Eco is the word; Nomics is the suffix.

Today's Tids Issue $2,412
Opening Stuff:
I started to type that the US has a major EcoProblem. But of course, the interpretation of that would depend upon whether you are an environmentalist or business person. When you live in a fragile waterlogged state like RI, you just have to be an environmentalist. But, the issue at hand is all about economics , or we won't be able to afford ecological planning and implementation. And one of the problems that always comes with a swinging pendulum is that the warm and fuzzy eco's have gone to the out edge producing many too many restrictive regulations that make it more and more difficult for economic entities to survive. It is now the other Eco's turn.

Yesterday the traders found their positive news in mergers and some economic data. Today they'll find some negative news to make some extra dough on the profit-taking downslide. It will probably be something about the plight of Europe which has become a handy little investment tool for the manipulators. As in -- Plight equals Blight for American investors.

Normally I don't like the results when I see old favorites "brought up to today". But this Dr. Seuss redux sent in by a reader is not the usual lark, but actually on the mark -- "I do not like this Uncle Sam, I do not like his health care scam. I do not like these dirty crooks, or how they lie & cook the books. I do not like when Congress steals, I do not like their secret deals. I do not like ex-speaker Nan, I do not like this 'Yes We Can'. I do not like this spending spree: I'm smart, I know that nothing's free. I do not like their smug replies, when I complain about their lies. I do not like this kind of hope. I do not like it. Nope, nope, nope...."


The Question:
A reader blasted me yesterday for my mildly disparaging inference about the tediousness of Nat King Cole. He suggested a question: In what movie did we first hear the song "Nature Boy".

The Headlines:

--Fitch Rating Service Reaffirms USA AAA.
--WS Drops On Weak Euro-Data (See Item Above Written BeFore Opening)
--Industrial Output rises; Calms Recession Fears.
--Europe Solution Stalls; Merkl-Sarkozy Meet.
--0-Man On Trail Grapples For Eco-Fix And Political narrative.

Back to More Stuff:
All of those experts deconstructing Tiger Woods these days have has indicated that his guiding principle underlying the comeback could be found in the maxim: "Change is always better". He'd better check Obama on that one.

It looks like Iraq needs a good ole fashioned brutal dictator to quell the violence of freedom. Ooops!

I play so much Free cell on the computer that I think my cards are fading. Maybe it's the afternoon sun. I could put #30 lotion on my screen.

I heard someone comparing the Federal government to a family that makes $21,500/year, has expenses of $38,000, with credit card balances totaling $126,000. Sounds like a pretty deep hole to me.

Analysts on both sides are saying that the Prez is turning into "Cliche Man" as the ability to generate realistic solutions to an enormous problem elude his grasp. And I agree that a fix to an economy is not a simple one despite the cries form both sides.

I don't know whether or not the newest US export will help with the trade imbalance, but it is certainly going to add to a negative US stereotype -- Gang organization! Yup, the English gangs say proudly that they are copying the American model for street violence. I wonder if we can claim copyright royalties?

For the newcomers to The Tids, the Novel in serial form, "Almost Near" is about a woman who returns to the town she loves only to find that nobody there knows who she is. While there she finds one man who seems to care. Unbeknownst to her, he does who she is. He sets out to find the causes behind her apparent trauma. She sets out to find out who she is.

I have never had any inclination to eat shark fin soup. Does that make me an environmentalist? Save the environment -- Eat Cheetos!

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. Before Tucker could stop the car or ask about "Tommy", Samantha was the out the door of the still rolling car. She hurried up the front walkway of her home. She slowed for a minute, turned, "Common Tommy, you'll love seeing what Martha has done to the house." Then she turned and ran up the stairs. She looked so happy, he thought.
Tucker took his time, trying to figure out what to do next. he thought meeting Dante might be tough on her, but never expected this. By the time he reached the door, it was open and a little girls was hugging Sam's legs. "Mama, Samantha's back".
Back? Tucker then realized that this was where she must have gone the days he ran from Lobster Cove.
A woman came up behind the girl and smiled enthusiastically at Sam. But then her eyes opened wildly, "Tommy! You're back together." Then she ran out and gave him ahuge friendly hug.
"Yes, Tommy and I seemed to have oicked up right where left off." Tucker closed his eyes and shuddered.


In reaction to the Tea Party Movement, ex-"O"staffer Van Jones has launched the "American Dream Movement". Jones, a true progressive says his party is for higher taxes on the rich, corporations and Wall Street; Expanded safety Net More $$ for Education & infrastructure; Curbs on Lobbyists (Like the American Dream Movement?). The basic premise of the organization's campaign and "Contract" is that "the nation isn't broke; it's merely imbalanced."

The Last American Dream Movement I remember was when Frank and Congressional panels made it easy to assure home ownership for all regardless of their ability to pay the mortgage. The American dream has always been about equal opportunity for all. Not equal results for all.

The Answer:
The song "Nature Boy" always bothered me. It was from a wierd little movie "The Boy with the Green Hair." I didn't see it becasue it didn't have guns or Bugs Bunny in it. The song was also revised in the 2001 movie Moulon Rouge.

The End:
While I believe in protecting the environment, I am not particularly infatuated with environmentalists who build unwieldy tyrannical organizations that seem to take pleasure in intimidating their fellow citizens.
.

You can have my GPS thank you!

Today's Tids Issue 2,205
Opening Stuff:

Where is Noah when you need him?

What if everybody in the world bought a T-Shirt with that message from the trapped miners on front. It would raise money for the rescue and the miners families and remind everybody that there are still people in this world with self-discipline and strength of character. I’d wear one.

How about if kids wore one that said on the back, “No thanks Mom and Dad, I don’t need another iPod.”

