. I talked to your father once about some details. He gave me bank transfer information and not much more. Oh and a phone number 610 555 7356. Which is for a town of Dalesford outside of Philadelphia. I tried to call it before you came, but it had been discontinued."

Have you ever seen a headline: "Psychic wins Lottery."?

The problem with the GOP candidates isn't just in the bias of the main stream media. It is also in the rants of the various talk shows who pit the moderates against the conservatives against very conservative. Here the candidates become so marginalized by the demands of the different factions that none could even get nominated. At least that is the way it appears to me. While all of the repubs want 0-Man out, the moderates wnat one thing versus the Tea Party versus the old time Republicans versus the more religious groups. If you remember back it was the persecution by Rush Limbaugh that effectively killed George HW Bush and gave us Clinton. Keep a cool head or die.

Now, without the benefit Of Air Force 3 at her disposal, Nancy Pelosi is expected to take advantage of the new Southwest Airlines "Bags Fly Free" policy.

The Answer:
It begins with Christmas and #10 the poinsetta. The rest are English Ivy, Easter Lily (Especially poisonous to cats), Larkspur, Aloe Vera, Azalea, Dumb Cane, Oleander, Fox Glove and the most poisonous common plant is the Datura Stramonium. This is a member of the nightshade family and has been known as the Devils Trumpet, Thornapple, Jimsonweed and Moonflower among others. It is very toxic and emits a pungent odor when disturbed. Sounds like some loners I know.

The End:
As this Tidster takes leave
Retain your belief
The 2012 election
Will end all our grief.

Stop all your remorse
And cease that wailin'
Cause on January 13
You"ll meet President Palin.

The fog continues:

Today's Tids Issue #2,322
Opening Stuff:

I can't get the green out of my system after yesterday. Oh, wait a minute, there it goes now.

I got an email from Aunt Carries this morning. That's a shore side restaurant that's only open in the Summer, serving up fresh and tasty native seafood, and now good ice cream. It's one of the signals of change, like crocuses, the crack of bats and the lines at the Hilltop creamery.

The Question:
Name five things that baristas (Clerks in coffee shoppes) won't tell you

The Headlines:
--Oil Prices Drop After Daffy declares Cease Fire.
--Japanese Government Says It Was Overwhelmed By the Extent Of Disaster.
--Wall Street Bouncing Back; Fed Joins G7 In Yen Intervention.
--Japan Considering Burying Reactors.
--4 NY Times Journalists Found Safe In Libya; Had Been Held By Daffy Forces.
--"Supermoon" To Dazzle Romantics On Saturday; Tides Should be Higher.
--Chunk Of Cal's Coastal Highway Falls Into The Pacific.
--NASA First: Spacecraft Now Orbiting Mercury.

Back to more Stuff:
Reader Opinions of Repub Possibilities For 2012 Department:
I gained a sense from the smartest group of readers on the planet that election is still up for grabs. Interestingly Romney never made first place but was consistently a strong second. And similarly Huckabee in third. Huckabee connotes images of Huckleberry Finn and huckster. Romney is weighed down by some decisions while Governor. (It's like if we can't come up with something better I guess I could go there.) There is little question that in their hearts a large group would like to see Christie of NJ announce. (One woman said he would be number one if he lost 40 pounds). The inexperienced Mark Rubio is also highly regarded. Trump got a couple of solid "Ayes" but also some fierce negative comments. The best known names were considered retreads while the others with less name recognition were considered boring and unelectable. Well regarded Ron Paul also made the unelectable column. Palin rose to the top of a couple of lists, and did not receive ant strong negatives. I'd like to keep tabs on this, so keep sending in your opinions. The best I can say after this first effort is that it is still anybody's game. And that may not be good enough when there is sitting Prez a runnin'. There' no one in sight who really ignites.

One responder to the above tossed out these five Prez-Veep combos: Keyes-Condy Rice, Perot-Michelle Malkin, Coach K-Laura Ingraham, Anne Coulter-Ron Paul and Sarah Palin-Joe Miller. It is...anybody's game.

American Idol: I was sorry to see Karen bounced last night. I liked her. She seems like a nice person with decent talent. I can see this final seven coming down to five men and Pia and Lauren. Although I'm not sure that Lusk won't get tiresome along the way. Pia could wear thin too. I believe that Haley and Lauren are the two moist talented women. Although I sense a bit of un-likability in Haley, which may be the reason the has been in the bottom 3 the first two weeks.

