Dews Thursday Round-up

I will get to the news of the day, but I thought I might lead off with a little run-down of the random goings on and wisdom I've had the chance to pickup along the way...

Things Dews has learned on his time away from the blog:
1. Some people do not know that you shouldn't flush paper towels.
2. If you are from New England make it very clear that you are not a Pats fan when talking sports in DC (if you really aren't), as your chances with women drop dramatically if you do not make that clear.
3. Non-Dairy creamer is EXTREMELY flammable/combustible.
4. Micheal Barret was the catcher the Cubs dealt to the Padres (thanks MoDews).
5. Be sure to collect all 10 Planned Parenthood "Protect yourself from John McCain" condoms as they make excellent conversation pieces at parties.
6. God hates the San Diego SUPER Chargers now (probably because they live/play in paradise) and has moved on from hating the Saints.
7. Air mattresses are surprisingly comfortable.

Now then, on with the news...

Morgan Stanley may sell a large stake of its holdings to China, thus continuing our rapid slide into "has-been" superpower:

Morgan Stanley, the second-biggest independent U.S. securities firm, may sell a
larger stake to China Investment Corp. and is in talks about a possible merger with Wachovia Corp., a person familiar with the matter said.

Morgan Stanley pared its loss on the New York Stock Exchange after the person said China's state-controlled fund may buy as much as 49 percent of the New York-based investment bank. The person declined to be identified because the talks aren't public and may end in no agreement.

This is going to get far far worse before it gets any better I'm afraid...

Josh Howard proves just how clean-cut and bright those wonderful folks in the NBA are while at a Charity function with this wonderful nugget of info from Josh Howard:

In a video posted on YouTube, the swingman is shown at Allen Iverson's charity
flag football game in July. When the national anthem is being sung, various participants are shown mugging for the camera. When the camera gets to Howard, he says: " 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on. I don't celebrate this [expletive]. I'm black."

I think we see the next player's labor leader here. Truly an outspoken and underutilized orator for the ages.

And finally an interesting proposal from the same guys that brought you "Freakonomics", a proposal to tax sexual activity:

I'll give them this, its a solid logical argument, but having said that, I sure as hell wouldn't be voting for any politician supporting any such thing. I have my reasons.

That is all.

Five for Friday

This week has been a bit relentless. Tons of work and not a lot of sleep on my end, at least. Same goes for the rest of the LSWTF.com crew. So, apologies. Without further ado, my Five for Friday.

First, if you're an woman attorney, I think the last thing you might want to hear at a deposition is, "Respectfully, I think he's just referring to the fact that he can see your breasts."

Next, if you're David Stern, you can't make this NBA ref game-fixing story go away fast enough. Apparently former NBA ref (and, as Stern points out, convicted felon) Tim Donaghy has some dirt on other refs fixing games, including a playoff game from 2002. Now other refs are getting accused. For once, in my opinion, the NBA actually has its atrocious refereeing going for it. As my good friend the Tenacious Mr. Lee put it, "I don't even know what a foul in the NBA is anymore." It's that bad. Now, I ask you this, how are you going to prove that a ref called a foul intentionally? How are you going to prove intent to rig a game, when there are dozens of borderline calls per game? I think the NBA gets away from anything really bad, like game-fixing, but has to fix its officiating system, or fans are going to walk away.

Third, keeping with the NBA theme, Game 4 last night featured the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, and it has the C's within one game of their 17th championship. Honestly, I turned the game off after the first half. I hadn't slept well in days, was falling asleep, and badly needed a shower. My buddy, Tenacious Lee, called at the start of the fourth, asking if I could believe the comback. I had no idea what he was talking about. I officially suck, a lot.

Fourth, your semi-weekly dose of Krugman: it's about time we stopped living in our laissez faire dream world, and actually got to business making sure our food is safe. Reminder, don't eat any tomatoes for a while.

Fifth, and last, Boumediene v. Bush, yesterday's habeas corpus detainee case. Split 5-4, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Guantanamo detainees have the right to seek review of the legality of their detentions in federal court, striking down as unconstitutional parts of the Military Commissions Act and the Detainee Treatment Act. You can get the full opinion, with the dissents, here (via Scotusblog). I haven't had the chance to fully read this one, but needless to say, with the Court's focus on the Suspension Clause, this election year is going to be huge. Congress may well take another crack at creating legislation to suspend habeas for detainees. This case, along with the decision in The DC Handguns case, will set the tone for this election cycle.

Scoop Jackson...feels...sad?

If you've read much Scoop Jackson, you've certainly puzzled through his muddled articles. But, today he writes about how if Kevin Garnett wins a title in Boston, Jackson can't...I dunno...feel good about it? You can find this puzzling piece of work here. Can anyone make it out?

We Be Ballin

We continue today with my dream team of current NBA players. Of course in today's game a dream team would never work with the amount of egos in the game, we saw what happened with Kobe and Shaq, but never the less we still strive to give you a respectable team.

C-Tim Duncan (Spurs)
PF-Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks)
SF-Lebron James (Cavs)
SG-Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
PG-Steve Nash (Suns)

Bench-Jermaine O'Neal (Pacers), Kevin Garnett (Celtics), Ron Artest (Kings), Dwayne Wade (Heat), Gilbert Arenas (Wizards)

Now this list may shock some folks, especially the Ron Artest selection. Hey, the guy led the league last year in steals and is one of the best defensive players in the league, he should get respect for that...if that's the only thing he can get respect for.

The Power Forward selection was the toughest one since I kept flip flopping between KG and Dirk. In the end I went with Dirk because of what he does on what in my opinion is a falling franchise.Gilbert Arenas is becoming one of the top stars in this league, now if only DC could get some talent around him.

I know some may have chosen Yao over O'Neal and maybe over Duncan, but let us be honest with one another. Tim Duncan is the best basketball player in the last decade, hands down. I'm sorry Kobe, you may have the best skill but last I checked this is still a team sport.

All Time Jam Slam

Continuing in the All Time teams that CNN SI started earlier this week I give you my All Time NBA team. Now mind you I'm not as big of a fan of the NBA now as I was in the 80s, but I still know talent when I see it.

C-Kareem Abdul Jabar-The man dominated wherever he was, and on this team he won't have to be the point and difference maker, but is enough of a distraction that it opens up shooting for the others.
PG-Magic Johnson-The greatest Point Guard of all time, I'm sorry there is NO ONE playing today that can even breath the same air as Magic.
SG-Michael Jordan-The ultimate competitor, the champion of champions, he IS basketball
SF-Larry Bird-I had a friend once tell me that Larry Bird was the greatest white man he's ever seen play basketball, I tend to agree
PF-Dominique Wilkins-This shocks many of you, but it's my own personal choice, The Human Highlight Film is my favorite player ever and he goes on my team.

Bench-Shaq, Bob Cousy, George Gervin, Eljin Baylor, Tim Duncan

Coach-John Wooden, every single player would shut up and listen to what the greatest basketball teacher had to say.