Mini Newsletter: Racial tensions in America- July 25, 2009

Mini Newsletter: Racial tensions in America- July 25, 2009


“On such issues, Mr. Obama has a problem. Both as candidate and as president, he has eschewed identification by race, to avoid finding himself grouped with more outspoken African-American politicians such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Mr. Obama’s approach, rightly, has been to present himself as a post-racial president. But when it comes to speaking about race Mr. Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.” Financial Times Editorial Comment


Financial Times Editorial Comment: A misstep and a distraction. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 24 2009 20:38 | Last updated: July 24 2009 20:38. As Barack Obama struggles to build consensus to reform the nation’s healthcare system, the case of Henry Louis Gates Jr, a respected black Harvard professor arrested by local police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an unwelcome distraction. The arrest – and Mr Obama’s ill-considered reaction to it – has fuelled renewed discussion of race in the US. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/44912bfa-7879-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Time to dig into issue of cops vs. minorities. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. July 25, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1684780,CST-EDT-edit26.article

Black males' fear of racial profiling very real, regardless of class - Several African American professionals find professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s recent encounter with police all too easy to relate to. Their lingering question is when to speak up. By Richard Fausset and P.J. Huffstutter. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. July 25, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-racial-profiling25-2009jul25,0,3417259.story


International

Obama restores America’s standing in the world By Harvey Morris in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 23 2009 16:25 | Last updated: July 23 2009 16:25. Barack Obama has restored America’s global standing to where it was before the Bush era, but many in the Muslim world remain hostile, according to a survey published on Thursday. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/16b71098-779b-11de-9713-00144feabdc0.html

Clinton Issues Warnings on North Korea and Iran By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 22, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/world/asia/23diplo.html?th&emc=th

North Korea hurls insults at Clinton - Diplomats dismiss anti-nuclear package By Tim Johnston in Phuket, Thailand, and Christian Oliver in Seoul. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 23 2009 10:17 | Last updated: July 23 2009 10:17 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/afdc9064-7768-11de-8c68-00144feabdc0.html


China

Shanghai sidesteps ‘one child’ rule - One in five of city’s residents is 60 or older By Patti Waldmeir in Shanghai. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 24 2009 20:03 | Last updated: July 24 2009 23:08 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/925e99f2-787f-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html



Mess-o-potamia

Rival to Karzai Gains Strength in Afghan Presidential Election By CARLOTTA GALL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 23, 2009. HERAT, Afghanistan — When Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the main election challenger to President Hamid Karzai, arrived here to campaign last weekend, thousands of supporters choked the six-mile drive from the airport. Cars were plastered with his posters. Motorbikes flew blue banners. Young men wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his face leapt aboard his car to embrace him to ecstatic cheers. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/asia/24abdullah.html?th&emc=th

Ex-President in Iran Seeks Referendum By ROBERT F. WORTH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 19, 2009. BEIRUT, Lebanon — Iran’s reformist former president Mohammad Khatami called Sunday for a referendum on the legitimacy of the government in the wake of last month’s disputed presidential election, Iranian Web sites reported. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/world/middleeast/20iran.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Iranian Critic Quotes Khomeini Principles By ELAINE SCIOLINO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 18, 2009. WASHINGTON — During his decades in Iranian politics, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been praised as a pragmatist, criticized as spineless, accused of corruption and dismissed as a has-been. Now, in assailing the government’s handling of last month’s disputed presidential election, Mr. Rafsanjani, a 75-year-old cleric and former president, has cast himself in a new light: as a player with the authority to interpret the ideals of Iran’s 30-year-old Islamic republic. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/world/middleeast/19assess.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Iran's Tragic Joke By ROGER COHEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 20, 2009. NEW YORK — Allow me to quote the British novelist Martin Amis, writing about Persia in The Guardian: “Iran is one of the most venerable civilizations on earth: it makes China look like an adolescent, and America look like a stripling.” Iranians, aware of that history, are a proud people. They do not take kindly to being played around with, nor to seeing their country turned into a laughing stock. They do not like the memory of an election campaign that now seems like pure theater, the expression of the sadistic whim of some puppeteer. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/opinion/21iht-edcohen.html?_r=1&ref=global

Ahmadi-Nejad ‘ordered’ to remove vice president - Supreme leader asserts authority By Najmeh Bozrogmehr in Tehran. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 24 2009 15:44 | Last updated: July 24 2009 15:44 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6c1cdf38-7857-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html

Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Culture War By ETHAN BRONNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 23, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html?th&emc=th


National

44 Charged by U.S. in New Jersey Corruption Sweep By DAVID M. HALBFINGER. Copyright by The New York Times and The Associated Press. Published: July 23, 2009. A two-year corruption and international money-laundering investigation stretching from the Jersey Shore to Brooklyn to Israel and Switzerland culminated in charges against 44 people on Thursday, including three New Jersey mayors, two state assemblymen and five rabbis, the authorities said. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/nyregion/24jersey.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Corruption Case a Blow to Corzine’s Campaign By DAVID M. HALBFINGER and DAVID W. CHEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 24, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/nyregion/25jersey.html?th&emc=th

Measure to Expand Gun Rights Falls Short in Senate By BERNIE BECKER and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 22, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/us/politics/23guns.html?hp

Bowing to Veto Threat, Senate Blocks Money for Warplanes By CHRISTOPHER DREW. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 21, 2009. WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 58-40 on Tuesday to strip $1.75 billion for seven more F-22 fighters from a military authorization bill, handing President Obama a crucial victory in his efforts to reshape the military’s priorities. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/business/22defense.html?_r=1&hp

California’s fiscal charade By Christopher Caldwell. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 24 2009 19:22 | Last updated: July 24 2009 19:22. Monday’s agreement between Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, and state legislators seemed to promise a temporary resolution to an ongoing budget crisis. But before legislators had even had a chance to vote on it, Californians were indulging in that peculiar mix of sanctimony and surrealism which marks almost all political discourse in the state. “What about the children?” ran the headline over the letters section of the San Francisco Chronicle, as if the important divide in the state’s politics were between those who “care” and those who do not. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/27fc634c-7879-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html

Jon Stewart: The new most trusted man in America? - According to a click poll of Time.com users, yes By Steve Johnson. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 24, 2009. The reason one unscientific poll of one Web site's readers is drawing wide attention: It confirms something people suspect -- or fear -- might actually be true. Jon Stewart is the most trusted newscaster in America, says a time.com click poll of about 9,400 site users taken this week after the death of Walter Cronkite, the longtime CBS news anchor known as "the most trusted man in America." http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/columnists/chi-talk-john-stewart-trustedjul24,0,6512647.column

Now that Walter Cronkite has passed on, who is America's most trusted newscaster? http://www.timepolls.com/hppolls/archive/poll_results_417.html

The Mother of All CLOCKS http://www.usdebtclock.org/



GOP Bashing

July 22, 2009: The Born Identity http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-22-2009/the-born-identity

Bush Weighed Using Military in Arrests By MARK MAZZETTI and DAVID JOHNSTON. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: July 24, 2009. WASHINGTON — Top Bush administration officials in 2002 debated testing the Constitution by sending American troops into the suburbs of Buffalo to arrest a group of men suspected of plotting with Al Qaeda, according to former administration officials. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/us/25detain.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Palin Legal Donations May Have Violated Ethics Law, Report Finds By Kimberly Kindy and Phillip Rucker. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, July 22, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/21/AR2009072102949.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter




Chicagoland

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Illinois isn't ready for parental notification. Copyright by The Sun-Times. July 19, 2009. On its face, an Illinois law that requires doctors to tell the parents of girls under 18 that their child plans to have an abortion makes sense. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1672799,CST-EDT-edit19.article

Response to Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Illinois isn't ready for parental notification By Carlos T Mock, MD, F. A. C. O. G. July 18, 2009. I am a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I practiced the profession in the Western Suburbs until my retirement. I am a 100% pro choice Obstetrician, I’ve even performed Third Trimester terminations (in cases of severe deformed babies), yet I am disturbed that the pro choice movement does not wish to involve an adult in the abortions of minors. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/07/response-to-chicago-sun-times-editorial.html

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Decriminalizing pot in Cook County make sense. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. July 23, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1680970,CST-EDT-edit23.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Kind of dopey. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 25, 2009. Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was surprised this week when an ordinance that would treat marijuana possession much like a traffic offense landed on his desk. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0725edit1jul25,0,7364464.story

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk officially in Senate race - 'It's time to restore the two-party system to Illinois,' North Shore Republican says By Rick Pearson. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 21, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-kirk-senate21jul21,0,5155620.story

GOP Candidate For Obama's Seat Whacked Twice Over Bus Idea stumble by Sam Stein. Copyright by the Huffington Post. Updated: 07-23-09 01:01 PM. A simple letter to the editor written by Rep. Mark Kirk last week now has the Illinois Republican Senatorial hopeful in an uncomfortable spat over stimulus politics and environmental policy. On July 16, 2009, Kirk wrote a letter to the Highland Park News making the case that Chicago's suburban bus system -- Pace -- should outfit its bus fleet with hybrids as opposed to the gas-guzzlers it had planned on purchasing. As a means of paying for the environmentally friendly rides, the candidate for Barack Obama's old seat argued that the stimulus funds were a logical vehicle. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/23/gop-candidate-for-obamas_n_243631.html


Your Lack of Money

US consumer confidence drops in July - Unemployment fears keep consumers on edge By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 24 2009 15:57 | Last updated: July 24 2009 15:57 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e5664230-7857-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html

Wall Street rallies on upbeat earnings By Kiran Stacey in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 23 2009 14:31 | Last updated: July 23 2009 15:48 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/08f7328e-7701-11de-b23c-00144feabdc0.html

Biggest pension funds record steep losses By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 21 2009 20:39 | Last updated: July 21 2009 20:39 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/994f8c66-762d-11de-9e59-00144feabdc0.html

The pensions crisis By Cynthia O’Murchu, Helen Warrell, Steve Bernard and Norma Cohen. Published: May 27 2009 14:42 | Last updated: June 16 2009 10:11 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e82a672e-4ab4-11de-87c2-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=e70ca99e-a4b0-11db-b0ef-0000779e2340.html

Ford reports profit after restructuring - Carmaker’s earnings rise to $2.3bn By John Reed in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 23 2009 13:26 | Last updated: July 23 2009 15:46 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c1562f56-777e-11de-8c68-00144feabdc0.html


Commodities

Oil and sugar lead commodities higher - Dollar weakness bolsters gold By Chris Flood. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 24 2009 10:41 | Last updated: July 24 2009 10:41 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c99489ea-7834-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html


Housing

Washington Post Editorial: Foreclosure Facts - A new study shows why modifying mortgages is harder than it seems. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, July 22, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/21/AR2009072102747.html

US home resales and prices climb in June - New US jobless claims rise by 30,000 By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 23 2009 14:42 | Last updated: July 23 2009 16:31 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3356e0fe-778a-11de-8c68-00144feabdc0.html

