The roar of the crowd.

Today's Tids Issue 2,571
Opening Stuff:

Well, it's opening day in Soxland. Tigerville, Dodgerburg and across the land. Men, women and kids of all ages will have smiles on their faces as the feel the thrill of walking into the stadium. Moments away from watching the heroes of summer pitch, hit, run, catch and throw. Millions of people who can afford the overpriced seats will eat outrageously costly hot dogs and drink sinfully expensive beers and sodas. The crack of the bat is back. But it just isn't the same as it was.

Not only to we have baseball, we have the start of the Masters too. Be still my mischievous heart! This shapes up to be one of the great golf tournaments. Because while Tiger is back, there are many other greats to enjoy making the charge. Let's hope TV shows us more than Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. I'm having this feeling that Lee Westwood will put on the jacket. I think the course suits Luke's cool play. Hunter is looking like a guy who can beat anybody. Phil is playing well, and how can you not root for Keegan. All eyes will be on Rory, who is out to atone for his collapse of last year. But, is he creating too much pressure on himself? There are probably another ten who could surprise, but something in my stomach says Lee will finally win the big one. But then, it could be Woods.

The Question: 
The Fox Network has come a long way since it arrived as th struggling fourth Network, making it big with new ground breaking shows. 1. Name five stars who's successful film careers were launched from "In Living Color." 2. Who was in the cast of Fox favorite "Married, With Children"?

The Headlines:

--Downward Movement Expected To Continue As EuroConcerns Once Again Fester.
--New Jobless Claims Continue To Lower; March Sales Brighten Retailer Hopes; Gas Prices Up.
--Banks Expected To Pick Up Pace Of Foreclosures; 2012 Expected To be More Like Depressed 1010.
--China Owned Volvo Expected To Spend $11 Billion Developing New Products.
--Romney Moves Ahead In Santorum's Home State Of Pennsylvania.
--Cuba Primed For "Arab Spring" Style Take Over?
--Nicklaus, Player, Palmer Help Get The Masters Underway.

American Idol: This one of those years where you have to find small negatives in an excellent lineup to be able to determine the one to go. My favorite moments were Skylar, who frankly just brings a lot of life into Wednesday night every time and Phillips. The judges thought Holly was weakest, but I was more disappointed with Elise. Like Erika with, elise never got the great Foreigner song going. I think Jessica is an excellent talent but not so much last night. Same for Colton. I have to say that Deandre was very good as was Joshua. It's tough to pick a bottom 3, but it will probably be Holly, Elise and Deandre, even though D shouldn't be there, or even close to being there. I think Colton should based on last night's performances, but he is just too popular. Holly to go. But it's all about voter demographics.

The Lebrons come and the Jordans go. Kobe shines and Durant's a show. But always there, always making all of the great plays; relentless, smart and consistent is the brilliant and resourceful Tim Duncan.

Lately I'm reading about public employees in many cities and town and states across the USA asking for 3% and up raises. This at a time when the sources for the majority of those funds are existing on stagnate or in many case declining wages. In other words the pot isn't growing. It is just really, really simple economics. It's not about people disliking public employees, it's about not having any money.

I expect President Obama's inability to tell the truth will eventually be what hurdles Romney to the Oval Office. That is, if the media finally gets honest again and realizes how they have been bamboozled by the silver tongued one.

I'm hungry.

No word is wrong if you use a hyphen. "Hunt's Law".

Almost Near: Chapter 67 Continues. --Audrey felt Samantha relaxing, the tears easing. She sat back a bit so Sam could turn her head and look at her. Solemnly she began, now holding Samantha's hands by the fingertips. "I will be with you thorough all of this, Sam," then she smiled, "Because I expect to make millions writing your book!"
Samantha appeared stunned and then started laughing, punching Audrey in good fun. "Oh no she yelled, not another damn writer!"
The two were still laughing when they heard, "You two all right?" Sparrow poked his head in the door.
"We couldn't be better," Samantha replied with a new kind of confidence.
"Well, I found this Italian Lawyer wandering around the halls, and I thought you might like to see him. It's always good to have a lawyer when you're in the hospital. Dante limped in, smiling.
Samantha looked up, her eyes went vacant. "Am I supposed to know you? Which of my lives were you in?" Audrey and Sparrow looked at each other. Then Samantha smiled broadly. "But. how could I ever not remember the beautiful Dante!" She held out her hand, and he walked over, but unlike the old Dante, he was hesitant, not really knowing what to say or do. Sparrow looked a little sad realizing that this woman he grew to like, had feelings for the eastern lawyer.
Audrey got up, making room for Dante. But Samantha didn't reach out or speak to him. "How," she started, "could some one as nutty as me, have beautiful friends like you." The she turned and put her arm around Dante's neck and pulled him to her.

The Answer:

1. How about Jim Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Damon Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans. 2. It was a talked about show as was Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy, David Faustino as Bud Bundy, Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy, Katey Segal as Peggy Bundy, Amanda bearse as Marcy D'Arcy, Ten McGinley as Jefferson D'Arcy and of course Buck as Buck, the dog.

Sarah Palin out-audienced Katy Couric yesterday morning. And, the critical observers said the ex VP candidate was very good. The small point here is that the pundits who dominate the mainstream media continually underestimate the vast numbers of Americans who like America for what it has always been.

Gold at the end of the Rainbow.

Today's Tids Issue # 2548
Opening Stuff:

How about we start with a little puzzler that will get the cranial synapses zapping. This little poser is all about using the logical side of your brain. There are three bins of socks, one marked "Black", one marked "White" and one marked "Black and White". But, the three boxes are mislabeled. Your task is to correctly label the boxes by reaching without looking into just one of the three boxes and pulling out a sock. From that you should be able to relabel the boxes. What box would you start with? Why? Answer below.

The word from friends around this town of mine is that the phrase "Good things happen to good people" came true for sure when the big lottery winner was revealed as Louise White. Her son Leroy is a well known, much loved musician, and even better known as a man with a gigantic heart. It is expected that he and Mom and extended family with their trust "Rainbow Sherbert" will do a lot of good for a lot of people with those winnings.

The Question:

Double Q Day: 1. When was the Star Spangled Banner Made Official? What was the previous anthem? Bonus: Bobby Sherman composer of among many things, the music for Mary Poppins. He and his brother also write the most played song in the world. What is it?

The Headlines:

--Mitt Wins Ohio, VT, Mass, Virginia, Alaska, Idaho; Rick Gets Oklahoma, Tenn, North Dak; Newt Georgia; Delegate Math Makes Likelihood Of Mitt Win Almost A Certainty.
--Private Sector Adds 216,00 Jobs In Feb; Market Up On News.
--Super Con-Man Alan Stanford Found Guilty Of Bilking Investors Of Billions.
--Apple Holding Press Conference Today On new IPad; Faster Chip, Sharper Pic New Claims.
--Peyton Manning To Become Free Agent Today; Miami, Washington Appear As Leading candidates To Land Super QB.
--Akhilesh Yadav New Rising Star In India; Heir Apparent Rahul Ghandi Thrashed By Young Man From Nowhere.
--NYC Muslim Group Steps Up To Support NYC Police Department; Say They Protect Us And If They Have To Look At us To Find Terrorists, Than That is Good For All Including Us.

90% of all allergies are due to just 8 foods: Eggs, Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Wheat, shellfish and fish. Let's see -- Cheeto's - OK! Gravy - Fine Red Meat - perfect. Life is good; Other Three Vow To Stay.

So...what do you think are the chances of the Prez calling ex Governor Sarah Palin to apologize for one of his mouthy supporters, Bill Maher, calling her a "C---"...and then returning the $1 Million the crass late night ideologue donated to the "O" SuperPac? I mean, at his press conference he implied how he is all for women while the Republicans are against them.

My next door neighbor is a kindly Doctor from Israel. Also a man who is involved politically here in pro-Israel groups. I could see the worry in his face yesterday as we both walked in from parking our cars. His mother is still there, and in conversations of the past he has always said, "we have gotten used to living in that on-the-edge world. It's part of life." Yet last night he was talking the possibility of obliteration. How impossible it might be attacking the bunkered Iran weapons. But, he saved his greatest concerns for the instability of Egypt, just south on the Israel border. I think he feels that there is still a certain amount of face saving, time borrowing bluster in Iran, but the hatred in Egypt is at a point of erupting in an all out assault. Sometimes it's good to get a feel of reality through an unflitered source

Based on what I see from the Obama Admin, I think its about time the ACLU steps up to defend the entire American population. Unless of course ACLU means really American Civil Liberties "As We See um' " Union.

Sarah Palin revealed last night that she voted for Newt and would be a candidate for the 2016 race. Just in case you are bored with the current race and are looking ahead.

The new IPad is supposed to have a much clearer picture! Really? The only reason my Picture isn't clear is because of the potato chip grease on the screen.

The Answer:

1. Francis Scott Key's poem set to the music of a popular British drinking song "To Anacreaon in Heaven" (And also tune for Luxemburg's National Anthem), was first used officiall in 1889 by the US Navy, the White House in 1916, and then after public pressure made the official anthem by Congress in 1931. Before that the National Anthem was considered to be "Hail Columbia" composed by Philip Phile for the inauguration of George Washington -- "Hail Columbia, happy land! Hail, ye heroes, heav'n born band, Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause...". Bonus: The world's most played tune is "It's a Small World After All."

Yesterday morning it was 19 degrees. Today it is a robust 60. Get out those shorts and stow away the socks. Maybe the song should be renamed "It's a weird world after all."

Puzzle answer: You reach into the box labeled "Black and White. Let's say you pull out a white sock., then it means of the remaining boxes the one marked "white" should be  "black" and the one marked "Black" should be "Black and White".

