"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man." GW

Today's Tids Issue 2,772
Opening Stuff

I really like the guy, so I can't get this morning mess going without taking time out to say, Happy Birthday to George Washington. Oh, HB to Abe too, but George is my man. Maybe this admiration infatuation began back in those first days in First Grade. But, now, today, this February morning it is more intense than ever. The more learn about the first Prez, the more I wish we had more people like him. Not just in the highest offices, but walking the streets around us. His aspirations were not of a man a step above, but of what very person alive should strive to attain. To raise the standard one level beyond what you think you can attain. And to achieve each step with integrity. "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience."

While not minimizing the hardships of the over 3,000 Carnival cruise Line passengers, the media by it's nature often goes to those most apt to complain -- the first-in-line-to-sue crowd. But, I suspect that here, like in most American tragedies or inconveniences, the real story is, as we always discover, human beings finding a way to pull together for the benefit of each other and all. Let's hear it for the unsung heroes!

Classes for beginner eReader people is called KindleGarten.

I'm going to take less time writing the Tids and more time looking for typos. There are two kinds of people in the world, those who react to the big picture and those who find disgust with blatant, continuous typos. I even have contempt for typos myself as I try to decipher my own notes taken about thoughts and observations for future Tids. Maybe I should have had more pre-school, after all.

The Question:
Mark Rubio wants to know who are the leading makers of bottled water?

The Headlines:
--Americans hail Savings Safty Day As Stock Markets Remain Idle.
--After148 Years, Mississippi Ratifies 13th Amendment.
--Hugo Surprises All With Return To Venezuela.
--Maker's Mark Decides To Keep Proof At 90.
--Mindy McCreedy Kills Self.
--1,000's of Global Warmer Protestors Shivering At National Mall Rally.
--UN Creates List Of Syrian War Crimes.
--Dasani, Aquafina Compete For Rubio As Spokesperson; Spigot On, Flooding War-chest.

Conspicuous consumption is continuing nicely in the US of A. Statistics show that there are about $9 Billion worth of perfectly good cell phones sitting idle. In addition the numbers show that Americans trade in $35 Billion very workable phones each year for the latest innovation whether needed or not.

The Republican House is the only thing that America has going for it right now. It would be death by a million White House cuts without a questioning Congress. What better day to celebrate separation of branches than today. A day that honors two great presidents and in particular George who was very aware of the dangers of a run-away executive branch or unfettered sovereign. There is really only one big problem...the White House is far better at smearing the Repubs, than the Repubs are at making a case for their stance. 

The students of the retiring Masseuse asked her to keep in touch.

Tell your children and grandchildren to grow up to be Engineers. I'm hearing from my knowledgeable source deep within the bowels of the inner-workings of the Manufacturing industries that College engineer BS graduates are practically naming their own salary. The other big problem in US manufacturing the lack of people qualified to fill 300,000 available jobs. The need for non-college bound students to be trained in their own special talents is greater than ever. The manufacturing middle class will never be a large as it was, but it will be better, and better paid.

When the various Cultural Hall 0f Fame's are remembered in the future, which one will honor the Kardashians --- their own?

The good news is that my Spell-Check still doesn't recognize Kardashian as a name. The bad news is that it doesn't recognize Marco Rubio either.

The true level playing field is one where all people are people of integrity.

I have found that the Tids readership is loaded with experts from many fields from the Military to Finance and Industry, Education to Religion, Sports to Popular Music. And unfortunately, too many who are very good at spelling.

Headlines which are written containing the words "Could be", should never be published.

Duh, Department:
Finally a study that proves what most people with half a brain already knew -- TV has an effect on the behavior of kids. A study in Seattle determined that it would next to impossible to turn off TV for children, but guidence on program selection could affects personality traits. For instance, boys who watched Dora the Explorer instead of Power Rangers were less agressive.

Why does Tiger Woods think that playing golf with Barack Obama would help rebuild his squeaky clean image?

The Conscience: Chapter 15.

   "Yo, Milton, have you heard from Eliot today." 

   "Not, yet, but I think all is good. You gotta stop sayin' 'Yo!, boss."

   " And you gotta stop sayin' "Gotta stop sayin'."

