Steve Pilgrim: Memphis

A NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK

The Memphis Redbirds play the Tacoma Raniers in AAA baseball tonight at Autozone Park. We're taking the night to regroup with friends, family and the hot dogs.

9:30pm Update - A muggy night for baseball in Memphis. Redbirds won in 8th with a single by the DH with one man on, two outs and a full count.

LEADERS WHO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND LEADERS IN TITLE ONLY
Guiliani is the gold standard from now on

MATT WELCH WRITES that the FBI and Los Angeles' Mayor Hahn failed the truth test after the LAX shooting: Well, at least now we know how Mayor James Hahn and the local FBI leadership will treat the public during a time of violent crisis: Like children, who need to be lied to. . . .

It is one thing to be reluctant about jumping to conclusions -- a perfectly normal and admirable tactic in high-profile law enforcement. But it is quite another to cross the line into actively encouraging a rattled public to conclude that it wasn't an act of terrorism. . . Residents of L.A. need to trust that their leaders, when under fire, will shoot straight. Hahn and company have failed their first major test. [InstaPundit]

EVERYBODY'S DREAM
It is everybody's dream, isn't it?

She Built a Business in 'No Time'. A young New Yorker is building a fashion business out of nothing more than an iBook and a catchy phrase. By Leander Kahney. [Wired News]

A SERIES OF DANTE'S PEAKS

Our Town. A village that dies overnight, a town where the ground is on fire, real-life Atlantises… Margaret Berry collects stories about normal towns where strange things happen. [The Morning News - Features]

THE RAT RACE AS VIEWED BY WOMEN?

Overheard Today.

Do I look like a people person?

This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.

I started out with nothing & still have most of it left.

Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.

If I throw a stick, will you leave?

You...! Off my planet!

Does your train of thought have a caboose?

Did the aliens forget to remove your anal probe?

Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.

A PBS mind in an MTV world.

Allow me to introduce my selves.

Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

Well, this day was a total waste of makeup.

See no evil, hear no evil, date no evil!

Are those your eyeballs? I found them in my cleavage.

Not all men are annoying. Some are dead.

I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.

A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.

Stress is when you wake up screaming & realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.

Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1?

Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?

Chaos, panic, & disorder--my work here is done.

How do I set a laser printer to "stun"?

I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks. [C:PIRILLO.EXE]

SHELBY FARMS SHOULD HAVE CHARACTER LIKE THIS!

Prison on the Park. Central Park is a lot of things: the pastoral center of New York City, a relaxing stroll on a Saturday afternoon, a patch of grass lined with horse manure. It’s also home to a minimum-security prison. Clay Risen investigates. [The Morning News - Features]

CAN MINE BE NEXT?

I was painting a house. [From the Desktop of Dane Carlson]

NEARLY 10% SALES TAX

TENNESSEE'S INCOME TAX BATTLE: A lot of people have emailed to ask me what I think about it. Generally, I refer 'em to Bill Hobbs, who has been covering this issue like a blanket. (Just go there and start scrolling down).

I did write something about this issue for the Nando Times a few years back, and it has held up pretty well. (It's gone from the Nando site, but thanks to the miracle of Google you can read it here.) The big problem is that Tennessee's elected leaders have tried to address this problem by sleight-of-hand rather than persuasion. Every time they've done that, they've hurt their own credibility, and every time they've hurt their own credibility, they've reduced their ability to sell it in an aboveboard fashion.

It's a bipartisan problem. Ned Ray McWherter, our last governor, was a Democrat -- and perhaps the sharpest Tennessee politician in my lifetime. Don Sundquist, the current governor, is a Republican (and, ahem, not quite as politically sharp as McWherter).

Neither tried running on a pro-income tax platform; both said they were against it until they were in their second and final term, at which point they came out in favor of the tax. (In Sundquist's case, he was giving anti-income tax speeches until just weeks before he decided to support the tax)... [InstaPundit]

DELAWARE LAW

didn't permit Warren Buffett's usual method of structuring these kinds of deals. Everyone involved wanted to do a convertible preferred equity deal with similar terms. Instead, under Delaware law, the deal had to be structured as junior convertible subordinated debt.

Because of the friendship and longstanding business relationship between Mr. Buffett and Level 3's chairman, Walter Scott, Mr. Buffett suggested that Mason Hawkins at Southeastern Asset Management be the lead investor.

All investors expressed an interest and willingness to consider further investment in the business. Expected uses of the proceeds will be for industry consolidation where the opportunity to buy a list of customers is available. They would transfer to the Level 3 network.

You can listen to the conference call about the deal here.

Buffett joins Level 3 investors. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and two other companies are investing $500 million in the network operator. Is a new round of consolidation in the cards for the networking industry? [CNET News.com]

STILL LOOKING
for a business that produces or ships something tangible!

