Bang for the Buck

From Mark Zandi's report on economy.com.

Maybe we should look at his record?

Thank goodness for a voice of reason regarding Lawrence Summers.  Sheryl Sandburg, COO of Facebook, lays out his record on working for women's equality in education and the sciences while at Harvard and the World Bank, as well as family-friendly government policies while at the Treasury Department. 

I agree, his gaffe was bad, and completely inappropriate from the President of Harvard.  But put in context, it was an academic thought exercise aimed at identifying the causes of the paucity of women in science, in order to address the issue, not excuse it.  That gaffe alone should not disqualify him from a post at the Treasury Department.

Economic Stimulus You Can Believe In

Most economists shook their head at the laughable "stimulus check" last spring. Now, economists Joseph Stiglitz and Robert Solow are recommending Congress pass a stimulus package that will actually impact the economy. Some targets are intended to keep the economy functioning, while others are investments that will lead to real economic growth. 

Women's Health

I'm pretty sure she's not talking to Jon Stewart for the last line.

Historical Uses of "Lipstick on a Pig"

John McCain uses the phrase, "They put lipstick on it but it's still a pig."

Would it be as funny if it weren't so important?

After Thursday's speech, I was pretty sure even McCain would want to vote for Obama.  Everything I learn about Sarah Palin seems to confirm that.  

From The Edge of the West under the link "Vet Palin" (because John McCain didn't), we find that gubernatorial candidate Palin replied to a blogger's questionnaire in 2006, including to the question, "Will you support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education instead of for explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics, and the distribution of contraceptives in schools?"

Palin's response? "Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support."

Today we have news of one more data point showing that abstinence education doesn't work to prevent pregnancy. But I'm pretty sure preventing pregnancy is not one of the goals of abstinence-education proponents.

plus ça change, plus c'est la même...

Justin Wolfers asks if there is anything to add to Stigler's 1977 list of workshop criticisms. Questioning the quality of the instrument is the biggest one not already on the list.  After that, there is the "Why is this important?" or the even less subtle, "That's true, but not very interesting."  [Both noted in the comments.]