The Shadow knows?

Today's Tids Issue #2,523
Opening Stuff:


Happy Ground Hogs Day everybody! It looks like Punxsutawny Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of Winter! The question of the day: How can the little furry animal predict 6 more weeks of winter when we haven't yet seen winter?

In case you are interested, Phil or relatives of the woodchuck have been predicting the end of winter for 125 years today! He only predicted an early Spring 16 times! Today he gave us 6 more weeks of winter, but only had to look at yesterday to find Spring.

Enough of this...it's time to spring into some interesting news and opinions. The European economy is still our biggest potential threat, and it looked a little brighter yesterday after a quite successful French bond offering. But as one London observer noted. The EuroZone is basically on morphine, as most of the action to date is only masking the pain from serious underlying disease. The problems with public employee laden Greece and Portugal are deep. But, some of the current solutions on the books may eventually get them over the hump. If the Unions there get sensible. In Spain however, another in morphine dreamland, the EU is looking at much bigger situation, much too large to be treated with the Portugal/Greek drugs. Things might appear better across the pond, but it will be all the way til the end of 2012 until the treatment neutralizes the disease.

The Question:

It seems as though I've heard of Angelo Dundee for the entirety of my life. Angelo, one of the great boxing trainers of all time, died late last night. Name five of the most prominent fighters trained by Dundee (Even non-boxing fans should get this one).

The Headlines:

--New Unemployment Benefit Requests Drop To 357,000; Stocks Up On News.
--AA, Microsoft Layoffs Biggest Part Of 53,000 Planned Layoffs Announced In Jan; 2012 Planned Reductions Up 39% From Jan 2011, 41% from December
--The Donald To Endorse The Newtster Today.
--75 Die In Egyptian Soccer Riots.
--Indiana Becomes 23rd "Right To Work" State; Unions Expected To Mar Super Bowl Festivities.
--Two Americans Killed In Monterrey Mexico Home Invasion.
--Environmentalists To Block Christos's Colorado Canyon Project.

Well, it's Thursday. That's the day the Tids sports department sucks it up, and picks the NFL winners. I didn't think we did too well this year. But, in fact it was a topsy-turvey year (See Indy 2-14). First the Giants-Pats match-up should be a Pick-em' instead of 2.5 point bulge for NE. It is that close. I'm actually having trouble getting my heart to go with the Pats. The Giants have quick strike power with a hot Eli throwing to some very good receivers. Their "D" line is being painted as legendary by the adoring scribes. Their run through the playoffs has been quite impressive. But, I'm thinking that most of the loudest sports opine-ers are from NY. And then, I have this nagging, naive, innate faith in my beloved Pats. I'm guessing they will find a way to win and the final score will be New England Patriots 27, New York Giants 17.

I know, I know I sound like a broken record, but I just can't leave the Tids today with out once again pointing the ineptitude of the so-called journalistic guardians of the truth. Romney, as everybody knows by now made an unfortunate remark that implied he didn't care about the very poor. Wait a minute, he didn't say that, the press said that. Once again their lackluster reporting of the whole truth left out the entire sentence. he was saying that the energy of America should be focused on the plight of a once world envied middle class. He didn't express him self well enough at all, but the press didn't attempt to report it honestly.

Everybody Republican and Democrat alike keep on saying we have to fix our "immigration problem". We don't have an immigration problem. Immigration is working just fine. We have a sneaking-into-America-illegally problem.

Donald Trump's latest money making adventure is cemeteries! He will build a luxurious final resting place next to his glitzy Bedminster NJ golf course. So for a mere $300,000 you can lie in peace remembering every bad shot you ever hit. Oh, wait, that's hell! But, Trump Plots isn't the most expensive. Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge Mass loaded with early American heroes is closer to the 1/2 Million dollar range. At Woodlawn in the Bronx NY you can get an antique mausoleum for $3.5 Mil! So in death as in life, it is location, location, location!

There is no truth to the rumor that the SB kickoff will be delayed until they can get rid of OWS tents on the fifty yard line.

The X-Factor fired a bunch of people mainly it appears because the program wasn't as successful as they had hoped. Believe me, it wasn't the judges. The talent was too drab, too similar to each other. I think the producer/judges more for the singers sad stories instead of the talent.

The Answer:

I can't imagine anybody didn't make a guess of Cassius Clay -- Mohamed Ali. In all he trained fifteen World Champions including some other of the truly greats Sugar Ray Leonard, Carmine Basilio, George Foreman, Jose Napoles, Willie Pastrano, Luis Rodriguez, Ralph Dupas, Pinkton Thomas, Trevor Berbick, Wilfredo Gomez, Michael Nunn, Sugar Ramos and Jimmy Ellis. Angelo also trained Russell Crowe for his role as James J. Braddock in The Cinderella Man.

Life was fun before environmentalists and nutritionists.

It's hard to write the Tids while pacing up and down worrying about the Pats - Giants game. Life is tough.

Life keeps you thinking.

Today's Tids Issue 2,438
Opening Stuff:

80 degrees on Sunday? My fragile body can't react to extremes that fast. Hell, I'm just starting to grow a fat layer to enure me from the winter weather, and now this. And what now am I going to do with all of that gravy in the freezer? Life is tough.

When Joe Biden says, "(GOP) Absolutely strong enough to beat us...), Repubs better start runnin' for the hills. Everything and I mean every little innuendo that comes form the White House these days is calculated to add to the Re-Elect Prime Time campaign. Even from the loose-cannon lips of the Veep. But then, maybe the nation's Plagiarist Laureate read the Tid's "realclearpolitics.com Report yesterday where it was suggested that 0-Man dump Biden in flavor of a moderate Republican. Maybe he's throwing his hat in the ring for a GOP Diversity ticket.

The Question:
Name the last ten Nobel Peace Prize winners.

The Headlines:

--Healthier Payroll data Has WS keeping The Rally Going This Morning.
--Moody's Downgrades Credit ratings For 12 British Banks; Royal Bank of Scotland And Lloyds Among the 12; Not Barclays Or HSBC.
--New Zogby Poll Has Cain Leaidng Mitt By Astonishing 20 Points!; Also Shows Cain beating 0-man By 1; Romney Losing To 0-man By 1; Other Polls: CBS - Herman-Mitt Tied; YouGov/Economist - Cain Ober Romney By 4.
--Hugo Chavez Says He Will Size Houses Illegally Built On Caribbean Island Los Roques.
--Economy Adds 103K Jobs; Unemployment Remains At 9.1%
--3 Win Noble Peace Prize for Work On Women's Rights; Liberians Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf And Activist Leymah Gbowee Plus Yemeni Tawakkul take Home Loot.

I had to love the the AP furnished and pretty obviously White House directed giant picture above the fold this morn depicting 0-Man bathed in heavenly lights standing before the press with arms extended wide in a God-like pose. If it was on the cover of Mad magazine it would have been delightful sarcasm.

I'm having this inclination to break down and pay for Showtime just to get their new program "Homeland" -- which appears to be about as close to "24" as we're gong to get for a while. KThunk. KThunk. KThunk. But then my wallet is suffering from severe Quahog-itis -- shut tight.

Today is a day every honest, realistic person should celebrate. Fifteen years ago they pushed the button that enabled Fox News to take to the air. Some people avoid Fox because they fear the Fox personalities ridiculed in the press and thus miss out on the most complete and informed news reporting of any other TV source.

Hope Yen writing for the Washington Post tells us that home ownership has dipped to 65% and opines that it will never again reach the highs of 70% as it was in the recent mid decade. She goes on to list a number reasons for this (Right out of the Obama campaign class-warfare playbook) but fails to mention the only reason that counts. The market was never that large because 5% obviously could afford what they bought. And shouldn't have been approved in the first place. I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this (What's a record daddy?) but the head-in-the-sand opinions keep on coming. And it irks my kind heart.

I could become a full fledged vegetarian if I could smother that stuff from gardens with rich, creamy, fatty pork gravy.

I heard John Henry (Red Sox CEO) this morning suggesting that a better nutritionist could have helped stem the September slide. How about hitters and pitchers who don't choke. The world isn't real any more.

But then I've had a wonderful smile on my face ever since last night when Alex Rodriquez went down swinging for the last out. Again! It was a yummy moment, and becomes even tastier with the knowledge that this overpaid declining "slugger" has 6 more ineffective years remaining at near $30 mil a year. I wish hack writers were paid in inverse proportion to their clunkiness.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I'm putting Ides of March on top of my movie list. Clooney produces, directs and stars in this political thriller that skewers both sides of the ideological aisle. It's centered around an Ohio primary where an up and coming press secretary finds himself involved in a scandal that could sink his candidate.
--Real Steel is about boxing in the future where promoters traipse around the country arranging fights between their Robots. This movie is a takeoff on the old The Champ movie where a washed up boxer tries to comeback for his adorable son. In this one a washed promoter with a rusty old robot makes a comeback after learning that he has a son. It sounds like Shirley Temple meets the Transformers. A lot of people will like it, but not me.

The more RI does to create a happy atmosphere for Illegal Immigrants, the more illegal immigrants will flock to the RI. The more the state with no money will go deeper into debt contributing to the welfare of people who contribute nothing and whose only claim to fame is breaking the law as their first official act in America.

In August, Americans stepped backwards in their use of Credit Cards. This is good for their personal financial situation but a bad sign for confidence in the future.

A segment of a local New England Patriots 1/2 hour TV show is called "Trash Talk"... and it is sponsored by WM Corporation (Waste Management).

If Americans were to abuse their children by making them a part of criminal act as Illegal Immigrants have done to their children, the authorities would take the children away.

Almost Near: Chapter 42 continues. --Samantha stood in the kitchen of Tuckers neat little house. It wasn't hard to get here after she looked in the windows of two cars and saw keys on the floor of one peaking out from beneath the seat. She had scanned the area quickly, thinking that her only potential problem was one the geezer clerks coming out for a smoke. She had laughed at that thinking how anti-smoking measures had made it hard on car thieves. She took all of the back roads she actually remembered clearly and got here in a half an hour. I'll dump the car in Essex she thought, figuring she had a little lead time being two states away form her felony act.
So here she was, and like she seemed to do more and more lately, she was wondering why she was here. Tucker knows me better than I know myself. Why doesn't he just come out and tell me who I am. Wouldn't that be like, easy.
She started poking around, not knowing what she might find but feeling that something was here. Everything was so neat. Her mind flashed to the times they made love, in the kitchen and bedroom. And the meories felt pleasant, But now a small cloud was creeping in to the scene. She shook her head as if to clear aay the apst. Focus she thought. Even not knowing who you asre, you can still focus. maybe I'm me, standing here in tghis house. Maybe that's all i am. But teh nagging thoughts about so many things missing snapped her out of that as fsast as the thought arose. Too many thoughts. Too many thoughts.
With knowing how she got there, she found herself standing before a locked door. The door felt forbidding. Why? She rattled the doorknob. It was very secure. As she looked closer she could see that somebody had recently added a second lock. Now she was really curious.

