Having fun can be cheap.

Today's Tids Issue 2,236

Opening Stuff:

What am I going to do when email becomes obsolete?

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

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

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

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

The Headlines:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Matson for Congress.

Today's Tids Issue 2,209)

Opening Stuff:

There’s no Truth to the rumor that as the NY State nanny government passes more and more laws banning foods, drinks and activities, gangland leaders are knocking off each other to gain control of black markets for sweet soda and transfats. If successful with these products, Gang and organized crime leaders are expected to use the profits to open a chain of smoking huts on beaches…disguised as Ticketron booths for the Eliot Spitzer show.

Which leads me to my main topic of the day…turning our government back over to citizen leaders instead of career politicians. Neighbors who enter the fray without the big money backing; People who see the need to change a declining system; Who have the guts to sweat out raising money from real people; Who want to restore a sensible, limited government. Independent thinkers without cluttered minds being pulled astray from the people by special interests. I’m talking about a guy like John Matson, a hard working carpenter from the rural South County in RI. A good man who is just tired like many of his neighbors of watching Party Puppets elected to Congress year after year. Lifetime politicians joining in with other members of an out of control congress who just don’t get it any more. Whom somehow think that Government built this outstanding country of ours. A congress that has seemed to stop listening to those who really built the country. The people. Matson, and I know many other new candidates like him around the country, have the brains and the courage to question, and then stop, the accepted antics of these apologists for agendized parasites.

My body seems to loose its edge when the Patriots are in Bye Week.

The Question:
Since a lot of people enjoy celebrating the Discovery of America and have some leisurely time, here’s an anagram Q to test your minds. Rearrange the letters in the following phrases or words to make new phrases. 1. “Dormitory”. 2. “The Eyes”. 3. “George Bush”. 4. “Election results”. 5. “Eleven plus two”

The Headlines:

--World Applauds As Chile Rescue Breaks Through To Trapped Minors; Steel Reinforcing Tube Installed. First Minor Expected To See Daylight Tomorrow.
--No Cost Of Living Increase For Social Security Recipients For Second Consecutive Year.
--Chinese Arrest Wife Of Jailed Dissident Who Won Nobel Peace Prize.
--Microsoft Expected To Enter Phone Biz With Partner AT&T; New Competitor To Google And Apple Will Use Windows.
--Stocks Rise As benanke Utters “S” Word.
--Chinese Buy 1/3 Control Of 600,000 Acre Huge Chesapeake South Texas Oil Field.
--Peter Diamond, Dale Mortensen and Christopher Pissarides Win Nobel Economics Prize For Theories On Unemployment/Available Jobs Dichotomy; Some Note They May Have developed Prize Winning Theory While Reading The Tids.

Back to More Stuff:
Over the weekend I was in a group of people who were talking about how well the “Recovery Act” was repairing local roads. I guess I’m not that smart, because I always thought that one major reason for our state and local taxes was the maintenance of roads, streets and country lanes. I guess I have been living under a misconception. Silly me. I must be from another planet.

If Whitman and Firorino win in California, you can bet that somebody will ask the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to place an injunction on the results. And the court will do it.

Our Nobel Peace Prize dissident is living in the White House.

Tonight’s NFL pre-game will be dominated by sex, Moss and video phone photos. But in reality, it should be an exciting games by two good teams. The Je-Je-Je (WYKWIM) are unfortunately a formidable team, but the Vikings have more urgency. That said, I’m looking forward to the fans signs.

You know the country Is in trouble when you realize that RI Senator Whitehouse is on the “Intelligence“ committee.

When an athlete says, “I got to get me some of that Bling”, he is by definition saying “I got to become showy and tasteless.”

Through the Same Eyes: Epilogue. –The days following the slaughter at HR&L were hectic and confusing…and heart wrenching for me. My heart went out the door with the stretcher carrying Kent’s body. I don’t remember how long I sat on the floor with blood pooled around my thighs; clutching the cooling body that will always be warm to me. I only remember arms lifting me as other arms took Kent and laid him flat on the floor. I felt arms encircling me from behind and realized it was Paul. Paul tying to give me strength as I stared transfixed into Kent’s now lifeless eyes. But filled with the life of memories past. An EMT walked over and placed a sheet over Jack Wiley and then Kent. I slowly expanded my arms to gently break the grasp of Paul. I took a step, bent to a knee and pulled back the sheet to take one last look at that face. I then pulled the sheet back up knowing that Kent’s image will never leave my mind, and will always affect my body. I stood, turned and looked at Paul, who showed me loving concern. I reached my arms behind him and laid my head on his chest. I felt my friend Henry’s hand warmly touch my back and give it an anxious rub. Now for the first time I wondered what Paul was thinking. Knew.
Hours later I was still there talking to police. Dan, was not hurt badly and joined me filling in the blanks as law enforcement people tried to put together the events. Dan said that Kent was the hero of the day and probably saved the lives of many in addition to mine.
The people in the office were all sent home for the rest of the day. It was obvious I realized even as sat there rattled trying to remember details of a tragedy, that was going to be up to me to put everything back together. I was going to have to be Maggie the Magnificent again. But then as I thought about Jack using me as well as Isabelle and maybe even Kent, I wasn’t so sure I could ever be again what I thought I was.
Finally, I was able to leave, worn but still living on memories of my deceased lover. Paul was sitting by the elevator. He looked tired. His eyes rose up. He smiled. A loving smile. “Ready to go home to Fosterville?”

There is no truth to the rumor that Will Travers, shocked by the in ability to stop the Houston Harbor terrorist attack, will spend the next year in the series looking for Jack Bauer.

It would be nice if on my computer there was also a little thermometer reading down near the time. To warn me that I’ve been sitting in the cold too long.

I get it, our taxes pay for brainy people who set up the circumstances that cause recessions so that our tax federal money can be returned to local governments to fix roads. I knew there was a plan in there somewhere.

The Tids goes to great lengths to bring opinions and facts about just about everything that is going on in the world. But, I’m sorry to say that I just don’t have the stomach to tune into the Eliot Spitzer show. You’ll have to figure it out yourself. Sorry.

The Answer:
I think these are pretty clever and kind of amazing: 1. “Dirty Room”. 2. “They See”. 3. “He Bugs Gore”. 4. “Lies – Let’s Recount. 5. And Truly amazing…”Twelve plus One”. And, you have to wonder if the original Presbyterians knew the anagram of the name was “Best In Prayer”!

The End:
Remember, there is a John Matson in your Congressional district too. Don’t let a good candidate, who will work for you, get lost in the morass of party bosses and biased media politics as usual.

Hey, I’m a little late. So what. It’s a holiday.