Ach du lieber!

Today's Tids Issue 2,455
Opening Stuff:

I have often said in this daily mess that anybody who lives in this delightful state -- about 30 miles wide and forty miles long, completely surrounded by ocean and where lakes abound -- and doesn't have the heart of an environmentalist, has the brains of a stone wall. How could you not appreciate the work of Save the Bay when seeing yesterday dolphins lolling and frolicking off Barrington Beach and up the Providence River. Yes, that Providence River! Makes you feel good to be alive.

Yesterday Wall Street celebrated a massive bailout of irresponsibility. So as warm as the feeling was yesterday as stocks rose, the proposal only reduces Greece's Debt to GDP ratio from a whopping 160% to a whopping 120%. And none of this will become a reality until the takers give up something to make it happen. In other words, don't go crazy investing after this euphoria.

New Word: "Ineptocracy(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) - A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers." Thanks to a good reader and keen observer of mankind.

The Question:
Friday Two Parter! 1. Number one shouold be easy. Name 7 good Julia Roberts Movies. 2. Name five of the best all-time Vampire movies.

The Headlines:

--St. Louis Says Alive In Fantastic World Series 6th Game; Good Weather Predicted For Finale Tonight.
--Stock Buying May Pause As Investors Come Down From Euphoria; Many Realizing Challenges Ahead; Profit taking Will Aslo Contribute To
--Tunisia Military Steps In As Post-Election Protestors Storm Government Building.
--Death toll In Baghdad Twin Bombings Rises To 32.
--Job Cuts Looming As Companies Pare Down For New Year: Whirlpool - 5,000; Altria Group (Marlboro Cigarettes) - Cut 15% Of Salaried Employees.
--Betting Internet Site Has Romney Shooo-In For Nomination With Support Of 62% Of Wagers; Cain, Perry Far Behind In Low Teens.
--Providence RI Issues Ultimatum To OWS: Get Out Of Park In 72 Hours.

Nobody should be surprised to hear that the head of the Cranston Fireman's Union stood up yesterday to accuse the RI Treasurer of "cooking the books" to create a pension crisis. That's what Union leaders do when there are no facts in their favor -- they reach inside their Rosie O'Donnell encyclopedia of unknown knowledge and create a myth. Just make something up. Like that. That may work when trying to intimidate across a negotiating table, but this time the crowd across the table are taxpayers who are getting real tired of overpaying for the unfounded promises of Union Leaders; supported by their brethren in the legislature.

Regardless of what the jury determines, I think Jackson killed himself. Most addicts do. Let's put it this way. If I sat in front of the TV with 50 bags of Cheetos eating away, eating til my body ceased to function normally, and somebody passed by and threw in a fifty-first. And, I keeled over and died -- was it the 51st bag that killed me? I don't think so!

Have you noticed that newt Gingrich keeps sneaking up in the polls.

Actually, I was reluctant to put in the "Q" Section that second of the two parter Q this morn. I just didn't want to contribute to this morass of Halloween writings about candy calories, costumes, pumpkin recipes and and assorted ghouls and zombies, all which has a tendency to deaden my soul.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--In the future all humans stop aging at 25. The only way to stay alive is to steal, inherit or buy more time. Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in this Sci-Fi film where the Timberlake character gets a windfall of time that gives him access to the wealthy where he and Seyfried set out to destroy the corrupt system. Not too bad.
--Hunter Thompson boggles my mind. Maybe this film sorts it out. It's slow, but well acted. The Johnny Depp character wants to get away from the noise of 1951 NYC , and lands at the downtrodden San Juan Sun in Puerto Rico. He languishes in the rum soaked life, but eventually reaches a turning point in his life challenged at many levels as he fights for security amidst a group of lost souls bent on self destruction.
--Lover, fighter and outlaw Puss In Boots joins street smart Kitty Softpaws and mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save the town. Good kids movie, and probably enjoyable for Parents along for the ride.

Some dreamer wrote in the paper this morning: "If we don't pay college tuition for Illegal Immigrants, they will go on the dole." How about if they go back to Mexico. We won't have any on the dole and we won't be paying for there education too. Illegal is the word.

Almost Near: Chapter 46 continues. --Samantha edged towards the door. She looked back at Dante lying so peaceful and content appearing, yet entirely helpless. Her heart felt what her brain was seeing. She mouthed to Mary, "I think it's time for me to go." She turned and put her ear to the door. There was no conversation, no noise.
All of a sudden there was a cacophony of sound, beeps and sirens. She turned to see Mary smiling, lifting her finger off of one of the buttons on the life support machine. Now she heard action in the hall. The door knob turned rapidly. Samantha ducked behind a curtain near a sink, three feet to the right of the door. The door flew open and Jack barged in, looking straight ahead at Dante, and Mary now looking concerned, hovering over him. She heard the footsteps of running nurses getting louder. Just as she saw the first one jump in, Sam slipped around the door and into the a hall. She looked both ways past several more nurses on their way to save Dante, and then walked quickly to the nearest left turn.
If they weren't after me before, they will be now, she thought to herself. I seem to be a fugitive from at least 2 police departments, and I know no reason why. And no Dante to help me.
Maybe I should call Tucker. But something inside her made her shudder.

I have to laugh at Perry calling Romney a flip-flopper. First of all he is adding fodder to the Democrat opposition. Second, he changed from being a Democrat and a huge supporter of Pinocchio, Al Gore. Thats not a flop. That's a swan dive off the high board.

The Answer: 1. My first recollection of Julia was in the wife abuse story Sleeping with the Enemy. And then I liked her in Pelican Brief, Notting Hill, Erin Brockovich and Conspiracy Theory. Many more of you loved her in Petty Woman, Steel Magnolias and Mystic Pizza. She also hit it in Runaway Bride, Michael Collins and My Best Friends Wedding. I'm sure you all have many more favorites. 2. Check out this list of best all-time Vampire movies: Nosferatu (1922), Dracula (1931), Rabid, The Lost Boys, Near Dark, Vampire's Kiss, Cronos, The Addiction and The Blade.

The German population after the EuroZone financial plan announcement are wondering why it is always them who do things right who have to bail out people who make bad decisions. Sound familiar.

In closing -- this from a world traveler an loyal Tidster: "No matter where you stand on the matter, if you are at all a fan of irony you have to appreciate this bit of contradiction. There's a flap at Occupy Wall Street because many protesters feel that the free food shouldn't be available to all, but only to those taking it more seriously. The serious feel the others are just freeloading at the protest for said free food; that the "cause" is irrelevant to their presence. So to sum that up: At Occupy Wall Street, those who feel they are "working" harder do not want to share with those they feel are not."

Every community over time replicates every other community. Because...they are all filled with human beings.

Have fun in your weekend community! See you all Monday morning.

PPD.