Chicago-area home sales show growth By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 8:59 AM CDT, July 23, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ch-biz-chicago-home-sales-july23,0,7455384.story




GLBT

Gay couple's family still faces hurdles BY CAROL MARIN. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. July 25, 2009. Sun-Times' columnist Mike Sneed reported the news in a small item Friday morning: "Congratulations to Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman and his partner, Daren DeJong, on the birth Thursday of their first child, Alden DeJong Huberman. The dads are delighted." I noticed there was no quote from Huberman. I wasn't surprised. http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1684490,CST-EDT-carol26.article

Horse race to equality—Federal marriage lawsuits by Lisa Keen, ©2009 Keen News Service. Wed., July 15, 2009 http://windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21823

Race to equality: Federal marriage suits by Lisa Keen ©2009 Keen News Service. 2009-07-22 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21832

Washington Post Editorial: Marching Orders - Ending 'don't ask, don't tell' will take an act of Congress—and voters actively pushing for it. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, July 20, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/19/AR2009071901688.html

Equality Illinois’ new CEO: “We’ll be even more aggressive” By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. July 23, 2009. Illinois’ largest gay rights organization, Equality Illinois, recently hired a new CEO and appointed two new officers with the hopes of renewing its efforts to gain civil unions and full equality. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3727

Despite minister's anti-gay views, he beats nepotism in 26th Ward. By Jim Madigan. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. July 23, 2009. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/1680701,CST-EDT-Vox23.article Editorial note. Jim Madigan is an openly gay candidate for the 7th district of Illinois’ State Senate—no relation to Mike Madigan




Immigration

Immigration Pitfall - Why 'Legalization Only' Won't Fly By Jorge G. Castaneda and Tamar Jacoby. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, July 21, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/20/AR2009072002483.html


Technology

Microsoft’s sales tumble on PC weakness - Worst year in company's 23-year history By Richard Waters in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 23 2009 21:45 | Last updated: July 24 2009 14:59. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/677c3904-77c8-11de-9713-00144feabdc0.html

Apple profits soar on strong iPhone sales By Joseph Menn in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 21 2009 22:07 | Last updated: July 22 2009 00:15. Apple blew past all but the most bullish predictions in the fiscal third quarter, driven by sales of 5.2m iPhones, more than seven times the volume of a year earlier. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4c9cb586-7639-11de-9e59-00144feabdc0.html



Medical

Why We Must Ration Health Care By PETER SINGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 15, 2009. You have advanced kidney cancer. It will kill you, probably in the next year or two. A drug called Sutent slows the spread of the cancer and may give you an extra six months, but at a cost of $54,000. Is a few more months worth that much? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/magazine/19healthcare-t.html?_r=1

Washington Post Editorial: An American Tragedy - New data show the terrible toll that HIV/AIDS is taking among African Americans. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, July 21, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/20/AR2009072002766.html

When you can't afford to get sick By Jill Hudgins. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 24, 2009. I can't afford to get sick. Like 47 million other Americans, I don't have health insurance. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0724uninsuredjul24,0,2004362.story

Hospital Savings: Salaries for Doctors, Not Fees By GARDINER HARRIS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 24, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/health/policy/25doctors.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Saying `sorry' pays off for U. of Michigan doctors By DAVID N. GOODMAN. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. July 20, 2009 http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5igSjdoVWOXhbBhFVTh8so2TFY6rQD99IBA101?index=0




Other

Amateur Finds New Earth-Sized Blot on Jupiter By ROBERT MACKEY. Copyright by the New York Times. July 21, 2009, 8:59 AM http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/amateur-astronomer-finds-new-earth-size-impact-mark-on-jupiter/?ref=global-home

Millions watch longest eclipse of century - Corridor stretches from India to China © Reuters Limited. July 22, 2009 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ac2a9458-7668-11de-9e59-00144feabdc0.html

Seats for frequent flier awards scarce despite recession By Jaclyn Giovis. Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel. 9:43 AM CDT, July 24, 2009. If you're cash-strapped and banking on frequent flier miles to make a last-minute summer vacation possible, you may be disappointed. http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-sfl-frequent-flier-july24,0,2459626.story




Humor

Funny Shaoling mountain dew add http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wS3QibDXjM

Best. Wedding Entrance. Ever http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/07/24/-wedding-entrance-video-forever-ever/


Ps. The new book is going slowly. I’m not sure that I’m ready to write about my sister’s death, even though it will be a year in November since she died.

New! Carlos now has an online store. Order your books directly from Carlos and have them signed and dedicated.http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/



In Pride (orgullo),


Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com   
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation

Final Newsletter - July 18, 2009

Final Newsletter - July 18, 2009


I’ll be off for a while. I’ve started my fifth book and have no time to do newsletters. I’ll resume in a year or so.

Thanks for reading...


International

Eurozone output up for first time in a year - Falls in Spain hold region back By Gerrit Wiesmann in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 14 2009 13:09 | Last updated: July 14 2009 13:09 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5be70230-7067-11de-9717-00144feabdc0.html

Eurozone confirms negative inflation - Driven by cheaper energy not deflation By Chris Giles in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 12:19 | Last updated: July 15 2009 12:19 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5f950aae-7129-11de-877c-00144feabdc0.html

US and UBS request court delay - Prospects improve for settlement ByJoanna Chung in New York and Haig Simonian in Zurich. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 12 2009 16:58 | Last updated: July 12 2009 16:58. The US government and UBS on Sunday stepped back from the brink of a damaging court battle – scheduled to start on Monday – over the Swiss bank’s refusal to reveal the names of thousands of its offshore customers to the US Internal Revenue Service. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e3d8b684-6ef5-11de-9109-00144feabdc0.html

Suicide bombs kill 8 in Jakarta hotels- President casts blame on political opponents By John Aglionby in Jakarta. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 03:08 | Last updated: July 17 2009 17:45 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/76c46078-7276-11de-ba94-00144feabdc0.html

Kim Jong Il has pancreatic cancer, report says - South Korea television says the cancer was diagnosed last summer, when the North Korean ruler had a stroke. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press. 5:10 AM CDT, July 13, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fgw-kim-jong-il14-2009jul14,0,5554569.story

Who Will Succeed Kim Jong Il? Recollections of teachers and former students at a state school in Switzerland may offer a glimpse of the young man some say is destined to lead North Korea. By Andrew Higgins. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, July 16, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071503930.html?hpid=topnews

Facing Party Rift, Japan’s Premier Calls Election By MARTIN FACKLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 13, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/world/asia/14japan.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Russian rights campaigner found dead By Catherine Belton in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 21:43 | Last updated: July 15 2009 21:43. A prominent human rights activist has been found dead in Ingushetia with two gun shot wounds to her head after being kidnapped on Wednesday morning in the neighbouring republic of Chechnya, the third killing of an activist this year. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/143ea6c8-717e-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times Editorial: Secretary Clinton Goes to India. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 17, 2009. The Bush administration and Congress rewrote American and international rules to allow India — a longtime nuclear scofflaw — to buy fuel and technology for its civilian nuclear program. It was supposed to be the start of a beautiful new friendship. So we are eager to see what happens when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visits India over the next few days. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/opinion/18sat1.html?_r=1&ref=global

Turkey drags its smokers outdoors = Ban will hit hard in Turkey’s traditional village tea houses By Delphine Strauss and Funja Guler in Ankara. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 19:20 | Last updated: July 17 2009 19:20 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0b8edefc-72fb-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html



China

China is now an empire in denial By Gideon Rachman. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 13 2009 19:06 | Last updated: July 13 2009 19:06. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, it suddenly became obvious that the USSR had never been a proper country. It was a multinational empire held together by force. Might we one day say the same of China? Of course, any such suggestion is greeted with rage in Beijing. Chinese politicians are modern-minded pragmatists when it comes to economic management. But they revert to Maoist language when questions of territorial integrity are touched upon. Supporters of Taiwanese independence are “splittists”. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, has been described as a “monster with a human face and an animal’s heart”. The Muslim Uighurs who rioted violently last week were denounced as the tools of sinister foreign forces. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/414f6e50-6fd4-11de-b835-00144feabdc0.html

Fuse of Fear, Lit in China, Has Victims on 2 Sides By EDWARD WONG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 12, 2009. URUMQI, China — The lynch mob first set upon the lame Uighur shoeshine boy in the narrow alley, sticks and knives in hand. Then it turned to the two men working at the reception desk in the Light of Dawn hotel. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/world/asia/13uighur.html?th&emc=th

China GDP growth accelerates to 7.9% - State stimulus boosts economy By Richard McGregor in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 16 2009 03:59 | Last updated: July 16 2009 05:28 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/55028018-71b4-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

China’s forex reserves pass $2,000bn - Speculation over revaluation returns By Richard McGregor in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 06:33 | Last updated: July 15 2009 11:44. Beijing’s foreign reserve holdings have surged through the $2,000 billion mark, as money pours back into China to take advantage of faster economic growth and rapidly inflating asset prices. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a2f2a88a-70f5-11de-9717-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times Editorial: Bad Business in China. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 17, 2009. One has to be suspicious when China detains an Australian executive on charges of stealing state secrets without providing further details or evidence and waits three days to inform the Australian government. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/opinion/18sat3.html?ref=global

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Danger: Chinese goods. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 16, 2009. During the height of the housing boom, American home builders began to rely heavily on imported Chinese drywall. Domestic supplies couldn't keep up with demand, and imported drywall looked like a godsend. It has turned into a nightmare. Chinese drywall is the suspected cause for persistent foul smells in homes, for corrosion of metals and jewelry and for respiratory problems. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0716edit2jul16,0,7626609.story




Mess-o-potamia

Rafsanjani says Iran is ‘in crisis’ - Former president calls for open debate By Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 12:25 | Last updated: July 17 2009 17:33. Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, Iran’s former president, on Friday threw his weight behind reformists and declared that the country was in “crisis” following the disputed presidential election . He told the hundreds of thousands of protesters attending his address at Friday prayers in Tehran university: “Conditions today are bitter ... and we all have lost.” In the biggest show of dissent since a crackdown by Iran’s security forces, many in the crowd wore the opposition’s trademark green scarves, wrist and headbands after a month in which no one had dared to do so. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8bba5ce0-72c0-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

Iran opposition leader to attend public prayers © Reuters Limited. July 16, 2009. TEHRAN, July 16 - Iran’s opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi will attend Friday prayers this week in his first official public appearance since last month’s disputed election, a statement on his website said. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5133e8b8-71e2-11de-b7e1-00144feabdc0.html

Plane Crash Leaves 168 Dead in Iran By ROBERT F. WORTH and NICOLA CLARK. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 15, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/world/middleeast/16plane.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Iraq Restricts U.S. Forces - American Officials See Link Between Limits, Spate of Attacks By Ernesto Londoño and Karen DeYoung. Copyright by The Washington Post . Saturday, July 18, 2009. BAGHDAD, July 17 -- The Iraqi government has moved to sharply restrict the movement and activities of U.S. forces in a new reading of a six-month-old U.S.-Iraqi security agreement that has startled American commanders and raised concerns about the safety of their troops. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/17/AR2009071703634.html?hpid=topnews

