Economists know that the total cost of a decision can only be truly measured when its "opportunity cost" is considered: this "opportunity cost" is the loss of ability to make other choices given the resources consumed in implementing the original decision. Simply, if I buy guns, I can't buy butter because I've already spent my money. Political decisions also can only be … [Read more...] about Russia vs. Georgia: Implications for the U.S.
Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney Killed by Gunman
Currently, the motive for the murder of Arkansas Democratic party chair Bill Gwatney is unknown. (NYT) Gwatney, a supporter of Hillary Clinton and a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, was shot in his office at Democratic party headquarters in Little Rock. (NYT) He was rushed to the hospital, but died several hours later.(NYT) The police said that the … [Read more...] about Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney Killed by Gunman
Irony Alert. McCain: “In the 21st Century, Nations Don’t Invade Other Nations”
Would that he were right. You can see the video (via Think Progress) below. … [Read more...] about Irony Alert. McCain: “In the 21st Century, Nations Don’t Invade Other Nations”
Energy policy – How can we find a path for the future if we don’t know where we are starting from?
This is the first in a planned series of posts on energy policy, arguably one of the most critical, long-term problems facing not only the United States but the world, and an issue that is already being discussed in the current electoral campaigns. Fundamentals – The nature of energy What do we mean when we talk about energy? Most people think of oil, and when they … [Read more...] about Energy policy – How can we find a path for the future if we don’t know where we are starting from?
‘Georgia: The Proxy War that Could Go Global’: From Germany’s Frankfurter Rundschau
Continuing on with our European coverage of the crisis in Georgia, this article by Karl Grobe of the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau, written just after the crisis mushroomed last week, contains a number of arresting comments that convey the gravity of the situation. Grobe writes in part: "This is now more than a limited confrontation within the borders of what … [Read more...] about ‘Georgia: The Proxy War that Could Go Global’: From Germany’s Frankfurter Rundschau
Julia Child: Agent 450
Interesting article about all of the celebrities who worked for the OSS during World War Two. Good for them. … [Read more...] about Julia Child: Agent 450
Ayesha Siddiqua: Pakistan’s Brave Woman
Six months ago I wrote about a brave Pakistani woman who has been relentlessly fighting the two arbiters of her country's destiny, Pakistan's army and the US administration. (See here...) When she was virtually hounded out of Pakistan, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa sought refuge in the world of US academia. Here is Ayesha Siddiqua's fresh salvo from the Stanford University as reported … [Read more...] about Ayesha Siddiqua: Pakistan’s Brave Woman
Powell Endorsement Of Obama Coming Soon?
Will former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorse Democratic presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama? Yes...wait...he might not. Will Powell go to the Democratic convention to endorse Obama? Yes...wait...he might not. Once again Colin Powell, the charismatic military former military commander with the great bio, is in the spotlight and continuing his role as one of the … [Read more...] about Powell Endorsement Of Obama Coming Soon?
DNC Protesters: Constitutional Rights Denied or Citizens’ Rights Denied?
Some say protesters, such as Code Pink and Recreate 68 and others, including small church groups and other groups no one has ever heard much about, are being denied their constitutional rights of freedom to assemble, and freedom of speech. Many protest groups have sued to gain access to convention gathering sites in Denver so they can be 'seen' and 'heard' by conventioneers, … [Read more...] about DNC Protesters: Constitutional Rights Denied or Citizens’ Rights Denied?
Education: That’s Hot
What with all of the excitement swirling around the Olympics and the ongoing drama in Georgia, I'm sure that the prospect of another heavily wonkish discussion of domestic policy issues might have you checking to see if you couldn't schedule a quick root canal. But that won't stop me urging you to check out a recent piece at BlogHer written by Nancy Pfotenhauer on the subject … [Read more...] about Education: That’s Hot
What Is It About The Republican Convention?
So many Republican Senators are skipping it... … [Read more...] about What Is It About The Republican Convention?
DNC and Warehousing Cattle/ Protesters in Cages
They're trying to empty the Denver jails in anticipation of all the protesters the Denver police may need to round up. But, the Denver County jails are overflowing with prisoners nonetheless. So, Denver Mayor Hickenlooper has authorized a unique way to contain protesters: cages. Inside a warehouse. Far from Denver central where all the action will be. One of the guys who … [Read more...] about DNC and Warehousing Cattle/ Protesters in Cages
DNCC and The Dead Man in The Hotel
Rick Sallinger reports from the CBS Denver affiliate Less than two weeks before the Democratic National Convention a man has been found dead in a Denver hotel room with a container of what authorities initially suspect to be the deadly poison cyanide. ...the dead man, Saleman Abdirahman Dirie, 29, appears to be from outside the U.S. No passport was found on Dirie, … [Read more...] about DNCC and The Dead Man in The Hotel
Barr still on the ballot march and in the news
While you couldn’t tell it from the continuing dearth of coverage on CNN, MSNBC and Fox, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr is still quietly moving forward with his plans to move in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue next January. Most recently, Team Barr has gotten on the ballot in Kentucky, and look to do the same in Maine now that the deadline for signature submissions has … [Read more...] about Barr still on the ballot march and in the news
Barack Flips
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Barack Flips
Not Every Mistake is Worth Fixing?
So the Supreme Court made a factual error in its ruling holding that the death penalty for child rape is unconstitutional. Since the error was definitely relevant (though not necessarily critical) to its ruling, some folks have been urging that the Court reopen the case (an issue I am pretty much neutral on). Today, we find out via a recently released study that the Supreme … [Read more...] about Not Every Mistake is Worth Fixing?
Pew Poll: Race Evens As McCain Regains Republican Base
A new Pew Poll illustrates how the pundit's conventional wisdom has been now turned on its head: the poll shows the Presidential race essentially tied because Republican Senator John McCain is regaining his party's base while Democratic Senator Barack Obama is not unifying his party sufficiently. One continuing strand in many polls and stories now is how some supporters of … [Read more...] about Pew Poll: Race Evens As McCain Regains Republican Base
Class Doesn’t Stay That Way
In an editorial for the Washington Post, Peter Beinart thinks that Barack Obama could put the issue of race away for good if he came out for replacing race-based affirmative action with class-based programs. I have no problem with class-based affirmative action, though I think it should supplement, not replace, its racial peer, as both are independent sources of disadvantage … [Read more...] about Class Doesn’t Stay That Way
Russia’s dangerous steps to a new Cold War
The Russian invasion of Georgia has removed the lid over the simmering tensions between Russia and the Western allies that could easily turn into a new Cold War, stoked by hardliners on both sides. This “Cool War” is low intensity compared to the one with the former Soviet Union but the mistrust between Russia and the Western democracies can no longer be papered over and … [Read more...] about Russia’s dangerous steps to a new Cold War
Iraq Detainees Held in Small Crates
After a blogger filed a Freedom of Information Act request, the military last week released photographs of the crates ("segregation boxes") into which it segregates violent Iraqi prisoners: Three grainy black-and-white photos show the rudimentary structures of wood and mesh. Some of the boxes are as small as 3 feet by 3 feet by 6 feet tall, according to military officials. … [Read more...] about Iraq Detainees Held in Small Crates