Black turns blue, green and glorious.

Today's Tids Issue #2,475
Opening Stuff:

I loved Black Friday. I spent much of it roaming through God's perfect place, Little Compton RI. Stone walls -- framing well worked farms where Pilgrims once strode -- slide gently into the sea. Little hidden rock bound coves capture and hold the raging sea; secluded retreats that temper the mind. Home after 18th century home where, hard working early Americans toiled; rallied in support against tyranny; contributed to plans that made RI a paragon of freedom copied by the other twelve. This is the vision of quintessential New England I remember. Uncluttered. Untouched by the commercialism of the day. Yup, Black Friday is ok with me.

News reports with video about "Black Friday" looked like your basic all-American big city looting after a tragedy.

The Question: 
Designer dog breeds with Poodles as one of the DNA contributors are certaingly the rage these days. Name five dogs with "Doodle" or "Poo" in their names.

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Opens Strong, Up 3%; DOW Up 3 Retail Stocks Lead Way After Strong Weekend.
--Egypt Holds Historic Election.
--EuroDebt Still Biggest Threat To Global Economic Stability.
--Financial Insecurity Of Americans Highest Since 1930's.
--Barney Frank Announces Retirement; Local Congressman Gets Out Ahead Of Sheriff.
--Another Suicide Bomber Kills 24 At Iraq Military Base.
--Ohio State U Hires Ashtabula OH Native Urban Meyer; Meyer Had denied Any Interest, Any Contact 4 Days Ago; Dishonesty In NCAA Lives.
--Syracuse U Fires Fine; Tapes Of His Wife Discussing, Condoning(?) His Tendencies Stomach Turning; Coach Boeheim Says He Regrets Insensitive Statements Supporting Assistant; Is Legendary Coach Next To Go?

Let's see, 3 so-called intelligent kids (Or maybe just wealthier college students on a educational vacation) from the US decided it was a good idea to throw fire bombs off the roof of a building into a raging crowd in somebody else's country, and then wonder why they should get arrested. Are they naive...or just another trio of coddled, out of touch American children.

Freedom of speech does not mean camping out in cities. I looked it up. It's not in there.

BTW, is there a lower form of human being than a looter. Oh, maybe a scandal mongering papprazzi. Or a litterer.

Hey, aren't you loving the Glitterati fighting back against the intrusive slugs in the tabloid segment of the Press. Hey, I'm not kidding myself, some stars crave publicity like cocaine. And some like Kardashian and Hilton have used it to their advantage by releasing so-called "secret" sex tapes -- basically their only real claim to fame. But for the most part, Celebs should be left alone. It's just the civil, human thing to do. I don't buy this philosophy that if you're a public figure, the Press has a right to stalk you, invade you and humiliate you. But of course, just like cocaine, it's really the add cited public which is the driving force that keeps the Mexican murderous cartels and the Paprazzi in business.

People just keep on abetting the lowering of standards. And probably don't know it.

Do you get the feeling that Clinton (Bill) is trying to create is own private government by continually presenting ideas that would preempt the existing incumbents. There's no truth ot the rumor that he is tweeting his followers to Occupy DC.

I am really tired of the over-promotion and unwarrented addualtion of dead celbrities like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presseley. And I'd throw in Frank Sinatra, too. I would throw in Frankie, except I fear for my health and wrath of the Sinatra aficionados. So, forget that I alluded to my disinterest in preserving the memory of a singer who had little meaning for me in my youth. So, just forget I said it. I would never disparage an average singer, with a good publicist. you never heard it. Not here. Nope. No way.

"Electric vehicles are central to President Obama's plan to reduce US dependence on oil." What does he think will efficiently power the generators that produce the electricity to recharge the car.

Oh, and by the way, the Tids has just learned that PETA is boycotting oil producers for violating the sanctity of dinosaur and other prehistoric animal burial grounds.

Providence RI will be awash in a sea of contraventions as the Netroots Nation 2012 holds it's annual convention there in early 2012. The featured speaker in this loose group of avowed progressive and liberal politicos and wirters will be none other than Kieth Olberman. I'll be interested in reading the reports in the local newspaper. I hope the bring along their Truth-o-Meter. It gould be a bonanza for great sarcasm and humor.

