Post 4th Reality.

Today's Tids (#2.383)
Originally written on 7/5
Opening Stuff:


There are few spectacles more heartfelt, more enlightening, more prideful than that of immigrants from countries around the world regularly taking their pledge as newly minted Americans.You can see it in their eyes. Feel it in their smiles. So...tell me again why we need immigration reform?

I loved Sports Writer Bill Reynolds line in the Saturday paper," (RI's) Scarborough Beach is like Jersey Shore on training wheels.

Why don't they just flood the middle east with Ice Cream trucks. Everybody stops for Ice Cream. Hell's Angels stop for ice cream. As do firemen, and hit men. Nurses, ultra cool teens and hedge-fund mangers. People from every conceivable demographic and occupation stop for ice cream. And they smile at each other as they try to lick around the edges before it melts. So why wouldn't Assad and Daffy and Ali Abdullah Ssleh...and the rebels fighting in their countries; the Jews and the Palestinians stop for ice cream. And just enjoy it and the others who are enjoying it with them. Did you ever watch demeanor's changes people are handed an ice cream cone? I think it would work.

"Estate Planning for Pets"? Pet Lawyers? Assisted living; Retirement homes for pets? Shoot me.

Daily Question: Double back to work "Q". 1. Name the five most expensive colleges in US. 2. Julie Nixon Eisenhower is 63 (Yikes) today. Name 7 other presidential kids of the past 50 years.

Today's Headlines:

--Congress Back To Argue debt Ceiling Increase; GOP Firm On No Taxes; Dem Leader Says GOP Argument Flawed.
--Stocks Losing Steam After Five Good Days
--Mexico Authorities Widening Search For 7 Missing Americans In Fishing Boat Accident.
--India Health Minister Calls Homosexuality An Abnormal Disease From the West.
--NFL Negotiations Muddled As Retired Players Sue Owners And Current Players For Seat Ar-t Table.
--French Writer Accuses Strauss-Kahn Of Rape; Journalist Says He Attacked Her During Interview For Book.
--Anthony Jury In Deliberation After marathon Summation By Defense.

Feeling Older Department:
Featured at a 4th of July Antique Car Exposition was a1950 Plymouth. That is the first car I ever bought! It was during while a college student during 1958. It cost me $50. And, that was a hard amount to come by! That good old hunter green box on wheels (Way before Volvo) lasted a long time, and got me where I wanted to go. So, it wasn't an MG-TD, Jaguar KX150 or Triumpf-TR2!

Is it me, or do motorcyclists seem to operate under a separate set of speed limit rules?

Somehow, maybe because RI is so small, the greed driven minds of the legislature seems to look at developers and builders as their masters as opposed to the people who live in towns. Why else would a state legislature want to impose developer friendly only zoning restrictions on towns that are perfectly content and capable of managing their own lands. Which, by the way, is exactly the way it should be. Intrusive Government is the problem, stupid! In case you never read the complaints in the Declaration of Independence.

It costs corporations a lot of money each year to print product use instructions, among other things, in both English and Spanish. Even through the US is an English speaking country. Doesn't make much sense.

Going to church doesn't make you a christian just as standing in your garage doesn't make you a car.

Gridlock seems to occur when the priority is on winning rather than solving the problem.

Bakery goods are getting prohibitively expensive...at least to cheapskates like me.

And, I would never pay to watch a Hot Dog eating contest. Nor would I even go to watch if it was free...and they threw in a lifetime supply of Cheetos.

It is embarrassing though, when out dining with friends you look down and see that telltale orange under your finger nails.

Almost Near: Chapter 27 continues. --"I think I found Florence. She's down in the bayous as they say in the song." Audrey turned and smiled and Tucker chuckled a bit. "We're going to Houma to check out the newspaper there, and get the lay of land. She might be in a house between Houma and Chauvin, a place where you don't to go "awanderin", as my source said, without a little help from your friends."
Tucker laughed again at her song reference and started singing the Beatles tune It didn;t take long for Audrey, who also added a rhythm section by pounding on the steering wheel, to join in. Tucker added his own version of a guitar sound which sent them both into uncontrollable laughing.
"Wa, wa, watch the road!" Tucker blurted teasingly through his uncontrollable howls as he put his arm on Audrey's shoulder. She flinched slightly at the touch, but just enough to force the car into a small ditch just off the road. She easily brought the car to a halt. Dropped her hands into her lap and just sat laughing.
Then without warning, she turned to Tucker, raised up her face and kissed him.

