Byron Wien 2013

#Finance #Byron Wien

1. Iran announces it has adequate enriched uranium to produce a nuclear-armed missile and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms the claim. Sanctions, the devaluation of the currency, weak economic conditions and diplomacy did not stop the weapons program.…

Was war das noch mal: der Liberalismus?

#Politics

War das «progressiv»? War er gar ein Linker? Fehlanzeige. Den idealistischen Ruf nach Gerechtigkeit konterte er mit einem kühlen «Gerechtigkeit gibt es nicht». Und vom Rechthaben und Rechtbehalten hielt er erst recht nichts. Was man in einem Rechtsstaat erwarten könne, sei Verfahrensgerechtigkeit.…

Freiheit oder Wohlstand - was wollt ihr?

#Politics

Gutes zu tun, kann man nicht an den Staat delegieren, Gutes kann auch nicht «in die Wege geleitet» werden. Gutes muss man selber tun. Und die einzige Voraussetzung, die es dazu braucht, ist Freiheit.…

No Need to Panic About Global Warming

#Global Warming

A candidate for public office in any contemporary democracy may have to consider what, if anything, to do about „global warming.“ Candidates should understand that the oft-repeated claim that nearly all scientists demand that something dramatic be done to stop global warming is not true.…

Byron Wien 2012

#Finance #Byron Wien

1\. The extraction of oil and gas from shale and rock begins to be a game changer. The price of oil drifts back to $85 a barrel and the United States becomes less dependent on Middle East supply. Deposits in Poland, Ukraine and elsewhere prove promising as well.…

The Great Global Warming Fizzle

#Global Warming

How do religions die? Generally they don’t, which probably explains why there’s so little literature on the subject. Zoroastrianism, for instance, lost many of its sacred texts when Alexander sacked Persepolis in 330 B.C., and most Zoroastrians converted to Islam over 1,000 years ago.…

How Scientific Is Climate Science?

#Global Warming

For years, some researchers have argued that the evidence for global warming is not nearly as strong as has been officially claimed. The details of the arguments are often technical.…

Byron Wien 2011

#Finance #Byron Wien

The continuation of the Bush tax cuts coupled with the extension of unemployment benefits has put all working Americans in a better mood. Real Gross Domestic Product rises close to 5% in 2011 driven by improved trade and capital spending in addition to stronger retail sales.…

Byron Wien 2010

#Finance #Byron Wien

1. The **United States economy** grows at a stronger than expected 5% real rate during the year and the unemployment level drops below 9%. Exports, inventory building and technology spending lead the way. Standard and Poor’s 500 operating earnings come in above $80.…