Author Archives: MichaelW

“Apparently, in France, demand curves do not slope downwards”

Megan McArdle comments on a piece in The Economist regarding the appalling state of economics education in France and Germany: When the 35 hour work week was proposed, I was talking to someone in the French consulate who did economics … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Education, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, social science | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Issues With Accessing QandO

[It looks as if all is good now, and that there are no more problems getting to QandO, so this post is being moved to the side bar] I haven’t been able to access QandO today for some reason, but … Continue reading

Posted in Around the Web | 1 Comment

Turmoil in Kenya

“It’s like everyone is drunk over something you can’t understand.” While our own seemingly endless election season grinds on (and on), Kenya’s recently ended, sparking massive instability, rioting and protests: Kenya’s main opposition party said Friday it plans three days … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Milton Friedman vs. Naomi Klein

Happy New Year! To start off the year right, let’s have a look at a mock-up of a debate between Naomi Klein, reporter-activist extraordinaire, and Milton Friedman, king of economic liberty (via Instapundit). This video was put together by Devil’s … Continue reading

Posted in Developmental economics, Economics, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, Milton Friedman Memorial Page, social science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fred Thompson’s New Iowa Ad

I’ve received a few emails alerting me to the fact that the blogburst for Fred Thompson was a success (congratulations to Rick Moran for spearheading that), and as a result, the following commercial “Substance” will be airing in Iowa: If … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Somebody’s Gearing Up For A HUGE Party

Someone in Georgia is apparently planning on hosting a kegger for a small division [HT: my wife]. Thieves took tractor-trailers loaded with beer and swiped the suds twice within the past week, authorities said. Dougherty County authorities are investigating a … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, MichaelW's Page | Tagged , | Leave a comment

McQ On The Depletion Of The Officer Corp

Over at QandO, McQ offers his take on a thoughtful article by Andrew Tilghman entitled “The Army’s Other Crisis: Why the Best and Brightest Young Officers are Leaving.” Here are the nut graphs from McQ: So we should certainly be … Continue reading

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

Top Al Qaeda Operative Nabbed In Iraq, and Other Good News

Bill Roggio has the scoop at Long War Journal: The Iraqi Army claimed to have captured the minister of defense of the Islamic State of Iraq, al Qaeda’s political front organization. Ahmed Turki Abbas was captured after being wounded in … Continue reading

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

Fred Thompson Picks Up Another Endorsement

Freddy-come-lately is gaining some steam in Iowa, picking up an endorsement from the Ottumwa Courier this week: Thompson is unapologetic on his views and is a straight-shooter. “These are clearly challenging times. I don’t think we’ve fully come to terms … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grinchwald’s Stocking Stuffer

It shouldn’t surprise me the lengths that Greenwald will go to distort what people say in order to lambaste his enemies, but his Christmas offering really takes the figgy pudding. Mike Huckabee’s Christmas ad — like everything Huckabee does — … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Glenn Greenwald's Carnival of Fisking, Media, MichaelW's Page, Religion and theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“XMas” Origins

Jon Henke posts an interesting history lesson concerning the origins of the well-known abbreviation for Christmas: Growing up, I sometimes heard – in church and from various religious scolds – that XMas was a secular attempt to “take Christ out … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, History, MichaelW's Page, Religion and theology, Society | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the the ASHC crew. We’ll be taking a bit of a break from the blogging, but be sure to check back after the New Year. Until then, best wishes to you and yours.

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Fred’s Interview With The Waverly Democrat

Although the Silly Hat story seems to have died on the vine (thanks to bloggers jumping on it quickly, I might add), the reporting of Roger Simon (sans-L) is still under scrutiny. Bob Owens examined some of the discrepancies between … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Senate Committee Issues Climate-Consensus Busting Report

According to the press release (my emphasis): Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called “consensus” on man-made global warming. These scientists, many of whom are current and … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Environment, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

The Trouble With Being Roger Simon

In all the kerfuffle yesterday over just what transpired in Silly-Hat-Gate, I somehow neglected to mention that the author of the Politico post, Roger Simon, is not the same as the PJM Editor, Roger L. Simon, who has this to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

We’re All Teen Girls Now

“Teen pregnancy can happen to everybody.” Bill Albert, Deputy Director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, commenting on the recent revelation that 16 y.o. Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. I’m guessing that I don’t need to … Continue reading

Posted in Media, MichaelW's Page, Society | 3 Comments

Fred Thompson’s “Silly Hat Rule” (UPDATED)

