Sep 13, 2010
Prez Obama & Gov Kaine: Moving America Forward
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMGhMbg5IGY
To Pressure Iran, Squeeze Russia and China - European governments have joined the international sanctions effort. But Beijing and Moscow aren't going along
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479791919603272.html
White House - Another Government Shutdown?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/10/another-government-shutdown
Darth Boehner - Democrats want voters to fear the GOP leader more than their policies
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703897204575487914103984430.html
U.S. Responds to Mudslides, Flooding in Guatemala
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/guatemala_mudslides
Sebelius Has a List - Political thuggery from HHS
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703597204575483900330728436.html
The U.S. Needs Its Own Industrial Policy - China's government incubates business with capital and other incentives. So should America's.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703597204575483580272717818.html
The Size of Government and the Choice This Fall - In polls, Americans overwhelmingly prefer small government and low taxes to the alternative. Yet they've been given big government, one program at a time.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478141708959932.html
China's 'Finlandization' Strategy in the Pacific - Beijing is moving aggressively to counter US power projection in Asia to bring our allies under its sway.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704164904575421753851404076.html
The Afghanistan Study Group Report: An Exercise in Determined Ignorance
http://www.registan.net/index.php/2010/09/11/the-afghanistan-study-group-report-an-exercise-in-determined-ignorance/
Feed-In Tariffs Are Good for Expensive Renewables, But Are They Good for Consumers?
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2010/09/10/feed-in-tariffs-are-good-for-expensive-renewables-but-are-they-good-for-consumers/
Remarks by the First Lady at September 11th Memorial Service
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/11/remarks-first-lady-september-11th-memorial-service
Don't Expect Much From the R&D Tax Credit - Apple does little of the kind of research that would be eligible. Nor do the thousands of companies that develop applications and accessories for iPhones and iPads.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575481534193344088.html
IMF Working Paper: Bank Capital and Uncertainty
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=24199.0
Mr. Obama hit Republicans hard for not passing his $42 billion Small Business Jobs Act
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465401201669056.html
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer Travels to India and China
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146983.htm
Questions for Imam Rauf From an American Muslim - He may not appear to the untrained eye to be an Islamist, but by making Ground Zero an Islamic rather than an American issue he shows his true allegiance
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575481882969581708.html
The President's Press Conference: From the Economy to the Middle East and "What This Nation Was Founded On"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/10/presidents-press-conference-economy-middle-east-and-what-nation-was-founded
The ACLU Is Dismissed - Obama wins one for the Presidency on the state-secrets privilege
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575481802981541076.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_opinion
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 10, 2010
Strengthening U.S.-Russia Relations
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/strengthening_russia_relations
Why We're in for a Long, Hard Economic Slog - Evidence from 14 U.S. recessions shows that the economy doesn't recover until housing recovers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478083619331668.html
Pakistan Relief Fund Helps Bring Clean Water to Flood Victims
http://blogs.state.gov/ap/index.php/site/entry/pakistan_relief_fund_clean_water
Half-Billion Dollar Schools Can’t Fix American Education
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/10/morning-bell-half-billion-dollar-schools-cant-fix-american-education
Treasurys and the Danger of Short-Term Debt - More than 60% of U.S. debt is set to mature within the next three years
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451580887189818.html
We'll Always Have Basel - In the fight over bank capital, more is better
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575481921638936434.html
From Zombie Banks to Zombie Mortgages? - Japan misallocated capital during its lost decade. How the U.S. can avoid its mistakes
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478072373684644.html
Guiding Principles for Managing Sovereign Risk and High Levels of Public Debt ("The Stockholm Principles")
http://www.imf.org/external/np/mcm/stockholm/principles.htm
ObamaCare 'Amnesia' - Long ago, in a political galaxy far, far away, Democrats passed . . .
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477683320736458.html
Brookings: Five Myths About U.S. Exports
http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2010/0905_exports_katz_rothwell.aspx
President Obama Discovers Incentives - The president's proposed tax cuts for business are a welcome departure from Keynesian stimulus
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479981552545968.html
President Calderón is serious about restoring law and order. Here's how the U.S. can help.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477472352890934.html
The White House - The Affordable Care Act Did Not Cause Unjust Premium Increases
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/08/affordable-care-act-did-not-cause-unjust-premium-increases
The Obama Heyday Is Over - With so many Democrats running against the president's agenda in the midterm, change will come in the next Congress, regardless of which party is in control
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575482122517174884.html
The White House - Fighting Foreclosures and Strengthening Neighborhoods
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/08/fighting-foreclosures-and-strengthening-neighborhoods
Can You Smell What Is He Cooking? - Why the president's new stimulus won't work
http://reason.com/archives/2010/09/08/can-you-smell-what-obamas-cook
Strengthening U.S.-Russia Relations
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/strengthening_russia_relations
Why We're in for a Long, Hard Economic Slog - Evidence from 14 U.S. recessions shows that the economy doesn't recover until housing recovers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478083619331668.html
Pakistan Relief Fund Helps Bring Clean Water to Flood Victims
http://blogs.state.gov/ap/index.php/site/entry/pakistan_relief_fund_clean_water
Half-Billion Dollar Schools Can’t Fix American Education
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/10/morning-bell-half-billion-dollar-schools-cant-fix-american-education
Treasurys and the Danger of Short-Term Debt - More than 60% of U.S. debt is set to mature within the next three years
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451580887189818.html
We'll Always Have Basel - In the fight over bank capital, more is better
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575481921638936434.html
From Zombie Banks to Zombie Mortgages? - Japan misallocated capital during its lost decade. How the U.S. can avoid its mistakes
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478072373684644.html
Guiding Principles for Managing Sovereign Risk and High Levels of Public Debt ("The Stockholm Principles")
http://www.imf.org/external/np/mcm/stockholm/principles.htm
ObamaCare 'Amnesia' - Long ago, in a political galaxy far, far away, Democrats passed . . .
