While it is wise to temper one’s optimism when it comes to this country, the fact that Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as Zimbabwe PM is cause for some optimism. Indeed, if there ever there was a time to be cautiously optimistic, this is it. Whether it is inflation, cholera, or food shortages (to name just some problems), the people of Zimbabwe deserve better. Here’s hoping they get it very soon.
Day: February 11, 2009
Why Canada has not only avoided the financial crisis, but is a great country
Fareed Zakaria’s article, The Canadian Solution at Newsweek.com, runs down why the Canadian banking industry is in such good shape as compared to American banks. Not only that, but he has some surprising — to me — statistics about Canada generally, such as:
- Canada’s banking system is ranked 1st in the world. The U.S.? 40th
- TD Bank used to be the 15th largest bank in North America last year. This year? 5th. (Why? So many others have shunk or disappeared).
- Canadian banks are leveraged 18 to 1. American banks? 26 to 1. European banks? A whopping 61 to 1. (Wow)
From there he talks alot about other differences between Canada and the U.S. It made me proud of Canada. A good article to read.
Infrastruct…..hold on….what kind of jobs are they again?
How to build a very small house, part II
Easy. Go to Kevin Kelly’s Cool Tools blog and read more about The Tiny Book of Tiny Houses. Even better, they have the plans for G.B. Shaw’s writing hut (which I have also blogged about). How perfect is that? You may not be able to construct Whistler’s Peacock room, but with some effort, you could have Shaw’s shed. And that ain’t half bad.
See Kevin Kelly for more details.
Great photos by Timothy Paul Moore
Over at Timothy Paul Moore’s web site, Letter to Jane, is a strikingly good collection of recent photos he has taken. There is slightly more than a dozen, but they are very versatile and recall to me the qualities of Atget, Christopher Pratt and Gerhard Richter.
Think I am exaggerating? Go see Tim’s photos. Then go look at Atget’s Versailles photographs, Pratt’s “bridge” prints, or the quasi-abstract work of Richter.
Good stuff…..
Smart People I Know 