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12.31.00
It's the last day of the year, so I have to finally list my picks of the best albums of 2000. I've been putting it off for as long as I could because there are plenty to choose from. This year, I've drenched myself in electronic dance music. From John Digweed's Global Underground: Hong Kong to Rinocerose's Installation Sonore to BT's Movement in Still Life, electronic music has filled my head with swirling beats, funky grooves, and an irresistible urge to move. However, only one pure electronic album and one heavily influenced by it made my top five. That's not any fault with the genre, it's just that some really great rock albums came out. So, without any further adieu, here's my top five albums of 2000:
Hate my picks? RollingStone.com has lists from some of their writers.
12.30.00
Israel's Ehud Barak is so desparate for victory in February's elections that he's using Bill Clinton's politics of fear. Clinton effectively scared people that the GOP would slash Medicare, steal school lunches from hungry children, and poison the water and air. Barak has one-upped Clinton by saying it's "Barak or war." The real option may be a bad Middle East peace agreement that will lead to war or just plain war.
"Elect Me or Face War, Barak Tells Israeli Voters"
12.28.00
Donald Lambro sees that tax cuts are needed because of a slowing economy. But because of GW's close electoral victory, the cuts will take time to get passed.
After having won by such a narrow electoral margin and with Congress as bitterly and deeply divided as it is, can Mr. Bush move his tax-cut agenda through any faster? That seems unlikely. This means a series of interest-rate cuts by the Fed are going to be even more critical over the next six to eight months to keep this economy out of the jaws of a recession that could make the new president's first year in office a rocky experience indeed.
"Inevitable Tax Cuts"
It wasn't enought for the U.S. government to rip a child out of the arms of loving family and friends and send that child to a Communist dictatorship. Now, the feds want a big chunk of cash from the Elian Gonzalez Legal Defense Trust Fund.
"Legal Fund for Cuba Boy Hits Tax Snag"
Canadian thought police want to bar graduates from a Christian university from teaching in public schools because their religious beliefs are not accepting of homosexuality.
"The Morals of Canada's Teachers"
What Mario Lemieux has done is incredible. After 3 1/2 years away from the sport, last night, he put on some skates and scored a goal and two assists. What a comeback. He gives a whole new meaning to his nickname "Super Mario."
"Mario Lemieux Returns, Leads Pittsburgh to NHL Win"
Rudy Giuliani wants the man he sent to jail in the 1980s to receive a pardon.
"Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Milken"
Virginia Postrel has started a weekly weblog with her take on the latest happenings.
The Scene
Enter Stage Right has named FreeRepublic.com's founder Jim Robinson its Person of the Year.
Peter Hitchens sees the end of Britian as we know it. It has loss its "sense of a shared culture and civilization."
"The End of Britain?"
12.24.00
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. May you all be richly blessed.
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...
This is your last chance to let Santa know what you want. I wonder if I'll get a Russian T-72 tank, or that MX (now called the Peacekeeper) missile system I've been wanting?
I'm giving Rick this little Christmas present. His Upstairs at Dry Creek is now officially a part of the TAM weblog family. His always fascinating comments on the books he reads keeps me coming back. I think I can safely assume he leans to the Right, but he's not dogmatic. That's left to rabble-rousers like me. If Rick continues to dig deep into the "historical background of scripture" I may have to name him unofficial TAM religion (not religious) guru. Go, read his weblog and see how a person really examines big ideas. No pressure, Rick, but please continue to enlighten me.
The Bush-bashing Lefties at Metafilter are going after GW's daughter's reinterpretation of a fairy tale. I had a feeling some on the Left would attack Bush's daughters as a way of getting to their dad. With a few exceptions, the Right never blammed Chelea Clinton for her fathers troubles. That dignified standard doesn't seem to apply to some on the Left.
It's unfortunate that a group of people who are way too cynical and upset over recent political events have to stoop so low as too attack a man's daughter.
Boo! to Bill Gates for asking the FCC to open up AOL's instant messaging (IM) service. Bill has been fighting the Justice Department in court to stop government interference in their business. Now, when his company is down in a tech area, he cries to the government for help. Gates can't have it both ways. Instead of running to D.C. for help, he should find a way to convince AOL that an interconnected IM would be great for all parties. If that doesn't work, he should find a way to make Microsoft's IM better and draw users from AOL. I'll take competition over regulation any day.
