The State Budget Meets Law and Economics

New York and other states are struggling with their budgets. Governors around the country are slashing their budgets because they know that tax revenues are way down. Governor Paterson likes to say that New York has been “ground zero” for the stock market plunge and that is having an enormous impact on New York revenue.

To fight or not to fight in Afghanistan

I generally oppose war. Most wars are unnecessary and counterproductive. They not only kill, maim, create refugees and destroy families, but they often lay the seeds of future wars and create a fragile, dangerous peace. If you go to the movies, violence often seems decisive. Bam they’re dead. But real life isn’t so simple.

Global Warming – what we can do about it

A few days ago I had a chance conversation with a fine and intelligent woman who, nevertheless, did not want to hear about global warming because, she said, it made her sad.