Author Archives: mkevane

Unknown's avatar

About mkevane

Economist at Santa Clara University and Director of Friends of African Village Libraries.

More Paramanga Yonli

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on More Paramanga Yonli

Paramanga Yonli rallies the troops….

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Paramanga Yonli rallies the troops….

How many deaths will result from marijuana legalization

My gut feeling is that nowhere close to the deaths and disability years of alcohol. Excessive alcohol use accounts for one in 10 deaths among working-age adults ages 20-64 years in the United States, according to a new report. Excessive … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on How many deaths will result from marijuana legalization

Blattman and cash transfers and libraries and reading

Chris Blattman defends and promotes cash transfers.  It’s a good, compelling oped piece. But I worry that as the juggernaut of “just give cash” gains steam, people will give less to support public goods. As you know, dear reader, I … Continue reading

Posted in Reading | Comments Off on Blattman and cash transfers and libraries and reading

Powerful video on children working in gold mines, and the alternatives (for just a few dollars)

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Powerful video on children working in gold mines, and the alternatives (for just a few dollars)

Cochrane reviews (grumpily) Summers on stagnation

A good summary of current macroeconomic issues.  I suppose for every item on Cochrane’s list of “regulations to remove because they slow growth for no good reason” there is a list of “government projects to undertake that will improve productivity … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Cochrane reviews (grumpily) Summers on stagnation

Terrible GDP performance in first quarter

The beginning of the year was not just bad for the United States economy: It was, on paper at least, the worst quarter since the last recession ended five years ago.The Commerce Department revised its estimates of first-quarter gross domestic … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Terrible GDP performance in first quarter

Wussy: Attica!

Tomorrow night at the Blank Club in San Jose… I have to teach until 9:30pm… hope I don’t miss their set .. waah 😦 I liked this review (via Wussy: Attica! | Album Reviews | Pitchfork) of their new album, … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Wussy: Attica!

Hint of a bad rainy season for cattle in the northern Sahel from a Burkinabè verterinarian

This is consistent with the FEWS network projection for coming months.  That said, still early in rainy season and it could turn out fine.  Moreover, clear that the most affected people are in regions where political insecurity is serious.  The … Continue reading

Posted in Economy | Comments Off on Hint of a bad rainy season for cattle in the northern Sahel from a Burkinabè verterinarian

“The Quiet American” by Graham Greene as lesson for Iraq

It’s rather obvious, the lesson.  A so-so novel.  But too many Americans (how about we start with Dick Cheney) have not been able to absorb the one lesson of modesty and humility woven through the fabric of the novel.  Unbeknownst … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on “The Quiet American” by Graham Greene as lesson for Iraq

Surreal Wednesday: “Holy Motor” by Leon Carax and Louise Erdrich’s “The Big Cat”

Skimmed through Holy Motor by Leon Carax (you can stream on Netflix).  Intelligent, beautifully acted.  When I was 25 I would have been very impressed.  Watching it at home, on a computer screen (Carax shudders), stopping to make Elliot two … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Surreal Wednesday: “Holy Motor” by Leon Carax and Louise Erdrich’s “The Big Cat”

I love working at Santa Clara University

Have you published 25 books? Been an editor at Forbes ASAP? Demonstrated expertise in both microprocessing and water conservation? Better yet, is your name Michael S. Malone? Good news: You’re eligible to apply to a quarterly adjunct-lecturer position in Santa … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on I love working at Santa Clara University

Wussy – Teenage Wasteland … I am looking forward to seeing them next week in San Jose (Blank Club) and LA (Silverlake Lounge)

HT: Bill Sundstrom who first pointed me in their direction…

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Wussy – Teenage Wasteland … I am looking forward to seeing them next week in San Jose (Blank Club) and LA (Silverlake Lounge)

Times have changed… Fred MacMurray stops for a drive-in beer in L.A. in Double Indemnity

The film is set in 1938 I think.  And of course this being the Internet, you can see the clip on Youtube.

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Times have changed… Fred MacMurray stops for a drive-in beer in L.A. in Double Indemnity

15 to 20 year olds reading across the world: Why? Where? How?

I will be presenting at this IFLA Satellite meeting in Paris in August 2014.  Please consider registering for the meeting/workshop/mini-conference! sponsored by the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section & School Libraries Section More information to register is … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on 15 to 20 year olds reading across the world: Why? Where? How?

Great hikes to Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite, and then Rancheria Falls in Hetch Hetchy

Went with some of my colleagues in the Economics Department.  They have been doing Half Dome, but this year did not get the lottery, so they chose Cloud’s Rest.  I was happy to be along, even if I sort of … Continue reading

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Great hikes to Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite, and then Rancheria Falls in Hetch Hetchy

Great story on the abortion issue at places like Santa Clara University and Loyola Marymount University

A spokesman for Anthem, asked to define “religious affiliation” and what constitutes a “variety” of contraceptive methods – or to provide a legal basis for offering amended plans without regard to the narrow exception under Catholic Charities for covering contraceptives … Continue reading

Posted in United States | Comments Off on Great story on the abortion issue at places like Santa Clara University and Loyola Marymount University

Slender Man is a 100 year old revival of The Yama Yama Man

Horrible to contemplate the actions of the girls in Wisconsin, but popular culture has always had a kidnapping bogeyman.

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Slender Man is a 100 year old revival of The Yama Yama Man

Wowie Zowie

On the NPR puzzle show with Will Shortz this morning, the last question (usually the hardest) had as answer “wowie zowie” upon which the NPR host (forget her name) asked, rhetorically, when was the last time anyone heard the expression … Continue reading

Posted in United States | Comments Off on Wowie Zowie

Attention FAVL friends and RWA students…

Salimata’s daughter Leigh has now won the official FAVL “cutest baby ever” contest…

Posted in General | Comments Off on Attention FAVL friends and RWA students…