Posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Togo Soccer Team Barred From Competing for Leaving Angola After Deadly Attack - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com
Togo Soccer Team Barred From Competing for Leaving Angola After Deadly Attack - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com: "As if the deadly attack this month on Togo's soccer team wasn't enough, now the team has been banned from the next two editions of the tournament -- simply for following its government's orders to return home."
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Overspent and Overextended | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary
Overspent and Overextended | Doug Bandow | Cato Institute: Commentary: "he Obama administration's original non-war defense budget was $534 billion. The latter is an increase of $20 billion, or 4 percent (2 percent after inflation). Yet conservatives attacked Obama for 'cutting' military outlays. Robert Kagan of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace charged that the administration was signaling that 'the American retreat has begun.'
It is a curious form of 'retreat.' The U.S. is ramping up the war in Afghanistan. American troops continue to occupy Iraq. The U.S. remains the principal member of every major Cold War alliance: NATO, U.S.-Japan, and U.S.-Korea. America is allied with every major industrialized power outside of China and Russia. U.S. troops are stationed at hundreds of installations in scores of nations around the globe. The American secretary of state continues to circle the globe instructing other nations how to order their economies, reform their political systems, and behave in international relations."
"Military outlays should be tied to threats, not economic growth."
"American foreign policy should reflect international realities and change over time. Both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were aggressive, hegemonic powers. Both were capable of threatening the survival of other nations. Both had allies around the world.
Today the U.S. faces no significant military threats — a circumstance Americans should celebrate, not regret. As Colin Powell famously declared in 1991 when chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 'I'm running out of demons. I'm running out of enemies. I'm down to Castro and Kim Il Sung.'"
"America possesses the most sophisticated nuclear arsenal and most powerful conventional force. Washington's ability to intervene is unparalleled: the U.S. possesses 11 carrier groups. Russia has one. India has one. There are no others.
Other nations, most notably China, are stirring. But it will take years for them to match, let alone overtake, the U.S. Even subtracting the costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars leaves American military outlays around five times those of China, 10 times those of Russia, and 20 times those of India."
"Terrorism remains a pressing security threat. However, terrorist attacks, such as 9/11, though horrid, do not pose an existential danger. Al-Qaeda is no replacement for Nazism and Communism, nuclear-topped ICBMs, and armored divisions. Nor is traditional military force the best way to combat terrorism. International cooperation, improved intelligence, judicious use of Special Forces abroad, and smarter use of police forces at home will work far better in far more cases."
"The second issue is whether more money on the military would better prevent terrorism. It wouldn't."
"Cutting commitments is an imperative for anyone committed to limited government. War is the ultimate big government program"
"When the Constitution authorizes the federal government to 'provide for the common defense,' it means America's defense, not that of well-heeled allies and failed Third World states."
It is a curious form of 'retreat.' The U.S. is ramping up the war in Afghanistan. American troops continue to occupy Iraq. The U.S. remains the principal member of every major Cold War alliance: NATO, U.S.-Japan, and U.S.-Korea. America is allied with every major industrialized power outside of China and Russia. U.S. troops are stationed at hundreds of installations in scores of nations around the globe. The American secretary of state continues to circle the globe instructing other nations how to order their economies, reform their political systems, and behave in international relations."
"Military outlays should be tied to threats, not economic growth."
"American foreign policy should reflect international realities and change over time. Both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were aggressive, hegemonic powers. Both were capable of threatening the survival of other nations. Both had allies around the world.
Today the U.S. faces no significant military threats — a circumstance Americans should celebrate, not regret. As Colin Powell famously declared in 1991 when chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 'I'm running out of demons. I'm running out of enemies. I'm down to Castro and Kim Il Sung.'"
"America possesses the most sophisticated nuclear arsenal and most powerful conventional force. Washington's ability to intervene is unparalleled: the U.S. possesses 11 carrier groups. Russia has one. India has one. There are no others.
Other nations, most notably China, are stirring. But it will take years for them to match, let alone overtake, the U.S. Even subtracting the costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars leaves American military outlays around five times those of China, 10 times those of Russia, and 20 times those of India."
"Terrorism remains a pressing security threat. However, terrorist attacks, such as 9/11, though horrid, do not pose an existential danger. Al-Qaeda is no replacement for Nazism and Communism, nuclear-topped ICBMs, and armored divisions. Nor is traditional military force the best way to combat terrorism. International cooperation, improved intelligence, judicious use of Special Forces abroad, and smarter use of police forces at home will work far better in far more cases."
"The second issue is whether more money on the military would better prevent terrorism. It wouldn't."
"Cutting commitments is an imperative for anyone committed to limited government. War is the ultimate big government program"
"When the Constitution authorizes the federal government to 'provide for the common defense,' it means America's defense, not that of well-heeled allies and failed Third World states."
Trouble in Paradise: Akaka Bill's Passage Would Threaten Many Hawaiian Institutions | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: Commentary
Trouble in Paradise: Akaka Bill's Passage Would Threaten Many Hawaiian Institutions | Ilya Shapiro | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Hawaii's congressional delegation, meanwhile, continues to insist that there is enormous public support for the bill — even while refusing to survey this support or allow a referendum. And for good reason: a recent Zogby poll shows that 60% of those who have an opinion on the Akaka Bill oppose it and 76% oppose paying the higher taxes that would be necessary to pay for a separate Hawaiian nation-tribe."
The Moral and Constitutional Case for a Right to Gay Marriage | Robert A. Levy | Cato Institute: Commentary
The Moral and Constitutional Case for a Right to Gay Marriage | Robert A. Levy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "For most of Western history, marriage was a matter of private contract between the betrothed parties and perhaps their families. Following that tradition, marriage today should be a private arrangement, requiring minimal or no state intervention. Some religious or secular institutions would recognize gay marriages; others would not; still others would call them domestic partnerships or assign another label. Join whichever group you wish. The rights and responsibilities of partners would be governed by personally tailored contracts — consensual bargains like those that control most other interactions in a free society."
"Nor is a ban on gay marriage a close fit for attaining the goals cited by proponents of such bans. If the goal, for example, is to strengthen the institution of marriage, a more effective step might be to bar no-fault divorce and premarital cohabitation."
Protecting marriage is best done on at the personal, community, etc levels -- not at the federal government level. Would there be less marriage problems if the federal government wasn't involved? The federal government first protected marriage against divorce but then opened the gates wide.
"Nor is a ban on gay marriage a close fit for attaining the goals cited by proponents of such bans. If the goal, for example, is to strengthen the institution of marriage, a more effective step might be to bar no-fault divorce and premarital cohabitation."
Protecting marriage is best done on at the personal, community, etc levels -- not at the federal government level. Would there be less marriage problems if the federal government wasn't involved? The federal government first protected marriage against divorce but then opened the gates wide.
The Healing Power of Innovation | Glen Whitman and Raymond Raad | Cato Institute: Commentary
The Healing Power of Innovation | Glen Whitman and Raymond Raad | Cato Institute: Commentary: "we compare the U.S. to other nations by their contributions to basic medical sciences, diagnostics, therapeutics, and business models. With the exception of business model innovation (which appears sluggish across nations), the U.S. has contributed more in these areas than any other country--and sometimes more than all other countries combined."
"It seems likely that American medical innovation is driven largely by something often regarded as a defect: the fact that we spend so much money."
"Other things equal, people and firms tend to invest more in medical innovation when they expect a higher return, when the returns last longer and when the returns arrive sooner."
"It seems likely that American medical innovation is driven largely by something often regarded as a defect: the fact that we spend so much money."
"Other things equal, people and firms tend to invest more in medical innovation when they expect a higher return, when the returns last longer and when the returns arrive sooner."
FOXNews.com - Pelosi Pushes $300 Billion 'Fix' to Senate Health Care Bill
FOXNews.com - Pelosi Pushes $300 Billion 'Fix' to Senate Health Care Bill: "Senior Democratic aides told Fox News that Pelosi has offered up the new package of changes to Senate Democratic leaders, with the hope that they will be able to pass it using a controversial procedural maneuver known as 'reconciliation.' The maneuver would allow Democrats to pass the measure with just 51 votes, without having to first overcome the normal 60-vote threshold.
Some Democrats are keen on using that process, since the election last week of Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts broke the Democrats' 60-vote supermajority. However, some Democratic moderates -- notably Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh -- have balked at using the controversial tactic to ram through health care reform measures."
Reminds me of the "nuclear option" discussed with judge appointments a few years ago. It's a perfect chance to see who's positions are political based.
