I always rooted for the turtle.

Today's Tids Issue 3,026

Opening Stuff:

Just what the struggling Main Street investor needs: The high speed investor, those who can turn around billions in nano seconds, have gotten even faster. Yes, they have borrowed military technology to develop a new laser communications system between the various exchange's computer banks. So now when there is a negative snag, they can rip out your heart at the speed of light!

The worst thing an opposing party can do is nit pick the actions of the opposition. To me just weakens the credibility of serious accusations. For instance some Repubs are all over the sophisticated menu for last night's State Dinner for the now womanless French Prez.. Hey, we are putting America's best foot forward. Do it right regardless of which party it is. Hell, every President has done it becasue that's just the right thing to do.. Well, maybe not Andrew Jackson who brought in Conestoga wagons and Gabby Hayes as chef.

One thing you will never know: Does the refrigerator light go off when you shut the door?

The Question:
According to Billboard, what do you think are the 10 Top Pop Love Songs of all time?

The Headlines:
--South Iced Over, Buried In Winter Storm.
--Investors Hoping "Correction" Is Over; Now Traders Looking Lovingly At Friday For Good News On Reports On Consumer Confidence And Retail Sales.
--North And South Korea Hold First High Level Talks In 7 Years.
--A Sinkhole At Kentucky's Corvette Museum Sucke In 8 Classic Cars.
--Water May Have Been Found On Mars.
--As Flappy Bird Leaves The Net A Host Of Imitators Arrive, Many Bringing Along Malware.
--Moderate Republican Wins San Diego Mayor Race To Rpelace Ex-Mayor And "Political Slimeball Of The Year", Bob Filmore; Filner Had Edged Out Wiener And Spitzer In Closest Ever National Lowlife Contest.

Shirley Temple was a Republican. Republicans are cute.

How apropos of Bob Costas going Pinko for his Russia activities. Senator McCarthy would have him brought up on Anti- American activities.

How much is too much, Department:
Super star athletes when negotiating for an extra $10, $20 Million often say they have to take care of their family. New member of that team from the Bronx, Tanaka, flew four of his family plus a small yippy dog from his home in Japan to a Introductory Press Conference in Fla on a Boeing 827 Dreamliner, at a cost of $195,000. I'm glad for his family he got that extra mil!

Has anybody in the history of the world gotten more out of being gay than journeyman basketball player Jason Collins, a guest at the French State Dinner last night.. He averaged about 3 points and 2 rebounds a game in 11 seasons.

Vadalia Onions could cost like gold this Spring, as speed of light traders blame winter for farmers plight.

Shawn White may have been one of those rambunctious annoying kids on snowboards who crossed your path with terrifying speed and noise as you skied down a mountain. A perfect schuss interrupted. But, that kid with the runny nose has a net worth $40 Million, from snow boarding! Well, and ...becasue of kinky long red hair. Go figure. It isn't what you do but the accessories you can bring to Twitterville.

I feel sorry for all of the children in school Friday, each of them getting a Valentine from everyone and none of them knowing if they are really loved.

In fact, how special is it anymore to send flowere, heart shaped chociolates or Jane Seymore's design challenge "Open Heart" jewelry?

Speaking of loving everyone, the more I think of it, Bill Clinton did exactly the same thing as Bob Filner, but had better publicists.

Line from a news item about the state dinner for the French Prez: "Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who plays a 'bumbling' vice president on the HBO series 'Veep' was seated next to her real life counterpart (Biden) at the White House dinner...". You don't have to make things up. It's out there.

The Answer:
Number 10 is Ray Charles and I can't stop Loving You. Next is the Emotions and Best of My Love followed by Steveie B's Becasue I Love You, Mario's Let me Love You, Whitney's I Will. Always Love You, Wings and Silly Love Songs, Bee Gees How Deep is Your Love, Rihanna We Found Love,  Boyz II Men I'll Make Love to Your and in #1 position Endless Love by Diane Ross and Lionel Richie. In the Top 50, "The Power Of Love appears teice with Cieline Dion and Hughy Lewis. I'm thinking this Billboard list doesn't venteure back further than the sixties, or it may have included Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly's True Love or Doris Day's Secret Love. One that  I always liked "To Sir with Love" is 21. Here's the complete list URL: http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/1538839/top-50-love-songs-of-all-time

"And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine..." Could we have a Valentines Day song without Pavarotti?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usg2GAVK1uIhttp://

The challenge.

Today's Tids Issue 3,025

Opening Stuff:

Oh the power of fearless woman, careening down the steep mountain, nipping gates as they dig in the edges of skis travel 50, 60, 70 miles an hour. What majesty! What beauty! What a great genuine smile on the face of Julia Mancuso as she surged across the finish line, first in the Downhill, and salvaging a Bronze in the combined with a courageous all-out Slalom. Want to feel great about the world. Re-run that tape a couple of times.

I am setting out to make this a no typo day. I cleaned all of my sticky keys and I put my mind on high alert! Which, may or may not last an hour.

One of our observant readers noticed that all of the Congress people who rose to applaud the President when during the State of the Union he said, "I will do whatever he can without legislation", were essentially approving their irrelevance in the system. Fire them all.

What this world needs is more Kate Hudson movies.

The Question:

Name five of Shirley Temple's movies.

The Headlines:
--America's Sweetheart, Shirley Temple Dies At 85 .