   The two men laughed til their sides hurt. They were friends who truly liked one another, and more important relied upon each other's individual talents. Between them they shared a trust, a trust often hard to find in the cold paranoid world of ridiculous money in which they lived. Milton Washington was the number two men at the largest black business nobody knows about except those deep into the global finance    He was only number two because the "Boss", James Smith had an idea and asked his friend Milton to throw away his life and join him. Milton was Mr. Outside, a lawyer with a Phd in Finance from MIT's Sloan school. He was tall, good looking and when he decided to walk upon the public stage, people stared. People can see natural leadership.
  The boss was James Smith, raised as Jimbo in a dirt poor black ghetto of Mobile Alabama. Jim Smith was a tough street fighter, with the presence of a Mayflower decedent. He was shorter than his friend, and tended to dressed a little more casually. His confidence was so secure that he didn't rely on suits and fashion. The two had fun but were deadly serious businessmen who controlled business people on all continents.
  The two were friends from the fifties, and they knew bad. They were young and learning at that time when things were changing. A time when the young people didn't lie down in the gutter with the old people for the marauding whites. They had watched and learned. They rose from the black predestination., and never forgot. Even as kids, they were tough, clever and very smart. They had watched the white men, had seen dirty hearts, felt the evil, the humiliation. They never forgot. Even though they play in the same pen now, their business playmates don't only see them as a couple of black guys who made it, probably hand picked for some government program. People say those days are over, but not to Milton and James.

Memo to President Obama: I don't remember anything about my pre-school days except, perhaps, walking that half mile to Mamaroneck Avenue school each day on very short legs. Oh yeah, and that clay impression of my hand I made for Mother's Day.

The first Die Hard movie was really good.

The Answer:
Pepsico's Aquafina and Coke's Dasani are among the leaders. Around here it is Poland Spring. Others are Evian, Perrier, Deer Park, Chrystal Geyser, Pure Life, Ice Mountain and Arrowhead Mountain.

I don't know whether or not GW ever cut down that Cherry Tree and told his dad the truth, but it is a simple little lesson for life I have never forgotten.

   

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Keep your money, please.

Today's Tids Issue 2,773

Opening Stuff:

 

When you walk the streets of this historic Newport town after a snow fall; when the trees are hanging low, and the streets not plowed, but occasional ruts or footprints from a brave soul; you feel that you have gone back in time. The clapboard 18th century homes look as they must have; All that is modern has disappeared from view. You anticipate a wooden paneled front door with big brass knocker to fly open and kids dressed in woolen shawls over gingham dresses to run out and jump in the piles of snow. You expect to see General Rochambeau's soldiers walking the neighborhood awaiting the word from General George Washington, to move onto to Yorktown Virginia. It's a beautiful time. A quiet time. The only disruptions being scenes you paint in your mind.

That news item about women being allowed to join the Arabian Shura is a big deal. I wrote a short story a year or so ago about the fate of women in Saudi Arabia smiling bravely over sad hearts; appearing bright under the reflections from the modern buildings, The Kingdom Tower of Riyadh. The new Arabia, they said. In researching the short tale, I was moved by the words from abaya and nigab draped women I saw and heard. I was spent when I finished the story "Glistening Sun on Ebony Hair" because the plight seemed so resolutely destined. This morning, progress moved beyond paved streets and shiny buildings.

The Question:

Name four basic ways to reduce problems from computer hackers.

The Headlines:

--Stocks Up.

--Saudi King Abdullah Swears In In First Female Members Of Shura Council; Move Riles Conservative Clerics.

--Syria Government Counterattacks Rebels In Aleppo

--Netanyahu Thanks Outgoing Pope

--Hillery Joins Speaker Group; 6 Figure Fees Expected.

--Newtown Killer Adam Lanza Admirer Of Norwegian Mass Murderer Anders Breivik.

--Nigerian Terrorists Nabbing French Tourists.

When a members of one political party recommend a candidate to the the other Political Party, look at the candidate they aren't recommending.

Occasionally a news item is released like the one today, "Security Group Suspects Chinese Military Is Behind hacking Attacks." The fact is, according to Tids reliable sources in cyberland is that US computers at all levels receive millions of hacker intended hits a year. Many are testing for weaknesses, and even if discovered are stored away for more advantageous use, or effective attacks. This also lessens the chance that the holes will be discovered and repaired by the attackee. Hacking is a continuous game, a real threat to the world. One that has gone far beyond gamesmanship.

When the government steps into "help" business it more often than not disrupts the positive machinations of the free enterprise system. Bailouts to big financial institutions tend to assure continued  mismanagement, dangerous risk taking and outright fraud. The laws of profit and loss will always better govern sane business operations whether in a Ma and Pa restaurant or General Motors. Forcing a $9 minimum wage will alter the natural growth of industries. Just as the government  involvement in natural phenomena could interrupt physiological cycles.

Some days I feel like Henry David Thoreau.

GM made it back not just because the government stepped in, but mainly because the Unions stepped back.

I think that "The Following" is one of the better TV shows in years. It's a bit bloody at times but not quite as outrageous as it was in the opening episode. It's that beginning that makes it so tense. The idea that anything could happen and usually does has the viewer looking over the shoulder's of the stars yelling out warnings. Sometimes too late. It's a show that has many turns and twists, and speeds by each Monday night at 9:00 on Fox.