Some Democrats are keen on using that process, since the election last week of Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts broke the Democrats' 60-vote supermajority. However, some Democratic moderates -- notably Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh -- have balked at using the controversial tactic to ram through health care reform measures."
Reminds me of the "nuclear option" discussed with judge appointments a few years ago. It's a perfect chance to see who's positions are political based.
Why Populists Are Wrong About Impact of Free Trade | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary
Why Populists Are Wrong About Impact of Free Trade | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary: "During difficult economic times, import competition allows more American families to keep their heads above water by delivering lower prices on staples such as food, clothing and shoes. The prices we pay for goods exposed to global trade tend to rise more slowly than inflation or even fall. The imported fresh fruit and vegetables, T-shirts and discounted sneakers sold at big-box retailers are especially important in the budgets of poor and middle-class families.
Trade benefits producers by allowing Americans to sell our goods and services in growing markets abroad."
"For Americans worried about their jobs, it is a big lie that we have been surrendering middle-class manufacturing jobs for low-paying service jobs. In fact, since 1991, two-thirds of the net new jobs created in the U.S. economy have been in sectors such as health care, education and business and professional services where the average pay is higher than in manufacturing."
"the past three decades of expanding trade and globalization have witnessed dramatic global progress. Between 1981 and 2005, the share of the world's population living on the equivalent of $1.25 a day dropped by half, from 52 to 25 percent, according to the World Bank. During this same period, real gains have been made in life expectancy, infant survival, nutrition and literacy. The most dramatic gains against poverty have occurred in those countries, such as China and Chile, that have most aggressively opened themselves to the global economy.
As a global middle class has emerged, so too have more democratic forms of government. Trade has spread tools of communication and spurred the growth of civil society as an alternative to authoritarian government. As a result, the share of the world's population living in countries that respect civil liberties and the right to vote has climbed from 35 percent in 1973 to 46 percent today, according to Freedom House.
Fewer people are dying in wars today than in past decades, in large part because commerce has replaced military competition. Global commerce has allowed nations to gain access to resources through trade rather than conquest, while deeper economic integration has brought former enemies together and raised the cost of war."
Trade benefits producers by allowing Americans to sell our goods and services in growing markets abroad."
"For Americans worried about their jobs, it is a big lie that we have been surrendering middle-class manufacturing jobs for low-paying service jobs. In fact, since 1991, two-thirds of the net new jobs created in the U.S. economy have been in sectors such as health care, education and business and professional services where the average pay is higher than in manufacturing."
"the past three decades of expanding trade and globalization have witnessed dramatic global progress. Between 1981 and 2005, the share of the world's population living on the equivalent of $1.25 a day dropped by half, from 52 to 25 percent, according to the World Bank. During this same period, real gains have been made in life expectancy, infant survival, nutrition and literacy. The most dramatic gains against poverty have occurred in those countries, such as China and Chile, that have most aggressively opened themselves to the global economy.
As a global middle class has emerged, so too have more democratic forms of government. Trade has spread tools of communication and spurred the growth of civil society as an alternative to authoritarian government. As a result, the share of the world's population living in countries that respect civil liberties and the right to vote has climbed from 35 percent in 1973 to 46 percent today, according to Freedom House.
Fewer people are dying in wars today than in past decades, in large part because commerce has replaced military competition. Global commerce has allowed nations to gain access to resources through trade rather than conquest, while deeper economic integration has brought former enemies together and raised the cost of war."
Americans Reaping Benefits of U.S. Membership in WTO | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary
Americans Reaping Benefits of U.S. Membership in WTO | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary: "WTO membership encourages the United States to keep its own markets open, for the benefit of U.S. consumers and import-using industries. It also promotes trade liberalization abroad, which opens markets and keeps them open for U.S. exporters. WTO agreements put those commitments in writing so there is less temptation for governments to backslide and re-impose damaging trade barriers under short-term political pressure."
"since China joined the WTO in 2001, its average tariff imposed on goods of special export interest to the United States has dropped from 25 percent to 7 percent.
WTO agreements also restrict the ability of foreign governments to place quotas on imports, to impose domestic regulations that unfairly discriminately against U.S. products, and to subsidize domestic industries that compete against American firms."
"Appealing through the WTO has helped the U.S. government to remove barriers to the sale of U.S. semiconductors in China, beef and rice in Mexico, genetically modified crops in the European Union, apples in Japan, milk in Canada, 2,700 specific product categories in India (including high-technology products, petrochemicals, textiles, and agricultural products), and copyrighted sound recordings in Japan."
"since China joined the WTO in 2001, its average tariff imposed on goods of special export interest to the United States has dropped from 25 percent to 7 percent.
WTO agreements also restrict the ability of foreign governments to place quotas on imports, to impose domestic regulations that unfairly discriminately against U.S. products, and to subsidize domestic industries that compete against American firms."
"Appealing through the WTO has helped the U.S. government to remove barriers to the sale of U.S. semiconductors in China, beef and rice in Mexico, genetically modified crops in the European Union, apples in Japan, milk in Canada, 2,700 specific product categories in India (including high-technology products, petrochemicals, textiles, and agricultural products), and copyrighted sound recordings in Japan."
New Stem Cell Study 'Huge Leap Forward' in Regenerative Medicine - Incredible Health - FOXNews.com
New Stem Cell Study 'Huge Leap Forward' in Regenerative Medicine - Incredible Health - FOXNews.com: "Researchers have transformed ordinary mouse skin cells directly into neurons, bypassing the need for stem cells or even stemlike cells and greatly speeding up the field of regenerative medicine."
Once again, the advances aren't using babies (fetal stem cells).
Once again, the advances aren't using babies (fetal stem cells).
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Relentless Misery of 1.6 Gallons - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute
The Relentless Misery of 1.6 Gallons - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute: "We have all gotten used to a reduced standard of living — just as the people living in the Soviet Union became accustomed to cold apartments, long bread lines, and poor dental care. There is nothing about our standard of living that is intrinsic to our sense of how things ought to be. Let enough time pass and people forget things.
So let us remember way back when:
* Toilets did not need plungers next to them, and thank goodness. Used plungers are nasty, disease carrying, and filthy. It doesn't matter how cute the manufacturer tries to make them or in how many colors you can buy them. In the old days, you would never have one exposed for guests. It was kept out in the garage for the rare occasion when someone threw a ham or something stranger down the toilet.
* Toilet paper was super thick and getting thicker. None of this one-ply nonsense.
* You never had any doubt about the capacity of the toilet to flush completely, with only one pull of the handle. The toilet stayed clean thanks to five gallons of rushing water pouring through it after each flush."
"Government has reduced us as people to the point that we either have to enter the black market to get good sewage or come to terms with living amidst periodic spreading of human waste all over our domestic and commercial environment."
"The environmentalists didn't account for the present reality in which people typically flush twice, three times, or even four times during a single toilet event. Whether or not this ends up using more or less in the long run is entirely an empirical question, but let us just suppose that the new microtanks do indeed save water. In the same way, letting people die of infections conserves antibiotics, not brushing teeth conserves toothpaste, and not using anesthesia during surgery conserves needles and syringes.
Here is the truth that environmentalists do not face: Sometimes conserving is not a good idea. There are some life activities that cry out for the expenditure of resources, even in the most generous possible way. I would count waste disposal as one of those."
So let us remember way back when:
* Toilets did not need plungers next to them, and thank goodness. Used plungers are nasty, disease carrying, and filthy. It doesn't matter how cute the manufacturer tries to make them or in how many colors you can buy them. In the old days, you would never have one exposed for guests. It was kept out in the garage for the rare occasion when someone threw a ham or something stranger down the toilet.
* Toilet paper was super thick and getting thicker. None of this one-ply nonsense.
* You never had any doubt about the capacity of the toilet to flush completely, with only one pull of the handle. The toilet stayed clean thanks to five gallons of rushing water pouring through it after each flush."
"Government has reduced us as people to the point that we either have to enter the black market to get good sewage or come to terms with living amidst periodic spreading of human waste all over our domestic and commercial environment."
"The environmentalists didn't account for the present reality in which people typically flush twice, three times, or even four times during a single toilet event. Whether or not this ends up using more or less in the long run is entirely an empirical question, but let us just suppose that the new microtanks do indeed save water. In the same way, letting people die of infections conserves antibiotics, not brushing teeth conserves toothpaste, and not using anesthesia during surgery conserves needles and syringes.
Here is the truth that environmentalists do not face: Sometimes conserving is not a good idea. There are some life activities that cry out for the expenditure of resources, even in the most generous possible way. I would count waste disposal as one of those."