--Yellen Says She Will Stay The Course; Says Economy Is Strengthening; Will Testify Today Before House Financial Services Committee.

--China-Taiwan Talks Result In Historic Decision To Set Up New Communications Mechanism; First Contact In 65 Years.

--Iran Test Fires Two Missiles; Rouhani Vows Peaceful Use Of Nukes; Blasts Use Of Sanctions By Other Countries..

--British Politicians Furious At Barclay's Announcement That 12,000 Could Lose Jobs While Execs Get Higher Bonuses; Unions And Pols Say Company Did Not Learn Lessons Of Financial Crisis.

--"Flappy Bird" Creator Dong Nguyen Removes Game From Net Saying He Thought Too Many Were Becoming Too Addicted.

Yesterday, Joe Biden said that he thought NYC's LaGuardia Airport looked like that of a third world country. He's the man that 0-Man Appointed to run the $1 Trillion Infrastructure improvement budget. I wonder if he knows that airports are part of the infrastructure.

I see where according to some new memos just released by the husband of  former Clinton aide Diane Blair, Hillary said back in the nineties, "The Press have big egos and no brains." Do you think the fawning press will turn on her? Or. Will they'll just roll over imploring Hillary, "Beat me a again. I love you even more when you are mean and ruthless." Your choice.

Now all Jimmy Fallon has to do is look over his shoulder at Seth Meyers.

Just when you weren't looking, Nanny Nation is out to squelch caffeine intake by kids, and they're taking aim at soda pop. Not energy drinks, Not coffee shops, but good Ole' Pepsi and coke. For 0ver 70 years I've been ingesting huge quantities of the carbonated twosome, and I haven't died yet. Go help us.

The current stock price chart eerily tracks exactly like the 1929 charts just before the crash. Calling Shirley Temple. Check it out:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/scary-1929-market-chart-gains-traction-2014-02-11

The art of writing the Tids is to know a little about a lot and to get out just before you have to rely on facts.

Hold your ears while surfing through channels. O'Donnell the angry is back on The View

Hillary may run just to save Democrats from the embarrassment of having to vote for Joe Biden, the man who said he would be ready if The Hill was out. Hillary is a good person like that!

Denmark zoo officials killed a young giraffe because they were afraid of inbreeding. I always thought the giraffe was the result of species inbreeding! But then, I haven't seen any giraffes roaming the hills of Appalachia.

How about those Danes, any how...they have always been more progressive than the US, and now they are killing a seemingly healthy animal in public before school children, dissecting it as part of an anatomy lesson and then feeding it to lions to illustrate evolution and survival of the fittest. Do you think the US education system could ever be that efficient?

From what I hear in casual conversations, Congress would do well interviewing the "Everyman" in the government, the worker-bees who really see what's going on. The enlisted people in the military. Teachers in Government installations. Real people. They could tell you where the waste is. But, the august lawmakers only talk to the people who are creating the waste; The people who got to where they are by being the most adept at covering up mistakes..

The Conscience: Chapter 37.

       I didn't call ahead for a ride as I knew my plane would arrive in Genoa way after Angelica was snug in her bed. I had a sense that we'd be pushing our energy resources to the limit in the next couple of days. Sleep would be a luxury.

     The good news is that I didn't immediately rush to the mini-bar when I hit my room. I flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling. What in the hell am I doing, I wondered. Would I actually have the courage to pull off this charade sober? This isn't fair. I need time to slide into my new self. 

     James suggested that Sanna probably sucked me into this mess with the prospects of making me the dupe for the illegal boat building operations. Her objectives were to get back at me, which I don't really blame her for, too much; and to get out of the Drug business like some kind of heroine. At least that's James view, and he's pretty smart. His opinion is also backed up by Washington.

     The ceiling was becoming my friend. My new comfort zone. Until, I heard something at the door. I bolted up. Tense. Instead of yelling, "Who's That. Go away", I walked quietly to the door and looked through the peephole. I saw a housekeepr putting the key in a lock, about to turn it. I put my shoulder to the door. As it opened. I pushed back. "I'm still here". Which probably meant nothing to this person who only spoke Italian.

      "Ho cioccolato per la vostra stanza".

      Cioccolato sounded familiar, and my stomach growled. I released the door.

     The woman came in timidly, bowing and walking backwards towards the desk, "Scusate, scusate, scusate, she kept repeating. That sounded familiar too.

     I smiled and as she came back to leave she smiled back. She had a nice smile. I closed the door, locked the safety bolt and went to the mini-bar.

The Answer:

Ok, now that you have retrieved your Shirley Temple Dolls from the attic, put on your nostalgia cap and remember Little Miss Marker. the Little Colonel, Our Little Girl, Curly Top, The Littlest Rebel, Captain January, Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm, The Little Princess and Heidi. This is just a sampling of some I remember, but there were many more.

It's odd, but every once in a while I catch myself singing, "On the Good Ship Lollypop." There was just something magical about that kid with the dimples and the curly hair. The way she would dance with Bill Robinson, entrance the actors around her and light up the life of Americans struggling through the Great depression. She was the top Box Office Draw from 1935-38 beating out Clark Gable, Bing Crosby Gary Copper and Joan Crawford. Talk about simpler times! She moved smoothly from overwhelming child star fame into a productive adulthood, raising a family before receiving several diplomatic appointments,which she handled professionally. She is one you remember for her refreshing talent, and not as today, for culturally depraved escapades. Thank you Shirley Temple for reminding us all that a happy  life doesn't need laser shows..

