Things that don't make sense.

Today's Tids Issue 2,921

Opening Stuff:
How do you enjoy the perfect day? Standing quietly on wind swept fields above the surging bay? Where cloudless skies of blue silhouette girls at play. The serene moments do not reflect the pumping of these players hearts, and the pain of muscles playing their parts. On field after field overlooking rolling seas, young girls running, sticks whacking aching knees; The focus in the eyes, the marauding hordes bear down; the lonely goalie hunches low to brace the blow, The field hockey stick rears back, and the heavy ball whizzes on the Attack. The lone defender responds, hurling a lithe body with courage beyond; Stops the careening sphere of stone before the goal. And neath blue skies above boiling seas, the shouts of victory arise loud, as that heroic goalie sinks in triumph to her knees. Waves break on the shore below and a team is proud.

I have never quite understood why Ottorino Respighi didn't make Suite Number 2 the finale for his Ancient Dances and Airs for Lute.

And, how about the logic of this headline: "Iowa Grants Gun Permits To the Blind."

The Question:

The Fall is when a lot of sports begin and many culminate. Baseball is the "National Pastime" but Nascar is the national attendance winner. Who are the top 10 drivers in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series? Which owner groups have the most drivers in the top fifteen?.

The Headlines:

--The President Is Fighting Uphill Battle To Convince Americans To Support His Strike.
--Assad In Interview With Charlie Rose Sasy He Had Nothing To Do With Gas: Infers Retaliation; Russia Also Warns US; Cyprus Rules Out Participation With US In Syria Attack.
--Upswing In China Exports Has World Markets Riding On Rickshaws With Afterburners.
--New Evidence Shows US Spying On Brazil National Oil Company; Relations There Sour Further.
--Google Network Also Victim Of NSA Tapping.
--Man Falls To Death At Candlestick; Over Extensive Imbibing In Alcohol Culprit.

I think it's time to place "Green" and "Natural" into PETA approved straight jackets. Yesterday I learned of a scandal I must have missed. I found out that sometime in the past Genoa Salami's must have been mistreated because on the grocery meat counter right before my eyes I saw "Applegate 'Humanely Raised' Genoa Salami"! Now though, as I think back on those quiet summer days when I passed by still pastures, I remember seeing the little rotund salamis waddling around, huddled together near the fences of their pens.  I laughed it off snidely at the quivering little elongated loafs as just having sex. But, alas, I have come to find they were planning an escape and national protest after years of being in darkened salami shacks suffering through garlic infusion. I could have done something about it if I could only have read the signs they were carrying: "Se nonabbiamo odore ci sarebbe solo un altro hot dog all american." A law firm, Mortadella, Capicola and Johnson, is calling all salamis, Genoa and Toscano alike, to join in a class gaseous reaction suit.

After six years in disarray and a sagging economy, Australia's Labor Party was thrown out decisively by the "Conservative Liberal" Party. That doesn't  make sense. With a name like that, how could they possibly ever get anything done?

Almost all teachers are pretty damn smart. So, I always wondered why so many go back to school to get a Masters degree in Education, or for crissake, Phd! To get a raise? Now if they went to get an advanced degree in English, Math, Chemistry, Physics et al, I could understand that contributing to the education of the child and the overall quality improvement of the system. But the philosophy of theoretical education seems, based on what I read, generally more harmful than good -- the problem being that too many of those with the advanced degrees try to apply the new information. The end result most often is too many theories, too many people with Phd's rising through the ranks to fix things that are not broken. Teaching children should be pretty basic...know your subject really well, make the delivery interesting and create an environment that makes learning seem important to kids who too often wonder why they are in school i the first place. Inspiring hard work and demonstrate how it pays. Eliminate self esteem grading and get back to basics. And structure teacher salaries for achievement in the classroom instead of advocating an advanced degree for pay increase system. And, If you think I'm picking on teachers, I feel exactly the same about MBA's -- theorists with little knowledge of their business who can pour sand into a well oiled machine in a matter of months. We need to get back to basics...in everything.

The intrusion by the telemarketer was uncalled for.

The average car sales price in the US is $31,252! For a little over $29K you can get a Base line Mercedes and impress your friends.

The news media is loving reporting all of this negativity about Zim. It may make him appear more unlikable but it doesn't change the fact that Martin was bashing his head against the pavement.

If the authorities continue putting into effect rules that minimize contact in football and if Moms continue to place there boys into soccer and lacrosse style sports, what will the NFL look like 20 years from now? Will there be any players left in the pipeline.

