Happy 100, Fenway.

Today's Tids Issue 2,576
Opening Stuff:

How many of you remember clearly, as I do, that day when your dad and you, hand in hand walked into the bowels of a major league baseball base ball park. The hustle. The bustle. Your youthful eyes taking it all in with amazement. A wonderland of cacophony. With the smells of hot dogs and popcorn aplenty. And then, you and your dad start to walk slowly up that ramp through a dank tunnel until the sky at the end gets brighter and brighter. Finally you reach the top and out there before you is the greenest green you have ever seen in your life. Surrounded by thousands of people, all eager and happily awaiting the first pitch. And you just stand there in awe and think "I am the luckiest person in the world." It happens every time.

You have to love the line from this morning's "Close to Home" comic; "New study reveals that reading studies may cause heart disease."

The scariest aspect of North Korea's test of a long range missile is that it was in all likelihood paid for by Iran, and Iran will be the beneficiary of the results. Iran can develop an A-Bomb but without a launch capability is is pretty useless. Iran and North Korea are Parallel countries.

The Question:

1. Name five German Concentration camps. Bonus: What unusual baseball feat did catcher Scott Hatteberg accomplish in Fenway park August 4 2001?

The Headlines:

--Giant 8.2 Quake Hits Indonesia; Small Tsunami Follows; Officials Still Assessing Deaths.
--NK Fueling Up Missiles For Test.
--US Files Lawsuit Against Apple On eBook Price fixing.
--Public Support For ObamaCare Drops To New Low -- 39%.
--Gingrich Utah Primary Check Bounces.
--Alcoa's Surprise Profit Report Fails To Ignite Wall Street.

Our state is aghast at the fact that the Governor's son was caught by police trying to buy beer in a liquor store. Like I wouldn't have done that when I was his age. In fact , me and my buds at 16 were always welcome in bars. Kids haven't changed that much. We just have more laws and regulations, so it's easier for kids to appear to be criminals.

This is interesting. Obama fund raising is falling far short of the that promised billion. The juggernaut has become the little engine that couldn't. Part of the reason is that some of the dough is being sent to SuperPacs. The other part of the shortfall is the lower rates of contributions from the little guys in the hinterland. They are not convinced, according to reports, that supporting "O" is where they should put the money. It is also interesting on the SuperPac front. The big Repub Super Pac "American Crossroads" has received ten times the amount that the big Dem SP "Priorities USA" has received. Maybe the Prez shoulkd get out on the road more instead of slaving away in that office for the good of the nation. Oops, did I say slaving? Pray for me Ozzie Guillen and David Ciciline.

Our sleazy little incumbent Congressman/person David Ciciline solved the problem of the mismanaged Providence finances while he was Mayor, with a simple explanation. In his kick-off speech he said "I never should have used the word 'Excellent' when I said (While campaigning for congress) "Providence was in excellent condition". That was just his explanation for the lie. It didn't answer the bigger question -- his incompetence in office. But isn't that like Pols today. Unfortunately they know voters will buy anything. "Poor darling" his backers will say, "He used the wrong word". Shoot me.

The car industry is really in a state of turmoil, with company heads trying to get a handle on the best way to go into the future. Today, for instance, it was reported that only 35% of Hybrid owners went back to buy another hybrid. In the world there are 12 Million CNG (Compressed Natural gas) cars, but barely any in the US where gas is plentiful. The US is in the electric mode, but CNG is probably a better solution for consumers. And electrics, at least in this stage of their development, are fairly impractical. It seems to me that the best bet is develop higher mileage regular cars.

How many of you have seen the "Snopes Verified" email floating around now describing Malia Obama's spring break trip for she and 12 friends to Oaxaca Mexico. It also took 2 jets and twenty five Sevres Service Agents to make it happen. It has appeared nowhere but in the Canadian media. Just think of the uproar in the US press if it had been the Bush twins!

It costs and arm and a leg and a second mortgage on your house to go to a Red Sox game. I remember in the sixties going to opening day at Fenway and having a choice of any seat in the place for $7.00. And it was pretty much the same in the 70's

The anarchy of mobs will eventually take the government away from the people Deportment:
Halder says his office vows to review the Travon Martin case. Why are the Feds poking into a local murder/self defense investigation. Go away big government. You are really starting to bother me.