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477683320736458.html
Brookings: Five Myths About U.S. Exports
http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2010/0905_exports_katz_rothwell.aspx
President Obama Discovers Incentives - The president's proposed tax cuts for business are a welcome departure from Keynesian stimulus
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479981552545968.html
President Calderón is serious about restoring law and order. Here's how the U.S. can help.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477472352890934.html
The White House - The Affordable Care Act Did Not Cause Unjust Premium Increases
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/08/affordable-care-act-did-not-cause-unjust-premium-increases
The Obama Heyday Is Over - With so many Democrats running against the president's agenda in the midterm, change will come in the next Congress, regardless of which party is in control
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704644404575482122517174884.html
The White House - Fighting Foreclosures and Strengthening Neighborhoods
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/08/fighting-foreclosures-and-strengthening-neighborhoods
Can You Smell What Is He Cooking? - Why the president's new stimulus won't work
http://reason.com/archives/2010/09/08/can-you-smell-what-obamas-cook
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 09, 2010
In "Origins," Annie Murphy Paul explores current scientific thinking about how our lives are shaped by what happens to us in utero
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575448773639436854.html
Dr. Seuss and the Afghan Military - Afghan soldiers and police are plenty intelligent. Literacy will help them become a modern force
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478070008208694.html
The White House Blog - Boehner's Budget Gimmicks: Another Attempt to Hold Middle Class Tax Cuts Hostage
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/08/boehners-budget-gimmicks-another-attempt-hold-middle-class-tax-cuts-hostage
How ObamaCare Guts Medicare - The president's pledge that 'If you like your health plan, you will be able to keep it' clearly does not apply to America's seniors
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703649004575437311393854940.html
Joint Statement of Secretaries Geithner and Clinton on the Republic of Korea's Announcement of Sanctions on Iran
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg848.htm
The Federal Heath-Care Tease - Minnesota's Governor declines to take the ObamaCare bait
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478160851816780.html
Importance of Investment in the Global Economy
http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/2010/146894.htm
Caricature in Cleveland - You can't restore business confidence by bashing business
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479982836215238.html
Symposium: What Should the Federal Reserve Do Next?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477580959771188.html
In Guyana, Saying Farewell to the HSV Swift
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/guyana_swift_farewell
The health-care overhaul enacted last spring won't significantly change national health spending over the next decade compared with projections before the law was passed - government figures
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704362404575480161749608830.html
First Lady Michelle Obama Delivers Call to Action for Improved Childhood Nutrition and Physical Fitness
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/08/first-lady-michelle-obama-delivers-call-action-improved-childhood-nutrit
A President's Class War - Where on the income scale does Mr. Obama divide the country between us and them?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479831591176068.html
Corruption and Finance: Are Innovative Firms Victims or Perpetrators?
http://blogs.worldbank.org/allaboutfinance/node/614
Federal President's Foreign Policy: Neglecting Allies and Appeasing Foes
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/08/morning-bell-neglecting-allies-and-appeasing-foes
Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146899.htm
Tax Contradictions - Obama says the economy needs a tax cut—and a tax increase
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477661420876100.html
In "Origins," Annie Murphy Paul explores current scientific thinking about how our lives are shaped by what happens to us in utero
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575448773639436854.html
Dr. Seuss and the Afghan Military - Afghan soldiers and police are plenty intelligent. Literacy will help them become a modern force
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478070008208694.html
The White House Blog - Boehner's Budget Gimmicks: Another Attempt to Hold Middle Class Tax Cuts Hostage
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/08/boehners-budget-gimmicks-another-attempt-hold-middle-class-tax-cuts-hostage
How ObamaCare Guts Medicare - The president's pledge that 'If you like your health plan, you will be able to keep it' clearly does not apply to America's seniors
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703649004575437311393854940.html
Joint Statement of Secretaries Geithner and Clinton on the Republic of Korea's Announcement of Sanctions on Iran
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg848.htm
The Federal Heath-Care Tease - Minnesota's Governor declines to take the ObamaCare bait
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478160851816780.html
Importance of Investment in the Global Economy
http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/2010/146894.htm
Caricature in Cleveland - You can't restore business confidence by bashing business
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479982836215238.html
Symposium: What Should the Federal Reserve Do Next?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477580959771188.html
In Guyana, Saying Farewell to the HSV Swift
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/guyana_swift_farewell
The health-care overhaul enacted last spring won't significantly change national health spending over the next decade compared with projections before the law was passed - government figures
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704362404575480161749608830.html
First Lady Michelle Obama Delivers Call to Action for Improved Childhood Nutrition and Physical Fitness
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/08/first-lady-michelle-obama-delivers-call-action-improved-childhood-nutrit
A President's Class War - Where on the income scale does Mr. Obama divide the country between us and them?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575479831591176068.html
Corruption and Finance: Are Innovative Firms Victims or Perpetrators?
http://blogs.worldbank.org/allaboutfinance/node/614
Federal President's Foreign Policy: Neglecting Allies and Appeasing Foes
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/08/morning-bell-neglecting-allies-and-appeasing-foes
Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146899.htm
Tax Contradictions - Obama says the economy needs a tax cut—and a tax increase
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477661420876100.html
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Press Briefings
Sep 08, 2010
From Children's Grief, Signs of Growth
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703720004575477614058976560.html
Salvation in Small Steps - With the collapse of various ideologies and totalizing nostrums, human rights became ever more important in world affairs. Moyn's "The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477571192822084.html
Time for Emergency Economic Reform - How about a payroll tax holiday, funded by a federal spending, hiring and pay freeze?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451211979331930.html
Time for Emergency Economic Reform - How about a payroll tax holiday, funded by a federal spending, hiring and pay freeze?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451211979331930.html
Our Spontaneous Universe - I have never quite understood the conviction that creation requires a creator
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469653720549936.html
Politics and the Cult of Sentimentality - Wilde said that sentimentality is the desire to have the luxury of emotion without paying for it
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703417104575473932096641548.html
New START: Security Through 21st-Century Verification
http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2010_09/Gottemoeller
Conservative: New Start Is Unilateral Disarmament - The treaty's little-noticed limits on conventional weapons systems will reduce our ability to project power around the world
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575459511831427690.html
External demand shocks are not historically associated with sharp declines in output growth in Low-Income Countries
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=24190.0
'Sword of Damocles' - A welcome White House legal rebuke to the mass climate tort
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455630272135688.html
Are Ethicists More Attentive Daughters and Sons?
http://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2010/08/are-ethicists-more-attentive-daughters.html
Iran's Shadow Games - Now you see a nuclear proliferation threat, now you don't
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477761797589920.html
Wild chimps outwit human hunters
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8962000/8962747.stm
The German Miracle: Another Look - Germany has cut government spending and its economy is growing smartly. It's not the first time that market-friendly policies have led the nation out of crisis.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461873411742404.html
Nongoloza's Children: Western Cape prison gangs during and after apartheid by Jonny Steinberg
http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/correctional/nongolozaschildren.pdf
Housing Crisis? Look to Canada for Answers
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=12115
Greenspan Calls for Repeal of All the Bush Tax Cuts
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/business/economy/07greenspan.html
Orszag: Let’s continue the tax cuts for two years but end them for good in 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/opinion/07orszag.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
From Children's Grief, Signs of Growth
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703720004575477614058976560.html
Salvation in Small Steps - With the collapse of various ideologies and totalizing nostrums, human rights became ever more important in world affairs. Moyn's "The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477571192822084.html
Time for Emergency Economic Reform - How about a payroll tax holiday, funded by a federal spending, hiring and pay freeze?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451211979331930.html
Time for Emergency Economic Reform - How about a payroll tax holiday, funded by a federal spending, hiring and pay freeze?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451211979331930.html
Our Spontaneous Universe - I have never quite understood the conviction that creation requires a creator
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469653720549936.html
Politics and the Cult of Sentimentality - Wilde said that sentimentality is the desire to have the luxury of emotion without paying for it
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703417104575473932096641548.html
New START: Security Through 21st-Century Verification
http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2010_09/Gottemoeller
Conservative: New Start Is Unilateral Disarmament - The treaty's little-noticed limits on conventional weapons systems will reduce our ability to project power around the world
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575459511831427690.html
External demand shocks are not historically associated with sharp declines in output growth in Low-Income Countries
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=24190.0
'Sword of Damocles' - A welcome White House legal rebuke to the mass climate tort
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455630272135688.html
Are Ethicists More Attentive Daughters and Sons?
