Monthly Archives: February 2011

Channeling Chris Christie: How to Handle Public Unions

Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

“If what you want to do is put on a show and giggle every time I talk, then I have no interest in answering your question.” — Governor Chris Christie New Jersey Governor Christie lays out his case against public-sector-union … Continue reading →

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Posted in Healthcare, Policy, Politics, Unions | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Petroleum Prices and Peak Oil: Edging Towards a New Normal

Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

“The beatings will continue until morale improves.” — Unknown Today I filled up my fuel-efficient Toyota with 11.24 gallons of fuel at $3.80 a gallon. And it’s only February. I shudder to imagine what prices will be by the time … Continue reading →

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Posted in Business, Clean Energy, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, International Security, Investing, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Tortoises Trounce Solar Thermal!

Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Normally, I reserve this blog for more serious topics where there is an intersection among clean energy, national security, and politics. Oh wait, this post covers all three! Only, it’s not so serious. The New York Times published a story … Continue reading →

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Posted in Business, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Defense, Energy Security, Humor, Politics, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Architecture of Anarchy

Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

“Civilization and anarchy are only seven meals apart” — Spanish proverb Instability is a positive feedback loop driven by weather, energy and food prices, currency fluctuations, repression, and demography. Adverse weather conditions, in tandem with high energy prices and a … Continue reading →

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Posted in Business, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Defense, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, Food Security, International Security, Investing, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Great Famine of 2011: Food, Fossil Fuels, and Fragmentation

Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

“Our people take pride in the fact that they are blessed with great leaders from generation to generation” — High-level North Korean official on Kim Jong Un succession Poor Weather Reduces Crop Yields; Reduced Crop Yields Lead to Increased Prices… … Continue reading →

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Posted in Business, China, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Defense, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, International Security, Investing, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

February 21, 2011 Edition of Anything Goes Carnival of Politics is Up!

Posted on Monday, February 21, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

theSaltyBlogger is hosting the February 21, 2011 edition of the Anything Goes Carnival of Politics, and features my blog post on “Four Pillars of Spending Cuts for Deficit Reduction,” which provides recommendations for budget cuts to reduce the deficit.

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Posted in Business, Defense, Finance and Economics, Healthcare, Policy, Politics, Social Security | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rallying Against the Red Menace

Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

“If you’re going to negotiate, you’ve got to have something to offer. We don’t.” — Governor Scott Walker I have avoided posting my thoughts about the recent protests in Wisconsin, because my personal reaction has been so visceral that I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Business, Finance and Economics, Policy, Politics, Unions | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

Storms Scare Saudis

Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Earlier this month, I warned that the Egyptian revolution would have broader implications far beyond Egypt’s borders. I said the most dangerous consequence of this revolt would be the spread of this revolution to other Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, International Security, Investing, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Climate Chain Reaction: From Egypt to North Korea

Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

With poor harvests last year in Russia, Canada, and Ukraine, a recent heat wave in Argentina, and floods in Australia that destroyed much of that nation’s wheat crop, agricultural commodity prices have sharply increased over the past year. The rising … Continue reading →

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Posted in China, Climate Change, Defense, Energy Security, Finance and Economics, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Iran: Obama Comes Out Swinging

Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Predictably, the Iranian government has called for the deaths of the two protest leaders. 222 members of Iran’s 290-member Parliament signed a statement that accuses the leaders of being “corrupts on earth,” a crime which carries a death sentence. In … Continue reading →

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Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment