OUCH: Europe ‘needs 75 years’ to catch US.

The Association of European Chambers of Commerce in Brussels warned that the transatlantic gap had widened yet further in the past five years by all key measures, despite the pledge by EU leaders at the 2000 Lisbon summit to transform Europe into the world’s “most dynamic knowledge-based economy” by the end of the decade.

The EU-wide umbrella group, known asEurochambres said the EU’s overall employment rate was still stuck at levels attained by the United States in 1978, chiefly due to an incentive structure that discourages women from working and prompts early retirement by those in their fifties.

It found that the European Union’s research and development levels were achieved by America as long ago as 1979, while the lag time on per capita income is 18 years.

“It will take the EU until 2072 to reach US levels of income per capita,

…

A CLINTON HURRICANE strikes the DNC.

Much more here.

IN THE MAIL: Peter Schweizer’s Makers and Takers, which argues for the inherent superiority, and greater happiness and worthiness of, conservatism and conservatives. I predict that conservatives will like it.

JAPANESE WOMAN CAUGHT LIVING IN MAN’S CLOSET:

A homeless woman who sneaked into a man’s house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested in Japan after he became suspicious when food mysteriously began disappearing. . . . The woman told police she had no place to live and first sneaked into the man’s house about a year ago when he left it unlocked.

She had moved a mattress into the small closet space and even took showers, Itakura said, calling the woman “neat and clean.”

I’m trying to put a housing crisis spin on this, but . . . .

THOUGHTS ON FREELOADING AND FAIRNESS, from Eric Scheie.

THE TELEGRAPH ON AMERICAN ACTIONS and European anti-Americanism. Europeans have been anti-American pretty consistently since America began, except for brief intervals where they needed us enough to (mostly) pretend otherwise. While politics and state-controlled media certainly play a role, it’s mostly about moral preening and justification for low defense spending. Ultimately, this kind of thinking hurts Europe far more than America — and will hurt Europe even more if America responds with isolationism.

WELL, DUH: Consumers pick home over flying: “Consumers chose not to take 41 million trips over the last 12 months because flying is too much of a hassle, according to a new Travel Industry Association study.” Make something miserable, and people will be less inclined to do it. Go figure. But they were warned.

Watch out. That’s the message scooter and wheelchair riders want to send to drivers.

As long as it is properly tagged, and maintains the posted speed, I have no problem with sharing the road with them.

Beginning Monday, June 2, 2008, code officials will be available for building permit and code compliance consultations Monday through Friday from the hours of 8:00am to 10:00am and 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

Building Permits applications can be downloaded from the City’s website at www.cityofelmira.net/permits or obtained from Fire Headquarters at 101 West Second Street during regular hours of 8:00am to 6:00pm, however building permit applications can only be turned in and a building permit issued from 8:00am to 10:00am and 2:30pm to 4:30pm. If an appointment is desired, please call (607) 737-5654 to schedule it with the office staff.

Individuals wishing to speak to a code official about any violation or citation should please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Thank you for your cooperation.

HILLARY GETS A DIG IN: “œI have the highest respect and regard for Sen. McCain, he and I have actually gone to Iraq and Afghanistan together.” (Via VIMH).

UPDATE: Bitterly clinging to “an outdated storyline about the war.”

ANOTHER UPDATE: Meanwhile, here’s a not so outdated storyline on the war. Coming to a newspaper near you, though probably not until after the election. . . .