It begins - CT has its bond rating cut

My home state is the first, but it won't be the last. Ratings agencies are beginning to cut the bond ratings for the state. This will make it much more expensive to raise funds in the future

Connecticut is preparing to borrow $956 million to close a budget gap in the fiscal year beginning July 1, after borrowing money last year to cover a deficit of $947.6 million. Not good. Fitch has reduced the states credit rating from AA+ to AA.

Other problems with Barry Bonds home runs than steroids

I found this article yesterday and it raises an interesting question - are there more problems with Barry Bonds's breaking of Hank Aaron's home run record than just his steroid use?

As a student of baseball – and currently a mechanics consultant to a major league baseball team -- I believe I have insight into the Bonds "achievement." I have studied his swing countless times on video and examined the mechanical gear closely through photographs.

For years, sportswriters remarked that his massive "protective" gear – unequaled in all of baseball -- permits Bonds to lean over the plate without fear of being hit by a pitch. Thus situated, Bonds can handle the outside pitch (where most pitchers live) unusually well. This is unfair advantage enough, but no longer controversial. However, it is only one of at least seven (largely unexplored) advantages conferred by the apparatus.

I reviewed this article with CRChair, and he was right in noting that it appears none of the "advantages" of the body armor appear to be illegal under MLB rules. However, one must wonder how well it compares with Hank Aaron who used only muscle, bone, tendon, and a wooden bat.