Property Rites or Rights?

With police on hand to try to maintain order, the Loudoun County (Virginia) board of supervisors recently imposed severe restrictions on the building of homes, despite angry protesters. The board’s plan allows only one house to be built for every 10 acres in...

The President Has Spoken: No Microsoft Breakup

What inspiring, bullish news. It’s the dawn of a great new era. I can feel my animal spirits rising. That’s right. Didn’t you feel the same way yesterday when you heard that the Department of Justice wouldn’t seek the break-up of Microsoft?...

Dealing with the Media: Getting This Behind You

The predictable media reaction to Gary Condit’s bobbing and weaving has been to say that he should be candid, come clean and “get all this behind you.” It is the kind of advice that they have offered repeatedly over the years to people in trouble,...

Gangs — Society’s Fault?

“Society pushes you back into the same pile of s— you came out of.” Chino, a “hardened gang member,” offered this excuse as his rationale for joining a gang. Gang violence is up, says a chilling new Time magazine article on Los Angeles...

Too Much Safety?

There’s the old admonition: It’s better to be safe than sorry. The fact of life is that one can be both safe and sorry — that’s if we acknowledge the consequences of having too much safety. Let’s look at it. National Transportation Safety...

Supply Chain 103: EMC

Previously, I told you that I would offer up my opinion of the one technology company to watch for evidence of a broad recovery in the economy and the markets. Today I make good on that promise. I told you that my choice would surprise you. It’s not an obvious...

Greenspan Recants: No Catalyst, No Bull Market

Hewlett Packard buying Compaq isn’t exactly going to save the world. If that’s the best thing this market can come up with as a catalyst, we’re in a heap of trouble. About the only good thing you can say about the market right now is that the major...