"Let's roll."

Today's Tids Issue #2,417
Opening Stuff:It seems likely now that the news media will over-report the anniversary of 911. Perhaps even turning it into a political harangue instead of the intended incredible solemn moment. All I really need from them actually is about 5 minutes of revisiting the scene of the burning tower and the plane crashing into the second tower to remind me of the devastation. The loved one's lost. The courage of the responders. The fear of a city and then a nation. The Anger. The resolve of the American people. I'm just afraid that too many politicians will be telling me how I should feel. It's already in there. It will never leave.

There was an old song. "Don't let your children grow up to be Cowboys." I was reminded of that when I read that Pauly "D" was tapped to be the celeb of the moment at the opening of the new NYC "Kardashian Store"! Somebody is stealing the character of the nation.

The Question:
Here's a little parlor game you can play as friends and family gather around the TV Thursday evening to watch the 0-Man create jobs out of thin air. Have each person right down five words or expressions you expect to hear during the speech. The one who gets the most right gets a dinner with James Hoffa Jr. Bring a catcher's mask! Now give me your favorite O-Words and O-Phrases.

The Headlines:
--Markets Could Rebound This Morning.
--Rebs Say Daffy And The gang surrounded.
--GOP'ers Looking Forward To Perry Debate debut.
--Texans Shedding Tears After Massive Wild Fires Destroy Over 1,000 Homes.
--Wash Post/AP Poll: A New High Of 53% Disapprove Of Of Overall O-Performance; 38% Of Americans Want Bigger Gov. With More Services, 58% Say Smaller With Less; 2/3rds Say They Are Not As Financially Well Off As They Were At Start Of O-Reign.
--Yahoo Board Fires CEO Carol Blatz As Profits Fail To Ignite.
--0-Man Expected To Announce $300Bil Jobs Package; Would be Combo Of Tax Cuts And New Job Creation Spending.
--0-Man Warming To Redo Of Mortgage Bailout Package.
--Katia Moving Northwestward; Still expected To Turn East Sparing US Coast.

I think I'm beginning to understand the concept behind the Post Office "Forever Stamp". The economics was based on "Forever" being very short.

America's Got talent: Howie Mandel got has to come down from Berzerkdom. He is just too manic about wanting his faves to win. But, that's not the story, just the irritation. Lys Agnes is a great talent. But, I'm not thinking her trip into Pop-Land was a good one last night. Her voice is too strong for a simple song. Anna should have used the piano. But, she is still one I like. Swank pulled a fish form the tank. How the blankity-blank di he do it? the judges went ga-ga over the ladies and girls from Silhouettes. I thought it was ok. The Smage guys can do it! But how many more times do I want to watch motorcycles jump. I thought the victim kid running around was choreographically awkward. Murphy can sure croon, and the big band staging was groovy. Good make-up West Springfield, but it was a ho-hummer. Everybody goes bonkers over Team ILuminate. I liked their big finish, but the rest was just more dancing with lights. Miami looked like an average half-time show. I think PopLyfe are winners, even though I thought Kelani's voice was a little off and the boys in the band not as impressive as in the past. The four I would enjoy watching next time are Anna Graceman, Landon Swank, PopLyfe and...ok, I'll give ILuminate and other shot at making me a believer. Based on standing "O's", Pop, Silhouettes, Iluminate and Murphy should be the top four. If so, Mandel will wet his pants. Morgan will look down in disbelief. And Osbourne will say, "That was wonderful!"

People like me think that this 0-Man admin has been bought and paid for by the Unions and that he has delivered way to much with interest. The Unions don't think' he's done nuttin'.

If I'm starting a Major League Baseball team, my first three players are Jacoby Elsbury, Dustin Pedroia and John Lester. My Manager is Jason Veritek.

The new highly promoted "Prime Suspect" looks like a more of the same, over the top, Hollywood bad copy of another great British Series.

I get the sense that Palin is waiting for the uproar surrounding the publication of the McGuinnis book to settle out before she commits.

The Tea Party continues to grow stronger and is more resolute than ever, especially after the continuing senseless assaults from the scared in power. Hoffa's call for the "Baseball Bat" approach to negotiations will bind  together even closer those tired of big government and its henchmen bullying.

Once you get the hang of it, wallpapering is easy.

It appears to me that there will be more lawyers involved in computer tablet product development than engineers.

I like Yahoo! But in this new world of immediacy, it's not enough to provide services and content that seem complete, accurate and comprehensive without the PopPizzazz! If you don't appear to be "edgy" in the minds of those who pursue edginess, you might as well be manufacturing slide rulers.

Almost Near: Chapter 38 Continues. --As soon as Audrey clicked off the boss, she dialed Tucker. She heard a flat "Hi" and asked "What's wrong with you.?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just hanging around while Dante, he's that lawyer, finish there conversation. Why, do I sound bored?"
"No, you sound like you're in outer space. and you missed the 3:37 rocket back home."
Tucker cracked up, and it took him 30 seconds to come back on. "You're quick, You are quick. Then he chuckled one more time. "So, what's up?"
"Lot's! I just got off the phone with my Editor. Somebody found a body that turned out to be Rudy." She heard nothing. "You still there?"
"Oh, oh, aa yeah. That's is a shocker. They know anything?"
"They know that that Bounty is hoppin' mad and that you and I were snoopin' around. And they think your old girlfriend is as good a suspect as any."
"She wouldn't do something like that."
"How do you know? It could be one of her other people you don't know and have never met."
"I still don't think so."
"I'm going back up to Little Rock. We're in the middle of big story and I'm going to cover it."
"I'll try to see you there. But, I don't know when>'
"That's fine. I'll be too busy to hold your hand and lead you around. But, before you leave...you still have time..."
"Yeah."
"I have to fill you in on my talk with the kids. It's a sad and scary tale."

The Answer:
Well let's start off with "Me" and "I". How about "Tea Party", "Previous Administration", "Corporate Greed" and "Wall Street". Then there are the standards -- "Let me be clear" "Make no mistake", "At the end of the day", "Back form the brink" and of course "Relief for working families". And, don't forget "Job Creation", "Recession", "Bush", "Bi-Partisan", "Entitlement", "Plan", "Shovel Ready" and, yes, "Compromise".

There is plenty of evidence -- Like forcing up non-union prevailing wages -- that would suggest that the Labor Unions are running the US Department of Commerce except for one thing, Secretary Hilda Solis is steadfast behind "Illegal" workers to the detriment of honest people seeking jobs. This good be the weirdest. most schizophrenic administration in the history of the US of A! It seems like everything today is "Regulated", except the US Federal Government.

I'd rather my kids be cowboys and cowgirls.

How can you tell when a Politician is lying?

Today's Tids Issue 2,365
Opening Stuff

There' no truth it the rumor that Anthony Wiener was twitting pics to Eliot Spitzer dressed in drag. Or, was that Spitzer to Wiener.

Is a "Bump in the road" anything like a "Tingle up the leg"?

Actually, Sarah Palin isn't any dumber than any other politician. The others just know how and when to keep their mouths shut. Except of course Harry Reid who makes Sarah look like a Mensa candidate. Actually everything in politics is relative. For example, Obama and Pelosi make Wiener look like Abe Lincoln.

The Question:
How many users of illicit drugs are there in the world? What percentage are dependent. Which country is the biggest market for illegal drugs?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Look To Rebound As Futures Brighten.
--Investment Community Awaits Bernanke; Is That Like "Waiting For Godot"?
--Arizona Fires Continue To Grow Uncontrolled; 350 Square Miles Now Ablaze.
--Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing Arguments On New Union Law.
--Levee Break Has Missouri River Residents Fleeing.
--Syrian Tensions Rise Dramatically After Rebel Attack On Army.
--New Clashes Kill 19 In Yemen.
--NATO Air Strikes Hit Libyan Capital.
--Scientists Trap Ephemeral Antimatter For Full16 Minutes; Breakthrough Could Lead To Breaking "Big Bank" Mystery.
--Ann Curry Takes Over Today Show.

Back to More Stuff:
I would have liked the Bruins to have saved a few of last night's 8 goals for tomorrow night. I liked their agressiveness, and really loved Tim Thomas's block on Sedin. Maybe Thomas could step in for Logan Mankins. I'm not going to say anything more, cause I don't want to jinx them.

Actually Wiener has done Americans a huge favor. We have always known that most of these lawmakers are lying to us. Now we know how good they are at doing it.

I see where Katie Couric has just announced a new program for her 3rd network. Now all she needs to complete the cycle is a gig at Fox. How about replacing J-Lo on American Idol? Check that ABC Contract for loopholes.

Did you know that the Original Pilgrim Charter for land in America was on the New Jersey side of NY Harbor. Snooki could have been a Puritan. There's no truth to the rumor that if the Pilgrims had indeed landed in they would have used an early version of the car horn to frighten away Indians.

An esteemed panel of important ex-international luminaries -- including Former Presidents of Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and Columbia plus stars like Kofi Annan, Paul Volker and Richard Branson -- looking for something to do in their old age have decreed that we can't win the drug wars and that we should decriminalize drugs, at least marijuana. If some drugs were decriminalized, my first question would be...would businesses be forced to hire people they don't want because of some lame discrimination law?

Why do I feel that an investment in a FaceBook IPO would be like underwriting a Fad?

To borrow a phrase form GPS systems, rapturist Harold Clamping is recalculating. The End isn't quite near.

I have this image of Greece in my head that depicts this former cultural, political and military icon as a foreclosed home, with out of control grasses and weeds consuming the grandeur of the past. While the pampered government workers tell their leaders to walk away from the mortgage.

