We have met the enemy and he is PowerPoint. "PowerPoint makes us stupid,” Gen. James N. Mattis of the Marine Corps, the Joint Forces commander, said this month at a military conference in North Carolina.
This could have been easily avoided.
True tolerance versus changing notions of acceptable behavior.
Apparently, women are way more likely to find being around their parents unpleasant.
Yes, it's a bailout bill.
Yale open courses online. Think I might try to do some of these.
Awesome paper on the efficiency of the ancient England's judicial system practice of settling land disputes by having the opposing parties bludgeon one another in front of spectators.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sat Afternoon Links
Posting has been light. Combination of me fending for myself while Leigh is in Santa Fe, the NFL draft, being very busy at work, and a touch of laziness. On to it.
Meet the Bhuttos, Pakistan's political dynasty family.
Sen. Carl Levin releases Goldman Sachs emails that reveal that Goldman Sachs was involved in the financial system. Way to go Carl.
Barry Ritholtz thinks the case against Goldman is solid and he has a list of ten things you should know about the case. Most of the list is pretty dumb, especially if you have been following the case, but he does nail one that I keep coming back to as well, the guy prosecuting the case, Robert Khuzami, is considered, as best as I can tell, a fricking ninja by just about everyone.
The World's Most Recession Proof Sport.
Nudge fail.
Awsome motivational Christian rapper.
Did I say awesome? Because I meant awful.
GM pays back its government loan....except...not even close.
Meet the Bhuttos, Pakistan's political dynasty family.
Sen. Carl Levin releases Goldman Sachs emails that reveal that Goldman Sachs was involved in the financial system. Way to go Carl.
Barry Ritholtz thinks the case against Goldman is solid and he has a list of ten things you should know about the case. Most of the list is pretty dumb, especially if you have been following the case, but he does nail one that I keep coming back to as well, the guy prosecuting the case, Robert Khuzami, is considered, as best as I can tell, a fricking ninja by just about everyone.
The World's Most Recession Proof Sport.
Nudge fail.
Awsome motivational Christian rapper.
Did I say awesome? Because I meant awful.
GM pays back its government loan....except...not even close.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sun Morning Links
Health care reform as a wealth transfer.
Stay classy Philly fan.
Steve Waldman of Interfluidity discusses the charges against Goldman. I don't know how this case will shake out as I don't know the law on this stuff well enough. Timing is certainly interesting, as it was the appearnace of the Wellpoint story during the health care debate. Will also be watching how Paulson gets treated moving forward. His role seems shady, but I suppose asking the firm to create an investment vehicle that you can bet against is ok. Regardless of how the legal case turns out, Goldman is going to have to do some serious work with their current investors.
How the Iceland volcano shut down Europe's airports.
Is the Bank Bailout a Bargain? (NYT)
Stay classy Philly fan.
Steve Waldman of Interfluidity discusses the charges against Goldman. I don't know how this case will shake out as I don't know the law on this stuff well enough. Timing is certainly interesting, as it was the appearnace of the Wellpoint story during the health care debate. Will also be watching how Paulson gets treated moving forward. His role seems shady, but I suppose asking the firm to create an investment vehicle that you can bet against is ok. Regardless of how the legal case turns out, Goldman is going to have to do some serious work with their current investors.
How the Iceland volcano shut down Europe's airports.
Is the Bank Bailout a Bargain? (NYT)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday Morning links
I bought a tuxedo this week! I've been meaning to for some time, but finally pulled the trigger because I've got a number of black-tie events to go in the near future. On to it.
"For every doctor, there are five people performing health care administrative support." Misleading, but the overall charge is correct.
The charge against Goldman.
"Crime prediction software." Run.
Poor little liberal law students, they have no one to look up to. This is hard to read without vomiting. I've got two words for the author, Robert Bork. Liberals should never, ever complain about the judicial nomination process as they are its originators.
Norman Ornstein of AEI defends Obama against the charge that he is a socialist. I don't think Obama is a radical, but I do believe that he is, like most of the Democrats in Congress, a European-style socialist. He believes in free-ish markets as long as they have final say and progressive tax rates to operate the American version of the modern welfare state. That he is willing to compromise on legislation means he is pragmatic, but it doesn'tmean that that his beliefs are not socialistic.
