No mention in his bio, I see, of the valiant attempts to set the country back 50 years as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates -- for example, he voted against legislation which would have made MLK Day as a state holiday in VA. The Ryan Liza piece is really worth reading for those who haven't.

Posted at May 5, 2006 3:33 PM in response to Credentials?

Don't forget the commentary of Princeton economist Alan Krueger. [warning: link goes to pdf] He writes:

Studies that claim to find a deleterious effect of immigration on natives’ wages are typically based on theoretical predictions, not actual experience. These theoretical predictions are very sensitive to their underlying assumptions, which are often controversial. Existing theoretical predictions typically do not factor in relevant consequences of immigration, such as an increase in demand for goods and services produced in the U.S. that results from greater demand due to immigrants. They also do not account for entrepreneurship of immigrants.

Posted at April 18, 2006 9:36 AM in response to Another Academic Food Fight

Here's what you argued:

Musicians have "alternative sources of revenue" only once they have sold enough CDs to keep making music while building an audience that will buy millions of T-shirts, stadium tickets, etc.

If a musician has to start off giving away his work for free, it will be immensely difficult to attain that level of support.

Regarding the first line, it seems that to you, the only musicians with "alternative sources of revenue" are those that can sell a "millions of T-shirts" or fill a stadium.  The number of bands that can fill a stadium or sell a couple of million T-shirts is very, very small.  Are you saying that every other band out there makes no money off touring or T-shirt sales? Please.

(Both Bright Eyes singles are available for download on their website.) 

Posted at June 28, 2005 1:28 PM in response to What's At Stake

I think China, or more specifically, the strained US-China relationship, is being overlooked.  The US influence on Chinese economic policy is deciedly waning -- can the same be said for any political influence the US may have? 

How, if at all,  do the escalating tensions regarding the renminbi and textile quotas affect China's behavior at the bargaining table with North Korea? 

Posted at June 28, 2005 12:13 PM in response to The Road to Pyongyang

I agree that bands build loyalties through touring; they just also, especially in the early stages, give some of their music away online.  I clicked on a few random bands through the Black Cat site, every single one had at least one mp3 to download on their website. 

I'm not trying to argue copyright policy -- I haven't really made up my mind on the subject.  I'm just trying to argue with thenotion -- foolish, I think -- that any band would be crazy to give any of its music away.  The internet and downloading have helped music -- and more than a few bands reach some degree of success. 

Posted at June 28, 2005 11:52 AM in response to What's At Stake

Most bands are not famous bands.  Just like most writers are not famous writers and most actors are not famous actors.  Your reading my statement "most bands..." as "most famous bands..." is ludicrous. 

By the way, Bright Eyes held both the number one and two spots on the Billboard Top 100 Singles last November. 

Posted at June 28, 2005 10:47 AM in response to What's At Stake

Off the top of my head, Bright Eyes.

Posted at June 28, 2005 9:12 AM in response to What's At Stake

I disagree -- most bands build a fanbase exactly by giving away their music for free early in their music careers.  By posting music on the internet for free, musicians are able to entice listeners to give the music a try they might not have if the music came with $19 price tag.
  

Posted at June 28, 2005 7:14 AM in response to What's At Stake

The Economist on Bush's Social Security "plan":

Well, Bush has managed to screw up just about everything in his presidency, and the details for his plan are dubious at best.  But, ideologically, we agree with the general idea of privatization, so go forth Mr. Bush, you have our blessing!

(Okay, so I paraphrased.  You get the idea.)

I still read The Economist every week though.  There international reporting is tough to beat (at least here in the States.) 

Posted at June 21, 2005 4:00 PM in response to No Ideas?

I was unclear, sorry.  I'm an not looking to buy a home (I can barely afford my books), I'm looking for information, preferably a survey of the mortgage market (i.e., the break down between the mortgages of different duration, amount of fixed vs. flexible interest rates, et cetera).

Posted at June 14, 2005 6:34 AM in response to Forty year mortgages: credit boon or debt bust?