Santorum gets rapped by the left on a consistent basis because he is so firmly right. But many conservatives really like his conviction to the ideals they espouse. This is why the GOP race at this stage before the shakeout begins is so difficult to sort out. The Repubs have a candidate for just about any little cluster, and that includes clusters among the important independents and even Democrats.

Almost Near: Adapter 23 Continues. --"Did you get the gist of what we were talking about?" Audrey nodded. "It appears that Samantha is back..." He paused and looked out the window... "exactly as she had been when I first saw her arrive at Lobster Cove.
"There is something severely wrong with you friend. You created her world and she keeps returning to it. Where do you think she has been since she flew out of your house? And what happened to her while she was gone?"
Tucker punched in some more numbers. Both were silent. "I'm calling my home." Audrey glanced at him unemotionally, quizzically. She was now thinking like a real reporter. He could almost hear the gears in her mind. "Oh...Hi...Samantha? Yeah, Tucker." He switched it to speaker so Audrey could hear.
"Where did you go Tuck. One minute you're out for a walk, and the next I hear you had to leave town."
"Oh I was called away for an emergency meeting with my publisher. I'm sorry I didn't call earlier."
"No matter, it's only been a night. The house looks great. I've been cleaning all day."
"You sound terrific."
"That's because you are talking to me." He heard only silence as if she was sensing an image of him in her mind. "You do that to me you know. When will you be back?"
"In a day or two. Are you alright? You know I miss you too."
"I have never been better. It's so nice when your world is perfect, and having you in it makes it extra special. I'll be fine. Take your time and get your work done." Silence. "Bye Tuck. Love you."
"Love you too."
"I think you should get back to your place. She sounds very, almosrt eerily fragile. I'll go to New Orleans. And, then you can catch up. You can trust me."
"I know I can. he turned and smiled, but it was a vacant smile. Not the kind of smile he wanted to give her. "i know I can." She reached over and patted is thigh.

The Answer:
250 Million worldwide use illicit drugs. They estimate that about10% are dependent. The US of A is the biggest market for illegal drugs.

The Big Ending:
Their lips are moving! Bada Bing!

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.

Common Cold; Uncommon courage.

Today's Tids Issue 2,280
Opening Stuff:

There are irritants in life and then there is that winter's cold that produces a red sensitive nose and a steady stream of running liquid that makes you wonder where it all could be possibly stored in your head. All the while you are sitting atop of a stack of Kleenex boxes. And you constantly find used tissues in all of your pockets. A special Tids salute today to all of the unsung heroes fighting the dreaded common cold.

In case you missed it, The Farmer's Almanac had been right on the money with the cold weather. Sometimes a good old fashioned aching knee or furry woolly bear is much better than a hundred computers.

Does a Vampire in AA have to be careful about the blood-alcohol content of his victims? "Jeez officer, I didn't know the blood was loaded."

The Question:
Who were the ten Most Liberal Scientists at the end of 2010 and how many are still in The senate now at the beginning of 2011.

The Headlines:

--Hu dines With 0 On Ice Cream And Apple Pie.
--Wall Street Declines On tech Fears; Clueless Lane Also Concerned Over China's Rapid Growth.
--Iraqi Bombs Kill Fifty Pilgrim Shiites On Wat To Holy City In Karbala.
--South Korea Accepts North's Proposal On Defense Talks.
--Obama Aims To Assure A,mericans Not to be Fearful Odf China's Rise; A Successful China Will Create Nore Jobs For US Workers, He Says.
--New Unemployment Apps Fall To 404K.
--100 Mafia Mobsters Arrested In Ny, NJ and new England; It is Severe Blow To NYC Five Families.

Back to More Stuff:
Contradictions Department:
How about that Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen. Talk about the root of the problem in American politics. Last week he called for a kinder, gentler rhetoric and then yesterday said the republicans were using the kind of Nazi like tactics that led to the Holocaust. Of course he later denied likening Repubs to Nazis, but only used the caparison to dramatize a tactic of seeding lies in the minds of the public. Like this hypocrite Cohen tried to do when likened the Tea Party to the KKK! He as said in his defense that he is an "Expert on Lies" which means that he knows more about lying than the average person. It was a disgusting display of a man who thinks everybody is wrong but himself.

I was thinking of contributing to the San Diego Mexican Drug LordHhealth Care Fund. But I was informed by a local cultural observer there that they have "No head for money management."

A reader sent in a very cool weather map and I thought I'd pass it on. It gives your data in a flash for any place in the USA, Tuck it away in a handy place for fast retrieval.
http://www.wrh.noaa,gov/zoa/mwmap3.php?map=usa

Did you ever think, that perhaps the national weather service enters into their computers data on the length of woolly bear's fur?

One thing Sarah Palin is learning is that most of the outrageous personal assaults and ridicule are out-of-thin-air gasps by a fearful opposition. Say what you will about the Alaskan grizzly, but one thing I know is that she will not back down. And that the louder the assault the more fierce will be her reply. I will applaud her guts, regardless of whether or not she is a good Presidential candidate.

Almost Near: Chapter 2 continues. --Samantha stood at the bottom of the 22 steps leading up to her aunt's charming home. The sight of this white house with its ells and and heavily detailed wood work has always been one of her most pleasant memories from her childhood right up to this moment. The 250 year old house looked perfect on its hilltop acre. Like God had designed it with the same care an love that he designed trees.
The wide front porch with old lattice up to the ceiling at either end had been a special place for daydreams, especially on those summer nights as crickets chirped and lightening bugs danced their fiery romp.
Her nerves intensified as she climbed up the long stair way lined with tulips almost past their peak.
She walked over and rubbed the back of porch swing with her hand, then took a deep breath before moving to the door and knocking using the heavy brass clamshell knocker.It all of a sudden became deathly quiet. She could smell the flats, and that was all.. She rapped again. "I'm coming. "I'm coming. You can bang the hell out of that old rocker,but my old legs aren't going to move any faster."
The door opened and Samatha found herself looking into that kind face she has loved for so many years..

A giant new species of Crayfish was found under a rock in the Tennessee creek. At 5 inches it is twice as long as any other cray fish known to man in the history of the world! I'm thinking, hey, is that near the Oak Ridge Nuclear research center? I wonder what else is in there? Oooooo-weeee-oooooooo.

Duh Headline of the week Department:
"RI (Congressional) Delegation Gives Obama High Marks at Midterm." Like that is news from four liberal Democrat ideological puppets.

Many around New England are sucking up to face -- another storm? No, a patriot-less weekend. Climbing over shattered dreams. Rising above ignominious defeat. This weekend will be the test of all those who must now remove their Brady or Wilfork shirt and hang it in the closet next to their Bill Buckner jersey. And wait another full year. If you see somebody crying go over an give him or her a hug. You will feel as good as you make them feel wanted again.

I guess I have to choose one, even though I have an intense dislike for both. The Jets or the Steelers? Hmm. Another 2-2 playoff weekend was surely not as disappointing as the one loss by the Beloveds. I'm picking the Steelers by a couple of points -- 27-24. I like Green Bay a lot. Chi has been resilient, but I am not at all convinced that they are a complete team. GB's defense is excellent even as the media focuses on the QB. GB 30, Chi 18. I love my Chicago friends but I don't like da Bears yet.

The more I read newspaper columns about health, the sicker I get.

Rep Steve Cohen basically said I am the only person in America who can rightfully accuse people of being Nazis. What a guy! What a country.

The increased fees at the local gym stretched the family budget.

The Answer:
The Most liberal was Sherrod Brown (OH). Then you have Roland Burris (IL), Ben Cardin (MD, Jack Reed (RI, Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), John Kerry (Ma), Frank Lautenberg (NJ), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Chris Dodd (CT and Dick Durbin (IL). Gone are Dodd, and Burris. Burris was replaced by GOP Mark Kirk and Dodd by a guy iwht the potential to vault inot the top Liberal spot -- Richard Blumenthal.
-
The End
We wage many a small battle in daily life that the world never sees. Little victories that elate will never be understood by anybody but yourself. Today is a good day to pat yourself on the back and wallow for a moment. You deserve it.

The Attack of the Killer Refrigerator Magnets

Today's Tids Issue 2,273
Opening Stuff:

I think that one of the most perplexing mysteries tormenting my simple mind is that compass needles point north. Why don't refrigerator magnets migrate north during the night. Huh? Huh? Can you answer that?

This whole magnetic north thing is intriguing. In fact, the magnetic North Pole moves about a 40 miles a year! Maybe that is affecting the Polar Bears. I don't see any animal groups trying to stop magnetic north from moving.

More money will be wasted in the name of "Green" than for any other cultural fad in history.

You never know what Congress may be doing to you in the middle of the night. Like moving magnets back to their original position so you don't know what happened to you. Sleep well tonight.

The Question:
A threesome! 1. Tucson killer Loughner's lawyer will be Judy Clarke. Name four other of her infamous clients. 2. Researchers gauged college students on their desire for sex, drinking, praise, seeing best friend, favorite food or good pay check. whcih do you think won by a wide margin? 3. Give me five reasons why people don't exercise.

The Headlines:

--M&A Activity Up.
--DeLay Gets Three Years; Ex-Majority Leader remains Defiant..
--Auburn National Champ In Surprisingly Low Scoring Game.
--Gates Sees North Korea As becoming Direct threat To US; Intercontinental Missile Program In NK On Track To Develop Missile In five Years.
--Portugal PM Says "No Aid needed".
--Illinois Dem Leaders Looking To Public To Bail them Out For Their Arrogance and General All Around Stupidity; Leaders In Ill Planning Massive, With A Capital "M", Tax Hike.
--Verizon Adds I-Phone; AT&T-Verizon War Intensifies. US Cellular Still Most Reliable Service.
--RI GOv Chafee-Lite Says No To Talk Radio For Himself And State Workers.
--Storm Leaves Frozen South; Heads To East Coast.
--Denver Man Arrested After Threats To Shoot Aides To Senator Bennet.

