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Categories
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Category Archives: Musings
Independence Day Celebration
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
Goodbye 2019 (and good riddance)
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
Posted in Musings
Tagged culture, health, Internet, life, military, politics, technology, work
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Black Marks in our History
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 Carter, Civil Liberties Act of 1988, concentration camps, cowardice, FDR, fear, freedom and security, internment, Japanese Americans, Patriot Act, Reagan, WWII
1 Comment
Where does the desire to explore come from?
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
Posted in Discrimination, immigration, Musings, trade
Tagged adventure, change, El Paso, immigration, nature, nurture, Patrick Crusius, race, terriorism, trade
1 Comment
Alex Jones
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
Posted in Discrimination, immigration, Musings
Tagged 9/11, Alex Jones, Facebook, First Amendment, free speech, hate speech, Jonathan Rauch, Safe zones, Sandy Hook, Stephen Miller, trigger warnings, Twitter, YouTube
1 Comment
What is wrong with PC?
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 Berkeley, free speech, Free Speech Movement, manners, PC, Political Correctness, Yale
3 Comments
My coldest winter since Chicago
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
A Citizen confronts the Bureaucracy
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
Posted in Musings
Tagged apostille, bureaucracy, Federal Government, IRS, Kazakhstan, Maryland, taxes
12 Comments
European Vacation Musings
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
Posted in Musings, Travel
Tagged English, foreign works, German, History, language, Michael Lind, UAE
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Virtual Life after Death
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