Apple Hardware

Apple seems to be getting in on serious hardware assets with the acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi in the spring, Segway's CTO Doug Field in the summer, and now IBM executive Mark Papermaster (said to be privy to knowledge of IBM's Power microprocessor architecture). What is Apple building?

Addendum
IBM has filed a lawsuit to block Papermaster's move to Apple under a noncompetitive agreement.

Tactile Interpretation

Using sensory input to retrain the brain. This is something I can see myself getting involved in.

Self Discipline Begets Self Discipline

NY Times tips on self control/discipline is practice with little acts of self control (and avoid hypoglycemia).

Healthcare Plan

I was quite impressed by a friend's argument against McCain's healthcare plan. He pointed out that, sure, McCain would allow people to shop around for cheaper insurance alternatives, but insurance agencies will not be willing to pick up those with pre-existing illnesses. He also brought up the argument that employers will cease to cover employees if employers were taxed to fund the McCain plan. Finally he argued that the uninsured population abuses emergency department visits, thus driving up costs for the public and hospitals. He proposes that with universal coverage would remove one reason they are inclined to visit the ED. Both candidates plan to increase the number clinics to improve preventative care and field non-emergent complaints. Even so there are several free clinics already available through county systems; yet the ED still is swamped with visits.

Nonetheless a question continued to linger was how could Obama pay for his version of universal healthcare. Faulty implementation has become a motif in Wall Street Journal's criticism of Obama's weak economic plans which appears to draw heavily upon "unverifiable" sources. One article showed that his own economic advisors have even up to 4 months ago admittedly advocated a McCain-like plan and that "Mr. Obama has offered no clue as to how he intends to pay for his health-insurance plans, or doubling foreign aid, or any of the other 175 programs he's promised to expand."

Addendum
Apparently McCain's plan actually accounts for those with pre-existing illnesses. His healthcare plan would fund insurance for those who have been rejected by an insurance company, i.e. those at highest risk.

China's Silencing of Parents

Oh China, you pain me! This is not justice. You placate your people now, only to build future unrest. Companies cutting corners leading to deaths of children are not brought to trial because they are too intertwined with government. It demonstrates fear of exposure and losing control.

Scare Tactic

Enough with rumor that Obama is Muslim as a scare tactic-- a tactic that is is somehow demeaning to a group of Americans and not true.

But most people understand this. I myself have been wary of the violence against Christians and against those who leave or criticize the Islamic religion. This however has not been the case for moderate Islam; extremism within any people group subsists in the fringes yet they can act as though speaking as representative. (So it is a sad that the Wahabist movement in Islam cannibalizes the rich, open culture widely found even as late as the 1970's.)

Capital Gains Tax

Obama now has a 6% lead (50% vs. McCain's 44%), mountains upon mountains of money, advertising spending at a 4:1 ratio compared to McCain, the endorsement of Colin Powell and Warren Buffet, a constant message of change and hope, and the often cited "steadiness" which on the side some wonder about a dullness or lack of passion but mostly it is read as confidence. Powell's opinion has been swayed by the current economic climate. So is Obama's economic plan sound? The Wall Street Journal and Investors Business Daily have both argue against his increase in the capital gains tax from 15% to 28% which would hit those who own stock. This was said in his debate in April but even now Obama is consistent with his plan to increase the capital gains tax for the sake of "fairness."

This is despite the fact that government revenue from taxes increased every time capital gains tax was cut and decreased when it was raised. It suggests that Obama still has much to learn about economics and that he is willing to stick with an ideology despite the evidence being pointed out to him. Either candidates will need to draw on a strong economic partners if they are to carry us through these hard times.

Powell for Obama

Colin Powell's endorsement for Senator Obama is huge, especially if Obama is elected and Powell is invited and agrees to come on staff. Powell is an iconic man whom everyone respects, has military and foreign relations experience, has served on staff under three presidents (Reagan, H.W. Bush, W. Bush), and was once considered for presidential candidacy (though declined). In my opinion, Obama's greatest weakness is a lack of experience but if he continues to surround himself with seasoned pros, that weakness is minimized.

Liberal Elite

The television political talk show satirists have pointed out the jaundiced eye Republicans have towards the Liberal Elite. I quote, "It is only in politics where being elite is a bad thing"; which was followed up by giving contrasting examples: elite athletes and elite scientists are considered good things. But this partially misses the point. There is a difference between being elite and elitist and the Republican party sentiment has been directed against elitism. But there has also been a neglect or antagonism towards the educated. The New York Times published an article that puts forth cogently that only in the last 15 years have Republicans spurned the educated class in an appeal to the regular Joe Six-pack. Educated conservatives are not lacking but the party has stopped appealing towards them.

World Gone Nuclear

India
President Bush and Congress have given India a huge vote of trust in the U.S.-India Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement which provides for trade of nuclear fuel and supplies. This has won over India as a longstanding ally but may threaten to destabilize the relationship India has with Pakistan, given their own arms race in recent history. India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and though the Bush-Singh trade accord provides for nuclear energy it allows India to progress as "nuclear weapons state" without strings attached.

The accord seems to have wide support from India's left and right. Economically, both countries will benefit as India gains energy supply and U.S. receives needed funding. Strategically, the U.S. may have gained a partner in Asia with regards to Iran but also potentially regarding China.

Iran
Iran continues to scorn international overtures to cease its nuclear enrichment. According to Wall Street Journal it will have enough "low-enriched uranium necessary to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb by mid-January" despite offers for "membership in the World Trade Organization to Western billions and backing for its energy sector, including civilian nuclear reactors. The mullahs mock those entreaties." Most pitiful is how the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution calling Iran to abide by its previous three resolutions to stop enrichment. What evidence shows that a 3rd repetition would help? In turn Iran has threatened to limit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to known nuclear sites.

It highly unlikely the U.S. would take military action; however this does not stop Israel from striking especially with past threats to destroy of Israel coming from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

North Korea
The Hermit State with the last standing Stalinist cult of personality, has turned back on its aid-for-disarmament deal and proceeded to rebuild its Yongbyon plutonium processing plant. The IAEA has completed North Korea's orders to remove surveillance camera and seals and no longer has access to the facility.

Addendum
North Korea agreed to stop rebuilding now that the United States has removed it from the terrorist list.