var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/10/are-we-the-people-we-the-problem/’,size:‘large’} I think Newsweek’s Evan Thomas perhaps gets it right when he says, Government Is Not the Problem: we are.
American individualism and entitlement is certainly at its height these days (though, I don’t agree that partisanship is). “What’s in it for me” has become the mantra of the American taxpayer. […]
Are We the People We the Problem?
March 10th, 2010 · No Comments · Culture, Politics
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A short trip ’round the blogosphere
March 5th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Blogosphere, Blogroll, Blogs From Left to Right, Blogs on the Media, Law, Marketing, Politics, Uncategorized, terrorism
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/05/a-short-trip-round-the-blogosphere/’,size:‘large’} The Volokh Conspiracy asks those of us who oppose federally sanctioned torture to consider how we’d have reacted had John Yoo been anti-torture. (Not John Woo. Thanks to Dan for pointing this out.)
Above the Law informs us that some guy put his law degree up for sale on e-Bay. […]
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I was sick…
March 4th, 2010 · 7 Comments · Christianity, Health, Politics
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/04/i-was-sick/’,size:‘large’} I felt this explanation of the U.S. health care debate was fairly objective; though, I admit that according to Wikipedia, the publisher leans left.
Regardless, I have a few thoughts on health care:
private insurance companies seek to maximize profits at employers’ expense;
employers seek to maximize profits at employees’ expense;
doctors seek […]
Tags: health care debate
One to Watch
March 3rd, 2010 · 3 Comments · Baseball, Feminism, Japan, Red Sox, Sports, The Boston Globe
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/03/one-to-watch/’,size:‘large’} Baseball hasn’t had much room for women. That may soon change, however – if only a little, as the Boston Globe reports on a female knuckleballer from Japan.
The knuckleball not needing speed but relying rather on unpredictability, I really think this girl has a chance. Maybe she’ll replace Wake when […]
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You know, like, homosexuality’s bad, okay?
March 2nd, 2010 · No Comments · Bible, Christianity, Culture, Religion, Sex
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/02/you-know-like-homosexualitys-bad-okay/’,size:‘large’} I confess: I don’t know who Miss Beverly Hills is, nor do I particularly care. I find her recent defense of her anti-gay beliefs compelling, however. Especially illuminating is the pause when she is asked if one can both be Christian and gay.
I think Miss Beverly Hills’ response – or […]
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Steak for Stock
March 2nd, 2010 · 4 Comments · Economics, Food
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/02/steak-for-stock/’,size:‘large’} A great gimmick, an interesting ploy, and possibly a good way to make a fortune: Steak for Stock.
I’m not sure what to think, but I have to give credit to Smith & Wollensky’s ad agency for coming up with this one.
A sign of the times, to be sure. Citibank stock […]
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Old Wisdom
March 1st, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/01/old-wisdom/’,size:‘large’} There’s an old adage that, put politely, says, “You don’t defecate where you eat.” Unfortunately, it seems that many Americans have disregarded this bit of wisdom in their daily lives.
Al Gore may not be everyone’s favorite person (he certainly isn’t mine), but he’s got a point when he says […]
Tags: climate change · Food · Politics · pollution · toxic waste
The Failure of Fairness
March 1st, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/03/01/the-failure-of-fairness/’,size:‘large’} A NYTimes.com editorial says that “[i]ncreasingly, courts are ignoring fundamental fairness and overemphasizing rigid rules and technical legal points — in many cases, deadlines of one kind or another — in ways that undermine justice.” It’s not a statement backed up with facts or figures, but if true, and […]
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Animal Rights Trump Human Rights
February 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Culture, Europe, Food, Law, Personal, Philosophy, Politics
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/26/animal-rights-trump-human-rights/’,size:‘large’} I love my dog. I think farm animals should be treated humanely and not spend their lives in factory farms. Still a new Swiss animal rights law carries with it the specter of enforced Jainism.
Where does it end? Will government some day tell me I can’t eat meat or […]
Tags: animal rights
Why Fannie Mae Is Like a Platypus
February 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Media
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/26/why-fannie-mae-is-like-a-platypus/’,size:‘large’} I’m passing no judgement on content here. I’m not even saying I’ve read it; I just love the title: Why Fannie Mae Is Like a Platypus.
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Domestic Violence
February 26th, 2010 · 5 Comments · Culture, Dating, Feminism, Law
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/26/domestic-violence/’,size:‘large’} Winning the FoxNews award for spinning the truth and conflating issues is Sam’s recent post Redundant Oppressed Men.
Please note that the divorce laws he decries are, as the judge on the first case put it, “old laws.” They were passed in the “good old days,” when women didn’t have […]
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The 24-hour Silly Cycle
February 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Culture, Media, Uncategorized
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/26/the-24-hour-silly-cycle/’,size:‘large’} The Orlando Sentinel’s TV Guy, a newsblogger, notes the TV feeding-frenzy over the recent death of a SeaWorld animal-trainer. Also see this piece about the depraved heart of an orca in the NY Times.
It’s popular to talk about the news cycle, etc., etc. Yet, people generally seem fairly uncritical of […]
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Poverty in the Land of the Free
February 25th, 2010 · 15 Comments · Blogs From Left to Right, Economics, Food, Politics
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/25/poverty-in-the-land-of-the-free/’,size:‘large’} In a column on the Huffington Post, Leo Hindery, Jr., a former CEO, writes that 100 million people in America are at or below the official poverty line, which itself is an absurd, unrealistic measure.
I agree that poverty eradication should be a, if not the, top priority in this […]
Tags: poverty
Stratfor’s Top Predictions for the “2010s”
February 24th, 2010 · 3 Comments · Business, China, Economics, Europe, Finance, Globalization, Russia
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/24/stratfors-top-predictions-for-the-next-decade-china-collapse-global-labor-shortages-new-american-dominance/’,size:‘large’} Sam’s always predicting gloom and doom for the US economy (often while mysteriously touting that of Israel). So, I thought I’d share STRATFOR’S TOP PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEXT DECADE: China Collapse, Global Labor Shortages, New American Dominance.
Indeed, the US does face some real issues (not actually mentioned by Business […]
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Facebook strikes again
February 23rd, 2010 · 3 Comments · Uncategorized
var fbShare = {url: ‘http://www.samueljscott.com/2010/02/23/facebook-strikes-again/’,size:‘large’} I would never try to assert that Facebook doesn’t have the authority to censor whatever they want. They’re a private company, and your privacy is signed over the moment you sign up.
Still, when Facebook starts policing groups that advocate for things, it starts to get a little bit strange. […]
Tags: Facebook · Internet · Technology

