Statue under repair.

Today's Tids Issue 2,510

Opening Stuff:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; Only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; Only love can do that." --Martin Luther King Jr.

A morning of soft Bach is worth 5 blood pressure pills.

A morning with no politics is worth 10.

The conviction and sentencing of a Newport Woman, Elizabeth Baldwin, for Investment fraud is a reminder that she in fact represents the absolutely worst kind of criminal. One who belies trust. Not unlike a sexual predator adult who takes advantage of an innocent child. Amoral to the core. She, who would look investor customers in the eye while they told her of how they were mortgaging their homes, raiding the kids college funds to take advantage of her promises. She a "socialite", who's life style was built upon the backs of average working families and her "dear" friends, many who are now broke, without homes wondering where their future had gone. Capital-ism punishment?

The Question:
Define the following words -- Coffee, Willy-Nilly, flabbergasted, Flatulence, Pokemon, Freisbeetarianism.

The Headlines:

--Huntsman Out; Will Shift supporters To Romeny.
--America Remembers MLK Jr.
--Bodies Still being Found In Hull Of sunken Cruise Liner; Cowardly Captain In Big Trouble; Ship 2 1/2 Miles Off Course.
--Choppy Trading Expected Today.
--Now Prez And Congress Have to Figure Out How To Pay For Contribution To SS Cut; Prez Wants To raise Airline Fees(?); Ideas Range From Cutting Corp Jet Tax Breaks To Dumping Surplus Gov Stuff On Ebay.
--Iraq Bombings Continue.
--AlQaida Captures Town South Of Yemen Capital.

From the latest in the ongoing harangue about fat Americans I read that in the 1970's the obesity rate was 14% while now it is 34%. That seems to parallel the corporate growth of Dunkin Donuts. Yes, to paraphrase their slogan, "America waddles on Dunkin Donuts".

I grew old with Margaret O'Brien, but she never knew it.

In my pre-game Prep Saturday, I went to the cupboard to get some popcorn. I pulled out two boxes. One said, "Paul Newman's Organic, 94% Fat Free, Unsalted, No Partially Hydrogenated Shortening". The second box said, "Orville Reddenbacher's Butter." Which box do you think I picked?

Why do I think that going on a dinner date with a nutritionist would be like going to another job?

Well, the old cliche "Defense wins Championships" ain't dead yet. Two really high powered offensive teams, NO and GB, lost to better defenses and a third defense dominated team Baltimore also moved into the final four. NE looked like an all-world defense Saturday night, but this was against a one dimensional offense, so the fans will have to wait til next week to see if the improvement is really there. We lost Brees and Rogers, but still have an excellent final four with the San Fran, NY Giants and Balt/NE games. TV execs should be happy. And the world needs happy TV execs.

Also over the weekend was the latest in the Celebs fawning over each other award ceremonies, which are becoming as monotonous as the GOP Debates. Hollywood was aghast that the really awful Bridesmaids movie didn't get the best of nod, but to me the omission suggested that perhaps there was a bit of sanity remaining Glitterville. However, everybody seemed elated that the overrated Descendants and its star got awards for best Drama film and best actor -- which seemed more like a longevity award for Clooney. Streep won for Iron Lady and The Artist won Best Pic. I'm betting that's the way Oscar will go too, so I'm DVR'ing some old episodes of "Chuck" for that evening.

Ok, everybody who thinks John Edwards is really sick raise their hand.

Political Ploy Department:
Anybody who doesn't think that Obama is running against the Congress just has to look at his announcement last week about seeking powers to cut the size of government. (A long time Conservative, or should I say Sane, position.) What this really does of course is to force conservatives to join him in his grand plans for America, or if they resist be branded as obstructionists. That's the formula now...isn't it? If I were Congress, I would say great, we'll give you power, but the EPA and energy departments have to go. This could be one of the great new battles.

Spring is just around the corner -- I just sent in a check for my Golf League! And I'm just getting started skiing! Ain't life grand.

"Subway" has lowered the bar for the Great American sandwich.

It appears that John Edwards will be employing the Providence Mafia defense -- wheel into court on a gurney with hanging drip bags.

