When is logic not logic?

Today's Tids Issue 2,601

Opening Stuff:

An analyst has gone through a multitude of President Obama speeches on business and comes away with a distinct impression that in his heart, the President truly believes that all of the Free Enterprise success for US business has been due the Government. "O" cites, for example, the importance of DARPA (Defense Advanced Projects Agency) and the resultant invention of the Internet as the reason Microsoft exists today. Of course, Microsoft began developing software to run computers, before the Internet came to life and has built it's business upon developments in software to run computers. Not developing software for the Internet per se. Government agencies like DARPA actually do facilitate what businesses have been doing for years before it's inception -- performing basic research for their own product development and often at the request of the Government for defense of other operational needs. DARPA was a good idea for focusing research projects. But then, the more the Government adds dollar sucking regulations, the less money companies have for basic research. So, the government does have the power to destroy business. So, Obama is right to a degree -- if the government leaves business alone, then the government would be responsible for businesses flourishing!

So today on the eve of the national deficit sized IPO, the big argument is -- will FaceBook just be another passing fad in a throw-away society, or will be be the glue that holds nations together? If there never was a FaceBook, would the world's people ever feel they are missing something? Is there any earthly reason that I need to use FaceBook, other than to have my personal information collected and disseminated or giving up my privacy to the world? Sounds like fun.

Placing a Koran in a toilet is a hate crime; Placing crucifix in a jar of urine is conceptual art.

The Question:
What do workers consider the biggest wastes of time in their offices. Bonus: Who is the only person to have won  NBA MVP, NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Executive of the Year Awards?

The Headlines:
--New Jobless Claims Steady At 370,000; Stock Futures Edge Lower.
--Iran Founts UN Sanctions; Sends Arms To Syria.
--Romney Raises Over $40 Million In April.
--Edwards Lawyers Abruptly End Defense.
--Bobby Kennedy Jr. Wife Said To Have Hung Herself; Maid Found Her In Garage.
--NBA: Celts, Thunder Win; NHL: Devils Even Series With Rangers.
--World Wild Life Fund: Has Man Outgrown Earth? Yikes.
--Flash: This Just In. Stop The Presses -- Purple, Red And Yellow Wiggles Leave Aussie Band!; Stock Market Stunned; UN To Hold Special Session Of Security Council.

American Idol: I have to tell you, I turned off the TV before Phillip's last song, figuring it would be more of the same. But, I clicked back on to go to the Red Sox game and there he was showing a lot more than he has. I had him being axed, mainly becasue Jessica and Joshua were better last night, to me. Although I thought Jessica was sluggish at times and nowhere near as fantastic as the fawning judges thought. So where are we? Phillip has the cute guy voted locked up and helped himself with the last song. Is Jessica the one to go or will the voters get it right for a change? This could easily be a Ledet-Phillips sing-off. Personally, I would have enjoyed a final three of Colton, Skylar and Holly, with Colton and Skylar in the final two.

Many years ago I looked through all of the available cook books (Well, maybe not all) to learn the correct way to grill fresh fish. To a book, the preferred method was olive oil, salt and black pepper. And I have to say I still love it best that way, although I do throw a piece of butter on after grilling. And yes I do love schrod with lobster sauce and bluefish with Bearnaise sauce. I have a little topping I put on salmon for others which is well received -- crushed pecans, honey, dark mustard and a dash of white wine. Also, I think it a good idea to douse fish with lemon before any other preparation. I'm sure you have many of your own, and chefs are certainly going crazier with toppings these days. But, I'll take plain w/butter to best taste the fish.

Please, could we stop using the phrase "Kennedy Curse"?  The curse of the Kennedy's is that average people have to be subjected to everything they do, and the rationalization by the media that it's not their fault.
That said, I feel bad for Mary Richardson Kennedy.

I'm rooting for the Jersey Devils over the Rangers becasue my Brother-in-Law Likes them, and he's a good guy.

Whitewash America Department:
Maybe the real 17 year plague isn't the locusts, but Atheists arising to to take down historic icons that happen to have something religious in them.

As one guy said about Facebook: "If I wanted to have some friends from my past, I would have written them long ago and made an effort to get together."

The Answer:
1. In a Salary.com study, 47% said Meetings was the biggest workplace time drain. Next was "Waiting for a co-worker to finish something you need" followed by "Fixing someone else's work" and "Dealing with office Politics". Bonus: The Great Larry Bird is the man to have won all three honors. Number 33 wins!

We live in a Reality Show world that seems to be drifting away from realism. People question the word is or the, when the totality of information is already quite clear. Some freely alter truths of long standing. People are fond of saying "It is what it is." In fact, many are trying to say, "What you see or know isn't". When candidates lie, "It's just politics". When people lie, especially to politicians, it's serious jail time. That's why so many people are sanding on corners mumbling to themselves: "Did an alien spaceship come in the middle of the night and take me to another planet?"

Go figure Department:
Under Cheney, Seal Team Six were a ring of assassins. Under Obama, Seal Team Six is a Band of Brothers.

Standing behind me.

Today's Tids Issue 2,281

Opening Stuff:

I have found over the years that having a person you can rely upon for strength in difficult times is one of the most precious treasures of life.

Where was the bombastic Rep Steve Cohen when the White House issued a report saying there are 129 Million Americans under 65 with pre-existing conditions. Talk about seeding a big lie! Or at least the biggest slight of hand trick of the decade. Of course this is just one more of those statistical manipulation games. The number may correct but irrelevant to reality. It covers people who have been diagnosed with problems like arthritis and others. But the problems have never led to somebody being denied for coverage.

