Monday, December 29, 2008

Take Five

1. From The Economist:

A fairly mundane argument posed by a black liberal about a black candidate has become, somehow, evidence of Mr Saltsman's racial insensitivity. It's not that anymore than his old boss's joke about shooting Mr Obama was racist, or Inspector Clouseau's falling down a flight of stars is a protest of their architecture. Present the opportunity for stupidity, and they grab it.

2. Didn't even bother to watch it.

3. I'm neither atheist nor agnostic but this has become of my favorite blogs. I prefer my conservatism served up without the heaping helpings of religious fervor.

4. Kisber's right. It's certainly not the only reason, but the lack of a state income tax is indeed a major reason for Tennessee's relative economic strength. By the way, why is it that some of the most highly taxed states in the nation are the ones with their hands out? Check the lineup: New York, New Jersey, California...I don't get it. They have "progressive" tax systems with income taxes. Everybody's paying their "fair share." Everything should be hunky-dory. What could possibly be the problem? More to the point, why is it supposedly somehow our ("our"= people who do live in those states) problem?

5. He'll be back. Someday.