Ear on the world.

Today's Tids Issue 2,900
Opening Stuff:

I think they should make Native Corn Season a national holiday period, like Christmas. It would be great for songwriters, but hopefully nutirtionists would not get into the act trying to make everything healthy!

America's Got Talent, Department:
I don't usually get into cultural crap this early in the column, but if you weren't pulled apart emotionally watching the singing group American Military Spouses Choir sing "Hero", then  you are a stone. Not only moving, but well executed with some excellent talent. In all, there were a lot more better acts this week than last. The Chicago Boyz jumped rope and were energetic and very good. The Kelsey and Baily dog act was pleasant to watch as was The Misty Dancing School, which mesmerized, however in the end is a dancing school recital. Leon and Romy's magic act was also a joy to watch, but not long on Magic.. Deanna Dellacioppa has a nice voice but I was personally disappointed with her version of one of my favorites, "I want to know what Love is". Jonathon Allen has the voice to match the other opera level singers, Forte and Brandon James. Marion Ross's son comedian Jim Meksimen is a very satisfying impressionist with nice stage presence. I hate snakes so I didn't watch snake boy, who was less than great. I really like Kenechi Ebini who is my favorite among all dance acts. Brandon and Savannah, could do well with the youth group, but while talented they are just more of the same ole contemporary mush. I would like to see the Spouses stay for sure. And Ebini. Others who will probably be there are Chicago Boyz, Jonathon Allen, the likable Jim Meksimen and perhaps Misty and Deanna Dellacioppa.

As much as you know I love supporting the PETA dingbats (On a pointed stick), I refuse to ever eat lab grown hamburger. I'm wretching.

The Question:
Quick, what was the big hit song for BJ Thomas? Bonus: We all know about the Amber Alert, but just what is the Silver Alert?

The Headlines:
--Markets Head Lower; Techs Weak Despite Good News From AOL; Tapering Fears Rise Again.
--Obama Cancels One On One With Putin.
--Egypt Says Diplomacy Has Failed; Can We Expect Bloody Resistance By Brotherhood?
--Military Judge Reduces Possible Sentence For Manning.
--11th Woman Steps Forward Pointing Finger At Mad Harasser Filner.
--Saudi Dealing With Russia To Reduce Syrian Support.

The Prez actually said something new yesterday when whe proposed shutting down Fanny and Freddie and going to privately funded mortgages. And of course added in his typical snide manner, "...and I saw signs outside calling me a Socialist." Of coursse, that's what good socialists do, propose a solution that will probably flop at meeting objectives, in this case "preserving the American dream and getting more 'folks' into there own homes. If it mortgages go entirely private, those with marginal finances don't stand a chance, and rates will be higher. By the way, the last time the 0-Man proposed something from this same location it was his plan to help people in foreclosure jeopardy re-order their mortgage terms. Note: New data says that a large percentage of those who refinanced are back into foreclosure-land. Some things just plain don't work in a free enterprise system.

So, did you hear about the guy who awoke, washed in the tub and then died? He worked for bed, Bath, and Beyond. C'mon, are you smilin'?

Don't you think that by allowing the kids to stay with M&D for Health Insurance purposes til they're 26, it enables irresponsibility.

Motorcycle groups do lots of good things for the military and other charities, but they are still loud.

In this morning's paper I read four unrelated stories about Lawyers being convicted of illegal acts. You just have to know that all of the great lawyers around love getting these people off the street. Maybe, like the baseball players, who applaud cheats being gone from their leagues. Maybe the three decade era of enabling and being tittlated over bad behavior is finally winding down. Maybe, innate goodness will will win out after all, and give society a chance.

The local city stencil people have been going crazy in this town painting mysterious official bike lanes in the middle of roads everywhere. Basically, from what I have seen, it is creating yet another irresponsible, entitlement group.

To support ObamaCare, you will see news items about lower healthcare rates in New York and Cal. But the poor folks in lightly regulated states like Indiana, Florida, Ohio and South Carolina could get clobbered. I am really tired of it. So much posturing, so little resolution. And absolutely no understanding.

If you can find a way to get your money in there, you can make over 10% interest in banks in Ukraine, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Serbia and Argentina. the only iotehr probelm is that tehse high rates are due to runaway inflations and the screw could trun unexpectedly. Whiel getting in is a basic problem, getting out could be impossible.

By the way, I love riding a bicycle, but I will never wear those weird, colorful tight outfits.

I had to smile a bit at the headline" Egypt says "Diplomacy has failed." From what I have been reading, the Egypt Military has been saying "Our way or the highway", and the Brotherhood has been replying, "Are you kidding us?"

If there is one thing for certain on the world diplomatic scen, Moey doesn't buy love.