The next time you look at a Pundit forecast for the Stock Market, remember that in January 2000 The Investors Business Daily predicted a DOW at 49,200 by 2013. Predictions of 100% annual returns was the new norm. Early retirement was the buzz. And today, "The American Dream" is fractured. 

For every down there is new potential for up. 

Unless of course a seven mile wide asteroid hits earth, when "Up" would be a million or so years away. When dinosaurs would find human remains.

The Answer:

First, simply turn off computer when not using. Hackers scan for "green lights" (On computers). Have a good Virus protection (My cyberwarfare Hacking expert says stay away from Russian Kaspursky). Don't download from site pop-up suggestions like Adobe and Java. Go to site and see what is available. Backup all data. Scan your computer for viruses and malware on a regular basis. Watch how your clicks to sites are rerouted. Just don't assume that everything is ok. Of course beware of all pass-along stuff from Uncle Joe. If it looks weird, it probably is.

See you tomorrow everybody! Thanks for your time.

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"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man." GW

Today's Tids Issue 2,773

Opening Stuff:

 

I really like the guy, so I can't get this morning mess going without taking time out to say, Happy Birthday to George Washington. Oh, HB to Abe too, but George is my man. Maybe this admiration infatuation began back in those first days in First Grade. But, now, today, this February morning it is more intense than ever. The more learn about the first Prez, the more I wish we had more people like him. Not just in the highest offices, but walking the streets around us. His aspirations were not of a man a step above, but of what very person alive should strive to attain. To raise the standard one level beyond what you think you can attain. And to achieve each step with integrity. "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience."

While not minimizing the hardships of the over 3,000 Carnival cruise Line passengers, the media by it's nature often goes to those most apt to complain -- the first-in-line-to-sue crowd. But, I suspect that here, like in most American tragedies or inconveniences, the real story is, as we always discover, human beings finding a way to pull together for the benefit of each other and all. Let's hear it for the unsung heroes!

Classes for beginner eReader people is called KindleGarten.

I'm going to take less time writing the Tids and more time looking for typos. There are two kinds of people in the world, those who react to the big picture and those who find disgust with blatant, continuous typos. I even have contempt for typos myself as I try to decipher my own notes taken about thoughts and observations for future Tids. Maybe I should have had more pre-school, after all.

The Question:
Mark Rubio wants to know who are the leading makers of bottled water?

The Headlines:
--Americans hail Savings Safty Day As Stock Markets Remain Idle.
--After148 Years, Mississippi Ratifies 13th Amendment.
--Hugo Surprises All With Return To Venezuela.
--Maker's Mark Decides To Keep Proof At 90.
--Mindy McCreedy Kills Self.
--1,000's of Global Warmer Protestors Shivering At National Mall Rally.
--UN Creates List Of Syrian War Crimes.
--Dasani, Aquafina Compete For Rubio As Spokesperson; Spigot On, Flooding War-chest.

Conspicuous consumption is continuing nicely in the US of A. Statistics show that there are about $9 Billion worth of perfectly good cell phones sitting idle. In addition the numbers show that Americans trade in $35 Billion very workable phones each year for the latest innovation whether needed or not.

The Republican House is the only thing that America has going for it right now. It would be death by a million White House cuts without a questioning Congress. What better day to celebrate separation of branches than today. A day that honors two great presidents and in particular George who was very aware of the dangers of a run-away executive branch or unfettered sovereign. There is really only one big problem...the White House is far better at smearing the Repubs, than the Repubs are at making a case for their stance. 

The students of the retiring Masseuse asked her to keep in touch.

Tell your children and grandchildren to grow up to be Engineers. I'm hearing from my knowledgeable source deep within the bowels of the inner-workings of the Manufacturing industries that College engineer BS graduates are practically naming their own salary. The other big problem in US manufacturing the lack of people qualified to fill 300,000 available jobs. The need for non-college bound students to be trained in their own special talents is greater than ever. The manufacturing middle class will never be a large as it was, but it will be better, and better paid.

When the various Cultural Hall 0f Fame's are remembered in the future, which one will honor the Kardashians --- their own?

The good news is that my Spell-Check still doesn't recognize Kardashian as a name. The bad news is that it doesn't recognize Marco Rubio either.

The true level playing field is one where all people are people of integrity.

I have found that the Tids readership is loaded with experts from many fields from the Military to Finance and Industry, Education to Religion, Sports to Popular Music. And unfortunately, too many who are very good at spelling.

Headlines which are written containing the words "Could be", should never be published.

Duh, Department:
Finally a study that proves what most people with half a brain already knew -- TV has an effect on the behavior of kids. A study in Seattle determined that it would next to impossible to turn off TV for children, but guidence on program selection could affects personality traits. For instance, boys who watched Dora the Explorer instead of Power Rangers were less agressive.

