Can the Private Sector Really Replace All Government Functions?

Posted on by Lone Candle

“I hate our big intrusive government, hate that it grabs almost half our money and micromanages our lives. I hate the politicians who act like good things come from them, rather than from millions of free people pursuing our own interests. I hate that government constantly grows more intrusive and takes more of our money (under both Democrat and Republican administrations).
But I do think we need some of it.”

https://reason.com/2025/01/15/can-the-private-sector-really-replace-all-government-functions/

Sam Harris Reveals Million Dollar Bet w/ Elon That Killed Their Friendship

Posted on by Lone Candle

Elon Musk thought Covid would remain under 100 cases in the United States, and was extremely confident about this belief. Disagreements over this ended his relationship with Sam Harris.

Elon would publicly insult Sam over misleading clips of Sam that misrepresented what Sam said. Sam would email Elon explaining the context, and Elon would tell Sam to fuck off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vzBTpIF_hI

The Slow Approval of Self-Driving Cars Is Costing Lives

Posted on by Lone Candle

“more than 42,000 Americans die in collisions every year. Based on the above-mentioned research, AVs have dramatically lower bodily-injury rates. If governments slow approval of self-driving cars—or give local governments the ability to stop their use based on anecdotes and irrational fears—then we’ll likely have more deaths and injuries.”

https://reason.com/2025/01/17/the-slow-approval-of-self-driving-cars-is-costing-lives/

Trump’s tariffs are already rattling California’s tech sector

Posted on by Lone Candle

“Tariffs on Chinese goods like manufactured parts and chips “are going to make the production process more complicated and more expensive,” said economist Christopher Thornberg with Beacon Economics.

Thornberg said California companies that rely on those materials like Apple and Nvidia, which makes highly sought-after chips essential for training AI programs, will be able to absorb the costs “because of the mountain of profits they are sitting on.”

The longer the trade spat goes on, though, the more likely knock-on effects like higher consumer prices, but also bites out of the budget, become as companies absorb increased costs.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/05/trumps-tariffs-are-already-rattling-californias-tech-sector-00213828

US military aid pause leaves Ukraine vulnerable to Russian air attack

Posted on by Lone Candle

“The U.S. halt in sending military aid to Ukraine could leave the country vulnerable to aerial attacks just as Russia is gearing up for a massive increase in drone and missile strikes.

Ukraine has a reported six MIM-104 Patriot missile batteries — used to protect some of the country’s highest priority targets. The Patriot, with a range of about 160 kilometers, is one of the few systems Ukraine operates that can hit distant targets and knock down Russian ballistic missiles like the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.

The pause in deliveries of U.S. weapons coincides with signs that Russia will double down on longstanding efforts to exhaust Ukraine’s remaining supplies of Patriot air-defense missiles. And with no chance of any immediate replenishment from Washington, that leaves Ukraine’s infrastructure and key cities highly exposed.

If the U.S. ends the delivery of Patriot missiles, Ukraine could potentially be supplied by other countries that have acquired the U.S. system.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/us-military-aid-ukraine-russia-war-aid-us-drone-missiles/

Zelenskyy Forgot the First Rule of Dealing With Trump

Posted on by Lone Candle

“Was that expecting too much from Zelenskyy — to sit and smile while signing away a portion of his nation’s mineral wealth without getting security guarantees in return?”

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/03/01/zelenskyy-trump-oval-office-column-00205584