Vancouver looks like nice place to visit.
Lots of Winter Olympics events are just crazy, made up games. Aerial skiing? Snowboardcross?
The U.S. sucks at curling, but I am strangly mesmerized by watching it.
Bob Costas may be a real life Benjamin Button.
Cross-country skiers are some of the fittest people on earth.
Admit it - the Canadian national anthem lyrics and melody kicks the U.S. national anthem. We need to replace the Star-Spangled Banner with America The Beautiful if we want to compete with O Canada.
I would rather do almost anything than watch figure skating.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Paying People To Not Work
Consider the following:
People receiving extended unemployment insurance income
People receiving a 65% government insurance subsidy as unemployed in the past year
People participating in Iowa's new state worker early retirement incentive program
What do all these people have in common? I'M PAYING FOR THEM TO NOT WORK!
Consider the following:
People who were paid big bonuses from taxpayer-bailed-out financial institutions
People who bought cars that qualified for last year's 'cash for clunkers' program
People who bought houses that qualified for last year's home purchase tax credit
What to all these people have in common? I'M PAYING FOR THEIR NEW TOYS!
These are two very short lists - there are many other federal and state programs that transfer wealth via taxes from working stiffs to non-workers and/or people who don't need new toys. It's done in various hidden ways, through sales taxes, income taxes, tax credits, you name it, but make no mistake, I am paying taxes to make their lives better, and they are doing nothing for me or for the rest of society.
We aren't talking about people living on the street here either. We are talking about a lot of people with way more property and spare time than I may ever have. Sure, there are exceptions, but the so-called safety net is way to big.
What makes it even more infuriating is that some believe the answer to our economic ills is either higher taxes or more 'stimulus' spending. Look, I hate to admit it, but I believe the federal government did need to step in to bail out the financial fat cats in order to save us innocents. Now, however, it's time to stop giving people an incentive to not work, or to buy things they don't need.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The government tax and spend monster doesn't need to be fed, it needs to be staved.
People receiving extended unemployment insurance income
People receiving a 65% government insurance subsidy as unemployed in the past year
People participating in Iowa's new state worker early retirement incentive program
What do all these people have in common? I'M PAYING FOR THEM TO NOT WORK!
Consider the following:
People who were paid big bonuses from taxpayer-bailed-out financial institutions
People who bought cars that qualified for last year's 'cash for clunkers' program
People who bought houses that qualified for last year's home purchase tax credit
What to all these people have in common? I'M PAYING FOR THEIR NEW TOYS!
These are two very short lists - there are many other federal and state programs that transfer wealth via taxes from working stiffs to non-workers and/or people who don't need new toys. It's done in various hidden ways, through sales taxes, income taxes, tax credits, you name it, but make no mistake, I am paying taxes to make their lives better, and they are doing nothing for me or for the rest of society.
We aren't talking about people living on the street here either. We are talking about a lot of people with way more property and spare time than I may ever have. Sure, there are exceptions, but the so-called safety net is way to big.
What makes it even more infuriating is that some believe the answer to our economic ills is either higher taxes or more 'stimulus' spending. Look, I hate to admit it, but I believe the federal government did need to step in to bail out the financial fat cats in order to save us innocents. Now, however, it's time to stop giving people an incentive to not work, or to buy things they don't need.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The government tax and spend monster doesn't need to be fed, it needs to be staved.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tea Party No, Tax Reform Yes
It's becoming more common these days to hear outrage from people who are fed up with seeing their tax money go to bailouts and pork projects. While we didn't have much choice on some of the bailout, it was full of pork pet projects. This outrage is on balance a good thing. Governments have proven to be generally poor stewards of our money. I've said it before, if it doesn't establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, or secure the blessings of liberty, we ought not be paying for it.
But all good outrage must have a kooky element, so enter the so-called Tea Party movement. This supposedly independent but factually right-leaning group is trying to gain traction as a meaningful political force. While I'm all for a viable third party, these folks are actually making me miss Ross Perot. Call me crazy, but if Dick 'Smoke 'em if you got 'em' Armey is one of your organizational leaders, you might not be independent. And if you invite Sarah 'I read all the papers' Palin to be the keynote speaker at your convention, you also might not be independent. Or even very smart.
