Monthly Archives: August 2007

Sign of Attacks to Come in Stock Market Options???

A potential warning that something may be afoot… we have the same type of trading that took place in the days that preceded the 9/11 attacks – but on a larger scale. Nearly $1 billion of “put options” have been … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Keith's Page | 1 Comment

Progress, Patience, and Hope

Austin Bay makes some good points today on what Petraeus’ report to Congress will likely entail, and why it is important. Petraeus’ report is a creature of this instantaneous and pervasive media. For better or worse, he is responding to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Media, Military Matters, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Living History

Does the blogosphere make history more relevant? Is it possible that Santayana’s famous admonishment is made less likely by bloggers routinely wielding history as a foil to those arguments favoring actions proven desultory in the past? And that’s not to … Continue reading

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

Bias in the Media

Jeff @ Protein Wisdom makes some good points about the received wisdom of the mainstream media… You have to wonder, reporters are skeptical of our government and military sources of information, but hardly skeptical about each other. McQ also has … Continue reading

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WWE suspends TEN superstars

Shocked I tell you, I am absolutely shocked to learn that some professional wrestlers take steroids. OK, I’m not shocked, and this is a good move by WWE. Now if we could only get “professional” baseball, and football to go … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Keith's Page, Sports | Leave a comment

A Brief History of War and Medicine

Joshua brought up this little tid-bit in his last post… There is also a rather shocking exhibit of an underreported side effect of the war: advances in medical technology now allow survivability after injuries that once were fatal. Which means … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Military Matters, Technology | Leave a comment

News Brief, Good Sons Edition

Josh is taking a break from everything until Tuesday. Happy Labor Day, you Socialist pigs!. Defense & The War One of the men involved in the Abu Ghraib atrocity has been brought to justice: for “disobeying an official order to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 3 Comments

Some Consensus

The “reality based” ideologues often decry when politics get in the way of science, but that certainly seems what they are doing with regards to global warming. But then, hey, making overblown claims based on the scantiest of evidence, real … Continue reading

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

Hi-Tech Extortion and Terrorism

When threats are phoned in, how seriously should they be considered? At my last company, one of the buildings we had offices in would get a bomb threat called in 2 or 3 times per month. Now, the company gave … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Law, Society, Technology | 2 Comments

Constitutional Matters at the New York Times

So, when you spend a great deal of time touting your authority based on the unique advantages of editors, the question must be asked, who reviews the views and claims of the editors? From the editorial board of the New … Continue reading

Posted in History, Lance's Page, Law, Media | 56 Comments

News Brief, What’s A Sober Edition?

Drinking himself into a stupid over at The Conjecturer. Defense & The War Yes, expressing doubt about the independence of the Petraeus report and the curious information war he is fighting against America is really just liberal propaganda. That’s it … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 1 Comment

Deflating the Bubble

Winterspeak discusses, “how to undo the bubble?” I think one inevitable requirement of unwinding the housing bubble market is that housing prices have to come down to fall in line with historic trends. In some areas this means very dramatic … Continue reading

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

Tiny brain no obstacle to French civil servant

That is the headline, which normally might be fodder for a joke, or something in The Onion or Scrappleface, but its the underlying story makes me uncomfortable in making it. Hat tip: Alex Tabarrok

Posted in Around the Web | 2 Comments

Communists For Clinton/Obama

Unions, Socialists, and now Castro, want a Democrat in the White House… Hmmm, why is that unsettling?? http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2825114320070829?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is tipping Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to team up and win the U.S. presidential … Continue reading

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

al Sadr Suspends Militia Activities

But the Iraq war is lost, he needs to buck up and keep listening to the Democrats… http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070829/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_070828233021;_ylt=AoCk9gzhUvXd3Kl5S9qQA78E1vAI Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered a six-month suspension of activities by his Mahdi Army militia in order to reorganize the force, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Iraq – A Tale of Two Wars

