Exploding Dog

No, its not at all what it sounds like. Take a look at some of the cartoons from "Exploding Dog". This creator has two interesting things going with these cartoons. First, his illustration style is so simplistic, it can be quite emotionally provoking (sometimes). Second, he creates his cartoons based on single phrases or sentences that people submit to him as ideas. I don't like all of what he has come up with, but I found some of them to be interesting.

Ripping on Windows Vista

Here is a funny YouTube video that rips on Windows Vista. Some clever jabs there. I have one computer with Vista, and don't have any major gripes actually. But I still found this video kinda funny.

Daniel Boone and the Nanny State

The Orange County Register recently published an interesting satirical piece: Daniel Boone vs. the Nanny State. While I certainly want to live in Daniel Boone's time, this essay makes many great points.

We Are Seeing Something Special in the NFL This Year

This year NFL fans are being treated to something quite special: the New England Patriots. It is certainly no surprise that they are doing well of course, as they have won three Super Bowls in the past six years (2002, 2004, 2005). And as has been said countless times before the season began and since, Tom Brady has his strongest corps of wide receivers ever. But after today's beating of the Redskins 52-7, the Patriots stand at 8-0 and have really not been tested:

• 38-14, at New York Jets
• 38-14, San Diego Chargers
• 38- 7, Buffalo Bills
• 34-13, at Cincinnati Bengals
• 34-17, Cleveland Browns
• 48-27, at Dallas Cowboys
• 49-28, at Miami Dolphins
• 52-7, Washington Redskins

One could say the Cowboys were a test, and the Patriots passed with flying colors. The game was close initially, but then New England scored at will such that the end result makes it look lopsided.

The Patriots have scored 30+ in every game. And theyhave scored 40+ in their past three games.

The biggest game of the year thus far will be next week, as the Patriots play the also-impressive Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are 7-0, having already had their bye-week. Tihs Brady vs. Manning matchup is a fan's dream. Indeed, if you aren't a football fan and you only watch one game this entire year (aside from the Super Bowl perhaps), this game next week between the Patriots and the Colts is the one you should watch.

As I write this I'm watching game 4 of the World Series, which if the Red Sox win will be the end of it. A good time to be a Boston sports fan, apparently. I'm not one, but I'm not a Boston-hater either.

Romney On the United Nations

Since he's a conservative Republican, there are many things that I disagree with Mitt Romney about. But there are some areas of agreement too, and his recent statements about the United Nations seem to be on the right track. See Romney Calls UN an 'Extraordinary Failure'.

I agree that the UN has been a huge failure over the years, on many dimensions. Not that it hasn't done any good for anyone at any time -- surely it has here and there. But overall, I think it has done far more harm than good. And I don't just mean the obvious, direct harms -- such as UN workers raping women in the Congo, or massive corruption schemes like Oil for Food, or the many other items that have grabbed headlines.

I'm also talking about the apparently less obvious harms that arise from actually having a body that is composed half of democratic, relatively rights-respecting nations, and the other half literally populated by criminals. And make no mistake, that is what nations run by dictators, tyrants, monarchs, communists/socialists, and so on are -- they are nations run by criminals. Such statist regimes deny individual rights by their very nature -- some worse than others, but all to such a degree that they are different in kind than the relatively-free nations of the world like the USA, Britain, Canada, and so on.

So I'm glad to hear a Presidential candidate in the US call for "a coalition of 'free nations' as an alternative to the UN." Good for Mitt. Much of the news on this story centered around the UN's Human Rights Council, which the US has boycotted from the perspective of diplomacy and membership, because it insanely allows countries with horrible human rights records to be members.

But the HRC is not the core problem -- the UN as a whole is. I mean, what sense does it make to invite practically all nations of the world to gather to discuss issues, when so many of these nations are ruled by criminals? Do our police sit down a big table with known criminals to discuss issues in our cities? Uh, no. Too simplistic of an analogy? I don't think so.

One other thing to note about the MSNBC article linked above in particular, as it includes the following: "The comments highlighted the deep mistrust of the UN among many US conservatives, who view the organisation as an obstacle to US interests and a constraint on US power." While there might be some "conservatives" who bemoan obstacles and constraints to US interests and power in the world, this is a misunderstanding -- or blatant misrepresentation -- of the complaint that most conservatives, libertarians, Objectivists, and others have about the UN.

The primary complaint about the UN is not because it lessens US interests, but because it is inherently corrupt and does more harm than good -- objectively speaking. The UN is rotten at its core, because it allows nations ruled by criminals -- tyrants, dictators, monarchs, and so on -- to have seats at the table, chairs on the Human Rights Council, and positions from which to negotiate with the relatively free, rights-respecting nations of the world. That is the issue, and that is why the UN should be abandoned, and if any organization is created to replace it (debatable), it should be formed with far higher standards of admission.

Hamline Student Suspended and Required To Take Mental Exam

A Hamline University student has been "suspended a student after he sent an e-mail suggesting that the Virginia Tech massacre might have been stopped if students had been allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus." But it gets worse... for him to return to school, he must take a mental health exam! See the FIRE press release, and the supporting docs too.

It never ceases to amaze me... the rights-violating things that some university officials will do these days. Thank goodness we have FIRE around to fight for the rights of students, and to fight back against such irrationality. Out of all the great cases that FIRE has fought and raised awareness of over the years, I think this one is in my top-10 -- or bottom-10 in the sense of being the most bizarre and wrong. To claim that someone who makes a common, sensible, and quite defendable (whether you agree with the conclusion or not) argument in an email is actually a threatening person who must have his head examined to be allowed to return to class... wow. It doesn't get much worse than that!

