Wake Up, Dick Morris!

Sometimes, even the profession political consultant-turned-pundits make me angry for their lack of knowledge.

Every week, every day, a new poll comes out judging the president’s performance and popularity. Our polling obsession makes our presidential system much more akin to a parliamentary one. When an incumbent president’s job-approval ratings sink below 50 percent, he becomes like a British prime minister who has just lost a vote of confidence in parliament.

I'm sorry, Dick, but you're wrong here. An incumbent president serves in office regardless of how low his popularity goes until 4 years after swearing in. A British prime minister, after losing a vote of confidence is likely to face an election, and has a hard time coming back to be Prime Minister again.

There's no comparing an unfavorable poll to a vote of confidence. Presidents and Prime Ministers can spring back from a bad polls; but only Presidents are immune from a damaging vote of no confidence.

Granted, his point is an unpopular President is more like a lame-duck one, and thus less effective. But his broad analogy makes me think he's not well informed about British politics. And I'm hardly an expert myself...

American Government Simulation

The American Government Simulation finally was told that I play the character known as Mike Adams on that online game. I was recently elected President there, so I figured I'd let them know who was behind that victory. I'm such a nerd. Meh.

Gatorpedia

This is an idea I actually had a couple times, and eventually that gem became my trilogy of mystery novels. But, alas, the intrepid young kids at UF have launched their own version of Wikipedia based on the University of Florida, complete with a good start on info about Student Government.

This brings warmth to the heart of this former "walking constitution".

Faking It Can Be Detected!

In a new research study, scientists discovered that parts of the female brain, including centers for fear and anxiety, are shut off during an orgasm. Interestingly, when they fake an orgasm, these brain centers remain on. So we CAN tell if they're faking! Hahaha.

Tax And Spend

In a recent study by the Tax Foundation, apparently Red States (the ones that complain most about taxes being too high) are actually the ones most likely to receive more in federal spending than they contribute in taxes, while the Blue States are the reverse.

You'd think anti-tax groups would generate from states that fork over more than they get back in federal largesse. But then, other studies also show the highest divorce rates in the red states, highest crime rates in the red states, highest welfare needs in the red states, and it goes on. Maybe our political system is out of whack.

Some states I like, and their tax/spend surplus/deficit:

North Carolina: receives $3.633 billion more than it gives in taxes
South Carolina: $6.724 billion
Florida: $0.472 billion
Arizona: $6.399 billion

New Jersey: $31.477 billion less than it gives
Washington: $4.083 billion
California: $50.611 billion

Maybe the Blue States should offer up their own Tax Rebellion?

This Gator Growls

In a recent Alligator article, it was made news that the University may veto a bail-out appropriations from SG funds to the cash-strapped (and perennially bad) Gator Growl performance.

Gator Growl is a UF pep-rally held during Homecoming Week, and the largest of its kind that's student-run. But it's leaders come out of the semi-secretive Florida Blue Key organization. FBK's nature as a largely private leadership honorary has always made some student leaders wary of it, and the idea that we'd bail them out to help offer free tickets is, shall I say, a little odd and quite incestuous given FBK also dominates the $11 million Student Government budget.

So, a part of me is smiling over this controversy, even though the UF Administration has in the past been rather close to the SG leadership, to the point of redacting hardly sensitive information about the firing of a low-level SG Cabinet member. But one does have to wonder if this budget crunch will put Gator Growl on a path toward its demise...

SG creates a Blogosphere

Joining the blog craze, the funny kids down at the University of Florida have started a chain of their own blogs. I've linked them here for my own amusement, and please feel free to use them.

One thing is certain - no matter who's in charge, the fundamental nature of UF's Student Government never changes, even after a year of the independents having won the executive branch for the first time in nearly a generation.

Weekend Update

1) It's Ann's birthday on Sunday! Don't tell my neighbor and coworker I forgot to get her a present. LOL. Just don't let her know I've got the 3rd season of Monk on DVD pre-ordered for when it releases in July.

2) Katharine, my department director, is tech-savvy and has read my blog. So this is a shout-out to her to see if she's still reading it. Hehe.

3) I've got a new phone number. For obvious reasons I don't post it online, but if you have my old cell number, dial it and I can give you my new one. The reason for the change is my cell antennae broke off or something, so I needed to get the phone replaced, but also because I needed an excuse to change plans to get more minutes.

4) Buy my book! Just go to Amazon.com and type "Reunion at University Avenue" in the search field. I'm going to spend the next 2 and a half months working to get other book projects completed so I can post more than just this one. Until then, have no fear!

5) Tabitha and Ashley are doing fine, getting along well now. It's kind of funny to see Ashley who, while small, is twice Tabitha's size try to play with her. When I have pictures developed and produced, I'll post some online.

Nick Meets The Funds

Nick Capezza visited D.C. twice last month - once during a week-long visit to do touristy things and once to apply for a vacancy in my department at the UMWA Funds.

He's eager to make the move from Bloomington to D.C. and very eager to get in a position that can use his law school skills while he settles into the Metro area. Good for you, Nick!

We'll find out soon enough if he's got a reason to move sooner rather than later.