Business, Economics, Political Commentary

Rick Santorum

February 12, 2012 Rand Simberg 25 Comments

Is either a fool or a liar, when it comes to libertarians. But then, straw men are always the first refuge of the political hack, as the president demonstrates on a daily basis.

[Update a while later]

Jeez, Santorum is almost as clueless of economics as Romney is:

“I’m not against the minimum wage,” Santorum remarked. “When the minimum wage drops below a certain level, it’s usually a floor of about 7 percent of wages at minimum wage, I’ve supported increasing it back it up to make sure it stays above that level so there is in fact a minimum wage.”

He should talk to Tom Sowell, since he doesn’t seem to understand what a devastating policy this is for young people, and black youth in particular.

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary

“Tax Cuts They Don’t Need”

February 12, 2012 Rand Simberg 17 Comments

That was a phrase that Jack Lew used this morning on This Week. Ignoring the ongoing lack of distinction between “tax cuts” and “tax-rate cuts,” any use of the word “need” in federal policy betrays an intrinsically Marxist mindset. It indicates that benefits of the collective should be distributed based on need, rather than merit, economics, or constitutionality. Tax rates should be chosen to maximize revenue, not redistribute wealth, or on the basis of some government official’s opinion of what someone else “needs.” This should be pointed out each and every time it occurs, but of course George Stephanopolous isn’t going to do it.

Political Commentary, Science And Society

Obesity

February 12, 2012 Rand Simberg 5 Comments

Are we entering an epigenetic spiral of it?

The relatively new fields of epigenetics and nutrigenomics are showing that changes in gene expression can be produced by environmental mechanisms. Could rising levels of obesity alter our genes, and, in turn, could these obesity-favoring alterations be passed on to future generations?

OK, I’m a little confused. Isn’t there a difference between the gene expression and the gene itself? Are they really saying that the environment can change the genes in a way that makes the trait acquired as a result of the environment heritable? That is, are they saying that Lamarck may have been onto something?

[Update a few minutes later]

Just a coincidence, I’m sure, but amusing that this story came out two days before Darwin Day.

And of course, Darwin was born on exactly the same day as Abraham Lincoln, in 1809. In fact, in protest of “President’s” Day, which trivializes the memory of both Washington and Lincoln, I think I’ll go put out the flag.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary, War Commentary

The “Moderate” Islamic Government Of Malaysia

February 12, 2012 Rand Simberg

…has put out a fatwa on Valentine’s Day. Res ipsa loquitur.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary

Palin’s Speech

February 11, 2012 Rand Simberg 17 Comments

As effective as she is, she’d be even more so, and pick up a lot of new support if she’d get a voice coach. Of course, I’ve been saying that for almost four years now.

And no, the problem isn’t her accent, it’s her register.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary, War Commentary

Parallel Tyrannies

February 11, 2012 Rand Simberg 4 Comments

Why the Left doesn’t have much of a problem with Islamism. Both are opposed to the Enlightenment values of the West.

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Science And Society

One Funeral At A Time

February 11, 2012 Rand Simberg 17 Comments

The intellectual arrogance of this post is breathtaking.

For the record, I’m not a “denier,” I’m a skeptic, as are all true scientists. And I think that long before we die, society will come to its senses. It’s already started happening, when you see how low this issue is on most peoples’ agenda in the polls (close to the bottom).

Media Criticism, Political Commentary