For a while, all I could read in the newspapers was some story about how robots, computers, some form of automation, was going to steal all our jobs. In vain I have tried to persuade people that this isn’t really good economics–a kind of “just so” story that Americans seem to thrive on. Please. Think.Continue reading “Computers will take all our jobs away. And other Fairy Tales”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Hurricanes (and other stuff) I have known
I was reading a fabulous (well, it is ok) book called Three Days at Camp David by Jeffrey Garten. Super nerd alert: it recounts the decisions that went into bringing an end to the gold-exchange standard in August 1971. I’m sure you’re just dying to know the details, but I’ll spare you. It is oneContinue reading “Hurricanes (and other stuff) I have known”
Decent Interval
Boy, there’s nothing worse than a Democrat caught with his pants down. Remember Bill “I don’t not have sex with that woman” Clinton? He did denial pretty well, didn’t he. And outrage. Faux, as it happened, but, Hell, it worked in Arkansas. Why not on a the Big Stage? He also went down to HaitiContinue reading “Decent Interval”
We Share Your World With You
Now that I am retired from teaching (I know, no one noticed), I have a little more time than I did before to pursue various projects. Some are serious: an economic history of Mexico (about 60 percent drafted, but the worst is yet to come); and publications on the Lizardi family of Mexico, New Orleans,Continue reading “We Share Your World With You”
Your rights make me sick
“The struggle between liberty and authority is the most conspicuous feature in the portions of history with which we are earliest familiar…” Don’t take my word for it. That is from one of the most famous works on the subject published in the English language, On Liberty, by John Stuart Mill, and published in 1859.Continue reading “Your rights make me sick”
Each Wage-Earner is Expected to Contract Covid AND “Tijuana”: A Review
Click to access NJP-Statement-Regarding-the-Obligation-to-Attend-Sunday-Mass_-July-15-2021.pdf I promised to give this Catholic stuff a rest, and I will. I just want to to remind my readers that, in its infinite wisdom, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia expects you to attend Mass on Sundays in person starting August 15, 2021, the Feast of the Assumption. Nice. I think SanContinue reading “Each Wage-Earner is Expected to Contract Covid AND “Tijuana”: A Review”
Altar Boyz
Enough of the “I survived a Catholic childhood” right? True enough. I’ll say no more. But after all the cynicism and all the cliches, I thought I might take a serious pass at the whole business one last time. This inspired by the current flap in the Church about the “extraordinary form” of the Mass,Continue reading “Altar Boyz”
Special Edition: Gil-Scott Heron
Whitey on the Moon First thing that came to my mind yesterday. You don’t know it? Prophetic. The first time I heard it I was in college, and half-scandalized, half-amused.
We Deserve The Truth, Dammit
Back in the Fall, I said to a friend of mine that I was afraid we were spiraling out of control in the United States. That we were headed toward violence. That I prayed to God there were still a few grownups left in the house. And that I had never been as depressed byContinue reading “We Deserve The Truth, Dammit”
Come Fly With Me
The average market capitalization of Virgin Galactic Holdings over the past five years was approximately 2.8 billion dollars. If we look at the economic cost of Project Mercury over its life, and using the “Measuring Worth” internet site, which is fairly sophisticated, and convert 1965 dollars into 2020 values, we come out with roughly 8Continue reading “Come Fly With Me”
This Game Is Over, Salvucci Sez 