rdan Finfacts From 1995 to 2008, the annual US trade deficit with China grew from $34 to $266 billion, accounting for virtually all of the increase in the US non-oil deficit from $44 to $282 billon. Imported oil petroleum contributes significantly to the US trade deficits. From 1995 to 2008, the petroleum deficit increased from […]

Peter Morici gets to the point in this paper in Finfacts on the first half of what we need to face. I hear little from naysayers of ‘protectionism’ on this point of manipulating trade advantages. Fixing credit markets and energy policy are largely domestic challenges, whereas recalibrating trade with China requires cooperation from Beijing. However, […]

Instapundit offered a chart on the growth of actual and projected Federal government budget deficits a couple months ago: Treasury lists the numbers of the on-going rise in debt as well. The new ceiling for spending is 12.1 trillion USD, but we are close to that now at an estimated 11.3 trillion USD. 09/30/2008 10,024,724,896,912.49 […]

by cactus Unsolicited Advice to Makers of Computers – From a Heavy User I have three Windows based PCs, and the ex-GF has a Mac. One of the Windows based PCs is a desktop, all the rest of our machines are laptops. One is a mini purchased three months ago, and the oldest machine (the […]

rdan Finacial Times points us to WTO thinking on trade issues and cap and trade agreements. (log in required) Countries implementing cap-and-trade systems for greenhouse gases may be able to use border taxes to protect domestic industries, after the World Trade Organisation gave a cautious nod to such measures. In a report to be published […]

rdan I found this saying over at Oildrum in the comments on a post about asset deflation and price inflation through the rise in prices for oil and some other commodities instead of money/interest rate centered thinking. “People don’t change when they see the light; they change when they feel the heat.” (source unknown) Add […]

rdan Americas Program, Center for International Policy provided a translation of news from Peru, in relation to the working of the recently signed free trade agreement (Jan. 16, 2009) and effective Feb.1, 2009. Three MI-17 helicopters took off from the base of the National Police in El Milagro at six in the morning of Friday, […]

Some blogs suggest a topic when posting open threads. Should this be tried? And who has a list? Of course, some should simply be open.

rdan Reader Jack sends this link to Michael Jackson’s death: This is the best commentary on Michael Jackson that you’re likely to read. That’s only because it’s not written by a member of the media, but a well educated and well intentioned person instead. From: Informed Comment by Juan Cole: Michael Jackson’s sad death at […]