Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Monday, December 30, 2019
We pay more for health care
The International Federation of Health Plans compares the cost of health plans around the world every couple of years. It's latest survey is for 2017. We pay the most, in many cases double or more. For example, drug prices for most countries were less than half the US price for most of the administered and prescription drugs included in the study.
Some other comparisons:
For a typical angioplasty, a procedure that opens a blocked blood vessel to the heart, the average U.S. price is $32,200, compared with $6,400 in the Netherlands, or $7,400 in Switzerland. A typical M.R.I. scan costs $1,420 in the United States, but around $450 in Britain. An injection of Herceptin, an important breast cancer treatment, costs $211 in the United States, compared with $44 in South Africa.
Some other comparisons:
For a typical angioplasty, a procedure that opens a blocked blood vessel to the heart, the average U.S. price is $32,200, compared with $6,400 in the Netherlands, or $7,400 in Switzerland. A typical M.R.I. scan costs $1,420 in the United States, but around $450 in Britain. An injection of Herceptin, an important breast cancer treatment, costs $211 in the United States, compared with $44 in South Africa.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Our World
Some – mainly physical - things are getting better. See the recent posting from The Spectator. Nicholas Kristof has a similar article in Sunday’s NY Times. He touts that 2019 was “the year in which children were least likely to die, adults were least likely to be illiterate and people were least likely to suffer excruciating and disfiguring diseases.”
It’s true, but it’s also true that mass killings have exploded; we’re not doing much, other than talking, about climate change; racism is still a major driver here; the quality of our leadership in the Senate and Congress has diminished; inequality has gotten worse; our government is driven by our own form of oligarchs; the weather is the strangest I have lived through; our government’s debt is the highest it’s ever been; we believe that our military is the greatest in the world; and, of course, we are living under the worst and wierdest president we have ever had.
It’s true, but it’s also true that mass killings have exploded; we’re not doing much, other than talking, about climate change; racism is still a major driver here; the quality of our leadership in the Senate and Congress has diminished; inequality has gotten worse; our government is driven by our own form of oligarchs; the weather is the strangest I have lived through; our government’s debt is the highest it’s ever been; we believe that our military is the greatest in the world; and, of course, we are living under the worst and wierdest president we have ever had.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Losing trees in the Amazon
It's decreased almost 20% since 1985. What does this mean?
The millions who live there are having a harder time.
The The world's water supply is diminishing as one-fifth of the world’s fresh water is in the Amazon Basin.
More carbon is released.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Things are better
So claims The Spectator:
"We are living through the greatest improvement in human living standards in history. Extreme poverty has fallen below 10 per cent of the world’s population for the first time. It was 60 per cent when I was born. Global inequality has been plunging as Africa and Asia experience faster economic growth than Europe and North America; child mortality has fallen to record low levels; famine virtually went extinct; malaria, polio and heart disease are all in decline."
"We are living through the greatest improvement in human living standards in history. Extreme poverty has fallen below 10 per cent of the world’s population for the first time. It was 60 per cent when I was born. Global inequality has been plunging as Africa and Asia experience faster economic growth than Europe and North America; child mortality has fallen to record low levels; famine virtually went extinct; malaria, polio and heart disease are all in decline."
Stay in a potato
Airbnb gives you that opportunity
It's only $247 a night. The potato has a queen bed perfect for two guests and comes with a fireplace and air-conditioning. It measures 28 feet long and 12 feet wide.
Courtesy of our Florida correspondent
It's only $247 a night. The potato has a queen bed perfect for two guests and comes with a fireplace and air-conditioning. It measures 28 feet long and 12 feet wide.
Courtesy of our Florida correspondent
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
Water, water everywhere?
According to the World Economic Forum, "the global water crisis is the the fourth major threat of our civilization". You remember the problems with tap water in Flint, Michigan. But, Flint is not alone; there are at least 30 cities with tap water problems. Then, we have 49 states The Water Research Institute rates New Mexico as the worst U.S. state; it is on par with the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and Eritrea in Africa.
Why worry? There should be plenty of groundwater. Not really, as groundwater is facing depletion, with industries and people digging ever deeper for water that used to come easy. And, then we have a growing population facing less rainfall and significant evaporation caused by global warming. Forty-nine states have confirmed cases of contamination by highly toxic fluorinated compounds.
Why worry? There should be plenty of groundwater. Not really, as groundwater is facing depletion, with industries and people digging ever deeper for water that used to come easy. And, then we have a growing population facing less rainfall and significant evaporation caused by global warming. Forty-nine states have confirmed cases of contamination by highly toxic fluorinated compounds.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Saturday, December 21, 2019
I guess he likes lobster
Around midnight on Tuesday a crew for a wholesale dealer in lobsters was loading a truck to deliver to its customers. The motor was running. Suddenly, someone jumped out of the shadows and drove the truck , which, at that point, was holding $10,000 worth of lobster, away. The crew was startled, but immediately began a chase with another lobster truck. After a half-mile, they caught up with the thief, who smashed his truck into theirs. Then, the cops came and arrested him.
