Vince's Blog

Yankees Pay $25 Million in Tax

One event more than any other is responsible for the hard-line approach of the NHL Owners in the current lockout. It was watching the Yankees pay $11.78 million in luxury tax for exceeding the salary limits, then turning around and increasing their salary by trading for Alex Rodriguez. So, this year, the Yanks got a bill for $25 million. And, yes, they've gone ahead and increased their payroll again. New York has estimated, actually, that they'll pay $85 million in luxury tax next year.

This make ones thing absolutely clear. Luxury taxes do not work. At all. Salary caps do, as evidenced by the NFL, the most successful professional sport by a landslide. The NHL owners will not settle for anything less than a salary cap. And rightly so.

Witches don't exist, but if they do, they do

BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombian police seized 292 voodoo dolls but were reluctant to inspect the black, hand-sized talismans for fear of witchcraft.

"Witches don't exist, but if they do, they do," Highway Police Capt. Gerson Fajardo explained in a local newspaper interview published on Thursday.

Transporting or selling the dolls is not against the law in Colombia. But police intelligence officer Rolando Silva, described by El Tiempo newspaper as an expert in witchcraft, nonetheless defended their seizure in the central province of Quindio.

"It was a measure to protect the moral conduct and the good habits of the people," he said.

Chapter III

Remember when Indiana Pacer Ron Artest wanted to take a few months off from that basketball gig he used to have and prmote his label's album Chapter III, by Allure?

Well, time, it seems, was not the issue. He's had nothing but time after being suspended for the entire season and Chapter III has sold roughly 900 copies. Compare this to U2's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb has sold over 900,000 copies.

U2 must have had more time to promote.

French lawyer to defend Saddam

French lawyer Jaques Verges, who gained notoriety by defending Nazi war criminals, will defend Saddam Hussein.

He will be supported by a dozen other French lawyers to mount a defense case.

Now why am I not surprised?

Kofi Annan Fires Whistle Blower

The United Nations has refused to renew the contract of a doctor who co-authored a book critical of the U.N., and his lawyers have accused the world body of breaking a promise to protect whistleblowers.

Canadian lawyer Andre Sirois, a former U.N. whistleblower who is representing Thomson, said he has told five or six U.N. staffers with information about the U.N. oil-for-food program in Iraq, which is being investigated, not to say or do anything because they could lose their jobs, like Thomson did.

After a dozen years of contract renewals and good performance evaluations, Thomson said he was informed on Nov. 23 that his contract wasn't going to be renewed after Dec. 31.

Yeah, nothing fishy there.

Abolish the IRS

It's been a long time coming. It's fair and reasonable. We need the Fair Tax.

Now.

Packed With Pride

An extraordinary Mother of a slain soldier has formed Packed With Pride, a group dedicated to sending troops care packages.

Do your part in supporting those doing the right thing. Contribute today.

Bravo Blue

Auburn Hills, Michigan Police have filed charges against 7 Detroit Pistons' fans and 5 Indiana Pacers' players.

Justice is Served.

Well done.

Nifty Time Script

Here's a groovy little piece of java script to check out. The Time.

Your Phone Call is Important to Us

BEIJING (Reuters) - Nine out of 10 Chinese calling into a suicide-prevention hotline in the capital Beijing are getting the busy tone, a newspaper said on Monday, adding that nationwide four people were killing themselves every minute.

Giambi Admits Steroid Use

Water is wet. Both are equally surprising.

The New York Yankees are looking to void Giambi's contract, but will not be able to, with MLB's absurd "five-strikes and you're sternly warned" steroid policy.

Giambi Admits Steroids Use

So long, Tom

Tom Brokaw ends almost 23 years at the anchor desk tonight, when he signs off "NBC Nightly News" for the last time. Unlike the other notable anchor to step aside recently, Brokaw has remained professional, fair, balanced, and charming. He will be missed.