Not really an -ism

I read this column from the Daily Telegraph over in the UK. It's a pretty good review of what capitalism really is, and what it isn't. The G20 summit is starting over in London, and as one would expect, the socialists and communists are out in full force, trying to convince the general public that a command economy is the way to go. Clearly these are less than heady times for those of us who believe in free markets, but at the same time people need to realize how big of a mistake it would be to go to a more centrally-planned system.

Here's the thing: You can't equalize outcomes. Any system that tries is doomed to failure, and as history has shown us, causes a lot of loss of life along the way.

Anyway, give it a read, and let me know what you think.

Heh-heh....ha ha ha...

...bwwahahahahahaha!!! Bwaaaaaahahahahaha!!!

Warning!!

I think this checklist pretty much has everything covered as far as consumer product warnings go....because, you know, everything is bad for you.

H/T: Lakeshore Laments

The countdown begins...

One week from now, I will be well on my way to the East Coast, specifically the Mid-Atlantic region (not to be confused with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). Ultimately, I am going to the Frozen Four in Washington, DC. Along the way, we are stopping in Cleveland to take in some of the festivities surrounding the induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of some pretty good acts (listed here). We are also going to the Phillies season opener, an Orioles game, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gettysburg, and an Indians game on the way back. This is a very ambitious trip, but I am really looking forward to it. If time permits, I will hopefully blog along the way. Hopefully I will have some stuff to post about beforehand as well.

The 2 percenters

Listening to President Obama's press conference, the stat that 1 in 50 children are homeless was trotted out. I have to ask, has anyone questioned the validity of this? It would stand to reason that if 2 percent of children are homeless, that means at least 2 percent of adults are homeless, right? By my count, that means there are a minimum of 7.5 million homeless people in the US. I am sorry, but this does not pass the smell test. I remember these sorts of stats trotted out when I was in high school debate, and I remember that these were pretty easily debunked. Honestly, I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I am going to do some research on this. Like I said, that does not pass the smell test.

UPDATE: I watched the conference on CBS, and I wonder if anyone else noticed the way Katie Couric gushed at the conclusion of the press conference? "That's President Obama doing what he does sooo well, taking his case to the press and the American people." Folks, she...was....gushing!! To be fair, I bet Brian Williams and Charles Gibson gushed too, but I didn't hear them.

Where's The Fonz when you need him?

This guy is in a hip-hip video with Jaime Foxx.

This kid is in a video featuring T-Pain, possibly the least talented person in the music industry.

Here's a link. I would highly recommend muting your speakers before clicking the link. This song is terrible, and the video is the most pretentious video I have ever seen. But, it's like a bad car accident...you can't help but watch.

Geez Fonzie, can't you smack some sense into Richie Cunningham? Please?!!

My God, the apocalypse may be upon us...OPIE IS IN A JAIME FOXX/T-PAIN VIDEO!!!!

Bracket time!!

Once again, it's time for the NCAA basketball tournament. This year, Minnesota is in!! I am pretty happy about that. Anyway, I just want to look at at matchups of personal interest:

(7) Texas vs (10) Minnesota: These two teams have both been inconsistent down the stretch, but both have a couple of impressive wins (Texas beat Villanova and UCLA, while Minnesota beat Louisville in Arizona and swept Wisconsin). Texas can play uptempo really well and has a great coach in Rick Barnes. Minnesota is going to have a tough time with Texas, but if they can score consistently and not have their customary drought, they have a shot.

(6) Marquette vs (11) Utah State: Marquette was bound for the 2 or 3 line before losing Dominic James. Their quality of play has clearly suffered (4-6 in their last ten). Utah State is the champion of the WAC, and is 30-4. It doesn't matter what conference you are in, going 30-4 is impressive. But, Utah State didn't exactly play a tough schedule. Marquette can play uptempo, and is much more battle-tested. But, Utah State can play.

(5) Florida State vs (12) Wisconsin: Wisconsin was surprisingly a lot closer to being NIT-bound than a lot of the bracketologists thought. Most conventional wisdom thought Minnesota was in more trouble than UW, but when you go 19-12 and make an early exit in the conference tournament, perhaps you should be on the bubble. Florida State isn't necessarily a good matchup for them either. FSU is 6-4 in their last 10, with two of those losses being to Duke, and one of the wins was against North Carolina.

(3) Kansas vs (14) North Dakota State: NDSU is a great story. 5 years ago their former coach redshirted the entire freshman class knowing that they would be eligible for the tournament for the first time this year. They plugged away, and won the Summit League tournament this year. Now, Kansas should win this game going away, but there are two minor problems for the Jayhawks: NDSU is better than a 14 seed, and the Metrodome is going to be incredibly pro-NDSU. Kansas was not done any favors by being placed in this regional and this game.

I will make some picks a little later this week.