Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com already predicted the Mets would finish last in the NL East, now Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated gets into the act with not only a last place finish but a 74-win season.
Oh, and he doesn't seem like he thinks much of K-Rod either:
"The only safe prediction for the coming baseball season regards Francisco Rodriguez's $17.5 million vesting option for 55 game finishes. He won't be getting it, the games or the money.
K-Rod was brilliant this spring, and he may well continue that brilliance. But he isn't getting those games. Certainly not from the Mets. Nobody wants to pay more than Mariano Rivera money to another closer, least of all a team that has, shall we say, financial problems."
I personally prefer David Wright's sunny optimism:
"We have a bunch of guys with chips on their shoulders."
Let's Go Mets. Two more days until Opening Day.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Finally, a good reason to keep fake plants in the house...
This is what a game changer looks like:
MIT develops low-cost artificial leaf TG Daily
The implications of this are huge, especially for people like me that hate those fake plastic plants but would be willing to put up with them if they were generating solar power for my home.
MIT develops low-cost artificial leaf TG Daily
The implications of this are huge, especially for people like me that hate those fake plastic plants but would be willing to put up with them if they were generating solar power for my home.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Quoting Eminem...
Didn't Marshall Mathers III say in the Super Bowl ad for Chrysler that "This is the Motor City; this is what we do.'?
Oddly enough, Chrysler isn't mentioned here but Ford and General Motors are. The Super Bowl ad is still catchy though:
Oddly enough, Chrysler isn't mentioned here but Ford and General Motors are. The Super Bowl ad is still catchy though:
Quoting Ross Perot...
Remember when Ross Perot said in 1992 that "trickle down did not trickle". This is why trickle-down economics does not work:
Even wealthier Americans more cautious, survey indicates Richmond Times-Dispatch
Fed's Duke: Caution, Postponed Recov Seen in Pers Fin Data
Even wealthier Americans more cautious, survey indicates Richmond Times-Dispatch
Fed's Duke: Caution, Postponed Recov Seen in Pers Fin Data
Is it time again to bring up The State of New York City?
What I found really striking is the rise in the Asian population of New York, increasing 31.8%. Overall though, Mayor Bloomberg says New York City was undercounted in the 2010 census. More than anything else, this shortchanges the city from receiving much funding that it needs to service its population, the largest in the United States.
Perhaps it's time to talk secession again?
Perhaps it's time to talk secession again?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Probably a good idea because this wouldn't be popular with anyone.
Harvard Business School lecturer Robert Pozen comes up with an interesting idea for fixing Social Security. My guess is no one would like this idea, which is probably why it makes the most sense to implement and least likely to happen.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sky watchers anticipate Saturday's "supermoon": SmartBrief on ExecTech
This sounds really cool. Try to check it out if you can:
"Amateur astronomers will have quite a bit to look at this weekend when the moon makes its closet approach to Earth in nearly two decades, passing at a distance of about 211,000 miles. Known as a perigee moon -- or by the colloquial moniker "supermoon" -- Saturday's full moon will appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than normal, according to NASA. Some astrologers are blaming the phenomenon for the earthquake and tsunami that recently hit Japan, but that theory has been debunked by scientists. Space.com (3/13), CNN (3/18)"
"Amateur astronomers will have quite a bit to look at this weekend when the moon makes its closet approach to Earth in nearly two decades, passing at a distance of about 211,000 miles. Known as a perigee moon -- or by the colloquial moniker "supermoon" -- Saturday's full moon will appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than normal, according to NASA. Some astrologers are blaming the phenomenon for the earthquake and tsunami that recently hit Japan, but that theory has been debunked by scientists. Space.com (3/13), CNN (3/18)"
Friday, March 18, 2011
In an equally shocking story, the sun rose in the east this morning.
How many different ways can you possibly say 'It's about time':
New York Mets release second baseman Luis Castillo - MLB - SI.com
New York Mets release second baseman Luis Castillo - MLB - SI.com
Thursday, March 17, 2011
In case you missed it the first eight times, she said "We need a cop on the beat"
Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank writes about Elizabeth Warren appearing before a House committee yesterday stressing the importance of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He seemed to be particularly amused by her use of the 'cop on the beat' metaphor:
"If [Warren is] the cop, then banks are the robbers, and members of the Republican majority on the committee sounded like lawyers for the accused."
In case you were wondering, I'm guessing this was planned well in advance since the CFPB's web site has an image of a police shield with the letters 'CFPB' inscribed in bold block letters.
"If [Warren is] the cop, then banks are the robbers, and members of the Republican majority on the committee sounded like lawyers for the accused."
In case you were wondering, I'm guessing this was planned well in advance since the CFPB's web site has an image of a police shield with the letters 'CFPB' inscribed in bold block letters.
Great columns about education recently...
