Category: United States
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The exchange rate according to today’s Apple announcements
[Apple](http://www.apple.com) announced some shiny new things today. Given that the Australian dollar is around 92 cents, we’d hope for a good exchange rate. What has Apple actually done? * iMac 22-inch: US $1,199, AUS $1,599 * iMac 27-inch: US $1,699, AUS $2,199 * Mac Mini Base: US $549, AUS $849 * MacBook: US $999, AUS…
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Hillary versus Obama: The continuing saga
I honestly thought we’d be done by now… Wasn’t [Super Tuesday](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Tuesday) going to be the killer blow for the Democrats? Well, I suppose it’s almost over for the Republicans, although John McCain really could still lose it from here. But [Hillary](http://www.hillaryclinton.com/) versus [Obama](http://www.barackobama.com/), that’s going to be with us for a while. I don’t have…
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Why can’t we all just get along.
In case you hadn’t noticed, the TV and film writers in the US are [on strike](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007–08_Writers_Guild_of_America_strike). It’s been about 9 weeks now since they went on strike in November. The economics side of this is the question of ‘why’? The standard theory suggests that you should never see strikes, because the simple threat of one…
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US TV 2006 update
Updates on the shows from my earlier post: Jericho: Still not watching… Vanished: Didn’t entice me back. Smith: Still canceled. The Class: Every time I say ‘I’m giving up on this’, the show redeems itself with some really good, really dark writing. Still right on the edge every episode, but hanging on so far. But…
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Enjoying the victory
I’ve been watching the commentators at The Corner, where they’re learning to come to terms with the election defeat of the US Republicans: A friend of mine […] has long argued for amending the constitution so presidents have one five year term and then can only run for one two year term. Eight years is too…
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US Elections
Great stuff in the US elections… As expected, the Democrats are going to easily get control of the Houes. But it’s looking more and more like they’ll get control of the Senate too. Well, Lieberman willing. As of this moment (10:10pm AEST) the Iowa Electronic Markets are suggesting a 60-95% chance of winning the senate.…
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Holiday Economics
So which special occasions do we (well, the US) spend the most money on? The National Retail Federation has the breakdown (via Snopes): Christmas (‘winter holidays’): $438.6 billion. Back to school: $54.2 billion. Mother’s day: $13.8 billion. Valentine’s day: $13.7 billion. Easter: $12.6 billion. Father’s day: $9.0 billion. Super Bowl: $5.3 billion. Halloween: $5.0 billion. St…
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Have you ever wondered why there’s an obesity epidemic?
Via The Daily Show, I give you the Jimmy Dean Chocolate Chip Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick: There are just no words…
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What free trade agreement?
From The Courier-Mail (via Boing Boing): THE United States has slapped a ban on Vegemite, outraging Australian expatriates there. I don’t feel that I’m exaggerating when I say that this is the greatest outrage ever! Where’s Mark Latham when you need him?
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Stupidest lawsuit ever
No further comment needed: A Northeast Portland man is suing basketball superstar Michael Jordan and Nike founder Phil Knight for a combined $832 million. Allen Heckard filed the suit himself, June 29th in Washington County Court. Heckard says he’s been mistaken as Michael Jordan nearly every day over the past 15 years and he’s tired…