Obama's Healthcare plan: "A Ponzi Scheme That Would Make Bernie Madoff Proud"

This seriously scares me if we get our country into this kind of mess. The bullet points to take away from this:

• It uses 10 years of increasing tax revenues to pay for only 6 years of the healthcare program (RED FLAG???)
• "It takes $52 billion in higher Social Security tax revenues and counts them as offsets. But that's really reserved for Social Security. So either we're double-counting them or we don't intend on paying those Social Security benefits."
• "The Senate Budget Committee chairman said that this is a Ponzi scheme that would make Bernie Madoff proud... You can't say that you're using this money to either extend Medicare solvency and also offset the cost of this new program. That's double counting."

Rep. Paul Ryan Gives Barack Obama A Lesson On How To Avoid Smoke And Mirrors, Double Counting And Ponzi Schemes "That Would Make Bernie Madoff Proud" [Zero Hedge]

Maloof's Renegotiaing Palms' Debt Structure

Article in the SacBee about the Maloof's renegotiating their Palms' debt structure. The article also notes that the Kings are in a solid financial situation, even if 2011 NBA season is a lockout.

"City Treasurer Russ Fehr said his review of the Kings' books tells him the team is capable of paying its annual $5 million-plus debt here.

Maloof said team finances have stabilized this year and 'the Kings are in good shape. Our revenues are up.'"

Maloofs renegotiating loan on Vegas hotel [SacBee]

Get off the Floor!!

One thing I hate about the NBA is how lax they are with rules. Mike Woodson deserved a Technical for being on the floor AND past the line designated as the coaches box. Jason Kidd just made a heads up play.

Jason Kidd also went for 19 Points 17 assists and 16 rebounds in this game. The 5th time since the mid-80's that a player has recorded more than 15 points, boards and assists. Only the 3rd player, it's been Kidd (2x), Magic Johnson (2x), and Bird (1x). I thought this guy was getting too old to do things like that.

Dear Barack Hussein Obama

Since I know you are a frequent reader of my blog, I'd like to take a quick second to point something out. You were elected by the people to govern on behalf of the people, as the their representative. Please look at the attached data and realize WE DON'T WANT WHAT YOU ARE SELLING. You can continue spending our money frivolously, just not on healthcare. I'm sure you can find somewhere else to waste a couple trillion right? Thank You.

p.s. I think changing your slogan from "Change" to "Reform" is a little late, the campaign is over...Also what are the Prius drivers supposed to do with their bumper stickers?




Even More Data:
[Real Clear Politics]

You Play to Win the Game

My buddy Matt passed this along to me...

Stu's Song

So the dog was just sleeping while I was doing some work and he started twitching and snoring, he must have been having a little doggy dream...it made me wonder...what to doggies dream of when they take their little doggie snooze:

NBA Salary Cap Info

Here is an excellent site for checking out NBA Salaries and the teams salary caps, projected 5 years out. The Kings look like they are really setting themselves up to make this summer a fun one.




[Hoopdata]

When your DVR Breaks

A few days ago our DVR broke. So we have to suffer through commercials this whole week, until our DVR arrives. While watching American Idol this one came on and we were dying (it was on during the Superbowl, but I had forgotten about it):




It also reminded me of this Shankopatamus one:

Checks and Balances

The framers of our Constitution put checks and balances in for a reason.

Now the Democrats are trying to do they same thing they fought against in 2005. Governemnt is such a joke...

ESPN Prank Called On Air

Weirdest thing in a while...some guy called into ESPN as Brian Westbrook, but ESPN forgot to actually check if it was him before they put him on the air.

The Exchange

From Garbage Time All Stars:



"I understand that this is pure fantasy, it's a business, life goes on, etc but let us note the trade deadline deal sending Kevin Martin to Houston and Carl Landry to Sacramento. Most modern NBA trades are unappetizing samplers of overpaid guys who've worn out their welcomes, nebulous future considerations, career 12th men and draft busts. This is different. Both of these guys rose from obscurity to become fan favorites. Kings/Rockets bloggers rushed to assure each other that they were sending a special player in the deal. It's one of those times when it hurts to be "cheering for laundry" (as Jerry Seinfeld put it)."


The Exchange [Garbage Time All Stars]

Mir v. Lesnar

Wow...I don't really follow MMA fighting. Yep, that means I don't eat raw eggs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and fourth meal. I don't wear Affliction shirts with my bulging biceps showing, going around trying to fight people. I do watch a little MMA here and there, but the comments that Frank Mir had for his upcoming fight were ridiculous. I know it's just to pump up his fight that much more, but there is no place for this in any professional sport. I know he has since apologized (likely forced by his attorneys, but that still doesn't make it ok.

