Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Protest culture is annoying and un-American.

- From the archives: On the Shortness of Time. A lesson that has to be drilled into oneself - over and over.

- President Trump nominates Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chairman to replace Jerome Powell.

-  The 35 countries with the highest household debt. The US not as bad as I'd have guessed.

Flotsam and Jetsam

 Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

In the history books you read about the public burning of bras and draft cards in the 1960's. I think we're quickly approaching public mask burning protests this year... If there were a Sports Bettors and Beer Drinkers Party - I'm pretty sure they'd get more votes in the upcoming election than the Libertarians... Just a reminder the WHO also was against e-cigarettes... Cam Newton is on pace for just under 1,000 yards rushing for the season. If the Patriots make a decent run in the playoffs there's a chance Cam could match Tom Brady's career rushing yards (1,046) in a single season... "A rational person can find peace by cultivating indifference to things outside of their control." - Naval Ravikant... Not that it's getting much press coverage but the US economy is doing better than expected... 

Flotsam and Jetsam

 Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Its illegal to protest 35 or more feet outside a Planned Parenthood (35 feet in Boston and 39 feet in Portland for examples) but in some cities now its OK to come right up to your table at a restaurant and scream in your face. That's not a winning message... This is sportsmanship... Reading The Dynasty by Jeff Benedict. Based upon the reporting in the book I think it is safe to say that Bill Parcells will never be in the Patriots Hall of Fame as long as Jonathan Kraft is alive. He thought the Tuna was a bully and did not appreciate the way he treated his dad... 8 British expressions explained... Some of the results of the pandemic could be the return of paper bags at the grocery store (and the end of those plastic bags), the return of paper towels in public bathrooms (those blow dryers are awful) but the end of "All Day" breakfast at McDonald's (which is too bad because the Sausage McMuffin with Egg was my go-to order when forced by circumstances to eat McDonald's)... NYU Prof says 20% of colleges could fail because of the lockdowns.  Professor does an excellent job of documenting how college education ended up in this precarious position... 

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The Segway, the most hyped product since the Macintosh, ceases production. Way back in 2005 I compared the Segway to Bush's nomination of Harriet Miers. Don't think I was far off.

- CCP China really could be in trouble between the protests in Hong Kong, the Wuhan Virus, the border skirmishes with India and a number of other issues. Western corporations would be wise to decouple soon before the bottom really falls out.

- Nassim Taleb - IQ is largely a pseudoscientific swindle.

- 30 (current) beers that changed America

- Businesses sue Seattle over "occupied" protest zone. Good! And if the plaintiffs win how is Seattle to pay the damages? Their modus operandi has been to raise taxes which in turn will force other businesses to flee the city. Seattle could also appeal to the Federal government for relief but good luck with that!

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- VDH on what happens when the madness ends. You should read this one twice!

- And an example of what VDH was talking about. (Hat tip Instapundit)

- The parks of Minneapolis. This sort of thing is going to force some people to make drastic changes on how they vote. And others to simply move out of "progressive" havens like Minneapolis.

- Interesting look at how COVID-19 could effect the NFL salary cap with a particular look at how it could actually benefit the New England Patriots.

- The general wisdom of Ulysses S. Grant.

- Interesting article - How I became a poker champion in one year

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Is it possible that people will flee certain large cities like NYC to the point where the rent control apartments will be above market value? I can see that happening... If you vandalize a statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn in Austin you aren't a protester - you're an ignorant fuckhead criminal... Prediction - someone will come out with a fantasy football app where if an NFL player on your roster kneels during the National Anthem then that player is not eligible for any points that week. Not saying this is right or wrong but I am saying there would be a market for such an application... I would love to see Tesla come to some agreement to purchase the rights to the now defunct Pontiac brand. I think there would be a market for Tesla power trains, batteries and engines housed under a classic Firebird Trans Am body... If the NBA gets it going in the Orlando/Disney "bubble" it would be nice if the NBA and Disney allowed anyone staying there to accrue any loyalty program benefits even though the teams and the NBA will be paying the bills. Won't mean much for the millionaire players and owners but it would be a nice touch for the team and league personnel who have to be away from their families... Given recent world events I wonder if Alan Moore has changed his mind and dislike for the HBO adaptation of his graphic novel Watchmen... "Sometimes success is 3% brains and 97% not getting distracted by the Internet." - Shane Parrish...

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- People with Green Cards should not be prevented from re-entering the country. That said - I'm not worked up over the so-called "Muslim ban". Mostly because of this.

- The real reason Brent Musberger is retiring is because the body count from the Brent Musberger Drinking Game was getting too high.

- 9 facts about Charles Bronson. I love the anecdote about accepting the Death Wish role.

- The protesters are doing more harm than good to the Democrats. Listen to the people cheering the police in deep-blue Portland.

- Heh heh

Protest

The Boston Celtics showed "unity" in locking arms last night during the national anthem prior to the first pre-season game in Amherst, MA. The Los Angeles Lakers are also locking arms during the anthem.

I have no problem at all with these protests. They aren't exactly anything new under the sun though. Here's the 1960-61 Boston Celtics team photo - making a statement of civil rights equality.

As I've said before - I also don't have a problem with Colin Kaepernick doing this. What I do have a problem with is many of the same sports writers and sports talking heads defending and praising Kaepernick are the same ones who knocked or belittled Tim Tebow for doing this. Both players silently kneeling - one in protest and one in thanks.

I would love to have a scorecard for the hypocrites on this so I'd be better informed of which voices to mute.