Almost Near: Chapter 67 continues. --The tone of this happy hospital room reunion became more serious as Sparrow and Audrey began to lay out what they knew. Samantha sat there alert, knowing that she would learn things about her resent self, where she had no memory of it happening. Sparrow looked over at Dante as he recounted the evidence they compiled about Tucker's appearances in Dalesford around the times of both the alleged suicide of Samantha's mother and the disappearance of her father. "Tucker in his deluded mind was doing two things," we believe. "First, he was protecting you by eliminating the threat from your father." Samantha's tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Are you Ok, Sam," The burly detective was soft and caring, loving, as he asked. She looked up and gave him a small smile and just nodded "Go on."
"My people now believe that he staged your mother's suicide to make you a more likable victim. A person under threat and abuse who was a lone fighter in a bleak world. That you fought through your life with a tyrant father and a weak mother. Someday we'll find the body of your dad, probably in an out of the way location like where they found your husband in Arkansas.
Samantha looked up -- "My mother protected me. She saw what my father could do to me, but she never let it happen." Her life was very clear to her now. My mother was strong, but looked weak to others. Maybe he killed her because she could see the real Tommy Lambert where I couldn't." Samantha needed a person she could hold on to right now. The strength of her mother during those years she had blocked out became clearer. She wanted to feel the goodness in her mother. She looked up at Dante as she thought about where she was and where she was going. It was much too soon to share this life I have just found with another person, she thought as her eyes raised to the ceiling.
"This Tucker, Tommy was one disturbed individual," Sparrow said summing up the moment. Samantha didn't hear him.

The Answer:

There were about 74 German prison camp locations. 11 were extermination centers and included Auschwitz, Treblinka and Belzec which accounted for 2.6 Million Deaths. Among the best known large concentration camps are Buchenwald, Dachau, Plaszow and Ravensbruck (Women only). Many 10's of thousands of deaths occurred in these Concentration -- "Labor" Camps. Tyranny can happen when people stop looking. Bonus: In consecutive appearance as a hitter, Scott hit into a triple play and followed that with a grand slam home run! You have to believe that will never happen again.

When things get tense, there is no more soothing sound than a radio broadcast of a baseball game on a summer's day.

The roar of the crowd.

Today's Tids Issue 2,571
Opening Stuff:

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

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

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

The Headlines:

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

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

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

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

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

I'm hungry.

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

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

The Answer:

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

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

Click and Crack.

Today's Tids Issue 2,299
Opening Stuff:

If your are perhaps feeling a little tired of the Winter just think about Click and Crack! The click as the club hits the litttle white pellat 280 yards to the center of the fairway, and the crack of the bat as major League baseball revs up for the Red Sox march to the title. And then or course there is Whapp-Pop, Whapp-Pop, Whapp-Pop...

There was a little story in the paper with a pic of a little pussy cat outside of the venerable 10 Downing Street in London. It provide me with a vision of a kinder-gentler Prime Minister taking in the cute "Tabby" for comfort and calm. Until you learned that the little pussy cat was being hired to take care of the rat problem,. Yes Tabby is a killer. A blood thirsty hired assassin. 009-lives.

And then there was this item about Obama's awarding to the Medals to leading contributors to our society. One was George HW Bush. The little newspaper quickie bio said "He he has given 70 of his 86 years to public service starting when he at "18" joined the Navy." I guess the math was done by the the same people who are trying to tell us that 0-Man's budget is going to save us $1 Trillion over a decade.

One of our all time great observant readers reminded me that Miles Davis was not a pianist but one of the all time great jazz trumpet players...and perhaps one of the most influential jazz musicians of the great jazz era. And, I used to play a Miles Davis LP endlessly. I am losin' it!

The Question: With the days turning a little more Spring-like, I thought I'd move it along with a question about men in short pants...and the Whapp-Pop of tennis balls flittering across nets. Which countries have the most players and contributors elected to the Tennis Hall of Fame. Who were the earliest inductees?

The Headlines:

--Egypt New Sense Of Calm Broken By Agressive Labor Protests; Army Warns.
--Dell Soars Past Profit Estimates; Inspires The Street.
--Borders Declares Bankruptcy; Starts Closing Stores.
--0-Man and Congress Punting Entitlement Football Back And Forth; No Yardage Gained.
--Stuxnet Worm Had Little Or No Effect On Iran Progress Towards Nukes.
--Scottish Deerhound Takes It All In Big Westminster Kennel Club Show.
--Bahrain Protesters Join Club; Small Country Is Home To US Fleet And Center Of US Middle East Ops; Military On Alert.