Via Allahpundit at Hot Air, it seems that Politico is a little down on Fred’s campaign visit to Waverly, Iowa: Thompson rode four blocks to the local fire station. Local fire stations always have captive audiences (unless there is a … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page | 13 Comments

Romney Calls For New Government Program

One big problem with that. It already exists: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney suggested there was no way a landscaping company that worked for him could have known its employees were illegal aliens even though the federal government has an … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Libertarian Timeline

As told by Mother Jones … so yeah, it’s a little, umm, “slanted.” My favorite distortion: 1977: The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, is founded in San Francisco with funding from oil baron Charles G. Koch. The name comes … Continue reading

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

Pining Away For Jihad Johnny

The aptly named Unqualified Offerings has had its share of troubles lately, and I’m not usually one to pile on, but this is simply beyond the pale (emphasis added): Have We Given Justice to Lindh? By Mona American citizen John … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 6 Comments

Hugo Chavez: Gravedigger

Apparently Hugo Chavez takes the resurrection of historical idols quite seriously. And much too literally [HT: Dave In Texas]: President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Venezuela should open the coffin of independence hero Simon Bolivar to examine the bones, saying … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page | 3 Comments

The Bolivian Secession (Update)

It seems that Hugo Chavez is not the only one having trouble instituting his Bolivarian dream state. Evo Morales is facing troubles in Bolivia as well: Since the election of avowed socialist Evo Morales to the presidency of Bolivia, some … Continue reading

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

Bad Santa

Thaddeus Tremayne sees potential legal troubles for St. Nick in the UK: A frosty reception awaits Santa Claus in Britain this year. It seems that the much-loved benefactor of children everywhere is, in fact, suspected of being guilty of a … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Humor, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, regulation | Leave a comment

Media Arrogance On Display

In case you haven’t already seen it, go ahead and read this journalism professor’s condescending look at blogging. Prepare to wretch. Supporters of “citizen journalism” argue it provides independent, accurate, reliable information that the traditional media don’t provide. While it … Continue reading

Posted in Libertarianism, Media, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Blast From The Fashion Past

The linked post is a couple of months old, but the thoughts are yours to treasure for a lifetime. Remembering the ’70′s: Last weekend I put an exhaust fan in the ceiling for my wife’s grandfather. After a bunch of … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, History, Humor, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Halliburton/KBR and U.S. Government Accused of Covering Up a Gang-Rape (UPDATED)

This is one of the most bizarre and disgusting stories I’ve heard in quite a while: A Houston, Texas woman says she was gang-raped by Halliburton/KBR coworkers in Baghdad, and the company and the U.S. government are covering up the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war | 13 Comments

Chavez vs. The Venezuelan Electorate

In the wake of the Venezuelan electorate issuing Hugo Chavez a defeat (his first) at the ballot box last week, there was much speculation from blogospheric skeptics about the actual tally of the votes, and about whether or not Chavez … Continue reading

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

Christmas Cards For “Any” Wounded Soldier – UPDATE

This is a follow-up post including new information for those who wish to send mail, gifts, care packages, etc. to wounded and covering soldiers. About a month ago Keith drew our attention to a popular, yet erroneous, email floating around … Continue reading

Posted in MichaelW's Page, Military Matters | 3 Comments

Christmas Gifts For Congress

Radley Balko has just the thing for your regulation-loving Congressman or woman. Also, Katherine Mangu-Ward finds a great vintage gift that working stiff who’s just tired of it all: Are you stuck in the “working man’s rut”? Would you rather … Continue reading

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Death Has Never Been So Sexy

I learned in Shakespeare 101 that many mentions of “death” were really a wink and a nod to the peanut gallery alluding to an orgasm (from the French le petit mort). Consequently, the actor on stage could be professing his … Continue reading

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

Germany Warned About Minimum Wage Laws

Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, called them a “brake on employment”: The warning came after several competitors to Deutsche Post, the former state monopoly, announced redundancies and the cancellation of investments in response to Berlin’s decision … Continue reading

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

It’s Time To Chase The Donuts!

Drunk driving isn’t funny. That is unless your name is Warren G. Whitelightning, you’re drunk, you’ve stolen eight giant red hot pickled sausages from a convenience store, and then you decide to take a Krispy Kreme truck for a joy … Continue reading

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

“I don’t like other people telling me what to do.”

