Say it, don't spray it. The FlynnFiles readership wants the news, not the weather. It's open thread Friday. But please: use Listerine before you make your comments. There have been complaints.

I sometimes wonder if anyone buys it. Those campaigning for public office often tell us that the money being spent on the war in Iraq would buy so many schools or insure so many people's health care, or other social necessities, inferring, of cpurse, that if they were elected it would be done. Never, never will those funds be available for anything other than the military. The next president will have to rebuild the military and the public debt will easily soar to ten trillion. After two Bush and one Clinton Presidencies, the economy is heading for the dumpster and reminds one of the Harding, Coolidge and Hoover (Republican) introduction to the depression of the 30's.

At its root, government exists to protect us and our interests. And government's budget exists to insure that the money we are forced to provide to it is used wisely via controlled spending and that our fiscal interests are protected. Unfortunately, those in charge of overseeing our fiscal concerns are asleep at the wheel and government overspending is out of control and seems of little interest to the officials responsible.

Currently, corporate welfare is at $60 Billion and rising. Where our economy was once based on business doing business, it now appears to be based on government doing business and intervention and restrictions have brought many private businesses to their knees forcing the same government that imposed those hurdles to come in to rescue them.

What's wrong with this picture? As more government subsidizing is the rule and government becomes more responsible for supporting private business, are we heading the way of some socialist countries?

"At its root, government exists to protect us and our interests." - asdf

What makes you think so? It acquires and maintains its power through force of arms, attacks those who don't comply with its demands, and attacks those who try to secede from its authority. It seems to be in every way a profoundly anti-social institution.

Making me feel profoundly anti-social: I picked USC to be in the final four. OJ Mayo has failed me for the last time.

In the world of pro basketball, I must say I rather enjoyed Messin' with Texas Road Trip '08. Let's hope they can beat New Orleans and make it undefeated. I remember at the beginning of the season Ralph said that the Celtics should be happy if they could maintain .500 through this stretch. Well, mission accomplished. Is there any denying now that they are the favorites?

Saying 'at its root' refers to the purposes for which how government was originally meant to be. It has since evolved into an inefficient intrusive behemoth.

Celts are certainly the real deal. Talk about efficiency! Cassell was a great pickup.

The American government is almost unique in the world in the regard that it was originally designed, along classical liberal principles, to protect society rather than be a foil to it. I really can only think of the French government in terms of ones that were similarly designed, though in a very different way, as the principles of the French Revolution were very different than the principles of the American one. However, first with the War between the States and later with the New Deal of FDR, the experiment in liberal government failed. It has become as much a anti-social parasite as any other state, and is, since the War between the States at least, as guilty of maintaining its authority through aggression.

I love Cassell. The guy is completely clutch, and is perfect for nights when Rondo just doesn't have it, like last night. I thought Paul Pierce had a great game overall, but what was with the lack of clutch from him? Missing both free throws was inexcusable. Thankfully Sugar Ray provided yet another of his trademark late game, win clinching threes.

I think Pierce is a great player. And I don't often question his play. But as he truly carried the load for a very bad team last year, I find that this year, with the strong starters and bench, he cruises occasionally. Mentally worn down a bit, maybe?

And yes, it's only the fear of prosecution wielded by the state that keeps us in line to support it. Either way, it's not a charitable undertaking. It would be different if most felt as if they were getting something for their money.

My objection is how they mismanage and squander OUR money for reasons that are of little benefit in the grand scheme.

Hes certainly less of an offensive superstar than he was before this season, and I agree that its probably because he has so much more talent around him that he no longer feels he needs to be. But his game has shown truly massive improvement on the defensive side of the ball, so its a trade I am certainly happy to make.

P.S: When do we start talking about the PJ Brown signing having been a bust? Its clear hes never going to be as solid an option as Glen Davis or Leon Powe.

Don't want to keep on with this, especially on open thread day, but I find it fascinating that Mr. Change and Hope is just the same old, same old.

“The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity, but that she is a typical white person".....Obama.

Apparently, race is never far from the mind of Mr. Change and Hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P94RKhTKeSo

Disturbing but accurate representation of Lakers fans.

Ben T: You picked USC to make it to the final four? Have you watched anything other than the NBA this season?

Yea I'm actually leading my pool right now. USC was a bad call, what can I say?

Love to see Duke losing in the second round.

I think I like seeing Duke lose more than I like seeing my team (UNC) win.

asdf, now that football is over I am paying more attention to the Bruins. I gotta say, this is a bad situation. Think they are gonna skate right out of the post-season once again?

I aint gonna talk about basketball, cant stand it, but what i must say is that i thought i would never in a million yrs. i would agree with Sen. Pelosi. China is getting away with bashing heads again. And the USA says nothing.Just venting, and tho i cant stand her, Pelosi is MILF worthy.

