Something to read

So I just found this site: Readthestimulus.org [via Democracy in America] I haven't explored much yet.. but it seems like an interesting concept.

Big day!

Wow. Obama has a big job ahead of him now. :) and that's good news. So
having gotten the US election out of the way (yes i voted. Mailed from
Whangerei last week. So it'll be late but in time to count), I
registered to vote here in NZ. I had thought that I wouldn't feel
comfortable with all the issues, but having been here for a month now,
i think i may have an opinion. We shall see how it feels on Saturday.
But for now Guy Fawkes Night in Auckland feels a little like everyone
is celebrating Obama's victory. :) though that might just be that
american egocentrism showing itself. Or maybe just jealousy that i
wasn't able to be in Grant Park tonight. ;)

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Going to the ends of the earth.
http://syrrys-in-nz.blogspot.com

Fwd: Mr Ayers

I don't have much to add and havn't read the linked articles but... I really want to.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2008/10/william_ayers_a_shining_exampl.cfm


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Going to the ends of the earth.
http://syrrys-in-nz.blogspot.com

Travelling in NZ

Hi. I'm going to be away for a while. If you'd like to read about that, you can do so at http://syrrys-in-nz.blogspot.com

Finally I think I understand

I think I've finally come to understand what I find so unsettling about Palin. "Richard Nixon with the redeeming features left out."

This whole Economic/Wall Street/Crisis thing

So I've seen a few opinions (summarized relatively well here and here) But the best actual discussion of the problems and what might be needed to fix them was by a gentleman by the name of Joeseph Stiglitz who had some pretty solid experience.  Anyway, so he was saying that actually the SEC wasn't lacking in regulatory power in most cases but, and this is the important part, when a regulator doesn't believe in regulation, it doesn't matter how much or what powers they do have, because they will not elect to use those powers.

Hmmm... Seems a little like some of the issues related to that recent little report about those folks who were supposed to be making sure the Oil Companies were paying their royalties, but were too coke'd out and sexed up to be particularly concerned about doing their job.

Yes, I'm editorializing and conflating moral "lapses" with economic world views. But I actually do think that there is a case to be made here about a bureaucratic (or political?) culture that is not too concerned with appointing people to positions where they actually believe in executing their job as described.

A certain "John Bolton and his Wacky UN Adventures" comes to mind as well.

Competence is a totally separate issue.

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Going to the ends of the earth.

You know...

As much as I hope that whomever wins this upcoming US election will be able to start fixing things... I still feel that heading for NZ is the best plan in the face of this sinking ship.

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Going to the ends of the earth.