The Answer:
Before the women above we had Liu Xiaobo (China HR), Obama (Nobody Knows why), Finn Pres Martti Ahtisaari (Peace Several countries), Gore (Exaggerating GW), Bangledesh economist Muhammed Yunus (Microfinancing to ease poverty), Mohamed Elbaradei (Anti Nukes), Kenyan Wangari Maathai (Planting Trees), Shirin Ebadi (Democracy in Iran) and Jimmy Carter (For appearing to be better now than when president).


You have to figure that Lehman execs are still sitting around thinking -- why me and not all the other inept on wall street? --. "Maybe I'll sue Goldman this morning. They must have done something to screw us."

Have a great weekend under the sweltering October sun!

It ain't what it is.

Today's Tids #2,430)
(Written: 9/27)
Opening Stuff:


I have mixed emotions about this Amanda Knox thing. I think there's a lot more going on behind that sweet innocent appearing face, and that she may be a master at disguising it.

Every time I look at the political landscape, Dems unhappy with 0-Man and Repubs disillusioned with everyone, I'm thinking Hillary sneaking through in 2012.

And, Newt Gingrich with his game face on can take anybody in a debate including a possible Dem Candidate. Unfortunately he evokes a passion among voters similar to that of Red Sox fans for John Lackey.

The bunch of kids diving off a wharf created a lot of pier pressure.

The Question: 
Bonus Day! 1. Name five Jackie Gleason characters. 2. Apparently a guy named Matt Kemp of the LA Dodgers may become the first guy to win baseball's triple Crown (Average, RBI's, Homers) since...what year? Name the five previous winners.

The Headlines:

--Progress With Greece Portends Better Days On Wall Street. (That Is Until WS Traders Need A Sell Off -- Greece Will Be Bad Again).
--Congressional Haggling Has Disaster Victims Up In Air.
--Fighting Continues In Syria, Libya And Yemen.
--Typhoons Pound Philippines; Tens Of Thousands In India Stranded By Floodwater's.
--S&P Sees Some Liquidity Problems With China Property developers.

It looks like 1 1/2 Men to me.

Tell me again why I'm supposed to feel sympathetic towards people who broke the law coming to our country, putting their kids in jeopardy dragging them along with them.

Last night I was stwtching channels between the Red Sox and Monday NFL games when I came across two chunky people in a ridiculously inane conversation. I thought it was the Biggest Loser. But then they started dancing, if you call it dancing, and amidst thunderous approval from a naive audience I found it was Chaz Bono and his/her partner. What farce. I watched it for 30 seconds.

Don't you think it's about time to retire the headline: "Diana Nyad forced to quit swim."

To the average outsider RI looks like a Union driven State, and for the most part with respect to economics, it is. But there is another slice of Rhode Island, beyond the state legislature, beyond the hitmen, beyond the jobless standing in lines -- "Swamp Yankees"! these are the rock-ribbed, hardworking, invisible communities of people who's ancestors probable helped settle the cities first, and then outreaches later...as far back as the 1640's. Many were probably outcasts back then, or just people who didn't like hanging around with he masses. They moved or were assigned by the establishment towards the cheapest land generally near a swamp. They reflect the industirousness of Wasps past and now live for the most part without wanting or requiring big Government fixes. Yup, RI is much more than the Illegal Alien State.

The US manufacturing industry is seriously heading towards a "so-called "Lights-Out" discipline, meaning that machines will do more and more of the work without people. It's one of the few ways to bring manufacturing back to an America void with people skilled enough to do the work of past generations, and probably the only way US manufacturers can compete in the new global economy. Of course, the problem is that this onetime foundation for higher income middle Americans will need fewer and fewer people. But...it doesn't appear that the declining job opportunities will be only relegated to manufacturing! The service industry jobs are under attack too. For instance, restaurants are putting IPads on tables so customers can view the menu, choose their items and pay their bills (Including splitting between credit cards) without the aid of a waiter or a waitress. Lower paid (And tipped) Servers will deliver whatever the consumer plugs into the tablet, which could be requests for more water, new silverware. et. al. in addition ot the meal. The consumer comes out ahead with a sense of immediacy and lower tipping.

So, if all of this technology replaces lots and lots of jobs, what will the people do? It's kind of a discouraging dilemma isn't it. With the potential for a return to single earner households, which would undoubtedly produce serious deflation among other negative results. The good news is that the US would be able to compete with third world countries.

Maybe the decline of the Red Sox is casting a gloom throughout the Tids room today.

Almost Near: Chapter 41 continues. --Samantha huddled down in the boat, listening again. Was she mistaken, or is somebody out there.
"Samantha." It was here name and the vice sounded closer. Did anyone see her or is it a coincidence. It sounded like Tucker. Why is he over here and not by the restaurant or the bluff where she originally went to after running from the restaurant. Does Tucker somehow know that this was a favorite place that she has somehow remembered? "Samantha, it's Tucker. Don't be afraid."
"But she was afraid. Was she afraid of Tucker and Dante, or was she afraid of her self. She was infatuated with Dante, but Tucker has been very nice to her. She felt like she was in love with him. We are lovers, aren't we. She was so confused. She pulled her self together to make herself feel smaller. She didn't think she wanted to be found. She saw a canvas boat cover in the bow. She crawled over through sea water residue, and scrunched in under it. She needed not to be found. She would do what she had to do alone.

Do you know what bothers me most about restaurants? It's when immediately after being seated (Especially after a wait) the waiter/waitress doesn't stop by with a cordial greeting to let you know at least that they recognize you are there.

The Answer: 
1. Of course Ralph Kramdon of the Honey oomers is best known. But many other were just as good including, Reginal Van Gleason, Rudy the repairman, Joe the Bartender (With Mr. Dennehy), Te Poor Soul, Rum Dum, Fenwick Babbit, Charlie Bratton and The Bachelor. 2. Carl Yaztremsky was the last Triple Crown winner in 1967. The precvious four were Frank Robinson 1966, Micky Mantle 1956 and Ted Williams 1947 and 1942.

Funny headline of the Day: "Topless Rhianna shocks Northern Ireland farmer." Say what?

Are here any leaders out there.

Today's Tids Issue 2,271

Opening Stuff:

In case you missed it, the 2011 Golf season started yesterday at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Guess who isn't in it this year for the first time? I think I have to go out and hit some balls.

Overdone news stories that are making me nod off are "the dead birds" and "Ted Williams", the voice (Not Teddy Ballgame). Now, the Williams story would be a story if this Presidential look-alike were discovered to be a long lost brother of the 0-Man.

How can you not like Rack of Lamb.

The Question:
Double Bonus Q: 1. Several major Financial companies (Deutschebank, Goldman, JP Morgan Chase, Barclay's, BoA, Credit Suisse, Oppenheimer, UBS and Citi have projected where they think the DOW will end in 2011. What do you Guess? 2. Name Ten Great Country Music Movies.

The Headlines:

--Unemployment Falls To 9.4%; 103, 000 New Jobs Nice Improvement From November But Far below Analysts Expectations.
--Repubs Start Using Scalpel On ObamaCare.
--Bernanke To Speak To Congress This Morning; Expected To Be More Hopeful About Economy.
--Is Daly Appointment Olive Branch To Business?
--Pope Says God Behind Big Bang; Universe No Accident.
--Police Presence In London Increases; Terrorist Alarm Escalating.
--Science: Chemical In Woman's Tears Turn-Off To Men.

Back to More Stuff:
There are about 80. count em' 80, I-Pad wannabees launched or ready to launch shortly. That's big news at the huge Consumer Electronics show. The coolest of these is a Lenovo Computer and Tablet combo. This Hybrid looks like your basic laptop and has all of the laptop computing capability. But, the screen easily detaches to become a self supporting tablet with its own processor and operating system. The word is that Apple is working on one too.

The reports of Laptops' demise are premature. Intel says that now with a little history they see that most all of I-Pad purchases were for an additional tool and not to replace laptops. In fact, Intel goes on to say that they expect Laptop sales to grow by a huge 14% in 2011. Yikes.

This homicide of Gov Military Consultant and man who led the charge to build the Viet Nam Memorial John Wheeler II, is a doozy. Has all the makings of a great book. Or at least a mediocre "B" movie.

You had to love the photo in the Providence Journal that showed new RI Congressman Cicilini and Pelosi, and in the back ground Cicilini's brother John, Mouth piece for the Mob (Their dad was the top lawyer for the ruthless New England Family headed by the very dangerous Raymond Patriarca). Because of some serious problems with the law, John Cicilini can't do law biz in RI any more. Could it be that John is looking to represent members of Congress. You think? It seems to fit, doesn't it?

A lot of companies are advertising their products using the adjective "HD". I am quite leery of that, and would probably disregard any product labeled HD as a ruse. HD Broccoli? HD Vodka? HD gravy? Well...that doesn't sound so bad. Does this mean I am complicating or simplifying my life?

Almost Near: Chapter 1 continues. --But, a strange wave came over Samantha as she looked at that tree. As if something was missing from her homecoming scene.
The small doubt quickly disappeared as she came upon the white capes, saltboxes and more refined colonials, all white. Some with connecting barns. Others with gray cedar shake barns at the rear of the property. All with breathtaking, and often ingenious, stone walls framed by orange day lilies and loving lavender lilacs.
There on the hill she saw Aunt Ginny's house, a special thrill. She smiled broadly. The beautiful architectural accents. And even more charming, the white clapboard naturally grayed by the salt sea air and winter winds.
She parked in a space that just happened to be in front of her favorite place, Fletcher's Drugs store. Now she was nervous. She couldn't remember the last time she was here. But, knew it was to eat a dish of butter brickle ice cream with the man she loved.
She stepped down from her Jeep and caught glimpse of herself in the window. Not bad for 33, she thought. My dark hair looks great simply styled. She inhaled reflexively as she looked at her waste. But she was still athletic and in good shape. I'm a lucky woman to be me. And then she laughed at her uncharacteristic vanity.
Still laughing, she confidently pulled open the door and walked in. Her eye immediately saw Mr's Fletcherbent over writing at the rear counter. Her straightish hair was graying a little, but she still had that wonderful happy face. "Mr's Fletcher! It is so great to see you!".
Startled, Mrs Fletcher dropped her pen and a paper flew to the floor. She pushed her glasses up, and slowly raised her head, smiling. The smile quickly turned to a small frown. "Do I know you?," she said in her tiny voice.