Back to More Stuff:
New England Patriot fans are anxious to see Rex Ryan feel the Agony of De-Feet!

If the next time you see me and my hair looks a little browner, it's because I thought my hair brush was my shoe polish applicator brush.

The more extreme Dems target Palin with unfounded, erronious accusations. the more they will find themselves wounded by riccochets.

In case you have missed hearing from Israel's Aerial Sharon, he has been in a coma for the past five years. I knew I had missed something.

Snow doesn't cause 30 car pile ups. Drivers driving bumper to bumper at 60 miles/ hour in the snow causes pile-ups! And people in four-wheel drive cars who think they are invulnerable, too.

Do people who have a problem with big government also dislike their fathers?

I thought author Jack Higgins was old forty years ago, but I still see him putting out his very readable novels.

The "Dockers" brand has become inconsistent. When it first came out it seemed to represent a comfortable decent looking style of pants. But now it can be anything and you have to look carefully.

Almost Near: Chapter 1 continues. --After her startling, disappointing meeting with Mrs. Fletcher, Samantha decided it was best to get situated and organized. Stepping out of the drug store she was at once all smiles again as she remembered other shops and the people who ran them. And how they were meaningful in her life. It took her breath away today as it had all those times before. As she walked across the street to the Clam Flats Inn, -- now with a little bounce in hr step -- she saw a few pople about their daily chores but none who she recognized. She pulled open the door hoping to see her old friend Zach Whithers. But instead saw a young man. He was somewhat familiar, but not totally. The man looked up as she approached, "Is Zach in?" she asked.
The young man's eyes darkened slightly. "Um, ah...my grandfather, I mean Zach Whithers, died two years ago.
Samantha felt saddened. "So you must be Jimmy. I remember you when you were," she held her hands about 3 feet apart, "This high." She laughed a little.
"Oh, that was a long time ago." That made Samantha feel as though she was back.

After watching that Seattle Seahawks win over the Saints, I say let's hear it for enthusiasm!!!

Life would be simpler if there were no people. But that's not the way it works.

The Answer: 1. Ms. Clarkes line-up includes unibomber Ted Kaczynski, Child murderer Susan Smith, 9111 conspirator Zacarias Moussoui and Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph. 2. The student's greatest desire by a good margin is for...praise! Allelulia. 3. The deterrants to exercising are: Job and family responsibilities (31%), Lack of desire (27%), D on't enjoy exercise (18%), Busy social agenda (9%) and Physically unable to exercise 8%). I agree with them all.

The End:
Today I'm going to play chicken with a snow storm roaring up the coast. That sounds stupid.

If not edible, then what?

Today's Tids Issue 2,268
Opening Stuff:

Is the large Goldman investment in FaceBook the start of the next big Wall Street bubble? If you feel that thinking may be a little premature hysteria I ask, has anybody heard of MySpace lately? I guess it just bothers my inner sensibility to learn that faceBook at $50 Billion is worth more than Boeing who actually creates something. While FaceBook's biggest asset is a fickle populace.

The chorus out of Washington from the 0-Man and echoed by the lowliest Congressional rep is "Republicans should put politics aside." Hmmm, this from a Prez who destroyed any possible chance of a workable non-partisanship government in the first hour of his first meeting after inauguration with the Repub leadership. What a crock. Actually, I hope the Repubs put politics aside, especially the politics of special interest government, and do what the people ask and what the Country needs.

It's starting to appear as though Brett Favre keeps on coming back because he can't find those massage therapists down on the farm in Mississippi.

24 hours til the first installment of the new Tids Serialized Novel. Excited yet?

The Question:
Personally, I think mushrooms are worthless. But, obviously, I am in the minority. What are the most popular types of mushrooms?

The Headlines:

--November Factory Orders Up; Stocks Flat As Better Economy Outlook Is Offset By Downgrading Of Consumer Stocks.
--Governor Of Pakistan's Punjab Province Assassinated.
--British Parliament To Reduce Size Of English Pubs Cherished Pint.
--Area In Australia The Size Of Germany And France Under Water.
--Diver/Researchers Find Historic Ship Of Oliver Hazard Perry; Newport RI's Perry Was Hero Of Lake Erie During War Of 1812.
--More States Joining Effort To Abolish 14th Amendment Which Provides The Loophole Granting Citizenship To Children Of Unlawful Immigrants.
--John Wheeler III Found In Dumpster, Murdered; Wheeler Served Under three President And Led Charge To Build Viet Nam Wall Memorial.

Back to More Stuff:
If the Republican Party, and especially the Tea Party folks, want to maintain their credibility they must continually resist overreaching. While a majority of the people are firmly on their side, most of the people with printing presses and microphones aren't And public opinion can change over night. Hey, the Jersey Shore cast are cultural icons.

Ditto that for Sarah Palin. Overexposure, more than anything, provides more opportunities to say something or do something stupid. Or at least stupid in the eyes of those snakes lying in the grass ready to pounce.

A local guy named Andrew "Hull" was named Naval Sea Systems Scientist of the Year! Makes sense.

I think the Government beats up on corporations like Drug companies, because they want the people to think that Government has all of the answers so the people keeps on sending them money.

Actually, most governments thrive by creating boogieman, dragons to slay for the protection of the people. The Republicans picked out murderers like the extreme Islamic bombers, woman abusers like the Taliban and nuts with nukes like NK and Iran. the Democrats picked American businesses like drug companies and insurance companies.

People must be really tuckered out after the long week/weekend, because Sunday night while driving though normally active cities like Newport and Westerly I saw nary a person on a sidewalk nor a car on the street. I had the feeling that aliens had attacked both towns with an invisible gas and the people were in their homes lying on the floor. But then I thought about my overactive imaginations...as I rolled up the window and stopped breathing. Ooooooooooo-weeeeeeee-oooooooooo.

Why do people get so excited about truffles. they're only overpriced mushrooms.

The only 8-Track Tape I ever owned was Peter Frampton's Come Alive album. I played it regularly until wore out. "Show me the way..."

The Answer: 
I guess seeing mushrooms growing in the ground, usually the most barren of ground, just doesn't appeal to me. The fact that they are basically tasteless and annoyingly squishy adds to their uselessness in my eyes. But...don't let me destroy your love for these favorites' of chefs. The most popular are Table mushrooms (Button), Shiitake (Balck), Porcini(PennyBun, Cep), Portabella, Chanterelle, Giant Puff Ball, Field Mushrooms (Meadow) and Morchella (Morel --sometimes toxic).

The End (Is near?):
Actually, what really bothers me is that you have two classifications of Mushrooms -- Edible and Dangerous to your health.

According to a new effort by Christians, I may only have five more months at most of putting out our beloved Tids. A loosely organized group of Christians are beating the Armageddon drum urging people to get ready for the end of civilization may 21. A spokesperson says "A lot of people might think, 'the end is coming, let's go party'. But we're commanded by Goid to warn people." But Mary Exley, a 32 year old ex Army veteran adds, "It better know when it comes so you will be safe.".

And... the reduction in size of the British pub's "Pint" is a government responsibility...how?

Having fun can be cheap.

Today's Tids Issue 2,236

Opening Stuff:

What am I going to do when email becomes obsolete?

You have to appreciate the anguish from stress being brought upon the hearts and minds of normally industrious, contented Chicago area residents who now night after night must watch commercials of Blago hawking nuts and Rahm Emanuel hawking lies in his run fro Mayor.

I remember the last Leonid Meteor Shower and it was spectacular. Any time between "Moonset and 5:15 AM tomorrow you can see thousands of meteors darting across the sky. The last time I did it was a couple of years ago, when at around 4:30 in the morning i stood, neck craned, on one of our beaches. I was joined by hundreds of groggy eyed, coffee drinking, early risers who stood in awe of mother nature sprinkling us all with stardust. Try it. Check your local papers. I'd like to have a Starbucks coffee concession there.

Yesterday's little "24" mention brought some serious response. One particularly vehement "24" lover (like me) suggested we form a group that would storm Fox Network Headquarters to apply a little Bauer like pressure to network execs...if you get my drift. KThunk. KThunk. Kthunk. Splash.

The Question:
If you want to become a writer, it is advisable to write about things associated with your life. Realism sells. Marftin Scorsese rose to success with several films that were probably based upon scenes of his childhood. Name five great Scorsese flicks. Bonus Q: How many wives did he have?

The Headlines:

--Irish Debt Mess Has Markets Pausing And Bouncing.
--Housing Starts Tumble; Inflation Concerns Rise.
--Powerful Republican Senator Jon Kyl Puts Kybosh On "New Start treaty" Vote This Year; White House Apoplectic.
--Germany Raises Internal Security Alert On News Of Pending Islamic Attacks.
--Warren Buffet Praises George Bush For Leading Effort To Buy Up Toxic Assets; Without Bernanke Designed Plan, Corporate US Could have Toppled, Says Oracle.
--EU Continues To Wrestle With Irish Banking Woes.
--Pelosi Expected To Remain Democrat Leader.
--Senate Dems Trying To Resuscitate "Earmarks" System They see Collapsing Around Them.
--Merck Successfully Experimenting With New Cholesterol Optimizing Drug That Could Dramatically Lower Heart Risks.
--China Increasing US Debt Holdings Even As Many Other Countries Slash Theirs.

