David Rodeback's Blog

A Short List of Recent Readings
. . . Mostly on themes mentioned in my recent comments on the election.

Real Men Don't Smell Like Strawberries
A case study in the free market's shampoo aisles.

Playing Politics with Economics -- as in Food Prices
This happens, and food gets more expensive. That happens, and food gets more expensive. The other things happens, and everything gets more expensive. It's all quite predictable, if you understand the difference between politics and economics.

What's in a Word?
When things continue at approximately the same speed, we're told that things "basically ground to a halt" -- if those things are economic. And the words "qualified, certified, and competent" can be used to resist improvement and reform, when the subject is education.

Random Dissenting Thoughts
. . . on the war in Iraq, the local loan sharks, and yelling at the radio.

Orson Scott Card on How We Live and How We Ought to Live
Foreign oil, domestic poverty, and no highway is ever wide enough . . .

Gasoline Prices: What Goes Down Must Come Up
Fair warning: In this word I use the word stupid twice and the word gullible once. But the post is short. Together, those two words comprise more than one percent of the entire post.

Twinkies, Anyone?
I never buy Twinkies. I don't like them. But I did today -- as a political statement.

My Neighbors, Gas Prices, a Correction, and . . . Somebody Needs to Read the Law
My politically active neighbors get along. Oak Norton actually lives in Highland. Some American Fork landlords are trying to get sued. And CostCo is lowering local gasoline prices. But the longer version is . . . more fun. Or at least longer.

Municipal Broadband: Questions and Answers
How big a deal is telecommuting? Is wired broadband technology obsolete? Could American Fork have had its municipal broadband free, with a little more patience?

Broadband's Impact on American Fork's Economy and Quality of Life
Here is a list of activities which broadband Internet access enhances or enables. All have economic implications; most also affect the quality of life.

Broadband's Economic Impact: Public vs. Private
In comparisons between municipal broadband systems and private industry's broadband offerings, measuring their respective economic impacts, it turns out there is a clear winner and a sound economic reason why.

Broadband's Economic Impact: Haves vs. Have-Nots
Today's broadband Internet question is: What is the economic impact of broadband availability and use in a community, whether publicly or privately provided?

We Three Kings (Kong): The Really Big Lobbies
Here's a look at three oversized, hugely influential lobbies in Washington and state capitals.

It's Crunch Time for American Fork's Broadband System, Part II
Part Two looks at indirect revenues and economic development -- and why AFCNet doesn't necessarily need to be revenue-neutral in the long run -- and why that doesn't help in the short run.

It's Crunch Time for American Fork's Broadband System, Part I
A business plan for AFCNet, American Fork's municipal broadband system, is under construction. The bond money which has mostly funded the system is running out. Here's a look at short- and long-term issues and possibilities.

This Week's Readings
Suzanne Fields, Paul Greenberg, and George Will head the list. Jeff Jacoby has a great euphemism. Paul Greenberg (in another article) holds up an excellent example of civic activity with style and class. And you get to read the phrase "ahistorical thumbsucking." (Beat that!)

Recommended Readings
Recommended readings on Iraq, the President, Wal-Mart, abortion, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, the 2008 presidential election, good books, oil company profits, "stupidization," and more.

Look Out for This Grinch

Local Gasoline Prices, a Pleasant Political Escape, and Good Readings on Many Topics

Blogus Interruptus, and Some Housekeeping

One Last Round with American Fork Mayoral Candidates

More Good Readings

Iraq, Iraq, and Stuff to Read

Three Bad Ideas Which Sound Good

Eating Pizza in the Public Library with Candidates

Meet the Remaining Candidates, PTA Style, Part II

Meet the Remaining Candidates, PTA Style, Part I

I Met Even More Candidates, Part I (Or Is It IV?)

The John Roberts Inquisition, Plus Good Stuff to Read

Post-Katrina Notes, Some Local

Price Controls Are a Stupid Idea. Don't Fall for Them.

As I Was Saying . . .

Common Sense: How not to Be Poor

Redefining "Quarterly" - Again

Gambling vs. Investment

An Uncertain, Potentially Ominous Signal

On Shortages of Leadership and Flu Vaccines

It's Too Good to Be True If . . .

Oil Prices in Real Dollars Aren't So High