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Women's Groups Blast 'Divisive' Pro-Life Super Bowl Ad -- Without Even Seeing It - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
Women's Groups Blast 'Divisive' Pro-Life Super Bowl Ad -- Without Even Seeing It - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com: "It's a happy story with an inspirational ending, but pro-choice critics say Focus on the Family should not be allowed to air the commercial because it advocates on behalf of a divisive issue and threatens to 'throw women under the bus.'
'This organization is extremely intolerant and divisive and pushing an un-American agenda,' said Jehmu Greene, director of the Women's Media Center, which is coordinating a campaign to force CBS to pull the ad before it airs on Feb. 7.
'Abortion is very controversial, and the anti-abortion vitriol has resulted in escalated violence against reproductive health providers and their patients,' Greene said. 'We've seen that clearly with the murder of Dr. George Tiller,' the late-term abortion provider who was gunned down in his Kansas church in May 2009."
NOW calls them intolerant but doesn't want to tolerate their views! How can anyone think that make sense?!?
'This organization is extremely intolerant and divisive and pushing an un-American agenda,' said Jehmu Greene, director of the Women's Media Center, which is coordinating a campaign to force CBS to pull the ad before it airs on Feb. 7.
'Abortion is very controversial, and the anti-abortion vitriol has resulted in escalated violence against reproductive health providers and their patients,' Greene said. 'We've seen that clearly with the murder of Dr. George Tiller,' the late-term abortion provider who was gunned down in his Kansas church in May 2009."
NOW calls them intolerant but doesn't want to tolerate their views! How can anyone think that make sense?!?
Good News for Blackwater Is Bad News for Industry | David Isenberg | Cato Institute: Commentary
Good News for Blackwater Is Bad News for Industry | David Isenberg | Cato Institute: Commentary: "U.S. military reports from the scene indicated that Blackwater guards opened fire without provocation and used excessive force against Iraqi civilians."
"Reportedly American investigators were told that during the shootings at least one Blackwater guard continued firing on civilians while colleagues urgently called for a cease-fire. At least one guard apparently also drew a weapon on a fellow guard who did not stop shooting.
Reportedly FBI agents found that at least 14 of the shootings were unjustified and violated deadly-force rules in effect for security contractors in Iraq."
"Reportedly American investigators were told that during the shootings at least one Blackwater guard continued firing on civilians while colleagues urgently called for a cease-fire. At least one guard apparently also drew a weapon on a fellow guard who did not stop shooting.
Reportedly FBI agents found that at least 14 of the shootings were unjustified and violated deadly-force rules in effect for security contractors in Iraq."
Mankiw's Baseless Arguments - Robert P. Murphy - Mises Institute
Mankiw's Baseless Arguments - Robert P. Murphy - Mises Institute: "When the Treasury pays someone interest, it's not inflationary; it simply leaves less money (out of general tax receipts) available for other spending purposes. On the other hand, when the Fed pays interest on reserves, it necessarily increases the monetary base.
Thus, Mankiw's solution for dealing with unprecedented excess reserves is for the Fed to create even more reserves in order to pay bankers not to make new loans. Does that sound like a good long-term plan for the economy?"
Thus, Mankiw's solution for dealing with unprecedented excess reserves is for the Fed to create even more reserves in order to pay bankers not to make new loans. Does that sound like a good long-term plan for the economy?"
Monday, January 25, 2010
Google Public Policy Blog: Finance clean energy, Mr. President
Google Public Policy Blog: Finance clean energy, Mr. President: "Along with other entrepreneurs, investors and industry stakeholders, we wrote a letter urging President Obama to craft a jobs package that includes the creation of a Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA). Swift enactment of CEDA will create jobs in 2010 and also position the U.S. as a global leader in the development and deployment of clean energy technologies for years to come."
Government financing usually makes something worse because it is so much less efficient that the market and its choices are usually political. For the sake of clean energy, please don't finance clean energy, Mr. President.
Government financing usually makes something worse because it is so much less efficient that the market and its choices are usually political. For the sake of clean energy, please don't finance clean energy, Mr. President.
Friday, January 22, 2010
FOXNews.com - Senate Democrats Propose $1.9T Increase to U.S. Debt Limit
FOXNews.com - Senate Democrats Propose $1.9T Increase to U.S. Debt Limit: "The record increase in the so-called debt limit is required because the budget deficit has spiraled out of control in the wake of a recession that cut tax revenues, the Wall Street bailout, and increased spending by the Democratic-controlled Congress. Last year's deficit hit a phenomenal $1.4 trillion, and the current year's deficit promises to be as high or higher. "
"'We have gone to the restaurant. We have eaten the meal. Now the only question is whether we will pay the check,' said Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. 'We simply must do so.'"
No, it is more like you bought toys and the question is if you will return any.
"Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota immediately offered an amendment to end the bank and Wall Street bailout, officially known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Thune would prohibit further expenditure TARP funds and would require that all funds paid back be used to retire debt."
That would at least show some remorse for overspending.
"'We have gone to the restaurant. We have eaten the meal. Now the only question is whether we will pay the check,' said Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. 'We simply must do so.'"
No, it is more like you bought toys and the question is if you will return any.
"Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota immediately offered an amendment to end the bank and Wall Street bailout, officially known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Thune would prohibit further expenditure TARP funds and would require that all funds paid back be used to retire debt."
That would at least show some remorse for overspending.
FOXNews.com - U.N. Panel's Glacier-Disaster Claims Melting Away
FOXNews.com - U.N. Panel's Glacier-Disaster Claims Melting Away: "Today, the IPCC issued a statement offering regret for the poorly vetted statements. 'The Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Co-chairs of the IPCC regret the poor application of well-established IPCC procedures,' the statement says, though it goes short of issuing a full retraction or reprinting the report.
Pachauri told Reuters on Monday that the group was looking into the issue, and planned to 'take a position on it in the next two or three days.'"
"'They are indeed receding and the rate is cause for great concern,' Ramesh said of the glaciers. But, he said, the IPCC's 2035 forecast was 'not based on an iota of scientific evidence.'"
"The speculative comments were not peer reviewed, and other reports have indicated that the glaciers are not retreating abnormally."
This just shows that IPCC is a political group -- not a scientific group. They didn't follow accepted scientific methods. So take their work as political statements and not scientific statements.
Pachauri told Reuters on Monday that the group was looking into the issue, and planned to 'take a position on it in the next two or three days.'"
"'They are indeed receding and the rate is cause for great concern,' Ramesh said of the glaciers. But, he said, the IPCC's 2035 forecast was 'not based on an iota of scientific evidence.'"
"The speculative comments were not peer reviewed, and other reports have indicated that the glaciers are not retreating abnormally."
This just shows that IPCC is a political group -- not a scientific group. They didn't follow accepted scientific methods. So take their work as political statements and not scientific statements.
Blogs, YouTube prompt campaign finance ruling | Politics and Law - CNET News
Blogs, YouTube prompt campaign finance ruling | Politics and Law - CNET News: "The New York Times endorses political candidates (in 2008, it endorsed Barack Obama). So does the New York Post (it chose John McCain).
Those endorsements on the eve of a presidential election were permitted under U.S. election laws--even though both newspapers are owned by corporations with market capitalizations in the billions of dollars. But the tiny nonprofit called Citizens United, funded mostly by individual donations, was barred from sharing its own political views."
Those endorsements on the eve of a presidential election were permitted under U.S. election laws--even though both newspapers are owned by corporations with market capitalizations in the billions of dollars. But the tiny nonprofit called Citizens United, funded mostly by individual donations, was barred from sharing its own political views."
Thursday, January 21, 2010
FOXNews.com - Supreme Court Removes Limits on Corporate, Labor Donations to Campaigns
FOXNews.com - Supreme Court Removes Limits on Corporate, Labor Donations to Campaigns: "In a stunning reversal of the nation's federal campaign finance laws, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Thursday that as an exercise of free speech, corporations, labor unions and other groups can directly spend on political campaigns."
Campaign finance laws aren't effective anyway -- they just shift how things are done while appearing to solve the problem.
"'In the context of election to public office, the distinction between corporate and human speakers is significant. Although they make enormous contributions to our society, corporations are not actually members of it,' he added."
Technically, corporations don't do anything either (speak, spend money, etc). It is the people who run those corporations who do those things.
Campaign finance laws aren't effective anyway -- they just shift how things are done while appearing to solve the problem.
"'In the context of election to public office, the distinction between corporate and human speakers is significant. Although they make enormous contributions to our society, corporations are not actually members of it,' he added."
Technically, corporations don't do anything either (speak, spend money, etc). It is the people who run those corporations who do those things.