Today's Tids Issue #2,415


Opening Stuff:

I was at a meeting this week when an older (Yes older than me) woman I like was complaining about the poisonous barbs continually being flung at the poor embattled President Obama. I started to say that it was the new world of crass public debate. That Bush was treated to some of the most disgraceful, unthinking vicious rhetoric of any President in History. But then, i figured she'd probably respond, "Yeah, But, he deserved it." So there we are. A new society where people who genuinely like each other can resort to lowest common denominator assaults on a neighbor's personal beliefs. People don't try to explain facts, they try to disguise history. And most of all, destroy personal reputations with often made-up or exaggerated slander. Has politics ever been lower? Probably. It just looks lower because the voters seem to despise each other more. And we see it evry day on endless TV.

If you still don't think we live in an interconnected global neighborhood, just check out the stock market for a couple of days.

Speaking of the global economy, the big German car manufacturer is bring out an electric version of the classic "Beetle". It's called a VoltsWagon! Shoot me.

A Tip-O-the-Tids-Cap to the Cumberland RI Little League Baseball Team that goes to war tonight against Oceanside CA. How can you not root for the little guy?

The Question:
Who do you think Americans voted "Least Trustworthy Celebrity"? Guess the Top Ten

The Headlines:

--World Stocks Set Ominous Tone For US Friday Morning Plunging On Concerns Of Global Recession.
--Suicide bomber Kills Forty In Pakistan Mosque; Afghan Suicide Bombers Kill 10 In British Compound In Kabul.
--World Leaders Ask Assad To Take A walk.
--White House Orders Agencies To Cut Budgets; May Be The Day Bureaucrats Awaken To reality.
--Storms Destroy Structures At Giant Belgium Music Festival Killing Five, Injuring 70.
--BofA To Cut 3,500 Jobs In Coming Quarter.
--China-Georgetown Basketball Game Erupts Into Near International Incident; China Expected To Ban NBA Players From Playing There During Lockouts.

I take daily brisk, energetic walks to keep my juices flowing and to keep my body in primo athletic condition awaiting that NFL call-up. Generally it's to the Super Market. Where...I buy puffy Cheetos because they're lighter for the trip home. "NFL Rookie found with car full orange snacks. Say's, "it was a mistake" In a short press conference, the agent revealed there were numerous orange fingerprints on the navy blue uniforms of the police, but the lawmen said they were only looking for autographs." Ever the dreamer.

I think I'm seeing a stock market of generalizations where computers aren't smart enough to see the specific! It sounds like a socialist style financial market place where every stock falls or gains equally regardless of accomplishments or failures.

I find it odd that the local NEA is apparently against Charter Schools which are very good for the kids and good teachers. Oh maybe I do understand the wiles of this organization which sends thugs to the General Assembly to violently intimidate their foes.

Gary Giordano may be one of the all time dumbest alleged murderers in recent history.

Tatoos must be really expensive. Current Celtic and former Cleveland player Delonte West who has made over $14 Mil just applied for a job at Home Deport! He needs cash badly, he says. $14 Mil and all you have to show for it is a body full of Tatoos. What a wacky world we live in!

Yesterday I wrote mainly about being able to do just about anything if you put your mind to it. So how come I still have so many typos? No mind?

The United States of Kardashians:
A new study by MIT and soon to be reported in the American Journal of Political Science reveals that a large majority of uniformed voters pick candidates solely on looks! The majority of this very large group are big non-news TV watchers. It measured different population segments based on the type of shows they watch. As one wag commented, "Shocker! They are saying people who are stupid and shallow are making stupid and shallow choices.". Anybody have a comb!

If you look at a lot of really cool developing technology, you'll notice that much of it is capable of eliminating people from the workplace -- from factories to airports to hospitals. I expect that the next big development will be robots that go to school for kids. And, the robots will learn a lot more too. RI test scores finally go up!

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Conan The Barbarian is a pretty awful movie. The star Jason Momoa who has no personality tries to save his world form fierce rivals with armies of giant humans and scary monsters. Don't go.
--It smacks of Same Time next Year. Emma from a working class family who wants to save the world and Dexter a wealthy heir who thins the world his his playground meet after graduation and discover a fascination with each other. Even after a night of anticipated great sex goes wrong for the right reasons. They then meet each other on July 15 for the next two decades of their lives and we see it all, the agony, hopes, dreams and realization. The chemistry between the actors is not great but it could be a decent entertaining story. Elvis Costello fans will liekthe original song Sparkling Day.
--Fright Night, a 3D remake of a 1985 film, has one big flaw. It isn't scary.
--5 Days of War follows the lives of a renegade American journalist and a Georgian schoolteacher during the five day Russian/Georgian war. It's an escape from tyranny film and it is pretty good.

Almost Near: Chapter 5 continues. --Audrey had been making plans since the first time she met the woman who she believes is Florence Quimpere. Her main objective is to appear friendly and concerned. She sensed that Florence was truly a caring women. She needed to be her ally and friend. And most important, a person these perhaps traumatized children could trust.
She felt comfortable walking up the neat brick path lined with small white hydrangeas. There were vines with beautiful purple flowers she didn't recognize climbing to the roof, framing the entrance. She inhaled before knocking thinking oddly "I could live here." The house put her at ease as she waited. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a curtain pulled back and quickly released. She was hoping that it wouldn't be Florence opening door. She was looking for whoever owned the house to become an envoy. She heard footsteps. The door opened.
"What do you want?" It was Florence.

The Answer:
Paris Hilton received the absolutely least trustworthy prize beating out several moral degenerates -- Charlie Sheen, Brittany Spears and Kanye West. Also making the list of infamy are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiger Woods, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Donald Trump and Lebron James. In case you are interested, "Most Trusted" were #1 Betty White -- followed by Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Kate Middleton, Will Smith and Johnny Depp.

The Weak-End:
People who vote by looks are also easily swayed by disingenuous negative rants against candidates too. There is no more important time in history than now when the real truth of the facts need to be explained. But, I fear that bare, unfetterd information is not part of a formula in political science.

I'm f-a-l-l-i-n-g-!

Today's Tids Issue 2,409

Opening Stuff:

I heard the current stock market being described as "Carl Wallenda with a middle ear infection."

Out of Thin Air Department:
When I see news reported about the world financial situation as a cause for up or down movements, my first reaction is to wonder why the so-called experts didn't see it coming? How can self acclaimed geniuses be surprised so often? Like yesterday, when out of the blue the problem that effected my declining pension fund was all-of-a-sudden the weakening French banks. It is almost like the big investors have this vault full of negative or positive information that can they retrieve and release at any give moment to drive a market to match their current manipulation strategy. Skepticism and cynicism abound in the hearts of the excluded.

But, who cares! Tonight the Patriots kick off the NFL Pre-Season. Elsewhere readers in Jacksonville, Baltimore, Philly, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Arizona and Oakland can also retreat into a rhapsody of bone crunching hits, pass catching wizardry and elusive running.

The Question: 

Everybody (Well almost everybody) has heard of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Scott McNealy, Larry Ellison and Andy Grove. But these cyber stars were but co-founders of the companies, and over time have become the faces of their famous companies. Name the companies and their co-founders.

