0% interest?

Economist Ken Rogoff predicts that the Fed could soon cut interest rates to 0%.  Hmm.  Do we want to be Japan?

Early voting continues to break records

The latest on early voting turnout:
The numbers themselves are staggering.
“The aggregate number was shocking,” said Michael McDonald, an associate professor at George Mason University who compiles early-voting statistics, who added that his running total of early voters now tops 16.5 million. “Looking at them, they’re defying all the trends we’ve seen in early voting.”
He and [...]

Transgender children

Take some time to read this fascinating article on transgender children from the latest issue of The Atlantic.  It really makes you think about the nature of gender and social norms and how society evolves.

Obama’s 30-minute ad/infomercial

Lots of money spent for lots and lots of time on the major networks tonight.  Here’s Obama’s closing argument:

Where to spend Election Night in SF

If you’re looking for somewhere to watch the election returns in the Bay Area next Tuesday, here are a few options:
The W Hotel:  1/2 off special election-themed cocktails if you wear your “I voted” sticker.
District will have CNN on the big screen (though with the sound off).
1300 Fillmore is hosting a return-watching party.
Mantra in Palo [...]

Honoring Milton Friedman

Becker and Posner debate the possibility of a Milton Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago.  Apparently people are upset about bestowing this honor on someone they disagree with politically.
Part of Posner’s comment, on the effect of honoring Friedman now, when the wisdom of many free-market ideas is being questioned:
I don’t think anyone would quarrel [...]

The newly-opinionated AP

Back in September, I sent this article by the AP around to several friends, with a “whoa, the AP wrote this?” comment attached.  I obviously agreed with the conclusions presented in the new organization’s fact-check of Palin’s Convention speech, but the article was clearly more analysis than purely factual.  That made it totally not what [...]

Social networking as campaign advertising

The McCain campaign is giving away McCain buttons on Facebook:

New Gift: McCain Button

“Show support for your candidate with our limited edition campaign buttons. Give them to your friends and go vote on 11/4.”

(Or is Facebook giving them away and I’ve just missed the Obama one?)
Just one (cute) example of how social networking sites have changed [...]

Slate V Campaign Recap

Everything you might have missed (or want to relive) between the first and last debates:

New Prop 8 poll results

Via The Democratic Strategist, the latest Prop 8 polls:
Now there are dueling polls on Prop. 8. A Survey USA poll on October 17 showed the initiative ahead by a narrow 48-45 margin. But last night, the Public Policy Institute of California released a poll showing Prop. 8 losing among likely voters, 52-44.
It does appear [...]