From our Florida correspondent
From our Florida correspondent
Friday, December 20, 2019
375 years old
1645 was the opening day for Roxbury Latin School, a school in Boston for boys in grades 7 to 12. It was the first to be chartered in this country and is “the oldest school in continuous existence in North America.” The mission of the school, since its founding in 1645, has been to prepare boys to “lead and serve.”
It is and has been one of the finest schools in the country. And I don't say this because two of my sons went there. It is well-endowed so that the tuition is much less than other private schools. But children of all economic backgrounds have graduated from the school; it has a very strong scholarship program. And has graduated many who have helped change the country and the world.
It is and has been one of the finest schools in the country. And I don't say this because two of my sons went there. It is well-endowed so that the tuition is much less than other private schools. But children of all economic backgrounds have graduated from the school; it has a very strong scholarship program. And has graduated many who have helped change the country and the world.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Is this the best use of their money?
Could they have paid their employees more? Could they have invested more in their companies and the economy?
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Why is the Fed making a ton of short-term loans?
For the past couple of months the Fed has been loaning money to major Wall Street dealers. They did this
with a repo (repurchase agreement) loan program when the rate on these loans really jumped from 2 to 10 percent. Last week it announced a more formal program by which it would provide $2.93 trillion.
You may remember that in 2008 the Fed created a very similar lending program. It called it the Single Tranche Open Market Operation (ST OMO) and attempted to pass it off as part of its routine open market operations. But you know what happened.
You may remember that in 2008 the Fed created a very similar lending program. It called it the Single Tranche Open Market Operation (ST OMO) and attempted to pass it off as part of its routine open market operations. But you know what happened.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Vote or lose the right to vote
Georgia and Wisconsin have winnowed their list of voters by removing those who have not voted in recent elections. Georgia removed 120,561; Wisconsin removed 234,000.
Monday, December 16, 2019
What's wrong with the Gages Lake School in Illinois?
Like other schools in Illinois Gages Lake tends to put students into a timeout area for relatively minor offenses. Illinois law does allow timeouts but only if the children are in danger of hurting themselves or others. Gages Lake used timeout for students who were not in danger and, in essence, put them in danger by grabbing children by the wrists, shoving them into walls and throwing them to the ground in a cluster of four seclusion spaces — some with lockable doors, others open — that the school calls “the office.” At least one of the school aides treated the kids in such a way that he has been charged by prosecutors that he used excessive force on students.
It looks as though this behavior has come to light only in the last year as reported timeouts have gone from 270 to 1,708 in that period.
It looks as though this behavior has come to light only in the last year as reported timeouts have gone from 270 to 1,708 in that period.
The count is now 15,413
That's the number of false or misleading claims Mr. Trump has made since becoming our president. So says the Washington Post. That's about 15 a day.
What is wrong with him? He repeats many of the claims hundreds of times.
What is wrong with him? He repeats many of the claims hundreds of times.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Voting Rights
Kentucky has increased its voting roles by 140,000 in one fell swoop. This represents 9% of its population. It so happens that these 140,000 voters have served time in the state's jails. Those who committed violent crimes still may not vote
Friday, December 13, 2019
Another warning about livestock
If we don't curb livestock production soon, we'll be in deep environmental trouble, according to some scientists. If we don't, it will generate about half of our negative emissions. This is what the scientists say we should do now:
First, declare a timeframe for peak livestock—i.e., livestock production from each species would not continue to increase from this point forward.
Second, within the livestock sector, identify the largest emissions sources or the largest land occupiers, or both, and set appropriate reduction targets for production. This process would be repeated sequentially, to set reduction targets for the next largest emitter or land occupier.
Third, within a reconfiguration of the agriculture sector, apply a best available food strategy to diversify food production by replacing livestock with foods that simultaneously minimize environmental burdens and maximize public health benefits—mainly pulses (including beans, peas, and lentils), grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Fourth, when grazing land is not required or is unsuitable for horticulture or arable production, adopt a natural climate solutions approach where possible, to repurpose land as a carbon sink by restoring native vegetation cover to its maximum carbon sequestration potential with additional benefits to biodiversity.
First, declare a timeframe for peak livestock—i.e., livestock production from each species would not continue to increase from this point forward.
Second, within the livestock sector, identify the largest emissions sources or the largest land occupiers, or both, and set appropriate reduction targets for production. This process would be repeated sequentially, to set reduction targets for the next largest emitter or land occupier.
