Econoblog features this interesting dialogue between Arnold Kling and Max Sawicky. Arnold’s comments are interesting but I still preferred Max’s dialogue with Andrew Samwick (see link to Voxbaby over at the right). In several places, I wanted to take exception to Arnold’s comments and each case except one, Max made my point better than I […]

But I have resigned from the Diane Feinstein fan club. I watched my senior Senator introduce Dr. Rice this morning. Now I’m all for bipartisan support for good foreign policy and a strong national defense but Senator Feinstein’s gushing over Dr. Rice went beyond credibility. But then Senator Boxer made me proud I voted for […]

Here’s further confirmation that influential market participants don’t expect any serious trouble for the US economy this year: LONDON (Reuters) – Interest rates will continue rising steadily this year, with tightening also expected in Canada and — in the final months of 2005 — in the euro zone, a Reuters poll of more than 150 […]

The White House and its loyal talking heads want us to believe two things: (1) the Social Security Trust Fund is short $10 trillion; and (2) privatization is a free lunch that will create $10 trillion out of thin air. Some of their claims are so absurd, all I can think of are certain childhood […]

No – you have not gone to Fester’s Place. Fester follows the division where one has to have a winning record to make the playoffs. Memo to the Rush Limbaugh wannabes who only think they know the NFL: both McNabb and Vick contribute more to their teams than QB ratings. Both are true leaders of […]

From the Boston Globe: WASHINGTON — A forthcoming request for additional funds to continue waging war in Iraq will not begin to address the “hidden cost” of the conflict, according to Pentagon officials and other government authorities who say that tens of billions of dollars more will eventually be needed to repair or replace heavily […]

Was President Bush technically correct when he declared the Social Security Trust Fund (SSTF) bankrupt? In one corner, we have Victor and Andrew Samwick who defend Bush’s use of this term. In the other corner, we have Max Sawicky warning Professor Samwick about his Kool-Aid and Brad Setser extending the definitions to the discussion over […]

The 14th amendment was the linchpin of civil rights, though the process was painfully slow. Upon passage in 1868 it overturned the abhorrent Dred Scott verdict, which held that …. we [the Supreme Court of the United States of America] have already said in an earlier part of this opinion, upon a different point, the […]

Lost: Still a good show, but lost a bit of its edge. Discuss in comments. Committed: In the running for worst sitcom in a generation. I’ve long enjoyed Heather Havrilesky’s columns, but how could she like this show? A woman likes tea, in balls. That of course gives the male protagonist the chance to say […]

Speaking of the J-curve… the BLS released data this morning on the price of imports into the US. Import prices rose by nearly 7% during 2004, which is a considerably faster rate of growth than the 2.4% rise during 2003. This was due to two things: the rise in oil prices (which comprises a large […]