Keep it in balance.

Today's Tids #2,441
(Written 10/12

Opening Stuff:

I read an interesting Letter to Ed this morn about technological advances and personal character. The author cited Steve Jobs: "(My Success) is not to be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other peoples actions." The author finds that a narcissistic observation as shortsighted and an insult to all of those who laid the groundwork for progress that enabled people like Jobs to make new advancements. But the bigger notion in opposition to the debilitating effects of the rejection of dogma is that, "Ultimately the great achievements in technology are liberating and contribute to the progress of mankind only if they are joined to the attitudes of purity, honesty and faith...". The depth character in a society is found far beyond it's material achievements.

Government jobs analysts probably fail to recognize that while there are more available private sector job openings than one would be led to believe by the political rhetoric, the private sector unlike the Feds they can only afford to hire people who can actually do the work.

Speaking of a person who has the best possibility of stimulating a logy private sector jobs economy, the Mittster looked very comfortable in the mostly economics, rather bland debate at Dartmouth College last night. Perry didn't blunder, but he also didn't score either. The panel seemed to treat the entertaining Cain as the frontrunner spending an abundance of time going after his 9-9-9 plan. he mainly shrugged-off their comments. Michelle became even more minute. Actually the Christie endorsement of Mitt preempted the entire debate.

Daily Question: The Netflix disaster "Quickster" collapsing under consumer pressure in just 23 days happens to be the worst new product introduction of all time. Name ten other big time flops.

Today's Headlines:

--Slovakian Agreement On EuroZone Financing Has Stocks Up Early; Deterioration In Italy Could Be Next Big Determent To Stock Momentum.
--Wal-Mart Same Store Sales Up For Third Straight Month!
--Blackberry Outages Spread To North America.
--Prez Loses Big On Senate Jobs Vote; Key Dem Senators Defect And More Promise To Vote Against If The Bill Moves Froward.
--Chrysler, UAW Agree On contract.
--Biden: Nothing Off table After Iran Rooted DC Assassination Plot.
--U Rhode Island Economists Say State's Economic Indicators Have Fallen To Lowly 42; Index This Low is Evidence Of Extremely sluggish, No Growth State Economy.
--28 Killed In New Iraq Internal Disruption.
--Repubs Push FTC To Ease Sanctions Against Food Companies And their Advertising To Kids 2-17.

I see where last week's Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in an intense battle to retain her Liberian presidency against also Harvard educated rival Winston Tubman (Nephew of former Liberian Prez William Tubman). Apparently the population is very dissatisfied with Sirleaf's inability to provide a better life, electricity, running water and jobs.

Here's a good Life Maxim: Don't elect Nobel Peace Prize winners to important higher offices.

The big discussion on the early morning radio sports show today is the sports experts horror at non-active Red Sox players during the game sitting in the locker room eating chicken, biscuits and gravy! Frankly, I applaud the players and have an new sense of admiration for their choices in life. Instead of caviar and champagne, they crave gravy!

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed happiness over the Wall Street protestors raging around the US as the "beginning of the ultimate toppling of capitalism in America. He gloated saying "(The USA's) corrupt foundation has been exposed to the American people." So the Islamists sense that people on the streets will bring down WS far more effectively than planes into buildings. Lets see, now the protestors have the backing of Michael Moore, Susan Sarandan, The Public Employees Unions and the Ayatollah. How can they go wrong.

Of active PGA players, Briny Baird and RI's Brett Quigley are the two golfers with the highest career earnings (Nearly $12 Mil) who have never won a tournament. Does anybody care.

A reader filled me in on the derivation of the word cranberry after my musing a couple of days ago, "What exactly is a cran?" This astute observer of relevancy tells me that it was coined by none other than our beloved Pilgrims who described the look of those bushes in bogs laden with hanging reddish berries as appearing to look like a "Crane", those magnificent birds of the wetlands. "Crane" became "Cran" during the great recession of 1689 when the extra ink for the "e" became too expensive.

My biggest complaint about the 0-Man campaign jobs Proposal is that it just continues to abet the bad management practices of state and local governments. With the prospects of bailouts in the air, people will continue to make make bad risk choices -- and that includes politicians, financial and business corporations and people in their comfy homes. And this all continues to lead to the final destruction of personal accountability and responsibility. It is the ocean silently eating away at seawalls protecting safe harbors.

I can easily see for the future a US military with far fewer people and a lot more cool gadgets. I can see a future where the US won't be rushing in to put down skirmishes around the world.