Today's love song for V-Day is a simple one, from Shirley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2eeH1Zpdxwhttp://

I'm my father's daughter.

Today's Tids Issue 3,024

Opening Stuff:

I was wondering Sunday night where I had been all of these years after watching the Olympic ice skating dancing pairs -- The Russians, The Canadians, The Americans. With each group achieving amazing heights only to be surpassed by the next. My heart is exploding with each crescendo, with each precision landing, I'm energized by pure, delightful grace as they soar upon the music of genius past. Maybe I hadn't wathced the dancing pairs much lately because I always had this imageI always remembered Ice dancing as skaters dressed in Latin American costumes doing a mambo or Tango; flitting around the ice to interpretive jazz. But now...now we have incredible athleticism, magnificent art.

The Beatles invaded USA's Age of Innocence as some kind of new and radical music group, and all they promoted was holding hands.

I hear through sources that Michelle O was a little late calling for a drone strike on the Rachel Rae show where  the diva chef was making cheese and french fry waffles topped with rich, brown, creamy gravy. I'm dying.

The Question:
Elmer Bernstein was nominated for 14 Oscars for scores he wrote for some of the greatest movies Name 5 of his movies.

The Headlines:
--Stocks Biding Time Awaiting First Remarks From Yellen.
--US Considers Drone Strike On American In Yemen Considered al-Qaida.
--Cold And Ice Poised Once Again To Hit Georgia And Previously Battered Atlanta.
--"Wrong Way" Drivers Kill Nine In Crashes In LA And Tampa.
--Tension Rising InArab Neighborhood Of Jerusalem; Vandalism Ramped.
--Syria Peace Talks Reopen In Geneva; Start Is Shaky.
--Best Defensive Linemen In SEC Says He Is Gay; Super Player Micahel Sam Comes Out; Too Late For SoU.

Where do the kids go, Department:
For Private colleges, only 50% of the students graduate. For state colleges it's down to 32%. Colleges with large number of commuter students could have graduation rates less than 20%. The reasons for leaving run from unprepared for collge to having to leave to add to the family income. The second main reason is based on reality. The first is based on inadequate education at lower levels, even as we continue to pout millions into it. The billions, however, to not create desire to learn. Surviving High school doesn't necessarily mean educated, despite the efforts of great teachers. We should should also be aware that large populations of "disadvantaged students" are placed through experimental government programs into freshman classes in State Universities around the country...and only 25% make it to graduations. Are university standards lower to accommodate? Are these college dropouts all of those limited educated youths looking for the jobs that used to be, but have vanished from the USA landscape. Is this the reason why democrats are urging higher minimum wages, to pick up the pieces of apparently failed educational program? It probably gets back to the old maxim that college isn't appropriate for everybody. This is the most disjointed column I have ever re-read. In reality though, in a way it reflects the situation of an evaluational system taken over by theorists and politicians from the hands of capable teachers. Maybe this column is confusing becasue the subject is today.

One of my favorite all time movies is Love Actually, starring Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Kiera Knightly, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson among a cast of terrific characters. It's perfect film for Valentines Day.

When I get into my car I don't see a big computer screen, just a door pocket full of maps. I'm a big picture guy.

When you think about it, GPS is like a suffocating government, with people blindly following, not really knowing where they are or where they are going.

You have to wonder if they added agility competitions to the venerable Westminster Dog Show to increase TV viewership. Nah, you don't have to wonder, they probably did. Everybody else waters down their product for the tube. Is Goodell handling Westminster on the side?.

Actually, I'm and old gym rat, one of those people who spent hours or wasted youth playing or watching basketball...or any sport. But frankly, I don't watch it as much any more. I used be addicted to the college basketball games for instance, but now there are just too many, with so many of the great players leaving early. With too many payers not caring about their college but about the scouts in the crowd. College teams have become minor leagues for pros. Combine that with all of the league changes and manipulations and you really have a giant Hodge Podge of mediocrity and sameness. And frankly, just too much of it.

Actually, all of this ease of communication will eventually dilute just about everything that used to be personally special. Like your peace and quite and freedom from intrusions -- like the Tids. "The Tids -- Part of the Poison!"

Just to give you one example of how the networks work to expand the interest for a sporting event, the NBC execs actually positioned a "Tiger Cam" on the slopes at Sochi for the sole purpose of looking at the great golfer while Lindsey Vonn was skiing. The great objective of TV sports is to reel in more and more people who don't like sports.

With all of the news about the recent epidemic of deaths from heroin, I am reminded of one of the scariest movies I ever saw -- "Man with the Golden Arm"  This movie graphically showed the pain of drug addiction as opposed to much of what we see today that often tends to glorify drug dealers and the life styles of the Cokeheads and Junkies. The movie starred Frank Sinatra (His first big critically acclaimed film with Best Actor nomination)) as a card dealer with hope of becoming a drummer in the grasp of a painful addiction. It depicts the conniving of his wife and friends, and pure evil of those pushing him back into dependency, wonderfully acted by Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak, Arnold Stang and Darren McGavin among many others. It laid bare the ugliness of drug addiction and scared the hell out of me, a vulnerable kid of 18.

Political correctness makes it nearly impossible for journalists to find news.

