Caution, During Political Silly Season
Nationally, we are gearing up for political silly season. The Republican primaries are half over and we’re moving swiftly towards the national conventions and the fall election season. In Wisconsin, the political silly season has been with us for the past 15 months and looks to stay with us straight through November. (In case you [...]
That “Directed by Michael Bay” Feeling
This made me snicker.
But then, when I look at the field of candidates, I get that “Directed by Michael Bay” feeling. It’s not as bad as I felt in 1996 when it was clear that Bob Dole was going to be the nominee. That was like watching Stephen Hawking heading out to sea …
Al Mohler on the Amazon Kindle
Do not think of the Kindle as replacing the book. Bury that thought. Bury it deep. Then go and hold a favorite book in your hand. Enjoy. Then pile 50 of your favorite books and carry them with you all day, through airports, onto airplanes, checking into hotels, sitting in meetings, reading in …
Can we do what we "ought" to do?
I just read a pretty good essay over at The Freeman, discussing the difference between what we can do and what we ought to do. Too often, people talk about what we ought to do before even considering if we can do it. The essay, appropriately enough is Ought Implies Can.
There are two parts I …
Don't be an intellectual drunk driver
Sheldon Richman on ”Proposers versus Producers.”
”The dynamic leader who gives impassioned speeches and sponsors legislation on behalf of social justice is portrayed as heroic in part because few people can find the logical flaws in the program. As a result, all that counts are presumed motives. But motives divorced from understanding are worthless …
John Stossel on health care markets
I should know by now that whenever I try to explain something John Stossel has already explained it better. First, he delivers a great quote about why competition keeps prices low.
In a free market, a business that is complacent about costs learns that its prices are too high when it sees lower-cost competitors …
What's wrong with "cherry picking"?
Yowza. This is Jerry Pournelle on education and ”cherry picking”.
On education, the usual critique of charter schools is that they are guilty of ”cherry picking” which is to say, they accept only students who want to learn something and are willing to be disciplined. Thus an academically accomplished charter school in DC was …
"Are second knee replacements worth it?" panels
Health care will be rationed. The only question is ”who will do the rationing?”. Will you make the decisions or will someone else? Megan McArdle illustrates this with a great quote.
Fears of ”death panels” are way overblown. Fears of ”Are second knee replacements worth it?” panels are not.