Comments for adamyoshida.com

Comment on On Publishing a Second Book by Administrator

Administrator — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:01:19 +0000

Actually, the joke about the guy getting a certificate naming him as an “Honorary White Man” is the origin point for the Confederate Samurai concept. Good catch.

Comment on On Publishing a Second Book by Sacha

Sacha — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:54:38 +0000

In your Confedederate Samari book will the Japanese charactor recieve a piece of paper making him “an honarary white man” like in Blast Of War? While I am making a joke at your expense I just finished reading your book and found it quite entertaining. I will buy your new work. You are right, there is nothing in near future fiction that is similar to your work.

Comment on The California Option and the Path to an Open Convention by Veritas

Veritas — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:57:18 +0000

Sir you have an excellent blog. Hope you can keep the trolls away. You make too much sense and make some very fine analysis of a complex situation. I would take issue with your view of Romney’s executive experience. As for Santorum’s social views I view his embrace of big government as far more discouraging. Social values when at issue and upheld by the GOP have normally resulted in victories. Ignorning them has lead to defeat. The Bush’s are an exception but they managed to throw away popular policies and even majorities built by conservatives.

Comment on The Third World War: Prophecies Come to Pass by Neal5x5

Neal5x5 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:15:00 +0000

I’m looking forward to Vol. 2. I read Vol. 1 over a weekend and was exceedingly pleased with how excellent it was.

Comment on This is not Free Speech by Neal5x5

Neal5x5 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:31:07 +0000

The OWS protests have since petered out, primarily because the majority of the proponents view protests as a social activity rather than what amounts to actual work. It’s easy to shout, to squat, to demand, and to be a public jackass, but when the weather turns and real work with any required endurace comes along, it’s just not fun any more. True, there is a minority determined to remake the world in their own retarded reflection and willing to make sacrifices (or more properly, to make others sacrifice), but they’ll find themselves alone and forced to wait until the next protest fad comes along.

Comment on The End of the Printed Word by Neal5x5

Neal5x5 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:17:50 +0000

One aspect you failed to mention but is equally important to the digital revolution in books is the well-deserved death of the editorial desk. For far too long, the reading public has been held hostage by a relative handful of individuals who determined what would make it out of the slush pile to publication and what would not. Although there is some value to having a gatekeeper representing some quality control on publications, all too often manuscripts that failed “the sniff test” in an overwhelmingly liberal industry were left to rot while other, more politically acceptable pieces of much lesser quality were given ink on paper. How many Hunt for Red Octobers or Red Phoenixes never got beyond a dusty desk drawer while tripe like Matterhorn receive publication and marketing assistance? As in newspapers and media, the public is much better served (and the industry as a whole is made stronger) by being able to pick and choose what WE want, not what a an East Coast progressive editor decides is best for us. Electronic publication is now successful and will only be more so in the future because it gives us the best aspects of capitalism and democracy: more individual freedom.

Comment on The End of the Printed Word by Isaac

Isaac — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:48:05 +0000

Not withholding the nostalgia factor of print that I personally have an affinity for (the printed word being a more visceral, and tangible experience) I think that you are bang-on; the age of digital will continue to reign.

I should add, reading this blog post online was indeed more enjoyable, immediate, and engaging than if I had to go to a book store to read it in a publication.

This is an astute, and delighting observation on the shift in media consumption. You touch on some of the most interesting changes in recent years, such as online distribution. These changes have had such a profound effect for not only authors, but many other content creators, and your personal example is one that I am sure readers will find inspiring. The technology is no longer the barrier, and that is important for several reasons. The wealth of knowledge and accessibility to it are key enablers for our current modern society, and it gives back to content creators in a way that I believe will encourage greater depth and craft in the creation of their work. It certainly encourages fiercer competition, and thus will, I believe, propel the market forward. It is an exciting time to live in.

Now, to just find a decent e-book reader….

Comment on Quebec and Canada After May 2nd by Jim

Jim — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:09:35 +0000

Well written Adam.

The dirty secret is that Quebec would still be driving on gravel roads except for the rest of Canada’s subsidies. The deference to Quebec should never have happened.

But then it is always easier to give away other people’s money. I am saddened that Harper has not grown a pair.

Neither does Harper seem to understand his almost unique place in history:
1. Western Europe is structurally ruined and they are all headed towards bankruptcy. Greece is the canary, not the barking dog.
2. In USA, the MSM is in full denial and drowns out any discussion.

Conversely in Canada, Harper has a chance from the PM position to finally articulate small government ideals, framing the discussion using USA and Europe as back drops. He is sure to receive some help and aid from backers in a number of provinces. This chance, to save and articulate intelligent debate regarding markets, is almost uniquely Canadian at this point. And as an economist, Harper could do it.

If I were him, I would also not resist the temptation to compare Obama to the silly Keyensian crap pulled by Bob Rae in Ontario almost 2 decades ago, miring that province in the recession that most states pulled out of years earlier and leaving it in a debt of unimaginable hurt. If he does it correctly, he can smear the Progressive left into oblivion. The time could not be better for him. He needs to jump in with both feet.

BTW, he could also jack GDP growth to 5-6%+ as well, just by getting out of the way. There are nails in the Progressive coffin, and Harper has all of them, beginning with Quebec. Someone needs to get to him, and convince him that he could quite easily become an international beacon.

Comment on The Great Silent Majority by Robert Schmidt

Robert Schmidt — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:31:35 +0000

Congratulations, Yoshi! A spot in Ontario for you, perhaps?

Comment on Liberals Remove Reference to Tax Increase From Platform by Patrick Ross

Patrick Ross — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:45:08 +0000

This is simply a retail politics offer, and nothing more.

The unfunded liabilities of the CPP have been growing for quite some time now, and basically all the Liberal offer does is result in Canadians paying more for the same scale of unfunded liability. Someone is going to get burned on this, and guess who that will be? Yup, it’s going to be the 18-35 year-old voter. If they were smart, they’d run screaming from Ignatieff on this one.