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --"So you're the guy who entrapped my quiet little newspaper, drawing us all into a murder investigation." Tucker just stood there stone-faced, looking at this Editor, unemotional, kinda gruff, tie askew, sleeves rolled up; sitting there, eyes boring into Tuckers; confident, unrelenting but not arrogant. Audrey standing by his side elbowed him as if to say don't let him beat you down.
"Well Jess, I can call you Jess, right Jess." Audrey looked at Tucker now in a new way. He seemed different than that loveable bumbler.
"You are lucky I came along. This is a great story at so many levels which it seems to me you have yet to figure it out. Your visceral reactions seem that of a small minded politician or dead ended middle manager, not a leader of people with great minds like Audrey." Tucker turned to her and smiled, pleasantly? Sarcastically? Triumphantly? None of the above?
Jess's mouth hung open. He turned towards Audrey who stood there with a similar expression of disbelief.
Tucker didn't flutter an eyelash. "So, I'm glad I got back before you did something rash. Did either of you do anything to minimize the police suspicions of Samantha? Did...'
"Ok Tucker," Audrey's face was red. Jess relaxed back in his chair to watch the action he could see coming. "When did you start under appreciating the only friend you seem to have lately, expecially now that your dizzy ex-girlfriend's brain is flutterinfg somewhere in outer space." Audrey stopped short, realizing that her anger made have pushed her too far. Then she thought, did Tucker push me on purpose?

Quiz Answer: Of course everybody thinks first of the king of product disasters, the symbol of corporate failure -- The Edsel. But it actually took three years to close the factory doors on that one. Then I think of "New Coke" which is right up there with Quickster, being pulled in 77 days. In between those two is HP's IPad competitor "Touchpad" which hit the bricks after a mere 43 days. The other notables are RJ Reynolds Smokeless Ciggies, Google's Lively, JooJoo (Inferior Ipad Competitor also know as CrunchPad), Mobile ESPN, Orbitz Soda, Microsoft Bob, McDonald's Arch Deluxe (To appeal to Urban Sophisticates and at cost of $100 Mil, most expensive flop in history), Pepsi A.M. and Crystal, Cosmopolitan Yogurt, HD DVD, Coor's Rocky Mountain Spring Water, Joost (An inferior predecessor to Hulu) and finally we're back to Edsel the most notable, but obviously not the quickest to fail.

The best way to solve a lot of problems is to walk away and come back to see amazing possibilities you never saw the first time.

That is the much better alternative to rushing it through only to come back to see glaring errors that will never go away.

Speed is too fast.

Today's Tids 9/23 Issue 2,428
Opening Stuff:


Happy Autumn Everybody! What you have sensed for 3-4 week now is officially here. The promise of color on mountainsides, pumpkins on porches and vodka and apple cider martini's will be fulfilled as the days and nights have finally become equal. Dentists will rail against cute kids in expensive costumes eating candy. But, the cheerleaders will cheer ad the players will smash heads. Enjoy Soccer, football and field hockey; The cheers and accomplishments; The pride in hearts and the smiles on faces. There is no better time of year. Next stop, Winter. Do you smell the snow in the air?

Most good drivers look two three cars ahead in an effort to anticipate problems to provide time to react positively, under control. That's the way Wall Street used to look at the world of business too. But, not today. They seem to have their eyes riveted to the car in directly in front of them. A slight variation in the norm leaves no time for a thoughtful adjustment often resulting in panic or bad decisions and the inevitable crash. Actually, it's the computers in charge of watching the car ahead. Oh, they can react much faster than humans, no question about that. But, are they as thoughtful as humans. Can computers say, "Hey, wait a minute. Let's not be hasty. Maybe there is an alternative." Speed is great for the traders, but it's destroying the confidence in everyday Main Street investors.

In case you don't remember, one year ago Obama said to the UN That he would welcome a Palestine state right away. That led the Palestinians to believe they had the US support to get to the point where they find themselves today -- submitting a bid for UN membership. But, now the Prez says he will veto the action...that very action he in fact inspired. I guess the Palestinians aren't up on the shallowness of US politics.

The Question:
In an effort to counter the dangerous effects of soap on the cultural environment, "All My Children" gets thrown into the dumpster this week. Name five of the show's more famous alums. Which one of the actors is most famous for not winning anything?

The Headlines:

--Romney Appears Strongest In Latest Debate; Perry Sags In Stretch Run; Seemed Unprepared For Obvious Questions.
--Stocks Appear To Rebound After Early Sell-Off.
--Late Thursday Night: Finance Minister From 20 Leading Economies Pledge "To Take All Necessary Actions To Preserve The Stability Of Banking Systems And Financial Markets...".
--Palestinians Prepare UN Statehood Bid.
--Solyndra Execs Take The Fifth At Congress Hearing.
--Italian Prosecutors Say Judge Must Throw Out Amanda Knox Appeal; Asks Judge To "Ignore 'Obsessive' Media Campaign."
--Yemen Prez Surprises, Returning to Capital War Zone; Everybody Confused.
Nothing is Sacred Department:
Did you see where some scientists are disputing the foundational theories of Albert Einstein. Apparently they found a subatomic particle that moves faster than the speed of light! Gadzooks! The next thing you know someone will come out and say the Cheetos are unhealthy.

