Archive for April, 2006

Here’s a New York Times columnist and economist, Tyler Cowen, who argues that New Orleans should be turned into a Latin American style shantytown favela. I think he’s serious: To be sure, the shantytowns could bring socioeconomic costs. Yet crime, lack of safety, and racial tension were all features of New Orleans ex ante. The [...]

It’s already become conventional wisdom that the universal coverage health-care plan that was signed into law last week by Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney isn’t particularly good. Some people think the actual insurance plans it will offer will be too expensive for low-income and not-so-low-income households. Others, including me, worry that the plan will eventually lead [...]

Here’s a sight you don’t want to see a block away from your home: An “environmental emergency spill response” truck. Taken at the intersection of Charlesgate West and Commonwealth Avenue a few nights ago. Some of the services provided by Cyn Environmental Services include 24/7/365 emergency response and hazardous waste management. This funky picture shows [...]

Mass-immigration from Mexico isn’t just about cheap labor doing jobs that Americans don’t want, as bright-bulbs like President George W. Bush and Senator T… as a lot of senators want us to believe. It’s also very much about Mexico gaining as much influence in America as it possibly can. Mexicans are mighty pleased with themselves [...]

But now it’s David Cameron’s. And here’s Camreon’s list of things to do for Conservatives: Take the bus when you can Get to know your neighbours better Pick up one piece of litter from the street everyday Re-use your plastic bags when you go to the shops Switch to energy efficiency light bulbs at home [...]

Dagens inlägg av Roland Poirier Martinsson är ett bra exempel på den intellektuella nivån som härskar på Svenska Dagbladets ledarsida. Ett par exempel: USA:s unika historia gör att medborgarna är sällsynt obekymrade av invandrare som bär med sig egna seder. Bush vårdar det arvet och man får verkligen hoppas att kongressen följer hans ledning. Tvärtom [...]

A few years ago I talked to an M&A guy about what his company’s next move should be. One thing he ruled out was buying Google. “We don’t buy technologies anymore,” he explained. “This year it’s Google, next year it’s something else.” In hindsight, it’s easy to laugh at that. Heck, it was snickerable even [...]

The New England Patriots have signed ageing and once upon a time quite good kicker Martin Gramatica. I’m guessing, I’m hoping, that Mr. Gramatica’s services won’t be needed by the end of training camp. The Pats also signed “Lucky” Tebucky Jones, who was drafted by New England 1998, but mostly wasted at cornerback before he [...]

I have all the usual complaints about Saturday Night Live, but this bit is funny stuff. (Via The Corner)

Some quick comments on Massachusetts’ still morphing, mandated, near-universal health care coverage plan. 1) It will cost way more than we’re being told. No surprise there. 2) It’s true that the people who will now get a health care insurance already can access care through emergency rooms. But with the new plan they’ll compete with [...]