Freedom of what?

Disgusting. Simply disgusting.

NBA predictions

Onto my likely to be mediocre NBA picks.

EASTERN ATLANTIC
Boston 56-26
Philadelphia 43-39
New York 34-48
New Jersey 30-52
Toronto 30-52
EASTERN CENTRAL
Cleveland 61-21
Chicago 43-39
Indiana 41-41
Milwaukee 34-48
Detroit 28-54
EASTERN SOUTHEAST
Orlando 60-22
Atlanta 47-35
Miami 37-45
Charlotte 34-48
Washington 25-57
WESTERN NORTHWEST
Portland 55-27
Utah 51-31
Denver 47-35
Oklahoma City 34-48
Minnesota 25-57
WESTERN PACIFIC
LA Lakers 59-23
Phoenix 42-40
Golden State 35-47
LA Clippers 32-50
Sacramento 20-62
WESTERN SOUTHWEST
San Antonio 60-22
Dallas 53-29
Houston 45-37
New Orleans 44-38
Memphis 25-57

Cleveland over Atlanta, Boston over Orlando. Cleveland over Boston (unfortunately).
San Antonio over Utah, LA over Portland. San Antonio over LA.
San Antonio over Cleveland (but a much better series than in 2007).

Using force to control without ownership is...

Please read Bainbridge on what's going on with the Obama administration and pay cuts at (admittedly sleazy/corrupt) financial firms. Seems to fit a certain term, can't remember what it is, who's definition includes "private property that is controlled but not nationalized".

I'm really wired

In a somewhat related vein, have you ever wondered what was the most random and awesomely awful line in a movie ever? You might think it came from GI Joe, but you'd be wrong (probably NSFW).

Pure Awesomeness

Have you ever asked yourself, how does one shoot an anvil into the air? Would it land close to the launch point? Are there world champions at doing this? Then watch and learn.

Paging Dr. Hayek

Humana sends out a letter to its policyholders on possible effects of reform. And is threatened by the federal government from ever doing so again, under threat of fines and jail time.
Congress is considering putting explicit limits on health care executives pay, as a result of other "reforms" under consideration.
Hmm, there's definitely not a chance that health care reform as it's being debated will lead to the complete takeover of the system. It's just a lie to say something like that. Clearly the people who say and think that are simply racists, or idiots. Or both.

Inversion

Yglesias points out that people don't think the government is helping them, despite the fact that they received tax cuts in the stimulus package. That's some pretty good logic. Let me try it out: When the school bullies didn't steal Matt's lunch money, they were buying him lunch. Yeah, that sounds just about right. Nothing disingenuous here.