Professor Elam

About one year ago on February 2, 2007 we noted the beginning of Chuck Norris World Combat League.   We were startled at the mix of reverence for the non violence of Dr. King coupled with the kick off ( no pun intended) of perhaps the most violent sport yet. We suspected that this turn to the dark side of human interaction would bode poorly for the markets in the near future.

Well fast forward to today.  The DOW has fallen over 10%, the Recession Word is on everyone’s lips and the pols are trying to outdo one another in giving us some of our own money back, to spend of course. But I digress.  John McCain no less has described such ‘all out fighting as human cockfighting.’  That is a good quote coming in the middle of the presidential campaign.  About  a year ago, Fast Company magazine ran an article decribing how fringe events,like tatoos, can become mainstream.  Now we have one Eugene Robinson an admitted fightaholic with his book entitled what else Fight.  But this is not Marquis de Queensbury rule book.  Rather it covers everygthing from surviving a brawl in a 5 x 7 prison cell to  kenpo karate and mixed martial arts (formerly known as no holds barred in cowboy movies).   Indeed Eugene was autographing his book at a store right here in Dallas Texas this past weekend. The Dallas Morning News reviewer states it well, ‘let’s hope for the sake of civilization that it (unlimited combat) stays a subculture.’ Sorry a bit late for that…..

The book appears as videos of teens fighting , including females, are now appearing on You Tube. Talk show psychologists are exploring what it means. Well we need look no further than the markets, that ever ready Dr. Phil of popular culture, to know exactly what it means. And the market is DOWN. Human nature is turning to the dark side of the force from fighting videos to book signings.

Topping it all off in a further ironic twist, Chuck Norris himself has aligned with Mike Huckabee. Nothing unusual about stars and poilticians except that Huckabee is a former Baptist minister who appeals to evangelicals.  He crows about the Norris endorsement and appearances.  But how does he feel about MLK and the World Combat League, and exactly what that represents?  The stock market has only been up two days so far this year.  May the Delta Force be with you!