Hungry People Newsletter - October 24, 2009

Hungry People Newsletter - October 24, 2009

“The number of hungry people in the world rose to 1.02 billion this year, or nearly one in seven people, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, despite a 12-year concentrated effort to cut the number. The global financial recession added at least 100 million people by depriving them of the means to buy enough food, but the numbers were inching up even before the crisis, the United Nations noted in a report last week. ‘The way we manage the global agriculture and food security system doesn’t work,’ said Kostas G. Stamoulis, a senior economist at the organization. ‘There is this paradox of increasing global food production, even in developing countries, yet there is hunger.’” NEIL MacFARQUHAR

Experts Worry as Population and Hunger Grow By NEIL MacFARQUHAR. Copyright by Reuters. Published: October 21, 2009. ROME — Scientists and development experts across the globe are racing to increase food production by 50 percent over the next two decades to feed the world’s growing population, yet many doubt their chances despite a broad consensus that enough land, water and expertise exist. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/22food.html?th&emc=th



International

Eurozone economic activity surges - PMI data raise hopes of sustained recovery By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 23 2009 11:06 | Last updated: October 23 2009 11:06. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/eurozone-economic-activity-surges-pmi.html

U.K. Stuck in Recession as Euro Area Shows Strength By MATTHEW SALTMARSH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 23, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/business/global/24euro.html?ref=global-home

Czechs Accept Modified Missile Shield Role By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 23, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/world/europe/24biden.html?ref=global-home

Poland Agrees to Accept U.S. Missile Interceptors By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 21, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/europe/22biden.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

US raises pressure on Japan air base - Differences over relocation strain ties By Mure Dickie in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 21 2009 09:11 | Last updated: October 21 2009 12:28. Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, on Wednesday dismissed Japanese hopes for a rethink of a controversial military base relocation deal, calling for ”expeditious” action to implement the plan in full. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/us-raises-pressure-on-japan-air-base.html

Violence in the Newest Olympic City Rattles Brazil By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO. Copyright by Reuters. Published: October 20, 2009....Then over the weekend, in a chilling outburst of violence, drug traffickers wielding what the police say they believe was a large-caliber weapon shot down a police helicopter just one mile from Maracana stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics will be held and the World Cup final will be played two years before the Olympics. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/world/americas/21rio.html?th&emc=th



China


China’s Economy Expands 8.9 Percent By ANDREW JACOBS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 22, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/business/global/23yuan.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Public backing for deep China emission cuts By Fiona Harvey in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 18 2009 22:26 | Last updated: October 18 2009 22:26. Public opinion on both sides of the Atlantic is firmly in favour of China taking on the lion’s share of cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and lukewarm on providing funds to the developing world to adapt to climate change. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/public-backing-for-deep-china-emission.html



Mess-o-potamia


Painful Mideast Truth: Force Trumps Diplomacy By ETHAN BRONNER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 19, 2009. JERUSALEM — As the Obama administration tries to broker a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there is a dark truth lurking: force has produced clearer results in this dispute than talk. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?ref=global-home

A Lone Cleric Is Loudly Defying Iran’s Leaders By MICHAEL SLACKMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 22, 2009. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A short midlevel cleric, with a neat white beard and a clergyman’s calm bearing, Mehdi Karroubi has watched from his home in Tehran in recent months as his aides have been arrested, his offices raided, his newspaper shut down. He himself has been threatened with arrest and, indirectly, the death penalty. His response: bring it on. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/world/middleeast/23karroubi.html?_r=1&hpw

Iran Guard Commanders Are Killed in Bombings By MICHAEL SLACKMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 18, 2009. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — At least five commanders of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps were killed and dozens of others left dead and injured in two terrorist bombings in the restive region of the nation’s southeastern frontier with Pakistan, according to multiple Iranian state news agencies. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/world/middleeast/19iran.html?_r=1&emc=na

Washington Post Editorial: Detente on ice - Does an Iran that sentences an innocent American scholar to prison really want 'engagement'? Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, October 22, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102103646.html

Iran Agrees to Draft of Deal on Exporting Nuclear Fuel By DAVID E. SANGER. Copyright by Reuters. Published: October 21, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/middleeast/22nuke.html?ref=global-home

Tehran’s nuclear deal deadline extended - US, Russia and France back IAEA-draft proposal By Daniel Dombey in Washington, Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran and James Blitz in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 24 2009 00:29 | Last updated: October 24 2009 00:29. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/tehrans-nuclear-deal-deadline-extended.html

Iran Defers on Nuclear Deal, Proposing Alternative. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: October 23, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/world/middleeast/24nuke.html?ref=global-home

Pakistan Said to Seize Taliban Town. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: October 24, 2009. ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Soldiers captured the strategically located hometown of Pakistan's Taliban chief Saturday after fierce fighting, officials said, the army's first major prize as it pushes deeper into a militant stronghold along the Afghan border. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/24/world/AP-AS-Pakistan.html?ref=global-home