I remember when there was never any homework for Physical Education classes, but kids did it any way because it was fun and felt great. Now the Gov is essentially imposing PE homework to get kids away from computers and out into the enriched Vitamin D sun.

It seems as though Urban Meyer has Dick Vermielle disease -- the inability to relax.

I've been looking at my writing accomplishments, and I think I am going to focus a "B" Movie screen plays.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Country Strong looks like a real treat! But then I love country music and blatant, unadulterated schmaltz. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as a country singerwho is making a comeback after rehab and is married to an agent (Tim mcGraw) . A second singer (Leighton Meester), a former beauty queen with some emotional and personal confidence problems -- and the new hope for hubby-agent -- is with her on the ressurection tour. A male singer (Garrett Hedlund) also on the tour steps in to help. However, both girls fall for him resulting in great melodrama. Meanwhile Paltrow is jealous of all the attention hubby is giving his protege'. It's not deep, but who needs deep?

This is the kind of crap that really bothers me. A noted supposedly intelligent man from the Brookings institute actually said: "...The oft overlooked fact is that immigrants, including Albert Einstein, have made major contributions to the United States." Aha! The old Einstein Ploy. I don't think any person I know who has a problem with people breaking the law to enter the US has forgotten the great contributions large and small of immigrants who came here lawfully. Why to do the self proclaimed elite find it necessary to be so condescending? It tends to make me look at professorial, expert types and say to myself, "Is there anything really in there?"

Are reports about Celebrity and Athlete DUI's really news any more?

God Help us Department:
And then we have Chafee-Lite yesterday, rapturous over his rescinding of E-Verify and saying that too many people in the hispanic community are "Uneasy". The guilty should be uneasy. The innocent should feel good about themselves and not so good about all of those who are giving hardworking, family oriented, loving Hispanics a bad name. The headline in one paper read "Chafee (Lite) ends crackdown on illegal immigration." Now with an open door in a state where welfare benefits (That's another story) are already too rich, I expect Amtrac's High Speed Acela train to be renamed The Hispanic Express.

In a related action, two assembly people have introduced a bill that would make E-Verify a RI Law. It is expected that if passed it would be vetoed by the Gov. And then, the assembly would have to overturn the veto by 2/3's. Hey, wait a minute. About 2/3's of RI'ers didn't vote for Chafee-Lite.

It's a New World Department:
An editorial page cartoon depicts two sloppily clad, baggy dressed teen boys sitting on a bench, heads bowed looking at their phones. The first says, "The guy who invented FaceBook was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year." The second replies, "What's a magazine?"

The Answer:
1. Deutsche goes crazy predicting a 23% (1,580 DOW) leap. If I see that trend in the Fall, I'm getting out in November. Goldman says 1,450 (15%), JP Morgan Chase says 13% as does Barclay's. BoA gives us 11% which is the average of all the forecasts. Credit Suisse is 7%, UBS and Oppenheimer 5% and Citi 3%. 2. Coal Miners Daughter with Sissy Spacek was one of the greats as was Tender Mercies. I liked Walk the line. Other good ones were Nashville, Sweet Dreams, Crazy Heart, Pure Country, The Thing Called Love, Urban Cowboy, Your Cheatin' heart, Payday,,,and there was a 1940 classic "Grand Ole Opry. You can't lose when they're astrummin' and apickin'.

The (Week) End:
Today 's Headline says that Bernanke expected to be more hopeful about economy. Last time on the hot seat was moanin's and goranin'. Who can you believe? Nobody! Wait til next month. It will change.

Let's see...a chemical in woman's tears is a turn off for men. If the same thing is true of men's tears, then the possibility for scandal is greatly reduced with Boehner in charge. Just think though, if Boehner was in an emotional meeting with Angela Merkl, we could have World War Three! Just a thought.

Chafee-Lite is shaping up as one of those modernists who knows what's good for you better than you do. I don't think he will listen to the people uless they are in a group who owns him.

Have a great weekend.

There must be something I forgot. Oh well...





I

What flew over the cuckoo's nest?

Today's Tids Issue 2,250
Opening Stuff:

Happy Hanukkah everybody!

A WikiLeaks item reveals that Arab people felt better about America because of "Desperate Housewives" and David Letterman. I don't know about you but I feel worse for America becasue of David Letterman and Desperate. Let's hope they don't think Jersey Shore is America. I really hate being defined abroad by US Television.

You have to wonder about the sincerity of the newly empowered Republicans when they name "The Prince of Pork", Kentucky Rep Hal Rogers, as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He says that the people voted and I hear them! Yeah, sure! Lets hope the tax payers aren't getting barbecued...again.

The Question: 
A new poll this week had GW Bush approval ratings up to 47%, far above his exit ratings. The poll also rated all modern day Presidents starting with Kennedy. How do you think they rate?

The Headlines:

--Market Looks Up After Better Jobless Report.
--Democrats Reluctantly slogging Towards Obama Compromise Tax Plan That Serve All Americans.
--New Jobless Claims Fall Again.
--WikiLeaks Payment Processor To Sue Credit Card Companies For Their refusal To Process Donations To Company.
--Chasen Murder Mystery Apparently Solved; Lone Man On Bicycle Who Later Took Own Life Named As Killer; Police Say Not A Murder for Hire Conspiracy But Robbery Gone bad.
--Morgan-Stanley will Pay 10-25% Less In Bonuses This Year Due To Volatile Market Conditions.
--FBI Stings Averts Bombing Disaster At Maryland Recruitment Center

Back to More Stuff:
Now Obama knows what every recent President has learned. Peace in the Middle East is a nice idea, but love isn't the answer. Yesterday the US esentially thorough up their hands and walked away.

I thought the NFL season ended Monday night after the Pats firmly beat the Jets! But there's a quarter of the season left and it is meaningful to more teams than ever. And this week's picks are as tough as they get, and what makes them tougher are that many of the slightly favored teams are visiting teams. Like the Pat's at Chi, Denver/Ariz, TB/Wash, Phil/Dallas and Balt/Houst. I think home teams Buffalo, Pitt, Jax, NO, SF, NYJets and San Diego (KC's Cassel had an appendectomy last night) will win. As will Visitors, Indy, Giants, Atlanta and Green Bay. So now the tougher ones: I got to go with my heart and pick the Pats over "da Bears". Then I go Arizona, Tampa Bay, Dallas and Baltimore. Last week's 10-6 brought us to 128-63 (67%). I hate to think what next week looks like.

Among the many records achieved during Monday night's Pats-Jets game was the most arrests ever of intoxicated Pats fans after the game. What do you expect in 20 degree weather? It was all medicinal.

An insightful reader with consistently keen observations on Tid's remarks, yesterday sends this reply to a piece about Tea Party power gains: "Or. this means that the insiders are setting them up to get crushed by the system so they will be gone in four years...". Yes, you never know what's really happening in Washington...especially when they say they are being open and honest with you!

There's talk going around that points out that the US didn't really get serious about Wiki until it was revealed that the next big leak was to be about big banking and financial institution operations. We know where the real power lies.

I debated yesterday on whether or not to add to the Elizabeth Edwards onslaught. I decided that this pleasant women with nice children and relatives who will miss her dearly had had enough, and I couldn't add to it. I received several notes thanking me for not adding to the pile-on. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that her sleazebag husband would announce for the President in 2012 "Because Elizabeth would want that way". He is that low.

I actually had another Q for today, but I'll just use it as an informational piece for all of us who get confused at Dog Shows. The AKC divides all breeds into 8 groups. For instance, the big show in RI this weekend expects 5,000 dogs including 160 breeds. You have your Sporting dogs (Setters, Retrieves, Spaniels). You got the Hounds, the Terriers, the Toys. Then there are the Working dogs (Boxers, Dobermans, Huskies) and the Herding Dogs (Collies et. al.). A big catch-all category, Non-Sporting Dogs, includes poodles (Originally a hunter), Alaskan Eskimo, Dalmatians and French Boxers. The eigth group is called "Miscellaneous" and includes breeds that nobody understands like the ever popular Xoloitzcuinili! These dogs can compete in that category but do earn any Championship points. It is expected that they will be included in the new "Dream Act working its way through Congress. So...feel smarter?

Vegetarians will probably be dismayed knowing that animal products are widely available and indeed critical to many products they all use regularly. 1. Plastic shopping bags and in the future disposable diapers and hispital gowns. 2.Animal stearic acid help bicycle and car tires hold shape under surface friction. 3. Wood glue in instruments like violins and furniture. 4. BioFuels. Yes veggie people, it's not just corn and sugar cane. There's Beef bio-diesel and chicken bio-dieesl Yum. 5. Fireworks! (No hot dogs or firecrackers on the 4th! Gadzooks. 6. Fabric Softener. 7. Shampoo and Conditioner. Manufacturers have removed the word "animal" from ingredients lists to fool the vegans. 8. Toothpaste. 9; White and brown sugar. Wouldn't life as a vegetarian be an awful thing...always doubting what you touch or wear or eat. God, life is tough enough.

At this reading only Buffalo, Denver, Cincinnati, Carolina, Detroit and Arizona are dead in the NFL Playoff picture. 4-8 Dallas is near death, yet 4-8 San Fran has a decent chance in the NFC West. That's why picking games has been so tough this year. Anybody can win and that includes Buffalo and Cleveland who actually look quite strong at times. Unless the bottom drops out for some current leaders, the final 12 looks like the Pats, Jets. Pitt, Balt, KC, Jax and Indy. The next best to make it in the AFC are SD and Oakland. In the NFC I'm seeing the Giants, Eagles, St. Louis, Bears, Packers, Saints and Atlanta. Tampa Bay and Seattle are hanging around and Seattle has a real chance to get in. In the meantime there are four games left and they will be wars throughout the leagues.