As far as I can tell, the AARP has become a branch of the Democrat Party and a mouthpiece for the unions.

Debate Notes:
It looks like Perry could be eaten alive by Obama in a debate...maybe with a little Texas hot sauce. Romney and Newt could be the strongest candidates in terms of national TV debates with 0-Man. --On the under-card last night, Bachman slipped down to tier three after Santorum clearly was the best performer of the "All the Rest" crowd. --In fact, with Perry's act getting a little thin, the Rick-ster from PA may become the new darling of the Iowa Social Conservatives. --Cain and Newt also looked good. --The big disappointment to some was the failure of Huntsman to capitalize on his strong showing in a recent NH poll. One glaring problem, he needs a better joke writer. --Paul went the somber, statesmen route, which left him appearing as dull as the stage curtains. People love his off the cuff oddities, and last night they were disappointed. --And then there was the other almost Libertarian Gary Johnson who got the best laugh with "My neighbors dogs create more shovel ready jobs than President Obama!". unfortunately Johnson ripped that joke off of Limbaugh who used it earlier in the day on his program.

Shortbread comes and shortbread goes, but you can always count on Walker's.

Remember when companies would spend many thousands on annual reports to perhaps sway the investors in their favor. Seems kind of laughable today, doesn't it.

Do you know what bugs me, really bugs me? That they are just starting the trial in Cheshire Connecticut for the second soulless barbarian who killed and raped Doctor William Petit's wife Jennifer and daughters Haley and Michaela. Brutally butchered three innocents. It was way back in 2007, and now the doctor has to live it again. The brutality of Steven Hayes and Joshua Komissajevsky will live now again in the hearts of Petit and the rest of the family. And there is just no just reason why it should. People are up in arms about the death penalty because of the recent Georgia case. This pair should have been executed 4 years ago, laws or no laws.

PETA should love executing these two who are giving animals a bad name.

You're always surprised when waiting in a Dermatology office seeing a person limp in. What.s that all about?

Almost Near: Chapter 41 continues. --Within five minutes Samantha found her self near a breakwater that led to a little harbor. She climbed up the giant rocks stumbling twice, cutting her knee and scraping her hands. She winced.
Standing on the mass of rocks, she was in the open for all to see, but it was the only way out. She quickly looked around and saw nobody. She had to act fast. They are probably not looking for her down her, but that could change in a second. She took off her slippery shoes, put down her head and ran along the pier, jumping what at times looked like small chasms with dark bottoms. As she neared the end she felt nimble, never slowing for any of the challenges. She jumped the five feet down to the sand at the harbor side of the breakwater. She leaned back against a rock and started breathing again. At first deep, and then fast.
Her eyes now scanned the harbor, criss-crossed with connecting docks. It may be her safest way to get away from...from...what? Why was she running. She closed her eyes. Think. Think. I must be running from something. It seems like I have been running for years.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Moneyball based on the book by Oakland A's baseball team GM Billy Beane is a winner. Even if you don't like baseball. It's really baout the little guys beating the Big Guys. Beane's "A's" had little money so invented, with the help of mathematicians and other creative people systems to pick the best young talent and find the best on the trash heap. It's true. It's interesting. And...it moves. I'm going.
--Killer Elite is an over the top action movie with a plot that's tough it decipher. DiNiro is a retired special ops agent, looking like DiNiro all the way. He is to rescue his mentor. To do it he faces 3 tough as nails assassins and their cunning leader. I'll wait til it gets to TNT.
--Abduction is another weak movie. The first "Star" vehicle for Twilight delight Taylor Lautnor is a loser, not coming close to quality of the twilight series, and he is lost in mediocrity. He learns that his parents are not really his parents. Subsequently he finds on a website a picture of long time missing child -- him. He flees in fear while The FBI races to save him and unravel the mystery. Sounds interesting, but it is just a bad movie that had audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter over the inadequacy of the dialogue and script.
--Dolphin Tale is a very pleasant, heartwarming family movie. Obviously it's about a dolphin and kids. What could be better, even if you have seen the plot before.

The Answer: 
Of course, Susan Lucci is the Biggest Loser in Soap history. If you're a Regis watcher, you know Kelly Ripa. Others are Josh Duhamel, Sarah Michelle Geller, Christian Slater, Malissa Leo, Lacy Chabert, Michelle Tractenberg, Linsy Price and Kim Delaney. They have to start somewhere. Where will they go as the soaps go?

Maybe there are just too many people trying to make too much money for Wall Street to be sensible any more.

Michelle Bachman is toast.

Have a great weekend!

We need a Republican with a good tan.

Today's Tids Issue 2,410
Opening Stuff:

I love these cool mornings. It's too bad they can't soothe the stock market.

Here's how smart the Repubs are -- They have their first major debate on the night that NFL football returns to TV. And, becasue of the contract negotiations, this opening had the anticipation by many almost equal to that of the Super Bowl. What debates?

