Current Events Archive

For the record: U.S. economy doing rather well

September 4, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Politics

UPDATE (Oct 10): The title of this post has become quite ironic given the events of the past few weeks. I would still challenge any critic of Bush's economic policies (which I don't care for all that much) to explain how Democratic economic policies would make things better. I've grown weary of the oft-repeated conventional "wisdom" that the economy has tanked under Bush and that he is somehow responsible for such problems. Some data to keep in mind next time you hear that particular bromide: U.S. output has expanded faster than in most advanced economies since 2000. The IMF reports that real ...

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What do you think of Sarah Palin?

September 4, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Politics

I'd be very curious to know what Mudita Journal readers think of Sarah Palin. If you didn't see her acceptance speech tonight, you can watch it here. Or you can read a text summary (with comments interspersed) of this evening's speeches at the RNC. Tell me what you think. About her -- not her party. Me, I'm with these guys: From now on, when a Democrat says "But what if McCain drops dead on his first day in office?!?!?!" I'm going to say "dude -- don't tease me like that."

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The Real Iraq: A Moment of Truth

May 28, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Politics

"To most of us, Iraq is an abstraction that, at best, vaguely resembles reality on the ground. A new book by Michael Yon, however, reveals the real Iraq -- and why we face a moment of truth of historic proportions." From an excellent new article by Michael Totten at the Atlasphere: Iraq is where ideologies go to die. Arab nationalism, Baathism, anti-Americanism, al-Qaidism, Donald Rumsfeldism, and Moqtada al-Sadrism have either died there or are dying. Conventional liberal opinion, more or less correct about the foundering American war effort from 2004 to 2006, has been severely bloodied — along with Iraq’s worst insurgent groups and ...

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A soldier’s perspective on why they’re in Iraq

May 25, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Intellectual, Politics

This is a guest post by a friend of mine named "Ron," presently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. I’ve enjoyed reading this thread (“On appreciating military service, even in Iraq”) as it has developed and before I comment I want to say that I consider Joe Duarte and Josh Zader both to be friends. I have a great deal of respect for the intellect and devotion to Liberty of both men. I also want to thank Josh for providing a forum where rational people can have discussions like these and share ideas. I am currently in the 55th Week of my ...

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Who is John Yoo?

May 21, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Intellectual, Politics

In the article "Is John Yoo a Monster?" Esquire magazine provides a lovely, intimate look at the man who played the single biggest role in shaping the Bush administration's policies on torture. One thing I like about the article is that I would use the words "lovely, intimate look" and "policies on torture" in the same sentence while describing it. Such beautiful extremes, there -- the kind of paradox that might smash preconceptions, forcing us to arrive at fresh conclusions. Some background about the guy: At Steve’s Korean B.B.Q., Yoo talks about his parents. They were teenagers during the Korean War, a ...

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Reason.tv: Mississippi Drug War Blues

May 8, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Politics

Wow, Reason.tv is doing some excellent work, here. I couldn't take my eyes off it. (h/t Instapundit)

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Best Buy leading the world in workday flexibility

May 4, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Individualism, Intellectual

I am fascinated by what Best Buy has done: [W]hen Hance participates in a morning teleconference with his co-workers or in-house clients, he sometimes is calling in via cell phone from his fishing boat on a lake or from the woods where he's spent the hours since dawn stalking wild turkeys. "No one at Best Buy really knows where I am," he explains. "Nor do they really care." Gone are the days when Hance needed to spend morning until night seated in a cubicle surrounded by papers and charts he'd carefully arranged to ensure that co-workers and bosses who peeked in would ...

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Michael Strong: Give charter schools a chance

May 1, 2008 · Category: Current Events, FLOW, Individualism, Politics

I've been talking some lately with Flow CEO Michael Strong, who (together with Whole Foods CEO John Mackey) is doing some excellent work with explaining free market principles to folks with liberal-ish ideals. Today I noticed an article he published recently at Cato Unbound, wherein he makes some excellent points about charter schools in the United States -- and why they haven't (really) been given a fair trial yet, when it comes to helping American students overcome their rotten performance scores. I liked this point: After the fall of communism, even the most recalcitrant academics acknowledged that Hayek had been correct ...

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Why can’t two-income families afford a home?

April 28, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Politics

Question: "Why could families easily meet their financial obligations in the 1950s and 1960s, when only one parent worked outside the home, yet have great difficulty today, when two-income families are the norm?" Answer: Primarily because their federal taxes increased 140%. (h/t Instapundit)

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Monster lawyers take it in the nose

April 16, 2008 · Category: Current Events, Politics

I know many Objectivists and free market advocates have mixed feelings about patent law and how it is used. If you're one of them, don't miss this letter to the lawyers representing Monster Cable. It is hilarious. (Hat tip Instapundit) Here's one interesting excerpt, just to save you a click: I have seen Monster Cable take untenable IP positions in various different scenarios in the past, and am generally familiar with what seems to be Monster Cable's modus operandi in these matters. I therefore think that it is important that, before closing, I make you aware of a ...

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