I’m at a loss for explaining these vastly different views. Is it mere political partisanship? Or is it something more fundamental, like having hope and optimism, or dare I say it, faith? How are these views biasing the coverage in … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Media, Notes on the war, social science | 1 Comment

Katrina’s Wake – A Tale of Two Cities – Part II

Thanks Michael for putting that up for me. This site (along with many of my other favorite blogs,) was on the banned list here at work for a while, and we don’t have the internet hooked up at home, having … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, social science | Leave a comment

Katrina’s Wake – A Tale of Two Cities

Two years after the devastation of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still rebuilding and the politicization of the storm is still raging (emphasis added): (CNSNews.com) – In the two years since Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Libertarianism, Louisiana Politics, MichaelW's Page | 1 Comment

Happy Fourth Blogoversary to QandO

Our big brothers at QandO begin their fifth year today. Make sure you stop by and wish them a happy blogoversary. We here at ASHC are deeply indebted to Jon, Dale and McQ for our own start. The addition of … Continue reading

Posted in Around the Web | 2 Comments

News Brief, Pretty In Pink Edition

Digging for gold over at The Conjecturer. Defense & The War Kevin Drum wonders what I do about General Petraeus’ report next month: “Will everyone swoon? Or will they demand more than just anecdotal evidence and unsupported statistics?” I know … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 1 Comment

Romer on long term growth

I recommend this podcast of Paul Romer with Russ Roberts talking about long-run economic growth. Hat tip: Greg Mankiw and Tyler Cowen amongst others.

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How overvalued was housing?

According to Robert Shiller, this much: This index is already adjusted for inflation. This could mean housing has always been way undervalued, or that restrictions on building have artificially inflated prices and thus made them more sustainable. I am sympathetic … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Lance's Page | 3 Comments

SRV, RIP

McQ reminds us that we lost a true legend 17 years ago today. He offers a suitable paean to guitar master, but I wanted to contribute a taste of what I think may Stevie one the best of all time. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

News Brief, Foux Da Fa Fa Edition

Teaching your girlfriend that thing you said you like over at The Conjecturer. Defense and the War The reconciliation deal is of course welcome news. Lance urges proper caution (in particular because the Baath Party is none too pleased with … Continue reading

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The unforseeable future

Posted in Economics, Humor, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

Gonzales Finally Resigns

I, for one, am happy with this result. The man clearly had no control over his department and revelled a little too much in novel legal theories rather than hard analysis. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales announced his resignation today, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments

The housing contagion spreads

The American consumer is showing strain: US consumers are defaulting on credit-card payments at a significantly higher rate than last year, raising the prospect of problems in the stricken US subprime mortgage market spreading to other types of consumer debt. … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Lance's Page | 7 Comments

A New Foreign Policy Framework?

Taylor Owen assesses Samantha Powers attempt to construct a realistic progressive Foreign Policy. He does a credible job, and the exchange in the comments between he, David Adesnik and Patrick Porter is interesting as well. I have made this point … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Notes on the war | 2 Comments

Beldar Throws Down the Gauntlet

John Kerry has allowed the three year window to file defamation claims against the Swift Boat Veterans to expire. Belldar claims: The very last thing John Kerry wants is to ever give the SwiftVets the legal tools they’d need to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 7 Comments

The Ghosts of Anbar

I will be putting out a roundup of news, views and analysis of the campaign in Iraq later this evening, but with the heirs of Galula in charge I think starting with the first two parts of Michael Yon’s four … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

KC Johnson’s new book on the Duke Lacrosse case

Dr. Helen reviews, Until Proven Innocent: Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case.

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Happy Birthday to Glenn Reynolds

Glenn sounds like he had my kind of birthday celebration.

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Iraqi Shia, Sunni and Kurdish leaders sign a reconciliation deal-Update 8/27 10AM CST

Like Charlie Brown facing Lucy placing the football, we have heard hopeful things on political progress in Iraq before, so we should take this with caution and realism. Caution, in that it may mean little. Realism, in that even if … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Notes on the war | 1 Comment

No thread not pulled, insuring no nit unpicked

Tom Maguire engages in a favorite activity, being picky about exactly what is being said. Given that he is speaking of the pricing of insurance options, examines “fat tails” and involves Michael Lewis, I am drawn as moth to flame.

