What Caught My Eye Today

Economy - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the financial crisis that has pounded the country — coupled with higher inflation — is taking a toll on the economy. Thanks for the tip, Sherlock. This is the guy in charge of trying to steer the economy? We're doomed. Here is a sampling of Bernanke's latest pearls of wisdom. "Although we have seen improved functioning in some markets, the financial storm that reached gale force" around this time last year "has not yet subsided, and its effects on the broader economy are becoming apparent in the form of softening economic activity and rising unemployment," Bernanke said. Let me translate that in to language all of us can understand. "Blah, blah, blah...I have no clue what's going to happen next...blah, blah, blah...It's not my fault...blah, blah, blah."

Georgia - Moscow declared it had pulled its forces out of Georgia following the worst confrontation between the Kremlin and the West since the Soviet collapse. That's being a little melodramatic don't you think? But the United States, France and Britain protested the withdrawal was not complete. Big surprise there. With relations being what they are between Russia and the West, Moscow could have given some of its territory to Georgia in addition to pulling out of South Ossetia, and I bet you we still would have found something to crib over. Troops and armored personnel carriers stayed put in at least three positions near Senaki and the Black Sea port city of Poti, raising questions about Russia's intentions. The Russians also said they were creating so-called security zones extending into Georgian territory to prevent future attacks. The U.N. estimates 158,000 people have fled their homes due to the fighting. Yes, let us not forget that while the powers that be engaging in a political pissing contest, that there are tens of thousands of civilians whose lives have been turned upside down.

Child Welfare - Now here's an interesting approach for dealing with those rambunctious teenagers at home Nebraska's new "safe-haven" law allowing parents to abandon unwanted children at hospitals with no questions asked is unique in a significant way: It goes beyond babies and potentially permits the abandonment of anyone under 19. While lawmakers may not have intended it, the month-old law raises the possibility that frustrated parents could drop off misbehaving teens or even severely disabled older children with impunity. That's not possible. Surely these rocket scientists thought this through before they made it a freaking law. Nebraska's approach is surprising because it is the last state in the nation to adopt a safe-haven law. I get it, maybe they're trying to make up for all that lost time. Since the law does not specify, it technically allows anyone, not just a parent, to legally surrender custody. Most other states narrowly define the role of the person surrendering the child. Some hospitals have fielded questions from the public about the law, but no children have been dropped off. Oh, I'm sure that'll happen soon enough. Nebraska lawmakers acknowledge the courts will have to sort out the details, and they have said they are open to revisiting the legislation if necessary. Here's what I don't get. I was under the impression that the legislative branch was responsible for little things like the details. Last I checked, the judicial branch was responsible for enforcing the laws. I guess these dudes in Nebraska missing out on that particular lesson in high school civics class.

Alcohol - Gimme a second, while I go get myself a beer... Okay, here we go. The college presidents said they wanted a national debate on the 21-year-old drinking age. They got it. Sip. For years they have been criticizing the law, saying it only encourages binge drinking and pushes alcohol into the shadows. Sip. After the Associated Press reported that more than 100 college presidents have joined in on the effort. the issue erupted into the biggest discussion on the subject in years. Mmm. That's good. Perhaps one more. Whether the debate will lead anywhere is unclear. Opinion polls suggest most Amercans support enforcing current drinking laws. Sip. Efforts in states including Minnesota, Wisconsin and Vermont to relax the drinking age have been rebuffeted. A 19984 federal law limits a statue's access to federal highway funds if it sets a drinking age lower than 211. Sip. That law is up for reotharzation reauthuretashen (Oh hell, you know what I mean) next year. Colig presidents want it changed so states can decide can decide 4 themselfs the best drinking age, without feer of loosing federal money. Amen, brother.

I'd report on some more stuff, but I heard that they just tapped another keg. Gotta go.