Foreign aid creates better dictators.

Today's Tids Issue 2,295
Opening Stuff:

I could use a good shot of Respighi this morn.

It seemed perfectly normal to learn that Oedipus had a crush on his teacher...until he was found to have been home schooled.

You Gotta Love This Guy Department:
Bob Watson speaking on the floor of the RI General Assembly was commenting on the trivial nature of the group's activity to date at a time when the State is perilously close to bankruptcy: "If you're a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that the Governor and Legislature have some pretty good ideas." The Assembly erupted into laughter. The taxpayer was crying.

The Question:
How does sometimes bigger than life golfer Greg Norman stack up against the all time winners in golf. Who are they by number of tournaments won?

The Headlines:

--New Unemployment Benefit Requests Tumble To 383,000, Lowest Level In Three Years Need To Be Below 375K Consistently To Effect Solid Employment Progress.
--Poor Earnings Reports May Have The markets Retreating.
--Egypt Labor Unrest Spreads.
--New Rumors have Mubarak Stepping Down Sooner Than Later; Admin Blames al-Jezeera For Unrest.
--Natural Gas Explosion Kills 3 In Allentown Pa.
--North Korea Calling South Korea Names.
--British Pre-Valentine's Day Sales Show men Buying Lingerie As Number 1 Gift.
--WikiLeaks Releases Memo Showing Decline In Arabian Oil Reserves.

Back to More Stuff:
After learning of Mubarak's billions in wealth, it should be the US taxpayer who is marching in the streets!

Speaking of marching in the streets, what'll ya think will happen when Mississippi passes a law authorizing a license plate honoring a former leader of the KKK? Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forest was a revered General for the South in the War Between the States and is especially noted as a military genius for his plan that massacred Black Union troops at Fort Pillow Tenn. Black leaders liken him to al-Qaida.

Faster than a speeding bullet. Leaps tall building in a single bound. Smells like four day old Hungarian goulash left in the sun. That's right folks. Superman no longer has a phone booth at his disposal for changing and has now gone to using dumpsters. eHeewwww.

Everybody has to deal with change these days. Even super heroes. But, I'm learning that for all practical purposes you don't need as much change as all of the change being foisted upon you. And FaceBook is certainly one of those unnecessary new
accessories to daily living. I barely use my cell phone. So that new and improved cell phones mean nothing to me. In other words it is easier than ever to get caught up in buying a lot of expensive stuff you don't need.

And that brings us to "Singularity". Expect to hear more about this in the years to come. It represents that point when computers and humans can equally accomplish similar tasks. Futurists believe it will occur around 2045. Fears will arise that these smarter than the average human machines could effectively take over the earth. Or that people will live well after their deaths as software within the minds of these Cyborgs. This isn't science fictions. It is inevitability. The idea of Singularity has been with us for quite a while, dating to the time when scientists first extrapolated the potential of artificial intelligence. Stay tuned.

Almost Near: Chapter 6 continues. --Samantha walked into Tucker's little house and felt something very familiar. The furniture looked the same as something she remebered. The woodwork, the fireplace, the long row of windows at the back of what was in colonial times a large kitchen. But unlike alll of the house in town that she remembers along with the people who lived in them, she didn't remember who lived in this. She just knew that it held very important memories for her.
Tucker had left funny little notes everywhere telling me where I would find my rooms and what was in the pantry for food. "Before you take this handsome seat, check the fridge for food to eat!" Sam laughed at evry note. She hadn't felt so good...well, she couldn't remember when she had felt this good.
"Who's been sitting in my chair," She heard from downstairs as she unpacked her suitcase.
"I was lost in the woods and I just needed a friendly place in which to rest," she responded effortlessly, wondering who she could be so spontaneously clever.
She heard Tuckers footsteps running up the stairs. She turned to see him standing their with a wonderful goofball grin on his face. She ran over and hugged him.

The new Congress is seriously looking at some major defense spending cuts. I suspect that a lot of the new stuff isn't quite as necessarily as it has been in the past. The real immediate danger of these cuts is the drying up of high paying domestic manufacturing jobs at a time when they are needed more than ever. Cutting spending sounds good, but it will always be a conundrum.

