Michael Todd, Author at Pacific Standard

Home Archives for Michael Todd Page 2

Environment

Did Don Ho Have a Solution to Global Warming?

Talk about global warming quickly turns to the question of carbon in the atmosphere. But the more fundamental observation about how much sunshine the planet bounces back into space should probably precede any mention of greenhouse gases.

Michael Todd

News in Brief

Will the Sun Set on the Union Jack?

Surely what happens to the Union Jack is one of the more minor concerns that would follow Scottish independence—except that it's not.

Michael Todd

News in Brief

The Soggy Saga of a Tax on Groundwater

An effort to cut income taxes and improve water quality in The Netherlands foundered by doing lots of things not too well.

Michael Todd

News in Brief

Seeking a ‘Citizens United’ Victory for Chimpanzees

A series of lawsuits attempting to establish legal personhood for chimpanzees has been unleashed in New York. While its backers cite precedents like slavery and gay rights in their pleadings, perhaps an example from the boardroom is in order.

Michael Todd

News in Brief

One in Every 10 People Killed in Syria’s War Is a Child

Once again we're reminded that it's not just those who choose to put themselves in harm's way who die during a war.

Michael Todd

News in Brief

The Imperial Tradition Dies Hard in Potemkin’s, Umm, Putin’s Russia

When entertaining dignitaries, cover-ups are always in vogue.

Michael Todd

Economics

Grading Cash for Clunkers: Give It an E for Effort

Now that Uncle Sam is no longer a back-seat driver for the auto business, this is a good time to pull over and remember one of his signal acts while in the car.

Michael Todd