CCTV in Britain

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/06/british_high_sc.html

I think they might accentuate the parents’ responsibility for their problems a little too much, but the premise is still valid.

Identity Politics

Interesting George Will piece here.

Buffett’s Annual Report

As always it has some good information in it.  One good line jumped out at me:

The present housing debacle should teach home buyers, lenders, brokers and government some simple
lessons that will ensure stability in the future. Home purchases should involve an honest-to-God down payment
of at least 10% and monthly payments that can be comfortably handled by the borrower’s income. That income
should be carefully verified.
Putting people into homes, though a desirable goal, shouldn’t be our country’s primary objective.
Keeping them in their homes should be the ambition.

Still Here

I haven’t died.  I’ve had actual work to do recently!

Consulting and the Lure of Change

I was doing some thinking.  Initially I liked consulting because my interests would change a lot and I’d get bored with projects.  I enjoyed getting to move on and do new projects every 6 months or less.  This is a legitimate draw for consulting companies.

Nowadays though, I think it’s tiring to adjust to a new working style with different people on that same interval.  It is a little inefficient and wastes lots of energy having to realign a team every time there is a change.

Somalia

BBC article

“We carried out mortar attacks against the enemy of Allah who arrived to spread democracy in Somalia,” a spokesman for the group named as Sheikh Husein Ali Fidow was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

If you’re going to carry out the attack, at least cite some actual US policy or something.  This guy/group definitely sounds crazy.

Some Daily Kagan

I like reading Robert Kagan on occasion.  Here is a piece I found interesting.

Accounting Rules

Someone used to say there’s no place for optimism in accounting.

Therefore I’m quite suspicious of the FASB decision.  Floyd was also upset about this.

US Tax Complexity

One thing I’ve noticed about the UK is their tax system is refreshingly simple compared to the US system.  There aren’t too many brackets (only 2) and the filing process is much simpler.

I think we in the US ought to pay attention to this panel!

American Cities

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/arts/design/29ouro.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=cities&st=cse

I’m not sure the US needs to “follow Europe and Asia” but I think this article is right about the image of the US in the world re: infrastructure and is correct about some of what’s happening out there.

Personally I think the US has an opportunity to do something more efficient than the usual “install subways in every city” type thing.