You are probably right.

Today's Tids Issue 2,304
Opening Stuff:

And a Happy Tid's morning to ya! And now every-body...1, 2, 3 -- decompress! If you are working, it's Hump Day. Of course, if you took Monday off, you are just getting started and still have 75% of the week left. Amazing how numbers always get to the truth.

Have we bombed Somalia yet?

BTW, I'm not seeing a lot of meida or official outrage about the murder -- M-u-r-d-e-r -- the cold blooded slaughter of four innocent Americans by Somolia Pirates. Some will say, well they should know better than to sail through those waters. But they are dead. They were good people. And they were killed by people who should have been obliterated years ago. Maybe there wasn't any national outrage because TV didn't have video! Maybe there wasn't any official outrage because these people were delivering bibles to impoverished nations. Horrors! I just don't get it. 4 people murdered by savages. How hard is that to understand?

The Question:
How many American Women and men are ranked in the top 50 Tennis Rankings? Name them and their ranks? Bonus "Q": If you have been watching the Libyan rebellion you can see by the various signs that even the Libyans don't know how to spell Muammar's last name. Every media outlet has their own precious spelling of that nut-case's name. Give me at least five.

The Headlines:

--Nasdaq Making Bid For Euro NYSE.
--Muammar Leaves Town; Libya In Civil War, West Versus East, Giant Oil Fields Are In The Middle.
--Libya Oil Worries Have Stocks In Decline.
--Existing Home Sales Up 2.7% in Jan.
--Greek Youths Rioting Again Over Needed Austerity Measures.
--New Zealand Mourning, Digging Out.
--Emanuel Wins Chicago Graft Ticket, First Jewish Mayor Steps Into Major Financial Mess.
--Wisconsin's Walker Says If We Aren't Allowed To Fix System Jobs Will Go.
--Pockets Of Middle East Style Protests Popping Up Throughout China; Growing Inflation There Could Fuel Anger.

Back to More Stuff:
I've been trying lately to study contemporary music, to try to figure out what it is all about! I have come to the conclusion that finally after all of these millions of years they are completely out of tunes. Melodies. Could this be the first sign of the Apocalypse?

Actually, I am writing a new screen play for my big Summertime sensation -- Apocalypse: The Musical! It is about that time in the not too distant future when the world of music has come down to it's last tune. One tune that everybody hums continually. Creating a rage of insanity without drugs. People not even in convenience stores or music clubs start shooting and killing each other. But, we learn that song writers banished to caves in New Mexico are still writing fresh exciting melodic songs -- of hope, of happiness. Soon they are seen in alleys beckoning passers-by to enter. These crazed, dazed zombie appearing remnants of society are soon reawakening to a new melody and there is dancing in the streets. Sounds like a winner to me.

I gotta figure that the people with the biggest stake in the Wisconsin protests are the Union Leadership. With the continuing demise of the private sector unions, the public employees (the least logical area for unionization) is the last hurrah for the bosses, their income and their power. Let's face it, good teachers, good firemen, good police and good public department staff will get hired and paid to the ability of the economic environment of which they are apart for eternity. The laggards who need tenure to survive might experience short term agita. But, the new reality will help them find a way to grow on their own. So that leaves the Bosses. Who do they unionize next? Bloggers? Middle East despots?

Almost near: Chapter 8 continues. --Tucker felt the pain he felt when Samantha Wilcox left him 15 years ago. But more so. Because now she needed him more than she could ever know. And at this moment he had no idea where she might be. Where she might go. What she might do to herself. She had know idea who she was. And It was also obvious to Tucker that this new Samantha possessed all of that was wonderful about the old Samantha, and more. Except for a desperate confusion that would sweep across her face at any time.
That's what was obvious to Tucker. And he thought that she must be in some kind of trouble, because the trauma underlying the masquerade was apparent. The mask that he had created. If he had created it, than he must be able to see what is really beneath it. But, where to start.
He watched Mary Fletcher open the door to the Post Office. Then he turned and walked up to his house on the hill. There must be an answer in his journal. Somewhere.

The Big "0" is obviously in full campaign mode these days. His budget was a campaign tool. His innovation biz meetings are part of the circuit. His concerns for world events are campaign choreographed. All of these world events seem to be interruptions. At least Hillary is still working hard.

