Minds to mush.

Today's Tids 10/5 (#2,436)
(WrittenWednesday, October 5, 2011 12:59 PM)
Opening Stuff:

Has there ever been a time in society when simple little things became so incredibly complex?

I'm thinking seriously of forcing myself to watch Dancing with the Stars so I can provide that insightful Tids overview you all crave. If I can just mute the judges and the emcee, I might make it

If you are having a good day and want to keep it going, don't open a Verizon invoice.

Daily Question: Name what you think are the five most dangerous metropolitan areas.

Today's Headlines:

--Private Sector Job Growth Has Market Up; New Jobs Added Still Far below Avrage Needed For Robust Return Of Economy.
--New Polls: Cain Ties Romney; Obama Econ Approval Low; Congress Lower.
--Israeli Wins Nobel Chemistry Prize For Quasicrystals.
--After Ten Years, Afghans Tired Of War Too.
--US Vets Say Iraq/Afghan Wars Not Worth It.
--Somali al-Qaida Vow More Attacks.

I'm thinking that I'm going to concentrate on up and down hill lies as the next step in solving the golf enigma. Easy. yeah, right!

You know you're at a fund raiser for an artists group when the only hors d'oeuvres are fruit chunks. Get me some Cheetos!

If you think the world is ugly now, wait til we get into an all out Trade War with China. U-G-L-Y. It might be the next gigantic global economic event with ramifications everywhere. Sell gold. Buy rice.

Herman Cain Department: Perry has dropped to third and Herman has moved to the top virtually tied with Mitt. This basically says that there are still a lot of negatives for Mitt. The Prez has successfully shifted some of the blame for the economy from himself to Congress. Even though the Prez economy approval numbers are an extremely low 35%, Congress is even lower, and that low Congress number is generally attributed to tea Party members. And that negative image about Congressional Repubs is starting to infect the GOP candidates, especially Tea Party faves. And thus we have Herman emerging in the Repub party as others sink under the weight of perceived obstinate by people just trying to helps make the country whole again. It also proves that most people don't get or understand the big picture.

Lately I have noticed more visibility for Liberal radio talk show hosts who seem to be trying to imitate the success that conservatives have had dominating the radio for over twenty years. It is going to increase the sound levels of poisonous discourse, further dividing a country into vicious enemy camps. The biggest losers will be the people in the middle who just want the country to work like it always has, so they can deal realistically with daily problems and enjoy their accomplishments.

Next to verizon bills, listening to Washington makes my mind turn to mush. McConnell says "Let's vote immediately on Obama's Jobs Bill", and Jay Carney, who's boss has been publicly demanding an immediate vote, says it's a disingenuous stunt.


I see where 0-Man's former National Security Adviser Marine General James Jones has said that the President's ouster of Mubarak has alienated most of the other Arab counties as they now see the US as an ally not to be trusted. They see the President of the US of A being easily swayed by mob rule...in their streets...according to Jones in a recent speech. So, you have to wonder if the 0-Man will call forNATO to support the takeover of Wall Street.

This stock market is so volatile that by the time stop typing a 7 word market status update, I look up and the market can be down 50 points.

Almost Near: Chapter 43. --Samantha guided the boat deftly up the Piscataqua over to Kittery on the Maine side. She felt good about herself, and riding in this boat seemed to paint a clearer picture about her past into a mind being pulled in so many directions. It wasn't complete, but it made sense to her. It made her comfortable to know that she must have done things like motoring around a harbor in a boat. She thought it a good step to remember something she hadn't thought of in years. But, she frowned at the same time thinking there are so many gaps. So many lives it seems she led that are in conflict.
A small opening between to large rocks near the Northern shore appeared, and she turned the boat so it passed midway between them. How did she know to do that? There was a small floating raft in the still water framed by the rocks and the shore. She headed up wind and slid to a feathery stop against that rubber edge of the raft. Like she knew what she was doing. She grabbed a cleat and pulled the boat taut to the raft before securing the lines. She sat, still, and enjoyed a wave of pure relaxation caressing her body. A feeling of security she hadn't felt in years. Or, in years that she could remember. At that, she laughed at herself. Quietly at first, and then heartily. She looked around thinking if anybody saw her they would surely lock her up.
She hopped up on the raft that joggled a bit when she landed. She steadied herself for a second or two, and then with one giant leap flew through the New England air til she felt the pebbly shore under her feet. Ahead she saw a path just as she had hoped. Right where it was supposed to be. So far, so good. Now what?

Actually I think Conservatives would be happy with Mitt Romney. But then, I'm also thinking that the smartest guy on the slate who keeps sneaking up through the polls, The Knutester, could be the guy in the end.

Quiz Answer: Well, Sarah Palin must have locked up the shotgun becasue #5 is Anchorage Alaska. Next is Flint Mich followed by Springfiend Ill, Memphis Tenn and the place where you really don't want to walk the streets is De-troit!

Personally, I think the world would be a much better place if we just got rid of Cable news. For starters.

IMourning.

