What Caught My Eye Today

Global Economy - What you are about to read is not a typo. It is indeed a story about good news regarding the global economy. The French and German economies both grew by 0.3% between April and June, bringing to an end year-long recessions in Europe's largest economies. Stronger exports and consumer spending, as well as government stimulus packages, contributed to the growth. The data came as a surprise, with few analysts expecting Germany and France to start to recover so soon. I'm pretty sure this is going to come off as rather petty of me--so be it--but I regard this as yet another reason to really, really not like the French. Economic activity in the eurozone fell by 0.1%, showing the region as a whole is still in recession. Yeah, I'm sure France and Germany are going to be real popular with the rest of Europe.

Healthcare Reform - No doubt, those of you who follow the news have been following the rather heated debates about the proposed healthcare reforms coming out of Washington. I haven't commented on this story sooner because, frankly, there's been enough coverage without me piling on even more. But when the story warrants "pearls of wisdom" from our good friend Sarah Palin, I feel a responsibility to comment. Sarah Palin refused to retreat from her debunked claim that a proposed health care overhaul would create "death panels." Palin argued that the elderly and ailing would be coerced into accepting minimal end-of-life care to reduce health care costs based on the Democratic bill in the House. You go, girl. Show those socialist pigs in Washington that we're not going to allow them to "pull the plug" on us. But there will be no "death panels" under the legislation being considered. In fact, the provision in the bill would allow Medicare to pay doctors for voluntary counseling sessions that address end-of-life issues. To the unsuspecting observer, this might suggest that Palin may not have her facts straight and may be overreacting. Poopy gook! This is just another liberal conspiracy attempting to portray Palin as a blowhard dullard. Of course, you have to admit that it is a pretty good conspiracy (either that or Palin is more of a simpleton than any of us gave her credit for).

Iran - Three independent United Nations human rights experts have accused Iran of torturing confessions from detainees charged with fomenting political unrest. Iranian officials have denied the allegations. I'm not sure which shocks me more--that Iran is denying the allegations or that the United Nations has finally acknowledged something that the rest of the world has known for months. Let's call it a draw, shall we? The treatment of detainees at Iran's prisons has increasingly become a divisive issue within Iran's Islamic leadership, as reformists continue to accuse the hardline government of allowing abuse and torture in attempts to coerce false confessions. Being the "glass half full" sort, I suppose the fact that a grow faction within the Islamic leadership sees this type of behavior as intolerable suggests that a day of reckoning may not be too far off in the future.

Golf - The headline today will likely read that Tiger Woods has the lead after the first round of the year's last major, the PGA Championship in Hazeltine, Minnesota. I however, would like to focus on a story that appeared earlier in the week. Tiger Woods has vanquished almost every foe golf offers, even saying he would defeat his 2000 self in a showdown. But there is a fight he always loses - the one to stop yelling profanities. Woods sometimes will scream obscenities after making a bad shot, at times picked up by television microphones. While not the only golfer to curse, his exclamations of frustration are magnified by the constant scrutiny he faces. I think we can all relate to the occasional slip of the tongue. Someone once suggested to me that instead of dropping an F-bomb, say something a bit more watered down. That way you can still express yourself, but in a less coarse manner. Let me illustrate in this response to those that find Woods' occasional display of human emotion offensive. Who the "teddy bear" died and made you the "sugar" morality police. I'd like to see you "puppy dog" "baby doll" horse's "butterfly" react half as well as Woods does under the microscope you have placed him under. The guy is not a robot, you sanctimonious "kitty cat". See. Isn't that much better?

Cricket - No need to worry, you all haven't missed anything. The fifth and deciding test of the biannual Ashes cricket contest between Australia and England doesn't start until next week. I have in on good authority, that there is a good chance that there will be a winner, though someone will probably have to explain to me which side won. Stay tuned.