News archives: 2013-12-19 to 2014-01-24

On one hand, this is the saddest day of the year so far for me. No more incandescent light bulbs. I stocked up while I could.

I was actually an early advocate of some of the alternative bulbs. But when government and greencreepies (don’t bother with a dictionary; I made it up) decided it wasn’t my choice, I rebelled. Letter F ’em, I say.

When enough people think the twisty light bulbs are cheap enough, have the right color tone, and save enough money, they’ll buy them. Same goes for LED bulbs. I’d almost rather live in the dark than buy a light bulb that government told me to — even if it turns out to be the very same light bulb I would have bought willingly. But I guess that’s just me.

And what’s with all this saving energy nonsense, anyway? When government minds its own limited business, energy is plentiful and cheap. And there’s no disgrace in wasting it. The entire carbon footprint thingy is the nonsense of hippie remnants. Yes, we should save the planet, but part of me would rather destroy the planet than have those people save it on my behalf.

And, finally, on the other hand, maybe this will turn out to be a good thing. — MC

I believe that when people have positive outlooks, they collectively make good outcomes more likely. So, attitude matters. And this is a good sign, even though this Fox News poll differs from other recent ones that found contrary results on similar questions.

Although it’s understandable that people would look optimistically toward the next year late in December, I’m surprised about their assessment of 2013. Overall, I would personally rate it as a bad year, all things considered. — MC

The demise of VW campers and vans is particularly sad for me. I had two campers and three vans and grew emotionally attached back in those strange decades.

In a period when I was particularly successful at poker, I bought a rusty one and drove it with pride, making sure it was always running perfectly. But I completely neglected the exterior as sort of a reverse status symbol. — MC

Of course Hollywood films predominantly promote liberalism. But that’s not the point. We all have liberal feelings. And conservative ones. Reading Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath will likely influence you more toward liberal views, and you may be more likely to vote that way immediately after reading it. You’ll cheer for the downtrodden.

But my conservative friends seem to find it difficult seeing the truth. We aren’t conservative or liberal. We are battling within ourselves, our compassion against our logic. Sometimes compassion and logic walk hand-in-hand; often not. Each of us fights this battle. It’s only how we focus and which dominates more often that defines our apparent liberal or conservative natures. Overall, we’re the same.

Labels are sad things. Movies (and art in general) tends to be emotional, not logical. The problem is that Hollywood has collectively decided to marry our caring about fictional characters to liberal causes. And liberal outlook in film is fine. We need that. We need movies about poor people who are invisible to cold-hearted businessmen. But we also need movies about unsuccessful people who are villains against conservatives who stand up against them. It’s all part of life.

So, yes, Hollywood sneaks liberal messages awkwardly into movies. Duh! The question is, how did movies get to be one-sided. This study shows that people are more likely to be in touch with their liberal sides after watching sentimental movies. But that’s really a reflection on the type of sentiment broadcast by the movie itself. Compassion can be a positive guiding force, but it can also be a terrible addiction. If logic triumphs over misguided compassion in a film, the audience will more likely leave the theater feeling good about being reasonable, rather identifying with artificial victims. That message can be art, also. But you don’t see it. And that’s a shame. — MC

As I said when commenting on an earlier story, I thought Phil Robertson, the king duck, had every right to say he preferred vaginae (which is the the plural of vagina, and not a typo). Duck Dynasty fans sided with me. But, since I’m sharing myself here, now I’ll tell you what I think of the show.

Previously, I had only watched bits and pieces. Many of my friends enjoyed the show. So over the past two days, I skimmed through many episodes for hours. From the positive feedback of others, I expected to see a different side to the much-maligned back-country culture. I looked forward to insights and poignant moments of reflection.

Unfortunately, I encountered none of that. I just saw semi-staged scenes with unsophisticated guys (and slightly more sophisticated gals) with whom I have no interest in socializing. To me, there is no depth apparent in these folks.