Quiz Answer: 1. Bates College of Maine at $51,300 tops the list of colleges with the highest tuition. Second is Connecticut College (Across the street form the US Coast Guard Academy), Middlebury, Union and Colby College (ME). The next five are Sanford-Brown ("For Profit" - Va), Sarah Lawrence, Vassar, George Washington, And Columbia University. (For complete info, check out http://gawker.com/5817092/ ) 2. How many of us remember those charming publicist moments with Amy Carter, the Birds Linda and Lucy Johnson, The dysfunctional family survivors Tricia and the aforementioned Julie Nixon. The rapture over Presidential darlings all started with John-John under the presidential desk and Caroline looking ever so comfortable as a first child. Of course The Reagan children -- With Wyman: Maureen and Michael (Adopted); With Davis: Patti and Ron.--were a hard for me to sort out as in who belonged to whom. The First Bush had 6 including 3 boys who either ran for political office -- Jeb and George -- or Neil who got caught up in banking scams. The lessor know GHWB kids were Robin, Marvin and Dorothy. And then their was Chelsea named after a song. George B. had the rambunctious Twins Jenna and Barbara. And now, now we have two extraordinary daughters -- Sasha and Malia -- who will teach Congress a thing or two about how to get things done. Oh yeah, and the interim Prez Gerald Ford had four good looking kids-- Jack, Susan, Steve and Michael.

In case you are interested The Top Two Colleges in a neck and neck race for the title of "Most Annoying" Liberal Arts College are Sarah Lawrence (VT)and Wesleyan (CT). Swarthmore is a close second. There are also strong opinions that Oberlin and Bard should be in the race.

Last night I thought the DC 4th effort looked like a TV program (Smits was overbearing as an announcer) and the NYC fireworks were about 45 minutes too long. I didn't get the spirit until the Boston Pops show came on with McBride belting out Independence Day and the Pops and marine bands doing justice to Stars and Stripes Forever.

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If the water looks cloudy, stay out of the pool.

Today's Tids  (#2,382)
Originally written 7/1
Opening Stuff:

BooooooM-M-m-m-m-m...! Happy July everybody! Light up the sky and celebrate America! Of thee I sing, Sweet land of liberty. Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob! But no pasta salad thank you. It is a month where people seem to let down their hair and stop worrying for a while. Until the middle of the month when 2nd quarter earnings reports come in and the real fireworks begin. And the end of the month when moms are thinking, "Doesn't school start soon?" It is a month, indeed, of contradictions. Have fun, and don't eat too many lobsters.

Remember...Always scrub the paint off your hands after you put away the paint can.

There's still plenty of money in the world. It's just not getting around much any more.

It's pretty easy to see Rick Perry becoming the Republican nominee when the dust settles.

Daily Question:
Name five movies starring the charming Leslie Caron. Note: Even if she wasn't always the star, she always stole the show.

Today's Headlines:

--Three More US Soldiers Killed In Peaceful Iraq.
--Geithner Weighing Resignation.
--Minnesota Government Shuts Down In Budget Dispute between Dem Gov. And Rrepub Legislature.
--RI House Postpones Vote On Binding Arbitration; Will Sneak It Through Later When Citizens Aren't Paying Abstention.
--Syrian Government Continues To Kill Citizens.
--Hugo Chavez Still Fighting Cancer After Surgery Removes Tumor.
--Discrepancies Arising in Story of Strauss-Kahn Accuser.
--NBA Union Locked Out; Two Sides Are Light Years Apart.
--NFL Negotiations Still Look Promising.
--New Kansas Law Shuts Down Two Abortion Clinics.

In Rhode island the citizens have to hire lobbyists to protect them from their elected representatives!

These so-called government shut downs are a lot more hype than reality. Generally all essential tasks like police and critical needs, like for instance emergency road construction, are biz as usual. They padlock roadside rest areas, close state parks and stop selling things like fishing licenses. And blame each other for the shut down. And when it is over, it's usually business as usual.

Meanwhile, the musical group kept on overeating, creating more band-width!

I think of little babies and smile. Then I think of little babies who are killed before they are able to come out of the womb. And then I think cold blooded murder. And I cry.

Why are states even involved in passing laws that condone or ban gay marriage? Their only involvement should be decriminalizing anti-discrimination laws that may hinder a religious leader or priest, minister or rabbi who refuses to marry. And adjusting civil law to offer benefits to all couples who meet rational standards.

Just think how TSA agents would wield their arrogant power if they were to be unionized. Yes the AFL/CIO is targeting this fresh new group of government unwritten labor as third next bonanza for union management survival. Of course, it could be worse. The teamsters could be organizing them.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I have to be honest. I thought Forest Gump was tedious. So I'm really wondering if I would want to wade through this new Hanks vehicle Larry Crowne. It is about a guy with a fair job who can't get promoted becasue he has no college degree. He gets fired and then divorced. Life is not good in this saccharine soap. Hanks goes to college and sure enough his professor is a dour Julia Roberts. The other 30 years younger students like this guy Larry Crowne and a lot of the film is about the interaction of the generations. But in the end, it all boils down to the Hanks-Roberts relationship. People will probably like it. I'm not putting it on my A list.
--The beginning of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon is excellent. It uses clips for the first walks on the moon and has a very nice,believable documentary feel. While exploring the dark side of the man in the moon they discover a dormant evil menace that wound bring war to the Earth that is so large that even the Transformers alone are unable to defeat. The problem is that after the wonderful set up, and the acting of a truly amazing cast, it enters into a war scene that is entirely too long. Probably a film I would watch if surfing through the USA, FX, AMC, TBS or TNT channels a couple of years from now.
--People who love Paris will surely love the beautiful opening of this film as the camera makes love to the City of Light by the Seine. And the good thing is that the story is also a wonderful tale of nice people in love and fulfilling dreams. I would go to this one. Woody Allen is back!

