Galactus is real!
1. Galactus is coming.
2. He sends heralds that set the sky on fire.
3. These heralds wield the POWER COSMIC.
4. Galactus' Worldship is HUGE.

You think waiting in line for 2 days to buy a PS2 is crazy? This is crazy.

If these facts are correct, and I think they are, what are the implications of 40 percent of Californians and 32% of Americans not paying any income taxes? Of families earning over $100,000 paying three quarters of the $30 billion in state income taxes California collected in tax year 2003?

Well, first, I think it should put to rest the canard that the rich run this country. If that's true, why do they let themselves get hosed and let the poor not pay any tax? Even better, not only don't they pay taxes, teh working poor get cash credits from the federal governement for working. Getting services without paying for them, that doesn't happen in most of the world, so how can any one claim the poor are trodden upon in this country?

Next, what is the moral foundation of allowing equal votes in allocation of income receipts when 40% of the electorate don't contribute to those receipts? Utility? Christianity? communist? Leo Strauss? Which moral system supports this?

Finally, when democratic society divides between those who pay into the fisc and those who don't, is that a healthy community? One where everyone feels they have a stake, or one where the tragedy of the commons will be repeated?

Food for thought.....

A really good article on... Paris Hilton?

"“Even a gossip columnist has limits,” Lloyd Grove wrote last year in the Daily News. “Over the past five years—without any discernible talent, education, scruples, manners, modesty, or underpants—[Paris Hilton] . . . has waged a terrifying campaign for world domination. . . . I’m through with her. . . . We’re a better country than that. Iraq is a better country than that.”"

The problem of the short-seller is summed up in my favourite financial adage: "The market can stay stupid longer than you can stay solvent."

Sony/Erik Wager Update:

4. Net negative loss suffered by Congressional Republicans in upcoming midterm elections (2006): o/u = 12 1/2 (15 is a loss of control)
Hodur takes Under.

Still close... can Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? Again? I'm 0-for-2 on this wager with three yet undecided, so come on you stupid pricks.

Tradesports betting seems to suggest that the dems will pickup 20-25 seats in the House, so I should be pretty solid here. On a side note, the most popular parlay has the dems taking the House and the reps retaining the Senate.

Paging A. What's your email? I left all your contact info at the old joint. All L.A. readers, there will be a BBQ at my house saturday starting 1ish. And a petting zoo and pony rides & a ton of kids for Payton Malone's 3d birthday. Please attend.