Monthly Archives: June 2007

Is God a Taoist? Learn a little about how experimental design and statistics work. As Darell Huff said, “it is easy to lie with statistics,” but as Frederick Mosteller said, “it is easier to lie without them.” Insensitivity Training If … Continue reading →

If you “make some noise” or “get pumped” because an electronic sign tells you to, you should not be allowed to vote.

I rushed out of work today because there was a sudden downpour and I thought I had left my sunroof open. (I hadn’t). The elevator stopped on the way down, and a woman got on with a basket. I mumbled … Continue reading →

“Hey sports fans!” No follow-up, no point like Applebees has more TVs or loves the Braves or half-off during playoffs. Nope, just getting your attention. Hey, Muttroxia readers! Madejalook!

The New York Times has a priceless editorial today. Using Michael Bloomberg as a springboard, they let loose with ripsotes like these: For a couple of days, at least, he changed the subject from who has raised the most money … Continue reading →

In no particular order, here’s some books I’ve read recently that I recommend. Sweet and Low (Rich Cohen): Rich Cohen’s grandfather started the Sweet & Low company. He lifted the family from relative poverty to generating hundreds of millions of … Continue reading →

Apart from the democratic morality and constitutationality of nationalizing local elections, another more pragmatic question remains: Is it smart? Does it work? Look at this email I got today from Moveon.org: It’s absurd—Joe Lieberman is throwing a fundraiser this week … Continue reading →

It’s the off-season for football and basketball, so what more relevant time to bring up one of my pet peeves about them? Muttroxia, it’s always topical! It’s not about the sports themselves, it’s about the sports broadcasting. Players are introduced … Continue reading →

John Kerry is raising money to target four GOP Senators. The added pressure may get them out of office in 2008, but the short term goal is that the threat of not being re-elected will convince them to break with … Continue reading →

Meet Irena Sendler, who saved 2,500 Jews during the Holocaust. Tortured by the Nazis, she never said word one, and turned 97 this week. An object lesson in “we will never ask for your username or password”. The last line … Continue reading →

Sid asked a fair question: So are you officially a Hillary fanboy? Haven’t kept up here for some time, but I believe you were of the “She can’t win, so why bother” persuasion when last we talked. I still don’t … Continue reading →

I stopped off for gas on the way back from the not-very-famous Marengo Caves in Indiana. Out here on ol’ Route 64, the technology is not particularly modern. It’s the first gas station I’ve seen in years that I couldn’t … Continue reading →

A bit of corruption in Congress? Say it Ain’t So! Democrats, like the GOP before them, refuse to give any real teeth to an Ethics Committee. Teeth means that you give an oustide group the power to investigate and penalize. … Continue reading →

I was reading yet another book about real estate investing and landlording, before yet again wussing out of the whole idea. Here’s the opening anecdote, labeled “Upside”: Twenty-five years ago, my neighbor’s dad took a real estate seminar, and got … Continue reading →

I’m addicted to Mrs. Freshley’s cupcakes, the cheap Hostess knockoff in the vending machines at work. They have become scarce for this last few months. I asked the guy who loads the machine if he could make sure to get … Continue reading →

The worst everything in movies. Hilarious. Animated Calvin & Hobbes. Mr. Rogers is even nicer than you thought. Follow the links at the bottom also. Ever wonder what happens to all those Mario’s who didn’t make it? The US Government … Continue reading →

Today’s cover piece in the New York Times Magazine is “Hillary’s War”. Let’s take a look at it, shall we? We’ll start with the cover and lead before moving to the content. The cover image: Unfortunately, the online version of … Continue reading →

I just shot the moon three times in a row. 78 to 78 to 78 to 0 for the easy win. Good god I’m happy.

The other day I got some junk mail. It was from Foundation Capital, the usual junk. Pay off your house equity, then refinance it with as an option ARM with incredibly low monthly payments that can be made in four … Continue reading →

Sorry about that. My .mp3s got linkjacked and used up all my bandwidth. More content coming soon.