My mostest favoritest player, Kevin Durant, wins the scoring title. I'm sure King James will win the MVP, but KD has to get some MVP love for leading the Thunder to a 50 win season and the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference. I mean, look at the roster.
"For every doctor, there are five people performing health care administrative support." Misleading, but the overall charge is correct.
The charge against Goldman.
"Crime prediction software." Run.
Poor little liberal law students, they have no one to look up to. This is hard to read without vomiting. I've got two words for the author, Robert Bork. Liberals should never, ever complain about the judicial nomination process as they are its originators.
Norman Ornstein of AEI defends Obama against the charge that he is a socialist. I don't think Obama is a radical, but I do believe that he is, like most of the Democrats in Congress, a European-style socialist. He believes in free-ish markets as long as they have final say and progressive tax rates to operate the American version of the modern welfare state. That he is willing to compromise on legislation means he is pragmatic, but it doesn'tmean that that his beliefs are not socialistic.
My mostest favoritest player, Kevin Durant, wins the scoring title. I'm sure King James will win the MVP, but KD has to get some MVP love for leading the Thunder to a 50 win season and the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference. I mean, look at the roster.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wednesday Morning Links
Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water, in Legos.
Good NYT article on the difficulty China is facing in revaluing the renminbi.
Read this to understand the conflict occurring in Kyrgyzstan. Foreign Affairs has a good rundown too.
Elephants in captivity lived an average of 19 years compared to 56 years in the wild.
Since his name is getting tossed around as a possible SCOTUS candidate, now is a good time to brush up on Cass Sunstein and his "nudge" theory, or soft paternalism. (He'd probably prefer you just order his book though.)
Rats figure out the Prisoner's Dilemma.
Best research report title ever.
Good NYT article on the difficulty China is facing in revaluing the renminbi.
Read this to understand the conflict occurring in Kyrgyzstan. Foreign Affairs has a good rundown too.
Elephants in captivity lived an average of 19 years compared to 56 years in the wild.
Since his name is getting tossed around as a possible SCOTUS candidate, now is a good time to brush up on Cass Sunstein and his "nudge" theory, or soft paternalism. (He'd probably prefer you just order his book though.)
Rats figure out the Prisoner's Dilemma.
Best research report title ever.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday Links
Kos reviews the iPad. He likes it. A lot.
Verne Lundquist astutely notes that Tiger Woods is less than pleased with his shot.
Matthew Yglesias comments on just how good Steve Nash is. "Floor general for all five of the top-rated offenses of the past 35 years is a pretty gobsmacking achievement." I didn't know that tidbit. Pretty amazing.
What the Bond girls have in common.
Opera economics. Good read. However, I don't think these tow statements make sense together. First, the assertion that "There are no “efficiencies.” Nothing is scalable." Second, "Labor, tightly controlled by 16 powerful and uncompromising trade unions, is terrifyingly expensive, accounting for $213 million last year, more than three-quarters of the Met’s budget."
Verne Lundquist astutely notes that Tiger Woods is less than pleased with his shot.
Matthew Yglesias comments on just how good Steve Nash is. "Floor general for all five of the top-rated offenses of the past 35 years is a pretty gobsmacking achievement." I didn't know that tidbit. Pretty amazing.
What the Bond girls have in common.
Opera economics. Good read. However, I don't think these tow statements make sense together. First, the assertion that "There are no “efficiencies.” Nothing is scalable." Second, "Labor, tightly controlled by 16 powerful and uncompromising trade unions, is terrifyingly expensive, accounting for $213 million last year, more than three-quarters of the Met’s budget."
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sunday Morning links
Robert Reich says more immigration is the solution to the entitlement problem. Mark Thoma then explains why that is totally wrong.
What Massachusetts can teach us about health care reform. "State politicians are responding to the cost crisis the only way they know how: by promising to impose arbitrary caps on premiums and price controls for medical services."
Broke Cities. "Jagadeesh Gokhale, economist with the Cato Institute, noted in that story that officially Greece’s debt is 113 percent of its total annual economic output. But if its pension obligations were included, Greece’s debt would be 875 percent of output. Bad, huh? Yes. But the comparable ratio for France would be 549 percent and Germany 418 percent. The United States? About 500 percent, says Gokhale, who includes Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security obligations in his figures."