The world would be a lot more civilized if we got rid of cars.

I'm nearly through with this Tids and I haven't yet mentioned the word Syria, until now. It's probably because The bombing thing is making less and less sense, especially after people move away from their ideologies. There is no visceral outrage here as there had been following close behind 911. When they start analyzing logically most are seeing a plan that has no middle or end. The question people from both sides can't answer is, "Why do, I want to vote yes for the action?" I have talked to smart people Obama supporters and detractors alike, and the reaction after initial parrying to gain an advantage, is the same -- bewilderment. Nobody is resolute.

In answer to one oft given reason to make the strike -- "America will look weak to the rest of the world" -- an astute observer and often criticle reader of the Tids asks, "Doesn't America really look weak if it eshews it's basic concept copied throughout the world, "Of the people, For the people and by the people." Listening to the citizens is not a weakness.

The Answer:
Sunday, Matt Kenseth over took Jimmie Johnson and slid into first place. 3rd is Kyle Busch followed by Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Joey Lagano, Greg Bittle, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kurt Busch. Jeff Gordon had an opporutnity to climb back into the top ten, but blew it on Sunday. Kenseth was from Joe Gibbs Racing as was one other. Also with two are Roush-Fenway (Red Sox) and Hendrick Motor Sports. One each was Penske, Richard Childress, Micahel Waltrip and Furniture Row. It's good to tuck these names away. You neer know when you'll need help with a flat tire while traveling the South.

Make sense of your day and don't let irrationalism wear you down.

Resounding.

Today's Tids for 911 Issue 2,922

Opening Stuff:

 

The bells from steeples that reach to the heavens toll their plaintive sound, from hills and valleys, near waters with waves lapping shores; bubbling streams that slow the heart. In villages small and cities large the metallic clamor awakens bleak thoughts of a horrible day. 2,977 times the clapper rapped the wall of the trough. 2,977 times heads bowed to say, God nurture and care for our innocent friends; provide strength for those loved left behind. At once after 2,977, the bells fell silent; Papers rustled down empty city streets. Flowers waved before gentle breezes  in quiet green fields. Waters flowed gently in streams. Pure beautiful silence is the love of humans for their kind.

It's tough to write much more, when never forgetting is so important.

In the late 2000's we had the "banks too big to fail". Now we have the NSA, "too big to understand". I think there's a message there about a Government growing too large as in "Too Big To Get Rid Of".

The Question:
The US News & World Report "Best Colleges" is out. Name the top ten Universities; The Top Ten Liberal Arts Colleges?.

The Headlines:
--America Remembers The Innocents Of 911.
--Stock Rally Pausing After 0-Man Speech.
--Car Bomb Hits Libya Foreign Ministry In Benghazi.

--President Says We Won't Do Much, But We Have To Do It; But Then, We Really Don't Have To Do It Now.
--UN Begins Private Talks On Syria Weapons.
--Egypt Soldiers Counterattacked In Sinai.

Sweet and Sour Sauce, Ddepartment:
On a da  now so remembered for tragedy and personal bravery, we often may forget events that are important to many like Birthdays and anniversaries and memories of accomplishments and love. So Happy Birthday to those born taday. happy whaever to all who may feel the grief of others while rejoicing in themselves.

It may seem frivolous to talk about America's Got Talent this morning when the haunting 911 murders are weighing so heavily on our minds. But, after all, the show is about the talent of Americans, good people fightng to move forward which is what we should always be doing even when events as horrendous as 911 throw up enormous roadblocks. We never stop, here in America.

It is going to be really tough to pick 6 out of the 12 after last night's AGT competition. Whether or not they were your favorites, they all performed well. For instance two acts, Innovative Force and Amanda and D'Angelo upped their games well enough to be two of the six! Others who were excellent to me were Forte, Kenichi and Taylor Williamson. The Judges loved Cami, Catapult and KrisStep Brothers. Personally I didn't get much out of the Kristep act and Catapult was nice but not exceptional. I have been a big supporter of Collin Keys and have looked forward to his stints, but he is becoming old hat. The Chicago Boyz are good possibilities for the final, even after messing up a couple of times. Brandon James just isn't outstanding enough to sneak in. Jimmy Rose I like, and he has that country vote, so don't count him out. I would vote for Forte, Kenichi, Williamson, Cami Bradley, Innovative Force and Jimmy Rose. Actually, I think that Amanda and D'Angelo earned their way and could be an ingredient in the finals sandwich. It is sad that I couldn't mention Catapult, but there are only six. There just has to be surprises and voter picks that upset judges. Except for Heidi, who loves everybody.

