Does the new Paulson Plan encourage too much risk?

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Tuesday October 14, 2008 · 6:49 AM PDT

2008/10/14 · 06:49

I'm listening to all these government plans and proposals, and while most seem understandable to me and I can see ways to mitigate the 'moral hazard' aspect - I find myself very confused by the interbank loan guarantees proposal.

Perhaps the fine print will clear this up, but I find myself confused and don't know who else to ask. Economic brainiacs of the Kossacks, can you explain this?

NYPragmatist

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Friday September 12, 2008 · 6:56 AM PDT

2008/09/12 · 06:56

So, I've been waiting... his opponent getting more aggressive, his supporters getting squeamish, and everyone acknowledging that Obama will have to summon some of the fighter spirit to beat back attacks.

And I thought, hmmm, you know in October last year, Barack sat down with the Times and explained how he was going to hit back harder on Clinton in an article entitled Obama Promises a Forceful Stand Against Clinton. I don't recall him ever having to lower himself that much, but just the act of stating that he intended to bring the fight to her heartened his partisans and told the press he wouldn't be pushed around. I also remember this one article changing major dynamics in the race, while he largely remained clean.

Maybe he should do that again...

NYPragmatist

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Thursday September 04, 2008 · 7:41 AM PDT

2008/09/04 · 07:41

Viruses survive by spreading. This is simple knowledge. There is a balance in a virus between how infective it is, its mortality rate and whether it causes symptoms that increase it's spread. If a virus has too high of a mortality rate, then it will kill off its host body too quickly before the virus has spread. To compensate for the impending death of the host organism, we often see the final hurrah of a virus express itself through a violent explosion of infectious filth from the host body. A last desperate attempt to survive its host body. However, given the damage that the virus has already caused (via symptoms) these last explosions are often ineffective as the symptoms of the disease have already driven away other humans who know to avoid the filth.

Today the GOP hocked a giant bloody loogy named Sarah Palin. The good news is, most Americans had enough sense to quarantine themselves from this filth.

NYPragmatist

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Saturday August 30, 2008 · 11:30 AM PDT

2008/08/30 · 11:30

I'm in the camp that thinks that we should be giving Palin enough rope to hang herself, since it's clear she's unready and we don't want to seem too much like bullies. That said, there's one point that I don't think has been mentioned enough that really boggles my mind. That is, (and no offense to the Alaskans among us) how does running Alaska give you 'executive experience'.

NYPragmatist

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Wednesday August 27, 2008 · 8:49 PM PDT

2008/08/27 · 20:49

I usually try to stick to policy when I post and don't get introspective, but this is the place for people like me, so hopefully you'll want to hear my story. And maybe I can motivate you too.

Every day, I spend hours at my computer, reading, thinking and often fuming (hopefully chuckling). I've been mildly active campaigning, working about four days for Obama prior to the primary here in New York. I like to think I deserve some of the credit for my district splitting it's delegates, despite the fact that I'm deep in Clinton country.

Poll

10 votes Show Results

So What Are You Doing To Help?

10 votes Vote Now!

So What Are You Doing To Help?

Canvassing

1 vote

Phonebanking

0 votes

Donating

2 votes

Registering Voters

3 votes

Picking my toe cheese

4 votes

UPDATED With All Those Houses, Where Does McCain Keep His Keys?

NYPragmatist

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Thursday August 21, 2008 · 12:21 PM PDT

2008/08/21 · 12:21

All kidding aside, I'm curious...do you think he uses fingerprint scanners? Are there full time staff at each house, so it's not a concern?

But more to the point...let's keep playing this up.

NYPragmatist

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Friday June 20, 2008 · 11:29 AM PDT

2008/06/20 · 11:29

I just called Obama's office to encourage him to oppose the FISA bill, and the call was answered by a young woman in tears. She placed me on hold and a colleague answered the phone after her.

NYPragmatist

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Friday September 22, 2006 · 8:35 PM PDT

2006/09/22 · 20:35

People who know about treaties, please let me know your thoughts, but I don't see this language standing up in court.

