Archive for August 2008
August 31, 2008
11:42 am | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Election '08
August 30, 2008
With so much hay being made nationally about the housing market, how's the DC market doing? Are we doing well, or are we stumbling a little bit? I took a look and wanted to share some of the surprising statistics I discovered.
The information I'm sharing reflects data for single-family homes in the District of Columbia ONLY and does not reflect condominiums or other properties in the greater DC Metro area.
The effect this has had on prices has been equally stunning. The report for June (the latest month that statistics are available for) puts 657 homes in the $300,000 - $600,000 price range; last year 587 homes were in this price range. This is an 11% increase in the homes at this price range; 460 homes were listed above this range for June, while 455 homes were listed above this range for the same month last year. Homes between $200,000 and $300,000 saw a 109% increase in listings.
But the most damming statistic is the one below, for contracts settled in June:
In all areas except $0 - $149,999, sales declined. Prices are clearly falling, and borrowing is getting harder.
DC is an area usually insulated from a decline in housing prices, because the government always provides jobs and incomes to residents. But clearly, the housing market's slump has not escaped Washington. If I had money, I'd invest here now; while the market is weak, houses are inexpensive, and when the market strengthens (and it will strengthen), it will be a good time to be a home owner.
Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors - Statistics on Home Market
4:52 pm | Comment (2) | Print | Categories: Economics
John McCain isn't surrendering yet.
His pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential nominee is certainly unique to politics. And her benefit to the election has been discussed vigorously for the past few days. But it's not her contribution to this campaign that matters so much.
It's her contribution to the next one.
In the clearest sign that McCain, 72, would serve only one term, John McCain split Hillary Clinton's most vital constituency in the 2012 general election in half: women.
If McCain beats Obama, and declines to run again, Palin has almost a certain lock on the Republican nomination. It'd be "her turn." And with Clinton's near-win in 2008, she's sure to try again, setting up a showdown between two women for President.
Democrats rely on women to put them in office. Married women overwhelmingly favored Clinton in 1996, at 60% of the vote while unmarried women voted for Clinton 54% of the time; in 2004 54% of women voted for Kerry (it's not broken down into married and unmarried). There is not data on Wikipedia for 2000.
What would happen if that core constituency were split even? It'd be up to men to decide the Presidency, and 55% of men would vote for a Republican over a Democrat. That's the balance of the election.
McCain's pick is smart for now, but also smart for later. The only hope: that smart women everywhere recognize his selection for what it is - one of opportunity, not of quality - and reject the politics of opportunity.
The next twelve years depend on it.
(Bonus from FiveThirtyEight.com : "Great visual: Palin walking out with her daughter. Not-so-great visual: Palin embracing McCain and looking like his daughter." [Italics supplied] Guess I'm not the only one surprised...)
11:58 am | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Election '08
August 21, 2008
...to have so many homes you forget just how many you own...
McCain unsure how many houses he owns ~ Politico
9:32 am | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Bizarre, Washington, DC
August 18, 2008
According to the Washington Post, one of the scientists at the National Aquarium, while discussing the new fish tanks, stated that "D.C. water is abominable. It cannot sustain life." His boss, mortified, tried to quickly assuage concerns that the water was unsafe for people by saying "it's safe to drink!" but the damage seems already done.
So what is it, DC? Safe or not safe?
Washington Post
12:11 pm | Comment (3) | Print | Categories: Health, Washington, DC
August 15, 2008
This is certainly a marked change from the "we hate Democrats" perspective that most Christian pastors seem to take. And in an election where Evangelicals are skeptical of the Republican candidate, this may even be a blessing.
Still, it has to have taken some guts. Rick Warren is considered a potential successor as the country's spiritual mentor after Billy Graham, and this could cost him some support. But I think that the time is ripe for candidates to answer questions on religious issues, if they feel so inclined, and speak on these issues in a clear, unfiltered way.
I'll be tuning in to CNN to see what they have to say.
8:46 am | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Election '08
August 13, 2008
It's August in Washington, which means nothing moves.
Nothing.
The streets are emptier, the Craigslist boards are slimmer, the e-mail...well, the e-mail keeps coming and so does the work.
But the people are gone.
It's odd, because we've had some unseasonably cool days. Days where the day started in the 60's and ended in the 70's. Today's high of 86 is just an example (last year at this time it was in the 90's).
As we approach the almost-halfway point it's notable that my blog has seen much less posting than normal. That is due mostly to my overbearing work schedule. But to you, my faithful readers, I do hope that there is some loyalty from you to my work.
How has everyone spent their summer?
5:31 pm | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Washington, DC, Weather
August 10, 2008
A new website called WalkScore (www.walkscore.com) rates places based on their walkability. This score is composed of the items in a particular neighborhood. It's interesting because it shows how walkable certain places are in comparison to other places.
My home in Glover Park beats the DC average of 70 with a overall rating of 80. However, it is clear the regions of wealth and privilege in Washington, and the areas that have less money, which are also less walkable.
The entire city city map is here and it's an interesting look. They also list cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles for their walkability.
1:14 pm | Comment (1) | Print | Categories: Washington, DC
August 5, 2008
Republicans on the floor of the House of Representatives revolted and refused to leave Washington, despite a vote to close the House session for the August recess. Arguing that high gasoline prices required that Congress not take a vacation, Republicans have stayed on the floor, debating the issues with one another, to the embarrassment of the Democrats.
The revolt started last Friday, with Democrats ending the session but some Republicans refusing to leave. More than 100 Congressmen are expected to return by the end of the week, and hosts like Rush Limbaugh have put enormous pressure on Democrats to bring the chamber back into session.
There's a good article here that explains what's going on:
House Republican Rebellion Continues.
9:58 am | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Politics
August 4, 2008
It might actually be the Seven Degrees of Separation but who's counting?
Apparently, Microsoft examined it's instant messaging network to determine that every person on it could be connected to every other person through no more than 6.6 other persons.
It's an interesting finding on the interconnectivity of the world as a whole.
The article is here.
9:07 pm | Comment (0) | Print | Categories: Technology
August 1, 2008
The Washington Post article spends more time discussing the labor disputes over China importing it's own workers than it spends on discussing the new structure, but does a fairly decent job discussing exactly how China built the new structure.
One must wonder if the Falun Gong protesters, who daily picket the embassy near Dupont Circle, will have an easier or more difficult time picketing this embassy.
9:17 am | Comment (2) | Print | Categories: Washington, DC