But as your trusty opine-er on world events, I did try to get a grasp of the debate which turned out to be more hard hitting than some of those preseason blocks and tackles. The mild mannered Tim Pawlenty went after Bachman with one of the better lines of the night. After listing a series of major issues like ObamaCare that she said she worked against but were passed anyway, he concluded, "...If that's your view of effective leadership with results, please stop because you're killin' us." He also implied that she was a serial liar after she attacked his record a Governor. The rest of the debate was a combination of political cliches and talking points. While Pawlenty actually made a little noise for a change, Romny employed the "smile and don't say much" strategy. It's hard to see where a president emerged from this event.

After Tiger's 2nd double bogie, His agent Mark Steinberg was seen rushing form the course, grimacing,  presumably to get a second mortgage on his house.

The Question:
Everybody knows George Hamilton. Did he ever make a good movie? If so, name it. And, what did his mother invent to make his life one of luxury and tanning.

Today's Headlines:

-- Consumer Sentiment Falls To Lowest Level Since 1980.
--July Shoppers Brought Retail Sales To Largest gain In Three Months.
--Selective Short Selling Bans Have European Countries Taking Sides; Germany Wants A Total Ban On Naked Short Selling While Britain, Netherlands And Austria Want No Action At All.
--DOW Up 152 At Noon.
--US Post Office Cuts Of 120,000 Employees; Congress Pondering.
--Obama Strategist Says That Any Staffer Who Besmirches Romney Will Be Fired.
--Britain Riots Cooling.
--"So You think You Can Dance" Names Melanie Moore "America's Favorite Dancer"; Moore Easily beats Out Runner Up Sasha Mallory, 3rd Place Marko Germar; Winner Got Amazing 47% Of Vote.

Back to More Stuff:
After four busy days of massive swings, it appears that the traders are in charge, plundering the markets for their own personal benefit while those who naively believe that the markets are still the vehicle for capitalization of companies and the engine that propels American business growth. sit bewildered, wondering how they can ever save themselves from financial ruin.

An old saying in the editorial trenches of newspapers: "If you want entertainment, go to a movie. If you want fiction, buy a novel. If you want both, watch TV news." Regardless of how much I criticize the editorial choices in some newspapers, I believe that the so-called main stream press has resisted to a degree the temptation of going the "People" route as Time Mag did when they were looking for anything to which the  masses would subscribe. But as the ad linage sags, we have to hope that the papers will not just resort to "Tune in to see the latest burning multi-family home at 11:00!".

Free Cell has made me a better person.

Reading between the lines Movie reviews:
--There is a certain euphoria surrounding the intro of the movie help. Is it because of the popular emotional subject or the general popularity of the book. Or, maybe the movie is that good. Around the dawn of the civil rights movement. 3 very different black women come together in a clandestine project that puts them all at risk. The daughter of one of the three, who all work for young white wealthy Mississippi  wives, is just home after graduating from college. She sets out to write a tell-all book about what she experiences at the homes where the women work as maids.
--30 Minutes or Less is a below average overly raunchy comedy about a Pizza delivery guy who's life is abruptly alternated when he is kidnapped by a couple of inept criminals who force him to rob a bank. I like the title.
--I'm tired of "Glee" the Program, but at times enjoy the Music. "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" is probably pleasant at times, but without a plot anywhere to be found, it flounders to the point of becoming boring. Really, really boring.

Things to avoid as you grow older Department:
Is there anything more annoying that while at the checkout counter having an older woman in front of you fumbling though her pocketbook looking for that quarter she knows she has. Oh yeah, there is -- her geezer husband trying help out, looking for that dollar bill he knows he has in his wallet. If he can friend his wallet.

These professionally trained Political hit squads that jam halls to belittle speakers and disrupt a key element of the political process, honest informing debate, remind me of the thugs who showed up at picket lines to beat the hell out of honest people. The use of these hall groups by party operatives just sends the political process deeper into the sewer. And continues to destroy any element of credibility that may be left for Pols.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 Continues. --Samantha was all smiles and good humor as they drove up Route 1 through pleasant small towns and along side beautiful ocean and countryside views. In Newburyport they found a little clam shack by the Merrimack River where they stuffed themselves with every fattening fried food on the menu. "I love fried scallops" shouted Samantha in a burst of genuine enthusiasm for loving being alive. Tucker got totally caught up in Sams resurgence. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and take her on that picnic table for all the world to see wonderful, unabashed love making.
She looked at him smiling at her. "What are you thinking my dear? Is what I'm feeling."
"Caught!" And Tucker reddened.
He grabbed her hand and they strolled starry-eyed back to the car like two people completely in love. And Tucker thought about what could have been so many years ago. He kissed her and she plopped into the seat. Her skirt billowed as a breeze blew through the open door. When he got into the other side he looked into her eyes which reflected the warmth of the giant smile on her face. "You know Tucker, if you don't stop being so nice, you're going to have a woman utterly in love with you. Take that as a warning." The she leaned over and kissed him again.
What is it with me and women in cars, he thought as he backed out and turned back onto Route 1.
The general all around happy aura continued until they were winding out 1a towards New Castle. Samantha's  eye sslowly glazed over. And Tucker noticed her lack of comfortable chatter. She appeared in a trance. "Sam, Sam. Are you all right." But she didn't answer. She was back into that world, that MapQuest can't find..