6 Are Killed and 67 Hurt in Bombings in Iraq Cities By SAM DAGHER and AMIR A. AL-OBEIDI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 11, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/world/middleeast/12iraq.html?th&emc=th

Another Insurgency Gains in Pakistan By CARLOTTA GALL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 11, 2009. TURBAT, Pakistan — Three local political leaders were seized from a small legal office here in April, handcuffed, blindfolded and hustled into a waiting pickup truck in front of their lawyer and neighboring shopkeepers. Their bodies, riddled with bullets and badly decomposed in the scorching heat, were found in a date palm grove five days later. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/world/asia/12baluchistan.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Marines Waiting on Basic Supplies. Copyright by The Washington Post. July 16, 2009. U.S. Marines pushing deeper into Taliban territory in Afghanistan’s Helmand River Valley are short of basic equipment and supplies ranging from radios and vehicles to uniforms. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/battle-for-helmand/?hpid=topnews

The Middle East chess game Obama needs to win By Philip Stephens. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 16 2009 20:11 | Last updated: July 16 2009 20:11 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a6cd0ad8-7233-11de-ba94-00144feabdc0.html

How to Achieve a Lasting Peace - Stop Focusing on the Settlements By Ehud Olmert. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, July 17, 2009. Israel's partnership with the United States is one of its greatest strategic assets. The United States provides Israel with crucial security and economic aid and invaluable political backing in the international arena. Amid the legitimate rapprochement President Obama has initiated with the Arab and Muslim world, it is important not to underestimate the multifaceted nature of U.S. relations with Israel, the only real Middle Eastern democracy whose founding principles are based on the Western values of liberty and freedom for all. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/07/16/ST2009071603593.html?sid=ST2009071603593


National

Walter Cronkite, Voice of TV News, Dies By DOUGLAS MARTIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 17, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/us/18cronkite.html?_r=1&emc=na

Obama tackles racism in NAACP speech By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 01:30 | Last updated: July 17 2009 01:30 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a8b073a8-723d-11de-ba94-00144feabdc0.html

State Tax Revenues at Record Low, Rockefeller Institute Finds By MICHAEL COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 17, 2009. The anemic economy decimated state tax collections during the first three months of the year, according to a report released Friday by the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The drop in revenues was the steepest in the 46 years that quarterly data has been available. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/us/18states.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

GOP Bashing

July 14, 2009: White Men Can't Judge http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-july-14-2009/white-men-can-t-judge

White Man’s Last Stand By MAUREEN DOWD. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: July 14, 2009. You can’t judge a judge by her cover. Despite the best efforts of Republicans to root out any sign that Sonia Sotomayor has emotions that color her views on the law, the Bronx Bomber kept a robotic mask in place. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/opinion/15dowd.html?th&emc=th

The Militarization of the Police Force http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k5y3fBH9Og

Cheney under fire on secret terror project - Congress ‘kept in dark’ on CIA programme By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 12 2009 21:36 | Last updated: July 12 2009 21:36 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b386a0c8-6f21-11de-9109-00144feabdc0.html

Feinstein Says Law May Have Been Broken By MARIA NEWMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 12, 2009. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Sunday that the Bush administration may have broken the law if the Central Intelligence Agency concealed a covert spy program from Congress. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/us/politics/13cheney.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: The Truth About Dasht-i-Leili. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 13, 2009. Add this to the Bush administration’s sordid legacy: a refusal to investigate charges that forces commanded by a notorious Afghan warlord — and American ally — massacred hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Taliban prisoners of war in late 2001. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/opinion/14tue2.html?_r=1&ref=global

New York Times Editorial: Illegal, and Pointless. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 16, 2009. We’ve known for years that the Bush administration ignored and broke the law repeatedly in the name of national security. It is now clear that many of those programs could have been conducted just as easily within the law — perhaps more effectively and certainly with far less damage to the justice system and to Americans’ faith in their government. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/opinion/17fri1.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Just One More Thing, Mr. Paulson . . .By William D. Cohan. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, July 12, 2009. When Henry Paulson, the former Treasury secretary, sits down in front of the microphones in Room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building on Thursday to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, he would do the American people a great service by taking a deep breath and, for the first time, answering the simple question: Why? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/10/AR2009071002388.html

Washington Post Editorial: Mr. Paulson on the Hot Seat - A congressional inquiry into the financial crisis and bailout ignores what went right. Copyright by The Washington Post . Friday, July 17, 2009. HERE, MORE or less, is the state of the U.S. financial system as we enter the second half of 2009: The top 20 U.S. banks -- once thought to be insolvent and possibly in need of nationalization -- have survived a government stress test and begun raising private capital. The three-month London Interbank Offered Rate, which rises when banks are illiquid, has declined steadily since March. Several recipients of government bailout funds have repaid them. The Treasury Department felt confident enough of the system's soundness to deny further help this week to CIT Group, a previous recipient of bailout money http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/16/AR2009071603776.html

Palin’s Long March to a Short-Notice Resignation By JIM RUTENBERG and SERGE F. KOVALESKI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 12, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/us/politics/13palin.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Sweet, Tweet Revenge By MAUREEN DOWD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 11, 2009. It was only a matter of time, once John McCain joined the 21st century and got himself a Ford Fusion Hybrid, a Facebook page and a Twitter account, that he would reconnect with people out of his past he would rather forget. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/opinion/12dowd.html?th&emc=th



Chicagoland

Cubs may file bankruptcy By Bruce Japsen. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 9:36 AM CDT, July 13, 2009. The Chicago Cubs may consider a bankruptcy filing as part of closing the sale of the team, according to sources close to the major league ball club. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-chicago-cubs-bankruptcy-july13,0,5186979.story

Chicago Tribune Editorial: More profiles in failure. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 17, 2009. Did you see what happened in Springfield this week? The same legislators who want you to think they passed real ethics reforms have failed you anew, this time in their stewardship of state finances. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0717edit1jul17,0,19833.story

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Stroger owes answers on Cole. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. July 17, 2009. For months now, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has done his best to stonewall the public on the facts behind the Tony Cole scandal. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1670607,CST-EDT-edit17b.article

Daley gives holdout unions new deadline. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 15, 2009 11:34 AM. Midnight was the deadline, but Mayor Richard Daley didn't pull the trigger this morning on layoffs for more than 400 city workers represented by unions that won't agree to his demands for cost-cutting. http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/midnight-deadline-passes-for-city-union-givebacks.html

Chicago, city that works? By Elizabeth Milnikel. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 17, 2009. If you thought the city's handling of parking was abominable, wait until you hear how it regulates small businesses. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0717workjul17,0,1783432.story

FBI: It'll be tough identifying Burr Oak remains By Lolly Bowean, Kristen Schorsch, Jane Fritsch, Kim Janssen. July 13, 2009 3:54 PM. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/carolyn-towns-49-the-former.html

'It's going to be getting worse' - With cemetery records in disarray, authorities finally find 2 key maps By Rex W. Huppke and Jeff Coen. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 12, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-grave-robbers-new-12jul12,0,2962026.story

Chicago water: In public reports, city silent over sex hormones and painkillers found in treated drinking water - Pharmaceutical chemicals aren't on list of substances in water that require public notice By Michael Hawthorne. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 14, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-water-testing-14-jul14,0,4303601.story

Abortion ruling: Illinois' parental notification law is cleared to be enforced - Federal appeals court rules on law that's been delayed for years. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 15, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-teen-abortion-notifyjul15,0,3763583.story

Sears Tower name change: Building today officially becomes Willis Tower By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 16, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-talk-willis-towerjul16,0,4222230.story

Mark Kirk: From the People Who Know Him Best. Following Lisa Madigan's decision to seek re-election as Illinois Attorney General, the Washington Post and other news outlets are reporting that Mark Kirk will for the Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris. We, the voters of Illinois' 10th Congressional District, are responding to the many questions we have received about Kirk from other parts of the state, and we decided to send out this information. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/07/mark-kirk-from-people-who-know-him-best.html




Your Lack of Money

Fed sees end to US downturn - Rising unemployment will persist By Sarah O’Connor in Washington and Kiran Stacey in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 20:50 | Last updated: July 16 2009 00:32. The US Federal Reserve believes that the recession will end “before long”, but predicts that unemployment will remain at high levels for several years to come. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5df7e4ac-7177-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

Geithner upbeat on economy By Chris Giles in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 13 2009 18:58 | Last updated: July 13 2009 23:40. Tim Geithner, the US Treasury secretary, sounded an optimistic note on the US and global economy on Monday, suggesting a recovery was at hand and saying there was no need at the moment for another fiscal stimulus. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c59a1e6-6fd6-11de-b835-00144feabdc0.html

US retail sales rise on swelling petrol prices - Producer price index jumps 1.8 per cent in June By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 14 2009 14:43 | Last updated: July 14 2009 14:49 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4bc0e6c6-700f-11de-b835-00144feabdc0.html

Lenny Dykstra's Financial Career http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-july-14-2009/lenny-dykstra-s-financial-career

US industrial output decline slows - Petrol prices drive US inflation higher By Simone Baribeau in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 14:16 | Last updated: July 15 2009 14:51 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f916a842-7136-11de-877c-00144feabdc0.html

Summers fights concerns over stimulus - Mounting job losses stoke criticism By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 19:02 | Last updated: July 17 2009 19:02. Rising unemployment in the US does not mean the government’s $787bn economic stimulus has failed, the White House argued on Friday as it tried to counter increasing disillusionment about the package. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aa043b9c-72f9-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

Lender CIT faces bankruptcy filing- US Treasury faces $2.3bn loss of bail-out funds. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 16 2009 01:02 | Last updated: July 16 2009 01:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1cefff8c-7198-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

Retailers plead for government help to save CIT Group By Sandra M. Jones. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 1:26 PM CDT, July 15, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-cit-group-july15,0,6677978.story

Troubled CIT calls for $2bn infusion - Bondholders asked for funding bridge By Henny Sender and Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 20:15 | Last updated: July 18 2009 00:55. CIT Group was in crisis talks on Friday night with a small group of its bondholders to cobble together a rescue financing that would stave off a bankruptcy filing. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/856f2f30-7303-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

GE second-quarter profits fall by 47% - Revenue dragged down by finance arm By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 13:13 | Last updated: July 17 2009 16:21 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/82f67586-72c9-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

Dell Shares Dip Along With Margins By Ashlee Vance. Copyright by The New York Times. July 13, 2009, 6:59 pm. Dell has spent most of the recession saying that it’s chasing profits over market share. So, investors were understandably unimpressed when the company declared on Monday that it expects to report lower second quarter gross margins. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/dell-shares-dip-along-with-margins/?th&emc=th

Citi and BofA fail to allay fears - Profits boosted by large one-off gains By Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 13:42 | Last updated: July 17 2009 18:32 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/72045088-72cc-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

JPMorgan Chase Posts $2.7 Billion Profit. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: July 16, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/07/16/business/AP-US-Earns-JPMorgan-Chase.html?hp

