1. Budget Deal in Perspective: This past week our leaders in Washington struck an “historic” budget deal that cuts Federal spending by a whopping $38.5 billion. Awesome, right? This will put a dent in our national debt, right? Wrong. To put things in perspective, the national debt climbed over $650 billion since October, and in just the 
previous ten days it grew by more than $50 billion. Its going to take much more drastic measures to get serious about our financial crisis. So while Congress and the President are patting themselves on the back, we continue to move steadily toward national bankruptcy.
2. The President and Religious Freedom: Check out this excellent piece by Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute on how President Obama is dropping the ball when it comes to promoting religious freedom. But, as Bandow explains, its not too late for Obama to rectify the situation, if he and his Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, Suzan Johnson Cook, act quickly and decisively.
3. Another Non-win for Woods: I’ve never been much of a golf fan, but I think I’m becoming one. This weekend I followed the Masters tournament like never before. Why? Because I was rooting for Tiger 
Woods…to lose. That’s right. I’m an enthusiastic anti-Woods fan. Or, more positively put, I’m a fan of all PGA golfers minus one. And today one of my rooting interests was victorious, in the person of South African Charl Schwartzel. Ugly name. Great golfer. And, as far as I can tell, a much better role model than Woods.
Chris
While I completely understand the anti-Woods stance and cheering against him, I don’t think Charl Schwartzel deserves any extra praise as “a much better role model” than Woods. Perhaps if his life were put under the same microscope that Woods’ life was under his skeletons would be uncovered as well. I guess I by default assume that they are all scuzzy sinner-types and that should they become famous enough they will all disappoint us. (With the understanding, that I would be utterly ashamed I’m sure of whatever the media would “dig up” on me were I to be so famous, with the added (mis)label from the media of “hypocrite” for being a Christian and not being perfect.)
Thaddeus Fennig
Chris. See Tony Dungy. Any part of his life. Fantastic example of a non “scuzzy sinner-type” who has become incredibly famous, but has yet to disappoint.
Thomas
A great story on why we ought to care about Tiger:
http://es.pn/eZVsgI
Jim Spiegel
Yes, that’s a good piece, though I think Simmons misses the point about athletes being role models. While it might be the case that they shouldn’t have such an influence on our youth, the truth is that they inevitably do.