Politician commentators

It is often mockingly said that the people who know how to run the country are driving cabs and cutting hair.

I have identified a new problem...the people who are running the country are pontificating like they are cab drivers and barbers.

WTOP Radio hosts "Ask the Governor" every Tuesday. This past Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was philosophizing about Michael Vick, the former NFL player now in the slamma for killing dogs.

Kaine: "I don't think somebody convicted of charges like this should be back in the NFL."

What, Vick should be driving a cab or cutting hair?

* * *

Perhaps Gov. Kaine would like to assign Michael Vick to a job. After all, if Vick should be barred from playing in the NFL, then would what Kaine have him do?

Let's fill-in Kaine's statement with some other occupations: "I don't think somebody convicted of charges like this should...

"work as a waiter."
"be a construction worker."
"work as a tax accountant."
"be a Chippendale's dancer."
"work at a job unless approved by the busybody governor of Virginia."

If Kaine doesn't want Vick as part of his inner circle, that is fine. But do we really need to hear what the busybody governor of Virginia has to say about Michael Vick? What the president-elect has to say about the college playoff system?

* * *

Note to myself: Actively campaign against Gov. Kaine next time around. Donate money to Kaine's opponent--as long he isn't a cab driver or barber talking about Michael Vick.

* * *

As I recently noted, president-elect Barack Obama has been quoted on a number of sports topics. Has he spoken out about Michael Vick yet? Will barackobamba.com become a blog?

* * *

A few days ago Obama was pontificating about the pay of CEOs and about whether or not CEOs should be flying around in corporate jets.

I will refrain from cursing about Obama because of this, I'll just point out that it isn't really his damned business how much CEOs are paid, what type of transportation they use, and whether or not they have "enough" money.

* * *

To be clear, I agree with Barack Obama about the college playoff system.

Allegedly the powers that be enjoy it when fans bicker about who is number one. I am not a part of those conversations. I'm a college football fanatic who has no interest in which team finishes number one under the current system.

Based on polls, records, and strength of schedule, the New England Patriots would have been selected as the number one pro football team last year. The New York Giants proved otherwise on the field.

* * *

I disagree with Kaine about Michael Vick. My regret is that Vick wasn't allowed out on weekend furlough to play football.

* * *

I am somewhat torn when it comes to politician bloggers. Being commentators may somewhat distract them from screwing around with the economy and being a busybody about my life. On the other hand, after philosophizing about the issues of the day, they may feel the need to "do something" instead of just talking.

I don't care what politicians think. They have power. They should just say what they plan on doing, without dressing it up in pretty talk.

Whenever I'm watching TV or listening to the radio and I hear a politician start a sentence with, "I think," then I shout, "STOP! Just tell me what you are going to do, smart ass."

And when they start a sentence with, "I don't think...," my response is usually, "Good."

CJL

Common Sense on North Korea (Korea Times, April 2, 2012)

By Casey Lartigue, Jr. As interesting as Kookmin University professor Andrei Lankov’s writings are, there is nothing quite like attending one of his lectures. He can barely restrain himself behind the podium, often pointing and waving his arms. I also enjoy his unscripted speeches, but his answers in Q&A sessions are like the difference between watching Michael Jordan shoot baskets in warm-ups and an actual game. I have finally discovered the secret behind Lankov’s consistently solid analysis about North Korea: Use common sense. At an Asan Institute conference last summer, he argued that North Korea watchers should try to understand North Korea from its perspective. Don’t most people know that you must understand the mindset of others you are dealing with? Yet, common sense in theory gets ignored politically. From the North Korean perspective, nuclear weapons are the best thing they’ve got going. They will NOT give them up easily, even if President Obama ...

Rich talking back

The rich are talked about very often in negative terms, but how often do the rich respond in kind? Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, who inherited most of her money but apparently has also done very well with it, recently railed against class warfare and had some advice for the non-rich : "There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire," she writes. "If you're jealous of those with more money, don't just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself - spend less time drinking, or smoking and socializing and more time working." She complained about politicians raising taxes, regulations that slow investment, and other anti-business policies that harm the poor. "If you want to help the poor and our next generation, make investment, reinvenstment and businesses welcome."

Random photos from today

I went walking around today. Whereas some people like to go walking in the mountains, I enjoy walking around in the city. Well, not D.C. or other cities with many homeless, crazy and/or armed people walking around... * * * Here's where I had lunch today. About $1.90 for a hamburger hamberger. * * * Ha-ha! Bet you never would have guessed that Batman is a drinking place in Korea! * * * Man Clinic? The Koreans walking by seemed to be very curious about why I was taking a photo of a "Man Clinic." They may know something I don't know...Actually, I wasn't curious enough to go in and find out what it was... * * * Right down the street from the Man Clinic...there's a Love Shop! I love the euphemism. "Love Shop" sounds much better than Sex Shop. I'm guessing that if you don't go to the "Love Shop" to buy condoms that you may need to visit the Man Clinic a short time later? * * * Nobo...

To be a good volunteer, use your brain (Korea Times, December 5, 2012)

By Casey Lartigue, Jr. There is probably an unwritten rule that a celebrity offering to do volunteer work for a good cause should immediately be embraced. Well, that’s not what happened to Jeong So-dam, the glamorous Korean cable TV announcer when our paths crossed on Nov. 29. Ms. Jeong was the MC of an event about American political philosophy hosted by the Association for Economic Evolution. During my speech about American libertarianism since 1940, I discussed my volunteer work for North Korean refugees. After the speech, Jeong approached me, asking how she could help. I gave her the same tough love I give to potential volunteers by asking: “Who are you?” After all, if you are Bill Gates, then open your wallet. If you speak four languages, then help with translation work. So I first stress to potential volunteers: Use your brain. Tell us about your skills and interests so together we can figure out your initial role. Jeong was good-natured about it, rather than c...

Last weekend: Suicide, Kim Young Ha, NK

Credit: Joanne Cho Event 1: Friday night I went to a talk given by Fulbright junior researcher Joanne Cho. She did a great job putting together statistics about some of the most commonly cited reasons that so many Koreans commit suicide. Probably the most provocative tidbit: Cho watched 86 dramas from the spring of 2012 to now, she says that 63 had "scenes depicting or discussing suicide" in a favorable light (as a way to solve problems, that troubled people can be forgiven for their sins and are even seen as sympathetic). Another interesting tidbit: While it is often cited that Korea is number one in the world in suicide (among countries reporting reliable statistics), what I had not realized or had forgotten is that Korean men are number 8 in the world compared to men in other countries with reliable statistics, Korean women are #1 in the world when compared to women in other countries. My questions for the speaker: 1) What was a finding in your research th...

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