Sitting Too Much Could Be Deadly, Experts Say - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com
Sitting Too Much Could Be Deadly, Experts Say - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com: "Scientists are increasingly warning that sitting for prolonged periods — even if you also exercise regularly — could be bad for your health. And it doesn't matter where the sitting takes place — at the office, at school, in the car or before a computer or TV — just the overall number of hours it occurs."
One idea that comes to my mind is to setup a desk (or a few) at standing height. The computer would be setup with remote desktop so that employees using it could connect back to their workstation and do work as if they were at their desk. That desk could then be reserved like a conference room so that employees could use it for a few short periods during the day. Optionally, the cube could have a tread mill right in front of the computer so that employees could also walk while working.
One idea that comes to my mind is to setup a desk (or a few) at standing height. The computer would be setup with remote desktop so that employees using it could connect back to their workstation and do work as if they were at their desk. That desk could then be reserved like a conference room so that employees could use it for a few short periods during the day. Optionally, the cube could have a tread mill right in front of the computer so that employees could also walk while working.
Muslims Angry Over U.S. Military 'Jesus' Rifles - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
Muslims Angry Over U.S. Military 'Jesus' Rifles - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com: "Markings on the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight, which is standard issue to U.S. special operations forces, include 'JN8:12,' a reference to John 8:12: 'Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 'I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life,'' according to the King James version of the Bible.
The Trijicon Reflex sight is stamped with 2COR4:6, a reference to part of the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians: 'For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,' the King James version reads."
"'I don't have to wonder for a nanosecond how the American public would react if citations from the Quran were being inscribed onto these U.S. armed forces gun sights instead of New Testament citations,' Weinstein said. The foundation is a nonprofit organization opposed to religious favoritism within the military."
"'This situation is not unlike the situation with U.S. currency,' said the spokesman, Air Force Maj. John Redfield. 'Are we going to stop using money because the bills have 'In God We Trust' on them? As long as the sights meet the combat needs of troops, they'll continue to be used.'"
The Trijicon Reflex sight is stamped with 2COR4:6, a reference to part of the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians: 'For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,' the King James version reads."
"'I don't have to wonder for a nanosecond how the American public would react if citations from the Quran were being inscribed onto these U.S. armed forces gun sights instead of New Testament citations,' Weinstein said. The foundation is a nonprofit organization opposed to religious favoritism within the military."
"'This situation is not unlike the situation with U.S. currency,' said the spokesman, Air Force Maj. John Redfield. 'Are we going to stop using money because the bills have 'In God We Trust' on them? As long as the sights meet the combat needs of troops, they'll continue to be used.'"
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Baldwin Bulletin Baldwin Wisconsin: Raise fish and growing lettuce
Baldwin Bulletin Baldwin Wisconsin: St. Croix EDC Names Top Businesses for 2009: "They plan to raise lettuce in an aquaponics system in an arrangement in which fish effluent will be used as fertilizer for the lettuce
Terms used in the operation include: aquaculture which means fish farming; hydroponics which is growing plants without soil; and combined to be aquaponics which is both.
The fish produce waste products from eating which is broken down to nitrate and used by the lettuce. The lettuce breaks down the effluent in the water and it can then be recycled back to the fish."
Cool!
Terms used in the operation include: aquaculture which means fish farming; hydroponics which is growing plants without soil; and combined to be aquaponics which is both.
The fish produce waste products from eating which is broken down to nitrate and used by the lettuce. The lettuce breaks down the effluent in the water and it can then be recycled back to the fish."
Cool!
Oil-Rich Nations Fall Far Short in Haiti Donations - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com
Oil-Rich Nations Fall Far Short in Haiti Donations - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com: "if you personally have donated money to help the earthquake-stricken people of Haiti, then you have contributed more money than the governments of Saudi Arabia and Iran, whose combined dollar donation is a big fat zero."
The article doesn't list private donation totals per country and I would be interested to see those numbers. Private donations (people giving their own resources) are better than government donations (officials giving their citizens' resources).
The article doesn't list private donation totals per country and I would be interested to see those numbers. Private donations (people giving their own resources) are better than government donations (officials giving their citizens' resources).
College Football Very Taxing | Neal McCluskey | Cato Institute: Commentary
College Football Very Taxing | Neal McCluskey | Cato Institute: Commentary: "many bowls receive generous taxpayer subsidies. According to Mark Yost, author of Varsity Green, seven bowls received more than $21.6 million in government aid between 2001 and 2005. And the majority of bowls are tax-exempt, supposedly because they're good for local tourism. That bowl executives often make big money and corporate sponsors get prominent advertising is apparently irrelevant.
Then, while playing in a bowl comes with a minimum payout of $750,000 for participating schools, many institutions end up spending much more than that to participate -- losses that taxpayers bear."
"legislators in New Jersey had sent millions of dollars in special grants to Rutgers for football-related capital improvements and stadium expenses. In Connecticut, state taxpayers bore the full, roughly $100 million burden for constructing UConn's Rentschler Field, which opened in 2003.
And this year, the University of Minnesota played its first season in its brand-new TCF Bank Stadium, for which state taxpayers are shelling out about $137 million."
Then, while playing in a bowl comes with a minimum payout of $750,000 for participating schools, many institutions end up spending much more than that to participate -- losses that taxpayers bear."
"legislators in New Jersey had sent millions of dollars in special grants to Rutgers for football-related capital improvements and stadium expenses. In Connecticut, state taxpayers bore the full, roughly $100 million burden for constructing UConn's Rentschler Field, which opened in 2003.
And this year, the University of Minnesota played its first season in its brand-new TCF Bank Stadium, for which state taxpayers are shelling out about $137 million."
This Way Toward Equality - F.A. Harper - Mises Institute
This Way Toward Equality - F.A. Harper - Mises Institute: "we must consider why incomes differ.
Incomes differ because people differ in their economic drive, in the extent to which they want to apply themselves to work vs. use their time in recreation and leisure. It is their privilege to so choose, but if they choose a higher proportion of leisure, the economic penalty attached should not be shifted to others.
Incomes differ because people differ in their economic ability. Men are not created equal in economic capacity, and these differences cannot be corrected by law or by governments. The things that law and governments can do are to give everyone more nearly equal economic opportunities.
Incomes differ because of all sorts of limitations on free and fair competition — monopolies, etc., etc. Many of these are the result of measures enacted with avowed objectives such as 'security' and 'fair trade.' It is this type of thing which Hayek and all 'true' liberals would not tolerate. As they see it, a clear function of law and of government is to insure freedom of opportunity by protecting against these abuses."
"Equalization of incomes is likely to poison initiative and retard progress to the extent that the real incomes of everyone are lowered from what they otherwise would be. The fact that large incomes suffer more than small ones should not be comforting to those whose smaller incomes are further reduced as the result of a program supposed to benefit them."
Incomes differ because people differ in their economic drive, in the extent to which they want to apply themselves to work vs. use their time in recreation and leisure. It is their privilege to so choose, but if they choose a higher proportion of leisure, the economic penalty attached should not be shifted to others.
Incomes differ because people differ in their economic ability. Men are not created equal in economic capacity, and these differences cannot be corrected by law or by governments. The things that law and governments can do are to give everyone more nearly equal economic opportunities.
Incomes differ because of all sorts of limitations on free and fair competition — monopolies, etc., etc. Many of these are the result of measures enacted with avowed objectives such as 'security' and 'fair trade.' It is this type of thing which Hayek and all 'true' liberals would not tolerate. As they see it, a clear function of law and of government is to insure freedom of opportunity by protecting against these abuses."
"Equalization of incomes is likely to poison initiative and retard progress to the extent that the real incomes of everyone are lowered from what they otherwise would be. The fact that large incomes suffer more than small ones should not be comforting to those whose smaller incomes are further reduced as the result of a program supposed to benefit them."
Ali Hussein Sibat Must Not Be Executed | Raja M. Kamal and Tom G. Palmer | Cato Institute: Commentary
Ali Hussein Sibat Must Not Be Executed | Raja M. Kamal and Tom G. Palmer | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Sibat is a Lebanese citizen and was the host of a call-in television show broadcast from Lebanon but that was aired throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. He is also a Muslim. During his broadcasts, Sibat gave advice to those who called in during his show – and he made predictions about their future.
In May 2008, during a religious pilgrimage to Mecca, Sibat was arrested by the Saudi religious police and charged with sorcery. He was coerced into confessing, and then tried without a lawyer. His coerced confession was used against him and he was sentenced to death in Medina on November 9, 2009."