The Answer:
"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" explodes like thunder into my head when I see the name BJ Thomas. He also was known for Hooked on a Feeling, I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry, I Just Can't Help Believing, Rock and Roll Lullaby, Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, Don't Worry Baby and Most of All. Bonus: A Silver Alert is issued when an old person wanders off, often at the result of Alzheimer or dementia. Or, when depressed from writing the Tids. Where am I?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp4oLhZ_nuU (Preview)
Is your heart pounding?  Good, you're alive.

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Musings from the Fourth Tee.

Today's Tids Issue 2901

Opening Stuff:

I was sitting in my car at the golf course earlier this morning watching the rain trickle down the windshield. I looked at the car next to me where two of my regular partners were doing the same thing. Finally our fourth regular arrived, got out of his car, put on his shoes, stowed his clubs on his cart, and said, "What are you waiting for, it isn't raining." We got out of our cars. put up our umbrellas...and it stopped. We had the course to ourselves.

If medical science were to improve the average age to 120, nobody could afford the health care to get there.

I see where Germany Prez Angela Merkle says that if elected in September she will step down in 2016. You have to wonder if she's thinking she doesn't want to have to face the ordeal of dealing with Hillary.

Hint for The Day: Never trust an efficiency expert who wears a belt and suspenders.

The Question:
Surprisingly, as popular as winners of The Voice, AGT and X-Factor have been, none of them have scored at all in their post show recording efforts. But one big show has, and it isn't Ted Mack or Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. Name the top super stars produced by the Big one, American Idol?

The Headlines:
--New Rasmussen Report Has Christie Leading Other republicans For 2016 Prez Nomination; Top Five: Christie 21%, Rubio 18%, Jeb Bush 16%, Rand Paul 15% and Paul Ryan 13%.
--New Huge SoCal Wild Fires Have Hundreds Fleeing.
--Last Week's New Jobless Claims Rise To 333,000.
--Man Kills Four, Wounds Four In Mass Shooting In Dallas.
--Assad Escapes Rebel Attack Unharmed.
--Japan, China Clash Over "Lingering" At Sea.
--3 Winning Tickets Sold In $448 Mil Powerball; Two Were In NJ And One Was In Minn.
---PGA Tourney Opens Today; Last Chance For Tiger Major; McElroy Redemption

I made a wretched mistake yesterday when I spelled "retching" with a "w". Yikss. That reminds me of a title for a new book, Retching for the Stars. Or is that "Retching because of the stars"? Anyhow, getting back to yesterday again, Lab grown hamburger is wretched and causes considerable retching.

Cote De Pablo, Ziva David on NCIS, is as sharp and sensible off the screen as she is on it. Among other things in an interview yesterday, she said, "What bugs me about celebrities is that they are a always complaining about no privacy and yet they are constantly on twitter or FaceBook exposing their lives to the world. I don't get it. I don't ever use any social media. Who needs it". I'm going to miss that woman.

I was surprised that in answer to yesterday's Q on "Silver Alert" that someone didn't say it was a warning system developed by Tonto to give him time to out of the Lone Ranger's wife's bedroom before the masked man arrived with a personalized silver bullet

This Kanichi Ebina on America's Got Talent is incredible -- not only as a talent but as an amazing creative thinker.

As indicators point to higher interest rates, the outlook for so-called safe harbor dividend paying stocks like WalMart, Coke and Caterpillar dims. In other words, the quest for low risk in today's market is like Diogenes looking for the proverbial honest man. Sitting and realxing with blue chips just ain't what it used to be.

It Just Gets Nuttier, Department:
A man who "Volunteered" at the Baseball All Star Game in Brooklyn last month has initiated a class action suit so that all volunteers would get paid. Volunteer: "A person who performs a task willinging and without pay>" It appears that this person is volunteering his opinion, which could have a detrimental effect on volunteerism for charities and all matter of people pitching in togetehr for the benefit of others. Gadzooks, what are we becoming.

It appears that small cars save gas, but not necessarily lives. In a new test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 6 of 12 small cars did not perform well and as a group quite a bit lower than mid sized cars. Only the Honda Civic earned the top rating in front end crashes. The Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Scion IC received acceptable ratings. The Chevy Cruze and Sonic and VW Beetle got a  very low marginal rating while the Nissan Sentra, Kia Soul and Forte were stamped Poor! I need to find a Jeep with 35mpg.

A company wants to get permission to run another high speed ferry to Beauittiful Blacok Island. The spokesperson for the comapny says proudly, "That will enable us to get more people to the Island faster!" More people! Block Island doesn't need more people. The beauty of Block is its pristine unfettered landscape, its windblown naturalness sitting in the middle of the deep blue sea. Too many people just don't get what perfection is. Too many people these days think perfection is rampant commercialism. I remember 20 or so years ago when a good friend of mine and I were sitting in a bar having a drink. A young couple sidled up to us. We asked how they liked Block. They responded, "We liek it, but it would really be great if it had an amusement park!" I remember sailing to Block and sleeping on the beach. But no more.