Back to More Stuff:
You have to love, I think , the Philadelphia English teacher who called out students in a profanity laced blog as "Disengaged, Lazy Whiners". The interesting question here is what's wrong with calling out the unmotivated students as a major ingredient, if not the most important one, in the collapse of US education. Somehow our culture has given some kids the idea that everything comes easy and that there is nothing they don't deserve.

The Egypt protests are over, but it appears the problems are only just beginning. The Labor gangs see it as a moment to request bigger salaries, in a time when there is very little income at all in the country. The jubilation of the mobs on 2/11 was also somewhat more brutal than originally reported by the media. CBS 60 Minutes Journalist Lara Logan was brutally attacked by happy Egyptians including a sustained sexual assault. too many people in Egypt will see the victory by the people as an opportunity for pressing for selfish ideologies or undisciplined rampaging. As I said, the end is the first step in hard beginning.


Yesterday I heard a recording of a well know Country Western singer doing some rap, or whatever it is called. It was significantly unentertaining. I thought you went to CW to get some melodies back.

Oh.. above I alluded to the slight of hand associated with the announcement that the new 0-Man budget would save us $1 Trillion over a decade. That's just a politicians way of saying that instead of my budget adding $8 Trillion to the deficit in a decade, I will only add a number the size of China's economy, $7 Trillion, to the deficit. Beware of politicians baring gifts. In other words this new bold budget just gets us into more hot water.

Most of the Hall of Fame's honoring sports heroes didn't start til the 1930's. But, you got to figure that there were plenty of athletic people in the 16th - 19th Century America. Or, were people just rated for how the worked on the farm or for the good of a community. Who was the first great athlete? Think about how huge athletics is in this society, as opposed to a past where it was barely mentioned if at all.

We often report on the vanishing symbols of America's great past, but has there been a bigger disappearance than that yesterday of The New York Stock Exchange. Yikes! The face of Capitalism now under the control of Germany's Deutsche Boerse, with 60% of the board not US. What's next? The White House owned by Islam nations?

Dell says it is projecting 8-10% in revenue growth for the next year. But, I'd watch this bellwether #2 computer maker closely. Will we learn that it "padded" its forecast, and will its results be depadded. The tech focus in 2011 will indubitably be upon the IPad and all of the many wannabees. This will be fun to watch.

The Answer:
In keeping with the Tids mission of not forgetting the past, I like Questions like this that pay tribute to heroes maybe forgotten as new generations roll in. The Hall was established at Newport's beautiful victorian style Tennis Casino in 1954. The US has 122 members far outdistancing Austalia (25), Great Britain (24), France (10), Sweden (5), Germany (4), Brazil and Italy (2) and Ireland/Mexico (1). The early inductees were Beals Wright, Bob Wrenn, Richard Williams, Hazel Wightman, Malcom Whitman, Holcombe Ward, Bill Tilden, Maude Wallach, Richard Sears, Maurice McLaughlin, Molla Mallory, Art Larson, Bill Larned, Bill Johnston, James Dwight, William clothier, Joseph Clarke,Oliver CampbellMay Sutton Bundy and Mary Kendall Brown. Kind of a surprise isn't it. Some of the early memorable names like Helen Jacobs, Helen Wills Moody, Don Budge or Renee LaCoste didn't get in until ten or so years after these earliest inductees.

The End:
That's me...I think I know something and then I find I don't. I guess that's as good a reason as any to keep on looking because you are bound to learn a lot.

Of course, I'll never understand why Hip-Hop, Rap and other new music genre are considered listenable. I guess it's more about animal instinct.

Actually, some readers may be worrying about me, as a couple of you wrote abut use of "Pot" in the recipe yesterday. And of course today I start with "Crack"!

Vapid and Hollow again.

Today's Tids Issue 2,164
Opening Stuff:

So far Kagan sounds like just another well rehearsed lawyer being vapid and hollow. And she’ll say all of things she needs to say to get approved, and then do what she wants. Which is what nearly all politicians do these days –promise them anything to get in office.

Much too often these days the weather is much better than the golf. Great for your ethereal side, but not so for the athletic self esteem.

The Question:
Who are this year’s Top 10 most powerful and richest Celebrities?