"Gates Urges Regulators to Address Instant Messaging" [via Metafilter]
Eric Schlosser's article struck a cord with me. My father is in the food technology area and is familiar with many of the companies mentioned. He even used to work for IFF. Developing the perfect flavor is a high-tech business that seems to operate under everyone's nose (pun intended).
"Why McDonald's Fries Taste So Good"
A good sign that the U.S. is headed for a recession is an increase in bad loans. During boom times, banks have lots of cash to throw around. Some of it goes to businesses with good plans and some go to businesses with lousy plans. When the lousy plans are discovered the banks have to eat the loans. There's that much less cash for the bank to loan out to other firms. If this happens on a large enough scale, the reduction in credit shrinks investment and slows the economy.
"Bad Loans Seen to Plague Banks in 2001" [via Drudge]
12.22.00
Hillary's looking for the perfect D.C. home from where to build her base for a possible Presidential run.
Clinton needs such a base to help transform her from freshman senator to powerbroker in the mode of the late Pamela Harriman, who provided a haven for the Democrats during their long Reagan-Bush exile from the White House.
"Hillary Is House Proud"
It seems that GW's nominee to run the Treasury Department, Paul O'Neill wants to abolish the corporate income tax. Larry Kudlow dug up a speech he gave at Indiana University in 1990 where O'Neill said, "the escalating costs of tax administration that are driven by an even-more complex tax code add nothing the to the value of our products…. Here is an area where the federal government could make a difference…. The ultimate reduction would come from simply eliminating the corporate tax. No tax. No tax departments." Very interesting.
"O’Neill: Show Us the Money"
On the pro-life front, GW must be doing something right if pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL and their liberal sympathizers at Salon.com are getting all worked up over Gov. Tommy Thompson as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.
"Pro-Choicers Already on the Defensive"
The myth that cell phone cause cancer will continue to thrive as long as news reporters are alive to scare their readers. This myth will never die because you can never prove a negative. It's logically impossible to prove that cell phones do not cause cancer.
"No Cancer? Too Early to Call"
12.21.00
You have to start somewhere, so Bill Buckley would like either the repeal of the death tax or the banning of partial-birth abortions to be first on GW's and Congress' plate.
Also, mucho applause to Yahoo for adding Buckley to their commentary area.
"President Bush's First Measure"
12.20.00
Michael Novak discusses F. A. Hayek's attack on the term "social justice." For Hayek, the term had no real meaning because societies do not act, individuals do. Novak writes that social justice is an "attribute of individuals." The pursuit of social justice ends up being an excuse for the state to centralize power. But Hayek did support individuals united in a common cause. Novak quotes Hayek:
It is one of the greatest weaknesses of our time that we lack the patience and faith to build up voluntary organizations for purposes which we value highly, and immediately ask the government to bring about by coercion (or with means raised by coercion) anything that appears as desirable to large numbers. Yet nothing can have a more deadening effect on real participation by the citizens than if government, instead of merely providing the essential framework of spontaneous growth, becomes monolithic and takes charge of the provision for all needs, which can be provided for only by the common effort of many.
"Defining Social Justice"
When they go on tour to support their outstanding All That You Can't Leave Behind, I'll follow the latest U2 happening via U2log.
If she hadn't run for the Senate, or had lost, there would be no issue. She would be a private person making a private business deal. But that's not the case, and there's a major problem with an elected official taking huge sums from a publisher before the first book is even sold.
"Hillary Starts On Wrong Page"
Milwaukee Bucks forward Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson was named NBA Player of the Week. Big Dog averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 steals in four games including victories over the LA Lakers, the Utah Jazz, and the Toronto Raptors. Robinson is one of the Bucks' primary reasons for their early season turn around.
"Bucks F Glenn Robinson named NBA Player of Week"
Let Dick Cheney work on the transition. GW must take advantage of solid public support for his large tax cut. 61% of poll respondents favored the tax cut, but only 42% thought he had enough public support to get it passed. He must get waffling Republicans and moderate Democrats on board, while talking to the public about the need for major tax relief. Taxes can be cut if GW wants it bad enough.