The best of Skymall. I had a laughing fit on a plane earlier this year while thinking about the pet observation dome.
Take the most talentless band in the world, sprinkle in a life changing event like having a child, combine with the failure of public education in America and you get....the Best. Song. Ever.
How does Eleanor Clift still have a column? Does somebody actually pay her to write this crap?
Toward an Index of the 9-11 Commission Report.
What Massachusetts can teach us about health care reform. "State politicians are responding to the cost crisis the only way they know how: by promising to impose arbitrary caps on premiums and price controls for medical services."
Broke Cities. "Jagadeesh Gokhale, economist with the Cato Institute, noted in that story that officially Greece’s debt is 113 percent of its total annual economic output. But if its pension obligations were included, Greece’s debt would be 875 percent of output. Bad, huh? Yes. But the comparable ratio for France would be 549 percent and Germany 418 percent. The United States? About 500 percent, says Gokhale, who includes Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security obligations in his figures."
The best of Skymall. I had a laughing fit on a plane earlier this year while thinking about the pet observation dome.
Take the most talentless band in the world, sprinkle in a life changing event like having a child, combine with the failure of public education in America and you get....the Best. Song. Ever.
How does Eleanor Clift still have a column? Does somebody actually pay her to write this crap?
Toward an Index of the 9-11 Commission Report.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Sat Morning Links
Tax Myths. A study we conducted at the Tax Policy Center found that Washington would have to raise taxes by almost 40 percent to reduce -- not eliminate, just reduce -- the deficit to 3 percent of our GDP, the 2015 goal the Obama administration set in its 2011 budget. That tax boost would mean the lowest income tax rate would jump from 10 to nearly 14 percent, and the top rate from 35 to 48 percent....What if we raised taxes only on families with couples making more than $250,000 a year and on individuals making more than $200,000? The top two income tax rates would have to more than double, with the top rate hitting almost 77 percent, to get the deficit down to 3 percent of GDP."
How to open a chain lock with a rubber band.
Cleverest women are the heaviest drinkers. That's because they're clever.
iPhone helps a dyslexic read the Counte of Monte Otsirc. (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Thriving among the video pirates.
Death of the gayborhood.
How to open a chain lock with a rubber band.
Cleverest women are the heaviest drinkers. That's because they're clever.
iPhone helps a dyslexic read the Counte of Monte Otsirc. (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Thriving among the video pirates.
Death of the gayborhood.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday Afternoon links
I've always defended Rasheed Wallace, but I think Bill Simmons is right. In his heyday, Wallace was a freak athlete at 7'0 who could rebound, post, consistently knock down outside shots, was a willing and gifted passer, and, most importantly, was a top notch defender. While the West is still superior as a conference, there was a time when the talent gap was huge and it looked like the West would win forever. Then Rasheed went to Detroit. He was the only power forward in the East that could match up with the freaks from the West (Duncan, Garnett, Webber, etc.).
Instructions on how to write a "successful" news story.
Just how fast are NFL players. This fast.
China on the treadmill to hell. At least, according to one hedge fund manager they are.
A math primer on sovereign debt.
Instructions on how to write a "successful" news story.
Just how fast are NFL players. This fast.
China on the treadmill to hell. At least, according to one hedge fund manager they are.
A math primer on sovereign debt.
Will Wilkinson on the not so golden era of liberty that was the 1880's. I wish he posted more often.
NBC's "behavior placement" designed to have viewers adopt actions they see in their favorite shows.
Arnold Kling on the plight of the unskilled worker.
NBC's "behavior placement" designed to have viewers adopt actions they see in their favorite shows.
Arnold Kling on the plight of the unskilled worker.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thu Afternoon Links
Joblessness among American young adults. Is Spain's unemployment rate for people under 25 really 44.5%?
Glenn Greenwald on Obama's assassination policy. I'm not through reading on this one yet.
Blogger recommends using Google Analytics to find out "how much you suck." Read the whole thing though. It's a great rundown of the Search Engine Strategies conference and there are some fascinating tidibits.
47% of American households will pay no income tax.
Financial Times report on The Future of Cities.