The Headlines:
--Early Stock Gains Wiped Out By Poor Jobs Report; Friday report Expected To Show 110,000 Lost Jobs..
--Hurricane Alex heads Towards South Texas/Mexico.
--Mortgage Apps Up As Rates Hit Historic Lows.
--Paying Back: Ford Paying Off $4 Billion In Debt; Dubai Developer Begins Reducing Dept With $1 Billion Payment
--Google Scrambling To Retain License In China.
--Larry King Announces retirement From CNN;; 25 years Enough Says Talker Who Wants To Spend Time With “Wife” And Kids At Ball Games; Industry Sources Say It’s Because of Bad Ratings.
--World Cup Down To Eight: Brazil-Spain, Argentina-Germany, Uruguay-Netherlands, Paraguay-Ghana.

Back to More Stuff:

Here’s an idea for you if the emails in your box have dried up. Make a list of all your friends and acquaintances who are away from the office on vacation or on business. Send them an email. You’ll be flooded with lots of familiar and favorite names in you inbox. Your eyes will light up and your heart will skip a beat as people you like show up in bold typeface. But then comes the message: “You have received an automatic out-of-the-office reply.” It’s instant gratification the American way. But, hollow and vapid.

An abbreviated talk about school vacation is called a summerization.

I find it harder and harder to stay interested in tennis.

I may be out of the loop, but I have to say honestly that I have never thought Chicago deep dish pizza was worth eating. But then, of all the things in life, Pizza is among the most personal.

I’m pretty positive I’m not going to like what Kagan does when she gets there.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 80 continues. –I smiled as I saw Paul sitting alone at one of those sterile tables in the cafeteria. As hard as designers try, corporate cafeterias always look like cafeterias to me. He looked upa s he sensed a person nearing. And then broke into a huge smile, not unlike what I remember the first time he saw me. His love for me has never wavered. I have never felt anything but undivided love from him. What’s wrong with me?
I spoke first. “It is so nice to have this time, Paul. We never see each other much during your busy days.” He stood as I reached my chair and came over to kiss me tenderly on the cheek. He was so tender. It was hard to believe that a man so tender could be so tough in business. But he was. “I’m anticipating a difficult meeting with Izzy. Our lawyers are really concerned about this conspiracy and the validity of the research. I might have to renegotiate our entire package.”
Paul was just sitting there staring at me. Elbows on the table. Chin in his hands. A little grin. A loving grin? “Who wound you up this morning?”
“Maybe it is just seeing you that has my motor running.” He laughed a little.
“How well do you really know Kent Middleton?” He asked immediately. I was taken back, but it was just an innocent question, wasn’t it? I played it straight.
“I worked with him on that town vandalism effort. I found him more to be pleasant than he appears. And smart. Very smart.” He really didn’t ask for all of that information, did he?
“Have you heard that Bromsky’s niece Laura is missing?”
“Henry told me,” I answered. Where was he going.

I just read where the Cleveland Baseball writers have already written off the team for the year 2010. It is only late June. This is not a good thing. And it says to me that there are many flaws in the concept Major league Baseball itself. I have always viewed the league and the teams as actors in a play. Where the play is only as good as the consistent quality of the actors. All of the schedules should be balanced and the interleague play should be eliminated. All payrolls should be equal. It sounds like communism, but it is the way it should be. The NFL has that “On any given Sunday” thing going for them. And the Baseball league has to get to that point where a Cleveland/Red Sox series in August is as important as a RS/Ya, Ya, Ya,…(WYKWIM). Every team should play every team 12 times – Four three games series an=on a home and home basis.

The Answer:
#1 is still Oprah, although I hear that the ratings for her show have taken a substantial hit. The rest are surprises to me. Beyonce Knowles and James Cameron are 2-3. 4, 5 and 6 prove once again that bad behavior and the ugly American pays big as “I ain’t no Lady” Gaga, porn star addicted Tiger and bad girl Brittany Spears rank well. The rest are U2, Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp and Lady Gaga’s mother, Madonna. Check out the whole 100 http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/22/lady-gaga-oprah-winfrey-business-entertainment-celeb-100-10_land.html?boxes=Homepagetopspecialreports

The End:
Having good memories of great times and people past can bring a smile to your face on the grimmest day

Gandhi giot it right.

Today's Tids Issue 2,149
Opening Stuff:

Sometimes the perfect opening for the Tids just walkss up and slaps you across the face. As did a note yesterday from a reader about Mohandas Gandhi’s “Seven evils that can destroy an individual and even countries: ‘Politics without Principle, Pleasure without Conscience, Wealth without Work, Knowledge without Character, Business without Morality, Science without Humanity and Worship without Sacrifice’!” I can’t add anything to that.

So…did you hear about the guy who when telling his new airline hostess girlfriend he had some baggage, she responded, “it has to fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment.”

