Waiting for Christmas rally.

Today's Tids Issue 2,488

Opening Stuff:

Occupy Amazon Department:
A few years ago our Tids Financial Department Editor suggested there may be an opportunity for a big box store that physically displayed tons of products as an aid to on-line buyers. I guess at that time I felt bad for the retailers, who are just used by Internet buyers. You know those hard working people who have to pay for the inventory and the help and the insurance and the rent; who may have invested their life savings into a business...to facilitate Buying On-Line. Of course now it is worse than ever, as more and more click to buy than ever before. You probably know that Amazon and others have an App that allows people to scan bar-codes in the shops of honest hardworking folks to find the best price, and then report it to Amazon -- who will give a discount to buy it there. If the company had any moral sense at all and fallowed standard Biz practices, they should pay the retailer a commission for helping drive the sale to them (The smart phone would record the point of price determination). The next sign you'll see next to that warning "No shirt,' no shoes, no entrance", should be "No Smartphones."

Newt Gingrich seems to have the ability to be whoever he wants. He wasn't conservative nor even a Republican when he damned Romney for his business tactics while at Bain Capital in turning around and invigorating businesses that provided far more jobs than those lost in the process.

The Question:

Name five of the most notable Political Consultants over the past several decades.

The Headlines:

--Market Looks To Recover; Debt Worries Dampening Enthusiasm After Positive Opening.
--New Jobless Claims At 3 1/2Year Low; Factory Data Not So Rosy.
--Morgan Stanly To Cut 1,600 Jobs.
--US Military Lowers Flags In Iraq.
--Dems Drops Tax The Rich From Discussions.
--Former French Prez Chirac Found Guilty Of Embezzling Funds.
--Putin Rejects Vote Re-Do.
--Defense Budget Passed After Removing Restrictions About Terrorist Prisoners; WH Says Prez Will Sign.

In response to our little Tid on "Worst Execs" for 2011, many readers were amazed that Corzine wasn't #1? The reason is that he is just a thief while the others were just the incredibly inept managers.

I am really happy that many, many years ago I gave up watching those droning Barbara Walters interviews. I hear the big one last night was basically unwatchable.

XFactor: Another program that is tough to watch, had it's final four sing-off last night. People were still annoyed by last week's cowardly Rachel booting, and booed Judge Nicole whats-her-name roundly at the opening. But, the show went on and the audience selected songs were better. Marcus Camby proved again why he should have been eliminated four shows ago. In the course of saving him we lost two excellent singers, Drew and Rachel. I don't particularly like Chris Rene, but he delivered on his second song. Melanie Amaro showed her class and professionalism again, and is clearly one who can win it all. Josh Krajcik was at his best and I thought the combinations of his two song selections showed his range better than the rest. Three minus Camby return next week. My final two right now would be Josh and Melanie. But Chris, the Hip-Hopper with a very strong stage presence and fan base, could win it all. But not with my vote.

This campaign for higher taxes on the rich is simply a strategy to divide the country for political purposes. The problem still remains over spending, and taxing the so-called rich is irrelevant as a solution. Period. But, alas, every President has set himself up as a defender of some bogeyman, and in 0-Man's case, his evil monster is "The Successful".

I guess the good news is that alcohol consumption by teens is way down. The temptation to jump up and down and an sing Alleluia! is tempered by knowing that at rapidly increasing rate, they are loving Pot! For medical purposes only, of course.

Pretty good Newt speech, if you are interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qtjfMjjce2Y

The Answer:

James Carveille pops into my mind, probably because his annoying New Orleans twang is ingrained in the back of my brain. Of, course the man in the Spotlight now is the latest Kingmaker, David Axelrod. But, few were better than Lee Atwater and even Pat Caddell who amazed the world by getting Jimmy Carter elected. Then there is Carl Rove who I dislike about as much as Paul Begala's incessant spinning. Another big player who twice came close to pushing mediocre Candidates -- Gore and Kerry -- into the Oval Office, is Bob Schrum. The only two political consultants I enjoy listening to are Mary Matalin and George Stephanopolis.

You know things are tough when the traders on Clueless Lane can't manipulate the market in their favor to pad year end bonuses. Hey, wait a minute, they probably are manipulating the markets in their favor. I guess I really meant my favor.

People are talking to me about January already. I thought it was still September.

The GOP takes Shape?

Today's Tids Issue 2,370

Opening Stuff:

Creativity is generally laudable, but not always acceptable.

I believe that most musical performance concerts are greatly overpriced. But, I might reach deep down into my pockets for a ticket to Lady Antebellum.

