Monthly Archives: February 2007

A Sign of Prescience? China, Japan and the market meltdown

Yesterday I posted about my long term concerns with China at our site, and in the comments at QandO I pointed out concerns with risk premiums and leverage:

Posted in Economics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

Hypocrisy Watch at The Conjecturer

I am just going to steal the whole post, because both bits of hypocrisy amuse me. George Soros, self-appointed arch nemesis of George W. Bush and all the things the President loves, has purchased a major stake in Halliburton, of … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 4 Comments

Ghettoizing the gay rights movement

Matt at Malcontent got a letter from the Human Rights Campaign (a GLBT advocacy group): We have been a bipartisan organization for all 24 years of our existence, and have never sought to hide that. We talk about being bipartisan, … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

Crumbling under the weight of reality-updatedx2

I am of the opinion that many Democrats don’t believe their own rhetoric about the war in Iraq. Not that the invasion was a bad idea necessarily, but that withdrawing or sitting passively by while Iran and Syria are treated … Continue reading

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Employee Free Choice Act

As McQ discusses at length this is an Orwellian moniker for an Orwellian bill: It would allow unions to organize workplaces without workers voting for unionization in elections with secret ballots. Instead, unions could use the “card check” system: Once … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Lance's Page, Law | 5 Comments

Iraqis Take Step Towards Sharing the Oil Wealth

Well, now that the Sunnis have their own oil to claim, it looks like the Iraqi parliament is willing to share the wealth. The Iraqi cabinet approved a draft of a law today that would set guidelines for countrywide distribution … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Keith's Page | Leave a comment

It Is Now Time To Praise Famous Men

Just not Al Gore, I have already done that, so let us make fun of him instead. For the title to work however I need to praise somebody, but who? Who would be the most appropriate person in the universe … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Environment, Humor, Lance's Page | 6 Comments

McQ picks up the baton and fisks Greenwald so I don’t have to!

Even better, Mona appears in the comments. High entertainment. I suggest seeing what she will say next. powered by performancing firefox

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Humor, Lance's Page | Leave a comment

Serbia and The ICJ- Updated

The International Court of Justice has ruled that the Serbian state is not responsible for genocide: But the International Court of Justice did rule that Belgrade had violated international law by failing to prevent the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica. Bosnia … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, History, Lance's Page, Law | Leave a comment

I Still Enjoy Shaq

Even though he kept my beloved Mavericks from taking home the hardware last year. I loved him at LSU (and imagine if Chris Jackson had stuck around and Stanley Roberts had decided to stay in school for Shaq’s sophomore year) … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Humor, Lance's Page, Sports | Leave a comment

Back to Iraq

Over at Michael J. Totten’s place is a lot of discussion of Iraq, to which he is returning, that is worth reading. I missed this from 60 minutes and I thank Michael for pointing it out: If I could distill … Continue reading

Posted in Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media | 2 Comments

On Healthcare

Ezekiel Emmanuel and Victor Fuchs put forward a plan for healthcare vouchers. Excited? Don’t be, the Economist discusses why this really will not work. Technorati Tags: healthcare, vouchers powered by performancing firefox

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

TheTsunami Affect

If I am not a radical skeptic of the science underlying the current hysteria over Global Warming, I am a radical skeptic of those pushing for certain policies based on it. Why? Well for one, they generally have no idea … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Environment, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

A Matter of Faith and Hope – II

Well, it looks like Senator Lieberman is reading my blog, or at least, that I wasn’t totally off-base in my post from last week. I understand the frustration, anger and exhaustion so many Americans feel about Iraq, the desire to … Continue reading

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China’s challenges and the economic lessons of Japan

I have long felt that the current China vs. US trade relationship is more of a boon to the US than China, and to a large extent it is because I think China is treading in some dangerous waters by … Continue reading

Posted in Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

Ahmadinejad’s folly and the price of war-Update

The best argument against getting too worked up about the Iranian Regime is they are so pathetic. Of course watching old film reels of Hitler makes him look like a clown as well, so what does that prove? Still, this … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media | 14 Comments

Interesting case of syncretism

Although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to study this site in detail, I was quite interested in its basic premise : Islam and Libertarianism are not only quite compatible, but actually darn near separated at birth. That’s actually quite … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 5 Comments

Good News for Floyd Landis

(H/T- Tom Maguire) I’ll admit, I always found Landis not passing the drug test after his remarkable stage 17 win inexplicable. It never made any sense, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. So we now see he may have … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Sports | Leave a comment