In May 2008, during a religious pilgrimage to Mecca, Sibat was arrested by the Saudi religious police and charged with sorcery. He was coerced into confessing, and then tried without a lawyer. His coerced confession was used against him and he was sentenced to death in Medina on November 9, 2009."
Will the Market Rise or Fall? | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary
Will the Market Rise or Fall? | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "For the past 100 years, there has been an inverse relationship between changes in the size of government and the growth or decline in the stock market."
Health Care: Now's the Hard Part | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Health Care: Now's the Hard Part | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "It's important to remember that the House bill passed with just three votes to spare and the Senate bill received exactly the 60 votes needed for passage. Democratic leaders have little room to maneuver as they try to resolve such issues as: The Public Option ... Taxes ... Abortion ... mandates ... special favors"
WORLD Magazine | True compassion? | Cal Thomas | Jan 19, 10
WORLD Magazine | True compassion? | Cal Thomas | Jan 19, 10: "Boxes were placed at entrances, inviting donations to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. There were several references to the earthquake in Haiti and calls for donations to relief efforts there.
McDonnell is not a stereotypical Republican. Should he be labeled a truly compassionate conservative? The Wednesday before his inauguration, McDonnell joined volunteers at the Central Virginia Foodbank and packed food for the needy. The next day, he visited Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, a homeless shelter in Northern Virginia, and then Henrico County’s Regional Jail East in New Kent County. Such places are not known for harboring pro-Republican sentiment."
McDonnell is not a stereotypical Republican. Should he be labeled a truly compassionate conservative? The Wednesday before his inauguration, McDonnell joined volunteers at the Central Virginia Foodbank and packed food for the needy. The next day, he visited Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, a homeless shelter in Northern Virginia, and then Henrico County’s Regional Jail East in New Kent County. Such places are not known for harboring pro-Republican sentiment."
Friday, January 15, 2010
Releasing Convicts Early… � State Representative Kitty Rhoades
Releasing Convicts Early… State Representative Kitty Rhoades: "“I would argue there is no price-tag to our families’ safety,” said Rhoades"
Everyone does put a price tag on their safety but choosing how much money, time, extra they are willing to spend on safety.
Everyone does put a price tag on their safety but choosing how much money, time, extra they are willing to spend on safety.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
How to Improve the Culture - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute
How to Improve the Culture - Jeffrey A. Tucker - Mises Institute: "In one year, thanks to one entrepreneur with a vision and the dedication to carry it out, the local culture is massively and dramatically improved — the old world and its high standards carried on toward the future. I looked back at my previous despair with embarrassment. It turns out that there was nothing inevitable about cultural decline. All it takes is one person to make the change."
Who's To Blame for the Massive Deficit? | Daniel J. Mitchell | Cato Institute: Commentary
Who's To Blame for the Massive Deficit? | Daniel J. Mitchell | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The 2009 fiscal year began Oct. 1, 2008, nearly four months before Obama took office. The budget for the entire fiscal year was largely set in place while President Bush was in the White House."
"What about the so-called stimulus, they will ask, with its $787 billion price tag? Or the omnibus fiscal-year 2009 appropriations bill? And how about Cash for Clunkers and Obama's expansion of the children's health insurance program? Didn't these all boost spending in 2009?
The answer is yes. But these boondoggles amounted to just a tiny percentage of FY2009 spending — about $140 billion out of a $3.5 trillion budget — as the pie chart nearby illustrates."
"This is where Obama's critics should be directing their attention. Big government won't work any better for Obama than it did for Bush. America's fiscal problem is excessive government spending, and deficits are merely a symptom of that underlying disease. If Obama wants to rejuvenate the economy, he should abandon the Bush policies of big government and interventionism and instead go with free market policies that actually work."
"What about the so-called stimulus, they will ask, with its $787 billion price tag? Or the omnibus fiscal-year 2009 appropriations bill? And how about Cash for Clunkers and Obama's expansion of the children's health insurance program? Didn't these all boost spending in 2009?
The answer is yes. But these boondoggles amounted to just a tiny percentage of FY2009 spending — about $140 billion out of a $3.5 trillion budget — as the pie chart nearby illustrates."
"This is where Obama's critics should be directing their attention. Big government won't work any better for Obama than it did for Bush. America's fiscal problem is excessive government spending, and deficits are merely a symptom of that underlying disease. If Obama wants to rejuvenate the economy, he should abandon the Bush policies of big government and interventionism and instead go with free market policies that actually work."
In Defense of Senate 'Obstructionism' | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary
In Defense of Senate 'Obstructionism' | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Liberals are screaming bloody murder about Republican obstructionism. But thank God for obstructionism, and the Senate rules facilitating it -- because the longer this debate goes on, the less Americans like what the Dems are trying to sell them.
No wonder Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is desperate to force a vote before senators go home: As CBS's Nancy Cordes put it, he otherwise runs 'the risk that any Democrats change their minds over the holidays or get swayed by all those tea party protests.'"
"Yet when Coburn asked that each senator certify that he or she has read and understands the bill, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., objected: 'I cannot certify that members of the Senate will understand what they're reading' (!)."
No wonder Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is desperate to force a vote before senators go home: As CBS's Nancy Cordes put it, he otherwise runs 'the risk that any Democrats change their minds over the holidays or get swayed by all those tea party protests.'"
"Yet when Coburn asked that each senator certify that he or she has read and understands the bill, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., objected: 'I cannot certify that members of the Senate will understand what they're reading' (!)."
Charters Hold Key to Saving State Big Education Dollars | Andrew J. Coulson | Cato Institute: Commentary
Charters Hold Key to Saving State Big Education Dollars | Andrew J. Coulson | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Based on the latest (2006-07) figures, the average charter school in Michigan spends $2,000 less in state and local tax dollars per pupil than the average district school. So the savings from a district-to-charter student exodus would add up to $3.5 billion annually. To put that in perspective, it would erase Michigan's recent $2.8 billion state budget shortfall and still allow for a $700 million across-the-board tax cut.
And the benefits of migrating completely to charter schools would go beyond the financial. One of the key concerns voiced by parents in response to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's spending cuts is that they will lead to larger class sizes. But Michigan's charter schools not only spend 20 percent less than district schools, they also have 20 percent fewer pupils per teacher."
And the benefits of migrating completely to charter schools would go beyond the financial. One of the key concerns voiced by parents in response to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's spending cuts is that they will lead to larger class sizes. But Michigan's charter schools not only spend 20 percent less than district schools, they also have 20 percent fewer pupils per teacher."
Obama vs. the Banks | Gerald P. O'Driscoll Jr. | Cato Institute: Commentary
Obama vs. the Banks | Gerald P. O'Driscoll Jr. | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Wall Street fat cats are always a convenient political target, but bankers are responding to the incentives generated by the economic policies of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve. First and foremost is the Fed's policy of near-zero interest rates.
What this means is that banks can raise short-term money at very low interest rates and buy safe, 10-year Treasury bonds at around 3.5%. The Bernanke Fed has promised to maintain its policy for 'an extended period.' That translates into an extended opportunity for banks to engage in this interest-rate arbitrage.
Why would a banker take on traditional loans, which even in good times come with some risk of loss?"
What this means is that banks can raise short-term money at very low interest rates and buy safe, 10-year Treasury bonds at around 3.5%. The Bernanke Fed has promised to maintain its policy for 'an extended period.' That translates into an extended opportunity for banks to engage in this interest-rate arbitrage.
Why would a banker take on traditional loans, which even in good times come with some risk of loss?"
Leave Lieberman Alone | Alan Reynolds | Cato Institute: Commentary
Leave Lieberman Alone | Alan Reynolds | Cato Institute: Commentary: "In reality, John Brodniak's situation has nothing to do with Sen. Lieberman's objection to a government-run 'public option.' Mr. Brodniak already has a public option — namely, Medicaid. His real problem, Kristof reveals, is that 'he hasn't been able to find a doctor who will accept him as a patient for surgery, apparently because the [Medicaid] reimbursements are so low.' Brain surgeons are scarce, and you get what you pay for. Medicaid won't pay, so John won't get one.
Ironically, Congressional Democrats plan to shove at least another 13 million more victims into Medicaid — the same dangerous scheme that threatens John Brodniak's life."
"The CBO prediction of government-run plan beset with high premiums, a thin list of providers and few customers makes good economic sense. But that also makes it politically unlikely to be the final outcome. Such a failed experiment would be so embarrassing for its architects (Congressional Democrats) that they would surely rush to provide endless and escalating 'emergency' subsidies to disguise the blunder."
Ironically, Congressional Democrats plan to shove at least another 13 million more victims into Medicaid — the same dangerous scheme that threatens John Brodniak's life."
