Superbowl Sunday is a good day to travel.

Today's Tids Issue 2,290

Opening Stuff:

I suspect way more Mid Westerners enjoyed being snowbound yesterday than those few seen complaining in media highlights.

You have to love the new nickname for Mubarak: "King of Denial".

Our big Nanny in Washington advises that if traveling in icy or extreme snowy conditions you should bring a shovel, blankets and/or a sleeping bag, extra clothing including hat and gloves, 24 hours worth of food, de-icer, rock salt, flashlight with spare batteries, road flares or reflective triangles, full spare gas can, first aid kit and booster cables Of course you may look odd or be subject to arrest for bringing this stuff on a bus.

The Question:
Name the Top 15 American Idol performers in "Total Record Sales".

The Headlines:

--Egypt Tries To Halt Increasing Strife.
--New Unemployment Apps Tumble To 415K.
--Ex-Providence Mayor Cicilini, Now Congressperson Left Prov In Financial Mess Due To Overspending.
--Census Shows Big Gains For Minorities; 85% Of Decade's Gain Came From Minorities; Hispanics Biggest Segment of The Gain.
--America Digs Out.

Back to More Stuff:
First Blips on the Radar Department:
A pretty conservative Townhall Magazine runs through its website (Townhall.com) monthly polls with results from 30-40,000 on Republican Presidential candidates. Here are the results for January: Palin - 22.27%, Mitt - 14.48, Ron Paul, 11.57, Huck - 10.76, Newt - 10.03, Herman Cain - 7.14, Christie - 5,55, Pawlenty - 3.02, Jim Demint - 2.97, Mich Daniels - 2.9, John Bolton - 2.5, John Thune - 1.56 and Haley Barbour 1.03. Rick Sanatorium and Gary Johnson each received less than 1%. Undecided was 2.68%. Confused? Wait til Huntsmen enters the race. Looking at this list, the Repubs appear destined to death by obfuscation.

Climate Change BS Department:
The headline in the paper read, "La Nina Seen as in Return to Winters Past. Total nonsense. Since 1903, (the year record keeping began) every decade has had 4 or five years with 30 or more inches. In fact the cyclical patterns from 1903 to present look remarkably similar. The most snow laden 16 years was between 1956 and 1972. The current ten years is snowy, but looks a lot like 1903-13. And, this year that has everybody fashionably anxious is only the fifth highest snowfall since 2000. The highest snowfall ever was 1995.

Frankly the historic knowledge of snow storms among the general public is not unlike that of the average voter when going to the polls.

For instance, David Cicilini while Mayor spent Providence practically into oblivion, but all the voters knew was the freebies he gave them. Now he has his hands on the national treasury. God help us.

Almost near. Chapter five. --Samantha went back to the Inn and signed up for another two nights. Her spirits were enlivened by Tucker, and now even some of the towns people became a bit more friendly. Jimmy's Dad Zach turned out to be a very nice guy, just like the man she thought she loved as a teen. In fact, he even said that he remembered a young girl who used to play in his back yard. She thought that Zach, a widower, might ask her for dinner some night. But, she learned that he was very busy and often went down to Boston during the evenings. Probably just more of her childhood dreams.
Samantha wasn't surprised though, when Tucker suggested diner, on his boat. She replied that her Momma always said, "Never get your self stranded on a man's Boat." He laughed comfortably, and she joined in, just as she had been doing since they met.
"The dory leaves at 6:00 PM!" Sam leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. he blushed.

The "Poor Baby" crowd is trying to elicit sympathy for the 0-Man because of the almost impossible decision he had to make about discarding a loyal ally versus being on the side of the next generation there. Prime Time ran for President, got the presidency, reveled in the Presidency, and making tough decisions is just part of the job.

Many reports are now in line with the original Tids observations that warned of extreme groups, like Muslim Brotherhood, hijacking the populist movement. But as I look around the Middle East at these coincidental simultaneous uprising I'm thinking that it is quiet possible they all were organized by those extreme groups as part of a master plan to take over all of these unstable governments.

In editorial endorsements preceding the past November elections, the Providence Journal endorsed every possible union owned candidate. This morning they wrote this piece wondering where the public spirited politician with no ties to special interests had gone. ThePol who could step in and look the Union power brokers in the eye and start the process of cutting back the enormous costs.

Is this fascination with El Nino and La Nino just another element of this current fashionable allegiance to anything Hispanic like Jalapeno and Chipolte. Lets face it, if the Ninos are here now, than they were probably around 100 years ago. The names are just sexier now and we have a lot more weather people to talk about them.

Productivity is up which is great for competing on global basis but not so good for increased employment.