Dennis Johnson RIP

I was a huge Celtics fan growing up, and really stayed one until I moved to Fort Worth where I became as addicted to the Mavericks as I once was to the Celtics. The great, and under appreciated, Dennis Johnson … Continue reading

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Hillary has her own version of Project Pursestrings

If you didn’t pick this up from Instapundit, I suggest watching it. Chris Dodd, one of the men responsible for disappointing Jim Webb so dearly in 1975, is ready to do what it takes to end this war, and Hillary … Continue reading

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The Bank of England hearts Adam Smith

Thanks once again to Marginal Revolution and Alex Tabarrok: In March, the Bank of England will issue a new 20 pound note featuring Adam Smith and the pin factory. Technorati Tags: currency, Adam Smith, Bank of England powered by performancing … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Lance's Page, Libertarianism | 4 Comments

Re: Klapokistan Hypothetical

Dale Franks proposed an interesting hypothical as a thought experiment involving the fictional countries of Klapokistan, Cyclonia and the fictional U.S. President, John Doe. I won’t reproduce the hypo, you can read it at QandO, but I will attempt an … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Law, MichaelW's Page | 3 Comments

We’re from the government, we’re here to help

Politicians!!! When they’re not trying to fix a problem, they’re probably creating one. http://www.poorandstupid.com/2007_02_18_chronArchive.asp#6158087624517541567 Democrats have effectively seized on this outrage as more than 30 million Americans will be forced into the AMT by 2010. Yet, late last week I … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Keith's Page, Libertarianism | Leave a comment

We Should All Work for the Government

And we wonder why taxes are to high… http://www.poorandstupid.com/2007_02_18_chronArchive.asp#1206737332326810715 A typical full-time state or local government worker made $78,853 in wages and benefits in the third quarter of 2006, $25,771 more than a typical private-sector worker, the Bureau of Labor … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Keith's Page | 2 Comments

Rovian Conspiracy du jour

OK, I haven’t read this anywhere yet, and I’ve got better things to do than go look, but I would place an even bet that someone, somewhere has already suggested it… Ann Nichole-Smith was murdered by Karl Rove to take … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Keith's Page, Law, Media | 1 Comment

Encouraging Signs in Iraq – UPDATED

Austin Bay sees some encouraging signs in the latest offensive, while the (mostly) Democrats try to pull the rug out from under the effort. The relentless, focused targeting of Shia and Sunni extremist organizations is a far more important feature … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | Leave a comment

We won’t get fooled again!- Updated

Uh, yes we will. Every election the corruption and brass knuckle partisanship of the majority party is decried, and the minority party is portrayed as so much more honorable and principled. Until the new guys take control and things go … Continue reading

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The other side of the Vietnam story, implications for Iraq and the strange metamorphosis of Jim Webb

It is a common trope for people to deride the campaign in Iraq as another Vietnam. This seems a bit ridiculous to me, but in some senses it does fit. One way it does comes from the constant complaints about … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Lance's Page, Media | 6 Comments

Shelia Jackson Lee Seeks To Arm Our Enemy

I wonder what “pas d’ennemi a gauche” sounds like with a Texas drawal? Here’s what it looks like in congressional speak: A U.S. congresswoman called on the Bush administration Wednesday to reconsider its ban on selling parts for U.S.-made F-16 … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Sunni Oil

This is good news: Huge petroleum deposits have long been known in Iraq’s Kurdish north and Shiite south. But now, Iraq has substantially increased its estimates of the amount of oil and natural gas in deposits on Sunni lands after … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

The Great Sock Puppet doesn’t like Brit Hume, but loves Murtha

This statement has really gotten Glenn “the Puppet Master” Greenwald’s goat: HUME: That sound bite from John Murtha suggests that it’s time a few things be said about him. Even the “Washington Post” noted he didn’t seem particularly well informed … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media | 27 Comments

American Civil War led to the Creation of the Suez Canal – Who Knew?

Well, some historians obviously did. Michael J Totten interviews Michael Oren, author of the book “Power, Faith, and Fantasy”, “a sweeping history of America’s involvement in the Middle East from 1776 to the present.” So, read the whole interview, it’s … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Keith's Page | 4 Comments

Will We See the Efficient Market Hypothesis at Work?