I think the Red Sox are peaking too early. Be still my beating heart.

The man who takes credit for everything and blame for nothing may wriggle out of that box he built because of an offhand remark from his Secretary of State and a plan implemented by a former KGB agent. I didn't mention names because the President won't either as sometime down the road he will take credit for solving the mess he basically initiated. What I'm really saying is that I just don't trust him or believe what he says.

The market is very problematic. For instance buying stocks that bring the highest dividends appears to be a good strategy. But, if those stocks are so stable and mature, priced out if you will, that they never grow, why not buy bonds with less of a downside instead?

The Answer:
It's probably not that hard becasue many of the same players are always there. #1 is Princeton followed by Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stamford, U. Chicago, Duke, MIT, Penn, Cal Tech and Dartmouth. The LA Colleges are Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Pomona, Carlton, Wellesley, Claremont McKenna, Haverford and Davidson.

Silence.

It just isn't what the Press says.

Today's Tids Issue 2,922
Opening Stuff
God love Peter Zenga, but he has wrought upon us large gangs of entitled ideologues more often driven to protect the government rather than behave as the last resort of truth for the governed people. The whole idea of freedom of the press is to speak out against potential encroachment by a smothering ogre, as opposed, for example, protecting sleazebags putting out porn. We are at a point where we are protecting everything, but getting very little any longer from the original intent of this exceptional American Freedom. Woe is me.

You have to figure that liberal alarmist activists are jumping into their mango martinis as they heard yesterday and this morning that their sacred cows aren't exactly what they have been espousing. The ice packs north and south expanded far faster than they have been in recent years and significantly faster than last year. The Ice is still below the 1981 highs, but the cooling of the regions is greater than it has been in the warming decade of the 2,000's. Too early to predict the return to the ice age, but there is a lot more ice for their martinis now. They can drink them while watching the magnificent golden eagles get thrashed in windmill farms. Their alternate energy babies are killing (67 GE's known this year) the freaking birds they have used for so long to stifle business and often economic growth

The Question:
What are the top ten oddest Hollywood baby's names?

The Headlines:
--Golds Drops Below $1,350 Again; markets Flat After 8 day rally.
--Vatican Begins To Look At Celibacy for Priests; Officials Say It is Not Dogma.
--Germany Likes Idea Of Non-Military Solution To Syria Irritation.
--Marriott, AT&T Among Many Others Slapped Down By Public Opinion For Promotions Attached To 911 Remembrance.
--UAW On Verge Of Organizing Tennessee VW Assembly Plant.
--Flash Flooding Overwhelms Northern Colorado; Two Dead.
--Kerry In Geneva Working With Russia On Syria Deal.
--New Intel Says North Korea Has restarted Yongbyong Nuke Installation; Just Honoring Dennis Rodman, Says Kim.
--Dell Shareholders Approve Deal To Take Company Private.

NFL (Gulp) Picks:
I would have to say that there is doubt in 15 of the 16 games this week and that includes the lowly Jax-Raider affair! And of course tonight, where the Pats experienced receiver corps has dwindled to a precious one, and the inexperienced group is hobbling. I am only picking the Pats because they are home. The loathsome J-e-t-s could easily be the winners. The only games that appear to be easy are Baltimore over Cleveland and perhaps Cinn over Pitt. Now it's time to suck it up. Which Manning Brother will win. I have to think that Denver is a little stronger than the Jints, even if they are at home in NJ. Here are the rest: Dallas close over a better KC. An improving Tenn runs into a better Houston "D". GB and Wash both need wins, and GB will get it at home. Minn will come back to beat a good Bears team. Rams could upset Atlanta, but won't. Philly looks hot enough to beat an improved SD. Indy at home should sink Miami. I personally like Buff, but I think Carolina will win. Suh will pay $200K in fines helping Det beat Ariz. NO should beat TB. And Oakland at home may rise up to beat Jax minus a QB. And then there is Seattle against SF, and I have no clue. Flipping a coin I go Niners.

The Unions are crying out against the so called "Affordable health Care" Mess. The Republicans are seizing on this negative outcry from this earliest nationalization of Health Care advocate to support their desire to squash the law. But the danger is that the weasel admin in their effort to appease will offer special exemptions to their pals and the US taxpayers will be left holding the bag...again. (Note: Union advocates will say that Union members are taxpayers to, but they are now less than 10% of the population).

Somebody help me: If it's "i' before "e" except after "c" or when sounding like "a" as in neighbor or weigh...then why is it "seizing"?