Has there been a more threatening lame duck session of Congress than this one? This so called dream act just incentivizes illegal behavior. It says, "hey common' over. You can't lose." On the other hand, it is refreshing to see that the Supreme Court seems to be leaning in favor of Arizona's Law that would require employers to check documentation. Let's face we already have plenty of immigration laws fair to people throughout the world. Frankly I'm tired of being called an immigrant hater because I believe in laws.

The Answer:
JFK actually had relative low approval ratings while in office but his dramatic martyrdom combined with pleasant positive memories make him the Prez with the highest approval rating at 85%. Ronald is second at 74% followed by Clinton (69 - Way up from "most dishonest" after Monica), GHW Bush (64- With Clinton, Johnson, up the most since 2006 poll), Ford, (61), Carter (51 - Most and only down since last poll), Johnson (49), "W" (47) and Milhouse (Still a lowly 29).

The End:
Has Congress ever been nuttier? The left is typically illogical, but they get irrational when they lose. It must be the old cornered animal thing. Kum bye ya.

Having fun can be cheap.

Today's Tids Issue 2,236

Opening Stuff:

What am I going to do when email becomes obsolete?

You have to appreciate the anguish from stress being brought upon the hearts and minds of normally industrious, contented Chicago area residents who now night after night must watch commercials of Blago hawking nuts and Rahm Emanuel hawking lies in his run fro Mayor.

I remember the last Leonid Meteor Shower and it was spectacular. Any time between "Moonset and 5:15 AM tomorrow you can see thousands of meteors darting across the sky. The last time I did it was a couple of years ago, when at around 4:30 in the morning i stood, neck craned, on one of our beaches. I was joined by hundreds of groggy eyed, coffee drinking, early risers who stood in awe of mother nature sprinkling us all with stardust. Try it. Check your local papers. I'd like to have a Starbucks coffee concession there.

Yesterday's little "24" mention brought some serious response. One particularly vehement "24" lover (like me) suggested we form a group that would storm Fox Network Headquarters to apply a little Bauer like pressure to network execs...if you get my drift. KThunk. KThunk. Kthunk. Splash.

The Question:
If you want to become a writer, it is advisable to write about things associated with your life. Realism sells. Marftin Scorsese rose to success with several films that were probably based upon scenes of his childhood. Name five great Scorsese flicks. Bonus Q: How many wives did he have?

The Headlines:

--Irish Debt Mess Has Markets Pausing And Bouncing.
--Housing Starts Tumble; Inflation Concerns Rise.
--Powerful Republican Senator Jon Kyl Puts Kybosh On "New Start treaty" Vote This Year; White House Apoplectic.
--Germany Raises Internal Security Alert On News Of Pending Islamic Attacks.
--Warren Buffet Praises George Bush For Leading Effort To Buy Up Toxic Assets; Without Bernanke Designed Plan, Corporate US Could have Toppled, Says Oracle.
--EU Continues To Wrestle With Irish Banking Woes.
--Pelosi Expected To Remain Democrat Leader.
--Senate Dems Trying To Resuscitate "Earmarks" System They see Collapsing Around Them.
--Merck Successfully Experimenting With New Cholesterol Optimizing Drug That Could Dramatically Lower Heart Risks.
--China Increasing US Debt Holdings Even As Many Other Countries Slash Theirs.

The Ends:
Thanksgiving Recipe Department:
I was reminded yesterday that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that one week from today is Turkey prep day. Gadzooks! Here's a champagne basted turkey cooking recipe from Wisconsin that sounds good to me. In a bowl combine 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp celery salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.Rub over outsiude and inside of Turkey (Optional - Place sprigs of sage and parsley in cavities). Place in roasting pan and bake at 325 for 1/2 hour. While baking mix another bowl 2 cups champagne, 2 medium onions chopped, 1 1/2 cups minced fresh parsley, 1 cup condensed (Undiluted) beef consomme', 1/2 tsp thyme and 1/2 tsp dried marjoram. Pour in pan and bake an additional 3-3 1/2 hours (Til thermometer reads 180 degrees.) Baste often. Cover with alum foil if beast browns too fast. Let stand 20 minutes.

Now the Gravy Department:
Strain drippings in small bowl. In saucepan melt 1 tbs butter and stir in 1 tbs flour til smooth. Gradually stir in drippings and bring to boil, then cook for about 2 mins. Dive in.

Plagiarism Department?:
During his book tour, President George W. Bush said often that his greatest joy as president was being Commander In Chief of the armed forces. At the medal of Honor ceremonies yesterday, 0-Man said "Of all the privilges that come with serving as President of the United States,I have none greater than serving as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military the world has ever known."

You have to start worrying about the future of RI when Governor Elect Chafee starts getting rabid support from ultra left Providence Journal columnist Bob Kerr.

Here's something I don't get. Why are politicians so vociferous in their support of people who break laws...as in "illegal" immigrants. Is it because they need the company of fellow felons to assuage their guilt?

And.. Charlie Rangle is the new poster child for congress people who gain too much power for too long of a time. They have always been adept at lying to the people under the umbrella of "Good Politics". But, then they begin lying to themselves and start believing it.

I just read a pretty good, informed debate about whether or not Palin would be a good candidate for President in 2012. While there were several solid pros and cons, one thing they all agreed upon, -- she is incredibly effective at driving the left nuts!

One of the more intriguing mysteries of the day is the murder of big time Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen. The 64 year old glitterati glitterer was shot 5 times in the chest while she was driving her Mercedes around 1:00AM. Details are sketchy, but it has been said that police have gone to her office and seized her computers. Stay tuned on this one.

The Answer: 
Bronx born and bred, son of garment district workers Martin Scorsese hit it out of Ya-Ya-Ya-...(WYKWIM)...Stadium first with Taxi and then with Mean Streets, Raging Bull, Good Fellas, Cape Fear, The Color of Money, The Last Temptation Of Christ, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed and Shutter Island,,,among others. He was married five times, first to Laraine Marie Brennan (Daughter), writer Julia Cameron (Daughter), Isabella Rossellini, producer Barbara De Fina and Helen Morris (Daughter).

The End:
It is amazing how many things there are to do that cost next to nothing. Anything form standing on a sea wall on a stormy day to attending a lecture at a local institutions can be quite exhilarating. As is getting an email every once in a while from a good friend.

I look at a town with no people as beautiful and serene. Another my see the same thing and think dull and unexciting. But, that's life.

BudaBudaBudaBudaBuda…

Today's Tids Issue 2,209

Opening Stuff:

I believe the key in evaluating the next round of corporate reporting is revenue performance. Profits looked pretty hale so far this year. A rather fast return to profits is generally the first thing you see at the beginning of a recovery. Corporations can easily (Well maybe not easily) accomplish rosy profit pictures through general tightening, reduction in employment, heavy discounting or cost cutting. It’s an old story. But now the test. Are people buying again? Are companies getting good prices? Or, are sales continuing to be sustained through heavy discounting? Let’s check out some top lines on the third quarter reports. This is the test.

Pleasant moments with the second movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto Number 2 is like looking deeply into a lover’s eyes.

Countries around the world are starting to wake up to the fact that they are still giving China $2.5 Billion in foreign aid. And wondering why the 2nd largest economy in the world needs it. But, that’s like any other government program. Once instituted, it is almost impossible to get rid of it even in the face of overwhelming conclusive evidence against it.

Doncha kinda get the feeling that the NEA is sponsoring NBC’s week long focus on education?

The Question:
Yesterday we did Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. So today, let’s try Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Learner (In honor of NBC’s Ed Week!). What was this song writing duo’s first hit and biggest hit. Name five shows.

The Headlines:

--World Stocks Pulling Back Over New Concerns About economic Recovery In Europe; US Stock Futures Down.
--US Stocks Continue To Fall After Consumer Confidence Level Dips To Lowest Level Since February.
--NK’s Kim Makes Son 4-Star General; Sets Line Of Secession.
--Gap Between Rich And Poor Widening.
--Obama Wooing college Students Again; Students Expected To be more Selective This Time Around.
--LA Heat Reaches 113F!
--Tids To Boycott First Lady Speeches Until She Stops Talking About Vegetables.
--Red Sox Still In Race After Another Outstanding Effort By Cy Young Contender Clay Bucholtz.

Back to More Stuff:
While strictly against any leniency or compassion for illegal aliens, I have always felt that a work visa plan could work. There is an apparent need for lower cost labor in many industries. And I guess, it is work that is beneath many who are doing just fine on welfare or unemployment checks. Of course there would have to be a lot of restrictions governing such a plan. For example, there would be no government support beyond issuance of the Visa…or the deportation of criminals. The employer would pay for all basic benefits. If the worker was hospitalized and the employer had failed to provide HC, the employer would be billed for all medical services. Unions would not be allowed to organize of the legal temp workers. There would be no Gov benefits for family members. And any worker caught doing anything illegal would be immediately deported.

I don’t look good in form fitting clothing.

I think we are into a long period of a “Hand-to-Mouth” economy. Like now, when summer bursts of employment are winding down and we enter a lull before Christmas/Halloween rehiring. Loyalty on both sides of the employment spectrum has been waning for a couple of decades now. Many of the new middle class jobs require less critical skills, so that the layoff/rehire seesaw has less effect on operations.

The wealthy will slow down domestic investment because over time they can’t see the middleclass as sustaining as high a level of purchases as they have in the past. While the statistics show that the wealthy pay an overabundance of the total tax bill, they also show that the economy we have enjoyed for so many years is because of the unrelenting purchasing power of a consistently strong middle class. A middle class where the future for consistently high earning power is cloudy at best.

Frankly, doncha kinda get the feeling that the current Admin is being run by the NEA?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 96 continues. –I quickly averted Kent’s piercing eyes. I needed to control my soul myself now. The fear of an hour ago had strangely morphed into resolve. I waved away Dan, and walked into the den. I heard no growls, but I felt aggression.
“Sorry I’m late,” I looked at them with the confidence of someone totally in charge, “But, thanks for waiting for me.” I saw Jack’s face relax ever so slightly. I was assuming that my favorite lackey Jeff was in charge of hiding the greasy one. I walked to the wall and pulled a chair to the center of the room. “I’m glad you thought of an extra chair or two Jack.” He rose, and started towards me, hand out. Ready to shake my hand and pull me in for a fatherly hug. Which he did. Izzy alone, sat like on an island, trying to plot out her next series of moves. Kent sat calmly unaffected by my little drama. But I felt his soft glance. I can feel the presence of this man who knows me so intimately.
“A funny thing happened on the way to this forum.” I said it matter of factly, informatively, but I knew they knew. “Yeah, I was chased by a couple of goons. And when they couldn’t find me, they beat the crap out of my friend Billy.” I stared at the blank expressions of the Izzy/Jack duo. God what psychopaths. I thought Jack felt for me. Like a daughter he never had. “What do you all think happened?”
Nobody spoke, which is not surprising. Finallly, I heard Kent.
“I am happy you weren’t hurt. His voice was soft, almost like he was contradicting some inner emotion.

