To summarize: the members of Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board are too old, too uninspiring and too much part of the problem to deliver the change America needs and to keep alive the hope that Obama may have inspired through his election. A wasted opportunity.
(From FT.com | Willem Buiter’s Maverecon.) That sucks, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I’m prepared for more of the same in other political arenas, albeit with a flashier presentation than we’re used to. Buiter does overstep a bit in dismissing all lawyers outright, but in general he’s right that there aren’t enough serious economists on the team – especially given the significance of today’s crisis. And the number of protectionists on the board seems at odds with a need for a Bretton Woods III, as John B. Judis puts it. (I highly recommend this last article; it puts aspects of global economics of the last century into sharp perspective.)
Developed a couple rolls from the Nikon F and the Lubitel (after the jump). I recommend hitting the fullscreen button on the slideshows to eliminate crunchy jpeg compression: Read the rest of this entry »
November 17, 2008 at 12:39 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
It seems the only dreams I ever have (or at least remember) are exceedingly mundane. For example, last night I had a dream I was in a cafeteria (like a generic Luby’s) with a few friends. All I remember is sitting at the table, then getting up to fill my tray with food, and I apparently was trying very hard to decide on an entree. For once, I didn’t want any meat dish, so a baked potato was really my only option. I had to decide on my two veggies, which was very difficult. The lady recommended the cauliflower, which I thought sounded nice, and I was going to choose mashed potatoes until I remembered my entree choice. Now what? Broccoli? I woke up before the suspense could kill me.
What do your dreams say about you? Mine tell me I’m a simpleton.
I’ve railed against RFK, Jr.’s conspiracy-theorist, anti-science, anti-vaccine ways before, as have many others. I only hope someone on Obama’s team is reading some science blogs out there. According to the WSJ, RFK Jr. is one of the names being considered for new EPA Chief (thanks to Orac for the heads-up):
So who’s on the short list? Plenty of names, starting with environmental lawyer and activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., according to Politico. That doesn’t have too many environmental types very happy—beyond Mr. Kennedy’s prior adventures in linking vaccines and autism, or opposing offshore wind power, many fear he doesn’t have the managerial expertise to handle a sprawling agency that will only get bigger.
As the WSJ suggests, an RFK, Jr. appointment would be a big mistake, and certainly wouldn’t indicate ‘change’ from a previous administration that was decidedly anti-science and anti-evdience. I’ll join Orac’s call to drop a line to Obama’s team and let them know you oppose this appointment.
I’ve been pondering whether or not to go see the Rothko exhibit at the Tate Modern, and a good recommendation led me to this excellent BBC doc on the artist:
Previously ambivalent about the artist and his work, I now can’t get to the exhibit fast enough. I will definitely be going this weekend. I feel very lucky that it’s within walking distance.
I have to admit, Nabokov’s Mary started a bit slow. I kept rolling back a chapter every week or so without ever pushing over the halfway hump. But I picked up two new books at a used book sale today (the oft-recommended One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love; I didn’t intend such a titular dichotomy, they just happened to be the first two books I laid eyes on), and I needed to finish the one before starting the others. I had no idea that over that halfway hump would be a fairly suspenseful downhill ride through a nostalgic first-love story, one that ends in an unexpected way. As enamored as I am with Nabokov’s dark and poignant character studies, I’m happy to move on to other, non-Russian authors for a while.
Hope everyone had a great Halloween. As an homage to my roots, and not a little because of laziness and lack of costume funds, I went as a cowboy. I saw a few Sarah Palins, but no McCains or Obamas. I hear you’re having an election over there soon, eh?
I’m also not yet accustomed to the lack of daylight around this time of year in this place. I think I’m going to need one of those special lights that replicates sunlight. My lack of energy is unprecedented. It’s no wonder they drink so much tea over here.
On the plus side, my flatmate and I bought a bunch of fresh veggies and handmade cheese tortellini at Borough Market this weekend, and the rustic tomato, mushroom and shallot sauce was one of the best I’ve ever made. As Gordon Ramsay says, there’s no substitute for fresh ingredients. Well, he probably says that with at least three epithets in there.
By the way, the razor brand Schick over here is called Wilkinson’s Sword.
Blendor is run by a guy named Ali in Austin, Texas. It fits neatly in the Photography / Politics / Health Care / Music / Technology / Miscellany category.