This is what Frank Mir said about his upcoming fight with Brock Lesnar:

"A lot of individuals are so worried about being politically correct," Mir said in an interview with Mark Madden on WXDX radio. "I'd rather go ahead and say what's on my mind than to sit there and come up with some PC 'Oh, the guy is a great fighter and I have a lot of respect for him.' If I don't mean it, why is it even coming out of my mouth? ... I want to fight Lesnar. I hate who he is as a person. I want to break his neck in the ring. I want him to be the first person that dies due to Octagon-related injuries. That's what's going through my mind."


[MMA Fighting]

Kevin Martin vs. Kevin Martin

What's the Difference? Kevin Martin vs.Kevin Martin [Yahoo Sports]

Joe Paterno's Glasses - $9,000

A pair of Joe Paterno autographed glasses went in a charity auction for $9,000. Joe Pa's glasses are his trademark, and he just had surgery so the super think lenses we've known since 1966 (He's been the coach of Penn State for 44 years!!).

Paterno's Glasses net $9,000 [Mondesi's House]

Consistently Inconsitent

One problem the young Kings face is establishing a line-up that is optimal. Here is an interesting article about the inconsistency of their lineups and the correlation with a poor winning percentage.


You see the Kings have one of the most inconsistent lineup, but not the worst record. The other highlighted teams are those that are also "young" and searching for an identity.

"Whether inconsistent production forces an inconsistent rotation or an inconsistent rotation causes inconsistent production -- basically, a chicken-egg paradox -- is not something which can be figured out by a dunce like me in the span of one morning."




[Sactown Royalty]

Cross Country Snowboarding

My brother posted this on Facebook, but I thought it was funny. "It's an outsider's sport of an outsider, plus we do it outside. So we're rocking a triple entendre there, y'know?"

On a similar note, Shawn White rang the closing bell on the NYSE today.

Raptor Eats Cheerleader

I saw this a couple of weeks ago, but forgot to post it. Pretty funny...the blow up mascot is Mrs. Awesome's favorite mascot....

LaDanian Tomlinson Released by the Chargers

Pretty weak that LT was released today by the Chargers. We his numbers declining? Yeah, but he was still a good backup. What happened to keeping that one guy who was great just so they can retire with the same team they started their career with. It's sad that there is no loyalty anymore...but I guess it's how the game goes. I hope he can win a Superbowl with another team, just like Drew Brees did this year after being cut by the Chargers.

[ESPN]

Just as much a Sport as "Ice Dancing"?

Not saying I agree (or disagree) with adding Pole Dancing as an olympic sport (as this article says may happen), but what's the difference between Pole Dancing and Ice Dancing?? The criteria for the sport are the same, it's the judges scores based on a series of moves, with higher points being given to those more difficult moves. Just saying.

[ESPN]

Accentuate the Positive - Rolle Model

In a world filled with Tiger Woods, Pacman Jones, Plaxico Burress, Mike Vick, etc, etc. It is nice to finally see an athlete that is actually a FANTASTIC role model. Myron Rolle is a breath of fresh air...the guy was an all-american safety for Florida State, was chosen as a Rhoades Scholar (the most prestigious academic recognition) and decided to forgo his senior season to study at Oxford University. This guy is incredible, and needs to be more recognized for his accomplishments. Instead of focusing on Tiger Woods and his affairs, Pacman Jones and his arrests, Plaxico Burres shooting himself in the leg, Mike Vick and the Dogs...maybe the media can cover something that will inspire both kids and adults. Kids are very impressionable, and we will continue our descending spiral if we continue to inadvertently celebrate the athletes that are poor role models, but brush off the outstanding ones. I'm rooting for this guy, and I hope he goes in the first round of the NFL draft, and goes on to become a neurosurgeon after that. He's an inspiration and a great role model.


"He's an All-American safety. He can play saxophone and sing. He was the lead in his high school's production of "Fiddler on the Roof." He graduated from Florida State as an exercise science major in less than three years with a 3.75 GPA. He shadows doctors, dreaming of medical school. He says "please" and "thank you." He researches stem cells. He starts anti-obesity programs that the U.S. Department of Interior adopts, aimed at helping Native American children make smart choices about fitness and health. He raises money for hospitals. Myron Rolle, it can safely be assumed, not only eats vegetables, he likes them. Life hangs comfortably from his shoulders like a fine suit."

"Did you know Rolle likes to freestyle rap? He's more than a Windsor knot and an impressive résumé."