Why does Tiger Woods think that playing golf with Barack Obama would help rebuild his squeaky clean image?

The Conscience: Chapter 15.

   "Yo, Milton, have you heard from Eliot today." 

   "Not, yet, but I think all is good. You gotta stop sayin' 'Yo!, boss."

   " And you gotta stop sayin' "Gotta stop sayin'."

   The two men laughed til their sides hurt. They were friends who truly liked one another, and more important relied upon each other's individual talents. Between them they shared a trust, a trust often hard to find in the cold paranoid world of ridiculous money in which they lived. Milton Washington was the number two men at the largest black business nobody knows about except those deep into the global finance    He was only number two because the "Boss", James Smith had an idea and asked his friend Milton to throw away his life and join him. Milton was Mr. Outside, a lawyer with a Phd in Finance from MIT's Sloan school. He was tall, good looking and when he decided to walk upon the public stage, people stared. People can see natural leadership.
  The boss was James Smith, raised as Jimbo in a dirt poor black ghetto of Mobile Alabama. Jim Smith was a tough street fighter, with the presence of a Mayflower decedent. He was shorter than his friend, and tended to dressed a little more casually. His confidence was so secure that he didn't rely on suits and fashion. The two had fun but were deadly serious businessmen who controlled business people on all continents.
  The two were friends from the fifties, and they knew bad. They were young and learning at that time when things were changing. A time when the young people didn't lie down in the gutter with the old people for the marauding whites. They had watched and learned. They rose from the black predestination., and never forgot. Even as kids, they were tough, clever and very smart. They had watched the white men, had seen dirty hearts, felt the evil, the humiliation. They never forgot. Even though they play in the same pen now, their business playmates don't only see them as a couple of black guys who made it, probably hand picked for some government program. People say those days are over, but not to Milton and James.

Memo to President Obama: I don't remember anything about my pre-school days except, perhaps, walking that half mile to Mamaroneck Avenue school each day on very short legs. Oh yeah, and that clay impression of my hand I made for Mother's Day.

The first Die Hard movie was really good.

The Answer:
Pepsico's Aquafina and Coke's Dasani are among the leaders. Around here it is Poland Spring. Others are Evian, Perrier, Deer Park, Chrystal Geyser, Pure Life, Ice Mountain and Arrowhead Mountain.

I don't know whether or not GW ever cut down that Cherry Tree and told his dad the truth, but it is a simple little lesson for life I have never forgotten.

   

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The sun isn't always shining.

Today's Tids Issue 2,771

Opening Stuff:

 

When writing a mess like this each day, you never know how you are touching lives. Human pain or beautiful love. I write from my sterile monolithic mind often not realizing that a reader here or there maybe looking at a horrific day, loving a new hair style or thinking beautiful things of a love not there. I look at the outside and see sun, and it looks like a happy day. I see a blank page that needs words. And the letters start coming, then words, and sentences. It is precious prose to the writer. Words that I presume all should feel rapturous about. But, it isn't quite that simple, is it. Humans though likened, are entirely different. In opposite places at any given moment, from elation to gloom. We sit in a ballpark and everybody is cheering, yet every mind is numbed or buoyed by circumstances nobody sees through the whoops and hurrahs. Words written in a vacuum, must be sensitive to everybody's reality. We never know when walking a crowded street, or writing words, how we are touching lives.

What was that all about? From now on I'm going to be nicer to vegetarians? Nah.

No Nukes For US, Department:
Nobody is happy about the North Korea Nuke test. Especially China who used to smile wryly at the NK "Hobby". But, here's good news for us. I have it on very good authority that no missile could reach the US without being first destroyed in air. This is 100% authority. So sleep restfully. Now so fast, Japan and South K. The real threat to the US is NK holding this gun to the heads of our friends Japan and SK. This is a serious and realistic scenario.

Right now I'm listening to Dvorak's Czech Suite Opus 39. I'm feeling that tension that comes from having nothing in mind to say, drain from my body. I see beauty. I feel like writing something nice about democrats.

"All you need is love. but, a little chocolate every now and then doesn't hurt" -- Lucy Van Pelt

The Question:
Buffet is buying HJ Heinz. What are five of Secretary Kerry's Wife's dead husband's food company's best brands?

The Headlines:
--500 Russians Injured When Meteorite Crashes To Earth; 19 Mile/Second Missile Breaks Up Over Crowded Rush Hour; Authorities Surprised.
--New York Fed: Manufacturing Grows For First Time In Seven Months.
--Nobody Laughing About NK Nukes.
--Carnival Cruise Passengers Finally Back On Land.
--Thousands Of Egypt Islamists Rally Against Violence Against Elected Government.
--Gold Falls $30/Oz; Investors Told To Stay The Course; Gold Expected To be Winner In Currency Wars.
JC Penny May Be Next Company To Go Private.