Lots of columnists writing about education of late:
1. Matt Miller picks apart the president's speech on education with a pointed critique of the difference between his words and his actions.
2. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan pens an excellent op-ed piece about the lack of commitment to education among the school's participating in the NCAA Basketball Tournament over the next three weeks. An excellent point from his column:
"If a team fails to graduate even half of its players, how serious are the institution and coach about preparing their student-athletes for life?"
3. Lastly, former NBA player and basketball analyst Jalen Rose writes about the reasons why college athletes should actually be paid to play for their schools. While it seems controversial on the surface, Rose makes some great points in the column, which is definitely worth reading.
1. Matt Miller picks apart the president's speech on education with a pointed critique of the difference between his words and his actions.
2. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan pens an excellent op-ed piece about the lack of commitment to education among the school's participating in the NCAA Basketball Tournament over the next three weeks. An excellent point from his column:
"If a team fails to graduate even half of its players, how serious are the institution and coach about preparing their student-athletes for life?"
3. Lastly, former NBA player and basketball analyst Jalen Rose writes about the reasons why college athletes should actually be paid to play for their schools. While it seems controversial on the surface, Rose makes some great points in the column, which is definitely worth reading.
The Worst Sports Fans in America Lists: GQ.com
Fortunately, Mets and Jets fans are nowhere to be found on this list. Even better, Yankee and Phillies fans make the list!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
"Hey Mr. Straw Man. Enjoy this delicious Red Herring."
Washington Post op-ed from Delaware Governor Jack Markell, calling out taxes to be the red herring they really are:
"The number of business leaders who asked me to lower their taxes can be counted on one hand. ...what I hear most from business leaders is that they want the government to continue to improve our schools, reduce the time it takes to issue permits and licenses, enhance our transportation infrastructure, protect our arts community, strengthen linkages between our institutions of higher education and local companies, and be responsive."
Hey you! Look quickly, over here to the RIGHT. I'm here to distract you from the guys on the LEFT trying to do the their job.
"The number of business leaders who asked me to lower their taxes can be counted on one hand. ...what I hear most from business leaders is that they want the government to continue to improve our schools, reduce the time it takes to issue permits and licenses, enhance our transportation infrastructure, protect our arts community, strengthen linkages between our institutions of higher education and local companies, and be responsive."
Hey you! Look quickly, over here to the RIGHT. I'm here to distract you from the guys on the LEFT trying to do the their job.
Immigration Reform North of 37 degrees North latitude vs. South of 37 degrees
Great op-ed piece in The Washington Post today about how immigration reform north of 37 degrees north latitude differs from immigration reform south of the 37th parallel:
"Conservative Republicans here [in Utah] - and Republicans don't get much more conservative than the statehouse variety in Salt Lake - say their bill is a gauntlet thrown down to the feds for their inability to deal with illegal immigration and the nation's demand for unskilled labor."
Interesting how the redder state of Utah has a more just and tolerant immigration law than the Papers Please Law to its south in Arizona.
"Conservative Republicans here [in Utah] - and Republicans don't get much more conservative than the statehouse variety in Salt Lake - say their bill is a gauntlet thrown down to the feds for their inability to deal with illegal immigration and the nation's demand for unskilled labor."
Interesting how the redder state of Utah has a more just and tolerant immigration law than the Papers Please Law to its south in Arizona.
Friday, March 11, 2011
That's kinda the point Joe
From Joe Scarborough's weekly column in Politico:
"White House watchers believe the president will not touch Social Security until he is safely ensconced in his second term."
This is seemingly passing comment in the column is unfortunately the problem for as long as politics has existed in the human community. When unpopular decisions need to be made, political leaders don't make them because it reduces their chances of getting re-elected. It's not necessarily a sign of cowardice. That political leader believes he or she is doing the right thing for his or her town, city, state, and country and can only continue doing so while in office and not out of it.
That's part of the reason presidents don't attempt any real reform until their second term, such as Reagan's 1986 Tax Hike. Obama addressing Social Security now would be akin to George H.W. Bush breaking his "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge. Presidents make controversial decisions in their second term because they don't have a re-election to worry about. As a two-term president, your place in history will be determined by how much you accomplish, not just if you're a two-termer. Unfortunately the fickle voting public will never re-elect you to a second term if you do something unpopular in your first term no matter how beneficial it is to the greater good.
Why is that a problem? Because the loss is usually due to the unpopular decision and, more often than not, the challenger will have run on a platform to get rid of whatever good yet unpopular thing the incumbent did, setting the whole country back.
So isn't the issue equally divided between the politicians in charge as well as the naivete of the voting public?
"White House watchers believe the president will not touch Social Security until he is safely ensconced in his second term."
