Hayek and the ECB

From the FinTimes Today: Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, writes: “Over the next two days, the European Central Bank will host a conference to discuss the role of money in monetary policymaking. At present, the dominant academic view seems to be that monetary aggregates should have no part in monetary policy decisions.

What a difference a day makes

Though they wallowed through the mud for weeks, your federal representatives now want to be treated with respect. Just a few days ago they were the bad-talking bullies of the airwaves, now they expect all that vile to be simply forgotten. From brawls to blue suits in just one day. The House web site automatically adds the title “Honorable” to any electronic message you try to send to your favorite congressman or congresswoman. As if there was anything honorable left with regard to those positions, or politicians.

War Loses, Again

More than three years ago, George Bush unleashed the dogs of war on Iraq, perhaps hoping that he would take his place among the “great” war presidents. It’s strange how these guys imagine themselves written about in history books in the manner of Washington, Lincoln, and FDR, rather than Truman, Johnson, and Nixon. It’s been more than half a century since war immortalized a president, and yet they keep trying.

The Return of Daniel Ortega

I had no idea there was an election taking place in Nicaragua until I saw that headline that the commie throwback Daniel Ortega won the presidency. The U.S. was at war against that country the last time he ruled. It was widely believed that he was nothing but an agent of Soviet expansion in the region, and he and his Sandinista Party had to be stopped.

Remember the “contras” a.ka. the “freedom fighters,” a.k.a., “right-wing death squads” that represented the opposing side in the great Reagan-era mannichean struggle for the future of the region?