In Praise of DeMint

It was with regret that I heard that Jim DeMint is resigning from his Senate seat.  Some of my liberal friends were gleeful, but this strikes me as short-sighted.  DeMint was a principled conservative; he voted and acted as he believed.  He's a good contrast to South Carolina's other senator, Lindsey Graham. Lindsey knows his own mind.  Unfortunately, the rest of us don't.   DeMint will now be replaced by Nikki Haley; it's a crap shoot whether we'll get a good replacement. 

Dave Brubeck, RIP

Jazz great Dave Brubeck passed away yesterday.  There is nothing I can add to the accolades, other than USC Upstate was fortunate to have him visit once, play the piano and talk to the small audience.  I was impressed by his music, of course, but also by his kindness.  He will be missed. 

Craziness

As much as I love college athletics, I am saddened by the following: " According to a report by the National Football Foundation, 33 U.S. colleges have introduced football programs since the start of the 2008 recession; 17 more programs are set to debut by 2015, and more than 20 other schools have formed exploratory committees to consider the possibility."  Colleges, especially small private colleges, are using college athletics to boost enrollment.  In so doing, college athletics comes to dominate and takes over the educational mission.

This quote is from an article in SI on the murder of a college football player at Tabor College, Brandon Brown.  It's well worth the read.  (thanks to Carol for the tip)

Today's Fun Infographic

Courtesy of Deadspin, a graphic depicting the growth of public financing of stadiums across the country.

QOTD

Quote of the Day:  "I've suffered for my music, now it's your turn." Neil Innes

Costas and Gun Control

Bob Costas on Sunday Night Football argued tonight for gun control: "If Javan Belcher did not own a gun, he and his girlfriend would still be alive."   There are only two problems here,  One, it's a counter-factual claim one could never hope to support, unless one really knew Javan Belcher and of what he was capable. Two, gun policy, as with every other governmental policy, should not be made on the basis of one tragedy.  We can point to this case where had the gun been absent, the death might not have occurred.  But we can also point to cases where, if a victim had had a gun, he might be alive today.  In sum, Costas' comments are a cheap way of exploiting a tragedy.