Random Thoughts and Links

70 years ago today German tanks started rolling into Poland starting what would come to be called World War II and result in the loss of over 50 million lives.

Remember Jim Traficant? He was a crazy & corrupt congressman from Youngstown, Ohio. Well, Traficant is getting out of prison tomorrow and the fine upstanding citizens of Youngstown are preparing to hold a welcome home party with a recommendation that people attending wear his trade mark denim jacket and bell bottom pants. No, seriously. I'm not sure if he will run for office again, but I don't doubt that folks in that area would still vote for him again.

Here is an interesting headline: After 35 years, next Atlanta mayor could be white. Is it newsworthy when a city might elect a white mayor? If the city is Atlanta then the answer is yes.

So, Ted Kennedy got a full blown televised funeral in a Catholic church. Huh? That kind of sends a message that there is a double standard. If you're not well off and break from the church you get excommunicated. If you're rich, high and mighty you can openly flaunt and defy church teaching and it's no biggie as long as you keep stroking checks every so often. Speaking of Ted Kennedy, here is a link to the dumbest thing said in the days that followed his passing.

Byron York muses that The clock is ticking on tax cheat Charlie Rangel. Sounds nice, but don't believe it. Sure, the evidence is mounting that Rangel has been cheating on his taxes for many years. Sure, he is one of the more obnoxious members of Congress and should have been kicked to the curb long ago. However, none of that matters. Unless convicted and sent to prison he is in no danger of losing his seat in congress. Heck, since he is a Democrat and they have no shame he isn't even in danger of losing the powerful chairmanship of the Ways and Means committee in the House which incidentally writes the tax code.

Sports musings:
Allegations of cheating at Michigan football. I'll openly admit to an anti-Michigan bias, but I have a hard time getting worked up about these allegations. Basically, some players told reporters that they routinely have to work more hours than is allowed by NCAA rules. My problem is the NCAA rules are ridiculous and I imagine athletes at many school exceed the maximum hours. Now of course, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is emphatically denying the allegations. However, as Don Surber reminds us Rodriguez also emphatically denied the rumors that he would leave West Virginia so maybe his credibility is lacking.

Browns coach Eric Mangini has yet to name a starting quarterback. Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn? Personally, I'd go with Quinn as he seems more accurate and has better touch on the short passes. I'm guessing Mangini will go with Anderson because he is the better deep threat. Acknowledging that we've only seen him in exhibition games, rookie running back James Davis looks like he was a steal in the 6th round of the draft.

White Sox traded designated hitter Jim Thome to the Dodgers who play in a league without the DH. Huh? Thome hasn't played first base in four years and has recurring back problems. Makes for a pretty expensive pinch hitter.

Betting/stock advice: Take Ohio State minus the points against Navy. Might be close early, but will get ugly (at least three touchdown difference). Then take your winnings and buy local behemoth Proctor & Gamble. Market has steamrolled higher the last six months and yet P&G is actually down 14% on the year. Anything as big as P&G won't move fast, but look for 20 to 30% climb over the next year. It is currently trading around $53. If it gets anywhere near the March lows ($43) then load up and enjoy the dividends while waiting for it to return to $70. Do your own research and remember that if you follow my advice (or anyone else's) you could lose money.