Interesting, isn't it, that the Consumer Sentiment Index reported its lowest level since the last days of the beleaguered Jimmy Carter. The last President before 0-Man without a clue.

Maybe the Prez should go back to school. Here's Business Week's list of best U's offering On-Line Degrees: Kaplan U., U. Phoenix, Walden U., Liberty U., Ivy Bridge College, Ashford U., Post U., UMass Online, DeVry, Rasmussen College, Capella U., Colorado tech U., South U., American Intercontinental U., Boston U., Grand Canyon U. and U. Liverpool. And, none of these colleges will embarrass you with the NCAA.

The Answer: 
George Hamilton certainly had an unusually adventurous life starting at 12 years old when he had an affair with his stepmother!. Say what? Maybe she liked his tan. Some of is early films were Home from the Hill, All the Fine Young Canibals (I remeber liking that one), Lights in the Piazza and Two Weeks in Another Town. Later he was in Atime for Killing, Where the Boys Are, You're Cheatin' Heart, His only blockbuster where he actually had something to do with the success was Love at First Bite.mainly he was known for his "Tan" and his fling with Lynda Bird Johnson. He was guy who may have been the Lady Gaga of leading men. There was aways a rumor going around that Hamilton had lots of dough because his mom invented "White Out". Not true. His dad was a successful Band Leader. Michael Nesmith's (Monkees) Mom invented White Out.

The Weak-End:
I still can't understand why I wrote so much about George Hamilton. But then, people have been writing lots of nothing about him for years.

While the computer has knocked out "White Out" for its original purpose, kids found it to be a wonderful recreational drug for inhaling. Who says America's creative spirit is declining.

Have a beautiful weekend everybody.

I'm f-a-l-l-i-n-g-!

Today's Tids Issue 2,409

Opening Stuff:

I heard the current stock market being described as "Carl Wallenda with a middle ear infection."

Out of Thin Air Department:
When I see news reported about the world financial situation as a cause for up or down movements, my first reaction is to wonder why the so-called experts didn't see it coming? How can self acclaimed geniuses be surprised so often? Like yesterday, when out of the blue the problem that effected my declining pension fund was all-of-a-sudden the weakening French banks. It is almost like the big investors have this vault full of negative or positive information that can they retrieve and release at any give moment to drive a market to match their current manipulation strategy. Skepticism and cynicism abound in the hearts of the excluded.

But, who cares! Tonight the Patriots kick off the NFL Pre-Season. Elsewhere readers in Jacksonville, Baltimore, Philly, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Arizona and Oakland can also retreat into a rhapsody of bone crunching hits, pass catching wizardry and elusive running.

The Question: 

Everybody (Well almost everybody) has heard of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Scott McNealy, Larry Ellison and Andy Grove. But these cyber stars were but co-founders of the companies, and over time have become the faces of their famous companies. Name the companies and their co-founders.

The Headlines:

--New Unemployment Bennies Apps Falls To 395K, A Four Month Low.
--Stocks Futures Brightened After Jobless report; Market up 136 In Early Trading; Moves Up To 265 In Late Morning.
--Britain's PM David Cameron Promises Swift And Thorough measures To End Wanton Street Violence.
--US Trade Deficit Widens To $53.1 Billion.
--Belgium's InBev (Parent of Anheuser) Concerened That Sluggishness Of US Markets Will Impede Company's Need To Raise Prices To Meet Rising Costs.
--New England Patirots Sign Logan Makins To Six Year Contract.

Back to More Stuff:
New Reuters/Ipsos Poll: --Obama slips 4 points to 45%; 73% of Americans think country is "Off on wrong track" (Up 10 points form July, Matching early days of recession); 47% thing "worst is yet to come"; Post "Deal" negativity -- Repubs - 49%, Tea Party 42%, Dems - 40%, Prez - 42%, Boehner - 37%.

More Polling: Washington Post -- 75% say "No Chance Washington can repair economy"; 80% dissatisfied with way political system is working; 70% - Washington focused on wrong things. Gallop -- Anti-Incumbent wave emerging; Independents and Repubs more similar with negative reactions to "Deal" compared to Dems where approval of deal out weighs disapproval. But don't worry, it will all change again after the Super Committee gets muddled down.