A new study supports the views of many who have said that college isn't for everybody. It has always been obvious that many people should have been directed to fulfill their avocations rather than being fashionably directed into college. I wrote a story about the European style education system that is centered around best capabilities. For instance, technically gifted craftsmen are elevated to the level of liberal arts University students in term so their contirbutions to society. Workers in a factory have the same respect as those who maybe criticizing a playwright. And the surprising thing is that I wrote this about an initiative supported by Rhode Island teachers groups.

Well, it's Thursday and that means pigskin pickin' time. After the Pats debacle I said I was with Green Bay all the way. Still am. There is something missing in Pitt team. They have offensive flaws that can crop up at any given moment and stifle progress, Couple that with GB defense that is among the very best, and you have a big advantage for the Pack. Rogers has proven himself to be a winner. So that his offense will be good enough to overcome the traditional Steeler defensive ferocity. The Steeler have an edge in experience. So, all in all it will be a close game. I'm thinking 24-21 Pack. Now if we can just keep Jerry Jones off the sidelines.

The Answer:
Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood is way ahead with 12, 191,000. Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson isn't doing bad with 10.628 Mil. The we have Chris Daughtry (6M), Clay Aiken (4.95) and Fantasia Barrino (2.8) rounding out the top 5. the rest are Ruben Stoddard, David Cook, Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta,
Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Josh Gracin, Taylor Hicks, Bo Rice and Elliot Yamin.

The End:
I have never really liked Superbowl parties. They always got in the way of the game. It was always more about dips than drives. So, while everybody is inside thinking they are having fun, I go on a trip. Unless, of course, the Pats are playing. Yes, I am an old curmudgeon.

America and Kenya.

Today's Tids Issue 2,095
Opening Stuff:

Stay healthy! Don’t let “The Monster” get traction.

The new hierarchy for totalitarian countries going forward will be President for Life and Minister of Firewalls.

So, did you hear about the glue factory worker who when handed a whisk declined, saying he didn’t want to beat a dead horse? Oh, you didn’t hear about that?

Daily Question: It looks like the US and Russia are close to a new Nuke treaty to replace the expiring current agreement. Name the top five Nuke countries and the number of warheads fro each.

The Headlines:
--New Language In Senate Will Send Health Care Back To House For Final Approval.
--Netanyahu And 0-Man Have Extended Talks.
--Iraq Election Still Razor Slim.
--New Jobless Claims Fall More Than Expected; Shows Sign Of Layoff Slowdown.
--New Home Sales Fall To Lowest In February History.
--Best Buy Revenue Up On Heavier Laptop And TV Sales.

Back to More Stuff:

The objective in Kenya these days as they struggle for inner peace is to get all of the tribes to call themselves Kenyans Over here we are gong in the opposite direction. Instead of everybody being Americans, many are becoming ethnicity-Americans. Of course the US pols love it because then they can pit the different groups against each other – just as many other African despots having been doing for years to assure that their tyranny continues. We are no longer a melting pot. We are a box of nuts and bolts trying to screw each other.

I guess Paige was pretty miserable Tuesday and her dismissal on AI last night was certainly justified. But, Tim is below average and should have gone (And Paige is innately more talented). We are losing too many women, leading me to think that most of the voters are younger girls who keep the “Cuties” (In their minds) alive. While I like Katie, I thought she belonged in the bottom 3 last night. I’m ready to vote out Tim next week. Next week is R&B/Soul, and I’m guessing a boring night and some shaky performances.

I like many will be watching Cornell vs. Kentucky tonight. This is the classic “Team” versus exceptional athleticism game. Kentucky is probably the favorite now to go all the way. I’d love to see Northern Iowa and St. Mary’s keep on going. Of course, my bracket has West Virginia winning it all and they are still there. I’m picking W.Va, Cornell, St. Mary’s, Duke, The OSU, Northern Iowa (MS has lost key player), Xavier and Syracuse. Hey I like the little guy. Shoot me. All of the games are very interesting match-ups.

Rajon Rondo is one of the most exciting basketball players I have ever watched.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 62 continues. –“You know Paul, Kent just took his good fortune in stride.” Sally continued, “But that’s just Middleton.” She thought a few minutes, and added “He’s either the smartest person alive, or he knew this was happening. Because as soon as the decision was made to pick up Bromsky’s work, he had a plan in place.”
I almost blurted in response, “Don’t tell him I said it, but he can be eerie at times. But he is very smart.” A couple of his people made non-committal nods and then looked around the room. We started some heavy duty work on the task at hand. After a couple of hours of mental depletion, we agreed to sit back and let our brains come back. Like running your laptop on a battery from time to time so it remembers that recharging is good for it’s long term health.
We started walking towards the cafeteria when Randy Montrose said, “Your wife looks like a very nice person.”
“Have you met my wife?” I replied. It was always good to hear nice thing about the woman you loved.
“Not really,” he countered, “But I have seen her many times with Middleton.” He looked over at me with a little grin. “I figured that she must be nice because he seemed to know how to get Middleton laughing!” And he added. “Not many people can do that.”
“Oh, she’s pretty sensational.” I countered while thinking of that image of Kent laying on Sarah’s hospital bed.