The Misleading Power of the Press, Department:
To the outsider, the news reports out of the Big Apple Papers and other media would have you believing that the despicable Weiner was actually a factor in the Mayoral race. But he was nowhere to be seen when the final vote was counted, unless you think 5% is a good showing. In typical Weiner fashion, the socialist Democrat was seen giving reporters the finger as he drove from his "Victory" party. Also good for perhaps a revival of American sanity, down and dirty Spitzer also lost in his bif for NYC Comptroller. If you can't sell gullible NYC'ers, you must really be bad. You know, those people who root for the Ya, Ya, Ya, (WYKWIM).

I immediately hang up on all unwanted phone calls beginning with the two words, "Senior Citizens."

I never realized that Political Correctness has infected golf courses until yesterday when I was admonished for saying "Women's tee". It is now "Forward tee." Yeah, sure, I'll remember that.

If the "Hernandez" case didn't involve a NFL superstar it would still be the most intriguing case of amoral killing with a cast of characters that could fill two  movies. Every day there is something new and incredibly sleazy. Now, the authorities are going after the the mad shooter's involvement in the double murder drive-by from a year ago. Google it.

Moms probably were running ot walking to their favorite all-natural inorganic farmstands and throwing it all into pureeing blenders within minutes after the British Pediatric Organization said stop buy manufactured baby food and make your own. But, this could be a short term mass fad of the moment as the US Pediatric group stepped in and shouted, "Wait just one goddamned minute"! Making your pwn baby food could be dangerous to junior's health. First they warned that many veggies like spinach, carrots and squash among others contain serious amounts of nitrates which could cause dangerous anemia in infants. The Manufacturers of baby food test for nitrates and eliminate them. Second home made could cause infections unless you turn tour kitchen into a clean room! Manufacturers create tasty foods in sterile conditions almost impossible to duplicate at home...unless you are a billionaire movie star with a highly publicized child with a weird name. So, once again medical science confuses the issue. I say, just do it like great grandmom did.

 And, guess what -- the free press was all over that first British pronouncement.

The Answer:
Well, first we have Katie Price's third child Princess Tiaamii Esther Andre. Jay-Z and Beyonce give us daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Kamie Oliver has three kids named Petal Blossom Rainbow, Dai Pamela and Poppy Honey Rosie. Gwyneth Paltrow gave us Apple, while from Alischa Silverstein we get a boy named Bear Blu. And who could top Ashlee Simpson's son's moniker -- Bronx Mowgli Wentz? Well, maybe Kim and Kanye's boy with North West.

Needless to say, those names confused the hell out of my Spell-Check.

My next Grandson is going to be named Tidslet Monahan.

That's true, It's in the press.

The new America: Blame everybody but yourself.

Today's Tids Issue 2,918

Opening Stuff:

Yup, you knew it had to happen -- The Dems through Carville have decided to blame Bush for Syria. Let's see, 0-Man puppets say that he didn't use the "Red Line" phrase and Bush caused the current dilemma in Syria. (Remember that hidden tape of GW delivering Serin Gas to Assad? Oh, you missed that.) That's some kind of leadership in the White House, isn't it? With respect to Assad, GW was the Prez who said this is a bad guy and reamed Lala-Pelosi and yes, Kerry, for making visits to and praising Assad during the first term of his admin.

You had to love Dilbert today when after explaining to his Pointy Haired Boss that the company computers had lost all of the data, he said he solved the problem by hacking into the NSA where he found everything he needed to know about the comapny, the old files and restored the system!

Here's the deal...just about anybody's opinion on Syria has some chance of being correct. I have read and heard opinions from professional opinion egotists, war research intellectuals, mealy mouthed politicians, the panhandlers in the park and guys on the first tee. Nobody knows, but most suspect that there will be ramifications and retaliation after an attack if the the Prez decides to push the button. Few think it is a good idea, and a lot believe if the first bomb is burst there will be many more than promised thereafter. I don't think China nor Russia want to get involved at all, especially China who is just plain ecstatic at becoming an economic power. It's like when you try to analyze all of the clamor, the noise, you really don't hear much at all.

The Resolution Voting Facts: Department:

The Washington Post was able to contact 371 of 435 congress people and found that 204 are against or leaning against the bomb drop, 24 are for and 143 are undecided (48 of the undecided are GOP). The Senate committee passed a resolution worrying 10-7, but now there is a new uproar over that. It is, however expected that Senate will approve "O's" finger on the trigger.

