Civics 101.

Today's Tids Issue 2,59
Opening Stuff:

How evil is "60 Minutes"...bringing out a report against sugar the week before Easter. It is criminal. I think Kids Twitter Nation should organize a protest rally and Cadbury Egg the CBS world headquarters. I would be more than happy to abet, sitting in protest with a box of chocolate and caramel on beautiful and expensive West 57th Street. Go kids, go.

Just in case you are interested, Newport RI was named by Forbes Mag as Prettiest Town in America. Pictures of pretty town regularly posted at todaystids.blogspot.com.

The Question:

1. Cloud will be in your future whether your head is in them or not. Name five of the Cloud storage giants. Bonus: Name the five biggest drug stores/services by prescription revenue.

The Headlines:

--Shooter Who Killed 7 At Oikos University Had Been Kicked Out Of School And Was In Serious debt.
--Stocks Expected To Pause After S&P Reaches 4 Year High.
--Student Loan Debt Reaches $1 Trillion; Surpasses Credit Cards And Auto Loans As Debt That Could Most Disable Recovery.
--Mock Movie Poster Warns That al-Qaida Is Returning To NYC.
--Kentucky wins Big Prize; Campus Erupts; One Man Shot.
--Media Ugliness: NBC Altered Martin Case 911 Tapes; Out Of Context Edit Made Zimmerman Appear Racist; Other Evidence Suggests Someone Altered Video Tape Of Zimmerman Injuries.
--Air Tran Named Airline That Does best Job For Passengers.

Finally, my skinny ties and wide lapels are back in style. Or, was that wide ties and skinny lapels? O well, I'll just keep wearing what I wear and someday somebody will come up and say. Cool man, Cool. Or, don't they say "Cool" any more? Of course, the key to tie survival is eating gravy carefully.

The Tids has always sought to upgrade the world's appreciation for good grammar. Let's examine "Complete" and "Finished". They appear to be the same, but are quite different. For instance, If a man marries the right woman he is complete. If a man marries the wrong woman he is finished. But, if the right woman finds him with the wrong woman, he is completely finished. So there you have it. Viva le differance'.

Our "Republican to the Core" Governor Chafee-Lite has just endorsed Mr. Sleazy Congressman Cicilini for re-election. I guess when you are owned by the unions you'll endorse anybody.

Yesterday the President warned the Supreme Court to be careful or else. He said it would be an "unprecedented, extraordinary step" to overturn the health Care law. OK, let's review basic grammar school Civics. It appears that this is where this President needs to start. This President who only seems to believe that the President has any power. OK, "The Supreme Court is a separate but equal branch of the US government. It's purpose as defined by the Constitution is to act as a check on the Executive and Legislative branches. One of it's three main functions is to 'Determine the constitutionality of Federal laws.'." Maybe the President has a problem with the Supreme Court because it is a "uniquely American institution". What's really extraordinary here is a President threatening a Supreme Court, not the supreme court doing its job.

Oh, it appears that the Admin and/or the Dem National Committee is calling on Ex-Prez Clinton to add credibility in Obama's fight against the Supreme Court. Clinton? Credibility? I don't get it.

Statistics say that 1 in 5 American kids are going hungry. Michelle says that American kids are over weight.

Let's be honest, Jaguar is making a great design comeback now that it isn't in the hands of Ford's accountants. This flagship of the India Auto Company Tata.is beginning to look like the special car it had been before Ford turned into a stretched out Focus. And, you can bet that Volvo will rediscover it's distinctive side again, now that it is out of Ford and under a Chinese management. They'll just steal a good idea or two form BMW or Audi.

Deep pocket investors are buying depressed homes at super low prices. It is expected that will increase dramatically rental opportunities -- until the market's rebound and houses can be sold. So the next great American tragedy in a couple of years will be people being forced out if they can't afford to buy. And, it's all because some dim bulb in the government decided to find a way that everybody should own a home whether or not they could afford it. Mixing socialism with capitalism will never work.

Almost Near: Chapter 67. --Samantha sat in her hospital bed just drinking in the smiles of her children. Rebecca was in hospital garb like her mom, being admitted after her ordeal with Tucker. The two were hanging on to their mom's arms like they would to branches on the edge of a cliff.
Samantha understood how much further she would have to go. How she would have to sort out all of the people she had met in her many lives. But that would be the easy part. She was still coming to grips with the reality of her life which she discovered the moment she saw Tucker with her daughter. It triggered the memory she must have suppressed for so many years. The reason she ran away from Tommy Lambert, her finance'. She saw clearly now that day when walking by a play ground, Tommy Lambert fondling a nine year old girl. She remembered the horror of her own father watching her undress, his eyes never leaving her young body. Her mother trying to step in between them. But she was never strong enough. How she walked fearfully through her own house. How Tommy was her only safe harbor, her hope. All of those years when Tommy and she had been best friends, destined to marry and be a perfect family. Like the one she never had. And now she discovered that the man she was to marry was as perverted as her father. Maybe even worse than her father.
So that night she wrote a note to Tommy Lambert saying she couldn't marry him. She packed a few clothes, found as much money as she had, money saved for a wedding. She drove to Portsmouth, and got on a bus. She didn't care where it was going.

The Answer:

1. ICloud with 100 Million subscribers is largest. Next is potential IPO fave Dropbox (50Mil). Microsoft Skydrive, box, and Amazon cloud drive (music only) round out the bigs. 2. CVS/Caremark with $56 Bil is the largest followed by Walgreen ($45B). Medco Health Solutions/Express Scripts ($40B), Wal-Mart ($17.4B) and Rite-Aid $17.1B.

If the President can't seem to comprehend the significance of the Supreme Court, how are we supposed to believe that voters can grasp the significance of real issues.

Michelle Obama should really be against illegal immigration. The ethnic group with the greatest percentage of fat kids is Mexican. Do you think she'll ever ban Tacos? Not in an election year. Here's the dope on percentages of overweight kids: White - Male 31.9; Female 29.5. Black -- Male 30.8; Female 39.2. Mexican - Male 40.8; Female 35.

In the end, the bills will be paid.

Today/s Tids 713 (#2,390)
Opening Stuff:



Who will break first...the Dems or Repubs on the Debt, or the Players or the NFL on the season? I'm going with the Players.

A room upgrade at a hotel is a suite deal!

And then there is the Puppet Senator from RI, Limousine liberal Sheldon Whitehouse, who was just praised by the local newspaper for pressing, "Obama not to capitualte to Republicans deficit-reduction demands." Wouldn't that be like capitulating to Americans who are becoming increasingly scared to death about the growing almost uncontrollable deficit? Isn't this really symptomatic of the entire national problem...Pols going for votes over solutions.

The Question:
Name Harrison Ford's best movies.

The Headlines:

--Wall Street expects Good Day After Good News About China Growth.
--Debt Ceiling Gap between Parties Widens.
--US Army Ranger Awarded Medal Of Honor.
--Italy Says It will Pass Austerity Plan By Friday.
--China's Economy Grew Faster Than Predicted; Good News Eases Inflation Worries.
--Bernanke Back On Hill Wednesday; Sell Your Stock.
--Lybian Rebels Looting Seized Towns.
--Sherwood Schwartz Dies; says He Liked Both Ginger And Maryann.