Apparently in a lot of countries around the world, kids score better than Americans on tests that measure education. I think it is surprising, since our kids despite what the critics say get a pretty good education. So I’m thinking that the problem is that our kids just don’t test well. Maybe our kids just sit there thinking about the next text message.

Of course, if you flunk out of school there are still plenty of opportunities remaining for you in America. For instance you could become an Octomom. In this country where amoral activity has never been a bar to success, you could reap the benefits of irresponsibility too. You may have heard that this incubator is in trouble with her mortgage, owing the bank a balloon payment of $450,0000 to th banks. Even media sensations don’t have that kind of dough lying around. In comes our beloved PETA, they have offered her $5,000 plus free veggie burgers and hotdogs for a month if she agrees to put a sign in front of her home: “Don’t let your dogs and cats become Octomoms.”

And…Porn maker Vivid Entertainment said it would pay off the $450K if she would make an X-Rated film. Vivid owner Hirsch said it would be “tasteful”. See, you don’t have to study in school to make a bundle.

Oh, and while we’re on education, I wondering where the school boards are taking out children. I have noticed that good fattening cafeteria food will soon be replaced by carrots and lettuce. Couple that with the free condom give-away programs and you see schools programs producing a generation of rabbits. Hey, it will be great for Easter pageants!

I always paid attention when Robert Culp came on the screen. He had a certain degree of affability that was always comfortable. His “! Spy” comedy espionage show with Bill Cosby was one of the all time classics. Thanks for the smiles!

Quiz Answer:
Russia has 2,707 warheads. The US follows with 2,202. the new agreement calls for a max of between 1,700 and 2,200. (Two warheads will soon be available at your local Army-Navy surplus store.) The rest are France – 300, China – 166 and Britain -160.

A long closing statement about nothing Department:
I was whipping along this morning when all of a sudden the President of the New England Patriots came on the radio for an interview. The Patriots seem to be floundering to me, so I was diverted. It’s tough to make up stuff for “Through the Same Eyes” when your mind is on the football field.

I told you this was a long closing statement about nothing. Why did you read it?

The biggest lie.

Today's Tids Issue 2,093
Opening Stuff:

Is there anything more irritating than after making your breakfast, smelling the aroma of brewing coffee, going out to get the paper and sniffing the fresh morning air, feeling the caress of your favorite chair and then anticipating the first words on the page, you reach up, turn on the lamp and the bulb burns out! Aaaaaaaaargh!

Interestingly, the words of Massachusetts Dem US Rep Stephen Lynch (All Mass Reps are Dems.), who broke with his party and voted no, provide a rare enlightened though simplified view of one of the major problems with LollaPelosi: “(The Health Care Bill) extends coverage to 10’s of millions without sufficiently reforming the system.” He is quite right. They never looked at all at the underlying ills and biggest problems with the current system. The biggest of these being that the current system is an immense pot of gold that just invites all manner of people, busineses and organizations to spend it. That pot just got huger assuring the addition of millions of scammers and the expansion of groups and organizations that will tap into it it. And more people in America saying, “Why shouldn’t I spend it, it’s free isn’t it.”

The Question:
In case you hadn’t noticed, the Health Care intrusion on the greatness that once was America passed on the anniversary of the passage of the “Stamp Act” in England. You know the Stamp Act – A law passed in England that basically imposed a tax “without representation” on the Colonies to support the housing of British Soldiers. It led to a group called the Sons of Liberty which evolved into a movement known as the American revolution. Coincidentally, today is the anniversary of the Patrick Henry’s (An almost “Treasonous” leader against the Stamp Act) speech that ended in “Give me liberty, or give me death.” Give me five other well known Revolutionary War quotes.

The Headlines:
--Stock Markets Showing Slow Steady Gains.
--Congress Focuses Attention On Financial reform; Newly Emboldened 0-Man Says He Will Add Muscle To Senate Bill.
--President Of Sudan To Expel Election Observers.
--Acorn Disbanding Over Money Woes.
--UK To Expel Israeli Diplomat Over Country’s Use Of Forged British Passports In Dubai Assassination Of Hamas Leader.
--Tea Party Anger Rising Over HC Passage.

Back to More Stuff:

The Canadian and British Health care systems are great if you buy back-up insurance and are willing to pay budget busting taxes every year.

