Remove All Hyperlinks in Word

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Franklin D. Roosevelt

The more I read about Franklin D. Roosevelt, the more I don't understand why he is one of our greatest Presidents.

Make Decisions We Do Not Like

In Texas v. Johnson, Justice Kennedy filed the following concurrence opinion:

JUSTICE KENNEDY, concurring.

I write not to qualify the words JUSTICE BRENNAN chooses so well, for he says with power all that is necessary to explain our ruling. I join his opinion without reservation, but with a keen sense that this case, like others before us from time to time, exacts its personal toll. This prompts me to add to our pages these few remarks.

The case before us illustrates better than most that the judicial power is often difficult in its exercise. We cannot here ask another Branch to share responsibility, as when the argument is made that a statute is flawed or incomplete. For we are presented with a clear and simple statute to be judged against a pure command of the Constitution. The outcome can be laid at no door but ours.

The hard fact is that sometimes we must make decisions we do not like. We make them because they are right, right [491 U.S. 397, 421] in the sense that the law and the Constitution, as we see them, compel the result. And so great is our commitment to the process that, except in the rare case, we do not pause to express distaste for the result, perhaps for fear of undermining a valued principle that dictates the decision. This is one of those rare cases.

Our colleagues in dissent advance powerful arguments why respondent may be convicted for his expression, reminding us that among those who will be dismayed by our holding will be some who have had the singular honor of carrying the flag in battle. And I agree that the flag holds a lonely place of honor in an age when absolutes are distrusted and simple truths are burdened by unneeded apologetics.

With all respect to those views, I do not believe the Constitution gives us the right to rule as the dissenting Members of the Court urge, however painful this judgment is to announce. Though symbols often are what we ourselves make of them, the flag is constant in expressing beliefs Americans share, beliefs in law and peace and that freedom which sustains the human spirit. The case here today forces recognition of the costs to which those beliefs commit us. It is poignant but fundamental that the flag protects those who hold it in contempt.

For all the record shows, this respondent was not a philosopher and perhaps did not even possess the ability to comprehend how repellent his statements must be to the Republic itself. But whether or not he could appreciate the enormity of the offense he gave, the fact remains that his acts were speech, in both the technical and the fundamental meaning of the Constitution. So I agree with the Court that he must go free.

Is the renminbi the next global currency?

McKinsey Publishing’s Clay Chandler conducted the interview with Geng Xiao, director of the Brookings-Tsinghua Center for Public Policy. He discusses how divergent growth rates of the Chinese and US economies will erode the hegemony of dollar—but not right away.

The US dollar’s run as the world’s stable currency has stumbled with the recent financial crisis. Waiting in the wings is the renminbi. But according to economist Geng Xiao, it’s still in China’s—and the world’s—best interest not to dump the dollar just yet. In this video interview, Geng Xiao, director of the Brookings-Tsinghua Center for Public Policy, explains why China needs time to push through difficult economic reforms at home before it can allow its currency to float freely against the dollar.

This interview was conducted in Hong Kong.



You can also download a PDF of the transcript.

Link to the original McKinsey Quarterly article.

President Barack Obama's Endgame: A Look At The National Debt

This is a really interesting video. If GOP has enough money to show this video during SuperBowl halftime show, the next president will definitely be an Republican. lol.

P.S. I just found out Peter Orszag resigned his position as OMB director. 

Should We Believe in God?

I was watching Boston Legal. Alan Shore and Denny Crane were discussing about believing in God.

Alan Shore: Do you believe in God?

Denny Crane: Of course I do. You know I do.

Alan Shore: Why?

Denny Crane: Why? Why? Because if you believe in God and turns out there is no God, there is no harm, no foul. But if you don’t believe in God, and turns out there is one, you are screwed.

Season 3, Episode 16 The Good Lawyer

Boston Legal

favorite writer

People always talk about their favorite writer(s). I've never had one. Sometimes I say Shakespeare, but maybe it is just an effort to make me seem smarter. I have never finished all his plays and, frankly, I am not a big fan of his writing style. (I do like his stories and use of words, but his sentences make me want to kill myself.)

Recently, as I strive to improve my writing skills, I began to read about writings. After reading several of his works, I would say my favorite writer is Bryan A. Garner, the editor-in-chief of Black's Law Dictionary. His writings are not only clear and logical, but they also contain a lot of wry wits and humorous comments. It is unusual for people to enjoy technical books, but his books are fun to read.