Something strange happened Saturday night on the East Side of Providence RI. The stadium for the Brown/Harvard night game was packed to the rafters! With frenetically cheering people and…students. The last time Brown U probably saw a full house with enthusiastic students was in the sixties before campus radicalization., When the big game became mass protesting as opposed to “Root, root, root for the home team”. When a foot ball game became too clichéd, too establishment for the anointed elite. Before the late sixties, Ivy League powers like Yale and Princeton had SRO 70-80,000 packed houses…almost every Saturday afternoon. These were events! Could it be that good old fashioned, heart on the sleeve enthusiasm has a chance to be once again in vogue?

There’s a couple of good neighboring states races that I believe are terrific indicators for the depth of the mood of cirizens everywhere.. Charlie Baker, a Republican in Massachusetts, is running against a well known Obama pal, Deval Patrick. Baker is a business man in the mold of Scott Brown. He seems to know how to make things work. And why businesses are finding it harder to stay in Mass. On the other side of the “Hinge” state is Connecticut where the states AG Blumenthal is running against wrestling biz owner McMahon’s wife. She is for real. Knows the issues and has the money to get out the message. Blumenthal is exactly the kind of person we are trying to rid ourselves of; Big government give-away artist. If Blumenthal, and others like him get in, then you will know that all of the anger has accomplished nothing.

Our first lady has been extolling the virtues of the way early Native Americans (Indians) planted corn. Excuse me, but I think we have come a long way in 390 years.

The Answer: 
I don’t think many would argue about picking “My Fair Lady” as the duo’s biggest hit. Since it is also perhaps one of the all time Broadway favorites. Brigadoon was their first substantial hit. Camelot soared off of the success of “Lady”. Other big hits for the duo were Paint Your Wagon and the wonderful Gigi (Movie only.)

The End is Near:
So what’s this BudaBudaBudaBuda…thing all about? It’s about me turning into a mindless blatherer. And it’s the fault of all politicians good and bad. The airwaves are fraught with conflict. Overpromises. It is becoming as hard to watch programming featuring people I support as it is watching those I think are complete fools. I think it is an incumbent conspiracy. Throw as many issues at the people as you can and confuse them to the point where there only means to continuing sanity is to vote for the person they know…the dreaded incumbent. My mind is exploding. I’m turning off the TV. Changing the radio’s dial. BudaBudaBudaBudaBuda.

"Give me your tired...", legally.

Today's Tids Issue 2,203
Opening Stuff:On Friday, 20 new Rhode Islanders…no make that new US Citizens with a capital “C”, broke into enormous smiles as they finished their pledge. After coming to the US through legal channels, after taking the time and accepting the challenge to learn about their new country, they established themselves as worthy contributing citizens deserving of benefits and requiring responsibilities. Nobody protested immigration in fact it was just the opposite. They were welcomed with open arms and caressed by the warmth in every American’s heart.

Contrary to logical thinking, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are doing very well in this stock market and economy brought to its knees by shady real estate financing! Which just proves once again that it is always best to view Wall Street with the illogical side of your brain.

The Question:
What cities in America had the first radio stations? (Hint: Radio was the first electronic mass communication media and existed well before TV, the Internet and other devices that plug into ears. And deaden minds.)

The Headlines:

--Igor Driven Winds And Surf Pound Bermuda; No Damage Reports Yet.
--BP’s Total Spill Payouts Up To $9.6 Billion; Payments To Businesses, Individuals Affected Escalating; Well Finally Shut Tight.
Stocks Could Edge Up Today.
--As TARP Fund Winds Down Associated Fraud Office Expands.
--Ahmadinejad Asking US For Reciprocal “Humanitarian Gesture” And Release Of Iranians Held Captive; Shourd Says They Are Not Spies; Docs Say Shourd’s Health Fine.
--13 Missing Cal Sect Members Found Frolicking Park After Intensive Manhunt..
--Mexican Newspaper Says It Will Cease Covering Drug Wars After Second Journalist Is Myrdered.
--Nissan Builds Giant Auto Plant In Worlds Largest Car Market – China.

Back to More Stuff:
Feng Suie is the over dramatization of simple spatial logic.

In case you haven’t thought about them lately, the 33 miners in Chile appear to be doing fine in their underground prison. In fact, reports are telling us that the effort to create an escape tunnel is proceeding better than expected. Thought you’d like a little good news.

I always had this image of James Gandolfini as being an older man. But, at just 49 he is a mere yout.

When I read the headline “Taliban vows violence at Polls”, the first thing that came to my mind was the Black Panthers.

This Just In: Randy Quaid and wife named King and Queen at “Entitlement Prom”.

Did you read about that couple, former Los Alamos nuclear scientists Pedro and Marjorie Mascheroni, who were arrested for attempting to pass secret US info that would have enabled Venezuela to enrich uranium? It’s good they were caught. But as the population grows, simple statistical understanding tells us that the demographic that would include a group of people with the inclination to be treasonous is growing too. As population rises, isolated incidents bind together into a substantial patterns.

What do the 3rd world dictators do when they want to consolidate their power? They subvert the intent of the constitution by running around checks and balance’s systems.

Which brings me to Elizabeth Warren. My first observation is that it would be very hard to have a comfortable conversation with her at a cocktail party, unless you agreed with every single word coming from her mouth.

We now live in a world it appears, that anybody who disagrees with a person or group can be declared an extremist. Even if they represent 80% of a population. Well, I guess it’s a step up from being called a racist.

If you are looking forward, “The Kings Speech” was named the fan favorite at the Toronto Film Festival and its three leads – Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush , Helen Bonham Carter – ar e considered strong possibilities for Oscar Nominations. So…a movie of quality that people actually like. How odd.

Out of Control Celeb Department:
Lohan has tweeted that she failed her latest drug/alcohol screening test and is ready to accept all consequences. On the other side of denial is Paris Hilton who is pealing guilty to misdemeanor charges to avoid the felony indictment. Which will allow her to keep on abusing common civility until something really bad happens.

While a pathetic 18% of RI’ers showed up for this past primary that could have set the stage for repairing broken state and US government, Afghans endured a rain of mortars and polling place explosions to vote for their future. Thinking you have everything is a great way to become complacent and eventually lose it all.

Through the Same Eyes Chapter 94 continues. –“Ring, Ring, Ring.” I froze. Something told me not to panic and do something. That something was speed dialing Henry, a live call that would block incoming ring tones. And get me outside comfort. For what that was worth. “Henry, I whispered. Can’t talk. Trapped on roof of parking garage. Two guys. Maybe they’re old friends. I doubt it. Get the state police up here if you can. Got to go” I pressed “off” before he could say a word. But, Henry doesn’t need to ask questions. He always knows…doesn’t he? As I watched the phone screen go blank, I decided the next step was to get off the ground. If I could look under cars, they could too. I snaked my way up upon the two foot high guard rail which kept me in no vision land. It was not comfortable, but luxury living is not an options. Living is. I decided it was time to take a chance. I squiggled forward til I could get a slim view of the area where I last saw the three sets of legs.
Now I could see Bills face, rigid but resolute, listening to what appeared to be a steady stream of threatening sounding questions. The third person had left. They appeared to turn t go back into the stairwell. The guy talking to Bill glanced out in direction that would put his buddy about 50 feet to my north. If true, that would put him into a sightline of my perch within seconds.
I dropped off the railing. Silently. Silently until my phone slipped from my hand. It clattered, like Santa coming down the chimney. I smiled and froze at the same time. The things that enter your mind. I was squatted down behind a tire. I felt safe. I heard footsteps move quickly. Maybe he thought it was the “Old rock throwing diversion trick”.

Often I rate a movie as ‘Better’ based on the quality of the music. In general, I am easily duped by superficiality.

There are a lot of half/no–truths floating around in political, mass distributed emails. It is always a good idea to research the facts before using them in public conversations or forwarding them along. That is, if credibility means something to you.

The Answer:
The first commercial radio station was Westinghouse Electric’s KDKA in Pittsburgh which went n-air in October 1920.. However before that, WWJ in Detroit broadcast news in August 1920. It gets more confusing with the claim of San Francisco’s WCBS that they are the legal extension of a San Jose experimental wireless effort that began in 1909. there was a lot of local and special event activity at the time so it is difficult to develop an undisputed list of firsts. Other early places were College Station Texas (WTAW), WDRC Hartford CT, WJZ Jersey City NJ, WBZ Boston. Stations started to proliferate starting in 1921. In 1922-1923 a new station or two came on the air every day! This continued at a fairly active place through 1928. It was slower but active into the 30’s. Providence RI was rather late the Providence Journal station WSAD saying “Good Morning” June 13 1923.

The End:
Colin Powell says he uses “Illegal Aliens” to fix things around his house. That’s what happens when you attain celebrity. Your mind goes dead.

Writing the Tids isn’t an athletic event*.

Today's Tids Issue 2,217
Opening Stuff:

The danger of the Internet has never been more apparent than it is with this case of the nutty preacher in Florida. Terry Jones and his congregation of 36 want to burn Korans and Muslims in tents in the desert know about it. Of course the overabundant US media fans the flames by turning this small isolated act of lunacy in out of the way US town into an international event. The minister may be a nutcase, but the media is just plain stupid. And…this morning because of the publicity another church in Kansas as announced their intention to burn Muslim bibles too.

There is nothing better than Chopmist Charlie’s Chocolate Lava Cake ala Mode! Too bad I don’t eat sweets any more.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention are aghast at new data saying that fewer than 26% of Americans eat vegetables three times a day. I was amazed that anybody would eat vegetables 3 times a day. That is, until I learned that by a wide margin American’s favorite vegetable is the potato! Which changes the scenario greatly – hash browns for breakfast, French fries for lunch and potatoes au gratin for dinner. And…a bag of potato chips before bedtime. Yup, I could be a vegan.