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The Baghdad Boil

One consequence of the Invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, exposure to tropical disease. Stanley Aronson breaks down the history of the disease known as leishmaniasis, though it is also known as Burwan Fever, the Aleppo boil, espundia, Dumdum fever and … Continue reading

Posted in Around the Web | 2 Comments

The moral bankruptcy of the South African political class

Jamie Kerchick asks if it is time to consider knocking off Mugabe. Probably won’t happen even if it is the right thing to do, but this is part of the reason I despise Thabo Mbeki: As an umpteenth example of … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Race | 3 Comments

Huffpo off the deep end again-Update

General Pace, suddenly a voice of wisdom after supposedly being part of the problem, has suggested we need to draw down forces sometime next year. This has driven Martin Lewis to argue that Pace relieve Bush of his command and … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page, Law, Military Matters | 3 Comments

Torture in criminal justice

Are we irrationally biased against torture? In many situations it would be better to impose a punishment of torture than imprisonment. The fact that the U.S. justice system rejects torture as a punishment is the result of an anti-torture bias. … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Law, Society | 12 Comments

The Marne Offensive

For personal reasons one part of the surge has held my interest lately, the operations southeast of Baghdad being carried out by Task Force Marne (I believe the name Marne comes from a large road that traverses the area, not … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 8 Comments

News Brief, Little Trouble in Big China Edition

Throwing rocks at HAMAS over at The Conjecturer. Defense & The War More on what The Surge is accomplishing: “Despite some evidence that the troop buildup has improved security in certain areas, sectarian violence continues and American-led operations have brought … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Society, Technology | 1 Comment

Presidential aspirations anyone?

From Daniel Drezner: Alex Tabarrok proposes So You Think You Can Be President? One proposed segment: Game Theory: Candidates compete in a game of Diplomacy. I would also include several ringers – say Robin Hanson, Bryan Caplan and Salma Hayek. … Continue reading

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

No surprise here

From Pejman: Republicans must be positively salivating at the thought that the fourth ranking Democrat in the House, yea verily, the architect of the Democratic takeover in the House, is now on record arguing in favor of the earmarking process. … Continue reading

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

Just how close to economic fascism did we come?

We may have been closer than we think in 1935, though Nate Oman believes the threat would have receded in the light of political reality. Whatever the case, the discussion of the case of Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, History, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism | 1 Comment

Trust Fund Marxism

Eric Scheie looks into what might drive the wealthy leftist.

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The Cuban Rule of the Dead

If Castro can rule as an invalid, why couldn’t he rule as a dead man?

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Ron Paul’s most vibrant constituency

Left in the comments by Joshua: But the issue at hand is “Strippers for Ron Paul.” “because the Christian congressman, Ron Paul, understands the proper role of government in the United States of America. Government should not dictate morality.”

Posted in Around the Web | 4 Comments

Those Ever Tolerant Democrats

Democratic activists use gay stereotypes to attack Giuliani. From Gay Patriot.

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The Ever Expanding Reach of the State

Radley nails this: So I guess once you’re elected to Congress, you’re immune from drunk driving laws; you can stash the evidence that you’ve committed a crime in your office, because investigators aren’t allowed to search it; if you kill … Continue reading

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

The latest NIE on Iraq (Updated)

Update: McQ has a good roundup and similar thoughts to mine. ———————————————————————– The place to go is the Small Wars Journal to start. The NIE is a fair assessment and the full 10 page document can be found here, which … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

News Brief, Just Watch the Fireworks Edition

Cheating on your ex-boyfriend at The Conjecturer. Defense & The War So, according to President Bush, if we leave Iraq, the communists will triumph? Like how they won the Cold War? I don’t get it. The argument from civil war … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Media, Military Matters, Notes on the war, Technology | 1 Comment