A beautiful silence.

Today's Tids Issue 2,251

Opening Stuff:

The northern wind freezes December days / A somber hush falls over city streets / As though the world inhales and holds its breath / Awaiting that Christmas morning that lightens the mind.

Only fourteen days til I start Christmas shopping.

A famous Viking returns from a long voyage and finds his name missing form the town register. His wife insisted on complaining to the local official who apologized profusely: "I must have taken Lief off my census."

Jumping jacks are stand-up snow angels.

The Question: 
How many Black people have won the Nobel Peace Prize and who was the first? Bonus Q: In news item below about strongest economy poll, name 6 economies US people think are strongest now and in 20 years. Bonus 2: Who was America's longest living President.

The Headlines:

--In A New Poll Only One In Five Americans Say US Is Best Place For Jobs And Prosperity; Half Say China Is number 1; 3/5's of Americans Say Low Wage Jobs Elsewhere Will Keep Future US Standard Of Living Growth Down.
--Stock Mark Pares Early Gains After New Consumer Data.
--Obama Predicts tax Bill Passage With Possible Changes.
--China Nobel Winner Gets Standing "O" IN Absentia; China Still Calls Ceremony "Clowns".
--US $700 Billion Bailout Has Earned $35 Bil In Two Years.
--Prince Charles And Camilla Attacked By Mobs On London Street.
--FAA Says They have Lost Track Of Owns 119,000 Of The 357,000 Private And Comercial Aircraft In US; Could be Terrorist Problem.
--Gorbachev Says Russian Undemocratic Political Landscape Is Threatening Country's Stability.
--Ex-Wiki Worker Establishing New Secret Leaking Organization.

Back to More Stuff:
This whole WikiLeaks thing raises an interesting argument. Open Book Government versus necessary secrets for the public good?. Freedom of expression versus censorship? This of course brings us to another question, "Is there too much information available to many who don't see, know or understand the whole picture. I think this transparency issue is much like the chicken and egg thing. Depending on how you look at it, two divergent answers can be completely right. When you think about it, it really comes down to trust in elected officials. After all, we are a representative government and not a democracy. We have to hope that the vast majority of representatives are honest and that often secrecy is necessary to run an efficient government in peace and most certainly war.

This Pats/Bears game could be one of the best and I won't be surprised to see the Bears win. I'm already pacing and it is about 54 hours til game time!

I hate stories like this. And the irresponsible disregard for personal property and revered institutions seems to becoming much too prevalent these days. In England, the Glastonbury Holy Thorn Tree is said to have links to the earliest days of Christianity there. In fact, tradition holds that the original tree was planted by Saint Joseph of Arimethea -- he who provided the Tomb for Jesus. It is said that upon his arrival in Glastonbury 2,000 years ago, he planted his staff into the hillside and the tree grew from there. Last night it was cut down to a six foot stump. Creeps.

The "...Mother of Invention" theory doesn't always work that well when you consider that the first can opener wasn't invented until fifty years after the tin can.

Mark December 19th down on your sports viewing calendar. The UConn women's basketball team will be playing to tie the great record of John Wooden's UCLA men's team for the most consecutive wins at 88. Even better they will be up against the powerful Ohio State team (#6) in Madison Square Garden NYC. Could be a classic.

Did you hear about the down and out electrician strapped for cash who wired for money?

US life expectancy rates out and it isn't good. They are down about a tenth of a year off the all time high of 77.9. Women can still look to 80 while men start to fade around 75. I guess I'll have to eat healthier to live longer to keep women readers happy. More good news is the decline in death rates for 6 0f the 15 leading causes of death -- heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, accident and homicide. Keep on jogging and doin those standout jumping snow angels.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I was looking forward to The Tourist mainly because it sounded like MR. Everyman getting caught up in a web of intrigue ala Gary Grant in North By Northwest and Jimmy Stewart in The man Who Knew Too Much (One of my all time faves). But, alas the too super stars fail to connect at all. A guy dallies with a stranger and is entrapped in an international conspiracy scheme to which there is no apparent out for him. I may rent it anyhow.
--The Fighter is a very good movie and true story that traces the life of boxer Micky Lowell and Brother trainer on drugs as he rises from a bleak Lowell mass childhood to become champion. Great cast of Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Mallissa Leo and Jack McGee makes it work.
--Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader is a beautifully rendered animated spectacular as out courageous warriors battle magical creatures and reunite with protector the "Great Lion". Can't miss for kids.