I see where Elizabeth Hasselbeck has come out saying she isn’t as conservative as she appears to be while battling the liberal antagonizers on The View. In fact she says, I would call myself a Federalist! Wah, I’ll be doggone!...I’m a federalist too! She says she wants the power to get back to the states so we can stop the mandates from big Gov. I like a strong, but limited Federal government, with all issues not involving defense, interstate commerce, foreign treaties and…and…hmmm…anything else?...being determined within the individual states.

The Question:
Since his early fame as a well known super spy, Sean Connery has become one of the most watchable actors of our time. Name his first three super spy movies and five of his other best performances.

The Headlines:

--McCain And Jan Brewer Romp In Arizona GOP Primaries; GOP Rubio And Dem meek Look Strong In Florida – Will Face Indy Crist; Alaska GOP Sen Murkowski In Trouble Against Unknown Palin Backed, Gun totin’ Miller; Ben Quayle Overcomes “Dirtiest Campaign” To Take Congress Nod In AZ
--Stock Futures Fall On Much Lower than Expected Durable Goods Orders Report.
--43 Dead After String Of New Attacks In Iraq.
--Danielle Downgraded To Tropical Storm.
--RI One Of Ten States To receive “Race To The Top” Grants For Education Reform.
--Iran Says It has Successfully Test-Fired New Short range Surface To Surface Missile.
--Wild Fires Destroy 11 Homes Outside Of Ashland Oregon.
--Toyota Sets Goal Of 5 Million Hybrids By 2015.

Back to More Stuff:
Potato Chips are starting to approach overpriced status.

No Thanks to New Technology Department:
The Cal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that it is ok for government agents to sneak into your driveway and secretly attach a GPS device to your car without a warrant. Can you say George Orwell? These dreamers who must be overdosing too much on that pervasive California Medical Pot say it doesn’t violate your 4th Amendment Rights because, “…you do not have any reasonable expectation of privacy in your own driveway - and no reasonable expectation that the government isn't tracking your movements.” Is there any common sense left in this world?

If you need a dose of convoluted logic on a daily basis you can always find it in those so-called intellectual Op-Ed pieces (Left or Right) in your daily newspaper.

The media has so successfully demonized the Tea Party movement that many conservative candidates are hedging their relationship with this broad group of concerned Americans.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 90 continues. –“Well boss, that noise you heard when you called in was Jack. Jack as in your boss. He was here to tell me that he was putting me in charge of the BiEm account in place of you, He’ll be calling you I’m sure.”
“Looks like I’m too late. What did he say to you?”
“He was not kind to you, which I thought was odd for Jack. He told me he had a call from Isabelle who told him that you had been distant and distracted. Jack said he had noticed that too. And, you know that I have mentioned to you that I was concerned about your lack of response at times.”
I took it in and wasn’t surprised. Of course I was distracted, I thought. For the past several months I’ve been thinking of the next time I could see Kent. Like I’m starting to feel now. “I’ll handle Jack. What are our lawyers saying?”
“Do you mean about the technology scam?” I nodded at the phone knowing that my silence would keep Bill talking. “Well, they don’t like it more and more.”
“I don’t either, and I think it is going to get much worse for a lot of people at BiEm. The first thing I want you to do as the new manger of the BiEm account,” I said that sarcastically, “Is to go down to Jack’s office and tell him that HR&L should cancel its financial agreement with BiEmbryo. Here’s what you should say to back up your reccomendation.” I outlined a vigorous defense for his decision. To which Bill immediately responded.
“You don’t sound distracted, Boss,” He said in a smiling tone.
“I’m not at all. This is very important and you have to get it done.” Then I added, “I’m coming into the office.” As I hung up, I looked around the room at three questioning faces. I put on my most confident face, “I’ll explain later. What else do we have to talk about?”

A reader sends in a list of the worlds shortest books. They include: “The Amish Phone Directory”, “Things We Know To Be True” by John Kerry and Al Gore, “My Black Girl Friends” by Tiger Woods, “Dating Etiquette” by Mike Tyson, “Things I cannot Afford” by Bill gates and Things I Did To Earn The Nobel Peace Prize by Barack Obama.

The best selling book in China is about how Goldman Sachs is out to kill China. It draws heavily on information from a Rolling Stine Magazine article – “…a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money." – and adds its own sensationalized descriptions of the all consuming financial giant. Author Li who describes the company as, “…(having the) cruel character of a Manchurian tiger, the group creeps around the world, like a veteran hunter stalking its prey, when it smells blood it pounces!", says his book is no exaggeration and that Goldman may have been the cause of the entire world crisis.

Because housing sales aren’t up to the level of the go-go years, some economists are calling for a “Double Dip”. In fact it is the main topic of discussion this last week of Summer vacations. The fact is that the Housing boom was an aberration from true economic reality. Most of the excess sales in the market were the result of selling to people who couldn’t afford what they were buying. It is unfair to measure a recovering economy against a major industry sales curve that should never have happened. Now, there is a real problem with the growth of the National Debt. And the Global banking Leaders are now meeting with the idea of printing more money at the top of their wish list.

The Answer:
Connery as James Bond came on the scene with three early winners – Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Gold Finger. He actually made 7 Bond movies in all with the other four being Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever and Never say Never Again. He won awards for his work in The Untouchables, The Name of The Rose, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Hunt for the Red October. Personally he was in one of my favorite all time movies “The First Great Train Robbery.” H was always a joy to watch and might also be remembered for Rising Sun, The Russia House and Finding Forester. I’m sure you have other favorites.

The End:
New technology lets other people find you maybe when you don’t want to be found. Allows the world to know your every action if you are inclined to be an open book. Allows small events in once obscure locations have an effect on your daily life within seconds. Allows the Tids to sneak into your home when you are not looking. See, technology looks good, but in reality it could ruin your life. Where’s my cave?