Wednesday, December 01, 2004

I’ll Trade You A Collection Plate for a Chalice

Does religion play an economic role?  Well, other than being fleeced by the likes Jim Baker, et al.  Evidently the role of religions in economics is being looked at a bit more closely these days.

“Economists Are Getting Religion”

Interesting.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 02:27 PM
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Clacka, Clacka, Clacka, Clacka, Clacka

Have you ever had the opportunity to listen to a huge amount of shrimp clacka, clacking in the ocean?  I have, while in the submarine service, and let me tell you they can make a racket way beyond the sound you can listen to in the link provided.

I thought of this, today, while reading Forbes.com’s article, titled “Crustacean Nation,” noting that the Bush Administration, rather than encouraging free trade, has decided to levy tariffs against foreign shrimp, at the behest of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

Thanks, for nothing, Bush Administration, as this will only cause the price of shrimp to rise.

As for the Southern Shrimp Alliance, their reasoning for pushing for tariffs is so much trumpery, designed to fall on ignorant ears, that I can hardly stand it.

“The middlemen—importers and distributors—have “absorbed $4.5 billion” instead of passing along savings to consumers, says Deborah Long, a spokeswoman for the Tarpon Springs, Fla.-based Southern Shrimp Alliance.”

Right, the Southern Shrimp Alliance cares about us poor consumers, and not a hoot about the $4.5 billion importers and distributors have “absorbed.”

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 01:50 PM
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Charmed, I’m Sure

Another interesting piece from Haaretz.com,  written by Zvi Bar’el, regarding Iran, titled “The charm of the Iranian threat.”  From the piece.

“The Iranian threat casts a magical charm over everyone who deals with it. For Israel, it has opened American pockets; for America, it justifies nearly everything that the U.S. does in the Middle East; for Europe, Iran provides a strategic role; and it gives Russia the status of an American competitor.”

Followed by this.

“Yet those who should be most “pleased” about the Iranian threat are not out dancing in celebration. No less, and perhaps more than Israel and the United States, Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states, as well as Iraq and Egypt, are hoping for the success of the diplomatic move that would at least freeze the Iranian uranium enrichment efforts. That’s because the last thing those Arab states want is another war by the West against an Islamic state in which they will be “forced” to defend the honor of a Shi’ite state.”

Charming.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 12:26 PM
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Alot of Truth to That Statement

“They (politicians - ed. note) want to portray science as something dangerous - to delegitimize it,” he said in a Haaretz Magazine interview. “They point at one technology as if it is the only one that endangers mankind. They warn that duplication will permit an entire army of duplicated soldiers, or little Hitlers. Politicians say `We will forbid the dangerous, inhumane research.’ As if they do not decide what society will do. Science does not decide, nor does it dictate. Science only invents things. It is duplicitous when politicians say that the scientists, not they, are the ones who are endangering the world.”

The above was taken from a Haaretz.com article, titled “Science invents, it doesn’t decide,” which was written by Tamara Traubman.  The speaker quoted in the article is Michel Ravel, and he is one of Israel’s leading scientists.  At least that is what a leading scientist states.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 12:16 PM
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If You Recognize You’re Compounding the Problem, Why Do You Continue?

Writing for The Providence Journal, William H. Caskey, who directs Brown’s Alumni College Advising Program,  bemoans, basically, keeping up with the Joneses in matters of higher education.  Caskey’s bemoaning is for the affluent, though I’m fairly certain he has concerns for those of limited means, also, but the gist of his piece is geared toward the affluent, keeping up with the Joneses, and the parents who play that game.

At the start of Caskey’s piece, he propogates the fallacy of more money solving the educational problems in these United States, but it is the ending of the piece that actually spurred me to link to it.

“So what’s my recommendation? Let’s move away from providing our children with airtight support and guidance. Instead, let them make difficult decisions.

Of course, this is easier said than done. I find myself slipping into the pattern that I caution against _ handing my children safe experiences that promise a happy outcome. As I robotically unfurl the safety net, I remind myself that life’s most important and worthy lessons often involve thin envelopes and a few belly flops.”