A recent report shows that the number of out-of-work managers and executives under the age of 40 who are starting their own businesses has risen in each quarter since Sept. 11. In the first quarter of 2002, 36 percent of 3,000 unemployed respondents said they had started their own companies. The survey, conducted quarterly, indicates the figure is up from 25 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001 and up from 6 percent in the third quarter of 2001. What about you? # [John Henry on Business]

SOMETHING WEBLOGGING IS DOING FOR ME
Learning to endure some filth and discomfort to uncover some gems

For much of the last 20 years, I've been a person who would (sometimes too) quickly assess whether another's point of view was consistent with my own or not. From that point, I had a tendency to then tune that person in or out for the rest of time. It was often a variation on the "what you are shouts so loudly, I don't hear a thing you're saying" school of thought. Examples include numerous liberal politicians who, once rejected over an issue, remain rejected without a hearing on all subsequent issues.

Early in this (almost) six month old experiment in weblogging, I took a similar position. Quickly, I thought I could assess whether a given weblogger had values I shared or not. However, as time has gone on, I've found that I've left some subscriptions in my news aggregator because I truly want to know what some of the "most read" people on the web are saying. I'm finding specific points of view where I agree with a person with whom I don't share a single additional value.

This approach now reaches beyond the individual to the subject matter. I've spent much of my life deciding what to put in my mind and what to leave out. Lately, I've succumbed to sites about subjects I have little or no interest in. It has been amazing. I've found some incredible resources just by cracking the mind open a little more. So far, there's been no lasting damage! Don't be misled. I continue to be rather guarded in what I elect to read, watch or focus on, but letting in a few contrary opinions hasn't hurt!

Thoreau and the Search: I've been sort of following an ongoing analysis of Thoreau's Walden Pond at In a Dark Time, a weblog of, I dare say, exceptional, value. Read the entry for the 4th of July. I would only quibble with this: How many millions of dollars are spent in psychotherapy to learn about the self? Foolish reliance on others to help us permits little progress. In the end we are the ones who must create change. If only we were strong enough to heed Thoreau's suggestion that we are all capable of exploring our own "streams and oceans." Yes, a foolish reliance on others is counter-productive. But a guide can be invaluable. Even a guide can only help, ultimately it is the one seeking who must do the work. Nothing worthwhile is ever won without effort. You must do the work. But know also, that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. [Time's Shadow]

TRYING TO LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE

I think this got started with Burningbird's post about anger followed by several responses. When time and sanity prevail, I'll take a look at these. Instinct tells me there are times when anger is the proper response, although some of these posts seem to be saying that's not the case. I'm assuming that documented evidence says those who remain relatively free of anger live longer. What will be interesting is whether or not any of these posts mention prescriptions as a solution to anger or the ultimate in anger management. Is the conventional psychiatric diagnosis and prescription, "you're angry-take some Prozac?" Does anger stem from depression? What's the difference in frustration and anger?

With the New York Times essay on fat, "Dave" quitting smoking and all of this talk about anger, I'm reminded of three things I've heard prescribed for successful weight management throughout a lifetime - proper food intake, proper exercise and proper emotional balance. Getting there in any of these areas isn't always easy. Managing emotional balance in the face of so many challenges can often be more difficult than the other steps. When something we feel strongly about (OS X-Windows, Conservative-Liberal, War-Antiwar, ProBush-AntiBush, etc.) gets trashed thoroughly by a TV commentator or a weblog or an associate, some people react quickly sending their blood pressure through the roof? Are they angry or not?

Another Voice on Anger: Michael Webb has written something on anger, far better than I ever could. Worth reading. [Time's Shadow]

THAT LIGHTENING WENT THROUGH HERE (MEMPHIS)
It was as amazing as any lightening I've ever seen - sorry Glenn's house took a hit

I'M BAACK! The bad news: Stately InstaPundit Manor was struck by lightning in my absence, knocking out the upstairs air conditioner (the control board looks like somebody took a blowtorch to it) several TVs, and my DSL connection. The computer's OK, but the router and modem are dead, dead, dead. Regular blogging will resume shortly. Hope you had a good week! [InstaPundit]

THESE AREN'T FUNNY LAWYERS

They are merely your garden variety lawyers doing something extremely unusual - telling the truth!

Very funny lawyers. I don't know if this is real or a spoof, but this is the funniest lawfirm home page imaginable. Check it out. [Geodog's Radio Weblog] [jenett.radio]

Albert Einstein. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." [Quotes of the Day]

Dorothea Dix. "In a world where there is so much to be done. I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do." [Motivational Quotes of the Day]

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Duckling Rescue Service. On the way to work on Wednesday I stopped to help rescue several ducklings who had fallen into a sewer grate, and got my shirt very dirty. The mother duck was walking on the curb, and the ducklings were... [Caveat Lector]

COWARDS ONE AND ALL
They publicly condemn new taxes, but cave when their holiday arrives!

