2013 archive
Droning On 0
Yet another wedding party . . . .
Update from the Foreclosure-Based Economy 0
Still foreclosure-based.
Fluctuations in median price largely depend on the share of sales that are distressed, said Vinod Agarwal, an economics professor at Old Dominion University. Distressed sales occur when a home is either lost to foreclosure or sold for less than what was owed on the mortgage.
Nearly 27 percent of November sales were distressed in Hampton Roads, the listing service reported – down from 28.4 percent the same month a year ago.
Facebook Frolics 0
There is no delete key on the Zuckerborg.
Signs of the Season 0
Nothing promotes the holiday spirit more than a little Fox News style bigotry.
Memories of Apartheid 0
I have mentioned earlier that, when I was young, white Southerners looked to South Africa as a beacon of sympathy.
Read Dan Simpson’s memories of serving in South Africa.
And weep, for, though they dress it up in fancy language, this is the vision of the New Secesh.
“Alienation of Affections” 0
Apparently, it’s still a thing in North Carolina.
Santa’s Mailbag 0
Diana Wagman volunteered for “Operation Santa 2013.” Volunteers read letters to Santa and can choose to send the writers a gift and a response as Santa.
It was not the innocent, heartwarming experience she expected. A nugget:
I was overwhelmed. Many of the letters _ even the ones from kids _ asked for groceries and shoes, clothing and shampoo. One child wrote: “Please bring my mommy some food. She’s been good this year.”
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 2
Be polite to your teachers.
More guns, no doubt, would have meant more politeness.
“The Polls Say . . . .” 0
If you want a better understanding of the math behind opinion polls and an introduction to separating good polls from bad, read Kevin O’Brien’s short primer on polls.
Republican Outreach 0
Zandar looks behind the press releases:
The only reason Republicans haven’t won on the fear vote nationally yet is because the last guy from their side is currently painting cats and dogs, and from 2001 to 2008 they had that fear vote locked up tight. It can happen again, and at the state level it already has.
Read the rest.