The article is lengthy, but well worth the read [ESPN]

Jack Drinks

I love Jack Daniels...more of a Gentleman Jack or Single Barrel fan, but if I'm mixing a I'll use JD. Now everyone typically thinks of Jack and Coke, but
here are a few more recipes if your interested.

[Jack Recipes via Made Man]

Who is Carl Landry?

Here is a great post on who Carl Landry is, and what he brings to the table. Since the Rockets (like the Kings) are in a relatively small market it's always tough to know what type of player you are getting. Sounds like he's a great energetic player. With only 1 year on his contract I hope we are able to keep him, he really seems to fit the Kings' style from what I've seen of him.

"You guys are going to love Carl. If you loved watching Kevin Martin grow, you're in for a similar experience, albeit not as personal, as Kevin was essentially born a King. Ziller took the words right out of my mouth: Landry is the power forward version of Speed Racer, an efficient scorer that could use work in other areas, but is otherwise a joy to watch. The fans will love his hunger and heart, and the team will love his playful, yet driven attitude. He's a fearless, tenacious teddy bear. Few people genuinely enjoy playing basketball as much as Carl Landry does."


[Sactown Royalty]

Dog Made Entirely of Unused Mops Somehow Not Best in Show

Haha...




[The Sports Hernia]

2010 Census: Know your rights

Please watch this to know your rights when it comes to answering these personal questions.

NBA Superstars and Their Travels

This is a breakdown of 1st All-NBAers and the # of teams they have played with.
Of Note:

• C-webb is at the top of the list with 6 teams

• Kobe, Dirk, Tim Duncan, Magic, John Stockton, and my favorite player David Robinson have all only played for 1 team.

• A few young guys have also only played for 1 team, but players like Wade, James, Stoudemire, Howard and Paul are all likely to go to other teams(maybe even this summer).

3rd World Countries: Less of a Gap than Media Makes you Believe

This is an interesting video (a little heavy quantitatively) showing that the gap between developed and 3rd world countries is less than ever, and less than media may have us believe. It also emphasizes that foregin aid needs to be focused on certain parts of countries (or continents) instead of a shotgun approach. So far so good, but it's time to put away the proverbial shotgun, and take out the rifle to make the world better.



Here is the site he references: GapMinder

What Would Brian Boitano Do?

WWBBD...

Since Ice skating is on (and shouldn't be in the olympics since there is never a clear winner), it made me think of this clip from South Park:

This Deserves The Death Penalty

Not cool Frenchies...not cool:

French traders sentenced for mislabeling wine

Attention K-Mart Shoppers...

Your opportunity to acquire K-Mart has passed.

The Kings made the blockbuster trade of the 2009-10 season today in a 3-way trade with New York and Houston. Congrats to Houston who now gets the frail 110 pound frame of one of the most 1 dimensional players in the league. He's a GREAT and EFFICIENT scorer, but is a huge liability on the defensive end. With a young team like Sacramento, they can't afford to have gaping holes on D, and they needed better D, their offense is fine as is. A great fit in Houston where they have a good defense that can fill the gaps that he leaves exposed.

This also frees up a ton of cap room for this summer's free agency market. It should make this summer a fun one!!

Here is the visual breakdown of the trade:




[ESPN Link]

1 Hole = $45,000

Can't imagine anyone who makes $45,000/year is very happy about this:

"Henrik Stenson, puking and pooping his guts out, dragged himself on the course to play one hole at the Accenture Match Play Championship, before withdrawing. Why even bother?

Stenson has had those dreaded "flu-like symptoms" for a while, so it was no secret he had no intentions of playing through the six rounds of the bracket. But he made sure to officially take the course, if only for ten minutes. Here's why:

If he had withdrawn before the round, Stenson would not have been paid for his troubles. But since he went one hole, he takes a T-33 result and last place money of $45,000.

Stenson should be excoriated for this. Not for making that 45 grand; I'm all for gaming the system. But for exposing the con. Those of us who were set to fly to Scottsdale for next week's Phoenix Open, only to pull out with a stomach virus after a single hole, don't appreciate having the whistle blown."

[Deadspin]

Obama's Tax Plan

This is a little old, as it says "President-Elect", but still true:

Olympic Schedule

If you are like me at olympic time, you are probably overwhelmed by all the events happening, when and whether it is a medal round or qualifier. So here is a list of all events, and here is a list of the televised events on NBC

Tyreke Evans!!! MVP of Rookie vs. Sophomore Game

Tyreke Evans, push stronger toward that Rookie of the Year bid!! 26 Points, 6 Rebounds, 5 Assists and 5 Steals...

Dejuan Blair played outta his mind too with 22 points and 23 rebounds.