I heard a well known physicist speaking yesterday about the big bang theory and how he and his crowd explain away what's on the other side of the end of the universe. He said that he and his pals are starting to believe that it is a different set of laws of physics! Anything not to admit the possibility of God.

Everything is Relative Department:
Remember in the Carter years when inflation pushed upwards of 13%. It is significantly lower today, but the pain may be as great or greater.The reason -- Income is lower and the hope for achieving higher incomes is diminished. Even SS recipients have gone two years with no Cola. Just be wary of reports that measure eras against eras. It really is changing in this US of A.

Almost Near: Chapter 12 continues. --A woman peeked in on Tucker just as he was reading something that looked useful "We close here in 15 minutes." she said. Tucker rubbed his eyes. Wow! five hours already.
He continued reading. "Samantha Wilcox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Wilcox of New Castle New Hampshire was married to Rudy Quimpier son of Florence Quimpier of Houma Louisiana and Ronald Quimpier of Jackson Mississippi."
Quimpier. That's as good a lead as he could find, unless there's another Samantha Wilcox form New Castle.
He printed out the page and placed on a pile of some other pages he had printed. He shoved it all into his computer case and waked out to get his luggage at the receptionist. On the way he saw a reporter or columnist typing away for tomorrow's morning edition. "Hi I'm Tucker Loutitte." She didn't look up. He started to walk away, and heard "Sorry, I had it going and had to keep the feeling moving til the end." He smiled knowing totally what she was saying.
"I'm Tuck..."
"I heard you the first time. I'm Audrey Johnson."
"Well Audrey, I didn't mean to interrupt you." he explained quickly why he was there and asked if she had ever heard of anybody named Quimpier. He figured that if this trauma that Sam is facing was that deep that maybe something happened that went public.
"Rudy or Samantha Quimpier?" She wrinkled her brow and was cute doing so. "You know, there is something in the back of my mind telling me those names are meaningful. Let me check around. Are you staying in town?"
"I'll be at the Courtyard on President Clinton Avenue. Wow, his PR people really got that named fast." She smiled. "I don't know how long I'll be here. But appreciate the help."
She stood and shook my hand. She was a pleasant looking woman. Actually quite pretty, Tucker thought.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Good Cast in Lincoln Lawyer a tale about a defense lawyer who works out of the back of his Lincoln handling the cases of a variety of creeps. That is until he lands a defendant, a Beverly Hills playboy accused of rape and attempted murder. But there is a lot more to this story that becomes nightmare for the lawyer. I'll go.
--Limitless is another nightmare for our hero, this time a writer with block who takes new drug that is supposed to unlock his mind. Now he sis able to recall anythign he ahs eve read, learn any language and comprehend complex equations. He becomes the darling of Wall Street but also the target of many who want to get there hands on this mystery drug. Could be good.

The Answer:
Number 1, they won't tell you that drinking 2 shot vanilla22 oz lattes ais very bad for you. And, sometimes owners of small indy's substitute cheaper coffees; Believe me when I tell you I gave you decaf; When you aren't in Starbucks don't order like you are; Most of the time the line is long is because customers talk to much or only read menu when they are at the counter; Why don't people say please more often; Vegan cakes aren't any better for you than regular cakes; Yes, I went to school to become a barista; Just because the coffee is overpriced, it doesn't mean you shouldn't tip me.

The End:
See you next week. I'll spend the weekend hunting for great fodder.

All about nothing.

Today's Tids Issue 2,320
Opening Stuff:

Happy Ides of March everybody. Simply stated, in Roman times it was just a fancy way of saying March 15. Nothing more. Nothing less. Despite what Shakespeare may have inferred. Of course today in may mean, "I'm big government and I'ds be watchin' you."

Gambler's Anonymous Department:
Two guys who survived that horrendous NYC bus crash where 15 including their two best buddies were killed on the way home form a Connecticut casino, grabbed the next morning's bus back up north for another day of gambling. Gambling casinos, the salvation economy.

The Question:
The new slate of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Leon Russell, Dr. John and Darlene Love. Name two songs for each.