The Question:
I was wondering why the network didn’t kick off the season with a game between the NE patriots and Buffalo Bills – in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first game played in the American Football Conference. In addition to Buffalo and NE (Boston Patriots then) name the other six original teams. Which three teams came over from the NFL when the two teams merged?

The Headlines:

--Insurance Companies Says New Health Care Plan Is Forcing Them To Raise Rates; 1%-9% Increases Expected To Cover Cost Of Extra Benefits Required Under The Law..
--Huge Blast South Of San Fran Consumes 53 Homes; Broken Gas Main Sends Flames Through Neighborhood.
--Colorado Fire Fighters Hoping Fire That Destroyed 170 Homes In Boulder Is Under Control.
--Wall Street Expected To Open Higher.
--Sarah Shourd, One Of Three Students Held In Iran, To Be Released.
--11 Afghans Injured In Anti-Koran Burning Protest; Florida Minister Now Says Imam Lied To Him.
--So Far, Americans Less Than Enthusiastic About 3D TV.
--Michelle Obama Holds First Every Dance-athon In White House East Room; Jetes, Pirouettes, Gravity Defying Leaps, Bumps And Grinds Blur Historic Stately Image Of Room Used For Treaty Signings.
--Disgruntled Female Worker Kills Two At Kraft Cookie Plant In Philly.

Back to More Stuff:
Why doctors don’t like me Department:
When finishing a strenuous athletic event I eat potato chips and drink diet coke to replenish my salt and electrolytes. When my blood sugar gets to low after exercise I eat dark chocolate M&M’s for a boost. When I tell the doctor of my medications, he turns slowly, walks toward a wall where he gently bounces his head in a rhythmic movement muttering. Not M&M’s…not M&M’s. Of course, what you all are really probably thinking – “He does exercise and strenuous athletic events?”

The biggest effects of the emerging, suffocating Nanny State may be in the ownership and sale of homes. Talk about Big Bro looking over your shoulder.

When I see pics of the Prez standing there with chin up and schnozz in the air, I can only think. “How much time does he spend each day trimming the hair in his nose?”

That “Yellow Line” Showing the first down mark during football contests costs $20,000 per football broadcast. At 16 games a week times sixteen weeks a season the cost of that helpful viewing aid is $5,120,000. For that you could hire 246 - $10/hour coffee shop baristas!

Speaking of spending money for who knows what, how about that government of ours. Since the oil spill, the admin has authorized spending $28 Million to hire and train more oil platform inspectors. maybe they could train baristas.

You may have seen that survey from the editors of Food Network Mag that gives us a list of the five top things chefs across the country hate to eat: Liver, Sea Urchin, Tofu, Eggplant and Oysters. I guess that qualifies me for Chef’s School. Chefs also say they never order chicken and pasta dishes when eating out because it is the most overpriced meal in restaurants. And…a bottle of wine in a typical restaurant costs 2 ½ times more than in a liquor store. I still like chicken and pasta.

RI Governor race Department:
Yesterday it was Caprio and Mesolilla. Today it is Caprio placing the proverbial head of a dead horse in Republican candidate Roubitaille’s bed! Yup, Caprio henchmen went to the GOP leading candidate saying, “We’ll give you anything you want to drop out of the race.” Now to me…that sounds a little like a third world country democracy. Caprio sounds more and more like what has put RI in a hole in the first place. Thuggery in government.

Remember in your school days when some kid was bad the whole class was punished and eventually everybody hated the kids who were in trouble all of the time. Today when something happens to one person or an industry, the ugly specter of abundant lawyers always looms, with the result having everybody paying for an isolated blunder In the form of new unnecessary government regulations. Maybe all of those bad kids grew up to be Lawyers.

While the media is over wrought about the Koran burning, I don’t seem to remember many of them in the 60’s/70‘s being too concerned when “Flag Burning” was a daily event among the emotional anti-war protestor sycophants.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 92 continues. –The trooper laughed slightly at my stupid little joke. “Have you noticed anything unusual?”
“I’m not sure, but a silver Volvo came up to my rear very fast, and just before you arrived I saw him turn right into the street where you turned around.” He took out his cell phone and pressed a speed button. “Send out another car,” I heard him start, “We’ll be looking for a silver Volvo…”, he turned to me, “You didn’t happen to get the license?” I told him I thought I saw a WRT followed by some numbers. “She says she thinks she saw WRT at the beginning of the license number.” I started thinking about the mission ahead of me as he finished talking. “Ok,” he said, “Lets go. I’ll follow you into Boston. I think things will be fine now.” I picked up my phone as he walked back to get started.
“Bill Claxton!”
“What’s going on?” I started. “What did Jack say about stopping the financing.”
“His first words were, ‘Have you been talking to Maggie?’.” “I told him no. That I had been talking to our legal department, and was there just to advise him. I felt badly lying to the boss, Maggie. I did. He paused for a minute. “I have to tell you that Jack seemed distant.”
“I’ll be there shortly. With a police escort, I chuckled. I think someone thinks I’m in danger.”
“Be careful boss.”
“Oh, I will. Oh I will…” Billy interrupted.
“Guess who just walked into the board room with Jack…Isabelle and that scientist you know.”

If you’re looking for people to love, look no further than the good folks in the Show Me state, Missouri. In 2008 90% of the voters passed an amendment to the state Constitution making English the official language. No individual has the right to demand a governemtn service in a language other than English (Makes sense – we are an English speaking nation). Also in 2008 a measure was passed requiring the Missouri Highway Patrol and other law people to verify the immigration status of any person arrested. Also, Illegal Immigrants in MO do not have access to taxpayer benefits like food stamps and health care. And all secondary institutions must certify annually that they have not knowingly awarded financial aid to students unlawfully present in the US.

There are a lot of pictures floating around the Internet showing Obama with other people near him saluting or placing their hands over their hearts while a flag passes ort the National Anthem is sung. While he stands with his hands at his side. Have you ever heard him explain his lack of courtesy to the American flag?

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--In the French Romantic Comedy “Heartbreaker” a man’s profession is breaking up bad couples – Daughter in love with loser; Sister negated to brute; Best friend dating a jerk. The heart breaker is Alex Lippi and he does his job through seduction! Could be funny.
--Resident Evil: Afterlife is probably better than it sounds. A woman named Alice finds survivors of a deadly virus that turns people into the undead. She leads them to safety, but when she gets to Los Angeles she finds a city overrun with thousands of the undead and she and her companions are about to enter a deadly trap. Sounds weird, but it is well done.

The Answer:
The driving force in the establishment of the new league that would challenge the older and stodgier NFL was Lamar Hunt. He owned the Kansas City Chiefs, the first entry. The other five were the NY Jets, Los Angeles (now San Diego Chargers), Dallas (Now Houston), Houston (Now Tenn) and Oakland.The three NFL teams that came over were Baltimore (Now Indy), Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

The End:
Have a great weekend everybody!

*But, it might be if cheerleading gets through.

Keep it simple.

Today's Tids Issue 2,200
Opening Stuff:

What do you think would happen if a space ship full of aliens landed on earth with the intent of destroying all humans, and the first thing they saw was a little puppy sitting there looking up at them with big brown eyes wagging its tail?

There are some things in this world that will always make your heart flutter and face light up in a great, humongous smile. Of course one is the little puppy with big brown eyes and a wagging tail. And then…of course…there’s the Bride looking beautiful, standing at the front of the church waiting to make that most important stroll. And the parents beaming in the front row. It always gets to me, I’ll tell you.

Good ole’ logic tells me that any sane taxpayer would vote against any candidate endorsed by any public employee’s Union.

I learned two things from the gulf oil spill: First, the Government should never force oil companies to drill at depths a mile below the surface. Second, the companies employ brilliant engineers and possess great technology which will enable them solve/fix any program without demagoguery from government officials.

The Question: Two Parter: 1. Off the top of your head give me five of what you consider the most famous naval ships and I’ll give you mine. 2. Which five states have the highest percentage of DWI highway deaths?

The Headlines:

--Yemen al-Qaida Branch Warns That Israel Action Against Iran Would Provoke Jihadist response Across The Globe.
--Philly Fed Consumer Confidence Index Lowest Since July 2009; Stocks Tumble 1%.
--New Jobless Claims Top 500m000 For First Time In 9 Months.
--Last Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq.
--Flood Aid Now Pouring Into Pakistan.
--New, Junior Senators Want To Change The Way the Senate Works; Younger Group Fed Up With What They See.


Back to More Stuff:
I’ve always been a big advocate of not paying for something that is readily available free. Like mowing your own where you can save twice by not hiring a lawn service and by not having to pay for exercise at a gym. And then of course there is water which comes out of taps and doesn’t have to be in plastic bottles that eventually mar the country side. Books are free at Libraries (Remember them?). Also free is basic software, cell phones with contracts, credit cards, tax preparation, DVD Rentals, checking accounts, shipping, News (Though I will balk here and buy a newspaper), Pets at pounds, and lots of personal financial assistance like credit reports or budgeting plans.

There is something that intrinsically bothers me about the idea of press releases from the CIA. And the idea that the press needs to know.

In the Dungy against Ryan flap, the press has to associate Dungy’s criticism with the phrase “He is a Christian”. Did it ever occur to these mindless observers that it may be better if people in society knew more than one universal adjective? And, Dungy sees this. Which brings me to HBO, a company that seems to think their TV fare is better because they can use the “F” word liberally. Like that some how that makes their stuff more authentic. Personally I think it’s sad. Like littering minds with trash. Who’s going to pick it up?

BTW, if you’re keeping score, Ryan’s mom called to wash out his mouth with soap. Rex said “Sorry Mom”. Maybe he should also add…thanks for your concern Tony.

Obama’s Foreclosure Act might be a decent idea if the Government was not involved in any way.

One of the disturbing aspects of this foreclosure problem is the use of Government approved services like Safeguard Properties who are employed to winterized abandoned properties. Many home owners and new buyers find that not only are they irresponsible (And inept) in the way they treat the homes, but that often fixtures and other personal property is found missing. A local real Estate company selecting a local plumber, engineering service would be safer and much…much faster.

