VP Debate

I think I have my thoughts sorted out on the VP debate a day later. As this would indicate, I am conflicted with what went down.

In many ways, the outcome was desirable, in many ways, to both Biden and Ryan. It's all game theory of human behavior. Both participants are highly rational and highly informed.

Biden
Biden did bully Ryan, but this was to be expected. He leveraged his seniority into a patronizing, and at times, sneering tone. While there is a part of me that appreciates this due to rampant GOP mendacity, I wish stylistically Biden took a higher road. He played the "fed up" with the BS role. And it is easy to do with a younger opponent such as Ryan.

In the end, I have a soft spot for Biden that is non-partisan. I enjoy his gaffes. He really does embody the goofy uncle with a heart of gold. While one should take anything a politician takes with a grain of salt, I trust Biden over a large swath of national politicians. Did you know he was one of the "poorest" US Senators? Usually not a mark of a dirty dealer, right? Cough cough... Darryl Issa.

Ryan
Ryan did only what he could do. He was respectful, calm, and polite. He was forceful, appearing sincere at times. But he isn't. He's a liar. This is largely irrelevant, as we've seen from the first Presidential debate this year. I did laugh at Ryan's canned zinger about words coming out of Biden's mouth that Biden didn't mean. But it was funny for 2 seconds, as it was clearly planned.

Ryan did what was best for Ryan - which was to appear as a rising star, and potential rising star as Presidential candidate for the Republican party in the future. He really wants nothing else. If he becomes VP, great, but I don't think he is playing his cards assuming it will happen. Ryan, lies notwithstanding, has a prominent role to play in our fact-free society. I'm still waiting for high level numbers on how he plans to balance the budget. (He made them up -- we all know that.)

Facts vs. Fabrication
Lying is almost irrelevant at this point in the election cycle. All style very little substance.

Spectators of the US VP debate are going to have a hard time discerning fact from fiction. With so many facts thrown so quickly to viewers, many don't know what to believe. Facts seem to have an increasingly water-like quality. Hard when you want them to be, soft, or gas.

I wish there were more "fact checking" services, and then and aggregator of these fact checkers that normalizes it. Sort of a Real Clear Politics for facts instead of polls. (Hey, this is an idea... anyone?)

As I'm finishing this Saturday morning, it's clear that the VP debate has become history, and won't be remembered for anything other than Biden's wide grins and barreling over Ryan, and Ryan holding his composure.

Whatever happens, let's hope it is best for the world. I happen to think it is Obama/Biden. But I am one voice out of many.

Why Iran sanctions are the way to go.

Iran sanctions are the best way to go. For numerous reasons.
I'll keep it simple.

• No direct loss of life due to sanctions. (Good for the West as well as Iran.)
• Does not stretch the US military
• Keeps costs down
• See point 1
• Palatable to the US community that fears US belligerence
• Appeals to the world at large that feared that the US just knows warmongering as its foreign policy tool
• Sanctions do not enrage Iran's key allies, which include China, Russia, and India. (Yes, these countries consider themselves Iran's allies. Want WW III?)
• American retains a foreign policy that is not dependent on Netanyahu's blood-thirsty whims.
• The damage resulting from sanctions is ongoing, and is difficult to reverse
• This is key: Iranians will blame their government for ills, not some country (like America) for dropping bombs. 
• This is key to fomenting an internal revolution where the youth take charge.
• The US wants this passionately. It is the best way to "flip Iran" to being less belligerent.
• Iran is a huge country. 
• It has a population of 75 million. It is 1/4th the size of the US in terms of population. 
• Its population is significantly younger.
• Remember, nothing angers a powerful population more than being attacked without valid cause. The only valid cause is being belligerent, not the threat of belligerence. 
• It is hypocritical by international standards for Israel to have nuclear weapons, while Iran cannot.
• Israel, along with India and Pakistan, has not signed the NPT. Even China has signed this.
• Also remember, nothing is more powerful than economics when swaying a population. Break the economy, break the people.

The Jobs Number

I will go through the jobs number report a little later today. It will be dispassionate (mostly) and largely numbers with some analysis.

Two things many pundits are overlooking: revisions and PT adjustments. This number is more real than not.

It's your choice to not believe it.

Quick thoughts on last night's first Presidential debate:

• Romney "won" this debate
• The goal of a debate is to win support, not present the most truthful facts
• This win may re-energize supporters and donations - this is important
• Obama presented poorly
• He should not have made the variety of facial expressions.
• A preferable way would be to keep narrow eyes, focus on camera or Romney, and seem engaged, even if polite
• The facts don't matter on this debate.
• Romney lied and backflipped a lot. So what? Who cares? Only pundits.
• Obama was probably bewildered at the stuff Romney was saying. Who wouldn't be? My head was spinning.

Mulling starting a blog

Hi.
I'm mulling using a blog to post about things that just don't fit on Twitter.
I am not sure how this will pan out.

But it will be occasional rants & raves, sometimes just a info drop.
Let's see how it evolves? I've got no nefarious agenda.

So if you like my stuff, let the world know!
Thanks. @stuffthatilike