Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 208

On Politics
In today’s polarized political atmosphere, I imagine one’s satisfaction and dissatisfaction with government is highly correlated with one’s political party and the party in power. Here’s a recent Gallup poll about Americans satisfaction with government.

Some like to complain about spending by the Department of Defense (DoD). As with any government agency, the DoD is subject to inefficiency. However, as it continues to trim its budget, the lawmakers inflate DoD spending by appropriating for equipment that the DoD doesn’t want. Here’s an interesting article.

In a response to what I wrote in last week’s OITS about Gov. Christie’s (R-NJ) situation, I appreciate this comment from Cayman (@Drinks Well With Others): “As much as I like the guy, the Governor cannot claim the buck stops here on the one hand and then play this off as someone else’s doing on the other. Not when these geniuses were hand-picked by him, he can’t.”

Politicians love pointing the finger elsewhere, thus one reason why I enjoyed this column about accountability by columnist Ruth Marcus. 

The warped nature of political philosophy continues to creep into daily life as the other day I heard a radio ad for Conservative Tours dot com. Sounds like the perfect tour for someone needing to be told what they want to hear.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Inclement weather prevents liar from getting to work
Report: Lake ice grows safer to venture out on with each beer consumed
Hundreds feared dead in Coors Light Party Train crash
Sports media unsure how to fit Super Bowl coverage into two weeks
Beauty industry announces new initiative to make women self-conscious about their palms

Interesting Reads
Columnist David Ignatius on Benghazi
For the investors, here’s an interesting chart about the performance of different assets
Deaths and antibody resistance
Leadership and infrastructure
An interview by Forbes with the writer of the Evolution Basics series (I love the Forbes title)

On Potpourri
The curtain closed on the successful run of Time: The Musical. After the regimented nature of the previous acts, it seems my wide-open closing requirement surprised some readers – so the producer will be receiving a medical evaluation. I hope to unveil the next musical right here in the OITS: Vol. 209.

Except for a few minor notes, our home did well with the buyer’s inspector, thus things continue to progress in a positive direction. Meanwhile, it’s time for the bitter cold to get out-of-town!

Sorry, but because of time demands, Saturday Morning Cartoons continues its hiatus until further notice.

From the Who-Cares file, is anyone surprised about the trouble finding Justin Bieber? Why are Jon and Kate Gosselin still in the news?

Here are your weekend celebrations

• (Fri) Beer Can Appreciation Day, Compliment Day, Peanut Butter Day, Eskimo Pie Day, Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day, Speak Up and Succeed Day
• (Sat) Irish Coffee Day, Seed Swap day, Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day
• (Sun) Peanut Brittle Day, Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement, Australia Day, India Day

Let’s use a dose of my high school days to send everyone into the weekend. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs, so cheers to The Stampeders from Canada with Sweet City Woman. Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.