Conservatives, as well as liberals, would undoubtedly be happier living in the kind of world envisioned by the left. Very few people have either a vested interest or an ideological preference for a world in which there are many inequalities. Even fewer would prefer a world in which vast sums of money have to be devoted to military defense, when so much benefit could be produced if those resources were directed into medical research instead.
It is hardly surprising that young people prefer the political left. The only reason for rejecting the left's vision is that the real world in which we live is very different from the world that the left perceives today or envisions for tomorrow. Most of us learn that from experience-- but experience is precisely what the young are lacking. "Experience" is often just a fancy word for the mistakes that we belatedly realized we were making, only after the realities of the world made us pay a painful price for being wrong.
Those who are insulated from that pain-- whether by being born into affluence or wealth, or shielded by the welfare state, or insulated by tenure in academia or in the federal judiciary-- can remain in a state of perpetual immaturity. Individuals can refuse to grow up, especially when surrounded in their work and in their social life by similarly situated and like-minded people. Even people born into normal lives, but who have been able through talent or luck to escape into a world of celebrity and wealth, can likewise find themselves in the enviable position of being able to choose whether to grow up or not.
Those of us who can recall what it was like to be an adolescent must know that growing up can be a painful transition from the sheltered world of childhood. No matter how much we may have wanted adult freedom, there was seldom the same enthusiasm for taking on the burdens of adult responsibilities and having to weigh painful trade-offs in a world that hemmed us in on all sides, long after we were liberated from parental restrictions.
Should we be surprised that the strongest supporters of the political left are found among the young, academics, limousine liberals with trust funds, media celebrities and federal judges? These are hardly Karl Marx's proletarians, who were supposed to bring on the revolution. The working class are in fact today among those most skeptical about the visions of the left.
Ordinary working class people did not lead the stampede to Barack Obama, even before his disdain for them slipped out in unguarded moments. The agenda of the left is fine for the world that they envision as existing today and the world they want to create tomorrow. That is a world not hemmed in on all sides by inherent constraints and the painful trade-offs that these constraints imply. Theirs is a world where there are attractive, win-win "solutions" in place of those ugly trade-offs in the world that the rest of us live in.
Theirs is a world where we can just talk to opposing nations and work things out, instead of having to pour tons of money into military equipment to keep them at bay. The left calls this "change" but in fact it is a set of notions that were tried out by the Western democracies in the 1930s-- and which led to the most catastrophic war in history. For those who bother to study history, it was precisely the opposite policies in the 1980s-- pouring tons of money into military equipment-- which brought the Cold War and its threat of nuclear annihilation to an end.
The left fought bitterly against that "arms race" which in fact lifted the burden of the Soviet threat, instead of leading to war as the elites claimed. Personally, I wish Ronald Reagan could have talked the Soviets into being nicer, instead of having to spend all that money. Only experience makes me skeptical about that "kinder and gentler" approach and the vision behind it.
-Thomas Sowell
10.28.2008
9.17.2008
Music City Tri
This past weekend, I headed up to Nashville, TN to race at the Music City Triathlon. I rode up there with 6 others from the Alabama Tri club, so that made the drive a little less boring. We got up there on Sunday in time to pick up packets and ride over the bike course to see what kind of terrain we'd be dealing with. It seemed fairly hilly with a few flat sections, but the one thing that I noticed is that there were a ton of turns. After riding over the course we headed back to the hotel and then met up with the Tennessee, Vandy, and Georgia teams for some dinner.