The Question:

Who are Cidwetel Ejlotor, Oscar Issac, Barkhad Abdi, Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Bruhl. Bonus: Name the Ten "Most Liberal" Senators, according to The National Journal "Vote Ratings" monitor.

The Headlines:

--Markets Strangled By Syria Dilemma.

--Job Growth Slowed In August; Unemployment Rate Lower As Jobless Drop Out of Market; Fed May Hold Off Tapering.

UN Spokesperson Says The US Dropping A Bomb On Syria Is Clearly An Act Of War.

--McCain Gets Earful From Constituents Opposed To Syria Strike.

--US Orders Diplomats Out Of Lebanon.

--New Snowden Docs Say NSA Can Break Common Internet Encriptions.

--0-Man Failng To rally Support At G-20.

--Peyton Manning Ties record Throwing 7 TD Passes.

So I'm thinking that if the Dems and 0-Man puppets are using the Iraq War hangover as the reason for this weakened President's inaction on Syria than you can make the case that it was the Hangover from Lyndon "B's: Viet Nam fiasco that laid the groundwork for the Iraq conflict decision and strategy. In fact you could blame almost all of the ills in the current society on the weasel LBJ -- the debt, the growing welfare rolls, the decline in culture and responsibility, and yes, all of the recent US military actions.

Some in Syria are wondering why the lives of the 1,460 gassed are more important to American leaders than the lives of the 250,000+ killed with bombs bullets. It probably goes back to us creating hate crimes where we say the murder of special singled out group members is more of a murder than that of a regular ole' person. We are weird that way.

I think one of the saddest scenes in America is watching all of the lovely churches closing their doors.

So here's the quandary: Yesterday for no reason my dishwasher stops working and my printer decides to stop taking wireless instructions from my computer. So I'm thinking that the Dishwasher has run away with scanner and that the printer won't work until it receives alimony from my computer. I wonder if the NSA knows the details of this relationship?

I shed several tears last night witching Wes Welker catch pass after pass from Peyton Manning. I imagine Tom Brady did also.

NYC's exhibitionist pol Wiener is embroiled in battles about his seeming affinity to showing body parts to passers-by in cyber-land. But, this man was a contemptible politician way before he began dropping his pants. For conservatives he was the 180 degree opposite of their beliefs. A pure give-away artist and enabler, a liberal screamer on the floor of the House. According to the NYT's he was basically an ineffective congressman who in 12 years only wrote and pursued one bill, one that would add money to his campaign coffers. He wanted ObamaCare to be more liberal and he only espoused issues that would satisfy his ego and penchant for personal exposure. Hey, did I just write "exposure". Maybe I'm onto something here.

The new style US economy offers many opportunities for great wealth, but fewer and fewer job pockets for the general population. The US free enterprise system is in effect creating a vacuum into which a larger and larger government will walk.

We all at times walk in the world of our dreams, looking for the uncluttered environment in the clouds neath blue azure skies. We learn though, that perfect rippling streams in quiet forests are the reality, found in the goodness of people's hearts.

Some days it's just good to dial back, sit down and listen to Elizabeth Cotton strum a guitar.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--Not too much new (Or not previously reviewed here) in the theaters this week except for a predictable Vin Diesel epic, Riddick. In it the notorious hero is stranded on a sun scorched planet and under siege by aliens far more capable and devious that his earthly foes. To escape he must set off a beacon that would summon his arch enemies. Yikes!

The Conscience: Chapter 27 continues:

   It was obvious that Angelica was disturbed by what I said. She is normally so quick with insightful responses. I think what really had her bothered was wondering which of her family members she could trust. She adored her grandfather, but he palled around with Bruno. She wasn't surprised though that her mom may be involved in something outside the lines of normalcy. She must know as much as I do about dear old anything-goes-at-any-given-moment mom.

    "I don't want to believe you. I don't. But, everything you says makes so much sense, even as senseless as it is." I decided to wait, letting her have her time. She has to work through it all. She doesn't know yet how alone she could be. It would really scare her to realize that she may only have me to trust, at least for now. "Jeffery, I'm having trouble thinking. I even wish you were here, as illogical as that may sound." I laughed for her comfort, and because she is actually thinking like me.

   "I'd fly there in a second, but I have to stay here at least for a few days, because we are hoping to meet with Washington and his boss. We have decided to find out where they fit in; that they could be a key to a lot of this mystery. It will be interesting, if they agree to meet. "What do you know about the financial twosome?"

   "First, I'll try to survive without you being here, but call me often. I'll need that. I know that my grandfather relies on Washington for something, but he has never involved me in that relationship. It may be nothing, but you have made my ears prickly".