The Answer:
Dr. Ralph Bunch in 1950 was the first black man to win the Nobel peace prize. there are 7 others -- Albert John Lithuli, Martin Luther King Jr., Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Wangari Maathai (First black woman) and Barack Obama (may have been his white half.) Bonus Q: 47% say China is biggest today, while only 37% say they will be biggest in 20 years. The rest of the six remain in the same order, but the support %'s change. US (20%, 34%...that's good), Japan (11%, 6%), EU 6%, 5%), India (5%, 5%) and Russia (2%, 1%). Bonus 2: He didn't do much, but he lived the longest of all Presidents -- Gerald Ford - 93 years.

The Weekend:
Enjoy the peace of of scintillating early winter.

What flew over the cuckoo's nest?

Today's Tids Issue 2,250
Opening Stuff:

Happy Hanukkah everybody!

A WikiLeaks item reveals that Arab people felt better about America because of "Desperate Housewives" and David Letterman. I don't know about you but I feel worse for America becasue of David Letterman and Desperate. Let's hope they don't think Jersey Shore is America. I really hate being defined abroad by US Television.

You have to wonder about the sincerity of the newly empowered Republicans when they name "The Prince of Pork", Kentucky Rep Hal Rogers, as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He says that the people voted and I hear them! Yeah, sure! Lets hope the tax payers aren't getting barbecued...again.

The Question: 
A new poll this week had GW Bush approval ratings up to 47%, far above his exit ratings. The poll also rated all modern day Presidents starting with Kennedy. How do you think they rate?

The Headlines:

--Market Looks Up After Better Jobless Report.
--Democrats Reluctantly slogging Towards Obama Compromise Tax Plan That Serve All Americans.
--New Jobless Claims Fall Again.
--WikiLeaks Payment Processor To Sue Credit Card Companies For Their refusal To Process Donations To Company.
--Chasen Murder Mystery Apparently Solved; Lone Man On Bicycle Who Later Took Own Life Named As Killer; Police Say Not A Murder for Hire Conspiracy But Robbery Gone bad.
--Morgan-Stanley will Pay 10-25% Less In Bonuses This Year Due To Volatile Market Conditions.
--FBI Stings Averts Bombing Disaster At Maryland Recruitment Center

Back to More Stuff:
Now Obama knows what every recent President has learned. Peace in the Middle East is a nice idea, but love isn't the answer. Yesterday the US esentially thorough up their hands and walked away.

I thought the NFL season ended Monday night after the Pats firmly beat the Jets! But there's a quarter of the season left and it is meaningful to more teams than ever. And this week's picks are as tough as they get, and what makes them tougher are that many of the slightly favored teams are visiting teams. Like the Pat's at Chi, Denver/Ariz, TB/Wash, Phil/Dallas and Balt/Houst. I think home teams Buffalo, Pitt, Jax, NO, SF, NYJets and San Diego (KC's Cassel had an appendectomy last night) will win. As will Visitors, Indy, Giants, Atlanta and Green Bay. So now the tougher ones: I got to go with my heart and pick the Pats over "da Bears". Then I go Arizona, Tampa Bay, Dallas and Baltimore. Last week's 10-6 brought us to 128-63 (67%). I hate to think what next week looks like.

Among the many records achieved during Monday night's Pats-Jets game was the most arrests ever of intoxicated Pats fans after the game. What do you expect in 20 degree weather? It was all medicinal.

An insightful reader with consistently keen observations on Tid's remarks, yesterday sends this reply to a piece about Tea Party power gains: "Or. this means that the insiders are setting them up to get crushed by the system so they will be gone in four years...". Yes, you never know what's really happening in Washington...especially when they say they are being open and honest with you!

There's talk going around that points out that the US didn't really get serious about Wiki until it was revealed that the next big leak was to be about big banking and financial institution operations. We know where the real power lies.

I debated yesterday on whether or not to add to the Elizabeth Edwards onslaught. I decided that this pleasant women with nice children and relatives who will miss her dearly had had enough, and I couldn't add to it. I received several notes thanking me for not adding to the pile-on. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that her sleazebag husband would announce for the President in 2012 "Because Elizabeth would want that way". He is that low.