Pelosi a milf? Uh...to each his own I guess. And what is China getting away with doing, exactly?

Well ben t i think that tinfoil you have wrapped around yer head must be to tight. being the chicoms dont have free press or a open society, or do they benny? (loosen the tinfoil) I cant give you a blow by blow account of the action,but do you remember a thing called tiannamin square? Look it up and you can get the idea. now you can tighten the foil again. Or is it you believe the official peking accounts of the riots?

So you're saying that the United States should be doing...what, exactly? Forcing China to free up its press?

Ben, I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that you bring up hockey. Thought you didn't like the sport? Yes, I too an very disappointed. And, yes, they are skating themselves out of the post season. Can't beat them Frogs either.

If there ever was any, I think Pelosi's MILF status is at least ten years over due.

Sick world out there. And I love it!!

College Hockey, College Basketball, College Hockey, College Basketball.....hmmmmmmm? Tough one. NOT!!

I was watching the Casamayor fight Saturday and noticed something that bugs me when I see it. Joel Casamayor, who defected from Cuba to the United States, came into the ring carrying the Cuban flag. Shouldn’t he be carrying the US flag? I mean if Cuba was anything but a third world cesspool he wouldn’t have left to begin with, right? And after the fight he can’t even give an interview in English! I would ask him if I could: Let me get this right, Joel. You come to this country because your country sucks, you make a nice life for yourself here in the US and have the nerve to carry the CUBAN flag into the ring with you? Furthermore you don’t even have the class and decency to learn English so you can communicate on even the most basic level. UUUGGGHHH!

Is it just me?

Hey now AM, now you're stepping on 'diversity' and 'multiculuralism'. Get with the program man! Assimilation is passe.

"Ben, I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that you bring up hockey. Thought you didn't like the sport? Yes, I too an very disappointed. And, yes, they are skating themselves out of the post season. Can't beat them Frogs either." - asdf

Nah,I like it. Just can't follow three sports at one time, and when both the Pats and Celtics are playing, the Bruins get the boot. I start following hockey once football ends.

I don't like whats happening this year though. Brutal. I was actually at the first half of the home and home against Montreal. Not delightful.

"I was watching the Casamayor fight Saturday and noticed something that bugs me when I see it. Joel Casamayor, who defected from Cuba to the United States, came into the ring carrying the Cuban flag. Shouldn’t he be carrying the US flag? I mean if Cuba was anything but a third world cesspool he wouldn’t have left to begin with, right? And after the fight he can’t even give an interview in English! I would ask him if I could: Let me get this right, Joel. You come to this country because your country sucks, you make a nice life for yourself here in the US and have the nerve to carry the CUBAN flag into the ring with you? Furthermore you don’t even have the class and decency to learn English so you can communicate on even the most basic level. UUUGGGHHH!

Is it just me?" - Ancient Mariner

Nothing wrong with a little Viva Cuba Libre.

But yea he should be able to speak a little English.

Casamayor, and everyone else that comes to the US to take advantage of what this country has to offer should be conversant in English before they get let through the door. I'm all for diversity but dead against stupidity, and to let people become citizens without learning the basics is moronic. How are we becoming so dumb as a society?

Ben, I like Rum, Coke and Lime myself, but aren't you too young to drink? :)

I think it's good business for boxers to play to an ethnic fanbase. More so than boxing skills, fighters who play to an ethnicity put bodies in the seats. These may not be the best examples, because they are also skillful boxers, but there is a reason why Miguel Cotto has a tradition of fighting in NYC following the Puerto Rican Day parade, Oscar de la Hoya usually fights on the Saturday nearest Cinco de Mayo, and John Duddy fought around St. Patrick's Day for three straight years. I think Cassamayor, who, this recent exciting bout aside, generally relies on boxing skills and not wild haymakers to win fights, is wise to play this card as he's not the most marketable fighter.

Is it helping or hurting his marketability, I wonder?

Boxing doesn't seem to have a lot of white fans left, so I bet hes helping it. As for whether I'm too young to drink, thats what they say but I seem to be getting the job done alright.

asdf: 6-2 owning of Toronto tonight. Sign of good things to come on the offense? I hope so.

Was happy to see them stepping up on a team that they dominated earlier in the season but have had some trouble with in the last third. Talent aside, they've played hard and tough all season and a recent string of losses seemed to compute with them that they need all the two points outings they can get. Let's hope they can keep it going.

At one point, was the first 3-0 lead for the Bruins I can remember in a quite a while.

It will help when Savard gets back, but Thomas has been consistent and when you got guys like Thornton scoring, has to put a smile on your face.

What a difference the forgotten man, Bergeron, would have made this year.

Yea its a shame. Hopefully he can come back next year at full strength and contribute to a playoff run.