Pirate weddings.

Via Mike, Bill Harbaugh of the University of Oregon takes the position that paying taxes feels good.

I disagree. I hate paying taxes.

But, as an economist, I recognize that Harbaugh and I have room for a deal.

I propose that Harbaugh give me $30,000 for a 100-word essay I will write him on taxes and feeling good that will look remarkably similar to this post. I promise to declare this money on my Schedule C, raising my tax burden about $9,000, give or take. I also promise to tithe $3,000 of this money to good charitable causes.

Harbaugh will feel good, because his economic transaction has resulted in more taxes being paid, as well as a donation to charity.

I will feel good, because Harbaugh will have effectively paid most of my taxes for me, relieving me of something I dislike.

We're both better off!

I look forward to hearing from Harbaugh so we can complete this mutually-beneficial deal.

I'll be speaking at Federalist Society events Wednesday, June 20 in Austin and Thursday night, June 21 in Houston on the issue of contingent fees in class actions. Other speakers include the Charles Stuckey of State Farm, Brian Anderson of O'Melveny & Myers, and a plaintiffs' attorney to be named later.

Dude, she is mine own,
And I as rich in having such a jewel
As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl,
The water nectar and the rocks pure gold.

He writes, perhaps only a little tongue in cheek:

What would be the welfare gains if we banned customers from talking to the sales clerks, and vice versa? I find that at least once a week I am frustrated, waiting in line, while the customers and sales clerks chat merrily. They don't seem to care. They don't know how truly important *I* am. They think their little conversation means something in the broader scheme of things.

And he has an ingenious idea: don't tell people where the secret blog is unless they buy his book, which I did before he announced this scheme, and which I am eagerly awaiting. It will be interesting to watch the sales rank climb.

WaPo reporting that David Chase wanted three minutes of black silence to end the episode.