How to look like Kim Jong-il. Sunglasses are tight.
Cool mug-shots of drunks from Britain in the 1900's (from Slate).
Glenn Greenwald on Obama's assassination policy. I'm not through reading on this one yet.
Blogger recommends using Google Analytics to find out "how much you suck." Read the whole thing though. It's a great rundown of the Search Engine Strategies conference and there are some fascinating tidibits.
47% of American households will pay no income tax.
Financial Times report on The Future of Cities.
How to look like Kim Jong-il. Sunglasses are tight.
Cool mug-shots of drunks from Britain in the 1900's (from Slate).
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wed Night Links
What's the point of winning the national championship?
Ezra Klein says the new federal health care bill will not cause employers to drop coverage. I respectfully disagree. Dropping coverage when you would be leaving your employees bare is one question, but if you can raise their pay and take health care off your books (which you can) then this will become a no brainer.
White House authorizes killing of American citizen who assisted Fort Hood shooter. Many mixed feelings. Need to read more.
Africa's Forever Wars (Foreign Policy).
WSJ article on adults with ADHD. I'll post more on this one later as I'm ADD. This is intensely personal for me, but I think I can be pretty open about it. Elements of it suck, but elements of it kind of seem like an advantage. As they say, knowing is half the battle.
Ezra Klein says the new federal health care bill will not cause employers to drop coverage. I respectfully disagree. Dropping coverage when you would be leaving your employees bare is one question, but if you can raise their pay and take health care off your books (which you can) then this will become a no brainer.
White House authorizes killing of American citizen who assisted Fort Hood shooter. Many mixed feelings. Need to read more.
Africa's Forever Wars (Foreign Policy).
WSJ article on adults with ADHD. I'll post more on this one later as I'm ADD. This is intensely personal for me, but I think I can be pretty open about it. Elements of it suck, but elements of it kind of seem like an advantage. As they say, knowing is half the battle.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Blogging
Internet Math
A Guide to Eastern European Ancestral Squabbles from The Economist. This is actually really helpful as this is a tough area of the world to keep straight (at least it is for me).
Gizmodo's Essential iPad apps. Still deciding whether to get one. My netbook battery went kaput and I'm looking at using that as an excuse to buy one.
NBER says the recession is over.
So Tyler Cowen, the gentleman who runs Marginal Revolution, did a post calling for other bloggers to list the top ten most books that were the most most influential to them. The result was some very cool responses from some of the best econ bloggers out there. But I thought Scott Sumner's response was the best.
Exit poll data from November 2008 from the NYT. I read about it generally, but the data here is kind of fun to go through. Points I thought were interesting:
1) the drop off in Republican voters in the Northeast which R's won regularly for years.
2) Did not know R's were that strong with the college graduate crowd. D's being popular with the post-grad crowd makes some sense.
3) Apparently, white Protestants don't like Democrats.
4) Suburbs are 49% of the electorate!
A Guide to Eastern European Ancestral Squabbles from The Economist. This is actually really helpful as this is a tough area of the world to keep straight (at least it is for me).
Gizmodo's Essential iPad apps. Still deciding whether to get one. My netbook battery went kaput and I'm looking at using that as an excuse to buy one.
NBER says the recession is over.
So Tyler Cowen, the gentleman who runs Marginal Revolution, did a post calling for other bloggers to list the top ten most books that were the most most influential to them. The result was some very cool responses from some of the best econ bloggers out there. But I thought Scott Sumner's response was the best.
Exit poll data from November 2008 from the NYT. I read about it generally, but the data here is kind of fun to go through. Points I thought were interesting:
1) the drop off in Republican voters in the Northeast which R's won regularly for years.
2) Did not know R's were that strong with the college graduate crowd. D's being popular with the post-grad crowd makes some sense.
3) Apparently, white Protestants don't like Democrats.
4) Suburbs are 49% of the electorate!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Saturday Morning links
Leigh is off to Waco to deliver one of our foster pets, Fiona, to her new home. She was not with us long, but I'm already very attached to her and will miss her. So, too, will her BFF Zoe who whines whenever they are not in reach of each other. Anyway, on to it.
Arnold Kling says break up the banks.
America's Quiet Anger. Umm...you can count me among this group.
