A Tip of the Hat to Al

A few days ago, the conversation turned to the movie "It's A Wonderful Life."

I mentioned a point that Sarah made about how dark a movie it could have been -- and how it is a testament to the talent of Jimmy Stewart and of Frank Capra that they were able to keep it from overwhelming the audiences.

Without pausing for even a single a beat, Al immediately added that the movie also was constructed so that every one of its characters led a life that was just one event, one piece of bad luck, away from descending into tragedy.

How does Al do that?!

absurdities & atrocities

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

-- Voltaire

Market fundamentalism

What a wonderful term -- "market fundamentalism."

From an interview of George Soros in today's NYTimes.

Q: You have also been a critic of globalism and what you call in your book "market fundamentalism." Which is what, exactly?

Soros: It is the belief that the common interest is best served by allowing individual participants to pursue their self-interest.


From
Questions for George Soros