If those misguided Tea Party souls want to direct their energy at something more independent and worthwhile, they should visit Iowa to watch Chet 'I need another cheeseburger' Culver tax and spend our state into ecomomic oblivion. Or for a more bipartisan target, how about our state board of regents raising tuition at the three public universities by 6%. 6%! Somebody please tell me what in this country, besides healthcare, is currently going up at a 6% clip? Or even half that?! Don't you think maybe, just maybe we've got too many tenured professors and administrators at these schools? Regardless, if it were a business in this economy, raising prices by 6%, it would be finished.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to say "No!" to the governments and their non-profit bretheren, which service the taxpayer like the boar services the sow. Our government combined with our political process is a mixture that simply does not work. We don't need a tea party to fix this, we just need to elect tax reformers that will give us a lower and preferably flat tax structure, and give government the liposuction it dearly needs.
But all good outrage must have a kooky element, so enter the so-called Tea Party movement. This supposedly independent but factually right-leaning group is trying to gain traction as a meaningful political force. While I'm all for a viable third party, these folks are actually making me miss Ross Perot. Call me crazy, but if Dick 'Smoke 'em if you got 'em' Armey is one of your organizational leaders, you might not be independent. And if you invite Sarah 'I read all the papers' Palin to be the keynote speaker at your convention, you also might not be independent. Or even very smart.
If those misguided Tea Party souls want to direct their energy at something more independent and worthwhile, they should visit Iowa to watch Chet 'I need another cheeseburger' Culver tax and spend our state into ecomomic oblivion. Or for a more bipartisan target, how about our state board of regents raising tuition at the three public universities by 6%. 6%! Somebody please tell me what in this country, besides healthcare, is currently going up at a 6% clip? Or even half that?! Don't you think maybe, just maybe we've got too many tenured professors and administrators at these schools? Regardless, if it were a business in this economy, raising prices by 6%, it would be finished.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to say "No!" to the governments and their non-profit bretheren, which service the taxpayer like the boar services the sow. Our government combined with our political process is a mixture that simply does not work. We don't need a tea party to fix this, we just need to elect tax reformers that will give us a lower and preferably flat tax structure, and give government the liposuction it dearly needs.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Cinderella Story
[standing in an ornamental flowerbed]
What an incredible Cinderella story! This unknown, comes out of nowhere, to lead the pack at Augusta. He's at the final hole. He's about 455 yards away, he's gonna hit about a 2-iron, I think...
[swings, pulverizes a flower]
Oh, he got all of that! The crowd is standing on its feet here at Augusta. The normally reserved crowd is going wild...for this young Cinderella who's come out of nowhere. He's got about 350 yards left, he's going to hit about a 5-iron, it looks like, don't you think? He's got a beautiful backswing...
[swings, pulverizes another flower]
That's...oh, he got all of that one! He's gotta be pleased with that! The crowd is just on its feet here. He's a Cinderella boy. Tears in his eyes, I guess, as he lines up this last shot. He's got about 195 yards left, and he's got a, looks like he's got about an 8-iron. This crowd has gone deadly silent... Cinderella story, out of nowhere, former greenskeeper, now about to become the Masters champion...
[swings, pulverizes yet another flower]
It looks like a mirac- it's in the hole! It's in the hole!
What an incredible Cinderella story! This unknown, comes out of nowhere, to lead the pack at Augusta. He's at the final hole. He's about 455 yards away, he's gonna hit about a 2-iron, I think...
[swings, pulverizes a flower]
Oh, he got all of that! The crowd is standing on its feet here at Augusta. The normally reserved crowd is going wild...for this young Cinderella who's come out of nowhere. He's got about 350 yards left, he's going to hit about a 5-iron, it looks like, don't you think? He's got a beautiful backswing...
[swings, pulverizes another flower]
That's...oh, he got all of that one! He's gotta be pleased with that! The crowd is just on its feet here. He's a Cinderella boy. Tears in his eyes, I guess, as he lines up this last shot. He's got about 195 yards left, and he's got a, looks like he's got about an 8-iron. This crowd has gone deadly silent... Cinderella story, out of nowhere, former greenskeeper, now about to become the Masters champion...
