The malware arms race continues apace. First, the bad guys hid malware on innocent websites, hoping to infect casual web users. Next, Google and Yahoo rode to the rescue, using their spiders to find infected websites and warn web users away from the malware. Now the bad guys have made their countermove. They’re deploying software […]
Archive | 2010
Contingent Convertible Debt
Many commentators have raised the idea of requiring banks and financial institutions to issue contingent convertible debt that can be converted to equity as a sort of pre-set form of re-capitalization in case of trouble. Greg Mankiw has said that it is his favorite idea in financial regulation reform. He has pointed to reports that […]
Ouch!
From United States v. Kitsch (which I blogged about shortly before this order was issued), an order from the judge: AND NOW, this 3rd day of October, 2008, upon consideration of the Government’s proposed jury instructions (docket entry # 122) and it not having escaped the Court’s attention that the Government inexplicably ignored our ruling […]
Trinity University Keeping “Year of Our Lord” in Its Diplomas
From yesterday’s resolution by the Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees affirms that it is appropriate, given this institution’s heritage and culture, that the words “in the year of our Lord” remain on diplomas conferred by this Board. Trinity University calls upon the larger community to respect, honor, and embrace all members of the […]
Cross Memorials on Government Land
A question raised by Prof. Mark Scarberry on a discussion list I’m on, and mentioned in some of the briefs in the Salazar v. Buono Sunrise Rock cross case pending before the Court right now. These two crosses stand in Arlington Cemetery, and were put up in the 1920s through the efforts of the Canadian […]
Spock Retires
Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek series and movies, is apparently retiring, and hanging up his famous Vulcan ears: Leonard Nimoy, the actor who has famously portrayed “Star Trek’s” original alien Spock for over 40 years, has announced he’s officially hanging up the pointy Vulcan ears for good. Nimoy, 79, […]
Indictment for Chat Room Posts Urging Particular People to Commit Suicide
The Minneapolis Star Tribune: William Melchert-Dinkel, 47 …. was charged … with two counts of aiding suicide…. [He] allegedly used Internet correspondence to prod [two people] into killing themselves…. Like most other states, Minnesota has a law that punishes anyone who “intentionally advises, encourages, or assists” others with suicide…. According to authorities, Melchert-Dinkel advised and […]
Would the Public Support “Cap and Refund”?
I’ve never been convinced that “cap and trade” is more politically viable than a rebated carbon tax. I believe a relatively simple, transparent policy of taxing carbon but rebating the revenues to consumers is more appealing than an overly complex regulatory scheme that is difficult to understand, particularly if the latter approach will also increase […]
The SEC Split Over Goldman
The Washington Post has an interesting story on the 3-2 split on the Securities and Exchange Commission over whether to file charges against Goldman Sachs. According to the story, Republican appointees Kathleen Casey (a former Hill aide) and Washington Univeristy law professor Troy Paredes, “were skeptical that the evidence showed that Goldman had misled its […]
The Parked Mustang Test of Environmental Progress
Via Henry Payne comes this fun factoid: “the 1970 Ford Mustang pollutes more parked in a driveway than a 2010 Mustang does traveling down the road.”
Forthcoming TNR Piece on Human Rights Watch
Word on the street is that the next issue of The New Republic will have an extensive investigative article on Human Rights Watch and its hostility to Israel, written by young journalist named Ben Birnbaum. On cue, Philip Weiss of Mondoweiss–a Nation Institute sponsored anti-Israel and often anti-Jewish blog (really, how many “introspective” posts by […]
Bloggers think Repubs should associate with Tea Party. Disagree on whether independent run would help Crist
“How closely should the Republican Party align itself with the Tea Party movement?” In this week’s National Journal poll of political bloggers, 65% of the Left and 78% of the Right says “somewhat” or “very” closely. However, the Left was mostly “very” while the Right favored “somewhat.” My answer had less to do with the […]
Obama Administration to Appeal in National Day of Prayer Case
So reports the AP; thanks to How Appealing for the pointer. For more on the decision, see here. Unsurprising, but I thought it was noteworthy, especially since it seems likely the case will get mentioned in the Supreme Court confirmation debates.
Deadly Force in Self-Defense Constitutionally Protected, Nondeadly Force Unprotected?
From People v. Srnec (Mich. Ct. App. Jan. 26, 2010) (italics added): Defendant next argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new trial and to dismiss because the Second Amendment safeguarding the right to bear arms affords every citizen a right of self-defense against unlawful arrest or seizure. Defendant claims […]
Iceland Jokes
Reported by Michael Rubin (The Corner): [1. I]t was the Icelandic economy’s last wish that its ashes be scattered over the EU. [2.] Iceland goes bankrupt, then it manages to set itself on fire. This has insurance scam written all over it.