America's Got Talent Department:
It's down to 48 and most importantly the bad acts are gone. I can watch again. The first 12 legitimate candidates vied last night. My personal favorites were Squonk Opera, Snap Boogie, Anna Graceman, Dezmond Meeks and Duo Aero. The worst of the night was so-called funny man J. Chris Newberg. Close behind him was the talking parrots (I had trouble taking my eye off the woman's missing tooth.). I enjoyed watching the Funny Little People, but don't know what to do with them. i thought I would like The Fiddleheads, but they didn't live up to my anticipation. Bring on the next 12!

I noticed that Sharon Osbourne's biggest criticism for many candidates was the bad choice of music. This from a woman who married Ozzie Osbourne. Where's my ear muffs!

Say what! The calorie counting, nutrition pie chart Queen had a 1,700 calorie lunch yesterday consisting if a major burger, fries, milkshake and ...diet coke. I say good for her. She's human, and she should be. But what I'm really seeing is that the campaign gurus are saying we need the burger joint vote, and Michelle you are the sacrificial lamb. You gotta figure that she's probably happiest of all.

Does that mean that I don't think vegans are human? Hmmmm.

I see where Glenn Beck got a standing "O" in the Israel Knesset...for telling the truth about the Palestine/Israel predicament. He said what the US main stream media won't, and the Israeli Gov/leaders loved him for it. Unfortunately, in the US he has been ridiculed, chastised and relegated to kookiness by a media that hides the facts. No wonder he's off to Dallas where he will launch his own network GBTV! You have to wonder what Boston's leftish PBS station GBH is thinking about that name.

Boehner makes more sense than any of them, but you'll never hear it reported correctly from the media. Think how much better off our country would be if media actually did it's job without bias for either side. If the people don't know, it isn't going to work.

Have you ever seen a more pretentious crowd than when walking through an all organic food emporium? I always have trouble hiding the burger grease on my shirt.

The way the Media immediately ran to the defense of the burger eating First Lady, you'd have to believe that if she clubbed a baby seal to death, they would rationalize the action as saving the cute pups from a more horendous death as food for polar bears. You know, those fuzzy, adorable coke drinking animals who are stopping the US from becoming Oil independent. Yup, those bears.

Weird News Department:
--As Tablets begin to flush away Microsoft profits, Bill gates has decided to reinvent the toilet! Yup that's his next big project. But, this is could be a huge stepo forward for a healthier Africa where water is unavailable and there is no way to safely remove human waste. It may take Gates billions ot do it, but it could save hundreds of millions lives. --Also in Africa, Kenya specifically, it appears that "stinky socks" could stop maleria! that's gigantic. Apparently health authorities find that srtink socks attract mosquitoes by the droves. They just hang the odoriferous hose by traps and Poof!, no more skeeters. Kenya authorities are reaching out to US teens for donations.

For CSI lovers, forget the great William Peterson and magnificent Laurence Fishburn,. It is now time to cheer for Ted Danson. Wouldn't Norm make a great CSI investigator. The series needs a little comic relief.

I see where the US is worried about the vacuum that will be left after the assassination the Afghan President's brother Ahmed Karsei. Ahmed has been described as a politician know for taking kickback, family ties, violence and disloyalty. Hmmm...sounds like Chicago and New Orleans.

Almost Near: Chapter 28 continues. --"Unfortunately, the best I could do was this picture of Samantha Wilcox from our high school yearbook." Dante held up the eight by ten copy and the camera zoomed in.
Samantha Jergans sat there transfixed. That is a pretty, young girl, she thought. I almost think I know her. The Host and Dante continued talking, but Samantha decided she was tiring of their chitchat and was now changing channels to Fox News.
She felt restless this afternoon and the TV was making her more so, not the relaxation pill it had always been before. She got up, threw the remote on the coffee table and started walking around the house looking for something to do. But her thoughts kept returning to Dante and that girl inthe picture. She went back to the living room, picked up the remote and returned the channel to NEN. She just stood there in the middle of the room, the overhead fan blowing her hair as if on the hill near her tree.
"Thank you Dante Wallowalski! Did I get it right!" The host rose with a bright smile and shook his hand. "That is truly an eerie story. Well maybe eerie is the wrong word. But it moved me in a strange way. Do you have a final word Dante?"
Thanks, Clair. I just want to iterate, if you have information to call me at 983 555 1961." Dante leaned over and kissed the host gently on the cheek as the camera went black and then to a comercial about depression medicines.
Samantha stood their with a faint blush. There was something about that kiss that bothered her.

The Answer:
Ford hit it big in Star Wars. His other big successful series movies were Indiana Jones and as Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy stories. I particularly liked him in Presumed Innocent, Witness, The Fugitive, Sabrina and The Devil's Own. I think that his next, Cowboys and Aliens, has a chance to be a winner.

What really scares me about our global future is the rapid growth of Nigeria and Ethiopia destined to become two of the worlds most populous countries. Let's just hope that Gates gets those toilets working.

Moon, Swoon, June. Brides. Dads. And No debt Ceiling Increase.

Today's Tids Issue #2,361

Opening Stuff:


It is that month again. I'm always rapturous about June. I love June. The world seems to come back together in June. The flowers and the greenery settle in before the summer's disquieting heat. It is a month for good old dad, and happy Geminis. It has more sunlight than any other month leading up to the longest day, June 20-21. Oh, it has another "Longest Day". D-Day, June 6. The day that so many wonderful young people gave their lives so that the sunlight of freedom will always be shown upon our gracious land and in the hearts of giving Americans. Enjoy June. Appreciate June.

"Connectivity" is a double edged sword. The freedom to soar, explore, communicate. The constant threat of submitting yourself to criminals and the potential of a shackling nanny state.

This stock market is bothering me. Too many underlying negatives. In fact this past two year spurt was possible mostly a bounce from super depressed lows bolstered by tons of dough that needed to work. On this first day of June, I always tend to look at what I have called the Ides of Wall Street -- July 17. I'm certainly not a financial or business guru ( Or else I wouldn't be writing the Tids for free!), but my vibes coupled with historical mid July woes suggests caution.

The Question:
Name five notables/celebrities who have been killed in air disasters?

The Headlines:

--Private Sector Adds But 38,000 Jobs In May; Way below Needs And Estimates.
--Poor Manufacturing Reports Fertilize Plummeting Stocks This Moirning.
--House Leaders To Meet 0-man On Borrowing.
--NATO Extends Libya Ops 90 days.
--Syrian Activists Coalescing; Dead Syrian Boy Emerging As Symbol Of Unity.
--Street Battles Rage In Yemen.
--Endeavor Returns From Last Mission.
--Euro Factory Growth Posts Deepest Fall Since 2008.
--Snooki Loses International Drivers License After Hitting Italian Police Car In Rome; She Says Back Home In jersey When I Honk My Horn They just Raise Their Finger.

Back to More Stuff:
If the Repubs intend to beat 0-Man they have to do more than wear Red, White and Blue hats.

