Some random thoughts from perusin’ the web:
Obama Caught with Open Mic - In a story the GOP is sure to play up from now through the election, Obama was caught saying something to Russian president Medvedev about the European missile defense system, asking the Russian to give him “space” on the issue until after the election. It’s not exactly surprising to hear that when (seemingly) out of the range of an open mic, this is how a politician would talk. There’s no doubt Republicans will act indignant on the story, and will righteously declare that all Obama cares about is getting re-elected, and is just playing politics until the election. And…they’re probably right. Obama can take heart though that 1) Republicans are JUST as apt to put politics over the welfare of the country, and 2) in the short news cycles we have, it’s only a matter of time before Romney makes a verbal gaffe and pushes this off the front pages. The real losers in all of this are all the voters. I can already picture scads of Republican ads this fall that feature this Obama comment, just as I can already see scads of Democratic ads this fall that feature stupid Romney comments.
When do plants know to bloom in Spring? - This story is definitely relevant this spring! Interesting read if you get a chance. We’ve already got things blooming here, in South Dakota, in March, in response to the incredibly warm weather we’re having. There have even been Hummingbirds spotted in adjacent states of Nebraska and Minnesota! I don’t usually see them at my house until the first week of May! But as this story notes, for some plants, day length doesn’t matter, temperature alone can trigger blooming. As such…my hummingbird feeder is going up this week!! Who knows??
Tim Tebow welcomed in New York - Few things bother me more in life than our incredibly shallow American culture, and what passes for being a “celebrity”. We have “celebrities” who have done nothing more than be participants in a “reality” (hah!) TV show, or are simply famous for being complete jackasses. In the sports world, the artificial nature of being a “celebrity” was quite obvious over the past week, when the Denver Broncos signed Peyton Manning to be their QB, and subsequently traded Tim Tebow to the New York Jets. Manning is a Super Bowl winner and an NFL MVP. Tim Tebow? He was one of the poorest rated quarterbacks in the NFL last year. But yet, the stories have at LEAST been 5 to 1 about Tebow instead of about Manning. Tebow to me is one of those “artificial” celebrities, now that his college career is well in the past. He CERTAINLY doesn’t deserve the attention for what he’s accomplished on the field in the NFL. He gets attention simply because of his very public, very over-the-top profession of his religious faith. In America…THAT’s what gets you noticed…acting outside-the-box. Peyton Manning’s accomplishments? Unimportant compared to Tebow’s unusual personal life. I wish I could say it was just sports, but this story is a microcosm of America in general. Working hard and achieving great things in your line of work? That’ll get you nowhere!! What you NEED is a viral video! What you NEED is to be a wacky, vocal jackass! THAT’S the kind of thing that gets you noticed in today’s America!
Supreme Court Tackles Obamacare - The Supreme Court today started hearing arguments regarding the legality of ObamaCare. In a poll, 56% of Americans believe Supreme Court Justices will rule according to their own personal politics, while only 27% believe that ObamaCare will be judged according to the law. I can’t say as I disagree. What’s always baffled me…why SUPREME COURT JUSTICES are either categorized as “Liberal” or “Conservative”. Isn’t the LAW above politics? Why the HELL should LAW be judged according to one’s own personal politics? Are American laws SO poorly written, are they SO open to personal interpretation, that Supreme Court decisions are (seemingly) always split according to perceived political persuasion of the Justices? In the end, what I FULLY expect…a 5-4 decision to repeal the mandate component of Obamacare. Why? Not because of any legal precedent or ruling. No, I expect a 5-4 ruling to repeal much of Obamacare, simply because 5 current justices are considered “Conservative”. Hey…I TELL you that I’m a CYNICAL scientist. Unfortunately, when it comes to my cynicism in matters such as this, I also have a hell of a lot of evidence to back me up.