Regular Event: Train Through a Market in Bangkok

How is this for an apparently regular event... a train goes through what is otherwise a marketplace in Bangkok! This reminded me of a scene, somewhat different, from the movies Raiders of the Los Ark, where once Indiana takes control of the truck with the Ark, he is sheltered by the locals who quickly cover up where the truck has driven with market tables, fresh fruit stands, and so on. But this train scene is more interesting than that... since it is a) real, b) seemingly a regular occurrence involving the coordination of many people.

2007 All-Star Squad -- What about Beckett?

In his Sunday column, local sportswriter Bob Mathews presented his 2007 All-Star squad.

I agree with Prince Fielder at 1B, with Howard and Pena as honorable mention, although I might have also mentioned Albert Pujols. Although Prince Albert didn't have a typically awesome season, he did hit .327 with a .429 OBP, 32 HR, and 103 RBI.

I can along with Chase Utley at 2B, even though missed some games due to injury. He also mentions Cano and Polanco, while I might have mentioned Brian Roberts or Brandon Phillips in addition or instead. Especially Phillips, as he joined the 30/30 club with 30 HR and 32 SB.

I agree that it was a great year for NL shortstops, and I agree that Rollins was the best of them. Hanley Ramirez is a solid honorable mention, though I don't see how he can mention Jeter without also listing Reyes with his 78 SB and 119 Runs.

At 3B choosing A-Rod is a no-brainer, and I like the four he mentioned as also-rans: Chipper, Cabrera, Wright, and Lowell. And that still leaves out fine seasons from Atkins and Aramis Ramirez.

His catcher is Posada, which is a fine choice, since he gave V. Martinez and Russell Martin their due as honorable mentions.

David Ortiz had yet another great year hitting, so he is the clear choice at DH. Bob mentions Frank Thomas, who had a fine year as well.

In the OF, the three starters are Holliday, Ordonez, and Vlad Guerrero. I can't argue with those selections, and he also honors Ichiro, Carlos Lee, Granderson and Crawford. There are many others he could have mentioned as well, like at least Eric Byrnes given his important role for the playoff Diamondbacks.

Bob lists Jake Peavy as the top RHP, and that seems obvious. The top LHP title goes to C.C. Sabathia. For RHPs he mentions Penny, Carmona, Lackey, Wang, and Webb -- and all had fine seasons. But what about Josh Beckett? This seems to be the biggest omission from Bob's column! Beckett was the only 20-game winner this year, posting a 20-7 record, with a 3.27 ERA, and 194 strikeouts. I would have honored Beckett ahead of Wang, Penny, and even Carmona, though perhaps not Lackey or Webb. As additional LHPs, Bob mentions Bedard, Santana, and Hamels, and I have no problem with that group.

For relievers, his top pick is J.J. Putz and I agree there. He then mentions Saito, Nathan, and Papelbon, and I like those picks too.

His MVPs are A-Rod and Holliday, and I agree... with Holliday barely edging Rollins in the NL. And I like his Cy Young choices of Peavy and Sabathia, though I could see Beckett winning the AL vote. Dustin Pedroia certainly had a good AL rookie campaign, so I like him getting the ROY there. The NL ROY is a tougher call, as Bob goes with Troy Tulowitzki in a tough call over Ryan Braun. Troy did play the entire season, but that is what makes Braun's numbers all the more impressive -- he has better numbers in 150-fewer at-bats -- so I give Braun the NL ROY award.

It was quite a season, and I'm looking forward to the playoffs!

Amazing Animals

Here is a great collection of photos of some amazing creatures.

We Should Have Less Health Insurance, Not More

John Stossel makes some outstanding points in his column Our Crazy Health-Insurance System. Government intervention, perverse incentives, vicious cycles... it has all led the current mess that is the American health-care system -- or rather, the way we pay for our health-care. I could quote many great bits from this column, but instead I'll just strongly encourage you to read it yourself -- it isn't long!

Vicipaedia

Now here is something I wouldn't have thought of... a Latin version of Wikipedia. It is called Vikipaedia. Apparently this is a good place for people to practice their latin skills.

Granderson and Rollins Join Elite Club

Here is a followup to my earlier posting about the incredible season of Curtis Granderson this year. Not only did Curtis join the 20/20/20/20 club (HR, D, T, SB), but Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies has as well.

Is that a big deal? Yes! In the history of the game how many people have had such 20/20/20/20 seasons? Just two: Willie Mays in 1957 and Frank "Wildfire" Schulte in 1911. And now all of a sudden this club doubles in size in one season!

Here are the final numbers for Granderson and Rollins in 2007:

Granderson: 38 D, 23 T, 23 HR, 26 SB (only 1 CS), .302 Avg, 122 Runs, 74 RBI

Also, Granderson's 23 T is the most anyone has had in a season since Dale Mitchell's 23 in 1949.

Rollins: 38 D, 20 T, 30 HR, 41 SB (only 6 CS), .277 Avg, 139 Runs, 94 RBI

Oh, and for what its worth, it seems Jimmy Rollins broke the record for most At-bats in a season this year with 716. The old record was Willie Wilson with 705 in 1980. He also set the record for most Plate Appearances with 778. The old record was 773 by Lenny Dykstra in 1993.