Bizzy’s AM Coffee Biz-Econ-Life Links (033006)

Free Links:

• Apple Releases Maximum Volume Controls for iPods — This appears to be a fear-of-lawsuits response. I expect Eric Clapton and Ted Nugent to sue whatever company is involved any day now for failing to put maximum volume controls on Marshall amplifiers in the 1960s and 1970s. Zheesh.
• Talk about having a long way to go — German unemployment drops, to 12%. The economy has been so weak in Germany for so long that similar “improvements” have led to the highest level of optimism in 15 years, going all the way back to the early years of East and West German reunification.
• The optimism about the US economy, especially in tech, inherent in the pre-emptive venture capital phenomenon, is clearly making its way into the broader markets, as the NASDAQ hit a 5-year high yesterday.
• Speaking of 5-year highs — Japan’s Nikkei hit its highest level since August 2000 Thursday.
• It seems to me that if it takes expansion of H-1B visas from 65,000 to 115,000 a year, which still seems a pretty modest level, and which The Heritage Foundation supports, to keep the tech boom going because there aren’t enough tech-savvy US workers, I’m all for it. Contrary arguments are welcome.
• Fine, y’all can check it out and tell me about it — “Use of Pilotless Planes May Be on the Rise.” If you’re able to report back to me after trying it, I’ll consider that a positive first step.