Doin' the right Thing Ain't Easy.

Today's Tids Issue 2,507
Opening stuff:

Actually I find the extremely low approval rating of Congress curious. As I remember, the overwhelming victory by the Repubs in the House last year was spurred by an aware group of voters concerned about the out of control increases in the National Debt. Much of the Repub action, continually misreported by the press, was to start the process of getting this gigantic debt down. Yet every time they block some "Promotional" add-to-the-debt program by the Prez, they are branded obstructionists. When they disagreed with maintaining the FICA contribution to Social Security, they were accused of hurting the little guy in favor of their rich friends. Yet the lower FICA contribution removes billions of new revenue from the Social Security Fund, one of the most fragile of all big government programs. So, I look at congress doing what it was elected to do and that is to reign in the big spenders and get sensible again. So count me in as one of the 9% who are rooting for Congress to continue being tough on waste and lunacy.

I thought that Romney gave a great victory speech last night after his solid NH victory.

The Question:

If Americans were asked the question, "Of what groups are Americans most intolerant", the vast majority of the answers would probably not be correct. Of which groups(Ethnic, Racial, cultural, religious et.al.) are Americans least tolerant

The Headlines:

--Obama Declares NH Primary Victory "Stunning"; Says He Feels Vindicated, Rejuvenated After 4 Years Ago Tough Loss To Hillary; Commends Staff On New, Efficient Campaign Strategy - No Opponents; Will Seek 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals To Abolish Two Party System: "We Only need One", He Adds.
--Reuters Says Euro In For Tough Days Ahead.
--Syria's Assad Goes Public To rally support.
--Romney Looks Strong Coming Out Of Solid NH Primary Victory; Paul A Strong Second, Huntsman Third; No Mo For Newt.
--Twinkies Declares Chapter 11; Newt Vows To Keep Eating Them Til Company Turns Around.
--Tensions Rise In Pakistan As PM Sacks Defense Secretary..
--Downward Mobility Of Middle Class Unfortunate New Trend In America.

Things I don't get Department:
The Lords of Baseball in their infinite wisdom have decided to pay 77 yo. Bud Selig $25 Mill in salary to hang around and bumble through another year. And do what? There must be an awful lot of extra money laying around the Baseball commissioners office. Is this why ticket prices are so high.

The only good thing about peas is that they are green and distinguishable when trying to pick out of soup and chicken pot pies.

Providence Journal Columnist/Humorist Mark Patinkin suggests, "The phrase 'Social Justice' is a euphemism for not making lazy people work."

A local culinary twosome has introduced a new line of Natural Gourmet Veggie "Burgers" made of black beans, brown rice, corn, tomatoes, soy protein, red pepper, onion and panko. The name of their restaurant is Choklad. I think they left out an "a" and a "n". Figure it out.

People will say, "Yeah but, why can't Congress get along with each other and the Prez. Two reasons: 1. Scratching each others back while getting along is what got us into the mess in the first place. 2. The Prez doesn't want to get along with the Repubs. Never has since the first day in office.

Almost Near: Chapter 57 Continues. --"There's more. Louttite -- Audrey thought it's never good when the police call somebody by their last name -- has been seen in tis town before. But, he was here just two days ago, and said he had never been there. We have solid information that indicates he may have been asking about Samantha's parents, both dead...or..." Sparrow paused so that Audrey now held her breath. "...at least one known dead." For your information, we're re-opening the mother's suicide case."
"I'm not feeling real relaxed right now. But, I should get back to him because it doesn't take this long to pee. Do me a favor and call John Barton of the Little Rock police. explain what you have told me, and tell him I'm out at Lady Lil's." I'll be nice to Tucker, and hopefully keep him comfortable. I think he likes me. I know he does. maybe I'll ask him to marry me."
"You sound like a helluva person, Audrey."
"I'm a good liar. I'm petrified right now. Call Barton!"
"Right away."
Audrey primped her hair, looked into the mirror and saw a frightened woman. She patted her cheeks to get a little color. Scrunched face around, and started smiling at some of the contortions. Ah, she thought, a smile does the trick. She dropped the phone into a packet where she could hear the vibrations. And opened the door. She saw Tucker sitting there, and wondered if it would be best if she snuck out the back door and ran. But where would she go. She took a positive step forward and walked back to the table.
Tucker looked up as she put her hand on the back of her chair and pulled.
"Oh, I would have gotten that for you. You must be in a weakened condition after that long stay in the ladies room." he was smiling, but seemed to be searching for something in her face.
"Ladies rooms are slow, You know that."
"Of course I do."

The Answer:

Of all the groups in America, the people are most intolerant of Mormons! 30% sad they would never vote for a Mormon just higher than Muslims, Gays and Atheists. Only 4-5% said they would never vote for a black or a woman. People over 75 also rank low in the hearts of voters.

I've never met a Mormon I didn't like.

Give me a good Mormon any day.

Today's Tids Issue #2,356

Opening Stuff:

Lest We Forget Department:
As the Pols continue to try to divert attention away form real issues that take real courage to solve, it was refreshing yesterday to hear this reminder from Timothy Geithner: "..The country's debt is so severe that Congress must deal with it or face the risk the country will be charged much higher interest rates to borrow." It is impossible for intelligent people, if there are any courageous enough to remain in Government, to keep their heads in the sand on this one. It is real, and real scary. Lets take another look at the Ryan proposal. It is that serious folks.

Where have you been all my life Tyler Seguin?