The Ends:
Thanksgiving Recipe Department:
I was reminded yesterday that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that one week from today is Turkey prep day. Gadzooks! Here's a champagne basted turkey cooking recipe from Wisconsin that sounds good to me. In a bowl combine 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp celery salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.Rub over outsiude and inside of Turkey (Optional - Place sprigs of sage and parsley in cavities). Place in roasting pan and bake at 325 for 1/2 hour. While baking mix another bowl 2 cups champagne, 2 medium onions chopped, 1 1/2 cups minced fresh parsley, 1 cup condensed (Undiluted) beef consomme', 1/2 tsp thyme and 1/2 tsp dried marjoram. Pour in pan and bake an additional 3-3 1/2 hours (Til thermometer reads 180 degrees.) Baste often. Cover with alum foil if beast browns too fast. Let stand 20 minutes.

Now the Gravy Department:
Strain drippings in small bowl. In saucepan melt 1 tbs butter and stir in 1 tbs flour til smooth. Gradually stir in drippings and bring to boil, then cook for about 2 mins. Dive in.

Plagiarism Department?:
During his book tour, President George W. Bush said often that his greatest joy as president was being Commander In Chief of the armed forces. At the medal of Honor ceremonies yesterday, 0-Man said "Of all the privilges that come with serving as President of the United States,I have none greater than serving as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military the world has ever known."

You have to start worrying about the future of RI when Governor Elect Chafee starts getting rabid support from ultra left Providence Journal columnist Bob Kerr.

Here's something I don't get. Why are politicians so vociferous in their support of people who break laws...as in "illegal" immigrants. Is it because they need the company of fellow felons to assuage their guilt?

And.. Charlie Rangle is the new poster child for congress people who gain too much power for too long of a time. They have always been adept at lying to the people under the umbrella of "Good Politics". But, then they begin lying to themselves and start believing it.

I just read a pretty good, informed debate about whether or not Palin would be a good candidate for President in 2012. While there were several solid pros and cons, one thing they all agreed upon, -- she is incredibly effective at driving the left nuts!

One of the more intriguing mysteries of the day is the murder of big time Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen. The 64 year old glitterati glitterer was shot 5 times in the chest while she was driving her Mercedes around 1:00AM. Details are sketchy, but it has been said that police have gone to her office and seized her computers. Stay tuned on this one.

The Answer: 
Bronx born and bred, son of garment district workers Martin Scorsese hit it out of Ya-Ya-Ya-...(WYKWIM)...Stadium first with Taxi and then with Mean Streets, Raging Bull, Good Fellas, Cape Fear, The Color of Money, The Last Temptation Of Christ, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed and Shutter Island,,,among others. He was married five times, first to Laraine Marie Brennan (Daughter), writer Julia Cameron (Daughter), Isabella Rossellini, producer Barbara De Fina and Helen Morris (Daughter).

The End:
It is amazing how many things there are to do that cost next to nothing. Anything form standing on a sea wall on a stormy day to attending a lecture at a local institutions can be quite exhilarating. As is getting an email every once in a while from a good friend.

I look at a town with no people as beautiful and serene. Another my see the same thing and think dull and unexciting. But, that's life.

The Stockholm Syndrome State.

Today's Tids Issue 2,226
Opening Stuff:

Peaceful out there, isn’t it?

I’m depressed. Across America voters rejected the policies of Obama and a Government that doesn’t listen. But RI’ers seemed to have acquired a paradoxical psychological phenomenon, becoming hostages with expressed adulation and positive feelings towards their captors. Captors who have turned a once proud and dynamic state into Greece. A state on the verge of bankruptcy. A state where voters Ok a bond to build a new lab at the University but where the General Assembly chased out all of the businesses with good paying jobs for graduates. A state that chose their first “Independent” governor who was strongly endorsed by the unions that are destroying the state. A governor who has made noise about dismissing the only good thing about education here – Dorothy Gist (A thorn in the side of the teacher’s Union leaders). A state that elected for the most important corruption watchdog position of Attorney General a former majority whip of the Union owned General Assembly. (Talk about the old Fox and chicken coop thing.) A state that returned to the GA 95 of the 103 democrats who have brought this state to its knees. I’m moving. There is just isn’t enough beauty in the magnificent Bays, countryside and in the eyes of the good people of RI to overcome the ugliness in the government and the pain in your bank account.

My coffee probably tastes like mud because it was ground.

The Question:
What are the five freedoms enumerated in the 1st Amendment.

The Headlines:

--Republicans Take House With Record Turnaround; GOP Picks Up 6 Seats With Three Undecided..
--Boehner Vows To Shelve Health Care “Monstrosity”.
--Federal Reserve Expected To Buy More Billions In Government Bonds To Stimulate Economy.
--In California: Dope In; Dope Out.
--Indonesia’s Mount Merape Erupts In Biggest Blast Yet.
--al-Qaida Promising More Attacks On Christians In Iraq.
--Business Spending Up Strongly In September; New Private Sector Jobs Surprise; Stock Market Flat.

Back to More Stuff:
Of all the people who will be bashed between now and November 2012, Sarah Palin may get the most of the mud. Regardless of ho many times the opposition decries her mental capacity, the fact remains that they are afraid of her. And frankly the more the left and the elite insult her and Tea Party like organizations, the more the public in general resents the condescension. Whether or not you or I like the tea Party isn’t the point. The people in it represent the inner hopes and ideals of the majority of Americans.

They should have axed Pontiac 25 years ago.

If I ever got another dog, it would probably be an English Springer Spaniel. But I doubt if I ever will because of the leash laws.

Lobbyists are probably licking their chops at the prospects of all of that fresh new meat coming their way.

O great…now I have to learn how to spell B-o-e-h-n-e-r!

We could be looking at a hysterical lame duck session. The blood could flow freely as some of the holdover Dems will not acceded to the message sent and clutter the dockets’ with their pet projects. They won’t care. They’re not running for anything.

In an effort to bring Hawaii Five-O up to the present, they are ending it with “Kindle em’, Danno.”

With all of the hoopla over the Republican return to power in the house, nothing will change until the Dem and GOP party leadership stop thinking only about their need to retain power. I expect the Tea Party to get much stronger, even here in “The Masochist State”. The people have to keep up the pressure, because I still don’t trust any politician. We have been fooled too many times in the past...by both parties.

There are some who are saying that 0-Man will not move to the center as Clinton did after the ‘94 change, but will reaffirm his own vision of a Cuba like America and use lots of executive orders for the rest of the year.

The Answer:
Rhode Island, “The PT Barnum Sate” was actually the place where in colonial times where many of the freedoms that serve as the basis of the great US Constitution were nurtured by wise leaders and responsible citizens. The First Amendment was framed around many RI pacts and laws. The five freedoms are Religion, Speech, Press, Peaceful Assembly and the right to petition for a government redress of grievances. Thanks RI. I hope you are around for our future.

The End:
I’ve just got to stop thinking about politics.

I’m tired.

I’ve got to quit this racket.

I think I’ll open a U-Haul franchise. There’s going to be lots of RI’ers moving out.

The Veggie Gravy Train.

Today's Tids Issue 2,214
Opening Stuff:

If the video hits YouTube, there’s a good chance I’ll be kicked off of the Michelle Obama Healthy Eating Lecture Circuit. Friday I was seen eating potato chips smothered in rich, creamy pork gravy!** O...M...G!

In case you missed it, the “Brainiest” cities (Those with the greatest % of college degrees) are DC, San Fran, San Jose, Tie Boston and Raleigh, Austin, Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle and NYC. The city with the lowest percentage of degrees is Riverside Cal followed by Las Vegas, Memphis, Tampa, San Antonio, Louisville, New Orleans, Detroit, Orlando and Cleveland. Hmmm. Washington DC is the brainiest? I’ll take Cleveland any day.

I don’t think my mind is up to the daily task of managing a lot of “apps”.

The Question:
Name the colleges of the members of USA Women’s Basketball Team that is crushing all comers in the current World Championships.

The Headlines:

--Asian Stocks Hit Two Year High; US Futures Pointing Lower.
--Pakistan Attacks Two NATO Convoys.
--Japan Joins In Issuing Travel Warning For Citizens In Europe.
--New Study Shows That People Who Appear Moderately Obese Can Still be Quite Healthy.
--Supreme Court Begins Fall Session this Morning; Freedom Of Speech Advocates Looking Close Ly At Gay Protest Signs At Funerals And Banning Of Violent Video Games For Children.
--US Mutual Funds Re-Enter Black

Back t More Stuff:
I see where Bin Laden’s latest series of messages is a change from his usual rants against the US. Instead he is trying to broaden the appeal of al-Qaida by targeting groups he apparently thinks are likely to be moved by his message. One of the first groups in his list is Global Warmers. I wonder what Al Gore thinks about this.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 96 continues. All I could see was the opening at the end of the gun barrel, and it kept looming larger…and blacker. And I could see clearly it was aimed directly between my two eyes. I now heard Symington’s rants only as noise in the background of scene that may be my last. Fear blocked out my ability to hear distinctive words. I didn’t think any part of my body was moving. My eyes were transfixed, yet I sensed a blur to my right.
  If as under a magnifying glass, I could see almost too clearly his finger squeezing the trigger. Unemotionally, sentencing me to death. Taking the time to enjoy my last seconds. Then every thing speeded up. A black shadow emerged from my right just as I heard an explosion from the mouth of my executioner. I instinctively tried to move my body to my left, while awaiting the impact of the bullet into my skull, and then deeply into my brain as my world would fade to black.
  But, it wasn’t pain I felt or black I saw. It was a scream, an awful scream that I heard. And then the noise of bodies crashing into the door. I saw Kent’s back as his body engulfed Symington’s. I rose slowly and started to run towards that back which I could now see was a mass of blood.
  “Kent!”. I saw Symington’s eyes peering over Kent’s shoulder. Now, trying to kill me with hate. Kent’s arms were wrapped viselike around Symington’s, pinning his gun holding hand to his side. Symington was desperately trying to rid himself of Kent’s lifesaving grasp. He was trying to raise his hand with the gun. I had to get to Kent. Right now, I only wanted to get to Kent. I was moving forward quickly now. I lunged
  Another shot rang out. I saw the head of Symington reel backwards. Looking down towards the sound of the gunshot I saw Dan lying on his side with a gun in his hand. His eyes wide, yet a small smile creeping across a pained face.
  I heard Symington’s gun hit the floor just before I saw Symington’s body fall to the ground. Kent’s body was starting to fall, just as I reached his back. I wrapped my arms around him.