The Headlines:

--New Unemployment Bennies Apps Falls To 395K, A Four Month Low.
--Stocks Futures Brightened After Jobless report; Market up 136 In Early Trading; Moves Up To 265 In Late Morning.
--Britain's PM David Cameron Promises Swift And Thorough measures To End Wanton Street Violence.
--US Trade Deficit Widens To $53.1 Billion.
--Belgium's InBev (Parent of Anheuser) Concerened That Sluggishness Of US Markets Will Impede Company's Need To Raise Prices To Meet Rising Costs.
--New England Patirots Sign Logan Makins To Six Year Contract.

Back to More Stuff:
New Reuters/Ipsos Poll: --Obama slips 4 points to 45%; 73% of Americans think country is "Off on wrong track" (Up 10 points form July, Matching early days of recession); 47% thing "worst is yet to come"; Post "Deal" negativity -- Repubs - 49%, Tea Party 42%, Dems - 40%, Prez - 42%, Boehner - 37%.

More Polling: Washington Post -- 75% say "No Chance Washington can repair economy"; 80% dissatisfied with way political system is working; 70% - Washington focused on wrong things. Gallop -- Anti-Incumbent wave emerging; Independents and Repubs more similar with negative reactions to "Deal" compared to Dems where approval of deal out weighs disapproval. But don't worry, it will all change again after the Super Committee gets muddled down.

I didn't care when Madonna brought out her big Narcissistic picture book, and I certainly don't care about Lady Gaga doing the same thing. I guess that makes me really old.

I really have little trust in the financial markets, but that's all I seem to have. Except a mattress.

The US population seems to be a combination of the Angry, the Smug, the Irresponsible and the Sheep. Excuse me for being arrogant.

There are often times when the GOP looks like a circular firing squad.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. --"What the hell is wrong with me?"
She didn't cry, She didn't look terrified. She just gazed hopefully at him as a man, the only person who could help; Who she could trust. Tucker looked at her for several moments.
How do I answer that, he thought. "I'm glad you miss me. You don't know how deeply I hold you in my heart." She smiled a little at that, but he ached knowing that she may never understand how true that is. Now it was he who had to compose himself. It was he who knew everything except the cause of her trauma. He could tell her everything, but she could be too fragile to grasp it all he thought.
Samantha reached over and grabbed his hand. A breeze ruffled her blouse. And the flowers by his back door behind her; the soft, now waving flowers which seemed as a frame behind her beautiful face.
"Samantha," he started now more forcefully. Taking charge. "You and I are going on a trip!" Her eyes widened. "We are going to New Castle New Hampshire to see that Lawyer. Have you ever been to New Castle? I know a nice little Inn on the water." She squeezed his hand.
"I'm scared. But, I think you are right. It may just be a mistaken identity. We have to find out, don't we? Besides, I like discovering new places."
Tucker hid his emotions. He wanted to cry as he watched the woman he had loved with everything he possessed live alone in another world.

It seems as though Lady Gaga is living by the Madonna handbook of self promotion.

My guess is that the more realistic Liberals are recognizing that the need to stop spending is not a political fairy tale. The representatives of this emotionally driven business sector will appear more conciliatory to protect their huge Social Services Industry that relies solely on Government spending for revenue.

This is that time of year when you realize how bad baseball has become. There is so little left to play for 2/3rd's of the teams, so that almost all games become as intense as lackluster pre-season games. And that includes big rivalry teams like the Red Sox and that Bronx team who are already both pretty much assured of a play-off berth. The Big market team concept is killing the game for the masses.

I turn on games because I am a genuine sports nut. The drone of a game in the background is part of the summer noise for me. Like crickets in fields of multicolored wildflowers.

The Answer:
Gates co-funded Microsoft with Paul Allen; Jobs - Apple, with Steve Wozniak; Ellicson - Oracle with Ed Oates and Bill Miner; McNealy - Sun Microsystems with Andy Bechtalshein and Vhad Khosla; Groves was the business guy who facilitated the big pay-off for super semiconductor engineers and Intel co-founders Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. And the co-founder of most successful careers is a good spouse or partner.

I enjoy driving country roads; Seeing people nurturing the gardens by their homes; Watching a family of ducks waddle across the road in front of me -- appearing to nod thanks for stopping, as mom and dad nudge a straying duckling to the side of the road.

Wouldn't it be sad if social networks called for a flash mob there?

Today is Head-in-Sand Day.

Today's Tids Issue 2,405
Opening Stuff:

What stock market?

I have noticed that people are often amazed to find out that people from diverse countries such as Korea, France, Iran or Argentina for example are exactly like they are. That may be because the media reports on the extremes of these peoples, or characteristics that occur only in the minds of the myopic like Hollywood directors. People are people everywhere and want to be treated and understood just like we do here. They have the same problems raising families and making ends meet. They rejoice at good news with the same enthusiasm.

When I read labels on products in grocery stores, passers-by probably admire me for being calorie and nutrition consciousness. Actually I'm usually checking to be sure there isn't anything healthy like fruit in it.

All winter and Spring I have been happily watching on the Golf Channel a bevy of young stars vie for the weekly championship. Today it became the Tiger Channel and the rest of them disappeared from the face of the earth. Watch Tiger hitch his belt. Watch Tiger analyze grass. Watch tiger fade a carve. All this while 30 other golfers were ahead of him in the standings, still competitive with each otehr, still making great shots. It's all about money.

The Question: 
How old was Marilyn Monroe when she died? Name five of her best known movies. (Editor's Note: Isn't it interesting that when dealing with "Pop Culture" actors you have to ask about "best known" rather than "best" as often many are quite mediocre.)

The Headlines:

--Economy Adds 117K Jobs; Unemployment Dips To 9.1%.
--Dow Stocks Up 1% At Opening; Then Drops Off Cliff; NASDAQ Down Even More.
--Italy's Increased Borrowing Cost Casts Cloud Over Europe.
--Daffy's Youngest Son And Key Military Leader May have Been Killed In Most Recent NATO Air Attack.
--Second British Newspaper Group, Trinity Mirror, PLC, In sights Of Hacking Litigation Lawyers.
--USPS Posts $3.2 Billion Loss In Quarter; Faces Possibility Of Default.
--North Kingstown RI's Elizabeth Biesle Wins More Gold In National Swim Championships Following Her Success At World Event In Shanghai.

Back to More Stuff:
This is the time when the best thing to do is what is really hard to do...hold onto stocks. There are at least two good reasons 1. The "Duh reason is that if you don't sell the market doesn't go down as deeply. 2. The strategy reason is that by holding you don't have to "time" the return of the market. But then, logic becomes impossible when considering that it is really all about the big institutional investors.
You have to figure that part of the reason Tiger Woods is back is becasue of disappearing sponsorships and a looming $54 million mortgage. Which suggests the question: Did the pain in his pocketbook over come the pain in his knee?