The Most Obnoxious Woman in the World? This is truly fantastic. Hat tip to my buddy Mark for pointing this one out.
Why liberals love Joe Biden. Whatever. The part of the story I want to focus on is this quote: "Yglesias notes that the declining salience of foreign-policy issues—such as Iraq, which was once a liberal rallying cry—has helped assuage liberal concerns over Biden's historically aggressive approach to foreign policy". Yes, the declining "salience" of issues such as Iraq. Spare me. Remember when getting out of Iraq was a moral imperative. I do. But that was all total bullshit.
Prostitute street sign in Italy confuses motorists.
Salaries for the top ten hedge fund managers of 2009.
Doctor doesn't want to treat Obama supporters.
Rise in unpaid internships may be illegal.
Most dedicated sports fans vote Republican. This is pretty interesting. I would not have guessed that.
Arnold Kling says break up the banks.
America's Quiet Anger. Umm...you can count me among this group.
The Most Obnoxious Woman in the World? This is truly fantastic. Hat tip to my buddy Mark for pointing this one out.
Why liberals love Joe Biden. Whatever. The part of the story I want to focus on is this quote: "Yglesias notes that the declining salience of foreign-policy issues—such as Iraq, which was once a liberal rallying cry—has helped assuage liberal concerns over Biden's historically aggressive approach to foreign policy". Yes, the declining "salience" of issues such as Iraq. Spare me. Remember when getting out of Iraq was a moral imperative. I do. But that was all total bullshit.
Prostitute street sign in Italy confuses motorists.
Salaries for the top ten hedge fund managers of 2009.
Doctor doesn't want to treat Obama supporters.
Rise in unpaid internships may be illegal.
Most dedicated sports fans vote Republican. This is pretty interesting. I would not have guessed that.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday Mid-Day Blogging
Sparse lately, I know. About to make up for it though.
How Texas avoided the real estate meltdown. I've already some folks who are skeptical, but it's worth reading anyway.
John Cassidy at the New Yorker undressing the government's numbers on ObamaCare. I've already posted my thoughts on this, but I'll say it again. Anyone who thinks the health reform bill will lower the deficit either a) has not looked at the analysis, b) is a partisan, or c) is really dumb.
Equality shoes.
The world's weirdest vending machines (slidewhow).
Nissan Leaf priced at $32,780. I'll be interested to see how sales go. This would definitely be on my short list for cars if not for the dogs, but I think being an early adopter, in this case at least, has more drawbacks than benefits. I'm sure Austin will make a push to ensure that recharge stations are available, so it might be more practical here than elsewhere.
Speaking of cars, I'm probably going to be getting rid of my beloved Frijole Negra (Mazdaspeed 3) and getting an SUV. Short list right now is Audi Q7, Mazda CX-9, and the Buick Enclave (yes, a Buick), but just getting started on the research.
Hello Kitty wine. Vomit.
Amare Stoudemire posterizes Anthony Tolliver. Vicious dunk.
Rare photos of life inside North Korea.
Apparently, the Taliban suck at shooting.
How Texas avoided the real estate meltdown. I've already some folks who are skeptical, but it's worth reading anyway.
John Cassidy at the New Yorker undressing the government's numbers on ObamaCare. I've already posted my thoughts on this, but I'll say it again. Anyone who thinks the health reform bill will lower the deficit either a) has not looked at the analysis, b) is a partisan, or c) is really dumb.
Equality shoes.
The world's weirdest vending machines (slidewhow).
Nissan Leaf priced at $32,780. I'll be interested to see how sales go. This would definitely be on my short list for cars if not for the dogs, but I think being an early adopter, in this case at least, has more drawbacks than benefits. I'm sure Austin will make a push to ensure that recharge stations are available, so it might be more practical here than elsewhere.
Speaking of cars, I'm probably going to be getting rid of my beloved Frijole Negra (Mazdaspeed 3) and getting an SUV. Short list right now is Audi Q7, Mazda CX-9, and the Buick Enclave (yes, a Buick), but just getting started on the research.
Hello Kitty wine. Vomit.
Amare Stoudemire posterizes Anthony Tolliver. Vicious dunk.
Rare photos of life inside North Korea.
Apparently, the Taliban suck at shooting.
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