The Artist Known As Victor Davis Hanson

It has been said, and I believe it, that if most people can do something, it should not be considered art. Well in this column by Victor Davis Hanson, witness an artist at work. True art inspires deep thought and appreciation, and this one did it for me.

Is Al Franken's team joking?

To see a picture of a ballot that Team Franken (Democrat) is challenging, check this out from The American Spectator, via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Does anyone really wonder what the voter's intent was on this ballot, aside from a blind person feeling for ink?

Will there come a day when more than half of the people in the country do away with such obvious bullshit artists, electorally speaking? I'm not sure, but I hope so. Yes, the Democrats are a bad joke. Unfortunately, it seems, most people don't really care, as long as the government promises them something.

The Media Satirizes Itself

It is a sacred tenet of the lunatic left that the "corporate media" is biased against Democrats. Seriously. They believe that. Well, I'm not saying that Jon Friedman of CBS Market Watch belongs in that group, but this article about how Barack Obama can "win over the media" really makes me wonder what he was watching during this last election cycle. Here's a breathtaking taste of media self-parody:

The worst thing Obama can do right off the bat is gain a reputation for complaining about his coverage in the media. He should accept it, much as he did during the campaign against Sen. Hillary Clinton, then versus McCain. Obama took the high road, time and again, and it paid off. The Washington media will appreciate it when he grants interviews and holds press conferences. But Obama will thrive in the spotlight when he shows that he's in charge -- not the pesky reporters.

Am I a heretic for rooting against Tiger Woods?

Well, Tiger Woods won another US Open title today, and fans and journalists alike are heaping praise on him for winning his 14th major title, especially with his gimpy knee. I will give him his due credit. He did everything he needed to do to win, and pulled off one of the most amazing shots in US Open history on Saturday when he one-hopped a chip shot into the 17th hole for birdie when the ball could very easily have gone 20 feet past, leaving him a probable bogey, a 2-shot swing.

Yet I find myself among what feels like a small group of people who actively root against him. Why would I do that? A good question. I don't dislike him. The spitting and cursing don't bother me in the least. And I am very impressed with the shots he can pull off that he has no business even trying, as well as his talent and his work ethic.

So what is it that makes me pull for everyone but him when he plays? I suppose part of it is my love for Jack Nicklaus. Not only is Tiger approaching Jack's professional major title record (18) at breakneck speed, but he was also universally loved from the moment he won his first Masters victory in 1997, whereas Jack was loathed by many Arnold Palmer fans. Jack's anointing as the best golfer ever took a long time, having to overcome the animosity from Arnie's Army.

Another reason why I root against Tiger is that, frankly, I am sick of seeing him. I have watched golf for years to see shotmaking, as well as appreciating the games of all the players. Watching an event with Tiger in it these days feels like a 4 hour televised lovefest. Commentators are leery of saying anything negative about him, for fear he will give them the silent treatment. We get to see Tiger on the range, Tiger on the practice putting green, Tiger walking down every fairway. Even when he loses, he is the story. Trevor Immelman didn't win the Masters, Tiger lost it. To me, Tiger has become like the New York Yankees.

Don't get me wrong. I am not pleased about his knee problems. I have had some very significant issues with my feet and ankles, so much so that I can't run or jump, and I would never wish chronic pain on anyone. I just can't root for him as a golfer. Except in the Ryder Cup. Then I'm behind him all the way!

Things you shouldn't discuss with people

We hear it all the time. "You shouldn't discuss religion and politics with people. They are private matters." While that may be true to some extent, you will never get to know someone, their core values and feelings, if you don't. My goal with this blog is to have lively discussions about those things and much more, like golf and cats. Your comments are welcome, if they are civil and relevant. There are plenty of sites where you can participate in flame wars. This is not one of them.