Frankly, we have more pressing concerns than the Middle East. Even considering the question of oil, I believe that the situation in Mexico is a far more serious security concern. Honestly, the war being waged down there makes the Italian mob look quaint.
The New York Times features a debate on ending government support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I would say that ending support for them would be a good thing. A major part of the traditional American dream includes home ownership. Home ownership is all well and good but I can't think of a compelling reason why everyone has to have one. Renting may very well just be better for some folks. Though I will admit to not having enough time to read all of the opinions, this argument stuck out at me:
There is a legitimate question as to how well the private sector can provide the full level of mortgages needed after so many decades in which Fannie and Freddie warped the housing finance system. Luckily, we can find out by creating an intelligent transition plan. We could phase out those companies by gradually raising the guarantee fees they charge, to price them out of the market, or by lowering the maximum size of mortgage they cover, or both. We would then see if the private markets could fill the void, as they should be able to do. If not, we can rethink at that point before serious harm is done.
Don't know about that...Clearly, they warp the market. I can't imagine anyone arguing otherwise. But solving it by forcing them to become uncompetitive seems odd to me. Rather than forcing other lenders to lower their rates, it will only compel them to offer rates slightly lower than the artificially raised rates being asked for by Frannie and Freddie. After all, to succeed in business, all you have to do is offer very, very slightly better terms than the next guy.
While we're discussing the common wisdom of the importance of everyone owning a home, we might as well kick another sacred cow and bring up college education.
I've argued that the hearings being held by Rep. King (NY) on radical Islam have a distinctly McCarthyite feel to them. The way this woman talks pretty much confirms that. Substitute "communist" for "radical":
“America has been infiltrated on all levels by radicals who wish to harm America,” she said. “They have infiltrated us at the C.I.A., at the F.B.I., at the Pentagon, at the State Department. They are being radicalized in radical mosques in our cities and communities within the United States.”
As soon as we stop frothing at the mouth about the sneaky, dastardly Muslims, perhaps we could stop ranting and raving about a tasteless prank? A young man may go to prison for 20 years and spend an additional 25 years on the sexual offender registry for singing a dirty song in an empty room. Granted, what he did was in very poor taste. I would even understand if a civil suit was filed against him. But charging him with distribution of child pornography and destroying his live over a YouTube video is...well, frankly quite a bit more obscene than anything he could have possibly done.
If anyone out there is wondering about what to get me for my birthday in April, I'd appreciate a copy of Francis Fukuyama's "The Origins of Social Order". I really enjoyed his book "The End of History and the Last Man". Granted, it provides a Hegelian analysis of politics and that's something to be pretty leery of whether it comes from someone advocating for a free-market society or Marxism. That said, I found it compelling and look forward to his new book which sounds simply fascinating.
Um... here's something else you can get me. Won't cost you a thing but shipping and handling!
Geoff Bait: Your Alma Mater got a little something something.
I seem to recall voting for a candidate in 2008 that offered a repudiation of some of the more egregious offenses of the Bush presidency. It's funny, but I was under the impression that he won. I have no idea who this guy is.
This is pretty amazing to me: Park rangers in Hawaii had to caution visitors to keep their distance from an erupting volcano. On the one hand, I'm stunned that anyone would want to be within a thousand miles of a mountain that's actively shooting lava. On the other...I'm not so sure I want those people to stay in the gene pool. It might not be a bad idea to set up a hot dog stand near the crater just to see who shows up.
Huh...This article is interesting when considered in light of Watson's Jeopardy victory. Scientists have confirmed: We are what we make.
Dad Bait: Your job might have just gotten a bit easier.
All of these people had a cooler weekend than you.
Yeesh... Happy Birthday, Spanish Influenza! I will not be wishing you 'many happy returns'!
Kacee Bait: Facebook continues it's march towards world domination.
I find this a bit strange. Berserk, political activist, James O'Keefe (he of the ACORN Pimp Sting), recently orchestrated some shenanigans with NPR. They managed to elicit some supposedly damning comments from a former employee. Here's the thing though...I think that every one of these comments is pretty accurate if not a good reason to give money to NPR. Yes, I do believe that the Tea Party is essentially an evangelical Christian organization. I also agree that they have markedly xenophobic tendencies. Oh, I also think that there should be more Muslim voices on the air. And what's this about NPR being better if it didn't have to rely on federal funding? Quite the zinger there. I agree completely. Well done, O'Keefe. My NPR contribution will be in the mail shortly.
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