Archives for "April 2008":

New Old Posts on April 30, 2008 in Personal

I just finished uploading a shit-load of old archived posts from previous versions of the site. The posts range from 2004 to 2007. Some posts of interests are:Articles:The Empire Economy and CreditInfinite Economic GrowthThe Garden is my MachineThe Luxury of MisunderstandingA Pseudo-Socialist on Social MobilityConsumerism and the Ideologies of YesterdayDollar DemocracyDollar Democracy Pt. 2Understanding Dollar DemocracyTrade Tariffs and Sales TaxPhotos:Una...

The Layoffs of Trade, Outsourcing, and Technology on April 30, 2008 in Economics

A February 9, 2008 article in The Economist stated that "Only 59% of Americans think international trade is benefiting the country, compared with 78% in 2002." Such data is interesting indeed considering the fact that it is generally the U.S. Government and its financial institution appendages that are pushing foreign countries to liberalize trade and open their frontiers. The free...

Amaia's Drawings on April 30, 2008 in Personal

Here is one of the many drawings that my daughter left behind after her week in Puerto Rico. It's not everyday that I get to see these things, so I have decided to scan all of Amaia's drawings in order to preserver them.A few observations:The house she drew on the bottom is obviously her home, considering the placement of the...

Jehro - Jehro on April 30, 2008 in Music

I just had to post this again.Please enjoy one of the best folk-rock-bossa-reggae albums I've ever heard. A great listen from start to finish.Available via Mediashare....

"Leapfrogging" Development on April 29, 2008 in Economics

The February 9, 2008 issue of the Economist (I know - I'm late) brings forth a term that I was quite unfamiliar with: "leapfrogging". Leapfrogging is a modern phenomenon that allows developing countries to surpass the need for widespread and expensive infrastructure such as telephone lines and electric plants due to the rise of technological advancements such as the mobile...

The Manipulative Anibal on April 28, 2008 in Puerto Rico

I must say that this is one of the darkest eras within the history of the PPD. As a delegate of the party I am deeply hurt and upset over the occurrences of yesterday's general assembly. I have never been so displeased with the party and have been sucked of the little motivation I had left of winning the 2008...

Today's Mega Rad Mix on April 25, 2008 in Music

Click the link to hear the song on imeem (no download needed).Ray Vega Latin Jazz Sextet - Flight to JordanMikey Dread - Saturday Night StyleLouis Jordan - A Man Ain't a ManLondon Symphony Orchestra - Elusive SamanthaCassiopee - The PromiseCal Tjader - The Bilbao SongStanley Turrentine - Vera CruzAK1200 - Drowning (Live)Klazz Brothers - Pathetique IIIAdriana Calconhoto - Fico Assim...

A Different State's Role on April 25, 2008 in Economics

Morris Bornstein in "Comparitive Economic Systems: Models and Cases" points out how every economic system has a "social preference function". Such function "expresses the community's effective aggregate preferences regarding the ends and means of economic activity" either through "individual preferences expressed through individual choice in market", the political process, or the preferences of a ruling group.The West Covina, California City...

Ka-ching! on April 25, 2008 in Puerto Rico

FAJARDO - Los alcaldes populares pidieron anoche a Aníbal Acevedo Vilá que renuncie a su candidatura a la gobernación, lo que deja al Mandatario sin el poderoso apoyo del liderato que mueve a la mayoría de la militancia de la Pava, confirmaron fuentes de El Nuevo Día.La propuesta de la Asociación de Alcaldes consiste en que Acevedo Vilá abandone su...

Mm... Food on April 24, 2008 in Photos

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A. with the A.S.L on April 24, 2008 in Personal , Photos

I'm also trying to show her some of the ridiculously basic sign language that I've learned in the last few months. Maybe by showing her a sign or two then she will be motivated to learn more of it. Not only does it help one sympathize and understand persons with disabilities but it's also easy to learn and opens doorways...

Florida Highways on April 24, 2008 in Personal

Florida's highway system is terrible. Sure, it has its neat signs and an array of turnpikes and off ramps, but the system is just way too over-planned. A foreigner has to be a mathematician to be able to navigate through the infinite field of criss-crossing speedways and roads. The surprise tolls with no cashier make it a nightmare for people...

