Elegant Distractions

Highly skilled workers fleeing Britain? Imagine that. However, I concur with the commenter who labels this ambition drain. Over the course of history has there been any (free) country better at creating a hostile environment for it's most valuable citizens? The success and vibrancy of the U.S. is owed largely to Britain's chasing out the ambitious, the restless, and the non-conformists who built this nation.

The amazing part is the Brits just keep doing it.

It should be noted that not all of these emmigrants will find happiness in the wider world. I worked with a U.K. ex-pat at Microsoft for a while, helping him in his move from a tester to a test developer. This poor guy was in over his head but he liked to blame his failings on terrible competitive forces in the US. He felt we all worked too hard and too long and if we (the entire United States of America) would just slow down a bit he'd be able to keep up.

After a few months he moved on to slower pastures.

Posted by director at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

And Iraq will have a decentralized, federal system of government.

So says Fred Barnes. Wish we had that here but the Democrats running for POTUS have other ideas.

Posted by director at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

Do you think Environmentalism is about science? Think again. It always has been about the destruction of Democracy.

At least these guys have the guts to come out and say it.

Watch for a public denunciation from many Warmenistas, while internally agreeing and working towards the same ends.

Posted by director at 02:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

Listen, my speculation about Belicheck was not a prediction. No, really. It would only be considered a prediction if it came true.

That won't happen, since Jim Mora, Jr. was named the next head coach of the Seahawks. I bet there will more sucking up to a position coach than has ever been seen on a team, as other coaches try to impress Mora enough to be offered jobs next year.

I like what Mora did with the secondary and that he's a defense-oriented guy. No doubt his first order of business will be canning John Marshall, after which the wife and I will hold a small celebration.

However, Seattle needs some serious tuning on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. A new line coach is on the way (yah!) but they also need a big, fast reciever. Branch just hasn't worked out so far but I think 2008 might be a good year for him if he can (finally) stay healthy.

Alexander needs to go and be replaced by a young stud in the draft. A talented (and smart) offensive lineman or two, a catching + blocking tight end. Not too much, then.

The front office has a lot of work to do.

Posted by director at 05:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Sports

John McCain is not my first choice for the Republican nomination. Or second. Or third.

He appears, however to have taken a commanding lead in the delegate count as of yesterday's Super Tuesday voting. McCain will probably lock up the nomination in the next few weeks.

But he can't win the Presidential election against Obama. Hillary can be beat by, well, anybody not named Clinton. I hope he takes Rudy as his running mate but that's unlikely even if it is smart.

So it turns out that Hillary is the Republican's best hope for 2008. Who would have thought?

Posted by director at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

Posted by director at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

As NFL football heads into the long, dark dead-zone of the offseason there is one scenario that could play out over the next twelve months in an interesting way. It's all speculation and the odds are outrageous but it isn't impossible. It starts with Spygate (via ProFootballTalk -- sorry they don't have links):

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that, if it turns out that former Patriots employee Matt Walsh has in possession video of the Rams' final walk-through practice from Super Bowl XXXVI, New England head coach Bill Belichick will be suspended.

For a year.

Let's say there is an investigation, evidence is produced and it goes badly for New England. A year's suspension for Belichick. Let's say that the Patriots decide that Belicheck is now a big PR liability so they cut him lose.

Guess who already knows they have a coaching vacancy for 2009? Guess which team owner has unlimited funds to throw at a top-tier coach? Guess which owner has done so in the past?

If all the dominoes fall the right way Belicheck could end up the head coach of the Seahawks for 2009. It is a rediculous speculation and impossible odds but it could happen.

Posted by director at 09:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Sports