Finally some statistics that verify the Tids solid reporting by the Economics Editor that Manufacturing is not the salvation for jobs recovery. Manufacturing jobs are down from 30% of all jobs in 1950 to about 9% today. Yet, factory output is way up and so is productivity. It's the old formula, when output goes up in times of declining jobs productivity soars. Manufacturers are finding was to produce without people. So all this talk about bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US will result in lots of job losses overseas in third world countries but minimal job additions here. There is also talk about bringing back "call-center jobs" using new technology, but they are lower wage jobs in the $10/hr area as opposed to the manufacturing jobs in the $20+/hr that produced the great American middle class. I'm sorry to be negative, but that 's the way it works. Bringing back "Made in a America" is a great feel-good slogan, but I'm afraid the grassy suburban neighborhoods of your will be populated by advanced, intelligent machinery.

I read where some celebs paid lots of dough to look great on the Golden Globe Red Carpet. In fact one wore $5 Million with a capital M in jewelry and dress. $5 Million and she didn't look as good as a lot of women I know wearing Fleece and jeans. I don't get it. Really. America's economy is based on people buying over priced stuff they don't need. And that includes everything fro $10 dollar hotdogs at sports events to designer clothing.

Almost Near: Chapter 57 continues. --Audrey nudged closer to the older policeman as Tucker joined them. She watched him closely, his calm, his shift into charismatic mode. "What's all the excitement?" He put his arm around Audrey in a mock hero to the rescue gesture.
The policeman looked at Audrey for a clue. "We're lookin' for someone", was all he said.
"You know that Audrey here," he squeezed her, "is one of the great investigative reporters for the Little Rock Gazette."
"Have you been drinking again," she glared. "You sound a little more weird than ever."
The policeman scratched his head. "We have work to do." Audrey didn't want to leave the group.
The policeman ignored her and Tucker as the other, brusk cop turned back towards the old policeman. "Nothing here." Tucker started moving away now. The first guy stared after him as he moved down the hallway to the back of the bar. "You know that guy lady?"
"Yeah, he's my date."
"I hope you aren't as rough on him as you were with me." all of a sudden this guy seemed human."
"She's an ace reporter from the big city. Know's that John Barton. Why'd you ask if Barton sent us?"

The Answer:
Of course, I'm looking for alternative humorous answers: Coffee - The person upon whom one coughs; Willy-Nilly - Impotent; , Flabbergasted - Appalled over how much weight you have gained; Flatulence - Emergency vehicle that picks you up after you have been run oer by a steam roller; Pokemon - A Rastafarian proctologist; Frisbeetarianism - The belief that when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof where it gets stuck in the gutter. Thanks to the expansive mind of a Pennsylvania reader.

I was going to end the Tids this Morning with some funny lines from the Golden Globes. But, I couldn't find any.

Scary reality.

Today's Tids Issue 2083

Opening Stuff:

It may see like an odd analogy, but love is a lot like a dog whistle that only dogs can hear. Don't laugh. Lovers see in each other little things that only each of them can see, feel, enjoy. Yeah, I guess it is a stretch.

Running as the Vice-Presidential candidate in 1968, Air Force General Curtis LeMay said, "There are only two four-letter words that hippies don't know: Work and Soap."

I think 0-man's selection of Jeffery Immelt for Jobs Czar and his current new focus on jobs and big business is a very good political move. Let's face it, he made some cursory "Jobs" promises last year but promises he knew he could never keep.He never did anything to support the promises. If he had over promised in a sluggish economy that would give him no chance for success he would have looked the fool (Well, more foolish). So, maybe he was smart or maybe he is simply a big government guy who really thought that Gov can create jobs. But now, it's a different story. We are far enough along where the chance of the economy getting stronger during the next two years is very good. Frankly, he can probably do nothing and the job outlook would improve. Because a perfect economic storm of higher consumer confidence, business investment, more active lending and a world economy that just upped its yearly growth forecast to 4.5% is not only on the horizon, it is happening today. Tonight he will attach his name to business and jobs and an economy that is most definitely picking up steam. And he will take credit for everything that happens. And the people will forget about is inaction last year and the media will never report it. He will be praised. It's just the way it is. Think about that if you decide to watch the SoU Address.

Is remembering a club recruiting campaign?

The Question:  

One of the most competitive arenas in TV advertising lately is that for Property/Casualty Insurance. Name five companies you have seen regularly hawking their wares and which commercials do you like best and dislike most.

The Headlines:

--Toyota Remains As #1 Car Maker In World; GM Closing In Fast.
--House Prices Fall Again In December.
--Wall Street Analyzing Earnings Reports; Could Slow Today's Anticipated Surge To 12,000.
--"Kings Speech" Leads The Way With 12 Oscar Nominations; Most Of the Nominees Already Feted In Previous Barrage Of Awards Shows.
--Candidate Of Iranian Backed Hezbollah To Form New Lebanon Government.
--Rom Emanuel Mayor Bid Nixed By Court.
--Jesse Ventura Sues Dept. Of Homeland Securtiy Over X-Rays Ant Pat Downs; Says They Violate His Right To Be Free From Unreasonable Search And Seizure.