http://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2010/08/are-ethicists-more-attentive-daughters.html
Iran's Shadow Games - Now you see a nuclear proliferation threat, now you don't
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575477761797589920.html
Wild chimps outwit human hunters
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8962000/8962747.stm
The German Miracle: Another Look - Germany has cut government spending and its economy is growing smartly. It's not the first time that market-friendly policies have led the nation out of crisis.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461873411742404.html
Nongoloza's Children: Western Cape prison gangs during and after apartheid by Jonny Steinberg
http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/correctional/nongolozaschildren.pdf
Housing Crisis? Look to Canada for Answers
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=12115
Greenspan Calls for Repeal of All the Bush Tax Cuts
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/business/economy/07greenspan.html
Orszag: Let’s continue the tax cuts for two years but end them for good in 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/opinion/07orszag.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 07, 2010
The Right Comparison Between Recoveries
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/06/right-comparison-between-recoveries
The Hazards Of Doing Good - From Live Aid in the mid-1980s to today, Western attempts to help famine-plagued Ethiopia have had little effect. Peter Gill's "Famine and Foreigners"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575460680218948348.html
Global Shale Gas Initiative: Balancing Energy Security and Environmental Concerns
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/global_shale_gas_initiative
In Defense of Physician Autonomy - Politicians hurt patients when they make doctors follow bureaucratic algorithms
By SAUL GREENFIELD
WSJ, Sep 07, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575464071972916464.html
The auditorium was filled with young, newly minted physicians sitting nervously in white jackets. When the chairman of surgery mounted the stage to address me and my fellow surgical interns, we immediately hushed and gave him our attention. I don't now recall most of what he said, but one remark has stayed with me through my 25 years of surgical practice: "You can't practice medicine by committee."
He didn't mean that we shouldn't listen to associates or seek their advice, or that we shouldn't be aware of scientific literature conveying the opinions and research of others. He meant that every physician must, at some point in the patient-care process, make decisions and take responsibility for them. And unless the doctor does so, the outcomes will be compromised. He was warning against groupthink and telling us that patients often present challenges that cannot be solved by easily consulted algorithms.
The chairman's admonition was a succinct definition of the parameters of the doctor-patient relationship. And in the eyes of many contemporary medical thinkers—those who seek to reorder the universe of medical care in this country—it would be heretical.
In recent political debates, the autonomous physician has been portrayed as a problem to be solved, an out-of-control actor motivated by greed—and a major cause of rising health-care costs. Insurance companies and the federal government have sought to control physician behavior with the dual aim of decreasing costs and improving care. In their view, individual and regional disparities in rates of medical testing, hospitalization and surgical procedures are ipso-facto demonstrations of physician autonomy run amok.
In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) provides guidelines for clinical care in order to ensure greater uniformity of practice and, it claims, better care. In this country, the recent health-care reform law established a Comparative Effectiveness Institute with the same aims.
Such institutions are illegitimate and undesirable. My field of pediatric urology is only a small subset of medicine, but recent experience demonstrates the dangers of bureaucratic, committee-based practice.
In 2007, NICE published guidelines for the care of children with urinary tract infections. A committee of diverse specialists reviewed the literature and voted on the final recommendations. Without going into great detail, these guidelines enacted a significant departure from then-current practice by recommending against thorough radiographic evaluation in many instances.
One member of the committee who was out-voted on the final guidelines publicly castigated NICE and accused the committee of misusing statistics, failing to involve the proper specialists, and seeking mainly to decrease costs. The criticisms were correct.
Since the NICE recommendations were promulgated, publications in peer-reviewed journals have shown that many children with significant underlying conditions—some leading to serious kidney disease—would go undiagnosed if the NICE guidelines were followed.
Over a decade ago, researchers at Dartmouth College documented disparities in rates of tonsillectomy in children. They famously asserted that certain high rates of tonsillectomy were inappropriate and did not improve health outcomes. To do this, they relied only on insurance claims and hospitalization rates; they had no data on the prevalence of recurrent tonsillitis or long-term cardiovascular morbidity from obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, they had no data comparing the quality of life of individuals denied the procedure with that of individuals who underwent surgery. Their broad statistical overview was simply unable to answer many important questions.
Physician autonomy is a major defense against those who comfortably sit in remote offices and make calculations based on concerns other than an individual patient's welfare. Uniformity of practice is a nonsensical goal that fails to allow for differing expression of disease states.
This is not to say that clinical research, randomized controlled trials, literature meta-analyses and guidelines are not necessary and useful. They are all essential. It is also not an argument against rigorous oversight of physician behavior, licensure and training. But we must recognize that many physicians will often make decisions that deliberately do not conform to "community standards"—and that patients will be better for it.
Dr. Greenfield is director of pediatric urology at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo and a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Europe's Bank Stress Tests Minimized Debt Risk
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704392104575475520949440394.html
Whatever Happened to Walking to School? - Those of us who remember using our own legs for transit now run the risk of sounding Abe Lincolnesque
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469542721199832.html
Learning From Experience on Arms Control - Russia and the United States have made steady progress on verification since the 1980s
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467654209460656.html
School Voucher Breakout - A bipartisan endorsement in Pennsylvania
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455782883586338.html
Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Jefferson Thomas
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/06/statement-president-obama-passing-jefferson-thomas
Washington and the 'Recovery Summer' That Wasn't - The nation's capital endures recessions with less discomfort than anywhere else, and that's truer than ever today
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467900196619676.html
Krueger Op-Ed: Measure Succeeds in Promoting Private-Sector Hiring
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg845.htm
The Obama Economy - How trillions in fiscal and monetary stimulus produced a 1.6% recovery
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703444804575071281687927918.html
The Right Comparison Between Recoveries
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/06/right-comparison-between-recoveries
The Hazards Of Doing Good - From Live Aid in the mid-1980s to today, Western attempts to help famine-plagued Ethiopia have had little effect. Peter Gill's "Famine and Foreigners"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575460680218948348.html
Global Shale Gas Initiative: Balancing Energy Security and Environmental Concerns
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/global_shale_gas_initiative
In Defense of Physician Autonomy - Politicians hurt patients when they make doctors follow bureaucratic algorithms
By SAUL GREENFIELD
WSJ, Sep 07, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575464071972916464.html
The auditorium was filled with young, newly minted physicians sitting nervously in white jackets. When the chairman of surgery mounted the stage to address me and my fellow surgical interns, we immediately hushed and gave him our attention. I don't now recall most of what he said, but one remark has stayed with me through my 25 years of surgical practice: "You can't practice medicine by committee."
