How often does the Right thing trump the Profitable thing

I just read an interesting article from Harvard Business Review about how the head of Samuel Adams decided to help out his "competition" by selling them hops at the same discounted rate that they had negotiated with their suppliers.

To me this really made me think: "How often do businesses do the right thing over doing the profitable thing". Also, what defines the right thing?

I think that in our society this type of thing doesn't happen very often because businesses are very cutthroat but I think that in some cases the right thing is also the right thing for the business. Not only would it be great PR but realistically it may help the company long term.

Very interesting

Tough Call: YouTube al Qaeda Videos

Joe Lieberman has called on YouTube to remove al Qaeda videos. My first reaction was yeah they should be removed. After considering it though, I am not so sure. I believe that YouTube absolutely has the right to remove the videos if they deem them to be against their policies, I am just not sure that a Senator should be pushing the issue. Although, I don't like to see al Qaeda have this type of video available on YouTube, it has some resemblence to the beginnings of the McCarthy era.

We must protect the people and the country but we also must protect our rights as Americans otherwise what are we really protecting?

Southern Border

I have had many conversations about securing the southern border of the U.S. with friends and colleagues. I have told them time and time again, that I have no issue with workers coming in to the U.S. to work. Give all the immigrants paperwork to get in once you have verified who they are. I have heard many say that they don't think a fence or personnel along the border is justified. My argument has always been that we need to secure it against people who mean to do us harm.

I just read this article: Drug Cartels to Mexican Police: 'Join Us or Die'. Pretty much drug cartels are proving the the Mexican authorities are no match for them. The police and soldiers are outnumbered and outgunned. Can Mexico seriously police the border region? No.

With that said, I am not exactly sure how we can continue to seriously argue the point of securing the border. Mexico is unable to secure the region. I think that the U.S. is foolish to not lock down our southern border. Not to keep immigrants out but to keep drug cartels, terrorists, and others who mean harm out of the country.

Worst is Over!

Alan Greenspan claims that the worst of the credit crunch is over. He may be right but I am not sure that the saga is over yet. I truly believe that many more lenders and consumer are going to suffer the wrath. I also believe that before all is said and done that Congress is going to "intervene" with new regulations on that industry.

I also find it interesting that Greenspan denies that he had anything to do with the housing bubble by lowering interest rates. I am no economic genius but it sure seems to me like the purpose of lowering the rates was to get people to go out and finance things (maybe like homes) in order to build up the economy. Amazingly, the housing industry took off right after that. Then as interest rates started to rise things started to come crashing down. I would have a difficult time not tying those things together in some fashion.

Be careful of the bubbles. Want to see the next one... look at the gas pump.

Not quite sure about Global Warming

My contention with the global warming theories and greenhouse effects is that we don't know enough to jump to conclusions. We are still learning how climate changes work and why they happen. We can't even predict what the weather is going to be like in 2 days but some claim they know what is going to happen in 50 or 100 years. I just found an article that demonstrates that we are still learning and should stop going off of assumptions. You what assuming does right?

Cold Water Thrown on Antarctic Warming Predictions

**Side Note: Did you see that the "man-made" ozone hole is actually serving a benefit in Antarctica? Kind of humorous.

Anyway, I think that we need to spend a lot more time getting to understand the earth and how it works before we going jumping to conclusions.

The First Decent Presidental Campaign News in Months: Rice for VP

Well, who knows if it will happen or not but I must say it would be welcome news to me. Condi may actually be thinking about the VP spot with McCain. This would actually give the ticket a more conservative credential and a few battling points against the second coming of Obama.

I have a huge amount of respect for Condi and I hope that McCain and Condi get together and consider how much stronger the ticket will be if they can work together.

Here's hoping.

Dan Senor: Condoleezza Rice Is Pursuing the VP Spot

Left wings talking heads

I find it amazing that the biggest talking heads on the Left's talk radio circuit have been Stuart Smalley, I mean Al Franken, and Randi Rhodes.

Franken is a comedian whose "fame" is from Saturday Night Live. He had a few parts that were somewhat funny but does that make him a political pundit or Senator?!?!

Then you have Rhodes. A potty mouthed comedian that got on the radio by being a shock jock.

Air America Host Suspended for Clinton Remarks

Pretty impressive names!! Nice work Air America.

Bush: US Must "Get Off Oil"

Well I must admit that I really was a Bush supporter some time ago. I am not a Bush basher now but I must say that he has proven to not do much of anything over the last 3 years in office.

Now he makes the statement that US must "Get off Oil". Really?? What has your adminstration and the Republican congress that you had for SO long done to solve the energy issues in the United States? Nothing. Can you show me the energy policy that your administration has been using? Oh no... there wasn't one. Now as a lame duck President you make an obvious statement without any need to back it up.

Bush: US Must "Get Off Oil"

I am tired of politicians who are so great at policy decisions except when they actually have to make them. Luckily the capitalist economy in this country will provide for the problem without the politicians getting involved.

