EVIL

THE NEW REPUBLIC (2007) 5/21

SUNSTEIN (51-54) The book by Zimbardo called THE LUCIFER EFFECT stretches the issue of SITUATIONISM too far. In all the studies and observation made since 1960's good people do bad things. However, in and among the data, some good people do good things in spite of authority telling them to do other wise. However, Zimbardo does help the issue that bad apples alone cause

bad things to happen is suspect..

Solow( 2007) 5/21

Joseph Schumpter has now approach the level of John Maynard Keneyes. Schumpter wrote many books of various quality however, he is responsible for CREATIVE DESTRUCTION and the LONG BUSINESS CYCLE. The reviewer was one of his last students and indicated that towards the end he lacked organization and was a great verbalizer of many things small and large mixed together. Schumpter was ambivalent about World War II. He wanted the USA and all of Europe to fight the Soviets. Thus, it appears that he was soft on fascism. What he does say over and over is that the chaos that comes from creative destruction of capitalism is the very thing that brings its dynamism. Socialism or variations of socialism come from 2nd and 3rd  generation rich who go into the arts and humanities and  become soft on the poor.

The reviewer is professor emeritus of economics at MIT.

EDSALL (26-32)

Guiliani  could be the wave of the future for the GOP. If he can succeed over the Evangelicals, then he can create a new version of the Republican party. It will be easier to win elections. What the reviewer does not say is what if the Evangelicals sit on their hands in the next election or

they create a 3rd or 4th party?. What would happen to the GOP?

THE ECONOMIST (5/18)

(29-30)  Ethanol is driving the Iowa farmer into the greatest prosperity in a long time. Don't you think that it is time to cut the subsidies to the big farmer?

(30) Merit pay for teachers is now being tried and the results are mixed. There are many ways

that a teacher can improve their salaries. However, some of them are questionable. A good teacher can get an extra degree does that make them a good teacher?. Further what about a good teacher in a bad school where killing and related is common? Hint: This is from me. You can tell a bad teacher, but good teachers come in all varieties. One measure may be based on how much the students improve on the national or state testing.

(57-59) Tony Blair's worst decision was when he met President George Bush. After falling in the polls, Bush said in a friendly fashion YO FELLA! It was meant to be friendly, but was translated by Brits that indeed Blair was Bush's poodle. Nor did Blair get anything in return from Bush on the deal for British troops to participate in Iraq. Bush had alluded that he would sign the Kyoto accord.

One may want to view Blair historically from pre-Bush compared to post-Bush.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

(86) Allergens get into one's system by pectin that hides in bulk fruit. Other wise allergens are killed by digestive juices./ New strategies and technology has helped flash developers with their computers./

(88) Although Communism is in the ash heap of history, it blossoms when workers are overworked, under poor conditions, with tyrannical private management,  and tyrannical police forces.

The talented do not see a way out of this stranglehold. So they revolt and Communism is the way  or appears to be the way to get out of the problem. This threat may be the greatest contribution of Communism. There is always a fear that it will come back so authorities soften up just a bit. Communism then becomes authoritarian or totalitarian and the cycle starts over. At least in an authoritarian state, you can bitch about the government in a bar, but not on a soap box

on a corner.

NEWSWEEK (5/21)

(38) ZAKARIA. The author extols the virtues of free trade (out sourcing of jobs) but says

that the USA does not provide enough unemployment pay or retraining for globalization, however other rich countries do. Denmark provides 80% of salary along with free education and a vocational counselor when a job goes to the 3rd world. So is any of the 2  major parties talking about that in the USA?

No. At least not at the moment has anyone  spoken about it.

(50) GENDER  The biological aspects of gender blend in with the social ones. However, they are exaggerated by parents. About one percent are transgendered. That means that they are one sex on the outside and another on the inside. So they get an operation and make their way into the world. However, women turning into men is harder and many choose not to do so because they can blend in as tomboys. Male to female is easier. However, there is even more fluidity between the sexes. Younger folks are not waiting for the surgery. They buy technology and supports to appear as the other sex and quickly move into the restrooms of the other sex.

Now comes even more variation. These folks are generally straight meaning that even though they haven't got the operation, they want the other sex for a partner.  They then are transvestites, they are individuals that want to keep their body the same, but want to dress in the other sex clothing every once in awhile. They are straight and and anti-gay until recently. Now they are pro-gay, but want to not be part of the gay community.

HOWEVER, then comes the gay community. They may not want to dress up as the other sex, and some do. If they choose to dressing up that very act is to attract some one of the same sex.

So there appears to be a great deal of variation.

Last, there are some who want to kiss another person or foreplay of the same sex, but after they graduate, they want some one of the other sex.

All this is happening when the two or three genders generally have female or male brains.

58) Begley. If George Bush is in denial, what does that mean?. If someone's self image as competent and smart is challenged by the truth that he made a mistake, he is more likely to deny the truth.