The reason why the debt ceiling debate became so confused was that nobody in DC knew how to deal with a party with principles.

Reminder Department:
We have a small host of new readers. They may not be aware that they can see all of the Tids old and new, and pretty pictures of RI too -- at http://www.todaystids.blogspot.com

Why do I think that Jason Day could become a bigger star than Rory. Already I'm just using McElroy's first name. Jason hasn't arrived there yet.

Happy Jumping Off Tall Buildings Day, Department:
A reason why the market is so unpredictable and ornery these days may be found in the headline this morning: "Employment improvement eases recession fears.". The number 117K isn't like fantastic, or even close to what it takes for a robust economy, but it "beat expectations". And, these days that's all it takes to eaed recession fears.Amazing!  Based on that sketchy report, how long do you think this fragile market will stay up. 2:00PM today? Oops...it didn't even make it that far. Up 167 at the opening, it is already wobbling a between -98 and -114. Make that -148.

And then there are the experts who believe that we never left the first recession.

I wonder what Sharpton would say if I titled this Tids, "How would have Little Black Sambo tamed Tiger Woods." Actually, Sambo was one of my boyhood heroes. Frankly I always thought he to be one of the smartest, coolest and bravest of all childhood story characters. But, he disappeared simply because of the overreaction to race hysteria.

If historians were to label our current era in time, I could accept "The Irrational Age" as appropriate.

People on opposing sides try to out shout each other as to who caused this public/private recession and general financial decline in the fed, state and local governments -- Obama, Bush II, Clinton, Frank, Pelosi,,,you name him or her. But I put the blame on the mother of all give-away artists, LBJ. The beginning of the end began with the great society. Period. It was that moment that began to produce asociety of takers rather than doers. Whne the government and Pols starting making promises that were economically unsustainable.

Almost Near: Chapter 32 continues. --"I'll be back in your area tomorrow, and I'll give you a call. Let's just say that we seem to be both working the same thing. That you know some things that I don't, and I have a lot of information that could be helpful to you." Tucker didn't tell him that Samantha had no idea yesterday who Dante was. Was it his feelings for her not to make her look foolish. He looked down and started started thinking about this poor disturbed woman sitting in his home or on his boat alone in the world; in a world of conflict. How awful it must be. How damaging is it to the little she has left. He barely heard Dante through his trance saying he would await Tucker's call.
"And thanks for contacting me. "
  Tucker said a mechanical good-bye. He pressed off and the on in rapid succession. He punched in Samantha's cell phone. He could hear his heart beating as he now hoped she hadn't done anything drastic since they last talked.
"Hello?" came a soft reply. "Is that you Tucker?"
"It is surely me, my beautiful Samantha!" Tucker tried to be as upbeat as he could . "Are you sailing?"
"Are you crazy Tucker!" Then she laughed, and Tucker's body came back to life.
"I just thought you had watched me enough and could get it going. You are a pretty good sailor you know. It must be inbred from your childhood days." Now there was a silence.
"My childhood days?" She was back to sounding unsure. Tucker quickly changed the subject.
"I'll be home tomorrow, and we can have a big celebration!"
"Oh Tucker. That's sounds wonderful. I can hardly wait." He heard a kiss into the phone. Just then the door was yanked open.
"You look like a man in love." Audrey smiled warmly at him and kissed his cheek. Tucker clicked the off button and slid it into his pocket.

Reading between The Lines Movie Reviews:
--Rise of the Planet of the Apes is easily the best of the genre. Not only that, it is good for any genre. It could be called The Curse of PETA as the apes rise up against the humans who cage them and use them as test rats. It is very believable which makes it very scary. Here Rover, have my Filet Mignon, I don't really need it. See best friend, I'm nice. Oops, Filet Mignon? Could the next one be Rise of the Planet of the Cows? Anyhow, worth the dough if you like this kind of stuff. May be a little too moralistic for me.
--First, I'm having trouble writing an unbiased report about a movie that relies on baby poop for humor. It is actually raunchy in general, but supposedly with an important message. It is another of those body switching, the grass is greener stories. Too best friends, free wheeling Mitch and perfect family man Dave envy each other's spot in life. But it's not so rosy when man-boy Mitch wakes up in Dave's body which requires raising kids and dealing with a wife...and, a girl friend? Dave looks for the joys of a no responsibility Mitch life an soon finds it lacking.

The Answer:
MM was 36 went she put herself to sleep for eternity. Some Like it Hot may be her best known, although 7 Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blonds rank high. Her last movie with Gable, The Misfits, was a disturbing loser. But then many who went to watch Monroe on screen didn't really care about a plot. Others were How to Marry a Millionaire, Niagara and river of No Return. her first movie in 1947 was "Dangerous Years".

The Weak End:
Is it safe to turn on CNBC yet?

Lie on a wildflower covered hill and find faces in the clouds.

Moon, Swoon, June. Brides. Dads. And No debt Ceiling Increase.

Today's Tids Issue #2,361

Opening Stuff:


It is that month again. I'm always rapturous about June. I love June. The world seems to come back together in June. The flowers and the greenery settle in before the summer's disquieting heat. It is a month for good old dad, and happy Geminis. It has more sunlight than any other month leading up to the longest day, June 20-21. Oh, it has another "Longest Day". D-Day, June 6. The day that so many wonderful young people gave their lives so that the sunlight of freedom will always be shown upon our gracious land and in the hearts of giving Americans. Enjoy June. Appreciate June.

"Connectivity" is a double edged sword. The freedom to soar, explore, communicate. The constant threat of submitting yourself to criminals and the potential of a shackling nanny state.

This stock market is bothering me. Too many underlying negatives. In fact this past two year spurt was possible mostly a bounce from super depressed lows bolstered by tons of dough that needed to work. On this first day of June, I always tend to look at what I have called the Ides of Wall Street -- July 17. I'm certainly not a financial or business guru ( Or else I wouldn't be writing the Tids for free!), but my vibes coupled with historical mid July woes suggests caution.

The Question:
Name five notables/celebrities who have been killed in air disasters?

The Headlines:

--Private Sector Adds But 38,000 Jobs In May; Way below Needs And Estimates.
--Poor Manufacturing Reports Fertilize Plummeting Stocks This Moirning.
--House Leaders To Meet 0-man On Borrowing.
--NATO Extends Libya Ops 90 days.
--Syrian Activists Coalescing; Dead Syrian Boy Emerging As Symbol Of Unity.
--Street Battles Rage In Yemen.
--Endeavor Returns From Last Mission.
--Euro Factory Growth Posts Deepest Fall Since 2008.
--Snooki Loses International Drivers License After Hitting Italian Police Car In Rome; She Says Back Home In jersey When I Honk My Horn They just Raise Their Finger.

Back to More Stuff:
If the Repubs intend to beat 0-Man they have to do more than wear Red, White and Blue hats.

Sign seen on meeting room door: "Psychic Meeting cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."