That Python escaping in a house to strangle two young boys sleeping in their beds is a very disturbing story. Peta would rush to the defense of the python.

The Conscience: Chapter 26 continues.
    It didn't take long  for Wu to regain his composure. He was good at that. I had noticed it the first time I met him, so I decided then that trying to rattle Wu would be my new pleasant personal challenge.
    "I think Jason is correct," and then added, "And you too Mr. Morgan." He sounds like Sanna, I thought and then hoped he didn't sit on my lap. "Your smiling Mr. Morgan? Did I say something funny?"
   No just the creative wandering mind of a drunk." I held his eyes and contnued. "Tell me about James Smith and Milton Washington. I don't know of them or anything about them. But you must, since you are so well connected in big Moneyville."
   Now it was Wu's turn to smile at my odd word creations. Jason was just watching. I think he was having fun observing this Wu-Morgan parrying. "They are rich. They are clever. James is a quiet man, but is brilliant. Milton is the front man and pretty smart too. I don't know much about their involvement in Biglietto Panfilo, and it sounds like a businesss way out of their normal business operations.
    "I think we should invite them over here." Jason's head turned quickly towards mine. "They are definitely deply seeded in Biglietto."

If you think Putin may be living in the past, you may be right. Yesterday Putin sent Bush a get well soon "Telegram"! Bring back Morse code.

Taco Bell's new breakfast -- eggs, sausage in a rolled up waffle -- looks pretty tempting to me, just so long as they don't use jalapeno infused maple syrup.

The Answer:
Most people now about AI winners who made it -- Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Jordan Spark, Katherine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Daughtry, Adam Lambert, Scotty McCreery and even the recent winner Phillip Phillips have done quite well. Ted Macks Original Amateur Hour also produced winners, like Anne Margaret, Irene Cara, Tany Tucker and even a young violinist named Louis Wolcott who made a bigger name for himself as Louis Farrakjan! Yikes.

You just can't fix an economy by mandating unsupportable wage minimums.

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Letting in fresh air.

Today's Tids Issue 2,907
Opening Stuff:
Hillary is already using the race card, and she hasn't announced yet. Yeah sure. This woman is on a mission, and we can only hope she fails as she did as Secretary of State. Lots of arm waving and raucus cackling, but not much in the way of results. Her philandring Hubby Bill was proclaimed a political genius for grabbing the opposition platforms, for saying whatever necessary to the crowd before him to get elected; You can be sure she will do exactly the same. And the starry eyed will fawn. And that is exactly what is wrong with our current election system -- too many promises and not enough truth. Too many idols with feet of clay. Meanwhile Egypt is burning and the rest of the Middle East is out of control. Russia ridicules us and China does whatever it wants to do.

It appears that the Journalism Gods got back at Tom Brady yesterday for his cancelling a press conference the day before. Just a little warning -- next time we break bones...kapeesh? (Correct spelling - Capisci).

The US should stop aid to Egypt...period. Meanwhile the President is lost...looking for his balls around the 14th green.

The Question:
What was the name of the great movie where Mendelssohn's "Italian Overture" kept your heart beating along with the tense action? Bonus: Name five of song writer Jimmy Webb's greatest hits.

The Headlines:
--Egypt Military Kills Over 525 Citizens To Solidify Its "Non-Coup" Takeover Of Freely Elected Governemtn; Noble Winner ElBaridei Resigns His VP In Police State Government.
--Uncertainty About Fed Has Stocks Sliding.
--Russia And China Leaders Will Hold Private Talks Before G20 meeting.
--Ex-US Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Gets 30 Months In Prison.
--Hannah Anderson Says DiMaggio Tortured Mom And Bro Before Killing them.
--New Jobless Claims Fall To 320,00; May Spur To begin tapering.
--Auto Production Slow Down Pushes Industrial Annual Growth Rate To Three Year Low.

"Stop, Frisk" and  Profiling are two of the best law enforcement tools ever. So I have to figure that the groups who want it stopped must be hiding something. Where there's smoke there's fire.

I see where the Oglia Sioux Tribe in the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota have voted 1,871 to 1,679 to end the alcohol ban there. Of course it had no chance of working in the first pace as there were 4, count em', 4 liquor stores within in inches of the reservation border. My thought as I read this was that there must have been a significant problem with alcohol among the young braves, which was probably detrimental to the entire tribe. I was thinking that maybe some of the distressed inner city groups should prohibit drugs sales within their borders as an initial big step of taking back control of neighborhoods. Send a message that we who live here are fed up with thugs. And then install some level of Zimmerman style watchdog diligence.

