Monthly Archives: January 2007

An odd parallel

Has anyone noticed that the descriptions of Barack Obama are similar to the descriptions of George Bush in 1999 and early 2000? The whole people-person, good listener, polite meme that’s been going around the Blogsphere lately was said about Bush as well.

Maybe we’re better off with massive egos who care far too much about their legacy (and Newt’s running in 08!). Food for thought.

Sunday quotes

“Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late.”

and

“One of the most fashionable notions of our times is that social problems like poverty and oppression breed wars. Most wars, however, are started by well-fed people with time on their hands to dream up half-baked ideologies or grandiose ambitions, and to nurse real or imagined grievances.”

Thomas Sowell

A rise in crime

Personally I think Katrina and meth have something to do with it but Tom Barnett might have it, specifically

the three-strikes and other harsh-penalty laws of the previous decade had surged the prison population, but soon the number of ex-cons being released (about 600k, if I remember) would surpass the number of new cons going in (about 500k). A simple prediction: urban crime was going to go up all across America.

Food for thought.

Thursday rapid fire

  • Hitchens reviews Stein – personally I don’t think the demographic argument carries much weight – look at the performance of Japan vs China and Germany vs Russia in WWII. A productive culture beats a backward one in a life or death struggle. It’s an interesting read though. To clarify – the reason that Japan and Germany lost was American material and military support. While they could die bravely, that doesn’t lead to many wins.
  • Toddler’s Temper Ousts Family From Plane –

    She was removed because “she was climbing under the seat and hitting the parents and wouldn’t get in her seat” during boarding, Graham-Weaver said.

  • Police in Tijuana Issued Sling Shots –

    The police department has issued about 60 slingshots to officers in the violent border city of Tijuana, where soldiers confiscated police weapons two weeks ago on allegations of collusion with drug traffickers.

    Yet the war on drugs continues. This time for sure!

  • Battery Breakthrough – Well worth reading. If true, this changes American society for the better in ten years or less. Sadly, most scientific breakthroughs tend to be either false or meaningless
  • Diane Feinstein and conflicts of interest
  • Winning the battle for freedom – RTWT – from the founder of Whole Foods no less.