For the record, most aid skeptics don't locate foreign aid as *the* root cause of the developing world's problems. Colonialism, conflict-ridden histories, cultural and geographic factors, and a host of other issues have obviously done more to create human misery than, say, food shipments. The central criticism of foreign aid is simply that it's an ineffective way to help countries overcome pre-existing problems.
C'mon man, read the article. The abuse is pretty thoroughly bipartisan. I also don't think that the free speech issues the article raises are closely linked to, say, the quality of an institution's professors.
That's a good point, Mr. Prosser, but why not just up the prize money? If there's a huge pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I think it would be possible to attract some decent start-up capital.
Good points, but my excerpt probably doesn't do justice to the thoroughness of Easterly's methodology. I highly recommend checking out the book.
Sam M -
Yes, importing foreign colonists will probably increase a territory's economic prospects. That doesn't really do anything for the welfare of Haiti's current population, however (which is what Krikorian is talking about). That, I think, is the point of comparing non-settled colonies to non-colonies.
Curse you for stealing my late night thunder, Dierkes! Anyway, I've heard people suggest that prizes for green tech development might avoid incipient corporatism. Rather than allocate subsidies beforehand, the government is then only responsible for awarding companies who've come up with commercially-viable clean tech.
That's not a very charitable interpretation of the Republican's governing philosophy, Chris. It seems to me that if you're going to break down the major parties into ideological subsets, you ought to at least acknowledge the libertarian, anti-corporatist streak running through the GOP.
I think that's the point of the post. Rather than supporting an unelectable libertarian, tea party activists have made their peace with a pragmatic alternative. Whether this is the right choice ideologically is a question for another post, but it is an example of smart (or, as Hemingway puts it, "mature") politics.
As a blogger, I'm kind of obligated to defend non-experts weighing in on complicated issues. My criticisms are aimed at the unyielding, self-righteous certitude of comments like Steele's, not the authors' credentials.
Speaking in my capacity as the head juvenile-in-charge, of course it occurred to us. But I think the piece captures some essential tension between youth outreach and political conservatism, which hasn't exactly gone unnoticed elsewhere:
I think you're underestimating the impact of local policy on the availability of porn. Granted, the Internet has made some of these concerns moot, but zoning restrictions and regulations on public display and distribution are still pretty relevant.
E.D. -
Who "debunked" the Naomi Wolf article? I think it remains persuasive.
On “In Defense of Holden Caulfield”
That's an impressive summary, Art Deco. Wanna write a guest post on the subject?
On “Friday Night Jukebox”
Guilty pleasures, my friend. Guilty pleasures.
On “A Close Look at Haitian Poverty”
For the record, most aid skeptics don't locate foreign aid as *the* root cause of the developing world's problems. Colonialism, conflict-ridden histories, cultural and geographic factors, and a host of other issues have obviously done more to create human misery than, say, food shipments. The central criticism of foreign aid is simply that it's an ineffective way to help countries overcome pre-existing problems.
On “Like eminent domain, but with guns and spaceships”
Ha! You both win this thread, Johnathan. "Ke'lo" and "public use," indeed.
On “Free Speech on Campus”
Stay in school, kids. The job market is a frightening experience.
"
C'mon man, read the article. The abuse is pretty thoroughly bipartisan. I also don't think that the free speech issues the article raises are closely linked to, say, the quality of an institution's professors.
On “Houston, We Have an Ecological-Governmental Problem”
That's a good point, Mr. Prosser, but why not just up the prize money? If there's a huge pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I think it would be possible to attract some decent start-up capital.
On “11 minutes of action”
Nice find, Bo. I can't decide if this sort of thing builds tension or makes American sports stupefyingly boring. I guess it all depends on the game.
On “Too little colonialism?”
Art Deco -
Good points, but my excerpt probably doesn't do justice to the thoroughness of Easterly's methodology. I highly recommend checking out the book.
Sam M -
Yes, importing foreign colonists will probably increase a territory's economic prospects. That doesn't really do anything for the welfare of Haiti's current population, however (which is what Krikorian is talking about). That, I think, is the point of comparing non-settled colonies to non-colonies.
On “Houston, We Have an Ecological-Governmental Problem”
Curse you for stealing my late night thunder, Dierkes! Anyway, I've heard people suggest that prizes for green tech development might avoid incipient corporatism. Rather than allocate subsidies beforehand, the government is then only responsible for awarding companies who've come up with commercially-viable clean tech.
On “The Necessity of Tri-Partisanship”
That's not a very charitable interpretation of the Republican's governing philosophy, Chris. It seems to me that if you're going to break down the major parties into ideological subsets, you ought to at least acknowledge the libertarian, anti-corporatist streak running through the GOP.
On “Nihilism?”
Word, Thompson.
On “Meta-Narrating: The Year in Review for President Obama”
This post's starting point - that Obama didn't spend enough time "blaming Bush" - strikes me as kind of wrong-headed:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/19208.html
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/07/29/obama_blames_bush_wall_street/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031303486.html
On “Marginalizing extremists, at home and abroad”
Fire way. This blog is 100% pro-free speech.
On “Development is Not a Political Tool (w/ Ref. to Haiti)”
Oh dear - featuring cameo appearances from both Frantz Fanon and Naomi Klein.
On “The Tea Party Movement Grows Up”
I think that's the point of the post. Rather than supporting an unelectable libertarian, tea party activists have made their peace with a pragmatic alternative. Whether this is the right choice ideologically is a question for another post, but it is an example of smart (or, as Hemingway puts it, "mature") politics.
On “The Age of Ideological Uncertainty”
Kyle -
As a blogger, I'm kind of obligated to defend non-experts weighing in on complicated issues. My criticisms are aimed at the unyielding, self-righteous certitude of comments like Steele's, not the authors' credentials.
On “Foodie Culture and Domino’s Self-Flagellating Ad Campaign”
JosephFM - That's a smart point. I think McDonald's actually owns Chipotle.
Jaybird - An impressively thorough report. Many thanks.
On ““Politics as Lived” versus “Politics as Is””
Damn. Good post.
On “Social Conservatism’s Millenial Makeover”
Speaking in my capacity as the head juvenile-in-charge, of course it occurred to us. But I think the piece captures some essential tension between youth outreach and political conservatism, which hasn't exactly gone unnoticed elsewhere:
http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2008/11/youth-vote-and-gop.html
"
Hell, I would join the Birthers if they promised me booze and cute girls.
On “Wendy Kaminer wants fewer guns, more pornography”
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/28/nyregion/fading-neon-times-square-s-sex-shops-elusive-undisputed-king-midtown-pornography.html?pagewanted=1
"
I don't think outlawing porn is a) constitutionally sustainable or b) feasible. Restricting availability, on the other hand . . .
"
Guys -
I think you're underestimating the impact of local policy on the availability of porn. Granted, the Internet has made some of these concerns moot, but zoning restrictions and regulations on public display and distribution are still pretty relevant.
E.D. -
Who "debunked" the Naomi Wolf article? I think it remains persuasive.
On “Have Yourself a Merry Little Epiphany”
Had you taught the Sunday School I attended, Dierkes, I would never have strayed from the Christian faith.
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