Is A Diplomatic Resolution in Afghanistan Possible?

An article from the economists on the problems of negotiating with the Taliban.

Worldwide protectionism rising

Economics is depressingly counterintuitive. Politicians around the world are instituting protectionist policies. They believe that this will keep money in their nations during these difficult times, but this will just cut wealth. So, a seemingly attractive tool, trade barriers, will create the exact opposite effect of what is intended.

The Sexist Double Standard of Statutory Rape Laws

Two 17-year-olds, one boy and one girl, were arrested by the same police department in Wisconsin, 1 day apart, for having sex with 14-year-olds. The girl got a slap on the wrist, while the boy was charged with a Class C felony and could serve hard time.

FBI Accused of Planting Spies in US Mosques

10 Muslim organizations have accused the FBI of planting spies posing as worshipers in US mosques.

The Long Awaited Global Warming Post

Environmentalism, Pollution, Global Warming Deniers, Government Regulations, and Market Incentives

One important question of the modern environmental movement is whether market processes can be used to mitigate climate change more efficiently, and what the government's role in climate change should be. How do we properly assess the economic risks of inaction or action? And further more, what responsibility do we have to those more vulnerable to the phenomenon (poorer countries, our descendants)? In short, how do we deal with this example of the tragedy of the commons?

Of course, before we address the issue, I will attempt to dispel some of the beliefs of the global-warming deniers among us. In fact, there is a definite consensus in the scientific community that global warming is occurring, and at least part of it is due to human causes.

This argument is a bit long for posting, so I'll link to it in the comments section so it doesn't clutter the front page too much.

So once we have come to the conclusion that global warming is occurring, which IS the scientific consensus, the question becomes what we do about it. And this is where the legitimate debate comes in. The question is not one of if, but of when and how much. Until these questions are answered, one cannot properly perform a cost-benefit analysis of the situation. And at the present our science is not good enough to conclusively say when and how much, or whether anything can realistically be done about climate change. Certainly, trying to impose climate change regulations may be a mistake, but so may opposing them, and this is what we should be debating – not whether climate change is occurring, but whether it is worth the investment to try to stop it, when we may fail anyway. (Of course, there are many other reasons for environmental regulations that are entirely unrelated to climate change, but that is another matter.)

So back to my original point. Should we decide that global warming is something worth dealing with, how can it be done efficiently using market processes?

I have posted an article from the Encyclopedia of Earth (a Wikipedia-like, but professionally written, source) that covers the issue of environmental economic policy in detail.

Economic Policy on Climate Change

A Trio of Interesting Criminal Cases

PA Judges Accused of Jailing Kids for Cash
Two Pennsylvania judges have been charged with taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers.

4 Charged in Alleged Assisted Suicide Case

Injured Good Samaritan Ticketed for Jaywalking
Further evidence of overzealous police activity

How to Stop The War on Drugs

An Article from the Economist on the subject.

Obama Backs Merit Pay for Public Schoolteachers

What does this mean for our education system?

EUROPE.

Europe is in really bad shape.

Eyewitness Testimony - 60 Minutes

Watch CBS Videos Online

Watch CBS Videos Online

More on Torture

I want to be absolutely clear with our people, and the world: The United States does not torture. It's against our laws, and it's against our values. I have not authorized it -and I will not authorize it. -- George W. Bush

Boing Boing Video: "OUTLAWED" excerpts, pt. 1 -- Guantánamo Detainee Who Survived Torture.

Boing Boing Video: "OUTLAWED" excerpts, pt. 2 -- Khaled El-Masri.

ACLU: CIA Confirms 12 Destroyed Videotapes Depicted "Enhanced Interrogation Methods