The Congress approved the Geneva Conventions which are a treaty. As such, the remedies are either specified to be handled by an international tribunal or by each signatories' own legal system.

As such, I don't see how Congress can amend the agreement to read that the President can interpret it. Either it was written into the Conventions and so by altering it we nullify our participation, or it's an act of congress and the courts have the right to ensure the executive's adherence.

In our system, judges get to evaluate the executive's execution of the congressional legislation, and I imagine 'activist' judges will definitely assert their right over such manners.

As such, the clause 'the president can "interpret the meaning and application" of the Conventions can not stand. Note to commenters after the fold: Read More

The Next Battle over Net Neutrality?

NYPragmatist

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Wednesday July 12, 2006 · 7:22 AM PDT

2006/07/12 · 07:22

I recently wrote the following paper as a final for my Antitrust and IP course. While not the best paper ever written, I discuss a couple of elements that Google seems to be prepared to use in invoking antitrust to protect net neutrality. Hope you find it interesting! If you'd like to see the original paper - drop me a line at william(at)finkel.com.

Warning, this is a long post so I cut out much of the introduction!

Footnotes didn't transfer when I put this up, but I can provide citations if needed. Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Read More

Call the PACs to urge filibuster

NYPragmatist

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Saturday January 28, 2006 · 4:05 PM PST

2006/01/28 · 16:05

With all the talk of trouble reaching Senate offices, let's not forget to hit the Senators where we might cynically think they really care - their campaign offices. Additionally, when we call the PACs it doesn't matter if we're non-residents!

First of all the national leadership PACs need to hear from us, then the Senate campaign offices should hear from us also.

I've put together those I've already reached below, please add your input below and call and let your senators know, this is about princples! Read More

Why the story about spying on Muslims now? (Tinfoil Hat Warning)

NYPragmatist

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Friday December 23, 2005 · 5:32 PM PST

2005/12/23 · 17:32

My cynicism is going into overdrive over the timing of this story from the FPP by Georgia 10.

As was mentioned in a Hotline On Call post yesterday, the deciding factor on whether Americans take Bush's illegal wiretaps seriously will be whether they consider it spying or counter-terrorism. The wiretaps really crross in to an area that will make a lot of Americans uncomfortable, especially when it becomes clear how much potential for abuse the program has.

However, if Americans feel that the program is necessary for our safety, then it seems highly unlikely that the public will demand accountability. If the Administration is going to survive this issue they are going to need to define their actions as preventing terrorism. The concept of nuclear threats by Muslims is exactly the sort of idea that furthers their survival. By drawing a parallel between these searches (without warrants) to their illegal wiretaps, Bush gives the impression that illegal searches are important to our safety. Read More

Modern Memorial Day

NYPragmatist

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Sunday May 29, 2005 · 5:03 PM PDT

2005/05/29 · 17:03

I was out the other night and met a couple of Marines who were out during fleet week.

After talking for a couple and learning they had served in Iraq, and were heading back soon. I thanked them for their service, saying that I had no way of knowing if my thanks were important, but that we appreciate their sacrifice on our behalf.

One of the Marines looked at me with a tear in his eye and said, 'you have no idea how much that means to us to hear.' It turns out that many of them had come to New York expecting to be villified. One of the guys I was talking to had recently been back home to Boston and had been asked to leave two bars.

I explained that my friends and I had been discussing that (despite being liberals who were againt them being sent to war) we hoped they were treated with the respect they deserved in our city. What's more, I feel like my duty to those serving in a war that I disagree with is to try and protect those soldiers.
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Does the new Paulson Plan encourage too much risk?

Obama Strategy: If it works, run it again

Stay Away from the Rotting Corpse

Does Alaska Count?

So What Are You Doing To Help?

UPDATED With All Those Houses, Where Does McCain Keep His Keys?

Be Firm and POLITE with Obama on FISA

Is the proposed legislation to approve torture even legal?

The Next Battle over Net Neutrality?

Call the PACs to urge filibuster

Why the story about spying on Muslims now? (Tinfoil Hat Warning)

Modern Memorial Day