"The CBO prediction of government-run plan beset with high premiums, a thin list of providers and few customers makes good economic sense. But that also makes it politically unlikely to be the final outcome. Such a failed experiment would be so embarrassing for its architects (Congressional Democrats) that they would surely rush to provide endless and escalating 'emergency' subsidies to disguise the blunder."
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Five Health Reform Whoppers | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Five Health Reform Whoppers | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The White House Council of Economic Advisers just released a report arguing that the reforms before Congress would reduce the growth in health costs, cut the federal budget deficits and produce thousands of dollars in benefits for the average family. The problem is that just a few days earlier a report from the president's own chief health care actuary concluded that the bill the Senate is considering would actually increase U.S. health spending by $234 billion over the next 10 years and hurt seniors' access to care.
But then, reformers have generally had trouble telling fact from fiction. Among the biggest whoppers ..."
But then, reformers have generally had trouble telling fact from fiction. Among the biggest whoppers ..."
Congressman Ron Kind : On the Road - Blog : Too Big to Fail a Thing of the Past: December 14, 2009
Congressman Ron Kind : On the Road - Blog : Too Big to Fail a Thing of the Past: December 14, 2009: "No longer will there be institutions deemed too big to fail."
This would be funny if he didn't think it was true.
This would be funny if he didn't think it was true.
Making Criminals out of All Americans | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Making Criminals out of All Americans | Gene Healy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "There are now more than 4,000 federal crimes, spread out through some 27,000 pages of the U.S. Code. Some years ago, analysts at the Congressional Research Service tried to count the number of separate offenses on the books, and gave up, lacking the resources to get the job done. If teams of legal researchers can't make sense of the federal criminal code, obviously, ordinary citizens don't stand a chance.
You can serve federal time for interstate transport of water hyacinths, trafficking in unlicensed dentures, or misappropriating the likeness of Woodsy Owl and his associated slogan, 'Give a hoot, don't pollute.' ('What are you in for, kid?' your new cellmate growls.) Bills currently before Congress would send Americans to federal prison for eating horsemeat or selling goods falsely labeled as 'Native American.'"
"And a federal criminal code that covers everything delegates to prosecutors and the police the power to pick their targets at will, leaving everyone at risk."
You can serve federal time for interstate transport of water hyacinths, trafficking in unlicensed dentures, or misappropriating the likeness of Woodsy Owl and his associated slogan, 'Give a hoot, don't pollute.' ('What are you in for, kid?' your new cellmate growls.) Bills currently before Congress would send Americans to federal prison for eating horsemeat or selling goods falsely labeled as 'Native American.'"
"And a federal criminal code that covers everything delegates to prosecutors and the police the power to pick their targets at will, leaving everyone at risk."
A Climate Summit That Matters Little | Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar | Cato Institute: Commentary
A Climate Summit That Matters Little | Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar | Cato Institute: Commentary: "International law allows sovereign governments to scrap any prior treaty.
In the Kyoto treaty on climate change, 37 rich countries pledged to reduce their carbon emissions to 5% below their 1990 level. But most actually increased their emissions. These very treaty-breakers now propose another treaty!
The US signed an anti-ballistic missile treaty with the USSR during the Cold War. But subsequently the US scrapped the treaty, with impunity. The Maastricht Treaty, setting up the European Union, mandated a fiscal deficit ceiling of 3% of GDP for member states. But several members, including Germany and France, have been running deficits far higher than this, with impunity. When political and economic conditions change, treaties hardly matter."
"While governments can try to promote technological change, they cannot guarantee it. After the 1973 oil crisis, the OECD countries spent billions to develop alternate fuels (synthetic crude, shale oil). They also financed projects for solar, wind, wave and ocean thermal energy. None of these technologies proved cost-effective.
Meanwhile, thousands of innovations by individual companies reduced the energy-intensity of every conceivable appliance and practice. This halved the energy-intensity of GDP in the US and reduced its oil imports, breaking the power of OPEC in 1986. This was a typical technological surprise, not the result of governmental planning."
In the Kyoto treaty on climate change, 37 rich countries pledged to reduce their carbon emissions to 5% below their 1990 level. But most actually increased their emissions. These very treaty-breakers now propose another treaty!
The US signed an anti-ballistic missile treaty with the USSR during the Cold War. But subsequently the US scrapped the treaty, with impunity. The Maastricht Treaty, setting up the European Union, mandated a fiscal deficit ceiling of 3% of GDP for member states. But several members, including Germany and France, have been running deficits far higher than this, with impunity. When political and economic conditions change, treaties hardly matter."
"While governments can try to promote technological change, they cannot guarantee it. After the 1973 oil crisis, the OECD countries spent billions to develop alternate fuels (synthetic crude, shale oil). They also financed projects for solar, wind, wave and ocean thermal energy. None of these technologies proved cost-effective.
Meanwhile, thousands of innovations by individual companies reduced the energy-intensity of every conceivable appliance and practice. This halved the energy-intensity of GDP in the US and reduced its oil imports, breaking the power of OPEC in 1986. This was a typical technological surprise, not the result of governmental planning."
Saturday, January 16, 2010...Roberts Park Building -- Benefit to help the Anderson Family
Kathy (Burton) Anderson’s husband Joe, age 34, was killed tragically in a single vehicle car accident on September 25, 2009. Joe & Kathy had five children together ranging in age between 2 and 11. In an attempt to try to help Kathy and the children during this difficult transition we have planned a benefit that will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Roberts Park Building in Roberts, WI from 1:00 – 9:00 PM.
The Joe Anderson Memorial Benefit will include many opportunities for fun and entertainment, as well as the opportunity to win a $3000 concrete patio that was donated by Concrete Arts. Here is a list of the day’s activities:
1-3 Kids Carnival
1-7 Staggered Silent Auctions
1-7 Live Entertainment provided by Damscus 180*
3-7 Spaghetti Dinner
7-8 Live Auction
8:30 Final Raffle will be held
We would love to have you join us for the event! If you would like any information, would like to help with the benefit, or would like to make a donation for the live or silent auction please call Lisa Hawkins at 715.796.2525.
The Joe Anderson Memorial Benefit will include many opportunities for fun and entertainment, as well as the opportunity to win a $3000 concrete patio that was donated by Concrete Arts. Here is a list of the day’s activities:
1-3 Kids Carnival
1-7 Staggered Silent Auctions
1-7 Live Entertainment provided by Damscus 180*
3-7 Spaghetti Dinner
7-8 Live Auction
8:30 Final Raffle will be held
We would love to have you join us for the event! If you would like any information, would like to help with the benefit, or would like to make a donation for the live or silent auction please call Lisa Hawkins at 715.796.2525.
Monday, January 11, 2010
FOXNews.com - 30 Years of Global Cooling Are Coming, Leading Scientist Says
FOXNews.com - 30 Years of Global Cooling Are Coming, Leading Scientist Says: "Oranges are freezing and millions of tropical fish are dying in Florida, and it could be just the beginning of a decades-long deep freeze, says Professor Mojib Latif, one of the world's leading climate modelers.
Latif thinks the cold snap Americans have been suffering through is only the beginning. He says we're in for 30 years of cooler temperatures -- a mini ice age, he calls it, basing his theory on an analysis of natural cycles in water temperatures in the world's oceans.
Latif, a professor at the Leibniz Institute at Germany's Kiel University and an author of the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, believes the lengthy cold weather is merely a pause -- a 30-years-long blip -- in the larger cycle of global warming, which postulates that temperatures will rise rapidly over the coming years.
At a U.N. conference in September, Latif said that changes in ocean currents known as the North Atlantic Oscillation could dominate over manmade global warming for the next few decades. Latif said the fluctuations in these currents could also be responsible for much of the rise in global temperatures seen over the past 30 years."
No one predicted the temperature reduction, but now that we see it, it all fits in with global warming. So what wouldn't fit it with global warming?
Latif thinks the cold snap Americans have been suffering through is only the beginning. He says we're in for 30 years of cooler temperatures -- a mini ice age, he calls it, basing his theory on an analysis of natural cycles in water temperatures in the world's oceans.
Latif, a professor at the Leibniz Institute at Germany's Kiel University and an author of the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, believes the lengthy cold weather is merely a pause -- a 30-years-long blip -- in the larger cycle of global warming, which postulates that temperatures will rise rapidly over the coming years.
At a U.N. conference in September, Latif said that changes in ocean currents known as the North Atlantic Oscillation could dominate over manmade global warming for the next few decades. Latif said the fluctuations in these currents could also be responsible for much of the rise in global temperatures seen over the past 30 years."