I woke up at 5 am on Sunday and downed my regular pre-race breakfast: 1 banana, 1 nature valley-yogurt bar, 1 blueberry muffin, and a pack of crackers. After loading the bikes, we made the 5 minute drive to the race course and began unloading our
crap. The sky looked pretty cool when we got there....but we soon started feeling the wind from Hurricane Ike. The water was pretty rough and choppy, and after the first 6 of 13 waves had started, they canceled the swim. Once the buoys started floating away and kayaks starting flipping over, I think it was a pretty easy call. They turned it into a duathlon, with the first run being from the swim exit to T1, and then the normal 27.5 mile bike and 6 mile run. My wave consisted of all 29 and under males. I was second into transition, and first out on the bike. For the whole bike, there were 3 of us that were dueling it out. One of us would attack for a mile or 2, get reeled in, and then the next would go. At mile 22, I finally made an attack that stuck and held them off all the way to T2. It was so windy at some points that I did not even feel comfortable in my aero bars. Overall, I averaged slightly over 21.5 mph. My bike was second fastest in the age group, but I had a faster T1 so I was in the lead coming into T2. The run was a 2 x 3 mile lap with a decent hill at mile 2. As soon as I started the run, I began having trouble breathing, I think because I hammered the bike really hard. I finally caught my breath after a quarter of a mile or so and was good to go. Overall, the run was alright but I still think I can do better. I ran the first 3 in 23:50 and the last 3 in 23:17 for a total time of 47:09. It's about 2 or 3 minutes faster than my last olympic distance tri, so I guess that's good.
I finished in 3rd place overall, so I was pleased with that. The top 3 of us all had bikes within 30 seconds of each other, so obviously the race was decided by the run. I was 1:40 out of 2nd and 3:30 out of 1st, so a 43-44 min run would have put me in 1st place. I know I'm capable of running that, it's just a matter of getting some more base in and keeping my IT band uninjured. Here's me on the stand (on the left)!
I woke up at 5 am on Sunday and downed my regular pre-race breakfast: 1 banana, 1 nature valley-yogurt bar, 1 blueberry muffin, and a pack of crackers. After loading the bikes, we made the 5 minute drive to the race course and began unloading our
crap. The sky looked pretty cool when we got there....but we soon started feeling the wind from Hurricane Ike. The water was pretty rough and choppy, and after the first 6 of 13 waves had started, they canceled the swim. Once the buoys started floating away and kayaks starting flipping over, I think it was a pretty easy call. They turned it into a duathlon, with the first run being from the swim exit to T1, and then the normal 27.5 mile bike and 6 mile run. My wave consisted of all 29 and under males. I was second into transition, and first out on the bike. For the whole bike, there were 3 of us that were dueling it out. One of us would attack for a mile or 2, get reeled in, and then the next would go. At mile 22, I finally made an attack that stuck and held them off all the way to T2. It was so windy at some points that I did not even feel comfortable in my aero bars. Overall, I averaged slightly over 21.5 mph. My bike was second fastest in the age group, but I had a faster T1 so I was in the lead coming into T2. The run was a 2 x 3 mile lap with a decent hill at mile 2. As soon as I started the run, I began having trouble breathing, I think because I hammered the bike really hard. I finally caught my breath after a quarter of a mile or so and was good to go. Overall, the run was alright but I still think I can do better. I ran the first 3 in 23:50 and the last 3 in 23:17 for a total time of 47:09. It's about 2 or 3 minutes faster than my last olympic distance tri, so I guess that's good. 
I finished in 3rd place overall, so I was pleased with that. The top 3 of us all had bikes within 30 seconds of each other, so obviously the race was decided by the run. I was 1:40 out of 2nd and 3:30 out of 1st, so a 43-44 min run would have put me in 1st place. I know I'm capable of running that, it's just a matter of getting some more base in and keeping my IT band uninjured. Here's me on the stand (on the left)!
9.08.2008
To Do
Things to do this week:
1. buy a camera
2. get sized for a tux
3. rest up for the Music City Tri this weekend
4. shave my head
5. buy groceries
6. eat some healthy food
7. finish work projects by Friday without working too much over 40 hrs
8. practice transitions
9. clean my bike
10. listen to the new Hawthorne Heights cd that I just ordered!
1. buy a camera
2. get sized for a tux
3. rest up for the Music City Tri this weekend
4. shave my head
5. buy groceries
6. eat some healthy food
7. finish work projects by Friday without working too much over 40 hrs
8. practice transitions
9. clean my bike
10. listen to the new Hawthorne Heights cd that I just ordered!