Third, within a reconfiguration of the agriculture sector, apply a best available food strategy to diversify food production by replacing livestock with foods that simultaneously minimize environmental burdens and maximize public health benefits—mainly pulses (including beans, peas, and lentils), grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Fourth, when grazing land is not required or is unsuitable for horticulture or arable production, adopt a natural climate solutions approach where possible, to repurpose land as a carbon sink by restoring native vegetation cover to its maximum carbon sequestration potential with additional benefits to biodiversity.
Why does Trump fear her?
“So ridiculous,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Greta must work on her anger management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!”
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Here are a few interesting excerpts you won't see in the media
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – delivered the following opening statement at the hearing ‘Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’ on December 10, 2019:
"Over the past few years, in this Committee, we have seen the Trump Administration dismantle many of the protections we put in place after the last financial crisis, putting our financial system and hardworking families around the country at risk.
The SEC has flown under the radar, but often the agenda has been the same – taking Wall Street’s side over and over, instead of standing with investors saving for retirement or college or a down payment."...
"While I appreciate the Enforcement Division’s initiatives, including those to protect teachers and military service members from fraud and misconduct in financial advice, you’ve done so much damage by adopting what you call “Regulation Best Interest”. Under that rule, brokerage firms can merely disclose, but don’t have to eliminate, firm-level conflicts.
It should be simple – investment firms need to work for the people they serve. Americans need to have confidence the professionals that they’re trusting with their hard earned money are working for them, not scamming them to line the firm’s own pockets. You could have simply followed Congress’s guidance in the Dodd-Frank Act to create a uniform fiduciary standard for brokers and advisors, which would be the best way to give investors confidence that their interests come first. But you didn’t.
And that’s not the only part of Dodd-Frank you are working to undermine. Look at the SEC’s proposal to amend the whistleblower program, which is one of the most successful programs created under Dodd-Frank. We need brave workers to stand up to corruption and abuse when they see financial companies scamming people or engaging in other illegal behavior."
"Over the past few years, in this Committee, we have seen the Trump Administration dismantle many of the protections we put in place after the last financial crisis, putting our financial system and hardworking families around the country at risk.
The SEC has flown under the radar, but often the agenda has been the same – taking Wall Street’s side over and over, instead of standing with investors saving for retirement or college or a down payment."...
"While I appreciate the Enforcement Division’s initiatives, including those to protect teachers and military service members from fraud and misconduct in financial advice, you’ve done so much damage by adopting what you call “Regulation Best Interest”. Under that rule, brokerage firms can merely disclose, but don’t have to eliminate, firm-level conflicts.
It should be simple – investment firms need to work for the people they serve. Americans need to have confidence the professionals that they’re trusting with their hard earned money are working for them, not scamming them to line the firm’s own pockets. You could have simply followed Congress’s guidance in the Dodd-Frank Act to create a uniform fiduciary standard for brokers and advisors, which would be the best way to give investors confidence that their interests come first. But you didn’t.
And that’s not the only part of Dodd-Frank you are working to undermine. Look at the SEC’s proposal to amend the whistleblower program, which is one of the most successful programs created under Dodd-Frank. We need brave workers to stand up to corruption and abuse when they see financial companies scamming people or engaging in other illegal behavior."
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Monday, December 09, 2019
A 21st century view of the Nativity
Claremont United Methodist Church in California displayed this as their view of Christ's birth.
Does it remind you of immigration in the 21st century?
Does it remind you of immigration in the 21st century?
Talk about a bad investment
Our investment in Afghanistan has cost us more than $2 trillion. Here's a breakdown:
$1.5 trillion waging war yet the Taliban control or contest much of the country.
$10 billion on counternarcotics but Afghanistan supplies 80 percent of the world’s heroin.
$87 billion to train Afghan military and police forces but Afghan forces still can’t support themselves.
$24 billion on economic development and still most Afghans live in poverty.
$30 billion on other reconstruction programs but much of that money was lost to corruption and failed projects.
$500 billion on interest on borrowed money to fund the war.
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest sources of refugees and migrants. More than 2,400 American soldiers and more than 38,000 Afghan civilians have died.
$1.5 trillion waging war yet the Taliban control or contest much of the country.
$10 billion on counternarcotics but Afghanistan supplies 80 percent of the world’s heroin.
$87 billion to train Afghan military and police forces but Afghan forces still can’t support themselves.
$24 billion on economic development and still most Afghans live in poverty.
$30 billion on other reconstruction programs but much of that money was lost to corruption and failed projects.
$500 billion on interest on borrowed money to fund the war.
