Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary

Income Inequality

January 14, 2014 Rand Simberg 1 Comment

Republicans should own the issue, with competition and markets, and fighting cronyism:

Well, no. Inequality has increased across advanced economies. Macro factors such as globalization and technology deserve most — but maybe not all — of the “blame.” Big Government loves to pick winners and losers in the private sector. Some lucky ducks owe their place in the 1 percent or 0.1 percent or 0.01 percent to federal favoritism. Conservatives shouldn’t mind at all when value-creating innovators and entrepreneurs strike it rich while crony capitalists do not. The precious tax breaks and subsidies that go to rent seekers, such as those in the agriculture and alternative-energy sectors, should get the ax. Sorry, Big Sugar and Big Solar.

Unfortunately, they don’t mind cronyism that much, as long at it’s their cronyism.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary

SCOTUS On Recess Appointments

January 13, 2014 Rand Simberg 21 Comments

Looking like this lawless administration getting shot down in court again is the way to bet:

Even liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who was perhaps most favorable to the president’s case, expressed puzzlement at the administration’s claim that Congress was actually in a lengthy recess at the time Obama acted. Breyer noted that if the Senate recessed it ran afoul of the Constitution by failing to notify the House.

“Would you write an opinion that [says] the Senate of the United States has violated two provisions of the Constitution?” Breyer asked Verrilli.

Of course, at some point, they’ll just start defying the Supreme Court as well. The only real Constitutional solution to this president is impeachment and removal.

[Update a while later]

I don’t know who has the tougher job when it comes to defending this administration, Carney or Verilli.

Health, Science And Society, Technology and Society

Cancer Deaths

January 13, 2014 Rand Simberg 4 Comments

A new protein that could prevent 90% of them?

“We’ve found a way to dispatch an army of killer white blood cells that cause apoptosis — the cancer cell’s own death — obliterating them from the bloodstream. When surrounded by these guys, it becomes nearly impossible for the cancer cell to escape,” said King.

Faster, please.

Political Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

The Aldridge Commission

January 13, 2014 Rand Simberg 15 Comments

In researching a piece on tomorrow’s VSE anniversary, I just started to reread the commission report. You know what isn’t mentioned in the Executive Summary of recommendations? Heavy lift.

Business, Culinary, Health, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Science And Society

The Latest California Idiocy

January 13, 2014 Rand Simberg 12 Comments

Condoms for cooks’ hands:

So this law is in fact encouraging the very problem it strives to prevent. God, I’m glad I’m not governed by California—what a bunch of knuckleheads when it comes to food! Why don’t you people actually try to know what the f**k you’re talking about before legislating? Jesus.

I am continually washing my hands in the kitchen when I cook. This is moronic.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary

The Enemies List

January 13, 2014 Rand Simberg 3 Comments

Of course Hillary has one.

They had one in the nineties. They never suffered for it. What would have changed? It’s only bad when Republicans do it.

Education, Media Criticism, Political Commentary

Bullies

January 13, 2014 Rand Simberg 6 Comments

When they pretend to be victims:

If the ASA boycotters are receiving unlawful “threats,” they should file criminal complaints or commence legal action under anti-stalking or similar laws. Or they could call out those making the threats by name.

But unlawful threats do not appear to be what is at issue.

Rather, it appears the boycotters cannot withstand the withering criticism from American civil and political society.

The academic boycotters have lived for too long in a bubble in which their views predominated because students were too intimidated to speak up, other professors didn’t want to take on single-issue fanatics, and administrators were intimidated.

But we are not intimidated. As I stated before, this is the hill we will fight on. Lawfully. Intellectually honestly. And without allowing the academic boycotters to play victim.

Good for Professor Jacobson.

Take away their non-profit tax status.

Transterrestrial Musings