Democrats have problems voting in Ohio

Well here we go again... voting irregularities in Ohio and amazingly Bush wasn't on the ticket. The Democrats have a word for not seeing the desired outcome of voting... Voting Irregularities.

Clinton, Obama camps see voting problems

I think this is becoming just a bit like the boy who cried wolf. If everytime a Democrat doesn't see the desired result they call it an irregularity and then file suit I think that it might start to become just a little suspicious.

But what can you expect from the party who introduced the super-delegate process. We think that the aristocracy should have more a say than the people.

Strange Views

I was just listening to the radio and the old song "War" by Edwin Starr was on. The lyrics are very sad in my opinion but I think that tie into today's politics.

"War, huh, yeah... What is it good for....Absolutely nothing"

Absolutely nothing? Interesting viewpoint. I am glad that the founding fathers of the United States didn't believe that. I bet that the French are glad that we didn't believe that during the 1940's. I would bet that the people of Kuwait are glad that we don't believe that.

Now, are wars good? The answer is yes and no. That is because although they cause destruction they are also necessary to deal with problems. When humans are no longer evil then I believe that wars will no longer be necessary until then it is a necessary part of the human existance.

Unfortunately, I hear a lot of politicians singing the same lyrics in their speeches. That to me is very scary. A country who believes that war is not good for anything is going to a punching bag.

Nothing Better To Do

So here we are. We have troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. The economy appears to be headed for recession. We have shootings every other week in a school somewhere. We are in the middle of the war against terrorism in the world. And what is your congresman doing? Trying to indict Roger Clemens!! Everything going on and Congress is interfering in baseball??

What ever happened to the concept of limited federal government that the Constitution described? The government has gotten so bad that they now are overseeing Major League Baseball. What's next? Investigate the use of non-USGA golf balls on the PGA? Maybe they could investigate how to get a real playoff in college football.

WAKE UP PEOPLE... This is NOT something that the morons in Washington D.C. should be doing!!!

Interesting Inflation Information

Now mind you I am not a Ron Paul fanatic or anything crazy like that but it does make me wonder how the Chairman of the Fed can watch gold, silver, oil, foreign currencies soar and then with a straight face say inflation is in check. It is because they only watch price indexes not the value of hard assets. For centuries gold was a standard because it's value didn't change. Now amazingly, it's price is skyrocketing but there is no inflation?

Here is an interesting article about the current economic situation:
Confidence Plunges, Inflation Rate Soars

I also find it kind of interesting that it never fails that the economy becomes a huge issue in every Presidential election cycle. Amazing how that cycle works.

Imagine That!

For quite some time I have been extremely skeptical of the global warming theories. I would agree that for a time frame the earth may have been getting warmer. My contention is that there are cycles that cause this to happen. Obviously, there was a pretty large global warming phenomenon after the Ice Age. We have such a small sample of real temperature data and I don't believe that we can accurately predict the temperatures of the past so how can we truly predict what is happening. We can't even predict tomorrow's weather but people contend that they can predict the next 20-100 years.

Anyway, guess what the statistics are now showing... global cooling. Amazing, the ice sheets are falling into the water. Why would that happen? Maybe for the same reason that you put ice in your drink to cool it down. Now, let's say the temperatures of the oceans fall. Being that they cover 75+% of the earth what affect will that have? It would more than likely cool down the earth. Could it possibly be a regulating feature of the earth for the warm/cool periods?

Here are a couple of articles:

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

Forget global warming: Welcome to the new Ice Age

Now, I am no scientist who is making huge money from the governments of the world (hint...hint) but it sure seems like the gravytrain maybe nearing the station. My recommendation... grants for the science of the disasters that will be caused by the next Ice Age. Sounds like a multi-billion dollar research study and market for the smart scientist.

Politically Homeless: Lack of a Candidate

I am currently in a position where I feel like my principles are making it so that I don't even want to vote. The Republicans are looking like they are going to select a very moderate John McCain (albeit not as "moderate" as Guiliani). The Democrats are fight over who can become more liberal.

I hear tons of people saying that conservatives should support John McCain because he is a Republican. I have also heard that we should vote for McCain to keep Hillary out of office. I am not convinced of this approach to voting.

First of all, I think McCain probably has a better shot against Hillary than Obama. Hillary and McCain are both closer to center than any of the other candidates and there is a lot of people who do not want the Clintons in office again. Due to the fact that Hillary and McCain agree on quite a few issues independent and moderate Democrats could possibly vote for McCain. Many conservatives will hold their nose and vote for McCain to "keep Hillary out".

As for the other, argument that we should vote for the Republican candidate. I have also heard that the conservatives are tearing the party apart by fighting McCain. First of all, I am in principle a libertarian conservative and by current necessity I typically will lean toward Republican candidates. That does NOT imply that I really care that much about the Republican party. As the Republicans continue to move to the left, I will hope that another option presents itself (maybe the conservative or Reagan party). Anyway, my point is that I am a conservative first and a Republican distant second so the argument that I should vote for McCain and that I should fall in line sounds like something the Democrats want - Don't ask questions just fall in line. Above and beyond that should I really throw my principles out the window and support McCain?

