18 May 2013
Fergus Downie
PS '37 hours -almost as long as a working week' - you Americans work too damn hard - that's overtime in Europe, which of course you're paying for ; we're from Venus

13 May 2013
g murphy donovan

The author has received an email from a former RAND Corporation luminary who assures me that Andy Marshall, ONA/ DOD,  has not sponsored any national security research at RAND since the late 90s. "DOA" was the acronym he used to describe any RAND research proposals.  The timing makes sense. Political pandering became epidemic after 9/11. Marshall, at 93,  is a vestige of an era and ethos when integrity did not have a price.  Marshall, the author is assured, continues to sponsor contrarian national security research, albeit not at RAND. 

2 May 2013
g murphy donovan

Right, Fergus.! Or should I say correct? Cooking the books is an ecumenical, non-partisan, non-sectarian, diverse, and universal survival skill. The social 'sciences' have always been advanced by wet fingers in the wind - sometimes just the wind is sufficient. Methinks that science today might be any occupation that pays better than phrenology. 

2 May 2013
Fergus Downie
Class act. I am worried though - you got hate mail over olive oil last time. You highlight the general failing of social scientists a preoccupation with the predictable , quantifiable and rational ; little more than bourgeoise prudence blown up into a needlessly over-elaborate theory. No real difference between Lefta nd Right here - they're all from Mandevilles beehive. Nice work Mr Donovan, and stay safe