Only in America Department:
Last year, ex-Jersey Shore personality Pauly-D made $13 Million dollars...as a disc jockey. Spinning the vinyl. Yikes. And get this -- He was only #12 on the list of best paid Disc Jockey's. Disc Jockey's? I think I received bad advice when I was young -- Be an engineer?

It was reported yesterday that Credit Card debt for Americans is down. Except of course, in Rhode Island where the citizens here has earned the honor of the highest Credit Card debt of all. The good news is that RI assets are safely invested in Credit Card "Points". It's Chafee's plan to get green Airport going again.

0-Man's over all approval rating a new poll by Gallup -- dropped 3 points from July to 45 %. His highest approval marks came for dealing with terrorism (50% down 3 points) and race relations. He was down 7 points to 35% for the economy despite his new effort on the speech cicuit. his lowest number was 26% for his handling of the Federal Budget Deficit. His golf game was rated as below average.

You have to believe that the kids really love roaming through "5 Below", a well laid out, colorful store that moves the eyes, and the feet to the beat of youthful unobtrusive music. Hell, as a kid I spent meany a day with my pals at the local 5&10 Cent store, and we didn't have the music.

Any time this current Justice Department comes out against something as they just did in the Airline Merger Anti-Trust suit, I have a hard time believing them or that it is good for the country. 

So Manning's new defense is -- I'm sorry I gave away all of the US secrets because at the time I thought I was a woman. Is that about it?

The Answer:
Breaking Away, about bicycle racing and three kids from the wrong side of the tracks beating the elite from the Big University, sustained its momentum with the driving music of Felix M. Bonus: You may have enjoyed Webb tunes like "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen" and "MacArthur Park".

These are the days when you can trun off the A/C and let in gobs of beautiful fresh air. Don't you wish they could do that also in Washington DC?

For all for you "The Conscience" lovers, I'll be back with the novel by the end of next week. I may have a nice mini-series between now and then.

Churning seas under sodden clouds.

Today's Tids Issue 2,903
Opening Stuff:
Remember when three times the cock had crowed;
When Saint Peter retreated to his human mode.
Well, that is still the sin of modern day striving.
Too many leader's heads into the sand are diving!

You have probably realized by now after a little over 2,900 Tids that when I start with a bad poem, it generally means that I have no idea where my mind is going.

The Question:
Jodie Foster reemerges in the new movie Elysium. Quick, what is the name of psycho who who was obsessed with her, and name her five best movies.

The Headlines:
--Flash Floods Hit Midwest After Drenching rains; NOAA Reduces Earlier Prediction Of Big Atlantic Hurricane Season; Wildfires Continue To Spread In SoCal.
--Apple's BoD Says Prez Cook Should Wake Up And Do Something Creative.
--US Orders Non-Essential Staff Out Of  Consulate In Lahore Pakistan.
--Obama Meets In Secret With Nation's Top Surveillance Executives; I Know Nothing.
--Russia Says "No Deal" After Talks With Saudi About Reducing Aid To Syria's Assad.
--Furyck, Scott Head Up First Day Of PGA.
--Egypt Christians Quaking In Corner Between Brotherhood And Military Standoff.
--Israel Ambassador To US Takes NYT's To Task After Paper Belittles Israeli Settlers In Favor Of Palestine Thuggery.

Since the beginning of time the business owner's main objective has always been to get more done with fewer people. So, paying a  burger-baggers $15/hr will only mean over time fewer fast food stores and probaly lower revenue at existing stores as prices are forced to rise. But then, when did the average FF worker last take a course on economics? It is just another case of labor agitators not telling their folks the truth.

A reader reminds me that one of the good things about being a Muslim is that if you change wives you can still keep the same photo on your desk.

Actually, the good news that seems to be under the radar, is that Europe's recession may be over as Germany gets stronger and stronger. This news comes while here we have dueling WS Prognosticators warning or cheering. Some say it's all  doom and gloom as peakng stock prices have us heading to a major collapse in late 2013. Others say, not so fast, today is absolutely nothing like 2007. However even the optimists are not predicting a boom. So as I keep an I on the chatter of the day, I keep on seeing "Caution" as the word of the moment. Even as the EU crawls out from under the smog.

If you don't think college football is about big money, consider the Alabama U. recruitment mailer that says combined contracts of Bama players drafted in 2013 was $51,810,000! Lace em' up for dear Ole' alma mater.

A real Republican and/or democrat leader will say, I don't care if I'm reelected, but it is really, really good for America to defund ObamaCare." That is the truth.

Back to school season has started and already it is a flop. Well, people have looked at ads and roamed stores but haven't bought. The reason is that they know the retailers will cave, and lower prices will be available in late Aygust, early September, like they are commonly at the end of every big ballyhooed season. 