I think this whole obesity thing is a scam. Especially when you consider that the government probably wrote the definition of what’s obese.

I was reading yet another in a long line of tedious political cartoons depicting Sarah Palin as the dumbest single person on the planet. Which just proves once again that intelligencia are so wrapped up in their own smugness that they miss the world around them. Maybe Palin isn’t going to write a Pulitzer Prize play or discover a cure for cancer. But she responds to the needs of people. She gets it and explains it. Hey… all you have to do is look at which city is at the top of the Brainiest list, to know that degrees don’t translate into common sense…or good decision making. .

The only people with advanced degrees who, in my simple mind, count are doctors. The rest of them just avoided working a little longer. I never evaluate a anyone by the number of letters after their name or lack there of. But, simply by what they say, how they think and what they do.

I don’t work very hard. I don’t exercise in a programmed manner. Yet, I feel tired more than ever. But then I realize I spend much too much time these days being nice in groups of people a barely know. I think friendliness is wearing me out. I’m going to become a grouch.

I’m wondering if this current rash of Vampire movies and our increasingly bloodsucking Government is just a coincidence.

Speaking of rashes, so far George Bush has not been blamed for the FDR era syphilis testing on Guatemalan women.

If “permanent” means eternal or everlasting or forever…how do beauty parlors stay in business?

Obama continually tries to create hostility between the masses and the super rich, yet the masses continue to bow down at the altar of dimwitted super rich reality stars like Paris Hilton. Yes, she is back again for another reality show, this time about her life and the Hiltons.

Did you know that the word “Copper” comes from the Roman Cuprum which means…”Metal from Cyprus” – the place where it was first discovered. Kind of a let down, huh? Like learning the actual words beneath the magnificent music of operas.

Quiz Answer: 6 of the 12 are from Mighty University of Connecticut: Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tina Charles, Asjha Jones, Maya Moore and the amazing Diana Taurasi. The others are Jayne Appel- Stanford, Tamika Catchings – Tenn, Candice Dupree – Temple, Sylvia Fowles – Lousianna State, Angel McCoughtry – Louisville and the marvelous guard…Lindsay Whalen form Minnesota.

**Here's an easy recipe for perfect pork gravy every time. In a bit of butter, sear boneless pork chops in a large skillet until noce and brown on both sides. Scrape up all of the brown stuff in the bottom, thrwo in a small handful of chopped sweet unions and a tinge of chopped garlic. And a can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup. Simmer covered for a.bout 45 mins or unitl meat is nice and tender. You'll cry when the last drop of gravy is gone. Actually, broccoli goes very well with it. (I have written this recipe from a remote computer which is untraceable.)

Solve it locally.

Today's Tids Issue 2,115
Opening Stuff:

I’m moving fast this morn…so this may be an entirely inadequate version of the Tids.

Well, now that it isn’t under the Congressional blanket, the real truth about Health Care Lolla-Pelosi is emerging. First it will be far more expensive than projected. The report says it basically accomplishes very little in controlling health care costs. In fact, basically all it does is add 35 million to the rolls (Note: Tids said all along that was the only objective.) The high cost of health care may be even worse as the major cost cutting achieved in the Medicare area is “Unrealistic and unsustainable”. The report is from the Medicare Office of the Actuary. The admin will probably reject the report as too truthful.

The Prez knows how to rile old states righters like me. We know that the power of the Fed comes from the states. But our leader said yestrerday in a brief speech that could signal the beginning of yet another power grab by Big G: "If we continue to fail to action (Illegal Immigration Reform) at the federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts at the state level." How disgusting is that? The good news is that two hours after being ridiculed by the Great Mocker, the Governor of Arizona Jan Brewer signed into law the states get tough with illegals law. Communists in Cambridge are on a rampage.
The Question:
What are the most popular free iPad Apps?

Today’s Headlines:
--Overall, New Orders For Big Ticket Items Drop Sharply; t, After Large Transportation Items, Orders Were Up Smartly For All Other Categories..
--QB Sam Bradford #1 NFL Pick; Tebow Surprises By Being Taken In First Round By Denver ; Pats Get Corner McCourtney.
--GOP Says SEC Watchdogs Were Searching Porn Sites Rather Than Monitoring X-Rated Trading Activity.
-- Greece Asks EU-IMF For Bailout.
--Bomb Kills 14 In Iraqi Cleric’s Office; Is It Dissatisfaction With Vote Recount Or Revenge For al-Qaida Killings..

Back to More Stuff:

Save you’re your old rounded brim baseball hats.

Sarah Palin Department:
--The scurrilous Joy Behar snidely asked The View guest VP Biden “What is the appeal of Sarah Palin, exactly?” She was surprised when Biden quickly answered: “After you meet her, she is a charming person. It’s hard not to like her. I say this and people look at me like I’m kidding. I like her.” --I see where Scott Brown has come out saying that he thinks Sarah Brown could be President.

When you write the headlines every day, you start to realize how little news there really is.

After reading about the new NCAA deal with CBS worth $2 Billion, try to tell me that it is all about “Student” athletes!

Since Maggie Durham needs another day in which to recover from her dramatic breakdown, there will be no “Through the Same Eyes” today.

For A good example of how PR drives the news, you doon't have to look any further than last night’s NFL draft reports. Tim Tebow was considered by most “experts” to be a marginal pro at best. Yet his pick in the first round was the major story of the night. Bigger than the first choice. Bigger than the slippage of some highly regarded prospects.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The Back-up Plan is the latest in predictable romantic comedies. It will probably be important to you if you like stars Jennifer Lopez and Alex McLaughlin who play today’s cool type couple he a goat cheese maker and her a dog whisperer. Already I could care less. It is a planned parenthood jaunt that has too much weird grossness for me.
--The losers. It think the title is your first clue in this latest highly promoted formula film.

The Answer:
#1 is iBook. Then we have ABC Player, Netflix , USA Today, Weatherbug Elite, Weather Channel Max, NYT Editors Choice, NPR, The Wall Street Journal and Shazam.

The Bitter End:

I have to agree with you. This Tids sucked.

And they lived happliy ever after.

Today's Tids Issue 2,0106
Opening Stuff:

How ironic. How apropos. How delicious. While the TV cameras caressed the body of golf’s all time greatest reprobate (Albeit a talented reprobate), the finale scene was a perfect ending for a beautiful fairy tail with the Prince kissing the battling Princess. With tears running down the cheeks of all who could see. Amidst cheers for goodness and love. It is a perfect ending to a terrific sports event where we weren’t forced into the gutter to find the stories.

Yester-daze is a nostalgic discussion.

“You Can Call Me Ray…” Department:
“…You can call me Jay. But just don’t call me Johnson.” Not so fast Ray J. Johnson. Two of the five most respected US companies according to a new Harris poll of all Americans are #2 Johnson & Johnson and #5 SC Johnson! The others in the top five are Berkshire-Hathaway – 1, Google – 3 and 3M – 4. What you don’t want to be called is BB as in Bobby Bailout – The bottom 9 with the worst reputations in America in the eyes of Citizens and taxpayers are Freddie Mac, AIG, Fannie Mae, Citi, Goldman Sachs, Chrysler, GM, JP Morgan and Bank of America. And you might want to add Nike to that list after their blatantly bad taste commercial in support of their money machine. How about you can call me Eldritch but just don’t call me Tiger.

The Question:
145 years ago today a wonderful General Robert E. Lee Surrendered to U.S. Grant who just happened to be in charge at the end of the war.. Name five top Confederate and five top Union generals. Who are considered the worst generals?

The Headlines:
--Polish Mourn Death Of President Lech Laczynski And 95 Military And Civilian Leaders.
--Two Of Remaining Four Teams In reality Show Amazing Race Are From Rhode Island.
--Nuke Summit Convenes In DC; Aim Is Stop Security Gaps That May Lead To Terrorist Nuke Capability.
--Hillary’s Name Whispered As Potential Supreme Court Nominee.
--New Survey Says Recovery Expected To Remain Sluggish Into 2011.
--Google CEO Says His Company Can Help Newspapers Make Money On Line.
--Kirgyz Riots Said To Have Been Incited By Russia.
--Another new Bailout Plan Has Prospects For Greece Brightening.

Back to More Stuff:

This is the month when the trees in the forests must feel like parents of children going off to war. It is annual report month when millions of pounds of paper are sent to war in effort to justify the operations of companies. And, practically nobody reads them. And the older forests wonder why their children were sent off to die.

Did you hear about the boy trapped up in a tree? He yelled down to his cousin to find his dad. The cousin cried uncle!