"Poll: Public Favors Large Tax Cut"
I've never had a desire to travel to Europe, but Greg Ranson's picture has inspired me to make it a goal to visit the grave of the greatest economist of the 20th Century, F. A. Hayek.
12.19.00
Mona Charen offers this Quote of the Day:
Here's what Republicans need to understand -- the left is not benevolent or well-motivated. It does not accuse you of racism because it believes it to be true, but rather because it gives the left status and power. And when leading Republicans do things like take Jesse Jackson's calls after he has leveled scurrilous and utterly baseless charges, they enhance the power of demagogues and ensure that this corrupt process will never end.
"First False Move"
Thomas Sowell has some last-minute Christmas ideas for you time-constrained shoppers.
"Christmas Books"
For years, NORAD has sustained children's dreams of a Santa Claus by monitoring his process on Christmas Eve. The tradition started way back in 1955, when kids mistakenly called NORAD to talk to Santa. Col. Harry Shoup told them he was "helping" Santa, and that started the tradition.
"'Red Nose' Detected at North Pole"
Great article from Deroy Murdock. Simply put, Republicans are too nice.
"The Right’s Too Nice"
12.16.00
The Junior Senator-elect (and recent resident) from New York Hillary Clinton is now the $8 Million Woman, because she got an $8 million advance for her memoirs. I won't criticise her for getting the dough; more power to her. However, two points need to be mentioned: 1. Doesn't this mess up her hypothesis of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy that's been trying to knock down the Clintons since 1992? The book advance came from Simon & Schuster which is owned by Viacom. Viacom also owns CBS, and I seem to recall seeing that news organization running with many stories of the Clintons' troubles. Now, the parent company coughs up $8 million for a book filled with her trials and tribulations as one of the most controversial First Ladies in American history.
2. Will there be as much scrutiny over Hillary's book deal as there was over Newt Gingrich's? Will we see Rep. David Bonior screaming on every t.v. show how corrupt Hillary is for taking so much money? Will we read editorials in the NY Times on the "appearance" of a conflict of interest? She recieved the second highest advance in publishing history, and I'm sure that Viacom has some pending legislation that could use a helping hand from a U.S. Senator. Hillary claims that the deal abides with Senate ethics rules, but Gingrich's deal was legit under House ethics rules. Will we see the same standards applied to Hillary as were to Newt? Even asking the question means I smell a double standard.
"Hillary Clinton Agrees to $8 Million Book Deal"
In another sign that the economy is slowing, Microsoft announced that their second-quarter earnings will be below forecasts by 5-6%. MS rarely makes an announcement like that.
A significant tax cut is in order. While fixing problems in the tax code like eliminating the marriage penalty and the death tax are important, they won't have the same economic effects as a cut in marginal tax rates.
Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert wants to push the marriage penalty and death tax items first, but GW must insist on the broad-based tax cut he ran on.
"Rare Microsoft Profit Warning Hits Shares"
"Bush Still Aims for $1.3 Trillion Tax Cut"
The latest Technology Review has "10 emerging areas of technology that will soon have a profound impact on the economy and on how we live and work." They include brain-machine interfaces, and flexible transistors.
"The Technology Review Ten"
12.15.00
Angus correctly predicted a Bush victory, but he now predicts that GW will lose his re-election attempt in 2004. Ouch!
12.14.00
Both Vice President Gore and President-elect GW gave outstanding speeches last night. Gore didn't mince words and conceded the 2000 election. Gore's words were the most eloquent I've ever heard from him. For that I give him credit, but remember, he elongated this election by trying to manipulate voting standards and election law. He ended looking like a stateman, but he didn't act statemanlike.
GW began the up-hill struggle to bridge the deep divisions caused by the election. Having the Texas Speaker of the House--a Democrat--introduce him was a symbol that he would attempt a serious dialogue with Democrats in Washington. Whether the Democrats will offer a fair response or fight for gridlock until the 2002 elections is something we should watch.
AlGore's concession speech
GW's acceptance speech
The public also sees GW as legitimate despite Jesse Jackson's spewing.