How many times do you found the perfect solution to a project, or perfect words for a writing after moving your mind to another place for a while, and then coming back. You invariably see right in front of you what had been there all of the time but you never saw at all the first time.

Police have reported that the shooting behind the carpet store was rug related! Thanks as always to Cassatt and Brookins.

The Question:
A reader sent me a list of "Red Neck Country" medical terms. See if you can come up with their definition of these common terms: Dilate, Impotent, Cauterizem Caesarian Section, Pelvis, Tumor, Artery and Bacteria.

The Headlines:

--Mississippi Waters Inching Closer To Tops Of Levees.
--Wall Street reluctant To make Bets Ahead Of Fed Food For Thought.
--HP Disappoints: Dell Glistens After Reporting "Blow Out" Profits.
--Germany begins Lobbying For European To Head IMF If Alleged Rapist Steps Down; Europe Debt Problem Biggest Factor On World Financial Stage.
--Bus Attack In Eastern Afghan Kills 10 Civilians.
--More Cases On Extreme Home Makeover Appearing To Be Fraudulent; Producers Worry That They Will Taint The Truly Needy.

That IMF Chief and Socialist candidate for the French Presidency, Strauss-Kahn. sounds to me like a true "Don't-you-know-who-I-am" elitist slug. A lover of the fruits of capitalism who espouses the community of socialism for his groveling minions. Despite the protests of his well paid lawyers, and innocent til proven guilty observance.

Personally, I like the Honda Element, but nobody seems to agree with me.

The great Harmon Killibrew died. He was for many years the 5th all-time Home Run hitter...that is until the steroid era! This fan favorite was known to be one of the nicest and most honest of all players ever. But, when it came to steroids, his seldom displayed rancor arose.

The networks are beginning to formulate their Fall programming now in time for the Summer ad sales push. CBS has three new Dramas -- 1. "Person of Interest" thriller form "Lost" creator Abrams; 2. "Unforgettable", a police dram about a cop with flawless memory; 3. "A Gifted Man", a surgeons ex-wife returns from the grave. #1 looks like it has a chance for me. There are also two new comedies -- 1. "2 Broke Girls" about two diner waitresses; 2. "How to be a Gentleman" about a refined newspaper columnist and an unrefined personal trainer.

So far, I have yet to see a network announcing the return of "24". Or even a reasonable knock-off of one of my all time favorite shows.

I see where the increasingly out of control Chris Matthews called Sarah Palin "Profoundly Stupid" again. He used as justification her first ever TV interview with Kati Couric...3 years ago. I agree that Sarah has some flaws, but how flawed is this supposedly intelligent journalist who can resist continually stooping downward himself towards profound stupidity.

One of the good things about hemp rugs in multi-hues of brown, is that coffee stains don't show.

The biggest obstacles to healthy eating based on a BH&;G survey to 3,700 women are : 1 (Tie) - "Not drinking enough water" and "Too Much Junk Food" (48%), Too Big a portions, overeating (42%), Can't afford high cost of healthier food (39%), Emotional eating (35%) and at 34%, what I think is the real problem for everybody despite what they say above -- Poor Will Power! I'm an expert on this, folks. Oh, Healthy food doesn't taste good. How about that one.

I have no problem with this Mormon thing in politics. Frankly, most of the Mormons I have known have been heads and shoulders above many other people I have met. They are in general kind, caring, honest and certainly giving. So I guess it bothers me quite a bit when Repubs are willing to throw under the bus good men like Romney and Huntsman primarily because they are Mormon.

Even if Tiger Woods reagins his health, he will not have that intimidation factor going for him against the new younger players. He won many tournaments in the past just by being in the mix and having leaders crumble after looking back and seeing him charge.

Almost Near: Chapter 21 continues. --"Hi!," Tucker smiled and tried to act confident and cheery,"I'm..."
  "I know who you are Sonny." Your that Easterner writer guy trying to get some dirt on my good family." She glared and definitely wasn't cheery. Tucker stiffened. "Well, Buster, you came to the wrong place."
  Now it was Audrey's turn to interrupt. "Listen, Mrs. Quimpierre, if that's who you are, you don't know what you're talkin' about and frankly your just actin' as dumb as your boys do when they come to town." The woman stood there speechless. "Now if you'll take a second to listen, Tucker might be helpful to your family and you to him. So lets go over an sit on those old benches over there." She turned and whispered to Tucker, "I'm not steppin' into that dirty old house." She squeezed his arm and chuckled under her breath.
  When they turned to sit they saw the Woman following them, but still with the evil eye of suspicion. She sat. OK, I'm Mrs. Quimpierree, and I don't much like what you have to say about my boys. But I'll listen to you."
  Tucker explained that Rudy's wife might be his former fiance who strangely left him 18 years ago. She listened quietly and nodded several more times. He finished with a couple of questions. "What did you think of Samantha? What kind of a person was Rudy? And what do you think happened to their children?

The Answer:
Dilate -- To Live long; Impotent -- Distinguished, Well Known; Cauterize -- To make eye contact with her; Caesarian Section -- An Area in Rome; Pelvis -- Cousin of Elvis; Tumor -- One plus one more; Artery -- The study of paintings; Bacteria -- The rear entrance to a cafeteria.

The End:
Good hitting is exciting, but winning is all about good pitching.

Now that the Trump ego train has left the GOP political scene, maybe we can get back to reevaluating solid performers who who don't see the need to wear clown suits when taking the podium. Maybe we need a dull but resourceful person to get the USA express back on track.