Oops Department: For years now, every time I write Bachman I have this urge to right Christine before it instead of Michelle. It's that tune I can't get out of my head. Sorry folks.

I'm not surprised to see that the one time Atlantic City casino boom is fading fast. I thought the place was disgusting. Glittering golden idols built amidst extreme poverty and destitution. I took a shower when I got home.

This is baddish news for Repubs. The just completed CNN poll said that Rudy Giuliani is the favorite candidate among all Republicans. Basically they are saying that they aren't really happy with anyone.

Honest. How many of you clean house before the cleaning lady gets there? I wonder if the French IMF Creep cleaned his hotel room before the maid arrived?

Almost Near: Chapter 23 continues. --Detective Sparrow walked into the hospital ER just as the patrol car and ambulance arrived. The lumbering, alert Sparrow moved towards the running patrolman, who had a glint of excitement in his eyes. They didn't get situations like this Dalesford -- Well dressed strangers in cars in a ditch with an obvious blow to his head. The patrolman slowed as he saw the cautious look on sparrow's face. "I thought this looked a little unusual. That's why I called you."
"It is, Skip. It is." You never know where this might lead, he thought. Yesterday out of the blue he meets an Eastern girl with a Midwestern accent that was more like New England, and a story that makes absolutely no sense. Or at least low on logic. And two days later a guy from a New England town shows up. "I called up to the New Castle, and apparently our injured man -- O, how do the EMTs think he is doing?" He continued without waiting for an answer. "Where was I. Oh yeah. This guy is a lawyer up in that town. I called around and finally found somebody at his office. He left his office last night they say, and nobody knew where he went. He has no clients down here they said. That's for sure they said."
"He's going to be all right. Tough little guy they said."
"Well Skip, my man, I think we got our selves a mystery."

Food Department:
The Gourmet innovators of the Tid's Kitchens never stop dreaming of tasty healthy treats even within the most confining environments. Here's a simple way to get your fiber tastefully and add to your coffee enjoyment. While sipping, open a small package of Mini Shredded Wheats. On your plate pour a small puddle of Schmucker's Sugar Free Maple Syrup. Dip and sip. Your system and taste buds will love you.

I was at a nice 80th birthday party for friend of mine put on at nice restaurant for a few couples by his younger life. A socialist. As we were reading the menus she tapped her water glass rose to announce that she was allergic to sea food ( not fish) and would appreciate that we don't order lobsters or shrimp as even the aroma can make her deathly ill. Obviously, everybody agreed readily in a kumbaya sort of way. Within 2 1/2 feet of our table for 8 was another of straight women... four of whom ordered large steaming lobsters. She didn't die. Makes you wonder about second hand smoke, doesn't it.

The Answer:
In 1943 famed star of Gone With the Wind, Leslie Howard, was in a plane shot down by the Germans. Of course there is Carol Lombard and the maestro Glenn Miller. There is none more celebrated athn Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. There were teams like Marshall college, the US Ice Skating Team and Manchester United Soccer team. the sad news about legend Patsy Cline. Crazy.This is an enormous list. Bigger than you may think. Let's conclude with Mike Todd, John Heintz and the man who dazzled the football world -- Knute Rockne.

The End:
The Dem response to the Ryan Plan is exactly the reason why the country now needs a plan as tough as something like the Ryan plan. Political demagogueing as usual does zero to cure a financial disaster. And, frankly the hard nose iteration of the financial truth challenge to the public is the knid of no-nonsense campaign any GOPer must run against the Glib One in the White House to succeed. I believe from observing people in many layers of our society that more than some observers believe and understand the reality of the problem, even though they can't express it in academic terms. They know it is there. They feel it. The time in America for laughing with Letterman is over.

Living by the slowly warming winter seas helps us ease into premature summer days. Except this year. It's too damn hot for June!

Eeee-Hah! I'm going home.

BudaBudaBudaBudaBuda…

Today's Tids Issue 2,209

Opening Stuff:

I believe the key in evaluating the next round of corporate reporting is revenue performance. Profits looked pretty hale so far this year. A rather fast return to profits is generally the first thing you see at the beginning of a recovery. Corporations can easily (Well maybe not easily) accomplish rosy profit pictures through general tightening, reduction in employment, heavy discounting or cost cutting. It’s an old story. But now the test. Are people buying again? Are companies getting good prices? Or, are sales continuing to be sustained through heavy discounting? Let’s check out some top lines on the third quarter reports. This is the test.

Pleasant moments with the second movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto Number 2 is like looking deeply into a lover’s eyes.

Countries around the world are starting to wake up to the fact that they are still giving China $2.5 Billion in foreign aid. And wondering why the 2nd largest economy in the world needs it. But, that’s like any other government program. Once instituted, it is almost impossible to get rid of it even in the face of overwhelming conclusive evidence against it.

Doncha kinda get the feeling that the NEA is sponsoring NBC’s week long focus on education?

The Question:
Yesterday we did Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. So today, let’s try Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Learner (In honor of NBC’s Ed Week!). What was this song writing duo’s first hit and biggest hit. Name five shows.

The Headlines:

--World Stocks Pulling Back Over New Concerns About economic Recovery In Europe; US Stock Futures Down.
--US Stocks Continue To Fall After Consumer Confidence Level Dips To Lowest Level Since February.
--NK’s Kim Makes Son 4-Star General; Sets Line Of Secession.
--Gap Between Rich And Poor Widening.
--Obama Wooing college Students Again; Students Expected To be more Selective This Time Around.
--LA Heat Reaches 113F!
--Tids To Boycott First Lady Speeches Until She Stops Talking About Vegetables.
--Red Sox Still In Race After Another Outstanding Effort By Cy Young Contender Clay Bucholtz.

Back to More Stuff:
While strictly against any leniency or compassion for illegal aliens, I have always felt that a work visa plan could work. There is an apparent need for lower cost labor in many industries. And I guess, it is work that is beneath many who are doing just fine on welfare or unemployment checks. Of course there would have to be a lot of restrictions governing such a plan. For example, there would be no government support beyond issuance of the Visa…or the deportation of criminals. The employer would pay for all basic benefits. If the worker was hospitalized and the employer had failed to provide HC, the employer would be billed for all medical services. Unions would not be allowed to organize of the legal temp workers. There would be no Gov benefits for family members. And any worker caught doing anything illegal would be immediately deported.

I don’t look good in form fitting clothing.

I think we are into a long period of a “Hand-to-Mouth” economy. Like now, when summer bursts of employment are winding down and we enter a lull before Christmas/Halloween rehiring. Loyalty on both sides of the employment spectrum has been waning for a couple of decades now. Many of the new middle class jobs require less critical skills, so that the layoff/rehire seesaw has less effect on operations.

The wealthy will slow down domestic investment because over time they can’t see the middleclass as sustaining as high a level of purchases as they have in the past. While the statistics show that the wealthy pay an overabundance of the total tax bill, they also show that the economy we have enjoyed for so many years is because of the unrelenting purchasing power of a consistently strong middle class. A middle class where the future for consistently high earning power is cloudy at best.