   That's "Prick up your ears", and I won't tell you the origins of the phrase. Ask your mother." Why do I say things like that? I quickly changed the subject. "I will call you often, and you do the same if you see something weird. But don't pry. Just be your own delightful, normal self."

     There was a distinctive pause, and meaningful silence, "Thank you Jeffery."  I felt her simple phrase. She clicked off.

Here's how stupid my Spell Check can get. It asks me to add "Because" to my dictionary but it accepts "Becasue" as being correct? I think my dishwasher did it!

The Answer:

In addition to Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Bruce Dern Robert Redford and Will Ferrell, these are actors being touted for Oscar winning roles in Fall Movies. Many f which, BTW, are fro liberal issue related roles. Duh!  Bonus: Tied for first as the most Liberal Senators are Sherrod Brown (O), Ben Cardin (Md), Patrick Leahy (Vt), Carl Levin (Mi), Barbara Mikulski (Md), Harry Reid (Nv), Bernie Sanders (Vt), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Debbie Stabenow (Mi). Tied for tenth are Jack Reed (RI0, Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Chuck Schumer. I'll probably not be reading their bios.

Money Making Tip, Department:

When we have the excruciatingly cold winter this year you can bet big bucks that the environmentalists will blame the frigid days on global warming.

Americans are just damn tired of seeing body bags and watching the heartbreaking struggles of crippled soldiers, and even in the light of a horrendous assault against the innocents, feel little reason for the US to expend money and people to reconcile Syria's elusive internal problem.

I feel that I wrote a lot today, but somehow it was all just too morbid for a day before a weekend.  Maybe this will liven things up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f_QySKfsgI (Preview)

Good Travelin'!

Humans are marvelous machines.

Today's Tids Issue 2,917

Opening Stuff:
I think one of the truly amazing things in life is how good old friends meeting again after an extended period of time can squash nearly seventy-five years of memories into a single day, in such a way that it appears no time has passed by at all.

Have you noticed how much of our legal system and government activity is centered around finding other people to blame for a person's own bad choices and decisions?

How can you ever teach your kids to tell the truth when they see that those who do tell the truth are generally persecuted --publicly stoned.

The Question:
What do you think are considered the ten best Stocks for Long Term Portfolios -- your foundation stocks that you never give up?

The Headlines:
--2013 NFL Season Opens Tonight.
--Stock Markets Up After Stronger Retail Sales Reports From Walgreen And Costco; New Apps For Jobless Bennies Hit Five Year Low.
--As Prez Hits Russian Soil For G-20 Summit, Support For Syria Initiative Grows Sluggish.
--Iran Says They Will Support Syria To the Bitter End.
--New Report Shows Planned US Layoffs Jumping Dramatically In August.
--EU Urges Diplomatic Resolution Of Syria Affair Over Military Action; Pope Says US Should Abandon "Futile" Military Syria Action; China Warns Of Global Economic Risk If US Shoots Off Missiles.
--100 Car Crash On London Area Bridge Injures Dozens.

No wonder 0-Man was so irate about BP, it reminds him of what he does so well -- Back Peddling. The new official word out of the WH is that he never said "Red Line" at all. What are they smokin' in the Lincoln bedroom these days?

Actually BP is a DC affliction. John McCain, the first Republican supporter for Obama Syria action is moving away from his original position, now calling for the approval of a more elaborate attack on the renegade country in order to get his support. McCain feels that this is the time to shift the balance of power away from Assad to the rebels. He says he will not support the limited action agreement voted on Yesterday 10-7 by the Foreign Affairs committee. To me, he sounds like he is promoting another Afghanistan.

It's Euphoria in The Jock Pit today. Yes, the intrepid Tids Sports department is set to make a fool of itself for another 17 weeks. The last couple of years have been tougher, but we manage to go above 2/3's of the weekly NFL picks correct and beat many of the experts. So let's go directly to tonight where I have Denver, mainly because of home field, beating Baltimore in a great kick off game. To me, the posers this week are Pitt/Tenn, NO/Atlanta, Chi/Cinn, Cleve/Miami, Det/Minn, SF/GB and Dallas/NYFG. Pitt and Chi may be a little down and Dallas, Detroit and Minn mught be a little up. NO could be better with the return of Coach Petyton so I'm going with them at home over favored Atlanta. The rest of the other winners are Pitt, Chi, Cleveland, Detroit, San Fran and Dallas. For the remaining 8 games I go New England, TB, KC, Seattle, Indy, St. Louis, Washington and Houston. Bring it on.

