Mr. Obama Overturns His Own EPA, NASA Gives $100’s Millions for Private Space Travel, Just an Ordinary Lunch for Two in New York for $110.00, The College Dorm Ain’t What It Used to Be

And Other News Which May Have Escaped Comment, But Should Not Have

Here is the headline on the Washington Post website with respect to the latest “shot in the big toe” by Mr. Obama

Obama’s strategy confounds allies and foes



Anyone See Any Need for More Regulation?
Nope, Can't See That Because of the Smog

 The story is about Mr. Obama’s decision to overrule the EPA proposed rules on emissions and goes on to say

Most notable in the smog decision was that Obama made it himself — undercutting his own Environmental Protection Agency leadership and siding with industry officials . . .

And yet, as the administration signals that it will stand by other rules opposed by industry groups, advocates on both sides are left wondering what broader strategy may be guiding the White House as it reviews existing and proposed regulations.

So Mr. Obama angers his base, fails to appease his opponents and comes off looking like a ____________ (you fill in the blank).

Recently a private rocket of the Blue Origin, LLC that is supported by Amazon head Jeff Bezos blew up on a test flight.  It was unmanned, and no one was hurt and no damage was done, except to the massive fortune of Mr. Bezos and no one cares about that.  One interesting point in the reporting was this

NASA in recent years has doled out hundreds of millions in seed money—including more than $25 million earmarked for Blue Origin—to promote development of various private rockets and spacecraft.

Anyone outraged by NASA giving hundreds of millions to billionaires, someone, anyone?

The Financial Times has a regular Saturday feature in which a reporter has lunch with a person in the news.  The story then reports on both the person and the lunch.  This week the person was Bill Bratton, former police chief in New York and Los Angeles.  Mr. Bratton has been regarded as a successful police executive. 

After the riots in England the English Prime Minister proposed bringing Mr. Bratton, an American, in as head of the London police.  This was a proposal so politically idiotic that it was immediately abandoned.  (Think of bringing in a British cricket coach to become manager of New York Yankees).

Anyway the lunch for two consisted of an appetizer, main courses of scallops and smoke trout, a side dish of spinach and water and diet cola to drink.  The tab, $110.00.  The point, people who live like that cannot understand the problems of regular people.

Remember those dreary college dorms?  The Dismal Political Economist does, his first college housing being a drafty room in which three people lived in space built for two, with communal bathrooms down the hall and phone service consisting of a pay phone bank in the lobby.  Well no more.  The Los Angeles Times reports on the luxury housing now provided for some college students.



USC students Tyler Bibbins, left, and Erick Harris
use the hot tub at the West 27th Place apartments
near USC. Among other amenities, the $55-million
 complex is slated to get a Five Guys Burger and Fries
 outlet on the ground floor.



Nearly every detail at West 27th Place is upmarket, from the fountains, landscaping and custom outdoor light fixtures to the granite countertops and big-screen HD television sets in every unit. There are also televisions in the well-appointed gym, along with a professional-grade Sundazzler — a walk-in tanning booth that resembles a science-fiction movie prop.

And why the trend?

"There is competition among schools, and USC has to provide a competitively attractive student environment."

The $55-million West 27th Place complex is a model for campus housing, said Henry Cisneros, the former U.S. Housing and Urban Development secretary

Mr. Cisneros was formerly in charge of the government agency in charge of making sure every American ad decent housing.  Apparently that is no longer his personal concern.

But the most amazing thing of all is this.

There are also study rooms on each floor, a room to park 350 bicycles, hard-wiring for the Internet and satellite TV, plus in-room and communal Wi-Fi, said Hilliard, president of Symphony Development, the owner of the complex. Recreation areas include a club room with a pool table and a big-screen television where management will host game-day parties

Study rooms?  What on earth for?