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Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data, ability to repeat discredited memes, and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Also, be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor even implied. Any irrelevancies you can mention will also be appreciated. Lastly, kindly forgo all civility in your discourse . . . you are, after all, anonymous.

5 Responses to “Media Appearance: Dylan Ratigan, Fast Money (3.15.11)”

1. mathman Says:
   March 15th, 2011 at 4:13 pm

   Here’s an item you can plop on the Tuesday reads (when you get around to it, no rush) – has interesting charts and really let’s one know just how rich the super-rich really are (including Congresspeople):

   http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph

   i look forward to seeing you later today on Ratigan, always enjoy the banter/viewpoints/discussions.

2. doodie Says:
   March 16th, 2011 at 12:14 am

   Barry,

   I just have to ask you: you put up so many postings about the need for clean energy and the facts of global warming, and yet you drive a V-8. I agree 100% with you on the clean energy, but why don’t you get a more efficient car?

3. Barry Ritholtz Says:
   March 16th, 2011 at 6:14 am

   What I was discussing was national energy policy — There is a difference between national policy and individual choice.

   I DO NOT favor mandating that everyone must drive X or Y or there should be a lack of freedom to choose your own car. My own personal preferences are just that — my preferences. I like high performance, high horsepower vehicles that handle well. I have a V8, two V6s, and if I could get a V12, I would.

   But that doesn’t mean as a nation, we should not provide incentives for more efficient energy consumption.

4. doodie Says:
   March 16th, 2011 at 10:02 am

   Barry,
   Thanks for the reply. I didn’t utter “mandate” – you did. I was talking about individuals making choices that align with their beliefs about the common good. But what I hear you saying is, “I am going to destroy this planet until the government forces me not to.” What makes you expect people to listen to you on matters of policy when your actions don’t align with your words?

5. Barry Ritholtz Says:
   March 16th, 2011 at 10:13 am

   The confusion stems from some nuance — the difference between what nations can and should do in terms of broad national policies, and the desirability of individual freedom and choices within that policy.

   For example, I believe we should have a Pigou tax on Gasoline — $1-2 dollars per gallon.

   That won’t affect my car choices (I like fast cars) or my driving habits, but it will have an impact nationwide.

   There is a balance between government action and individual choice.