David Frum's Blog, page 113

Sanctions on Iranian Oil are Working

The New York Times prints a textbook funny joke in a story reporting on how Iran's numbers about oil production are consistently proven untrue. Shot:

Five Ways to Improve Economics

Lars Syll presents five things that should be done to "re-establisheconomics as a realist and relevant social science." They're solid, but he forgets you're supposed to save the best for last.

Australia's Still Burning

Remember this photo? Well, Australia's night sky probably isn't getting any darker. The Wall Street Journal reports wildfire conditions are getting far worse in the drought-striken state.

Pakistan Valiantly Prosecuting Blasphemy

The History Nuts Twitter feed instructs us that today, January 8, is the anniversary of the last British execution on blasphemy charges: in Edinburgh in 1697. Thomas Aikenhead, a university student, was only 20 years old.

Israel: The Region's Humanitarian State

The New York Times reports this morning that Israeli intelligence saved the lives of thousands of Syrian civilians - surely more of a humanitarian intervention than yet staged by any Arab state.

Where's the Leadership from the GOP Establishment?

The Daily Beast's Michelle Cottle interviews big time GOP fundraiser Georgette Mosbacher, who is so upset with today's Republican Party she refuses to continue fundraising:

The Problem With Libertarian Women is Not Libertarian Men

A few days ago, Sarah Skwire and Steve Horwitz penned a thoughtful essay on why there are so few women libertarians. This has triggered some natural chaffing, most recently from my colleague, David Frum:

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Who Holds the Key to Prosperity?

Some lively debate and discussion for your afternoon. Reuters captions the video:

Marijuana Use Isn't Worth the Risk

My latest column for CNN is on the dangermarijuana presents for society's most vulnerable.

Nobody is a Better Friend of Israel than [Cough, Cough]

As I read these comments from David Axelrod and others about how "nobody is more pro-Israel than Chuck Hagel," I am reminded of Graham Chapman's imitation of a British Colonel in an early Monty Python sketch: