Writing for Yahoo News, attorney Ann Coulter takes apart the minority opinion written by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on the Ricci case in which the Supreme Court overturned the Sonia Sotomayor opinion 5-4. It is a fine piece of forensic analysis, with a generous measure of snark thrown in.
Enjoy, as Ann leaves Ruth turning slowly in the wind, and Sonia looking silly.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Understanding the Problem
The current recession is largely attributed to the collapse of the housing bubble. This collapse is blamed, by many, upon a wave of foreclosures as a result of making too many subprime loans. Recent data shows this is not so. This Wall Street Journal article makes the point this way:
The entire article is worth your time.
By far, the most important factor related to foreclosures is the extent to which the homeowner now has or ever had positive equity in a home.The author looks at other causes but concludes the most important is that:
Stronger underwriting standards are needed -- especially a requirement for relatively high down payments.It makes sense; people are unlikely to walk away from homes into which they have sunk a substantial amount of their hard-earned money. With a requirement for higher down payments, the housing bubble likely wouldn't have happened at all.
The entire article is worth your time.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Quote of the Day
Jay Nordlinger, who writes for National Review Online, about our recent Vice President:
He is valuable, Cheney, in office and out.My WY neighbor, from just up the road in Wilson, is a stand-up guy. I'd have liked to have him for our President for eight years, instead of Bush I's inarticulate son.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sarah Palin: An Appraisal
Todd Purdum has written a hit piece on Sarah Palin for Vanity Fair. This has reignited the controversy over her role in the future of the GOP. People inside the McCain campaign have trashed her, others have defended her. Dan Balz did a thoughful piece for the Washington Post.
Let me tell you what I think. Palin's problem with important voter groups is one of social class, a concept we hardly ever mention in this nation. She and her family come across as rural, blue collar people. As long as that is true, it will be difficult for her to gain acceptance among conservative opinion molders like David Brooks and Peggy Noonan.
Personally, I am not offended by Sarah Palin and I enjoy the fact that she can really turn on the Republican base. On the other hand, she also really turns off many so-called "country club" Republicans. I don't mind if Democrats don't like her, but I am concerned about her acceptance among Independents and neo-cons.
Given the 50-50 division of the electorate in this country, I don't believe the GOP can afford to pick as a presidential candidate someone who is so divisive, so polarizing as Governor Palin. We need an individual who is widely perceived as a polished person who nevertheless has backbone. I'm not sure who that person will be in 2012, but I do not despair of finding him or her.
Let me tell you what I think. Palin's problem with important voter groups is one of social class, a concept we hardly ever mention in this nation. She and her family come across as rural, blue collar people. As long as that is true, it will be difficult for her to gain acceptance among conservative opinion molders like David Brooks and Peggy Noonan.
Personally, I am not offended by Sarah Palin and I enjoy the fact that she can really turn on the Republican base. On the other hand, she also really turns off many so-called "country club" Republicans. I don't mind if Democrats don't like her, but I am concerned about her acceptance among Independents and neo-cons.
Given the 50-50 division of the electorate in this country, I don't believe the GOP can afford to pick as a presidential candidate someone who is so divisive, so polarizing as Governor Palin. We need an individual who is widely perceived as a polished person who nevertheless has backbone. I'm not sure who that person will be in 2012, but I do not despair of finding him or her.
What Happened in Honduras
An article from the Miami Herald describes the steps that led to the ouster of Honduras' President Zelaya. It was not merely an overnight whim on the part of the military. If this is a story you are following, you owe it to yourself to read this history of the action.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
More Blooms on Display
The other DrC has some outstanding wildflower pix for your enjoyment:
http://cruztalking.blogspot.com/
Give your eyes a treat, with no risk of an allergy attack.
http://cruztalking.blogspot.com/
Give your eyes a treat, with no risk of an allergy attack.
Honduran Hocus Pocus
Our President has condemned what happened in Honduras, the exile by the military of their elected President and his replacement with the head of the legislature. Many world leaders have taken the same stand. People like Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, and Danny Ortega have agreed.
On the other hand, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post have both written approvingly of this action (see here and here), calling it a defense of the Honduran constitution backed by their Supreme Court and Congress.
Who would you believe? I vote for the Journal and the Post.
On the other hand, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post have both written approvingly of this action (see here and here), calling it a defense of the Honduran constitution backed by their Supreme Court and Congress.