Why America is Running out of Money Department:
A raft of College Professors are rapturous over the finds by a Michigan Prof that determined older state's moms and dads pick more traditional names for kids, than those in the so-called "Frontier states -- which are more au currant! Isn't that good news. Aren't you glad these guys got taxpayer grants. FYI -- The states having the most traditional names are New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Maine, Kentucky and Vermont. The states most outre are Hawaii and Wyoming with runners-up being Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Alaska. Of course, we have old traditional and conservative Sarah Palin whose kids are Bristol, Track, Trig, Willow and Piper! What a waste!

All of these new whiz-bang machines and their apps are certainly accomplishing one thing: They are making it easier than ever for Americans to do nothing anywhere and be generally rude and obscure. I see people everywhere with their heads bowed to this lessor god. Mesmerized by glowing auras in their palms. I saw a man with his wife in a restaurant Monday. The man was playing solitaire on his IPhone. The woman was looking blankly into space. I caught her eye with mine. She acknowledged what I was thinking was true. A reporter wrote a story today about the number of people in their $70 seats he saw at an event recently looking down at their lighted palms, while on stage the music of Lion King was brightening the hearts of the sane.

The Answer:
Americans appear to be a dying breed in the world of Tennis. Four US men are in the top 50 -- Andy Roddick (8), Mardy Fish (16), Sam Querrey (22), John Isner (32). There are just 3 women -- Venus Williams (8), Serena Williams (11), Betheney Mattek-Sands (44). Lets hope this isn't indicative of a decline in the world power rankings. Bonus "Q" Answer: There's Gaddafi, Gadhafi, Khaddafi, Qaddafi, Qadhafi, Khadafy, Qadaffi, Gadaffi from all of the major news mags and media...and the US Library of Congress and the Middle East Studies Association are fond of Qadhdhafi. And then...well I won't get into spellings of Muom...Moam...Mu'ammar. How about we agree on Stupidhead.

The End
Sometimes you question yourself about something you think is obvious, only to learn that the most erudite are just as confused as you. Life is fair.

Where exactly has truth gone.

Today's Tids Issue 2,117
Opening Stuff:

The Media could actually be helpful again if they didn’t continually try to misreport and confuse the facts with their own personal emotions. In their latest slight of hand trick last night they misrepresented the opposition by focusing the cameras on a handful of sign carrying protesters of the Arizona “Illegal’s” (As in criminal) law while failing to mention that 60% of Americans and 70% of Arizonans are for the law.

Meanwhile up in Santa Barbara a bunch suffocating health nuts got a law passed that would ban giving toys to kids along with meals at fast food restaurants. The object being that the removal of an incentive will have kids demanding fewer visits to chicken nugget palaces. (Of course gravy man here thinks it is deplorable when the gov starts spooning food onto your plates.) But in their fanatical stupidly, they failed to understand the ramifications of a law they got passed that only affects 7 stores in the entire county. Putting those stores at an extreme competitive disadvantage. In other words what they have accomplished in there irrational zeal is the possibility of destroying seven businesses and the incomes for the families that own them and work there.

The American Idol Gives back show last week raised a whopping $45 Million for charity. I thought the show was also coming into focus on the talent side too, but last night there were a few positive surprises and no bombs! The strongest four last night were Lee, Siobhan, Casey and surprise! -- Aaron. I was ready to give the Kelly Kid the boot as I thought he had been struggling lately. And someone has to go. But… BoSox was good but not great. Mike was very good too. BoSox, Lee, and Siobhan will remain the top three. Casey moves up. Did Aaron save himself and put Mike at risk? Oh… Shania Twain was a great mentor. Nice eyes too.

The Question:
Pop music is praised on a daily basis. As is country, rock and the incomprehensible yet rhythmic hip-hop. But much of the top music, tunes we tend to hum without thinking, comes from Broadway musicals. Name the All Time Top Ten Broadway Musicals.

The Headlines:
--Northern New England, NY Get’s Foot Of Fluffy, White, Exhilarating Snow; Southern New England Gets Crisp, Cool, Invigorating Air.
--Senate Financial Panel Gets Two feet Of Grayish Snow.
--Stock Futures Point To Higher Opening.
--Shell Earns $5.5 Billion In Q1.
--Coast Guard Considering Lighting Fire As Oil Slick Closes In On Fragile Marshy Coastal Islands.
--New AP Poll Says That Dogs Listen Better Than Husbands; Being sent To Doghouse Now Considered A Promotion.
--Sandra Bullock Files For Divorce; Will Adopt Boy.

