tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post5464562172693704605..comments2024-03-28T07:58:16.979-07:00Comments on CONTRARY BRIN: The Transparency Amendment: The Under-Appreciated SixthDavid Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-20310356704812522612011-09-27T06:13:36.061-07:002011-09-27T06:13:36.061-07:00Since I'm obviously failing to explain myself,...Since I'm obviously failing to explain myself, take look at this list. (Sort by the right hand column)<br /><br />With the exception of the handful of outliers I mentioned (like East Timor which receives foreign aid that is about as large as its GDP and Zimbabwe which simply prints money and makes people accept it at gunpoint). there 's a clear positive correlation between general welfare (as measured by stuff like the HDI and rising levels of government spending relative to GDP).<br /><br />Leaving aside the aforementioend outliers:<br /><br />The countries with the lowest government spendign to GDP ratios:<br /><br /> Burma <br /> Turkmenistan <br /> Guatemala <br /> Cambodia <br /><br />(Singapore rather surpisingly comes in at #10 but that's largely due to a statistical fiddle where compulsory government-run pensions and medical insurance schemes are excluded).<br /><br /> Denmark <br /> Sweden <br /> France <br /> Iceland <br /><br />The correlation isn't perfect but the trend is pretty clear.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739671401151990700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-83981416685608730112011-09-23T16:54:03.225-07:002011-09-23T16:54:03.225-07:00onwards......onwards......David Brinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-25299921593702101662011-09-23T11:20:53.381-07:002011-09-23T11:20:53.381-07:00David,
Great job bringing up Quebec. I was in Va...David,<br /><br />Great job bringing up Quebec. I was in Vancouver 10 years ago, and the street signs were in English and Chinese. I liked it; I've always been a Sinophile, which makes me hate their government all the more. Anyway, I asked someone how he liked signs in a foreign language and he said: "It's fine with me, as long as they're not in French."<br /><br />The Quebeqi seceshes (Secesh is a Civil War slang term I'd love to see revived) wouldn't have just lost the Natives, they would have lost Montreal. The Montrealers are genuinely bilingual, and would not want to see English suppressed, any more than French. A lot of them referred to the <i>Office de la langue Francaise</i> as the "Holy Office" - the official name of the Inquisition.<br /><br />Bob P.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763643308644698795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-25213897811357024682011-09-23T11:02:39.008-07:002011-09-23T11:02:39.008-07:00Paul, you run into secession hypocrisy all the tim...Paul, you run into secession hypocrisy all the time. The radical Quebecois kept threatening secession and Anglo Canada kept giving them concession after concession, until a lot of them got fed up and said: "Okay! Go on! Get out and see how you like it!"<br /><br />Suddenly the Radical Quebecois realized the economic shit they would land in. And all the French signage in North America outside Quebec would go away. But the kicker was this... <br /><br />Suddenly, instead of being in the relished position of indignant oppressed minority (in this modern era, that is an emotionally powerful position to be in) they would then be the oppressing majority, resented by dozens of other ethnicities in Quebec, and facing a big push by native tribes to secede on their own account.<br /><br />There has hardly been a secessionist peep in the last 10 years. Texans need to be reminded that their own law of accession to the US allows them to break up into four pieces. If they break away, there will be millions of folks demanding two latino pieces. IO portray this in EXISTENCE.<br /><br />Re Perry, how I wish I could have a beer with him and ask WHY he raised the issue that the South ruled the US federal govt from 1835 to 1860 and brutally oppressed the North with federal power from 1851. I totally agree... but I have real trouble seeing how it fits his worldview!David Brinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-43517700663444661172011-09-23T09:56:16.633-07:002011-09-23T09:56:16.633-07:00Sociotard: "Ron Paul Wasn't Joking About ...Sociotard: "Ron Paul Wasn't Joking About Letting Uninsured People Die -- His Uninsured Staffer Died of Pneumonia"<br /><br />- Except, of course, that he didn't say that, jokingly or otherwise.