Frankly, doncha kinda get the feeling that the current Admin is being run by the NEA?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 96 continues. –I quickly averted Kent’s piercing eyes. I needed to control my soul myself now. The fear of an hour ago had strangely morphed into resolve. I waved away Dan, and walked into the den. I heard no growls, but I felt aggression.
“Sorry I’m late,” I looked at them with the confidence of someone totally in charge, “But, thanks for waiting for me.” I saw Jack’s face relax ever so slightly. I was assuming that my favorite lackey Jeff was in charge of hiding the greasy one. I walked to the wall and pulled a chair to the center of the room. “I’m glad you thought of an extra chair or two Jack.” He rose, and started towards me, hand out. Ready to shake my hand and pull me in for a fatherly hug. Which he did. Izzy alone, sat like on an island, trying to plot out her next series of moves. Kent sat calmly unaffected by my little drama. But I felt his soft glance. I can feel the presence of this man who knows me so intimately.
“A funny thing happened on the way to this forum.” I said it matter of factly, informatively, but I knew they knew. “Yeah, I was chased by a couple of goons. And when they couldn’t find me, they beat the crap out of my friend Billy.” I stared at the blank expressions of the Izzy/Jack duo. God what psychopaths. I thought Jack felt for me. Like a daughter he never had. “What do you all think happened?”
Nobody spoke, which is not surprising. Finallly, I heard Kent.
“I am happy you weren’t hurt. His voice was soft, almost like he was contradicting some inner emotion.

Something strange happened Saturday night on the East Side of Providence RI. The stadium for the Brown/Harvard night game was packed to the rafters! With frenetically cheering people and…students. The last time Brown U probably saw a full house with enthusiastic students was in the sixties before campus radicalization., When the big game became mass protesting as opposed to “Root, root, root for the home team”. When a foot ball game became too clichéd, too establishment for the anointed elite. Before the late sixties, Ivy League powers like Yale and Princeton had SRO 70-80,000 packed houses…almost every Saturday afternoon. These were events! Could it be that good old fashioned, heart on the sleeve enthusiasm has a chance to be once again in vogue?

There’s a couple of good neighboring states races that I believe are terrific indicators for the depth of the mood of cirizens everywhere.. Charlie Baker, a Republican in Massachusetts, is running against a well known Obama pal, Deval Patrick. Baker is a business man in the mold of Scott Brown. He seems to know how to make things work. And why businesses are finding it harder to stay in Mass. On the other side of the “Hinge” state is Connecticut where the states AG Blumenthal is running against wrestling biz owner McMahon’s wife. She is for real. Knows the issues and has the money to get out the message. Blumenthal is exactly the kind of person we are trying to rid ourselves of; Big government give-away artist. If Blumenthal, and others like him get in, then you will know that all of the anger has accomplished nothing.

Our first lady has been extolling the virtues of the way early Native Americans (Indians) planted corn. Excuse me, but I think we have come a long way in 390 years.

The Answer: 
I don’t think many would argue about picking “My Fair Lady” as the duo’s biggest hit. Since it is also perhaps one of the all time Broadway favorites. Brigadoon was their first substantial hit. Camelot soared off of the success of “Lady”. Other big hits for the duo were Paint Your Wagon and the wonderful Gigi (Movie only.)

The End is Near:
So what’s this BudaBudaBudaBuda…thing all about? It’s about me turning into a mindless blatherer. And it’s the fault of all politicians good and bad. The airwaves are fraught with conflict. Overpromises. It is becoming as hard to watch programming featuring people I support as it is watching those I think are complete fools. I think it is an incumbent conspiracy. Throw as many issues at the people as you can and confuse them to the point where there only means to continuing sanity is to vote for the person they know…the dreaded incumbent. My mind is exploding. I’m turning off the TV. Changing the radio’s dial. BudaBudaBudaBudaBuda.

Hunkering down.

Today's Tids Issue 2,212
Opening Stuff:

The soft, pink morning sky belied the mounting anger of the sea. An overnight transformation from last evening’s large placid swells. Earl was sticking his nose into my back yard.

Is lobster really that good, or is it just something gets along particularly well with butter.

The good news today is that more and more Dems are joining Republicans to keep the Bush Tax cuts going. Isn’t it amazing how fear can overcome the idiocy of arrogance?

Red Sox farm team Portland (ME) Seadogs is giving away free tickets today to anybody named Earl! My next door neighbor growing up was an old Mainer named Earl. But he is long gone and missed out on a little reward of life’s coincidences.

The Question:
What was the name of the Treaty that ended the Revolutionary War? Name for other US war ending treaties.

The Headlines:

--Jobs Report Has Stocks Up Over 100; Unemployment Rate Rises To 9.5.
--Earl Expected To Spare new England As It Blows Past NC Farther Out To Sea..
--AFL-CIO President Threatens Sarah Palin.
--Latest Gulf Oil Platform “Explosion” Now Deemed A Fire; No Oil Leakage Spotted.
--Pro Governemtn Militiamen Attack Home Of Iranian Opposition Leader; Iran Democracy At Work.
--Gates Sees Evidence That US Is Making Progress In Kandahar, Afghan.
--New Data Says That Democrats Could Lose 47 Seats In The House.

Back to More Stuff:
I have always been quite comfortable in my bland beginnings, and rarely see any need for hot sauce or exotic spices.

Although, after I wrote that, I received an email from a good reader with a little poem that was an intro to a cookbook he and his wife had published: "If you always eat what you always ate, you are going to miss a lot of stuff that is really great!"

Why would any self respecting person ever want something in their house named “Lazy Boy”?

Now Stephen Hawking is saying that you didn’t need God to create the universe. That this endless sky just happened. That one day there was nothing, and the next day “Bang!” Hey wait a minute…nothing!

The stock market is up 3.9% after the first two days of September. But, remember September on Wall Street doesn’t start until after Labor Day. That’s when the big fund managers go back to work trying to figure out how to manipulate their portfolios to look good come bonus time. Next week, there’s a new sheriff in town.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 92 continues. –I quickly changed the subject and asked, “Do we know for sure that I’m being tailed?” “After talking to Kent I suspect that there is a high probability that you are. I have a call into the security firm of BIEmbryo’s. Remember I visited there with Kent and frankly I didn’t like them then.”. “I see nothing Henry. But, I am being very cautious.”
  “Continue to be that way Sarah. While Kent sounded genuinely concerned about you, I am increasingly wonderin’ why he seems to be a couple of steps ahead of us. I know he is a very smart guy, but some of his theories sounds as thought they are based on clairvoyance.” I tried to think back of some of the actions of Kent during the past couple of weeks. The actions that made me a little suspicious too. Actions that often became buried by the feelings in my heart.
I know what you are talking about Henry. I have sensed the same thing. But, he is an amazingly intuitive man.”
 “Like you Sarah. Like you.” And, the he chuckled a little. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a silver Volvo driving casually in the distance. I pressed down on the accelerator.