8.26.2008
Luggage Problems
For some reason, my transient models are running really slow at work today (hence, this post is being created).
I attended a compressor class in Houston last week, and it was pretty fun. Getting out there and back was kind of interesting. First, Continental airlines sent my suitcase with a week's worth of clothes to New Jersey. On the way back, I left my suitcase on the shuttle from the rental car return to the terminal. With only 30 minutes to check my bag before the flight, I somehow managed to track it down within 10 minutes. The business side of the trip as well as the food/leisure side was awesome, but my training got destroyed! I was only able to swim once, I got on a spinner once, and it rained every single day so my running was limited. However, I did manage to rack up a few miles on the run and then some more on the way back, so it wasn't too bad.
I attended a compressor class in Houston last week, and it was pretty fun. Getting out there and back was kind of interesting. First, Continental airlines sent my suitcase with a week's worth of clothes to New Jersey. On the way back, I left my suitcase on the shuttle from the rental car return to the terminal. With only 30 minutes to check my bag before the flight, I somehow managed to track it down within 10 minutes. The business side of the trip as well as the food/leisure side was awesome, but my training got destroyed! I was only able to swim once, I got on a spinner once, and it rained every single day so my running was limited. However, I did manage to rack up a few miles on the run and then some more on the way back, so it wasn't too bad.
8.13.2008
Moutain Lakes
Definitely my best race so far this summer. The swim went very well except for a small leak on my left side, but it didn't really bother me too much. I stood up to soon at the swim exit, but it wasn't a big deal. It took me a few miles to settle down on the bike, but once I did it was awesome. Some idiot tried to draft off me...I promptly called him a queer and told him to back off, and he followed orders...haha. The run, which is usually my weakest link, was awesome! I averaged 6:51/mi for the 3 mile run for a time of 20:31, which is like 2 minutes faster than my last sprint tri. Ridiculous.
8.07.2008
Capitalism
A quote by a brilliant commentator:
"Capitalism is the greatest system ever created for alleviating general human misery, and yet it breeds ingratitude. People ask, 'Why is there poverty in the world?' It's a silly question. Poverty is the default human condition... The interesting question isn't 'Why is there poverty?' It's 'Why is there wealth?' Or: 'Why is there prosperity here but not there?' At the end of the day, the first answer is capitalism, rightly understood. That is to say: free markets, private property, the spirit of entrepreneurialism and the conviction that the fruits of your labors are your own... In large measure our wealth isn't the product of capitalism, it is capitalism. And yet we hate it. Leaving religion out of it, no idea has given more to humanity. The average working-class person today is richer, in real terms, than the average prince or potentate of 300 years ago. His food is better, his life longer, his health better, his menu of entertainments vastly more diverse, his toilette infinitely more civilized. And yet we constantly hear how cruel capitalism is while this collectivism or that is more loving because, unlike capitalism, collectivism is about the group, not the individual... Meanwhile, billions have ridden capitalism out of poverty. And yet the children of capitalism still whine."
-Jonah Goldberg
"Capitalism is the greatest system ever created for alleviating general human misery, and yet it breeds ingratitude. People ask, 'Why is there poverty in the world?' It's a silly question. Poverty is the default human condition... The interesting question isn't 'Why is there poverty?' It's 'Why is there wealth?' Or: 'Why is there prosperity here but not there?' At the end of the day, the first answer is capitalism, rightly understood. That is to say: free markets, private property, the spirit of entrepreneurialism and the conviction that the fruits of your labors are your own... In large measure our wealth isn't the product of capitalism, it is capitalism. And yet we hate it. Leaving religion out of it, no idea has given more to humanity. The average working-class person today is richer, in real terms, than the average prince or potentate of 300 years ago. His food is better, his life longer, his health better, his menu of entertainments vastly more diverse, his toilette infinitely more civilized. And yet we constantly hear how cruel capitalism is while this collectivism or that is more loving because, unlike capitalism, collectivism is about the group, not the individual... Meanwhile, billions have ridden capitalism out of poverty. And yet the children of capitalism still whine."
