Taxes Taxes Taxes

Estate taxes. Wealthy people who care about their heirs literally don't want to get caught dead in 2005. The rewards for surviving until 2006 arrives are handsome. First, the basic exclusion from the federal estate tax jumps to $2 million from $1.5 million for 2005. Next, the top federal rate declines to 46% from 47%.

Gift tax. For the first time since 2002, the annual gift-tax exclusion will increase -- an important point for wealthy people to consider as part of their estate-planning strategy. The exclusion will rise to $12,000 for 2006 from $11,000 this year. That means you can give away as much as $12,000 next year to anyone you wish -- and to as many people you wish -- without having to report it to the Internal Revenue Service. There is no limit on the total amount you can distribute.

Evolution, Theories, Laws, and Terrorists

For some reason, a popular discussion has evolved under the WSJ post of several days ago. It is one that I find quite interesting and have enjoyed reading over the past several days. Because it is under a post that has little relevancy to its own subject matter, many readers may not have noticed it. So that everyone may be able to read this ongoing exchange, I am re-posting the discussion, in its entirety, below. Enjoy.

sbs-304 said...

here's a cool thing, because all i do is bitch and moan:

21 Ways To Be A Good Liberal

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support
abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and
governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding
Americans are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the
hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal
funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected
by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being
homosexual is natural.

[...and so, on...all the way up to 21 - You get the point]

Anonymous said...

These are good points but just as many hypocritical things are wrong with the republican party.
PLus democrats acknowledge science which republicans dont. LIke evolution. It may be 'just a theory' but so is gravity. ITs a fact that it exists. Republicans are just too narrow minded to realize it.
Merry Christmas!!!

Anonymous said...

Evolution= Theory
Gravity= Law

Open a science book.

The term "theory" still indicates significant scientific support of the idea. Infact, most "conservatives" wouldn't argue the theory of evolution. Being a theory however, there should be more than one side presented.

Don't confuse the the LAW of gravity with the THEORY of evolution. One is undeniable, the other has not been significantly proven false.

Republicans don't deny science. We know that it is a scientific fact that when a bomb is dropped on terrorists, they cease to terrorize.

How's that for science?

Anonymous said...

Its a matter of symantics. Since it is impossible to prove that the entire universe is subjected to the same "Law of gravity" it is impossible to prove it is a universal law.
Secondly, the only reson evolution is 'only a theory' is because it cannot be reproduced in a labratory situation since it takes millions of years to take place. I like listening to people like you. I have a friend who told me one time, "You know, Christian science is making huge strides in proving evolution to be a faulted theory." He cited the bible a couple of times and even gave a me a christian science magazine with a cover article about evolution. Inside a scientist examined fossils (none of which are more then 4000 years old of course) and discuses how dinosaur fossils were placed there by God to fool 'unbeleivers' (like me i guess).
I, personally, just think thats absurd. Now this of course is coming from a non practicing christian. I have absolutely no problem with people beleiving in Intelligent Design. My problem is how people want science classes to teach it, not because i am fundementally against it, but because it is simply not science. You seem to know what you're talking about so you'd have to agree. There is absolutely no scientific proof of itelligent design. There is no observable evidence. Simply put, there is no scientific basis for intelligent design.

And lastly, those terrorists who are bombed cease to terrorize, i doubt anybody even a flaming liberal (Even guy who is from Massachussets and probably gay) wouldn't disagree with that. However the terrorists children won't.

Some Christmas Cheer

Below is a fine recipe for delicious eggnog which may be enjoyed during this time of the year.

6 Large eggs
3/4 c Sugar
1 1/2 c Brandy
1/2 c Rum
4 c Milk
4 c Cream
1/2 c Icing sugar
Nutmeg to sprinkle

Separate the yolks from the whites of the eggs. Beat the yolks slowly while simultaneously adding the sugar; do this until the mixture is pale and golden. Now slowly add in the brandy and rum, then beat in the milk and half the cream.

Set aside until just before serving, then whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the eggnog mixture. Whip the remaining cream and icing sugar until thick. Top each glass of eggnog with whipped cream and a shake of nutmeg. This yields eight servings.