This is the blankest piece of paper I have ever started with in the history of the Tids.

Everything in this world seems to revolve around China. China loves the status quo in North Korea, becasue if resolved by South K aggression, it would have US troops on its border and refugees aplenty within it's borders. If it attacks NK it would have to feed millions befuddled and bewildered people. On the other side, who will move into the vacuum in Afghanistan when the US leaves. China. A good chance, becasue of minerals and oil potential. In fact because it's of its massive population, every vacuum in the world is probably a potential opening for China settling in. Like the British Empire all over again. "God save our native commie chief."
"Exercise is a bad word. Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate" -- Lucy Van Pelt.

Obama gives lip service to the old Maxim, "The President's Children are off limits," because no President  I can remember would shove Malia and Sasha into the limelight more than he. Oh  yeah, and that debate night when Jimmy Carter tried to elevate Amy to his National Security Council.

Beware of Politicians with flirtatious Smiles, Department:
How about that Maureen O'Connor, the phys ed instructor who charmed her way to Mayor of San Diego. "But she was so nice, and she did so much good." I can hear those plaintiff cries now as this addictive gambler with a habit that reached over One Billion Dollars in losses, among them $2.1 million embezzled form her deceased husband's charitable trust, as O'Connor awaits two years for prosecution. Yup, that's what the old widow always says about the con man who stole her retirement income, "He was such a nice man." And like those Mafia chiefs wheeled into courts on a gurney with drip bag, O'Connor says a brain tumor made her do it.

Uh-oh, there I go again, unfeeling and heartless.

"Sometimes when I get up in the morning, I feel very peculiar, like I've just got to bite a cat. I feel like if I don't bite a cat before sundown, I'll go crazy! But then, I just take a deep breath and forget about it. That's what is known as real maturity." -- Snoopy

Would it be bad to eat horse meat labeled as horse meat? Non-pet owning culinary observers say it is slightly sweet, tender and low in fat.

When you think about it, people are irate that in certain areas of the world lots of people are eating horse meat. Let's see, horses are smart...and often rich from racing. Cows are lazy and dumb. Vast pet organizations protect the horse over the cow. Time for fairness, time for Obama!

Nobody but nobody is a bigger fan of manufacturing than I. I have been ruing the passing of US manufacturing as woe to the middle class since the 1980's. And the real undoing began in the seventies when conglomerates started sucking cash out of US leadership manufacturing industries. The problem with the promise of a return to greatness, is that it will be done with out people. The ingenuity of America as expressed by the Prez is going into creating better automation. The increase in productivity generally means more output from less "Expensive" people. So applaud the return of manufacturing. But we will have to find the panacea for reducing unemployment elsewhere. Unless of course Obama lets his union pals attach a rider to the building of every "Lights Out" factory, requiring the presence of 30 employees, who will basically  play cards while watching the machines do the work. (Note: There are 300,000 job openings in manufacturing right now. Unfortunately, most of the applicants are only capable of playing cards. there is a crying need for upgrading the skill levels of High School graduates. And making factory work appear more appealing than dip fry baskets into hot grease.

So manufacturing is good for America, but it just will not be the same. As Rick Pitino once told Boston Celtic Fans: "Larry Bird isn't walking through that door."

0-Man Says he will explain the drone strategy to the public. Probably right after everybody has forgotten about the issue and it is determined that nobody is interested any more..

Retirement doesn't mean "not working". It means not worrying.

The Answer:
Of course "Hunt's" ketchup is better, but Heinz does Ok with their's. Some other bigs are Ore-Ida, TGI Friday's, Lea and Perins. Wylers, Classico and Heinz Baked Beanz.

"I think I have discovered the secret of life -- you just hang around until you get used to it." -- Charlie Brown's sister Sally

That could be also said to all of those patient lovers of the novel The Conscience. It will be back next week.

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Advil week.

Today's Tids Issue 2,769

Opening Stuff:

 

First it was my achin' bones from shovelin' and now it's my head. First, I have to tell you that I don't like State of the Union messages from Reagan to last night. They just remind of us things that will never be done, things we don't ever want to be done and overlook what must be accomplished.

One Hand Clapping, Department:
Of course this Prez decided to slur the job creators, the rich, three times in the first five minutes with his so-called fairness agenda. Thud. For a speech that hailed as pro economy, he created laughter here with his so-called jobs, economic improvement program that featured exactly a 24.375% increase in minimum wage. Thud. And, what was it about all his intense attention to the US taxpayer paying for education for 3-4 year old children, as a key to improving education? Thud.

Marco Rubio said a lot of good stuff last night, but all everybody saw was sweat dripping off his nose, a boyish deer-in-the-headlights stare and a lonely man against a sterile back drop. How can any rebutter stand up against the contrast of a sterile room versus a hootin' and hollerin' august House of Representatives chamber of the United States Capitol.