Goldman Sachs Reports Big Profit, Beating Forecasts. Copyright by Bloomberg News By GRAHAM BOWLEY. Published: July 14, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/business/15goldman.html?_r=1&hp


Commodities

Ranks of US primary dealers grow once more - Boom in Treasuries trading attracts new entrants By Michael Mackenzie in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 17:47 | Last updated: July 15 2009 20:27. After a steady decline, which accelerated last year, the ranks of primary dealers, which interact with the US Federal Reserve and bid for Treasury debt, are growing again. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/09e4f92e-715c-11de-a821-00144feabdc0,s01=1.html

SEC wants more disclosure in muni bond market By Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 16 2009 01:37 | Last updated: July 16 2009 01:37. US regulators, which are stepping up oversight across the financial markets, are also pushing for greater transparency for municipal bonds. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a03de444-7198-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

California IOUs set for trade - Platform launched as budget crisis drags on By Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 19:30 | Last updated: July 15 2009 21:50. A market is set to emerge this week in Californian IOUs as the persistence of the state’s budget crisis is making it increasingly difficult to exchange these emergency instruments for cash. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/07aae6fc-7169-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

Housing

US housing starts hit 7-month high - Construction rise signals housing bottom By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 15:09 | Last updated: July 17 2009 15:09. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/115ee962-72d8-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

Mortgages Are Now a Bank’s Best Friend By ERIC DASH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 14, 2009. For the last two years, housing has been at the center of the banking industry’s troubles. But for at least one quarter, it will help lift its results. Even as banks remain cautious about lending and millions of borrowers still risk losing their homes, the mortgage business is returning as one of the most lucrative corners of the financial industry. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/business/15bank.html?th&emc=th

Squeeze in lending rules choking condo market - More developers seeking FHA approval for easier mortgages By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 12, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun-condo-sales-jul12,0,3624240.story

Chicago housing prices drop even faster - Foreclosures among several factors prompting sellers to adjust By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 13, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mon-home-prices-0713-jul13,0,7663247.story



GLBT

Senate Votes to Add Sexual Orientation to Hate Crime Protections By CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 17, 2009. WASHINGTON — The Senate has agreed to expand the definition of hate crimes to those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation and gender identity as part of a Pentagon policy measure that is becoming a magnet for tough social issues. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/us/politics/18hate.html?th&emc=th

Murphy to lead repeal of DADT by Bob Roehr. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2009-07-15. Repeal of the antigay military policy known as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” ( DADT ) has a new champion in the halls of Congress. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Penn., agreed to take over as lead sponsor of the legislation. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21796

Episcopal Vote Reopens a Door to Gay Bishops By LAURIE GOODSTEIN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: July 14, 2009. ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Episcopal Church voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to open the door to consecrate more bishops who are openly gay, a move that is likely to send shock waves throughout the Anglican Communion, the global network of churches to which the Episcopal Church belongs. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/us/15episcopal.html?th&emc=th

Ocasio now wants wife to succeed him as alderman, dumps controversial minister by Dan Mihalopoulos. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 17, 2009. Former Ald. Billy Ocasio said today he wants his wife to succeed him as 26th Ward alderman, and he has withdrawn his recommendation of a controversial minister as his replacement. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/07/ocasio-dumps-controversial-minister-now-wants-wife-as-aldermanic-successor.html

More reaction to Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús bid for a Chicago City Council Alderman's seat...Copyright © 2009, Blabeando. July 12, 2009 http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/07/intolerable-defense.html

McRaith named to head insurance department. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2009-07-15 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21809

Local lesbian files discrimination charge against healthcare giant By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. July 16, 2009 http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3703

FINANCIAL BARGAINING WITH YOUR LOVER by Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine and Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. July 16-22, 2009 http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com/advice/legallyspeaking.shtml



Immigration

New York Times Editorial: More Immigration Non-Solutions. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 12, 2009. Here’s a rerun we didn’t want to see: President Obama’s Department of Homeland Security announced last week that it was pressing forward with — and even expanding — old, bad Bush administration ideas about immigration enforcement. The schemes were misguided, ineffective and dangerous then, and still are today. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/opinion/13mon2.html?th&emc=th

Immigration's Sideshow By Lee Hockstader. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, July 19, 2009. The Obama administration, moving gingerly toward what the president has said will be a far-reaching overhaul of the nation's broken immigration system, is trying to show at the outset that it is serious about enforcing existing laws. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/17/AR2009071703114.html

New Policy Permits Asylum for Battered Women By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 15, 2009. The Obama administration has opened the way for foreign women who are victims of severe domestic beatings and sexual abuse to receive asylum in the United States. The action reverses a Bush administration stance in a protracted and passionate legal battle over the possibilities for battered women to become refugees. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/us/16asylum.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


Technology

Google says YouTube on track for first profit - Video site gets boost from online ads By Richard Waters in San Francisco and Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 20:06 | Last updated: July 17 2009 20:06 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b4d81bde-72f8-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

Google Voice Goes Mobile By Miguel Helft. Copyright by The New York Times. July 15, 2009, 12:01 am. Google Voice, the universal voice mailbox and call-routing service that Google rolled out in March, has always been accessible from mobile phones. Users dialed their Google Voice number and could access their voice mail or hit a button and be prompted to make a call. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/google-voice-goes-mobile/?th&emc=th

Facebook violates Canadian privacy laws By David Gelles in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 16 2009 20:20 | Last updated: July 16 2009 23:19 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/08c09c54-723a-11de-ba94-00144feabdc0.html

Twitter files leaked in ‘cloud’ lapse - Potential security weakness in internet-based software By Richard Waters and Joseph Menn in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 23:53 | Last updated: July 15 2009 23:53 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/21d018e6-7190-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

Little laptops snap at the oligopoly By John Gapper. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 15 2009 22:35 | Last updated: July 15 2009 22:35. What is the most influential piece of personal technology of the past two years? Amazon’s Kindle? Apple’s iPhone? Research in Motion’s BlackBerry? All of these North American devices are worthy but my prize goes to the Asus Eee PC made by Asustek of Taiwan. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/16b1e206-7171-11de-a821-00144feabdc0.html

LCD makers charged with price-fixing - Brussels charges number of companies By Nikki Tait in Brusels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 13 2009 13:08 | Last updated: July 13 2009 13:08 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7eaf9b66-6f9e-11de-bfc5-00144feabdc0.html


Medical

On Health-Care Reform, Obama Looks to the LBJ Model - President Urges Lawmakers to Act. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, July 14, 2009. President Obama returned to domestic affairs yesterday after a weeklong overseas tour with a warning for skeptics of his stalled health-care overhaul: "Don't bet against us." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071303342.html?hpid=topnews

HMO rates to jump 12% in 2010, Hewitt study projects By Bruce Japsen. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 1:00 PM CDT, July 15, 2009. At a time general inflation has virtually disappeared, health-care costs for consumers aren't likely to slow next year with HMO rates projected to jump nearly 12 percent in 2010 for self-insured employers, a new study indicates http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-hmo-costs-jul15,0,6342069.story

New York Times Editorial: A Strong Health Reform Bill. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 15, 2009. While the Senate continues to struggle over its approach to health care reform, House Democratic leaders have unveiled a bill that would go a long way toward solving the nation’s health insurance problems without driving up the deficit. It is already drawing fierce opposition from business groups and many Republicans. This is a bill worth fighting for. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/opinion/16thu1.html?th&emc=th

Obama Eyes The Purse Strings for Medicare - Lawmakers Now Win Friends at Home by Setting Payout Rates By Shailagh Murray. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, July 16, 2009. At the same time President Obama is asking members of Congress to take one of the most politically difficult votes of their careers, he is also pressing lawmakers to give up one of their most valued perks of office: boosting Medicare payments to benefit hometown providers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071503929.html?hpid=topnews

Health-care debate: Wal-Mart's support of mandate rankles other retailers By David Greising. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 14, 2009. The nation's love-hate relationship with Wal-Mart is taking an unexpected turn now that the "Beast from Bentonville" is endorsing a plan to require employers to provide health coverage for all workers. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-tue-greising-wal-mart-employjul14,0,7948652.column

With Nominee, Obama Presses Ahead on Health Care By William Branigin and Michael D. Shear. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, July 13, 2009; 3:23 PM. President Obama served notice today that his administration will forge ahead with a plan to overhaul the nation's health-care system despite what he described as mounting criticism, and he introduced his nominee for surgeon general, Regina Benjamin, as someone who "understands the urgency" of health-care reform. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071301817.html?hpid=topnews

TV ads boost Obama health reforms By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 17 2009 19:59 | Last updated: July 17 2009 23:44. Harry and Louise have defected. The fictional couple were credited (or blamed) for helping to kill off Bill Clinton’s healthcare reform of 1993 in one of the most famous television campaigns in US politics. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/91eadb7a-72fd-11de-ad98-00144feabdc0.html

Gang Of Six Centrist Senators Demands Delay On Health Care Reform By Ryan Grim. Copyright by The Huffington Post. Updated: 07-17-09 01:17 PM. A bipartisan group of centrist and conservative senators sent a letter to the Democratic and Republican leaders on Friday urging delay in consideration of health care reform http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/17/gang-of-six-centrist-sena_n_237750.html

Washington Post Editorial: Why the Cheers? - The House health-care bill that President Obama is celebrating falls short on two out of three crucial issues. Copyright by The Washington Post Friday, July 17, 2009. IN ASSESSING proposals to overhaul the health-care system, there are three overarching questions: First, would the change make insurance more accessible, affordable and reliable? Second, is it paid for -- not only in a way that makes sense but that is sustainable over time? Third, and related to the second, does the legislation do enough to bend the curve on health-care costs, slowing the trajectory in which the increase in costs greatly outpaces the overall inflation rate? The House bill, which emerged to effusive praise from President Obama this week, falls short on two out of three counts. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/16/AR2009071603775.html

Washington Post Editorial: Dangerous Side Effects- A law meant to spur prescription drug competition has instead delayed it. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, July 16, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/15/AR2009071503378.html

The truth about sunscreen By Fred Tasker. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 19, 2009. We couldn't do without the sun. It keeps us warm, fuels photosynthesis so we have spinach to eat and helps our bodies make Vitamin D. We couldn't see across the street without the sun. But it also has a dark side. http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-tc-health-sunscreen-0729-071.ar0jul19,0,297742.story



Other

10 secrets airlines don't want you to know. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 17, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-10-airline-tips,0,2778966.story


Humor

The Queen of England is INDIAN!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyHVl51eNTs

Resarch Translation http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/07/resarch-translation.html


New! Carlos now has an online store. Order your books directly from Carlos and have them signed and dedicated.http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/



In Pride (orgullo),


Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com   
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation

