Author Archives: Lance

About Lance

I want to thank everybody who has encouraged me over the past few years to do this. I doubt it will hold but a few people's interest, but that is okay with me. Special thanks go to Peter over at http://www.liberalcapitalist.com. I value my privacy a great deal, so I will guess you will have to get to know me over time to find out much. I am in the financial services, wealth management, investing or whatever you want to call it business. I have children, my oldest is entering college. I have no great or imposing academic background, my grades varied from high enough to get invited to an honors program at my university to frustrating enough to cause my father great grief. My major was history, with a minor in ethics. My main interest towards the end was in the history of economic ideas before life took a turn and I ended up never going on to graduate school. However, I have a fair knowledge of history, economics, investing and would probably be considered well read. My tastes are eclectic and I pretty much find the entire world interesting. I have an enduring interest in how people learn about and analyze the world; my posts here will examine this topic in detail over time. I make no claims to be above the very biases and errors I see in others, in fact it is my belief that we are incapable of escaping them, only moderating their control over us. I am a member of no political party, but I would broadly consider myself a man of the right. I am inclined to free market economics, limited government and a fairly narrow view of the role of the state. A small L libertarian if you will. However, if you are looking for broad based "the left believes..." or "wingers are so...." types of attacks on liberals, conservatives, neo-cons or whatever enemy you want to slam, look elsewhere. Lance

Fail Early or Don’t Fail at All

On tonights podcast at QandO, I called in at McQ’s request to discuss the economy. One of the things we discussed was the likelihood of our government continuing to bail out our financial institutions. For a number of reasons that … Continue reading

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Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn R.I.P.

The impact of this man on the world is not part of the memory of many today. I’ll be breaking out a few of his books this week in his memory. A true Giant has passed away. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, whose … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, History, Lance's Page, Religion and theology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Jupiter Unveiled

A simply stunning series of pictures of Jupiter and its moons. Lots more at the link.

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A Paranoid on Paranoia-Last updated 1:06 CST

After 9/11 itself, the anthrax attacks were probably the most consequential event of the Bush presidency. One could make a persuasive case that they were actually more consequential. You could? The 9/11 attacks were obviously traumatic for the country, but … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Glenn Greenwald's Carnival of Fisking, History, Lance's Page, Media, Notes on the war | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

What a Difference!

Obama tries to wriggle out of his box on energy policy. His sop to “Big Oil” haters? Windfall profits tax. Plus, a $1000 rebate for consumers. Yep, he is a new type of politician.

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Economics of Cables

Why are cables so expensive?

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Obama in Iraq

Omar at Iraq the Model on Obama’s trip to Iraq.

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Creative Capitalism

I think this is a fascinating blog, Creative Capitalism. Of Course, I am a geek. Creative Capitalism: A Conversation is a web experiment designed to produce a book — a collection of essays and commentary on capitalism, philanthropy and global … Continue reading

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Back to the drawing board

Unsurprisingly, “carbon labeling” hasn’t helped consumers reduce their carbon footprint.

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Passing Humility

Who said this: I don’t think I have a place in history yet.  I got elected to the U.S. Senate. I haven’t done anything yet. That was Obama only three years ago. What has changed?

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Environmental Incoherence

Pelosi says, “I’m trying to save the planet; I’m trying to save the planet.” Charles Krauthammer points out the incoherence of this: Does Pelosi imagine that with so much of America declared off-limits, the planet is less injured as drilling … Continue reading

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The Power of the Sea

Could this be the next big source of energy?

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Happy Birthday Milton: Video Link Fixed

It is Milton Friedman’s birthday! For all kinds of coverage, go to my Milton Friedman Memorial page. Scroll to the bottom and there is a huge collection of thoughts on his passing. Here is one of my favorite bits:

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The New Economy

The end of Doha and the World of Warcraft

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Reality Based Analysis?

EJ Dionne thinks McCain is blowing it: By running an attack campaign that is almost a parody of George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 exertions, McCain is chucking away his greatest opportunity, which is to show that he could reform … Continue reading

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Let us give them even more power

I don’t do much union bashing, but Retief has inspired me. In Montgomery, the Police Union is standing in the way: FOR MORE than a decade, state, county and municipal police departments across the country have been shifting to the … Continue reading

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Fausta has the story

Good news from Colombia: coke production down, business up

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The Civil McCain Myth

I don’t think McCain is being particularly nasty to Obama (nor Obama particularly nice) but I think Daniel Larson hits the nail on the head here: Indeed, to the extent that his agreement with the administration on many major policies … Continue reading

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The Stupidest Ethics Investigation Ever

Pelosi wants to have the most ethical Congress in history, the Senate wants to have the stupidest ethics in history.

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More from the Kettle

I still hate the housing bill.