This is seemingly passing comment in the column is unfortunately the problem for as long as politics has existed in the human community. When unpopular decisions need to be made, political leaders don't make them because it reduces their chances of getting re-elected. It's not necessarily a sign of cowardice. That political leader believes he or she is doing the right thing for his or her town, city, state, and country and can only continue doing so while in office and not out of it.
That's part of the reason presidents don't attempt any real reform until their second term, such as Reagan's 1986 Tax Hike. Obama addressing Social Security now would be akin to George H.W. Bush breaking his "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge. Presidents make controversial decisions in their second term because they don't have a re-election to worry about. As a two-term president, your place in history will be determined by how much you accomplish, not just if you're a two-termer. Unfortunately the fickle voting public will never re-elect you to a second term if you do something unpopular in your first term no matter how beneficial it is to the greater good.
Why is that a problem? Because the loss is usually due to the unpopular decision and, more often than not, the challenger will have run on a platform to get rid of whatever good yet unpopular thing the incumbent did, setting the whole country back.
So isn't the issue equally divided between the politicians in charge as well as the naivete of the voting public?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
But it's so expensive already!
I know I'm always plugging this guy's column but today's is another great one. If you think gasoline prices in the US have gotten ridiculously high of late, here's a little tidbit to pique your interest:
"What does a gallon of gas cost today in England, Italy and Germany?"
"...in all three countries, a gallon of gas today costs more than $8!"
Enjoy the rest of the column. It's a good one.
"What does a gallon of gas cost today in England, Italy and Germany?"
"...in all three countries, a gallon of gas today costs more than $8!"
Enjoy the rest of the column. It's a good one.
American Express Open Forum: 8 Powerful Communication Lessons from the White House
Great article posted on OpenForum.com about how small businesses can utilize some of the tools the White House uses for communication (with examples). These are:
1. Multiple communication streams
2. Be Simple and Creative
3. Solicit Input
4. Use Photos and Video Liberally
5. Produce Lots of (Good) Segmented Content
6. Internal Cross Marketing
7. Nothing Beats Real-Time Information
8. Build Interactivity Into Everything You Do
Definitely worth reading for anyone that needs a communications plan for a business, entertainment career, or any other kind of professional or personal marketing.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em..."
Ezra Klein writes a great opinion piece detailing the history of health-care reform in the United States and calling the Republican Party's bluff on their "alternative". He says it's "Put-up-or-shut-up time" for Republicans. Personally, I think their position is more like that of "The Gambler".
Monday, March 7, 2011
Nikki Haley is born on January 20th? Hmm...
The New York Times Magazine did an interesting interview with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Among some of the topics discussed are her disqualification as a 5-year old from a local pageant because she could not be classified as either 'White' or 'Black' to fit into the two categories of the pageant as well as her conversion to Christianity from Sikhism.
Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker first floated the idea a few years ago of Haley being part of a national ticket. With the dearth of viable candidates on the Republican Side in 2012, the GOP is starting to look like the 2004 Democratic Party, who essentially chose the least objectionable establishment candidate that ended up being overshadowed by a new upstart at the convention (some guy named 'Obama' or something like that.)
Could Nikki Haley be the 2012 GOP version of the 2004 Barack Obama? After reading the interview, I have a feeling she's hoping for a very happy 45th birthday for the presidential inauguration in 2017.
Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker first floated the idea a few years ago of Haley being part of a national ticket. With the dearth of viable candidates on the Republican Side in 2012, the GOP is starting to look like the 2004 Democratic Party, who essentially chose the least objectionable establishment candidate that ended up being overshadowed by a new upstart at the convention (some guy named 'Obama' or something like that.)
Could Nikki Haley be the 2012 GOP version of the 2004 Barack Obama? After reading the interview, I have a feeling she's hoping for a very happy 45th birthday for the presidential inauguration in 2017.
If you don't build it, don't ask why they didn't come...
Fareed Zakaria makes a point that is an open secret to everyone that does not hold a political office of some kind:
"The federal government spends between $4 and $5 on elderly people for every dollar it spends on children.
Why is this happening? To put it bluntly, children don't vote or make campaign contributions, and the elderly do both aggressively. Our political system is hyper-responsive to votes and money, so the natural consequence is that those who organize, vote and send in dollars are looked after."
It's sad that politicians talk about the burden on "our children" while they do nothing to stop the burden they are putting on "our children". All-in-all, this is a great article to read because, as always, Zakaria's pragmatic analysis is right on the money.
"The federal government spends between $4 and $5 on elderly people for every dollar it spends on children.
Why is this happening? To put it bluntly, children don't vote or make campaign contributions, and the elderly do both aggressively. Our political system is hyper-responsive to votes and money, so the natural consequence is that those who organize, vote and send in dollars are looked after."
It's sad that politicians talk about the burden on "our children" while they do nothing to stop the burden they are putting on "our children". All-in-all, this is a great article to read because, as always, Zakaria's pragmatic analysis is right on the money.
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