Thursday, August 12, 2004
TODAY'S ROUND-UP
- Following up from all the doom and gloom about Iran on this site, Nick Kristof warns that An American Hiroshima is all too likely. As ever with these issue it makes for alarming reading, but I think at one point some of his speculation will be met with mixed emotions:
- Following up from all the doom and gloom about Iran on this site, Nick Kristof warns that An American Hiroshima is all too likely. As ever with these issue it makes for alarming reading, but I think at one point some of his speculation will be met with mixed emotions:
The blast would partly destroy a much larger area, including the United Nations.
To be clear I'm not advocating a nuclear strike against the UN HQ, but you have to wonder if the world would really be worse off . . .
- Philip Johnston explains why it's only the middle classes are crippled by inheritance tax. He's too right too. The Adam Smithies concur. I'm not sure I'd support a complete abolition, but a massive and far reaching change of inheritance laws is overdue.
-Here's an excellent essay dealing with the decision to invade Iraq. It's a nice, concise read.
-Also, where that came from, there is this great posting on how the ethnic cleansers and genocidal maniacs of the world can avoid getting themselves in trouble.
-Over at EU Referendum there are two sharp pieces dispelling the notion of the EU's democratic nature. They're both a good reminder and a good introduction if you've never heard the argument spelled out: Part 1, Council of Ministers, Part 2 EU parliament.
-To end, Shmuley Boteach skilfully argues that round-figured women are wrongly maligned, with dire consequences all around:
- Philip Johnston explains why it's only the middle classes are crippled by inheritance tax. He's too right too. The Adam Smithies concur. I'm not sure I'd support a complete abolition, but a massive and far reaching change of inheritance laws is overdue.
-Here's an excellent essay dealing with the decision to invade Iraq. It's a nice, concise read.
-Also, where that came from, there is this great posting on how the ethnic cleansers and genocidal maniacs of the world can avoid getting themselves in trouble.
-Over at EU Referendum there are two sharp pieces dispelling the notion of the EU's democratic nature. They're both a good reminder and a good introduction if you've never heard the argument spelled out: Part 1, Council of Ministers, Part 2 EU parliament.
-To end, Shmuley Boteach skilfully argues that round-figured women are wrongly maligned, with dire consequences all around:
Thinness may have become synonymous with beauty in America, but it is decimating the erotic life of marriage. In multiple sexual surveys, one of the biggest complaints that husbands voice about their wives is that they rarely initiate sex and are far too reserved in the bedroom. But can we really expect the American wife to be sexually adventurous when she is permanently self-conscious about her weight? It makes sense that women who feel unattractive will choose to hide under the covers.
He's rigth, but you try telling any woman who doesn't have the figure of a stick insect that her body is perfect . . . They'll never believe you, even, or maybe especially, if it's true. Read it all.
Labels: economy, global affairs, Iraq, nation, nuclear weapons, USA