Amen. One of the reasons I abhor communitarianism (and tend to see my political philosophy as the opposite of that) is because it vests communitarian thinkers with the self appointed power to tell me (and others) what to do. Provided, … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page, Philosophy, Religion and theology | Leave a comment

Attorney-Gate: Leahy’s New Ploy

Sen. Patrick Leahy is running a new gambit in order to force White House officials to testify before Congress, although I think there is another less-obvious goal here as well: A Senate chairman acknowledged explicitly on Thursday that President Bush … Continue reading

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

Chavez Will Win His Referendum

I’d say this is good news except that I have zero confidence that the referendum will result in anything other than what Chavez wants (i.e. dictatorial control): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has lost his lead eight days before a referendum … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, MichaelW's Page | 35 Comments

Whither The Middle Class?

Hillary and Obama agree on taxing Americans more, they just can’t agree on whether it’s the “middle” or “upper” class that they’re prepared to squeeze for votes (HT: Paul Caron): Class, always an awkward topic in the United States, made … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Election 2008, Health Care, MichaelW's Page, regulation | 3 Comments

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Here’s wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Eat well and be merry. From the Staff at ASHC

Posted in Author Pages, Culture, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Joisey Quagmire

A low level civil war slash insurgency is plaguing New Jersey, and some say that there is little we can do about it. Law enforcement has all but given up: The strategy sounds almost illogical: Detectives in New Jersey are … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, MichaelW's Page | 14 Comments

My Accent

Or lack thereof: What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   “You have a Midland accent” is just another way of saying “you don’t have an accent.” You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern … Continue reading

Posted in MichaelW's Page, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

CBS News Writers To Go On Strike

I’m guessing this is a sympathy strike in support of the one going on in Hollywood: CBS News writers, producers and editors voted to authorize their labor union to call a strike after working without a contract for two years. … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, Media, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

The Higazy Conundrum

For anyone who has been following the Higazy case and the puzzling circumstances under which a Second Circuit opinion was issued, withdrawn, and then reissued in redacted form, here is some information that seems to have been missed in the … Continue reading

Posted in Law, Media, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war | 12 Comments

Was The Democratic Debate A Canned Event?

(Via Gateway Pundit) It sure looks that way: Maria Luisa, the UNLV student who asked Hillary Clinton whether she preferred “diamonds or pearls” at last night’s debate wrote on her MySpace page this morning that CNN forced her to ask … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Media, MichaelW's Page | 1 Comment

Sen. Reid Vows Defeat In Iraq

The war funding bill passed by the House was shot down by the Senate, but Sen. Reid promised to win the Democrats’ war against the White House through attrition (my emphasis): Nearly a year after anti-war voters put them in … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 6 Comments

White House — Contempt of Congress

Since the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales the Attorney-Gate charade has basically fallen off the map. That’s a good thing for the most part because there never was any “there” there, at least not with respect to the politically … Continue reading

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

Slippery Slope

I guess “man bites dog” is just too normal nowadays: NEW DELHI – A man in southern India married a female dog in a traditional Hindu ceremony as an attempt to atone for stoning two other dogs to death — … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Humor, MichaelW's Page, Religion and theology, Society | Leave a comment

More Greenwaldean Nonsense

It’s almost too easy. McQ ably tackles Greenwald’s attempt to play dumb as to how Judge Mukasey could be confirmed by the Senate without having to face a Democratic filibuster. Every time Congressional Democrats failed this year to stop the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Glenn Greenwald's Carnival of Fisking, Libertarianism, MichaelW's Page | 4 Comments

The Key To US-French Relations

Newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy just completed a diplomacy visit with President Bush to much critical acclaim. As part of his playing host, Bush escorted Sarkozy to Mt. Vernon, the estate of Pres. George Washington, which is located about … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, History, MichaelW's Page | 2 Comments

Staying In The Game

One of the unique things about top-notch athletes that makes them so popular is their ability to not only withstand pain, but to play through it and still be effective. Hockey players are routinely stitched up during games (sans anesthesia); … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

Powerful Imagery

Michael Yon captures a moment on film that in a world with a meritocratic media would surely garner a Pulitzer: A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Infantry to the church, where I videotaped as … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, History, Media, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | Leave a comment

I Didn’t Know High School Kids Were So Smart

We are apparently a couple of reading levels below QandO. I’m thinking that the writing here at ASHC is so clear and understandable that all you need is a high school education to comprehend it … yeah, that’s the ticket

Posted in Humor, MichaelW's Page | 8 Comments