Court backs tainted ball players

A court has ruled by a large margin that federal agents should not have taken a list of players who tested positive for steroids in 2003.

My favorite judge, Alex Kozinski, said that this was an illegal search and seizer.

Basically in 2003 MLB asked players to voluntarily give urine samples, and told them there would be no penalties associated with these tests. I completely agree with this ruling. It is up to MLB and the players' union to agree on what drug related rules should be enforced. The government had no right to step in and confiscate these samples. By doing so, players will be less likely to be honest in the future, for fear of being outed later on.

Ted Kennedy Dead

Senator Edward Kennedy died today, of brain cancer. Probably one of the most respected politicians of the 20th century, he was a very liberal man who did what he could to advance progressive causes and ensure equal justice and treatment for all. Marred by his drunken exploits in the 60s that resulted in one death, I can only hope that reverence for him will help get healthcare passed.

Four More Years for Bernanke

Ben Bernanke is going to be appointed to a second four year term as chief of the fed. While he did preside over a pretty bad economic crisis, I favor this move.

1. A lot more of the blame falls to Bernanke's predesessor, Alan Greenspan. You may recall that it was Greenspan's manipulation of the federal funds target rate to such historically low levels in the early 2000's that set us on this court.
2. With a recovery in full swing, we got out of this recession fairly quickly. I think sticking with Bernanke is a solid idea right now.