[swings, pulverizes yet another flower]
It looks like a mirac- it's in the hole! It's in the hole!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Brutal Vikings (Not The Nordic Kind)
If I made a list of the most difficult things to do in the world, it might include being the U.S. president, or climbing Mt. Everest. But near the very top of that list might be something you wouldn't expect: Being a die-hard Minnesota Vikings football fan.
After another year of emotional investment, the Vikings pulled the rug out from under their fans again by losing the 2010 NFC Championship game to the New Orleans Saints in a game the Vikes absolutely dominated. Turnovers begat another brutal loss in a lifetime of brutal losses.
So in a therapuetic attempt to feel better by talking/writing it out, I now give you my list of Top 5 most crushing losses in Vikings history:
1. 1999 NFC Championship game in OT at home versus the Altanta Falcons. This was the Gary Andersen only-missed-field-goal-of-the-year game. Vikes were the best team in the NFL that year hands down, and didn't even make the Super Bowl.
2. 1975 NFC playoff game at home versus the Dallas Cowboys. This was the original Hail Mary pass game. I was 11 years old, still optimistic about life, until this happened and I became forever scarred and cynical.
3. 2010 NFC Championship game in OT at New Orleans Saints. A lot like the 1999 game, but perhaps not quite as hideous since they were not favored to win. Still, the clearly better team lost, and it's brutal enough to make the top 3.
4. 2003 regular season finale game at Arizona Cardinals. Lost on 28-yard TD pass as time expired, after being up by 11 with less than two minutes to go. Knocked them out of division title and playoffs after being in first place the entire year. (And allowed the then-Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers to go the the playoffs.)
5. 1988 NFC Championship game at Washington Redskins. This was the strike-shortened year, and the Vikes had the best 'regular' player record in the NFL going in (but had to play on the road because they were 0-3 using replacement players). Darrin Nelson flat-out dropped a short pass from Wade Wilson at the goal line late in the game to seal the loss.
These games, and many more, make being a Vikings fan one of the most difficult things to do in the world. So why continue?
It's a mystery of faith.
After another year of emotional investment, the Vikings pulled the rug out from under their fans again by losing the 2010 NFC Championship game to the New Orleans Saints in a game the Vikes absolutely dominated. Turnovers begat another brutal loss in a lifetime of brutal losses.
So in a therapuetic attempt to feel better by talking/writing it out, I now give you my list of Top 5 most crushing losses in Vikings history:
1. 1999 NFC Championship game in OT at home versus the Altanta Falcons. This was the Gary Andersen only-missed-field-goal-of-the-year game. Vikes were the best team in the NFL that year hands down, and didn't even make the Super Bowl.
2. 1975 NFC playoff game at home versus the Dallas Cowboys. This was the original Hail Mary pass game. I was 11 years old, still optimistic about life, until this happened and I became forever scarred and cynical.
3. 2010 NFC Championship game in OT at New Orleans Saints. A lot like the 1999 game, but perhaps not quite as hideous since they were not favored to win. Still, the clearly better team lost, and it's brutal enough to make the top 3.
4. 2003 regular season finale game at Arizona Cardinals. Lost on 28-yard TD pass as time expired, after being up by 11 with less than two minutes to go. Knocked them out of division title and playoffs after being in first place the entire year. (And allowed the then-Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers to go the the playoffs.)
5. 1988 NFC Championship game at Washington Redskins. This was the strike-shortened year, and the Vikes had the best 'regular' player record in the NFL going in (but had to play on the road because they were 0-3 using replacement players). Darrin Nelson flat-out dropped a short pass from Wade Wilson at the goal line late in the game to seal the loss.
These games, and many more, make being a Vikings fan one of the most difficult things to do in the world. So why continue?
It's a mystery of faith.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Good Day For Marijuana
Dateline: Harrisburg, Pa. - New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine on Monday (1/18/2010) signed a law legalizing medical marijuana for the chronically ill.