Tonight, Tennessee legislators passed the largest tax increase in the state's history. This happened with Don Sundquist as Governor, a man elected as a Republican. His leadership has been anything but inspiring. Name 3 other Republican Governors in the last 10 years who have increased state taxes by over 900 million in a single, thoughtless act. When the going got tough, the State of Tennessee could not cut taxes and services. The state has been "shut down" except for "essential services" this week. I haven't missed a single state-provided service.

Tenn. passes tax hike [USA Today : Front Page]

YES, WE ALL IS JUST SITTIN' DOWN

heuh in 'da hot, humid summa time waitin' for The South to rise again! This lunacy is beneath even the British. Will Hutton is beyond clueless to synthesize the topics he's listed and draw cause-and-effect relationships between them. Texas isn't thought of as The South. As trite as that is, that's the only point I care to refute in this pile of horse manure. He's promoting a book and saying anything that might sell it. Crisis in America my backside. What happens when some other corporate problem occurs with a company in Ohio or California. Are they then under the influence of the "pernicious Southern conservatism and unadulterated greed?"

Southern Style Conservativism Responsible for Corporate Implosions?. In a recent article in the Sunday Guardian Observer, journalist Will Hutton makes the argument that conservative Southern politics have much to do with the current crisis in corporate ethics we're having. Coincidentally, I just got done reading a large portion of the book "White Collar Sweatshop" by Jill Andresky Fraser. This book is a depressing treastise on the state of corporate America's policies towards it's workers: stagnant wages, declining benefits, overwork, low morale and frequent massive layoffs are the result. [kuro5hin.org]

THERE'S A BUSINESS IN HERE SOMEWHERE

Neighborhood-wide Internet access on the (relatively) cheap. Canopy is a $30,000 Motorola 802.11a product that can cover six two-mile-radius regions in a city with high-speed Internet service. At that cost, it's conceivable that a neighborhood coaltion of, say, 1,000 people might pitch in $30 each, connect the masts to Internet cables and put their region online. Link Discuss (Thanks, Howard!) [Boing Boing Blog]

NOT IN THIS TOWN

Wi-Fi Users: Chalk This Way. 'Warchalking,' marking 802.11b-friendly territory with a double-curved symbol, is all the rage among the wireless set. It's not just hot, it's hobo chic! Paul Boutin reports from San Francisco. [Wired News]

WHICH IS WORSE?
A good NR essay with a mediocre commentary!

A Vice President who can't spell "potato" or a Vice President who claims to have invented the Internet? Which one is more likely to make honest assessments of this country's entitlement programs?

Maybe Big Honest Al Will Be President By Then. William F. Buckley Jr. on Health Policy on National Review Online The problem is rough already, given the high cost... [Dailypundit]

IT'S ALSO TOUGH FOR THOSE
Providing consulting to the Forgotten 5000

Hurt by Slump, a Consulting Giant Looks Inward. The fact that McKinsey & Company, the bluest of the blue-chip management consulting firms, felt compelled to cut prices is a sign of just how tough the environment has become for consultants. By Jonathan D. Glater. [New York Times: Business]

THREE THINGS TO DO
Can these be done in a weekend?

Select and purchase:

A new notebook computer - Windows or Mac & which model?

Windows XP

PRO: no learning curve, meets all needs, allows customer demos

CON: no coolness factor, routine, blah, no iPhoto application

Specs:

P4, 1.4Mhz or better

512MB or better

30GB drive or better

DVD/CD-RW combo

hi res video

Wireless ready (optional)

under 7lbs.

Mac

PRO: Mac, OSX, slick, convenient, iPhoto

CON: new software, learning curve, can I make money with it?

Models?

IBM?

HP?

Sony?

other?

Mac

Tibook?

iBook?

A digital camera

Canon G2? (is it too old and soon to be replaced?)

Canon S40?

Panasonic DMC-LC40? (Panasonic? yeah, but a Leica lens!)

other?

A wireless access point for the home network

Linksys WAP11?

802.11a?

Replace the existing switch/router/firewall with a comparable device that's wireless?

Reader suggestions are welcome!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

One Thousand (1,000) different business opportunities are now listed. We’ve reached a milestone here at Business-Opportunities.biz. We have the gamut from A-Z, small to large; some are free to start while others may require a million dollar investment. If you know of a legitimate business opportunity, which needs to be included on our list, please submit it for our consideration. We’re growing to serve you. # [John Henry on Business]