Conard, who occasionally flashed a mean streak during our talks, started calling the group “art-history majors,” his derisive term for pretty much anyone who was lucky enough to be born with the talent and opportunity to join the risk-taking, innovation-hunting mechanism but who chose instead a less competitive life.

boom roasted

It shows the contrast between libertarians and the Rand types. Libertarians actually take seriously the idea that one way of life is not superior to another; what matters is individuals choose it. If someone wants to forgo salary in order to enjoy their life, there's nothing wrong with that.

In the end, he sounds bitter--he admits to being a shitty father and shitty husband, he doesn't have any fun, and all his money isn't making him happy.

drsmooth wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Germany should put two fingers up and just say they're going back to the Mark. I understand them having some guilt, as they should, but jeez there's only so far you can be expected to go.

That's basically what the world realized about Germany in the 1940s

Which part?

Europeans should really stop being arrogant. They really think they can defy basic lessons of history--when they thought trench warfare with machine guns would lead to swift victory, they ignored the lessons of the US Civil War. Millions died. When they created a currency without political sovereignty behind it, they ignored the problems of US monetary policy before the US Constitution.

Europeans seem to think because they invented the idea of the nation state they can just as easily ignore why it's endured so long.

jerseyhoya wrote:

drsmooth wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Germany should put two fingers up and just say they're going back to the Mark. I understand them having some guilt, as they should, but jeez there's only so far you can be expected to go.

That's basically what the world realized about Germany in the 1940s

Which part?

"there's only so far you can be expected to go"

TenuredVulture wrote:Europeans seem to think because they invented the idea of the nation state they can just as easily ignore why it's endured so long.

I would think the Egyptians invented the nation state.

TenuredVulture wrote:Europeans should really stop being arrogant. They really think they can defy basic lessons of history--when they thought trench warfare with machine guns would lead to swift victory, they ignored the lessons of the US Civil War. Millions died. When they created a currency without political sovereignty behind it, they ignored the problems of US monetary policy before the US Constitution.

Europeans seem to think because they invented the idea of the nation state they can just as easily ignore why it's endured so long.

I think they knew this, I think they just assumed that the inevitable crisis would allow for the centralization of European monetary policy in a strengthened EU. That's not exactly happening here.

The Nightman Cometh wrote:

TenuredVulture wrote:Europeans should really stop being arrogant. They really think they can defy basic lessons of history--when they thought trench warfare with machine guns would lead to swift victory, they ignored the lessons of the US Civil War. Millions died. When they created a currency without political sovereignty behind it, they ignored the problems of US monetary policy before the US Constitution.

Europeans seem to think because they invented the idea of the nation state they can just as easily ignore why it's endured so long.

I think they knew this, I think they just assumed that the inevitable crisis would allow for the centralization of European monetary policy in a strengthened EU. That's not exactly happening here.

Consolidation of power is at the heart of the EU theory. Collect member countries, like US states, and control via economic influence. Essentially, become the US and study the problems the US faced as it formed. What could not really be grasp is that the states in this case have thousands of years of history that they are not willing to give up. The foundation of the EU expected to have members who are economically weak, but offer a nice climate while being supported by the powerhouses to some extent, keeping the euro strong.

I am not sure that they envisioned member states like Poland and Slovokia holding off on adoption nor did they foresee countries like Greece rebelling. That is rater interesting. I also think that in its desire to dominate the economics of things that the union overreached in bringing member countries in, or attempting to in terms of Turkey.

The jury is still out on whether you can be the/a major economic power while running away from world commitment. It seems that the EU has a goal of being the US without the messiness of serving the globe as a military power. As it is, the Chinese are buying up old country businesses giving a quick payday to the families who have owned these firms for generations, but risking compromising the core business and damning the economy. This ride is just starting, keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times.

I am amazed that Euro to Dollar is still 1 to 1.30 through this economic mess.

Next political debate, can we get a Playmate dressed skin tight to warm up the crowd? Those Mexicans have figured out how to get people to tune in.

There are a couple of problems with the way the EU was conceived--in part, it was designed to prevent another war among European nations through economic integration. However, the entity itself is more or less run by unelected Eurocrats, and the "democratic deficit" I think makes it difficult for the entity to command real loyalty from Europeans.

The EU is really weird #analysis

it'll REALLY be weird if there's another world war and the countries pick different teams. awkward, really.

The good thing on that front is a lot of those countries don't really have armies any more

I will be going to Belgium and France in a few weeks, I will be sure to tell them how much the EU is shit while wearing an American flag...hopefully before consuming too much Belgian beer and passing out.

when will you be in belgium? I have to go there for a conference in late June. I'll be in Brussels. I think there is a big music festival there at that time, so I'm hoping to watch the baby during the day and roll around in the mud at night.

im now fully invested in the minnesota state senate

What's going on?

they are debating the bill to fund the vikings proposed stadium.

Roger Dorn wrote:I will be going to Belgium and France in a few weeks, I will be sure to tell them how much the EU is shit while wearing an American flag...hopefully before consuming too much Belgian beer and passing out.

A lot of Europeans aren't exactly thrilled about the EU.