Celebrification of the USA.

Today's Tids Issue 2,497
Opening Stuff:

I am really tired of celebrities blowing kisses at me.

New IBD/TIPP Poll (Investors Buusiness Daily) among nations doctors about ObamaCare has physicians saying higher premiums, less service and "The best and the brightest of youth running away from a career in medicine medicine". This new poll totally contradicts White House AMA* proclamations of Doctor support for mammoth overhaul. 2/3rd's of docs oppose it. Hundreds of thousands (45%) said they will retire if it continues to become law. 72% of doctors say the program is not doable -- disagreeing with the claim that 47 million can be covered with better care at lower cost. *(The AMA a strong lobbying force for docs, only represents 18% of physicians.) More info: http://news.investors.com/Article/506199/200909151909/45-Of-Doctors-Would-Consider-Quitting-If-Congress-Passes-Health-Care-Overhaul.htm

Is the normal seasonal slowdown masking continuing problems in Europe.? Will new shoes drop January 2? Be careful in the market this week.

The Question:

What are Denzel Washington's top 5 movies?

The Answer:

--Expect Lower Volume Slightly Higher Market; nvestors Await Start Of 2012 Before Placing Bets.
--Iran Navy Chief Says "Closing Off Gulf to Tankers Will be As Easy As Drinking A Gauss of Water".
--Mad Bombers Continue To bring Horror To Nigeria.
--Senator Ben Nelson To Retire; Gives Boost To Repubs Chances Of Taking Back Senate.
--Italy's Debt Picture Improves.
--Celebrityville Fawns Over Itself At Kennedy Center

Word has it that after the Kennedy ceremony Neil Diamond was seen hawking commemorative Honoree CD's in the lobby to help with his ongoing, wor;d recod (At the Time) $140Mil alimony payments.

Last evening I gingerly walked into the bedroom of my 5 year old grandson who was preparing for bed, carefully evading the many Star Wars characters strewn over nearly every inch of the floor, "Harry," I said, you should move these. Some body could hurt their feet." Don't worry Granddad," Harry replied, "It's a booby trap for ghosts."

I thought maybe my conservative biaswas the reason for my long time distaste for Bill Mahar's self-righteous, snide liberalism and in-your-face atheism. But then I see he's on the Board of PETA, so I know that he's genuinely nuts.

And to Meryl Streep, an Emmy for her dramatic portrayal of an overly happy Kennedy Center Honoree.

The worst 2011 internet sellers for "Customer Satisfaction" are Overstock.com, Gap, Buy.com, Sony and Toys r Us. Netflix showed the largest drop on the "ForSee Satisfaction Index." The best in satisfaction was the perennial champ Amazon. The biggest gainers in the Index were TigetDirect.com and JCP.com (JC Penny). JCP joined other top performers Apple online, QVC.com and VistaPrint.com. ForSee runs these surveys monitoring Internet Commerce every six months.

When you think about it, the JFK/Jackie combo may have been the twosome that elevated the Celebrity world to regal status. How could you ever trust the emotions of an actor?

Almost Near: Chapter 56 continues. --"I think you'll like this little place. It's what you might call real Arkansas. It's in the middle of nowhere, but it's in with the in."
"How do you know so much about Lady Lil's?"
"Oh you guessed. I guess that makes you in!" Tucker smiled and reach over to squeeze her thigh. Audrey didn't move or act playful.
"Everybody who lives here knows about Lil's, but you don't live here."
"The guy at the hotel said it was perfect for an out of the way spot. Nice and romantic he told me."
"Don't get overly excited. I'm not feeling romantic." Audrey looked out the rear view mirror.
"Just being with you is all the excitement I need." Tucker pushed down on the accelerator. "I'm worried about Samantha, and where e she is. And, what she may be doing. I've had this funny feeling ever since I found that silver chain and locket." He decelerated into a tight turn. then leaped forward coming out into a long straight stretch. "Barton have any new ideas?"
Audrey reached down and held tightly onto the door handle. It was very dark out here she thought.

The Answer:

What's Denzel's best -- Tough call. Personally, I liked Crimson Tide, Man on Fire, The Preacher's Wife and the Pelican Brief. He is also known for Glory, Training Day, Courage Under Fire, Remember the Titans, Malcom X, Ricochet, The Bone Collector, Devil in a Blue Dress, Antwone Fisher and Out of Time. you probably have your own favorites and will write in post haste. It always happens. It's got to -- he made 41 films. And people liked most of them.

Motion picture attendance is way down. It's not much of a mystery. It costs too much, and you can do it cheaper and lose nothing in presentation at home on the newer TV set. Is star power less valuable than in the past several decades? Probably not. There is always enough of the masses who will bow down and kiss their rings. It's just the way it is. Demographics and percentages is the answer to everything.

Arab Inquisition?

