The Great Transformation Part 2: More on Markets
The first two posts in this series are:
The Great Transformation: Mainstream Economics and an Introduction to a New Series
The Great Transformation Part 1: The Market
In Part 1 I discussed the definition of markets in The Great Transformation,…
Time to Get VERY Concerned about CISA Gutting Governmental Leverage on Corporations over Cyber
Back in August, I wrote a post wondering whether the following clause in the Cyber Intelligence Sharing Act would provide a way for corporations to avoid any government action punishing them for their negligence on cybersecurity.
(D) FEDERAL…
James Orenstein Calls Out Jim Comey on His Prevarications about Democracy
At a 10 AM Senate Homeland Security hearing on October 8, Jim Comey read prepared testimony that reiterated his claim that encrypted devices are causing FBI problems, but stated that the Administration is not seeking legislation to do anything…
America's Failed Quagmire
The WaPo has a report providing new (actually conflicting, especially as to start date) details on America's "covert" efforts in Syria.
In all seriousness, Administration officials (some anonymous) and a former Syrian opposition figure told…
Pure Michigan Trash Talk
Michigan's official tourism and advertising campaign has been called "Pure Michigan" for a while now. They do some beautiful advertising that has commercials reaching nationwide, if not world wide. And so it is we go to Pure Michigan for this…
Michael Mosman's Deadlines Raise (More) Questions about the FISC Advocate
In the series of letters purporting to speak for "the judiciary," Director of the Administrative Office of US Courts John Bates and (after Duff replaced him) James Duff expressed concern about how a FISC amicus would affect the timeliness of…
If Ending DOD's Train and Assist Program Is about Returning to Covert Status, Will Congress Get Details?
When Mike Lee, Joe Manchin, Chris Murphy, and Tom Udall wrote the Administration calling for an end to the Syria Train and Equip Program last week, they addressed it to CIA Director John Brennan, along with Defense Secretary Ash Carter (its…
On Same Day Cabinet Decided to Punt on Back Doors, Tim Cook Said NSA Would Stop Asking for Them
The WaPo has an update on the Administration's debate about whether to push for legislation for back doors. It reports that the Obama Administration decided to punt -- and not ask for legislation right now while continuing efforts to cajole…
Obama's Apology Fails to Convince Médecins Sans Frontières DOD's Investigation Is Adequate
I noted yesterday how General John Campbell and Senator Dan Sullivan responded when Jeanne Shaheen raised the possibility of an independent investigation into the attack on the Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Kunduz.
Since that…
The Two Strands of (Non) Accountability on Kunduz
Contrary to much sloppy reporting, General Campbell did not change his story about the Kunduz strike in his testimony Tuesday. As I noted Monday, towards the end of his press conference that day, Campbell admitted, "Afghans asked for air support…
The Great Transformation Part 1: The Market
The Great Transformation by Karl Polanyi opens with a discussion of the changes in industrial societies in the 1920-30, which he says wiped out the social structures of the 19th Century. His explanation of that change begins with a history…
General Campbell Not a Fan of an Independent Investigation into MSF Strike [Updated]
General John Campbell, who is in charge of military operations in Afghanistan testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday. There was a telling exchange between him and Jeanne Shaheen.
After talking about how much everyone…
The Roger Goodell Fraud and Stupidity in Seattle's End Zones
Most all who read this blog already know the patent bogosity that is #Deflategate. But, Roger Goodell, on behalf of the entire National Football League, relentlessly and petulantly screams that not only is the ginned up horse manure worthy of…
Afghan Forces Asked US Special Forces on the Ground in Kunduz To Call In Strike on Médecins Sans Frontières
As a lot of outlets are reporting, the head of Special Forces in Afghansistan, General John Campbell, just "corrected" the original claims DOD made after the deadly strike on the Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Kunduz that US Special…
Loretta Lynch's Hot and Cold Running Data-Sharing
[See update below: Lynch says she didn't mean how these statements came out.]
It's bad enough that Attorney General Loretta Lynch refuses to force police to keep records on how many people they kill.
In a conversation with NBC journalist…
Did Sheriff Hanlin Know of Christopher Harper Mercer before His Massacre?
I read this passage -- from the Sheriff in charge of the investigation into the mass killing by Christopher Harper Mercer the other day -- several times.
Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told reporters it wouldn’t be strange for someone…
Is Russia Eliminating America's Material Support for Terrorism Problem
In this post, Moon of Alabama linked to this Jerusalem Post article, which says more plainly what a number of people admit obliquely: Qatar and Saudi Arabia are funding the Nusra Front.
The Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al- Qaida, which…
Hurricane Trash
Apparently there is a big blowhard on the eastern seaboard (no, not talking about Rep. Peter King this time) and it goes by the moniker of Hurricane Joaquin. Another one of those storms of the century...or threats that are petering out...depending…
Saudis and Americans Disagree Over Whether US Is Involved in Targeting in Yemen
I noted earlier that Saudi Arabia had expressed concern about civilian casualties -- when Russia caused them.
Which is why the conflict between these two statements is so interesting. Here's Saudi Foreign Minister (and former Ambassador to…
The Great Transformation: Mainstream Economics and an Introduction to a New Series
I’m on the road, but fortunately finished with the If this is Tuesday it must be Brussels part, so back to my usual posting.
Joseph Stiglitz has written several books on inequality recently, The Great Divide: Unequal Societies and What…