And God looked down and said let there be Steve Strasberg, and Steve Strasberg smote the enemy with a heavenly array of fastballs, curves and change ups! And the angels said “Let the new phenomena begin.” And the media became self indulgent. And the Congress worshipped the golden calf. And then God said, “What have I created”.

The Question:
Name the five leading web Browsers.

The Headlines:
--Woman Romp In Major Primaries; Millionaires Fiorina And Whitman To Take On Boxer And Moonbeam In Cal; Tea Party candidates Do Well; Arkansas Centrist Dem Lincoln Beats down Union Special Interst Millions; DC Shake Up Looming.
--Illegal Teen Killed As Stone Throwing Mexican Mobs Assault US Border Guards; Mexico Irate.
--NK Warns UN Not to Open Debate On SK Ship Sinking.
--French Government Selling Off 1,700 Gov. Owned Buildings To Help Lower Growing debt Problems; Social Promises Outflank Economic Reality
--Goldman Looking At New Legal Headaches As Settlement Talks With Australian Hedge Fund “Timberwolf” Break Down; Fund Had Invested $100 Million In Now Toxic Mortgage-Linked Security.
--Celtics Lose Advantage.

Back to More Stuff:

I have a new bumper sticker for my golf bag: “I’d rather be skiing.” My game is ice cold.

I remember when the 42’ Merc was the most sought after car by teens with the mechanical gene. Chopping and channeling anybody? Then it became the brand that nobody needed.

I’m really big on tradition. But, the auto industry continues prove that spending big money on old favorites is a bad idea.

There is no truth to the rumor that the Ya-ya-ya…(Well you know who I mean)…those guys with the funny flat brimmed hats…have already offered Steve Strasberg $100 Million for the 2016 season.

In case you missed it, the Pew Research Center ongoing Poll (March 2009 – Present) tracking the opinions of people on Obama’s handling of the economy continues to track lower. The proportion of folks who say his policies have mad the economy worse are up from 16% to 29%. The curve that says “No change” or “Too early to tell” has fallen from 53% to 38%. Perhaps more interesting though, is that after 13 months of the bailouts and Recovery Act “Jobs”, exactly the same say “Is now recovering” (13%) and even more now (50% versus 48%) are saying “Will take a long time to recover.”

Somehow the small news item about Russian soldiers guarding the site of the disastrous crash of a Polish Airliner that took the life of President Kascynski and Family, taking and using bank and credit cards from the dead victims, says a lot about the general state of morality in the world today.

For years up here in little ole’ RI, the state legislature has been trying to get the folks to go along with their plans to bring casinos to the Ocean State (Read that Oceans of Debt State). To do this the citizens must vote for it on a referendum and have by wide margins consistently voted it down. So now, I se they are putting it forth as “State Run” casinos. Why would the ever think that the addition of the descriptive phrase “State Run” would make more palatable to the voter. It may be great for legislative friends and relatives…but have you been to the DMV lately.

A columnist ran a story under the headline: “Blaming Obama for not being God.” Here’s the deal columnist person. When you naively (Or not) cast a wide net to the unwashed masses for votes by promising a free HD TV in very pot, it is practically impossible to not to disappoint. Even after adding trillions in debt. The people who didn’t vote for him always thought of him as a false god. A devil standing on a cliff urging us to believe and fling ourselves to the desert below. No thanks.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 76 continues. –“Hi Henry,” opened Kent in his usual, yet friendlier than normal matter of fact tone “How’s our caper going?”
“Well, Detective Middleton,” Stop the detective crap Henry, I thought. “We are making progress.”
“That’s good. Just want to be sure you didn’t need me for anything. Oh, have you talked to Sarah lately?”
“Nope.” A distinctive pause beyond Henry’s folksy style. “I think she’s in Boston trying to catch up on her real job.” Another pause. “This past month or so has been tough on her, you know.”
“That I know, Henry.” I was about to end it and hang up when Henry continued.
“You know that Laura girl?” Of course I do Henry, but I ain’t talkin’ I thought. “Well she is missing.”
“Really!” Missing!” I said in a surprising tone. “I thought you told me you had just talked to her. How could you say she is missing so quickly?”
“Well,” he responded…”Police can tell when something is different.” Then he added, “Did I ever tell you there’s a lot of similarities between you and Sarah Durham. I bet she could see inside your brain.” He paused a second and then added, “Gotta go. I’ll call you when I need some more input. Always enlightening to talk to you Kent.”
I barely got out “Thanks” when I heard the click.
So I guess Jason did make it look like something suspicious at Laura’s apartment. That is too bad. How can “experts” be consistently stupid, I thought? I wonder what Old Henry is really thinking. Maybe I’ll drop in and surprise him tomorrow.

