Wednesday mini-ramble

If the press told the truth:

“…a fiscal nightmare that would only ever be undertaken by a government or council…”
Len's Trainset: "A fiscal nightmare" – PM of NZ

“Every job ‘saved’ in the Australian auto industry by assistance through the government costs taxpayers around $300,000.”  And every new Ford and Holden costs them around $60,000 in subsidies.
The cars that ate taxpayers – ANDREW BOLT

Not before time.
Republicans Are Wising up on Immigration – Alex Nowrasteh, CATO

“I can only say: I'm sorry, America. As a former Federal Reserve official, I was responsible for executing the centrepiece program of the Fed's first plunge into the bond-buying experiment known as quantitative easing. The central bank continues to spin QE as a tool for helping Main Street. But I've come to recognize the program for what it really is: the greatest backdoor Wall Street bailout of all time.”
Andrew Huszar: Confessions of a Quantitative Easer – Andrew Huszar, WALL STREET JOURNAL

And a failure.
The definitive proof qe doesnt create jobs – BULLFAX

A new phase of aggressive easy money policy from the European Central Bank is both probable and imminent, based on the same old delusions as before.
Europeans Looking To Inflate Their Debts Away – Andrew Cullen, CANTILLON OBSERVER

Unsurprising, and a very appropriate metaphor.
Estimated costs for the European Central Bank's new headquarters in Frankfurt have more than doubled. – DER SPIEGEL

“Many economists love sales taxes. They think that they’re efficient because they’re applied equally and only distort consumption patterns as opposed to labour supply decisions. I don’t like sales taxes because they’re closer to a gang charging protection for doing business on its turf…”
I Disagree With Lance Wiggs – GST On Everything Is A Silly Idea – BRENNAN McDONALD

Did I mention that my favourite economist, George Reisman, is now twittering?
George Reisman on TWITTER

Even Ayn Rand couldn’t write this…
Venezuela Goes from a Seeming Parody of Third World Socialist Populism to… – VOLOKH CONSPIRACY

Not me.
Who Watches The News? Seriously? – BRENNAN McDONALD

Determinists, of course, would argue it isn’t possible.
New Study Decodes Brain's Process for Decision Making – SCIENCE DAILY

Ayn Rand’s detractors never argue against what she actually stood for. Very telling.
Atlas Shrugged Is A Book About Pride In One's Work, And The Success That Results – Steve Simpson, FORBES

Mill's marginalia on Emerson's Essays. "Fudge." "Nonsense." "Oh pooh."
Mill and Emerson: Sense and Nonsense – Frank Prochaska, HISTORY TODAY

George Carlin did better (Google it) but this is okay.
Taxonomy of Fuck

Hi tech graffiti.
"I Am Zaha" – ARCHIDOSE

There’s a new Muslim superhero, apparently.
US Comics In Wartime, Then & Now – BOSCH FAWSTIN

Any other candidates?
The Seven Greatest Naval Blunders in History – Bill Fawcett, HISTORY NEWS NETWORK

Most attempts don’t work, but this is not bad.
Artist Builds His Home From Recycled Shipping Containers – JETSON GREEN

Try to answer as honestly as you can.
The Man Quiz – Nock Trott, RADIO X

Getting wild about beer. Literally.
Where the wild beers are – Neil Miller, MALTHOUSE BLOG

[Hat tips Phil H., Mises Daily, Noodle Food, Tammy Bruce, Kieran Healy, Jonathan Hoenig, Joe Sanders, Richie McCaw, Paul Hair]