Inspired by my friend Lauren’s Website about Books I wanted to list a few of the books I am reading now. I’m typically a nonfiction book reader, but every once in a while I’ll pick up a classic. Mostly because it makes me feel smart. I also have a habit of reading more than one book at a time. So here is what’s in my “library” currently:

I’m on page 150 of 900! of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. This is one of those books that I’ve always wanted to read, and had heard great things about, but have never taken the time to pick it up. The story is great so far, the lessons (at least 1/6 of the way through) are timely and the characters well-developed. I’m looking forward to knocking this one off, as it was one of my New Years Resolutions to finish it.

Another one of my resolutions was to read the Bible. You can read my adventures of purchasing a Bible here. Instead of plowing through it from page 1, I found a great website that guides you through it depending on your interests. Go to Bible Gateway.com to choose your path. I am using this one.

I recently finished Glenn Beck’s Arguing with Idiots. Regardless of how you feel about Beck’s politics, his books are always humorous and well written. This book shines a very bright, conservative light, at subjects such as the economy, unions and the public school system. I believe it’s a strong read for folks on both sides of the aisle.

And, with only a week or two to spare, I’m reading Caveman’s Guide to Baby’s First Year: Early Fatherhood for the Modern Hunter-Gatherer. I’m only a quarter of the way through this book, but it is very informative and entertaining. It leans a little too much on the caveman history side, but the baby-content is very useful and friendly.

Lots to read, and coming soon, probably very little time or energy to read.

If we all had to walk around naked, would everyone be thinner?

This is the solution to the health care crisis in America. Instead of some poorly designed Obamacare program, let’s make everyone take their clothes off. You can leave your bra on of course (at least in the first five years of the program) and mid-thigh shorts are appropriate for the bottom half, flip flops, and that’s it.

I bet you’ll think twice about stopping at McDonalds on the way to work. The sad thing is, I’m not sure this would make any real changes in health. It would, however, make for an interesting walk through the mall.

Where's Mark Sanford?

The lead story all over the news today and The Drudge Report was the disappearance of Mark Sanford. He reportedly left in a black SUV and didn’t tell anyone where he was going, including his own security force.

Jenny Sanford said the governor said he needed time away from their children to write something.

In Governor Sanford’s future run for President, this is either the best political move or the worst and will come back to haunt him for a long time.

It’s the best if he comes back with next edition of the Federalist Papers or the cure for cancer or the solution to the Halting Problem.

It will be the worst if he was just looking for a vacation or wanted to finish reading Angels and Demons.

This is, however, one of those rare times that I feel sorry for celebrities in the spotlight. Governor Sanford should be able to go away, just like you and I, for a few days without causing a national hysteria. On the other hand, watching Jon and Kate plus 8 (and thinking they both should be in jail for exploiting their children) reminds me that celebrities (most of the time) wouldn’t have the money or influence they have if they didn’t get followed around by the media. The media wouldn’t follow them around if people didn’t buy the magazines and watch the shows (like me, right now).

Sigh. I say keep hiding Mark, and come back with the answer to all this mess.

Prime Minister, you can not carry on forever squeezing the productive bit of the economy in order to fund unprecedented engorgement of the unproductive bit. You can not spend your way out of recession or borrow your way out of debt.

It is well worth your time to watch this speech twice: