the very act of encouraging poor people to consume products that they don’t need may actually make them worse off. Instead of trying to get them to buy more stuff, argues Kulkarni, we should be striving to find ways to help them produce more, so we can buy from them. From How the World Works… Continue reading Race, poverty and skin-whitener
A New Yorker’s case against Rudy Giulian
the presidential bid Rudy announced last week is staked on more than that Churchillian moment. It is also based on the notion that he is an effective manager who tamed an out-of-control metropolis and ran it efficiently. The real picture is somewhat more complicated. Giuliani was a frustrated and not very popular mayor on Sept.… Continue reading A New Yorker’s case against Rudy Giulian
Gore Obama 2008
A Gore/Obama ticket could happen, and here is how. There is no reason why an undeclared candidate couldn’t be named in the Iowa caucuses. And there is no reason why Gore couldn’t come in a strong 3rd in Iowa, even if he isn’t a candidate. And; if Gore comes in 3rd in Iowa as an… Continue reading Gore Obama 2008
There’s trouble brewing in Tunisia
If you wanted to support democracy in the Arab world, why did you begin with your enemies instead of your friends? Why Iraq and Iran? Why not us? From Slate Magazine A must read. As a progressive and a fan of Karl Popper, I’ve long felt that the right way to spread freedom is by… Continue reading There’s trouble brewing in Tunisia
Cobol analogies
A Cobol analogy is to a technical discussion as a Hitler (or Stalin) comparison is to a political discussion. Cobol Corollary to Godwin’s Law: The first person to compare a technology to Cobol automatically loses the debate.
proof that voting matters
Want proof that your vote counts? There are now hearings on how money is being spent. Well, this is proof that my vote counted.
Robert Reich and earmarks
With all due respect, I think it would be a bad idea to get rid of earmarks. While it would rid us of one source of legal malfeasance, it would shift another power from Congress to the Whitehouse. History has shown this to be a bad idea with military and trade policy. I seen no… Continue reading Robert Reich and earmarks
Sweetest Job in Washington
Yosses is also co-author of the cookbook “Desserts for Dummies,” an Amazon.com review of which promised: “Before you know it, you’ll start creating desserts that you’ve only dreamed of.” From Washington Wire – WSJ.com : Sweetest Job in Washington The guy who wrote the Desserts for Dummies book is now the White House pastry chef.… Continue reading Sweetest Job in Washington
The Masons make a bid for NASCAR
By appearing on the hood of Conz’s car, the Rite will reach millions of viewers during ESPN’s race coverage. (Up to 30 million “impressions” per race—a figure that calculates the number of people watching, and the number of times a portion of the car appears on screen.) “The NASCAR demographics fit our demographics,” says Dodd.… Continue reading The Masons make a bid for NASCAR
Andrew Sullivan on Sen. Clinton’s “cootie vibes”
Time blogger Andrew Sullivan said “when I see [Clinton] … all the cootie vibes sort of resurrect themselves.” Sullivan added that he considered Clinton a “very sensible senator,” stated that it was “hard to disagree with her on the war,” and admitted that he “actually [found] her positions appealing in many ways.” Nevertheless, he concluded:… Continue reading Andrew Sullivan on Sen. Clinton’s “cootie vibes”