Sign seen on meeting room door: "Psychic Meeting cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."

Oops Department: For years now, every time I write Bachman I have this urge to right Christine before it instead of Michelle. It's that tune I can't get out of my head. Sorry folks.

I'm not surprised to see that the one time Atlantic City casino boom is fading fast. I thought the place was disgusting. Glittering golden idols built amidst extreme poverty and destitution. I took a shower when I got home.

This is baddish news for Repubs. The just completed CNN poll said that Rudy Giuliani is the favorite candidate among all Republicans. Basically they are saying that they aren't really happy with anyone.

Honest. How many of you clean house before the cleaning lady gets there? I wonder if the French IMF Creep cleaned his hotel room before the maid arrived?

Almost Near: Chapter 23 continues. --Detective Sparrow walked into the hospital ER just as the patrol car and ambulance arrived. The lumbering, alert Sparrow moved towards the running patrolman, who had a glint of excitement in his eyes. They didn't get situations like this Dalesford -- Well dressed strangers in cars in a ditch with an obvious blow to his head. The patrolman slowed as he saw the cautious look on sparrow's face. "I thought this looked a little unusual. That's why I called you."
"It is, Skip. It is." You never know where this might lead, he thought. Yesterday out of the blue he meets an Eastern girl with a Midwestern accent that was more like New England, and a story that makes absolutely no sense. Or at least low on logic. And two days later a guy from a New England town shows up. "I called up to the New Castle, and apparently our injured man -- O, how do the EMTs think he is doing?" He continued without waiting for an answer. "Where was I. Oh yeah. This guy is a lawyer up in that town. I called around and finally found somebody at his office. He left his office last night they say, and nobody knew where he went. He has no clients down here they said. That's for sure they said."
"He's going to be all right. Tough little guy they said."
"Well Skip, my man, I think we got our selves a mystery."

Food Department:
The Gourmet innovators of the Tid's Kitchens never stop dreaming of tasty healthy treats even within the most confining environments. Here's a simple way to get your fiber tastefully and add to your coffee enjoyment. While sipping, open a small package of Mini Shredded Wheats. On your plate pour a small puddle of Schmucker's Sugar Free Maple Syrup. Dip and sip. Your system and taste buds will love you.

I was at a nice 80th birthday party for friend of mine put on at nice restaurant for a few couples by his younger life. A socialist. As we were reading the menus she tapped her water glass rose to announce that she was allergic to sea food ( not fish) and would appreciate that we don't order lobsters or shrimp as even the aroma can make her deathly ill. Obviously, everybody agreed readily in a kumbaya sort of way. Within 2 1/2 feet of our table for 8 was another of straight women... four of whom ordered large steaming lobsters. She didn't die. Makes you wonder about second hand smoke, doesn't it.

The Answer:
In 1943 famed star of Gone With the Wind, Leslie Howard, was in a plane shot down by the Germans. Of course there is Carol Lombard and the maestro Glenn Miller. There is none more celebrated athn Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. There were teams like Marshall college, the US Ice Skating Team and Manchester United Soccer team. the sad news about legend Patsy Cline. Crazy.This is an enormous list. Bigger than you may think. Let's conclude with Mike Todd, John Heintz and the man who dazzled the football world -- Knute Rockne.

The End:
The Dem response to the Ryan Plan is exactly the reason why the country now needs a plan as tough as something like the Ryan plan. Political demagogueing as usual does zero to cure a financial disaster. And, frankly the hard nose iteration of the financial truth challenge to the public is the knid of no-nonsense campaign any GOPer must run against the Glib One in the White House to succeed. I believe from observing people in many layers of our society that more than some observers believe and understand the reality of the problem, even though they can't express it in academic terms. They know it is there. They feel it. The time in America for laughing with Letterman is over.

Living by the slowly warming winter seas helps us ease into premature summer days. Except this year. It's too damn hot for June!

Eeee-Hah! I'm going home.

Stop the spin.

Today's Tids Issue 2.357
Opening Stuff:

Tid's Alert: Donald Trump wants to see bin Laden's Death Certificate.

Numbers savvy Democrat RI Treasurer Gina Raimondo said in a speech to business people yesterday: "If you remember one thing from me this afternoon, remember this. Fixing the state pension system is not an issue, it is the issue. Our state retirement debt is an anchor holding holding our state back and preventing our growth into the future." If we can allow the facts to drive the discussion for a couple of years we the country will be a better place...again.

A Napa Valley Day Care Center is called a whinery.

Bush refused the Prez invite to join him at the 911 Site Thursday, but thanked 0-Man for it saying it his policy to stay out of the political spotlight. Or, maybe it is because for 2+ years 0-Man has blamed Bush for everything wrong with the country from the economy to Harry Reid's lack of a brain.

The Question: A good movie question always has a chance to be a winner in the hearts of Tidsters. This about Romantic Movies where the beautiful love story ends tragically. Name what you think may be these the top ten sad ending stories.

The Headlines:

--US Adds 179,000 Jobs; Addition below Hoped For Estimates.
--Nate Leaman Promises New Era Of Success For Providence College Hockey.
--Smaller, Gas Saving Cars Lead The Way To Strong April Auto Sales.
--M&A Activity Buoys Markets In Early Trading.
--Congress Expected To Debate Continued Aid For Pakistan.
--Questions Arising On International Court Of Opinion About The US Shooting An Unarmed Man.
--American Indians Complain About using name Of hero Geronimo As Code Name For Mass Murderer Osama.
--Conservatives Win Majority In Canada; PM Harper Says There Is No Hidden Agenda; Relax.
--Downtrodden Portugal Negotiates 3 Yr. $115 Billion Bailout Package.
--US Officials Say The daffy Survived Blast.
--In The Aftermath Of The OBL Killing, RI Gov. Chafee-Lite Says We Shouldn't Celebrate Violence.
--Chaotic Uprisings Continue In Syria, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain.

Back to More Stuff:
Everything I read about the NFL contract problem seems to  revolve around the appeals regarding the lockout decision. Hey, nice little legal puzzle for lawyers, but does nothing to move forward an agreement for a contract. It gives cause for back patting by Union and Management groups, but furthers nothing that may give us a decent football season. Because after all of this legal dust settles they still have to sit down and put together a contract that is good for both sides and doesn't ruin a good formula for a great sports league

Obama is going to Ground Zero. Yet he never visited on the occasion of any of the anniversaries of that dreadful date. He alienated families of the murdered by giving support to the Mosque around the corner. I believe that the people should always come together under the President. Any president. The country just has a chance of working better that way. But, when they are in high political campaign mode, it is just hard to become comfortable about what they are saying.