Our kinder, gentler President is out there playing his class warfare card again. It is not becoming to the office.

Pools where you don't want to swim Department:
A body of a woman was pulled form a public swimming pool in Fall River after lying in the body of the "cloudy" waters unnoticed by swimmers, Life guards and health inspectors. I'm thinking that cloudy waters might have been a clue for the health inspector! get me outta there! Ugh.

Almost Near: Chapter 27 Continues. --"So, how is she."
Tucker hesitated, maybe a little too long as he tried to come up with the perfect answer. "She had a few enigmatic moments, but overall she was quite normal." He paused thinking that maybe normal was not right word.
"Normal?" Audrey quickly glanced sideways at him, but immediately back to the road as a car cut her off trying to get to the passenger pick-up parking at a another terminal. "God, I hate driving through airports. People are always in a hurry and never are quite sure where they are going." She breathed in. "So, how normal was she." She said "normal" with a slightly sarcastic inflection.
"Well, she cooked dinner, was friendly and said she missed me."
"How much did she miss you?" The she slammed her hand on the steering wheel. "Forget I asked that. Of course the person you knew briefly would miss you. Was she the same as before? Did she say where she had been? Of, God, I'm sorry about all of the questions."
"Don't be sorry. You are part of my life now. Basically she implied that she never left. That she enjoyed all of the town's people while I was away on business. She was two different people while I was there. Actually she was two different people within the first hour! It was unnerving. Right now she is comfortable with me. It was like we had been together all of our lives." Tucker looked over at Audrey. She looked serious. Thoughtful. "More important, tell me what you have been up to?"
Now on the open road, Audrey seemed to settle into her seat. Her arms relaxed she turned to him. "I'm only here for a good story. Don't be uptight. If you think you still love her, that's how you should feel." Tucker noticed that her fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

Quiz Answer: Leslie Caron first captured the hearts of movie goers with her role opposite gen Kelley in the Oscar winning American in Paris. Nobody could ever forget hr in Academy Awrd for best actress as Lili. And the of course there is Gigi, one of the nicest musicals ever. She was in Daddy Longlegs with Fred Astaire and several others that included L Shaped Room, Fanny and Father Goose. She always said of wehrslef, "I'm just a hoofer."

The cloudiest pool of all is the Government. And we are all forced to swim in it.

But, don't let the clouds ruin the excitement of a great weekend. The sun is always up there.

Actually, I hate big weekends. If you don't feel like doing anything, society makes you feel guilty.

No wonder the money is gone.

Today's Tids (#2,381)
Originally written 6/30
Opening Stuff:


Using input from the National Association of Manufacturers and Council for Competitiveness, a company called Wizard Industries put together a list of the top states for business. The formula rated ten categories: Cost of doing business, Workforce, Quality of life, Economy, Transportation and infrastructure, Technology and innovation, Education, Business friendliness, Access to capital and Cost of living. The top ten were Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, Iowa and Nebraska. Rhode Island was 50! What a surprise from the public employee union state.! RI's ranked best for Quality of Life (24), Education(24) and Technology and innovation (28). They were worst for Cost of Business (46), Infrastructure (49), Business Friendliness (48) and cost of living (43).

Fresh caught-that-day bluefish is back on the menu at Chopmist Charlies (Jamestown RI). I'm going!

I think I'm angry today. I don't like being angry. I like to be happy. On the sunny side of the street. With a smile for my umbrella. But, it's not working. I think I have to turn off the news.

Daily Question: Name three cities which have just been declared "Greenest", and the Top Ten Dirtiest cities in America.

Today's Headlines:

--Much Of Recent Gains Have Been Result Of End Of Quarter "Window Dressing" By Fund Managers; July to Open Iffy.
--Obama Recalls Carter's Use Of Nuke Expert Daughter Amy As he Chides Congress For Not Being As Dedicated As His Girls.
--New Unemployment Numbers Show RI As Third Highest In Nation; Among NE Neighbors, RI is 10.9%, Maine 7.7. Mass 7.6, Vermont 5.1 and NH 4.8.*
--White House Schizophrenia On Issues Sign Of New Concerns About Reelection.
--Plane Monitoring Radiation Over Fire Threatened Los Alamos.
--Kabul Hotel Bombing Raises Concerns About Extreme Chaos In Afghan After US Pull-Out.
--New Lloyd's CEO Axes 15,000 Jobs.
--Javier Colon Wins "The Voice" Singing Contest.
--Justin Timberlake Part Of Group Buying "My Space".

I decided it was about time to start getting interested in America's Got Talent. But, I was wrong. They are still in their "Gong Show" stage and It is just plain annoying. Well, to me ay least. I'll wait until all the acts are probable contenders. Actually when they finally do reach their real talent portion, Howie Mandel and Nick will still be insufferable.

It's about the Penguin in new Zealand...Hey! It's a bird.