-Jonah Goldberg
8.03.2008
Heart O' Dixie
This is one week late, but better late than never. I traveled to Louisville, MS a week ago with a friend to race at the Heart O' Dixie triathlon. The race was a 0.5 mile swim, a 27.5 mile bike, and then a 7 mile run that started in Louisville and ended in Philadelphia, MS. I had heard that it was a well-ran race, so I decided to give it a try.
The swim went well because I actually got a chance to warm up in the water, which is huge for me. For some reason my arms always tighten up if I try to immediately start swimming at race pace. It was a 400 meter out-and-back following the right side of a line of buoys. On the way out there was some major congestion, as they only seeded the top 10 and started everyone else by how they signed up...which is retarded. On the way back, some idiot ran head on into me...yes, head on. My head rammed into his shoulder. I honestly don't know how I didn't hurt my neck. Overall, I averaged a 1:40/500m, which is about what I thought I would be able to do.
The bike was probably one of my top 5 best rides. It was largely a rolling hills course with a few that were slightly more than rolling. I hit a rhythm early on, as the first few miles were relatively flat. This rhythm helped out significantly when I got to the rollers; I was able to power up them and maintain my speed for the most part. I ended up with an average of 23.2 mph, which was tied for the fastest in the 20-24 age group!
I was determined to not break on the run like I did in Chattanooga. Even after hammering the bike, I still felt pretty good starting off. One thing that I've learned is that pre/during-race nutrition is super important. I think I'm close to figuring out exactly what food to eat pre-race that will give me the most energy and that will settle the easiest...and the same with during the race. It just so happened that a guy about the same exact speed as me exited T2 right in front of me, so I spend the first 3 miles drafting off of him. After 3 miles I picked up the pace a little bit and left him, and with 2 miles to go I picked it up a little bit more. My intention was to run out of gas right as I crossed the line, and I think I was pretty successful in that venture. Overall, my average pace was 7:41/mi, which is an 18 sec increase in speed from Chattanooga (even though this course was almost a mile longer!).
Overall, I finished in 2:20:34, good enough for 6th place out of 17 racers in the 20-24 age group. Whew.
The swim went well because I actually got a chance to warm up in the water, which is huge for me. For some reason my arms always tighten up if I try to immediately start swimming at race pace. It was a 400 meter out-and-back following the right side of a line of buoys. On the way out there was some major congestion, as they only seeded the top 10 and started everyone else by how they signed up...which is retarded. On the way back, some idiot ran head on into me...yes, head on. My head rammed into his shoulder. I honestly don't know how I didn't hurt my neck. Overall, I averaged a 1:40/500m, which is about what I thought I would be able to do.
The bike was probably one of my top 5 best rides. It was largely a rolling hills course with a few that were slightly more than rolling. I hit a rhythm early on, as the first few miles were relatively flat. This rhythm helped out significantly when I got to the rollers; I was able to power up them and maintain my speed for the most part. I ended up with an average of 23.2 mph, which was tied for the fastest in the 20-24 age group!
I was determined to not break on the run like I did in Chattanooga. Even after hammering the bike, I still felt pretty good starting off. One thing that I've learned is that pre/during-race nutrition is super important. I think I'm close to figuring out exactly what food to eat pre-race that will give me the most energy and that will settle the easiest...and the same with during the race. It just so happened that a guy about the same exact speed as me exited T2 right in front of me, so I spend the first 3 miles drafting off of him. After 3 miles I picked up the pace a little bit and left him, and with 2 miles to go I picked it up a little bit more. My intention was to run out of gas right as I crossed the line, and I think I was pretty successful in that venture. Overall, my average pace was 7:41/mi, which is an 18 sec increase in speed from Chattanooga (even though this course was almost a mile longer!).
Overall, I finished in 2:20:34, good enough for 6th place out of 17 racers in the 20-24 age group. Whew.
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