Monthly Archives: January 2007

NOSTALGIA FOR FAVORITE SONS.

NOSTALGIA FOR FAVORITE SONS. This article describes how states other than New Hampshire and Iowa are trying to provide an opportunity for their voters to get a meaningful vote in a primary. The difficulty, as the article points out, is … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN.

AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN. Jim Arrowsmith sent me this article with the comment “This should depress you.” It’s an excellent article, but maybe I was already more pessimistic about Afghanistan and Pakistan than the article is.

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

NOSTALGIA FOR CONTESTED CONVENTIONS.

NOSTALGIA FOR CONTESTED CONVENTIONS. This article today quotes a consultant who expresses a concern that the battle for the Democratic nomination could “drag on for months.” There is a general belief that a prolonged fight for the nomination weakens the … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

OUTSOURCING AND THE DIVISION OF LABOR.

OUTSOURCING ANDTHE DIVISION OF LABOR. The Economist reports on two (here and here) new studies of outsourcing which elaborate on Adam Smith and David Ricardo. The papers take the example of the pin makers celebrated by Adam Smith. Making pins … Continue reading

Posted in Economics | Leave a comment

THE CLOACA MAXIMA.

THE CLOACA MAXIMA. The History Channel has recently had some wonderful programs about Roman engineering. One of the earliest Roman engineering feats was the Cloaca Maxima (the Great Sewer), which not only served as a sewer, but also was instrumental … Continue reading

Posted in History | 2 Comments

WISHING FOR AN OPEN CONVENTION.

WISHING FOR AN OPEN CONVENTION. With the campaign for 2008 being launched in earnest, the problems with the nomination process are being pointed out again. Two prominent political technicians review them (links via Realclearpolitics). Michael Barone says: “It starts too … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

EUROPEAN FANS VERSUS AMERICAN FANS.

EUROPEAN FANS VERSUS AMERICAN FANS. My approach to politics and journalism is heavily influenced by being a sports fan. My approach to reading blogs is shaped by the sports blogs and message boards that I read. The fierce partisanship on … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

TAG CLOUD USAGE

TAG CLOUD USAGE. For anybody who is as internet challenged as I am, the “slider” in the previous post is the horizontal line underneath the words “top 100 tags.” It has the green arrows off to the right. (I had … Continue reading

Posted in History, Politics | 1 Comment

PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES TAG CLOUD

PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES TAG CLOUD. A few weeks ago I came across this tag cloud of speeches made by U.S. presidents throughout history. Speeches dating from John Adams in 1776 up to George W. Bush today have been analyzed and had … Continue reading

Posted in History, Politics | Leave a comment

ATTALUS, A GREAT SITE.

ATTALUS, A GREAT SITE. I used Wikipedia for the previous post, but a wonderful site for the ancient world is Attalus which has events by year and by historical figure.

Posted in History | Leave a comment