POLITICAL UPDATE--News from Abroad

This update focuses on news from abroad.

Gary North: Paymaster Germany and the Endgame
Pat Buchanan: The Democracy Worshipers
Pat Buchanan: Why Are We Baiting the Bear In Georgia?
Steve Sailer: Protests And Population Policy: Israel’s Lessons For America
John Derbyshire: John Derbyshire On Understanding China And The Chinese
Ann Coulter: New York Times Reader Kills Dozens in Norway
Steve Sailer: Maurice Glasman, Ed Miliband And The Rapid Rise And Faster Fall Of Blue Labour’s Immigration Patriotism

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

POLITICAL UPDATE--The Economy

This update focuses on the economy.

Gary North: Debt and Debt Maintenance: Why American Households Are Not in Big Trouble
Gary North: The Dollar As the World's Reserve Currency. Poor World.
Gary North: The Big (Stupid) Idea: Universal Personal Bankruptcy to Save America's Economy
Thomas Sowell: Back to the Future?
Gary North: How Dave Ramsey Made $55 Million by Being Good on Personal Debt, Naive on Business Debt, Lousy on Investing, and a Loudmouth Bully.
Phyllis Schlafly: Yes, Virginia, There Is a Gender Gap
Peter Schiff: Job Killer in Chief
Gary North: Pencils and Liberty
Phyllis Schlafly: Candidates Should Be Talking About China
Gary North: These Threats Will Not Collapse America's Economy

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Full Sixth Circuit Will Hear MCRI Case

The full sixth circuit court will conduct an 'en banc' hearing to review the decision of a three-judge panel to overturn the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. En banc hearings are rare, so this indicates that there is a good chance that the decision will be overturned. Ed Whelan offers some reasons for caution, though.

Court to revisit affirmative action ruling
En Banc Rehearing of Ruling Against Michigan’s Colorblind Amendment, But …

Up From the Projects

Up From the Projects
Walter E. Williams

This delightful little memoir was written by Walter Williams, libertarian economist, syndicated columnist, and occasional substitute host for Rush Limbaugh. Williams recounts his life beginning in the Philadelphia housing projects (not as bad then as they would later become).

Williams outgoing, mischievous nature was evident early on. The chapter on his time in the army, and the trouble he got into is particularly amusing.

After leaving the army, Williams attended college, eventually studying economics and earning a PhD in the subject at UCLA. During this time, he learned to think systematically about the effects of government policies, and adopted the libertarian beliefs that he holds to this day.

Up From the Projects is a quick and enjoyable read.

Is College Worth It?

The Gazette has a long article asking whether college is worth the money.

College degree still considered good return on investment despite climbing costs

The short answer is maybe. If you get a degree in a real subject that is required to get a job in the field, like engineering, statistics, or economics, college is likely worth it. If you get a degree in political claptrap (sociology), a junk major (communications) or a legitimate subject with no job prospects (history), probably not.

The smart way to go to college is to go to community college in high school and get a two-year degree at 18. You'll take the same classes that are gen-ed classes at a four-year school. Then if you are still apt and interested, go to a four-year college for two years and get a degree at 20 with far less debt.

Colleges love to trumpet that college graduates make more, but they don't mention that CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION. People who graduate from college are smarter, more motivated, and come from better families on average, and so would make more even without degrees.

Ten Years Ago

I still remember that Tuesday morning when, hovering between sleep and wake, I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I had a 9:30 class, but was planning to drop it, and so I was sleeping in in my dorm room. My Dad soon called asking if I had heard, and I turned on the television.

I watched television most of the day, and I saw both the towers collapse live on TV. I remember having a sick feeling in my stomach.

Classes were cancelled at noon. There was a prayer service later in the day. My roommate went, but I didn't. Someone repeated a rumor that gas would be going up to three dollars. Since my tank was near full, I didn't see a need to get any.

I was finally peeled away from the television to get dinner in the dining hall. People talked quietly.

The rocks in Goldsworth Valley were painted in red, white and blue. While they are typically painted every couple days, they stayed that way for months.

