Trees And Things

One State's Approach To Solvency - Raid The Colleges' Endowments

Sun, 11 May 2008 08:09:40 EST

In these troubled economic times it's not really news to hear about state governments experiencing financial woes due to looming budget deficits. They can blame Washington all they want but, realistically they can't look in that direction for any relief from decreased state revenues and soaring expenses. They can cut state services, but many will argue the fat has been trimmed and what remains is muscle and sinew. Thus, states are left with the unpalatable prospect of raising taxes or finding new sources of revenue. Massachusetts thinks it has come upon a viable new source of revenue - a raid on private schools' endowments.

This War On Drugs Is For Suckers

Sat, 10 May 2008 10:41:31 EST

America's drug warriors never seem to tire in their quest to have something to get their bowels in an uproar. It's not enough that they seem intent on creating another "illegal drug" they can prosecute. Although, they might have an argument here - the use of Salvia divinorum does produce hallucinations (although not addictions). But our drug warriors are now onto another insidious drug-related threat to America. This substance doesn't produce highs, lows, or much of anything beyond potential tooth decay. No, the main thing about this substance is that the damned pot suckers taste just like weed.

Why Should Hillary Go?

Fri, 9 May 2008 11:26:02 EST

Hillary Clinton says she's in it "until a nominee is selected." The numbers are stark and they weigh against her. In order for her to win she needs to sweep up almost all the remaining delegates (superdelegate and pledged by primary vote). This is an impossibility. Therefore, the only thing she can accomplish by not bowing out is to possibly deny Senator Barack Obama a first ballot win and hope she might be able to win on a subsequent ballot. Despite the dismal prospects, Clinton continues to soldier on.

Parliament To Give Cannabis The Skunk-eye

Fri, 9 May 2008 06:42:49 EST

Britain's Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced the UK is reclassifying cannabis. It is currently a Class C drug and, in the future, it will be classified a Class B drug. The difference is that possession of a Class C drug tops out at two years behind bars, while getting caught with a Class B drug could cost you five years of your life. Smith said the government's decision, which still requires parliamentary approval, is part of a "relentless effort" to protect the nation's young people.

None Hit Blunders

Thu, 8 May 2008 14:36:46 EST

Those bands that never quite took off.

Is That "Let's Refuel America" or "Let's Refool America"?

Thu, 8 May 2008 06:25:35 EST

Chrysler LLC has a problem. They have a whole bunch of fuel-inefficient pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs in their inventory and gas prices show no signs of retreating from the neighborhood of (US)$4.00 a gallon. What the company needs is a way to make operating a gas guzzler attractive to the motoring public. In a sort of "turning lemons into lemonade" way, Chrysler says it's offering to do a solid favor for Americans and, in return, reduce their inventory of gas guzzlers. But, some who have looked beyond the company press release on the "Let's Refuel America" offer say that the only one gaining any favor is Chrysler.

It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got Death's Sting

Wed, 7 May 2008 05:44:36 EST

From bungee jumping to all sorts of extreme sports -- people do crazy things because the thrill achieved by risking one's life makes the experience worth it. Would the experience still be worth it if the risk were removed? Is it even the same experience? These questions are being raised in Japan by a group of merchants involved in the fugu trade. Put quite plainly, if you eat a dish of fugu or puffer fish which hasn't been prepared properly, you can die. But now they're selling non-poisonous fugu. The merchants involved in selling the toxic versions are upset at the potential loss of business. They also pose the question of whether living a risk-free life is a life at all.