Over the past week or so, young unemployed would-be workers in France have been protesting and rioting...again. This time, the unions are joining them, so there are more than 1 million people marching in the streets of Paris.
For some reason, they believe that if they march long enough, burn enough cars, and gain enough media exposure, they will get their way. Unfortunately, this time, they are wrong. France cannot afford to cave in on the most recent expected changes to their labor laws, which will loosen restricitons on firing employees within their first two years of employment. The French aren't having anything to do with that. What they don't realize is that if an employer can more easily fire an employee, they are more likely to hire workers, which they are not currently doing.
The unemployment rate among those aged 25-54 has averaged 10% per year over the past 10 years. If you look at the unemployment rate among 15-24 year olds (keep in mind, unemployed means that someone is actively seeking employment but can't find a job) is nearly 25%.
For years, we in America have heard how sophisticated the French employment situation is; they work less, have more benefits, and are generally happier. If that was in fact true, it is entirely more ominous now.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Trip to China
Recently, in a rare showing of bipartisianship, Sens. Charles Schumer of NY and Lindsay Graham of SC have been threatening a 27.5% tariff on all Chinese imports, unless China allows its currency (the yuan), to float freely. The Christian Science Monitor even alluded to the fact that this must be a politically important issue if it is crossing the partisian divide.
This is no mystery, folks. Textile interests in the South and Labor interests in the North, both want to see fewer Chinese imports and more American exports. This is not some ideological showing of comraderie. This is just politics, and it is not even unexpected.
You see, China knows something neither of the Senators seems to know: If we impose such a tariff, it will not be good for either country. In fact, protectionism, and the subsequent trade wars, were a major cause of the Great Depression. Let's not repeat it, folks!
This is no mystery, folks. Textile interests in the South and Labor interests in the North, both want to see fewer Chinese imports and more American exports. This is not some ideological showing of comraderie. This is just politics, and it is not even unexpected.
You see, China knows something neither of the Senators seems to know: If we impose such a tariff, it will not be good for either country. In fact, protectionism, and the subsequent trade wars, were a major cause of the Great Depression. Let's not repeat it, folks!
Climate Change
Recent scientific studies suggest that the earth is embarking upon a warming trend, which could cause the seas to rise by 16 to 20 feet, mirroring a similar warming trend 120,000 years ago.
While the warming trend 120,000 years ago is believed to be caused by the Earth tilting within its orbit, the current warming trend is believed to be caused by increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, ostensibly from industrial emissions.
I don't believe there is much debate about whether we may be experiencing a warming trend, but I believe the debate occurs in what we must do to prevent this, or if it can be prevented at all. Reducing emmissions will likely cause hundreds of millions of people around the world to continue to live in abject poverty, which may have been preventable through industrialization. However, hundreds of millions more may lose their homes as the sea rises.
Further, what if we are in a warming trend, but carbon dioxide (CO2) emmissions don't play a significant part? What if warming is ocurring for largely the same reason it ocurred 120,000 years ago? Then all of our emmission reduction plans are for naught and the industrialized world would have subjected the developing world to living in poverty without any difference in results.
These are great questions (in my humble opinion (IMHO)), that aren't being discussed and debated because of a fanatical devotion on both sides.
While the warming trend 120,000 years ago is believed to be caused by the Earth tilting within its orbit, the current warming trend is believed to be caused by increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, ostensibly from industrial emissions.
I don't believe there is much debate about whether we may be experiencing a warming trend, but I believe the debate occurs in what we must do to prevent this, or if it can be prevented at all. Reducing emmissions will likely cause hundreds of millions of people around the world to continue to live in abject poverty, which may have been preventable through industrialization. However, hundreds of millions more may lose their homes as the sea rises.
Further, what if we are in a warming trend, but carbon dioxide (CO2) emmissions don't play a significant part? What if warming is ocurring for largely the same reason it ocurred 120,000 years ago? Then all of our emmission reduction plans are for naught and the industrialized world would have subjected the developing world to living in poverty without any difference in results.
These are great questions (in my humble opinion (IMHO)), that aren't being discussed and debated because of a fanatical devotion on both sides.
Sub-Prime Lending
Sub-Prime lending is a term which means lending to individuals who are generally lower income or who have bad credit. According the the Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0324/p02s01-usec.html), this market accounts for approximately 19% of all originated home loans. This group, which has seen non-performing loans decline for nearly 7 straight years is starting to see an increase. Foreclosures are up 68%. Loans which are 30 days late have increased from 5.4 to 7.1%. This is not a good sign for the housing market.
This is probably being caused by two things: first, interest rates are starting to rise, putting pressure on some of these loans, and peoples' abilities to refinance them; and second, housing prices are getting too expensive. People are qualifying for larger loans that they can not afford.
