What Caught My Eye Today

Economy - You know that old saying, "There is always a silver lining." Apparently, in a global recession, that silver lining manifests itself in the following way--"sure things are bad for us Americans, but they really blow chow for the rest of the world." The International Monetary Fund's latest tally of world economic conditions forecasts a 2.6% decline in U.S. economic output for all of 2009, and anemic growth of 0.8% in 2010. That's more optimistic than the IMF's prediction from three months ago, but still lousy. The United States should count itself lucky, though. The IMF expects at least 11 major parts of the world to have more severe economic contractions than the United State this year, including most of western Europe, Japan, Russia, and Mexico. Europe will still be stumbling along behind the United States next year, as well. If these projections come true, it means the United States, despite its overspent consumers, wrecked banks, and insolvent automakers, will be leading the world economy out of recession. Somehow. Yeah, that's reassuring. And I bet the rest of the world is thrilled that the United States will emerge from this mess, that arguably it created, before anyone else does.

Dick Cheney - According to U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), the CIA withheld information from Congress about a secret counterterrorism program on orders from former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Girlfriend is just figuring this out now? CIA Director Leon Panetta disclosed Cheney's involvement when he briefed members of Congress two weeks ago. The still-secret program, which purportedly never became operational, began after the September 11 attacks on the United States. In one of his first acts as president, Barack Obama ordered more humane treatment for terrorism suspects. Panetta has vowed not to allow coercive interrogation practices, secret prisons or the transfer of terrorist suspects to countries that may use torture, a pledge seen as a break with the agency's policies under Bush. This is a bit of a tough one. September 11 broke new ground, so I believe it is a bit unfair to pass judgment too quickly on the leadership of that time--we were all pretty freaked out by that event. That being said, I think the leadership was a bit quick to toss aside everything this country stands for in its zeal to protect the nation from another such attack ever taking place on American soil. And they did succeed; but at what cost?

Spain - Five runners were gored, two seriously, and six received other injuries at a packed running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona. One man was caught in the chest and legs when a large bull became separated from the pack on the slippery cobblestone streets leading to the bullring. The bull, a Miura weighing 1,268 pounds, jerked the runner upward and then rolled him along the ground in the entrance to the ring. Miuras are the largest and most famous of Spain's fighting bulls. The sixth running of the bulls at the annual festival was held two days after a 27-year-old man was gored to death. You would think after a guy died doing this, the organizers would have called it a day, but I guess not. For more than 100 years thrill-seekers have accompanied the bulls from a pen outside the city walls on a dangerous, daredevil run to the bullring. In the afternoon, the bulls face matadors and almost certain death. I'm truly sorry that this individual lost his life. However, given that these bulls are basically going off to slaughter, I cannot say I blame them for being a bit hostile.

Sports - Here's a quick round up from this past weekend.

Tour de France - Here's what you need to know. The first 9 stages are over, including the team time trial and 3 mountain stage in the Pyrenees. Team Astana could have taken the overall leader's jersey yesterday or today but elected not to this early into the race. Alberto Contador is in second place overall (6 seconds back of the lead), Lance Armstrong is in third (8 seconds back) and Levi Leipheimer is in fourth (39 seconds back). If you are keeping count, that's 3 of the top 4 cyclists all riding for the same team. And Astana's fourth best rider--Andreas Kloden is in sixth place (54 seconds off the pace).

NASCAR - We're 19 races into the 2009 season--one more than half way through--which means we're 7 races from the race for the Chase (NASCAR's championship). There are some familiar names at the top of the standings--Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Kyle and Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards. But here's an interesting development. The drivers with the most wins (Mark Martin, 4, and Kyle Busch, 3) might not make it into the Chase based on points. Martin is within 12 points of elimination and Busch withing 14 points of elimination. And what about the biggest name in the sport--Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Put a fork in him, he's done. Jr. is more than 350 points out of the Chase.

Cricket - Okay, I think I can tell who is winning this Ashes gig in Cardiff, Wales between England and Australia. Australia moved with ruthless professionalism on Saturday towards victory in the first Ashes test against England before rain brought a premature end to the fourth day. It was the first time in Ashes history that four Australians have scored centuries in one innings and Australia's 674 for six declared compiled over more than 12 hours was their fourth highest total against England. So Australia wins, right? On Sunday, England denied Australia victory in the first Ashes Test with an heroic unbeaten last-wicket stand before an ecstatic capacity 16,000-strong crowd. England will go into the second Test at Lord's starting on Thursday with honors even. Or maybe not. If I'm reading this correctly--and this is a big "if"--it would appear that England and Australia played to a draw. Yes, let's call it a draw, shall we? Did I mention that this cricket is a fascinating sport?