Fair is fair Department:
I never saw much in Michelle Bachman except that she looked pleasant and at times mimicked confidently good ideas that I and many hold dearly in our hearts. But now with the vitriolic response from the media condemning her every move, I have to take another look. If the main stream media despises her then she must be doing something right. Let's take her recent rounds of the Sunday morning talk shows where the hosts asked the identical question** about her poor showing in PolitFact, a company that researches the truth in political statements. You may have seen PolitiFact analyses in your local media. They badgered her about her truth record according to the arbitrary opinions of that service that showed out of 23 of her statements 1 was true, 2 were 1/2 true, 4 barely true and 7 were falsehoods. Of course they didn't offset this Q with the information that 29 months of Obama statements have been rated as false 49 times and barely true 39 times. In oither words Bachman is George Washington compared to Obama. But...you'll never hear that reported by the media.

**This raises another question about the veracity of the media. Why are they asking the same question using almost identical nouns and sadjectives? Is it becasue Schieffer, Stephanopoulos and Gregory are actually operating divisions of the DNC? It sure sounds like it. But then, that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

A classic example of why government isn't working anymore occurred last night when the RI Senate over the unified objections of the representatives of the people that included all of the state's school committees and leaders of towns and city governments, voted for "Binding Arbitration" which essentially would tie the hands of those elected officials who manage the money of the people.

But, the control of governments by a few is not just a RI problem. Over in Connecticut for instance, that government has been described this way: "With it's extravagant law for collective bargaining for public employees, Connecticut has put itself under minority rule in the extreme. First the sovereign people must get the permission of their employees just to operate a government. And that government's operations are largely determined by a minority of those employees."

But, I have to say that I appreciate what many of the employees do. Over protective workplaces can breed a class of non-productive employees, but the majority are trying to do a great job for the people. Unfortunately because of their union leadership tactics which often border on extortion of the taxpayer, the beleaguered citizen may look upon the employee as the villain. BTW, my comment about union employees striking against Union leadership is getting some favorable reviews from disparate demographics.

I wish the budgeting season would end so I would wake up so angry each morning. There is nothing more illogical than labor negotiations -- from tradespeople to public employees to millionaire sports heroes -- and I just can stand the lack of logic and irresponsible irrational thinking.

* Connecticut is not included because too many Ya-Ya-Ya...(WYKWIM)...live there now!

If there is anything that is not meaningful to me, it's that Princess Diane would have been turning fifty.

I think the Yahoo Email Spell-Check is brain dead.

0-Man, who once said he will not use scare tactic,s said yesterday that the Republican's anti-new taxes stance will kick kids out of college, allow food inspections to lapse, reduce life saving medical research and turn old people into paupers.

Almost Near: Chapter 27. --"Hi Sam, my flight was great and I didn't flirt with any of the flight attendants!"
"Very funny!" Samantha was laughing and feeling pretty good, even though it took a lot last night for her to grasp that Tucker was flying off again. But, after a long discussion she began to understand more about this man she now knew she was totally and unequivocally in love with. That a writer just didn't sit around dreaming in his study. Part of what he did was getting out and meeting editors and book publishers. And then of course, she wilted and he took her gently to bed and touched and kissed and caressed every part of her aching, yearning loving body. She could not remember a more beautiful night. She held the phone, smiling.
"Sam. Sam. Are you there?"
"I am, but not really. I'm in your arms again. Feeling your arousal, Loving your touch...warmed by your body caressing mine."
"Oh, I'd better get back fast. I won't be able to concentrate." Tucker was remembering their beautiful night together. But that was interrupted by the sight of Audrey in a rental car pulling up to the curb. She smiled at him as she came around the car to get his back and throw it in the back seat, and he smiled back. "My limo is here. I've got to scram.
"I love you Tucker. And I will miss you."
Tucker looked around. He felt touched by the softness of her words. The sincerity in her voice. The completeness of her giving. The love behind it all. He saw Audrey urging him to hang up and get in the car. He turned his head aside as he watched her duck down into the seat. "I love you too. I'll be home shortly."

Quiz Answer: The Greenest cities are San Fran, Vancouver and NYC. Let's see...the Nanny City, The Riot's Are Fun City and the Myopic City. The ten dirtiest starting with the worst are New Orleans,Philadelphia, LA, Memphis, NYC, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Miami, Atlanta and Houston. San Fran is 12. Hey, NY and SF are a dirty green. Other dirty cities are DC 13, Boston 14 and Mickey's place Orlando 17.

The happy news is that for every irrational government mandate, I see a thousand people on their own helping others every day.

It's always there, regardless.

Today's Tids Issue 2,380
Originally written 6/29
Opening Stuff:

Some days, despite all of the delicious political stories that tumble out of a giving heaven each day, you got to bite your tongue and go the other way. You have to think about the sun that brightens the blue sky. Even when hidden by gray clouds, it is always there, never wavering. Like love in the heart that is always strong no matter the minor dilemma or anxious tragedy.

More cats would attend Mass if it wasn't for the Dogma.

You have to love the Providence City council which in an attempt to do something about the rowdiness epidemic after the nightly closings of the many downtown clubs (Some times death and serious injury) decided to vote for a 3:00 AM closing instead of the current 2 AM. Their logic..."It will give them another hour to mellow out."! yeah sure. And...how many club owners are cousin's of City Council members?