"Most Americans Say Next President Will Be Legitimate"
Like his father, GW will have to deal with an economic slowdown. Corporate job cuts are up, earnings estimates are lower, and Christmas sales are flat. GW should start building a consensus that an across-the-board tax cut is needed to reinvigorate economic growth.
"Economic Slowing Apparent in Corporate America"
How about GW's inauguration at the Lincoln Memorial instead of the Capitol? According to Kent Lassman, it would be a symbolic gesture of uniting the nation.
"The 2001 Lincoln Inaugural"
12.13.00
Justices Thomas and Rehnquist are striking back at claims by Gore backers that last night's ruling was politically motivated. When asked by some high school students how much the role of party affiliation affected their rulings, Thomas said, "Zero." Rehnquist concurred when asked reporters asked him to respond to Thomas' remark.
The remarks won't stop partisan Democrats from trying to undermine GW's election victory by tearing down the authority of the Supreme Court. But by comparing the decisions of the activist Florida Supreme Court with the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court based on constitutional law, you can plainly see which court was more influenced by partisan politics.
"Two U.S. Top Court Members Say No Politics in Rulings"
I received this note from TAM legal scholar Mike:
You [Sean Hackbarth] said:
"I'm a little worried about the majority saying that there was a "violation of the Equal Protection Clause." That could open the floodgates to scores of legal challenges in every close election in the country. More later."
Let me respectfully disagree, and earn my keep as TAM legal scholar. What these seven justices, breaking across party lines, said, was that the RECOUNT raised serious equal protection and due process concerns due to the lack of uniformity in the vote-counting standard. The closeness of the election had no Constitutional implications whatsoever. Rather, it was the blatant unfairness of the recount, as demonstrated by the differences between Broward County and Palm Beach County, that violated the Constitution.
Thanks, Mike, for forcing me to clarify my concern. Yes, the geographicaly limited recount and the varying ballot standards were the equal protection and due process concerns. Let me then restate my worry to clear up some ambiguity. Regardless of the ruling's focus on recounts, many enterprising lawyers will run to court for losing candidates in close elections claiming that different voting methods (an X in the box, butterfly ballot, voting machine, etc.) in the same area qualify as violating equal protection. I guarantee someone will try this, and some judge will accept it. It's likely the Supreme Court will take up a case like this in the next few years to clarify what is considered proper equal protection.
Let me follow up yesterday's link to Jesse Jackson's harsh rhetoric by linking to this story where Democratic leaders refuse to denouce Jackson. No Democratic Congressional leaders would directly speak to Jesse's remarks that he would "take to the streets" and that Gov. Jeb Bush orchestrated an effort to prevent Blacks from voting. A spokesman for Rep. David Bonior would only say "no comment."
If Jackson was a Republcan spewing out that talk, you could safely bet that Democrats and the liberal media would be rhetorically stringing him up for his "mean-spiritedness" and "extreme" language.
"Democrats Won't Disclaim Jackson's Remarks" [via Drudge]
As for the Supreme Court ruling, I don't have much to say until I read the opinions. I'll try to offer some commentary later today. Let me just say that it's really complicated with all the rulings, dissents, and concurrences. I'm a little worried about the majority saying that there was a "violation of the Equal Protection Clause." That could open the floodgates to scores of legal challenges in every close election in the country. More later.
"Divided Court Finds Recounts Unconstitutional"
Finally, Democrats are seeing the political light and are calling for Stiffy Gore to loosen up and concede. DNC Chairman Ed Rendell is one and Rep. Tom Barrett (D-WI) is another.
"Democratic Support Begins to Crumble"
"It Looks Like Bush, State's Delegates Say"
12.12.00
The Florida House isn't waiting for a U.S. Supreme Court decision. As I'm writing, they're engaged in debate and will soon vote to confirm Florida's 25 electoral votes for GW. The Florida Senate is waiting for the Supreme's verdict.
"FL House to Vote on Electors; Senate To Wait"
Wacko blowhard, Jesse Jackson has even out done himself. In an interview outside the Supreme Court, he compared GW to Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic and charged that Gov. Jeb Bush was trying to steal the election for his brother. Jackson accused Florida police officers of preventing Blacks from voting. According to Jackson, orders to do that came from Jeb Bush and Secretary of State Katherine Harris.