The Tiger Woods travesty is just the latest example of the “Too big to Fail” mantra that allows Americans to be conned on a daily basis. While Alan “Not Me” Greenspan soaked in his beloved bathtub, the scammers on Clueless Lane (Wall Street) ran wild loaning money they never had. Knowing that they didn’t have to worry because the government would ever let them fail. And the bailouts, regardless of their apparent success, are in fact the crack cocaine of an addicted financial community. Check this video out. It explains it all in a nice neat, easy to understand package: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/36233217#36233217

Eldritch Woods should be studying avian science. Yesterday, two Alaskan eagles apparently got caught up in the throes of intense lovemaking in the air. They forgot about the rocky cliffs. In there irrational exuberance, they came crashing into the cliff, killing the male and seriously injuring the female. She is still in a dazed, confused state but has been overheard saying, “It’s never been like that before.”

Editors Note: For years now I have been labeling Wall Street as “Clueless Lane” primarily for either their inability, ineptitude, or maybe strategic disinterest in guiding the fortunes of the average investor. They appear to have no sense of what’s happening and seem to have a profound incapacity of seeing warning signs in advance of disaster. But, to call them Clueless, probably isn’t fair – considering the fortunes they have built for themselves building products that nobody understands. So basically, they are good for themselves.

If they are experts, why were they surprised that Woods did pretty well at the masters?

Sarah Palin would be better if her voice wasn’t so screechy. But don’t tell that to the apparent millions who adore her…or at least what she says.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 65 continues. –After I had learned what I had wanted from Henry, I spent the rest of our meeting trying to gracefully get away. Henry likes things to just wind down pleasantly. It would do me no good to push to get out. Although I must admit I was starting to exhibit some of my inner sensations as I looked forward to seeing Sarah.
But, Henry didn’t stop or ewven look like he was winding down. He seemed to be on a mission. “Did you ever meet Bromsky’s niece Laura?” He paused, “I mean did Seymore ever bring her to the office where you might have met her? I don’t say a word. I simply continued my stony posture for about ten seconds. “Laura?” I quickly added, “She was one of the vandals, wasn’t she?” Then, “Why do you ask?”
“Well,” he started, “She is becoming an intriguing person. I know you are a good observer of people and thought you may have seen her at BiEm with Bromsky.”
“I have seen her,” I quickly responded, “But I can’t tell you where.” Henry nodded.
Then He looked at his watch and quickly said slowly but strangely abruptly, “Well, I gotta go. Good to see you Kent.” He stood and reached out his hand which I shook. Henry was thinking about something. I left with head full of new questions.

How to Ruin your Superficial Credibility Department:
Sally Quinn, one of those basic elite liberal minded columnists who fool wanabees by writing and speaking well, started a discussion about the Obama/Palin flap over Nukes by actually saying “She (Palin) didn’t say ‘Nuclear’ correctly!” How tired is that? What it means to me is that Quinn thinks that Palin probably got the upper hand in the Prez/Gov skirmish. Nucular. Nucular. Nucular! I love to watch English majors squirm.

BTW, if you look back in time, nuclear has been pronounced nucular by Eisenhower and , surprise, Bill Clinton. Jimmy Carter pronounced it “newkeeuh”.

Do you have the feeling that the Pope is employing the well proven Bill Clinton strategy of deny, deny, deny until the reporters get tired of talking about it?

For nearly twenty five years I have used the type font “Century Gothic” as the basis for my little company’s standard look for invoices, proposals, letterheads, fax covers etc. This morning I learn that experts say it is the most efficient typeface for saving ink! Hey! I’m an environmentalist!

I received a letter Saturday form the Dean of something at Lehigh U informing me and fellow fraternity brother alums that our Chi Phi was being brought up on police charges resulting from some hazing activities. The letter suggested that it might not go well for our undergrad group at all since they were still on probation for something like cocaine distribution! Yikes. But here’s the funny part. My inside unnamed source writes to tell me that, “One of their pledges, for some reason that I will never understand, wrote his English paper on how he was hazed at Chi Phi. The English teacher turned it into the police.” Now here’s the big question. What kind of English teachers are we tuning out these days?

The straw poll from the latest Republican confab in New Orleans has Romney and Paul tied at the top at 24%. Second is Palin and Gingrich tied at 18%. In the previous GOP get together the straw poll had Paul at 31%, Romney at 22%, Palin at 7% and Pawlenty at 6%. Romney did weel despite being the only no show candidate in NO. He was out there explaining his Mormonism to Christian groups. Seems to be working. He, Sarah and Newt made the biggest leaps forward. And coincidentally the three recently have made the boldest anti-Obama statements.

You have probably heard about Spirit Airline’s announcement of a $45 charge for carry-on luggage. Chucky “I never miss an opportunity to spout” Schumer says he is going to do something about it. Here’s what you do about it Senator Socialist, Nothing? Do you have any concept of the American free enterprise economic model? If people don’t like it, they’ll find another airline. If they are dumb enough to pay it they’ll get ripped off. It’s the same thing as letting banks fail. If you are stupid you get burned.

My current personal favorite politician is Michelle Bachman.

While the papers are filled with congressional investigations and personal injury lawyer assaults on Toyota, Forbes announces the new list of “America’s Worst Built Cars (and Pick-ups)”. Tops is the Cadillac Escalade followed by the Chevy Aveo, Chevy Colorado, Dodge Nitro, Ford F-250, GMC Canyon and Jeep Wrangler.

The Answer:
Tops for the South after the brilliant Lee were Stonewall Jackson of Clarksburg WVa, P.G.T. Beauregard, AP Hill, George Pickett, Jeb Stuart, James Longstreet, John Pemberton and Jubal Early. The North had problems finding aleader among Ambrose Burnside of RI, George Custer, Abner Doubleday, George Meade, William Tecumseh Sherman, Phillip Sheridan and George McClelland. Most of the Top 10 Worst Generals were form the North – The worst was Butler followed by McClellan, Burnside, Bragg, Siegle and Banks all USA. Then comes the first and only CSA, Gideon Pillow followed by Buell, Rosecrans and Kilpatruck.

Musings:

Doesn't it appear that a lot of the common sense opposition to this run-away Congress and admin is coming from the Southern states? Let's all hope they win this war!

There's an Orca in the swimming pool.

Today's Tids Issue 2,082
Opening Stuff:
You don’t need any more proof that temperature is a relative measurement than this weekend when at 43 degrees many people in the Northeast were walking around in T-Shirts and sometimes shorts. Last week in Florida at 44 degrees, the folks were bundled in scarves, fleece and warm pants. It’s always good to remember that much of what you see or feel is not exactly as it is. Cute and cuddly doesn’t always mean trustworthy just as stony and distant doesn’t always mean evil. People tend to measure opinions as they relate to their own definitions of normality.

If you don’t have any friends then you’ll never get lonely when they aren’t around any more.

The Qustion:
A new story in Time Mag says that Obama is duplicating Bush mistakes. What do you think they are?

The Headlines:
--Another Strong Earthquake Kills; This Time 57 Die As 6.0 Rattler Hits Turkey.
--Pakistan Arrests American Member Of al-Qaida.
--Bullock Wins Oscar And Razzie On Same Weekend; Bridges, Bigalow, “Hurt”, Waitz and Mo’nique Take Home Major Gold; Men In Tuxes, Woman In Varying Array Of Designer Dreams.
--AIG Sells Another Unit To Raise Cash; Alico Goes To MetLife For $15.5 Billion.
--EU To Create European Monetary Fund (EMF) To Better Coordinate Economies Of 16 Countries; Greece Happy With Support Action.
--Toyota To Hold Press Conference Today; Company Will Dispute Claims By Class Action Lawyer’s Expert That Computer Malfunction Is Cause Of RUA Problem.
--Thieves Wielding Machetes And Guns Terrify German Poker Tournament And Leave With $328,000 Jackpot.
--Ahmadinejad Says 911 Attacks America’s “Big Lie” To Rally People Against Muslims; Calls Rosie American Heroine (I made that up).

Back to More Stuff:

ABC Special Assignments reporter Brian Ross is looking more and more as a shill for lawyers promoting class action suits.

Is Sarah Palin becoming just one more member of the “15 Minutes of Flame-out” club?

“Tolerant” is the new word of choice used by progressives in arguments against the deep seeded opinions of older and more conservative citizens of the US – As in “You don’t understand the new tolerance of younger people”. They use it as a synonym for “enlightenment” while the other side sees it as a synonym for “enabling bad behavior”

If You Can Play We Can Tolerate Anything Department:
To some, Antonio Cromarte -- a defensive back in the NFL just signed by the NY Jets for $7.8 million -- is a loving man who likes to share his well intentioned heart. To others he is an irresponsible miscreant who in 3 years has fathered 7 children with 6 different woman, none of whom is his loving wife! “Show me the money.”

Tom Friedman, the well known columnist for the NY Times, agreed in an interview that the real reason why the Iranian people call the US “The Great Satan” is because the US liberated the hated (And a people they consider inferior to themselves) Iraq people from tyrannical rule instead of them.. Those in opposition to the Ahmadinejad regime would lay down palms if the liberating American Army marched upon the streets of Teheran as they did on the Champs Elysees during WWII. Many say that the opposition in Iran were greatly discouraged by the lack of official US support for their bravery.

Jumping on the Plagiarism Bandwagon for the Enlightenment and Entertainment of Readers Department:
As the spy said to the drum major, “Were you followed?“ or -- The dog looking up at the symphony conductor, “Are you going to throw that stick or just wave it all day long?” Thanks to Barsotti and McCoy.

Merrill Streep proved again last night why she is one of America’s great actresses. Her raucous, uncontrollable laughter at the opening duel-log made you feel she thought Martin and Baldwin were actually funny. The rest of the show went pretty much as expected, unless you had bets on the technicians. See Today’s Tids weekend special report “Oscar Crap” for the predictions and commentary that became the results. Read the Tids and save time: http://todaystids.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=1

I guess Palin hasn’t learned from Obama’s message, -- Overexposure kills.