I didn't care when Madonna brought out her big Narcissistic picture book, and I certainly don't care about Lady Gaga doing the same thing. I guess that makes me really old.

I really have little trust in the financial markets, but that's all I seem to have. Except a mattress.

The US population seems to be a combination of the Angry, the Smug, the Irresponsible and the Sheep. Excuse me for being arrogant.

There are often times when the GOP looks like a circular firing squad.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. --"What the hell is wrong with me?"
She didn't cry, She didn't look terrified. She just gazed hopefully at him as a man, the only person who could help; Who she could trust. Tucker looked at her for several moments.
How do I answer that, he thought. "I'm glad you miss me. You don't know how deeply I hold you in my heart." She smiled a little at that, but he ached knowing that she may never understand how true that is. Now it was he who had to compose himself. It was he who knew everything except the cause of her trauma. He could tell her everything, but she could be too fragile to grasp it all he thought.
Samantha reached over and grabbed his hand. A breeze ruffled her blouse. And the flowers by his back door behind her; the soft, now waving flowers which seemed as a frame behind her beautiful face.
"Samantha," he started now more forcefully. Taking charge. "You and I are going on a trip!" Her eyes widened. "We are going to New Castle New Hampshire to see that Lawyer. Have you ever been to New Castle? I know a nice little Inn on the water." She squeezed his hand.
"I'm scared. But, I think you are right. It may just be a mistaken identity. We have to find out, don't we? Besides, I like discovering new places."
Tucker hid his emotions. He wanted to cry as he watched the woman he had loved with everything he possessed live alone in another world.

It seems as though Lady Gaga is living by the Madonna handbook of self promotion.

My guess is that the more realistic Liberals are recognizing that the need to stop spending is not a political fairy tale. The representatives of this emotionally driven business sector will appear more conciliatory to protect their huge Social Services Industry that relies solely on Government spending for revenue.

This is that time of year when you realize how bad baseball has become. There is so little left to play for 2/3rd's of the teams, so that almost all games become as intense as lackluster pre-season games. And that includes big rivalry teams like the Red Sox and that Bronx team who are already both pretty much assured of a play-off berth. The Big market team concept is killing the game for the masses.

I turn on games because I am a genuine sports nut. The drone of a game in the background is part of the summer noise for me. Like crickets in fields of multicolored wildflowers.

The Answer:
Gates co-funded Microsoft with Paul Allen; Jobs - Apple, with Steve Wozniak; Ellicson - Oracle with Ed Oates and Bill Miner; McNealy - Sun Microsystems with Andy Bechtalshein and Vhad Khosla; Groves was the business guy who facilitated the big pay-off for super semiconductor engineers and Intel co-founders Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. And the co-founder of most successful careers is a good spouse or partner.

I enjoy driving country roads; Seeing people nurturing the gardens by their homes; Watching a family of ducks waddle across the road in front of me -- appearing to nod thanks for stopping, as mom and dad nudge a straying duckling to the side of the road.

Wouldn't it be sad if social networks called for a flash mob there?

Flash Mob.

Today's Tids Issue 2,408
(Written 8/10)
Opening Stuff:

So, the Bernanke plan worked for about 17 1/2 hours. Just long enough for the big traders to make few billion on a fast buy/sell program.

The social networks can rally the oppressed against tyranny, bring families together for reunions, call for hoards of irresponsible teens to descend upon quiet neighborhoods for dangerous keg parties and, as we're seeing in the burning streets of London, rouse the criminals for wide spread unprovoked attacks and robbery. The London travesty is just the most visible example of flash organized gang robbery sprees that are also occurring regularly throughout America. Flash Mobs are fun when they are singing Christmas Carols, but not when the flash is in the torches. Islands of safety in cities and countrysides are perhaps no longer havens anymore because when discovered, instant calls for mayhem can go forth from Blackberry's and IPhones.

How much of that money being sent to Somalia and Ethiopia will trickle through he fingers of despots and reach the suffering masses? That's what always bothers me about the pleas for help. Who gets the money?

I am really getting tired of all the traffic jams this summer. Whatever happened to the concept that high gas prices will put a damper on driving?

The Question:
Good Morning America is in the process of determining through a viewer vote the most beautiful place in America, They have narrowed it down to 10 finalists. (Hint, one is mentioned in te middle of the Tids today.) Name the ten.

The Headlines:

--New Worries About bank Balances Drives DOW Down 512 Points.
--Republicans Keep Control Of Wisconsin Legislature After recall Vote fails.
--Fed Dramatic Pledge Of Two Year Moratorium On Rate Increases Spurs Markets for a coupel of hours.
--Harry Reid Suggests Most Partisan Dem Senators For Super "Joint Committee"; Patty Murry, John Kerry, Max Baucus Have Power But Little Compromise In their Hearts; McConnell Adds His favorite Partisan Republicans; Super Committee Appears To have No Chance..
--UK Fighting Back Against Criminal Thuggery.
--Ahmadinejad Asks UN To Step Into London riots.