Hopefully you figured out that when I mistakenly wrote yesterday, "Most liberal scientists", I really meant most liberal senators: Unless you thought I meant most liberal political scientists. Actually, as far as I can determine all Pol Sci's are progressives as they are always liberalizing the truth in favor of their candidates. I mean...that is the art!

The Question:
Who do you think are the Fifteen Top Companies to work for in 2011.

The Headlines:

--Gidffords Leaves Hospital For rehab Sting.
--BoA Reports Big Loss On Mortgage Problems.
--0-Man Names GE's Immelt EcoMan.
--New Obama Poll Says People Are Buying The man But Not The Progress.
--Risky So. Korea Raid Saves Ship Crew From Somali Pirates.
--Newport Art Museum Cancels Lecture On Wyeths As Speaker Is Snowbound In Maine.

Back to More Stuff:
A 1922 AP Report in the Washington Post said, "...that the Arctic Ocean is warming up, icebergs are growing scarcer and in some places the seals are finding the water too hot. The Commerce Department added that reports from fishermen, seal hunters and explorers all point to a radical change in climate conditions and hitherto unheard-of temperatures in the Arctic zone." It went on to talk about the absence of white fish and seals and described disappearing glaciers. It finished by saying, "Within a few years it is predicted that due to the ice melt the sea will rise and make most coastal cities uninhabitable." I wonder what the Governemtn was selling in 1922?

I just got an email that said "A friend just sent you $1,000." I don't have nay friends who would send me a $1,000.

After hearing Chafee's call for advertisers to boycott talk radio, I'm starting to think, Lincoln Chavez? Come to think of it, Chafee-Lite does seem to have some dictator type qualities.

3D is not worth the extra money, and wearing the glasses adds to the discomfort. The technology adds nothing ot the enjoyment of the movie and in many cases detracts from it as the director adds unnecessary special effects. Paying a lot for 3D Televisions is not even on my radar screen or long range list to Santa.

Almost Near: Chapter 2 Continues. --The door opened and Samantha stood staring at her favorite relative. She looked older but still had that spunky look in her eyes. Her hair was simply styled, straight and coarse with a part on the left side. It was now a nice heavy gray instead of the dark blond she had remembered.. She wore her usual jeans with a checked shirt. She stood tall as always, but her legs looked weaker. "Who the hell are you", Ginny burst forth in that raspy voice so familiar to Samantha.
Samantha stepped back. Her mouth opened. Ginny stared back. Then she laughed hard. "Why you old goat, I'm your beloved favorite niece Samantha Jergans."
"Niece?" "I have a niece?" Ginny responded with no emotion.
"Of course Aunt Ginny. And it is me. Remember how much I loved this porch?" Samantha turned and waved her hand. "Remember how I used jump up and down in the upstairs bedroom, and you would yell, 'Samantha, you sound like a god dammed elephant up there.' Remember how I Loved your chocolate cream pie with Graham Cracker crust?" Ginny just stared blankly. "And you always said you'd have one ready for me any time I came to see you?"
"I don't remember any of that crap...What'd you say your name was.?"
Samantha felt tears running down her cheeks. She felt her body begin to tremble. She turned and ran down the steps. Falling half way down and rolling the rest of the way, through the dying tulips til she hit bottom She lay on her stomach and felt the waves of heaving sobs come over her.
Above, Ginny stood there stonily. Unflinching. She stepped back. Pulled the door. "What the hell was that all about." the door slammed. Shut.

Harmony on MLK Day department:
--At a downtown MLK rally in Columbia SC Monday the NAACP covered the large statue of George Washington (Remember him?) in the Public Square where the gathering was held saying, "We don't want to offend anybody." Excuse me-- "Father of our Country"!
--And up in Maine the new Governor upon hearing complaints by the NAACP because he wouldn't attend any of their functions replied, "Kiss my butt." He went on to say that he does not cater to any special interest, and that the NAACP is exactly that. He added, "My son is black."

The big Blizzard of Lawsuits facing NYC due to no response from life saving services may boil down to whether or not the Union was in a work slow down protest. Think of the ramifications if that could be proven! this is big. a Immunity

I see where last night's State dinner observers were blown away by Mrs. 0's dress. As, they said, were most of the attendees. President Hu was over heard saying, "Hey wait a minute I thought I was supposed to be the star. I should have wore my red dragon outfit." He never smiled.as he dug into his Rib Eye.

Green Hornet is a better movie than many critics would lead you to believe. It feels a little goofy in the beginning, but it grows on you.

How many celebrity losers these days are described as "Reality Stars"?

When your car is repossessed, do you call an exorcist?

The Kennedy publicity machine keeps pushing out the information despite the fact that there aren't any Kennedy's left worth publicizing.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The big one today is No Strings Attached starring Austin Kucher and Natalie.Portman. It si better than average romantic comedy about a very bright woman who is very emotionless and A guy madly in love with her try to get beyond her icy barriers. It works well.

The Answer:
#1 is SAS with many great perks from childcare to car cleaning. Most are in the top group because of pleasant extras: 2-15 are Boston Consulting, Wegman's Food, Google, NetApp, Zappos, Cmaden Property Trust, Nugget Market, Recreational Equipment, Dreamworks Animation, Edward Jones, Scotttrade, Alston & Bird, Robert W. Baird and Mercedes Benz USA. Of course there are many small companies who learn about the perks of the Bigs and try to emulate them with solid employee bennies. So, don't read lists, ask around.


The End:
A little late this morn, but had to deal with a major catastrophe on another project in which I am involved. It was one of those deer in the headlights moments when you realize how great it is knowing you are not alone in this world. Write a friend today.