There’s an awfully lot of really smart and talented people in this world who will never get to center stage. But it doesn't make them any less smart or talented.

Quiz Answer: The five top browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox (Mozilla), Google Chrome, Safari (Apple) and Opera. I try Firefox from time to time, but honestly, I’m just as happy using the same one all of the time. I have Safari and Chrome on my desktop, but never see any reason to confuse my mind with them.

Maybe they should inscribe the words of Gandhi around the grand cornices of the national Capitol Building across the green from the towering monument to our George Washington. Of course we would also have to inscribe in big red letters “This is not what to do.” Do you think they would get it?

I wonder what gandhi would say if he read Todsy's Tids and noticed that in three consecutive tidlets I started with the word "I". It probably wouldn't be nice.

The imperfect umpire.

Today's Tids Issue 2,144
Opening Stuff:

When the fog rolls in, the world gets a little softer. It envelops your senses with anesthetizing arms. It soothes fears and calms doubts. I makes you wish you hadn’t been so cheap and bought the fog light package.

Did you hear about the Harley rider who punched a lion in the nose to save a 6 year old girl the lion had grabbed at the local zoo. A reporter who had witnessed the rescue and the elation of the overjoyed parents ran to the biker and said I’m going to do a beautiful feature on this. You were amazing. Tell me about yourself. “Well,” he said, “I’m a marine and a Republican and I love my Harley.” The next morning the headline read: “US Marine Assaults African Immigrant and steals his lunch.” Probably.

Actually, there is some evidence that the media is having some second thoughts about white washing everything Obama. .

The Question: Frankie Valli was a popular entertainer in the sixties, but nobody I changed my schedule for. But today with the huge success of “Jersey Boys” he is practically a candidate for sainthood today. It appears that much of the singer’s success was due to the songwriting of Bobby Gaudio. Name five Gordio Valli and non-Valli hits.

The Headlines:
--Armando Galarraga Becomes First Pitcher To Get 28 Outs In Perfect Game; Red Faced Ump Admits Keeping Galarraga Out Of History Books.
--Stock Futures Rise; Hope To Build Upon Yesterday’s 220 Burst.
--Productivity Growth Slows; Retail Slows; New Jobless Claims Fall For Second Month.
--BP’s Latest Effort Hits Snag.
--0-Man’s Admin Admits Offering Another Candidate Job To Leave Colorado Race Against Prez Hand Picked Candidate.
--1.3 Million Maytag Dishwashers Recalled Because Of Potential
--Blago Trial Starts Today.
--Ford To Eliminate 71 Year Old Mercury Brand; Will Expand Lincoln Line-up.

Back to More Stuff:

So the question of the day is: Should Commissioner Selig award Armando Galarraga with the perfect game he clearly earned? I say yes.

And what is it with all of these so called hardest to achieve perfect games. Galarraga’s was the third already this year, but only the 27th in history of the game? Are the pitchers all of sudden that much better?

Did you hear about the guy who asked his caddie for sand wedge and he came back ten minutes later with a ham and cheese on rye?

I’m with Joe Biden on this one. Yes, that Joe Biden. The Veep has come out strongly in favor of Israel, saying that they have every right to know what is being smuggled into their territories. I thought the raid was more than an acceptable tactic and would have been a harmless incursion if not for the aggression of the peace lovers.