The Answer:
Greg Norman, one of the best known names in golf, is tied for 33rd on the all-time most regular PGA tournaments won list. Other "Big names" down the charts are Ernie Els (42), Jim Furyck (52) and Freddie Couples (57). Number one in tournament's won is the old West Virginian Sam Snead. He is followed by Nicklaus, Tiger, Hogan, Palmer, Byron Nelson, Billy Casper, Walter Hagan, Cary Middlecoff and #10 Gene Sarazen tied with Tom Watson. Following them is Phil Michelson, Mangrum and Singh. NBC analyst Johnny Miller is 23rd.

The End :
What would happen if the US stopped all foreign aid? Frankly, I really don't think the world would end if we gave up a lot of this mindless foreign aid.

Valor reflected in Dramatic Seas.

Today's Tids Issue 2,232
Opening Stuff:

The fall sky transformed the the wind driven seas of Narragansett Bay into a srtiking painting of shades of grays highlighted by glistening silver. It was a solemn, yet imposing body of water that gave welcome this day to bands of splashing seals down from Maine for winters feast. An imposing body of water that had a special look for the day. A look that seemed to honor heroes in a way that paid to tribute their selfless service to America. Nature came to celebrate the veterans of US Wars. It was the perfect backdrop for honor, accomplishment, giving of life. And often the soul. Let's pause for a minute.

How come when you play a hole on a windy day, the wind blows 25 knots when you going towards the hole but just about stops when going the other way?

The Question:
I thought that Jonathon Winters was one of the funniest comedians ever. Name three of his characters.

The Headlines:

--Americans Salute Brave Soldiers.
--Pessimism Dominates Opening Of G-20 Meetings; Intense Split Over Currency And Trade Policies; Many Irate Over Fed's Plan To Pump In $600 Billion Which Would Devalue The Dollar.
--Poor Cisco Performance has Markets On Tech Slide.
--Fixed Mortgage rates At New Lows.
--Foreclosures Down; Downturn Mainly the Result Of Paperwork Snafus.
--Powerful Bomb Rocks Central Karachi Pakistan

Back to More Stuff:
C-Span should be going to South Korea to cover the G-20. Now that will be entertainment. Of course one of the great confrontations may be Obama meeting with Chinese leaders after extolling the for three days the virtues of their chief competitor India, and then trying to explain why it is good for the Chinese to have there loans paid back in devalued dollars.

The world is getting so weird that it is making Jonathan Winters look sane!

Things are looking up for the beleaguered Tids sports department as they came through with another reasonable week. And it could have been better if Detroit Buffalo had held on for cool upsets. Last week's 10-3 brings us to 86-43 (67%). This week is loaded with tough picks including Balt-Atlanta (Tonight), Pitt-NE, Minn-Chi, Tenn-Miami, Buff-Det, Jets-Cleve, KC-Den, St. Louis-SF,and Phil-Wash. I'm going Pitt (And that hurts big time), Balt, Minn, Tenn, Buff, Cleveland, KC, SF and Philly. The rest of the winners will be the Giants, Jax, Indy,TB and Arizona. Help!

I see where Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, (D) Kent Conrad, is saying that "the nation faces the real possibility of becoming a second teir economic power if it fails to address the multi-trillion deficit." Where was he when the Dems were spending the money, pressuring banks to ease mortgage requirements, watching an economy where the only available new jobs were government jobs?

I don't mind the World Health Organization (WHO) working to bring nutrition to third world countries, but stop sending menu suggestions to my local paper. And meat producing countries like Brazil say that inducing people to eat fruit and nuts could be an economic disaster for their economy. Leave me alone!

There were only 41 Pilgrims on the Mayflower. It is hard to belive how many millions of Americans now say they are the progeny of that brave band of separatists. In case you are interested, Presidents John Admas, John Q. Adams, Zachery Taylor, U.S. Grant, James Garfield, FDR and GHW and GW Bush are all descendants of that Plymouth group. Also, Sarah Palin is a descendant. I wonder what that means?