Back to More Stuff:
Cube Dwelling can be atrophic. I don't about you but I like to see our corporate cube dwellers as healthy, happy cave people. Here are some simple ways to keep the juices flowing while buried under mountains of paperwork. Keep a pair of 5 pound weights in your drawer and do 10 curls 2-3 times a day. Always look for opportunities to walk briskly up and down stairs. While waiting for coffee to brew, turn back to counter, grasp edge with hands, bend elbows and dip til thighs are parallel with floor. Do squats next to desk a couple of times a day. Walk during lunch time. If someone laughs at you, perform middle finger exercise. One. Two. Three.

The wheel was a revolutionary invention.

There's been a lot of talk the past few days about how if we could just get China to bend a little we could get manufacturing back. Yeah sure. Manufacturing started to disappear in earnest over 40 years ago when China was basically a third world style nation. It started when the "Conglomerate" fad came upon the biz scene. This led to accounting led companies buying successful manufacturing powers and milking them dry. Eventually the lack of research in new products and processes caught up with them, and outsourcing became a salvation. Couple the accounting led companies with the increasing demands of unions...and the lack of initiative for owners of some small manufacturers to get away from their WWII machines...and the demise of manufacturing is not that big a mystery. Bringing it back is a lot more than sharing Apple Pie and Ice Cream with Hu.

There are just too many countries who love the way manufacturing has improved their standard of living and hope for the future, to cede it back to the US. And the employees in those countries seem to have a winning attitude and love their new positions in life.

Almost There: Chapter 3 continues. --Samantha sank to the ground beneath the giant maple. She looked up as she heard that scratching of a squirrel climbing out upon a long limb. It turned and looked down at her. She wondered if this was her only friend in this town of contradictions.
Tommy Lambert. Somehow she remembers his love, but can't remember his face. But that memory is the strongest emotion she has felt since returning home.
Nobody knows me but a tree, she thought. This is exactly like it was, but nothing else is.
Samantha continued to sit, for an hour, maybe more. Her hunger had past, filled in by the nourishment of a love long gone.
Around four she stood and started back down towards town. Everything seemed a little more beautiful now. Maybe it was the evening shadows. Maybe it was the discovery that something about her town was as it should be. She apporached the Inn, and found herself once again turning to the end of the dock. To the littel dory. The stranger was there. He ws staring at her, but looked down as she began to stare back.

The Oddball TV Commercial Tid yesterday generated this response from a loyal reader. He suggests as the absolute worst and tasteless commercial the "Ladders" (Web Employment Site) ad where some basically unattractive people assume some grotesque seductive positions. I totally agree.

What is so unusual about Oprah finding a step sister?

Jack Lelane has proven that exercise allows you to die healthier.

Roe v. Wade Department:
How come it is not ok to make a choice to kill your next door neighbor?

The Answer:
Auto and Home Insurance ads are rampant throughout TV these days. I have seen commercials for Amica, Travelers, State Farm, Nationwide, Progressive, Geico, Farmers, Liberty Mutual and um...All State. Personally, I like the Travelers "Big Umbrella" ad, the Geico Psychiatrists couch and I used to like the campaign about unforseen disasters out of the blue (It may have been nationwide). The new nationwide "Best Salesman" is tedious and wearing thin to me. I find Progressive annoying. Amica is solid, but not terribly entertaining. All State has gone from the believable Dennis Hastert to a hard to believe character named "Mayhem". (AS will always have "In Good Hands" to save them no matter how off base their ad agency gets.) Actually a couple of them work but most are a stretch. Farmers trying to hard to be clever.

The End:
Oscar Nominations: You probably know pretty much everything that will be happening at the Oscars. But, here's the nomicnaitons in case you didn't hear. Bext Pic: Kings Speech, Inception, The Social Network, The Fighter, True Grit, Toy Story 3, Kids are all Right, Black Swan, Winter's Bone and 127 Hours. Actor: Firth, Eisenberg, Bardem, Bridges,and Franco. Actress: Bening, Portman, Kidman, Lawrence and Williams. Sup Actor: Bale, Rush, Hawkes, Renner, Ruffalo. Sup Actress: Leo, Adams, Bonham-Carter, Steinfield and Weaver.

I think I'm tired of watching Hollywood pat itself on the back. I love movies, but the celebrity of it all is getting out of hand.