Today's Tids Issue 2,491
Opening Stuff:

You are not alone in your amazement of the antics of celebs. Kim Kardashian tops the just out "Most Annoying Celebrity" list (There may be truth to the rumor that in the future because the "K's" are so symbolic of Celeb over the top behavior, that it will be known As the "Kardashian List"). The rest in order are Charlie Sheen, Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan Piers Morgan, Kris Jenner, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, Donald Trump, and some guy who must be an inside the Glitzway thing, Brett Ratner. Trump nemesis Rosie "O" must be sitting on the sidelines laughing, but she hasn't been back long enough to qualify for this years list. She will return.

The rise of this Arab Spring could result in the decline of Middle East Christians. The dictators are gone or going but the Islamists replacing them seem to be taking aim at Christian establishments. In other words, it's confusion and hopelessness as usual in the land of camels and persecuted women, non-believers. Are we seeing the revenge of the Spanish inquisition?

Christmas Spirit Department:
A good old friend (And great Editor) sent me this song, "The Giver and the Gift", which she and two other women will sing at Midnight Mass in her Ohio town. http://www.myspace.com/music/player Enjoy!

The Question:

Which car company was first to offer heated seats?

The Headlines:

--Stocks Up $275 at 11:11.
--World Guessing Begins As NK Ex Kim Jong Il Lies In State; Soule Puts Military On High Alert.
--Stock Markets Open Stronger.
--Stronger November Housing Starts Report Not Enough To Keep 2011 From One Of Worst Construction Years Ever.
--Egypt Violence Increases; 13 Killed; Hillary Irate.
--Anyone Can Win Iowa Caucus.
--Killer Blizzards Paralyze Midwest Plains.
--AT&T Nixes T-Mobile Deal After Fed Harassment Too Much to Handle.
--Ex-New England Patriot Star To Run For US Senate In Texas.

What does a man know anyhow, Department:
I would have thought those popular Vera Bradley bags had all of the characteristics typical of fashion fads. Yet this product which accounts for 94% of the company's sales must be still doing great as sales this year are up 32%! Yikes. The next thing you will see is company owned store expansion and diversification. Get ready for more belts, wallets, luggage and in home decorative accessories, all with those happy Vera designs.

I will never get used to those emails that arrive urging, "This is funny. Laugh!". I have my assumptive moments, but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt...that maybe they can figure out for themselves that it's funny. Or, the best ever.

Tom Brady seemed to take the field Sunday with an attitude that said, "Tebow, humpf! I'm still the man."

If it wasn't for the media and outspoken opposition, most Repubs would look at this GOP thing as a sorting out process. Who has more to gain by exaggerating the the appearance of confusion in Repub hopes but Obama and the Dems.

Real Person of the Year Department:
RI's Providence Journal says that Time Mag made a mistake by not picking Gina Raimondo as their Person of the Year. In a nation divided and devoid of any real leadership, the RI Treasurer accomplished both resolving an enormously emotional and potentially contentions situation. As the Editorial say, she did with facts over cheap politics; facts the great equalizer.

Oh, and that same Ed praising Dem Gina went on to praise another facts oriented Pol - Wisconsin's GOP'er, Paul Ryan. He in his newest push Medicare reform pulled together a strong facts based Bi-Partisan bill in conjunction with Dem Ron Wyden of Oregon. A bill by the way, which Romney endorses.

San Fran last night did the Pats fans a huge favor by beating the Steelers. This puts the Top Seed in the hands of the New Englanders. The team that ranks last in defense is first in the AFC. Go figure.

Almost Near: Chapter 56 continues. --Tucker was still thinking about Samantha as he stepped from the airport to the curb. As if choreographed, a car materialized before him. At once, he saw the now familiar welcoming smile of Audrey, and Samantha flew from his mind. He opened the rarer door, tossed in a small bag, jumped in the front seat, and as if by habit, leaned over and kissed her. She leaned her cheek into his lips, but immediately went back to the task of moving into the mindless traffic and away from the terminal. "Hi!", she said seconds later.
"Nice to come back to such a beautiful welcoming committee of one! I thought Barton would have been with you to arrest me as a fugitive from lunch."
Audrey turned and smiled at him. This was the Tucker she enjoyed, The sarcastic Tucker, whose words seemed to give control his life. And, maybe people around him. "Oh, Tucker, John was not a happy man. I just told him it was just one aspect of an insane man!" She reached over, but this time instead of that little punch, she stroked his upper arm. "I'm sorry I dragged you into that interview. But that's what you get when you make goo goo eyes at an inquisitive reporter. Still friends?"

The Answer:

The soon to be dead Saab was the company who gave us all those warm and cuddly heated seats. Is there anything better in a car in Winter? I don't think so. It is sad that this car will cease to exist. It was an automobile truly loved by its owners. It appears that US Government owned GM put the kibosh on a deal to China that could have saved the car and kept 3,000 Swedes working. Do you think maybe our Gov just doesn't understand the concept of private sector jobs?

Isn't it sad how people and groups never give up hating.