Do you think that the media will be honest when they are asked to detail all of the things that Hillary didn't accomplish during her whirlwind Secretary of State gig? 

I have just heard from reliable sources that the Maryland DMV is more dense than RI, if you can believe that. From here, it seems their lack of diligence in performing routine tasks fro USA citizens is because they are spending too much time issuing drivers licenses  to illegal immigrants. I guess that makes sense. If you have snuck in and are looking for the best goodies, it pays to be near the source, DC. Well, at least RI'ers can stop the self-flagellation over that.

I am really interested in tonight's NE Pats preseason game again st the "Iggles". We have so many new players, it will be a surprise to see who's doin' what to whom. My popcorn is hot and waiting.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

Elysium is a small story in a big pic format. It is typical Hollywood where the rich are really, really bad and the poor are very good.  Surprise, it stars Matt Damon, the new Sean Penn. In it we see the rich of 2054 safely ensconced on a giant luxury Space station while the rest of the people are downtrodden, earning big bucks for the upper crust under the supervision of a robot army. Guess who wants to change all that? 

--The movie "Cars" made big money for Disney and the toy companies, so the studio has morphed it into "Planes". I thought Cars was a good one and I expect the same from Planes.

--While Elysium is against the successful, The Millers is in praise of losers and dysfunction. And frankly I'm just tired of movies about dysfunctional families...nd the Millers isn't really a family at all, but a foursome -- dad - a low level loser dealer, mom - a stripper, son - a nerdy boy ill-equipped for life, daughter - a street urchin -- put together for the purposes of smuggling drugs out of Mexico. So they rent an RV and we are to supposedly laugh our way through a road trip. But it is more raunchy than funny, and frankly, I don't give a damn. They will probably discuss it on the Katie Show or Doctor Phil.

--If you want real life losers, you can out to see the new film "Lovelace" about you know who doing you know what. About her life in ruins and reclamation in the end.

Some of the chain pizza places atarted out ok, but messed up tehir basic product when they began chasing each other with crust innovations. The more stuff you pile on a pizza the less you know whether or not it is a good pizza. It's a little like politics.

The Answer:

Of course, he was the guy who shot Ronald Reagan, John Hinckley Jr., and he did it for Jodie! She rose to fame in Taxi Driver and was acclaimed for The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs. Other Joodie flicks were Nell, Panic Room, Bugsy Malone, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane, Hotel New Hampshire, Sommersby, Shadows and Fog,  Her first stint as a director was for Little Man Tate. She began as a child actress in TV, her first role being on Maybury RFD. She starred in TV's version of Paper Moon with Christopher Connelly. Personally, I have always gotten her confused with Debra Winger who is one of my all time favorites, so many of the movies I guessed for Jodie -- like Legal Eagles -- was actual Debra's. Sorry Debra. Whatever happened to you, anyhow.

Happy Weekend everybody!

Well, the Tids that got nowhere is finally over. There are days, m

Every once in a while a good miracle is what is needed.

Today's Tids Issue 2,904

Opening Stuff:

I have to wonder why KFC is pushing boneless chicken over the traditional bone in. It must be cheaper to buy. Is it molded like Mac's nuggets? I've tried it and I like the regular original old stuff better. But then KFC is probably planning for their future eaters; They expect me to be fading out of the chicken scene shortly, so why should they care what I liked to eat in the past. That seems to be about the way the world is going these days.

A good friend sends in this reminder of why the front windshield is so large and the rear window so much smaller. It is much more important to look ahead into the future than dwelling on the past. In other words, get over bone-in chicken breasts and move forward. You'll find plenty of help along the way, as you forge trails through what seemed like the inaccessible wilderness just decades ago.

It seems the rule of thumb on WS is that when Ma and Pa come back into the markets, it's time for the Pros to go. That's comforting, isn't it?

The Question:
Eydie Gorme died Saturday Night. What song launched her into International stardom? Bonus: Everybody knows about Tiger chasing Jack for the most "Major" trophy's. Who are the next 8 on the top ten list?

The Headlines:
--Egypt Military Doesn't Move Against Morsi Camps; Morsi Backers Call For New Marches.
--European Stocks Up To New Highs After Positive Recession Recovery news; Even Greece Sees Daylight.
--Kerry In Brazil, Columbia To Warm Up relations After Spying Revelations.
--Israel To Build 1,200 New Homes In West Bank; Palestine Not Happy.
--Crowds Gather In North Providence RI to observe image of Mary with Jesus on Church Steeple; One passeer-by Says: "I Want To Believe She Came Because This World Needs Help.".
--Harry Reid Says ObamaCare First Step Towards (Big Gov.) National Health Care System

If all of the people without a job would stop looking, the official unemployment percentage would go to zero and Wall Street would go crazy. That's just the way the world works these days...outside of reality.