I think it might be fascinating in a horrific kind of way to film them as they actually are, without them being conscious of the camera. The episodes kind of reminded me of Pawn Stars, a so-called reality show that is clearly staged. But I’m sad to report that I find the Pawn Stars characters more endearing. Bottom line: I expected to like Duck Dynasty, based on recommendations. Actually, I don’t. It might grow on me, if given a chance. But, knowing myself well, it probably won’t get one. — MC

Yes, this story is riveting and written in best journalistic traditions. But, wait! Let me tell you how I see it. The New York Times died as a credible newspaper over a decade ago. And too few people seem to have noticed. Like many others, I once regarded the Times as the epitome of objectivity. No more; not for a very long time.

What happened at the Times is a glaring example of what has happened to U.S. journalists nationally. They graduate from journalism schools that don’t adequately stress objectivity. They take sides. They neglect to fairly cover (or cover at all) important stories that don’t further their cause. They slant. They even lie.

So, what does my opinion have to do with this particular story? I’m guessing that the Times has a motive. Maybe the motive is unspoken and tacitly understood by editors and staff. But I believe it’s partially to give cover to a Hillary Clinton presidential run. She is extremely vulnerable on this issue, having sat by while underlings falsely declared that a poorly produced, amateur video satirizing Muslim religious beliefs was responsible for the attack killing the ambassador and others.

As Secretary of State, ultimately in charge during the disaster, she’s between a rock and a brick wall on this one. And, quite possibly, here’s the NY Times coming to her defense, without even seeming to do it. I don’t know how the Times changed from the world’s most credible newspaper to a part-time propaganda machine, but it did. And it’s astounding how few people are aware.

And yet, this long story is worth reading. It’s packed with good information and will give you a better understanding of some events. Recommended with reservations. — MC

I featured the original story three days ago and thought you might like the follow-up. — MC

You think? — MC

This doesn’t surprise me much, because many of the news stories I’ve been involved with accepted what I told them without checking facts. I know, because it wouldn’t have been easy to check. Lucky for them, I have a history of being right.

I’ve even told reporters that Mike Caro University of Poker, Gambling, and Life Strategy (MCU) was a hoax. It is, kind of, because it never developed the physical presence of degree programs that were originally intended. My “hoax” admission was never quoted, but I did get a front-page story for MCU in a business journal. Read this Forbes story by Dave Thier. If you’re not clear how this guy could have gotten away with that, maybe someday I’ll publish some strategic guidelines. — MC

It’s been 20 years and this story still lives. But I’ve never seen it handled in depth more capably than in this superb piece by Matt Crossman from the Bleacher Report. Well worth reading. — MC

Illegal gambling establishments can be dangerous places to play. This was one of the worst gambling-related tragedies in U.S. history. Thirty years later, a fire hits the location that many claim is haunted and that has never since been open for business.

I’m a skeptic about the haunted part, but the story itself is haunting. — MC

Here is a truly breathtaking photo collection of Detroit in deterioration. You’ll be shocked and saddened. But you won’t look away. — MC

These monstrous monuments to stupidity cast grim shadows throughout the United States, too. When I drive from the Ozarks to Las Vegas, I see them in too many places, interrupting the scenery. And they don’t produce energy economically. They kill birds. They visually pollute. Modern-day environmentalists should rethink this one — assuming they can stop their temper tantrum against “the man” long enough to think at all.

Just so you know, I’m solidly in favor of alternative forms of energy. Solar power will probably make our world much better in the future. Wind might have its place, too. But that won’t happen until those who think logically and plan constructively vanquish those who have completely different agendas. — MC

Come on, CNN, why the dirty fingernails in this image? It’s not part of the story.

I love McDonald’s. And it has nothing to do with food quality. They were there “back in the day” with those 15-cent hamburgers when I really needed them. Loyalty can stretch for many decades.

I’m probably the only person who ever opted out of a gourmet dinner with Jack Binion at the World Series of Poker to walk up the street, with $40,000 stuffed in my pockets, to order a Big Mac. I like other stuff there, too. Egg McMuffins, the on-and-off-sale McRib (and I know what it’s really made from), and more. — MC

You can analyze this many ways. There are great arguments leading to opposite conclusions. This situation is fascinating and not unique in the United States today.