This so-called "Super Committee" already look like a big joke. First of all, they're putting politicians on it.

It's probably already been done, But if not, why Not -- somebody should write a book about Nancy Wake. In fact this WWII super spy and leader of French resistance performed so effectively in so many different dangerous situations behind the scenes, that a whole series of books could be written about this fantastic woman from Roseneath Wellington new Zealand who died at 90. Wake was tso a mazing and so effective against the Germans that at one time she headed the Gestapo "Most Wanted" list.

America's Got Talent.
I'd call last night's You Tube Special repetitious, Even the good acts of the night were repetitious. Maybe that's what happens when you go from the small video to the large live stage. Personally I enjoyed the Cloggers, the West Springfield dancers, Gymkana. I could have liked Brett Daniels, Kevin Colis, Beth Ann Robinson, Matt Wilhelm and Powerhouse. I didn't think much at all of the 8 year old contortionist, the basketball juggler, the dog act and Aeon (All though thye had some skills.) Hw=who goes forward? Kevin Colis, Matt Wilhelm (People like black light shows), West Springfield and Gymkana. Illusionist Brett Daniels could be five.

The theater stage performance of a story about puns, is a play on words.

Brag and Boast Department:
Magnificent Newport RI was featured on Monday's Good Morning America as one of their "Ten Most Beautiful Places in America" series. The program did a great job Monday displaying for all to see the beauty and glory of my town.

And, while we are boasting, local Chef Kevin Gaudreau of The Pier just won first prize on the Rocco's Dinner Party TV show. Celeb Chef Rocco Dispitito holds a small competition two determine the two chefs who will prepare a major multi-course dinner for his friends. Kevin won it all with a down to earth dinning room and an array of creative takes on Pub food.

How Blatant is that!, Department:
I see where th 0-Man team are planning a big patriotic promotion just before the 2012 Presidential election -- The release of a new big Hollywood movie based on the Seal's raid and killing of Bin Laden. Yesterday he tried to use the death of the Seals to promote non-partisanship for the coming debt nogotiations. That was part of his speech designed to rally the stock market. The market dove off a cliff while he spoke. Tyhe Presidential Seal of Approval.

They have announced a new process to determine the gender of the baby within two weeks of conception. The promoter of the idea says it will help parents plan better baby wardrobes. Say what? Many view it as a potential to increase early abortions as parents plan the perfect family. So let me get this straight -- Science can now say it is a boy or a girl, but abortion promoters say that it really isn't a child. What a crock.

So, I guess if want your children to grow up to be excellent stock managers as you plan for retirement, then you would expect the parents to abort boys, now considered inferior to female sin the investment business. in favor of the now acclaimed female.

Almost Near: Chapter 34 continues. -- "Hi Tucker." Samantha looked alert and very happy; very beautiful in a navy blue print blouse and off-white shorts. She was barefoot, but didn't seem to mind the clam shells. She couldn't take where eyes off of Tucker. Her "Hi Tucker" was soft and caring.
Tucker now walked quickly towards her. He put his arms around her, and kissed her lovingly, gently on the lips. Then he pulled her into him. They melded, flowed together as if they were one. It felt like what he remembered from years ago. His perfect fit with Samantha Wilcox. But she couldn't remember. Could she? Or was it still part of her too?
Samantha started talking like she had rehearsed it. "I am so happy to have you home Tucker. Not just because I love to look at you. Not because you make me happy." She looked up at him again. Pleading. "I'm confused Tucker. I am so totally comfortable here in Lobster Cove. Yet something always seems missing. A lawyer from New Hampshire is looking for me, and I've never heard of him. When you leave, I'm floating in space.

The Answer:
Of course, I'm voting for Newport and Cape Cod. I live in Newport and spent my youthful summers on the Cape. the rest are Ashville NC, Aspin, CO, Cape Cod, Destin FL, Grand Tetos jackson Hole WY, Lanikai Beach HA, Point Reyes CA, Sedona AZ and Sleeping Bear Dunes MI. Want to vote? Here it is: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/best_places_USA/

I'm depressed. -520

Well,,, at least Jennifer Lopez is returning to AI for 2012.

Teardrops on combat medals.

Today's Tids Issue 2,407
Opening Stuff:

How much longer must a nation cry for brave, fallen soldiers?

I think that one of the contributors to the size of financial meltdowns has to be the highly computerized buy/sell programs used by Wall Street. The way I read it, at certain points on traumatic days the Computers brush the humans aside and take over. The planet of Apes? Or I should say "600 Pound Gorillas".

The President seems to think that the Buck still stops at Harry Truman's desk.

It's looking a lot like Washington is fiddling while Rome burns. How else could you explain the insulting spokespeople sent to the podiums across this land. They have no answers or solutions and the country is learning that talk and rhetoric doesn't work any more.