Daily Question: Name five celebs who after very successful TV show careers became even bigger starts in the movies.

Today's Headlines:

--3/4's Of a million British Civil Servants To Go On Strike Against Attempts By Governess To becoem Fiscally Responsible; Union Leaders Promise Summer Of Discontent Until Government Begins Spending Irresponsibly Again.
--Stock futures Brighter.
--Diabetics get New Blood Vessels From Donors.
--Wild Fires Continue To Threaten Los Alamos; Floods Still raging In Upper Midwest.
--Bank Of america To Spend $85 Billion Settling Claims By Lenders Over Poor Quality Mortgage Backed Securities.
--Tom Petty Nixes Bachman's Use Of His Ditty "American Girl" For Her Campaign; Same Song Was Hillary Staple In 2008.
--Tiger Woods Says he Will be Slow To return To Tournamnets.

Governor Christie pushed through his new Worker Benefits program which greatly reduces the cost to taxpayers for civil servants. He did it with an enlightened bi-partisan group who know that for the good of all something had to be done. It is no longer a matter of winning and losing debates; It is now quite simply, survival! Christie like almost all governors has to fight the professional union backed candidates who now cram most state legislatures with one objective in mind: Damn the ability to pay. Full speed ahead for luxurious contracts.

Go Green -- Recycle the Government.

While you weren't looking, Barnes Noble's "Nook" caught up to and passed Amazon's "Kindle" as the best, most usable book reader, according to Consumer reports. The moral. neer sit back and rest on the laurels of your past, cause somebody is just dying to pass you by.

Did you read where last night Glen Beck's family was abused while at a Hitchcock movie being shown in NYC's Bryant Park. One angry mob-ster shouted "We don't like Conservatives here." You see, mn ay of these kinder and gentler libs have the dis-illusion that society has set aside little venues where only they can be acceptable inhabitants. Like a story I heard about Rhode Island College, a fine little college in RI, . Apparently a moderate republican enrolled in a Socialolgy class. He was rebuffed by the professor whoi said (Paraphrasing) "Only democrats can be in social services jobs.

Maybe it's just my warped mind, but I wondering if maybe it was bedroom antics that had something to do with Tiger's injured leg. It's like when I look at a politician and think, "I wonder what he is lying about now."

Illegal Immigrants protesting for better free educational opportunities waved a sign during an Atlanta Ga. sit-in yesterday: Will No Longer Remain In the Shadows". Solution: Sun drenched Jail Cell with a view.

The RI state legislature is on the verge of passing a bill approving "Binding Arbitration" for teacher disputes involving financial matters. First, the fact that the Union leadership is all for it makes very suspect to me. And then there is the comment from a more reasoned Chairman of the East Prov School Committee when asked what he knows about Binding arbitration: "Shut the lights. Lock the door. See ya later." He went on to say Binding Arbitration would be the end of RI.

Almost Near: Chapter 26 continues. --"Isn't interesting how we were both so entranced by Samantha?"
"For me, it was seeing my bestest firend in the whole world after 18 years. For you, it must have been something else." Martha looked at dante and thought she saw a tinge of blush. But, in my enthusiasm. I know now I missed a lot. For instance, she asked a lot of questions. Mandy," she looked down at her daughter who was taking this all in, "told me that Sam asked her what my name was in a round about way. In fact, now that I look abck on the scene I realize that she is quite the actress.
"Or maybe she was desperate. Think about it. She didn't know anything about her life. And maybe not about herself either. Yet, she came to this house. her house. We have learned tis past hour or so that she knew practically nothing about this town and the people init, yet she came to this house."
"Maybe we should look for Tommy Lambert." Martha looked at him like a scientist making a discovery. "If anybody knew moere about her past than me, it is Tommy."

Quiz Answer: The first two how entered my mind were Tom Hanks and John Travolta. But then, how about George Clooney, Bruce Willis and Jennifer Aniston. And how could I forget Will Smith and the adorable Flying Nun Sally Field. Oh yeah, and Mork. Some might say Meg Ryan, Kevin bacon and Demi Moore came to H-Wood via the tube, but they did it in the daytime soaps and were never night time living room sensations. Your turn.

What you need is always nearby.

It's a chip on the shoulder world.

Today's Tids Issue 2,379
Originally Written 6.28
Opening Stuff:


I'm a NIMBY and proud of it. There's a campaign out their to sully the name of good NIMBY's. That NIMBY's, they say, are selfish uncaring bastards all because they want to preserve the intrinsic values of what makes great beauty truly beautiful. So the next time you hear a chortler ridiculing good, decent NiMBY-ism...stand up, be proud and shout "I'm a NIMBY and I couldn't be prouder".

Frankly, I think that financial analysts should throw out "Housing Starts" as one of the standards for measuroing economic progress. I believe that Housing starts today are just about where they are supposed to be in a normal growth economy. To measure today's stats against the high flying stats that were recorded for housebuilding during that notorious un-market of a couple of years ago is just an unjustifiable premise upon which to gage the success of an economy. This is particualry true when if you understand that it may be never when we see housing as an out of proportion economic indicator again.