Sometimes the dumbest joke makes me smile for a while…like this morning when cartoonist Wiley said “Before the wall there was China’s Great Velvet Rope”.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 89. –“Kent, maybe we should just go somewhere. Get lost. together.” Laura looked over at me. She seemed so soft. So vulnerable. I was looking at her differently all of a sudden, which was a bad idea since I was driving. A bad idea because we were not part of an idle incident we could walk away from. The human test body was good idea that is now approaching disaster because there are way too many people involved. Sarah would never have brought so many people on board. I looked again at Laura.
“Stay calm Laura. You are now free. But, you have to stay out of sight. I’ll get you a place in Keene New Hampshire. You’ll like it there and it is easy for me to get up there”. I didn’t expect I’ll be going that way much, but she needs to believe I care. My cell rang.
It was Izzy. As I picked it up I heard Laura mumbling, “you need a cooler ring tone.”
“Hi Iz…what…”
“Come in to see me now.”
“That’s it? Iz. No Hi Kent, hello Dr. Middleton.” Jeez, she could be annoying with her regal impression of herself. Like she thinks it was her ancestor who gave her jewels to finance Columbus. “I’m busy right now.” I didn’t show any more emotion.
“Ok. Get here as soon as you can. It’s Important.”
Laura looked over at me and actually smiled. “Maybe you would like to come to Keene with me!”
We both laughed. That’s odd.

Did you read where there is a bed bug infestation at theaters and other locations around Time’s Square the Big Apple? You thought it might have been fruit flies!

Memo to college freshman who have never seen a phone with a cord: Between 1941-45 the biggest industry in Newport RI employing 12,000 was the torpedo factory on Goat Island. With surrounding areas chock full of Victory Gardens. And air raid sirens going off on a regular nightly basis. Sometimes you can’t have everything you want.

Mexico Prez Calderone Loves to complain about American citizens while his own are living in severe fright or reeking terror through the streets and alleys of small villages and large cities. Last night police found the body of Edelmiro Cavazos, Mayor of Mexico’s 3rd largest and quite quaint tourist city Santiago. He was blatantly abducted from his own home by four SUV loads of drug Cartel killers. Maybe he should start emulating American’s concern for law and order.

What do you think a band of illegal aliens would say as crossed the border and saw a little puppy sitting there looking up at them with big brown eyes, wagging its tail? Dinner!. Sorry folks, it was in there.

The Answer: My list includes Providence (J.P. Jones), Constitution (Old Ironsides), Monitor & Merrimack (Break through Technology, USS Arizona (The Beginning), USS Missouri (And…The End) and USS Nautilus (First Nuke).[ A historian names the ten most historically significant ships of all times – Victoria (Magellan), Lusitania, Mayflower, Nina, Titanic, USS Arizona, USS Constituion, Noah’s Ark (!), Bismark and Yamato (The defeat of which for some marked the beginning of the end of WWII). 2. The highest DWI States are North Dakota (46%), Wyoming (42), Montana (40), Hawaii (39) and Rhode Island (38).

The Hope:
I sit here hoping that some day everybody will wake up and learn to understand the value of money again. Maybe it could start with a couple of “No’s” at the Wal-mart toy department or Apple iPod store.

Guilt and Shame

Today's Tids Issue 2,189
Opening Stuff:

I looked up synonyms for “diet” in my thesaurus, and found myself at words for loss.

It’s a good idea to continue keeping a cautious eye on the stock market. Remember this is still Summer, when volumes are low and the so-called “experts” are in the Hamptons or NE Islands and Capes. In addition, all of these good profit reports were mainly mixed on revenues. Will there be enough new cash flowing during this third quarter to keep the BL numbers positive in early October? October is the month! Mark that down.

I like this new Republican effort to repeal the segment of the 14th Amendment that allows illegal aliens who are stealing social services to create “anchor babies”. You will be hearing lots about this in the next two months. It’s one of those things that just makes sense. And it couldn’yt happen faster as far as I’m concerned.

The Question:
Two fading characteristics of modern society are shame and guilt. Too many people are so enabled or idolatrized that these two former safeguards against excess and irresponsibility are vanishing before our naïve eyes. But there is a difference between shame and guilt. What is it?

The Headlines:
--Ahmadinejad Unhurt In Blast Near Presidential Motorcade; Gov Officials Say Blast Just “Fireworks”; EeeeeHah!
--Oil Well Plugged; 75% of Spilled Oil Gone.
--Fired Manchester CT Man Kills 8 Fellow Employees; Blames It OIn race; Company Says He Was Stealing Beer From Company, A beer Distributor.
--Another Incumbent Falls; The November 2 “Take Out The Trash” day Rumbles On.
--Service Sector Jobs Show Increase In July.
--US Stocks Show Life On So-So Data.

Back to More Stuff:

More good photo’s are ruined when the “Time/Date Stamp” is inadvertently turned on.

The demise of “shame” is directly correlated to the rise in publicists.

You may have seen the chart that shows the % of business people in presidential cabinets and other key offices. The chart shows 0-Man at 9% versus othe r presidents – T. Roosevelt - 38%, Taft - 40%, Wilson - 52%, Harding - 49%, Coolidge - 48%, Hoover - 42%, FDR - 50%, Truman - 50%, Eisenhower - 57%, Kennedy - 30%, LBJ - 47%, Nixon - 53% , Ford - 42%, Carter - 32%, Reagan - 56%, GHWB - 51%, Clinton - 39% and GWB - 55%. Obviously this chart clearly shows the lack of experience in the real world by people in charge of telling us our real world should operate. However, I never just report findings such as these, but most to the time do additional research as to the validity. In this case I found many stories with the same numbers and one 0-Man fan disputing them. He came up with 68% private sector for Prime Time. He did this by including a couple of early career lawyers, a lot of lobbyists and heads of not for profit quasi-governmental agencies. So, I guess the 0-Man supporter has proven what all of us fear – The 0-Admin knows big government.

There is a distinct possibility that fresh hot off the griddle versions of Tids in the morning will be missing the next few days as I take a little time off. This means that TTSE will be back next Monday when I return for sure. As we begin the drive to an exciting, unexpected an tearful ending. I can hardly wait to see how it ends myself!

I would define "amorailty" as the absense of shame and guilt.

Any purposeful misuse of words to produce dry humor is purely pun-intentional.

The more a government spends, the more the citizens become reliant on the government.

Is August over yet?

The Answer:
The main difference between guilt and shame can be characterized by the two phrases “What I did” versus “Who I am” Shame is more often the emotional reaction to guilt. Guilt may be described feeling responsible for actions we regret. Shame on the other hand may be defined as a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming or impropriety. Shame is a much stronger more profound emotion than guilt and can be quite destructive. Of course severe guilt over matters out of our control is also very destructive. A book could be written just about these two words. And many novels often are.

The End:
But, then I may feel guilty and a little ashamed, and start writing the Tids anyhow. You never know when an addiction is going to jump up and grab you.

Do you ever think that illegal aliens feel guilty when the US Government reaches deep inside your wallet to give them a check?

It's a camouflage world.

Today's Tids Issue 2,188
Opening Stuff:

I was thinking this morning…You know how it has become popular to embed news people within the ranks of the military as they bravely try to fight wars against people who really want to kill them. And how the soldiers and their leaders have to spend too much time worrying about how what they do may be looked upon on the Tube or in print. So…why not have the press embedded in the families of Congress people as they go one their extended summer breaks. Think of all the great stuff we could get for the Tids.

World out of Whack Department:
(Or is it “Whacky World” department?) When you adjust for inflation, it would cost $159 million 2009 dollars to build the titanic. It cost over $200 million in 2009 dollars to make the movie about the titanic.

The Question:
Give me twelve good reasons to continue eating fattening foods laden with rich creamy gravy.

The Headlines:
--Tropical Storm Colin Forms In Atlantic; Could Follow Atlantic Coast track.
--Senate To Start Kagan Debate Today.
--Six Teens Drown After Stepping From Wade-able Shallows Into 20 Foot Chasm In Louisiana’s Red River; Non-Swimming Adults Watch Helplessly as Non-Swimming Teens Die.
--Market Enters Mystery Day; Bulls Not Sure Whether To Take Profits Of Keep Mo Going.
--State Workers Having to Work Longer To Collect massive Pensions.

Back to More Stuff:

A reader remarked that the Tids editor has a unique ability to write long paragraphs well about nothing. Is that good or bad?

I have a new game …one that allows you to fully understand the meaning of politically related statements. It’s easy. All you do is type out the latest statement about anything from the White House or Congress, and then add the words “For the elections”. It’s fun kids, and it puts everything in perspective. For instance, here’s how the big headline in the morning paper would read: “Obama: US Troop withdrawal from Iraq right on schedule”…”For the elections”. It’s fun and it reminds you that you won’t really know anything factual until after November 3.

I will never watch any TV program that thinks it is a good idea to promote the characters of “Jersey Shore”.

Somebody…anybody…please tell me why it is a good idea to waste time and money talking about giving Billy The Kid a pardon. Does that make him less of a ruthless murderer? Actually it is a lot like the authorities claiming justice by getting Charlie Sheehan to plea to a lesser misdemeanor and wave more severe charges. Does that make him any less of a woman abuser or general all around out of control ass hole?

Yesterday I mentioned a series of today’s trendy popular songsters of whom I had never heard or even having seen their names. And, then last night I read that Mitch Miller, host of the highly successful Sing Along With Mitch TV program (Bouncing ball and all), died at 100. His was a program about songs with melodies and cornball lyrics where people actually sat in their living rooms and sang with Mitch and his chorus. You’d have to wonder what today’s kids would think about that. What they would think of the older people who actually enjoyed watching it. Maybe they’d find “Sunny Side of the Street” more enjoyable than “Murder Yo Hoe”. Maybe.

You have to love the sympathizers of the disadvantaged who are condemning new financial regs that make it harder for those who can’t pay to get loans. Have they looked at the bloodshed across the country lately? At the disadvantaged who are far more disadvantaged today as they wallow in the aftermath of bad loans. Whatever happened to renting and saving?