I have to be honest, -- I have trouble watching Dancing with the Stars. One thing I could see for sure is that Buzz Aldrin looked downright scary, and I felt embarrassed for this goofy looking dancer, former space Hero. As the aficionados probably already know the favorites at this point are Evan Lycasek and Nicole Scherzinger. In addition to Aldrin at the bottom last night, we had soapy star Aiden Turner and reality mom Kate Gosselin. I wouldn’t watch DwtS simply because they allow reality moms on the show. The odds makers say Lycazek and Scherzinger at 3:1 and 4:1 are tops. Next is footballer Ochocinco at 7:1 followed by Turner 14:1, Shannon Doherty 15:1, Pamela Anderson 17:1, Gosselin 20:1, reality bachelor Jake Pavelka 25:1, Erin Andrews 40:1, Niecy Nash 50:1 and the bumbling spaceman at 1,000:1.

“24”-um: That gun battle went on much too long, and the just-in-the-nick-of-time appearance by Renee was a little too dramatic. I was surprised she didn’t emote a little more as she took Jack in her arms. My favorite line of the night was from Chloe : “I don’t do praise well”. Then, of course, there was the big surprise and finally the answer to the Dana mystery.

It Pays to Read the Tids Department:
In the Feb 24th “24-um” Tid, the Tid’s International Conspiracy Editor wrote: “…But more interesting is that maybe Dana wasn’t covering up her past indiscretions, but was worrying that her hidden association with the terrorists would be revealed if her past became known. That would be fun.” The Tids knows!

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 61 continues. --My first reaction to Henry was, “I didn’t think his psyche was that fragile. In fact, Henry, I thought just the opposite about Bromsky.”
Henry answered immediately, “How well did you know him?”
“I didn’t know him that well, but he did visit me in the hospital for some elusive reason that still bothers me. You know Henry,” I paused and thought a minute. “You, know that there are lots of things about this that aren’t computing.”
“I’m glad you stopped in this morning, Sarah. I’ve been wondering about a few things myself. The first that comes to mind is how that momentary blackout at the time of the teens’ abduction was orchestrated.” I nodded. “You remember that Kent and I went down to the Boston Security outfit. That’s where we first learned of the Bromsky tie-in. But, I don’t think they could do the power thing. There is something else going on here.” Now he paused and looked at the ceiling. “Like how,” He continued thinking. “Like how would the Security team know that the teens were planning some vandalism?”
“Henry,” I interrupted, “You are raising some very good questions.” I looked at my watch. I was going to drive Jax and Jill into Beverly for some of the classes they had been missing lately. Maybe I’ll call Paul for lunch. “I’ll be back in a couple of days. I’ll think about all of this. Maybe you and I should work together on this quietly.
“What about Kent. He seems as interested as you, his ‘Partner’ in all of this!” He smiled at me.
“You know, Henry, I think it would be better to have it as just you and me.” He raised an eyebrow,

One of the things I really dislike about the Health care passage is that I have to keep reading about it so I can be informed enough to report and opine accurately. Well, I guess the good news is that it will give me an edge over congress. But, then, that’s never been too hard for the average thinking American. It is obvious that the ovine media isn’t doing its job.

Michelle Wie is the Anna Kornicova of golf. If you have the body and the looks it really makes no difference whether you win or lose. I thought we had gotten passed that.

While you weren’t looking the Feds got control of the Student College Loan program that was attached to the LollaPelosi. I wonder what else will be sucked into the offices of 1400 Pennsylvania when the full 2,500 pages of HC is revealed?

The doctor’s assistant responsible for audio teats on patients is a hearing aid.

I look at LollaPelosi as a Trojan Horse. The reason why the White House mantra was “we have to pass something”, is because something will eventually get the entire massive HealthCare system under the wings of admin bureaucrats. And could conceivably give the Executive Branch of our government with Three equal branches immense power over the daily lives of everybody. There is no such thing as a “Free” lunch.

I have to ask myself why China would be at a disadvantage if Google pulls out. I could stop using Google and my life would change a byte.

That 0-Man Executive Order that served as the Stupak Kickback isn’t worth the paper upon which it is written. It is just translucent political cover. Obama has successfully proven to me that it has become impossible to believe anything coming from his mouth. He is just another political phony.

The Answer:
 The first that comes to mind is Nathan Hale’s “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” --A free country that we may have just ceded to unelected bureaucrats. How about William Prescott at Bunker Hill: “Don’t shoot til you see the white’s of their eyes.” Ben Franklyn said lots including “Whoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.” How about TJ who said “Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories.” and “If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.”.

The End:

Unfortunately Mr. Jefferson, too many people today think they are happier when they are getting something for nothing. Maybe the travesty associated with the passage of this illogical HC monster will rekindle the flame. Let’s hope.