Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

The other side of the coin in Iraq

Reporters at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting offer insight into local political and military conditions in Basra. Reporting appears to dovetail with Cactus’s post. The concrete walls that surround the Fadhila party’s compound in Sharish, north of Basra city centre, resemble the barricades around the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. Last spring, fierce […]

Absolute proof or preponderance of evidence?

This article in On Earth marks the beginning of research that might have far reaching consequences in how we view disease and how our consumption is currently involved in creating health problems: Although some diseases are inherited through a single genetic mutation — cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are examples — the classic “one […]

Charity begins at home

The NYT ran an article on charity: CARE, one of the world’s biggest charities, is walking away from some $45 million a year in federal financing, saying American food aid is not only plagued with inefficiencies, but also may hurt some of the very poor people it aims to help.… In 2004, Mr. Maxwelhtt and […]

Worries by income level

A Gallup Poll reveals a measure of concerns by income level: What is the most important financial problem facing your family today (open ended)? I was unable to make the chart work. sorry. by income Under $30,000 % $30,000 -74,000 % $75,000 +% Healthcare costs 22 Healthcare 20 Healthcare 12 Lack of money, 17 Energy […]

Is China quietly moving away from US treasuries?

Aol money reports that China has reassured the US it is a firm holder of US treasuries. China is a responsible investor in international financial markets, and our country’s foreign exchange reserves are managed with the operational goals of safety, liquidity and profit,” Xinhua quoted the central bank official as saying. The People’s Bank does […]

The Guardian has an article worth reading: Lieutenant Clay Hanna looks sick and white. Like his colleagues he does not seem to sleep. Hanna says he catches up by napping on a cot between operations in the command centre, amid the noise of radio. He is up at 6am and tries to go to sleep […]

Reader Dan and a Simple Shopping Survey

This is a first post for me as a member of Angry Bear contributors. I have several posts full of pretty charts, ground breaking medical news that I believe will impact health care and environmental issues together, and more of course on WTO GATS, but decided to keep this simple and everyday. Up to this […]

Credit

Credit Card debt bubbles through the financial world. “Debt eventually leaks into other areas, whether it starts with the mortgage and goes to the credit card or vice versa,” said Cliff Tan, a visiting scholar at Stanford University and an expert on credit risk. “We’re starting to see leaks now.”The value of credit card accounts […]