Downers

Well I survived graduation and today marks the first day of my week (or so) off before the start of summer school. Given the happy occasion, I choose to share a few "downers" with you today.

First, there's this op-ed piece (from the WaPo) by an imprisoned leader of a Russian youth movement. The more I read about Putin's Russia (and there is NO doubt that it's still Putin's Russia despite his stepping down as president) the more nervous I get. It really does seem he wants to return Russia to the "glory days" of the USSR. I'm currently reading a book by the Economist's former correspondent in Russia and I'm becoming more concerned with each chapter. The book itself seems to have been written too quickly and the author seems to rely too much on creating sometimes suspect links between disparate events, but I admire the overall work. The West needs to wake up to the new threat of old Russia's resurrection.

Second, and also from the WaPo, there's a column by my favorite columnist in America, Sebastian Mallaby. Today Mallaby takes on the immense farm lobby and the insanity that is international ag policy. While there's nothing really new in his column you can read about the (so far) little-discussed Japanese rice policy. While the BIG political problems (e.g., Russia) worry me, this is the kind of problem I find most frustrating. It really seems a small dose of international common sense could do a lot to solve these types of issues. Yet nothing gets done. Grr.

Third, I still haven't figured out the identity of "Mandy" -- they mystery commenter from last week. Hmmm.

A political party for me

Scott Adams, he of Dilbert fame has an idea for a new political party: The Economics Party.

He was driven to this when he found he couldn't stomach any further idiotic pandering by the three remaining presidential candidates. The platform? It's pretty simple (at least in theory): "All we’ll do is agree to vote for the candidate with the best long term economic policy, according to the consensus of leading economists."

Though I know you're all roaring with laughter at the thought of "economic consensus," you'd be surprised at how little disagreement there is in the economic community on many of the fundamental issues. Yes there are devils in the details, but I'm fairly sure you could build an impressive consensus AGAINST rolling back the gas tax this summer, FOR dumping the massive agriculture price support system (and the idiotic corn ethanol subsidy), and FOR the currently in limbo trade pact with Colombia (though not all trade issues). These three issues came to mind simply because they are issues that clearly illustrate the pandering nature of most current pols -- even when they know the economics!

My favorite part, though, was this little quip:

The Economics Party would be committed to changing its policy recommendation whenever the facts warranted. We’re pro flip-flop when it makes sense. In other words, our brains function properly.

Amen, Mr. Adams.

Disturbing

Why am I disturbed? Well first because of the comment from "Mandy" on the previous post. Evidently she knows me from a LONG time ago, but I don't (yet) know who she is. Hmm.

Second, and more seriously, this story in today's Huntsville Times:

Alleged threat talk gets 2 banned at school
WOODVILLE - Two Woodville High seniors will spend the rest of the school year at the Jackson County school system's alternative school in Hollywood after they allegedly were heard discussing making terrorist threats, Jackson County schools Superintendent Jerry Jeffery said Thursday.

Though I'm not sure about "discussing making" threats, this does sound serious and in today's copycat world, I know authorities have to come down hard on such acts. The next sentence, though, made me ask, "Huh?"

But Jeffery said sheriff's investigators found no evidence the boys had a hit list as reported by two girls or that they had threatened anyone.

That's right; there was NO EVIDENCE that the boys had made any threats to anyone. Yet they got sent to the alternative school?!?! It gets worse.

Evidently the investigation has been going on since February (I guess officials considered the school safe for the past couple of months) but then the issue arose again when the girls reported they were afraid to come to school on awards day. So even though there was no evidence against the boys, they were sent to alternative school to placate the two girls? That's how it seems to me.

Here's the real kicker though. The final word from the principal:

I think a lot of this was instigated by kids not wanting to go to school.

I assume he's talking about the girls. Have they been sent to alternative school as well? The story doesn't indicate that. Hmm.

Good news and a plea for help

From past postings, you likely know about Free the Hops -- a group dedicated to reforming Alabama's beer laws in such a way that will allow more specialty beers to be sold in the state. Despite stiff opposition, FTF finally succeeded this year in getting a bill through the House. That just left the Senate, which has been in a partisan snarl that has paralyzed almost every bill. The logjam now has broken and the FTH bill is coming up for a vote. From an email today:

HB196, the Gourmet Beer Bill, is up for vote in the Senate this week, most likely on Tuesday May 6th. Now is the time to call your state senator and let him or her know that you want HB196 to pass! Because the Gourmet Beer Bill has already passed the State House of Representatives, this is the final step before sending this bill to the Governor. It's very close, so please contact your senator to express your support.

That's the good news. Now the plea for help. If you are an AL resident (or you know some AL residents, other than me), please visit this website to find your state senator and call his/her office to register your support. FTF suggests the following polite protocol for doing so:

"My name is (your name) and I'm calling to let Senator (senator name) know that I support HB196, The Gourmet Beer Bill. I would like him/her to vote Yes on this bill. Thank you for your time. Have a pleasant day."

Remember, you'll be talking to an assistant who is NOT interested in debating the bill. Just state your position and let him or her be.

Could it happen? I wouldn't have thunk it, but maybe so!

Best line of the day

Finals are just about to start, so "No time for love, Dr. Jones." [Clerks quote, though I think it may be a nod to this Dr. Jones.] Regardless, I did want to share this little gem I saw while reading up on some Major League Baseball "useless info".

Evidently there is much debate over whether Tampa Bay will trade a young pitcher once they get one of their regulars back. One expert doesn't think they will:

"I don't see how they could move him," he said. "I don't see why they'd ever put him out there. The stuff is too good. Yeah, he's still inconsistent. But at least he's consistently less inconsistent than he used to be."

I know I'm biased, but is there a better sport for quotes than baseball?

Conspiracy anyone?

Here's a headline sure to delight conspiracy theorists everywhere:
D.C. Madam Believed Dead in Apparent Suicide.

A woman who apparently committed suicide in Florida is believed to be Deborah Jeane Palfrey, convicted last month of running a high-end prostitution service in Washington, officials said.

It would be a more sinister story if this had happened BEFORE her trial and conviction, but I'm betting The Lone Gunmen could get some mileage out of it.