I actually had another Q for today, but I'll just use it as an informational piece for all of us who get confused at Dog Shows. The AKC divides all breeds into 8 groups. For instance, the big show in RI this weekend expects 5,000 dogs including 160 breeds. You have your Sporting dogs (Setters, Retrieves, Spaniels). You got the Hounds, the Terriers, the Toys. Then there are the Working dogs (Boxers, Dobermans, Huskies) and the Herding Dogs (Collies et. al.). A big catch-all category, Non-Sporting Dogs, includes poodles (Originally a hunter), Alaskan Eskimo, Dalmatians and French Boxers. The eigth group is called "Miscellaneous" and includes breeds that nobody understands like the ever popular Xoloitzcuinili! These dogs can compete in that category but do earn any Championship points. It is expected that they will be included in the new "Dream Act working its way through Congress. So...feel smarter?

Vegetarians will probably be dismayed knowing that animal products are widely available and indeed critical to many products they all use regularly. 1. Plastic shopping bags and in the future disposable diapers and hispital gowns. 2.Animal stearic acid help bicycle and car tires hold shape under surface friction. 3. Wood glue in instruments like violins and furniture. 4. BioFuels. Yes veggie people, it's not just corn and sugar cane. There's Beef bio-diesel and chicken bio-dieesl Yum. 5. Fireworks! (No hot dogs or firecrackers on the 4th! Gadzooks. 6. Fabric Softener. 7. Shampoo and Conditioner. Manufacturers have removed the word "animal" from ingredients lists to fool the vegans. 8. Toothpaste. 9; White and brown sugar. Wouldn't life as a vegetarian be an awful thing...always doubting what you touch or wear or eat. God, life is tough enough.

At this reading only Buffalo, Denver, Cincinnati, Carolina, Detroit and Arizona are dead in the NFL Playoff picture. 4-8 Dallas is near death, yet 4-8 San Fran has a decent chance in the NFC West. That's why picking games has been so tough this year. Anybody can win and that includes Buffalo and Cleveland who actually look quite strong at times. Unless the bottom drops out for some current leaders, the final 12 looks like the Pats, Jets. Pitt, Balt, KC, Jax and Indy. The next best to make it in the AFC are SD and Oakland. In the NFC I'm seeing the Giants, Eagles, St. Louis, Bears, Packers, Saints and Atlanta. Tampa Bay and Seattle are hanging around and Seattle has a real chance to get in. In the meantime there are four games left and they will be wars throughout the leagues.

Has there been a more threatening lame duck session of Congress than this one? This so called dream act just incentivizes illegal behavior. It says, "hey common' over. You can't lose." On the other hand, it is refreshing to see that the Supreme Court seems to be leaning in favor of Arizona's Law that would require employers to check documentation. Let's face we already have plenty of immigration laws fair to people throughout the world. Frankly I'm tired of being called an immigrant hater because I believe in laws.

The Answer:
JFK actually had relative low approval ratings while in office but his dramatic martyrdom combined with pleasant positive memories make him the Prez with the highest approval rating at 85%. Ronald is second at 74% followed by Clinton (69 - Way up from "most dishonest" after Monica), GHW Bush (64- With Clinton, Johnson, up the most since 2006 poll), Ford, (61), Carter (51 - Most and only down since last poll), Johnson (49), "W" (47) and Milhouse (Still a lowly 29).

The End:
Has Congress ever been nuttier? The left is typically illogical, but they get irrational when they lose. It must be the old cornered animal thing. Kum bye ya.

Lunch Rhymes with Munch and Crunch.

Today's Tids Issue 2,249
Opening Stuff:

You are never going to believe this! I've been wrestling with a medical issue, and yesterday (This is the truth) my doctor advised me to eat more potato chips! eeeeeeeHah!!!

Rumor has it that if Assange is harmed in any way the next big WikiLeaks release will include Obama's birth certificate and college academic records.

The Question:
Today marks the anniversary of Lennon's murder. Name the Top Ten all time Beatles' songs.

Today's Headlines:
--Ruckus In Washington Has Stock Surge Pausing.
--New Overnight Dem House Bill Would Freeze Budgets; Senate Bill Takes Different Tact; Confusion At High Level.
-- Feds Send Out More Subpoenas To Hedge Funds And Other Investment Institutions; Investigation Into Insider Trading Expanding.
--Pete Sampras Trophies And Memorabilia Stolen From Public Storage Facility.
--Northwest Pakistan Bomb Attacks Continue; 15 Killed In Bus Attack.
--New Video Shows US Serviceman Being Held By Taliban.
--New Worldwide Uniform Tests Of 15 Year Old Students Has US Falling To Middle Of Pack.
--WikiLeaks Releases More As Leader Is Nabbed.