Since law enforcement can’t respond to property crimes, should you just move somewhere else, as they recommend? Or is volunteer patrol reasonable?

One dead thief and there will be excessive news focus here. Yet, what are these folks supposed to do? Sure, you can say it’s their fault for voting against new taxes. But what about the residents who voted for them? Lots of questions. Not many answers. — MC

Poker players are notorious for mishandling money. I’ve done it, too. They say, in the old days, people should have followed me around to make a living by picking up $100 bills I carelessly dropped on floors while reaching into my pockets.

And, as strange as that sounds, I’m not alone. Doyle Brunson accidentally burned $5,000 in a microwave oven. Still, this stunt might be approaching some sort of record for poker carelessness. Nice cabby, too. Good story. — MC

I’ll let this one speak for itself. — MC

I probably wouldn’t have selected this story, except I was born in Joplin. I have no memories of it, though, having moved away shortly after — only to return to the Ozarks 11 years ago. I now live on Table Rock Lake, about an hour and a half from my birthplace. Please feel free to ignore this one. You won’t be tested. — MC

I selected this story to drill home a point I teach about life and about poker. There will be injustices in your daily adventures. Maybe you can expect 1,342 of them next year. So, if only 1,295 actually occur, you’re having a good year.

Baseball players bobble balls and make errors, even the very best fielders. So, should you be upset by their mistakes? Of course not. It’s their overall performance that matters. What about poker dealers?

I’ve never expressed dissatisfaction after dealers made mistakes — even when it has cost me a big pot. In fact, not only haven’t I expressed it, I haven’t felt it. Why? Because I treat unintentional human-inspired events like the weather. It’s just there, just another happening. It might help; it might hurt. The sun might shine; the rain might fall.

Green Bay probably got a bad decision here. But it could have been a different bad decision that might have helped them. In life, you don’t waste important decision-making time fretting about accidental stuff that didn’t go your way. You play on. — MC

Nothing special about this sad story, except it caught my attention. The criminal attacker has to write, “Boys do not hit girls” 5,000 times. But that will be 5,000 lies.

Clearly, boys DO hit girls, or there wouldn’t be a reason for this sentence. If you’re bound and determined to impose creative justice in this way, at least get your wording right. Besides, it’s a man and a woman, in this instance, not a boy and a girl.

This same judge made national news a few months ago for sentencing a child rapist to probation, largely because the 14-year-old girl seemed mature. Interesting dude, this judge. Carry on. — MC

Interesting story submitted by my colleague Bill Handy. A few things need clarifying. Bill asks how management knew that the cheater had folded good cards. Good question.

And I wonder what happened to the final $21,000 Euros won during the police investigation? Did the victims just suffer, or was there an attempt to distribute the winnings equitably to those players? Plus, the method used to cheat is ancient and was common in Gardena, California and elsewhere 50 years ago.

So, I’m unclear about what new technology was employed. Also, why was an accomplice “who sniffed and snorted” needed? Finally, if this is the first case of its kind in Italy — well, that’s just plain scary and illustrates how little protection poker players have worldwide. — MC

Las Vegas is overbuilt. I said so over a decade ago and predicted that casinos would fold. I also predicted the housing collapse there.

So, am I happy that I’m right. No, sad, actually. Too much competition threatens gambling in cities where too many casinos with too many hotel rooms were hastily added. And what about real estate values in Las Vegas? I argued for decades that the skyrocketing prices would collapse — and it had nothing to do with gambling. It had to do with people cashing out from the housing bubble in California and elsewhere and moving to Las Vegas — where prices were ridiculously cheap at first. Then only comparatively cheap. Then not cheap at all.

That onslaught pushed home prices way up and people thought they would just keep climbing. But I argued that they couldn’t, because after the first wave of buyers, who were you going to sell to next?

Unfortunately, even more factors have piled on to push home prices down. And the casino industry is in deep trouble, despite PR efforts to say it ain’t so. Now real estate is starting to recover a bit. But high-priced Vegas, ever expanding, is probably permanently a thing of the past. — MC