The Return Of The Market

Daily Kos noted a few weeks ago that the "Terror Market" - the Pentagon's idea for a futures market for predicting terrorist attacks - may re-open in March, proving (if true) that you can't keep a good idea down.

Kos' reaction is predictable:

The idea is still grotesque, and the site would still allow terrorists to make money off their own attacks. Bet on an attack, conduct the attack, cash the check. Beyond ridiculous.

So many possible reactions to such a short paragraph.

"Grotesque" - what, the reaction is aesthetic?

Kos seems to share the liberal conceit that "disagreement with me equals stupidity in you." The scenario would probably be more like "bet on an attack, conduct the attack, cash the "check" (Kos seems to think the market would be some sort of online slot machine), have an FBI SWAT team meeting you at the ATM before you deposit the check.

The idea - as we discussed last summer - is sound, has history backing it, and is potentially very useful.

Posted by Mitch at December 24, 2003 07:12 AM