With all of the attention focused on the outrageous antics of MLB drug users, we sometimes overlook the greats from that era -- like Ken Griffey Jr. No Juice, no BS, no arrests, no stupid twitter comments. Just honest team play every day...and 630 home runs to boot.

Aaaaaaarrgh! I'm turning into a coddled, nurtured vegetable.

Stocks are up this summer, but little is in the economy is really inspiring. Go figure.

You have to figure that atheists are so vehement against people with faith because they feel guilty about not believing obvious truths. Why else could they be so angry at good people?

How Low Can Democrats Go, Department:
Speaking of incomprehensible people, how about that Harry Reid who has never made much sense, but went overboard when he accused the Repubs of blocking Obama because of his race!

Have you heard the new Democrat slogan. A reader picked it up while hacking into DNC emails: "Making everything in this country free, except you". Harry Reid make me so suspect of Democrat brain power that I am forced to take it out on them with bad jokes.

I think every home should have a wall of bookshelves. They seem to warm up a room nicely, and make you feel like you are intelligent. And, where else would you put your Kindles, IPads, Galaxies and Nexus and other assorted incoming devices.

And this, from another observant reader: "Phony Scandals don't have body bags."

The only thing worse than losing your eyesight is losing your vision.

I remember as a high school teen watching the Steve Allen Show one night during a summer vacation. Steve introduced this shy appearing, yet somewhat intriguing young singer, Edye Gormet. Funny, the things you remember clearly. She died yesterday. She and husband Steve Lawrence were not my favorite entertainment duo, but they captured the hearts of Americans...together. It's nice to read about a little nice, enduring togetherness.

Last Friday was kind of a wasted day. That is, if you consider watching the PGA Tourney, Red Sox And NE Patriots a waste of time.

Rats! Some of my favorite CD's are wearing out. Or is my Bose CD player just getting old. Let's see, I could buy about fifty new CD's for the cost of a Bose Wave Radio.

The Answer:

While most of Gorme's fame came from singing easy listening standards with her husband Steve; And there friendly sometimes bawdy banter, she became known on her own for her big hit "Blame it on the Bossanova". Bonus: It's an interesting list of greats with Walter Hagan (11) being third. After him are Ben Hogan and Gary Player (Tied - 9); Tom Watson (8); also tied at 7 --Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Bobby Jones, Harry Varden; Tied at 6 are Nick Faldo and Lee Travino. Check out the entire list of majors winners: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mens_major_championships_winning_golfers

While driving to play golf Saturday, we listened to a local radio show which is generally informative about a lot of stuff. The subject was about the likeness of the Virgin Mary with Jesus as seen in an image on a cross atop a Catholic church in North Providence. I had goosebumps listening to people calling in, truly happy people, enthused about what they were seeing. There is nothing better than listening to people who believe from their hearts. It is rapturous.

And I believe...this is the end.

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As caves go, it was a good one.

Today's Tids Issue 2,905

Opening Stuff:
Sometimes you have these memories in your mind that are so beautiful, you wonder after a long period of time whether or not they could be that good or that you have just been burnishing them into brilliance over the years. Then one day you find that the memory is indeed true, and it feels even better.

I knew it!! A new study says that Neanderthals were actually much more advanced than originally thought. So in light of this it's conceivable and actually quite believable that our society is actually going backwards. That for some we see, the former slur, "He's a neanderthal, may be a compliment."

The Question:

Which vegetable is attacked by the ugliest bug? Bonus: Which two golfers stood out among all the rest as doing the best in the four 2013 Majors?

The Headlines:
--New Retail Sales report Healthy Enough For Continued Optimism
--Israel Intercepts Rocket Attack From Egypt's Sinai.
--First Woman Takes Command Of Air Force Academy.
--Swiss Shop Girl Says Oprah Got It All Wrong; There was Nothing Racist About Transaction; Wonders Why Super Rich Woman Is Picking Simple Clerk.
--Admitted Alaska Serial Killer Now Said To have Killed 11 Across USA.
--Egypt Military Still Undecided About Morsi Followers.
--Cal Grants TransGenders Freedom Of Choice In Sports And Bathrooms At High Scools.
--DC Think Tank Says US Should Sit Down And talk With Iran.
--India Launches First Air Craft Carrier.

I hate to be an alarmist, but every day in one or more of the financial news services I see an article suggesting a 1987 style market crash. Or an 2007 crash. Or, any crash that suits the theory of the analyst and stock hawker. The Bad news Bears need some event, or at least the threat of an event, to create cash opportunities.

