Addendum ...

AH, yes, don't we just love that "free market" economy — in China. Maybe some of our right-wing politicos can move to China and teach the Communist regime about "deregulation."

Addendum ...

THE depth of this man's ignorance and venality is truly remarkable.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

SO Paul Krugman puts to rest the rightwwing bullshit about European "stagnation." No, the Europeans are not trying to police the world, except for what they give to NATO, so they can worry themselves about the quality of life of their peoples. They, after all, tend to like being human, having learned their lesson the hard way over the past 2,000 years.

One can wonder, then, if American empire will go the way of Soviet empire, drained to the point of collapse by the profligate cost of its military-industrial complex and the venality of its political class.

Thus, Communist China will spend $300 billion through 2020 building 16,000 miles of a high-speed rail network. In this country, the billions go to banking sector bonuses for making ... making what?

Well, nothing. Instead, those bank execs may hop in their German- or Italian-made car, check their Swiss watch as they tuck away their Finnish-made cell phone, and drive home to a Dutch or Czech beer before dinner on English china and sipping French or Italian wine from Irish crystal ... well, you get the idea.

Addendum ...

BOY, does Andrew Sullivan have it right on this one: "Mentally unstable" is being kind, however.

Brrrr ....

The stone bridge on Eighth Street in South Park.

We pray that Charles Blow will prove to be extraordinarily prescient.

Friday, January 8, 2010

The ducks on the pond in South Park were enjoying themselves yesterday. Wonder how they're doing this morning in near-sub-zero cold.

Addendum ...

A second cousin by marriage, Eugene Patterson, was once the managing editor of The Washington Post. Gene must feel a great sadness at the Post's untimely death.