Economics

I’ve never gotten economics. It’s one of those subjects which my simple brain isn’t designed to handle. Economists are like mystics in my mind. I mention this as a preface to what follows because you have to know where I’m coming from. Yes, I took an economics class back in college. No, I didn’t do [...]

Coming to terms with current politics

I had my fill of politics during the four years in which I obtained my degree in Political Science. (A degree, I might add, which I promptly put to good use by becoming a software developer.) The problem with political science is that it is far more political than it is scientific. In fact, there [...]

Arizona, immigration and the 14th amendment

Am I the only one who thinks that the United States is once again embarrassing itself with its sudden posturing on illegal immigration? In my mind, Arizona has become the laughing stock of the nation, to say nothing of the world. And now, Republicans seem to want to amend the Constitution to undo the citizenship [...]

The state of the State of the Union

Overall: a pretty good speech. There were things I wanted to hear, like a focus on jobs, getting out of Iraq, working to pass health care reform, and repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. I liked that President Obama seemed feisty at times, as when he criticized the Supreme Court for their recent decision in Citizens [...]

History will teach us nothing

While reading Frederik Pohl’s autobiography, The Way the Future Was last night, I was struck by the following remarks he made in the first chapter: Hoover did not plant the seeds [of the Great Depression], they were sown over the boom years of the 20s, in easy credit buying and mad stock swindles I realize that [...]

Lead by example or not at all

I don’t care if you are a Republican, Democrat or something in between, if you are going to lead people, you have to lead by (good) example. If you can’t do that, then you shouldn’t lead. Period. Not paying income tax is leading by poor example and it should automatically disqualify someone from serving as [...]

Inauguration day

The DC office was closed today so I worked from home. Good progress in the morning, one phone meeting, and then I took some time to watch the inauguration on TV. It’s all been said already, but let me just give a few of my own impressions: Kind of funny how our Chief Justice doesn’t know the [...]

Pre-inauguration

I realize that I haven’t comment much on the effect of the inauguration here in the metro D.C. area. Part of the reason is that I am trying to stay far away from it all. I am thrilled that Obama is going to become President, and I am anxiously awaiting the noon hour–where I can watch the event from [...]

Rhetorical question about the auto industry bailout

All indicators are that people have stopped spending money, particularly on big ticket items. Today, the Fed is expected to cut a key interest rate to 0.5%, hoping that it will get people spending again, but from what I understand, experts are saying it’s unlikely to change any spending habits soon. Best Buy just announced major [...]

To rescue, or not to rescue

I have mixed feelings about the bailout of the auto industry: Taxpayers should not have to pay for auto industry mistakes, poor planning, etc. Subsidiary industries that depend on the auto industry should not have to suffer because of industry mistakes, poor planning, etc. These two issues cause a great deal of cognitive dissonance within [...]

Election day, part 1

I was up ridiculously late last night–until almost 2 AM. I started playing Tiger Woods 2009 at around 9:30 PM and ended up in a tournament that I eventually won, but it took a long, long time. I can’t recall the last time I did something like that. Nevertheless, I was up at 6:30 this morning, excited for [...]

I can’t get this garlic taste out of my mouth

Up at 6:30 AM and into work shortly thereafter. For some reason, I didn’t feel as productive as usual today. Work has seemed relatively quiet all week long, but it just seemed to drag a bit today because I couldn’t get the engines firing on all 8 cylinders. I made dinner again tonight. This time, it was [...]

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Tweets

Home and in bed. Post on Nebula Weekend, day 1 will have to wait because I am beat! #Nebs2012 6 hours ago
Ran into Stan Schmidt as I was leaving the hotel. Heading home from a fun evening at #Nebs2012 7 hours ago
Here is @Scalzi and @MykeCole in the uke. See what you are missing @scottedelman. #Nebs2012 http://t.co/9HTltEsu 8 hours ago
Just finished a fun interview with @NancyFulda for @sfsignal. 11 hours ago
Heading back to my office to park the car, and then I'll be walking over to the #Nebs2012 hotel. 13 hours ago
RT @NancyFulda: Attention VA residents: It's not too late to plan for the #nebs2012 signing session. Snag a date to impress with how man ... 15 hours ago
Heading off to get ready for the Nebula Weekend. Have some things to do first. Should arrive at the hotel around 4pm. #nebs2012 16 hours ago
@lesleysmith Some people post videos (with permission, of course). I'll see if I can find out... 16 hours ago
@lesleysmith Of course! :-) 17 hours ago
@lesleysmith It does sound fascinating and it's good a good set of panelists to go along with it. Should be fun. 18 hours ago