- And here is a link a good friend just showed me, for some nice, spiced wine. He wanted me to make sure to include: add a sliced lemon and sliced orange, and a 1/4 cup of honey, simmer, and drink

WSJ Econoblog

In today's Wall Street Journal online edition, the econoblog features an all time favorite economics professor of mine, Dr. John-Charles Bradbury, discussing the market for relief pitchers in this year's off-season. Also joing in the blog is Dr. Raymond Sauer, a terrific economist from Clemson University, who I was lucky enough to hear at a lecture last year. Both men are very interested in economics applied to sports, and in this conversation, particularly baseball.

Yankees Add Damon to their Lineup

It seems that every off-season the Yanks pick up some huge name(s) - such as Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, just to name a few. So, it should be of relatively little surprise that they will be loading up again this year with Boston Red Sox star Johnny Damon, who reportedly will be paid $52 million, over four years.

To look at his salary a little closer, that is a $1 million a month, plus a million dollar bonus, each year. To break it down even further, assume he works 40 hours a week for 50 weeks in a year - he's making $6,500 an hour. Or how about this... for each game he plays (162 regular season games), he will earn $80,246.91.

So, the big question now is, with another enormous investment, are Steinbrenner's Yankees going to win the World Series in '06?

NYC Transit Strike

Let me begin my admitting, I don't know a whole lot about this, as I have never lived in New York, and only visited a couple times. That being said, this strike, strikes me as being rather ridiculous. (pardon the abundant alliteration) What TWU is asking for, in retirement benefits, seems unreasonable, and they are demonstrating an amazing inability to compromise. As a result, getting to work is incredibly difficult for people, and the city is losing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

- Here is a Guide to Commuting, using Google Maps. (note: its through the New York Times, so a subsciption may be necessary)

- Also, this is a very cool site - another Google Maps application - that has live video of NYC using their traffic cameras. This is pretty neat.

Bush's Spy Deal

Below is a cartoon which I feel nicely sums up the whole Bush/NSA spy story.



Sorry its so small - that's the best I could get. If you can't read the cartoon, it basically says that the Times waited to publish this story until a time when it could overshadow the news of Iraq's successful election.

An Early UK Christmas Present

UK convincingly beat Louisville yesterday afternoon, and really brought back some optimisim to the Bluegrass.

Word of the Day

quidnunc \KWID-nuhngk\, noun:
One who is curious to know everything that passes; one who
knows or pretends to know all that is going on; a gossip; a
busybody.

What a treasure-trove to these venerable quidnuncs, could
they have guessed the secret which Hepzibah and Clifford
were carrying along with them!
--Nathaniel Hawthorne, [1]The House of the Seven Gables

Happy 10,000

Late Tuesday afternoon The Mint Julep recorded its 10,000th page load. While that is not really a whole lot compared to most of the other guys, 10,000 is quite a bit more than I ever envisioned landing here. So, hey, thanks to all who read this from time to time. I hope it gives you something fun to do, or at least helps waste a little time.

By the way, apologies are in order for not updating this more often. I have a lot on my plate this fall, and I've gotta stick to my priorities - which are unfortunately not making The Mint Julep as awesome as it could be.

Woman Robs Banks While on Her Cell Phone

This is the headline that I had the pleasure of seeing this lovely Friday morning. I suppose this post somehow follows upon my previous rant about cell-phone use; however, I don't even know what to make of this. I can't tell if this woman is incredibly arrogant, incredibly stupid, a little of both, or what. Of course this makes me mad, but I am still trying to comprehend this behavior. In fact, my unhappiness is probably derived from me not being able to understand this woman and her actions. Anyway, I am going to go eat breakfast and ruminate over this some more.

Happy Friday

Good Value?

According to this site, The Mint Julep blog is worth $3,387.24. That seemed to be a surprisingly high price for this blog, that being the case, if there are any interested buyers, I would be willing to go as low as $3,000.00.

Sox Sweep

Tonight the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series since 1917 by sweeping the Houston Astros. It was a good series with tight games, but the Sox were clearly the better team. With the Red Sox winning last year, White Sox this year, perhaps the Cubs will be next in line to win that long sought after World Series.

Cindy Sheehan Being Ridiculous

According to this article from ABC news, Cindy Sheehan is going to tie herself to the fence of the White House and not come down until the occupation in Iraq concluded.

She said, "I'm going to go to Washington, D.C. and I'm going to give a speech at the White House, and after I do, I'm going to tie myself to the fence and refuse to leave until they agree to bring our troops home. And I'll probably get arrested, and when I get out, I'll go back and do the same thing."