Who would you believe? I vote for the Journal and the Post.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Supremes Rule Against Sotomayor
See this Associated Press article about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of white firefighters in New Haven, Connecticut. More importantly, they overturned a ruling by Appeals Court judge and Supreme Court appointee Sonia Sotomayor.
This will give Republican Senators additional ammunition to use in harassing her prior to her confirmation. Since she will replace Justice Souter, who also voted against the majority, her confirmation will change nothing on the court.
This will give Republican Senators additional ammunition to use in harassing her prior to her confirmation. Since she will replace Justice Souter, who also voted against the majority, her confirmation will change nothing on the court.
Argentina Gets Good (?) News
Cristina Fernandez Kirchner, autocratic Peronist President of Argentina, suffered a substantial setback in congressional elections held over the weekend. Her party lost control of both houses of the legislature. This can be good news for Argentina, a country which needs good news. Go here to see the Associated Press story.
As we've noted here before, Argentina is a country with all the natural advantages a country could ask for. Given that, you'd expect it to be a country doing very well. Your expectations would be wrong. However, a country whose national dish is grilled beefsteak and french fries cannot be all bad.
The problem is politics, the nation is caught in a negative political do-loop. This could be a step in the right direction, or it may not be. Sadly, given Argentina's politics, if you were a betting person you'd bet against progress.
This is another Latin American country to watch.
As we've noted here before, Argentina is a country with all the natural advantages a country could ask for. Given that, you'd expect it to be a country doing very well. Your expectations would be wrong. However, a country whose national dish is grilled beefsteak and french fries cannot be all bad.
The problem is politics, the nation is caught in a negative political do-loop. This could be a step in the right direction, or it may not be. Sadly, given Argentina's politics, if you were a betting person you'd bet against progress.
This is another Latin American country to watch.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Quote of the Day
Scott Johnson, one of the three fellows who writes the Power Line blog, speaking of President Obama's characterization of the cap-and-trade carbon control bill that passed the House as a "jobs bill:"
Make no mistake: He thinks you're stupid.Actually, collectively we've proved we're stupid. How? We elected him by a modest majority.
Trouble in Honduras
The military has today overthrown the elected President of Honduras. Go here for Reuters' report of the story. To read their version of what happened, you'd think "oh, those ugly, anti-democratic soldiers."
If you read to the end of the story you begin to see hints of why this coup happened. President Zelaya wasn't happy with the Honduran constitution, which only permits a President one four year term. He had scheduled a poll to see whether the people backed his intent to change the constitution to enable him to run for additional terms, as Fidel Castro did in Cuba for several decades.
The Honduran military, worried about the reemergence of strongman rule in this former banana republic, wouldn't facilitate his constitution-change efforts. Eventually they concluded Zelaya had to go. The Wall Street Journal's Mary Anastasia O'Grady, whose beat is Latin America, has a view of the situation that roughly parallels mine.
The real test will be whether the military in Honduras goes ahead with the scheduled presidential election to elect a new civilian president to replace Zelaya. If they do, then their claim of defense of the constitution will be justified. If they don't, then Zelaya's condemnation of them as throw-backs to the caudillo era in Latin American politics will seem proven.
Let's watch to see what happens.
If you read to the end of the story you begin to see hints of why this coup happened. President Zelaya wasn't happy with the Honduran constitution, which only permits a President one four year term. He had scheduled a poll to see whether the people backed his intent to change the constitution to enable him to run for additional terms, as Fidel Castro did in Cuba for several decades.
The Honduran military, worried about the reemergence of strongman rule in this former banana republic, wouldn't facilitate his constitution-change efforts. Eventually they concluded Zelaya had to go. The Wall Street Journal's Mary Anastasia O'Grady, whose beat is Latin America, has a view of the situation that roughly parallels mine.
The real test will be whether the military in Honduras goes ahead with the scheduled presidential election to elect a new civilian president to replace Zelaya. If they do, then their claim of defense of the constitution will be justified. If they don't, then Zelaya's condemnation of them as throw-backs to the caudillo era in Latin American politics will seem proven.
Let's watch to see what happens.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A Bouquet for You
Friends, remembering to stop and smell the flowers will help us get through the next 3.6 years. Go to http://cruztalking.blogspot.com/ to see some nice close-up pix of wild and not-so-wild flowers, taken and posted by the other DrC.
