Odds and Ends

Obama's re-election odds are up to 57.6% on Intrade, my guess is that it is being driven by negative ads among by GOP Presidential hopefuls, and the supposedly rosy jobs picture.

I am taking a class on national security strategy that has helped me look at some world problems in a different light. When one considers the next century and America's role, there are reasons for great optimism and great pessimism. The optimism stems from our nation being freer than China and Europe, more open to new technology and change; and our key competitors fundamental strategic weaknesses with regards to their demographics and growth engines. (How long can China use export to grow at a faster rate than the consumers of its products?) Pessimism comes from our unwillingness to deal with our burgeoning debt and runaway government liabilities due to demagoguery on those issues.

I have new female political heroine: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.) grilling AG Holder (aka that miserable hack) last Thursday:

“How many more Border Patrol agents would have had to die as part of Operation Fast and Furious for you to take responsibility?” she asked, referring to Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, whose death has been linked to weapons lost by the controversial program.

Apparently, Temple of Mut, "likes" her too.

The Greek tragedy of a slow motion default on their debt continues; yawn, who cares? I think we have all gotten used to the idea that they aren't paying much of it back, and so do the markets, which despite the headlines, are hardly moving. Relevant joke: How many economists does it take to change a light bulb? None, the market has already discounted the change.

Work and class are pushing blogging to the back burner, I hope to post with relevant but shorter articles.