What is this College Football Thursday all about? I thought college weekdays were all about classes and studying. Silly me.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I think Clooney’s new movie The American is going to be one of those love it/hate it films. It is complicated and not for the casual thriller viewer. Clooney plays an assassin living in northern Italy. After a particularly grueling episode in Sweden he tries to get away for a while. While away he is hired to build a weapon for a mysterious Matilda. Pay attention. I’ll put it on my list.
--Drew Barrymore’s Going the Distance is a better than average Romantic Comedy once you get beyond the “I’ve seen this before” opening. The reason – great chemistry between Drew and Justin Long. Two people argu and disagree and eventually see they are made for eachother. But…they live a continent apart. They must keep up the long distance romance amidst dangerous diversions.

The Answer:
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the great American Revolutionary war. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war of 1812, The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hildago ended the Mexican American War, The 6th Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War and the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI. WWII was a little more complicated as it took the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947 to “establish peace in Europe” and four years later in 1951 the Treaty of San Francisco to establish peace with Japan. Oddly there is not yet a peace treaty for the Korean war. Instead there is a mutual defense pact with South Korea. In other words we are still at war with NK after nearly 60 years. The Viet Nam War officially came to an end with the Paris Peace Accords.

The Beginning...of the Weekend: So what is an accord versus a treaty? Well, a treaty is an agreement between two parties under International law. While an accord seems like a kumbayah type of thing – a meeting resulting in harmony among disagreeing parties

While we are talking about world harmony, there is one thing quite common between men and women from Cambodia to Boston and Paris to Capetown – Flirting! Flirting is good for the soul and people throughout the world employ the same moves: Smiling, arching of eyebrows, averting glances, giggling. And get this…people who flirt have higher white blood cell counts! Crazy huh? Wink. Wink.

Sorry for the slight delay. Had to run out and make last minute preparations for Earl

Think of someone you don't know.

Today's Tids Issue 2,204
Opening Stuff:

“Estanos bien en el refugio, Los 33.” That means “We are Ok – The 33 minors", and it was a a very happy note of encouragement received by a host of rescuers from trapped miners in Chile. The rescue team had just managed to insert a life support pipe between the surface and the minor’s prison below. Your heart has to leap. But get this. The pipe will deliver food, water and medical supplies while the hardy miners try to survive for the 4 Months it will take to dig them out! I’m thinking about them.

And of course our culture is experiencing the growth of entrapped minors --- in Facebook! With parents having to leave food and water outside of bedroom doors.

As you have noticed, the Tids financial department is typically cautious about the stock market these days. Yesterday was a good example of yet again desperate, manufactured enthusiasm driving the market upward. The reason for the uptick was supposedly increased Mergers & Acquisitions activity. Check out these headlines: 8:25 – “U.S. Stock Futures Rise As M&A Talk Boosts Sentiment; 9:37AM - ”Merger Outlook Lifts Wall Street At Open.”; 10:38 – “Why M&A Bump Is Bullish For Stocks.”; 2:13 – “Wall Street Flat As M&A Stir Fades.” What a crock!

The Question:
Exactly one thousand nine hundred and thirty one years ago today Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed what city. Name five other historic volcanic eruptions.

The Headlines:

--Stock Futures Gloomy One Day After Minor Uptick.
--Establishment Candidates Seem To Have Edge Over “Outsiders” Going Into Tuesday’s Primaries.
--Yen Reaches 15 year High Against The Dollar And 9 Year High Against The Euro.
--Atlantic Tropical Storm Danielle Moved Up To Cat 2 Hurricane.
--No Salmonella Found Beyond Two Original Egg Producers.
--RFK Jr. Wife Charged With Driving Under Influence Of Drugs One Month After Pleading Guilty To Drive While Intoxicated.
--Woods Divorce Finalized; All Parties Mum On Details.

Back to More Stuff:
A new Nielson study says that Blacks talk on cell phones twice as much as whites and that woman text and talk far more than men. There just has to be something funny in there. Maybe I'll come up with something overnight.

My brother-in-law writes to tell me that has created a good business making landmines that look like prayer rugs. He says prophets are going through the roof!

The next time you are sitting in traffic for a few more minutes than expected consider the woes of Beijing China commuters. The jam was over 100 Kms (62 miles) long and has lasted nine days! Hope you had more than one mug of a frappachino. Or is that a tea with ice cleam? Workers are feverishly trying to replace emergency call boxes with port-o-约翰’s.

If the establishment insider candidates win in the primaries it will be a license to steal.

I scoured last night’s Jon Stuart-Blago interview for something funny, but found nothing. Which just proves I guess that sociopaths aren’t funny.

A reader informs me a of a new Golf Czar being appointed by the 0-Man. He is rewriting some basic rules of golf. For instance the gimmie will be renamed the entitlement and only available to high handicappers. It’s all about fairness and basically eliminated any mentions of ability an successful achievement. In addition golfers will only be allowed one birdie and 6 pars. Anything in excess must be redistributed to all players having not made a birdie or par. Also, 18 and above handicappers will only report net scores versus gross scores by all others. This would enable redistribution of betting wealth. Kind of dis-incentifies practice and dedication, doesn’t it?

Microsoft’s Spell-check doesn’t recognize the spelling of Facebook. Is it jealous?

The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree Department:
Marcus Jordan son of Michael tweeted that he had spent $56K one 24 hour period in Vegas. But since he is under twenty one, the tweets referred to “$21 K at Liguid” (to swim in the pool) and “$35K at haze” (A night club.) That a lot of back strokes and dance steps.

And...It bothers me a lot that they want o build a full fledged casino a ½ mile form the sacred lands of Gettysburg. And It bothers me most because it is just one more sign of the Decline and Fall of the American Empire.

The Answer:
While Vesuvius-Pompeii is the most romanticized of volcanic eruptions, it is only #10 in deaths resulting with 3,360. But enormous in percentage of the population) The second most notorious eruption was that of Indonesia’s 1883 Krakatau explosion and the ensuing monster Tsunami and 36,417 deaths. ( Of course the worse disaster surrounding Krakatau was the awful 1960’s movie about it.) The highest death from an eruption was in 1815 when Idonesia’s Tamborra killed 92,000. The rest – 1902, Mt. Pelee, Martinique –29,000; 1985, Ruiz, Columbia - 25,000; 1792, Unzen, Japan – 14,300; 1783, Laki, Iceland – 9,350; 1919, Kelut, Indonesia – 5,110; 1882, Galunggung, Indonesia – 5,110; 1631, Vesusvius, Italy – 3,500.

Hope you had a blast today! See you sometime tomorrow.

We need a vacuum.

Today's Tids Issue  2,201
Opening Stuff:

I have nothing to do, and it feels good.

