Saturday morning links

Good essay on Arlington, except for the incorrect use of the apostrophe in two places. Is proofreading no longer performed in professional writing ? Anyone?

#1 tim ferrell on 2019-11-16 07:30 (Reply)

QUOTE:

"Giridharadas explained that they “then use philanthropy, some of the spoils of dubiously gotten wealth, to whitewash not just their reputations, but to actually create the ability to keep doing what they are doing.”"

.

Such naked, cynical ambition, listening to him speak. Let's all hate these fellows, demonize them, then grab what they have. We can make much better use of it, provided I'm in charge of its disbursement (after all, it's MY idea), and we still have them to blame! An Ayn Rand caricature.

#2 Aggie on 2019-11-16 09:14 (Reply)

Regarding billionaires: Never in the field of human endeavor have so many tried to take so much from so few. Who has the moral authority to decide when, as Obama claimed, someone has made enough money? Despite being established by G-d, government has no intrinsic morality.

#2.1 SgtBob (Link) on 2019-11-16 13:07 (Reply)

Being 'woke' is both a path to excusing yourself, but also a path to punishing others just to make yourself feel better about your own shortcomings.

Lenin, Robespierre and Mao were all 'woke' in their own way. So were Che and Castro. So these people have lots of good company.

#3 Bulldog on 2019-11-16 09:30 (Reply)

The Guardian piece on why the rich love South Dakota is related to the Giridharadas complaint. Liberal, progressive, and socialist political animals have to be the most envious scolds in the world. They simply can't stand leaving anyone alone...nag, nag, nag, tax, tax, tax.

#4 indyjonesouthere on 2019-11-16 09:32 (Reply)

Re: What impeachment is really about

Since Obama sent the Ukrainians blankets instead of guns when Russia attacked Ukraine, that would mean that he not only did not appreciate that Ukraine's territorial integrity is of vital importance to our national security but he coddled the Russians in the process. In fact, an argument could be made that Obama's willingness to be more "flexible" with Putin after winning his second term encouraged Russia to attack Crimea in the first place. That would be DOUBLY bad and certainly impeachable. For some reason the Democrats in Congress didn't pick up on this. Where were the whistle blowers? Where were the brave diplomats who risk life and limb fighting to right our foreign policy from the dangerous foreign policy neophyte Obama? Where are the transcripts of phone calls to Ukrainian officials - or Russian officials?

There must be something illegal about this. When will the Democrats seek to right this wrong? I guess they're busy now.

#5 mudbug on 2019-11-16 10:36 (Reply)

It will be very interesting to see what happens to the tone and direction of the impeachment proceedings once they move into the Senate chamber, controlled by Republicans. I have read that the House rules governing impeachment were revised dramatically in 2018 once the Democrats took control, enabling to the circus we are witnessing now. But once in the Senate, the Republicans control the game. Wouldn't it be interesting if they took the opportunity to expand its scope to include, in great detail, a denouement of all this skulduggery? All in the interest of clearing the President of course, and nothing to do with the >cough< upcoming election coverage. Be a shame if it drug out and kept vulnerable Democrats in session, playing defense rather than campaigning for re-election.

#5.1 Aggie on 2019-11-16 11:14 (Reply)

For this reason I assume they're scrambling to come up with some way to conclude the hearings that won't result in a trial in the Senate. A censure resolution, maybe? Or just drag the hearings out forever without a vote?

#5.1.1 Texan99 on 2019-11-16 12:38 (Reply)

Re: Gates derangement syndrome

In that entire article, there was no mention of how Gates made his fortune: by providing goods and services that people wanted. If he didn't donate a nickel to any charitable cause, he had already served his fellow man. I'm guessing that Anand Giridharadas can't say that.

#6 mudbug on 2019-11-16 10:58 (Reply)

Really, what do billionaires do with their money?

The spend some (which means it goes into other people's pockets). When they build and live in big mansions,millions of dollars flow into the hands of contractors, carpenters, masons, cooks, gardeners...which of course continues to flow through the community. Years ago I knew a woman whose mother created the patterns for incredibly expensive womens' handbags (like the cost of a small car). Basically she had a good income because some very rich folks were willing to spend money on her craft.

The rest of billionaires' money generally gets invested. Investment builds the economy.

#6.1 jay on 2019-11-17 07:46 (Reply)

Re: What impeachment is really about.
I'm so far behind I still haven't found out what crime Rosenstein told Mueller to investigate. What was that really about?

#7 Ray on 2019-11-16 12:26 (Reply)

"New research from Angela Duckworth and colleagues finds that characteristics beyond intelligence influence long-term achievement."

But this list pales in comparison with the "characteristics beyond intelligence" that influence the publication of inane research papers.

#8 Texan99 on 2019-11-16 12:35 (Reply)

When Bureaucrats Go Bad

https://canadafreepress.com/article/when-bureaucrats-go-bad

#9 feeblemind on 2019-11-16 14:03 (Reply)

I have known half a dozen self made millionaires over the years and none of them were geniuses. They all worked long hours at their own business and all were frugal.

#10 Oneguy on 2019-11-17 08:51 (Reply)

Long-term achievement and intelligence. The people who will agree most quickly that intelligence isn't everything are the people from High-IQ societies. Many have spent a lot of time at school and at work with the intelligent, or have them in their families because of genetics, and have seen firsthand that IQ is not a full hand to play if one is to survive. Many know it, and rue it, about themselves as well.

Really, whoever said it was the only thing? I would say that it is a straw man, except that some people must secretly believe it is true, and project that belief onto others so they can kick it, thus showing their own virtue.

#11 Assistant Village Idiot on 2019-11-17 13:06 (Reply)

I agree. Most super intelligent people tend to focus on one or two things in their entire life with little regard to social or survival needs. They often make bad businessmen because they don't see the big picture. Their life is totally tied up in a small set of interests and biases.

#11.1 Oneguy on 2019-11-18 10:05 (Reply)

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Saturday, November 16. 2019

Saturday morning links