We Don't Need No Education on April 24, 2008 in Humor , Videos

My daughter steps into my music recording room. "Daddy is this my guitar?" she asks, as she picks up a miniature guitar. "Sure." "Watch me play it," she says as she picks it up and starts strumming it as if she's a rock star. "I don't want to go to schooool!" she starts screaming. "I don't want to go to...

Strappin' on my Trampa Pampa' on April 24, 2008 in Humor

So I'm in the line at the car rental place. Behind me is a Jewish man with a Jheri curl-like and a thin black man with doll-like hair braids. A man in a business suit steps up to the express line which was just to my left. An gray haired woman in her late 60s stepped up right behind him....

Plane Strain on April 22, 2008 in Humor

So I'm having difficulties in printing my boarding pass for tonight's flight to Tampa. I find out that it's because I've yet to be assigned a seat. Thus, I proceed to assign myself a seat when I am confronted with the following screen:Hmm. Great choices....

The Cost of Low Prices on April 22, 2008 in Economics

Nathaniel Branded in "Capitalism" notes:A bromide commonly cited in this connection by capitalism's opponents is the story of the old corner grocer who is driven out of business by the big chain store... the chain store could give [the people] better service at lower prices and thereby let them save money. Thus both the owners of the chain store and...

Monopolies, Resources, and Theft on April 22, 2008 in Economics , Environment

I am not too fond of monopolies - be they private or public. Even public corporations - if possible - should permit competition. In cases where there exists natural monopolies, then of course I prefer public over private ownership. Nathaniel Branden in "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" argues that there are no such thing as "natural" monopolies. "Nickel of Canada...

Inefficiency in Capitalism on April 22, 2008 in Economics

Nathaniel Branden in "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" states that "the free market does not permit inefficiency or stagnation - with economic impunity - in any field of production." I'm not sure if I can agree with that in its entirety. In fact, not only do many industries but the concept of infinite economic growth itself depends on us consuming more...

Sovereign Consumerism on April 22, 2008 in Economics

Just mind wandering...A sovereign consumer is one who:Purchases upon need and convenience, instead of through impulse.Purchases to refurbish and restock, instead of through impulse.Is not effected by advertising.Is aware of manipulative and addictive qualities of advertising.Is aware of the effect his purchase might have on his community.Is aware of the effect his purchase has on the communities of others.If fiscally...

Peg Productivity to the Work Week on April 22, 2008 in Economics

How about this: once a country's quality of life and economic well-being is at a satisfactory level, why not peg the labor force's productivity rate to the number of hours in a work week. Thus, if worker productivity goes up, new technologies are introduced, or existing technologies are maximized then the work week will shrink.Of course with our current mentality...

John B. Egger on Education on April 21, 2008 in Economics , Society

I recently stated "Schooling is aimed towards discipline, following orders, getting a job and keeping it instead of creating jobs of your own."John B. Egger in "The Free Market" notes along similar lines:The whole educational process... seems designed to keep young people from ever learning what freedom is. The student forgets his force-fed semester of Civics but is unceasingly drilled...

Tax No, Public Corporation Yes on April 21, 2008 in Economics

In "Capitalist With Exceptions" I flash my pro-market credentials but stress the need for certain key industries to remain in public hands. I wrote: "Museums, for example, would have a lot less cultural value if they were driven on profit alone. Libraries book collections would be a lot smaller if they required user subscriptions, and thus would have a negative...

Pura Fe - Follow Your Heart's Desire on April 21, 2008 in Music

A wonderful blend of Native American music, lyrics of protest, and Southern blues brought to you from the Native America-Puerto Rican Pura Fé. Enjoy.Available via Sharebee....

No Option but the Pyramid on April 21, 2008 in Economics , Society

John B. Egger in "The Free Market" stated the following in a critique of trade unions: "It is tautology that when the worker punches in he proves that he considers work his best alternative; it doesn't follow that he likes it... Why does he do what he doesn't like? He is free to go elsewhere; the market allows him to...

Break^Breaks on April 21, 2008 in Music

San Pasquale Ent. blog and the 100%... blog have recently posted my Break Up Breaks album. Check it out....

Cedric Brooks - Light of Saba on April 21, 2008 in Music

I just had to post this again. Reggae to the max with a pinch of jazz sax:Via Rapidshare...