I am not quite sure what I will decide. I can honestly say that I won't be voting for Obama or Hillary, but if I vote for McCain it will definitely be with my nose plugged.

First Amendment

I am so tired of hearing how the first amendment says that cross can not be displayed, how prayer isn't allowed, or how religious groups can't use school facilities. In case you are a modern liberal and haven't actually read the First Amendment it says the following about religion:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"

I think that the key point is "Or Prohibit the Free Exercise thereof". To me that would mean that I can exercise my religion and that the government doesn't have the right to tell me that I can't. So if they say I can't pray somewhere, I think that would go against the 1st Amendment not vice versa.

But as usual liberals, activist judges and atheist groups don't actually let the facts get in the way!

Yet another book!

I am going to say that Bush is not my favorite President but I also do not believe that he is the worst. Now that said, on with my thought.

It amazes me how many "former" aides to the President have seized on the current hate Bush market to make some money. Everyone that has ever worked in the Bush White House is either on a speaking circuit or selling a book about how they knew better.

Now, the former Press Secretary is writing a book in which he blames push for the Scooter Libby issue.

Former Aide Blames Bush for Leak Deceit

I am not sure if any of this information that all of the former aides is releasing is true or not. I would really question motives when each one of them is set to make a pretty decent amount of money for selling the books or giving the speeches.

Also, what ever happened to the stateman's honor and dignity where former aides and politicians showed each other respect? It has become a complete free for all. Unfortunately, I don't see it getting better any time soon.

Sarkozy stays in the fight

Normally, I am not all that interested in politics in France or much of Europe (yeah I'm the typical uninformed American). That said this fight that Sarkozy is fighting is very interesting to me.

I am an unabashed capitalist. I believe that the free markets for the most part are better than government at almost everything. So to me it is an education on Socialism's effects to look at France. Now, Sarkozy is attempting to fight many of the problems with Socialism with the cure - Capitalism. It appears that the Socialists are going to attempt to fight back.

I was just reading an article on the BBC website that is discussing the current state of affairs and it seems like the first real battle is going to be hard fought.

I really hope that Sarkozy is successful but I think that he is in for a long fight and will probably get a few bruises.

France's Current Issues

It looks like Nicolas Sarkozy may really be in for a battle in France. He is attempting to bring back some market sanity into a very socialized country. Of course, reform is not going to be easy and some people are going to find it extremely difficult because they are going to be expected to change.

The country currently has regulations that completely protect employees from losing their jobs. They have craddle to grave protections on pretty much everything. They also have serious economic problems. I think that most economists would say that deregulation would drastically help their economic problems. With all of the regulations, the companies can't be competitive which is causing a lot of their issues.

I believe that many of the battles Sarkozy is facing are some of the same battles that the Iron Lady - Margaret Thatcher faced in the UK in the 1980's. Many of her reforms were aren't all that popular at the time but history shows that it has been good for the country in the longer term.

Will history reflect as kindly on Sarkozy or will he just get derailed and get thrown out? It will be interesting to see Socialism fight Capitalism.

They admitted it!!

I was amazed when I recently read an article about the U.N. announcing that they have drastically overestimated the number of AIDS cases in the world. They cut the number by 40%!!!

Anyway that's not what amazed me. What did amaze me was two statements that were made in the article with very little emphasis.

1. "Having millions fewer people with a lethal contagious disease is good news. Some researchers, however, contend that persistent overestimates in the widely quoted U.N. reports have long skewed funding decisions and obscured potential lessons about how to slow the spread of HIV. Critics have also said that U.N. officials overstated the extent of the epidemic to help gather political and financial support for combating AIDS."

2. "There was a tendency toward alarmism, and that fit perhaps a certain fundraising agenda," said Helen Epstein

Both statements amazed me because they are so true. The U.N. has really only been concerned about fundraising not about actually solving the problem. This is the very nature of government.

There are so many "crisises" in the world that follow this same approach. First, the "scientists" yell that the sky is falling. They ask for funding to research the problem. They ask for funding to find the solution. When the funding and interest dwindle, they either yell that it is much worse than orignally thought or they find something else to yell about (i.e. get money for) .

Global Warming, AIDS crisis, world hunger, endangered species, avian flu, SARS, etc. Not that any of these items don't have a seed of truth but everyone is blown out of proportion in order to gain funding without doing the necessary research.

To best understand the issue... Follow the money!

So many experts

Why is it that every one who leaves the White House immediately has to go on a speaking circuit and disagree with the current policies?

I was just reading Colin Powell's statements about not attacking Iran. He said that Iran is a long way from a nuclear weapon and that the U.S. doesn't have the support to attack Iran.

Powell: Iran far from nuclear weapon

While I respect Mr. Powell's opinion, doesn't it seem convienent that after a few years of being out of office now he has the answers? The media believed he didn't know anything when the Iraq conflict came up. Now after he hasn't had access to current intelligence, we are going to publish how much he knows.

Or could it be that he is being published because he has an opposing view? Or could it be he has an opposing view because they will publish it? Running for VP?

I think it is definitely open to speculation.