theDrahos

The politicians of Europe are plunging into a form of ideological fratricide as they battle over Greece. And “fratricide” is precisely the right descriptor because in this battle there are no white hats or black hits—-just statists. Accordingly, all the combatants—the German, Greek and other national politicians and the apparatchiks of Brussels and Frankfurt—- are fundamentally on the wrong path, albeit for different reasons. Yet by collectively indulging in the sum of all statist errors they may ultimately do a service. Namely, discredit and destroy the whole bailout state and central bank driven financialization model that threatens political democracy and capitalist prosperity in Europe——and the rest of the … Continue reading →

Car salesmen are… salesmen. Their job is to sell you stuff. Whether you need it or not. Here are some things you don’t need – and some things you need to know about: * You probably don’t need the optional engine – Wanting more power is one thing; paying extra for power you don’t need – and let’s be honest, can’t make much use of – is another. Unlike in the past, when many cars were under-engined as they came, there isn’t a new car on the market that can’t do 0-60 in 11 seconds or less and most (better … Continue reading →

Eight years ago this week, we held my son’s funeral. He was 24. I have written about his death. He had an undiagnosed disease or condition. (If you or anyone you know has these symptoms, take whatever action is necessary. The outcome of doing nothing is fatal.) The local hospital had given him full tests, and had given him a clean bill of health. The hospital was wrong. A few months earlier, he had suffered a seizure. He was in the library. Somebody called an emergency ambulance, and the ambulance staff loaded him onto a gurney, put him in the … Continue reading →

With all the media ‘fear porn’ about measles that’s been inundating everyone recently, perhaps healthcare consumers ought to know some pertinent facts about the MMR vaccines that their MDs, pediatricians, and health agencies apparently NEGLECT to tell the public as part of what should be properly informed consent. Later on, I will discuss ‘fear porn’ tactics. Legally, ethically, and morally, what would be informed medical consent? According to the American Medical Association, The patient’s right of self-decision can be effectively exercised only if the patient possesses enough information to enable an informed choice. [1] [Emphasis added] Furthermore, the AMA says, The … Continue reading →

The U.S. Government often warns of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks from adversaries, but it may have actually contributed to those capabilities in the case of Iran. A top secret National Security Agency document from April 2013 reveals that the U.S. intelligence community is worried that the West’s campaign of aggressive and sophisticated cyberattacks enabled Iran to improve its own capabilities by studying and then replicating those tactics. The NSA is specifically concerned that Iran’s cyberweapons will become increasingly potent and sophisticated by virtue of learning from the attacks that have been launched against that country. “Iran’s destructive cyber attack against Saudi Aramco in … Continue reading →

People like Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk are worried about what might happen as a result of advancements in AI. They’re concerned that robots could grow so intelligent that they could independently decide to exterminate humans. And if Hawking and Musk are fearful, does this mean you probably should be too? While no doubt interesing men, are they really competent when it comes to programming? I have tinkered with AI since the early 1970s. There is no doubt these guys are influenced by concepts like in the movies Terminator and the Matrix. But from a real world programming side, to outdo human thinking … Continue reading →

“Imagine some national (and probably global) volcanic eruption, initially flowing along channels of distress that were created during the Unraveling era and further widened by the catalyst. Trying to foresee where the eruption will go once it bursts free of the channels is like trying to predict the exact fault line of an earthquake. All you know in advance is something about the molten ingredients of the climax, which could include the following: Economic distress, with public debt in default, entitlement trust funds in bankruptcy, mounting poverty and unemployment, trade wars, collapsing financial markets, and hyperinflation (or deflation) Social distress, … Continue reading →

I write this sitting on my rooftop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  The temperature is 72 degrees F.  The sky is blue and cloudless.  There is an occasional light breeze.  By all accounts, life is dead solid perfect.  And I am not the only one to have made that observation.  Indeed, San Miguel has been voted and described by a myriad of publications as the best city in the world in which to live.  (http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/travel/cn-traveler-top-cities/)  Having resided here in the land of eternal Spring for 13 years, I agree.  In fact, I would like to spend the rest of … Continue reading →