Larry Ellison says that without his friend Steven Jobs, Apple is doomed. Isn't it a amzing that a muti billion dollar company can be that fragile, where one person's absence can cause it to crumble. Maybe it's just Ellison setting himself up for longevity at Oracle.

I don't complain about Presidents taking vacations. I've said this on the past. But the inconvenience to residents due to the closing of a main road on MV for the sake of the vacating President reminds me of a tale I once heard about Bush the Elder. Right after Bush was elected, an old friend of mine who lived in Kennebunk went to the town hall for a meeting of the Towns folk and the New Prez. He said Bush came in quietly, in that favorite blue windbreaker we often saw him one. He nodded to people shook a few hands, and when to the head of the hall where leaned comfortably against the polished maple railing with white painted, carved balusters. He said, "You know my family has been coming up to Walker Point in Kennebunkport down the road a bit for quite a while. But, I'll tell you, if my becoming President makes life too complicated for anybody around here. I'll just vacation somewhere else." GHWB knew that being President of the USA was a privilege confirmed upon a man or woman by the people. If the people aren't happy than it's probably not a good idea.

Now that transgenders in California can pick whichever bathroom they want, expect a lot of young teen boys to declare themselves TG. It's like in the old days sending away for Superman XRay goggles!

Any major problems remaining about race would probably clear up smoothly if people didn't bring it up all of the time.

While on the surface Holder's idea about easing sentencing guidelines seems to make sense, it is in fact one more attempt by this Admin to take away something from the states.

By the way, I consider drug dealers a significant threat to society at large. There is nothing socially redeeming about drug dealers, even when played in the movies by Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt or Sean Penn. Why does Hollywood glamorize innate badness, anyhow. Is it because money from innately inhuman businesses are underwriting the films?

The blockbusters are getting killed this summer. All the bigs that cost a hundred mil and up are not drawing the mindless audiences they once did. Or any audience for that matter. It seems the kids today have more to do than sit in a theater and spend $20-$30  for Tix, candy and super-sized soda. I guess they figure if I'm to to pay for a movie and then sit there and text, Tweet and Instagram friends. I may as well save the money and do it form a park bench. The sadder part of this tale may be that fewer kids are working summer jobs, so there just isn't enough dough to blow on the show.

The Answer:
Well, hands down it is the Potato Bug that is scary ugly. Kids have been known to have nightmares after seeing the creature in the garden. Of course a slimy worm on an ear of corn has never been a welcome sight, nor that proverbial half a worm" in a n Apple. Yikes. I think slugs in veggie gardens are not my favorite nor are any other of those worms chewing on leaves. Bonus: Adma Scott was very apparent on the Tube at the majors, winning the Masters and doing well in the others. The second player who almost matched him step for step was none other than Jason Day

Neanderthals have progressed from musty caves to glistening mansions, but how much has humankind really changed?
Did I just say "Humankind"? Shoot me!

This weekend's golf tournament looks quite ordinatry when compared with The PGA just finished and the fed Ex Playoffs to come. But,this Wyndham tournament may be one of the most exciting of the year, as it is the last chance for many to get into the FedEx. Or stay inside the cut line. Or for players at the top to improve their rankings in the standings. The "Bubble" Players (120-130) are George McNeil, Scott Langley, Greg Chalmers, Stuart Appleby, Ben Crane, Stephen Bowditch, Peter Brad Fritsch, Padraig Harrington and Bud Cauly. Is you like stats, there is some good reading in analyzing the FedEx standings.

What's with all of the countries announcing, new mammoth air craft carriers? Is WWIII on the horizon, or do the just need more beds for growing populations?

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Expecting too much?

 

Today's Tids Issue 2,906

Opening Stuff:

 

Anybody who thought that the Morsi supporters would just fold up their tents and sneak off quietly into the night had to have been smoking medical marijuana.

I look at all of this road construction everywhere and wonder why it takes a recession and a massive big Gov infusion to get things done. Aren't governments supposed to keep the roads in good shape all of the time. Shouldn't there be a constant budget item at all times for this major necessity? It is probably because too many people are asking for much too much from governments big and small. Do the basics and get out of the way.

If you ever find yourself on a committee that dwells on typos, then you probably aren't accomplishing much.

The Question:
Name two really good inventions which have come from clever people observing nature. Bonus: Name five great inventions that were basically accidental.

The Headlines:
--Stocks As Overvalued Now As They Were At 2007 High.
--Dozens of Morsi Followers Killed As Military Cracks Down On Citizens; British News Photog Killed In Melee; Turkish Leaders Lash Out At Egypt Gov.
--UPS Plane Crashes In Alabama Killing Two.
--NJ Up And Comer Booker Expected To Win Senate Seat.
--NO Bank Robber Killed by SWAT After He Shot Two Hostages, One Of Whom Died.
--Two Korea Agree To Open Shuttered Joint Factory In  NK.
--Improving Europe Fails To Stimulate US Stock Markets.