I hear rumbles about some European countries seriously considering putting devices on cars that would set speed limits, at 70. This, in addtion to other intrusions like wanting black boxes to monitor drvigin habits, goes well beyond the freedoms that all humans should enjoy. Is there an eleventh commandment known to gevernment denizens that says, Thou shalt be suffocated under the tryany

Sergio Garcia is an ambitious Mexican illegal immigrant. He just passed his bar exam in California! So let's get this straight, he promises to uphold the law and yet his current adult life is a felony worthy of deportation. And second, America really has more attorneys than it needs and it certainly doesn't need any more officially illegal lawyers.

Obama's fatherland country, Kenya, voted yesterday to leave the International Criminal Court. It appears that the President and Deputy President of the country are about ready to be tried in The Hague for inciting post election riots. Hey, these guys would do well in the US government -- exclude your self from burdensome regulations, laws and taxes imposed upon the public.

That is a lot like atheists saying they don't believe in God primarily because they don't want to feel guilty for circumventing natural laws of civilized living.

I was really disappointed that Anna Christine got knocked off AGT. And, the weasel judges who described her the night before as the best singer of them all, had the chance to save her...and didn't.

The Answer:
Kiplinger picks Exxon-Mobil first and then General Mills, IBM, J&J, ADP, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Phillip Morris International, Proctor & Gamble and Wal-Mart. They call this group the stocks that refuse to die. I kinda remember Dell, Intel and Microsoft as being invincible.

Normally, you get inklings of where the markets may head after Labor day. But this Syria thing has everybody on edge because the solution is appearing to get more muddled on a daily basis...and I'm not just talking US indecision and backpedaling, but world wide wariness as even a bigger factor. So basically, I'm more interested in a fast decision that would tend to protect my retirement rather than whether or not we get Assad.

Hell, I'm not thinking of reality today, not Wiener, Putin, Assad or Matt Damon...I'm just priming my mind for football from Tonight to February. Zowie!

Temporary convictions.

Today's Tids Issue 2,916

Opening Stuff:

The first Tids issue of the Berrrrrr! months is upon us, those magnificent days when a little chill in the air ignites the soul. Septemberrr the beginning of the fading foliage, the segue from the hot, muggy days of the warmer months to that invigorating crisp in the air. Yes this is the month the body finally re-surges, from lethargy to vitality. It's also the month we can never forget, that fateful day of September 11 when a band of Muslims murdered 3,000 innocents in lower Manhattan. Amen.

I have to wonder if one of the reasons the South lost The Civil War is becasue they couldn't get beyond the sluggishness of steamy autumn days there, versus the North's consistently more stimulating Fall.

If you don't think that the Internet is changing the ways of the world, get this: Assad's 11 year old son is taunting Obama on FaceBook. Nobody is isolated. Public opinion can be easily swayed, especially since too many people think everything they read is true. We are in the era of "Nah, nah - nah, nah... your mother where's army boots" diplomacy.

We live in a world today where anything can happen at any given moment. It's not very relaxing.

Did you hear about the savant Monarch? He's called the Reignman!

The Question:
US Cars have gotten better  and better ever since the days in late 2000's when the manufacturers finally figured out that Americans don't like the crap they're getting from Detroit. Somebody pulled together an consensus of car reviewers to develop the list of the Five Best Ameican cars.  Name them.

The Headlines:

--The Battle Begins As Legislators Take Sides In the Syria Debate; Pro Obama Puppets Find It Hard Supporting Warlike Decision By Leader; "O"Looking For Support From McCain.
--World Shares Up As Factory Activity And Better Economic Data From China And Eirope help Stocks Overcome Negativity Of Syria Mess; Analysts see More Volatility Through September.
--64 Yo. Diana Nyad Looks To Be Nearing Finish Line In Florida To Cuba Swim; In her Fifth Attempt She Would Be Only Swimmer To make It Without Shark Cage..
--Russia Not convinced That US Intel Has It Right In Alleged Syria Gassing.
--Afghan Militants Attack US Base.
--Egyot Military And Courts Banding Together To Remove Legal Status From Muslim Brotherhood Party.
--Mandela Goes Home.