Almost Near: Chapter 18 continues. --"You are one of the most spectacular woman I have ever met'" Dante, stepped aside and pulled open the door to the lobby of her motel. "Seriously," he went on. He caught up after letting the door swing shut and turned to look at her, not completely as a man in love but as a person respecting another. "Why didn't I ever know you in High school? Who did you date anyway?"
Samantha smiled and nodded at the compliment, and then took in a deep breath. Questions, questions she thought. Stop staring at me she silently warned with her eyes. Her eyes that had lost their glow became forbidding. She noticed Dante's eyes shift away towards the coffee urn on the side table near the front desk. "I think I was too young for you!" She tried to laugh pleasantly to make him feel at ease. As much as she feared getting close to him, she needed him now.
"I kind of remember you. I guess I was too old." Again he turned towards her.
How did you remember me, Dante?, she thought. What was I like?
They sat and had a cup of coffee and made plans for the morning at the police station. After about a half hour, Samantha yawned, looked at her watch , "We've both had long tiring days." He agreed and they rose and walked towards the elevator.
The bell rang announcing the third floor, Samantha's floor. She waited for the door, and as she turned to say "Good Night" to Dante he leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. She pulled back quickly and shoved him away with both hands. Dante stumble slightly but his head hit the wall forcing him to one knee. He stayed head bowed for a few seconds, and then while rising his head and un-clinching his eyes, "Wow, you are tough! I'm glad we didn't date in high school." and he laughed as he looked up. But she was gone.

Michelle Obama has created a new group for general discrimination -- the Overweight! The health nut bigots love to sneer down with disdain to their lessor larger. Give people a reason to hate and they will. Sme people just need an underclass to survive in their own narrow minds.

There are too many people who when saying they do morning crunches for their stomach mean they're eating potato chips for breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, the Food KGB now want to take the fun out of a good old fashioned May breakfasts, particularly delightful annual occasions arond here in RI. One of these haughty nags took the time to add up all of the calories (And the Newspaper co-conspirator gave the column featured space). the writer suggests revisiting the thought to have breakfast fun some Sunday morning. Stupid I say. But here's the real crock in her convoluted reasoning. She warns that your breakfast will add 1,500 calories from eating a stack of buttered syrupy pancakes, several Johnnycakes, scrambled eggs, Bacon, Muffins, white toast Orange juice and coffee. Talk about maliciously stacking the deck. You can't trust these people.

Signs of the Times Department:
The United States Army is testing "Green" ammunition! There is no truth to the rumor that "Green" means that each shell contains vegetable seeds, pretested in Michelle's garden.

In my continuing effort to call out little government actions that morph into new intrusions on a free and unencumbered life, I'm not going to call out the RI Senator who has already introduced 73 bills at the State House. No, this is about the Fed's latest assault on Advertising. It's the Guidelines for advertising to children. In the Fed statement it says "We will let you market...". Let me repeat that, "We will let you market only foods that have significant amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk products, fish, extra lean meat, eggs, nuts,seeds or beans." How is a kid ever going to develop a good, comforting diet of Cheetos? Huh? Tell me that.

The Answer:
We start at #10 with The Notebook. Then we have Donnie Darko, Atonement, Titanic, Badlands, Romeo & Juliette, Bonnie & Clyde, Vertigo and Casablanca. And the Number one Romantic Movie with the sad ending is -- Gone with the Wind. "Frankly, I don't give a damn. I just needed a Question.

The End:
The Dem spinners are just going crazy over glamorizing the Obama involvement in the Osama death. Hey Politicos, I think Americans gets it. The more you tout the more your guy starts to look political. He did fine being presidential. And I know most regular Americans appreciate it.

The average of 7 major Polls taken during 4/30 and 5/3 has the Prez at 5o.6% and 43.4% disapprove. The NYT's/CBS and WashPost polls have him way up 57%/37% and 56%/38% respectively. Probably not a good time for Repubs to announce.

The Bottled Water syndrome.

Today's Tids Issue #2,333
Opening Stuff:

Meal of the week: Blackened shrimp, hush puppies and the best crab stew you ever ate at a redneck bar by the side of a Georgia road...And the Red Sox game on TV! Talk about Southern hospitality!

The Repubs are dead if they can't come up with a better 2012 strategy than hoping that unemployment stays high.

How do you expect an America that spends about $30 Billion per year on bottled water to get excited about Congressional extravagance that is tossing the economy into a black hole with no bottom? Everybody thinks that their irrational spending habits are responsible.

I'd say that after two final Two's in a row, we have to stop over looking Butler. Calling them a "Cinderella". And stop being surprised when the so-called mid majors knock off the so-called giants. Tonight, I'm picking UConn because I'm provincial new England lunkhead.

The Question:
The Interstate Highway numbers actually have a meaning. What do the prefixes to interstate numbers like 2, 3, 4 mean? Why are some interstate numbers low and others high?

The Headlines:

--Flash: House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan Releases Republican 2012 Budget Which Would Cut $ Trillion (With A Capital "T") Over Ten years; Would Alter Medicare And Medicaid; Dems Will Scream You Are Murdering Old People.
--Notre Dame Women Upset UConn Machine.
--Prez Officially Declares candidacy For 2012.
--Desperation Mounts In Japan As Radiation Leak Still Elusive.
--Blago Asks Judge To Turn Over FBI/Obama Interview Notes.
--Katie To resign From CBS News Post.
--Southwest Finds Cracks In thre More Planes.

Back to More Stuff:
The use of this word "Extreme" is a bit...well...extreme. It has become more of a common slur than anything meaningful. The Dems love to label the Tea Party as extreme, but to me they look like a bunch of regular people fed up with stupidity, deceit and general all around lying. I am actually proud of what I am, which is a person who believes that society runs better if adhered to the Ten Commandments. You know, no murdering, no lying, no stealing. That governments and people in general shouldn't spend what they can't afford. That the strangling of of America's future with debt interest higher than almost of the world economies put together is bad for everybody including people on the freebie train. Stuff like that. Call me extreme and I'll say thanks.

I saw an air conditioning repair truck with the sign on the side saying: "586-0007: Licensed to Chill".

Well at least we know that Michelle Obama isn't Marie Antoinette! Michelle says "Take away their cake"!

Almost Near: Chapter 14 Continues. --It didn't take long for Samantha to learn very little. The woman, Barbara Hersch, was pleasant. She basically iterated what she told Samantha to lure her into Barbara's lonely kitchen. But, Samantha smiled and prodded hoping that there might be something tucked away in her lonely mind. Samantha finally rose and reached over to shake Barbara's hand and say thanks. Barbara came arond the table, and they passed through the living room where the teen lay zoned in front of a computer game, Barbara said, "How stupid of me. Wait here." She turned and ran up stairs.
With seconds she was back down slightly out of breath, but with a big smile on her face. "Here. This is the card of the detective who interviewed me about your missing relative."
Samantha took it and sat on the steps. "So, do you remember what he asked, what you said.?"

Have you noticed that most companies now say: "Look for us on FaceBook." Why? Isn't that like, Redundant. Most of those who say that to me I don't know anyhow so I wouldn't know who to look for unless I had a gigantic list of people/companies who said that in my pocket. What was wrong with "see us at www..."? Do you sometimes get the impression that most new big money growth companies are just supplanting other big money growth companies with superficial window dressing?

I'm really impressed with seeing eye dogs. I saw one in a restaurant the other day and was taken by its restraint. I know that if I were a seeing eye dog laying under a restaurant table I'd be a problem. "Sniff. Sniff-sniff. Sniff, sniff,sniff. Ehhh, ehhh, ehhh (That's heavy breathing.) Is that gravy? I hope, I hope, I hope. Chicken? Beef? Merlot sage reduction? Maybe he'll drop something. Maybe if i just raise my head fast and nudge his hand...."