Remember.

Remembering September 11

9/11 and Immigration
College Republicans of WMU honor the victims of 9/11 in a tribute of 2,997 flags
Notes from the Chairman

POLITICAL UPDATE--Spending

This update focuses on spending.

Gary North: Sovereign Debt, Sovereign Bank Runs
Gary North: Your Portfolio of Lies
Thomas Sowell: A Pyrrhic 'Victory'
Gary North: Debt Impasse: Fake and Real
Pat Buchanan: Fiscal Hawks vs. Security Hawks
Gary North: Obama v. Obama

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

The Mysterious Drake/Railroad Stoplight

This complaint is highly specific to Kalamazoo.

A year or so ago, a stoplight was installed on Drake Road where it intersect the Amtrak railroad line. Having a stoplight at a railroad is unusual unless the railroad is right next to a road intersection with traffic light, which this one is not. Usually, there is at most gates and flashing lights.

But what is really unusual is the operation of this light. Most of the time it is green, but sometimes, for no apparent reason, it turns red. There is never a train in the vicinity when this occurs. Not even one of those carts with two guys pushing up and down on a lever from the old-timey movies. After a while, it turns green again. Even stranger, sometimes only one side turns red, while the other direction continues to allow traffic to go through.

Does anyone know why this light exists and operates in this manner?

POLITICAL UPDATE--Immigration

This update focuses on immigration.

Federale: Obama’s Administrative Amnesty: Impeachment Is The Only Answer
Steve Sailer: Jorge Castañeda On Mexico's Eternal Mañana
Washington Watcher: Rick Perry—Another Texas Governor for Amnesty
Rachel Marsden: Global Poll Uncovers Psychic Shift on Immigration
Steve Sailer: "Latino Leaders" Lacking Followers, Name Recognition, And Voters—But Not MSM Influence
Allan Wall: Operation Wetback II: A Few Practical Proposals

For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.

Schuette For Silencers

Good for Schuette.

Schuette clears way for Michigan gun owners to use silencers

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Lansing— Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says gun silencers can be used in the state by gun owners who have federal authorization.

Schuette issued an opinion Friday that says Michigan citizens who comply with federal firearm regulations can use the devices on their guns to "protect their hearing and minimize noise disruptions" in the surrounding area.

Marquette County Sheriff Michael Lovelace says the "rigorous" federal licensing process will make sure only law-abiding citizens win permission to possess a silencer.

A National Rifle Association official says in the Republican attorney general's release that 38 other states allow the use of silencers.

Possessing a silencer without federal authorization remains a five-year felony under Michigan law.

Graceful Exit

Republican Jim Grace, the best member of the Oshtemo Township Board, has resigned.

Oshtemo Township Trustee James Grace resigns from board

It isn't entirely clear why.

“Due to my lack of alignment with the Oshtemo Township Board on issues, such as benefits and citizen involvement, I am resigning from the Board and all committees, effective immediately, August 29, 2011,” Grace wrote in a statement.

Leftist democrat Scott McCormick had previously resigned after moving out of the area.

Republicans need solid candidates for the Oshtemo board in 2012.

Immigrant Drunk Driving?

Doing the drunk driving Americans won't do...

Immigration status of man charged with drunken driving in motorcyclist's death under investigation

Cooney, Moore Rally For Their Jobs

If you need a job, the best place to go is... a rally!

Labor Day 'Rally for Jobs and Justice' planned in Kalamazoo's MLK Park

KALAMAZOO — A Labor Day "Rally for Jobs and Justice" is set for 11 a.m. in Kalamazoo's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, followed by a cookout for the homeless at noon Monday.

"The basic idea is that it's Labor Day and we should have some kind of event in this city talking about the issue of working people and their families, especially when there is such a crisis," Kalamazoo City Commissioner Don Cooney said.

Who is expecting to get a job there?

The rally is sponsored by Cooney's and Stephanie Bell's campaigns for City Commission but their re-election bids are not the focus of the event, Cooney said.

Ah.