In answer to yesterday's Question: "What are the states where it is hardest to get a mortgage: one wiseacre reader answers, "The state of Bankruptcy".

The Question:
What are considered the All Time Top 10 Motown Hits?

The Headlines:
--Dorner Dead.
--Carnival Says Drifting Boat Not In As Bad A Shape As Reported.
--Postmaster General Donahue Begs Congress Not To Inhibit Intelligent Cost Cutting.
--Survey Says Americans Will Eat At Restaurants More, But Spend Less.
--Syria Bombards Rebel Outposts.
--Injury To Lady Gaga Cancels 4 Of her Shows.
--Amazon Virtual Money Could Pose Challenge To Euro, Dollar, Yen and Pound.

I often crave desserts after dinner out, but rarely eat them. But, chocolate molten lava cake drizzled with dark chocolate sauce usually breaks me down.

How politicians mislead with statistics: Last night The President said that windmills accounted for 50% of new plant construction for energy production. Of course it is high, the traditional producers of electricity aren't building plants. They don't need expansion. It's the old Arkansas zooming up on the educational scale ploy. If something starts low and nobody else does anything, you can't do anything but look good if you do something.

I think that a good idea from last night's SoU is the technical degree for high school graduates so inclined. It works very well, for instance in Germany where people there feel that it is a positive, respected career to work on factory floors.

Again this morning I got my usual post Obama event laugh seeing the headline, "RI Delegation... (Fill in the positive  about Obama or negative about republican)". Today it was "...praises Obama speech". God bless our gutless wonders.

The plausibility of Deep Space Mining escapes me. How do you deposit a crew on a rock traveling 24,000 miles per hour? How long can they stay on it before it disappears around the sun?

I see where NYC is making progress eliminating salt from processed foods! NY's achievement will surely be picked up by other big nanny-city, self-serving Mayors like Chicago or LA. This means that citizens there will supposedly live longer thus improving their odds of being shot or shoved under a subway train.

The Repubs are complaining about the way Rubio looked on TV, and, rightfully so, the way the media is picking on him for drinking water. The good news is though, that no Dems would have tuned in to see him

Free Ride through Life, Department:
Did you see the latest in "America owes me a living" lawsuits. A woman in the Lehigh University renown graduate School of Education is suing the University for $1.6 Million because she go a C+ instead of a B on a final exam.  She said it ruined her career dream of becoming a licensed professional counselor. A big part of the reason she got the slightly lower grade was because of her poor performance in class room participation. She also asserts that the professor, a woman, treated her unfairly because of her support for gay and lesbian causes. She did graduate with a Master's Degree. Here's the kicker, becasue the woman's father is a Finance Prof at the U, she gets a free ride, and the University gave her a job. She also received, because of her LU connections, a free undergraduate education at York College of Pennsylvania. Now she wants a Million point Six for a free ride through life. I always wanted to be an artist, but my 3rd grade teacher failed me in art. Maybe she could get a job with The US dept. of Ed.

Talk about a bad precedent, if the woman beats LU, think of the cries by millions of other miscreants, idlers clamoring for something for nothing

How do you count illegal immigrants, anyhow?

The Answer:
Several of my favorites made it to the top -- many which I and my fellow soldiers would listen to while drinking beer at a PX Beer garden, a bunch of guys wanting to be somewhere else, letting the music soothe their loneliness. The number one on several lists is Marvin Gaye's "I heard it through the Grapevine". After that we have the My Girl (Temptations), Reach Out, I'll be There (Four Tops), Where did our Love Go (Supremes), What's Goin' On (Marvin Gaye), Dancin' in the Streets (Martha & Vandellas), I Want You Back (Jackson Five), Superstition (Stevie Wonder), Please Mr. Postman (Marvelettes) and My Guy (Mary Wells). The top ten are all songs from 1959 to 1980-83 and based on critical/musician acclaim, initial/lasting popularity and Influence.
Here's the top 100:
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_songs-motown.html

If you can count illegal's why can't you deport them? Especially now that the Prez is saying, not only am I going to give you all the benefits of being an American while waiting on line, I'm going to raise your wages $24.375% to $9 bucks minimum! Kind of defeats the purpose of lower priced Mexican labor, doesn't it.

My favorite is "Dancin' in the Streets. Take it on home:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvITn5cAVc

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Stop and feel the hearts.

Today's Tids  Issue 2,770

Opening Stuff:

 

Happy Valentines Day everybody. Yes, even a big blast of Tids love for all those cold, black hearts of Conservatives. And Liberals too. Lord knows they don't need the love because they live feeling and giving lives; with huddled masses looking thankfully into their caring eyes. The Tids has A Valentine wish for all lest someone suffers from low self esteem. V-day is a day for pure unadulterated love given freely and sincerely to all around us and lovingly, specifically to those closest to us. Hey wait a minute, Valentine was a Saint! Sorry, no Valentine Day Cards, chocolates or roses for Local State and Federal employees. But, you can have the day off.