Today's Tids Issue #2,437
(Written 10/6)Opening Stuff:

Steve Jobs was greeted and cheered at the pearly (not Bill) gates by Thomas Edison, Sam Morse, George Westinghouse, AG Bell, Eli Whitney, Samuel Slater, Marie Curie, John Deere, George Eastman Ben Franklyn among thousands of others who's innovations and inventions changed the times in which they lived.

A Harvard senior who also writes for the very excellent Web Site "Real Clear Politics" suggests that 0-Man could win it all if he dumped The Plagiarist and replaces him with a moderate Repub VP candidate.

A small news item this morning says that the (Amanda) Knox family is near bankruptcy. Yeah, right! The bonanza is just beginning.

Daily Question: Quick...How many colleges are their in India?

Today's Headlines:

--Palin Nixes Presidential Run; Comedians Industry Expected To Take A Hit.
--Computer Icon Dies; Will Apple Still have The same Vision?
--Progress With Europe Plan Has WS Up For Third Straight Day; Tomorrow Profit-Takers Woll Blame Greece Worries For Decline.
--Putin Blasts US Missile Defense deal.
--New Jobless Claims Climb Back Over 400K To 401K; Economists Expected 410.
--Swedish Poet Thomas Transtromer Gets Nobel Lit Prize.
--Afghan Taliban Leader Says Returning Hard Line Islamists To Power Only Way To Stop Fighting.
--Unions Using Wall Street Protestors To Promote Class Warfare.
--0-Man Holding Press Conference Today Tp Promote Congress Action On Jobs Bill; Yesterday White House Poo-Pooed GOP Call For Vote On Jobs Bill.
--Microsoft Considering Yahoo Bid.

John Huntsman may be exactly what this country needs. One of his views: We need an economic solution that is as big as the problem, and all we are getting are small quick fixes and Foo-Foo dust. I like it. Foo-Foo Dust! You don't need to be a comedian great orator of dancer with the stars to be a great President. Maybe what the country finally will realize that we all need a person who can act as opposed to one who can get headlines.

When do you stop picking the Philadelphia Eagles? You know, that dream team! That is indicative of the season to date where very little is a sure thing. This week it is even worse as I only see three picks as easy - San Diego over Denver, NYG over Seattle and New Orleans over Carolina. Every other game is a toss up. Like KC at Indy where KC has the better record! There are several posers like that one and many are among losing teams. Well here goes -- Indy, Arizona over Minn, Houston over Oakland, Buff over Philly, Jax over Cinn, Pitt over Tenn, SF over TB, Atlanta over Green Bay, at home Detroit over da Bears and NE (Gulp!) over the dreaded Jets. Believe Me, my stomach turned on every one of those picks. Last week the Mighty Tids Sports department went 12-4 for a to-date 45-19 or 70.3%. Next week is anybody's guess.

Steve Jobs. A genius no doubt. A billionaire for sure. And the guy who facilitated plugged-in kids.

India's Aakash Tablet to sell in the country to students for $35. This watered down but utile tablet would have retail price of about $50. There will be a lot of new pressure on the IPad margins as lower prices bring more competitors into the fight.

According to retail watchers the best bargains for October will be in Winter Clothes and Household Goods, Local Foods, Sports Equipment, Holiday Staples (Spices, Oils Broths), bathing Suits/Resort Wear and European Get-Aways. What about Diet Coke or Pepsi?

The top five highest taxes states are Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Maryland. The lowest taxes are found in Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Alaska.

This may sound weird, but this morning our IPad email stopped working! Oooooo-weeeeeee-oooooooooooo.

A reader sends me a pic of this sign in front of a Florida Business: "We'd rather do business with 1,000 al-Qaida Terrorists than one American Soldier". Blasphemous? Pushing Freedom of Speech?" It would be if it wasn't in front of a Funeral Home!

And how about the spokesperson of that out of common sense Westwood Church group who texted a serious, and unfounded assassination of Steve Jobs character after his death. At the bottom of the message is said, "Sent form my IPhone".

The lead judge in the Knox trial who acquitted her says that she probably knows a lot more than she has said, but there just wasn't enough evidence to make the connection.

Providence College beat them all in a "Brains" completion Called NESN's (New England Sports network) College Face-Off. PC topped UMaine the other finalist in a knowledge competition that included Boston College, Boston University, Umass, UConn, UVermont, and Northeastern. Next year the champs will probably ask, to make it more interesting, the addition of other NE schools Harvard, Yale, Brown and Dartmouth. What no URI, the only state U left out?

With Sarah and Chris not running, who's going to amp up the Repubs?