He didn't mean that we shouldn't listen to associates or seek their advice, or that we shouldn't be aware of scientific literature conveying the opinions and research of others. He meant that every physician must, at some point in the patient-care process, make decisions and take responsibility for them. And unless the doctor does so, the outcomes will be compromised. He was warning against groupthink and telling us that patients often present challenges that cannot be solved by easily consulted algorithms.
The chairman's admonition was a succinct definition of the parameters of the doctor-patient relationship. And in the eyes of many contemporary medical thinkers—those who seek to reorder the universe of medical care in this country—it would be heretical.
In recent political debates, the autonomous physician has been portrayed as a problem to be solved, an out-of-control actor motivated by greed—and a major cause of rising health-care costs. Insurance companies and the federal government have sought to control physician behavior with the dual aim of decreasing costs and improving care. In their view, individual and regional disparities in rates of medical testing, hospitalization and surgical procedures are ipso-facto demonstrations of physician autonomy run amok.
In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) provides guidelines for clinical care in order to ensure greater uniformity of practice and, it claims, better care. In this country, the recent health-care reform law established a Comparative Effectiveness Institute with the same aims.
Such institutions are illegitimate and undesirable. My field of pediatric urology is only a small subset of medicine, but recent experience demonstrates the dangers of bureaucratic, committee-based practice.
In 2007, NICE published guidelines for the care of children with urinary tract infections. A committee of diverse specialists reviewed the literature and voted on the final recommendations. Without going into great detail, these guidelines enacted a significant departure from then-current practice by recommending against thorough radiographic evaluation in many instances.
One member of the committee who was out-voted on the final guidelines publicly castigated NICE and accused the committee of misusing statistics, failing to involve the proper specialists, and seeking mainly to decrease costs. The criticisms were correct.
Since the NICE recommendations were promulgated, publications in peer-reviewed journals have shown that many children with significant underlying conditions—some leading to serious kidney disease—would go undiagnosed if the NICE guidelines were followed.
Over a decade ago, researchers at Dartmouth College documented disparities in rates of tonsillectomy in children. They famously asserted that certain high rates of tonsillectomy were inappropriate and did not improve health outcomes. To do this, they relied only on insurance claims and hospitalization rates; they had no data on the prevalence of recurrent tonsillitis or long-term cardiovascular morbidity from obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, they had no data comparing the quality of life of individuals denied the procedure with that of individuals who underwent surgery. Their broad statistical overview was simply unable to answer many important questions.
Physician autonomy is a major defense against those who comfortably sit in remote offices and make calculations based on concerns other than an individual patient's welfare. Uniformity of practice is a nonsensical goal that fails to allow for differing expression of disease states.
This is not to say that clinical research, randomized controlled trials, literature meta-analyses and guidelines are not necessary and useful. They are all essential. It is also not an argument against rigorous oversight of physician behavior, licensure and training. But we must recognize that many physicians will often make decisions that deliberately do not conform to "community standards"—and that patients will be better for it.
Dr. Greenfield is director of pediatric urology at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo and a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Europe's Bank Stress Tests Minimized Debt Risk
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704392104575475520949440394.html
Whatever Happened to Walking to School? - Those of us who remember using our own legs for transit now run the risk of sounding Abe Lincolnesque
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469542721199832.html
Learning From Experience on Arms Control - Russia and the United States have made steady progress on verification since the 1980s
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467654209460656.html
School Voucher Breakout - A bipartisan endorsement in Pennsylvania
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455782883586338.html
Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Jefferson Thomas
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/06/statement-president-obama-passing-jefferson-thomas
Washington and the 'Recovery Summer' That Wasn't - The nation's capital endures recessions with less discomfort than anywhere else, and that's truer than ever today
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467900196619676.html
Krueger Op-Ed: Measure Succeeds in Promoting Private-Sector Hiring
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg845.htm
The Obama Economy - How trillions in fiscal and monetary stimulus produced a 1.6% recovery
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703444804575071281687927918.html
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 06, 2010
President Obama to Announce Plan to Renew and Expand America’s Roads, Railways and Runways
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/06/president-obama-announce-plan-renew-and-expand-america-s-roads-railways-
Rocks, YouTube Undergird Kashmiri Protests
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704855104575469850119145276.html
How Government Unions Became So Powerful - While politicians have opposed the right to strike, public-sector labor leaders have focused on pay increases and constitutional guarantees
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467642879738582.html
Eugene Robinson: The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469663663590510.html
The Wages of Stimulus - More spending, higher unemployment
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469702542446716.html
Okada and Westerwelle: The Moral Challenge of a Nuclear-Free World
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453900642425906.html
In 2007, 239 patients died of malnutrition in British hospitals
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463772676581084.html
Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146825.htm
The Diviner of System Risk - Ben Bernanke as Carnac the Magnificent
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467872819971324.html
Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell Briefs on Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/mitchell_israeli-palestinian_negotiations
On Employment Numbers, Romer and Econometric Models
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/03/morning-bell-the-audacity-of-failure
Statement at Round Table 1: Article 19 - Living Independently and Being Included in the Community. By Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/rm/2010/146772.htm
Second Gulf Explosion Doesn’t Take Away Need for Drilling
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/02/second-gulf-explosion-doesn%E2%80%99t-take-away-need-for-drilling
President Obama to Announce Plan to Renew and Expand America’s Roads, Railways and Runways
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/06/president-obama-announce-plan-renew-and-expand-america-s-roads-railways-
Rocks, YouTube Undergird Kashmiri Protests
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704855104575469850119145276.html
How Government Unions Became So Powerful - While politicians have opposed the right to strike, public-sector labor leaders have focused on pay increases and constitutional guarantees
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467642879738582.html
Eugene Robinson: The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469663663590510.html
The Wages of Stimulus - More spending, higher unemployment
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469702542446716.html
Okada and Westerwelle: The Moral Challenge of a Nuclear-Free World
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453900642425906.html
In 2007, 239 patients died of malnutrition in British hospitals
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463772676581084.html
Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146825.htm
The Diviner of System Risk - Ben Bernanke as Carnac the Magnificent
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467872819971324.html
Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell Briefs on Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/mitchell_israeli-palestinian_negotiations
On Employment Numbers, Romer and Econometric Models
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/03/morning-bell-the-audacity-of-failure
Statement at Round Table 1: Article 19 - Living Independently and Being Included in the Community. By Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/rm/2010/146772.htm
Second Gulf Explosion Doesn’t Take Away Need for Drilling
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/02/second-gulf-explosion-doesn%E2%80%99t-take-away-need-for-drilling
Friday, September 3, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 03, 2010
The White House - West Wing Week: "Dispatches from Iraq"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/03/west-wing-week-dispatches-iraq
Federal President Is Still AWOL on Sudan / The country may soon return to war, and the perception of U.S. indifference isn't helping
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476104575439274119871804.html
The White House - Making Preparations Prior to the Impacts of Hurricane Earl
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/02/making-preparations-prior-impacts-hurricane-earl
Want Middle East Peace? Deny Iran Nukes / Israeli-Palestinian talks are good, but Tehran's nuclear drive continues
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575464062562925390.html
The White House - Two New Studies: Health Reform Benefits Small Business
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/02/two-new-studies-health-reform-benefits-small-business
Tony Blair on the Panic - Britain's former prime minister understands better than most the origins of the financial crisis
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467523488193204.html
The White House Blog - There’s Courage in Our Country’s Classrooms
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/02/there-s-courage-our-country-s-classrooms
The Small Business The 97% Fallacy - The president's plan to raise top marginal rates is holding back the very people who should be leading the economic recovery
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454061524326290.html
Three Software Tricks for Sorting Through the Barrage of UAV Footage
http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/software/three-software-tricks-for-sorting-through-barrage
Democratic Salvage Plan - How Nancy Pelosi might save her majority
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467353597659766.html
The French ambassador to Iraq says it's "the true laboratory of democracy in the Arab world."