<br /><br />He did say that the hypothetical person should have gotten insurance, and did say that the responsibility to do so should lie with that young man, and he did answer "No" when Blitzer asked if the man should simply be allowed to die, and he did point other alternatives than government intervention for dealing with the financial consequences of that person's irresponsibility.<br /><br />- And except that his staffer didn't die because he was denied health care due to lack of insurance, as you imply.<br /><br />- And except that the staffer had a pre-existing condition that made medical insurance premiums very expensive, unlike in Blitzer's example of a young man who deliberately and irresponsibly chose not to spend a small amount on health insurance. <br /><br />IMO it was use of an example of clearly and intentionally irresponsible choices, that got a few in the audience to answer "Yeah" in response to the "should society simply let such a person die" question.TwinBeamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-75051166342644693222011-09-23T09:47:12.092-07:002011-09-23T09:47:12.092-07:00Hi Catfish N. Cod,
You are looking at the negativ...Hi Catfish N. Cod,<br /><br />You are looking at the negative aspects of the 'modern States Rights' movement. There are also a several positive aspects to it.<br /><br />It is possible to (as a nation - nationally) organize a set of options which do not include oppression of minorities or excessive callousness. Then allowing for state and local governments to choose from those option sets what best represents their ideals of government. <br /><br />It isn't just about having less than average government in some areas. There should be options for urban, county, or state based Universal Health Care.<br /><br />As with most concepts, there are good and bad motivations that feed into them. We need to look for the good and promote it while minimizing the bad.Jacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03773076186367856200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-17695418820105091792011-09-23T09:17:47.985-07:002011-09-23T09:17:47.985-07:00Perry running for president makes me miss Molly Iv...Perry running for president makes me miss Molly Ivins sorely, she'd have his number.Tim H.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-24423242884817465082011-09-23T09:03:53.684-07:002011-09-23T09:03:53.684-07:00"He" in my previous comment is Perry.
B..."He" in my previous comment is Perry.<br /><br />Bob P.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763643308644698795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-3539629763743776052011-09-23T09:02:13.339-07:002011-09-23T09:02:13.339-07:00No last meal for the condemned in Texas. Disgusti...No last meal for the condemned in Texas. Disgusting, but not surprising. A couple of debates back he also said he'd be happy to execute innocent people if he could get at the guilty ones too. Another sign that the New Lords are going to be worse than the old ones - the last meal goes far back into the Middle Ages.<br /><br />As for secession: to hell with that, is there any way Texas can be <i>expelled?</i><br /><br />Bob P.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763643308644698795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-42956234783697725652011-09-23T02:56:53.729-07:002011-09-23T02:56:53.729-07:00"It is extremely inappropriate to give a pers...<i>"It is extremely inappropriate to give a person sentenced to death such a privilege. It's a privilege which the perpetrator did not provide to their victim."</i><br /><br />Going down that road leads you to "eye for an eye": executing people by re-enacting their crime. Shooting them and letting them bleed to death. I'm sure if Texas thought it could get away with that, it would implement it.<br /><br />Dr. Brin's point on seccession reminds me that it was Governor Perry who suggested Texas secession wasn't a crazy idea only a year or so ago. Now he wants the Presidency? I google and, lo and behold, he was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/21/rick-perry-interview-secession_n_974969.html" rel="nofollow">asked about that by FOX last night</a>. He tried to wiggle out of it by pointing out he never flat out advocated it. True; and no major politician in Jim Crow flat out advocated lynching, either. But he can't avoid the impression that he's a neo-Confederate, mainly because he is.