Science and Society

McCain’s Record on Financial Regulation

Sep 8th, 2008 | By | Category: 2008, Featured Articles, Lead Article

If you aren’t concerned about the massive bailout of Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae by the US taxpayers, you should be.

The next president, who in turn will set the regulatory environment, really matters.

McCain’s record is terrible.



Experience Where it Counts

Sep 2nd, 2008 | By | Category: 2008

What is more important: Having an experienced and capable vice president or president?

I’m totally and completely fed up with Sarah Palin and her personal, professional and political problems. Enough of the notion that deciding to carry a child with trisomy-21 to term makes one capable of leading the nation in a crisis. Enough.



Defective By Design: Cycling in Seattle

Jul 26th, 2008 | By | Category: Featured Articles, Transit

East Aloha street is the city’s designated route for cyclists to get East and West across Northern Capitol Hill.

Roll that in your mind, if you’re prone to think the Critical Mass people were asking for it.



If Obama Were My New Bicycle

Jul 24th, 2008 | By | Category: 2008

Obama’s post-clinching pander-fest failed to improve his prospects for November, at least according the the polls.



The Success of the War on Drugs.

Jul 1st, 2008 | By | Category: Public Health

For our little war on drugs, we’ve willfully ignored vast chunks of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments. We might imprison the highest percentage of the population and the greatest absolute number of people in the world–leaving #2 China deep in our dust in this one measure–but, surely, our population is one of the most […]



For Bill Gates on his Last Day at Microsoft

Jun 27th, 2008 | By | Category: Featured Articles, Public Health

Dear Bill, Congratulations on your last day at Microsoft and welcome to the world of biomedical research! Everyone I know who endured a ‘billg’ review agrees—you’re apparently a bit of an ass. Quick to question and call bullshit, to point out errors or inconsistency, and to demand the best, willing to yell if yelling is […]



Some Suggestions For Your New Individual Right to Bear Arms

Jun 26th, 2008 | By | Category: Your Rights

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Enjoying your recently expanded rights under the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution? Wait, let me adjust that quote above to reflect the Roberts-court interpretation: A well regulated […]



Living and Working Energy

Jun 25th, 2008 | By | Category: Energy, Featured Articles, Transit

Adjusting to higher energy prices? You aren’t the only one. The insanity of shipping even the cheapest goods around the planet, to save a little on labor costs, is finally being recognized as insane: As the cost of shipping continues to soar along with fuel prices, homegrown manufacturing jobs are making a comeback after decades […]



How to Read a Poll

Jun 18th, 2008 | By | Category: 2008, Featured Articles, Stats

As we approach November, I anticipate a tidal wave of blog posts on polls. Reading the polling data improperly is hazardous to your health. The disconnect between the polling and the 2004 election results nearly resulted in my death. Avoid my mistakes. 1. Remember that polls are always of a population that may or may […]



Intrade Says: Obama Wins

Jun 11th, 2008 | By | Category: 2008

(From electoralmap.net via slashdot) Intrade, an online futures trading website, allows you to make investments based on whether or not you believe a given event is likely to happen. Will the average price of gasoline be over $4.00 on June 30th? Will Israel and/or the US bomb Iran by the 30th of September? Will McCain […]