Credit crisis is far from over Newsletter - July 11, 2009

Credit crisis is far from over Newsletter - July 11, 2009

“Looking for a souvenir of the credit crisis? The Museum of American Finance, located on Wall Street, sells a set of five posters from its credit crisis exhibit. ‘Depicts key events from February 2007 through early March 2009 and also features an overview of the crisis, important terms and explanations of key moments.’ At just $12, it is an affordable gift, too. The problem with such posters is that they suggest the crisis is over. But it is not, a fact that is starting to dawn on many investors. Until recently the market tone was being set by talk of “green shoots” and economic recovery. Now, there is more talk of weeds – or even manure when the state of the US economy is described.” Aline van Duyn

On Wall Street: Credit crisis is far from over - 'Green shoots' turn to weeds By Aline van Duyn. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 19:52 | Last updated: July 10 2009 19:52 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8f9c785c-6d7f-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html

Treasury pushes ahead with toxic asset plan By Krishna Guha in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 9 2009 01:01 | Last updated: July 9 2009 01:01 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ad90212-6c1a-11de-9320-00144feabdc0.html

US consumer delinquencies hit new highs - Consumers delay bank card and home equity payments By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 7 2009 14:57 | Last updated: July 7 2009 14:57. Soaring unemployment has pushed credit card and home-equity delinquencies to record levels as US consumers struggle with the loss of income, household wealth and sputtering investments, the American Bankers Association said on Tuesday http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c37761fe-6afb-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html



International

Obama and Medvedev agree arms deal - Russia also approves Afghan transit By Stefan Wagstyl in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 6 2009 11:33 | Last updated: July 6 2009 17:06 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6afd36b4-6a12-11de-ad04-00144feabdc0.html

Obama urges end to cold war distrust - Russians ‘to decide’ future world order By Catherine Belton and Stefan Wagstyl in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 7 2009 12:05 | Last updated: July 7 2009 12:05. Barack Obama on Tuesday called on Russia and the US to shake off cold war distrust and forge a new global partnership as he bid to ‘reset’ strained relations between the two countries. The US president emphasised the need to move beyond the cold war days of zero sum thinking and, in a clear call for greater democracy, told Russians that it was up to them to help decide the future world order. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/40b31ff2-6ae1-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html

A Proudly Normal Election By JACOB RAMSAY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 7, 2009. One sign of Indonesia’s democratic progress has been the obsession with opinion polls in the lead-up to Wednesday’s presidential election, a vote that takes Indonesia a further step toward consolidating its democratic system. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/opinion/08iht-edramsay.html?ref=global

Obama calls for good governance in Africa - In Ghana, US president urges Africans to take charge © Reuters Limited. July 11, 2009. U.S. President Barack Obama told Africans on Saturday that Western aid must be matched by good governance and urged them to take greater responsibility for stamping out war, corruption and disease plaguing the continent. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce60f8ca-6e0a-11de-8cd0-00144feabdc0.html

Unveiling Food Plan, Obama Presses Africa on Corruption By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/world/europe/11prexy.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

US brokers Honduran coup talks - Costa Rica president to be mediator By Daniel Dombey and Alexandra Ulmer in Washington and Adam Thomson in Tegucigalpa. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 8 2009 01:04 | Last updated: July 8 2009 01:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0810208e-6b52-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Offshore no more. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 9 2009 20:34 | Last updated: July 9 2009 20:34. Switzerland may have seen off Habsburg armies, but the American taxman might prove a greater threat to its sovereignty. US officials, filing a civil suit in a court in Florida, are seeking to force UBS, the Swiss bank, to reveal the names of American clients whose tax papers have not been properly filed. The Swiss government has made it clear that UBS would not be able to comply without breaching the Alpine country’s bank secrecy laws. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/29d8edd6-6cbf-11de-af56-00144feabdc0.html




China

China posts gain in monthly exports. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 02:50 | Last updated: July 10 2009 11:57. Chinese exports rose 7.5 per cent last month from May as Asia’s second largest economy generated its highest monthly shipments so far this year. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dbc3742c-6cf0-11de-af56-00144feabdc0.html

China says 140 dead in Xinjiang unrest - Beijing blocks internet sites By Kathrin Hille in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 6 2009 04:28 | Last updated: July 6 2009 12:15 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e12aa712-69dc-11de-bc9f-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times Editorial: Now Xinjiang. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 7, 2009. The more Chinese authorities try to stamp out protests by repressed ethnic minorities, the fiercer those protests grow. Beijing should have learned that lesson after last year’s bloody anti-Chinese riots in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. It didn’t. This week, clashes in Xinjiang between Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese have left at least 156 dead and more than 1,000 wounded. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/opinion/08wed2.html?ref=global

As Unrest Spreads, Chinese President Skips Summit - Clashes Continue in Western City Amid Crackdown By Ariana Eunjung Cha. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, July 8, 2009. URUMQI, China, July 8 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao canceled plans to attend a major summit in Italy and flew home early Wednesday after reports that chaos and panic had spread throughout the capital of China's far western region of Xinjiang. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/07/AR2009070700210.html?hpid=topnews




Mess-o-potamia

Neda Agha-Soltan Speaks http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/07/neda-agha-soltan-speaks.html

Iran Security Forces Move to Crush Renewed Protests By MICHAEL SLACKMAN and SHARON OTTERMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 9, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/world/middleeast/10iran.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Leading Clerics Defy Ayatollah on Disputed Iran Election By MICHAEL SLACKMAN and NAZILA FATHI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 4, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/middleeast/05iran.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

As Iran Calms, a Struggle for Political Power Intensifies By MICHAEL SLACKMAN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: July 7, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/world/middleeast/08clerics.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

G-8 Nations Press Iran on Nuclear Program By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 9, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/world/middleeast/10prexy.html?ref=global-home

Kurds Defy Baghdad, Laying Claim to Land and Oil By SAM DAGHER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: July 9, 2009. BAGHDAD — With little notice and almost no public debate, Iraq’s Kurdish leaders are pushing ahead with a new constitution for their semiautonomous region, a step that has alarmed Iraqi and American officials who fear that the move poses a new threat to the country’s unity. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/world/middleeast/10kurds.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Israeli official rules out Golan withdrawal - Syria has long called for return of territory By Dina Kraft in Tel Aviv. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 15:43 | Last updated: July 10 2009 15:43 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/44ed22a6-6d53-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html


National

Governator plays it cool over IOUs By Matthew Garrahan and Lionel Barber in Sacramento. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 22:37 | Last updated: July 11 2009 02:04
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/43e64f02-6d82-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html

California governor under fire on budget - Interview: Schwarzenegger on California’s finances By Lionel Barber and Matthew Garrahan in Sacramento. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 22:37 | Last updated: July 10 2009 22:37
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7ed29362-6d84-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html

Wall Street gears up to trade California IOUs - Payment promise offer posted on Craigslist By Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 5 2009 23:33 | Last updated: July 5 2009 23:33 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/01d98e08-69a9-11de-bc9f-00144feabdc0.html

Paterson to Name Ex-M.T.A. Chief as Lieutenant Governor By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/nyregion/09albany.html?_r=1&hp

Standoff Ends as Defector Rejoins Albany Democrats By DANNY HAKIM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 9, 2009. ALBANY — Pedro Espada Jr. returned to the Democrats and was named Senate majority leader on Thursday as part of a deal worked out by Senate Democratic leaders, ending a monthlong stalemate that has hobbled state government. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/nyregion/10albany.html?hp

Washington Post Editorial: Unfit for Office - It's time for the D.C. Council to take action against Marion Barry. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, July 9, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070803585.html


GOP Bashing

Palin’s demise and the Republican fall. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 5 2009 18:59 | Last updated: July 5 2009 18:59. Only three years ago, the Republican party enjoyed majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives, and it held the White House. Now, it has lost all three. But the conservative movement is suffering much deeper problems than passing unpopularity. In the past month, a string of potential contenders for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination have self-destructed. The latest is Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and the Republican vice-presidential candidate in 2008, who has announced she will soon resign her state office. Her rambling statement offered no rationale for this strange decision. The lack of coherent organising logic behind her actions and words has given rise to suspicions that this move could be a gambit to head off fresh scandal. At this point, only one thing is clear; if this was a calculated first move in a run for the presidency in 2012, it was a stunningly bad one. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/622286d8-698c-11de-bc9f-00144feabdc0.html

Another Example of the G.O.P. Split By SAM TANENHAUS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 4, 2009. Grant the Republicans this much at least: they’re no longer boring. Just when the novelty of the Argentine dalliance of Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina had begun to fade, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska enlivened a ho-hum Fourth of July with her announcement that she would abruptly terminate her first term and instead seek to “effect positive change outside government.” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/weekinreview/05tanenhaus.html?th&emc=th

Palin plays victim and reaps rewards By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 8, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0708pagejul08,0,3557582.column

Sarah Palin playing ball in a league of her own By Kathleen Parker. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 8, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0708parkerjul08,0,62410.column

A Starter, Not a Finisher By Eugene Robinson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, July 7, 2009. What can you say about a public official who ridicules those who would take the "quitter's way out" -- as she faces reporters to announce that she's quitting? A governor who claims that "the worthless, easy path" would be to serve out the remaining 18 months of her term? An ambitious politician who says that "life is too short" to worry about, you know, boring things such as responsibility or duty? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/06/AR2009070603141.html

Dodging an Alaskan Bullet By Richard Cohen. Copyright by the Washington Post. Tuesday, July 7, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/06/AR2009070602981.html

U.S. Wiretaps Were of Limited Value, Officials Report By ERIC LICHTBLAU and JAMES RISEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 10, 2009. WASHINGTON — While the Bush administration had defended its program of wiretapping without warrants as a vital tool that saved lives, a new government review released Friday said the program’s effectiveness in fighting terrorism was unclear. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/us/11nsa.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Democrats Say C.I.A. Deceived Congress By SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 8, 2009. WASHINGTON — The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Leon E. Panetta, has told the House Intelligence Committee in closed-door testimony that the C.I.A. concealed “significant actions” from Congress from 2001 until late last month, seven Democratic committee members said. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/us/politics/09intel.html?th&emc=th

The George W. Bush Presidential Library, now in the planning stages, is accepting donations. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/07/george-w-bush-presidential-library-now.html



Chicagoland

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Burris will step aside with tarnished legacy. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. July 11, 2009. At last, Roland Burris has made a decision as senator that we can endorse wholeheartedly. He will not run next year for his Senate seat. Thank goodness. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1661567,CST-EDT-edit12a.article

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Quinn fails to deliver leadership for state. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. July 8, 2009. At moments of crisis, we look to our leaders for clarity and direction. Gov. Quinn provided neither Tuesday. Instead, he hosted a confusing and bewildering news conference at the Thompson Center where he tried to articulate how Illinois can dig itself out of an historic budget deficit. The fiscal year began July 1, but the state still has no budget and a deficit as high as $9 billion. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1656294,CST-EDT-edit08a.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Condolences, citizens. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 8, 2009. We try never to confuse motion with progress. So, having watched Gov. Pat Quinn veto a spending bill Tuesday and volley it back to Springfield, we offer condolences to citizens who rely on the state to meet their basic needs. Maybe Democratic lawmakers will reach some mega-agreement next week on a fiscal 2010 budget. Or maybe the Dems will keep doing what they're doing: blaming one another for their failure to finish that basic task. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0708edit12l08,0,4734886.story

