Central Perk

luni, 9 decembrie 2013

Seth's Blog : Heroes of the revolution

Heroes of the revolution

Isn't it odd that the US had so many statesmen during the late 1700s?

What a coincidence that so many great jazz musicians were born in the 1920s and 30s.

How come so many of the attendees at the 1927 Solvay Conference went on to win the Nobel Prize in physics?

It seems like we had tons of genius graphic designers working in the 1960s, then, somehow, the well ran dry.

Of course, this is silly. We didn't get the rock of the 1960s or the Miles Davis Quartet or the design revolution because there were a bunch of gifted artists standing around. No, those artists showed up and shared their best work precisely because there was a revolution going on.

Rapid change exposes the work of outsiders, neophytes and most of all, those attracted by the chance to grow, fast.

Rapid change sweeps aside the status quo and those that defend it (the stuck former geniuses and the stuck bureaucrats). It replaces them with those willing to leap.

Revolutions make heroes at least as much as heroes make revolutions.

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duminică, 8 decembrie 2013

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis

US Spends $1 Billion on Russian Helicopters for Afghan Military: Why?

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 07:26 PM PST

According to a top secret 2010 report the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter is better then the US-made Chinook helicopter built by Boeing in Pennsylvania. Army Secretary John McHugh wrote in a 2011 memo "that the Mi-17 stands apart" when compared with other helicopters.

Another study shows the Chinook was found to be "the most cost-effective single platform type fleet for the Afghan Air Force over a twenty year" period.

This has the Christian Science Monitor and many others asking Why is US buying Russian helicopters for Afghan military?

Higher Quality Questions

I am not qualified to comment on which helicopter is better. Instead I want to ask a higher quality question:

What the hell are we still doing in Afghanistan?

We should have declared the war won 10 years ago and left. Better yet, we should not have gone there at all in the first place.

Based on that simple logic, we should buy neither the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters nor the Boeing Chinook for Afghanistan.

Either way, I wonder if the real reason we bought Russian helicopters is fear for what happens to Chinook technology once we leave Afghanistan and the country falls to the Taliban once again.

Regardless of "why" many important high-level questions remain.

Open Questions

In what ways does the top secret report show the Russian-made Mi-17 to be superior?
If the Mi-17 is superior, how much money are we wasting on the Boeing Chinook program?
How much money did we waste in Afghanistan?
13 years! Why?
When, if ever, are we going to learn from such stupidity?

Addendum: Here is the rationale for the Mi-17
There is no reasonable rationale for being in Afghanistan for 13 years

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Young Voters Would Recall Obama, Congress, If Possible; Only 18% Think Obamacare will Make Things Better

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 12:54 PM PST

The Washington Post reports Majority of youngest voters would recall Obama.

Young people, who played a major role in putting President Obama in the White House in 2008 and keeping him there after 2012, now say they would vote to recall the president if given the chance.

A new Harvard University Institute of Politics poll shows 52 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 say they would vote to recall Obama. Among young people aged 18 to 29, the number is 47 percent.

I am not sure how the Washington Post calculated the first breakdown unless they had more access to the data. Let's head straight to the Harvard Survey of Young Americans' Attitudes toward Politics and Public Service.

Here are some questions I found particularly interesting.

6. For whom did you vote for president in 2012?
Barack Obama ................................................ 55%
Mitt Romney .................................................. 33%
Someone else ................................................. 4%
Don't remember ............................................. 1%
Decline to answer ........................................... 6%

7. If you could re-cast your 2012 vote for president today, for whom would you vote?
Barack Obama ................................................ 46%
Mitt Romney .................................................. 35%
Someone else ................................................. 13%
Decline to answer ........................................... 7%

11. Do you consider yourself to be politically engaged or politically active?
Yes ............................................................. 22%
No .............................................................. 75%
Decline to answer ........................................ 3%

12. All in all, do you think things in the nation are...?
Generally headed in the right direction .......... 14%
Off on the wrong track ................................... 49%
Not sure what direction country is headed in . 34%
Decline to answer ........................................... 3%

13. Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or are you not a supporter of the Tea Party movement?
Supporter ........................................................ 11%
Not a supporter ............................................... 45%
Not sure .......................................................... 41%
Refused .......................................................... 4%

15. In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of Barack Obama as president.
Approve .......................................................... 41%
Disapprove ..................................................... 54%
Decline to answer ........................................... 5%

Some questions were split between asking about "Obamacare" or the "Affordable Care Act". Answers were similar regardless of the term used.

23. Do you approve or disapprove of [The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare], the comprehensive health reform package that President Obama signed into law in 2010?

A. The Affordable Care Act.
(n=1,042)
Approve .......................................................... 39%
Disapprove ..................................................... 56%
Refused .......................................................... 5%

B. Obamacare
(n=1,047)
Approve .......................................................... 38%
Disapprove ..................................................... 57%
Refused .......................................................... 5%

24. Do you believe that your quality of care will get better, get worse or stay about the same under [The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare]?