Back to More Stuff:
With countries like China, and yes Finland, zooming to the top in the worldwide battle for academic honors for fifteen year old's, the US education system will surely come under scrutiny. But, I say not so fast. We have over corrected an educational system much too often. We spend too much time planning lunch menus. But, the biggest detriment to learning may be outside diversions. Incessant texting and adullaton of career opportunities that don't appear to need education at all. Celebrity for all seems the promise. As opposed to dedicated work in fields that contribute to mankind and economic achievement. There seems to be too much of an "Why am I here" attitude among too many students without enough explanations. Dedication to learning is really all about understanding end game focus, and China and Finland, and yes Canada, seem to have it.

Yesterday's open ended "Q" about your suggestions for Walters Most Fascinating person brought recommendations of Taylor Swift, "The Fox News Team", the Pope, George Bush, Patrick Byrne, Denzel Washington, Michelle Obama and Hillary.

It must be Christmas season again because the "Clapper" is back on TV.

John McPherson wonders if making "Live Free or Die" license plates is bad for the morale in the New Hampshire prison system.

Some of the early House leadership posts are going to Tea Party candidates. It is a signal that the insiders are taking this party of average concerned Americans seriously. Maybe this party has replaced the so called Free Press as the country's watchdog.

Another sign that I'm operating in another universe is the announcement by PETA that they are looking for "The Sexiest Vegetarian over Fifty". So far a leading candidate is Paul McCartney. God help me if I would ever grow up to look like Paul McCartney.

Here's a simple tasty treat recipe to tuck away for Christmas get-togethers. Parmesan Crisps! Preheat oven to 375. Line two cookie sheets with baking mats or parchment paper. In a bowl combine 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbs all purpose flour and a pinch of cayenne. (Keep mixture thoroughly blended throughout process.) Place table spoon mounds of mixture on cookie sheet. (1 1/2 inch space) Press.flat with hand or spatula. Bake 9-12 mins til brown. Cool on sheet 2 mins then remove. (Note: I picked this snack over "Orange and Fennel Olives" and "Granola with Dried Fruit".

You have to wonder if all of these stocks reaching 52 week highs will engender a profit taking sell off at the beginning of 2011.

The Answer:
Please Please Me is #1 and is the follow up to their first big hit "Love Me Do" which is not in the top ten. Next is I Want To Hold Your Hand, followed by I Feel Fine. Yesterday, In My Life and I Am The Walrus are the next three. The Ten is completed by All You Need Is Love, A Day In The Life, Hey Jude and and Something. Somethingv and Yesterday are the two most coveered beatles songs. Perosnally I like "Sergeant Pepper's..." and "Lucy in the Sky..."

The End:
Some days the world just comes together as if you had designed it.

So proudly we hail.

Today's Tids Issue 2,248
Opening Stuff:

And they came. And they kept on coming. From aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shogaku, Zuikaku. The drone of one hundred and eight A6M Zeros, one hundred and forty four B5hl Kates, one hundred and thirty five D3A Vals. Dropping, launching bombs. Strafing. Unrelenting. Never ending. And American soldiers and sailors and airmen and Waacs and Waves died in the onslaught. On a Sunday morning. Many while they slept. Dreaming about a picnic after church. God bless them all.

How many times can we be warned and then cease to be alert?

Last night the New England Patriots kept on coming and turned the game of the century into a New England Christmas dream.

The Question:
Babwa Walters "10 Most Fascinating" always start off as 8 with two to be announced later. This year's 8 are Justin Bieber, Sarah Palin, "The Jersey Shore Cast:, Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock, Lebron James, Late Middleton and Betty White. Give me four people who you think should qualify as the last two.