The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 58. –I woke this morning excited, and yet with growing concern. This was the day I was finally leaving. Actually I’m very happy about getting out of here and rehabilitating my self quickly. I’m very happy about being not paralyzed…or dead. I am very happy about all of the love I received while lying here in a state of apparent unconsciousness. I wanted to lie here pleasantly and enjoy the effects of the beautiful sedative that is other’s pure concern for you. Could I have asked any more of Paul? Or the absolute love of my wonderful children. And Izzy, Jack and Billy. And Kent. Of course my delightful Kent. Who makes feel well beyond what I have ever felt.
I wanted to lie here pleasantly. But mind, and heart, keeps on returning to a conflict that I had never felt before now. Even when I was lying in Kent’s bed or enjoying his mind over a cup of coffee and pie at Maries. I was so captivated by his being that nothing mattered. I quickly banished second thoughts because it was so good. So perfect.
Even when Paul came in this room as Kent was secretly caressing me, bringing me to that special place I love to share with him. Even then, with husband appearing suspicious, I was rooting silently for Kent to be his amazing self. And he was.
And, when Paul my loving husband was romancing me over a tray of hospital food, I was remembering how well Kent had made me feel. Is there something wrong with me?
“Time to get dressed for the Big trip!” My nurse walked in with a pile of my clothes just when I needed her most.

Back to More Stuff Again:

A local RI journalist points out that Brooklyn’s Finest, the movie about corrupt police, débuted the same day 4 Providence Police officers were arrested for running a broad based and very profitable drug ring. As former mayor and ex-Con Buddy Cianci mused: “Need Cocaine? Dial 911.

Remember getting irritated by those kids who would change the rules of games so they could win. And, how adults would go along with it as being good for their self esteem? Well, those kids are now all in Congress now.

I see where 0-Man will join John Walsh at the 1,000th anniversary of his show “America’s Most Wanted”. Where was the Prez when the Tids hit #2,000?

The Answer:
The biggest obvious problem with Bush to me was his failure to adjust his massage about the IW to new information. A robotic iteration. Just as o-Man rattles on about HC as the people cry out in anger. Time says the parallels are 1. No chief economic (Respected) spokesperson. 2. Failure to integrate policy, politics and communications (Too much reliance on political machinations than substantive policy) 3. Tying admin too closely to own party congressional leadership. 4. Failing to empower Cabinet members on domestic policy.

The End:
My guess is that the admin will initiate a new people oriented push on Health care will focus on several of the well discussed Insurance company (alleged) abuses – preexisting conditions, dropping or refusing treatment and jacking up rates. In other words, glaze the cake to make it appear yummy and pass an expensive adulterated bill laden with layers of Cod Liver Oil.

Td's and Ad's

Today's Tids Issue 2,060

Opening Stuff:

The Super Bowl had a winner this year. It was a fine competitive affair. And, to this viewer, with a Peyton Manning in the wings it is never over til the confetti engulfs the field. While Brees was uncanny after the first quarter, I have to say that a couple of dropped Manning passes caught could have easily changed the outcome. The opening patriotic songs were good. While Carrie was robust, I thought she strained a bit. The Queen was a little to jazzy for my taste. The “Who” was what it is, with people who didn’t know them loving their discovery and old Who fans crying in nostalgia. Personally, I thought it was a set up. CBS had the game telecast and couple of the best known Who themes are signatures for the top series, CSI and cast offs. A little subtle advertising here? I didn’t get very excited about the ads. Men walking around in underwear is a turn-off. Rather ugly, really. I remember two commercials. The one I liked best was the Simpson’s Coke ad. The other I remember was the Doritos in the neck by the protective snack addict. Most of the rest were old themes with no surprises or bad attempts at humor. But, the game was great. And that is all I care about anyhow.

I hate long openers like the above. But you do what you gotta do.

The Republicans made the mistake of complaining about the lack of transparency. Now Prime Time will be seeking TV time for just about every little issue. He loves it, and will use it as a campaign tactic. Because, when he is at the podium in his house, he will always get the last word. These forums could diminish whatever advantage the GOP has gained during the past year. Be careful about what you wish for.

The Question:

I remember well how I became fascinated by Classical music as about a 7 yo. listening to The Lone Ranger’s nightly radio program. You could probably name one overture that was a well known theme and popularized by the program.. But, there were two others that often filled out the musical background so important in radio. Name the pieces and the composers.

The Headlines:

--Bourbon Street Alive All Night Long After Saints Man(ning)-Handle Colts; Breeze MVP; Coach Payton Pulls Out Tricks To Keep Peyton Off Field.
--Prime Time To Hold Televised “New Vision for Health Care” Reform Developmental Forum; Rahm Emanuel To Crack Opening Monologue Jokes With Music By Stevie Wonder.
--Homelessness Rears Ugly Head In Job Rich North Dakota As Millions Flock There For Work.
--Costa Rica Elects First Woman President; Arias Protégé Laura Chinchilla Wins In Landslide After Vowing To Keep Moving Forward With Free Market Policies.
--Five Dead, Many Injured, In Giant Connecticut Power Plant Explosion; House Fire In RI Kills Four Young Adults And Infant.
--Ugly News About Past Forces Yet Another Illinois Pol Out of Race; Dem Lt. Gov. Scott Cohen Ousted Under Pressure.
--Obama Says He Has Not Ruled Out NYC Terrorist Trial.
--Palin Hasn’t Ruled Out 2012 Run.

More Stuff:

Greg Cravens reminds us that in the past the business maxim for success was “Find a need and fill it”. And, that in today’s new Internet world it is “Create an obsession and feed it”.

One media wag says about the Tea Party, “Their harsh rhetoric keeps them on the fringe.” The harsh rhetoric is simply the honest truth that the myopic don’t want to understand.”

Friday, speaking on Health Care, 0-Man urged a “…methodical, open process…). Isn’t this same guy who last spring was saying ‘August or else’…I mean ‘October at any cost’…or was that, ‘It’s got to be done by the State of the Union’. The ragtag health care bill died under the wait of bad decisions made under the pressure of unnecessary deadlines.

Saturday night Sarah Palin did what she does best, Cheerleading! The crowd loved her enthusiasm and folksy approach to the big picture. By the end of the rousing speech, the audience was shouting “Run, Sarah run!” A lot of people like to criticize her folksiness as not being “Presidential”. I’ve seen “Presidential” and I’m not impressed. I’d rather have “This is me and you’re stuck with it…but I’ll listen and I’ll get things done” than a slick well-handled “Suit” any day. Of course the problem with Sarah is substance. She has supposedly been on a cram course of recent months and I still see her struggling to easily find good from the heart…and brain…answers. She appears to have been basically memorizing sound bites for each given situation or possible question. She is dynamic in her support for the America I have always liked best, so I’ll keep an eye on her.

The Novel:

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 23 continues. –“This is obviously a meeting I don’t think I’m looking forward to”, opened Isabelle in a light manner. The State Police Detectives didn’t smile, but I did. I didn’t know how much Phillips knew, but I didn’t want to scare her away. “My body guards here are Lieutenant Detective Roger Cook and Detective Henry Balsinger.” She smiled back. ” We don’t have all of the answers, but through a series of coincidences we have tied together some apparently harmless vandalizing in Fosterville to a major concern that could be happening here in your company. A supplier of your company, Paul Durham of GenInst had felt some strange, unrealistic pressure from your man Bromsky. After Bromsky’s mysterious interest in his business, he noticed significant discrepancies in the research of your two leading scientists, Bromsky and Kent Middleton. As you might know, Middleton is on a town committee and I know him. I presented our evidence to him this morning after I called you. Basically, we think that Seymore Bromsky could be experimenting on humans. Specifically, based on further interviews with the Niece of Bromsky, we feel certain that the humans are some missing teenagers. Isabelle was stony. Which is exactly what I expected.

More Stuff:

I don’t think the seas are rising…I think all of this GW BS is weighing down the earth and it is sinking.

If Obama thinks he’s “I’m not an ideologue” like he told Republican congress people in that recent folksy get-together, he should take a closer look at his list of radicalized Czars. It’s kind of scary. Not to mention the fact that the whole concept appears to be an attempt at circumventing the “Checks and Balances” system that has been so important to America since the country’s inception.

You know what bothers me…the way people love crapping on drug companies. The way I figure it, without them, there’s a pretty good chance that I and people I love would probably not be around. I know what you are thinking…Great! No more Tids. But what about the good people?

Ah, sports in America. But then, USC has to recruit adlolescents now because they’ll probably be on probation for the next several years after new Lane “Darkside” Kipfin gets finished with the program. The next time somebody wants to report creepy old guys hanging around school yards, they had better be sure they aren’t USC scouts.

Are we getting into second phase of the “unopened-financial-statements-sanity-preservation” strategy? Buy bonds. If you can find some that are affordable.

When I envision a picture of an angry young man, I see Timothy Geithner.

And in RI, “Numbnuts”, Congressman Patrick Kennedy, says that “The election of Scott Brown was a joke”. The latest proof that he doesn’t get it, and never has. Looking for a Joke Patrick…

If harsh rhetoric makes you “Fringe”, than all of those Bush bashers must be fringe too.

How come when 0-Man wants to reach the “people” people, he tries to get folksy like Sarah Palin?

The Answer:

I expect that you all guessed Rossini’s William Tell Overture. But, also very prevalent throughout the series are Mendelssohn’ s Hebrides (Fingals Cave) Overture and Franz Liszt Les Preludes. Occasionally they would mix in a little incidental Bizet. So, that will giove you something to hum about today.

The End:

Like all businesses, the US economy needs customers. Plain and simple. We have to export more so the producers can hire more services here at home. Hey…wait a minute we don’t have any more producers.