Niia – Mad World

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New York Times Errs On Government-Regulated Lending

Oddly enough, my favorite news source (The New York Times) is one that I often find myself at odds with. Usually it’s limited to economist and champion-of-the-left Paul Krugman, what with his defense of big government and socialist policies, but occasionally I find other problems with their reporting.

While reading Binyamin Appelbaum’s piece for NYT’s The Caucus blog, I came upon an egregious error that I must point out:

Subprime Mortgage Lending

Earlier in the [Republican] debate, Michele Bachmann suggested that the federal government caused the boom in subprime mortgage lending by pushing banks to lower “platinum level” lending standards.

[...]

The assertion [...] mischaracterizes the historical relationship between the government and banks. Regulators can sometimes prevent banks from acting, but there is almost no evidence that the government can push banks to make loans they don’t want to make. This point has been underscored over the last two years, as the Obama administration has begged and pleaded with banks to start making loans, and banks have largely declined to do so.

Banks did make subprime loans in large numbers, and the reason they did so, according to their own executives, was that they saw a chance to make lots of money.

Has Mr. Appelbaum ever heard of the Community Reinvestment Act? It’s often been pointed to as one of the partial causes of the subprime mortgage/debt meltdown of 2007-2011. The CRA requires banks to lend money to lower-income and less-creditworthy borrowers, which consequently increases future loan losses and imperils the creditworthiness of banks, potentially risking the health of the entire economy.

Festival of New Spanish Cinema in Seattle presented by SIFF and Pragda

I was lucky enough to attend the opening night of the Festival of New Spanish Cinema in Seattle on Wednesday at SIFF Cinema, and ran into the star of the film we’d just watched, (With or Without Love), Angie Cepeda:

The film was light-hearted and funny, and full of surprises. I wouldn’t have normally chosen to see a film in this genre, but after seeing the film I’m quite glad I did.

Check out the remainder of the festival, which goes through Sunday:

festival of new spanish cinema
September 21–25, SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall

The energy of Almódovar. The risk-taking of Amenabar. The unadulterated exhilaration of Buñuel. SIFF celebrates the return of the Festival of New Spanish Cinema, unveiling the next generation of Spanish film legends. Featuring first-time filmmakers and established masters alike, the very best in contemporary Spanish cinema comes to SIFF Cinema. Join us for award-winning comedies, romances and dramatic masterpieces, and the special unveiling of a horror classic.

Organized by Pragda and SIFF Cinema. Supported by the Embassy of Spain in Washington DC and Ministry of Culture of Spain-ICAA. Additional support comes from Consulate of Spain in Seattle and San Francisco, Instituto Cervantes Seattle, University of Washington, Iberia Airlines, American Airlines and Eurochannel. Wine courtesy of Martín Códax Albariño and Las Rocas Garnacha, our exclusive wine sponsor. Promotional consideration by 88.5 KPLU.

Series Pass Available!
All 10 films for $60 | $40 SIFF Members

Fashion’s Night Out in Seattle 2011

Fashion’s Night Out last night was a monumental success, thanks to both its hardworking organizers and the boutiques and restaurants that invited us inside for a luxurious evening of shopping, crudites, cocktails, and the city’s best-dressed.

We began our evening at Mario’s, Seattle’s landmark luxury shopping destination.

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We perused their impeccably-chosen lines from Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Kiton, and Isaia, sipped Caipiroskas provided by 42 Below, and enjoyed delectable bite-sized steak sandwiches from Morton’s.

Then, we ventured over to The Finerie, where we chatted with owners Michael and Tanya and sipped mojitos while we perused their racks.

Then, it was off to Barney’s, which kindly offered nibbles and a selection of cava and prosecco to us. A big thanks to Barney’s impeccable staff.

Nordstrom’s twitter team, led by Shauna Causey, held a tweetup at Nordstrom’s Flagship Store’s Nordstrom Grill, which was a real treat. A big thanks to Nordstrom!

Can Seattle’s retailers step it up again next year? Here’s hoping they do.

Wale – Ocean Drive (ft. Black Cobain, Magazeen)

This is some superb rap right here. Love the Jamaican hook, Caribbean inspired beat with synth, and of course, Wale’s flawless delivery.

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Cee-Roo – Let No Woman Cry ft. Bob Marley and The Beatles

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The Hood Internet – All Of The Lights (ft. Ellie Goulding, Portland Cello Project, and Kanye West)

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Amazing. And I’m glad to hear that Portland Cello Project is getting the buzz they rightly deserve. Keep your eyes peeled for more from them in the future.

Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine – Stereo Hearts

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Seattle Music Morsel – Theophilus London

Theophilus London is perhaps my favorite music discovery of 2010 (thanks, Wine and Bowties!)

Imagine a cross between Kanye West, Michael Jackson, and 80′s synth pop, and you’ll have some idea of what Theophilus London sounds like. Really, he’s an enigma.

Theophilus London – Grey X Sage

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I was lucky enough to meet him last night when he performed at a private show in Seattle for Bing (thanks, Bing!):

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Here are a few more shots from his show (which was amazing!):

You can buy his most recent album on Amazon here:

And you can preorder his new album, Timez Are Weird These Days, on iTunes here.

The Catalina Rhyme Mixers – Nasa Drugs ft. Kanye West, Wale, and Ratatat

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This is why I listen to mashup.

Seattle Art Morsel – Z. Z. Wei

I was lucky enough to meet my favorite living artist, Z. Z. Wei, last night at Seattle Asian Art Museum.

And he even gave me a copy of his book, Light and Shadow!

Check out his exhibition in San Francisco if you have the chance (it ends 4/2/11).

His gallerist‘s Artist Description:

“Z.Z. Wei’ s paintings transport us to a place where time stands still. His compositions portray quiet, yet powerful images reminiscent of a whimsical, rural America. Richly complex, they are filled with humor and loneliness, peacefulness and pain. They balance on the knife-edge of meaning, half in shadow, half in light, tempting those who choose to look beyond the mundane to experience a unique and timeless look at life.”

Mike Posner – Rolling In The Deep (Adele cover)

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Deli X Creative Recreation

My favorite boutique in Seattle, the very innovative guys over at Deli, just got some new product in from the brainiacs at Creative Recreation:

I just found out that they’re got a few pairs left. Get down there and get your hands on a pair before they’re gone!

Deli
1307 First Avenue, Seattle, WA

http://www.deliseattle.com/

Macklemore – Otherside ft. Fences (Ryan Lewis Remix)

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This is undeniably good music. Surprisingly, it all came from Seattle.

CurT@!n$ ft. Kings of Leon & Lykke Li – Knocked Up (Killer Remix)

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