iThings are overpowering the broadband capabilities of the major carriers. AT&T is doing something about it. For the crazed smart phone and iPad users, the rates are going up based on usage. Those currently with unlimited contracts can renew indefinitely, but starting Monday new subscribers will l have to choose between two programs – one which will actually reduce costs for light users (That includes heavy eMail users) and a second which will limit to two gigs for heavy users (Movie watchers et al). It actually sounds quite fair as even reasonably heavy users will have the chance to add bandwidth each month and still stay under current costs. But, if you go crazy, it will cost.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 75. –I left the meeting thinking that this is going to be a long haul. I liked the agents, and frankly their curiosity is remarkably similar to my own. It is obvious that they see something in Kent which I don’t think they are totally revealing to us. Henry will know, I thought.
Maybe I should know. After all, wasn’t I originally attracted to Kent because he seemed to think like me? He saw things the way I did. Bill knocked on the door interrupting my thoughts. “How’d it go boss?” he asked too cheerily. As if he was happy I was back to talk to the feds and not him.
“A love fest.” I answered quickly. “Kumbaya all the way.” He laughed almost boyishly. I think he was really happy to have me back.
“Want to talk about BiEm now?” he asked now more serious.
“I think, Bill…that we will be talking a lot about our favorite new client for weeks to come.” He nodded, and shuffled a piece of paper on my desk.
“Do you think we should consider altering our contract to hedge against some legal difficulties.”
“Actually Bill,” I answered, “Our original agreement has plenty of legal protection for this kind of situation. What I want to know from you is the scuttlebutt. Your sense of the situation.” I looked at him. My older son, I thought. “I have to get out of my recovery act and back on the field.”
“Uh Oh”, he laughed and then got back to the mood of the minute. “Jeff and Gloria have done some good work with their finance people. And I have tried to keep Isabelle happy. She thinks highly of you, you know.” I nodded. “Anyhow, Gloria and Jeff are working with the general finance people and also those who had been in charge of the two competing projects.”
“Go on.” This was getting interesting.
“It seems, according to Gloria, that the Bomsky guy has some questions about Middleton. He paused.” He was a friend of yours, wasn’t he?”
“Not really.” My chest tightened.

I live in a small city that has many of the big city advantages…and problems. You get to see basic human nature at it’s worse. About a week ago for no reason at all except maybe for basic brain damage to the morality nodule, some character just tore out by the roots seven bushes from a beautiful little boxwood hedge and left them strewn upon the street. Hey what fun! And a week later pots of flowers out side the door were just taken. This is a common occurrence, BTW. You know I often rant about litterers. People who just don’t seem to understand what living in a civilized society is all about. And then, some politically correct loon will enable them. And add, “Hey, what’s a few bushes?”

As Mickey Mantle once said, “The guy with the fastest golf cart never has a bad lie!”

The Answer:
Gaudio was quite the prolific song writer, producer, arranger. For Valli and the 4 Seasons (Of which he was a member) he wrote Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Rag Doll, Walk Like a Man, Bye, Bye Baby, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of you. His first hit came at age 15 – Who wears short shorts. He wrote many for Neil Diamond including I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight. He also wrote Talk is Cheap, Whatever You Want, Please be Mine, The Sun ain’t Going to Shine Anymore.

I am, I said:
These musical group Broadway love fests (Mama Mia , Jersey Boys) seem quite popular these days. I think the next great candidate for one of these would be Neil Diamond. He has packed them in for years. And lord knows he needs the extra dough for alimony payments. I’d start it off with 38,000 Red Sox fans singing their daily Sweet Caroline and segue to his Brooklyn beginnings in the shadow of of the Dodger’s Ebbit’s Field. Could be a winner. But, they had better hurry before all of his fans die off.

Nausea at Ray's Creek.

Today's Tids Issue 2,104
Opening Stuff:

Remember when a Shrimp Cocktail was a premiere appetizer at any restaurant and often a highlight of special occasion dining? Now the little swimmers are ubiquitous accompaniments to all occasions large and small. “Oh no, not shrimp again!” They still taste great though. Actually I have my cocktail party sports jackets made with specially lined waterproof pockets. When you are tired of talking about the weather and health insurance plan options, reach in your pocket and offer a shrimp. You’ll be the hit of the do.

How many people across this great nation last night threw up on their living room carpets while watching the introduction of the new Tiger Woods self serving commercial featuring the voice of his dead father? The Woods rescue plan is as despicable as his total disregard for morality.

The Question:
What significant event in the history of recent American Culture happened this week?

The Headlines:
--New Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly.
--Icelanders Leaving Homeland In Drove Amidst Volcanic Disruption And Corruption (Or Maybe Stupidity) Induced National Bankruptcy Fears.
--Riots Force Kyrgyzstan To Form Interim Government Backed By Army; Opposition Want US Base Closed.
--Stocks Expected To Pull back After Months Of Gains; Opening Futures Down.
--0-Man, Mevedev Sign Nuke Treaty; Pact Contains Easy Out For Russia.
--Oil Prices Fall After Month Long Rally.
--Search Continues For 4 remaining Missing Miners In West Virginia; B-Ball Team Coach Huggins, Brings Gear, Good Will To Help Console Relatives Of Dead.
--Greece Plunges Deeper into Crisis; Borrowing Costs Surge.