What do vegans give up for Lent? Do they just eat pasta?

Local governments see, feel the reality of living, working, giving, loving people. Federal governments see the statistics of nation.

The Question:

Double Q day. 1. This is sure to incur outrage, as everybody has different opinions on the best all time Love Songs. Name the top ten. 2. Which is the only sovereign state in the world that is not a member of The United Nations?

The Headlines:

--Obama Preaching For Universal Pre-School; Hal-le-lulia.
--Harry Reid Makes Plaintiff Plea For Repubs To Pass Hagel Through.
--Weekly New Jobless Claims Drop 27,000; Foreclosure Fillings Down.
--Japan Defense Chief Says Country Could Have Preemptive Strike Capability; China, South K Not Happy.
--Berkshire, 3G Buy HJ Heinz.
--New Report Says World Wide Addiction To Debt Financed Consumption At New Danger Levels.
--Celebs Kanye West And Kim Kardashian Get Special Security Treatment At JFK Airport; Incident Delays Plane 50 Minutes.
--Olympic "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius Alledgedly Murders Girl Friend.

 

Mark Rubio said everything post 0-Man talk, that every Conservative and/or Republican feels in their hearts, and that they have hoped for years somebody in Government would understand. Maybe because he is so adept at explaining the truth is why the Democrats and left have already started a smear campaign. That is the way of the Obama crowd, isn't it. Demean half of America and their representatives. But, why are our watchdog fourth estate so excitedly going along, allowing trivial missteps -- like reaching for a glass of water -- to become explosive personality defects. Could it be that our revered press don't want his words to be remembered or have the chance of being repeated. Why are liberal talk show hosts repeating over and over again about Mark Rubio, "Now the republicans have their 'Brown Boy'." Kinfd of petty of the left, isn't it.

Frankly, I'm going to extreme measures this Lent. I'm giving up vegetables.

Tunisia was for a moment a year or so ago the model for renewed hope in the Middle East. The flower that bloomed in the Arab Spring. Now that country's government has crumbled. There is fighting in the streets. There is no model for the Middle East. I look at it like Legos. Say you buy a Lego Kit that allows you to build Luke Skywalker. You tire of it and throw it in the closet where it crumbles in the box. The next time you take it out and use the same pieces, you get Darth Vader.

I think the meeting between Ahmadinejad and Egypt's Mursi emboldened Netanyahu to twist a few moderate arms. The conservative Premiere has made a couple of decisions this past week which has moved him towards his aggressive right side again. And, something gave him the confidence to do so, just weeks after having his knuckles rapped by voters.

Sign on Ski Slope: "Trees don't move."

International Events That Our Watchdog Media is Missing, Department:
--Spain has the highest unemployment in the world at 29% (It had been 32%). Do you know why? Apparently, when President Zapetaro assumed power he said "He knew that solar energy was the future." "He knew" that so he put all of Spains investment into the solar, wind power model." King Juan Carlos University (Madrid) Economist Dr. Gabriel Calzada's research showed that for each green job created, it cost the Spanish taxpayer $770,000; For each wind power job $1.3 million. The "Green" megawatt was so expensive that it destroyed five jobs elsewhere. For every four jobs created by Spain's renewable energy programs, nine were lost. Do you remeber that "O" said Spain was his model for renewable energy? can you say Darth Vador?
--So we're getting out of Afghanistan. Hooray! But have you heard that it will be at double the cost because Pakistan has closed all routes through their country (Perhaps Hill's world travel didn't produce that may results after all.). For instance Shipping equipment out by Air cost, $14000 per ton,10 times as much as shipping through Pakistan. That's too much even for the USA. So we have to northern routes which will cost $87 Million more per month than the Pakistan route! And considering we have some diplomatic problems with Uzbekistan, this is not a piece of cake either.. So routes have been built through Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. One route would travel 3,212 miles by rugged roadways and train to the Port of Riga Latvia. The US is building it's largest military base in Ulyanovsk (Birthplace of Lenin, BTW), as a major transit depot. So, getting out of Afghanistan will be a logistical nightmare and very costly. But less costly than losing lives.

Either you love bacon, or you're wrong.

The Answer:
1. It's really tough to find a consensus between list makers. "Unchained Melody" pops up a lot. So does "First time ever I saw your Face" and Cindy Lauper's "Time after Time". Then there is Moon River, I Got You babe and another Righteous Brothers hit You are My Inspiration. Of course the music of the classics, Chppin, Romeo and Juliet or Enigma Variations will get the old heart a pumping. Here's one long list of many I found.  http://stereogum.com/4607/the_100_greatest_love_songs_according_to_the_ny_da/list/ If I keep on looking through these lists, I'll never get out this mess today. 2. Vatican City is a soveriegn state but not in the UN.