I was riding up in a hotel elevator and noticed the guy taking up most of the cab with one of those luggage caddies hotels provide. On it he had a large wheelie suit case and a complete "Desktop Computer". I said, "most people just bring a lap top." He looked at me and said "I hate laptops". Of course I laughed at his little joke only to find he wasn't kidding at all. He started explaining the problems with a lap top and I knew he was serious. I wanted to say, "Then an IPad must be totally out of the question", but I decided, you never know who may shoot you these days. Do you know how hard it is to suppress a good laugh.

Basically, the only thing many of these Congress people know about budgeting is that saying "They're going to kill your children" is a good strategy.

The Answer:
All main Interstates have one or two digit numbers. Odd numbers run north to south and even numbers east to west. The lowest north south numbers start in west (i.e. I-5 in Cal) and the lowest east west numbers start in south (i.e. I-10 in Fl). Circumferential routes off main interstates are 3 number routes with an even prefix of 2, 4, or 6. (These change if there are multiple cities in one state with circumferntial roads (i.e. 295, 495, 695). Spurs off these circumventing roads wild use odd prefixes like 195, 395. Get it? Travel made easy.

The End:
If there is a gov shutdown, it is the result of the Dems wimping out from their congressional responsibility during the months before the last elections. That is the only reason we have a problem today.

Today is the anniversary of MLK Jr.'s assassination, Many groups (Read that union organized protests) appear to be poised to use this solemn occasion to protest State and Local governments getting their financial house in order. I don't seem to remember that King's dream for America was about sendign the country into financial ruin.

Read all about it!

Today's Tids Issue # 2,328

Opening Stuff:

One of the the great treats during this time of year is that you can always catch a good "Messiah" somewhere.

It's nice that a golf tournament is on TV opposite the NCAA playoffs. When my heart gets beating out of control, I can turn to the golf to slow it down. Better than blood pressure medicine.

One of my pet concerns in our increasingly messy world is the decline of newspapers, a most comfortable way to be informed. Alas, I think it is essentially doomed. Consider that even though people's time spent with news is at an all-time high, allegiance to traditional sources is tumbling fast. And believe it, that includes relative newcomer Cable TV News which has had the biggest audience tumble of all. From the Pew analysis of 2009-2010 (The very latest data), the on-line news went up 17.1%. All of the rest fell -- Local TV (-1.5%), Network TV (-3.4), Newspapers (-5), Audio (-6), Magazines (-8.9) and Cable TV (-13.7%)! Surprised? The crunch for newspapers though is on the ad revenue side. Local TV went up 17% followed by Online (13.9), Cable TV (8.4), Network TV (6.6), audio (6) and Magazines 1.4). Only newspapers went down and that was a fairly high 6.3%. That is the death knell. Hear the bell ring.

I could write an entire Tids on this, but I know you'd rather see a good, bad pun. "During the Invasion of Sicily during WWII General Patton was preparing to take the city of Palermo. His meteorologists told him his selected day would be incredibly rainy. He immediately ordered that the N.Y. Times be brought in and placed under tailgates of the transports bringing in the men to keep feet dry. His staff was mystified why the Times over the Daily News. But they brought in 5 tons of the paper as requested. It was then that Patton issued his famous quote: "These are the 'times' that dry men's soles."

Are my "Beloveds" in danger of becoming the "Despicables"? Maybe, if others think about the Red Sox like Baltimore manager Buck Showwalter. "I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay payroll." He went on, "...That's why I like whipping their butt. It's great, knowing those guys with a $205 Million payroll are saying, 'How are they beating us?'." Do others in the AL feel the same? Will the Sox be in the cross-hairs of the other managers too?" Sorry Gabby.

Let's hear it for Red Sox Japanese pitcher Diasuke (DiceK) Matsuzaka who just donated $1,000,000 to the Japan relief fund.

The Question:
Name the ten colleges with the highest endowments. Which university endowment portfolio made the biggest gain in 2010?

The Headlines:

--Market Futures Up On Strong Showings Last Week; Could Be Tempered By Japan, Libya Issues.
--Libyan Rebs Close In On Daffy Stronghold.
--Blasts Rock Yemen Faactory Overtaken By Militants.
--Budget Battle Heats Up As Congress returns.
--Radiation In Japan Seawater May be Spreading.
--No Cola For SS Predicted Again For 2011.
--Pediatricians Worried That FaceBook May be Adding To Kids Low Self Esteem, Depression.

Back to More Stuff:
The more the dangerous debt problem of the US is politicized, the less the people will take it seriously. And the more they will resist solving it. Of course the politicization takes place on all ends of the debate. The arts groups who depend on grants and the manufcaturing industries who depend on defense contracts and other big government stimualtion. The "Aha Moment" came when WWII defeated the great depression.Tthe rallying cry thereafter for recessions was "All we need is a good war." Now we have social wars, cultural wars, financial wars and of course old fashioned bloody wars all demanding an influx of government (Read that taxpayer) cash. So basically the answer to the Debt/Deficit problem is peace!. Understanding among all factions that we just can't create economies any more, because there is no economy left. That if you have something to sell, whether a product or personal knowledge, you are going to have to to do it yourself. And the society at large will recognize its needs.

The ten most important words in the English language are "If it is to be, it is up to me." How simple is that?

Out in the middle of the almost Everglades country are a couple of small towns about 25 miles east of the well-to-do Naples Florida. One is makeshift and the home of seminole indians and migrant workers. The other is a Catholic town with a university, spiffy Main Street, Academy and neat neighborhoods just built by Domino Pizza billionaire Tom Monahan. One skyline is dominated by a giant casino. The other by huge cathedral like church. A tale of two Americas in the middle of nowhere.

It didn't take long for my brackets to crumble like "Galloping Gertie". After Friday I had but Kansas, Florida and UConn left in the eight. But I was long gone well before that. And this morning after yesterday I have but UConn of my original Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame and UConn. Hope you all did better.

I was out at the paper machine yesterday morn getting my Sunday paper only to find a moderately attractive blond putting in quarters. She looked up as I approached and said, "Would you like a freebie?" I stood silent for a moment. "Oh...you mean paper? I would never do that. You know the paper's are on their last legs..." I started my harangue on the plight of the news papers. She rolled her eyes, took her paper and left as fast as she could. I guess that's too deep for the morn.

Almost Near: Chapter 13 continues. --Tucker plunked the bag on Audrey's desk which startled her out of her editing process. She was ready to blast the intruder, but smiled when she saw Tucker standing there with a stupid grin on his face. "Oh, hi!" She got up and stole a chair from her neighbor and pulled over to Tucker.
"You look industrious this morning," he started. "Hope I didn't break into a key train of thought." She made a motion to minimize the seriousness of her activity. "So what do you have."
"Show me what's in the bag and I'll tell you whether it's worth the information I have." She laughed. "Tell me about why you are here asking about this case?"
"I think I met Mrs. Quimpierre up in new England where I live. It's a long story. Let's eat." Audrey was opening the sandwich. She looked at and smiled telling him it was her favorite because had no veggies.
Tucker detailed in short form the story of Samantha, from his teens to present. Audrey watched him intently. "So this is a mission of intense love," She said looking at him in the eyes. Tucker reddened. He didn't know what to feel before this attractive, intelligent woman. "I like an incurable romantic who will go to the ends of the earth for the woman of his hopes and dreams." She said smiling warmly. Tucker relaxed.