Almost Near: Now all I need is a car. Sam was still feeling the confidence she gained maneuvering the Grady White into that hideaway cove. Not just because she did it, but becasue she remembered the cove and how to get in it. If she remembered that, what else could she force out of that dizzy head of hers. That thought made her smile.
She walked up to Whipple Ave, one of the main drags. The town should be cuter she thought, but it's as gritty as ever. As ever? She must have spent time here. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the big Kittery Ace Hardware sign. They have a big lot behind the store. People up in this country town leave their keys in the car. Right. Her she felt her pulse pounding now. I'm not a thief, am I? She walked into the hardware store and an old guy in the back fixing screens looked at her. As if he knew her. She turned her head quickly. She didn't need to meet an old friend now. Behind the Pittsburgh Paint display she saw a door out to the back of the store. She picked up a couple of those cheap little spongy paint brushes, and plunked a $1.50 on the quarter. "That'll be $139." The woman picked my money and gave me back the 11 cents. She didn't say another word. Nobody up here talks more than they have to.
She now knew that she had to get back to Lobster Cove. Tucker said so much on that dock. He must know a lot about her past. There had to be something in that house. Something I sensed I knew was there. Why does my mind blot out so much. Is everything in my past that bad?
She went to the back of the lot like she had been going there all her life. The row of cars furthest from the store were shaded by a line of old lilac bushes. She figured that must be where the employees park.


Quiz Answer: India has 25,000 Colleges! Yikes.

I think when I abbreviate in emails I'm saving ink.

It's too damn hot.

Today's Tids #2,439)
(Written 10/10)

In "There may be hope for the Republicans" Department, there are significant signs that GOP Social conservatives are recognizing that Romney's strength in financial and economic matters may be the the most solid credential of any candidate, Repub or Dem. They're coming to the point of thinking that maybe Romney is exactly what the country needs right now.

One thing you can take to the bank is that there is no chance now or in the future that Lucy will ever leave the football in place for Charlie Brown.

Daily Question: Holiday Double Q Special. 1. Massachusetts cranberry harvesters had their biggest year in history. Does that include the Pilgrims too? Name four largest Cranberry Producing states? 2. Name the ten worst sports contracts.

Today's Headlines:

--Market Finally Stable As Brokers Take Columbus Day Off.
--Netflix Drops Unpopular "Quickster" Program.
--Dems Want To "Own" Wall Street Takeover Protests.
--"Fast And Furious" Subpoenas To be out Shortly.
--Surprise: "Millionaire Tax" Would Hit Dem States Hardest.

An automaker could take the industry by surprise by announcing the return of the Bench seat in front so cars can actually carry 3 couples to dinner, instead of taking two cars. Talk about gas savings. How inventive, a bench seat. The insides of today's cars appears designed to carry coffee cups over people. How about a an affordable convertible center console. How easy is that?

I never thought I'd get that day when I had to make the choice --gas or coffee. I'm figuring that all of the cheap Latin American labor has sneaked into the US. How else could you explain a 33%-60% increase in coffee in less that 6 months. Or, it's some creepo Wall Street futures trader middleman taking his cut out of the coffee costs...and adding nothing to the process.

I'm continually perplexed at the Government of the United States of America consistently resisting their own, and the efforts of states, to ferret out "illegal" immigrants. It would be less of an enigma if Illegals were allowed to vote. Hey, wait a damned minute! Under Chicago law they are allowed to vote.

A-Rod should be called "Mr. December". That's when he does his best work...getting his team to pay him $275,000,000 til he's 42 yo. in 2017!

Paul and Cain win all of the straw polls but Paul never shows up on the national polls. What's that all about?

You have to figure that the big CVS style drugstores In Wash DC have large inventories of throw-away cell phones.

The "Coddled" Generation is now experiencing what most over 45 have known all their lives -- money doesn't grow in trees. I hear the 20's people complaining that the jovial they expected don't exist any more. Aside from the fact that there are just too many kids in college who would be better served in some kind of occupation directed post HS education. it is also not a new phenomena. yes, even in the so called happy - "I Like Ike" years seniors in college were wondering where they would ever get a job. Of course the we had that cultural of change in the seventies that brought us double earner families. Now we have the prospects of new technological efficiencies reducing the need for people in general. Will two earner families be forced to exist with one? And how many other industries like housing and entertainment that are or have flourished to unfathomable heights because of additional disposable income? Can you say Paradigm?

Quiz Answer: 1. Wisconsin is the largest followed by Mass, where it all began, and then New Jersey. #4 could be any other state form Nova Scotia down NC and west to Minn. And, all of the others would be significantly below the top three. BTW, the Cranberry is a relative of the blueberry family. We know that blueberries are blue, but what is a "cran"? 2.Number 10 is Grant Hill - great guy hobbled by injuries. He is followed by Ryan Leaf -- bad guy hobbled by stupidity. Then we have Rick DePietro (NY Islanders), Rick Pitino (Bost Celtics), Larry Hughes (Cleve Cavs), Michael Vick (Atlanta), A-Rod (Texas followed by NYY), Ben Wallace (Chi Bulls), David Beckham (US Soccer savior) and Demarcus Russell another in the mold of Ryan leaf. I could also name five or six of Theo Epstein's (Red Sox GM) losers as right up there with this list.

Happy Columbus Day everybody!

LOL.