The Headlines:

--President Announces Agreement On Tax Break Extension For All, Extension Of Unemployment Benfits; Dem Block In House Unhappy With Prez Decision.
--Stocks Expected To Open Higher After Tax Deal.
--VISA Joins PayPal In Nixing Payments To WkiLeaks; Assange Arrested In UK.
--China Announces It Considers Nobel Supporters As "Clowns"; China And 18 Other Countries To Skip Nobel Peace Prize Party.
--UN Evacuating Hundreds Out Of Ivory Coast Under Growing Clouds Of Disputed Elections.
--Japanese Probe Prepares To enter Orbit Around Venus.
--Iran Nuke Talks In Recess Without Progress.

Back to More Stuff:
Frankly I just don't get Justin Bieber, US Magazine, The Jersey Shore, Gyms and Fruit.

You have to agree that this early December chill helps keep you alert and active. And the skies are clearer too.

Everybody is pretty excited about this so-called tax agreement announced by 0-man yesterday. But, in case you didn't notice, he announced it while taking unvarnished shost at Republicans. So much for chumminess. But, then this announcement benefits him greatly in his race for 2012. That is if he can overcome the noticably loud rumblings within the Dem house! You have to wonder what kind of concessions he will make to the left to keep them on his side going forward? Stay tuned. It's not a rose garden in June.

As I look around today's youth culture I'd have to say that "Cool" has become programmed blah.

I have been listening to a lot of Hayden lately. Maybe that's why I feel so lethargic.

Don't you get the feeling that just about everything is overdone any more? For instance, "Glee" spawned the pretty successful A Capella "Sing-Off" TV show last year and it worked well. But the first view this year had a tired sameness look to it. Of course, that may have been due to the fact that I was rapturously watching the Pats dismantle the J-E-T-S.

Could "Overdone" be the virus that is infecting the Martha Stewart Empire? The company lost $19 million last year and her Tv ratings are lagging. She touts her place in history, but like Chinese manufacturers, there are many copying her lost cost decorating formula. This little shows are everywhere and mesmerizing housewives with out the star power. It is just the ay it is these days.

And the drone goes on.

The Answer: 
 My guess for four would be Obama, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin and , of course, Tom Brady.

The End:
I'm sure you all had better choices.

You don't have to be paranoid to cast a wary eye around you. Somebody may be sneaking up.

God Rest Ye Merry Patriots, cause next week it is "da Bears"!

Look up and smile

Today's Tids Issue 2,247
Opening Stuff:

I have to say as I look around this beautiful country that I still see lots and lots of happy families. Millions of people with the same hopes as ever, with same sturdy back bone and love in their hearts. A lot of today's micro analysing can easily confuse the macro picture of a rescilient creative american with a strong moral compass. With millions of more honest immigrants wanting to emulate the image of the resourceful innovative American. We just have to make a few adjustments.

Facebook made a big announcement yesterday saying in part they want the Facebook experience "more of a reflection of their real lives..." Say what? A web site will be a reflection my real life. Why would I want to reflect my life upon a world stage in the first place? I still don't get it.

The Question:
Here's a multiple parter: 1. When and where was Phi Beta Kappa established? 2. Who was the first President to be born after the US was Independent? 3. When was the Washington Monument completed? 4. In what year did Thomas Edison invent the telephone?

The Headlines:

--GOP/Dems Nearing Agreement On Tax/Jobless Benefits Package.
--Wall Street Opening Lower On EU Worries.
--Iran stroinger As It heads To Geneva Talks.
--Anti-American Fighters Trickling Into Iraq At Greater rate; Funding For al-Qaida Increasing,
--Generals Come Out strongly Against "Don't Ask..."
--Bernanke Considers Unemployment Rates Critcal; Expects Slower Economy For 5 Years.

Back to More Stuff:
I think there could be something to the theory that news overload can migrate into a full blown physically dibilitating virus. This especially true for news with a high percentage of politicians ramblings which conflict detrimentally to sane thinking, reasonably logical minds. A logical mind can deteriorate exponentially into quivering masses after continuous bombardment by irreconcilable ideological arguments. In fact. my doctor has advised me to stop watching the news and to just listen to Christmas Carols.

Have you noticed that in 1942 FDR disbanded the WPA (Works Progress Administration) It was disbanded because it was no longer necessary. How many departments in the bowels of the US bureaucracy could be wiped out with out a ripple of an effect on day to daty living?

Rangle's consistent denial of any wrongdoing is classic among Washington players who have been there much too long. He is the new poster boy for term limits.

I need a new computer, but I expect in a couple of months I'll have an array of "Pad" devices from which to choose. A device that many are saying it's all you need.