No controversy, no angst, no conflict, just pretty flowers growing in our forest meadow. I am reminded of wise words which Google tells me come from Matthew VII, 28-29:
No controversy, no angst, no conflict, just pretty flowers growing in our forest meadow. I am reminded of wise words which Google tells me come from Matthew VII, 28-29:
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.Was Solomon a sharp dresser? I suppose he was. It's funny how little details like that get lost in three thousand years. Solomon's wisdom is remembered more than his wardrobe. Being known for your wisdom is a nice way to be remembered.
CA Misinformation
The press is carrying misinformation about the budgetary problems in California (here is an example). They blame much of the problem on Proposition 13, which they would have you believe has permanently held down property tax revenues.
Proposition 13 only holds down property taxes so long as the property is owned continuously by the same owner. Once the property is sold to a new owner who is not a direct relative (i.e., parent, child), the taxes are reassessed upward to reflect the new sales price.
My guess is that most CA properties have been sold at least once in the last 10 years, meaning that their property taxes are based on relatively high values. So, when people tell you Proposition 13 is at fault, dare them to prove it.
CA has budget problems because they spend too much. When times are good, and tax revenues are high, the CA legislature finds new ways to spend the money to buy votes, or they cut taxes. Then when times are bad, as they are now, they can't find the money to keep providing the goodies to which voters have quickly become accustomed.
Proposition 13 only holds down property taxes so long as the property is owned continuously by the same owner. Once the property is sold to a new owner who is not a direct relative (i.e., parent, child), the taxes are reassessed upward to reflect the new sales price.
My guess is that most CA properties have been sold at least once in the last 10 years, meaning that their property taxes are based on relatively high values. So, when people tell you Proposition 13 is at fault, dare them to prove it.
CA has budget problems because they spend too much. When times are good, and tax revenues are high, the CA legislature finds new ways to spend the money to buy votes, or they cut taxes. Then when times are bad, as they are now, they can't find the money to keep providing the goodies to which voters have quickly become accustomed.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Theocracy's Problem
The troubles in Iran got me thinking about the difficulties inherent in having theocracy as a nation's governmental form. The most obvious difficulty is in allowing religious plurality.
Beyond protecting the rights of those not affiliated with the governing religion, theocracy has another major difficulty. People often criticize their government. However, when you criticize a religious government you appear to criticize God, or his/her designated representatives. Faiths get very touchy about allowing criticism of their leaders.
Iran will have to suffer seeming apostasy to get from where they are now to become a state in which religion and government operate separately.
Beyond protecting the rights of those not affiliated with the governing religion, theocracy has another major difficulty. People often criticize their government. However, when you criticize a religious government you appear to criticize God, or his/her designated representatives. Faiths get very touchy about allowing criticism of their leaders.
Iran will have to suffer seeming apostasy to get from where they are now to become a state in which religion and government operate separately.
Quote of the Day II
W. E. B. Griffin, in the novel Black Ops (2008, p.252), giving his considered opinion of the Central Intelligence Agency, out of the mouth of his central character, Lt. Col. Charley Castillo. He says the CIA consists of:
Some really wonderful people struggling to stay afloat in a sea of politically correct left-wing bureaucrats.Well said. No wonder the CIA does a poor job of providing intelligence analysis to our decision makers.
Quote of the Day I
Ann Coulter, writing for U express, on Obama's slow and weak response to the huge demonstrations in Tehran, with a hat tip to the "you might be a redneck" comedy of Jeff Foxworthy:
You might be a scaredy-cat if ... the president of France is talking tougher than you are.Which of course, is exactly what Sarkozy has been doing. Way to go, President Scaredy-cat.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Political Sex Scandals
Without trying very hard I think of Governor Sanford, Governor Spitzer, Senator Ensign, Mayor Villaraigosa, Speaker Gingrich, President Clinton, Mayor Giuliani, Senator Edwards. Go here for a more complete list of political sex scandals; the list contains roughly equal numbers of Democrats (n=27) and Republicans (n=26). Only one of these sexually scandalous politicians is a woman.
Men in positions of power, regardless of their marital status, attract sexual partners without particularly trying. A valence for men in power seems to be hardwired into many members of our species. And men tend to look positively on the offered sexual favors, a similarly hardwired response.