Today's Tids #2,440)
(Written 10/11)

Opening Stuff:

I guess the you can sum up the ineffectiveness of the Obama presidency with the observation that the man who talked about "ending the Red-State, Blue-State America" would have only done that on his ideological terms, and has in fact poisoned the rhetoric more than any other president in my lifetime.

The rumor is that Red Sox GM is being seriously courted by The Chicago Cubs. It's interesting in that the Cubs current predicament is often attributed to their bad free agent signings. If that's the case they have the right guy in Theo, who has been miserable at that too.

Daily Question: people have always rushed to chicken soup when the blahs come to make you feel crummy. Name five other foods that can perk up your downtrodden body?

Today's Headlines:

--Wall Street Flat.
--Mother Of Missing baby Melissa Expected To be Arrested.
--Dem Controlled Senate Expected To Nix 0-Jobs Bill.
--"Occupy Wall Street Spreading Around The World; Protestors Moving Away From WS To Protest In Front Of Exec Homes.
--Christie Endorses Romney: Mitt/Chris Ticket On the Horizon?
--Hispanics Upset Over 0-Man's Unfilled Immigration reform Promises.
--Wall Street Could Cut 10,000 Jobs In 2012.
--Egyptian Actions Against Christians Could Put Roadblock In "Arab Spring" Progress.
--Iran related Terror Plot In Washington Disrupted.

The Associated Press has detailed the disconnect between reality and rhetoric in Obama's Jobs Bill speechifyin' campaign. Among other things they opine, he focused on the negativity of Republican house member's where significant Dem house members are equally vocal against the bill. He forgets that the Senate is controlled by Democrats, who have done nothing to "Act immediately" for over a month. And, he rails at Republicans for not explaining the their resistance, dismissive of the fact that they have done so in detail. Basically he is hoping for an ignorant electorate. Pretty sad, isn't it?

Speaking of things not working like clockwork, how about that Egyptian mess. Many pundits including this one felt that while the uprising may have been noble, there was always the fear of not knowing what may emerge in place of the dictator. Predicting the Middle East is bad science.

What smells worse, the evil deeds of fraudulent financials people or the Boston, DC and NYC parks after the Protestors leave.

The only thing I got right in last week's NFL picks is the phrase "This ain't gonna be easy this week." Wow! And how bad is Indy? And Philly?

Almost Near: Chapter 44. --Audrey hung up the phone after an angry call to her editor who had changed a major part of her new story on the Quimpierre brothers. She was tense and actually sweating a little. being nice to that creep is not good for my longevity! She smiled to her self as she did often to shrug off the antics of loons. Yet, she didn't feel as relaxed as usual. She felt exposed and didn't know why, until she turned her head slightly and say a serious Tucker behind her staring at the back of her head. Now she did feel better and broke out in ot an enormous smile while standing turning towards him. He remained inexpressive.
"Aren't you excited to see me sourpuss? I mean has that old girlfriend of yours retrieved her magic from the past?" he looked at her. "Tucker? Tucker?" Finally his eyes lit up.
"Oh, save me from myself. I was so mesmerized by you sitting there I forgot where I was." He frowned slightly, "What did you say about Samantha?"
"Nothing, Nothing, Just a little bit of my annoying sarcasm. But, how is she? Did you tell her about the police here. They're goin to want to take to you, you know. Aren't you glad you returned?"
"Are you finished?" Audrey blushed slightly.
"I always talk a lot when I'm happy to see someone."
At once, Tucker started to look relaxed. "Let's go out for a cup of coffee, and you can fill me in."
"No." Audrey seemed abrupt. Serious now. Not playful any more. My editor wnats to see you. We should do that first. It will be better for you." She nodded as if for him him. "Ok?"

Quiz Answer: Some nutrition experts say you will feel better when those nasty colds take hold if you eat or drink -- Kefir/Yogurt. Green Tea, Garlic, Orange fleshed veggies like sweet potatoes, squash or pumpkins and Oysters! I'll take chicken soup, Thank you.

Somebody other than the usual suspects has to start pointing out to the masses all of the places where 0-man is erring in his rhetoric.

Bumper stickers. 1. Obama has become laughable, so I was liking the bumper sticker LOL where the "O" was that circular symbol from 0-man's 2008 campaign. 2. OBamaCare: Call us when you're shovel ready.


I'll be better tomorrow. Promise!

Sorry about the presidential rantings, but every once in awhile I have get him out of my system.

Keep it in balance.

Today's Tids #2,441
(Written 10/12

Opening Stuff:

I read an interesting Letter to Ed this morn about technological advances and personal character. The author cited Steve Jobs: "(My Success) is not to be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other peoples actions." The author finds that a narcissistic observation as shortsighted and an insult to all of those who laid the groundwork for progress that enabled people like Jobs to make new advancements. But the bigger notion in opposition to the debilitating effects of the rejection of dogma is that, "Ultimately the great achievements in technology are liberating and contribute to the progress of mankind only if they are joined to the attitudes of purity, honesty and faith...". The depth character in a society is found far beyond it's material achievements.