A. The Affordable Care Act.
(n=1,042)
Get better ........................................................ 17%
Get worse ....................................................... 44%
Stay about the same ....................................... 34%

B. Obamacare
(n=1,047)
Get better ........................................................ 18%
Get worse ....................................................... 40%
Stay about the same ....................................... 37%

25. Do you believe that your amount you pay for care will increase, decrease or stay about the same under [The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare]?

A. The Affordable Care Act.
(n=1,042)
Increase .......................................................... 50%
Decrease ......................................................... 10%
Stay about the same ....................................... 36%
Refused .......................................................... 4%

B. Obamacare
(n=1,047)
Increase .......................................................... 51%
Decrease ......................................................... 11%
Stay about the same ....................................... 34%
Refused .......................................................... 4%

26. After implementation of [The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare], many Americans will be eligible to purchase private health insurance plans through government run insurance exchanges. If you are eligible, how likely are you to enroll in insurance through an exchange?

[NOTE: If 18 to 25 include the clause "after you are no longer eligible to stay on your parents plan"]

A. The Affordable Care Act.
(n=1,042)
NET: Likely to Enroll .................................. 20%
Definitely will enroll ...................................... 8%
Probably will enroll ........................................ 12%
50-50 .............................................................. 28%

NET: Unlikely to Enroll .............................. 47%
Definitely will not enroll ................................ 27%
Probably will not enroll ................................. 20%
Refused .......................................................... 5%

B. Obamacare
(n=1,047)
NET: Likely to Enroll .................................. 22%
Definitely will enroll ...................................... 9%
Probably will enroll ........................................ 13%
50-50 .............................................................. 29%
NET: Unlikely to Enroll .............................. 45%
Definitely will not enroll ................................ 27%
Probably will not enroll ................................. 17%
Refused .......................................................... 5%

40. In May 2013, Edward Snowden, a contractor for the National Security Agency, started releasing classified documents to the media that demonstrated what he believed was an unethical collection of private data from US citizens by the US intelligence community. Based on what you know at this time,which of the following words best describes your view of Edward Snowden?

A patriot ........................................................ 22%
A traitor .......................................................... 22%
Not sure .......................................................... 52%
Refused .......................................................... 4%

41. If you found yourself in a position similar to that of Edward Snowden, would you release the classified documents to the media, or would you not release the documents?

Release .......................................................... 15%
Would not release .......................................... 31%
Not sure .......................................................... 50%
Refused .......................................................... 4%

If you could choose to recall and replace various elected officials today, would you recall:

48. Your member of Congress.
Yes ................................................................ 45%
No .................................................................. 45%
Refused .......................................................... 9%

49. All members of Congress.
Yes ................................................................ 52%
No .................................................................. 40%
Refuse ............................................................ 8%

50. Barack Obama.
Yes ................................................................ 47%
No .................................................................. 46%
Refused .......................................................... 7%

57. Do you have health insurance?
Yes, my employer provides it ........................ 27%
Yes, I am under 26 and covered by parents .. 35%
Yes, I have an individual or family plan ........ 12%
No, I am not enrolled in health insurance ...... 22%
Refused .......................................................... 4%

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Here's what we're doing for the holidays:

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Here's what we're doing for the holidays:

Folks across the country are getting ready for the holidays. We're celebrating here at the White House, too -- and we want you to be a part of it.

We've launched our 2013 Holidays page. Check it out for exclusive videos, recipes, and more.

P.S. -- Next week we're holding a meet-up here at the White House for our online followers. Want to be here for it? Click here to find out how.

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Seth's Blog : In search of the obvious answer

In search of the obvious answer

The obvious answer to your problem isn't obvious yet, but once someone finds it, it will be.

That's the way obvious answers work. They're not obvious because they're easy to find, they're obvious because, in fact, there's an answer.

Most problems don't have obvious answers, which is why you should demote them from the list of things worth obsessing over. Gravity, for example, is a problem with no obvious answer. You're never going to be able to fly like Superman, and the sooner you let that one go, the quicker you'll be able to work on something productive.

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sâmbătă, 7 decembrie 2013

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis

State is an Institution of Theft (Except of Course for Politicians and their Escape Hatches)

Posted: 07 Dec 2013 06:07 PM PST

Here's an interesting video courtesy of a reader from the Republic of Slovenia who sent the link.

Link if video does not play: State is an Institution of Theft

Transcript - Godfrey Bloom - Member of European Parliament

Mr. President, I am minded to quote the great American philosopher Murray Rothbard here. The state is an institution of theft. Tax is just about a system of politicians and bureaucrats who steal money from their citizens to squander in the most disgraceful manner. This place is no exception.

Fascinatingly, and I really don't know how you manage to keep a straight face when you are talking about tax evasion. The whole commission and the commission bureaucracy avoid their taxes. You don't pay taxes like citizens pay taxes. You have all sorts of special deals: tax rates, high tax thresholds, non-contributing pension schemes. You are the biggest tax avoiders in Europe. And here you sit pontificating, well the message is getting home to the people of the European Union.