You have to believe that people on our Western and Northwestern coasts are thinking about the possibility of tsunamis. That unyielding wave traveling at jet speed is one ugly, terrifying beast.

With all of the world news dominating, the unemployment reports are sneaking through without much comment. The worst four states are Nevada (13.6%), Cal (12.2), Florida (11.5) and Little Ole' RI (11.2). And RI isn't going to get better until they decide to get smarter about business. I just heard of yet another small RI owned company (one that had just built a brand new factory about a couple of years ago and started hiring for well paying jobs) is packing up to move to Massachusetts. The reason: You guessed it. A tax advantage and economic package too good to resist.

I think those flat brimmed, high crown hats on golfer's look a little too foppish for an athlete. In fact, Ricky Fowler looks like a Broadway chorus groupie. And to those who say, "It is the modern way to look", I say Nehru Jackets!

The Answer:
Harvard is a small country with a $27 Billion endowment followed by Yale at $16 Bil. The three other double digit endowments belong to Princeton, Texas and Stanford. The rest are MIT, Michigan, Columbia and Northwestern. The Texas endowment had the highest percentage growth during the past year.

The End:
In case you weren't aware, Galloping Gertie was the infamous Tacoma Narrows Bridge that failed due to aeroelastic flutter, a resonance caused by a 42mph wind that cause the suspension bridge to start dancing until it pulled it self apart and fell into the Puget Sound. The films of the collapse have been used in every civill engineering school and the study of that collapse in 1940 led to batter structures today. At the time it was the 3rd longest suspension bridge after the Golden Gate and the George Washington Bridge.

You can get the entire State of the News story at: http://stateofthemedia.org/2011/overview-2/key-findings/

The Government of Syria is killing its protesting citizens. Why isn't the UN moving there?

Anybody who picked all #1 seeds in this new era of super star early departure just doesn't get it. Hey...wait a minute...the Prez picked all number ones!

There is no green in Ireland

Today's Tids Issue 2,230

Opening Stuff:

One of the reasons I like reading a newspaper on a cold winter's evening is that the lamp keeps my head warm.

For some reason the voters of Newport decided that a giant monolithic elementary school which will eventually homogenize children was a better idea that smaller neighborhood schools. It's all about big Government getting its arms around towns and the people in them. It's all about sucking the life out of individualism and the inventive thinking that goes with it. Frankly, if I had children, I'd move.

Have you noticed all of the hype around the fifty year anniversary of the election of JFK? I don't seem to remember fifty years for Ike or Harry. Media people are such suckers.

The Question:
With thanksgiving coming up, here's a question to consider. You have just finished dinner and you are full. There are two lukewarm spoonfuls left in a casserole Do you eat it or throw it out?

The Headlines:

--0-Man May Cut Short Visit To Country Of His Childhood; Mt. Merapi Rumbles.
--Good M&A Earnings News Has WS Opening Higher.
--Stress from Economic Woes Dipping.
--Charitable Giving Off A Third.
--Engine Room Fire Cuts Power Stranding 4,500 On Cruise Liner Off Mexico.

Back to More Stuff:
I had just finished golf on this blustery Nor'easter kind of day, when my partner and I found ourselves chating over hot coffee and sweetroll with a nice woman from Ireland (Here 20 years) who runs the pro-shop, cash register and lunch counter. She had plenty of time to talk. We were the only fools on the course. She quickly read us as conservative cretins and began railing about the potential of an America under Obama beginning to look like the dreadful Ireland. There is so much Government money available for even able bodied people that people have just given up working and that they teach their children to look forward to a life on the government dole.That skilled tradesmen have all but disappeared, because not working is so rewarding. It has become a society that pays for babies and gives free housing. Free housing inhabited by irresponsible homeowners is plunked down in the middle of homes owned by hard working people sucking the value out of their homes. Industrious Europeans who came to woirk when Ireland was booming have left to return to Poland which is now the preferred spot for manufacturers. She says that Ireland is ready to go under. Don't be fooled by the green valleys, stone walls and golf courses.
Today's headlines:

I see where Novartis is in the last stages of a research project which would produce a marketable embedded microchip to monitor your body. So what is this idea of Smart Pill technology anyhow. "Warning: Cheetos alert" Send food Nazies to..."

What ever happened to good old fashioned "Stigmas". Like the stigma of not working. Or having children out of wedlock A society that doesn't feel pain will eventually deteriorate.

There is no reason on earth why it should take well over three years to bring to trial two men caught red handed after the brutal torture, rape and murder of three innocent woman in Cheshire, Ct. And, how many years now will appeals go on over the death penalty?

Every kid and juvenile thinking adult will be whining for a "Kinect" this Christmas. And the usual black-market deals will be available as lemmings walk off cliffs for entertainment that will be passe in a year or two, And, most amazing about this marketing effort are the mass of comprehensive cross. promotions.

I don't read stories headlined, "What Women Want.".

Have you noticed how the Government is starting to squeeze seniors? The new Medicare year comes with a premium increase while the SS checks stay the same. Eventually this will force blocks of seniors into Medicaid and the the bloated bureaucracies will be happy. It's called maintaining job security.

The Answer:
Interestingly, if you were born in the thirties or forties, you would probably eat it. In the fifties or later you would probably throw it out. In the depression and WWII years, food was precious. It is probably the reason why the earlier born keep things like TV's that just work fine.

The End:
Erin's Gone Blah!

Cleveland Rocks.

Today's Tids Issue 2,229
Opening Stuff

The Cleveland Browns was the latest NFL team to prove the "On any given Sunday" theory. They were magnificent in every department. Blocking, tackling, QB-ing, receiving and most of all running. What kind of an unstoppable force is that guy Hillis. Their coaches had the Patriots off balance all afternoon. Is this the beginning of a Superbowl run for the wonderful people of Cleveland. Or just a tease ...driven by several coaches wanting to get even with Belicheck.

Well, they ruined my week.

Of course the Tids goes on even under the cloud of deep depression. This just in: "A fly with a broken wing is a walk."

The press loves to point out how Meg Whitman spent !40 Milllion in her Cal race for Gov. What they don't say is that the Public Employee Unions have spent over $300 Million the past several years to keep their bankruptcy inducing gravy train going.

The Question:
With our Muslim raised Prez touring Hindu India, I thought you might like a little poser on that religion. Just so you know what's what. What are the four main dieties of Hindu? What are the essential duties of a good Hindu.