No one predicted the temperature reduction, but now that we see it, it all fits in with global warming. So what wouldn't fit it with global warming?
FOXNews.com - More Stimulus? Analysis Finds Funds for Roads, Bridges Has Had No Impact
FOXNews.com - More Stimulus? Analysis Finds Funds for Roads, Bridges Has Had No Impact: "regions and states that received ample stimulus funding for building roads and bridges had equally high unemployment rates as areas that didn't get cash from the $787 billion recovery package signed in February of last year, a new Associated Press analysis found."
"Part of the reason for the minimal impact is the small percentage transportation spending consumes in the nation's $14 trillion economy -- even with "shovel ready" projects ready to go.
"It would be unlikely that even $20 billion spent all at once would be enough to move the needle of the huge decline we've seen, even in construction, much less the economy. The job destruction is way too big," said Kenneth D. Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America."
"Part of the reason for the minimal impact is the small percentage transportation spending consumes in the nation's $14 trillion economy -- even with "shovel ready" projects ready to go.
"It would be unlikely that even $20 billion spent all at once would be enough to move the needle of the huge decline we've seen, even in construction, much less the economy. The job destruction is way too big," said Kenneth D. Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America."
Campaign For Liberty — Money For Nothing
Campaign For Liberty — Money For Nothing: "The list of blunders begins with the second installment of TARP, bringing to $850 billion the total appropriated for the expressed purpose of purchasing toxic assets from banks. How many of these toxic assets got purchased? Not a single one.
Next we spent over $40 billion for the expressed purpose of keeping GM and Chrysler from going bankrupt. And then both GM and Chrysler went bankrupt.
The $787 billion economic stimulus bill was passed with the expressed purpose of creating 3 million jobs and keep unemployment below 8%. Except that we lost 3 million more jobs, and unemployment is now over 10% and climbing.
Cash 4 Clunkers spent $4 billion for the expressed purpose of convincing people who were going to drive their old cars to buy fuel-efficient American cars instead. People who were going to buy a new car anyway bought Hondas.
And then there was the Mortgage Bailout bill - $75 billion for the expressed purpose of keeping 5 million homeowners from losing their homes. Oops - only 650,000 actually qualified, a small fraction of those were actually refinanced, and more than half of the loans refinanced went delinquent again within 3 months.
The Senate is about to pass an $871 billion health care bill whose original expressed purpose was to provide universal coverage, spending reforms, and a public option. After months of bribing votes out of individual senators, the final bill will do none of those things; instead it cuts care for seniors and raises our taxes by half a trillion dollars.
Not to be outdone by Congress, the Federal Reserve doubled the money supply (yes, doubled it) in the last quarter of 2008 for the expressed purpose of forcing banks to expand credit in 2009. Credit issuance contracted by 15%."
"$2.6 trillion could have purchased 2,600 new Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plants; enough capacity to generate all the energy we could ever conceivably use for all purposes - for several centuries.
That's what $2.6 trillion could have bought - perpetual energy independence and zero carbon emissions forever. Instead, we got nothing, unless you count a one-year raise for some union teachers. That is truly pathetic."
Next we spent over $40 billion for the expressed purpose of keeping GM and Chrysler from going bankrupt. And then both GM and Chrysler went bankrupt.
The $787 billion economic stimulus bill was passed with the expressed purpose of creating 3 million jobs and keep unemployment below 8%. Except that we lost 3 million more jobs, and unemployment is now over 10% and climbing.
Cash 4 Clunkers spent $4 billion for the expressed purpose of convincing people who were going to drive their old cars to buy fuel-efficient American cars instead. People who were going to buy a new car anyway bought Hondas.
And then there was the Mortgage Bailout bill - $75 billion for the expressed purpose of keeping 5 million homeowners from losing their homes. Oops - only 650,000 actually qualified, a small fraction of those were actually refinanced, and more than half of the loans refinanced went delinquent again within 3 months.
The Senate is about to pass an $871 billion health care bill whose original expressed purpose was to provide universal coverage, spending reforms, and a public option. After months of bribing votes out of individual senators, the final bill will do none of those things; instead it cuts care for seniors and raises our taxes by half a trillion dollars.
Not to be outdone by Congress, the Federal Reserve doubled the money supply (yes, doubled it) in the last quarter of 2008 for the expressed purpose of forcing banks to expand credit in 2009. Credit issuance contracted by 15%."
"$2.6 trillion could have purchased 2,600 new Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plants; enough capacity to generate all the energy we could ever conceivably use for all purposes - for several centuries.
That's what $2.6 trillion could have bought - perpetual energy independence and zero carbon emissions forever. Instead, we got nothing, unless you count a one-year raise for some union teachers. That is truly pathetic."
Government vs. manufacturing jobs
January 8: "In November, Wisconsin has 435,800 manufacturing jobs and 438,200 government jobs.
Looking back 50 years, Wisconsin had 459,800 manufacturing jobs in 1959 and 155,000 government jobs."
Looking back 50 years, Wisconsin had 459,800 manufacturing jobs in 1959 and 155,000 government jobs."
Europe Slapping Rich With Massive Traffic Fines - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com
Europe Slapping Rich With Massive Traffic Fines - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com: "European countries are increasingly pegging speeding fines to income as a way to punish wealthy scofflaws who would otherwise ignore tickets.
Advocates say a $290,000 speeding ticket slapped on a millionaire Ferrari driver in Switzerlandwas a fair and well-deserved example of the trend."
If a rich man can get a huge fine for going twice the speed limit through a village because of the danger to people, why shouldn't everyone get a large fine for recklessly endangering everyone? Is a the value of a pedestrian's life determined by who is endangering it?
"The current law could lead to 'ridiculously low' penalties without any possibility of jail time for poor people who are caught driving drunk or speeding excessively, Stamm told the AP."
Shouldn't a poor drunk, who recklessly endangers pedestrian's lives, also get a large punishment?
Advocates say a $290,000 speeding ticket slapped on a millionaire Ferrari driver in Switzerlandwas a fair and well-deserved example of the trend."
If a rich man can get a huge fine for going twice the speed limit through a village because of the danger to people, why shouldn't everyone get a large fine for recklessly endangering everyone? Is a the value of a pedestrian's life determined by who is endangering it?
"The current law could lead to 'ridiculously low' penalties without any possibility of jail time for poor people who are caught driving drunk or speeding excessively, Stamm told the AP."
Shouldn't a poor drunk, who recklessly endangers pedestrian's lives, also get a large punishment?
Friday, January 08, 2010
The Greatest Economic Charity - F.A. Harper - Mises Institute
The Greatest Economic Charity - F.A. Harper - Mises Institute: "A certain Talmudical philosopher once offered us this apothegm:
The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity, and the best alms are to show and enable a man to dispense with alms.[1]"
The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity, and the best alms are to show and enable a man to dispense with alms.[1]"
Curbing Medical Malfeasance | Robert A. Levy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Curbing Medical Malfeasance | Robert A. Levy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Take Missouri. Doctors and other businesses in the Midwestern state were closing their doors because of runaway lawsuits. Then a law was passed directing that cases be heard in the county where an alleged injury occurred; plaintiffs could no longer shop for friendly judges and juries. Missouri's malpractice claims are now at a 30-year low. Texas had similar success with its 2003 reforms. The number of doctors applying for licenses increased significantly, and insurance rates declined. In Pennsylvania, malpractice filings plummeted after certificate of merit requirements were adopted to weed out weak cases. Reforms in Mississippi have virtually eliminated what the Chamber of Commerce had characterized as 'jackpot justice.'"
A Note on the Supposed Independence of the Fed - J�rg Guido H�lsmann - Mises Institute
A Note on the Supposed Independence of the Fed - J�rg Guido H�lsmann - Mises Institute: "Economic theory suggests that unaccountable, legally protected monopolies are inefficient. Without monitoring, governance, competition, and feedback such organizations make bad decisions and tend to be captured by special interests. Why should central banks be any different?
Empirical evidence suggests that unaccountable central banks misallocate resources and retard economic growth. Since 1913, the year the Fed was created, the dollar has lost 95% of its value. Easy credit from the Fed has made the US economy debt-dependent. It has encouraged irresponsible investment on financial markets and elsewhere. It has redistributed real incomes on a massive scale from the general population to the Fed’s main business partners: banks, financial firms, and government. It has not stabilized the American economy, but has made it much more fragile and prone to severe crises such as the present one. Put simply: the Fed is a government central planning agency, and it performs about as well as every government central planning agency in history."