Here’s two good reasons to be cautious about the stock market: Last week and this week. Last week the Bulls out numbered the bears 40% to 30% with 30% neutral. This week the bears outnumber the bulls 43% to 30% with 27% neutral. Confused? I’m saying, wait ‘til September 15 to find out where the market might really be going. Summertime guessing sucks.

Funny Doormats Department:
“Please stay on the mat. Your visit is important to us and your knock will be answered in the order in which it was received”; “I’m really glad to see you. But then, I lie like a doormat”; “I will not be a doormat. I will not be a doormat. I will not be a doormat! Oh, just walk all over me.”; “This is not a joke. If you ever want to see these humans again, bring me a 5 pound rib roast in a plain paper bag. – The Dog”; And… “Nice Underwear!”

The Question:
A computer guy named John McLoone developed a program so his computer could play “Hangman” using all 90,000 words in the dictionary. Name five words that were considered toughest to solve. Clue: They weren’t oddball posers like benzodiazepine or onomatopoeia.

The Headlines:

--Alert Forest Ranger Observations Leads To Arrest Of Notorious Arizona Escapee And 1st Cousin/Fiancé.
--WS Futures Lower As Economy Woes Outpace Hopes Among Investors.
--Fidelity Reports Record Number Of “Hardship” Withdrawals From 401K Accounts In 2nd Quarter; Troubling Numbers Indicate Depth Of Economic Woes.
--Clements Indicted; Arrogance Catches Up With Former red Sox Princess.
--Palestine And Israel Considering Invitation To met In White House In Two Weeks; Admin Keeps Pre Election issues In Limelight.
--Kenya Unhappy With US Action To Grant Asylum To Obama Aunt; Says 0-Man Kin Never In danger As Implied By US Action.
--RI”s Giant Warwick Mall Re-Opens Almost 5 Months After Ravaging Spring Floods.

Back to More Stuff:
The Amazon River pushes so much water out into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than 100 miles out at sea from the mouth, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean! The volume of water in the Amazon River is greater than the next eight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States Amazing. Hard to believe, isn’t it.

I think this whole thing about the world’s richest people pledging to give away half their fortune smacks of public opinion extortion.

Just as the lawyers began to run dry with new cases from the oil spill, the Gov. recalls 380 Billion Eggs. “Tummy hurt? Join Our Class Action Suit.”

The defense attorney wanted the plaintiff to settle down!

The Muslims and their supporters are being very unchristian-like in their condemnation of people who are sensitive about building a mosque next to the Twin tower burial ground.

Did you hear about the former electrician turned baseball player who is now putting fear into the hearts of pitchers because he can socket?

With emails and tweets becoming so common, are the words “letter”, “note” or “memo” becoming obsolete. Are all emails just emails or are some letters, some notes and some memos? Or are Tweets memos or notes and emails letters. I don’t need any more information.

Do you think Tweets will ever replace Shakespeare’s Sonnets? Nah!

As far as I’m concerned, a good old fashioned pitchfork is still one of the handiest tools in the shed.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 90: It was a cozy little gathering in Henry’s cramped office. Maybe the town could afford a little more for our valiant protector. I smiled to myself. I loved that man. “Ok,” I heard his gruff voice breaking into my reverie, “let’s get this thing going.” I looked around the table and saw Paul and Sally snap to attention. “You wouldn’t believe the amount of information falling into our collective laps. The good news is that the FBI, State Police and other assorted law groups trust me, so I’m in charge of working with you.”
“So, Henry, where are we,” I heard Paul ask.
“First, the state police don’t really believe that Bromsky killed himself. And just that fact, or at least observation, alone points towards a potential widespread conspiracy. Add to that your,” he looked at me, “near brush with death in an accident which you told us was definitely caused by another driver. There’s just too much going on.”
I butted in. “I remember Kent told me once that scientists say there are no coincidences!”
“Let’s talk about Middleton for a minute. He was very helpful with our little vandalism thing. And we know now that it was just a mask for the bigger event of taking teens for testing…to put it mildly.” He looked at me. “But while Middleton was…” I wish he would call him Kent I thought…”quite helpful and insightful, he actually had the most to gain from everything. And motive is motive no matter who it is.”
I started feel bad for Kent. I shouldn’t be feeling like this. I looked at Paul and he smiled lovingly at me.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The Switch looks like yet another in a long tedious series of Jennifer Anniston romantic comedy vehicles. Wait a minute. isn’t that what we all want…simple happy romance. Well, this one is a little weird. The Switch is about denoted sperm. Jennifer announces she is having a baby, but as a modern woman, she doesn’t need a man. But, she needs sperm (How dumb this sound?) Basically, a ”Good Friend” wannabee boyfriend (Jason Bateman) switches his sperm with the sperm of her choice. Six years later, Jennifer and boy return from Minn to NYC and she learns about daddy. What a crazy world we live in.
--The lottery is about a poor guy from the project’s winning $370 million. Obviously changing his living and encouraging the emergence of hangers-on, criminals and more family and friends than he ever knew existed. It is above all a comedy. But has moments of real emotion as he and his best friend see what is happening around them. However the majority of the film is slapstick. And probably a little too much for me.
--Nanny McPhee Returns is by far the best of this week’s lot. Emma Thompson wrote it and plays the lead warts and all in this wonderful tale about the magical nanny. The plot is great and the characters are terrific. Adults will enjoy it.

Looking for an eBookReader Department: A techno-person who predicted the demise of the Kindle now feels he may have been premature. He says now…”I like reading on the iPad, especially in bed at night and in other places where the device's back-lighting comes in handy. So far, it hasn't bothered my eyes at all, unlike the indistinct pages of the Kindle. But the Kindle is better outdoors.” He goes on: “I also suspect there may be a place for a dedicated reading device. When I opened the iPad to read a book, I'm confronted with a dizzying array of options, from the latest episode of "Mad Men" to the current action in Asian stock markets. Is this information overload? Too often I find myself distracted by information I don't really need.” Your choice.

Oskar Eustis is the former head of the Trinity Rep in Providence and now leads the NY City’s esteemed Public Theater. In a recent New Yorker story it was revealed that he was raised by a mom and dad who were avowed, unabashed communists. Hmm. I have seen a lot of plays directed by him. Now how I have to think back about how my mind may have been infected. If ideologues or foreign governments want to take over our country and minds of citizens, maybe they should place their moles in the theater or Hollywood instead of Governments. They’d blend right in in.

The Answer:
After simulating 15 Million games the hardest word of all was “Jazz”. The next nine were Buzz, Jazzed, Hajj, Jazzy, Buzzed, Jazzing, Fizz, Fuzz, Buzzing. Depending on some mathematical thing I didn’t understand, depending how many games you played other words jumped up including, Faff, Vex, Fox, Fax, Babes and Mom. Babes? Mom? Anyhow, the key for you is that now you have new ammunition enabling you to beat the children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren at Hangman. Of course Moms will be saddened if they don’t get Mom right a way..

Have a simple Weekend:
I’m not going to try to figure out the rest of the word any more.