Syracuse Firings Headline Explained: In a taped phone call, Fine's wife Laurie said while talking to accuser Davies, "I think there may have been others". "I know everything that went on, you know. I know everything that went on with him." "You trusted someone you shouldn't have trusted." "He thinks he's above the law."

The Answer:

The first hybrid I ever heard of was a dog I bought many years ago which was supposed to be (They told me) a planned mix of a German Shepard and Black Lab, offering the owner calm and intelligence. Of course I got it for free because it was available and the cultural acceptance of today's higher priced dogs was still a dream in the breeder's eye. Enough preamble. The first new breed I had heard of was the Labradoodle. Now you can find as popular Golden Doodles, Cockapoos, Yorkipoos, Doxiedoodles, Schnoodles, Puggles and Shih-poos. I'll take Spot, thanks you.

The Tryptophan in Turkey blunted the Novel writing side of of my brain. But it will wear off by tomorrow.

Man, November sure went fast.

Personally, I think it is always better to attempt the hard way to do things.

The real uncontrollable "Spill".

Today's Tids Issue 2,131
Opening Stuff:

Among the many problems in the world, there is one going on under the radar and it is about how fast the US of A is approaching “Critical Mass”. That moment when the number of people who are getting something for nothing from the government is a larger voting block than those contributing to the economic growth. When that point is reached, it will be impossible to cap the slippery flow.

Have you noticed that the big problems in Europe are the result of attaining another critical mass: That point where it has become impossible to finance the promises of socialism.

Friday always makes me hungry. Mention Friday and I start thinking Grillday, Broilday, Boilday, Sautéday and Roastwithgravyday. Oh, it hurts.

The Question:
Frank Sinatra died 12 years ago today. Name five of his top songs…Fast!...no thinking allowed.

Weekend Bonus Q: In honor of the anniversary of the last Seinfeld show, name the ten most frequently seen “secondary” characters. Fast!

The Headlines:
--Celtic Oust Cavs.
--Small Business Lobby Protests In DC Against health care Implementation.
--Space Shuttle Atlas Fueled For Last Launch.
--Oil falls Back To $73; Demand Way Down.
--Billboard In Buffalo Greets Obama: “Get Me a Freakin’ Job.”
--Consumer Spending Up More Than Expected; Though Far Lower Than March, 7th Consecutive Month Good News; Industrial Production Up.
--European Economy Still Major Concern; Stock Futures Down.

Back to More Stuff:

Remember that a return to our manufacturing greatness that inspires visions of building rockets to the moon and sleek non-polluting automobiles, also means hiring people who put silly puddy in little plastic eggs.

It is kind of a sad testimony to today’s national leadership vacuum problem when, as one wag pointed out, Kalgan’s strongest points are no experience and no paper trail. In other words it is no longer whether or not you are good, courageous or responsible…it is merely a matter of not being tied to something bad.

College for all is basically a bad idea. Advanced skill training for all is another story.

Lobbyists Rule Department:
Here is a little, current congressional event that indicates why the voter is becoming more and more helpless. Congress is considering passing a law than would ban direct shipments of wine from vineyards to consumers or small retailers under the guise of it being bad for teens. Of course small retailers laugh saying “when was the last time you saw a teen buying $30/bottle wine, or waiting for a two week delivery to get soused”. It is all about the lobby for Booze distributors anteing up to disingenuous lawmakers. Just one more, small example of how the people are no longer represented.

Did you hear about the heir to the family business who got ahead on will power?

One of the hardest words to define any more is “Normal”. What is normal? As in what is a normal family any more. Or fine dining to one maybe Sake and Miso Caramelized Chilean Sea Bass while to another it is the irresistible Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy. To most illegal means criminal while to others it means unfortunate masses looking for opportunity. Or how about a son who is an athlete versus one who is a chef. And of course there are Women’s and Black groups who don’t consider conservative women or blacks…women or black. The point is that in these times Normal is among the most paralyzing words of our day. Tomorrow we will work on the word “Understanding”.

