What Caught My Eye Today

Taxes - Lest you had forgotten tax day is Wednesday. Hopes for an economic boost fueled by this year's tax refunds could be dashed as most people say they plan to be frugal with their annual windfalls. I'm thinking "windfall" is a relative term. After all, a tax refund is effectively a tax-free loan that you probably didn't know you were giving the government. In previous years, tax refunds have helped increase retail sales in March, April and May by 12 to 20% over sales in February. 38% of those surveyed said they intend to spend at least part of their tax refunds, but the spending appears to be mostly on basic needs: 17% said they would use the money for everyday needs such as food and clothing. Funny how those little annoyances like food and shelter take all the fun out of splurging on stuff you want but don't need. 54% said they planned to pay off credit card, utility, housing and other bills. Well now that is depressing. Not only are we frugal, but now we're dangerously close to living within our financial means. When will the madness stop?

North Korea - The Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea's long-range rocket launch nearly two weeks ago as contravening a U.N. ban, and demanded enforcement of existing sanctions against Pyongyang. How on Earth did the Americans manage to get Russia and China on board with this? Some analysts say the passage of the council statement will be largely symbolic and is unlikely to result in a strict enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang. They say much will depend on China's willingness to enforce the measures. Ah yes, there is that. The punishment isn't much of a punishment if it isn't enforced. And seeing as China is North Korea's largest trading partner by a wide margin, if China decides to look the other way, this vote won't mean much, practically speaking.

Golf - No Tiger Slam this year. Angel Cabrera became the first Argentine to win the Masters, beating 48 year old Kenny Perry out the second hole of sudden death. Incidentally, had Perry won, he would have been the old golfer ever to win the Masters or any Grand Slam. The main event was Woods vs. Mickelson, or so it seemed most of the day. Mickelson scored the early blows, delivering six birdies before the turn for a record-tying 30. Woods bounced off the ropes with a 30-footer for eagle at No. 8. And then... Mickelson hit the water on No. 12 and wound up with a double bogey. Woods was one stroke out of the lead after he planted his tee shot next to the flag at No. 16, producing his third birdie in four holes. His last two tee shots were both wide and outside. He slammed another shot off a tree. A bogey-bogey finish left him one stroke behind Mickelson and tied for sixth, his worst finish at Augusta since 2004. So pick your headline--"Cabrera stuns the world by winning the Masters" or "Woods stuns the world by not winning the Masters."