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Monthly Archives: December 2006
The End of an Era
Ding dong the witch is dead. Saddam is finally gone. Whether that actually changes anything or not in Iraq remains to be seen, but the thirty year chapter of war, corruption, rape, murder, and genocide that was Saddam’s regime closed … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page
3 Comments
Mail Delivery
I just received my review copy of Clayton Cramer’s “Armed America.” It is at least in part a response to the discredited work of Michael Bellisile’s “Arming America.” I’ll have a review up in the next couple of weeks, maybe … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Domestic Politics, History, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism
1 Comment
The Virtues of Economics in a Virtual World
I must admit I find this article on virtual property rights from the Washington Post fascinating. Questions about online property rights, the legal status of those rights, currency exchanges to convert online currency into our own rather insubstantial fiat money, … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Economics, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism, Media, social science, Technology
4 Comments
Liberating Palestine from illusions
Megan McCardle had an interesting reaction to Mahmoud Abbas’ recent announcement that he was calling for early presidential and parliamentary elections. She asks whether Abbas might be the Palestinian equivalent of Michael Collins. Like Collins did for the Irish, Abbas … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
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The Holiday Season kicks off with a bang!
It is a rare happenstance that my weekday mornings start of as well as mine did this morning. Two busy people rushing to get ready for work. Most of our readers can surely empathize. Of course I have now discovered … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Humor, Lance's Page, social science, Technology
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Listening Notes: Capital Keeps Raining On My Head
Yields are low throughout the world, and despite the rising equity markets low yields on equities mean low long run returns on them as well as bonds. So we may actually be facing an end to the decade characterized by … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Humor, Investing, Lance's Page, Music
3 Comments
Is King Dollar sitting uneasily on his thrown?
Dale Franks has been doing a bit of economics blogging and he has some significant concerns about the economy. I do as well and they roughly mirror his own. One of the areas of concern that some people have is … Continue reading
Rep. Virgil Goode is Being Railroaded (UPDATED X2)
UPDATE 2: Rick Moran takes Goode to task for his political pandering and does it without accusing Goode of equating Ellison’s election with a threat to our traditional values. UPDATE: The New York Times makes the same false accusation: In … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Media, MichaelW's Page
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A Question On “Winning” The War
If there is one thing upon which libertarians, of whatever stripe, can all pretty much agree, it’s that a highly centralized government is a problem, not a solution. Why, then, is it that success in Iraq is so dependent upon … Continue reading
Stability means other people getting your money
Thanks to Greg Mankiw for this humorous look into economics and government. In an interesting post on whether the study of economics leads one rightward (my opinion is somewhat, depending on what you mean by rightward) he provides us with … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Humor, Lance's Page, Libertarianism
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Three guys decide to play a round of golf: a priest, a psychologist, and an economist.
Thanks to Tyler Cowen I find this at Mahalanobis: Three guys decide to play a round of golf: a priest, a psychologist, and an economist. They get behind a *very* slow two-some, who, despite a caddy, are taking all day … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Humor, Lance's Page
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Workers of the world unite, all you have to lose are your balls!
Synthetic basketballs that is. In the brouhaha over the NBA’s new synthetic basketballs Ralph Nader weighed in on this weighty issue: It seemed strange that the consumer most affected, most benefiting from Ralph’s roar, were several dozen millionaire jocks. Among … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Humor, Lance's Page, Uncategorized
2 Comments
I am sad to report-Updated
In addition to being plagued with malicious nanobots, “Friend of ASHC” Jon Henke (heck, QandO is practically our parent, but we won’t speak of it that way because, well, think about it, or really don’t.) has been discovered to be … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Lance's Page
4 Comments
Jonathan Rauch On An American Hero
The library, it begins, “has received a report concerning you.” It “has been reported” that “you had permitted a man to perform a homosexual act (fellatio) on you. Also, that you related that you find members of the male sex … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page
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Listening Notes: Walk on Gilded Splinters
Dr. John’s “Walk on Gilded Splinters” has been covered by a slew of artists from Humble Pie to Paul Weller, but the Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s version is the spiciest. The tight horn arrangement, underpinned by a rumbling tuba, is … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Music, Robby's Page
2 Comments
Listening Notes: The Replacements and MTV
My relationship with the Replacements is inextricably tied to a bar, The Bayou. A magnificent, loud, smoke filled bar packed with regular patrons from all walks of life. Old men, aging hippies, bikers, college students, punk rockers, everybody under the … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Music, Uncategorized
1 Comment
Wal-Mart wears the label union members want to see- “Cheap!”
