Acts of government

The US Congress has passed a measure that seeks to tax bonuses paid to employees of firms receiving federal bailout money. The public seems pleased that the government has decided to "crackdown" on this untasteful use of taxpayer money. Everything seems okay with the legislators in passing this bill, because, well, all their constituents are for this action.

Yet it troubles me greatly to see that the members of Congress feel it is okay to pass laws that specifically punish a select group of people. How is this action different from Congress passing a law that taxes people who own guns at a higher rate than people who don't have a firearm registered in their names? Or Asians of Chinese descent? It seems like the difference lies entirely in the public perception - that the lynch mod outside the halls of Congress are clamoring for blood and the legislators are content to supply it.

How long until these congressmen/women realize that their job is not solely to do what the people outside their door are asking them to do, but that it is to make the world outside a better place for the people. And sometimes, that means making hard decisions and taking a stand sometimes.

Of couse, I am not against getting the money back myself. But the effort to do so may be a distraction around the issue of who let these bonuses be paid out in the first place.

Grad school is not a career booster

A frank article here on why grad school is not really a worthwhile option during a recession. Not fully focused on the science PhD tracts, and more targeted to people considering professional grad schools. Still worth reading, especially this little gem:

PhD programs are pyramid schemes
It’s very hard to get a job teaching at a university. And if you are not going to teach, why are you getting a degree? You don’t need a piece of paper to show that you are learning. Go read books after work. Because look: In the arts, you would have a better chance of surviving the Titanic than getting a tenure-track position; and once you adjust for IQ, education, and working hours, post-PhD science jobs are among the most low-paying jobs you could get.

If you do have the time, do follow this link that goes through the reational behind the comment of why post-PhD science jobs are low-paying, not that any of us ever really doubted that.

Liar

So I was interested in watching Bobby Jindal speak the other night after Obama's speech to Congress. Some of the the things he said were classic politico, and other discussion points were just odd. Turns out one of the more memorable anecdotes, about red tape snarling rescue efforts after Katrina, was just one big lie.

Way to work on earning back the trust of the American people.

Pro

On Monday, Stage 2 of the Tour of California zipped within three blocks of our house as they rode from Sausalito down to Santa Cruz. There was no excuse to not roll out of bed to watch them zip by. Except for the pouring rain and the high winds of course.

So I chickened out and decided to drive a little further down the course where the riders had to climb a hill that I go over when I ride into work. I figured it would be nicer than watching them zip by on a flat road going 28 mph.

I can't say any of the pictures I took turned out, but I can say that the weather was indeed horrible and I was glad that I don't need to race in the horrible weather. Then again, these guys are paid to race, rain or shine, cold or warm. Maybe not paid well, but that is their job. Which makes me glad that my job conditions are a little bit better.

Buy Canada?

In response to some terms in the Obama stimulus package proposing that the money be used to "Buy American", Canadians are up in arms over the statement in light of the tight trade relationship between Canada and the US. In this intertwined economy, Canada is afraid that the impact of "Buy American" could have a significant economic effect to their bottom line.

Of course, the best kneejerk reaction is for the Canadian unions to call for a "Buy Canadian" policy in government. Seriously? What is made in Canada? I've always thought of Canada as a source for natural resources, banking, and cars. Funny enough, the biggest unions supporting this policy are the steelworkers and auto workers union.

Somehow, I just don't see this working out if anyone thought this through. Then again, it wouldn't really be called a kneejerk reaction if someone thought this through. But hey, anyone can play at this protectionism game.

Bike Racing

I gave up bike racing a while ago - a combination of paying a lot of money to go suffer for a few hours, and then coming home with nothing to show for it other than an inflated/deflated ego.

Combine that with injuries and riding the same courses, well, I was looking for something new.  That pretty much lead me to do more mountain biking, and road biking in different places on different routes.  Organized rides (especially the ones with food) mostly took the place of races.

Then, something funny happened recently - I participated in a mountain/road race for the first time last weekend.  SFFlow was a ride through San Francisco that was put together by someone I know.  It was a total blast - no waivers, no entry fee, no need to compete if you didn't want to, all with cold beer and burgers at the end.  And a donation jar if you thought you had a good time.

The weather was perfect, the views were amazing, and company was great.  And I felt good after doing it.  Can't really beat that.  Here is a video from the ride with a great debrief by one of the organizers.

Hotlanta

Off to Atlanta for a conference.  I'm going to learn about hypertension for a few days.  Oh, and a nice visit to the new Georgia Aquarium will be in the mix too.

Not much exciting has been going on here - a bike trip to Tahoe (no injuries), a trip to Toronto (see the parents), a nice camping trip (getting time in at the archery and rifle ranges), and local family stuff.  The rest of the year should hopefully be as mellow.