ListeningHead.com » Miscellaneous observations

Milton Friedman Explains Why Government Interference in the Free Market Through Social Engineering Hurts Those it Purports to Help

Jonathan Ginsberg — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:31:35 +0000

In this video, economist Milton Friedman explains how well meaning social programs inevitably trap the recipients of government largesse into cycles of poverty and dispair.

Georgia Legislature Passes Landmark "Roadkill bill"

Jonathan Ginsberg — Sun, 02 May 2010 15:31:11 +0000

With Georgia tax receipts down by over $2 billion, the Georgia's Hope Scholarship program dipping into its reserve fund, and public schools furloughing teachers to save money, I am happy to learn that the state legislature spent some time debating a truly monumental problem – the tough choices faced by drivers who run over a deer or a bear.

Senate Bill 474 was passed by the 2010 Georgia legislature. It allows drivers to keep any bear or deer they might run over. Previously, such roadkill had to be scraped off the roadway and given to the Department of Natural Resource, where the carcasses were stuff, mounted and installed in various state owned properties.

Apparently the DNR has run out of places to mount the roadkill. Perhaps the state taxidermists were also furloughed. I suppose all those pesky budget issues can wait until next year. No word on whether restaurants using roadkill will have to disclose same on their menus.

"Our Founding Fathers Are Rolling in their Graves"

Jonathan Ginsberg — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:41:59 +0000

Judge Andrew Napolitano offers a cogent take on how Congress has expanded the scope of the Commerce Clause far beyond anything contemplated by our founding fathers. How any American can approve of the overreaching nature of our federal government is beyond understanding. Like the frog that gets boiled alive in a pot of gradually heating water, our civil, economic and personal liberties are being taken from us by the controlling nanny state.

Israeli Scientists Generate Electricity from Road Traffic

Jonathan Ginsberg — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:40:20 +0000

Haaretz (an Israeli newspaper) reports that an Israeli company called Innowattech, with the cooperation of the Technion University has developed a technology that turns highway traffic into electricity. The system works by installing piezoelectric materials 2 inches below the surface of the asphalt. Piezoelectric materials generate electricity in response to mechanical stress.

Project manager Lucy Edri-Azoulay stated that installing the technology on a single traffic lane stretching one kilometer would produce 200 kilowatts of electricity hour and a four lane highway with the system implemented would produce a megawatt of electricity, enough to power 2,500 households.

Unlike solar and wind technology, this piezoelectric system would not be dependent on the weather nor would it require significant infrastructure outlays.

It is certainly too bad that so much of the world spends its time figuring out new ways to isolate and castigate Israel. Arab oil producers, fat and lazy with easy money created by exploiting the finite petroleum reserves that happenstance put under their feet certainly have no interest in supporting alternative energy technologies and, in fact, they have an incentive to stop this type of development.

Energy consuming nations, however, have no excuse. Arab oil money empowers Islamist radicals and their destructive, terrorist ideologies. When their oil dries up, the Saudis and their ilk will be back herding camels within three or four generations.

Western democracies as well as eastern regimes like China would be wise to embrace the intellectual resources that Israeli society produces in endless supply.

Rumor of New Tax Filing Deadline

Jonathan Ginsberg — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:50:29 +0000

If there are any accountants out there who read this blog – I understand that individual tax returns are due on April 15, unless that date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, or unless the IRS extends the deadline because of a natural disaster.

I understand that there is a new exception – you need not file your returns or pay any outstanding taxes due until you are formally nominated for a cabinet position in the Obama Administration.

Carnegie Deli Partner Dies at 90 – Rest in Peace Milton Parker

Jonathan Ginsberg — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 03:41:38 +0000

The AP reports today that Milton Parker, a co-0wner of New York City's most famous restaurant, the Carnegie Deli, has passed away at age 90. The cause of death was "respiratory failure" which most likely means that he died of old age. Not a stroke, not a heart attack, not cancer, not diabetes. A short, portly gentleman, Mr. Parker most likely consumed meat every day. What does this tell us? I will take good genes over good greens any day of the week.

I live in Atlanta, Georgia, but my wife, kids and I generally visit New York City at least once a year. No stop in the City would be complete without a visit to the Carnegie for a giant corned beef sandwich. Thanks to my friend Howard Beer for alerting me to Mr. Parker's passing.

Carnegie Deli Corned Beef Sandwich