The University of Connecticut at 8-4 getting one of the major bowl games just because the Big East is part of the BCS power structure is just the latest bit of evidence illustrating how bad this year ending championship system has become.

Did you read where some medical experts are now saying that the benefits of sun bathing far out weigh the risks of melanoma. What's next...gravy softens aging arteries?

There is no question that Sarah Palin is in grave danger from overexposure. Not only doesn't she wisely sit back and bake cookies for a while but she decides to go camping with another manufactured celebrity, Kate Gosselin, and her 8 kids! What's that all about? What's next...a Palin/Kardashian credit card for unwed mothers.

The passage of the tax extension for all will add some certainty to the economy and could contribute to increased rehiring.

The Answer:
1. Phi Beta Kappa was established at William and Mary in 1776. 2. The first Person born after Independence Day who went on to become President was Martin Van Buren -- Born Dec 5 1782. 3. The US Corps of Army Engineers put the cap on the Monument in 1884. 4.. Thomas Edison didn't invent the phone! Alexander Graham Bell did it in 1876. The Tids trickster strikes again!

The End:
Seventy years ago tonight American military people in Hawaii went to bed looking forward to a peaceful Sunday morning.

Tonight I'll fall asleep way before the greatest game of the century ends, And then wake up repeatedly throughput the night trying to learn which team won. 

Nancy's Elves are into the Christmas Brandy.

Today's Tids Issue 2,247
Opening Stuff:

Nancy and her court voted party line to follow through with their class warfare threats by segregating the producers and job creators out of the tax break game. Now, December 15 looms large for everybody who has a stake in the US economy. Big investors are looking at that day for some kind of decision to forestall a sell-off that would take advantage of the current 15% capital gains tax and much lower tax on dividends. But, also heard down on the little lane of big money, "Expect a three year extension of all Bush cuts just in the nick of time." Meanwhile the fog continues, and it's not just in this fragile mind.

As I look out of my city view window, I'm seeing plenty of shoppers working earnestly at their December task.

Did you hear about the cook who got fired from I-Hop? He was a flip, flop.

The Prez just dropped in on the troops in Afghanistan. Thant's a good thing.

The Question:
You hear a lot of talk about marriage failure, but nobody ever gives you statistics. The state with the lowest divorce rate has 1.8 of 1000 in splitsville. Not too bad. Name five others on lowest rate list and the five states with the highest rates.

The Headlines:

--Unemployment Moves Up To 9.8%.
--Wall Street Sluggish.
--President Makes Secret trip Into Afghanistan.
--WikiLeaks Fights To Stay On Line.
--Drivers Slowly Freed After Over 24 Hours Trapped In Snow Clogged NY Thruway Near Buffalo.
--Deficit Cutting Plan Fails To Advance; Declared Positive First Step Towards Getting Potentially Catastrophic Deficit Under control.
--China Passenger Train Reaches Speed Of 300 MPH!

Back to More Stuff:
While sitting and lying around the last couple of days I have begun to fill in the details on my new theory "Gimmiemetrics versus Economics 101" where "want" has replaced "earn and value". It is pervasive from deep within the ghettos to the plush offices of financial empires, and it will bring America down. Unfortunately thinking about it makes my head hurt and I have to takes naps. I'll be back in a couple of days.

I'll also be back with the start of a new novel. I'm getting that urge.

Michelle Malkin is a tiger!

Another one of those "Little" $4.8 Billion bills just passed. This one good take over the eating habits of all children who go to public schools. It's Presdent Mom's wife's pet nutrition bill which essentially gives the feds total control over what kids eat during schools days. IN fact, it may go so far as to give Mr. Big Gov control of things like fund raising "bake sales".Think what they will do to us all when they strangle us with health care.

Every year I buy myself a new Christmas CD. This year I bought John Fahey solo Folk guitar. It is particularly good and headache free.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
While waiting for Hollywood's big Christmas Season push in a week or so, here are couple that might not be too Bad.
--All Good Things starring Kirsten Dunst, Ryan Gosling, Frank Langella and Jeffery Dean Morgan id=s a romantic thriller about a scion of a large NYC Real Estate Firm who falls for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She disappears and a down and out detective tries to discover the truth.
--The Balck Sawn is an intense film about ruthless competition in the world of ballet. The cast is out standing starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Rider, Barbara Hersey and Vincent Cassel. It is sexually powerful and emotionally disturbing as Nina the featured NY City Ballet finds Hersey locked in a deepening web in an intriguing battle witha newcomer. Good be a winner.