Generations Department:
This morning on the radio I heard two men reminissing good naturedly about where they fell on the draft lottery. A third member of the team, a younger man, was in awe saying things like "You had to do that?". I, listening, was remembering the fear of being taken at any time because there was no lottery and everybody was eligible.

And, how about the states which are saying to the telephone companies, you are not obligated to mass print phone books any more? This ain's your grandpa's America.

The Answer: When he was in an asylum somewhere, Jonathan Winters was keeping everybody laughing. He could become any character at any time, but is best know for Maudie Frickert. Elwood P. Sluggins and Dr. Bellenhoffer, He was one of the all time great improvisational inspirations I would start laughing before he spoke.

The End:
Jonathan Winters once said, "If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it." I wonder how that wouold play in a socialist America?

Winter's must have slo time traveled into Today's world of reality TV when he said "Now the freaks are on television, the freaks are in the movies. And it's no longer a sideshow, it's the whole show.The colorful circus and the clowns and the elephants , for all intents and purposes, are gone. And, we are only dealing with the freaks.

Don’t lose your Underpants* at a Parade.

Today's Tids Issue 2,136
Opening Stuff:

Following the Girl Who Lost Her Underpants Department:
I think one of the underlying causes of a lot problems these days is that too many people are enabled to do stupid, risky, unwise things because it has become normal to apologize after the disaster… and then just walk away. Yesterday, a supposed smartest guy in the world Lloyd Blankfein said, “I regret that we participated in transactions that brought too much leverage into the world. It led to people taking too much leverage. But, those were the standards of the moment.” What a crock! Hey Lloyd. You get the big bucks to look beyond the “standards of the moment”. Or are you telling us that you and your Wall Street brethren are just one more bunch of well coifed sheep following the rest of the clueless herd. It is profoundly disturbing.

A cold war is a state of suspended ammunition.

How changes effect changes: Last night I ate in a restaurant situated beautifully at the head of a major bay alongside a classically beautiful historic New England fishing and sailing community. About a month earlier the restaurant was sold and the new owners changed the environment 180 degrees. Prior to its new comfortable atmosphere and fairly exotic Spanish menu, it was a “Biker Bar”. Here’s the problem. The Gas Station across the street is complaining saying its business is in the toilet without the Bikers. So now the Gas Station owner has to reinvent his business to serve an altered marketplace. Nothing is really simple. But change will always come.

And this just in: The Bicycle Wheel Manufacturers Association has appointed a new spokes-person.

The Question: Name Five films based on Saturday Night Live skits.

The Headlines:
--German Lawmakers Approve Euro Rescue Package.
--Stocks Expected To Temporarily Stabilize This Morning After Yesterdays Dramatic Collapse.
--Senate Passes Wall Street regulation Bill; Senate Bill Tougher On Banks Than House Version; Reconciliation Next Step.
--Competing Group Agendas Move Tar Balls From Court To Another.
--Intelligence Director Blair Resigns (At Urging Of Prez?); List Of Recent Failures Led To Resignation.
--NK Says No Way On OrpedoTay.
--Lohan Returns From Cannes Party Spree To New Court Tribulations.
--Surprise Victor Paul Now On Hot Seat After Remarks About Preserving Personal Freedoms.
--US Inflation At 44 Year Low.

Back to More Stuff:

Taking a page out of the OJ file, and after hearing Calderon’s complaint about one of our good states taking action to protect themselves from his citizens, I have a new slogan – “Fix Mex or we Annex”. Beautiful! We take it over and start bombing the hell out of the drug cartels. Then we send down the NEA to organize the schools and teach English. And, now with the secession of budget sucking by illegals, we can easily afford another trillion or two to add all of the newly acquired territory expanded Health care program. As part of the Mexico economic recovery program we build a Dunkin Donut on every corner.

Aromatic is a rapid-fire crossbow!