We have written about Wal-Mart before, but it does my heart good to hear that union members patronize and appreciate Wal-Mart, no matter what their leaders or supposed allies in the political class claim. From the National Association of Manufacturers … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page
3 Comments
Blues Power
If you’re in the mood for a little Chicago and Delta blues done the way it was meant to be done, head on over to Random Acts of Insensitivity where Blewsdog has conjured up an impressive array of clips featuring … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, MichaelW's Page, Music
5 Comments
Sign of the Times?
This could be good news for the Libertarian Party. They need some better known names, who know how to raise money, and run a winning political campaign. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/12/15/D8M1ILB00.html A former Georgia congressman who helped spark President Clinton’s impeachment has quit … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Libertarianism
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Send Music To Our Troops
If you are in the giving mood this holiday season (and why wouldn’t you be?), then why not send our troops some free music: Music for Troopsâ„¢ Inc. is a nonprofit, charitable organization founded by performer / songwriter, Cat Hughes. … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Music, Uncategorized
1 Comment
The Opinions of Reformers in the Middle East, Part 3
Omar at Iraq the Model has weighed in with his thoughts on the ISG report: Looking at the ISG report… The ISG report was released more than a week ago but I didn’t want to write immediately about it. The … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
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Seventh Circuit Dismisses Reparations Claims
McQ notes an important decision by the 7th Circuit in a Reparations case: A federal appeals court in Chicago has rejected most claims by slave descendants for reparations from some of the nation’s biggest insurers, banks and transportation companies. The … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page
7 Comments
Founder of Atlantic Records Dies
One of the greatest pioneers in music has died: Ahmet Ertegun, who helped define American music as the founder of Atlantic Records, a label that popularized the gritty R&B of Ray Charles, the classic soul of Aretha Franklin and the … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, MichaelW's Page, Music
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Listening Notes: Black Foliage
Black Foliage, by Olivia Tremor Control, is Sergeant Pepper’s as a cheap but astonishingly well-crafted home recording, proving the concept that such multilayered sonic frippery can be accomplished by virtually anyone now that recording equipment and professional editing software are … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Music, Robby's Page
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Music Blogging- Listening Notes
When I first started this little project, before I even knew Omar, Michael and Keith as anything but annoying commenters at QandO (okay, that is a cheap shot at my co-bloggers, but I have it on good authority that I … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Music, Robby's Page, Uncategorized
4 Comments
P J O’Rourke does Adam Smith. I want it!
I spent an hour and a half in my wife’s AP European History class on Monday. My topic was the history of economic thought during the enlightenment. Subtopics were mercantilism, the physiocrats and Adam Smith. Brief digressions on the connection … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Economics, History, Humor, Lance's Page, Libertarianism
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Onward God-less Soldiers
With the hoopla just starting on Christians in the military, see here and here, I was wondering what Muslims and Islamists might think of athiests and others who are not “people of the book.” Christian military officers who share their … Continue reading
Hizbullah Rooting Itself in Southeast Turkey
One of the more irritating aspects of commentary about Hezbollah (Hizbullah) is that often they are portrayed as an organization specifically interested in Southern Lebanon and the plight of the Palestinians. They are not part of a wider terrorist issue. … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
3 Comments
Opinion of the Islamic State in Iraq
From MEMRI we get a view from the Islamic State in Iraq on the Iraq Study Group: “Now that the Allies’ military command has realized the need for a quick withdrawal from the quagmire into which [the Allies] have stepped…, … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
1 Comment
The Opinions of Reformers in the Middle East, Part 2
It is no great surprise, but of great import, because they have the ability to say no and dare anyone to stop them, the Kurds are not very happy with the ISG Report. We have discussed the Kurds on occasion … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
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The Opinions of Reformers in the Middle East, Part 1
One of the memes which has built up momentum over the last six months is the idea that we must engage in dialogue with Syria and Iran to improve our situation in Iraq, or at least to allow some hope … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
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A Gift For Glasnost
Do any of you all remember those local fair from when you were in high school? You know the ones where the local high school principal and a few, notorious teachers would “volunteer” to get in the dunking booth so … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Humor, MichaelW's Page
8 Comments
Now I can justify all those late-night sessions
I have quite firmly announced my status as an MMORPG’er on this very site in the recent past. I am still quite proud of it. Having said that, I acknowledge that participation in MMORPG’s, like participation in most hobbies, doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, The Poet Omar's Page
8 Comments
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is now open for constructive dialogue
For those who have missed it I am from Louisiana and now once again live in my hometown of Baton Rouge. It is thus with deep embarrassment that I have to write this. I was sitting down watching the news … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
36 Comments
Chemistry, Boyle’s Law and Hell
From an e-mail my brother in law sent me: The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington Chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so “profound” that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Humor, Lance's Page, Religion and theology
4 Comments
How A Meme Grows
It seems that the issue of unpaid sick leave that I covered previously is now making the rounds of the major news networks (emphasis in original): Monday’s edition of “American Morning” featured a decidedly one sided segment that advocated for … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Media, MichaelW's Page
1 Comment
Blogging Under the Influence or “BUI”
JMW at A Special Way Of Being Afraid responds to the question posed to Andrew Sullivan, “have you ever blogged drunk?” I’ll answer that!