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: U. of I. clout testimony: Unsatisfying, unconvincing. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. July 7, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1654311,CST-EDT-edit07a.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: The Madigan domino. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 9, 2009. The conversation over lunch salads occurred more than a year ago. Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan was mulling a run for governor -- or, if Barack Obama ascended to the presidency, for his seat in the U.S. Senate. But try as she did to sound captivated by the politics, Madigan kept circling back uncomfortably to the costs her family would pay if she succumbed to the ceaseless grind of campaigning for, and holding, higher office. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0709edit1jul09,0,675195.story

Illinois political floodgates open after Madigan passes on governor, Senate bids by Rick Pearson, Mike Dorning, Monique Garcia and John Chase. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 9, 2009 http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/07/illinois-political-floodgates-open-after-madigan-passes-on-governor-senate-bids.html

Utay group still in play for Chicago Cubs deal - Tribune Co. talking with Utay group despite near deal with Ricketts family By Ameet Sachdev. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 8, 2009. The bidding war for the Chicago Cubs is not over. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed-cubs-0708-jul08,0,5138191.story


Your Lack of Money

New US jobless claims plunge - Economists warn against false hopes By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 9 2009 14:23 | Last updated: July 9 2009 15:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a395fd7a-6c89-11de-a6e6-00144feabdc0.html

US retailers report mixed June sales - Investors eye state of consumer spending By Jonathan Birchall and Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 9 2009 13:47 | Last updated: July 9 2009 16:25 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/960d2832-6c83-11de-a6e6-00144feabdc0.html

US service sector contraction slows in June By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 6 2009 16:47 | Last updated: July 6 2009 16:47 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dd048dca-6a3f-11de-ad04-00144feabdc0.html

PLANNING FOR THE WORST WHILE AVOIDING FINANCIAL DISASTER by Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine and by Roger V. McCaffrey-Bos. July 9-15, 2009 http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com/advice/legallyspeaking.shtml

US trade gap narrows to 10-year low - Consumer confidence sinks in July By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 14:39 | Last updated: July 10 2009 15:42 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7ded5a52-6d4a-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html

Cities Lose Out on Road Funds From Federal Stimulus By MICHAEL COOPER and GRIFF PALMER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 8, 2009. Two-thirds of the country lives in large metropolitan areas, home to the nation’s worst traffic jams and some of its oldest roads and bridges. But cities and their surrounding regions are getting far less than two-thirds of federal transportation stimulus money. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/us/09projects.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Automakers’ Swift Cases in Bankruptcy Shock Experts By MICHELINE MAYNARD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 6, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/business/07bankruptcy.html?th&emc=th

GM emerges from bankruptcy - Henderson vows swift repayment of aid By John Reed in London and Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 15:06 | Last updated: July 10 2009 15:12 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ec07211e-6d57-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html

Lear files for Chapter 11 protection - Chief hopes for fast exit from process By John Reed in London and Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 7 2009 10:56 | Last updated: July 7 2009 18:15. Lear Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday – marking one of the biggest failures yet of an automotive supplier – after agreeing a debt restructuring plan with most of its creditors http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c12854be-6ad6-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html



Commodities

Central bankers return to gold and dollars By Terrence Keeley. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 9 2009 18:11 | Last updated: July 9 2009 18:11... In a single, memorable autumn, however, eight years of excess returns by risk assets over government bonds were eviscerated. And rather than drowning in US dollars, central banks the globe over were engulfed by a vicious dollar shortage. To mitigate downward pressures on emerging market and other currencies, the US Federal Reserve was forced to arrange emergency US dollar swap lines with central banks across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Had Korea, Mexico and some developed countries not had this additional dollar liquidity, financial institution failure and massive capital flight in a number of countries could have proved catastrophic....http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5315bab8-6caa-11de-a6e6-00144feabdc0.html

CFTC prepares crackdown on speculators - Energy traders face limits on positions By Joanna Chung in New York and Miles Johnson in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 7 2009 12:11 | Last updated: July 7 2009 18:56 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/958cd848-6ae5-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html

Crude retreats below $60 a barrel - IEA outlook fails to lift sentiment By Miles Johnson. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 11:29 | Last updated: July 10 2009 15:35 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/13608bb4-6d3b-11de-8b19-00144feabdc0.html


Housing

Washington Post Editorial: Borrowed Time - The federal tide of red ink is frustrating an effort to help homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, July 8, 2009... Well, the early returns are in, and they are not encouraging. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, only 13,000 HARP refinancings had taken place as of June. At this rate, there is little prospect the program will achieve its aims as of June 2010, when it is scheduled to expire. The problem? The administration developed its proposal at a time when long-term interest rates were relatively low, in part due to Federal Reserve policies -- and in part due to a flight to U.S. government bonds by risk-averse investors. More recently, long-term interest rates have increased as generalized investor panic has given way to a more specific worry: that the huge U.S. budget deficit is unsustainable and may set off high inflation. In other words, rising deficits are canceling out at least some of the Fed's efforts to keep mortgages cheap....http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/07/AR2009070702452.html

Tax Bill Appeals Take Rising Toll on Governments By JACK HEALY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 4, 2009. Homeowners across the country are challenging their property tax bills in droves as the value of their homes drop, threatening local governments with another big drain on their budgets. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/business/economy/05appeals.html?th&emc=th



GLBT

Police raid at gay club in Texas stirs ugly memories - The incident, on the heels of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, prompts fear among the Fort Worth gay community that times haven't changed. By P.J. Huffstutter. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. July 6, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-gay-bar-raid6-2009jul06,0,1571830.story

Wisconsin now offers limited Domestic Partnership benefits By Michael Lehet. Copyright by Chicago NOW. 06.29.09 http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/whats-a-boy-to-do/2009/06/wisconsin-now-offers-limited-domestic-partnership-benefits.html

With Senate Astir, Governor Will Delay Same-Sex Marriage Bill By DANNY HAKIM. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 10, 2009. ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson will delay his plan to force a vote on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage until early September because the Senate is too unsettled now to take it up, his spokesman said on Friday. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/nyregion/11albany.html?th&emc=th

Massachusetts sues U.S. over DOMA. Copyright by The Windy City Times. NEWS UPDATE July 8, 2009 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21778

Federal judge: Prop 8 suit should proceed - Special to the Online Edition of Windy City Times by By Chuck Colbert ©2009 Keen News Service. 2009-07-08. A federal judge said June 30 that a potentially high-risk federal lawsuit challenging California's Proposition 8 should “proceed expeditiously to trial.” http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21739

Civil Rights Group Divided Over Gay Marriage By JENNIFER STEINHAUER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 10, 2009. LOS ANGELES — The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the 50-year-old civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, is seeking to remove the president of its Los Angeles chapter in response to his support of same-sex marriage in California. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/us/11gay.html?th&emc=th

Pastor who opposes homosexuality may get Chicago City Council seat held by Ald. Billy Ocasio - Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus is praised for Latino activism but criticized for his stance on gay issues By Oscar Avila. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 7, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-pastor-gays-alderman_avilajul07,0,4153366.story

Opposition to De Jesús grows by Jessica Pupovac. Copyright by The Windy City times. 2009-07-08. The clock is ticking on Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's decision regarding who should fill the vacancy left by former Ald. Billy Ocasio, who left City Council last month to work as a senior adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn. Before he left his 26th Ward office, Ocasio made known his wishes that his pastor, Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús, be his heir—but the decision ultimately falls to Daley. The possibility of having De Jesús in City Council is raising eyebrows in the ward and beyond, due in no small part to his stance on homosexuality. De Jesús' New Life Covenant Ministries church is part of the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal fellowship that considers homosexuality a sin. In Chicago, many LGBT activists know him as the pastor who put the brakes last year on a planned Pride Campus, a school that designers hoped would act as a model school, providing a safe and affirming environment for LGBT and questioning youth and their allies. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21748




Immigration

Piecing Together an Immigrant’s Life the U.S. Refused to See By NINA BERNSTEIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 5, 2009. When the 43-year-old man died in a New Jersey immigration jail in 2005, the very fact seemed to fall into a black hole. Although a fellow inmate scrawled a note telling immigrant advocates that the detainee’s symptoms of a heart attack had long gone unheeded, government officials would not even confirm that the dead man had existed. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/nyregion/06detain.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


Technology

Washington Post Editorial: Securing the Internet - Recent cyber-attacks highlight the need for administration action. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, July 11, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/11/AR2009071100486.html

Fresh cyber attacks hit S Korea and US - Suspicions focus on Pyongyang © Reuters Limited. July 9, 2009 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f12e705a-6c7d-11de-a6e6-00144feabdc0.html

Washington Post Editorial: Freedom vs. the Firewall - The Senate can help fend off authoritarian censorship. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, July 7, 2009. FROM TWITTERERS in Tehran to bloggers in Burma, citizens living under authoritarian regimes depend upon free access to the Internet for information, coordination and the ability to make themselves heard. That's why oppressive governments devote so much effort to online censorship: They, too, recognize the power of information to promote freedom. But some independent groups are pushing back against their control. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/06/AR2009070603305.html

Google to launch PC operating system - Software takes direct aim at Microsoft By Richard Waters in San Francisco. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 8 2009 07:43 | Last updated: July 8 2009 07:43 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86b864c0-6b87-11de-9320-00144feabdc0.html

Google Plans a PC Operating System By MIGUEL HELFT and ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 8, 2009. SAN FRANCISCO — In a direct challenge to Microsoft, Google announced late Tuesday that it is developing an operating system for PCs that is tied to its Chrome Web browser. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/technology/companies/08operate.html?_r=1&hp

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Google on a cloud. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 8 2009 20:39 | Last updated: July 8 2009 20:39. The happy drones at the Googleplex never tire of expanding their employer’s imprint on the internet. Work on a new operating system brings the reality of “cloud computing” and Google’s dominance of it a lot closer. Consumers should be excited – and a bit nervous. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1128f10c-6bf0-11de-9320-00144feabdc0.html

In Chrome, Hints of a Real Rival to Windows By MIGUEL HELFT and ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 8, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/technology/internet/09google.html?th&emc=th

Google OS created over Schmidt’s objection - Project planned since founding of company By Kenneth Li in Sun Valley. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 10 2009 05:14 | Last updated: July 10 2009 05:14 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6abb869a-6cfd-11de-af56-00144feabdc0.html

Illumitex Seeks cash to brighten and shrink LED's By Jennifer Kho. June 15, 2009. Copyright Earth2Tech.com. Take your laptop outside, and you’re likely to find yourself squinting at the screen. The glare is even more pronounced with mobile computing devices, which users usually view downward (like a piece of paper), catching more light than when the screen is vertical. But putting brighter lighting in those devices drains the batteries more quickly. http://earth2tech.com/2009/06/15/illumitex-seeks-cash-to-brighten-and-shrink-leds/