Government jobs analysts probably fail to recognize that while there are more available private sector job openings than one would be led to believe by the political rhetoric, the private sector unlike the Feds they can only afford to hire people who can actually do the work.

Speaking of a person who has the best possibility of stimulating a logy private sector jobs economy, the Mittster looked very comfortable in the mostly economics, rather bland debate at Dartmouth College last night. Perry didn't blunder, but he also didn't score either. The panel seemed to treat the entertaining Cain as the frontrunner spending an abundance of time going after his 9-9-9 plan. he mainly shrugged-off their comments. Michelle became even more minute. Actually the Christie endorsement of Mitt preempted the entire debate.

Daily Question: The Netflix disaster "Quickster" collapsing under consumer pressure in just 23 days happens to be the worst new product introduction of all time. Name ten other big time flops.

Today's Headlines:

--Slovakian Agreement On EuroZone Financing Has Stocks Up Early; Deterioration In Italy Could Be Next Big Determent To Stock Momentum.
--Wal-Mart Same Store Sales Up For Third Straight Month!
--Blackberry Outages Spread To North America.
--Prez Loses Big On Senate Jobs Vote; Key Dem Senators Defect And More Promise To Vote Against If The Bill Moves Froward.
--Chrysler, UAW Agree On contract.
--Biden: Nothing Off table After Iran Rooted DC Assassination Plot.
--U Rhode Island Economists Say State's Economic Indicators Have Fallen To Lowly 42; Index This Low is Evidence Of Extremely sluggish, No Growth State Economy.
--28 Killed In New Iraq Internal Disruption.
--Repubs Push FTC To Ease Sanctions Against Food Companies And their Advertising To Kids 2-17.

I see where last week's Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is in an intense battle to retain her Liberian presidency against also Harvard educated rival Winston Tubman (Nephew of former Liberian Prez William Tubman). Apparently the population is very dissatisfied with Sirleaf's inability to provide a better life, electricity, running water and jobs.

Here's a good Life Maxim: Don't elect Nobel Peace Prize winners to important higher offices.

The big discussion on the early morning radio sports show today is the sports experts horror at non-active Red Sox players during the game sitting in the locker room eating chicken, biscuits and gravy! Frankly, I applaud the players and have an new sense of admiration for their choices in life. Instead of caviar and champagne, they crave gravy!

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed happiness over the Wall Street protestors raging around the US as the "beginning of the ultimate toppling of capitalism in America. He gloated saying "(The USA's) corrupt foundation has been exposed to the American people." So the Islamists sense that people on the streets will bring down WS far more effectively than planes into buildings. Lets see, now the protestors have the backing of Michael Moore, Susan Sarandan, The Public Employees Unions and the Ayatollah. How can they go wrong.

Of active PGA players, Briny Baird and RI's Brett Quigley are the two golfers with the highest career earnings (Nearly $12 Mil) who have never won a tournament. Does anybody care.

A reader filled me in on the derivation of the word cranberry after my musing a couple of days ago, "What exactly is a cran?" This astute observer of relevancy tells me that it was coined by none other than our beloved Pilgrims who described the look of those bushes in bogs laden with hanging reddish berries as appearing to look like a "Crane", those magnificent birds of the wetlands. "Crane" became "Cran" during the great recession of 1689 when the extra ink for the "e" became too expensive.

My biggest complaint about the 0-Man campaign jobs Proposal is that it just continues to abet the bad management practices of state and local governments. With the prospects of bailouts in the air, people will continue to make make bad risk choices -- and that includes politicians, financial and business corporations and people in their comfy homes. And this all continues to lead to the final destruction of personal accountability and responsibility. It is the ocean silently eating away at seawalls protecting safe harbors.

I can easily see for the future a US military with far fewer people and a lot more cool gadgets. I can see a future where the US won't be rushing in to put down skirmishes around the world.

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --"So you're the guy who entrapped my quiet little newspaper, drawing us all into a murder investigation." Tucker just stood there stone-faced, looking at this Editor, unemotional, kinda gruff, tie askew, sleeves rolled up; sitting there, eyes boring into Tuckers; confident, unrelenting but not arrogant. Audrey standing by his side elbowed him as if to say don't let him beat you down.
"Well Jess, I can call you Jess, right Jess." Audrey looked at Tucker now in a new way. He seemed different than that loveable bumbler.
"You are lucky I came along. This is a great story at so many levels which it seems to me you have yet to figure it out. Your visceral reactions seem that of a small minded politician or dead ended middle manager, not a leader of people with great minds like Audrey." Tucker turned to her and smiled, pleasantly? Sarcastically? Triumphantly? None of the above?
Jess's mouth hung open. He turned towards Audrey who stood there with a similar expression of disbelief.
Tucker didn't flutter an eyelash. "So, I'm glad I got back before you did something rash. Did either of you do anything to minimize the police suspicions of Samantha? Did...'
"Ok Tucker," Audrey's face was red. Jess relaxed back in his chair to watch the action he could see coming. "When did you start under appreciating the only friend you seem to have lately, expecially now that your dizzy ex-girlfriend's brain is flutterinfg somewhere in outer space." Audrey stopped short, realizing that her anger made have pushed her too far. Then she thought, did Tucker push me on purpose?

