A trivial observation:

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed within 8 points of 12,000 today.

During the day, it actually broke the 12,000 barrier 2 or 3 times. Thirty years ago today the Dow closed at 946.56. (Here's my source) Today it closed at 11,992.68.

That's an 8.49% annual rate of return every year for the last 30 years.

If the Dow continues to grow at that rate (it won't, the rate will be different, but it's fun to pretend), in 30 years it should be:

151,955.28

I don't think that would be too trivial

A Shining Example For Us All

I love our culture.

I suppose it's human nature to admire & think highly of ourselves, and the entertainment industry is no exception to the rule. Actors, whose job it is to pretend, occupy the headlines all too frequently, and the picture below is worth a thousand words.

That, my friends, is Alec Baldwin letting some hard working NYPD Officer have it for having the audacity to do his job. (Mr. Baldwin's intellect can be found on display for all to see at his blog.) The Caption actually says:

Actor Alec Baldwin tries to pass a police cordon near the site where a small aircraft crashed into a high-rise building in New York, October 11, 2006. (Chip East/Reuters) link

I wasn't in NYC for the plane crash today, and I would have probably been nervous had I been there. But leave it to one of those Hollywood clowns to react in the worst possible way. I can hear Alec now... "If I don't get over there now my drug dealer is gonna be gone. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I had my last hit." More likely he said, "My name is Alec Baldwin. I'm an actor. (with a dramatic pause for effect at this point. He is, after all, an actor) Let me through this police barricade placed here for my safety." This from the same guy who would have raved about the NYPD's incompetence had he been injured as a result of crossing the police line.

I love our culture.

Hot Republican Ad

Drudge points to a "too hot to use" republican ad that the maker of Scary Movie 4 came out with recently.

I thought you might enjoy seeing it. Comments are welcome.

Good Stuff for October 4

Call it my own little Oktoberfest.

I've been busy, but good. So for your reading enjoyment here are some links that I've been enjoying lately:

I Pity the Fool - Mr T makes a comeback. If I had cable, I'd be watching this.

Traineo: I can't tell you how badly I need to be using this... maybe next week.

Moo: 5 bucks for 100 cards with your own pictures (from flickr) on one side and
your name, cell & email on the back. I might get some of these.

The New Google Reader: the best RSS reader I've ever seen. Read more here.

My Fantasy Football League: we're having a blast. I'm the Green Mountain Rangers. I'm winning.

Hope you enjoy that stuff.