Maybe "Drill baby drill?" is the answer

This Time magazine article gives a scary portrayal of the agro-fuel movement. Perhaps the most harrowing quote: "One groundbreaking new study... concluded that when this deforestation effect is taken into account, corn ethanol and soy biodiesel produce about TWICE the emissions of gasoline." The law of unintended consequences: increased food prices lead to increase deforestation (oh, and also severely impacting the world hunger crisis).

Saving the world one beer at a time

What is energy independence? How do we become energy independent? Most people's gut answer starts with alternative energy, but this fascinating article points out that we should really be looking at the refrigerator

Deceit, labels, and cigarettes

The Supreme Court has ruled against cigarette companies and big business advertising. I think this is a good thing in the sense that the ruling should reign in misleading advertising in all industries. But why is it that something so harmful as cigarettes needs to come around for the Supreme Court to come to what would otherwise be a sensible conclusion. Advertising should inform, not deceive. 

Don't Pick a QB in the first round

just one of countless lessons one might infer from this great read: Malcolm Gladwell's take on the state of teaching in America

Israel and the United Nations

This NYTimes article gives some insight into UN-Israeli relations, a relationship that is often overlooked. I try to avoid articles that only state "facts" in this forum, mostly because there are better places to find such articles, but this one does a good job of also addressing Israel's argument. Admittedly, this article glosses over the reasons in favor of Mr. Falk's appointment. Thoughts on Israel's decision?

Class Warfare

What does new thriftiness say about class structure? The Working class aspired to become middle class; the middle aspired the upper. But now resentment, especially resentment against luxury spending, is spreading like wild fire. Will this resentment inject rigidity and tension into class dynamics?

Will California turn Icelandic?

California's debt is increasing at a rate of 1.7 million bucks per hour! The state will be bankrupt in February and officials worry about an Icelandic style bankruptcy. Remember: California alone is one of the world's top ten largest economies (the number I've always heard is tied at fourth with Germany).