"This was the voice of moderation until 13 Sept, 2025"
by Ugh So now it seems pretty clear that we will have a Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump Presidential election in the United States this November. I suppose there could be an extremely messy fight at the GOP convention this summer that eventually wrests the nomination from Trump, but given that he is either going … Read more
by liberal japonicus
This post is basically a text document that I've had open on my desk since yesterday, so apologies for the stream of consciousness. It's been 3 days since I got back (I was in the UK during the two main earthquakes), and 5 days since the main earthquake. The epicenter was about 2 km from my home, and you've all probably read that there was a foreshock 2 days before that centered in Mashiki, which is about 5 km from my home. Rest below the fold
by wj** Today, the Supreme Court handed out three decisions. Two were unanimous — including one which upheld the way Arizona drew its current electoral districts. But the third was more interesting. Bank Markazi v. Peterson involves the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (Bank Markazi is otherwise known as the … Read more
by liberal japonicus While I haven't mentioned where I live in Japan, perhaps you've now heard of it as we now have an earthquake named after us! I was in the UK when the quake struck, but the wonders of modern technology, I was able to contact my wife immediately after the first one and, … Read more
by wj As everybody here (at least those who live in the US) is aware, taxes are normally due on April 15. That is extended, naturally, when the 15th is not on a week day, i.e. it is on a Saturday or Sunday. But this year, April 15th is a Friday. And yet taxes are … Read more
by Ugh Maybe we could use one of these. McTx asks what marginal tax rates I would set. Eh, probably would require a little more thought than I'm up for right now. I will say that I don't think the theory that higher marginal tax rates cause more consumption of leisure to hold other than in … Read more
by Doctor Science Wednesday of the week before last, Mister Doctor Science started to have chest pains while he was at fencing. He was wondering if it was just acid reflux (again), but one of the other fencers insisted on driving him to the ER. That friend is currently my favorite person in the whole … Read more
by russell Linked-In sent me this thought-provoking (to me, at least) piece. "Just learn to code" has been the modern-ish equivalent of "one word – plastics" for a little while now. Find yourself on the downside of the new economy? Get some technical skills together and Bob's your uncle! Except those are increasingly being (a) outsourced or … Read more
by wj In a press conference this morning, Donald Trump announced that, upon receiving te Republican party nomination, he will be joined on the ticket by Senator Bernie Sanders. Trump cited their common views on a variety of issues. Trump declined to specify just what those common views might be, his response being “Anyone who … Read more