His most inflammatory words came when he said he would "delegitimize" GW's Presidency. "We will take to the streets right now, we will delegitimize Bush, discredit him, do whatever it takes, but never accept him," said Jackson as reported by Matt Drudge.
"Jackson Decries Civil Rights Violations, Places Blame on Jeb Bush"
12.10.00
The strangest set of news events ever in my short life on this little planet happened yesterday. I watched on CNN as the U.S. Appeals Court in Atlanta refused to stop the Florida hand counts. Five minutes later, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the counts to stop. With legal actions zipping along almost hourly, kids will start to think the legal process is the latest video game for Playstation 2, rather than the slow, deliberative process it usually is. Anyway, I watched as the CNN reporter on one side of the split screen read portions of the Supreme Court ruling, while on the other side vote counters, who were working, stopped when they heard the news. Surreal doesn't even fit. It's just weird!
In the ruling, Justice Scalia said GW has a "substantial probability of success" in his case. My best guess is that a majority of the court is really ticked that the Florida Supremes again made up new election law. They gave them a chance to save face by vacating their ruling last week, but Friday's ruling shows that a majority of the state court still wants to legislate from the bench. Arguments are scheduled for Monday with a ruling probably the next day.
"High Court Stops Fla. Recounts"
"Enough!"
12.09.00
The Florida Supreme Court decided to make up some more election law by ordering state-wide recounts of "undervotes" (ballots where machines determined no vote for President was made). Stiffy Gore can now count those 9,000 undervotes in Miami-Dade County barring a U.S. Supreme Court injuction. The Florida court also ordered that votes from a partial recount in Palm Beach County must count. That puts GW's lead down to 154.
In his dissent, Justice Wells was disturbed by the majority's decision. He believes the decision "cannot withstand the scrutiny which will certainly immediately follow under the United States Constitution." In other words, he doesn't want to be rhetorically bitch-slapped by the Justices in D.C. again. He also wrote that the decision had "no foundation in the law of Florida as it existed on November 7, 2000, or at any time until the issuance of this opinion."
Justice Wells also worries about the broader ramifications of the decision:
Importantly to me, I have a deep and abiding concern that the prolonging of judicial process in this counting contest propels this country and this state into an unprecedented and unnecessary constitutional crisis. I have to conclude that there is a real and present likelihood that this constitutional crisis will do substantial damage to our country, our state, and to this Court as an institution.
Justice Wells offers an important bit of sanity to this whole process, but he's part of the problem. He was part of the Florida Supreme Court's decision to invent state election law when they allowed an extention of the deadline for hand re-counts. If such judicial activism would have been nipped in the bud in the first place, Wells wouldn't have had to worry about the "substantial damage to our country."
"Florida Court Gives Gore His Recount"
"Court of Defiance"
"Changing the Election Law, Again"
Mike should be happy. I'll soon be sporting my brand new perpetualbeta.com t-shirt.
The Gap's sales have been sluggish. Part of it is their failed leather push. I raised my eyebrows when I saw that The Gap was selling leather pants. I go to The Gap for basic t-shirts, jeans, and khakis, not for leather. If I want to look like a rock star, I'll go to Wilson's and spend a bundle.
"Mixing Business With Leather"
Lance is a sick man. He's a running geek. Poor guy. He just feels the need to run around Dallas for about 26 miles and try to do it under 4 hours! Lance, that's why Henry Ford invented the Model T. What's worse is he's running with an "extreme Gore supporter." 26 miles of listening to nothing but dribble about dimpled chads and the evils of the internal combustion engine. If that isn't an incentive to run fast, I don't know what is?
My father and sister have both ran marathons, so I know how much pain they were in during and after their physical trial. Best of luck to you, Lance. (Don't) Break a leg.
12.08.00
Paglia on Blacks' monolithic Democratic voting pattern:
Is it relevant that African-Americans (by a voting pattern of 93 percent and up) remain so receptive to Jim Crow-era Democratic Party rhetoric? A near-monolithic voting bloc of that size (at a time when the majority of rank-and-file Republicans are hardly racist ogres) suggests insufficient internal debate, limited sources of outside information and peer pressure in families, neighborhoods and churches.
