Are you suffering from "B-O overload?" Are the Obama-crats cramping your nightly TV viewing? Barack Obama is proving to be a canny and articulate leader. His tour of the media (Leno, 60 minutes etc..) is obviously part of a sales campaign to convince Americans that things are under control, we know what we're doing, trust us, everything is going to be alright........eventually. That may or may not be true (I'm thinking not) but one thing is clear, Americans are going to be in hock for way more than the $10 trillion debt that already exists with no guarantee of success. Obama spent much of his press conference last night (March 24/09) reassuring us about the economy. Do you feel better yet?
Drugs at the Mexican Border
Another issue touched upon during the above press conference was the spreading drug violence across the US border from Mexico. Of course drug violence occurs just about everywhere. But where drug prohibition is tempered, drug violence is reduced. The evidence can be seen in how soft drug use is treated in the Netherlands compared to the US. The website linked in the previous sentence shows a lower rate of cannabis use in Holland than the US. How is that possible when America is at war against drugs. History shows us that prohibition results in violence. Check out the graph by clicking on this title: Homicides and Prisoners in Custody 1900-1990
Prohibition began in the US in 1920 and ended in 1933. Look at how the homicide rate (an indicator of violence) rises and falls on the graph during this period, look at prisoners in custody. Do you think there is a cause-effect link? I think there is. Even law enforcement authorities (click) think drug prohibition is wrong. That's what most Libertarians think as well.
The Ontario Budget March 26/09
Well the Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty is making noises about "harmonizing" our burdensome consumption taxes. Lets see, there's an 8% tax (PST) on a bunch of things except haircuts, kids books, feminine hygiene products and other essentials. There is also a 5% federal tax (GST) on most goods and services. Each tax is calculated separately, you know to be fair - but a pain if you are a business person. But if the tax is harmonized then we pay 13% on most everything including things that were not doubly taxed before.Ugh! Will he do it? Will he lower the PST to make it more palatable (11%)? Why not spend less money on useless government programs and let us keep our money to spend on ourselves? Why not?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Pope, AIG and Cold Fusion
The Pope in Africa
Again the Pope has demonstrated the relevance of the Catholic Church in the 21st Century. On his way toAfrica he said: AIDS "is a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems." Condoms aggravate AIDS! Reality is irrelevant, which of course is a theme not only for Catholicism but ALL religions. Later the Pope urged Angolans to give up belief in sorcery and witchcraft and convert to Catholicism. Great idea, switch from believing in wizards and witches and choose the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost – again, obviously a better choice.
The AIG Debacle
The American government has given AIG a $180 billion US bailout. The reaction from the media and public to this: justified, necessary, hope it works, AIG is too big to fail.
AIG has given out about $200 million in questionable bonuses to employees. The reaction from the media and public: outrage, give it back, legislate it back! I heard a commentator recently state that this is concern about the hole while forgetting the donut. There was a solution to the AIG debacle, its called bankruptcy. The insurance company and employees that took too much risk would have to reorganize and reset their contractual obligations. People would lose jobs, bonuses would disappear, salaries would drop but the company would probably exist in a much different form. Who is at fault here? AIG certainly, but theUS
Happy 20th Birthday today to Cold Fusion
This is one of the best examples of how Science is self-correcting. There is a truth and the truth will out (and it ain't cold fusion).
Again the Pope has demonstrated the relevance of the Catholic Church in the 21st Century. On his way to
The AIG Debacle
The American government has given AIG a $180 billion US bailout. The reaction from the media and public to this: justified, necessary, hope it works, AIG is too big to fail.
AIG has given out about $200 million in questionable bonuses to employees. The reaction from the media and public: outrage, give it back, legislate it back! I heard a commentator recently state that this is concern about the hole while forgetting the donut. There was a solution to the AIG debacle, its called bankruptcy. The insurance company and employees that took too much risk would have to reorganize and reset their contractual obligations. People would lose jobs, bonuses would disappear, salaries would drop but the company would probably exist in a much different form. Who is at fault here? AIG certainly, but the
Happy 20th Birthday today to Cold Fusion
This is one of the best examples of how Science is self-correcting. There is a truth and the truth will out (and it ain't cold fusion).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Welcome.
I have been a teacher most of my adult life. While I no longer teach as a paid job, I feel that I still have a great deal to offer my fellow humans from the knowledge and experience that I have accumulated. This blog will contain my views of current events, in particular those things that relate to politics, religion, the economy and whatever else I find interesting. As time goes by I will add to the site, but for the time being I've posted the logos of two organizations that I belong to at the bottom of the page. You may find them interesting. Happy Spring!
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