Breaking Down the Soviets on April 20, 2008 in Politics

During the chaos and anarchy that characterized the Russian Revolutions of 1905 and 1917 arose the soviets; popular organs resembling community boards and neighborhood councils. These soviets took hold in each town as common everyday citizens joined them in hoards. In moments where a centralized state had fallen apart such popular organizations were much needed in order to maintain order...

Jesus Jews on April 20, 2008 in Personal

Time recently published an issue outlining the 10 ideas that are changing the world. One of the articles that most interested me was "Re-Judaizing Jesus". Check it out....

A Bag of Rice on April 20, 2008 in Humor

Adorable photo from El Nuevo Dia's website. I just had to post it....

10 Tracks from the 'Pod on April 20, 2008 in Music

Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.Rolling Stones - Under My ThumbIncubus - Warmth (Live)Ugly Duckling - Einstein's Brazilian TravelogueEsther Phillips - Disposable SocietyPura Fe - Robin DanceManu Chao - HoyoWill.I.Am - I'm ReadyMalcom Mclaren - She's Looking Like a HoboAmnesty - Can I Help YouThis reminds me a Threadless shirt that reader Meilin, showed me a few days ago:...

On "Freedom of Press" on April 20, 2008 in Economics , Society

John H. Beck states in "The Free Market" that "Even a socialist state desiring to allow the publication of all views must impose censorship in the sense of not publishing everything that somebody might wish published. Scarcity imposes the same restraint on publication in a market economy, but, while in the centrally directed socialist state the one state authority...

Ramblings on Luxury on April 20, 2008 in Economics

Difference must be made between need, convenience, and luxury. Working to supply need is obligatory or one will starve to death. Convenience often allows us to work less (i.e. a lawn mower or a pressure hose, as opposed to a machete and a brush.) Luxury, on the other hand, can be simply wasteful. Working over time to pay for...

10 Tracks from the 'Pod on April 20, 2008 in Music

Click to hear them on imeem.com:The Bravery - Above and BelowManu Dibango - Dikalo (Salt Pop Corn)Outkast - ChonkyfireMissy Elliot - Let Me Fix My WeavePlayer One - Into the DarknessMedeski, Martin & Wood - Cat CreepsB.B. King & Eric Clapton - Help the PoorPura Fe - Catch Me FirstDeloise - MirandoPura Fe - Whole World Down on Me...

Duplicity and Competition on April 20, 2008 in Economics

A Best Buy is being built near Las Catalinas Shopping Center in Caguas. Interestingly enough, an Office Max is simultaneously being built right next door. Both stores sell computer-related products. I'm sure that their prices will not differ from their island-wide counterparts, so one cannot necessarily suppose that such proximity will increase competition and benefit consumers. Though such things...

Amaia, 4 Years Old on April 20, 2008 in Personal , Photos

My father is visiting my daughter Amaia for the weekend. He sent me the above photo. I will be flying into Tampa to pick her up to spend a few days in Puerto Rico next week....

Against the Redistribution of Wealth on April 20, 2008 in Economics

I am not a proponent of wealth distribution. I believe in the right to wealth but under the condition that there exist the rights to accessibility to acquire it as well. I believe that it is necessary in society for there to exist an upper and lower class in order to provide an incentive for social mobility (supposing that...

Capitalist With Exceptions on April 20, 2008 in Economics

Alan C. Stockman says that "Opponents of capitalism no longer support socialism as a more productive economic system; instead they oppose capitalism as a morally intolerable system." Even Senator Antonio Fas Alzamora, proponent of nationalization agreed that even if public corporations were to generate a deficit for the central government that such is acceptable considering the "humanitarian" mission of...

Land Reform, Then and Now on April 20, 2008 in Economics

I spent most of my evening lounging in a bathtub half full with blistering hot water reading "Free Enterprise: An Imperative". This book was compiled by a group of bright, promising, and young economists during the 1970s. I jotted the following notes in response to a number of the points made by the authors and thoughts that arose in...

Corporate Tax to Profit Sharing on April 19, 2008 in Economics

Not too long ago, my buddy David Bond who was in town for the weekend. Bond is a laissez-faire economic libertarian, an entrepreneur, and and a well spoken lad. (I had to use the word lad considering the fact that he's a British American.) Bond and I can spend hours discussing our disgust of bureaucracy, government inefficiency, the evils of...

