Author Archive: Bill Black
I'm a baby boomer, lefty Democrat, Boston Irish Catholic, born in 1953. I work as a public affairs consultant in Washington.
The Year in Google Wave
Google Wave could be the next big thing, if only I could figure out how to use it:
The Christmas Blizzard of 2009
I’ve got the fire going, the Christmas music playing. We’ve got nowhere to go. So, we have a very cozy day ahead of us. It’s like God hit the “pause button.” My son Danny was scheduled to come home from college today, but, instead, he’s going sledding on the Gettysburg Battlefield. I’m envious, but so glad he will have that experience. I told him to take pictures.
This almost the perfect storm. It’s only flaw is that it occurred on the weekend.
And, in case you’re saying, “Right, wait until you have to shovel!” Not to worry. My neighbor has already come by with the first pass with his snowblower.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Perspective
Looking Back on China Trade Policy
Advocates’ central contention was that the deal would eventually lead to a political liberalization of China — which it hasn’t — and would enable the United States to so increase exports to China that our Chinese trade imbalance would end — precisely the opposite of the effect that normalizing trade relations has actually had.
Economists often distinguish between the short term effects of policy change versus the long term. Yes, free trade does create some short term pain, but the long term effects are positive. We are now ten years later and things have only gotten worse for the U.S.
How long is “long term?” I’m reminded of the comment by the legendary economist John Maynard Keynes, “In the long term, we’ll all be dead.”
Quote of the Day
Still, I have to say that Obama’s response on the Internet did take the obsequiousness a step too far. No wanting to say that he opposes the Chinese government’s censorship of web sites because that would, in effect, accuse them of same, he said:
“I’m a big supporter of non-censorship.”
C’mon Barack. Though I strongly support engagement with China, even I think that was weak.
British Duck House
During the recent scandal in Great Britain about the abuse of expense allowances by British Members of Parliament, it was revealed that one MP used his expense allowance to pay for a duck house on his estate. This video is a spoof far beyond the capacity of most American humorists.
Using New Media for State Legislators
Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom Describes Her District
As part of my presentation to the National Conference of State Legislatures, I demonstrated how to upload a video on a blog. Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom graciously agreed to describe her district for purposes of this exercise. Her most amazing point is the fact that 10,000 of her constituents are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Wow.
Yankees Lose!
With a blast to the left field wall in the bottom of the 11th inning, the Angels interrupted the Yankees march to the World Series.
“They’ve been waiting for a postseason homer from Vlady for a long
time, and they got one that put them back in the game,” Damon said. “It
just seemed like they had some momentum after that.”
One down, three to go for the Angels.
Richard Stoltzman at Strathmore
Tonight, I watched a clarinet player described as the greatest of our time, Richard Stoltzman. I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of him until I learned of this concert. My interest in going was based more on the opportunity to see a live performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, than who would be playing it. It is one my favorite pieces of classical music and I’ve listened to it hundreds of times. It is the first classical CD I ever bought. The performance did not disappoint.
That said, it is interesting listening to a piece of music in which every note is familiar. Frankly, Stoltzman took a while to warm up. He missed a few notes in the first up tempo movement. But he found his stride in the second slow, movement, which is heartbreakingly lyrical. And in the third movement, which is very quick, complex and challenging, he was flawless.
But he really let it rip after the intermission. The second set was a collection of Gershwin pieces, including Pomenade from a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movie, as well as Bess and Summertime from Porgy and Bess. It was clear that he enjoyed playing this music over the Mozart, which probably does in his sleep. The finale was Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, which the conductor said was the only clarinet concerto in two hundred years that even approaches the quality of the Mozart. Interestingly, this piece was actually commissioned by Benny Goodman, himself. It was a much more modern piece and not quite as accessible as everything that went before. Still, it offered an amazing display of Stoltzman’s virtuosity.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, made particularly entertaining Stoltzman’s impish behavior on stage. It was unclear whether his funny faces and many mysterious side conversations with the players and conductor were designed to amuse us or were merely self-indulgent artistic antics. We chose to believe the former.