WSJ, Sep 02, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463900304368796.html
Boris Boillon, the French ambassador to Iraq, in an interview with Le Figaro, Aug. 31:
The tactic of al Qaeda, which aims to put the country in fire and blood, to rekindle the civil war, has failed. The specter of partition in Iraq is behind us. . . . The record has improved since we passed a hundred deaths per day four years ago, to ten deaths per day today. In fact, the trend reversed itself when U.S. troops began leaving the cities, in June 2009. With the final withdrawal, this trend should continue and stabilize. . . .
Of course, the Iraqis say that the allied intervention of 2003 cost them dearly in lives and destruction of infrastructure, but they are aware also that it has liberated the country. The picture is therefore both positive and negative. Iraqis enjoy the fruits of democratization: the blossoming of the press, the emergence of a civil society, the free political parties, the exemplary nature of elections. These are all facts.
It is absolutely necessary, when one speaks of Iraq, to reason nonideologically. Iraq is the true laboratory of democracy in the Arab world. It is there that the future of democracy in the region will play itself out. Iraq could potentially become a political model for its neighbors. And, whether one likes it or not, all this has come about thanks to the American intervention of 2003. . . .
That no consensus has emerged around a [new] head of government proves that the political game occurs in Iraq and no neighboring country is able to impose its choice on Iraqi politics.
Even if the door is broken open, it must be restated that the last election constituted a victory for democracy. There are not many other countries in the region where results are not known before the vote.
In Sudan and Kenya, Grassroots Diplomacy
http://blogs.state.gov/sudan/index.php/site/entry/in_sudan_grassroots_diplomacy
Hooray for the U.N. - A dispute tribunal vindicates a whistleblower, Artjon Shkurtaj
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465882341825778.html
The White House - West Wing Week: "Dispatches from Iraq"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/03/west-wing-week-dispatches-iraq
Federal President Is Still AWOL on Sudan / The country may soon return to war, and the perception of U.S. indifference isn't helping
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476104575439274119871804.html
The White House - Making Preparations Prior to the Impacts of Hurricane Earl
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/02/making-preparations-prior-impacts-hurricane-earl
Want Middle East Peace? Deny Iran Nukes / Israeli-Palestinian talks are good, but Tehran's nuclear drive continues
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575464062562925390.html
The White House - Two New Studies: Health Reform Benefits Small Business
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/02/two-new-studies-health-reform-benefits-small-business
Tony Blair on the Panic - Britain's former prime minister understands better than most the origins of the financial crisis
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467523488193204.html
The White House Blog - There’s Courage in Our Country’s Classrooms
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/02/there-s-courage-our-country-s-classrooms
The Small Business The 97% Fallacy - The president's plan to raise top marginal rates is holding back the very people who should be leading the economic recovery
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454061524326290.html
Three Software Tricks for Sorting Through the Barrage of UAV Footage
http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/software/three-software-tricks-for-sorting-through-barrage
Democratic Salvage Plan - How Nancy Pelosi might save her majority
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467353597659766.html
The French ambassador to Iraq says it's "the true laboratory of democracy in the Arab world."
WSJ, Sep 02, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463900304368796.html
Boris Boillon, the French ambassador to Iraq, in an interview with Le Figaro, Aug. 31:
The tactic of al Qaeda, which aims to put the country in fire and blood, to rekindle the civil war, has failed. The specter of partition in Iraq is behind us. . . . The record has improved since we passed a hundred deaths per day four years ago, to ten deaths per day today. In fact, the trend reversed itself when U.S. troops began leaving the cities, in June 2009. With the final withdrawal, this trend should continue and stabilize. . . .
Of course, the Iraqis say that the allied intervention of 2003 cost them dearly in lives and destruction of infrastructure, but they are aware also that it has liberated the country. The picture is therefore both positive and negative. Iraqis enjoy the fruits of democratization: the blossoming of the press, the emergence of a civil society, the free political parties, the exemplary nature of elections. These are all facts.
It is absolutely necessary, when one speaks of Iraq, to reason nonideologically. Iraq is the true laboratory of democracy in the Arab world. It is there that the future of democracy in the region will play itself out. Iraq could potentially become a political model for its neighbors. And, whether one likes it or not, all this has come about thanks to the American intervention of 2003. . . .
That no consensus has emerged around a [new] head of government proves that the political game occurs in Iraq and no neighboring country is able to impose its choice on Iraqi politics.
Even if the door is broken open, it must be restated that the last election constituted a victory for democracy. There are not many other countries in the region where results are not known before the vote.
In Sudan and Kenya, Grassroots Diplomacy
http://blogs.state.gov/sudan/index.php/site/entry/in_sudan_grassroots_diplomacy
Hooray for the U.N. - A dispute tribunal vindicates a whistleblower, Artjon Shkurtaj
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465882341825778.html
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 02, 2010
What Do We Know About the Impact of Remittances on Financial Development?
http://blogs.worldbank.org/allaboutfinance/what-do-we-know-about-the-impact-of-remittances-on-financial-development
Teachers for Coverups - The Wall Street Journal applauds the L.A. Times's decision to publish evaluations of public school teachers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463841606641572.html
Briefing on U.S. Government's Continued Efforts to Disrupt and Dismantle Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm/2010/146597.htm
The Lawfare Wars - The al-Nashiri bugout, and attack of the killer lawyers—on drones
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463721720570734.html
The White House - Continued Recovery for America’s Agricultural Economy
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/01/continued-recovery-america-s-agricultural-economy
If Saddam Had Stayed - Saddam would have joined the nuclear bad-boys club with Iran and North Korea
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465721991599994.html
The White House - Forging Ahead on Middle East Peace Talks
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/01/forging-ahead-middle-east-peace-talks
Projects To Develop Novel Monitoring Networks for Advanced Power Systems Selected
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2010/10040-Projects_To_Develop_Novel_Monitori.html
Update: US Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146606.htm
Some Coal-Fired Power Plants Were Built Last Year, is This the Start of a New Trend or Are New Coal Plants Dead?