Great Sports Weekend

So, I'm sure after the Super Bowl, everyone would expect this weekend to be boring for sports...I disagree.

This weekend is a GREAT weekend for sports here's what in the lineup:

• NBA All-Star weekend (Rookie vs. Sophomore Challenge, Dunk Contest, and of course the actual all-star game)

• The Winter Olympics. As a former skier and someone who grew up in the Tahoe area, I love the Winter Olympics.
  

• Some great college hoops. (Maryland v. Duke, Tennessee v. Kentucky, and West Virginia v. Pitt)

• Daytona 500. I'm not the least bit interested in NASCAR...except that Danica Patrick is making her Nascar debut, so I'm interested to see how it turns out. My ADD keeps me from being interested in watching an entire race of cars driving in circles, I'll catch it on SportsCenter.
  

Dogs Around the World are Sobbing Today

The inventor of the Frisbee, Fred Morrison, died today at the age of 90.

If I had to guess, I would have guessed he was already dead...I thought the frisbee was older than that. Guess they were invented in the 1950's.

WSJ Article

Meg Whitman 2010

So I somehow ended up on the awesome list for Meg Whitman's campaign.

I'm still not sure how they got my name, but 1 day after receiving a lame-ass DVD from Steve Poizner's campaign party, I got a signed copy of Meg Whitman's book: The Power of Many: Values for Success in Business and in Life This isn't some cheesy printed on signature, it is a legit blue sharpie signature...I thought that was pretty badass.

Will I read it? Probably not.

Does it affect my vote in the CA GOP Primary? TBD


I was siding with Whitman before this anyway, I think she would be a refreshing change from politics with career politicians and push more toward politicians that are involved out of civic duty. Not to mention she used to run eBay and anyone that knows how to run a Fortune 100 company is definitely fit to get California's fiscal disaster into some kind of order.

Tebow Super Bowl Ad

So, after much kicking and screaming by the pro-abortion groups about the ad that Focus on the Family was going to be airing during the super Bowl here it is, I hope they feel really stupid now.

It was nothing about abortion at all, and really just about family (imagine that).

Here's the ad, and the story behind Tim Tebow is here on my friend Aaron Klein's site.

The Story: Pam Tebow was overseas and had dysentery when she got pregnant. Doctors advised her to terminate her pregnancy, but she refused to do that. And just a couple of decades later, Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy because of her decision.


The Ad:

Are You There Reasearch in Motion? It's me Mr. Awesome

So, they say a lot of great ideas happen in the shower and I had an awesome one friday morning. A lot of people I work with are on the east coast and in other time zones, and being on the west coast, their 7am, is my 4am. I often am bombarded early in the morning with emails and texts, just as I am jumping in the shower. My idea? Make the blackberry waterproof, so I can type out emails while in the shower!! Now, I wouldn't say I am one of those people that is constantly connected to my BB, but in the early morning, I definitely am...and the shower would be a perfect place to answer a bunch of emails.

Genius? Yeah I know.

My Super Bowl Prediction

I say it will be Indianapolis over New Orleans 35-31.

Wall Street Meets The Strip?

Article about sports betting and bond market techniques, and how they are coming together to form live sports beting using bond market risk management techniques.


Cantor Fitzgerald Takes Wall Street Trading Software to Las Vegas - WSJ.com

Will the “Tampa Bay Curse” Haunt New Orleans?

This is from The Big Lead:

"If you’re a rube who believes in curses, you may want to bet on the Colts. Tampa Bay beat the then 13-1 New Orleans Saints 20-17 on Dec. 27. The result was seemingly meaningless, however no team that has lost to Tampa Bay during the regular season has ever won the Super Bowl in the same season. Fiercest logo ever."

Results Only Work Enivronment

R.O.W.E - It works...this video is lengthy, but is worth watching.

It talks about how incentives don't work in cognitive situations, but they do work in mechanical situtations. Near the end is where he discusses Results Only Work Environment. This is something I am a huge fan of. I basically work in a ROWE and it is great, as it afford me the ability to do things I want to do (non-work related) and allows me to get work done at anytime. Not 8-5 in the office. More and more this is becoming a shift in corporate paradigm.


Dan Pink on the surprising science of motivation

In Light of the New iPad

I think this is appropriate, given all the hype that surrounds EVERY Apple product that is revealed. The new iPad is nothing more than a big iPod, but yet, I'm sure they will millions of them, the only great feature is the reader, but Amazon has had one of those out for a couple of years now (and I think it is easier on the eyes). I have a macbook and ipod touch, and I think they are both awesome, but I'm not obsessed with every apple product that is released.