Paglia on Rush Limbaugh:
His daily radio show is the one reliable place ordinary citizens can turn to for a different perspective in the blizzard of propaganda and disinformation from the Northeastern media establishment. History will show that Limbaugh was a major force over the past decade in waking this country up from its p.c. coma.
"The Peevish Porcupine Beats the Shrill Rooster"
She also liked Antonio Freeman's miracle catch against the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks back.
The biggest winner out of Florida may not be either GW or AlGore, but Newsmax.com.
"Newsmax Knows Its Audience"
12.06.00
Santa, I want a pony, world peace, a room full of Legos, a lifetime supply of Pez, and a Perpetualbeta.com t-shirt.
Jonah Goldberg on Stiffy Gore's perpetual legal battle for the Presidency:
This is the fallout from impeachment. This is the logical consequence of a president pursuing every legal strategy imaginable and justifying it as his prerogative.
"Florida Boring..."
Professor James Lindgren explains the Democrats' attempt to throw out thousands of votes and give Gore the White House:
It should be emphasized that there was nothing illegal about the applications for ballots in Seminole, which means that the actual absentee ballots were entirely licit.
"A Silly Suit in Seminole"
The Florida Legislature will convene Friday to give the state's 25 electoral votes to GW Bush.
"Fla. Legislature To Pick Electors" [via Drudge]
12.04.00
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled for GW by not ruling against Gore. Confused? The court vacated the Florida Supreme Court's ruling that extended the certification deadline because the lower court's ruling was too confusing. What probably happened was that there was a majority ready to overrule the state court, but in order to get a unanimous ruling, they decided to throw out the ruling and give the state supreme court another stab at it.
The practical effect of the ruling is that Gore loses more time to "find" the votes he needs to win Florida. A Florida circuit court judge was ready to rule on having manual recounts in a few contested counties, but he held off his decision when the U.S. Supreme Court issued theirs. Time is of the essence for Gore because Florida's electors will be chosed on 12.12. The clock is quickly ticking for Senior Stiffy.
"Supreme Court Tells Florida to Reconsider Case"
U.S. Supreme Court ruling [via Drudge]
12.02.00
Mike has Gore fatigue. Imagine if he steals the election?
Yeah! Hayek the Economist beat Hayek the Movie Star, and the Economist is dead.
The Salma Hayek versus Friedrich Hayek Scorecard [via memepool]
Eric G. wants to simplify your life and help put together your Christmas list.
"Simpler"
12.01.00
Dr. John Butler thinks that the sun may play a significant role in global warming. "I suspect that the greenhouse lobby have under-estimated the role of solar variability in climate change," he said. If it's found that the sun does cause climate fluctuations, no international treaty or government regulation will be able to fix that.
"Sun's Warming Influence 'Under-Estimated'" [via Robot Wisdom]
From the Empathy Gone Overboard Department: In a statement, Julia Butterfly Hill said, "I feel this vicious attack on Luna as surely as if the chainsaw was going through me." This was in response to finding that Luna, her tree home for two years, has been damaged by a chainsaw.
"Tree That Housed Protester Cut" [via Robot Wisdom]
It's bad enough that the Left thinks conservatives are evil, bigoted, hateful, homophobic, sex-deprived puritans who love dirty water and starving school children. Now, Ron Rosenbaum is blaming the deadly stroke of liberal New York columnist Lars-Erik Nelson on the Bush campaign.
If you want to know the truth, I blame the Bush campaign for the death of Nelson, one of the best journalists in America, someone who deserves a posthumous Pulitzer not just for his powerful, skeptical reporting on the Wen Ho Lee case, but for his consistently brilliant and iconoclastic commentary over the course of a career.
Nelson saw what was going on in Florida early on, and he didn’t see it with any equanimity: One of his colleagues at the Daily News called him on the day of his death, the afternoon of the televised Florida Supreme Court argument, and recalled Nelson crying out, “I can’t believe they said that!” over some outrageous assertion by the lawyers for Ms. Harris and Mr. Bush.
"Of Bush, the Harris Rumor and James Baker's Junta" [via Upstairs]
Sean Hackbarth
Writer/Bookseller
Allenton, WI
https://www.angelfire.com/wi/shackbar
shackbar@free-market.net
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