The Headlines:

--One Beast In Conn Uncivilized Family Murder Gets Death Penalty; Father Speaks; I Cried.
--Dems In House Telling Nancy To get Out.
--Yemen U.S. Born Cleric Issues New Calls For Deaths Of Americans.
--RI Wakes To Snow This Morn.
--Dollar Stronger; Markets Down.
--Karsai And Iran Making Goo-Goo Eyes.
--Pentagon Says Afghans Can Protect Themselves In 2014
--Israel Moves Ahead On East Jerusalem Housing.
--Popularity Of New Jeep Grand Cherokee Has Chrysler Looking Up At Brighter Future.

Back to More Stuff:
The media continues to reinforce the idea of the "Bush recession", with inferences to the Tax Cuts and the runaway Wall Street Fat Cats as being the main culprits.. Wall Street's irresponsible packaging of bad loans was certainly a major contributor. But so were the millions of people who took loans which they no ability to pay. And, that is the underlying issue which enabled the greedy on Wall Street to shoot themselves in the head. What is continulaly overlooked is the pressure that was brought to bare upon banks to move to bad loans in the first place. Like Obama the Community Organizer lawyer for Acorn who was involved in suing CitiBank, pressuring them into bad loans. And of course similar action by Andrew Cuomo and the loveable little Teddy Bear - Barney.

My knew favorite singer is the Swedish performer Robyn. Well...I like one of her songs -- something to do with Heart!

Here's a good idea. Keep in your phone people's names you would never call just so you don't mistakenly answer when they do call.

How Newspapers get it wrong department:
A woman who won the RI Treasurer job in the past election got by far the most votes of all candidates for all offices. Of course the democrat driven media immediately declared her the new political phenom and a Pol to be reckoned with in the future. I voted for this dull as dishwater candidate because her Republican opposition was a sleaze-bag, and quite possibly a crook.

And in a headline yesterday, RI Democrat pamphlet (Projo) ran the headline: "Obama to GOP: Extend the Middle Class Tax Cuts." Say what? The GOP never had any intention of canceling middle class cuts. This is clear deception by inference. Journalists don't have to lie to distort!

So, did you hear about the day Leif Ericson came upon the little lemming who was about to jump off a cliff into a river? Leif said "Don't jump little Lemming!" He took the lemming and gave it to his assistant who taught it how to wade across instead of jumping off a cliff. If Leif hands you Lemming, Make Lemmings wade!


The Patriot's loss made me do it!

The Answer:
There are many dieties but ten foru most important are Brahma (The Creator), Vishnu (The Perseerver), Shiva (The destroyer) and Kali/Durga/Parvati (The tri-incarnated Goddess - Death and Destruction, maiden, Mother.) A good Hindu Lives Life according to your Place; Practice and Observe religion; Fundamental: remember that the world is an Illusion -- One must master the the worldly flesh (Control over Body, Cravings and Emotions) to escape and attain spiritual; enlightenment. So, remeber that the next time you enter a convenience store.

The End:
A couple of days ago, I was sitting in the Boston Bus station waiting to pick up a daughter and grandchild. Out of the cornner of my eye, I saw appraoching a Mideastern couple. The man took off his coat and headed off to the men's room. The woman sat next to me. I checked her midsection for suspicious lumps. It's the new world.

The "Mistake on the Lake" is the New England Patriots.

In case you're interested, I think very little of people who use the phrase "Mistake on the Lake". Cleveland is a great city.

I coulda bin a millionaire.

Today's Tids Issue 2,222

Opening Stuff:

It looks like The Tids is paying its Twos today

I have often wondered how many $100,000 baseball cards I may have had in my old Baseball card collection. You have to wonder how many millions of dollars Mom’s all throughout the US of A threw out when junior left. Oh well it’s just mere money compared to the great hugs and moral support.

The just announced New York Times Poll says that the core of Obama’s 2008 support is unraveling faster than a speeding bullet.. As we enter the final days of the campaigns, Catholics, women, less affluent Americans and Independents are switching their allegiances to Republicans. If women choose Republicans over Democrats as polls indicate, it will be the first time that has happened since tracking began in 1982! Smaller government seems to be a driving issue. So much so, that 57% of the country are all for more people without experience! Wipe it clean! Remember the poll a couple of days ago that found that 84% of Americans said that the American System wasn’t the problem but that the people in it were.

The Question: How do you think the student athlete stacks up against the general student body in graduation rates? Name the BCS schools best and worst rates and the same for the Top 25 Basketball schools.

The Headlines:

--Indonesia Death Toll continues To Rise; Tsunami Warning Device Failed To Operate Because Of Lack Of Maintenance.
--Positive Data Pushing DOW To Higher Opening.
--AP Poll Reclassifies 2011 Economic Growth To “Painfully Slow”.
--Exxon-Mobil Quarterly Sales At $98 Billion!
--Unemployment Claims Drop Sharply To 434K; Extended Unemployment Benefits Ready To Expire.
--US Northeast Quadrant Cleans Up After Weird Massive Hurricane Like Storm.
--34 Year Old Pakistan Native, Naturalized US Citizen Farooque Ahmed Nabbed In Plot To desory Washington DC Subways.

Back to More Stuff:
Solidify The Base Department: Not!
This is funny…to me. You would have to consider that people paying $7,500/plate to dine with the Prez would be part of his strong base. For weeks we have been seeing farmers, florists and chefs rapturous over their preparation of din-din for 0-Man. But alas, as the local glitterati arrived they learned that The Man had begged off saying that because Michelle was off (doing his job), “I have to go home to tuck in the girls, walk the dog and pick up poop!” God help us all.

My new nickname for The Prez, 0-man and Prime Time…is “House Mom”. “I can’t come to the Red Phone right now because Malia Ann is having her first 'You know what'."

Pickum’ pitfalls are producing plummeting prognosticator pride. This is the ultimate “On any given Sunday…” season. This week’s dilemma are multiple: Denver/SF, Wash/Det, Miami/Cinn. Jax/Dall, TB/Ariz, Indy/Houst and Pitt NO. I could throw in New England/ Minn too, but NE had too many “Homer” points going for it. Pitt is good but NO should be good. Denver looked like a comer before last week. And, is Dallas ready under Kitna to beat a so-so Jax? Here we go. New, a mad Denver over SF, Indy squeaks, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, TB and New Orleans. The so called easier picks are KC, NYJ, St. Louis and Oakland. Guaranteed Seattle will make this game one I should have put in the Pick em’ Poser category. Current record to date is 66-38.

Just when you thought that authorities were getting a handle on TV’s negative effect on kids, the kids move over to texting and FaceBook.

The next time an electronics appliance salesman offers you a chance to buy a product protection policy for $438, think about the Indonesian Governemtn official who decided it was ok to buy the Tsunami warning device without a maintenance contract.

The advertising business has always been best at predicting the public’s traits and motivations. So, the news that the average TV commercial is going to 15 seconds because of overwhelming evidence indicating a declining attention span, we have to step back and take a look at society in general. The first observation is that the majority of public will never take the time to understand the truth about issues that affect everybody. And as someone once said: “If you are oblivious of principles that really matter, you are destined to live in oblivion.” Actually, I think it was the Tidsguy who said that. Must be a short attention span thing.

