Plum Crazy

In a matter of no small note (to me, although undoubtedly small note to everyone else in the world), I received two e-mails today with suggested links. I say this is of no small note to me, because it is rare that people contact me to post their links, in large part because I have a blog that isn't particularly widely read. I can't actually remember the last time someone sent me a request for a link.

But lest you think that I would pass on any link sent to me willy-nilly, be assured that I read both of them and felt them interesting enough to post. My head may be turned by flattery, but my keyboard may not follow.

The first link is to the first three chapters of a soon-to-be-published book regarding GE Capital, insurance, and Christian Scientists. Sure, it might sound like an odd combination. It might, in fact, be an odd combination. But I will confess that the author, one Edward Eugene Baskett, is a writer to catch your interest in this unlikely tale. I rarely read books of non-fiction, but this one intrigued me enough that I will likely make an exception. The title of the book, "I Leap Over Their Heads - Straight To the Gut", is also quite clever. Many may not know this, but Jack Welch published a book of his own entitled "Straight From the Gut".

The second link is to what has aptly been called the world's funniest political quiz - A Satirical Political Beliefs Assessment Test, compiled by Donald J. Hagen. You get to choose from answers to several questions from the following four political affiliations:

CONS: Conservative (Archconservative)
LIBL: Liberal (Leftwing Wacko)
LBRT: Libertarian (Antigovernment Libertine)
COMM: Communist (Commie Sympathizer)

One of my favorite questions (I love the sarcasm in the Libertarian response):

What do you think of government run state lotteries?

CONS: It is morally reprehensible for governments to even condone gambling, much less run their own gambling operations.

LIBL: They are permissible as long as the proceeds go to fund worthy causes, such as schools, homeless shelters, and Gambler's Anonymous programs.

LBRT: Considering the extreme odds against winning, perhaps the State of California should pass a law mandating that only "sophisticated" investors be permitted to purchase tickets for California's state lottery.

COMM: No. State run lotteries promote greed.

So enjoy!