In case you didn't notice, the last three American League "Players of the Week" were all Red Sox -- Carl Crawford, David Ortez and Jacoby Elsbury. Eee-Hah

The Question:
Yesterday we focused on the big bands of the 30's/40's. To me the next big era for music in America was the late 60's/early 70's. Name five bands or performers who led the way in the 70's.

The Headlines:
--Bachman, Romney Shine In First Debate; Pretzel Sparkles, Mitt-ster Undaunted; Also, Newt Gets High Marks; Sanctimonious Stumbles Most.
--May Retail Sales Down; First negative Month In 11 Due Mainly To Weak Auto Sales After Japan Quake.
--More Positive Eco-Data Have Stock Futures Up.
--$6 Billion In Iraq Reconstruction Funds Not Accounted For.
--UK Navy Chief Says That If Libya Continues To Drag, Cutback Will be Necessary.
--Outlook For Economic Growth Waning In Europe And Developing Countries; US Remains Strongest.
--Missouri Flood Waters Starting to Overwhelm Levee And Reservoir Systems.
--Dem Leadership Don't Relish Wiener Sticking It Out In Face Of Criticism.

Back to More Stuff:
I think it is kind of funny that 0-Man announced yesterday that Joe Biden will become the face of the committee on Government Waste!

The World I Don't Know Department:
A small police blotter item reported that a man held a machete to a woman's throat urging her to call the police and have the "No Contact" order against him rescinded. Am I missing something about the intelligence of man?

So...is everybody going to rush down to their local newsstand and get a set of Pentagon Papers? Not me.

I see where the airlines made $3.4 billing from Baggage fees. See how leverage works. If i could charge every man woman and child a one time fee of a $1.00/year for the Tids, after one year I would have over $300 Million in the bank. How easy is that. Oh, some of the income may be in the form of Food Stamps, but hey, I like to eat.

The people of Ohio have voted to make next Wednesday National Lebron James Day. All employees in Ohio will be able to leave work 12 minutes early!

The NHL took precedent over the early GOP debate last night. First things first, ya know. But, I did click in a couple of times and each time it was Romney talking...confidently. He seems to be taking head on his negative issues. Some are saying that Michelle Bachman came across as the Happiest Warrier since HHH. Some thought Newt sounded pretty good, but I thought it was just more of the same old Newt. A few analysts are saying that if Mitt continues the way he did last night, the calls for Christie and Perry may subside quickly.

Almost Near: Chapter 25 continues. --Samantha was so happy as she led Tucker into the house. Through the kitchen. She alternated from giggling, carefree, romantic silliness to a woman driven by sexual starvation. Tucker looked tentative. He did feel for Samantha. he as loveed her for years. But this was somebody else. Somebody he was trying to nurture. he felt aroused, but always cautious. He came up to her and began to kiss, but she briskly brushed away his lips, let go of his hand and ran into the living room. She flopped into the big chair, legs splayed, eye's sparkling with adoring love.
"Let's go upstairs," Tucker said warmly.
"Oooh," you're getting much too anxious. She sprang up and wrapped her legs and arms around him and kissed him hard on the lips." He held her, but she wrestled free. Her face frowned, and then lit up just as fast. "Why don't you go into the be room. I'll be there shortly. Do you think you can wait?" She turned and ran off.
Tucker decided to play the game and went upstairs to his room. taking off his shirt as he went. He lay on his bed and waited. Who would come in the door he wondered.
He heard footsteps in the hall. She stood in the door way and looked at him. "Oh, you're home. You should put on a shirt. You'll get cold. I wouldn't want to lose you." She turned. "What do you want for dinner."

I was encouraged by the Dallas NBA win. The ages of their "Big Three" old guys, Nowitzki, Kidd and Terry, add up to 105 years. The Boston Celtics agiing trio of Allen, Pierce and Garnett add up to 102. That means next year they will be 105 and a title not out of the question.

Fodder for your Netflix Queue Department:
In case you are interested, the Top 10 best Romantic Comedy movies for the year are number one Bridesmaids, and then Something Borrowed, Friends with Benefits, Gnomeo and Juliet, Just Go With It, One Day, New Years Eve, Wonderlust, Bad Teacher and Midnight in Paris.

The Answer:
I particularly liked The Who, Cream, Peter Frampton and the Rolling Stones. Other good bands were U2, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Starship, Moody Blues, Led Zeppolin and Janis Joplin. There are over 200 bands and performers who can attach themselves to the heyday of the 70's. You all have your favorites.

Go Bruins.

Maybe I'll get serious about the Republicans after Wednesday night's Stanly Cup win by the Bru-skis. Or, maybe after the All-Star break. Of curse, the there is the potential for an NFL season. Yeah, let's wait til the football season starts.