The Question:
Triple Play! 1. Name the five "Geekiest" cities in the US. 2. Who is Melanie Griffiths' Mother? Name five of her movies. 3. How many members of the Tea Party are there in Congress?

The Headlines:

--Americans Rush To Drug Stores For Tums: Market Opens Near 138 Points Higher; Drops To +3.8 In 10 Minutes; Up 200 At 10:00AM: As I Press The Send Button, The DOW Was .
--Asian Markets Stabilize; US Futures Rebound Heartily; "Insiders" Are Buying.
--Violence Spreads To Even Civilized Sections Of London; 525 Arrested; Protest Has Deteriorated To Wanton Looting.
--Syria Defies World With New Raids.
--Lybia Says NATO Attack Killed Dozens Of Citizens.
--US Workers Less Productive For 2nd Quarter In A row; May Indicate Slow Down In Hiring.
--Nyad Stops Swim Halfway To Cuba.

Back to More Stuff:
I think I'm going to climb a tree at Walden pond. Of course that would only be on weekdays...as on weekends it is just another morass polluted by crowds of humans.

I see where France is going to Baguette Vending Machines. I hope they are smarter than Wall Street computers.


The Fighter who became a Lawyer went from boxers to briefs.

A keen minded reader and Government watchdog sent me a note wondering if the Congress and 0-Man will move the Government Employee Pensions into the Federal General Fund as LBJ did with all of our hard earned Social Security dollars.

I don't know if you noticed, but last weekend at the PGA Tournament Stevie Williams made $140,000 while his ex-boss made $58,000.

But, Stevie Williams is still the bag toter. You would never have known it listening to his post match "I-Me-My" interview. It was Adam Scott who won by 4 strokes.

Congress leaders have agreed on on way to reduce spending. They have ended the 200 year old Page program. Now what are Congress people going to do on those lonely nights in DC?

Almost Near: Chapter 34. --The trip to Lobster Cove from Logan Airport seemed a strain for Tucker. His chest was tight as he imagined what Samantha might be doing to herself. He would have preferred to go to New Castle first if he had a perfect plan, but his emotions were driving him now.
His heart felt a sadness when he jumped out of the car leaving Audrey behind. Her look of tenderness seemed intended for him. Yet she may have been showing her feelings for the distraught Samantha. He was beginng to learn that through her gruffness and practicality, there was an extremely sensitive woman. His thoughts of her made him smile a little as his car approached the white Church on the corner announcing Lobster Cove. He turned sanely, but then jumped on the accelerator of his rented Versa. The car took off belying it's diminutive size. Not wanting to appear panicky,He slowed as he entered the driveway. He liked the sound of the crumpled clam shells under the tires. Funny, but his coastal driveway always said home, safety, to him.
Before he could put his foot down on the shells, the door opened and Sam came out, slowly. She looked calm. There was a wonderful naive sparkle in her eyes.

Somehow, the National Democrat Party leaders think that calling the Tea Party names -- which will surely rally the party together and help them grow -- is a good idea. What the name calling says loud and clear is that "we're afraid of the TPM." Besides, if the Tea'ers cut spending, how are the Pols going to bribe the voters? In fact, the Dems look so edgy and jumpy these days they could be called The Coffee Party.

In the rush to point fingers, just about every Pol and pundit is losing creditability including Rushbo, who yesterday for some reason contrived a totally misinformed anti Yahoo News rant.

The Answer: 
1. Number five is Durham NC. Four - Huntsville Al, 3. Framingham Mass, 2. Boulder CO and the #1 Geekiest is San Jose (Duh)! 3. 6 thru 10 are Lowell Ma, Washington DC, Ithaca NY, Bethesda, MD and Seattle-Belleview. 2. Griffith is the daughter of Hitchcock fave Tippi Hedren. Her top movies are Something Wild, Body Double, (Oscar nominee in) Working Girl, (The scary) Pacific Heights, (The dreadful) Bonfire of the Vanities, Born Yesterday, Shining Through, A Stranger Among Us and Now and Then. 3. There are estimates that say anywhere from 79 to a 100, with the best answer considered to be 83. So...basically the pols are blaming everything on 83 people in Congress.

Americans are tired of Politicians looking back. The front is a clean slate.

Tom Brokaw said a week or so ago that "...no matter what you think about the Tea Party, they played by the rules of American politics: They got angry, they got organized, they got here and they got what they wanted, and they did it with discipline. Whether or not, in the long haul, it's good for the larger universe is a very open question at this point. If you want to change Washington, that's what you have to do. You have to get organized around your passions and your interests." -- Tom Brokaw, Meet the Press, August 1.

In case you are interested, the Tea Party is 75% white, which is exactly the same as the total population. It has a higher male population and a slightly higher Christian right population than the US numbers.

There is a small but grassroots movement beginning that would popularize the word "Liberalites". If you like it, pass it a long.