Snow day

Not only did I not leave the house today, but the only time I even thought about going outside was when I threw my orange peels and apple cores outside, and that was quite enough -- not that windy, but very cold and there was plenty of snow.  My plow person arrived about 4, and it was most impressive, as there was a LOT of snow; I can easily see 8 or nine inches (I will measure tomorrow).  Supposedly it will end by midnight and hopefully they can plow clear.  I was fascinated by all the stores that announced they were closing at 4; I guess it is good to do it during the break, but...making people go in during the first/worst round...that's ok.

So, another person has been killed in Minneapolis.  On the one hand, we don't want people -- especially actual American citizens -- getting killed.  On the other hand... I am not sure that was is going on, protest-wise, is...legitimate?  Running up to someone with a gun is not exactly a wise choice, and I suspect that you really can't tell in real time whether it is a camera/phone or gun.  Certainly, a threat assessment is going to be...fragmented.  Both sides are correct in that they need to de-escalate, but will they?  How can you?  If the feds pull out it will be seen (rightfully) as a retreat, and if the protestors go home... the same.  Not that you can negotiate with these people.  I give the Administration credit for the aggressive defense of their actions, but...then again, with the press, it is a hostile reaction across the board.

The Elite College Suing Its Own Star Quarterback - WSJ
This story gets better and better!  To be sure, there is something to this; if you give a bunch of money to someone, you expect them to stick around, and if they want to leave, they should pay, right?  In some ways, this is a normal business deal...of course, it isn't, for now.  Again, the NCAA should be the one setting rules about this, but... in the meantime, the lawyers will rule.

Have We Become so Cynical, so Jaded, That $9 Billion in Fraud Against the Taxpayer Isn't a Huge Issue? – PJ Media

Many have said that I am jaded and cynical, so I saw this headline and had to dig into the article... and this is largely correct.  There is something to be said for the right-wing argument that all of the protests are ginned up to protect the money machine.  I realize we are well-past the Everett Dirksen comment about a billion here, a billion there, soon you are talking real money...but if there is not an accounting, and punishment, and reform...