Just Kickin' it like a Jibaro on April 19, 2008 in Humor , Puerto Rico

George Dawson Flinter, former Venezuelan elitist who left the country after it gained its independence had relocated to Puerto Rico where he later wrote a book titled "An Account of the Present State of the Island of Porto Rico." His description of the rural peasants was quite entertaining:Riding out one afternoon... I was overtaken by one of those sudden showers...

The Trump Stump on April 19, 2008 in Environment

The planned Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande has recently received heat for being construction on natural land, lacking permits, and occupying public lands (in Puerto Rico, all coastal land is public land.) This is not a rare occurrence, for the Costa Serena and Paseo Caribe projects in Loiza and San Juan share similar concerns. Development patterns such as...

Something Awful on April 19, 2008 in Humor

Whenever I'm in the mood for a good laugh I check out somethingawful.com's Photoshop Phridays. One recent theme was "backwards magazines". The following image really didn't tickle me until I saw the "This Much" on the top left corner. Jaja. Oh, man....

Pensando Como Los Locos... on April 18, 2008 in Environment

Two quick reforms for the public energy industry: 1) A solar panel-driven water heater can lower your bill from 1/3 to ½ of its present cost (at least in Puerto Rico.) Theoretically speaking, one can say that if all Puerto Rican households were to have solar panel water heaters, the country would be 1/3 to ½ less dependent on...

Gas Yap on April 18, 2008 in Economics

Everywhere one looks these days, you hear people bitching about the high price of gas. Personally, if it was up to me the price of a gallon of gas would be double what it is now. That money is much more valuable in the treasury of social programs in the Third World than it is in the pockets of...

Contracting Blues on April 18, 2008 in Economics

The El Vocero newspaper today revealed that the construction company owned by the husband of former PPD President Victoria Muñoz has won over $168.4 million in public contracts in the past 10 years. Victoria is also the daughter of PPD founder and former Governor Luis Muñoz Marin and is still quite active in her party activities. It should be mentioned...

Cupid on April 17, 2008 in Humor

I wish they sold suits like that. I'd wear one around the street just to get a kick out of it....

Tridi on April 17, 2008 in Humor

@bby m@rkers!! says:se ve hasta tridi!!!Charlie Linotype says:3d?Charlie Linotype says:jajajaja...

Ayo Technology on April 17, 2008 in Humor

A few years ago I walked into a statistics course with about 10 minutes before the class was to end. I was hoping to at least sign the assistance sheet and maybe pick up a copy of that day's handout. As I walked into a classroom full of students busily jotting down numbers into their notebooks the professor tells me,...

Potty in the Beach on April 17, 2008 in Humor

One day I took my baby daughter to the beach. Once there, she tells me that she has to pee. "Daddy I have to go potty." With no bathroom anywhere in sight I look around to see if anybody is looking. I had no cleaning supplies or pampers with me at the moment, having left them in the car."Can you...

A Letter for Clara's Boss on April 16, 2008 in Personal

In regards to the last post:April 16, 2008 Real Estate Assessment Center Technical Assistance Center (TAC) 550 12th Street, SW, Suite 100 Washington, DC 20410To Whom It May Concern:During a standard call to the TAC's PIC Help Line this morning I was tended to a woman named "Clara" in regards to call ticket #IM434030. After finishing my call with...

Yankee Grit, Dixie Charm on April 16, 2008 in Personal

This morning I had to call the New York Housing Authority to clarify an issue that arose in our public housing computerized reporting system. It was an issue that I wished to clarify as soon as possible so I decided to make the phone call myself. Not to mention, few members of my staff speak English.The experience was not very...

The Acceptance of Violence in Puerto Rican Culture on April 16, 2008 in Puerto Rico

"Terrorist" is a word easily thrown around by Americans. I know because while living in the U.S. for the majority of my childhood and teenage years "terrorism" was a term easily slapped onto Timothy McVeigh, Osama Bin Laden, and other renown bad guys. The term is fiercely negative and people take offense when you refer to U.S. foreign policy or...

The Health Reform on April 15, 2008 in Puerto Rico

Yesterday El Vocero reported on the Health Reform program's projected $394 million deficit. The article also reported that for every 1,000 additional participants the program enrolls it needs an extra $1 million. Currently the program covers 1.4 million persons (out of a total population of 4 million) and at once served as much as 1.5 million in 2005-2006. For those...