<br /><br />The modern "states rights" movement was born out of the same mold as the old -- it's a way to half-secede while still parasiting the rest of us. My old neighbors want to ignore their social compact with the rest of the nation -- but still receive the subsidies to support their lifestyle. They don't want to face the economic and social consequences of what their ideology would lead them to. [Hint: look at Mexico and Brazil.]Catfish N. Codnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-27963237180538849332011-09-23T00:10:51.225-07:002011-09-23T00:10:51.225-07:00(edit: Because when we execute a criminal for a cr...(edit: Because when we execute a criminal for a crime so heinous it justifies taking their lives, we want to model our standards of morality after that same criminal.)<br /><br />(thenoc: thecalm, thesleep, thenoc.)Paul451https://www.blogger.com/profile/12119086761190994938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-69139433569106709992011-09-22T23:19:48.248-07:002011-09-22T23:19:48.248-07:00Texas has ended the tradition of giving condemned ...Texas has ended the tradition of giving condemned prisoners a "last meal" request on the day of their execution.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-23/texas-kills-last-meals-request/2913038" rel="nofollow">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-23/texas-kills-last-meals-request/2913038</a><br /><br /><i>""Enough is enough," state senator John Whitmire wrote to prison officials, prompting the move. "It is extremely inappropriate to give a person sentenced to death such a privilege. It's a privilege which the perpetrator did not provide to their victim." "</i>Paul451https://www.blogger.com/profile/12119086761190994938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-89752397187110938272011-09-22T23:04:51.621-07:002011-09-22T23:04:51.621-07:00David,
"As soon as blue america stood up and ...David,<br /><i>"As soon as blue america stood up and clearly had enough, secession from "federal oppression) became the cry."</i><br /><br />This seems to have started happening as soon as Obama was elected.Paul451https://www.blogger.com/profile/12119086761190994938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-34907635056191730262011-09-22T21:16:55.221-07:002011-09-22T21:16:55.221-07:00Lamar Alexander leaving his leadership position in...Lamar Alexander leaving his leadership position in the senate is very interesting. On npr this morning he conceded that it was partially over his frustration over the no new taxes pledge. Perhaps some viable conservatives will coalesce around himmatthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17757867868731829206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-21027880096281310422011-09-22T20:21:13.930-07:002011-09-22T20:21:13.930-07:00Until you're reading 150+ comics like myself, ...Until you're reading 150+ comics like myself, you can't complain. :P <br /><br />Okay. I read 150+ comics partly because I review them (and am adding new ones to find new comics to review) but still. ;)<br /><br />Rob H.Acacia H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07678539067303911329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-49687234232150996882011-09-22T18:43:10.516-07:002011-09-22T18:43:10.516-07:00LarryHart, I hadn't gotten hooked on Quantum V...LarryHart, I hadn't gotten hooked on Quantum Vibe until today, so thanks for that, as if I don't have enough webcomics to check on...<br /><br />...but yes, when Mr. Graves was introduced a few strips back, the note said that "he may look familiar".<br /><br />apprav: the approval of the depraved.Jonathan S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-67762175745084243602011-09-22T16:56:58.461-07:002011-09-22T16:56:58.461-07:00I was less impressed. Sure, he seems human and i...I was less impressed. Sure, he seems human and intelligent and he spoke of restoring the lost art of negotiating. But his dance seemed disingenuous.<br /><br />He hinted everything's on the table, but refused absolutely to admit that meant rich-taxes were. I can see where he has to do that. But it's hardly bold.<br /><br />And Stewart nailed him re calling for the rhetoric of grownup conversation, then shotgunning nasty remarks at Obama<br /><br />I'd consider him worth a look if:<br />1. he actually came out shooting for the enlightenment (goldwater version)<br /><br />2. he were in the playground of a SPLIT sane version of the GOP<br /><br />3. I could feel sure that ANY GOP contender would not do what "maverick" McCain did in 2008... simply adopting whole the entire Bushite brain trust as his own.David Brinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-78122959608785027372011-09-22T16:12:32.115-07:002011-09-22T16:12:32.115-07:00Betweeen patients saw Mitch Daniels on Jon Stewart...Betweeen patients saw Mitch Daniels on Jon Stewart. Might have been a rerun or new? Man, I want to insist he enter the GOP field. But I also realize that the same folks applauding him tonight would eviscerate him if he were the actual nominee....