The only thing newsworthy that could have come out of the Bulger trial was if he had gotten off. I heard nothing at all even mildly interesting. Basically it was just a good filler for the cable networks. Have I, we become that desensitized to the ugliness of a man's depraved acts,

AGT Review, Department:
I personally liked the country singer Jimmy Rose. But, even with the huge country voting bloc, he may have trouble surviving after last night's array of acts. First, another singer Cami Bradley is excellent. Aerialist Timber Brown (Great neame for anetless aerialist, Tim-berrrrr) was reviting. Juggler Freeman is dramatic but in reality a clumsy act. Chloe Channell is a very good singer at any age, although I like the other 11 yo singer Anna Christine, who to me is more talented. I could listen to the 3Penny Chorus and Orchestra any time and hope to hear them again in the finals. There are a number of acts like Aerial Ice, SansEtion and Champions Forever, so if I have to pick one it would be Aerial Ice. The Robotix is a good rock band, but not a prise winning rock band. I liked Taylor Williamson the first time I saw him, but his material was out of line last night. Tummy Talk sucks and shouldn't be on any stage -- they're like the winner of a Gong Show at its worst. So it will probably be Cami, Timber, 3Penny, Aerial Ice and I hope Jimmy Rose in the top five. Chloe and Freeman could be the close challengers.

My grandson introduced his pal, a nice, quiet young man, saying that he was a very good, aggressive drummer. He spoke softly but carried a big stick.

There's something innately enjoyable about watching Robin Thick sing.

An entitled pedestrian yesterday wrote a letter to the editor complaining about discourteous drivers. Her complaint seemed to focus on a spot where she wants to cross what is a main thoroughfare which people actually use to go places as intended by roads for cars. She says it interrupts her morning walk. Find another route. In fact, she should be writing letters about discourteous, even lawbreaking bike riders who are constantly surprising careful drivers with illegal maneuvering, wearing black clothing at dusk and riding light-less bikes at night. Hey, but it's "Green"!

If Howie Mandel called me and said he was going to take me around NYC and/or Las Vegas to see his favorite acts, I wouldn't go.

I'm already tired of four years of the Hillary Clinton Presidency. But then "What does it matter" what I care. Sanity doesn't seem any longer to have a role in elections.

Here's how frivolous our society has become. 16 year old Hannah Anderson went on line to answer questions just two days after her release from the monster DiMaggio capticity. You have to wonder what the questions from teens were when her answers were like, OMG Justin Bieber and Pink, I like pink. This was just a after the father Brett pleaded for family privacy. "Where have you gone James DiMaggio?" Hopefully to hell's Hall of Fame.

I haven't spoken about my Spell-Check's alcohol problem lately. How hard is it for this supposed all-knowing computer program to figure that when I spelled the word "Wher" my finger forgot to type the "e". No, Mr. Stupid gave me the options -- "her, Sher, Cher, whe r and whee." I have to get this disturbed monster into rehab, fast. He's ruining my reputation.

I'm all for celebrity Moms in their crusade against paparazzi. I would include gossip columnists in there too.

Smart phones seem like great new inventions in which to invest. But exclusivity doesn't last long in today's Tech Age. Commodity status rears its head earlier and earlier even fro amazing advances in technology. Apple's uniqueness has worn thin, qite thin, but their loyalists keep it going. But, consider that in 2011 IPhone 4S grabbed 90% of the market while the IPhone 5 only snagged 70% by the end of 2012. We know it is lower today. Prices are also falling rapidly. The average Smartphone has gone from $450 a year and a half ago to $375 today. IPhone is down from $655 two years ago to  $597 now. In pther words, as an investor, you have to know how to get out of a Tech stock. Falling in love is only good for the romantic.

The Answer:
Of course everybody knows the story of how Swiss Engineer George de Mestral analyzed how burrs stuck to his jacket while he walked in the fields and gave the most efficient fastener ever. Scientists observing out corn silk brought si=unlight inside the husk to the vegetable, discovered "Fiber Optics". Bonus: Alexander Fleming saw mold on bread and gave us penicillin. Post-it Notes were the result of Spencer Silver's failed experiment to find a stronger adhesive. Cellophane was the film produced by Jacques Brandenburger's failed experiment to produce a waterproof table cloth. Goodyear found vulcanizing after a mistake with chemicals on his stove. After discovering the advantages of milk safety process Pasteur said, "In the field of observation, chance favours only the prepared mind" Something to think about at all times...eh?

And yes, Corn is a vegetable although I think many vegans feel it tastes much too good to actualy be one.

Think about that headline one more time: "Stocks as overvalued now as they were at their 2007 high." Feeling good?

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