Really?

For crying out loud... we're 15 TRILLION in debt, the CBO says unemployment is actually closer to 15%, Greece is ready to default and take the Euro down with it, and things are breaking down between the US and Iran.  A lot of serious problems in the world.

And we're arguing over contraception?!?

Look, I'll answer the contraception question easily.  Condoms are cheap, buy them your own damn self.  End of story.

The bigger problem is that there are serious issues in the world, we're trying to elect a President and Congress to handle these issues the best way possible, and we're getting sidetracked by the most idiotic issues possible.

This isn't even rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  This is arguing over the colors of the seat cushions, while the ship is heading towards the giant Iceberg. 

I'm pissed at all sides.  I think President Obama is giving a first-rate example why we shouldn't elected unqualified people to the highest office in the land.  But the GOP are self-destructing to a degree that we might end up giving him another four years to ignore the debt and come up with economic solutions that don't work.

Gingrich is a disaster, Santorum is a walking stereotype of what non Conservatives think Conservatives are really like, and Romney comes across as phony as a $3 bill.  (And I say this as a Romney supporter)

My big fear isn't that these guys aren't offering the right solutions.  It's that none of them seem to be aware of what the real problems are. 

Viva Las Vegas

I'm turning 40 later this year.  As a present, several of us got together and spent three days in Las Vegas as a celebration.  Had a great time.  Some quick and dirty highlights:

* Won $380 in a poker tournament at the Luxor.  Entered two other tournaments- once had bad cards, once made a bad move.  But the win was a nice ego boost.

* Overall, was up on poker, up on roulette (the five spins I stays), and up on slots (only put $20 in the slots, but we hit a good one).  However, I gave it all back and then some at Blackjack.  I swear, I think the dealers got together beforehand and decided that it was a moral imperative to take our had-earned cash.  I never saw so many dealers pull 20s and 21s out of nowhere. 

* Went to the "Pawn Stars" store.  Smaller than I expected, but a lot of neat items.  Didn't have the money to buy any of the items I wanted, though.

* Sports bets.  Threw $5 on three longshots (Grizzlies to win the NBA title; Cardinals and Dolphins to win next year's Super Bowl). 

More importantly, bet $100 at 6/5 on the Miami Heat winning the NBA title.  Now, I'm not a Miami fan (being a Clevelander and all).  But I've had such bad luck with sports teams (fan of Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavs, Cleveland Browns), that I've half-joked that I am a sports curse.

Well, let's put this to the test.  Now my interest as a fan is in conflict with my interest as a greedy capitalist.  One side must win.  Either I win $120- or Miami doesn't win the Title.  I'm content with both outcomes.




* Coming from 70 in Vegas to 20 in Cleveland is... a radical change in weather.
* Drank well, ate well, had a great time with family and friends.