Songs of the Day on April 11, 2008 in Music

Manu Chao - Y Ahora Que?The Bravery - Above and BelowThe Bird and Bee - Fucking BoyriendPercy Faith - A Song For LoversLTJ X-Perience - Dancin' PercussionPlayer One - Intro the DarknessModena City Ramblers - Una Perfecta ExcusaDownload the .zip here....

Wordize It! on April 10, 2008 in Humor

-  A l  e     x   - No time for love Dr. Jones says:Pitty is conducent (is that a word?) to exculpationCarlos Virao says:jajaCarlos Virao says:you can wordize any concept you want...

+1 Autonomist to the Bunch on April 9, 2008 in Puerto Rico

El Nuevo Dia reports that PPD Hormigueros Mayor Pedro Garcia joined the Mayor of Guanica and Representative Charlie Hernandez in denouncing the Democratic primaries in Puerto Rico. One more for the bunch.One week ago: "Their names are added to my ever growing list of leftist and autonomist PPD. (I actually keep tabs on these things simply to remember who to...

Songs of the Day on April 7, 2008 in Music

Gil Scott Heron - Whitey on the MoonLord Finesse - True and LivinArturo Sandoval - WaheeraMercedes Sosa - Vientos del AlmaDavid Sanchez - Cuban FantasyCuarteto Patria and Manu Dibango - CarnavalHot 8 Brass Band - We Are OneChristy Azuma and Uppers International - NaamWilliam Oldham - The Mountain LowBeth Caravalho - Deu PaisDownload from Sharebee here....

Whitey on the Moon on April 6, 2008 in Society

    A rat done bit my sister Nell with Whitey on the moon.    Her face and arms began to swell and Whitey's on the moon.    I can't pay no doctor bills but Whitey's on the moon.    Ten years from now I'll be payin' still while Whitey's on the moon.    The man just upped my rent last night cuz Whitey's on...

Mombojo - Nada de Nuevo on April 5, 2008 in Music

One of my favorite rock albums of all time. Though the band maintains its rock format, their music contains an interesting mix of trip-hop, electronic, hip-hop, bossa, and reggae.Download via Rapidshare....

More Crazy Dreams on April 5, 2008 in Humor

I had a dream that Austrian economist Ludwig Von Mises and former Governor Luis A. Ferre visited me at my old house in Georgia. I was kicking it with Ludwig when out of nowhere Ferre joined in. While they were bonding I left the room to go find my Ludwig Von Mises t-shirt and a camera. Then I woke up....

Songs of the Day on April 5, 2008 in Music

Akrobatik - Say Yes Say Word (Boston Hip-hop)Big Band Katowice - Happening (Polish Jazz)Radiohead - Paranoid AndroidMombojo - Absorva (Brazilian Rock)Jazz Gillum - Is That A Monkey You Got? (Blues)Duster Bennett - I Love My Baby (British Blues)Vladimir and his Orchestra - New Sound in Latin Jazz (Belgium Latin Jazz)Fela Kuti - I.T.T. Part 2 (Afrobeat)Download the whole mix...

Quote of the Day on April 5, 2008 in Society

"The revolution enlightens, we repeat, with fabulous rapidity."-Lenin, "Revoliutsionaia demokraticheskaia diktatura proletariata i krest'ianstva, in Sochineniia, VIII, Moscow, 1923, pp. 262-263...

Barriomulas on Acevedo Vila III on April 4, 2008 in Puerto Rico

A wave of anti-American feeling and autonomous impulse has descended upon the PPD during the previous few days. Even the most conservative of PPD members have been calling for the liberalization of Puerto Rico's association with the U.S. The autonomist PROELA is capitalizing on this situation and has supported the Governor while simutaneously calling for PPD members to evaluate the...

More Crazy Dreams on April 4, 2008 in Humor

I had a dream that the Governor of Puerto Rico resigned from his post and that our national government was in crisis. I dreamed that the state was falling apart and that communities were organizing themselves much like the worker soviets in the Russian Revolution of 1905.I fell asleep reading about the division of the Menshevik and Bolshevik factions of...

PPD Members to Boycott Primaries on April 2, 2008 in Puerto Rico

Angel Ortiz, former President of PROELA and former pre-candidate for Representative, Carmen Yulin, President of the PPD Women, the Mayor of Guanica, and Representative Charlie Hernandez have called on Puerto Ricans to refrain from partaking in the Democrat's Presidential primary to be held in Puerto Rico in June. Their names are added to my ever growing list of leftist...