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Peter Pan America

Growing up means accepting responsibility for your actions and attempting to make wise decisions as much as possible.  Peter Pan rejected this; he didn’t want to grow up and lose the carefree, irresponsible days of youth. Too often, it appears … Continue reading

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US Intelligence: ISI Helped Plan Attack

From the NYT: American intelligence agencies have concluded that members of Pakistan’s powerful spy service helped plan the deadly July 7 bombing of India’s embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to United States government officials. The conclusion was based on intercepted … Continue reading

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Driving a Bargain

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Dude, I have found your recession-Updated

I understand that many find the media’s treatment of the economy under Bush biased. I agree with that. No argument from me. So I understand where Instapundit and others, including many denizens of this site, are coming from. That being … Continue reading

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Modern Homelessness

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Select Rants

For those of you who love New York Times bashing, I am in rant mode at Risk and Return. What a bunch of balderdash. Also, if you want a good idea of where housing prices may go, I also have … Continue reading

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Mookie ascendant

Meanwhile, in Iraq, we have succeeded in handing power to Muqtada and the extremist militias…maybe not so much.

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In Defense of Usury

Well if we cannot rid ourselves of speculators, how about making compound interest a sin again? Or not.

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An Inconvenient Truth for Al Gore and Friends

I know that many of you think that global warming, at least anthropogenic global warming, is a fraud. I am not so sure. Either way though, I think Peter Huber has the broad contours of any attempt to address it … Continue reading

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Mr. Hopey Changitude

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Back to the Vikings

What do you know, Global Warming and an economic renaissance in Greenland. I like Glenn Reynolds observation though: Divine Providence is unveiling these resources just as we need them the most! Though if you’re really looking for miracles, the Greenlanders’ … Continue reading

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The Third Way

Over at Byron 1776 viable third party approach is proposed for we hold our nose and vote types..

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Metternich would be proud

Obama makes his first effort at diplomacy with the Palestinians. The response: F- – – Washington, f- – – Obama and f- – – you. I feel encouraged, how about you?

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Oil Speculation

Jeffrey Carter says we need more speculators, not less if we want oil markets to function.

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Blog Talk Radio

Over at QandO, Bruce, Dale,and I discuss Sen. Obama’s hubris, his fawning press coverage, and his inability to admit his error in opposing the surge.

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Is it over and what does that mean?

Josh used to ask me what success in Iraq means. Michael Totten seeks to define the term “over” in the context of Iraq. He claims that there were three wars in Iraq, and two are over, the last almost. That … Continue reading

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Olympic Gold at the Trough

Abu Muqawama says the IOC are swine. Hard to argue.

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A British Labour Implosion

Having checked out of politics until the last few days, I certainly haven’t been keeping up with what is going on across the pond (outside of following how bad the economic slowdown may be.) Reading Guy Hebert things seem to … Continue reading

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Deep into our Minds

Do you ever use mindmaps for planning? This ones better.

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Bin Ladenism in the Balkans

The irreplaceable Michael Totten is now in the Balkans tracking down the influence of al Qaeda and the mujahideen. They seem to be having trouble inculcating their values. Exhibit 1: “Most people know nothing about your country,” I said to … Continue reading

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

Chuck Hagel wants to change the subject-Updated

From The Huffington Post, where this kind of BS is applauded: “Quit talking about, ‘Did the surge work or not work,’ or, ‘Did you vote for this or support this,’” Hagel said Thursday on a conference call with reporters. “Get … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Most Ethical Congress in History

New boss, same as the old boss.

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Housekeeping

First, I want to apologize for the server problems the last week. They have been fixed, though we lost a few days worth of posts. The bright side? A brand new server, which should mean better, faster, performance. In other … Continue reading

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Finally! Car Blogging!

I am co-bloggers Keith and Josh will be thrilled to know that Vanity Fair now has a gay car blog.

Posted in Culture, Humor, Lance's Page, Media | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

BDS in the Halls of Congress

You may not realize this, but the House Judiciary Committee has been holding hearings (of a sort) in an attempt to impeach President Bush. Guys, he is gone in six months. I love this line: “I am really astonished at … Continue reading

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Energy: All of the above

The Big Bad Wolf has spotted a bill that seems to embody commonsense on energy. Where do I stand on wind, solar, biofuels, nuclear, expanded exploration, and whatever else we can think of? How about all of the above! Maybe … Continue reading

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Why I am still an independent #3476

Ah, the Libertarian Party. I wish I could call it home, but like all parties animated by ideals, it is susceptible to grievance mongers who latch themselves onto the rhetoric to justify disgusting views. The Republican Party of La. had … Continue reading

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The Vicious Part of the Left

Jewish neo-cons, black “Uncle Toms,” and conservative marginalization. David Bernstein slaps Joe Klein.

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“Setbacks”

We see this kind of thing in the press all the time: U.S. and Afghan troops have abandoned a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan where militants killed nine American soldiers earlier this week, officials said Wednesday. Compounding the military setback, … Continue reading

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Don’t piss off the wordsmith

It isn’t just that this is funny-or so devastatingly literate, profane and lovingly crafted- and all over the removal of the indefinite article “a”. Nor is is just that Giles is so absolutely correct to be so exercised over the … Continue reading

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