BTW, in a new AP/ Univision Poll Hispanics voted overwhelmingly to allow illegal’s in the country, saying that they consider Illegal immigration a “Boom” as opposed to a burden to the taxpayer. I guess they also have read up on the theory of Critical Mass.

One of my favorite colomnists Kathleen Parker must be reading the Tids. She picked up on our last week’s columns that wondered why the 0-Man doesn’t regard Geography as part of that overworked word “Diversity”. She went on to wonder as we how it could be considering diversity if the three women on the court would all be considerably left leaning and all from the heart of New York City.

Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 72 Continues. –I tried to bring myself back to normalcy. “Glad to hear you had a productive morning,” I started. “You are much more than my loving husband,” I said lightly, almost amusingly. I looked up. Sally looked more comfortable, although Paul seemed still a little tense. “..what you are doing technically is part of what gives our people confidence that we are going to turn BiEm into a big winner.” That made Paul smile a little. Success in his work has always been so important to him.
“Thanks Sarah,” He said simply. But now he was settling in.
“Before we were interrupted abruptly by Mr. Middleton,” I looked at Paul but showed no reaction, “Sally and I were trying to understand more about Bromsky.” I paused. And maybe his relationship, if any with Middleton.”
Sally jumped in, “Oh, I don’t think there a was ever a relationship between Kent and Seymore, just an irreconcilable competition. While I like Kent a lot, and love working for him, he is nearly a megalomaniac. And,” she continued now a little embarrassed, “hated this challenge thrown at him by Isabelle.”
Very interesting I thought. All of a sudden I have gotten over my temporary emotional breakdown. “I’m glad we weren’t talking about Laura when Kent sneaked in”.
“Laura!” Paul said quickly. “I often saw her with Bromsky, but never thought much about it since she was his niece. I have to admit now that I look back that she looked much more serious than a flighty teen as I watched through the glass walled office her talk, almost lead Seymour in discussions.”.

I have probably mentioned this before, but I laugh every time our local newspaper hails in a headline that our two US Senators, “The Puppet and the Dunce” are firmly behind this admin issue. Like…so?

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Robin Hood is not your father’s Robin Hood. It is gritty, which is about what I expected. It is more of a prequel to the story that most of us know. Robin is an archer in Richard’s crusading army. Marion is a rugged farm housewife fighting off thieves while hubby is off with Richard. No Friar Tuck. No tights. No caps with cute feathers. So don’t go to reminisce. But go and enjoy a good middle ages film with plenty of bad guys and excitement.
--Letters to Juliet looks like a nice romantic tale. In Verona, home of one of the great all time love stories, a group of women called Juliet’s Secretaries answer letters from the forlorn. A soon to be married American women, Sophia, decides to join the group and discovers a fifty year old letter from a then 16 yo. who was forced by parents to give up the quest of her lover. Sophia invites her to come to Verona so she could help her find this now 50 year older man of her dreams. The older women brings along her son, a wisecracking arrogant boy who soon uses Sophia as his target for barbs. Will they find the rejected lover? Will Sophia and the nasty son find true love? Pretty good yarn.
--Just Wright starring Queen Latife is a very predictable romantic comedy…with little resemblance to anything comedic or romantic. You could avoid and not feel guilty.

The Answer:
One Sinatra expert picks these five best ballads and five best toe-tappers Ballads : One for My Baby, Angel Eyes, It Never Entered My Mind, I’ve Got a Crush on You and You Go to My Head. Toe-Tappers: I’ve Got You Under My Skin, I Get a Kick Out of You, From this Moment On, How About You and I won’t dance. Check out the entire list of 50!: http://cinepad.com/sinatra/best_songs.htm

Weekend Bonus: Ruthie Cohen tops the list with 101 appearances. Newman is a strong second with 48. The rest are Frank Costanza, Estelle Costanza, Susan Ross, Monty Seinfeld, Jacopo Peterman, George Steinbrenner, Uncle Leo and Mr. Wilhelm.

Time for Nothin':Congratulations on great answers! Isn’t great to know you have accomplished something on Friday?

Love lolling this weekend!