Daily Question: What is the funniest joke ever told? A research group sifted through thousands of jokes and came up with a top fifty list. You only have to give me one.

Today's Headlines:

--Market Soars On News Of Greek solution.
--Suicide Bombers Strike Western Style Hotel In Kabul.
--Christine Legarde Picked To Head IMF; First Woman.
--Iran Continues To Fire Missiles IN War Games.
--LA Dodgers Declare Bankruptcy; Legendary baseball Team Brought Down By Irresponsible Self-Serving Millionaire With Chip On Shoulder

The world has a chip on its shoulder. I watch people and it's like "You can't tell me what to do. If I want to dump my Dunkin' Donuts caramel frappe on the side walk, I can do it." This new era of irresponsible self importance has practically abolished things like consideration, courteousness, caring understanding and responsibility from our dictionary. Even the Greece outrage is a chip on the shoulder based event. I deserve what I have been getting and the fact that you can't pay for it any more doesn't concern me. Just look around you. Hey, I'm certainly far from perfect, but i try to look at a world around me that I hope I never become.

Is it me, or are you also getting the feeling that the tablet as a computer substitute is waning? It seems to have lost its cache as some owners who still think it is very cool and exciting to have dfor somethings have found that it isn't that convenient. That a lot of compromising is necessary. It looked like the sky was the limit. Sell Intel, Bury Microsoft. But, now I am not so sure.

You gotta hope that Michelle Bachman doesn't spend most of her campaign explaining flubs.

Doesn't it bother you that the National Plagiarist Laureate is point man on key US issues like the debt and accountability of stimulus spending?

0-Man says he sees opportunities for compromise in the discussions about the debt ceiling. From what I've seen in the past, his idea of compromise is "Give me what I want and I'll say it was a non-partisan process".

Quiz Answer: "A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver sasy 'Ugh, that's the ugliest baby I've ever seen.!' The woman walks to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. she tells a man next to her, 'That bus driver insulted me." The man says, 'You go up there and tell him off. I hold your monkey.'." The runner-up funniest was "I went to the zoo the other day. There was only one dog in it. It was a Shitzu." Want to see the fifty? Go here: http://newslite.tv/2010/10/22/survey-reveals-top-50-funniest.html .

You know what phrase is starting to bother me? It's "Hey Buddy, Doncha know it's a free country!".

One for each.

Today's Tids Issue 2,378
Originally written 6/27
Opening Stuff

The real news out of the New York State legislature session that just ended is creatively they handled their budget deficit in the $10 Billion range. They balanced it through spending cuts and no tax increases at all. They also set new, higher standards for education spending accountability and instituted a new system for managing medicaid. Just in case you missed it. Something truly important to the US future did happen in Albany, but it was clouded by media's rapture over gay marriage. So, what else is new.

I truly believe that we could slash the federal employees in half, and over time the nation would continue onward. Of course that would add 8 million or so to the idled rolls and bump the temporary unemployment benefits packages significantly, But, you have to start somewhere if you want to bring back a real economy. Next I would stop underwriting Wall Street investors who make bad investments. And bailing out manufacturing companies who sell their souls to the unions.

Of course, with all of the continuously published stories of everything on this planet that poses a danger to your health and survival, the Government could go the other way. They could assign one Government employee to every man woman and child -- and of course today gay, lesbian and trans something-or-other. That would give us, lets say by the time this is implemented in 2050, about 200 million Government employees and 200 million people creating wealth. The non GE would simply pay the GG (Guardian Governmentalist) a fee plus a significant stipend to China to cover the interest on the now over zillion dollar debt. The GG would also pay a stipend to China, but the government would return that as part of a pension program. The non-GE would be given free milk (Or Cheetos option) in retirement. The congress would write laws and make pronouncements about dangers to health to keep the GG's employed. The unions would protect the GG's against, forbid the thought, those who made decisions on their own.

I couldn't write the Tids today without saying something about Peter Falk. He was one of those celebrities who shouldn't be classified as "Great", "Bad" or "Mediocre" actor, but always as enjoyable actor. Sitting down Sunday evenings with Columbo was a total joy and the perfect way to squeeze out an extra hour of wind-down before the Monday morning tension reawakened. I always looked for Peter Falk in anything. One man who stood out. "Excuse me sir, but...."

In the face of the low priced and ever convenient Netflix, you have to wonder why the cable companies keep their "On-Demand" movie prices so high? Are they just basically brain dead?

Daily Question: In the face of so much uncertainty about the economy, social morality, honesty, courteousness and those other growing absurdities contributing to a declining once great entity, the words of Waly Kelly more significant than ever. What were the words and what was his comic strip?

Today's Headlines:

--Banks Lead Wall Street Higher.
--Supreme Court Overturns Ban On Sale Of Video Games to Kids; Court Says Government Doesn't Have Authority To Restrict Ideas To Which Children Are Exposed.
--Consumer Spending fails To Rise In may For First Time In 10 Months.
--International Court Orders Arrest Of Daffy's Sin. Dizzy?
--Bachman Launches Campaign; Say She Is The "bold Choice" For The GOP Nomination.
--CitiBank VP Gary Foster, 35< Arrested For Embezzling $19 Million.