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2010/09/01/some-coal-fired-power-plants-were-built-last-year-is-this-the-start-of-a-new-trend-or-are-new-coal-plants-dead/
White House - New Resources for Employers and Unions to Help Keep Health Coverage Accessible and Affordable
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/new-resources-employers-and-unions-help-keep-health-coverage-accessible-and-affordab
The administration's 'summer of recovery' has fizzled in almost every way imaginable. The growth rate is less than half what it was at this stage after the 1974-75 and 1981-82 recessions.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465462926649950.html
What Do We Know About the Impact of Remittances on Financial Development?
http://blogs.worldbank.org/allaboutfinance/what-do-we-know-about-the-impact-of-remittances-on-financial-development
Teachers for Coverups - The Wall Street Journal applauds the L.A. Times's decision to publish evaluations of public school teachers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463841606641572.html
Briefing on U.S. Government's Continued Efforts to Disrupt and Dismantle Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm/2010/146597.htm
The Lawfare Wars - The al-Nashiri bugout, and attack of the killer lawyers—on drones
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463721720570734.html
The White House - Continued Recovery for America’s Agricultural Economy
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/01/continued-recovery-america-s-agricultural-economy
If Saddam Had Stayed - Saddam would have joined the nuclear bad-boys club with Iran and North Korea
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465721991599994.html
The White House - Forging Ahead on Middle East Peace Talks
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/09/01/forging-ahead-middle-east-peace-talks
Projects To Develop Novel Monitoring Networks for Advanced Power Systems Selected
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2010/10040-Projects_To_Develop_Novel_Monitori.html
Update: US Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/146606.htm
Some Coal-Fired Power Plants Were Built Last Year, is This the Start of a New Trend or Are New Coal Plants Dead?
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2010/09/01/some-coal-fired-power-plants-were-built-last-year-is-this-the-start-of-a-new-trend-or-are-new-coal-plants-dead/
White House - New Resources for Employers and Unions to Help Keep Health Coverage Accessible and Affordable
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/new-resources-employers-and-unions-help-keep-health-coverage-accessible-and-affordab
The administration's 'summer of recovery' has fizzled in almost every way imaginable. The growth rate is less than half what it was at this stage after the 1974-75 and 1981-82 recessions.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882304575465462926649950.html
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Press Briefing
Sep 01, 2010
Bring Back the Estate Tax Now - Allowing it to lapse has cost us billions of dollars in revenue this year
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454073982825164.html
Shikha Dalmia on the General Motors IPO
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463972500361374.html
From the Desk of Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs
http://www.state.gov/g/146541.htm
Letters From the Imam - Feisel Abdul Rauf on Israel and Iran
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451762406545760.html
Readout of President Obama’s Briefing Call with FEMA Administrator Fugate on the Preparations Being Made in Advance of Hurricane Earl
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/01/readout-president-obama-s-briefing-call-with-fema-administrator-fugate-p
Office 39, Call Office 99 - More useful pressure on North Korea
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463934062014778.html
Ben Rhodes Answers Your Questions About Iraq Following the President's Oval Address
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/ben-rhodes-answers-your-questions-about-iraq-following-presidents-oval-address
Conservatives: The Obama Doctrine
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/01/morning-bell-the-obama-doctrine
President Obama's Address on the End of the Combat Mission in Iraq
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/president-obamas-address-end-combat-mission-iraq
'Systemic Risk' Stonewall - Some bailout questions the Fed still hasn't answered
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463781244452958.html
It’s Time for Reality, Not Deadlines, in Iraq and Afghanistan
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/31/morning-bell-its-time-for-reality-not-deadlines-in-iraq-and-afghanistan
Bring Back the Estate Tax Now - Allowing it to lapse has cost us billions of dollars in revenue this year
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454073982825164.html
Shikha Dalmia on the General Motors IPO
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463972500361374.html
From the Desk of Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs
http://www.state.gov/g/146541.htm
Letters From the Imam - Feisel Abdul Rauf on Israel and Iran
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451762406545760.html
Readout of President Obama’s Briefing Call with FEMA Administrator Fugate on the Preparations Being Made in Advance of Hurricane Earl
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/01/readout-president-obama-s-briefing-call-with-fema-administrator-fugate-p
Office 39, Call Office 99 - More useful pressure on North Korea
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463934062014778.html
Ben Rhodes Answers Your Questions About Iraq Following the President's Oval Address
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/ben-rhodes-answers-your-questions-about-iraq-following-presidents-oval-address
Conservatives: The Obama Doctrine
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/09/01/morning-bell-the-obama-doctrine
President Obama's Address on the End of the Combat Mission in Iraq
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/president-obamas-address-end-combat-mission-iraq
'Systemic Risk' Stonewall - Some bailout questions the Fed still hasn't answered
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467004575463781244452958.html
It’s Time for Reality, Not Deadlines, in Iraq and Afghanistan
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/31/morning-bell-its-time-for-reality-not-deadlines-in-iraq-and-afghanistan
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Press Briefing
Aug 31, 2010
Camille Paglia writes that pressuring middle-class young people into "word jobs" is cruelly shortsighted - "The elite schools, predicated on molding students into mirror images of their professors, seem divorced from any rational consideration of human happiness."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461691182268962.html
The White House - Economic Recovery for Small Businesses: Now is Not the Time to Pull Back
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/economic-recovery-small-businesses-now-not-time-pull-back
TARP and the Continuing Problem of Toxic Assets - It was a bold bet that the Treasury and Fed could engineer an economic recovery without allowing the repricing of US housing stock
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455951017059416.html
White House - Landmark: Number of Donut Hole Rebate Checks Passes One Million
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/landmark-number-donut-hole-rebate-checks-passes-one-million
Tire-d Old Trade Policies - You can't boost exports by trashing imports
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703669004575458523112347824.html
Abolish tenure, require more teaching, put star professors online
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575460252029820466.html
The White House Blog - Agent Orange and Veterans: A 40-Year Wait
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/agent-orange-and-veterans-a-40-year-wait
J McCain: The Surge and Afghanistan - Unless he understands the reason for success in Iraq, the president is unlikely to lead a successful strategy against the Taliban
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575459983690019468.html
White House: Katrina - Five Years Later, Our Commitment Continues
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/five-years-later-our-commitment-continues
Why We Fought and What We Achieved - Saddam had launched multiple wars, used weapons of mass destruction and aided global terrorism. Now Iraq's government is an ally and represents all the Iraqi people.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461452331806476.html
Remarks on the 47th Anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" Speech. By Hannah Rosenthal, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism . Imam Yahya Hendi From Clergy Without Borders, Washington, DC, August 28, 2010
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/rm/2010/146434.htm
Social Security Bait and Switch - 'Harry, am I making this up?' Yes, Mr. President, you are.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461601764263106.html
IMF Enhances Crisis Prevention Toolkit
http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2010/pr10321.htm
Alvin Greene Mocks White House Staff As 'Harvard Rich Kids'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453211943767790.html
Camille Paglia writes that pressuring middle-class young people into "word jobs" is cruelly shortsighted - "The elite schools, predicated on molding students into mirror images of their professors, seem divorced from any rational consideration of human happiness."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461691182268962.html