After just two games in the NBA, the fans in Cleveland must be having a love affair with The* Boston Celtics. First the Celts knock off the traitorous outcast Lebron and the Heat (Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that everywhere he walked in beautiful Cleveland yesterday, people were grabbing his hand or slapping him on the back for a job well done), and the last night the Celts blew a lead that gave the Cav’s their first victory.

* If they can say The Ohio State, then I have no problem with The Boston Celtics.

A hammock is a napsack.

The good news for RI is that the Attorney General candidates all say they are for more and stronger laws against Public Official Corruption. The problem now becomes determining which of the candidates are in the Public Officials pocket. I’m think Walling and Little.

The Answer: 
The average grad rate for student athletes is 64% versus 63% for the general student body. Among BCS schools, Stanford is tops followed by, surprisingly, Miami! The others are Iowa, Vriginia Tech and Missouri. The worst are Oklahoma and Arizona, the only 2 schools below 50%. In basketball tops are Villanova and Brigham Young at 100%! (Note: Last years winner and runner up, Duke and Butler, were at 83%. The worst were really bad. 4 were in the 30% with lowest UConn and Maryland at 31%. The others were Temple and Baylor.

The End:
When you see the 007 Aston Martin going for $4.3 mil, remember that it isn’t that the car is really that valuable, it’s just that there are too many people with more money than they need. I'd be more than happy to work as someone’s trusted confidant for my remaining years. Hell, I’d even take $2.15 Mil. That’s cheap for reliable, heady conversation. And, you don’t have to change my oil.

Community, Sharing, Cooperation, Love.

Today'sTids Issue 2,212
Opening Stuff:

I could see the heart of Sabastian Pinera swell several times over the course of the evening as one by one the miners returned to their loved ones.

I loved the phrase I heard yesterday, “Trickle up Poverty”. Obviously refers to a down grade of the upper and middle classes if income redistribution actually gains momentum. It is the inevitable result of taking from the producers. Then I learned it was the title of a new book by Michael Savage. Hey, it still works.

Let’s see…when Dem candidates really need help (Like Feingold fighting for his life in Wisconsin), Michelle O is sent out to inspire voters. And then the Clintons run out to regions where 0-Man is perceived as unwelcome. So, I’m thinking that the 2012 Convention will pit Veggie-Girl Against The Hill for the nomination.

If I were Adam, we’d probably all still be in Paradise. Apples just don’t do anything for me.

The Question:
This bonus Q-day! Ehah!! Part One: You can find many great artists from Van Gogh to Michelangelo who were thoroughly depressed. But only one well known artist was a true out and out alcoholic (Or at least only one admitted it to his/her biographer). Who was it? Part Two: While we’re alcoholic prone celebs, one actor played the world famous superspy, martini stirrer 007 more than any other. Who was it and name his Bond films.

The Headlines:

--The World Rejoices; Politicians Unable To Corrupt The Passion Of People For Fellow Human Beings as Citizens From China To Iran To Ireland View The Emerging Miners Through The Same Loving Eyes.
--Armenial Criminla Enterprise Medicare Scam Defrauded Government of 163 Million!
--New Jobless Claims Rise To 452,000; Economists Had Expected 445K.
--Markets Open Higher On Jobless Claims Rise; WS Hopes News will Force Central Bank To Pimp New Money Into Economy.
--Over 288 Thousand Homes Seized In Third Quarter; 816,000 Homes Have Been Foreclosed Year-To-Date.
--Queen Elizabeth Cancels Annual Buckingham Palace Christmas Party Out Of Concern For Citizens Enduring Tough Economic Times.
--Afghan Peace Chief Thinks Taliban Ready To Talk.

Back to More Stuff:
Did you hear about the executioner who when not working just hung around?

This is becoming one of the toughest NFL pickin’ seasons ever. A season where it appears any team can beat any other team. Last year’s two Superbowl teams are struggling. And the experts pre-season “Hot” teams have disappointed…except I guess the dreaded Je-Je-Je…(WYKWIM). Look at this weeks match-ups where picking the winner would be as much luck as skill or NFL knowledge: NE-Balt, Miam-GB, KC-Hous, Atl-Phil, NO-TB, NYJ-Den, Oak-SF, Dal-Minn (2 expert hot picks at 1-3), Indy-Wash and Jax-Tenn. They are coin flippers. And if the NYG’s were still playing like they were two weeks ago, I’d be picking Detroit who is getting stronger. And who knows which Jints team will show this week? Enough intro. The time has come. I’m thinking that home field advantage is my out when I pick NE and several others GB, Houston, TB, Denver, SF, Minn and Washington. I see Atlanta, San Diego and Tennessee as visiting winners in the tougher games. For the rest it is Chicago, Pitt and Giants. Last week’s 9-5 brought the Tid’s team to 50-26 (65.7%).

I was fairly disgusted last night when flipping through the channels came across the Daily show where a comedian, Olivia Munn, was making fun of, ridiculing the miner’s ordeal. Somehow we have to refortify our culture. Give it a rest already.

There is a lot of talk and grandstanding about the illegalities associated with many foreclosures. It is a serious problem and certainly an indication of shoddy work in an overwhelming tide of defaulted mortgages. But, the fact remains that, whether properly signed or not, the initiation of the paperwork was the result of people not paying. It is said that after all is said and done, there will be but a handful of foreclosures overturned.

This years election is as much about the press giving up their place in society as unbiased protectors of the truth as it is about discarding a Congress that seems to have totally lost its way.

You have to worry about where our grant money is going when you learn about a professor at U. Vermont writing a paper on “Whale Poop that is fluffy like a tuft of wool.”

Speaking of smelly stuff, did you hear about the Captain and the sailors at sea? At the morning inspection the ships captain told the First Mate that his men smell bad and perhaps he should suggest that they change their underwear occasionally. “Aye, Aye”, said the First, and he ran below. He gathered the sailors and announced, “The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and he wants you to change your underwear.” He continued, “Pittman, you change with Jones; McCarthy, you change with Witkowski; Brown you change with Schultz.” The moral of the story is that someone may come along and promise “Change”, but don’t count on things smelling any better.

The emotional at times Michael Savage, a self proclaimed refugee from 60’s radicalism, is absolutely right-on a lot more than he is misguided. You just have to stay calm and pay attention.

The Question:
Part One; Jackson Pollack is acknowledged as a very creative contemporary painter. But he was equally competent and putting away the sauce. Actually to many, his paintings look like his brain on vodka. Part Two: Roger Moore was the most prolific of the martini stirring spy. Well at least in number of years playing the role. He made as many Bond’s as Sean Connery, 7, but one of Connery’s “Never Say never Again” was not considered officially part of the EON Production series. Moore’s are Live and Let Die, The man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View to a Kill.

The End:
You gotta hope that the world learned a lot from the Chilean miner endurance and cooperation about living together for the good of all. In fact I believe that if we didn’t have politicians and the media exploiting differences that we could achieve that. Everybody wants to be loved.

As soon as I get the inspiration, I’ll be back again with a new installment novel.So far I've had two suggestions from readers: 1. A Buxum starter on a golf course. 2. Why Boston and the world have an innate hatred of the Ya-ya-Ya's.