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest sources of refugees and migrants. More than 2,400 American soldiers and more than 38,000 Afghan civilians have died.
Buy your pork from Denmark
The use of more antibiotics can result in dangerous germs having more opportunities to evolve and outsmart drugs designed to kill them. Drug-resistant infections now claim 700,000 lives a year around the world, including 35,000 in the United States. Without bold action, the United Nations has estimated drug-resistant pathogens could claim 10 million lives globally by 2050.
Denmark, which is a major producer of pork, has cut way back on the use of antibiotics on
pigs. Here, they use antibiotics at a rate seven times higher than that of Danish farmers. In Denmark one quarter or more of some swine arrive at the abattoir without ever having received any antimicrobial drugs.
Denmark, which is a major producer of pork, has cut way back on the use of antibiotics on
A different approach to climate change
The Nature Conservancy has made a deal with the government of the Seychelles Island to attack the problems of the ocean due to climate change. The Conservancy has given the Seychelles $21,000,000 and assumed 5% of the country's debt. The agreement calls for the government to protect 30% of its national waters. One way they are doing this is by controlling fishing. In many areas the people can fish in the local bay for only six months of the year. In other areas, tourism, as well as fishing, is restricted. The country's military and police forces are monitoring the situation.
Saturday, December 07, 2019
Friday, December 06, 2019
Thursday, December 05, 2019
Faster than a speeding bullet
A new record has been set for the Cannonball Run, a drive from Manhattan to Redondo Beach, California. Three men drove their specially equipped Mercedes-Benz across the country in 27 hours and 25 minutes, beating the previous record of 28 hours and 50 minutes.
Their average speed was 103 miles per hour, and the highest was 193. The car could produce more than 800 horsepower.
Courtesy of our Florida correspondent
Their average speed was 103 miles per hour, and the highest was 193. The car could produce more than 800 horsepower.
Courtesy of our Florida correspondent
Wednesday, December 04, 2019
Should I be frightened?
I just finished a review of "Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin’s Most Dangerous Hackers" by Andy Greenberg in the NY Review of Books. Frankly, I am frightened. The book recounts a number of successful cyberattacks, many of which I had not heard about. Many of the attacks were on industrial control systems, such as those used for health care, transportation, agriculture, defense, infrastructure.
Did you know that from 2011 to 2013 Iranian hackers broke into the servers of banks and financial firms, including JPMorgan Chase, American Express, and Wells Fargo, and besieged them for 144 days? Or in 2017 Russian hackers found their way into the systems of one hundred American nuclear and other power plants. Another hacking group disabled the safety controls at a Saudi Arabian oil refinery.
Russian hackers have gone after ex-Russian territories. In 2007 Estonia hit with a cyberattack that shuttered media, banking, and government services over twenty-two days. Georgia was hit with a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack that took down media outlets and military command centers. In 2015, it was a Kiev-based television company plus the airport and railroads, the power grid so that there was no heat, no transportation, no way to get money or use a credit card, little food.
Did you know that from 2011 to 2013 Iranian hackers broke into the servers of banks and financial firms, including JPMorgan Chase, American Express, and Wells Fargo, and besieged them for 144 days? Or in 2017 Russian hackers found their way into the systems of one hundred American nuclear and other power plants. Another hacking group disabled the safety controls at a Saudi Arabian oil refinery.
Russian hackers have gone after ex-Russian territories. In 2007 Estonia hit with a cyberattack that shuttered media, banking, and government services over twenty-two days. Georgia was hit with a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack that took down media outlets and military command centers. In 2015, it was a Kiev-based television company plus the airport and railroads, the power grid so that there was no heat, no transportation, no way to get money or use a credit card, little food.
Music can last a long time
Last night I attended a concert here at Duncaster. The performers were "Entwyned+, a trio that focuses on music from 1600 - 1750. And, they play the music on instruments reproduced from that time. Their first song got me. It was "Greensleeves". Did you know that it was played in 1580, over 400 years ago? I didn't recognize anything else but the music was beautiful.
They played a number of instruments: lutes (like guitars), viola da gamba, traversos (flutes) and harps.
Listen to "Greensleeves
They played a number of instruments: lutes (like guitars), viola da gamba, traversos (flutes) and harps.
Listen to "Greensleeves
Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Monday, December 02, 2019
Sunday, December 01, 2019
"Fantastic Grandmothers"
That's what a group of seven grandmothers who do research on the greater sea snake are called. Almost every morning they snorkel in Baie des Citrons, a bay in New Caledonia. The sea snake is nearly five feet in length and is more than capable of killing a human with a single bite. But that doesn't bother them as they are providing a bounty of data and information for scientists studying the aquatic snakes.
Courtesy of our Florida correspondent.
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