As the “Scooter” Libby trial draws to a close, speculation abounds as to the final outcome. According to Chicago Boyz (HT: Insty), the Intrade betting market sets the chances of Libby being convicted at around 70% for. Despite wishful thinking … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Investing, Law, MichaelW's Page | 1 Comment

Clintonian Promises and Political Reality

According to Hillary Clinton’s campaign website and email newsletter, she has introduced legislation intended to cripple President Bush’s ability to the prosecute the surge, and to revoke his authorization to prosecute the War in Iraq altogether: Right now, there isn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Law, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Mardi Gras

I have been away from the blog for a few days, with most of it due to Mardi Gras. We have a house in funky historic Spanish Town in Baton Rouge. Famous for beautiful old homes, an eclectic and, uh, … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, Lance's Page | Leave a comment

Peter gets a gun (or three)

They are beautiful! Go here to read the whole story. Technorati Tags: guns, Switzerland, karabiner 31, k-31, militia powered by performancing firefox

Posted in Lance's Page | 2 Comments

A Matter of Faith and Hope

Despite the fact that many of the sources I’ve read, political, military, and iraqi civilian, all think Iraq would turn into a major bloodbath should we leave without finishing the job, it turns out we’re all just wrong… Things would … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

Americans United strangely silent

Many people in the US have become aware, some more recently than others, of the antics of alleged separation of church and state group, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. They have formally existed since 1947 and … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 10 Comments

Operation Law and Order (DUN dunnnn) Updated

OK, leaving levity aside (couldn’t resit with the name of the operation,) I think General Caldwell is doing a good job of describing the general thrust of operations, and what has changed in the past year that gives this plan … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 7 Comments

Stay the Course – They were against it, before they were for it.

An email this morning brought home a good point. The Democrats sure did make a lot of noise saying they were against a “Stay the Course,” policy in Iraq. Now that the President is changing course, the Democrats sure are … Continue reading

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Adding fuel to the Climate Change fire

We’ve recently sparked some interesting discussions on climate change and global warming here at ASHC. I’d like to add a little fuel (biodegradable, earth-friendly fuel, of course) to the fire by recommending this article on Dr. David Orrell’s new book, … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Environment, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 6 Comments

Progress in Iraq

In a previous post I pondered if Congress bothers reading the progress reports and benchmarks that the Defense Department already produces. Since I have long distrusted the mainstream media, and politicians in general, the internet has consistently been the conduit … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Media, Military Matters | 5 Comments

The American People and Irresolute Resolutions- Updated

Listening to many members of the House and Senate, especially on the Democratic side, the “American People” overwhelmingly want this travesty of political gamesmanship and avoiding of responsibility in the form of a resolution against the surge passed. My own … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media | 2 Comments

Amanda’s Denoument-Update

Well, Amanda has left the Edwards campaign. As one would expect she is a clueless whiner about it:

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 6 Comments

The AP Rewrites History (Updated X2)

According to the Associated Press, U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John McCain (R-AZ) is worried that Iraq may experience the equivalent of a “Tet offensive” such as happened in Vietnam in 1968. Sen. McCain is quoted as saying: “By the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, History, Media, MichaelW's Page | 7 Comments

Touching the Third Rail of Climate Policy

Al Gore and Richard Branson have finally touched it. What is the third rail? Ways to actually extract CO2 from the atmosphere, or CO2 capture. Why is capturing and extracting CO2 the third rail? Once again I turn to the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Environment, Lance's Page, Libertarianism, Technology | Leave a comment

The distorting effect of “An Inconvenient Truth” and its media wave

Part of my argument about the problems associated with understanding climate change is that much of the rhetoric surrounding the science is irresponsibly misleading. This really has little to do with the science. While I think there are plausible arguments … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Lance's Page, Media | 2 Comments

A growing problem

This is an interesting look at the dark side of Scientology. For years, we’ve been bombarded with the idea that Scientology is merely a new religion facing massive prejudice by an unenlightened population led by old-guard church leaders who refuse … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page | 2 Comments

Trading in Virtual Reality

I first was tipped off to this by Alex Tabarrok and went to Edward Castranova’s who sent me to the Synthetic Worlds Initiative. It is there that I read the story about Sony Online Entertainments new study on virtual trade. … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Economics, Lance's Page, Technology | 8 Comments

Odd Facts and “Dark Water Rising”

A documentary has been produced about the effort to rescue pets following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans: The film documents men and women crawling through barred windows, grimacing from the smell and the grime, triumphantly saving a scrawny cat. It … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Lance's Page, Media, Uncategorized | Leave a comment