The Olympics brought out, once again, the innate negativity of Journalists -- from the hotels to the opening extravaganza. For instance, the opening ceremony was outstanding, really magnificent, and all some scribes could write was "Glitch", referring to the missing ring. But, this is typical of what we see today. Too often writers, supposedly there to report, only write what's inside their ideological minds.

In case you haven't noticed, news-people have already started looking for the bad in Brazil. Probably just working up to the elections where they can smear some good Americans.

The Conscience: Chapter 36.
     I felt trapped between reality and emotions for the first time in years. Normally I would just drink my way through it all, and go on smiling. But with the truth comes a little more responsibility. I, all of a sudden, was no longer a self anointed victim, a  loser without courage. I was living in a world I didn't know, hadn't see since I was 18 or 19 years old. A world far beyond that one which for the majority of my life was consuming my body and my mind; A world unknown to all who love me. Until today.
     I looked at my wife and heard Angelica repeating in my ear. "Mr. Morgan...Jeff..are you there? Are you al right?" Finally I reacted without booze. "Sorry, Evvy, it's Angelica. We have to get this thing moving." She nodded mechanically.  Her words said "I understand" but her eyes betrayed her courage. "Who are you," they said. She was scared for so many reasons she couldn't begin to pick one. She just nodded hoping that soon it would all go away.
    "Hi Angelica, sorry for the delay." I looked again at at Evvy who was now walking in her own world, the one she has probably lived in all these years of putting up with me. "We have a lot to talk about, You have to be careful." I started to tell the big story, but she interrupted.
    "You have to come back here now. Your last call scared me, and now I think everybody is watching me. I try to go about the business of running the company, but I always seem to see my mother watching."
    Now, I gave her a quick overview of the story, leaving out d]little details, like me being a loser. "I'll be there tonight," I began after I finished the tale. I have a lot of ideas. And, I think, a grand plan. Talk to your grandfather, and try to feel him out. I know you can trust him. In fact, he may be trying to hide something  from you, you know...to protect you."
      "You sound good today, Mr. Morgan." She laughed that little laugh. I looked over at Evvy. She didn't turn to see what was in my eyes.
    "Ciao", I said, proud of my improving Italian.

The Answer:
To Kill a Mockingbird was one of his earlier films an is still considered one of the best in Hollywood history.. The Magnificent Seven and The Ten Commandments were considered two of his greatest. He won an Oscar for the original score for "Thoroughly Modern Millie". It would take til tomorrow's Tids if I were to list them all, but here's about a tenth of them -- Airplane. Cape Fear, The Great Escape, The Age of Innocence, Walk on the Wild Side, Hawaii, National Lampoon's Animal House, Blues Bothers, Trading Places, Summer and Smoke, My Left Foot, Legal Eagles, Rain Man, Gangs of New York and the incidental music for one of the most acclaimed Music Videos: Michael Jackson's Thriller. There isn't person on earth who hasn't heard a little Elmer Bernstein in some way or another.

Below is the latest in The Tids series love related songs leading up to V-Day. In this one you will see a little of what The "Daughter" is getting slammed for today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsVHLU-SLMghttp://

Insidiousness.

Today's Tids Issue 3,022

Opening Stuff:

"Ready to Learn". I was looking at comments on a grandchild's report card, and I had a small thrill run down my spine as I read the word, "Learn"! Learn, what a great word, a word often buried in people's educational objectives. from kindergarten to college. Good teachers love it, because imparting knowledge that kids absorb for life and the general nourishment of brains is the essence of educating. Every good that comes from education comes from pure unadulterated learning. Unfortunately though, Intellectual curiosity has been superseded by an "Why do I have to know this" attitude. Learning for learning sake is actually something kids do all of the time, except all too often, to teachers dismay, in school. They learn how to play electronic games, twerk and use social networking for good and evil. In school though, learning sometimes get lost for any number of reasons.

 

Because of email limitations, I have to send out the Tids in waves. Often the Morning Mess improves as I go along, discovering typos and better conclusions. This is a case where first-in is not so hot. Maybe I'll start reversing the waves.

The RI Dem candidates for Governor are all rolling out the same Obama boilerplate issues, none of which having anything to do with the problems of RI. It's just feel good pap from on high, basically transforming once promising leaders into lemmings. It's sad how RI PE unions suck the life out of potential game-changers, people who could reinvent the RI as insried by “The Independent Man” atop the Capitol Dome. Rhode Island: The Hypocrisy State”.

The Question:
The new Consumer Reports "Car Brand Perception Survey" which defines "The leading brands in consumers minds". What do you think are the ten highest and lowest?

The Headlines:
--Arrivals At Socchi Like Grandeur Of What They See; Some Problems Remain In Hotel Construction.

--Nearly A million Without Power In Philly Area; Power Outages Also Widespread In Maryland.

--Stocks Up In Fantasyland As Disney Is Magical; New Jobless Claims Drop More Than Expected.

--Even As New IRS Chief Apologizes, New Evidence Says That Lerner Conspired To Draft New 501 Regs To Restrict Activity Of Conservative Groups In A Way that Would Not be Disclosed Publicly.

