Brian Gongol
(2006.01.27)
$27 Million Condo Complex About to Open in Iowa City
Assuming the tax breaks and special incentives were kept to a minimum, applause is due to anyone who's willing to risk private dollars on a big project that looks as good as Plaza Towers
(2006.01.27)
What Strings Attached?
Iran (a very un-free state) is providing emergency supplies of natural gas to Georgia (a state trying to make the leap to freedom). Venezuela (currently ruled by a Marxist) is offering discounts on heating oil to some Americans. Energy issues are inextricable from geopolitics.
(2006.01.27)
China to Launch Radio Service to Kenya
Why should Americans care? (1.) China isn't a democracy, a free market, or an open society. (2.) Radio services like the BBC and VOA have been extremely effective propaganda tools for Western countries over the last century. (3.) Kenya is a large country in a very unstable region. (4.) The White House has very unwisely cut back on America's most successful international broadcasting services.
(2006.01.27)
Olympics Don't Make Host Cities Rich
Salt Lake City experience is evidence that tons of tax dollars can be spent on targeted economic growth activities without really generating long-term structural growth
(2006.01.27)
Gates Gives $600 Million to Fight Tuberculosis
Amartya Sen argues that health care is a fundamental impediment to economic growth in some parts of the world. Whether that's true or not, Gates deserves credit for doing some direct good with his wealth. It's important not to forget that direct aid can be good, but it isn't enough.
(2006.01.27)
Are Bogota Police Really Stealing Passengers' Luggage to "Teach Them a Lesson"?
Truth or fiction, the storytelling is uproariously funny