Posted in Lance's Page, Uncategorized
4 Comments
Andy Griffith’s “What It Was, Was Football”
Since Kyle has me thinking about football, I endeavored to complete a quest I have frustratingly found impossible previously, locating the audio online for Andy Griffith’s “What It Was, Was Football.” I remember it from watching the Super Bowl as … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Humor, Lance's Page
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Too amazing and heartbreaking to believe
I remember watching the sports segment on the local news in Fort Worth when this happened. 2:42 are left in the game between East Plano and John Tyler High. The score is 41-16. What transpired is the most incredible couple … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Humor, Lance's Page
1 Comment
Foley Wrap Up
A good while back Michael and I spent a bit of time pointing out that the Foley scandal was bi-partisan in nature and that its implications spread far beyond the impulses of one congressman. None of that means the scandal … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Lance's Page
2 Comments
Pinochet: R.I.P…..Actually not – Updated
It is time to memorialize the passing of one of the lesser bastards, but a true bastard, of the last century. Augusto Pinochet has left the scene, my only problem being he never spent time in prison for his crimes. … Continue reading
Matthew Yglesias, Hypocrite
I don’t mind a bit of hypocrisy myself. I figure if I eliminated everyone who has been one from my stable of things to read it would be a little sparse on content. Some hypocrisy however reveals a bit of … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page
11 Comments
Jeane Kirkpatrick R.I.P., will the rest of the neo-conservatism follow?
Many would hope so, but the passing of Jeane Kirkpatrick should serve to remind us of some things. Intellectual ideas on foreign policy are not simple to describe or easily pigeonholed. Jeane Kirkpatrick was the Reaganite answer to the Realpolitik … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Lance's Page
11 Comments
This is really unfair
It really is. I have friends who are state employees, so I know this is a cheap shot, but still, I can’t resist. I am a libertarian and all.
Posted in Humor, Lance's Page, Libertarianism
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Jeane Kirkpatrick, ex-ambassador, dies
What can be said is being said, by all the right people… http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061208/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/obit_kirkpatrick_12 Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, an unabashed apostle of Reagan era conservatism and the first woman U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has died. The death of the 80-year-old … Continue reading
Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Keith's Page
1 Comment
Should Pearl Harbor matter to how we think today?
It has become almost apriori proof that you are an unsophisticated wingnut to bring up lessons from WWII. That was an event so unique that no lessons of any importance are allowed to poke their head into current foreign policy … Continue reading
Little discussed and essentially uncovered
As sectarian violence rages in Baghdad some things are going right in Iraq. One event which has received almost no coverage (I have seen none, but probably it has been mentioned somewhere) was the recent decimation of the leadership of … Continue reading
Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media
4 Comments
On Pots and Kettles
The Supreme Court heard what are likely to be landmark cases — Community Schools v. Seattle School District Number One and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education — on the scope and application of Affirmative Action type programs: More … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page
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Narc or Pay the Penalty
Crime shows and movies are filled with examples of cops using the tactic of narc, or go to jail. One has to wonder how often such tactics are used in real life, and whether they are successful. What happens when … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Law
2 Comments
Milton and Augusto-Updated
One of the things which was brought up after the recent passing of Milton Friedman was his “support” of the Pinochet government of Chile. Never mind that giving economic advice which led to a freer society does not mean support. … Continue reading