General Hayden becomes Director, CIA

Wow, looks like the senate acted to confirm General Michael Hayden as the new Director of the CIA.

This makes me believe there are many life-long CIA types who are none too happy right now. What precedent is there for a military man to run the CIA? Almost none. The CIA as an institution is about to have its catacombs rocked to the roof. The general, while soft spoken and nice, is dead serious about straightening out the problems with national assets.

General Hayden was the Director, NSA for many years, to include those years enveloping the September 11th date. He's a smart guy and a good manager of large organizations, he'll do fine at the CIA.

Best of luck to him!

Tide HE powder

You guys didn't think I was serious, did you? You didn't really think I'd write about issues concerning keeping house. Well here you go! After 2o years in the military, it seems I've inherited some duties around these parts, that, well, concern housekeeping. I'll also try and intersperse comment about news of the day if I can just get that damn lazy monkey off my back.

Tide HE powder. Man, I love the stuff. It dissolves wonderfully and really packs a cleaning wallop. With the water conditions we have here in West Texas, I'm rarely a victim of over-sudsing, even with softened water, and Tide HE performs very well in that regard.

I will say it has quite a bit of perfume in it compared to the liquid. Still, it is not so purfumey that it offends. I think the clothes have a rather clean smell to them when they come out of the dryer. The Tide HE liquid's perfume is gone by the time the dryer is done with it.

Rules of thumb:

1. Use powdered detergent for soil, like dirt and grime. Powdered detergent works better on that kind of dirt.
   
2. Use liquid detergent for greasy or oily stains, or lightly soiled clothes.
   
3. Use only liquid detergent if you must wash in cold water. Powder does not dissolve as well in cold water.

I can heartily recommend this product for wash day. Lots of people with high-efficiency machines can be a little snobbish about their soap, and that's fine, but the old Tide HE works great for me.

Adios for now!