The White House - Economic Recovery for Small Businesses: Now is Not the Time to Pull Back
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/economic-recovery-small-businesses-now-not-time-pull-back
TARP and the Continuing Problem of Toxic Assets - It was a bold bet that the Treasury and Fed could engineer an economic recovery without allowing the repricing of US housing stock
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455951017059416.html
White House - Landmark: Number of Donut Hole Rebate Checks Passes One Million
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/landmark-number-donut-hole-rebate-checks-passes-one-million
Tire-d Old Trade Policies - You can't boost exports by trashing imports
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703669004575458523112347824.html
Abolish tenure, require more teaching, put star professors online
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575460252029820466.html
The White House Blog - Agent Orange and Veterans: A 40-Year Wait
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/agent-orange-and-veterans-a-40-year-wait
J McCain: The Surge and Afghanistan - Unless he understands the reason for success in Iraq, the president is unlikely to lead a successful strategy against the Taliban
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703618504575459983690019468.html
White House: Katrina - Five Years Later, Our Commitment Continues
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/30/five-years-later-our-commitment-continues
Why We Fought and What We Achieved - Saddam had launched multiple wars, used weapons of mass destruction and aided global terrorism. Now Iraq's government is an ally and represents all the Iraqi people.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461452331806476.html
Remarks on the 47th Anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" Speech. By Hannah Rosenthal, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism . Imam Yahya Hendi From Clergy Without Borders, Washington, DC, August 28, 2010
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/rm/2010/146434.htm
Social Security Bait and Switch - 'Harry, am I making this up?' Yes, Mr. President, you are.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461601764263106.html
IMF Enhances Crisis Prevention Toolkit
http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2010/pr10321.htm
Alvin Greene Mocks White House Staff As 'Harvard Rich Kids'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453211943767790.html
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Press Briefing
Aug 30, 2010
Muslim: It was only after losing the fight for total state power against democracies and dictatorships alike that Islamists launched their war against the West
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453211943767790.html
Conservative: The World Trade Center Mosque and the Constitution
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455503946170176.html
Export Controls for the 21st Century - The current system is a legacy of the Cold War and fails to distinguish between low-tech items and the most advanced proprietary technology
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454313481209990.html
On the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB) Tax Task Force Report
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/27/perab-tax-task-force-report
Jimmy Carter in Pyongyang - Back to the same old North Korean games
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703669004575458422510924854.html
Our Man in Caracas - Good news: Chávez doesn't like him
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449933853736568.html
Ten Fallacies About Web Privacy - We are not used to the Internet reality that something can be known and at the same time no person knows it
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455192488549362.html
Alinsky Wins at the SEC - A new proxy access rule will help activists and unions, not shareholders
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455791673609002.html
Kirchner's Assault on the Press - This week's target: Argentina's two most influential daily newspapers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455483542041338.html
The White House Blog - Preparing Workers for New Careers
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/27/lost-and-found-preparing-workers-new-careers
The Folly of Subsidizing Unemployment - My calculations suggest the jobless rate could be as low as 6.8%, instead of 9.5%, if jobless benefits hadn't been extended to 99 weeks
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454431457720188.html
Energy Dept: Setting the Record Straight on Weatherization
http://blog.energy.gov/blog/2010/08/27/setting-record-straight-weatherization
The $31 Billion Revenue Fantasy - Those who make $200,000 a year are 3% of all taxpayers but pay 52% of all income taxes
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703876404575200621394266894.html
The White House Blog - Helping New Orleans Rebuild Its Schools
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/28/helping-new-orleans-rebuild-its-schools
Spreading Hayek, Spurning Keynes - Professor Leads an Austrian Revival
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703418004575455911922562120.html
When Justice Comes Naturally - The Constitution can 'live' without losing its core meanings. Review of Hadley Arkes's Constitutional Illusions & Anchoring Truths.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575448761803060070.html
The 1.6% Recovery - The results of the Obama economic experiment are coming in
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455823740024224.html
Remarks by the President on the Fifth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/29/remarks-president-fifth-anniversary-hurricane-katrina-new-orleans-louisi
Lebanon's parliament amended a 1946 law that had been used to bar the 400,000 Palestinians living in the country from taking any but the most menial jobs
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704554104575435933047619568.html
Muslim: It was only after losing the fight for total state power against democracies and dictatorships alike that Islamists launched their war against the West
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453211943767790.html
Conservative: The World Trade Center Mosque and the Constitution
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455503946170176.html
Export Controls for the 21st Century - The current system is a legacy of the Cold War and fails to distinguish between low-tech items and the most advanced proprietary technology
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454313481209990.html
On the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB) Tax Task Force Report
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/27/perab-tax-task-force-report
Jimmy Carter in Pyongyang - Back to the same old North Korean games
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703669004575458422510924854.html
Our Man in Caracas - Good news: Chávez doesn't like him
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449933853736568.html
Ten Fallacies About Web Privacy - We are not used to the Internet reality that something can be known and at the same time no person knows it
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455192488549362.html
Alinsky Wins at the SEC - A new proxy access rule will help activists and unions, not shareholders
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455791673609002.html
Kirchner's Assault on the Press - This week's target: Argentina's two most influential daily newspapers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455483542041338.html
The White House Blog - Preparing Workers for New Careers
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/27/lost-and-found-preparing-workers-new-careers
The Folly of Subsidizing Unemployment - My calculations suggest the jobless rate could be as low as 6.8%, instead of 9.5%, if jobless benefits hadn't been extended to 99 weeks
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454431457720188.html
Energy Dept: Setting the Record Straight on Weatherization
http://blog.energy.gov/blog/2010/08/27/setting-record-straight-weatherization
The $31 Billion Revenue Fantasy - Those who make $200,000 a year are 3% of all taxpayers but pay 52% of all income taxes
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703876404575200621394266894.html
The White House Blog - Helping New Orleans Rebuild Its Schools
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/28/helping-new-orleans-rebuild-its-schools
Spreading Hayek, Spurning Keynes - Professor Leads an Austrian Revival
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703418004575455911922562120.html
When Justice Comes Naturally - The Constitution can 'live' without losing its core meanings. Review of Hadley Arkes's Constitutional Illusions & Anchoring Truths.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575448761803060070.html
The 1.6% Recovery - The results of the Obama economic experiment are coming in
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575455823740024224.html
Remarks by the President on the Fifth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/29/remarks-president-fifth-anniversary-hurricane-katrina-new-orleans-louisi
Lebanon's parliament amended a 1946 law that had been used to bar the 400,000 Palestinians living in the country from taking any but the most menial jobs