Back to More Stuff:

If you like celebrating Mexican holidays, here’s an easy recipe trick that would enable you to enjoy a Mole style steak on our annual Illegal Immigrant national holiday, Cinque de maio. Buy a good looking rib eye for each celebrant and about an hour before grilling rub with blended mixture of 1 tbs cocoa powder, 1 tbs Ancla Chili powder, 1 tsp cumin and 1 tbs sea salt.

Headline of the Week Department:
An eagle eyed reader picked up this nugget, “Mexican Government issues travel alert to its citizens about travel to AZ.” The small print must read, “if you want your free money and benefits enter through New Mexico, Texas or California.”

Another reader commenting on the above as part of her overall befuddlement of the world around her that is wearing her down says, “Morals and ‘rules of society’ don’t seem to mean much any more. She worries about the world ahead for today’s children.

Along those lines, I didn’t think that Goldman execs looked “Saddened and humbled” (Their words). Especially “humbled”.

But I did have to chuckle listening to Senators bring up the subject, absence of “ethics”!

If the National Asparagus Growers Association is looking for a spokesperson, they may want to try the now available Ben Roethlisberger. Apparently asparagus historically is a well known aphrodisiac and has just been found to be an excellent hang-over remedy.

Speaking of athletes, there was a time in the 1920’s when Babe Ruth was considered a most invite-able guest for many of the NYC society parties. While seated among the diamond studded super rich at a Vanderbilt town house dining room table, the slugger refused the offer of an asparagus salad announcing for all at the table: “No thank you, it makes my urine smell bad.” Word was spread that the player was particularly proud that he remember to say “no thank you” first.

So, what are we to do with the passing of Elizabeth Post, the granddaughter of and successor to Emily Post’s campaign for better manners? Does anybody care about manners any more? Can any body still spell manners?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 68 continues. –I was looking forward to uninterrupted time in my lab today. A luxury I haven’t enjoyed in weeks. There is a lot going on there. But now, I have to play the casual citizen game and wander into Henry’s office on the way to work to keep tabs on his conversations with Sarah. The next time I see her I’ll try to get her to make opinions on the caper before her mind wanders to my bedroom.
“Hi Henry, Sarah,” I said casually as I walked into that little interrogation room at the police station. They both looked surprised and a little annoyed at my appearance.
“Good morning Kent”. Sarah was the first to reply. Henry quickly asked me to take a seat and asked if I’d like coffee or a Diet Coke. I waved him off, eager for them to get back to their conversation. But they didn’t.
“What brings you here Deputy Middleton. I thought you would have been well at work over at BiEm.” I told him that I slept late. I didn’t see any reaction from Sarah. Not a flutter of a lid or clenching of a jaw.
“I was intrigued about your question about Laura the last time I was here. We never talked about it any more, as your schedule seemed to close in. But, since then a couple of days ago, I have to tell you that the girl was recommended to me as a housekeeper, and I just had her over for an interview. She didn’t seem so bad, so I hired her.” Now I saw a reaction both their eyes.’ That is all I needed to see.

The scary thing about the near bankruptcy of Greece and Portugal is that these two are only slightly worse off than Ireland, Spain and Italy. While you are pondering this potential mess, remember that it was the use of Goldman style instruments that enabled Greece to “Legally lie” on their application for membership to the EU.

The scariest thing about the Goldman session yesterday was that the smartest people in the world were trying to tell us that they didn’t know what was going on in the housing markets! That means they are either lying or we are in bigger trouble than we imagined when the people who guide our financial society don’t know what is going on.

The Answer:
An excellent Top hundred list, http://forums.nutsie.com/viewtopic.php?t=14242 picks the best based on overall popularity and contributions to improvements in the genre. The Top Ten all time are My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, A Chorus Line, Phantom, Hair, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Gypsy and Porgy & Bess. The next five are rent, Annie, The sound of Music, Follies and Guys and Dolls. The biggest surprise for me was that Les Miz didn’t appear until #25!

The End:
You had to love the various Goldman underlings continually relying on the Nuremburg defense.

Congress and state legislatures should take two years off. We have way more laws than any society could ever need.