A lot of Democrat voters understand and accept these realities. Republican voters understand the realities but expect their elected officials to behave in spite of them. They are often disappointed. This ends up being a disadvantage for the GOP; one for which I don't see an easy work-around.
Men in positions of power, regardless of their marital status, attract sexual partners without particularly trying. A valence for men in power seems to be hardwired into many members of our species. And men tend to look positively on the offered sexual favors, a similarly hardwired response.
A lot of Democrat voters understand and accept these realities. Republican voters understand the realities but expect their elected officials to behave in spite of them. They are often disappointed. This ends up being a disadvantage for the GOP; one for which I don't see an easy work-around.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
What Do I Think?
In his news conference yesterday President Obama finally took a strong stand against the Iran regime's brutality. He was asked whether his stronger language concerning the anti-demonstrator brutality in Iran was in response to criticisms by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Their statements had been that Obama's earlier comments had been equivocal and insufficiently condemnatory. His sarcastic response: "What do you think?" was followed by knowing chuckles from the tame White House press corps, go here for coverage.
I choose to take his facetious question seriously, and answer it. I think he was forced by Republican criticism, as well as strong statements by foreign leaders and the brutal unfolding of events. Forced to utter statements stronger than he would have otherwise, stronger than he wanted to utter.
Since you asked, Mr. President, that is what I think.
Developmental hint for presidents with training wheels: don't ask questions if you are pretty sure you won't like the answers.
I choose to take his facetious question seriously, and answer it. I think he was forced by Republican criticism, as well as strong statements by foreign leaders and the brutal unfolding of events. Forced to utter statements stronger than he would have otherwise, stronger than he wanted to utter.
Since you asked, Mr. President, that is what I think.
Developmental hint for presidents with training wheels: don't ask questions if you are pretty sure you won't like the answers.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Basic Economics Still Valid
I just got the following email news flash from The Wall Street Journal, they link it to a story here.:
The only time this mechanism doesn't work is when we experience deflation, when falling prices cause people to hold off purchases in the expectation of even further decreases. Deflation is no joke; it can cause the economic equivalent of a death spiral, a race to the bottom. It appears deflation is not happening.
Existing-home sales rose a second month in a row during May, but prices again fell sharply. Home resales increased by 2.4% to a 4.77 million annual rate from 4.66 million in April, the National Association of Realtors said. Distressed property sales have pushed prices lower, year over year. The median price for an existing home last month was $173,000, down 16.8% from $207,900 in May 2008.The economic law of supply and demand says when prices fall because supply has increased, demand will rise. That is exactly what they report has happened. Isn't it nice to know what we learned in Econ 100 is still true?
The only time this mechanism doesn't work is when we experience deflation, when falling prices cause people to hold off purchases in the expectation of even further decreases. Deflation is no joke; it can cause the economic equivalent of a death spiral, a race to the bottom. It appears deflation is not happening.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Movie Review: Up
The other DrC and I saw the animated movie "Up" this evening. It is made by Disney/Pixar and has their trademarked excellent animation. The characters are attractive and appealing, and the story line is as sensible as most animated films. The action is fun and for young people it might be an okay choice. However the trailers do not tell you what the film is truly about.
If you've lived happily with another person for nearly 40 years, as we have, this movie is a serious downer. Here's why: very quickly at the beginning of the film you get taken through the lives of two people (Carl and Ellie) who meet, marry, live a life together, and then Ellie dies, leaving Carl a grumpy old widower haunting the home they built together.
Much of the rest of the film keeps rubbing your nose in the fact that one of you will outlive the other and that it will be a very sad business for the survivor. We know this intellectually, but don't need to experience it prematurely. We agree that, had we known the true subject matter, we would not have gone. The film left us just too sad. We were looking for a light-hearted, fun movie and for us this film was anything but.
If you've lived happily with another person for nearly 40 years, as we have, this movie is a serious downer. Here's why: very quickly at the beginning of the film you get taken through the lives of two people (Carl and Ellie) who meet, marry, live a life together, and then Ellie dies, leaving Carl a grumpy old widower haunting the home they built together.
Much of the rest of the film keeps rubbing your nose in the fact that one of you will outlive the other and that it will be a very sad business for the survivor. We know this intellectually, but don't need to experience it prematurely. We agree that, had we known the true subject matter, we would not have gone. The film left us just too sad. We were looking for a light-hearted, fun movie and for us this film was anything but.
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