<br /><br />TacitusTacitus2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-11847891257469013372011-09-22T15:44:32.021-07:002011-09-22T15:44:32.021-07:00'This happened on *your* watch' is a stand...'This happened on *your* watch' is a standard and quite successful offensive strategy. (Never mind who arranged for it to happen on your watch; *you* were supposed to deal with it)<br /><br />nooningi: an obscure astronomical alignment involving the moons of Saturn.Tony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-4314886613809515522011-09-22T13:32:10.948-07:002011-09-22T13:32:10.948-07:00Tacitus2:
But who takes the oath of office in Jan...Tacitus2:<br /><i><br />But who takes the oath of office in Jan '13 will depend much on the economy. Will it remain simply unpleasant or will it devolve to absolute monkey-butt ugly?<br /></i><br /><br />What gets me about the Republican strategy is that they get to run against Obama on the bad economy even though <b>they</b> obstruct any move to alleviate that bad economy.<br /><br />Not so much that they <b>attempt</b> such a strategy, but that it is apparently a <b>successful</b> one.LarryHartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-5275423277194112832011-09-22T11:30:59.138-07:002011-09-22T11:30:59.138-07:00hmmmmmm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-enviro...hmmmmmm.<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15017484<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-<br />environment-15017484David Brinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-12196357689234235692011-09-22T11:25:09.063-07:002011-09-22T11:25:09.063-07:00sociotard, I just don't know. Sorry.
When I...sociotard, I just don't know. Sorry.<br /><br />When I look at tax code complexity, it makes the Goldwater in me boil....David Brinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-54242923882070838292011-09-22T11:20:47.365-07:002011-09-22T11:20:47.365-07:00Catfish is right, the current phase of our civil w...Catfish is right, the current phase of our civil war is the "confederacy" (manifest in certain attitudes that Mark Twain savagely rebuked -- boiling down to retro-feudalist-romanticism) trying to co-opt and take over the Union, instead of leaving it.<br /><br />But this isn't new! They pulled the same thing from 1830 through 1861, when the south dominated the US federal government and used it ruthlessly to impose its will. As soon as blue america stood up and clearly had enough, secession from "federal oppression) became the cry. Expect no less, when gray -- no red -- America's romantic troglodytism gets slapped down again.<br /><br />===<br />SO you guys know, I'm in New York Oct 15-18 and New Orleans Nov 4-6 and Brussels Nov 22.<br /><br />===<br />Ford was the only Prexy whose hand I actually shook (after he retired)... though I saw Clinton play the saxophone from 20 feet away (before entering office.<br /><br />Yes, Ford was a decent man, but the nation was ready to NOT have a Nixon appointee in office.<br /><br />=======<br />http://whowhatwhy.com/2011/09/22/saudi-royal-ties-to-911-hijackers-via-florida-saudi-family-0/<br /><br />http://whowhatwhy.com/2011/09/22/saudi-royal-ties-to-<br />911-hijackers-via-florida-saudi-family-0/David Brinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-43389730629062388912011-09-22T11:12:58.393-07:002011-09-22T11:12:58.393-07:00"But who takes the oath of office in Jan '..."But who takes the oath of office in Jan '13 will depend much on the economy. Will it remain simply unpleasant or will it devolve to absolute monkey-butt ugly?"<br /><br />oof. my comments were before the market opened.<br /><br />we are seein' the south side of the chimp today...<br /><br />Tacitus2Tacitus2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1160395090328494712011-09-22T10:49:33.405-07:002011-09-22T10:49:33.405-07:00As someone who works in broadcast TV I can assure ...<i>As someone who works in broadcast TV I can assure you that video editing is very easy to spot. Certainly any use of video in either a criminal or civil case would be carefully checked for authenticity. Video and audio forensics are already highly developed.</i><br /><br />But the problem isn't civil or criminal courts, but the court of public opinion. In that court, evidence is not weighed by authenticity or expert opinion, but by sensationalism.sociotardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11697154298087412934noreply@blogger.com