Any time you talk of absurdities, PETA just naturally comes to mind. They have just issued a statement asking the Pope to "Go Green" and not to use leather in his PopeMobile. What could be more natural than leather, the skin of graceful animals running free in fields and forests.? Huh? Are they saying they are ok with oil based fake seat covers which will do the environment irreparable harm when the PM is retired? Have they missed the opportunity for some lucky animal to contribute his largest body organ to the comfort of the leader of the largest religion on earth.?

I have always wondered why supermarkets don't put soap with detergents, dish washing aids and other cleaning liquids and solids?

I see where if I get confused about the differences between plastic and glass, wide-mouth or long-neck bottles and jars I can talk to my Local "Recycling Counselor". Isn't that just like a Union dominated make-work state government. They create recycling rules that are so complex and illogical that they need to also create a new job classification of "Recycling Counselor". Nothing surprises me any more.

There's a huge difference between voting for equal benefits for all couples, and same sex marriage. Equal benefits makes sense.

Do Repubs continually shoot themselves in the foot to show allegiance to the NRA?

Obama is no different than all other citizens naive about what it takes to make products and the honest-to-God ingenuity of manufacturing and production engineers. Like many "newbies" to the magic of engineers, they like the Prez are first intrigued by Robots. The irony here is that Robots and robot like automated systems are reducing the need for people in the manufacturing industries. Believe me, I have seen the awe of the innocent for years and they always gravitate to the whiz-bang over the routine. But, the Prez has the mike and his listeners don't know anything more about industry than he knows.

That was quite the landmark decision today by the Supreme Court. It was about video games but it also seems to say it would be aok to teach Marxism. Or worse.

Almost Near: Chapter 26 continues. --Dante was feeling better. Well, at least his head didn't hurt. He was not feeling good about the disappearance of Samantha or the fact that she whacked him. At least, that's what Sparrow told him.
All he could really remember was how fantastic she was at dinner. And how scared she seemed when she called and when he first entered her hotel room. I'm usually cool, he thought to himself. But I crumbled when Samantha looked at me.
He saw Martha's house ahead, looked to his right and then swung his Audi niftily into a spot where the front walk met the curb. He liked to pretend he was piloting a plane when he grove. He was still a kid at heart. Maybe it was time to grow up.
Martha was on the porch with her daughter standing there watching him talk to himself. "Hi Mart!"
She perked up at the sight of him. She wasn't a bad looking woman he thought. He thought he was pretty good in high school, but some how he missed Martha...and of course Samantha. "Hi Dante. She took the five front steps in two steps, held out her hand. Dante shook it, and then turned his attention to the little. "Mandy, Hi I'm Dante." He remebered her name from the closing. "You look beautiful today...oh wait a minute," he smiled..."I just bet you look beautiful every day." Mandy just kept pumping his hand beaming and looked up at him."
"Are you like that with all the woman," Martha now chimed in.
"Oh, sorry, but Mandy is a cute little girl..."
Martha continued without letting him finish. "So you are here to talk about Samantha? Why don't we go inside. So she vanished again...huh.

You have to believe that one of the all time biggest disappointments among the left and Dem political tricksters is the lack of potential derisive material in the release of Palin emails. The emails that showed her to be a hardworking, non-partisan caring Governor and devoted mother. She was a nose to the grindstone Chief Exec who ran the state for the people and not the special interests be it her party or big biz. Sorry CNN. MSNBC. NY Times.

The headline read "Cases of Diabetes doubles and is still Growing". This was presumably a misguided knowledgeable attempt to call attention to obesity, those people who constitute the latest minority that doesn't come under anti-discrimination laws. The fact is that I'm surprised that this "Gene" dominated disease hasn't increased more since the early 20th century now diabetics are surviving when in the years before insulin they died before having children. That's right. Both parents must have a diabetes gene if a child has diabetes in the future. If you weigh 500 pound's and have no gene you don't get diabetes. It doesn't mean you are healthy. And it doesn't mean that being overweight doesn't exacerbate the complications of the disease. Back in 1969 a good doctor told me that he expected 80 to 90% of the population to have diabetes in fifty or so years simply becasue diabetics now lived and procreate.

Quiz Answer: Everybody has probably heard "We have met the enemy and it is us". And, this line form Pogo has never been more true.

Take your Guardian Governmentalist to lunch today. If you're nice to them, maybe they'll let you think for yourself.

Logic over science.

Today's Tids Issue 2,384
Opening Stuff


Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

(Note: I used "he" in the above reference to an idiot. The Tids guy is not stupid!)

New England Journal of Medicine Department:
I think I have developed the next big medical science breakthrough story. Medical records from 2001-2009 detail the extremely rapid growth of Asthma to the point today where 1 in 12 Americans are asthmatic. During the same period the growth in pet ownership paralleled the increase of clogged lungs and bronchial tubes. The last decade saw a 12+% growth in fuzzy, furry animal ownership which correlates nicely with the increase in asthma cases. So these cuddly little tail wagging come under attack if I can get my repotr tot he right cable news channel

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

The Question:
How many households own pets? Which types of pets are most popular? Which pets are the most expensive to maintain?

