Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 6263 Diggs, is about a Digg tool for attracting more Diggs.
Must not be that effective. 6263 isn't all that impressive, really.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Blogs and Politics
Is it true that blogs are having this much of an impact on politics? If so, I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.
American Pharmaceuticals Thrive, Europe's are Dying
The next time you want to fall for the idea of universal healthcare a la Europe's socialistic schemes, read this essay by Andrew Sullivan. It points out that innovation thrives in a free market and dies under socialism. The American pharmaceutical industry is making remarkable--some might say miraculous--advances in treatments for all sorts of deadly and debilitating diseases.
If you want to kill those advancements, vote for universal healthcare. If not, fight like hell to retain our current, even mixed economy approach, and then fight even harder for a true free market healthcare system.
I remember looking into a CT lung scan, having been a smoker for a number of years. I don't know what the insured price for a scan would be, but I know that I can get a high-quality scan performed outside of insurance for about $300. That seems entirely reasonable to me, since it could locate any problems while they're still treatable (which a normal x-ray may or may not identify). I imagine that if such scans were covered under insurance, and thus not subject to normal market pressures, they'd be far more expensive (although I personally might pay a little less after deductibles have been met). Imagine the impact on healthcare spending in general if the market were allowed to set prices.
I've read accounts that we're on the cusp of curing various forms of cancer, and already, certain forms have been turned from terminal diagnoses to manageable diseases. And that's due entirely to the efforts of the American pharmaceutical industry. Rather than attacking these companies, we should be honoring them.
If you want to kill those advancements, vote for universal healthcare. If not, fight like hell to retain our current, even mixed economy approach, and then fight even harder for a true free market healthcare system.
I remember looking into a CT lung scan, having been a smoker for a number of years. I don't know what the insured price for a scan would be, but I know that I can get a high-quality scan performed outside of insurance for about $300. That seems entirely reasonable to me, since it could locate any problems while they're still treatable (which a normal x-ray may or may not identify). I imagine that if such scans were covered under insurance, and thus not subject to normal market pressures, they'd be far more expensive (although I personally might pay a little less after deductibles have been met). Imagine the impact on healthcare spending in general if the market were allowed to set prices.
I've read accounts that we're on the cusp of curing various forms of cancer, and already, certain forms have been turned from terminal diagnoses to manageable diseases. And that's due entirely to the efforts of the American pharmaceutical industry. Rather than attacking these companies, we should be honoring them.
More Evidence for Iran in Iraq
More on Iran's proxy war against the US in Iraq. I suppose that when (if?) we go to war with Iran over this (and the nuclear issue) such news items will be quickly forgotten and the "no evidence" mantra will emerge once again.
Media Tells Terrorists We're Onto Them
Once again, the mainstream press reveals our knowledge of a possible terrorist attack. Why this is "news," and not a blatant breach of national security, is beyond me.
Healthcare Independence
An essay on "universal healthcare" at Capitalism Magazine... It's an important read if you're at all concerned about healthcare and would like to have something to counter the upcoming movie on the topic (which shall remain nameless).
Town Surprised that Public-Private Partnership Goes Sour
And the line is blurred between public and private in such instances because government spends tax money (directly or through "incentives) developing private property. It's an inherent contradiction that must result in this or other kinds of conflict.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at a light 2848, points to a picture that, quite frankly, I don't get. And, I have no time to try to decipher it.
So, good luck.
So, good luck.
Iranian Cells Destroyed - in Iraq
Going after the Iranian-backed cells in Iraq is all find and dandy, but it would be a bit like killing German spies in America in the 1940's but refusing to take the fight to Germany itself. One can only imagine the outcome, and I'm afraid we're going to see a fine example of it sometime soon.
Unless, of course, we act against Iran. But that's likely a pipe dream.
Unless, of course, we act against Iran. But that's likely a pipe dream.
Mainstream Media Again Assists Radical Islam
There are two important aspects to this story. First, the mainstream media is very quick to report the worst about Iraq; too quick, in my opinion. Almost eager.
Second, as has been said before on this blog, the "insurgency" is not about Iraq, it's about driving America from Iraq and creating a victory for radical Islam against the Great Satan. Fomenting sectarian violence, as was to be the result from this false reporting, is just one of the tactics being used to push American politics against finishing what we started in Iraq.
Second, as has been said before on this blog, the "insurgency" is not about Iraq, it's about driving America from Iraq and creating a victory for radical Islam against the Great Satan. Fomenting sectarian violence, as was to be the result from this false reporting, is just one of the tactics being used to push American politics against finishing what we started in Iraq.
A World with Saddam Hussein?
Some interesting thoughts on what the world would be like if we hadn't gone to war to remove Saddam Hussein from power. I agree with a lot of this, but I still think we've prosecuted the war itself, and its aftermath, in horrible fashion.
Al Qaeda - Losing?
Al Qaeda has apparently been affected. That's a very, very good thing. Imagine how much more less effective they'd be if we removed their state sponsors?
Dell to Help Russia Against the West
So, Dell's building Russia a supercomputer to help Russia develop its oil resources--which Putin has made clear Russia will use as leverage against the West.
Thanks, Dell.
Thanks, Dell.
Oliver Stone - Ahmadinejad Movie?
Celebrity Report: I'm not sure if this is real or a hoax, but reportedly Oliver Stone is thinking of making a movie on Iran's Imajihadi (or whatever his name is). Knowing Stone, this could be for real, but usually he does movies after the facts are too cold or impossible to ascertain to be laid open to the light of day. And, the story's not yet actually played out on the Iranian warmonger, and so it's strange to make a movie at this point.
I call hoax, but we'll see.
I call hoax, but we'll see.
Jimmy Carter - Israel/Palestine Is Apartheid. Really!
In spite of being ridiculed and debunked by most reasonable people, Jimmy Carter holds to his theory that the Israeli/Palestinian situation is the same sort of apartheid as occured for decades in South Africa.
The man just needs to step on out of politics, I think, and go grow some peanuts.
The man just needs to step on out of politics, I think, and go grow some peanuts.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 5309 Diggs, is a story about a woman who tries to buy a bunch of iPhones and fails.
Big doin's over at Digg today.
Big doin's over at Digg today.
Cheney Lied, and Fish Died
It's getting ever more amazing how politicized the news--and the process of governing--is becoming. Clinton gives China highly sensitive missille technology and gets a pass, Cheney is accused of killing some salmon and he's being probed by Congress.
Immigration vs. Collectivism
An interesting take on the immigration issue. What Nicholas Provenzo describes here is just another form of collectivism, which he identifies specifically as xenophobia. I agree, for the most part.
It's somewhat incidental to Provenzo's essay, but living in Southern California, I can say that many immigrants (legal or otherwise) would benefit greatly from learning the English language. I think many don't because they have no intention to stay for very long. Others don't because they isolate themselves in Latino enclaves where they don't have any reason to learn English, which is of course perfectly within their rights but it necessarily limits their opportunities.
And that little bit is irrelevant, practically speaking, because even that propensity doesn't last long. By about the 2nd or 3rd generation, the assimilation has already pretty much concluded.
It's somewhat incidental to Provenzo's essay, but living in Southern California, I can say that many immigrants (legal or otherwise) would benefit greatly from learning the English language. I think many don't because they have no intention to stay for very long. Others don't because they isolate themselves in Latino enclaves where they don't have any reason to learn English, which is of course perfectly within their rights but it necessarily limits their opportunities.
And that little bit is irrelevant, practically speaking, because even that propensity doesn't last long. By about the 2nd or 3rd generation, the assimilation has already pretty much concluded.
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