The Answer: 
Massachusetts has the lowest rate of divorce. DC is second primarily becasue Congress people live in Maryland and Virginia. The rest of the top ten are PA, Iowa, NY, North Dak, South carolina, Illinois, Maryland and Minn. The worst is Guess?...Nevada! (6.8/M). The next worse ten are Arkansas, Wyoming, Idaho, W.Va, Kty, Oklahoma, Alaska, Florida and beautiful Maine. Lobsterin's down.

The Weak End:
It's been a stormy week in Tidsland, but I appreciate the cards and letters. My fingers appear to be working a little better. But,,, then there is that mind.

Numb.

Today's Tids Issue 2,246
Opening Stuff:

My mind is like alphabet soup waiting for the letters to flow into something legible. Well, I guess that's it. Another opening.

Actually, I've been struggling through these Tids the past few days and have wound up only sending across an email list. But I'm back to posting. Sorry. This is yesterday's.

How muddled are all of our minds as we try to decipher the pleas of politicians trying to establish new positions in the wake of an obvious election warning. Even Putin is calling for the reticent Republicans to pass the Nuke pact. But then you have to wonder, if Putin likes it, how good can it really be. Add to the mix, the deficit panel programs, Wikileaks and Christmas shopping and you gotta think we are in the United States of depression. Now I don't feel so bad. Actually, I never get depressed. I just get muddled.

The Question:
Which President signed the legislation that gave us the Kennedy Center for the Arts?

The Headlines:

--McCain Calls Pentagon Study On Gays Flawed.
--FIFA Awards 2018 And 2022 World Cup To russia And Qatar
--Jobless Claims Rise; Broader Trend Shows Improvement.
--Appeal Against Arrest Warramts Issued To Wikileaks Leader Assange Denied By British Courts.
--LA Police Still Mum On Mysterious Publicist Murder; Person Of Interest Shoots Self In head In Hotel Loobby.


Back to More Stuff:
If you think it's mind muddling now, think about the past year and the ten top obsessions of Americans? (And obcessioin is defined as a person, pop-culture phenomenon, political arty, gadget or pesty plague that spurred constant on-line monitoring and obsessive tangential searches. [Yes people do that]). That aside the ten are, starting with #1, iPhone, Lindsay Lohan, iPad, "Glee", "Jersey Shore", FaceBook, Bedbugs, Tea Party, Silly Bandz and Stieg Larsson's "The Girl". Are you with it.

Could the Pats-Jets game next Monday night be added to that list?

Seen around the corner from Tids world headquarters with her new Beau at the Fastnet Irish pub -- Christina Aguilara. Said She had a great time and nobody bothered her.

From the Its a New World Department, we see this item from a LPGA News release: "The players voted to remove the 'female at birth' requirement form the tour's constitution." Having trouble at "Q" School...see a surgeon!

There are loud rumblings that Eliot Spitzer's prostitute inclinations came to the surface because he wsa getting too close to Wall Street's Greed Machine. Is he the ticking time bomb under lower Broadway?

A second good week brings the Tids Pickum' scorecard to 118-57 (67.4%). So lets start with tonight's game because it feels good: Eagles over Houston. My mind isn't up to wrestling with posers so I didn't. I just picked.instead: GB, KC, Buff, Tenn, Miami, Chi (even though they still have Cutler), NYG, NO, SD, Seattle, St. Louis, Atlanta (?), Indy and (Gulp) Baltimore. Oh I still have one more. A tough one. I taking the Pats on Home Field Advantage.

The good news is that I'm still alert enough not to reply to that lawyer with all of my money in Nigeria.

How about that Oscar Emcee duo for 2011 -- Anne Hathaway and a guy named Franco. Are they the producers relatives? Whatever happened to the dependable and funny guys Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Billy Chrystal, Dave Latterman...Well maybe not Dave Letterman. I can tell by reading the press release about this that the press writer was struggling to justify the selections. Nancy Pelosi couldn't

The Answer; Good ole' Ike was the Prez who gave up the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Some Libs would rewrite history and tell you heoriginally intended it as an addtion to the pentagon. Humpf! Republicans don't do arts.

I made it. See you tomorrow.