Private Equity (and Jobs) For Dummies

There’s been a lot of talk about Bain Capital and private equity and jobs lately, and since many Americans may not be familiar with how they are related, here’s a brief primer. 10 Jun 2012

Obama’s Communications Conundrum

The challenge of being an incumbent President is that you may have a great record, but if your messaging is poor, you could still lose. If you have a record that is mediocre, then great messaging may not save you. 5 Jun 2012

The James Bond Chronicles: Three 007 Films Hardly Worth a License to Kill

It's not easy, but let's try to find some positive elements in three of the worst James Bond films in the beloved spy franchise. 19 May 2012

Obama's Flip on Gay Marriage About Politics, Not Principle

So now Obama's views on gay marriage have "evolved". This follows Monday's announcement by VP Biden that he now supports gay marriage, after voting in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act. This should come as no surprise if you follow politics. It's pandering and hypocrisy of the worst kind. 10 May 2012

Leftist Pablum in the Student Loan 'Debate'

The student loan bubble is ultimately the same as the mortgage bubble, without the complex secondary derivatives market. It was created by a combination of stupid politicians trying to make higher education more "affordable" via cheap credit, and irresponsible borrowers who took out loans they weren't certain they could pay back. The result will mirror the collapse of Fannie and Freddie, this time in the form of their cousin, Sallie Mae -- the quasi-government arm that guarantees student loans. 8 May 2012

SXSW Movie Roundup: Documentaries Overpower Quirky Film Festival's Slate

The just-wrapped SXSW featured a number of stunning documentaries as well as a grab bag of narrative features which couldn't compete with their non-fiction peers. 21 Mar 2012

'We Are Legion' SXSW Review: A Peek Behind the Anarchists' Curtain

The new documentary "We Are Legion" will challenge your views on both anarchists and the power groups like Anonymous wield. 20 Mar 2012

Liberals Protect Their (Misogynist) Own

I have no idea the context in which Rush Limbaugh made the statements he did about Ms. Sandra Fluke. For the purposes of this discussion, however, I’m interpreting those statements in the worst possible light. As such, I utterly condemn them. Mr. Limbaugh has done the right thing by apologizing. What has subsequently dismayed (but not surprised) me is how some of my Liberal friends have reacted when confronted with the hateful comments made by Bill Maher and other Liberal personalities. 5 Mar 2012

What Andrew Taught Me

Despite having only met Andrew twice, he had much influence over me. I was invited to contribute to BigGovernment in late 2009. Right from the start I was offered a forum to express some modest thoughts without being censored by anyone, including myself. The Big websites have become my thinking ground, where thoughts are expelled into the ether and often insightful feedback is returned. It’s an exercise in intellectual and political development. Andrew’s first gift to me, then, was allowing me this intellectual playground. I’ve learned that (not surprisingly) I’m not always right, I’m not always wrong, and that it’s perfectly fine to be provocative … in fact, it’s required. 2 Mar 2012

'Broadcast News' Predicted Journalism's Collapse

I stumbled across James L. Brooks’ “Broadcast News” on TV the other night. I have always regarded it as his best movie, in which writing and casting so perfectly dovetail so as to provide a completely enjoyable experience. Mr. Brooks’ films are less concerned with cinematic chest-pounding so much as observations regarding everyday people living everyday lives. By doing so, he places our attention where it belongs – on great characters and great writing. 26 Feb 2012