Medical

White House and Hospitals Are Reported to Be Near Deal By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 6, 2009. WASHINGTON — The Obama administration and major hospital associations on Monday evening were nearing a deal for about $150 billion in cost savings to help pay for an overhaul of the nation’s health care system, with an announcement expected at the White House as early as Wednesday, officials said. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/health/policy/07hospitalsweb.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

HIV Positive..So Why Don't They Get AIDS? - Researchers Hope 'Elite' Group Holds Clues for Others By Charles Slack. Copyright by The Washington Post . Tuesday, July 7, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/06/AR2009070602917.html?hpid=topnews

Pharmacists can't refuse Plan B pill, appeals court says - A pharmacy owner and workers had sued Washington state to block a requirement that they stock and sell the 'morning after' contraceptive. By Carol J. Williams. Copyright by The Los Angeles Times. July 9, 2009 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-pill-ruling9-2009jul09,0,6469894.story

Sperm created from stem cells - Research might let infertile men have children By Clive Cookson, Science Editor. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 8 2009 00:01 | Last updated: July 8 2009 00:01. Scientists have created human sperm for the first time from stem cells. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f16dfe8-6b2f-11de-861d-00144feabdc0.html

A Culprit in Infertility, Overlooked Yet Treatable By LAURIE TARKAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 6, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/health/07endo.html?th&emc=th

Reasons Not to Panic Over a Painkiller By TARA PARKER-POPE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 6, 2009. Few drugs are more ubiquitous than acetaminophen, the pain reliever found in numerous over-the-counter cold remedies and the headache drug Tylenol. But last week, a federal advisory committee raised concerns about liver damage that can occur with overuse of acetaminophen, and the panel even recommended that the Food and Drug Administration ban two popular prescription drugs, Vicodin and Percocet, because they contain it. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/health/07well.html?th&emc=th





Humor

This is a true story: http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-is-true-story.html

Spel Chek http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/07/spel-chek.html


New! Carlos now has an online store. Order your books directly from Carlos and have them signed and dedicated.http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/



In Pride (orgullo),


Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com   
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation

Independence Day Newsletter - July 4, 2009

Independence Day Newsletter - July 4, 2009


“But that's cause for an American celebration, too. Although American troops will remain in Iraq for training and support missions, the Iraqis now step to the fore, charged with the security of their country. For America, this is the beginning of the end of the Iraq war.” Chicago Tribune Editorial

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Independence Day. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. June 29, 2009. Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared Tuesday to be a national holiday, promising feasts and festivals to celebrate the withdrawal of American combat troops from Iraq's cities. For Iraqis, it's a sort of Independence Day. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0629edit1jun29,0,2051456.story

Stepping Down to Success By Michael Gerson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, July 3, 2009. It may seem strange to Americans, so close to our independence celebration, that Iraqis should break out the fireworks when our troops withdraw. We are not accustomed to being cast in the British role. In Iraq, nearly every achievement seems colored by ambiguity. But we are seeing achievement nonetheless. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/02/AR2009070202683.html

Joy and fear as US exits Iraqi cities By Ernesto Londoño in Baghdad. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 29 2009 18:22 | Last updated: June 30 2009 08:48 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f0cc9f9e-64ce-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html

Live: Oil companies bid for Iraq’s oil fields - Rest of landmark auction is less successful By Carola Hoyos. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. June 30, 2009 2:42pm. http://blogs.ft.com/energy-source/2009/06/30/live-oil-companies-bid-for-iraqs-oil-fields/



International

North Korea test-fires seven missiles - Scud-type missiles have range of 500km © Reuters Limited. July 4, 2009 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7e420f1e-683d-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html

North Korea test-fires three missiles By Song Jung-a in Seoul. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 2 2009 12:12 | Last updated: July 2 2009 17:03 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/951ef4e0-66f8-11de-925f-00144feabdc0.html

US and Russia square up over missile shield By Stefan Wagstyl in Moscow and Edward Luce in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 2 2009 22:29 | Last updated: July 3 2009 00:11 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/23cf9eee-674c-11de-925f-00144feabdc0.html

Heat rises as Russia awaits Obama - Pre-summit insults traded with Putin By Stefan Wagstyl in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 3 2009 18:58 | Last updated: July 3 2009 18:58 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cfe39150-67f5-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html

Japan industrial output rises for third month By Mure Dickie in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 29 2009 03:06 | Last updated: June 29 2009 13:47 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a3005e16-644e-11de-a818-00144feabdc0.html

Japan past worst of slump, says minister - Yosano warns recovery could be fragile By Mure Dickie in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 05:25 | Last updated: June 30 2009 15:30 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fcbeaefa-652d-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html

Eurozone economic confidence rebounds By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 29 2009 12:29 | Last updated: June 29 2009 12:29 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dcd6e6c2-649a-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html

Eurozone inflation turns negative - Complicates ECB rate setting decision By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 11:03 | Last updated: June 30 2009 11:03 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e52098b2-655a-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

UK economy shrinks most in 50 years - First quarter GDP is revised sharply lower By Daniel Pimlott, Economics Reporter. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 10:21 | Last updated: June 30 2009 14:37 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/971b65f6-6551-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

Yemeni Jet Crash Survivor Recounts 13 Hours in Ocean By NICOLA CLARK and SHARON OTTERMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 1, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/world/africa/02plane.html?ref=global-home

Honduran President Is Ousted in Coup By ELISABETH MALKIN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/world/americas/29honduras.html?ref=global-home

Honduras Gets Ultimatum From American Nations By GINGER THOMPSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 1, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/world/americas/02honduras.html?ref=global-home

OAS begins steps to suspend Honduras - Interim government said it would not reinstate Zelaya By Adam Thomson in Tecucigalpa, Honduras. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 4 2009 16:34 | Last updated: July 4 2009 16:34 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2d7a6a64-68af-11de-a472-00144feabdc0.html

Costa Rica tops good life survey - Country scores highly on press freedom and democracy By Simon Briscoe in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 4 2009 05:04 | Last updated: July 4 2009 05:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2d20da2-682f-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html

Argentina’s Ruling Party Concedes Electoral Defeat By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 29, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/world/americas/30argentina.html?ref=global-home


China

China recovery hopes gather pace - Picture mixed elsewhere in Asia-Pacific. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 1 2009 01:53 | Last updated: July 1 2009 16:51 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ea0b4e52-65d8-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

Green Power Takes Root in the Chinese Desert By KEITH BRADSHER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 2, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/business/energy-environment/03renew.html?th&emc=th

China joins carbon tax protest - Beijing warns of global trade war By Alan Beattie in London and Kathrin Hille in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 3 2009 19:20 | Last updated: July 3 2009 19:20 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/76f0e4b0-67fc-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html

Washington Post Editorial: China's Information Dam - Should Yahoo, Google and Microsoft help the censors?. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, June 29, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062802398.html

Chinese bloggers hail Green Dam ‘victory’ By Kathrin Hille in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 1 2009 13:46 | Last updated: July 1 2009 13:46. A garden party in east Beijing billed as a protest against a government plan to fit all computers with Green Dam, a controversial web filtering software, turned into a celebration on Wednesday after the programme was postponed. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/744ae9be-6639-11de-a034-00144feabdc0.html



Mess-o-potamia

Russia to Open Airspace to U.S. for Afghan War By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: July 3, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/world/europe/04russia.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

US Marines launch Afghan offensive - Seen as chance to turn tide of war By Rajiv Chandrasekaran in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 2 2009 04:26 | Last updated: July 2 2009 04:26 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f9489ad4-66b7-11de-a034-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Iran’s intimidation needs EU response. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 29 2009 19:17 | Last updated: June 29 2009 19:17. The arrest and interrogation of Iranian employees of the British embassy in Tehran is alarming. Iran has form on embassies. Its regime therefore needs to be made very certain that it will pay a high cost if it further crosses the lines of international law and diplomatic protocol. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fa973a5a-64d5-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html

Iran Cleric Says British Embassy Staff to Stand Trial By JOHN F. BURNS and STEPHEN CASTLE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 3, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/world/middleeast/04iran.html?th&emc=th

Europe Weighs Withdrawing Ambassadors From Tehran By ALAN COWELL and STEPHEN CASTLE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 1, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/world/middleeast/02iran.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Israel May Shift on Settlements Freeze Amid Broader Effort By ETHAN BRONNER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: June 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/world/middleeast/29mideast.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


National

Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years for Ponzi Scheme By JACK HEALY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 29, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/business/30madoff.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Court Rules Franken Has Won Senate Race; Coleman Concedes By Kate Phillips. Copyright by The New York Times. June 30, 2009, 4:18 pm. Updated The Minnesota Supreme Court has just issued its long-awaited judgment in the Senate race, declaring that Democrat Al Franken is the winner. And Norm Coleman, his opponent, at 4 p.m., announced that he had conceded and contacted Mr. Franken. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/court-rules-franken-has-won-senate-seat/?hp

Obama junks ‘global war on terror’ label By Edward Luce and Daniel Dombey in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 01:04 | Last updated: June 30 2009 01:04. The Obama administration has junked the term “global war on terror” because it does not describe properly the nature of the terrorist threat to the US, according to Janet Napolitano, secretary for homeland security. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d4bd1bb6-64f7-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times Editorial: Firefighters and Race. Copyright by New York Times. Published: June 30, 2009. On Monday, the Supreme Court dealt a blow to diversity in the American workplace. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/opinion/01wed1.html?th&emc=th

Court Rules for White Firefighters Over Promotions. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: June 29, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/29/us/politics/AP-US-Supreme-Court-Firefighters-Lawsuit.html?ref=global-home

Deficit forces California to issue IOUs By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 29 2009 19:26 | Last updated: June 29 2009 19:26 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1940d18e-64cf-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html

Schwarzenegger puts case for IOUs - California governor talks to big banks By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 2 2009 19:41 | Last updated: July 2 2009 21:35 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3bfe0a24-6737-11de-925f-00144feabdc0.html

Congressional Race in California Draws a High-Profile Cast By JESSE McKINLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 3, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/us/politics/04tenth.html?th&emc=th



GOP Bashing

New Evidence Cheney Swayed Reaction to Leak - Discussions of CIA Agent Listed in Filing By R. Jeffrey Smith. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, July 3, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/02/AR2009070203608.html?hpid=topnews

New York Times Editorial: Call It Obstructionism. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 27, 2009. n a burst of activity before adjourning on Friday for a two-week recess, the Senate confirmed 12 nominees for important positions in the Obama administration. That is the good news. Unfortunately, there are still 21 nominees for important posts awaiting confirmation. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/opinion/28sun2.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1246194054-V2p/QjbPc6ZiL8c22LzuTg

Grand Jury Inquiry on Destruction of C.I.A. Tapes By MARK MAZZETTI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 2, 2009. WASHINGTON — Current and former top Central Intelligence Agency officers have appeared before a federal grand jury in Virginia as part of an 18-month investigation into the agency’s destruction of 92 videotapes depicting the brutal interrogations of two Qaeda detainees. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/us/03inquire.html?th&emc=th