The typical calls for regulation, federal laws, etc. are coming from community housing activists, but this will only lead to fewer low-income residents getting home loans in the first place. Do some people get taken advantage of? Of course, this happens in all kinds of situations. However, inserting regulations will only serve to reduce supply, thereby making these loans much harder to come by, and preventing other people who would qualify for these loans and don't have financial difficulty managing them, from being able to purchase a home. Philisophically, I am against adding regulation, but it is not something that would likely hurt me personally; only the millions who will no longer be able to purchase a home because lenders can't afford to lend to them.
This is probably being caused by two things: first, interest rates are starting to rise, putting pressure on some of these loans, and peoples' abilities to refinance them; and second, housing prices are getting too expensive. People are qualifying for larger loans that they can not afford.
The typical calls for regulation, federal laws, etc. are coming from community housing activists, but this will only lead to fewer low-income residents getting home loans in the first place. Do some people get taken advantage of? Of course, this happens in all kinds of situations. However, inserting regulations will only serve to reduce supply, thereby making these loans much harder to come by, and preventing other people who would qualify for these loans and don't have financial difficulty managing them, from being able to purchase a home. Philisophically, I am against adding regulation, but it is not something that would likely hurt me personally; only the millions who will no longer be able to purchase a home because lenders can't afford to lend to them.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Russian Spying
Over the past several days, some very shocking and damaging reports have been issued, implicating Russia on spying on the US prior to its invasion of Iraq, including placing sources in US Central Command (CENTCOM), and passing this intelligence off to Iraqi intelligence and officials. If this is correct, this could substantially change our relationship with the man whom our President "could see inside his soul." The truth of the matter would be, our President played poker with the Russian president and lost.
It is even being reported that the Russian ambassadors stole secret Iraqi documents on their way out of the country prior to the 2003 invasion.
Russia is denying these reports, of course, but the implications are startling. Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security council. They are not exactly on our side negotiating with Iran, nor the new Hamas government in Pakistan.
Are they helping us or damaging our national security at every turn?
Good question.
It is even being reported that the Russian ambassadors stole secret Iraqi documents on their way out of the country prior to the 2003 invasion.
Russia is denying these reports, of course, but the implications are startling. Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security council. They are not exactly on our side negotiating with Iran, nor the new Hamas government in Pakistan.
Are they helping us or damaging our national security at every turn?
Good question.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Kari's Recent Project
Kari has been a busy girl lately. Recently, she has been making curtains for the nursery. Included are some photos. In addition to the nursery, Kari also made curtains for the kitchen. I will include those at a later day.
Friday, March 17, 2006
One More Nursery Photo
Alright. This should be the last one for now. This is the rocker/ottoman that we bought for Kari. Additionally, you can see the first shower gifts in the background. These are from Dad and Carol. I think it is cute just thinking of my father purchasing a bathing kit for our soon-to-be. We are very thankful and blessed to have such caring family.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Dallas Cowboys to sign TO?
As both of you who read this know, I am a pretty big Dallas Cowboys fan. I used to watch them in their Summer training camp in Thousand Oaks, supported them during their dismal 3-13 and 1-15 seasons in the late 80's, and haven't yet given up on them.
However, now it seems that the Cowboys will be imminently signing Terrell Owens, formally of the Phillidelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. This one seemed a little harder to accept; after all, Owens did celebrate by "desecrating" the star in Texas Stadium as a member of the 49ers.
I have had alot of time to think about this and my perspective is, that if I can remain a loyal Cowboys fan after an ownership change and the firing of Tom Landry (their legendary coach), I can remain a loyal fan through the signing of this dumbbag. After all, he is the best receiver in the game and a fierce competitor. Also, it's not as if the Cowboys have never had a showboating, smack talking, brash receiver. And Owens hasn't even been caught smoking crack with hookers.
However, now it seems that the Cowboys will be imminently signing Terrell Owens, formally of the Phillidelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. This one seemed a little harder to accept; after all, Owens did celebrate by "desecrating" the star in Texas Stadium as a member of the 49ers.
I have had alot of time to think about this and my perspective is, that if I can remain a loyal Cowboys fan after an ownership change and the firing of Tom Landry (their legendary coach), I can remain a loyal fan through the signing of this dumbbag. After all, he is the best receiver in the game and a fierce competitor. Also, it's not as if the Cowboys have never had a showboating, smack talking, brash receiver. And Owens hasn't even been caught smoking crack with hookers.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Nursery Photos
You may think that since I finally figured out how to post photos to my weblog that I have forgotten how to get outraged by what is going on. And temporarily, you are correct. In that light, I have included some more photos from the nursery, this time as it starts to fill up. Hope you enjoy!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
More Ultrasound Pics...
Enjoy! The black spot on top of his head is not hair, it is a shadow because it is outside of the ultrasound waves.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
3D Ultrasound
Today, Kari and I got an ultrasound to once and for all, determine the gender of our now 6 month old growing baby. It is for sure a boy. This will help Kari feel better. Now that I know how to post pictures, they are included with this post.
Have a great week.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
The Caucasus
It started with a "witty" comment regarding defining one's race: "I am an American," he said. "I am not a Caucasian. My ancestors were from Ireland, not the Caucasus."