Quiz Answer: Of course everybody thinks first of the king of product disasters, the symbol of corporate failure -- The Edsel. But it actually took three years to close the factory doors on that one. Then I think of "New Coke" which is right up there with Quickster, being pulled in 77 days. In between those two is HP's IPad competitor "Touchpad" which hit the bricks after a mere 43 days. The other notables are RJ Reynolds Smokeless Ciggies, Google's Lively, JooJoo (Inferior Ipad Competitor also know as CrunchPad), Mobile ESPN, Orbitz Soda, Microsoft Bob, McDonald's Arch Deluxe (To appeal to Urban Sophisticates and at cost of $100 Mil, most expensive flop in history), Pepsi A.M. and Crystal, Cosmopolitan Yogurt, HD DVD, Coor's Rocky Mountain Spring Water, Joost (An inferior predecessor to Hulu) and finally we're back to Edsel the most notable, but obviously not the quickest to fail.

The best way to solve a lot of problems is to walk away and come back to see amazing possibilities you never saw the first time.

That is the much better alternative to rushing it through only to come back to see glaring errors that will never go away.

Les Miz?

Today's Tids Issue #2,443
Opening Stuff:


Many of these protestors calling for the end of an unregulated Wall Street (Including the usual suspects like Alec Baldwin) fail to realize that Capitalism could be quite self-regulating without government interference and in particular -- the Bailouts!

With the masses of intellectual elite gathering in the beautiful parks in southern Manhattan telling the world that bankers are causing poverty, I'm reminded of a Clinton aid who suggested 3 steps ot avoid it: !. Finish High School, 2. No babies out of wedlock. 3. Wait until you are 20 to marry and have childen. Research of that formular showed that only 8% of those who followed those simple rules entered poverty while 70% escaped and moved on to good productive lives. But there are many leaders in the community who love that Wall Street greed can be another excuse for those in poverty. "The banker made me do it!"

R.I.P. R.I.M.

The Question: 
How much do you know or remember about the Osmonds? On which TV show did they get their start. How many kids are there? What was their home state. I'm not going to ask you to name the most famous of the siblings, but I'm going to ask you to name Donnie and Marie's greatest hit.

The Headlines:

--Wall Street In Decline After Soft China Economic Data And Disappointing Earnings Form JP Morgan; Morgan Readying 1,000 Pink Slips.
--New Jobless Clain=ms Down Slightly To 404,000.
--0-Man/DNC Raises %70Mil In Q3.
--House Dems Warn "SuperCommittee" To Do More Than Just Cut.
--Chicago Symphony Maestro Carlo Muti To Receive Nobel Award For Music; Award Named For Brilliant Swedish Soprano Birgit Nilsson.
--Crazed Husnad Kills 8 In Upscale Long Beach Cal Suburb.

I should try to sneak in my last weeks picks result in 8 point type. God, what a mess. But, it is indicative, as I have said so many times this year, of a season when anybody can be beaten. A miserable 7-6 last week brings the record to 52-25 or a big dip to 67.5%. (Maybe if I predicted unemployment that would be dropping too.) But that's another story. This weeks posers are Dal-NE, Phil-Wash, upstarts SF-Det, Buff-NYG and Houst-Balt. Ok, deep breaths now...and...e-x-h-a-l-e -- I'm going New England, Washington, Detroit, Buffalo and Baltimore. For the rest it's Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Cincinnati, Oakland, New Orleans, Chicago and the Jets. If the Jets weren't at home I'd be tempted to pick a first win for Miami.

Separated at Birth Department:
Chris Dodd and Michael Flanagan, lawyer for Jax Doc Conrad Murray.

I hate to write about the Ya, Ya, Ya...(WYKWIM) Fans...because it is so hard to get started. Well, while the Red Sox fans celebrated the demise of the Bombers in the play-offs a huge fan of the Bronx millionaires got even. He just happened to be the Greens Keeper for the Jamestown Golf Club up here where I play quite often, along with lots of RS addicts. Last Thursday in preparing for Friday play, he rolled and cut the greens so grass low that they putted like on Macadam. Then he proceeded to place the flags in impossible to reach positions and the tees in the most obscure sites forcing extra shots for easier holes. Yikes!

Over the years I have met several new friends who, being that much younger than I, had participated in the student protests of the late sixties/early seventies. To a person they say that it is embarrassing for them to look back upon those school days cause all they can see is a mold-able person without brains. So, just sit back and hope the=at they clean up the mess they left behind. It will end.

Have you noticed how when describing "Meat and Potato" restaurants, food critics always appear to be surprised to find that they are good! I think they are the only kind of restaurant.

While on food, the good news around here is that Bay Scallop season will arrive in about 3 weeks. The really good news is that I was beginning to think these tasty morsels were endangered species. I have only seen lately those giant sea monsters in super markets and never recently the little fellers on menus. I like all fried fish and the "bays" are among the most splendiforous.

