Friday, July 22, 2011
Phil Liggettism of the Day
On Cadel Evans: "I think that tonight, in hindsight, he will have won the Tour de France tomorrow."
Outside on the Bike
I just came in from a short bike ride in the neighborhood with my son - my first ride since my left knee was scoped (for a meniscus tear) three weeks ago today. It felt great (if a little hot and bumpy) to be cycling outdoors again. I started very conservatively, just spinning at about 12 mph, but I wanted to test the knee a bit (without overdoing it), so I got up to around 18 mph with no tweaks or twinges. I consider it a successful experiment. Hopefully this means I can pack up my trainer for the rest of the summer. Still, I'm not planning on any hard jumps, standing efforts, or hill climbs for at least another few weeks. That will be a tough commitment to keep after we complete our move to Bloomington next week; I haven't yet found any flat roads to ride there.
Still Unsettled at the Emirates
As the transfer season draws to a close and the Premier League season approaches, it remains far from clear which players will start the season in an Arsenal uniform. This situation is not all that unusual. Arsene Wenger is known for working quietly and pulling off transfers just before the window closes. But the stories coming out over the last 24 hours are, if true, quite disturbing. According to one, Wenger admits that Samir Nasri's situation is not yet sorted out (see here). Meanwhile, The Independent is reporting (here) that a Barcelona VP has arrived in London to negotiate the transfer of Cesc Fabregas. Losing either of those players, just weeks before the new season kicks off, would be bad. But to lose both could be, if anything, more disastrous than last season's last collapse.
Meanwhile, there's no sign of a new defensive signing, which is desperately needed (no matter what Wenger says in the press about the quality of his defensive unit). The only news on that front is that Everton's Phil Jagielka has rejected a move to the Emirates (see here); Everton seem willing to sell him but have rejected Arsenal's initial offer. If Fabregas goes to Barca, 19-year-old defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu could well move in the opposite direction as partial compensation. That would help to fill the roster spot left following Denilson's departure on loan to Sao Paulo. However, to the extent lack of experience and mental toughness were Arsenal's chief problems last year, no improvement (yet) appears in sight for this season.
UPDATE: Arsene Wenger has just reassured fans that he "certainly" will sign a defender yet this summer (see here), although he is, as usual, playing his cards close to his vest.
Meanwhile, there's no sign of a new defensive signing, which is desperately needed (no matter what Wenger says in the press about the quality of his defensive unit). The only news on that front is that Everton's Phil Jagielka has rejected a move to the Emirates (see here); Everton seem willing to sell him but have rejected Arsenal's initial offer. If Fabregas goes to Barca, 19-year-old defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu could well move in the opposite direction as partial compensation. That would help to fill the roster spot left following Denilson's departure on loan to Sao Paulo. However, to the extent lack of experience and mental toughness were Arsenal's chief problems last year, no improvement (yet) appears in sight for this season.
UPDATE: Arsene Wenger has just reassured fans that he "certainly" will sign a defender yet this summer (see here), although he is, as usual, playing his cards close to his vest.
Principles of Law and Economics, 2d Edition
Schleck or Evans?
Well, it looks like Voeckler's out of the race for yellow. He finally cracked today on the famed Alpe d'Huez, falling into fourth place, with little or no chance of recouping time in tomorrow's time trial or Sunday's stately promenade into Paris (which may not be so gentile, or gentle, for the green jersey contenders).
Today's stage was animated by the controversial Alberto Contador, who looked so miserably yesterday on the climb up the Galibier. Amazing that he could recover so quickly and thoroughly from his extreme fatigue and inflamed knee to attack on the Alpe d'Huez just 24 hours later. If he hadn't faded towards the end of today's climb - he was overtaken before the finish by Pierre Rolland, the impressive young French climber from Europcar - I would be even more suspicious.
Meanwhile, Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans are the two riders left to fight for the GC. Evans is by far the better time-trialist, and must be favored going into the final stage of real competition for the GC. He should be able to take at least one minute out of Schleck, who currently leads him by 57 seconds. We should not underestimate, however, Schleck's desire or the effect of wearing the yellow jersey. Who knows, he may ride the TT of his life tomorrow. And his disadvantage to Evans won't be so great on the hilly terrain around Grenoble as it would have been on a flatter TT course. So, even though Evans should be favored, no one should write off Schleck before he starts down the ramp.
Today's stage was animated by the controversial Alberto Contador, who looked so miserably yesterday on the climb up the Galibier. Amazing that he could recover so quickly and thoroughly from his extreme fatigue and inflamed knee to attack on the Alpe d'Huez just 24 hours later. If he hadn't faded towards the end of today's climb - he was overtaken before the finish by Pierre Rolland, the impressive young French climber from Europcar - I would be even more suspicious.
Meanwhile, Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans are the two riders left to fight for the GC. Evans is by far the better time-trialist, and must be favored going into the final stage of real competition for the GC. He should be able to take at least one minute out of Schleck, who currently leads him by 57 seconds. We should not underestimate, however, Schleck's desire or the effect of wearing the yellow jersey. Who knows, he may ride the TT of his life tomorrow. And his disadvantage to Evans won't be so great on the hilly terrain around Grenoble as it would have been on a flatter TT course. So, even though Evans should be favored, no one should write off Schleck before he starts down the ramp.
Are You a Star Exporter?
Nominate yourself (why not?) or someone else you know who is doing a fabulous job on the exporting front.
Criteria:
Winners in each industry will be chosen by the ThinkGlobal publishing team based on the total number of documented export deals completed in 2010, total percentage increase in sales in 2009 compared to 2009, exports as percentage of total sales, the company's commitment to exporting, the company's commitment to customer service, and the company's innovation and originality in marketing products or services. To be eligible for the award, the nominee must be a company that is exporting from the United States. Companies may nominate themselves for the award.Go here to apply/nominate. At the same time, find out who won in 2011.
Deadline: September 17, 2011
Illustration credit: here. Good luck! And let us know if you win!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Emotions on Immigration topics run High
I ran across this epic comment on an Immigration blog post and felt compelled to re-post the comment.
The topic is very serious, very sad and his over the top anger is funny at the same time.
"And let’s continue with the policy of reducing human beings to nothing more than their economic function. Nothing else matters – not culture, not sentiment, not family, not history, not morals. Just how much goddamned labor one goddamned person can produce per goddamned hour, for whatever goddamned price businesses want to pay – and not a goddmaned penny more!" -Bubba
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