The Difference Between Observation And Judgment

Reading the criticism of Superfreakonomics has been a frustrating reminder of how externalities work.

1. Environmentalists thought the phrase "Global Cooling" was on the cover because the authors Levitt and Dubner (the Steves) are global warming deniers. (Global Cooling is instead a proposed goal for geo-engineers--we've warmed up the planet, so now we need to figure out how to cool it). The eventual discussion on this topic is better than that, and led to clarification from the Steves and some of their sources, but the ugly tone was set early by people who jumped to conclusions. I can't remember the last time I read Jon Stewart described as servile (hell, the google can't remember anyone being called that by CJR... ever, and all they do is expose sycophants and sniveling "journalism" every day).
2. Goaded by the heat generated by the environmentalists who failed to read the book, Ezra Klein interprets the observation that walking drunk is dangerous as support of drunk driving.
3. The Guardian fails to understand that observing niche markets in prostitution is different from endorsing prostitution (and lecturing poor black prostitutes on the merits of customer service). In their defense, maybe the authors of the article can't read.
4. Now Jezebel's Anna North thinks it is anti-feminist to observe that the effects of feminism have not been positive in every imaginable circumstance. I guess, this is because everything that is "good" has universally positive effects.

Not linking to any of these people because they are all hacks shooting bias and stupidity from the hip.

Thomas Friedman Found His Brain

If we are still begging Israel to stop building settlements, which is so manifestly idiotic, and the Palestinians to come to negotiations, which is so manifestly in their interest, and the Saudis to just give Israel a wink, which is so manifestly pathetic, we are in the wrong place. It’s time to call a halt to this dysfunctional “peace process,” which is only damaging the Obama team’s credibility.

Thomas Friedman, NYT Editorial Page, 11/8/09

This is the most coherent writing from Friedman in years.

Is there an adult in the House?

House Repubs Object to ... Everything