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This morning's "Jobs Numbers" report for February was the cause of much celebration among the usual pundits ("KABOOOOOM", tweated Joe Weisenthal, @TheStalwart). Not only did the jobs-created number (236,000) far exceed expectations, the unemployment rate of 7.7% is the lowest in 4 years. Coupled with the Raging Bull market in equities (the stock market seems to reach a new high every day in a revived fit of irrational exuberance), the trend seems to be towards a strengthening economy.

Now look inside the numbers: It could be argued that the bull market is being fueled by the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates low. Investors flush with cash may simply be  seeking better returns than they are currently getting on the bond market. With the Fed indicating that it will continue its present monetary policies for the foreseeable future, equities seem to be more attractive than commodities these days. The employment numbers are also deceptive: While the private sector has been adding jobs, much of the gains are offset by the loss of public sector jobs the last few years. As the contrived austerity of the sequester takes effect,  the Federal,  state and local governments will shed even more employees, adding more drag to economic growth.

This is typical Congress stuff: After pointing the gun of sequestration at their own head, they shoot themselves in the foot.

Speaking of Congress, Senator Rand Paul pole-vaulted across several news cycles by staging a near-thirteen hour talking filibuster Wednesday. The take-aways from Paul's display of perorating have been numerous and varied: Sen. John McCain decried it as a "political stunt", while the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson said that Paul was right to question the government's use of drones as the instrument of assassination.  Jimmy Stewart was nominated for an Academy Award for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Rand Paul is already in Washington, but I don't see an Oscar in his future.

Today is International Women's Day. Please take the time to honor the women in your life for their accomplishments.