This Is My 300th Blog!

Yay!

Misplaced Priorities

Today, our illustrious President proposed a new tax on banks to help re-coup the economic bailout costs. He's proposing this tax, not because the banks aren't paying back the bailout money, because they are. The banks have actually paid back $162 million of the $247 million they've been given...plus another $11 million in interest. No, Obama is proposing this new tax, because he doesn't approve of the latest round of bonuses some bank executives got. According to MSNBC, Obama said "his goal was to prevent such excesses in the future, not to punish banks for past behavior." Using tax policy as punishment...that's right out of the left wing extremist playbook, and is a bad move on so many levels. Is Obama foolish enough to honestly believe the banks won't simply pass these new taxes on to customers as new fees?

But that's not what has me so irritated. It's the following statements by our President:

"We are already hearing a hue and cry from Wall Street, suggesting that this proposed fee is not only unwelcome but unfair, that by some twisted logic, it is more appropriate for the American people to bear the cost of the bailout rather than the industry that benefited from it, even though these executives are out there giving themselves huge bonuses."

"What I'd say to these executives is this: Instead of setting a phalanx of lobbyists to fight this proposal or employing an army of lawyers and accountants to help evade the fee, I'd suggest you might want to consider simply meeting your responsibility."

Uh...how is paying back the money with interest no meeting their responsibility?

Again, not my point. Here's my real point...Obama's priorities are out of touch with what is really important right now. Today, Obama used tougher language with Wall Street than he ever has with any of the real enemies of this country. These are working American citizens who employ thousands of people, and he's treating them like they are misbehaving children. After the Fort Hood tragedy, Obama urged caution with labeling that a terrorist act, yet he has no problem railing against corporate executives for what he thinks are "obscene" bonuses. A terrorist gets more respect from the President than a hard working American citizen.

As I said, this is another example of the President's misplaced priorities. When our nation is struggling with 10+ percent unemployment, and a renewed push from terrorists (the recent activity at the Detroit Airport is an example), all Obama can do is worry about a health care plan the country doesn't want and bonuses paid to a few Wall Street executives.

I'd like to hope that the President will wake up and see the real problems in this country, but I don't expect there to be any change any time soon.

Book Review: "The Way of Shadows"

"The Way of Shadows" is the first book in the Night Angel trilogy, by Brent Weeks. This was a Christmas gift from my wife, and I thought it was another teen book. Hopefully you remember that I typically end up reading, and liking, teen-level books. As I read it, I was shocked at some of the things that were occurring, and I commented to my wife that I couldn't believe this was a teen book, to which she replied that is was an adult book because she thought I could move up.

"The Way of Shadows" follows the life of Azoth, an 11 year old, living on the streets of Cenaria City in the fictional land of Midcyru. Azoth is part of a gang of children who steal to survive, in the darkest parts of Cenaria. Through a set of circumstances, Azoth becomes apprentice to Durzo Blint, Cenaria's most feared assassin, or wetboy, as they are more commonly called. Azoth takes on a new identity, that of Kylar Stern, and begins the training that will lead him through the next 9 years of his life. Along the way, he learns the skills he needs to survive in this new world of dangerous politics and strange magic.

I liked this book, and I sort of feel guilty about it. There aren't many likable characters in "The Way of Shadows", in fact, most are despicable. Even Kylar Stern has his moments where you just hate him. The whole story is very dark and disturbing at times. However, there are enough twists and turns that I was interested throughout. Additionally, for someone who loves fantasy/epic style books, this has all the makings of a good series.

I bought the next 2 books in the series and I plan to read them, even though I may end up regretting it. But, I probably won't know that until I finish the next 2. I think anyone who likes the "Dark Tower" series by Steven King would probably like this book...otherwise, leave it alone.

Book Review: "Tales from Q School: Inside Golf's Fifth Major"

"Tales from Q School: Inside Golf's Fifth Major" was my airplane book for the trip to and from Disney. I actually finished it about an hour before we landed in Minneapolis.

"Tales from Q School" is another golf book by semi-famous golf writer John Feinstein. I read "Caddie for Life" by Feinstein last year and liked it, so I figured I'd like this one. And, for the most part, I did like it.

Throughout "Tales from Q School," Feinstein follows several different golfers through the 1st, 2nd and final stages of golf's most pressure packed event. Q school is the qualifying tournament for the PGA Tour. Each year, nearly 1,000 pros tee it up for 30 spots on the PGA Tour. Most of the book chronicles the failures of the different players. However, sprinkled in are success stories of the lucky few who make it all the way through.

I really enjoyed reading the stories the players told, both about their successes and failures. I liked the analysis the players gave of themselves, even though it was brutally honest at times. At some level, this book made me glad I was never good enough to be a pro. As an everyday hack, I can just enjoy the game I love, and not have to sweat it out as a way of making a living.

The only thing I didn't like in this book was the occasional "conservative" bashing by Feinstein. I get that he's a liberal, and he doesn't think too highly of the conservative way of thinking. However, I find it somewhat ironic that he covers and makes his money off a sport that is at least stereotypically seen as a sport for elitist conservatives. If I were the editor, I would have dropped those parts from the book, they didn't add anything.

Overall though, it was a good read...if you like golf books.