"The Fed has had one great success: it is by far the largest funder of academic research in monetary and macroeconomics, employing hundreds of economists, financing conferences and seminars, providing paid consultancies, and so on. Is it any wonder that the majority of academic monetary and macroeconomists support the status quo?"
Empirical evidence suggests that unaccountable central banks misallocate resources and retard economic growth. Since 1913, the year the Fed was created, the dollar has lost 95% of its value. Easy credit from the Fed has made the US economy debt-dependent. It has encouraged irresponsible investment on financial markets and elsewhere. It has redistributed real incomes on a massive scale from the general population to the Fed’s main business partners: banks, financial firms, and government. It has not stabilized the American economy, but has made it much more fragile and prone to severe crises such as the present one. Put simply: the Fed is a government central planning agency, and it performs about as well as every government central planning agency in history."
"The Fed has had one great success: it is by far the largest funder of academic research in monetary and macroeconomics, employing hundreds of economists, financing conferences and seminars, providing paid consultancies, and so on. Is it any wonder that the majority of academic monetary and macroeconomists support the status quo?"
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Ticket Scalpers Are Hidden Heroes - Briggs Armstrong - Mises Institute
Ticket Scalpers Are Hidden Heroes - Briggs Armstrong - Mises Institute: "Scalpers absorb the time risk associated with events. They absorb the risk associated with scheduling issues (i.e., whether or not fans can attend). They also absorb the risk that unfavorable events could occur. Anyone who has ever bought or sold a ticket knows that ticket resale values drop dramatically after a team has a few losses on its record. If the team does well, the scalper can make a nice profit; if the team does poorly, he can suffer a huge loss."
The Curse of Good Government - William L. Anderson - Mises Institute
The Curse of Good Government - William L. Anderson - Mises Institute: "maybe, just maybe, the mechanism of action we know as government cannot be operated in a 'proper' way at all, because no intellectual device exists that permits us to properly determine just what is 'good' or 'bad' government."
New Underground Economy | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary
New Underground Economy | Richard W. Rahn | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Banks, because of the 'know your customer' and other anti-money laundering regulations, make it difficult for nonestablished people, such as the young and transient, as well as legal and illegal immigrants, to open bank accounts.
Also, many of these same regulations are responsible for the rise in bank fees, which are a particular burden for low-income people. You can be sure that every time Congress passes some new law or the IRS implements some new regulation to 'get tax cheats,' much of the real burden of these compliance costs will fall on those least able to afford it, while those intent on finding their way around it will do so.
People also avoid having bank accounts because they are vulnerable to asset seizure, judgments, levies, etc. Increasingly, bankers and others who provide financial services are forced by governments to spy and snitch on their own customers, and this is a real turnoff for many people, which causes them to find other ways of maintaining financial privacy."
"Many studies have shown that when people believe the taxes they are required to pay are reasonable and the political leaders tend to spend their tax dollars wisely, tax compliance rises, and vice versa. In the United States, there is increased evidence that many tax dollars are not being spent wisely and are often used to pay off political cronies."
"When you have a secretary of the Treasury and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (the tax writing committee) accused of cheating on their taxes, it greatly undermines the moral authority of the tax collectors, making the common citizens feel like chumps and, hence, much more willing to try to legally avoid or illegally evade taxes themselves."
Also, many of these same regulations are responsible for the rise in bank fees, which are a particular burden for low-income people. You can be sure that every time Congress passes some new law or the IRS implements some new regulation to 'get tax cheats,' much of the real burden of these compliance costs will fall on those least able to afford it, while those intent on finding their way around it will do so.
People also avoid having bank accounts because they are vulnerable to asset seizure, judgments, levies, etc. Increasingly, bankers and others who provide financial services are forced by governments to spy and snitch on their own customers, and this is a real turnoff for many people, which causes them to find other ways of maintaining financial privacy."
"Many studies have shown that when people believe the taxes they are required to pay are reasonable and the political leaders tend to spend their tax dollars wisely, tax compliance rises, and vice versa. In the United States, there is increased evidence that many tax dollars are not being spent wisely and are often used to pay off political cronies."
"When you have a secretary of the Treasury and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (the tax writing committee) accused of cheating on their taxes, it greatly undermines the moral authority of the tax collectors, making the common citizens feel like chumps and, hence, much more willing to try to legally avoid or illegally evade taxes themselves."
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
The $2.7 billion state deficit no one told you about | Scott Walker for Wisconsin Governor
The $2.7 billion state deficit no one told you about | Scott Walker for Wisconsin Governor: "According to its just-released financial statements, state government closed its 2008-09 books with a $2.71 billion deficit in its general fund.
To many readers, this might come as a surprise. By law, state government is supposed to balance its budget. On paper, it does. However, for more than a decade, governors and legislators of both parties have “balanced” budgets through use of accounting maneuvers, timing delays, borrowing and billions in one-time money.
When the state controller, a CPA, prepares the state’s official financial statements, he must follow generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. That means he must reverse the budget gimmicks and accurately represent the state’s true financial condition. When he does this, the budget’s black ink turns red."
"it is the fifth consecutive year that the GAAP shortfall exceeded $2 billion and the ninth that it has topped $1 billion"
"When 2007-08 deficits are compared on a per capita basis, the Badger State had the largest GAAP deficit in the nation ($445 per person), followed by Illinois ($305), Maine ($181), and California ($113)."
To many readers, this might come as a surprise. By law, state government is supposed to balance its budget. On paper, it does. However, for more than a decade, governors and legislators of both parties have “balanced” budgets through use of accounting maneuvers, timing delays, borrowing and billions in one-time money.
When the state controller, a CPA, prepares the state’s official financial statements, he must follow generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. That means he must reverse the budget gimmicks and accurately represent the state’s true financial condition. When he does this, the budget’s black ink turns red."
"it is the fifth consecutive year that the GAAP shortfall exceeded $2 billion and the ninth that it has topped $1 billion"
"When 2007-08 deficits are compared on a per capita basis, the Badger State had the largest GAAP deficit in the nation ($445 per person), followed by Illinois ($305), Maine ($181), and California ($113)."
Productive Debt versus Unproductive Debt - Doug French - Mises Institute
Productive Debt versus Unproductive Debt - Doug French - Mises Institute: "banks have lent to consumers at the expense of businesses — and that it is only business loans that are 'self-liquidating.' Healthy businesses generate cash flow that can pay off debt, while consumer loans 'have no basis for repayment except the borrower's prospects for employment and, ultimately, collateral sales.'"
"the lending process for businesses 'adds value to the economy,' while consumer loans are counterproductive, adding costs but no value. The banking system, with its focus on consumer loans, has shifted capital from the productive part of the economy"
"Banks increasingly have the incentive to make long-term amortizing loans secured by long-term assets because the threat of bank runs has been taken away by increases in FDIC deposit insurance."
"the federal and state governments constantly enact legislation that makes the employment of workers more costly and in turn makes business expansion riskier. So wealth-producing businesses, like metal fabrication and the like, have every incentive not to borrow money from a bank to expand their operations and not to wander into a wider thicket of onerous employment rules by hiring more workers. Instead, the entrepreneur puts energy into obtaining a low-interest mortgage and buying a big house, or dabbling in real-estate development and speculation. Besides, up until this current meltdown the entrepreneur could obtain a real-estate loan much easier than a business loan."
"the lending process for businesses 'adds value to the economy,' while consumer loans are counterproductive, adding costs but no value. The banking system, with its focus on consumer loans, has shifted capital from the productive part of the economy"
"Banks increasingly have the incentive to make long-term amortizing loans secured by long-term assets because the threat of bank runs has been taken away by increases in FDIC deposit insurance."
"the federal and state governments constantly enact legislation that makes the employment of workers more costly and in turn makes business expansion riskier. So wealth-producing businesses, like metal fabrication and the like, have every incentive not to borrow money from a bank to expand their operations and not to wander into a wider thicket of onerous employment rules by hiring more workers. Instead, the entrepreneur puts energy into obtaining a low-interest mortgage and buying a big house, or dabbling in real-estate development and speculation. Besides, up until this current meltdown the entrepreneur could obtain a real-estate loan much easier than a business loan."
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Nexus One: Smartphone revolution is still on hold | Rafe's Radar - CNET News
Nexus One: Smartphone revolution is still on hold | Rafe's Radar - CNET News: "I'd like to see Google take over the monthly billing, and let its users switch carriers at will, or to manage the reselling and switching of bandwidth effectively so users don't know or care which carrier they're on (or none at all - think WiFi and VOIP). Freeing US consumers from the yokes of the carriers would be the real revolution."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)