Idiocracy

Nexus

The BE Press takes a look at the effect of colder weather on exercise rates. I know. Who would have thought that rates would decrease?

Right/Obligation?

With all of this health care talk in the air, it's time to re-post my favorite in-depth report on U.S. health care from the McKinsey Global Institute. Registration is required, but both the summary and detailed report are well-worth the read.

Poor Phil

..."get a stepladder out and cut down the flag, like they do in basketball. I'd get up there with a pair of scissors, cut one little piece off, climb back down, pretend I was handing the scissors to the guy behind me in line -- which was just me again -- and climb back up, until the thing was off. Then I'd dig the entire cup out with all the turf around it and stick it in my bag, as a keepsake.".

Petering Out

Stratfor believes that the Twitter Revolution in Iran is almost done. If I was a betting man, I'd have to agree.

Deficits

The NY Times lays out the history of our current debt and the deficits that created it.

Porridge

The WSJ lays it all out for us. I just don't see any way for "Just Right" to happen.

And this piece in the NY Times tells us why. No one has the political will to tear down the current system and rebuild.

Takedown

A great movie. A great parody.

Remembering

John C., at BCC, reminds me to remember my experiences with divinity.

Stain

Marvin Perkins (Public Affairs Co-Chair of The Genesis Group) sits down for 12 questions regarding the Priesthood ban.

When I was in NY, I went to the Manhattan Stake Center and heard Brother Darius (who at the time was the President of the Genesis Group), flanked by 4 stake presidents, speak. It was cathartic and one of the things I force myself to remember in times of doubt.

Tres

8 pounds and 10 ounces of beauty.

The Road

Out of the eight movies, three magazines, and one book that I enjoyed during my recent trip to London, by far the best was the 2006 Pulitzer Winner, "The Road". Being the father of two young boys, I couldn't help but imagine myself as the father who despite all of the insanity surrounding him is determined to protect his son at all costs. I'm not going to give away the story, but it is a definite must (and quick) read. Bleak, terrifying, depressing, moving, and wonderful.

U.S. - Israeli - Palestinian - Arab - Iranian Clusterf*&^

Stratfor posts a fascinating look at what's really going on behind the photo ops and lofty speeches.

Stratfor continues to amaze me.

ASU, ASU!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Arizona State Snubs Obama
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Covering Up a Multitude of Sins

Usually when I'm upgraded to first class, particularly on a red eye to the east cost, I'm pretty excited. And then when I board the plane and relax in my chair and stretch my legs, I think to myself, this isn't so bad. And when I wake up after a restful four hours of much needed sleep ready to start a Monday full of vim and vigor, I think, I'm really glad I was in first class again. And that's usually how it happens. Except when it doesn't.

Two weeks ago, I was getting ready to stretch out in first class and looked at the empty seat to my right and slowly stretched out my arms and let out an audible cheer. One minute too early. Running on board with a minute to spare was our last passenger. And she took the first class seat next to mine. Usually in first class, we say our polite hellos and sink into first class land. Not this time. I could tell immediately that something was amiss.

First, she looked like a meth addict. Sunken in cheeks and weighing less than a 100 pounds easy. And second, she had the jitters. She couldn't stop twitching. Then she opened her mouth and didn't stop speaking for the next 5 hours. I won't even go into details, but suffice it to say that she had mental health issues. I think at one point, when she was talking about a terrible man she had a relationship and a child with, she made a circle with one hand and poking it by using the index finger on her other hand, told me that she shouldn't have had intercourse with that man.

At one blessed silent moment, she was quiet for all of 10 seconds, so I quickly curled up, turned away, and closed my eyes. To no avail. She, in rapid succession, turned the light on and off, making that loud clicking sound, until I opened my eyes and she said, "Oh, you're awake? I'm so glad. I hate flying and need someone to talk to."

Cheney for POTUS

Ross Douthat's inaugural NY Times. Much, much, better than Kristol.

"Limits of his obligation"

Stratfor takes a hard look at the pre-9/11 intelligence failure and the use of torture as an intelligence gathering tool.

False Bottoms

Dr. Doom doesn't like all of this optimism. Sadly, I'm with him.

Telos

The best argument I've seen opposing same sex marriage.

What the Internet is For

I was not aware that puppets could make me uncomfortable. Now I know.