Category Archives: Musings

Independence Day Celebration

Posted on July 3, 2020 by wcoats

As we listen carefully to the current criticisms of America, we should see them in the context of the wonderful features of our nation that continue to attract tens of thousands of the world’s best and brightest to become Americans … Continue reading →

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Goodbye 2019 (and good riddance)

Posted on December 30, 2019 by wcoats

As 2019 and the decade of the 20 teens comes to a close, the impeachment of Donald Trump, only the third President impeached in the history of the United States, dominates the headlines.  My hope (I am a crazy optimist) … Continue reading →

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Black Marks in our History

Posted on October 20, 2019 by wcoats

On October 16, I attended a meeting of the Committee for the Republic at which “Defender of Liberty Awards” where presented to Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayahsi, Minoru Yasui, and Mitsuye Endo for their bravery and perseverance in defending freedom in … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination, Musings, racism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Where does the desire to explore come from?

Posted on August 10, 2019 by wcoats

Long ago I had the pleasure of introducing a young friend to types of food he hadn’t tasted before.  He was quite comfortable with his American style hot dog and hamburger meals and wasn’t certain he wanted to try new … Continue reading →

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Alex Jones

Posted on August 10, 2018 by wcoats

Alex Jones and his Infowars website have been removed and banned from YouTube, Facebook, Apple, and Spotify among the most popular social media platforms.  As of this moment, Twitter claims to be reviewing CNN claims that Jones and Infowars violate … Continue reading →

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What is wrong with PC?

Posted on November 11, 2015 by wcoats

Almost five years ago I wrote about political correctness (PC, politeness and caondor): https://wcoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/pc-politeness-and-candor/. In short, I said that what would normally be considered “good manners,” — values and behavior of free individuals– was becoming a stifling imposition of expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Musings, News and politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

My coldest winter since Chicago

Posted on February 23, 2015 by wcoats

Climate change is a politically charged subject. This makes it more difficult for us layman to evaluate the arguments over what is happening and expected to happen to temperatures (i.e. to know who to trust). “Climate change” is a more … Continue reading →

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A Citizen confronts the Bureaucracy

Posted on December 3, 2014 by wcoats

I recently concluded a contract with the National Bank of Kazakhstan to provide technical assistance in their effort to develop inflation-targeting capacity. I am working together with an American and a Czech econometrician, and thus decided it would be best … Continue reading →

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European Vacation Musings

Posted on June 22, 2012 by wcoats

Following a very enjoyable river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, and three days in Prague, Ito and I are now relaxing in Munich for three weeks before traveling on the Bob Mundell’s annual gathering of economists at his home near … Continue reading →

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Virtual Life after Death

Posted on June 20, 2012 by wcoats

Hi from Munich, A recent spam email from a dead colleague has caused me to reflect again on the awkwardness of our Internet existence (email addresses, Facebook and Linkedin profiles etc.) after our flesh and blood, biological one has ended. … Continue reading →

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