President Obama crafted a pretty good speech Saturday afternoon, hitting all of the key points -- "I have made the decision to strike"; "America must honor it's commitments"; "We cannot act unconstitutionally, Congress must be consulted and involved"; "Even though, I have the executive powers to make this decision alone." "We can't wait for the UN." He went on to say he had met with the Congressional leaders and they agree that they will call an emergency session when the members return from break on September 9, 10 days from now! Emergency? What I should have said at the beginning of this Tidlet, was "Great political speech". He drew the "Red Line" and maybe thought that Assad would cower to US might. They didn't, and he -- basically an anti war guy -- was in a box, a deep black hole looking up to the expectant masses, with a spotlight squarely upon his forehead. Yesterday he probably appeared tough to a lot of Americans, but, in one magnificent stroke he put the final decision on the backs of Congress. Yet, he could also look weak to the world if Congress denies his request. I can see him now turning to advisers: "Who's "F-ing" idea was it to add that Red Line reference to my speech?"

Nowhere are traditional beliefs manipulated abd subsequently liquidated more and faster than during summer  concerts by comedians and singers. Of course it is kind of educational where, for instance, young tweener girls can learn techniques for a promising career -- stripping in seedy bars. Comedians in the name of good old folksy humor demean, ridicule and minimize the importance of God, Jesus and the bible, disparaging believers along with it...to the hoots and hollers of gullible audiences and spongy minds. How an parents, priests and ministers compete with that?

You have accumulate knowledge equivalent to understanding tides to navigate narrow channels to live in a popular small tourist area. You have to know clearly the ebb and flow of traffic, when their are lulls, when to move in one or the other direction. It's kind of a pleasant puzzlement.

Personally, I rate the talent of a comedian by how many laughs he or she can get with the fewest utterances of the "F" word...none being perfect.

I hate being obvious and crass pointing out that only French "Socialist" Hollende is joining 0-Man in his effort against Syria. Remember when all of the libs used to hammer GW for not being able to form a coalition in Iraq? And the Repub apologists could only come up with a list of minor players to shoot down the criticism. So far, "O" can't even claim a minor country list. You can always play "Gotcha" if you remember history. For instance, remember when Biden was veins in the forehead irate calling for Bush's impeachment because he didn't go to Congress first? 

Republicans were asked to speak at the MLK thing and refused. Stupid.

Ocean wind power advocates  now are changing direction, creating the false argument that they are cheaper than solar power to take away the focus from the real fact that they are at least twice as  expensive as conventional power sources.

I did a search for Worldview: Etc! -- That's actually the name of this Tids thing on the web -- and it came up fourth...right after "Weather underground: Worldview.

The Conscience: Chapter 27.
Jason invited me to have a drink and eat lunch in the office, but I decided to walk around the yards to look at the damage. Maybe I could see something not yet noticed by teams of experts. Maybe I'm giving myself more credit than I deserve just because I refused a drink. It didn't take long to feel the damage. It was pretty horrifying. I can only imagine about how awful it looked two days ago.
   My cell phone vibrated against my thigh, I took it out of my pants pocket and saw it was Angelica. I was planning my lies as I put the phone to my ear.
   "So?", she began.
   "So?"
   "So, don't play dummy with me and so what was in the pictures you sent"
   "Oh, that so." I was still reluctant now to trust anybody at Biglietto, even my friend the daughetr of the utterly weird Sanna. I paused a little too long.
   "Are you making up a story to keep me in the dark?"
   Am I that easy to read? "Of course not. It's just complicated."
   "You won't hurt my feelings. Remember that I am your only friend  in Genoa."
   "What made you suspect something was going on beyond your basic business." It's always good to beginwith a question, they tell me.
    Now it was her time to pause. "Lot's of things. Mainly the secrecy of my parents led me to look around for incongruities, the warehouse where the terrible Bruno never left his daily post. The apparent strong cash position in a time when boat sales world-wide were down. Why is Bernard looking for a merger in tough times, while we aren't? My intuition  is always very good. I saw the good in you Jeffery Morgan. That must count for something.
    "How you say incongruities in Italian?" I could hear her smiling through space.
    "Incongruenze."
    "Really?"
    "Really. Now tell me."

The Answer:
It's probably a surprising line up, but it does show a variety of options available from the fading Motor City companies now built in states with more reasonable labor demands. First is the Corvette Stingray. That is followed by the Dodge dart (With comments sayiign that Chrysler has a lot of cars the belong in the top gorups), Ford Fusion, Tesla and the Chevy Impala (The Consumer reports "Best Sedan" winner).

We seem to be in a T-Riffic era where one must choose between the lesser of three evils -- Tweeting, Twerking or Tidsing? Our culture is doomed.

One basic way to retain your privacy is to buy weathering with cash.

Anybody on the "I want $15/Hour from mac" protest lines need look no farther that all of the cars being built in Korea, Japan et. al.