You are going to find that eurosceptics are coming back in June, in ever greater numbers. And I can tell you worse, as the people get your number, it won't be long before they storm this chamber and hang you. And they'll be right.

Who is Murray Rothbard?

Three cheers for a great speech on the hypocrite nannycrats. And as many Mish readers know Murray Rothbard is far beyond a "great American philosopher".

As Wikipedia explains, Murray Rothbard ...

"was an American economist of the Austrian School, a historian, and a political theorist whose writings and personal influence played a seminal role in the development of modern libertarianism. Rothbard was the founder and leading theoretician of anarcho-capitalism, a staunch advocate of historical revisionism, and a central figure in the twentieth-century American libertarian movement. He wrote over twenty books on anarchist theory, history, economics, and other subjects. Rothbard asserted that all services provided by the "monopoly system of the corporate state" could be provided more efficiently by the private sector and wrote that the state is "the organization of robbery systematized and writ large. He called fractional reserve banking a form of fraud and opposed central banking. He categorically opposed all military, political, and economic interventionism in the affairs of other nations. In the words of Hans-Hermann Hoppe, "There would be no anarcho-capitalist movement to speak of without Rothbard."

Case Against the Fed

I highly recommend two easy-to-read book by Rothbard, both available as free eBooks courtesy of the Ludwig von Mises Institute.

Please read the books! They are free, short, and easy to understand. They explain the fraudulent nature of the economic system we are in.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Nothing Beyond the Octopus Reach; Republican Author of Patriot Act Seeks Prosecution of Obama's Intelligence Director for Lying to Congress

Posted: 07 Dec 2013 12:26 PM PST

Obama's National Intelligence Director, James Clapper, blatantly lied to Congress last Spring when in response to a question stated the NSA does "not wittingly" collect information on Americans in bulk. The lie was revealed thanks to American hero and true patriot, Edward Snowden.

Proven a liar, Clapper now freely admits he gave the "least untruthful" answer he could without revealing classified information.

The Hill reports Patriot Act author says "Obama's intel czar should be prosecuted"

Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr., the original author of the Patriot Act, says Director of National Intelligence James Clapper should be prosecuted for lying to Congress.

"Lying to Congress is a federal offense, and Clapper ought to be fired and prosecuted for it," the Wisconsin Republican said in an interview with The Hill.

He said the Justice Department should prosecute Clapper for giving false testimony during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in March.

During that hearing, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked Clapper whether the National Security Agency (NSA) collects data on millions of Americans. Clapper insisted that the NSA does not — or at least does "not wittingly" — collect information on Americans in bulk.

After documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA collects records on virtually all U.S. phone calls, Clapper apologized for the misleading comment.

The intelligence director said he tried to give the "least untruthful" answer he could without revealing classified information.

Sensenbrenner said that explanation doesn't hold water and argued the courts and Congress depend on accurate testimony to do their jobs.

"The only way laws are effective is if they're enforced," Sensenbrenner said. "If it's a criminal offense — and I believe Mr. Clapper has committed a criminal offense — then the Justice Department ought to do its job."

Nothing Beyond the Octopus Reach

Infowars reports Spying Spooks Throw It In Americans' Faces With New Octopus-Engulfing-World Logo

Following this year's further revelations on the NSA actively spying on Americans' communications, along with the president's promise to "reign in" the powers of US spooks, one would have expected that the government would be engaged in a damage control campaign going forward.

However, this is the criminally insane military industrial complex usurped government we're referring to, so Instead they're putting world-eating Octopus logos on the side of spy satellites and tweeting about it.

Here's a photograph of the launch of NROL-39, the latest government spy satellite being overseen by The National Reconnaissance Office, which provides signals intelligence to the NSA, among other agencies. The NRO is considered one of the "big 5″ spy agencies.

NRO Spy Satellite

Let's hone in on the logo.

The logo reads "nothing beyond our reach".

Obviously that includes Merkel's phone, and anything else the NSA wants to spy on.

The NRO claims "The octopus, is a versatile, adaptable, and highly intelligent creature. Emblematically, enemies of the United States can be reached no matter where they choose to hide."

To me that sounds like the "least untruthful" response without admitting what the symbol really means and what they really intend to do: spy on literally everything.

Anti-Patriot Act

The Patriot Act was anything but. It should be scrapped. James Clapper should be prosecuted and spend the rest of his life in prison where he can think about the true meaning of patriotism.

Meanwhile, those looking for a true patriot ought to stand up and salute Edward Snowden. He risked his life, security, and personal freedom to protect the US constitution. What's more patriotic than that?

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Calling on Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits This Holiday Season

Featured

Weekly Address: Calling on Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits This Holiday Season

In this week's address, President Obama says that before Congress leaves for vacation, they should extend unemployment benefits for 1.3 million hardworking Americans who will lose this lifeline at the end of the year.

Click here to watch this week's Weekly Address.