My recommendation.  Quit being a recidivist, make your kids stand on their own two feet, and shove a wooden spoon in their mouth instead of silver one.

“Perilous privileges for ‘teens of means’ “

Via Scripps Howard News Service.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 08:34 AM
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Down on the High Tech Family Farm

Had a moment to peruse the latest issue of Time, yesterday evening, and read a story about a 2500 acre family farm in Iowa that has gone high tech; GPS, wireless, etc.; which is outperforming most of the other local farmers, and, cutting fertilizer and pesticide use, while increasing yields by 20 bushels per acre, in some instances.  The story is titled “Farm Of the Future,” and is worth a read.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 07:26 AM
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I Enjoy a Good Buzz, But…

Ya know, I enjoy sitting with friends, knocking back some vodka, red wine, beer or what have you, just as much as the next guy, but drinking one’s self into such a state of blottoness that one functions in such a foolish manner that one does not have recollection, or, performs acts that normally would not be performed, seems a bit much, to me at least.

In Australia, a great country for knocking back some beers I might add, you can now blacklist phone numbers in your cell phone to prevent yourself from making foolish, drunken phone calls.  An activity an Australian phone company, via an unscientific survey, states 95% of drunken individuals participate in.

“Alcohol and mobiles make red-faced cocktail”

Via Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution.

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 07:02 AM
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They’ve Been in the State for Longer Than The Powers That Be Think

About ten years ago, or so, while cruising the two tracks and small byways of the Pigeon River State Forest, with the lovely Melis and friends, a large cat leapt from the forest, directly in front of us, crouched oh so briefly in the middle of the two track, and then leapt deep into the forest once again.  Individuals we spoke with about this pooh poohed our analysis that it was a mountain lion.  I still state they were wrong and we were right.

“Mountain lions on the prowl once again”

Posted by John Venlet on 12/01 at 06:32 AM
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Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Pat Sajak Bitch Slaps the Hollywood Elite

After reading Pat Sajak’s thoughts regarding Hollywood’s silence over the murder of Theo van Gogh, I’m wondering why he isn’t a comedy writer, or, if he’s ready to retire.  A couple excerpts.

“Perhaps they are afraid that their protests would put them in danger. That, at least, is a defensible position. If I were Michael Moore, I would much rather rail against George W. Bush, who is much less likely to have me killed, than van Gogh’s murderer and the threat to creative freedom he brings. Besides, a man of Moore’s size would provide a great deal of “bulletin board” space.”

And this.

“There’s another possibility; one that seems crazy on the surface, but does provide an explanation for the silence, and is also in keeping with the political climate in Hollywood. Is it just possible that there are those who are reluctant to criticize an act of terror because that might somehow align them with President Bush, who stubbornly clings to the notion that these are evil people who need to be defeated? Could the level of hatred for this President be so great that some people are against anything he is for, and for anything he is against?”

Go, Pat.

“A Hush Over Hollywood”

Posted by John Venlet on 11/30 at 11:32 AM
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From Genius to Madman in Just One Day?

Nietzsche’s writings produce as much debate today, as they did when they first appeared on the scene.  The writings toward the end of his sanity are typically debated the most hotly, as some debaters tend to downplay these works, due to his rapid decline into imbecility.  Their stance being that Nietzsche’s insanity was not a sudden occurence, but had been accelerating during the time he was most prolific.

UMass-Amherst geobiologist Lynn Margulis thinks that Nietzsche’s sudden descent into madness did occur in one day, and has stated so in the current issue of Daedalus, as reported in Boston.com.

“But on January 3, 1889 in Turin,” Margulis concludes, channeling Vincent Price, “armies of revived spirochetes munched on his brain tissue. The consequence was the descent of Nietzsche the genius into Nietzsche the madman in less than one day.”

“Bugs in the belfry”

Via Arts & Letters Daily.

