News & Views

"News & Views" is a semi-regular round-up of a variety of articles that have caught our attention recently with a little color commentary about them.

If you still are of the opinion that ObamaCare is the best thing to happen since sliced bread (or canned beer!), then you probably should take a look at this piece by Thomas Sowell. Also...hold on to your wallet when it comes time for open-enrollment in a couple months as your premium will almost invariably be going up.


Another piece of "good news" coming from the collective minds at National Review is this one about the GM Bailout. Yeah, despite those "oh-so-optimistic" commercials, GM hasn't really paid off it's government loan yet; they've only paid back $7 billion of almost $51 billion...wish I could get away with that and call it "good."


A lot has been made of Glenn Beck and I can't even get excited about some of his over-the-top-ness, but the gathering he organized last weekend was something that is hard to criticize. He went out of his way to avoid political speech, banned signs, and focused on faith. I have to agree with him on one thing...if America got back to basic faith in God, a lot of the other issues would work themselves out.


Okay, with the politics section out of the way, I can focus on something we can all agree on: college football! Specifically, that the Vols rock and all teams outside the SEC should just give up now and watch on television! (Like that won't stir up any controversy!) Seriously, though...it's going to be a tough year for UT football, I'm sure, but we could be witnessing the start of a new dynasty...or not...it's really impossible to say at this point! :)


In more fun news, Ford is bringing back the Boss...no, not Springsteen...I'm not sure anything could bring him back to his "glory days" when he was "hiding on the back streets," but I digress. No, I speak of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302. Sweet!


A sad bit of news: Sean Connery marked his 80th birthday by re-iterating his decision to retire from acting (besides voice-over work). Not many actors like him left in the world and I'm sorry to see him have to quit the work that made him famous.


In cigar blogging in the past week or so, we've seen a double-hit of Xikar: the Stogie Guys reviewed the HC Connnecticut, while LasVegash.tv reviewed the VX V-cut. I've said it before, I'll say it again...I want that V-cutter! Can't wait until they come out. Mike's Stogies reviewed the 262 Paradigm, a cigar which I have consistently failed to come back to for a second go-around despite repeated vows to do so...I will do it, though, I swear! Ubi Cigar took a look at the venerable San Cristobal, an Ashton brand that I thought was really good at the start, but has not seemed to keep up the same quality. Saw a great interview with Sean Williams of El Primer Mundo over at Toasted Foot; I have yet to really explore his cigars, but that is about to be rectified. And, finally, Michael Herklots defined the differences in body and strength over at CigarCyclopedia...and his definitions are very close to what I have always said! I love a little validation!


As much fun as the IPCPR-E-I-E-I-O show was earlier this month, the real fun is just beginning. All of those new cigars are starting to hit store shelves which means we all get the opportunity to try them. Keith and I have quite a few of them scheduled for review in the next couple months, as well as a host of other stuff going on. My local shop is becoming an official Viaje dealer, so I am currently trying their "regular" lines so I am familiar with the company; next week will see a "Viaje Week" with reviews of the Oro, Platino and 50/50 Black. The next week I will be delving into the El Primer Mundo line with reviews of 3 of their offerings. Later this month the Original Tiki Bar group is getting together and I'll have a full report on that. Pete Johnson is visiting Burns in October and I hope to have plenty of words and pictures to show you then. Just a few of the cigars coming your way are: Room 101 Cojurna, Macanudo Cru Royale, Don Gonzalez Signature Series, Guillermo Leon, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor, and the Art Deco--I just counted and there are 42 cigars on the schedule for review in the next 2 months. Between me and Keith, that's a lot of smoking! We hope that you will continue to join us. Thank God the Tiki Bar is Open!