The Headlines:

--Red Sox Beat Ya - Ya - Ya...(WYKWIM)...2-1 In First 2011 Meeting.
--Hedge Funds Hammering Japan Stocks In Over Night Manipulations; US Stocks Expected To Tumble In Aftermath Of Nikkei Plunge.
--New Explosion Raises The Threat Of Nuclear Contamination; 140,000 Told To Seal Themselves Indoors.
--Japan Nuke Crisis Ignites Stock Sell-off.
--Record 157,000 Empty Nevada Homes Mar Neighborhoods Across State.
--Japan Earthquake Shifted Eastern Japan Thirteen Feet Closer To US, Sank The Coast by Two Feet, Shifted The Earth's Axis By 6.5 Inches And Shortened The Day By 1.6 Nanoseconds.

Back to More Stuff:
As the rest of the world continues to spin out of control, American Repubs seem to be liking Romney, Palin, Huckabee and Gingrich best. It seems to me that the up to 15 possible contenders are all waiting for the big funders to commit before hats start flying into the ring. The next couple of weeks should be interesting. Even if you are a Democrat.

Writing a novel is a little like being a jockey in a long horse race. You start by creating excitement that gets people wondering about the fate of their hero. Then you move through strategy part of the race offering little twists and turns, jockeying for positioning, setting the stage for the big finish. Providing small hints but leaving the end up in the air. Then the home stretch where you create a flurry of heart pounding excitement for a finale that may stun or leave readers angry. Or something like that.

When his girlfriend talking about a new business venture said "we can make-out like bandits", he showed up in a mask, hoody and kissed her in front of an ATM machine.

There is something that bothers me about the UN and the no fly zone idea. Clearly this a group overreaching it's charter, stepping inside another's sovereign state. No matter how despotic the tyrant may be.

The oddsmakers have as the favorites to win the NCAA's Ohio State 3-1, Kansas 9-2, Duke 5-1, Pitt 7-1, San Diego State 12-1, North Carolina 15-1 and Florida 18-1.

Almost Near: Chapter 12. --The Little Rock airport was comfortable after Tucker's confusing morning in Boston. It was a beautiful mid morning as he pulled his wheelie out it the taxi line. Witin a few secinds acab rolled up, the trunk popped, he through in his bag and jumped into the back seat. "Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, please".
"Yes suh." came the reply. "You a newspaper guy?"
Tucker didn't want to get into a conversation with the driver, but he seemed nicer than most back East. "I used to be a newspaper guy, but now I'm a writer doing some research for a book."
"Oh, what kind of book do you write? I love good mysteries."
"Oh," is smiled, "I only write bad mysteries, so you are out of luck." The driver roared and stuck his hand over the seat without taking his eyes off the road. "I'm Jimmy Buckworth". I shook his hand and he returned it to the wheel. "If you ever need any first hand info about this town, Jimmy B is yo man."
"My name is Tucker Loutitte, and I might just keep an eye out for you."
"Thanks! Tucker Loutitte? That's a right fancy name."
"I made it up so people would think I was smarter." Which is exactly the truth. Jimmy laughed again.
"Maybe you should write a comedy mystery." Tucker laughed in response. He knew that this was not going to have any humor in it at all.

I guess the big question in DC these days according to news reports isn't Libya, Japan, Afghanistan or even The Debt, but "How to fire up the Obama base". His big problem is that there is no more money left with which to bribe his electorate.

Remember Afghanistan where US soldiers are fighting and dying? The ADD Media is at it again.

The Answer:
Of Course Diamond is a prolific songwriter and singer with some of his favorites being "I am, I said", (Red Sox standard) Sweet Caroline, Kentucky Woman, and the often over looked Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Alice Cooper is known for hard rockers Eighteen, No More Mr. Nice Guy and Schools Out. Waits is another great song writer singer with some of best known being sung by Springsteen (Jersey girl), Ramones (I Don't Want to Grow Up), Rod Stewart (Downtown Train) and Johnny Cash (Down There by the Train).
he has won a best score Academy Award for "One from the heart". Russell is best know for Delta Lady and A Song for You. New Orleans' legend Dr. John is best known for "Right Place Wrong time". Darlene Love gave us "He's a Rebel" and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).

The End...Thank God!
Some days this Tids mess ends and I look back and think, "What the hell was that all about?"