The Headlines:

--Market Struggling to Find Its Way; Sour Credit In Euro Countries Plus Lower Than Expected growth for Non-Manufacturing (Service) Industries And To Negativity.,
--24/7 Analysis Of Anthony Decision Clogging Airways; Experts Backtracking At Rapid Pace; Marcia Clark Says Casey Verdict Worse Than OJ..
--178 Teachers And Principals Named In Georgia Bureau of Investigation Report On Wide Spread Cheating; Report Diminishes Achievements Of Award Winning School System; Falsified Test Scores Designed To Reach Goals That Would Trigger Fed Payments.
--China Raises Internist Rates To Cool Insulation.
--Portugal Credit Rating Downgraded.
--Massive Dust Storm Smothers Phoenix.
--New Terrorist Tactic: Surgically Implanting Bombs In Humans.

Cracker Department.
I've seen trailers for the new American version of the great British TV program "Prime Suspect". Once again the US TV industry has chosen over-the-top instead of realism. It appears not unlike the hatchet job on the equally great Brit drama Cracker. In fact, Cracker may have been the best of them all...until it waded across the pond.

You'd have wonder what a US filmmaker would do to the Stig Larson series.

Unintended Consequences Department:
Many big corporations in New York already have excellent benefits programs for domestic partners. But now in light of the passing of the Gay Marriage act that authorizes these benefits for a new class of married, the company legal departments are wondering if in fairness they should only give bennies to the partners that marry?

Just in case for a fleeting second you think that the US needs "Stimulus II", just remember that every job created under Stimulus I cost $270,099!

Separate AP reports indicate dissatisfaction at the Pentagon over Afghanistan and Libyan decisions. In Afghanistan, they say nothing has inproved that woujld merit decisions to reduce troop strength ether by the US or allies. They note that the war is still very hot with more Americans being killed now and at a rate similar to earlier years. They expect that some of the fiercest fighting is to come. The suggest there will be a resurgence of Taliban attacks that coincide almost directly with the rate of the draw down. Libya: Top Generals say that "unclear" objectives (from the start) is the reason that the Libyan thing is dragging on. That air support alone cannot secure victory for the rebels. They add that "We are losing the good will that this was supposed to create." Of course both of these brief analyses are from a pure military strategy point of view. Many of them may feel perhaps that we shouldn't be there, but their educated gut says, "bad way to leave." They are probably right realistically, but emotionally, not so much.

Now that I'm on a medical research and analysis kick, the next thing I will attack is the percentage of people with diseases who have practiced Yoga. For instance, Suryanamaskar seems to comfort people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But is it up to all of the other promises of minor medical miracles? But frankly, being a cynic, I don't actually believe that each position is a method of avoiding specific illness. But, of course opinion doesn't count when dealing with science. Unless of course, it is an out of control Tidster.

Almost Near: Chapter 27 continues. --"Wow! What was that for?" A beaming tucker looked at Audrey who was licking her lips with her tongue. Enjoying what she had tasted.
"That was for making me happy. That was for coming back. That was for something I have felt about you but was too dumb to say." She looked at him and then moved forward and kissed him again. "Now, get out and push the car so we can get out of this ditch."
"Oh, a bribe!" Audrey feigned a punch at his healing arm. "I'm agoin'. I' agoin'."
It only took a few seconds to get the car back onto the road. Tucker jumped back in, and Audrey floored it thrusting him back into his seat while he tried to snap the seat belt. "You seem a little energetic."
"Handsome men do that to me." Audrey was now wearing a beautiful smile of self contentment. "You know, I kinda liked you that first time you stepped timidly before my desk. But then, most of the time, I just poured myself back into my work. But after you left to go back to Lobster Cove, I decided that maybe it was time for me to at least be honest with myself."
And," Tucker finished, "You thought it a good idea to throw a monkey wrench into my confused romantic life."
"Did it hurt?"
"Not a bit." He looked out the window. But, "now what?" he thought to himself."

In 2050 India, will be the most populous country according to a future-cast from the US Census Bureau. India would have passed China by 2035. The US with 423 million will remain in third place. Surprisingly, the countries making the biggest population gains will be Nigeria and Ethiopia. Nigeria will grow from 166 mil to 402 M while Ethiopia will go from 98 M to 278 M. Think of the impact those third world style companies will make on the balance of the global economy and culture. Japan and Russian will fall to the 16th and 17th most populated!

Do you get the feeling, that Angelina knows something the rest of us don't? Joli and Pitt. Emperors of Africa.

423,000,000 Americans. Think about all the pets. Think about the asthma.

The Answer: 

Today, 71.4 million Households have pets. There are 171.7 Mil Freshwater Fish, 93.2 Mil Cats, 77.5 M dogs, 15.9 M other small animals, 15M birds, 13.6 M reptiles, 13.3 M hporses and 11.2 M saltwater fish. All pets are expensive and the costs are growing especially for those owners who overindulge there "babies".

Oh yeah...and 13% of dogs and 21% of cats are overweight and not allowed in McDonald's, or permitted to add sugary soda pop to their kibbles.