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 87 continues. –I could tell that Kent still loves me deeply. But, for the first time he appeared conflicted. Then, I was unsure of myself when I walked in. Conflicted myself. And as much as I wanted not to feel his presence, I felt it more than ever. Is it because I believe it, us, me and Kent, is nearing an end, and I could never imagine life without knowing he would be there. And I want us to be together more than ever even as I learn more about Kent’s possible implications in something very big and very dirty at BiEm.
I closed the door of Marie’s and stepped down to the parking lot, still thinking about Kent and I running to some glorious place. Nothing makes sense. Why would I even think of leaving Paul and the children? But, I do freely. Is deep love such a master? Is it deep love or the pure joy of sex? Or is it just illicit sex? Am I that much in need beyond something that is entirely correct and beautiful? I have it all, don’t I?
I saw a movement as I walked around the back of my car to the driver’s side. It was just a green Chevy pulling out from the rear of Marie’s. I looked at the driver. Did he look away from me? I don’t remember him as one of the four people in the small room. I quickly looked away and opened my purse to fish out my keys. I think I have seen that Chevy before. Things that don’t belong stand out in small towns.
Does Marie think that Kent and I don’t belong enjoying each other in her place?
I started the car, backed up and entered slowly onto Main Street. Then I gunned it and sped off. I didn’t turn around to look but looked in the rear view mirror. I didn’t see the car enter the road from Marie’s parking lot. Maybe it was my imagination.

Some guy on early morning radio (Really early morning) said that we need these illegal immigrants because they will be the basis of our taxes going forward. In other words, he was saying that to maintain our leadership position in the economic world we need to have lots of Mexicans sneaking in to provide tax money for future bloated governments in say 2050…when whites will most certainly be a minority. Pew Research projects the Hispanic population to be 29% (Now 14%) by 2050. The rest: Whites 47% (67%), Black 13% (13%), Asian 9% (5%) and Foreign Born 19% (12%).

Frankly, I’m a little surprised at the low number of Asians. Oh, wait a minute, they’re coming in legitimately.

It’s not hard to believe that while congress was messing around trying to come up with regulations for credit cards, credit card companies were getting creative with new ways to entrap consumers into new schemes. Politicians will do anything to get elected and businesses will do what it takes to keep the money rolling in. It is just a basic law of nature.

The Answer:
According to “Consumer Reports”, 12 so-called dietary supplements many with the label “Natural” are contaminated and can cause liver and kidney damage, heart rhythm disorders and unhealthy blood pressure levels…and cancer. This is not a good thing. The dirty dozen are aconite, bitter orange, chaparral, colloidal silver, coltsfoot, comfrey, country mallow, germanium, greater celandine, kava, lobelia and yohimbe. Make that a Big Mac and large fries please.

The End:
I just hope the Tids turn out to be better than August. That’s not asking for too much, is it?

New economic model: Big Weddings.

Today's Tids Issue 2,186
Opening Stuff:

What did the zero say to the eight? “Nice belt!”

The opening day of NFL training is for sports nuts what Christmas Eve is for kids. It’s all about hope and nothing about reality.

When the Tids Editorial board decided to dub the new President “Prime Time”, little did they know that he could also be known as “Daytime”, “Night Time” and “Good Time”. And of course now, many say it should be “Time to go”.

We need some kind of a new economic engine. The great depression ended with the start of the war effort. We had home building for the post war baby Boom. We've had dot coms. And of course we had the misguided attempt to make homes available for all, even if they couldn't afford it. Hey... how about government subsidized up-to-a-million-dollar weddings for all.
The Question:
Groups of animals are not just all called herds. In fact they have some pretty strange designations. Give me the group names for the following animals: Cats, Coyote, Rabbits, Clams, Crows, Crocodiles, Elephants, Foxes, Gnus, Giraffes, Hummingbirds and Rhinos. Friday Bonus Q: Today marks the 50th anniversary fo the first exhibition football game of the American Football League (AFL now AFC) Name the two participants.

The Headlines:
--GDP Reports Out Today Likely To Show Economic Slowdown In July.
--Government Admits recession Deeper Than Previously Thought; 2.6% Economic Shrinkage Said To Be Worst declein Since 1946.
--China Overtakes Japan As World's Second Largest Economy; Is US Next?
--Ellen Rumored To be Out At American Idol; Jennifer Lopez Top Candidate.
--Gates Calls Release Of Secret War Docs Potentially Treasonous Acts.
--July Deadliest Month For US Troops In Afghanistan After Nine Years Of War.
--Head Of Mexico’s Largest Drug Cartel Killed.
--Rangel Charged; Congressional Trial Likely To be Campaign Season Sideshow The Dems Don’t Want.
--Wild Fires Explode North Of LA; Thousands Flee Homes.
--Calcium Supplements Linked To heart Attacks In Elderly Women.

Back to More Stuff:

You hear a lot of groaning about the weakness of TV lineups this summer. (Including my own) But within the cable network schedules are some real winners. Of course Mad Men is a favorite of many. As is Closer and HBO standards Entourage and True Blood. And there are plenty more. USA’s Burn Notice, Hot in Cleveland (Betty White Show), The Gates (Another attempt at scary – See 2009 Harper’s Island), Scoundrals (Family of small time crooks), Memphis Beat and Boston Med. Boston Med has become a fast favorite of many. (One new show Good Guys with Tom Hanks kid may be the worst show eve brought to TV.) But…Rubicon (On AMC) is the show I may have been waiting for all summer. Mainly because the program promotion relies heavily on the word “Conspiracy”. I’m ready for Sunday at 8:00PM!

Henny Youngman upon finishing golf said, “I hit two good balls today.” I stepped on a rake.” Ouch.

I see no reason why Kerry should pay up to Massachusetts. He was perfectly legal keeping his boat in Newport, Rhode Island. And besides…as any sailor worth their salt knows…the best sailing in the world is off the coast of Newport.

An observant reader writes to ask why I didn’t combine this question: "What will the people do when they get bored with YouTube?" with the Tids from the other day featuring "Stupid is as stupid does". It would have reminded me, he says, that the answer to the question would be: The stupid people will never get bored with YouTube.

Another respected reader wrote to inform me that immigrants sneaking into the US isn’t technically a crime, because sneaking into the US to suck money out of the Treasury isn’t a prosecutable action. It is only a deportable action. But is just plain wrong and if allowed to continue will lead to chaos. So, we can’t prosecute them. They doesn’t explain why we aren’t rounding them up and deporting them.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 86 continues. –I just sat there a moment and looked at him. The fast fading, false sense of bravado was leaving me flat. My resolve to return to my life of six months ago was dissolving with each beat of my loving heart. I tried to think of my children, but I only saw Kent’s imploring eyes. I tried recapture last night in bed with Paul, but I was overcome with my yearning for Kent. What do you want me to do Kent I said silently to myself? Do you want me to abet in whatever you are involved?
Kent looked over towards Marie and then reached across the table and caressed my hand. Which opened warmly to receive him. He smiled incredibly lovingly. “I want to take you home right now. I want to fly away with you to a place where we will never be found.” He was imploring me to understand something I couldn’t see. Something untold. He didn’t have to worry, I would. “I should have not asked you here tonight. I thought I could just talk and then leave quietly.” He looked sad. Not in control. Like he always was. Like I always am.
“You’re leaving,” I said plaintively. Weakly.
“But, Sarah/Maggie, this very moment has made me know that I am totally in love with you. You deserve to have your own beautiful life back. And I could let you do that because my love is so great that I want you to be happy most of all. Wherever you go you would always have my heart with you. But my happiest life would only be one where you are always by my side.”
I felt stunned. Yet entirely rapturous. I couldn’t speak. I could only look into those eyes that saw the world and loved the world the way I do.
“I have to leave. Believe me Sarah/Maggie, I want to be with you forever.”
He squeezed my hand. I felt his love to the core of my body. I couldn’t say a word. My eyes must have said it, because his smile was the perfect response to my state of exotic luxury. He got up and left. He didn’t finish his pie. He always finished his pie.

Hey, the Clintons can spend their money any way they want. After all, this couple who never had the chance to participate in the American dream of owning their own home until 2000, deserve to spend wildly like any good American. And, if they can manage to put it on their credit card, good for them. Keep the irresponsible spirit alive in well in the world’s greatest economy.

The Clintons didn’t invite the Prez and wife Sleeveless because they wanted the wedding to personal for their daughter. Now in my lifetime I have seen the marriage of many Presidential daughters and I have never seen $2-3 Million dollar affairs, closing of NY Hudson River area airways for about 16 hours or a steady stream of major publicity about private and personal wedding. I wonder how much money the Clintons will make on their book about the wedding.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Charlie St. Cloud is really a vehicle for the career path growth of teen fave Zac Efron. He actually doesn’t do so well in this film that often struggles. But, it may be interesting. Zac plays a super high school sailor who gets a scholarship to Stanford. And then, something goes terribly wrong. He becomes a recluse living in an out of the way cottage as a caretaker of a cemetery. But, he is eventually saved from is own torments. What happened and who will save him. That is the question.
--Dinner for Schmucks sounds terrible but could be very entertaining. The latest Steve Carell vehicle also stars Paul Rudd. (So many of the Carell movies have been mediocre it is hard to start believing again). This one is good and quite funny. The essence of the plot is about Rudd a career hungry young exec and a bumbler Carell. The big event is where young execs look for losers to bring to a big corporate dinner so the rest of the high powered crowd can laugh at them. But something happens along the way.
--Cats & Dogs is a not so funny sequel. It tries to be a “Roadrunner” style cartoon but the antics just doesn’t measure up. It is a hodgepodge that amay amuse those with half a brain or under the age of three.
--The opening line of the review for The Kids Are Alright says it is a perceptive, funny, tearful, dramatic, offbeat look at the American family today. Offbeat is the operative word as the family is headed by two lesbian parents each with an artificially inseminated child. The oldest child at 18 decided to find dad, and that’s where the gnashing of teeth begins. Dad turns out to be a free-spirited, marginally irresponsible, motor cycle riding owner of a restaurant called Local Food. Obviously the kid gravitates to dad, much to the dismay of mom and mom II. But I guess what really bothers me about this movie is that dad raises organic vegetables for his restaurant. God, how clichéd can a movie be?

The Answer:
Cats – Clowder or Pounce; Coyote – Pack or Train; Rabbits – Warren; Clams – Bed; Crows – Murder; Crocodiles – Congregation or Float; Elephants – Parade; Foxes – Skulk; Gnus – Implausibility; Hummingbirds – Charm; Giraffes – Kaleidoscope, Journey or Troop; Rhinos – Crash.
Check em’ all out at http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/collectives.htm (That is if you have npo life); Bonus: The 1st two teams from the old AFL to have a go at it were the Boston Patriots and Buffalo Bills. The Pats won.

The Beginning of the Weekend: 
Maybe the newest reality show for next summer will be about a wedding and will be called Chelsea. Sounds like a distinct possibility to me.

It's going to be perfect weather in the east. It will be perfect down here if all of the tourists and day trippers to enjoy the weather in there back yards.

Love your day!