Strange as it may seem, I enjoy writing poems. The problem is you have to find someone to whom you can write …and won’t gag reading it. Poems can be kind of an allergy thing to many in the audience at a reading. It’s like anything really. If you have something to offer and there is nobody there to enjoy it, do you really have anything at all? Everybody has so much inside themselves. And most everybody looks for friends, lovers, wives, husbands, parents, siblings and even strangers who are willing to take a few minutes to listen. The key is for the poet to understand the limitations of the listener.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 73. –Kent looked over his shoulder at the trio huddled in Sally’s office. It bothered him, even though he could sense that Sarah/Maggie was still malleable. Yet even she was not the same as she was earlier when they met. Maybe I over evaluated her pragmatism. Maybe I forgot that she is an emotional human being. A woman who can deeply love. I have certainly learned that as we melded into one in ferocious sex. I felt an aching as I thought of last night. Maybe this woman with so much emotion is finding it harder and harder to routinely dismiss guilt in the face of intense love from her family. I saw it at the hospital, and today in the eyes of Paul. I had better be careful. The phone always rings just when my mind is latching on to something.
“Hello.”
“It’s me, Laura.”
“Ah Laura. I need your voice right about now. Say something sweet to me.” I never get the same feeling talking to Laura as I do with Maggie.
“No time for crap,” she answered in her coldest manner. God I hate that. Laura is the kind of person who has the ability to scare people. No wonder the teens followed her every wish. “I just got back from another visit with that crusty old sheriff. I’ll tell you something, Kent, he knows something. Or at least he thinks he knows something.”
I interrupted. “Just be you usual cool self Laura. What did he ask you?” She went through a long list of questions, most of which sounded like a fishing expedition to me. “You stay away from my house for a while.” She agreed readily. No emotions with Laura.

Doncha love that Headline “US inflation at 44 year low.” Like that is good news! Nobody has a lot of extra money to buy unless it is affordable. Get it! The market place works.

Oh, so far this year 72 US banks have folded. This is compared to 33 for the same period last year. Maybe we should bring Lloyd Blankfein to fix the problem. Or at least apologize for it.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Shreck! Everybody has today’s premiere date circled on their calendar based on the success of the first two in the series. And, I suspect that the general audiences will fall in love with this Ogre as they have before. Even though the critics aren’t so hot about this new arrival. Shreck has settled into the comfy life of an adored hero. That is until he is duped by the fast talking Rumplestiltskin. He rally’s the usual friends to overcomes his latest dilemma.
--Of course the big question surrounding McGruber is whether or not this latest in a long of SNL based movies will be another flop in the long line of SNL movie flops. I don’t think so. This Adventure/Action/Comedy seems to have enough to get it beyond the stupid category. It’s about a highly decorated ex special ops guy taking on an assignment along with close pals to find a stolen A-Bomb. I’ll put it on my rentals list.

The next movie on my “To See” list is Salt.

Logic goes astray when discussions center around the black race. Chand Paul probably has a legitimate point about private enterprise having the right to do what they want about serving customers. People who feel such a private enterprise is wrong have a right not to go there. It is no different than private men’s or women’s clubs barring the opposite sex. Freedom doesn’t always mean that the right thing will be done, but that the free won’t be encumbered by power to avoid doing it. Gravy for school lunch programs. Oh, wait a minute. That can’t happen. Once you give up your freedom for Government bucks you can’t get it back.

The Answer:
Of course the newest is McGruber. One of the classics is The Blues Brothers. It had a not so hot sequel Blues Brothers 2000. The we have Waynes World (And “2”), bob Roberts, Coneheads, Gilda Live, Harold, The Ladies man. It’s Pat, Mr. Bill’s Real Life Adventures, Mr. Mike’s Mondo Video, Mr. Saturday Night, A Night at the Roxbury, Office Space. Stuart Saves His Family and Superstar.

The Weak End:
So now we welcome Friday
When your frets sashay
Relaxation is on the way
Unless as seniors say
Everyday, It’s all-the-time play.

*Underpants is a an old German farce (newly adapted for the stage by Steve Martin) about a young housewife who accidently loses her underpants while watching a parade for the King and then watches in amazement as men do stupid things to gain her favor. And give her power she never thought she could have in a man's world.