Escape From Pianosa

Blogging has been light this week due to the return of fantasy baseball. Every February I prepare for my draft, usually in one massive fifteen hour effort over the span of a few days. My apologies to neglected friends, family, girlfriends, and clients.

From an interesting commentary by Theodore Dalrymple on the state of bureaucracy in the UK:

“His speech reveals what I have long suspected: that antiracism is the new racism.”

I still get emails from the University of Maryland and this month they’re having a whole line of workshops for the “Diversity Job Search.” To me, the message is: “you’re colored, and that means you’re different. That’s why we have a special job search program for you.”

To me, that sounds insulting, and pretty racist to boot, even though I believe that UM’s intentions are good.

And really, how would you feel if a company wanted to hire you just because you’re black or Hispanic? Wouldn’t that lead you to question your abilities? Shouldn’t the goal be color-blindness?

The sun reports. No word yet on whether the state will also approve laws banning the unjust seizure of homes for unpaid property taxes, an archaic and unfair practice that goes back to the early days of Maryland.

I saw Pan’s Labyrinth last week at the Charles, and I was mesmerized. It’s a strangely compelling story, weaving moments of violence and magic together in a remarkable way. Highly recommended.

Lenny Dykstra? As in Lenny Dykstra the baseball player?

Here’s Lenny on Comcast stock:

I am adding to my position in the July $35 (CCQGG) calls, buying 10 more July 35s at a limit price of $7. This will give me control of 2,000 shares all the way until the third Friday of July, July 20, with the average price now coming in at $7.80. In setting up for the exit, adjust the GTC (good till cancel) sell order down to 1 point higher than the cost, which is this case would be $8.80.

Sadly, Aaron’s bid to be the next Apprentice has come to an end. You can watch the final episode here.

Aaron was the latest victim of an unforgiving format that tends to ignore past performance and focus squarely on “what have you done for me in the last 24 hours?” Despite having won two weeks in a row, Trump (and the producers) came down on Aaron. This seems to fit the pattern in which the losing project manager gets canned, barring any really obnoxious or poor behavior by one of the losing team members.

The only thing that really bugged me was how they set it up, to portray him as quiet and ineffectual. The big deal about not speaking up the ‘week’ before in the boardroom was ridiculous. Trump thoroughly dominates the boardroom and having the winning PM in there with him is so gimmicky. I mean, as part of a job interview, you’re encouraging the prospective hire to criticize his team members and create drama? Ah yes, teamwork. As in the team working together to boost ratings. That’s reality TV for ya…

Obama in 2007:

“We can build a more hopeful America. And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a house divided to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America.”

Lincoln in 1858:

I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, [applause]—that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will for ever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.

‘Quick take’ takes a hit.’

Regular readers will know that I am generally ‘pro-development.’ I favor growth, especially for Baltimore City, which has grappled with population loss and urban blight for 30 some years now. More specifically, I’m in favor of land-owners having the right to do what they want with their own private property. Good design and good urban aesthetics are important and should be a part of the equation, but not to the point of squelching growth or trampling property rights.

Now, the so-called practice of ‘taking’ land from private owners and giving it to developers or other private entities is another story. Let’s be honest—the word ‘taking’ is little more than a euphemism for theft, as in “we’re taking your land and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

The quote of the day comes from San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsom:

“I’m not going to moralize it, but I don’t think this is the appropriate place” for a porn film studio, says the mayor, who recently admitted to having an affair with his re-election campaign manager’s wife.

Here’s more from the WSJ (RR) on the unintended consequences of San Francisco’s zoning laws.

Turns out there’s someone else in Baltimore who believes that maybe, just maybe, Wal-Mart isn’t a totally unmitigated force of evil. Him and you know, the millions of people who like to save money every day.