Almost Near: Chapter 44 continues. --"Why do I have to waste time listening to family bickering? Huh? My brain is hurting." Jess decided to take charge and get Tucker and Audrey to stop what he considered irrelevant noise. The two turned and looked at him. Audrey then broke out in laughter realizing that being small and bitchy was not normal for her. But Tucker just stood there looking at her without a change in expression at all.
"You alright Tuck?"
Tucker continued to stare, and then just like that he shook his head and smiled. "Why...uh...yes, I'm just fine." He looked at Jess and then back at Audrey. "I guess you both just took me by surprise." Audrey gave him one her little punches. Which drew Tucker over to give her a gentle one arm hug. He backed off quickly. "I guess I'm not into real crime. I can make up stories about all sorts of evil things, but this is real, isn't it?"
"Very!" Jess now relaxed back into his editor pose.
"So, how serious do you think the police are about Samantha?"
They both started answering...Audrey raised he hand and took over the conversation. She now felt embarrassed, kinda of stupid about her rant.
Softly, "I think the police are very serious. They may think it is self defense but they don't know the entire story, and I haven't yet told them what I learned. I wanted to talk to you first."
"I'm sorry". Audrey now saw a nearly defeated man staring at her, looking for forgiveness. She felt a sadness in her heart. And she didn't know why.

The scary part of the WS protests is that there are those are those on soap boxes calling for the violent overthrow of the money Barons. Now...they don't sound particularly coherent or even sane, but people are standing there applauding and listening. Are we turning into the Middle East?

The Iran government has emphatically denied any participation in the so-called DC assassination plot calling the US accusations a pure political move by the leaders. In a strongly worded letter to the UN the Iran Ambassador states: "The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically and in the strongest terms condemns the shameful allegation by the United States authorities and deplores it as a well thought evil plot." Middle East watchers in the US are actually divided. Some say there is plenty of evidence against Iran while others explain that the action is way out of line considering Iran's normal modus operandi. And others are scratching their heads at the apparent out-of-character amateurism of the plot.

The Answer:
Four Osmond brothers, Alan. Wayne, Merrill and Jay, started it all as avery good Utah Barber Shop Quartet. They were spotted by Andy Williams and soon were an instant his on his popular TV show. Two older borthers, Geroge and Tom were born deaf and did not perform. Of course the big stars were Donny and Marie hwoi joined the original four with much younger brother Jimmy. The four plus Donny's first bi hit was One Bad Apple. Marie's first hit was "Paper Roses", and Donny's "Go away little girl". (But, the girls didn't!) Donny and Marie's duet hits were "I'm leaving it up to you" and Morning side of the Mountain". Interestingly, with all of Donny's success, Merrill always remained the groups lead singe,. (Note: Williams spotted the four when they were trying out for the Lawrence Welk show where they were rejected!

Wouldn't it be really sad if we had a French Revolution style violent takeover based on the false impressions from exaggerated information in Obama speeches about Rich People's taxes.

In addition to passing some kind of intelligence test for voters, we should also impose standards for those calling for revolutions.

Life keeps you thinking.

Today's Tids Issue 2,438
Opening Stuff:

80 degrees on Sunday? My fragile body can't react to extremes that fast. Hell, I'm just starting to grow a fat layer to enure me from the winter weather, and now this. And what now am I going to do with all of that gravy in the freezer? Life is tough.

When Joe Biden says, "(GOP) Absolutely strong enough to beat us...), Repubs better start runnin' for the hills. Everything and I mean every little innuendo that comes form the White House these days is calculated to add to the Re-Elect Prime Time campaign. Even from the loose-cannon lips of the Veep. But then, maybe the nation's Plagiarist Laureate read the Tid's "realclearpolitics.com Report yesterday where it was suggested that 0-Man dump Biden in flavor of a moderate Republican. Maybe he's throwing his hat in the ring for a GOP Diversity ticket.

The Question:
Name the last ten Nobel Peace Prize winners.

The Headlines:

--Healthier Payroll data Has WS keeping The Rally Going This Morning.
--Moody's Downgrades Credit ratings For 12 British Banks; Royal Bank of Scotland And Lloyds Among the 12; Not Barclays Or HSBC.
--New Zogby Poll Has Cain Leaidng Mitt By Astonishing 20 Points!; Also Shows Cain beating 0-man By 1; Romney Losing To 0-man By 1; Other Polls: CBS - Herman-Mitt Tied; YouGov/Economist - Cain Ober Romney By 4.
--Hugo Chavez Says He Will Size Houses Illegally Built On Caribbean Island Los Roques.
--Economy Adds 103K Jobs; Unemployment Remains At 9.1%
--3 Win Noble Peace Prize for Work On Women's Rights; Liberians Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf And Activist Leymah Gbowee Plus Yemeni Tawakkul take Home Loot.

I had to love the the AP furnished and pretty obviously White House directed giant picture above the fold this morn depicting 0-Man bathed in heavenly lights standing before the press with arms extended wide in a God-like pose. If it was on the cover of Mad magazine it would have been delightful sarcasm.