The Sarah Palin Chronicles Mask Deeper GOP Troubles - Recriminations Resume Over Former Vice Presidential Pick By Dan Balz and Perry Bacon Jr. Copyright By The Washington Post. Thursday, July 2, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/01/AR2009070102438.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska By Mitchell L. Blumenthal AND Kate Phillips. Copyright by The New York Timers. July 3, 2009, 5:30 pm http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/palin-to-resign-as-governor-of-alaska/?hp



Chicagoland

Chicago population rises for 2nd year in a row - Recession forces many residents to stay put. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 1, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-city-population-01-jul01,0,754485.story

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: State's top Democrats bungle budget again. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. July 3, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1650490,CST-EDT-edit03.article

State Farm hikes Illinois rates 13% By Becky Yeark. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 9:30 AM CDT, July 2, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-state-farm-illinois-rate-hike-july02,0,4938602.story

United's check-in computers back up By Julie Johnsson, Kristen Schorsch. Copyright by The Chicago Tribune. July 2, 2009 2:33 PM. United Airlines said its check-in system is back up at O'Hare International Airport and that it is still investigating what caused the computer outage at its largest hub on one of the busiest travel days of the year. http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/computer-glitch-causes-long-lines-at-ohare.html

Sears Tower: New glass 'ledges' lead to high anxiety - A few layers of glass separate your feet from the pavement -- 1,350 feet below. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 2, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-sears-tower-ledge-02jul02,0,7151729.story

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: How about some compassion for those stuck with the bill? Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. June 30, 2009. Why is it whenever someone in the Daley administration gets tangled up in a hiring abuse investigation, the mayor invokes family values? When the mayor's former patronage chief Robert Sorich and three other city employees were convicted as part of a City Hall hiring fraud investigation a few years back, the mayor said "they are very fine young men, and their families." http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1644942,CST-EDT-edit30b.article


Your Lack of Money

Romer upbeat on US economy By Krishna Guha in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 28 2009 20:57 | Last updated: June 28 2009 20:57. The US economy will feel a substantial boost from the Obama administration’s emergency spending package over the next few months, says Christina Romer, a senior White House official, who has warned against tightening monetary and fiscal policy before recovery is well established. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2cb7a6a8-641a-11de-a818-00144feabdc0.html

US manufacturing shows signs of life - Home sales rise while construction slows By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 1 2009 16:47 | Last updated: July 1 2009 16:47 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1e340b20-6655-11de-a034-00144feabdc0.html

US consumer confidence drops in June By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 15:31 | Last updated: June 30 2009 16:45 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c9dd6ac0-657e-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

Jobs data dash recovery hopes - US unemployment rate hits 9.5% in June By Krishna Guha and Sarah O’Connor in Washington, Michael Mackenzie in New York and Ralph Atkins in Luxembourg. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 2 2009 13:47 | Last updated: July 2 2009 21:49 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ac5f4e0-66fe-11de-925f-00144feabdc0.html

US private sector sheds 473,000 jobs - ADP says job losses to continue By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 1 2009 14:00 | Last updated: July 1 2009 14:00 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/efa04eda-6632-11de-a034-00144feabdc0.html

On Wall Street: Banks no longer so lucrative - Private equity unable to find much else to buy By Henny Sender. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 3 2009 19:52 | Last updated: July 3 2009 19:52 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8fe706f4-67fa-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html

Citi raises card rates on millions - Bank criticised for acting before curbs By Francesco Guerrera and Saskia Scholtes in New York and Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 23:59 | Last updated: June 30 2009 23:59 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e1d0c610-65c7-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

Regulators shut 6 Illinois banks - All part of Campbell Group; state leads U.S. in number of closings. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 3, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri-failed-banks-0703-jul03,0,3186096.story

New GM almost ready to roll - Bankruptcy protection could end next week By Bernard Simon in Toronto and Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 3 2009 00:21 | Last updated: July 3 2009 00:21 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/90a5d97e-675c-11de-925f-00144feabdc0.html

General Motors to assume liability for future product claims, but not existing claims By BREE FOWLER. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 5:44 AM CDT, June 28, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-gm-bankruptcy,0,4072991.story

Beijing Auto submits GM Europe offer - Chinese carmaker bids €660m By Daniel Schäfer in Frankfurt and John Reed in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 3 2009 13:21 | Last updated: July 3 2009 19:29 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e718d434-67c8-11de-848a-00144feabdc0.html

Sales of flat-panel TVs brighten retail picture By Andrea Chang. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 4, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tc-biz-tv-sales-0630-0704-jul04,0,1268186.story


Commodities

Oil rebounds ahead of EIA inventory data - Sharp drop in US crude stocks By Miles Johnson. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: July 1 2009 11:08 | Last updated: July 1 2009 11:08 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/20f131aa-6626-11de-a034-00144feabdc0.html

Crude at eight-month peak on recovery hopes - Weaker dollar boosts gold By Miles Johnson. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 10:51 | Last updated: June 30 2009 10:51 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/50709b9a-655a-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

Oil watchdog cuts demand forecasts - Spare capacity to grow as recession bites By Carola Hoyos. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 29 2009 10:05 | Last updated: June 29 2009 15:14 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dffed620-648b-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html



Housing

Pace of US housing downturn abates - Prices start to rebound in some areas By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 15:31 | Last updated: June 30 2009 15:31 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c9dd6ac0-657e-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html

JOINT TENANCY – NOT ALWAYS THE BEST SOLUTION by Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine and Roger McCaffrey-Boss. July 2-8, 2009 http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com/advice/legallyspeaking.shtml



GLBT

40 Years Later, Still Second-Class Americans By FRANK RICH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 27, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/opinion/28rich.html?th&emc=th

Political Shifts on Gay Rights Lag Behind Culture By ADAM NAGOURNEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 27, 2009. WASHINGTON — For 15 minutes in the Oval Office the other day, one of President Obama’s top campaign lieutenants, Steve Hildebrand, told the president about the “hurt, anxiety and anger” that he and other gay supporters felt over the slow pace of the White House’s engagement with gay issues. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/us/28stonewall.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Indian Court Overturns Gay Sex Ban By HEATHER TIMMONS and HARI KUMAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 2, 2009. NEW DELHI —In a landmark ruling Thursday that could usher in an era of greater freedom for gay men and lesbians in India, New Delhi’s highest court decriminalized homosexuality. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/world/asia/03india.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Chicago gay pride parade glows in its growing acceptance - Gay community's parade celebrates its 40th anniversary By Rex W. Huppke. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. June 29, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-gay-pride-parade-29-jun29,0,6022615.story

Half a million show their pride By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. July 2, 2009. On the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, half a million Chicagoans showed their pride on Sunday. The 40th annual Chicago Pride Parade was the largest to date, attracting an estimated 500,000 GLBTs and their allies. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3652

Obama Meets Gays in White House by Lisa Keen ©Keen News Service 2009. Monday, June 29, 2009 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21681

Pride at the White House By Jarrett Barrios. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, June 29, 2009; 12:00 AM. The Stonewall Riots of 1969 -- when patrons at a New York city gay bar fought back against police brutality and harassment and set in motion a wave of activism -- have been commemorated in various ways. There have been protests, rallies, academic lectures and parties. Today is the first time Stonewall will be remembered in the tony quarters of the White House. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062802336.html

OPEd | Et tu Obama? http://www.ambiente.us/07009CTMock.html

Same-sex weddings, heartland style By Jessica Ravitz. Copyright by CNN News. June 28, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/06/22/same.sex.weddings/index.html

Gay Marriage Lost in Shuffle of Divided Senate By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 28, 2009. When Gov. David A. Paterson accepted an invitation to be a grand marshal in New York City’s gay pride parade this year, he had high expectations that he would march down Fifth Avenue as the first governor in state history to have signed a law allowing gay couples to marry. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/nyregion/29pride.html?th&emc=th

Out of the Closet and Into Congress? - A conversation with former soldier Anthony Woods. Copyright by The washington Post. Sunday, June 28, 2009. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/26/AR2009062603526.html

Frank introduces trans-inclusive ENDA bill by Lisa Keen. Copyright by Keen News Service. 2009-07-01 http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21689



Immigration

U.S. Shifts Strategy on Illicit Work by Immigrants By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 2, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/us/03immig.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


Technology

U.S. and Russia Differ on a Treaty for Cyberspace By JOHN MARKOFF and ANDREW E. KRAMER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 27, 2009. The United States and Russia are locked in a fundamental dispute over how to counter the growing threat of cyberwar attacks that could wreak havoc on computer systems and the Internet. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/world/28cyber.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Acer’s Everywhere. How Did That Happen? By ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 27, 2009. Acer has risen swiftly on the strength of netbooks and laptops, and its chief, Gianfranco Lanci, sees an opening with smartphones. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/technology/companies/28acer.html?th&emc=th

U.S. Inquiry Is Confirmed Into Google Books Deal By MIGUEL HELFT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: July 2, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/technology/companies/03google.html?th&emc=th

Amazon.com fights sales-tax plans - The Internet retailer jettisons advertising affiliates in two states to avoid taxing its customers there. Overstock.com plans to follow suit. By Andrea Chang. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. June 30, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/la-fi-amazon30-2009jun30,0,1737212.story



Medical

Insured, but Bankrupted by Health Crises By REED ABELSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 30, 2009. Health insurance is supposed to offer protection — both medically and financially. But as it turns out, an estimated three-quarters of people who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems actually had insurance when they got sick or were injured. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/business/01meddebt.html?th&emc=th

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Another Tylenol scare. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. July 2, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0702edit2jul02,0,3563367.story

Ban Is Advised on 2 Top Pills for Pain Relief By GARDINER HARRIS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: June 30, 2009. ADELPHI, Md. — A federal advisory panel voted narrowly on Tuesday to recommend a ban on Percocet and Vicodin, two of the most popular prescription painkillers in the world, because of their effects on the liver. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/health/01fda.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

GE unit unveils alliance with Geron - Healthcare groups to develop stem cell technology By Andrew Jack in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: June 30 2009 13:38 | Last updated: June 30 2009 13:38 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7cb28eda-656d-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html



Humor

Iranian Election http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/06/iranian-election.html

YouTube - "Thriller" (original upload) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

Amish boy caught with porn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjDJWmx0WKA

Guy Jumps Over a Bull http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DU1L-8xLI_5c

Tom Lehrer: New Math http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx5KDyvlG3Q

World Burping Champion - diagonal, view, world, champion, burp, belch, funny, weird, disgusting - Diagonal View http://www.diagonal-view.com/v/527/world-burping-champion.html


New! Carlos now has an online store. Order your books directly from Carlos and have them signed and dedicated.http://www.carlostmock.com/catalog/



In Pride (orgullo),


Carlos T. Mock, MD
www.carlostmock.com   
Author: Borrowing Time: A Latino Sexual Odyssey - Floricanto Press 2003.
Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT
Round Table.
Author: The Mosaic Virus – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation
Author: Author: Papi Chulo – Floricanto Press 2007.  Nominated for a Stonewall Award by the American Library Association GLBT Round Table, and a Lammie from The Lambda Literary Foundation