I'm looking a the near one Trillion dollar Farm Bill, and I’m wondering what are our tillers of the soil getting out of this mega give-away -- a tractor in every barn; candles to soothe the cows when the bull walks in; free citizenship cards for migrant workers? No it's just the Gov naming something what it isn't. 80% is for food stamps, and that's a cutback! It also covers school lunch programs. It does some good for farmers, but it is basically more an insidious government activity with the prime objective of getting me and us to change our eating requirements. It is paying for food production that the Big guy in DC wants us to eat. Really, that is the Huzzahs part of the bill, probably the reason 0-Man will sign it despite the Food Stamp cut. One more move of sneaky Government intrusion into our freedom of choice. 

 

Everybody is raving about the new players now enjoying the largess of the Ya-Ya-Ya…(WYKWIM)…treasury. Yes that team from the Bronx has some cool new players including my favorite, Jacoby. What people are missing though is that the man who saved many a game for them, helped them win championships, Manny Rivera, won’t be coming out of that Bull Pen anymore.

Marketing execs spend to much time changing things that are perfect. It must be an MBO thing.

 

The Wall Street "Gloom & Doom" Report is now thinking of a 20-30% decline for stocks. When you think about it, that's not too hard to believe considering that the Fed has been artificially keeping stocks high with an 85 Billion/Month donation. There is one economic certainty and that is that Pipers must be paid.

Congrats to Joe Castig for his entry into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. For 31 years this "Voice of Summer" has helped me enjoy my chores. There are three great sound of RI, the halyards clinking on masts in breezy harbors, the ocean pounding on the shore with pebbles shuffling, and Joe Castiglione, announcing Red Sox games.

The new America, Department:
CVS announced to much hoopla that they will stop selling cigarettes. It's probably to make room for Pot after the inevitable legalization of marijuana.

 

While walking the aisles of a Drug store you may have noticed that Tums and Rolaids, and other purveyors of Ant-acids, are changing over to fruit flavors from the traditional zingy and delicious  mint flavors. Is this also part of the government worming its way into our lives to help Michelle change the taste buds of Americans?

I'm thinking that there is little in life more annoying than a kinky hose.

There is little more useless on the tube than a debate between paid operatives of political parties.

 

Great things about cold winters: Home made chicken soup!

The most expensive places to buy health insurance are Colorado Ski Resort Counties, SW Georgia, Rural Nevada, Western Wisconsin, South Georgia, Most of Wyoming sans Natrona and Laramie counties, SE Miss, all of Vermont, Fairfield County CT and all of Alaska.

 

The NFL just announced that CBS will be broadcasting their Thursday night games. Better news would have been,, NFL is abandoning Thursday night foot ball because it causes too many injuries to players; because players haven’t had the chance to recover from the previous Sunday. The games are lack luster because the players just can’t perform as sharply with such a short recuperation time. Because coaches don’t have the time to analyze and fully insert proper offences and defenses.

Who do higher minimum wages help most? The investment management of Union Dues treasure chests.

The Conscience: Chapter 36
    My mind was racing as we left behind the huge wooden front door of James magnificent estate. Evvy was clutching my hand, steely eyed, looking forward. I knew she wanted to talk this through, probably for the rest of the night. I was ready.
    That last scotch I had told me clearly that I still was a true alkie, even knowing that I had looked into those eyes that have haunted me for 30 years and I came out cleansed…well maybe half clean. But, I could see that I could have a chance to crawl out of the god dammed bottle.

   James eyes that had followed me through all of those years had been a reminder of my cowardice, To him though, those eyes that dominated the black alley had been imploring, begging me to find him, so he could tell me the whole story. He could have liberated me from my guilt, but not my weakness. All I wanted that day to was to get out of that awful south, hide my act, not look for the truth.
   Now I know that James eyes are looking for revenge, and are in a battle with Sanna who is after the same. James had set out to destroy my friend Jason, and the woman who was Sally, to him symbols of all that was bad about the environment that raised him. He had made it out, so his revenge was for all who didn’t, all who were suppressed by the kind of ugliness he saw inside families like the Montgomery’s and Southfield’s. Revenge was the plotline I had entered from stage left.

     It was no accident that I was in the midst of the Biglietto mystery. Sanna had produced, directed and written the play where I would be the tragic hero, She had no idea that James Smith was the boy who had started it all, a little black kid she despised at the moment, only because of his color. She now respected him, feared his power, because of what he had achieved.

   My mind was shifting from subject to subject. There were so many pieces. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the nip. Evvy looked over briefly at the action, but said nothing.

    Yes, Sanna was in control of what she knew. But now, I knew more. I now can understand that weird little screwing she gave me in a dark restaurant. It was all about her gaining control over me, to do what she wanted with my body, and my mind. To make me more pliable. For what?

    I looked over at Evvy, and felt more disgusted as I  relived for a second the image of Sanna thrusting her hungry body against my lap. My phone rang. I felt Evvy’s hand grasp me firmer. She knew it was Angelica, too.

The Answer:
Toyota is once again perceived as the top brand with a 14 score. Ford is #2 with 120 and then Honda with 109. The rest of the highest 10 are Chevrolet, Tesla, Subaru, Mercedes, Volvo, Cadillac and BMW. The lowest score, 4, went to Land Rover. Next were Maserati, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Scion, Ram, Mini, Mitsubishi, Infiniti and Jeep. The new Jeep Cherokee's are getting rave reviews and it will be interesting to see where they move to next year. However, Jaguar made substantial improvements this year and are still on bottom. Telsa must be considered a PR success, since there are few on the road and there are few consumers who can actually afford them.