I'm having this inclination to break down and pay for Showtime just to get their new program "Homeland" -- which appears to be about as close to "24" as we're gong to get for a while. KThunk. KThunk. KThunk. But then my wallet is suffering from severe Quahog-itis -- shut tight.

Today is a day every honest, realistic person should celebrate. Fifteen years ago they pushed the button that enabled Fox News to take to the air. Some people avoid Fox because they fear the Fox personalities ridiculed in the press and thus miss out on the most complete and informed news reporting of any other TV source.

Hope Yen writing for the Washington Post tells us that home ownership has dipped to 65% and opines that it will never again reach the highs of 70% as it was in the recent mid decade. She goes on to list a number reasons for this (Right out of the Obama campaign class-warfare playbook) but fails to mention the only reason that counts. The market was never that large because 5% obviously could afford what they bought. And shouldn't have been approved in the first place. I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this (What's a record daddy?) but the head-in-the-sand opinions keep on coming. And it irks my kind heart.

I could become a full fledged vegetarian if I could smother that stuff from gardens with rich, creamy, fatty pork gravy.

I heard John Henry (Red Sox CEO) this morning suggesting that a better nutritionist could have helped stem the September slide. How about hitters and pitchers who don't choke. The world isn't real any more.

But then I've had a wonderful smile on my face ever since last night when Alex Rodriquez went down swinging for the last out. Again! It was a yummy moment, and becomes even tastier with the knowledge that this overpaid declining "slugger" has 6 more ineffective years remaining at near $30 mil a year. I wish hack writers were paid in inverse proportion to their clunkiness.

Reading between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I'm putting Ides of March on top of my movie list. Clooney produces, directs and stars in this political thriller that skewers both sides of the ideological aisle. It's centered around an Ohio primary where an up and coming press secretary finds himself involved in a scandal that could sink his candidate.
--Real Steel is about boxing in the future where promoters traipse around the country arranging fights between their Robots. This movie is a takeoff on the old The Champ movie where a washed up boxer tries to comeback for his adorable son. In this one a washed promoter with a rusty old robot makes a comeback after learning that he has a son. It sounds like Shirley Temple meets the Transformers. A lot of people will like it, but not me.

The more RI does to create a happy atmosphere for Illegal Immigrants, the more illegal immigrants will flock to the RI. The more the state with no money will go deeper into debt contributing to the welfare of people who contribute nothing and whose only claim to fame is breaking the law as their first official act in America.

In August, Americans stepped backwards in their use of Credit Cards. This is good for their personal financial situation but a bad sign for confidence in the future.

A segment of a local New England Patriots 1/2 hour TV show is called "Trash Talk"... and it is sponsored by WM Corporation (Waste Management).

If Americans were to abuse their children by making them a part of criminal act as Illegal Immigrants have done to their children, the authorities would take the children away.

Almost Near: Chapter 42 continues. --Samantha stood in the kitchen of Tuckers neat little house. It wasn't hard to get here after she looked in the windows of two cars and saw keys on the floor of one peaking out from beneath the seat. She had scanned the area quickly, thinking that her only potential problem was one the geezer clerks coming out for a smoke. She had laughed at that thinking how anti-smoking measures had made it hard on car thieves. She took all of the back roads she actually remembered clearly and got here in a half an hour. I'll dump the car in Essex she thought, figuring she had a little lead time being two states away form her felony act.
So here she was, and like she seemed to do more and more lately, she was wondering why she was here. Tucker knows me better than I know myself. Why doesn't he just come out and tell me who I am. Wouldn't that be like, easy.
She started poking around, not knowing what she might find but feeling that something was here. Everything was so neat. Her mind flashed to the times they made love, in the kitchen and bedroom. And the meories felt pleasant, But now a small cloud was creeping in to the scene. She shook her head as if to clear aay the apst. Focus she thought. Even not knowing who you asre, you can still focus. maybe I'm me, standing here in tghis house. Maybe that's all i am. But teh nagging thoughts about so many things missing snapped her out of that as fsast as the thought arose. Too many thoughts. Too many thoughts.
With knowing how she got there, she found herself standing before a locked door. The door felt forbidding. Why? She rattled the doorknob. It was very secure. As she looked closer she could see that somebody had recently added a second lock. Now she was really curious.

The Answer:
Before the women above we had Liu Xiaobo (China HR), Obama (Nobody Knows why), Finn Pres Martti Ahtisaari (Peace Several countries), Gore (Exaggerating GW), Bangledesh economist Muhammed Yunus (Microfinancing to ease poverty), Mohamed Elbaradei (Anti Nukes), Kenyan Wangari Maathai (Planting Trees), Shirin Ebadi (Democracy in Iran) and Jimmy Carter (For appearing to be better now than when president).


You have to figure that Lehman execs are still sitting around thinking -- why me and not all the other inept on wall street? --. "Maybe I'll sue Goldman this morning. They must have done something to screw us."

Have a great weekend under the sweltering October sun!