Bell, CA

I’ve been following the story of Bell, CA, a small city near Los Angeles that became famous when it came to light that most of the high city officials were drawing outrageous salaries.  Apparently they were supporting those salaries with some questionable practices.  The Los Angeles Times has a good story here.

A great modeling blog

I’ve mentioned it before, but if you haven’t been reading this blog, now is a good time to start.  It is a very nice blend of modeling and historical research and very much what I’d like this blog to look more like.

Law and Technology

Can a husband be charged with a felony for reading his wife’s mail?  How about her email?  I guess we’ll find out the answer to the latter question soon.  Story here.

China news

Looks like China has a new missile capability.  Story here.

UPDATE: This story explains how the missle works.

Proof that even attorneys in Canada are (bleep)

Good grief.

China news

I recently posted regarding the building in China of buildings and whole cities that remain unoccupied.  Here is an article regarding the massive real estate bubble now building in China.  When it pops a lot of newly middle class folks in China will suffer greatly.  I don’t know what the societal repercussions will be but I am betting they will be massive.

Taxation strategies

I don’t know why cities and states haven’t learned why this doesn’t work.  It doesn’t.  It won’t ever until you do something stupid like try and forbid people from leaving your city or state.  Folks with high incomes are those most likely to be able to relocate for tax savings purposes.

Law enforcement gone wrong

More government idiocy here.

China news

This is interesting.  There is a lot of construction going on in China, and you have to wonder if a lot of it isn’t being driven by market forces.

What I am currently reading

The Battle of France, Then and Now.

Good book, but tough to carry around to read when you get a few minutes.