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2.2.2002 11:44 PM Maybe after $25 billion in subsidies over 30 years, Amtrak should close unprofitable lines and figure out how to actually make money. Even better, maybe Amtrak will die and new, more market-sensitive companies will rise from the ashes. What Amtrak's threat looks like is a attempt at blackmail. "Amtrak Threatens to End Service" Sean Hackbarth | 2.1.2002 2:16 PM Mike's back with a rather loud redesign. Sean Hackbarth | 1:47 PM It's been put off for a few days due to other pressing needs (I don't feel bad since Peggy Noonan's article on the speech appeared yesterday), but here's some reaction to President Bush's State of the Union Address: Bush singled out a number of terrorist groups and states, but he didn't mention the Palestinian Authority. No mention was made of the arms ship captured by the Israelis a few weeks ago. Maybe Bush thinks with Arafat hold up in his compound that no additional pressure is needed. I saw no surprises on the war front. The nation is united, and the war is far from over. On the domestic front, Bush is putting the onus on Sen. Daschel to move through fast-track trade authority and the House of Representatives' energy bill that would increase domestic oil production. Bush also wants an economic stimulus package that focuses on moving up the tax cuts from last year's law, although he incorrectly puts the reasons in Keynesian terms (the public needs a tax cut to boost spending). I read the text instead of watching Bush deliver the speech, but I did detect that it was Bush's voice. It wasn't highfalutin but honest. "The speech was fact-filled, dense and not airy," in Peggy Noonan's words. He acknowleges his faith and isn't afraid to point out obvious truths like "evil is real." "Plainspoken Eloquence" Sean Hackbarth | 1.30.2002 2:28 AM Unlike some of us, I had to work last night and didn't hear the State of the Union address. I can make no comments until I read the transcript. Sean Hackbarth | 2:19 AM Is Hamid Karzai the first Afghan leader to witness a State of the Union speech first hand? Sean Hackbarth | 1:41 AM A fine portrait of the 20th Century's greatest economist, F. A. Hayek sits in London's National Portrait Gallery. [via Greg Ransom] Sean Hackbarth | 1.29.2002 1:39 PM E. J. Dionne jumps on the "Enron proves campaign finance reform is needed" bandwagon, but admits,
He also tries to tie in Vice President Cheney's refusal to name names and discuss discussions on his energy task force. In this case, taking advantage of a financial scandal and legitimate institutional debate to push one's pet (and unconstitutional) cause is just plain illogical. Suppose campaign finance reform were in place. That wouldn't have stopped Enron from cooking their books, nor would it stop Cheney from protecting Executive Branch autonomy from Congressman Waxman's (D-CA) fishing expedition. "Soft Money: Had Enough?" Sean Hackbarth | 12:43 PM The Motley Fool will be charging to get on their famous message boards. "Motley Fool Courts Online Subscribers" Sean Hackbarth | 1.28.2002 1:45 PM Tom Tomorrow, the comic artist who isn't very funny, friviously tosses out this bit of conspiracy kookiness: "We've got at least one mysterious death--the apparent suicide of a former Enron executive who, from all reports, had nothing to hide, but was expected to be a major whistleblower in the case." Tom would be mentioning the death of J. Clifford Baxter. If you've read any of his This Modern World strips, you'll know Tom opposes anything to the left of Barbara Streisand. I'm not surprised he'd try to connect the suicide of a man to a President with no shred of evidence, but it's still tasteless. The death was ruled a suicide, but that won't stop Bush bashers like Tom. Sean Hackbarth | 1:35 AM The Washington Post goes Pulitzer with their series on the days following 9.11.01. The first story follows President Bush from the moment he's told about the attacks until he finally sleeps in the White House after addressing the nation. The second part reports on the day after, including the development of the strategy of the war on terrorism. "America's Chaotic Road to War" [via InstaPundit] "'We Will Rally the World'" Sean Hackbarth | 1.27.2002 9:40 PM The terrorists held in Cuba aren't going anywhere anytime soon. That's the impression I got when Secretary Don Rumsfeld said, "They will not be determined to be POWs [Prisoners of War]." He won't call them POWs because then they would have to be released after the war is over in Afghanistan. The Bush administration believes these prisoners are direct threats to U.S. security and don't want to let them go. It sounds reasonable, but does that mean they'll be in Cuba permanently? That's what it looks like right now. "Rumsfeld: Afghan Detainees Not POWs" Sean Hackbarth | 2:00 AM While still in the talking stage, Miller Brewing could change from a stagnating No. 2 U.S. brewer to a growing No. 1 world brewer. Miller's headquarters would still be in Milwaukee, the name would still be on the Brewers' stadium, and no local jobs would be cut. "Miller May be Merged into World's No. 1 Brewer" Sean Hackbarth | 1:37 AM A military commander for North American defense makes sense. Military response in future domestic attacks should be streamlined. I worry that mission creep could occur, and this new regional command could start getting involved with stuff like immigration and drug interdiction. Those are areas best left to civilian law enforcement. I also wonder how the new command would work with Tom Ridge's Office of Homeland Security. It could be another turf war for Ridge to fight. What you can't say is that the Pentagon isn't getting serious about domestic security. "Pentagon Plans New Command For U.S." [via Drudge] Sean Hackbarth | 1:05 AM 2002 is already becoming a great year for music. Nine Inch Nails just let loose a live album, the Chemical Brothers will be releasing their new collection of songs, and Rush will be coming out with their first album in five years this spring. Here's hoping these great artists live up to my expectations. "Rush Wraps New Album" Sean Hackbarth | |
ABOUT When I'm not pondering the fate of the universe, I'm reading, writing, or selling books. Here you'll find comments on politics, culture, books, and music. Not necessarily in that order. MAILBOX sean--at--theamericanmind.com  Support democracy and human rights in Iraq! 
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