This got me to thinking, just where are the Caucasus? This thought led to my reading 4 very good, different books on the region situated more or less between Iran and Russia, the Black and Caspian Seas. This is by far the most volatile, war-torn region in the European world, and quite possibly the whole damn thing.
The sparks were set nearly in antiquity, but the overreaching theme has been empire expansion. The turks kicked the Armenians out of what is today eastern Turkey. The Russians attempted to colonize the North Caucasus in the czarist era. But the real flames began with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Without a centralized authority to settle cross-border disputes, or to clamp down on far outposts of their own nation, former Republics began to declare independence and fight their neighbors. This has led to one of the longest running insurgent wars in modern times. It is emblemized by Chechnya and Russia, but you can susbtitute either player with many others in region over the past 15+ years.
Kevin Sites, from Yahoo has been reporting on wars around the globe and is currently in the Caucasus. If you would like to read about some heartbreaking atrocities and at the same time enlighten yourself to some seriously underreported warfare, I suggest you check it out. He does a great job.
This got me to thinking, just where are the Caucasus? This thought led to my reading 4 very good, different books on the region situated more or less between Iran and Russia, the Black and Caspian Seas. This is by far the most volatile, war-torn region in the European world, and quite possibly the whole damn thing.
The sparks were set nearly in antiquity, but the overreaching theme has been empire expansion. The turks kicked the Armenians out of what is today eastern Turkey. The Russians attempted to colonize the North Caucasus in the czarist era. But the real flames began with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Without a centralized authority to settle cross-border disputes, or to clamp down on far outposts of their own nation, former Republics began to declare independence and fight their neighbors. This has led to one of the longest running insurgent wars in modern times. It is emblemized by Chechnya and Russia, but you can susbtitute either player with many others in region over the past 15+ years.
Kevin Sites, from Yahoo has been reporting on wars around the globe and is currently in the Caucasus. If you would like to read about some heartbreaking atrocities and at the same time enlighten yourself to some seriously underreported warfare, I suggest you check it out. He does a great job.
Nursery
As I have shown some of you, our nursery is realling starting to get filled. With about 3 1/2 months left before the expected arrival, we are busy beavers. I am going to attempt to add a photo to this site for the first time. Hopefully, it will be sucessful.
This photo is of the crib in our nursery. It was quite a task to get it into my car, but we were finally able to do it.
Exciting New World
I can't watch Bob Schieffer on CBS evening news any longer. He is by far my favorite anchor (well, Elizabeth Vargas holds a special place in my heart), but every story coming out of his mouth is negative:
The president screwed this up..
Polls say the United States is the devil...
Iraqis dying at an alarming rate...
It reminds me of the old newspaper saying, "if it bleeds, it leads." The new mantra should be that if it isn't bleeding, it doesn't bear repeating. The evening national news is unwatchable.
However, the times in which we are living are extremely exciting. I was reading a column by Robert Samuelson this morning who talked about the likely impact of globalization where he mentioned that within the next 5 years, the middle class will be emerging at an alarming rate in many of the world's fastest growing countries, specifically China, India and Brazil. And despite what US labor unions and other protectionists would have you believe, this is not at the expense of America, only at the expense of America's role as international svengali.
For example, currently, China has a population of approximately 1.3 billion people, of whom roughly 50 million are considered "middle class." This is about 4% of the national population. That means alot of people live in abject poverty, by international standards. This middle class is expected to triple over the next 5 years, bring an additional 100 million people out of this hole of poverty. While this can create some temporary disjointedness, this is a tremendously important demographic. As you are probably aware, nations fight more wars the less they have to lose. Wealth and order creates pragmatists.
Similar trends are also emerging in the other populous nations mentioned (India and Brazil). We need to stay out of the way to keep this trend emerging.
The president screwed this up..
Polls say the United States is the devil...
Iraqis dying at an alarming rate...
It reminds me of the old newspaper saying, "if it bleeds, it leads." The new mantra should be that if it isn't bleeding, it doesn't bear repeating. The evening national news is unwatchable.
However, the times in which we are living are extremely exciting. I was reading a column by Robert Samuelson this morning who talked about the likely impact of globalization where he mentioned that within the next 5 years, the middle class will be emerging at an alarming rate in many of the world's fastest growing countries, specifically China, India and Brazil. And despite what US labor unions and other protectionists would have you believe, this is not at the expense of America, only at the expense of America's role as international svengali.
For example, currently, China has a population of approximately 1.3 billion people, of whom roughly 50 million are considered "middle class." This is about 4% of the national population. That means alot of people live in abject poverty, by international standards. This middle class is expected to triple over the next 5 years, bring an additional 100 million people out of this hole of poverty. While this can create some temporary disjointedness, this is a tremendously important demographic. As you are probably aware, nations fight more wars the less they have to lose. Wealth and order creates pragmatists.
Similar trends are also emerging in the other populous nations mentioned (India and Brazil). We need to stay out of the way to keep this trend emerging.
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