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704554104575435933047619568.html
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Press Briefing
Aug 27, 2010
USAID Launches Pakistan Flood Relief Info Sharing on “Humari Awaz” Cell Phone Network
http://blogs.state.gov/ap/index.php/site/entry/pakistan_flood_relief_info_sharing_humari_awaz
A new study confirms what I've been saying for decades: Paying high fees to fund managers is the route to lower returns
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575447531979322798.html
The SEC's Sop to Unions - Under the new rules, average shareholders won't muster the numbers to influence corporate elections
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451343422958522.html
A Challenge for WTC Mosque Opponents - The rights of American Muslims are being questioned in other locations. Will Gingrich and Palin speak out on their behalf?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453123857886644.html
Blanche Lincoln's Last Earmark: changes to Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) - The spending problem, in profile
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449422819519354.html
Protecting Medicare Benefits and Offering Clear Choices for Seniors
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/26/protecting-medicare-benefits-and-offering-clear-choices-seniors
Intel's Otellini: "the next big thing will not be invented here. Jobs will not be created here. And wealth will not accrue here. Ultimately, we will face an inevitable erosion and shift of wealth—much like we are witnessing today in Europe."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453803561625516.html
Women's Equality Day and the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/26/womens-equality-day-and-90th-anniversary-19th-amendment
Scapegoating For-Profit Colleges - Obama tees up another private industry for punishment
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704407804575425830335709738.html
200,000 Homes Weatherized Under the Recovery Act
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/26/200000-homes-weatherized-under-recovery-act
Time for Obama to Pull a Clinton - When I met with the president in early 1995, I warned him he would not be re-elected unless he changed his reputation
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453450250159546.html
UN mapping report leaked: Crime of genocide against Hutu center of controversy
http://congosiasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/un-mapping-report-leaked-crime-of.html
Public Pensions and Our Fiscal Future - Few Californians in the private sector have $1 million in savings, but that's effectively the retirement account they guarantee to many government employees
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449813071709510.html
USAID Launches Pakistan Flood Relief Info Sharing on “Humari Awaz” Cell Phone Network
http://blogs.state.gov/ap/index.php/site/entry/pakistan_flood_relief_info_sharing_humari_awaz
A new study confirms what I've been saying for decades: Paying high fees to fund managers is the route to lower returns
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575447531979322798.html
The SEC's Sop to Unions - Under the new rules, average shareholders won't muster the numbers to influence corporate elections
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451343422958522.html
A Challenge for WTC Mosque Opponents - The rights of American Muslims are being questioned in other locations. Will Gingrich and Palin speak out on their behalf?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453123857886644.html
Blanche Lincoln's Last Earmark: changes to Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) - The spending problem, in profile
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449422819519354.html
Protecting Medicare Benefits and Offering Clear Choices for Seniors
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/26/protecting-medicare-benefits-and-offering-clear-choices-seniors
Intel's Otellini: "the next big thing will not be invented here. Jobs will not be created here. And wealth will not accrue here. Ultimately, we will face an inevitable erosion and shift of wealth—much like we are witnessing today in Europe."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453803561625516.html
Women's Equality Day and the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/26/womens-equality-day-and-90th-anniversary-19th-amendment
Scapegoating For-Profit Colleges - Obama tees up another private industry for punishment
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704407804575425830335709738.html
200,000 Homes Weatherized Under the Recovery Act
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/26/200000-homes-weatherized-under-recovery-act
Time for Obama to Pull a Clinton - When I met with the president in early 1995, I warned him he would not be re-elected unless he changed his reputation
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453450250159546.html
UN mapping report leaked: Crime of genocide against Hutu center of controversy
http://congosiasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/un-mapping-report-leaked-crime-of.html
Public Pensions and Our Fiscal Future - Few Californians in the private sector have $1 million in savings, but that's effectively the retirement account they guarantee to many government employees
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449813071709510.html
Press Briefing
Aug 26, 2010
Jared Bernstein on Republicans, the Recovery Act and "jobs created or saved"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/25/increasingly-awkward-dance
The Military Should Mirror the Nation - America's Armed Forces are drawn from an increasingly narrow segment of society
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451531529098478.html
Five Principles to Make “Contingent Capital” More Like Capital and Less Contingent
http://www.cambridgewinter.org/Cambridge_Winter/Archives/Entries/2010/8/25_NOW_MORE_ABSORBENT!.html
Stop the Madness - Washington is spending the country into economic decline
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449961346648370.html
The IRS Targets Incompetent Tax Preparers - That's good news. But the agency is going overboard
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575447873306166034.html
U.S. Provides $50 Million in Early Recovery Aid to Pakistan Flood Victims
http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2010/pr100825_1.html
Big Foot on Campus - Why colleges want a waiver from ObamaCare
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451710632099560.html
Minutes of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy July 2010 Official Meeting
http://www.state.gov/r/adcompd/146252.htm
Oil Spill & The Gulf Claims Racket - The lawyers are upset they aren't getting more of the action
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449692864994262.html
A Muslim Reformer on the Mosque - The warriors for tolerance and the antimosque crusaders are both wrong
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451433090488678.html
The Fed Is Running Low on Ammo - It still has options if more monetary easing is needed. But they're not very effective
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575448022122679194.html
IMF Paper: Can Global Liquidity Forecast Asset Prices?
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=24164.0
The White House is having a disastrous 'summer of recovery.'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451502211231456.html
Jared Bernstein on Republicans, the Recovery Act and "jobs created or saved"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/25/increasingly-awkward-dance
The Military Should Mirror the Nation - America's Armed Forces are drawn from an increasingly narrow segment of society
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451531529098478.html
Five Principles to Make “Contingent Capital” More Like Capital and Less Contingent
http://www.cambridgewinter.org/Cambridge_Winter/Archives/Entries/2010/8/25_NOW_MORE_ABSORBENT!.html
Stop the Madness - Washington is spending the country into economic decline
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449961346648370.html
The IRS Targets Incompetent Tax Preparers - That's good news. But the agency is going overboard
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575447873306166034.html
U.S. Provides $50 Million in Early Recovery Aid to Pakistan Flood Victims
http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2010/pr100825_1.html
Big Foot on Campus - Why colleges want a waiver from ObamaCare
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451710632099560.html
Minutes of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy July 2010 Official Meeting
http://www.state.gov/r/adcompd/146252.htm
Oil Spill & The Gulf Claims Racket - The lawyers are upset they aren't getting more of the action
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703447004575449692864994262.html
A Muslim Reformer on the Mosque - The warriors for tolerance and the antimosque crusaders are both wrong
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451433090488678.html
The Fed Is Running Low on Ammo - It still has options if more monetary easing is needed. But they're not very effective
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575448022122679194.html
IMF Paper: Can Global Liquidity Forecast Asset Prices?
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=24164.0
The White House is having a disastrous 'summer of recovery.'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451502211231456.html
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