Ruminations

I wondered how guys like Rahm Emanuel and Richard Holbrooke could switch so easily from the world of government to high finance. Then it dawned on me -- they didn't do anything in high finance other than bring their Rolodex's.

Keith Olberman's numbers are on par with Fox's daytime numbers. He may want to switch his format and broadcast, well, how about news?

I long ceased to pick up a copy of the dead tree version of The New York Times. Why contribute to the salaries of those pinhead editoralists and op-ed writers? Well, I was surprised when I came across a copy not too long ago -- fairly thin with gaudy front page ads. Now with layoffs and paycuts, it's safe to say that the ship be sinking.

I came across this episode of Law & Order recently. I like the program but their understanding of all things military was awful. Goes to show what happens when you don't pay for a military advisor. Sometimes I get the feeling that's the way it is with Team Obama.

I read a Journolist thread on Mickey Kaus' site. Last time I was animated as those losers was when I was in grammar school. My question -- who is paying these guys?

Kudos to Chelsea Clinton and the Bush sisters for realizing that nobody cares what they think. Unfortunately, Meaghan McCain and Ron "Skipper" Reagan didn't get the memo. (Do you think that if either of them were conservatives in their own right that the media would give them the light of day?)

General Electric had a harsh "move up or move out" policy. Obviously, they got rid of it otherwise, how can Immelt and Zucker still have their jobs?

Ruminations

Call it the Snyder Curse, but ever since Dan Snyder assumed control of the Washington Redskins, they haven't been, well, contenders. They overpaid for Albert Haynesworth to fix their weak defensive line. Now it appears that Mr. Haynesworth may spend some time in the clink.


I don't know why MSNBC treats Keith Olberman as the 800 pound gorilla -- among the 25-54 demographic, he's third among the news cable shows at 8 PM EDST and dead last when he's repeated at 10 PM EDST. Not exactly a barn-burner. But I figure he's the reason why there isn't a new show with a new host at 10 PM -- he doesn't want the competition within (MS)NBC.


Sooner or later, Obama -- if he's serious about entitlement reform or opts to finally make a tough decision -- he's going to have to buck his party. However, as he folds repeatedly like a lawn chair to get their support for "gimmes" such as a budget and a stimulus -- he's setting himself up for failure. Come this fall, Congress will be looking at 2010 -- not what Obama thinks is best. He's burning valuable political capital now.


For reasons beyond my meager ability to understand, it seems that education, energy, and health care are woven into the current economic crisis. Well, what about the lack of a college football playoff? I can imagine President Obama, saying the following: "Unless we get a definitive national college football champion, the current financial crisis will persist. That's why, today, I have established a federal commission..."


Nobody wants to jump on a sinking ship, but you'd think that getting 18 or so financial whizzes to join the Treasury Department wouldn't be this difficult. My gut tells me that nobody wants to work for Timmy Geithner.


A New York radio station changed formats this week from "mainstream" rock to Top 40. I was traumatized when this happened when I was a teenager. Nowadays, does anyone listen to the local radio?

Ruminations

There are days when Tom Friedman has nothing in the tank. Today is one of those days.


At what point does dementia come into the conversation about Mike Lupica's apparent obsession with steroids? We get it: steroids are bad and the players who use them are evil. Does he have any other arrows in his quiver?


You have to hand it to Obama -- he's brought change. He's got the middle class out protesting. I just hope it continues.


I caught Rush Limbaugh's "national address" yesterday at the CPAC gathering. Good stuff. But what's with the Johnny Cash outfit?


The most dangerous place in the Bronx is between state senator Jeff Klein and a camera. The most undeveloped place in the Bronx is between his ears. It's one thing for Uncle Sugar to punish those who make over $250K -- there is little recourse. When state governments do it, then people move.


On that topic, the ultimate in terms of big pay/little work gigs is working in the most dysfunctional state government -- New York's legislature. Klein fits right in.


Bill Simmons at ESPN paints a bleak picture of the NBA. Go figure. After six weeks, you know who's going to the playoffs; they're just playing for seeding for the virtual second season. And it shows in those lackluster December - March games. Who's going to pay to see that? Especially in this economy.


If agents could be charged for malpractice, Scott Boras would then have to get a lawyer. He's totally botched the negotiations for Manny Ramirez. (Manny, alas, is too dumb to notice.)


I caught Keith Olberman bashing Bush last week. For a second, I thought it was a repeat. After all hasn't he been out of office for a whole month now? I guess if you can't say anything good Obama, well. . .