Did you know that our military in Afghanistan burns 575,000 gallons of fuel per day? Could have an effect on your local gas bill, right? Maybe that's why 0-Man succumbed to "The Surge" -- to make alternative energy appear cheaper.

Let's face it, the worlds greatest love song is the one that is your own.

Healthy Harangue.

Today's Tids Issue 2,768

Opening Stuff:

The key to reading a newspaper or Internet report is going to the last paragraph. It is there where even the most shallow journalist will reluctantly tell the truth. Everything before that, and especially the Headline. This is especially true when newspapers have to report facts conflicting with their ideology, or in bold public interest announcement like "People who drink water die." In the last paragraph it would say something like "this conclusion may have been drawn from insufficient data." Of course, that doesn't change the fact that every body drinks water will eventually die.

Profoundness out the Window, Department:

A rather insightful reader wrote to let us know that "Catch 22" in itself means nothing at all, except that what it has become to mean. Apparently when Joseph Heller originally wrote his book, it was titled "Catch 18". The publisher decided that his title might be confused with Leon Uris' new book, "Mila 18", an address of a house in the Warsaw Ghetto. Dig for a deeper meaning and you will find an answer you don't like.

The Question:

What are the ten toughest states for obtaining Mortgages

The Headlines:

--North Korea Defies UN, Tests Nuke.

--Prez Speaks Tonight; Netflix Movie Arrives In Time.

--Angst Eases On wall Street; EuroStocks Extend Losses; Japan Surges..

--South American, African Pope Candidates Rise To top Of early List.

--Medal Of Honor winner Clinton Romesha says, "

--Qatar Newest Threat To MiddelEast Peace.

The Police looking for LA Cop killer Dormer in the snowy mountains actually said "the trail has grown cold".

Without question, I suspect the next big epicurean trend will be South African wine. This will resound even more on the cultural front if the new Pope is African.

I don't care how nutritionists and green leaf aficionados try sell em' as tasty, vegetables are always better smothered in meat gravy.

I think I'm one of the few people in all the towns, in all the world who has never seen Casablanca, nor who wants to. That's what contrarians do.

How come, if we are at Winter lower gas rates, the price of the precious fuel here has gone up 8 cents in one week? Oh yeah, only 6 weeks til the end of the quarter.

I have always felt that Wall Street quarterly profit demands have had a lot to do with the decline of US industries, which resulted in the disappearance of the strong middle class as we knew it. What was the old line about how to stifle global competition from Asia and Europe: "Send them our MBA's"

There are many reasons why the existence of a marauding government makes it harder for many to live off of what they think of decent wages. They artificially inflate average earnings with handouts. Big pots of Government money, for instance in defense or medical services (Insurance money too) inflates the cost of simple procedures. The theres encroachment by the Federal monster on education, developing bloated programs that fall to the local taxpayer. Or, the Gov in its wisdom driving people to new programs, say alternative energy which cost way more than traditional means. Then of course there are bailouts which allow ineffective, money losing operations to survive and go on milking the average wage earner.

Hey, last week in response to my little piece on the cost of alternative energy like Windmills, a very intelligent reader with years upon years of experience in electricity generation (The Tids new Honesty in Energy Czar) wrote to point out that "when the sun does not shine and wind does not blow there is no "alternative power" Thus, what the press does not tell you is that to be considered reliable power by the regulators, alternative generation sources have to have essentially "on-line /fast start" back up fossil power plants. So here is the kicker for every say 100 of the very largest wind turbines built today [5MW] (at a multiple of the installed cost/MW of a fossil power plant) the power system has to have a 500MW back up power plant sitting there ready to run, which has to be manned and connected to a reliable fuel supply! 

Note also from the Honesty in Energy Czar: The US was much more energy efficient in the 1920's when central city based power plants used their "waste heat" for central heating and hot water. Once environmental folks decided that power plants were bad, - they had to move and disrupt the peaceful the countryside and all that waste heat was truly wasted via cooling towers etc. So a significant slice of the money spent for fuel to drive large turbo generators at their most efficient higher temps and pressures is not used [wasted] after it exhausted from the turbo-gen sets by recondensing that still very usable but lower pressure steam directly

.

The Answer:

Banks in general have become more vigilant, but in these states the standard are extremely high and the average credit ratings are very low, making impossible to get a mortgage: Number 10 is Wyoming In  order after that are Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alaska, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. 

Gotta run, see you tomorrow. Enjoy the day. It will be a ueaut, albeit a little shushy around here.

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