Links and Minifeatures 2008 05 22 Thursday

Volokh Conspiracy on California's Proposition 98 and 99.

Rent Control is a very bad thing economically, no matter how popular it is. As far as I'm concerned, it's another reason to vote for Proposition 98.

The Federalist Society Online Debate Series: Subprime Lending & Financial Services Reform

My most central take on the matter is here.

Hot Air on Entitlement liabilities cost over $500K per household

Sen. Edward Kennedy has cancerous brain tumor

I have to admit my failure. Several really vicious pieces of humor went through my mind when I read that headline. No, I'm not going to repeat any of them, and yes, I am ashamed that I'm not a better person. Let's just say I'm nowhere near morally and ethically perfect. I'm certain those thoughts added significantly to any time in Purgatory or Limbo that I might have coming eventually.

Nonetheless, brain tumors are something I wouldn't wish on the worst enemy of civilization, and the sum total of everything he's even been accused of doesn't put him into that category. The doctors say it's not curable, and only sometimes treatable. The odds are against him, but here's hoping he beats them and achieves whatever the best that can be hoped for is. Let's not be haters. Here's hoping you have many good years left, Senator Kennedy.

DJ Drummond said it best: Any victory over cancer is both noble and good. I'm not going to take back anything I ever said or wrote about him - they were considered, and I was and am prepared to defend any of it based upon the facts. But I'm not going to say evil things about anyone with brain cancer. This is called self-censorship. Unlike government censorship, there needs to be more of it in the world.

Q and O has a list of questions I'd like to see the oil companies ask Congress.

My favorite:

For those of you who have voted to restrict American energy supplies, especially during periods of increased demand, how are your actions any different than those that you have frequently ascribed to OPEC?

Probably the most telling:

As the gap between supply and demand expands, oil prices increase, and oil company profits rise. What's the best way for oil company executives to send the entire U.S. Congress a "thank you" note for keeping energy supplies down and corporate profits up?

It does end up with a cheap shot, but considering the behavior of Congress, I can't say the cheap shot is in any way unearned on their part.

I'm probably going to have reprinted articles through Memorial Day, with new articles starting again on Tuesday. I may do things other than professional articles, if the mood takes me. This is probably going to be more consistent through November. Feel free to chime in with opposing points of view when I do it, so long as kept within standing comment rules. There's no point in having comments if only my own viewpoint is permitted!