Posted by John Venlet on 11/30 at 08:43 AM
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It’s the Parents Duty, Not the “Assortments”

In an article titled ”`GAME OFF’ URGED”, you can read the following.

“An assortment of politicians, religious leaders and social advocacy groups lashed out Tuesday at the video-game industry and retailers, saying they make violent and racy games too accessible to children.”

The “assortment” lashes out at the video-game industry and retailers, I assume, because they profit from the sales.  But what really caught my eye, in this article, is what follows.

“Retailers were lambasted for allowing sales of Mature-rated games—suggested for people 17 and older—to children as young as 7.”

What I’m wondering, is where a 7 year old comes up with the 50 bucks needed to purchase a video game, of any type, let alone the ones the “assortment” is whining about.  Bitch at the parents, assortment, not the retailers and video-game makers.

Posted by John Venlet on 11/30 at 07:58 AM
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Honest Reporting in Russia, Go Figure

An article in Pravda notes the Putin gave “gave an interview to Russia"s leading TV companies and touched upon particularly important issues.”  Note the phrase particularly important issues.  What is the issue prominently discussed within the article?  Public beer consumption, and enforcement of law prohibiting public beer consumption.  A paragraph, from the article, I particularly enjoyed.

“It is not a secret that very few Russians can afford expensive restaurants. So, the police may be happy if the law is adopted. Indeed, if the innovation is introduced the police will be able to accept bribes from those who violate the new law and drink beer in public. It is perfectly clear that policemen would like to take 50 rubles instead of drawing up reports as concerning every man drinking beer in public. Let us switch over to the economic part of the problem. The Russian beer market made up 7.57 billion litres last year. Expert researches reveal that about 15 per cent of beer is consumed in public. It means that violation of the new law mat be registered over 2 billion of times a year. In other words, annual wages of the police will rise by at least 100 billion rubles. However, this may be a happy perspective for the police only.”

“Russian police to profit from the “beer law”.”

Posted by John Venlet on 11/30 at 06:42 AM
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Monday, November 29, 2004

It’s Neither

Today, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on a medical marijuana case.  DailyBreeze.com reports on this case in an article titled “Cure or Crime?, a title which, in and of itself, is misleading, as marijuana is neither a cure for any disease, nor a crime, except in the eyes of the State.

Marijuana is like any other medication out there in the marketplace.  Simply a management tool, whether it be for pain, nausea, or other affliction which marijuana’s attributes or properties, when applied, can be a salve which can assist individuals’ ability to function.  Except for the fact that the State can toss you in the clinker if they find you in possession of it, or marketing it to those who purchase it of their own free will.

The case before the court supposedly hinges on an interstate commerce clause.  It’ll be interesting to read how the court rules.

As for a medical grade marijuana worth utilizing, I recommend White Widow.

Posted by John Venlet on 11/29 at 06:22 AM
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Sunday, November 28, 2004

I’ll Add One Note

In a post titled “Fuggetaboudit,” Billy Beck notes recent murmurings regarding the possibility of bloggers being recognised as Time’s “People of the Year.”  Billy references Groucho Marx’s statement, “I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member.,” and adds some additional thoughts as well.

I’ll add that if such an event occurs, there will in all likelihood be some association of bloggers formed, and the next thing you’ll know they’ll be voting to form a union, just like the pizza delivery drivers, mentioned below.

Posted by John Venlet on 11/28 at 09:13 AM
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Kudos to Frank Rich

More often than not, what I read in The New York Times is so skewed to the politically correct, or to the advancement of “social equality,” cough, cough, or some other such rubbish that at this blog, at least, the NYT is typically being drubbed rather than praised. 

But this morning, Frank Rick has a column up, titled “The Great Indecency Hoax,” which uses words like “hucksters,” I like that word, and “commisar,” to describe Michael Powell, and “mob,” to describe, well the majority of unthinking individuals, that I had to link to the piece and note kudos to Rich.

Posted by John Venlet on 11/28 at 08:23 AM
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