 

Love song of the Day, leading up to the 14th:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYtrGjJOMpEhttp://

The great Patsy Cline was ready with a sequel just before her tragic death, "I'm crazy about reading the Tids." I think it would have been a winner.

Love your day, everybody.

 

Makes sense.

Today's Tids Issue 3021

Opening Stuff:

 

Seinfeld put P/C irrationality in perfect perspective when he said all he asks is "Are you funny...not whether you're man, woman black white or tan. If you're in my business and you aren't funny, nothing else matters. 

 

If the box says Entemann, and it has no fruit, I'll grab it.

 

There is no reason why the Russia intro to the Olympics won’t be one of the greats in history. The big country has always been a giant in the arts, with super composers, outstanding ballet company’s and amazing gymnasts. And, a Government that orders, “Don’t dare march out of step.”  Don’t be surprised if you are awed.

Raimondo the Conqueror is fast becoming Gina the Panderer.

The Question:

Name six things you can wear on your feet that begin with the letter "S".

 

The Headlines:

--US Warns France That Appearance Of Support For Iran Will Incur The Same Sanctions For Allies As Those That Remain In Place Iran

--Dems, Repubs Arguing Over Meaning Of Lost 2.3 Million Jobs Due To O/C.

--Markets Lower Again, As Investors Continue To Reposition Portfolios.

--Radio Shack To Close 500 Stores.

--UN Panel Issues 67 Recommendations To Vatican On How To Comply With Child Rights.

--Giant Drug Store CVS To Stop Selling Cigarettes.

--Four Arrested In Hoffman Case.

 

For many young families, the only way that a second spouse working becomes financially feasible is if the Government pays for child care and medical insurance. What kind of an economy is that? The problem in  America is that in fatherless families, there is only one source of income which for the most part seems to require subsidies. Every time you want to view the growth of the economy or the widening differences between social strata it always seems to come back to the breakdown of families. The changing, liberalized culture is the biggest reason why politicians are always looking for impossible simple solutions to complex problems.

 

As one reader wrote to me yesterday, “I thought that Renee Fleming brought overdo decorum to our National Anthem. The Modern Society has denigrated it for too long.”

 

There is no contest when comparing the cinnamon swirl breads of Thomas and Pepperidge Farm. Thomas wins by several miles.

 

The big movie this year for Michelle Obama is produced by Alicia Keyes and stars Jennifer Hudson and Jordon Sparks. It's called "The inevitable defeat of Mister and Pete." It's about two kids falling through cracks of society's floorboards, and their race to avoid authorities after their mom is arrested -- while watching their dreams for achievement disappear. M/O says this movie will guide the rest of her First ladyship. Stay tuned, you will be hearing a lot about this.

 

There are just too many soups with too much stuff in them cramming the shelves of grocery stores. Chicken with noodles or rice is just perfect. But, the real criminal act is that my all-time favorite, Scotch Broth was discontinued in US by Campbell’s because it was too expensive to make. Oddly, you can still buy it in Canada. So don’t be surprised if you see a headline "RI'er caught at border with trunk full of Scotch...". Maybe if Campbell's put Kale in the soup they'd sell more. Kale is the new secret ingredient, for people who follow inane trends.

 

Do you think the police would have found the drug dealers so fast if it was some poor “misguided” kid rather than super star Hoffman?

 

Speaking of Zonked out superstars, it has been reported that pilots of Bieber’s Pot Plane wore oxygen masks.

 

Misdeeds in the White House, Department:

As Hillary gets closer to a coronation, there will be more and more rumors surfacing about Hubby Bill’s “Sexcapades” The newest is an alleged romp with Brit Actress Elizabeth Hurley. Apparently an audio recording has surfaced where ex-Hurley Lover Tom Sizemore recounts how Bill sent a plane to Hurley to bring her in for a secret  bedding while The Hill chortled in a room nearby. Of course, the Tids will not be a party to expanding, distributing condoning such rumors.

 

The Answer:

Well, I’m sure shoes came to mind as well as socks and slippers and sandals. And perhaps, sneakers. But, did you also have skis, stockings, snowshoes, skates…and stilts!

This snowstorm was a dud, but the kids are smiling as the school buses remain idled in the parking lots.

 

Today's song of Love;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewf0TnM4eKohttp://

Quiet land.

Today's Tids Issue 3020

Opening Stuff:

This is one of those Winter wonderland days. You expect at any moment you'll hear the jingle of bells and see Doctor Zhivago's sled come around the corner, spewing up bright white flakes melodically to the tune of Lara's Theme. You Wander beneath trees hung low by glistening snow. The fields are cvast and perfectly white, masked by natures icy cloak from the scars of warmth. It is a perfect day. There is just no question about that.

As we go through football withdrawal, remember that Pitchers and Catchers start throwing in four days for the Dodgers. and all teams will be out there in 11 days. Let the trade rumors begin. Summer is here. Whack!

The news about manufacturing yesterday wasn't bad enough to push the market down over 300 points. The market is looking for a correction, so brokers have something going forward other than peaks or all-time-highs for the prime stocks. I just hope my stocks are the ones corrected!

Joe Namath was old news 39 years ago, but th Now he's saying he's feeling not so hot; That it must be that concussion thing. No Joe, it might be 50 years of drinking and ingesting who knows what else under the sun. See Phillip Seymore Hoffman.

