Random Thoughts and Links

Here is a creepy story that shows that even in death they won't leave you alone:

For sale: eternity with Marilyn Monroe Elsie Poncher wants to sell the crypt, now occupied by her husband, above the actress to help pay off her Beverly Hills mortgage. Her starting price on EBay: $500,000.

If you haven't read "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin I highly encourage you do so. Gave a greater appreciation of Abraham Lincoln's political acumen.

Michael Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Good move. The worst thing for Vick would have been signing with a team that would want him to start right away. The Eagles have Donovan McNabb and won't rush Vick. Heck, they may not even play him much at all. I'm not a fan of dog fighting and wouldn't allow Vick to watch my dog, but I have no problem with the league reinstating him and a team signing him. He was convicted of a crime and served his sentence. I didn't want the Browns to sign him because I never thought he was a great QB and I'm pretty sure his skills declined while in prison.

Last week while on jury duty, I had two different people after hearing my last name (Keane) asked me during breaks if I was related to a Bob Keene. To the first one to ask I responded that I had a brother Bob but he lives in the Cleveland area and I doubted that's who he meant. That guy said no. The one he was thinking of lived in Fairfield (a Cincinnati suburb) and when I asked how that Bob spelled his last name he said K-e-e-n-e and he went on to say that poor guy looked just like me. That afternoon a woman juror asked a similar question and echoed the earlier claim that Bob Keene looked like me she went further and said our voices are similar as well. Odd. She did say he is a good plumber so maybe I'll give him a call when we get around to remodeling the guest bathroom.

Today's funny headline: "Health Care Stirs Up Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, Customers Boycott Organic Grocery Store." Huh? Nutty people pay higher prices at Whole Foods stores and now they are threatening to boycott over concern that the company CEO isn't nutty enough since he isn't supporting the ridiculous health care "reform" plans being floated by congress and the Obama administration. Guy should know better. When you cater to that crowd there are some things you shouldn't say. Things like . . . you believe we actually landed on the moon or that communism or socialism are bad economic theories won't go over well with the vegan & organic food crowd.

Do you use Verizon for your cellular service? Better review your monthly bill. Apparently, they are padding the bill with extra charges. Sounds like they are only stealing a few bucks a month. However, if they have tens of millions of customers those few bucks a month add up. I have a feeling a class action lawsuit may be forthcoming.

A little potential good news: Mass. likely to lose seat in US House.

Isn't a life sentence supposed to last until the life is over? Manson follower 'Squeaky' Fromme out of prison. After the assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy as well as attempts on the lives of Roosevelt, Ford, Reagan, and others it is important that we make it very clear that attempts on the president's life equal the end of your own life or freedom.

Keep this tidbit in mind whenever you here people citing stats about hate crimes and racism, etc.

NEW ORLEANS — An African-American man from Mississippi admits posing as a white supremacist to send a death threat across state lines by Facebook. The U.S. Attorney's Office says 20-year-old Dyron L. Hart of Poplarville pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to making a threat in November 2008. Hart admitted creating a name and using a white supremacists' photo to pose as a white man who planned to kill blacks because Barack Obama had been elected president.

This is not an isolated case. There have been several instances of self-inflicted "hate crimes" used to make a political point.

Lastly, there is finally a little good news regarding the ridiculous attempts to screw up our health care system.

During a brief question-and-answer session with reporters after the event, Boswell recounted a recent meeting involving Obama and the so-called "Blue Dog Democrats" (Boswell's a Blue Dog). The subject matter: health care reform. Boswell claims Obama said he's willing to be a one-term president if that's what it takes to get health care and energy reform.

Cool. I'm willing for him to be a one term president too. Heck, ten months ago I was willing for him to be a no term president.

The stock market has been on a roll since around March. Be very careful. No market moves in a straight line. Even if you believe it is heading higher eventually (as I do), the market needs a catalyst to propel it higher. Second quarter earnings season is about over. Next big dose of news will be third quarter earnings which will start being reported in October. Third and fourth quarters should be good for many companies as comparisons to last year should (obviously) be favorable. If we see a dip look for opportunities.