The Stimulus

It is really hard for the Federal government to effectively stimulate the economy in times of recession. Yet, politically, it's almost impossible for the Federal government not to try. As a useful educational tool, here is an analysis of the effect of teh 2008 and 2009 stimulus packages upon the US economy. None worked effectively.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/where-did-the-stimulus-go--15610

Climate Models

I have talked about my questions concerning climate change before, and many of my concerns relate to the use of models - which are not data, but an estimate, based upon the model's developers understandings (and prejudices), of what might happen. Here is a rather good article discussing some of the strengths and weaknesses of climate models. Written by an individual who agrees with the immediate dangers of cimate change, it's somewhat more optimistic about model accuracy than I am, but it raises good issues with climate models.

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/can_we_trust_climate_models_increasingly_the_answer_is_yes/2360/

Man's best friend

Dogs and humans have been together for a long time, but the relationship wasn't necessarily always good for the dog. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/01/19/science/AP-US-Early-Dog.html?ref=science

Former Gov. Palin

I have never understood the media's attitude towards Sarah Palin. I doubt I'd vote for her for President, but she is obviously a reasonably adept politician, or she would not have been elected Gov. of Alaska. Yet the media - and especially the left wing media - seems to treat her as if she is evil incarnate, and their reasoning escapes me. Here is a good - if somewhat pointed - essay making the point that she is not outside the political mainstream in her positions and statements (http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/the-war-against-palin-goes-on-and-on-and/).

States vs. Countries

I have always though comparisons of most other countries to the United States were misleading, simply because of our Federal system, where often the differences between the various States are so great as to make a National average misleading at best. This chart from the Economist (http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/01/comparing_us_states_countries) demonstrates that quite will, I think, at least for the economic comparisons that it makes. I suspect that comparisons for crime and especially education would also show a huge internal US range of results. It's would be helpful if, when comparisons are made between the US and a foreign contry, and the topic is one where the States have significant input (e.g., not defense spending) inlcuding sample States would be more realistic.

California's Excitment

I was born and raised in California, and it was an exciting place, with earthquakes, fires, and the occational "big" winter rain storm. However, this report - http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110117/us_yblog_thelookout/scientists-warn-california-could-be-struck-by-winter-superstorm - mmakes it sound like we ain't seen anything yet when it comes to Californian weather excitment. And notice, the biggest event appears overdue.

Culture

An intersting tongue-in-cheek - and brief - review of western culture is available at http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=80&load=4736