The Question:
This is "Love is in the air" season and none more-so than in Johnny Depps world. As everybody knows, the Deppster is engaged, again. Name all of his fiances since 1990.

The Headlines:
--Market's Struggling To Get Out Of Dumpster In Early Trading; Dow Moving Up Nearer +100 by Noon.
--Global Military Spending To Rise For 2-14; Russia, Middle East Lead Way IN Increased Defense Budgets.
--Insider Satya Nadella Named New CEO Of Microsoft; Stockholder factions Argue Whether Company Should Move Further Towards Business Side (66%) Away From Consumer.
--110 Million Watch Superbowl; Most In History.
--Man Shot By ex-Pat's Aaron Hernandez Shot Again Outside Hartford Club; People Who May Know Something About Hernandez Case Keep On Dying.
--RI Considering Auto Licenses For Illegal Immigrants.

In the several Tidlets about the Super Bowl yesterday, I forgot to mention the outstanding singing of the National Anthem by Renee Fleming -- one of the best ever. Some of those from the anything goes culture complained that is sounded like a funeral dirge. I say it reflected the proper elegance of the great US society.

Maybe we'll get back to the good old society..when you was far more important than me. Most of the companies advertising at the SB forsook the goofball, in the gutter, sophomoric approaches of the past several years. Most strove to contribute to a new enlightenment. Perhaps 110 million feel a little different today.

In a grocery store favored by the young and socially aware, I saw a ticket on on steak package, "Raised on 100% vegetables". That could easily be corn fed, which is traditionally the food of cattle producing the best beef. Tis is better than some pop-culture stores where a label might read -- "This steak is made from vegetables."

In case you missed it, Mayo has passed by catsup as America's leading condiment. Looks like the country's going from fries to salads.

The happy-Go-Lucky, up by her bootstraps Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor says labeling Illegal Immigrants as criminals is insulting. Say What?

The IRS is going to pay out $62.5 Million in bonuses to employees. My first question is, what for? My second question is, when did the IRS become a for profit operation. But the real issue is, what are they doing to us to get into the bonus pool? 

Joe Namath's latest fame is coming from wearing a Coyote coat at SB. Most people are trying to find ways of driving nasty coyotes out of their neighborhoods.

When I was trying to cut back on pounds-adding-stuff, I eliminated Mayo. For tuna fish I made up a little mixture of Dijon mustard, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and lemon, and it tasted pretty darn good.

An owner of French restaurant on the quite liberal East Side of Providence said she was quite pleased with the fun they had arriving at insurance policies for all after navigating the ObamaCare Web site. She said gleefully that they all her employees were properly insured and it would cost her company 30% more!. She must have had second thoughts about her geefulness, becasue in a subsequent sentence next year she said that in 2015 her employees could use the O/C computer system to buy their own insurance!

Teens who color their hair for attention must have little else going on in their lives.

The Answer:
50 year old Johnny Depp's newbie is 27 year old Amber Heard. She saying  there is a great future here, but history has a way with repeating hitself! He was actually married in 1983 to Lori Anne Allison, a make-up artist, who in fact encouraged him to get into acting! They divorced after 2 years. He almost made it to the altar with a succession of actresses starting with Sherilyn Fenn who was dumped for Jennifer Grey. But Dirty Dancin' wasn't in his heart so he moved on to Winona Ryder. At the time, he was so in love that he had "Winona Forever" tattooed on his arm. Whe they broke up he altered it to "Wino Forever". Kate Moss was next, and they quickly found incompatibility. She's till crying over it, they say. His longest relationship was with Vanessa Paradis. Their engagement began in 1998, and they have two kids. Bring on the youthful Amber, who says she can go either way, and is probably tryng out Depp fro a change after dating Tasya van Rae, a relationaship that began in 2008, and announced when after she "came out" in 2010. Winona Ryder is appalled that Depp would dump the mother of his children for a younger gal to prove his youthful manhood to his aging male pals!

I'll  be looking for songs about love leading up to V-Day. Let's start with this one (If it doesn't link, cut and paste.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD6WG7VKQzU

See you tomorrow. Buy milk and bread...and Cheeto's!

Pumped and Jacked.

Today's Tids Issue 3,016

Opening Stuff:

If any body ever wanted to repeat ground hog day, it would be Peyton Manning. But enough of GH Day and the SB, this is the first issue of Tids for Feb, and this month is far greater than a furry little rodent that would rather sleep than be thrust outside into the cold. It is a Red and Black month where men wear their hearts on their sleeve, and people of color believe, pay tribute to what their forefathers and mother have achieved. It's the month of Presidents, two to me, George and Abe. For the rest we have car deals, which is kind of sad when you consider all that these men, whether liked or not, have put out their necks to contribute to the country. It's a short month, the shortest of all, and right smack dab in the middle is a day for romantic old fools. Pour out your feelings...and smile, It's February..

Cynthia James, an exec at Kapersky, says there are only two kinds of companies in the world -- Those who's data has been breached and those who's data will be breached. Yes, one of the bibgest problems facing consumers is, and will be Point of Purchase hacking which will lead to epidemic Physhing. The moral of this story, pay in cash.

It appears to me that you know you are getting older when you begin measuring your age by the size of your fonts.

The Question:
The Black Lab is once again on top as favorite US dog, this year breaking the record for consecutive years as #1 Most Popular Breed. Which breed previously held the record? Name the other dogs in the top ten most favorite. Bonus: Joseph Brooks was a successful jingle and song writer who committed suicide after being indicted on charges of raping 14 aspiring starlets. Name his most famous, upbeat, song!