You can now officially add New Jersey to the list of far-too-few states that have removed their head from their butt and allowed medicinal marijuana.
I've previously blogged about legalizing pot altogether (http://streffblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/medicine-and-marijuana.html) so I won't go into that more universal argument here. Suffice it to say that it takes an incredible amount of backassward thinking for governments to allow other controlled substances (e.g. oxycontin) to be prescribed (and often abused) to treat illness and disease, but not a less potent one like marijuana that has proven to be effective in treating neuropathic pain.
Makes me want to have a stiff alcoholic drink, which of course is a mind-altering substance readily available to me even without a prescription!
You can now officially add New Jersey to the list of far-too-few states that have removed their head from their butt and allowed medicinal marijuana.
I've previously blogged about legalizing pot altogether (http://streffblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/medicine-and-marijuana.html) so I won't go into that more universal argument here. Suffice it to say that it takes an incredible amount of backassward thinking for governments to allow other controlled substances (e.g. oxycontin) to be prescribed (and often abused) to treat illness and disease, but not a less potent one like marijuana that has proven to be effective in treating neuropathic pain.
Makes me want to have a stiff alcoholic drink, which of course is a mind-altering substance readily available to me even without a prescription!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Conan Solution
For the record, I have always been a fan of Conan O'Brien, going back many years during his time on Late Night. Dude is funny, and "If They Mated" was one of the great comedy bits of all time. (Why did he not bring that to the Tonight Show? Was it someone else's intellectual property?)
I thought it was awesome when he took over the Tonight Show. Jay Leno was fine, but not edgy enough, and often boring. Oh, he had some funny stuff, including "Headlines" and "Jaywalking" but Conan is funnier, and superior at sketches, improvisation, and interviews. People will get used to him, right.
So I think this whole NBC deal about giving Leno back the Tonight Show slot is crap. Leno agreed to leave years ago, then decided against it, so NBC created an earlier show for him, and that hasn't worked. Now NBC is basically canceling his show - so how is it they have to find him another place?
Look Jay, thanks for your years of service, but when a show gets canceled you don't automatically get another show, much less your old show back. It's time for you and NBC to bite the bullet and let Conan keep the Tonight Show at its regular time, if for no other reason than common decency. Conan's staff uprooted their lives and moved from New York to California to do this......for god's sake Leno, find another show yourself! Be stand up about it and fall on your sword!
As I write this, it doesn't look like that's going to happen, so here's the best alternative for Conan: Forget the Fox Network (too conservative, and not really a network per se) and go to Comedy Central to take the slot immediately following Daily Show and Colbert Report. I might never watch anything else for those two hours. Yeah, it'll be a much smaller audience, but a devoted one, and Conan go back to doing some things he did on Late Night that he's reluctant to do now.
It's a win/win. For me at least.
I thought it was awesome when he took over the Tonight Show. Jay Leno was fine, but not edgy enough, and often boring. Oh, he had some funny stuff, including "Headlines" and "Jaywalking" but Conan is funnier, and superior at sketches, improvisation, and interviews. People will get used to him, right.
So I think this whole NBC deal about giving Leno back the Tonight Show slot is crap. Leno agreed to leave years ago, then decided against it, so NBC created an earlier show for him, and that hasn't worked. Now NBC is basically canceling his show - so how is it they have to find him another place?
Look Jay, thanks for your years of service, but when a show gets canceled you don't automatically get another show, much less your old show back. It's time for you and NBC to bite the bullet and let Conan keep the Tonight Show at its regular time, if for no other reason than common decency. Conan's staff uprooted their lives and moved from New York to California to do this......for god's sake Leno, find another show yourself! Be stand up about it and fall on your sword!
As I write this, it doesn't look like that's going to happen, so here's the best alternative for Conan: Forget the Fox Network (too conservative, and not really a network per se) and go to Comedy Central to take the slot immediately following Daily Show and Colbert Report. I might never watch anything else for those two hours. Yeah, it'll be a much smaller audience, but a devoted one, and Conan go back to doing some things he did on Late Night that he's reluctant to do now.
It's a win/win. For me at least.
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