This just smacks of idiocy to me and it is really frustrating that she and her PR outfit (led by True Majority, a non-profit set up by Ben Cohen -- of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream fame) keep up with these stunts. Ben Cohen, speaking for True Majority had this to say: "People are willing to listen to her and we want to do as much as we can to make her voice heard."

I disagree. Her voice, her stunts, and her overall publicity are doing nothing productive nor supportive to ending our occupation in Iraq. I agree with them that the troops should probably leave. Its not our problem over there and there is little point in risking American lives for a bunch of ungrateful Iraqis. Furthermore, we would be much better off spending money on more pressing domestic issues such as for the poor citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and now Florida. I am sick of hearing about young men killed, one of which was a friend of mine. Enough is enough. However, pulling ridiculous stunts is certainly not the way to go about expressing your message.

"Sir, I would rather be right than President"

- Henry Clay

UK Lands Stevenson

Per the Lexington Herald Leader:

Kentucky added a front court player to this year's recruiting haul yesterday when Perry Stevenson committed to the Cats.

Stevenson is a 6-foot-9, 194-pound forward from Lafayette, La. He chose UK over Texas Tech, Texas, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Miami.

The Prep Stars recruiting service rates Stevenson at No. 57 among the nation’s top high school seniors. He has a reputation as a defender and shot blocker who will need to further develop his offensive game.

Cell Phone Etiquette

Here's a nice little article from CNN about being polite with your cell phone, as well as the other wireless gadgets. Its nice to know I am not the only person who is offended by jerks yelling into their phones and disregarding others. Look at these people above in the picture...it about makes you sick to your stomach.

The Adderall Advantage

Here's a rather long excerpt from something that always interests me...college kids and amphetamines. This comes from the NY Times, and you can read it in its entirety here, if you have a subscription. If not, you can read below.

It was finals week at Columbia University and Angela needed a miracle. Like many of her classmates, Angela, a bleary-eyed junior, had already pulled a pair of all-nighters to get through a paper on "Finnegans Wake," a French test and an exam for her music humanities class. All that remained was a Latin American literature final, but as midnight approached, her stamina was beginning to fade. "This week is killing me," she said, taking a cigarette break in front of the school library. "At this point, I could use a little help."
Thanks to a friend, the tiny orange pill in her purse would provide the needed miracle. Angela, who asked that her last name not be published for fear of alarming her family and angering university officials, popped a 30-milligram tablet of Adderall into her mouth, washed it down with coffee and headed back to the library for another night of cramming. The next morning, she sailed through the exam confidently and scored an A. "I don't think I could keep a 3.9 average without this stuff," she said afterward.

At many colleges across the country, the ingredients for academic success now include a steady flow of analeptics, the class of prescription amphetamines that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Since Ritalin abuse first hit the radar screen several years ago, the reliance on prescription stimulants to enhance performance has risen, becoming almost as commonplace as No-Doz, Red Bull and maybe even caffeine. As many as 20 percent of college students have used Ritalin or Adderall to study, write papers and take exams, according to recent surveys focused on individual campuses. A study released this month by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia found that the number of teenagers who admit to abusing prescription medications tripled from 1992 to 2003, while in the general population such abuse had doubled.

Dr. Robert A. Winfield, director of University Health Service at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, sees a growing number of students who falsely claim to be A.D.H.D. so they can get a prescription. At least once a week, a jittery, frightened, sleep-deprived student who has taken too many tablets for too many days shows up at his office. "Things have really gotten out of hand in the last four to five years," he said. "Students have become convinced that this will help them achieve academic success."

On campus, the drugs are either sold or given away by people with prescriptions, or they are procured by students who have learned to navigate the psychiatric exams offered by campus health centers, which usually provide the drugs at a discount. Unlike Ritalin, two newer members of the family of analeptics - Adderall and Concerta - come in time-release forms and can keep a patient medicated an entire day.

Much like performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports, the spread of analeptics among college students is raising issues of competitiveness and fairness. But interviews and e-mail exchanges with two dozen Columbia students suggest that the prevailing ethos is that Adderall, the drug of choice these days, is a legitimate and even hip way to get through the rigors of a hectic academic and social life. "The culture here actually encourages people to use stimulants," said Barak Ben-Ezer, a computer science and economics major who prefers Red Bull, a caffeinated beverage, and cigarettes over prescription drugs. But pure recreational use of the drugs, which sometimes includes crushing and snorting a tablet, is generally frowned on, he and others said.