Today's Headlines:
--Markets Down Big Again On Questionable ISM Data (Institute for Supply Management); Data More Positve Than It Appears Considering Weather Intrusions.
--Seattle Controls And Amazes; Manning Family Puts On Mopey Face.
--Phillip Seymore Hoffman Dead At 46; Former Drug Addition Revisited Super Actor.
--Ford Sales Down 7%; Chrysler Up 8%.
--Key Republicans Announce Support For Christie; Urge Him To Keep Pushing.
--People Finding Sticker Shock In Obama Care, But Not In premiums; Consumers Taking Hit On Deductables.

You probably have already heard of Hillary's mid-SB Tweet, "It's so much more fun to watch Fox when it's someone else being blitzed and sacked." You may not have seen one of the tweet responses, "It's interesting that Hillary can find her phone during the middle of the Super Bowl, but not when her Diplomats are under attack by organized terrorists."

There are some in Twitter-Land who think the Hill's "Casual" tweet was probably part of an new organized attack on Fox News, considering that 0-Man brought up the obstinance of Fox in his interview with O'Reilly prior to the kick-off. It is assumed her words were written by an operative and designed to achieve virilty in Twitterville.

Critics go gaga over many cultural, entertainment events, achievements which I just don't agree with at all. In classical music they put composers on pedestals who aren't even on my radar screen. They pick pieces from the historic ones like Beethoven, Mozart which I rate lower than my own choices. The same goes for movies, plays, books and TV programs. And this morning , the critics raved about another more of the same halftime show. I thought the segue from the clever Pepsi intro (Struming strings of GW bridge et. al.) to the solo Mars drumming was good; And, the good feeling continured into the start of the full musical presentation, However it soon became a monotonous stream of flashing lights, fans waving hands and mediocre musical sameness for the Bruno Mars group and through RH Chili Peppers... until Mars solo rescued the show with a nice "Just the way yu are." Mars is a likable, dynamic entertainer, but the music, to me, just gets tedious, a pawn of the lighting experts.

It's snowing consistently outside this morning. Goodell must pray well.

I was thinking that if the Broncos had won, I'd go out and get a Denver team shirt, figuring that Cheeto dust wouldn't be so apparent against the team colors.

Graham DeLaet may be the most exciting player on the horizon for the 2014 PGA Tour. He is engaging, can hit the ball a mile and appears to know how to win.. Keep an eye on him.

The sign over the toilets in the Olympic Men's rooms prohibits a lot, including, Peeing, Standing on seat, Vomiting, Karati chops and Fishing. Yes, no fishing in locker room toilets. I'm assuming these warnings were necessitated by what Russians do naturally. The moral of this story: Don't eat sturgeon.

The data in the new ISM report is not as bad as the market collapse seems to indicate. It looks like the big money just used it to justify continued selling.

At a lecture about the "Secret tapes of JFK", one item of note was the President JFK screwing over a minion for wasting $5,000 buying furniture for Jackie's  delivery room at Otis AF Base. Take it back to "Jaudin Moush" the Presdient kept on repeating -- "Take it back to Jaudin's". $5K! Today, Michelle spends that on a facial. (By the way, that's Jordan Marsh outside of Mass, NH, Maine and RI.)

The first time I was ever brainwashed was in the third or fourth grade was when I was taught a rule for determining which spelling of "principle", "principal" was correct. The teacher said, "Just remember that the Principal is your pal...with a capital "P".

One popular American phrase that annoys me is, "Civil Disobedience".

For some reason, the lecturer above talking about the JFK tapes skid ito a comment about Hillary's Benghazi saying Chris Stevens knew what he was doing. So that's it, the Clintons are blaming it on the Amabassador and not on the inability of Hillary and the State deparment to hear his multiple pleas for help. Oh, didn't I tell you, the speaker was a speechwriter in Cinton's WH and advised on Bills Memoir and and is advising on Hillery's current effort...for historical accuracy!

The Answer:
The Black Lab passed the Standard Poodle by being named Most Popular Breed for the 23rd consecutive year! After blackie we have Goldie - the Golden Retriever followed by German Shepherd, Beagle, English Bulldog, Yorkshire Terrier, Boxer, Poodle, Rottweiler and Dachshund. Number eleven was the French Bulldog which made the biggest leap in the standings last year. Bonus: Brooks, a true slimeball, wrote the uplifting "You Light up my Life" the theme song of the immaculate Debbie Boone. Maybe it was a cry for help.

You have to wonder how many times Phillip Seymore Hoffman cried out for help to stop his personal madness. It's a sad thing, this addiction. The mind cries stop and juices keep saying you need me. He was clean fro 23 years. What brings it back. Is it success that assures "I can handle anything now." Nobody can handle, manage addiction if you let it creep back in. I first rememebr him in The Talented Mr. Ripley, as the man who took over the screen in a lesser role in that film filled with great actors. I also remember him in "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," playing a helpless man who's life is directed by a cocaine habit. When you think of Hoffamn, you don't just think about all of his triumphs, but also the great movies which we will see in the future whcih he could have made better. The man took over screens as powerfully as addiction can take over lives.

There is nothing better than watching a team execute everything perfectly. The score doesn't matter, becaseu you are anticipating the next eyeopening play.