"I've been fascinated by your five-year plan for the last fifteen years."
Who says it in which film?
[Answer: Count D'Algouf (Melvyn Douglas) to Ivanova Yakushova (Greta Garbo) in "Ninotchka."]
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Bean Counting Baloney
Thomas Sowell on the flaws in some affirmative action assumptions:
Anyone who has watched football over the years has probably seen at least a hundred black players score touchdowns — and not one black player kick the extra point. Is this because of some twisted racist who doesn’t mind black players scoring touchdowns but hates to see them kicking the extra points?
At our leading engineering schools — M.I.T., CalTech, etc. — whites are underrepresented and Asians overrepresented. Is this anti-white racism or pro-Asian racism? Or are different groups just different?
As for baseball, I have long noticed that there are more blacks playing centerfield than third base. Since the same people hire centerfielders and third-basemen, it is hard to argue that racism explains the difference.
Anyone who has watched football over the years has probably seen at least a hundred black players score touchdowns — and not one black player kick the extra point. Is this because of some twisted racist who doesn’t mind black players scoring touchdowns but hates to see them kicking the extra points?
At our leading engineering schools — M.I.T., CalTech, etc. — whites are underrepresented and Asians overrepresented. Is this anti-white racism or pro-Asian racism? Or are different groups just different?
As for baseball, I have long noticed that there are more blacks playing centerfield than third base. Since the same people hire centerfielders and third-basemen, it is hard to argue that racism explains the difference.
The Tulip Craze
Via Encyclopedia Britannica, a look back to when there was a mania for tulips:
The craze reached its height in Holland during 1633–37. Before 1633 Holland’s tulip trade had been restricted to professional growers and experts, but the steadily rising prices tempted many ordinary middle-class and poor families to speculate in the tulip market. Homes, estates, and industries were mortgaged so that bulbs could be bought for resale at higher prices.
The craze reached its height in Holland during 1633–37. Before 1633 Holland’s tulip trade had been restricted to professional growers and experts, but the steadily rising prices tempted many ordinary middle-class and poor families to speculate in the tulip market. Homes, estates, and industries were mortgaged so that bulbs could be bought for resale at higher prices.
Rewrite!
From the Arizona Voter Education Guide, a description submitted by a candidate for a seat in the state legislature:
"Matt continues to lead the theatrical lifestyle that has won the hearts of women, and gained the admiration of men, but has dedicated himself to his true passion of politics."
Friday, August 13, 2010
Soundtrack Break
A clip from John Barry's soundtrack for the worthy but forgotten film, "They Might Be Giants."
Miscellaneous and Fast
- Anderson Layman's Blog has a video of Hitchcock's cameo appearances.
- Investor's Business Daily bemoans the lack of private sector experience in the Cabinet.
- Neatorama: Great moments in healthy eating.
- Commentary: Bret Stephens questions whether Iran can be contained.
- Cool Tools: Palladium Desert Boots.
- Tom McMahon: A safety booklet for kids.
HR Song of the Week: Let a Rat Do the Dishes
Employment attorney John Phillips goes green and reveals a new side in his recommendation of a "Happy Working Song."
Truly one of the most bizarre clips I've ever seen.
On the other hand, I've been in a few restaurants where roaches and rats may have done most of the cleaning. All I know is I'm not going near that bath tub.
Truly one of the most bizarre clips I've ever seen.
On the other hand, I've been in a few restaurants where roaches and rats may have done most of the cleaning. All I know is I'm not going near that bath tub.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)