Back to More Stuff:

GM, 61% owned by taxpayers lost $4.3 Billion in the last half of 2009. That’s the period after it emerged from bankruptcy. But here is the real problem. They need to add a hefty $12.3 Billion to their pension fund by 2014. If they let their pension fund fail the pensions will be paid by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation funded totally by you, me and Aunt Lizzie. It doesn’t appear that GM will out of bankruptcy for long. GM is just the tip of the iceberg in this country’s growing underfunded pension programs. For instance the 3 biggest California State pension funds are ½ Trillion dollars short. Taxes will go out of site to pay for California and plenty of other states. Can you say Greece?

Woods must have the same image rebuilders as 0-Man. All of the new photos are of a smiling Tiger! :o)

American Idol had a lot of drama last night. Big Mike sang for his supper and he sang with great emotion and heart…and talent. I think the judges like having him on the show anyhow. Next week two singers will go and nobody can be saved again. I’d like to see Tim and Andy go, which would leave a pretty good group of competitive singers. I rate the rest BoSox, Casey, Siobahn/Lee tie, Big Mike/Kate tie and Aaron. And, there are times like last week when the surprisingly big voice of Kate can move her towards the top.

The US during its greatest periods of economic growth, the eras that molded this country of the free into the giant of powers, dominated the world in the manufacture and sale of machine tools. Rhode Island became on of the richest States because of them. Machine tools are the basic instruments of a manufacturing economy. Machine tools are the basic instruments of the highly leveragability manufacturing economy. The US is still the third largest consumer of these tools, but has declined significantly on a per capita basis. China has soared in consumption and was 6x that of the US last year. On the production side, the US is now down from its top spot to seventh behind China, Germany, Japan, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan; And just a nose above Switzerland.

A new IRS report says that half of the US households don’t pay any taxes. Does that mean that fifty percent of Americans take care of the other half. And obviously not the better half. Also noted is that 10% of earners pay 73% of taxes. So, why is Obama looking to expand income redistribution programs?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 65. Laura just left for Worcester where she waits on tables in a small restaurant in an old mill. As usual she left me in a blissful state of pure satisfaction. We agreed that she should avoid coming here for a while. I suspect that this investigation into the Bromsky affair is just beginning I would hate to have to sentence her to joining her uncle. Maybe I can find a few hours with Maggie/Sarah later today.
The new data is producing some amazing results and speeding our progress. Isabelle loves me. I am a most intriguing person for just being a socially awkward scientist. I smiled to myself. I picked up my phone and called Henry. “Hi my friend,” I said. He informed me that my partner in crime, Sarah had just left. Actually he invited me to join him for a minute or two. He said he’d like to bounce a few things off my “brainy” head. Then he did the folksy chuckle. He was a man to watch.
While driving over I called Sarah who agreed readily that she would love to have a diet coke with me. She added that she was feeling stronger today. And I could tell she was smiling when she said it. I loved to watch her vacate her morals.

According to the new Forbes Survey, The Ya, Ya, Ya…(WYKWIM)…the NY hedgefunders are the most valuable baseball team with a net worth of about $1.8 Billion. The Beloveds are second at $830 Million. The rest are the Mets, LA Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, Angels, Cards and White Sox.

And, I think shrimp taste better with a little mayo in the red cocktail sauce. Incredibly tangy. And, also for better taste, you’ll achieve delectable consistency and satisfying bite appeal when cooking raw frozen shrimp as opposed to thawing previously cooked frozen shrimp. That’s just one man‘s opinion. And of course you have to learn how to time the cooking perfectly.

The Answer:
For the first time, the venerable American Idol which has been skunking just about everybody for years by super wide margins, lost the battle of Tuesday night to Dancing With the Stars 23 to 21.8 million. An observer says it is because of a good celebrity dancer lineup and mentions Kate Gossilin and Pamela Anderson! Kate Gossilin? Pamela Anderson? These are stars?
Maybe it is the absence of the ditsy Paula. But, more likely it was the poor to fair performances of the singers on the first live AI shows. Remember the Tids pointed out the failure of Seacre Remember when a Shrimp Cocktail at restaurant was a premiere appetizer at any restaurant? Now the little swimmers are ubiquitous accompaniments to all occasions large and small. OIh no, not shrimp again! That still taste great though.
st to mention voting totals. They must have really declined.

The End:

Reading about the demise of America day after day makes me despondent. But then I think of all the great people still out there working hard, and loving sincerely, and I say…maybe we can still do anything we want.