Pakistan Air Force Site Is Bombed By JANE PERLEZ. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 23, 2009. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A suicide bombing at Pakistan’s premier aeronautical manufacturing complex killed seven people on Friday morning, the ninth attack on major government installations this month. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/world/asia/24pstan.html?ref=global-home

Pakistani Brigadier Is Assassinated By JANE PERLEZ and SALMAN MASOOD. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 22, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/world/asia/23pstan.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Mr. Karzai Relents. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 20, 2009. Before Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, acceded to a runoff election on Tuesday, you could almost hear his arm being twisted. And it took a lot of top-level talent to do it. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain and the French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, all insisted that Mr. Karzai accept an international audit that found that nearly one-third of his first-round votes were stolen — driving his final count to below 50 percent. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/opinion/21wed1.html?th&emc=th

Financial Times Editorial Opinion: Voting twice in Afghanistan. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 20 2009 19:56 | Last updated: October 20 2009 19:56. The decision to call a second round of elections in Afghanistan, reluctantly accepted by President Hamid Karzai, was all but inevitable once it was clear the first round was seriously flawed by ballot-rigging. But it is still a high-risk strategy, and a huge logistical challenge, in the effort to produce a central government that will be seen as legitimate both inside and outside the country. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/financial-times-editorial-opinion.html

NATO Defense Ministers Endorse Wider Afghan Effort By THOM SHANKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 23, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/world/europe/24nato.html?ref=global-home

A Rope and a Prayer By DAVID ROHDE. The articles are based on Mr. Rohde’s recollections and, where possible, records kept by his family and colleagues. For safety reasons, certain names and details have been withheld. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 21, 2009. I STOOD in the bathroom of the Taliban compound and waited for my colleague to appear in the courtyard so we could make our escape. My heart pounded. A three-foot-tall swamp cooler — an antiquated version of an air-conditioner — roared in the yard a few feet in front of me. I feared that the guards who were holding us hostage might wake up and stop us. I feared even more that our captivity would drag on for years. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/asia/22hostage.html?scp=1&sq=A%20Rope%20and%20a%20Prayer%20&st=cse

Deadlock Over Election Law in Iraq By ROD NORDLAND. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 21, 2009. BAGHDAD— The Iraqi Parliament failed again Wednesday to enact an election law, saying it had reached a stalemate. The deadlock increased the pressure to delay Iraq’s national elections, which in turn might slow down the American withdrawal from the country. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/middleeast/22iraq.html?ref=global-home



National


New York Times Editorial: A Bit of Bipartisanship. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 17, 2009. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, who has long resisted climate change legislation, has joined the ranks of those pushing for a bipartisan agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. We welcome his change of heart. Mr. Graham has sensibly decided that it helps neither the planet, the country nor his party to block efforts to solve the problem of global warming. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18sun2.html?th&emc=th

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Detainee Case. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: October 20, 2009. WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will hear a new case about the rights of Guantanamo detainees, this time involving prisoners who remain in custody even after the Pentagon determines they're not a threat to the United States. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/20/us/AP-US-Supreme-Court-Guantanamo-Detainees.html?ref=global-home

New York Times Editorial: How to Waste Money and Ruin the Census. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 19, 2009. With the start of the 2010 census just a few months away, Senator David Vitter, a Republican of Louisiana, wants to cut off financing for the count unless the survey includes a question asking if the respondent is a United States citizen. Aides say he plans to submit an amendment to the census appropriation bill soon. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/opinion/20tue1.html?th&emc=th

California in $200m State Street legal action By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 21 2009 00:57 | Last updated: October 21 2009 00:57. California has launched a $200m legal action against State Street, accusing the institutional money manager of committing “unconscionable fraud” against Calpers and Calstrs, the largest US pension funds. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/california-in-200m-state-street-legal.html

U.S. Arrests Hundreds in Raids on Drug Cartel By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 22, 2009. HOUSTON — Staging raids in 19 states, the Justice Department struck this week at one of Mexico’s most ruthless drug-trafficking organizations, a cultlike group known as La Familia Michoacana and notorious for beheading its enemies. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/us/23bust.html?scp=1&sq=u%20s%20arrests%20hundreds%20on%20drug%20cartel&st=cse

Experts Puzzle Over How Flight Overshot Airport By MATTHEW L. WALD and LIZ ROBBINS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 23, 2009. WASHINGTON — Federal investigators intensified their efforts on Friday to figure out why a commercial jet plane carrying 144 passengers and five crew members over the northern plains of the United States on Wednesday night overshot its destination by 150 miles. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/us/24plane.html?ref=global-home

Calling Story of Boy and Balloon a Hoax, Sheriff Seeks Felony Charges By BRIAN STELTER. Copyright by Reuters. Published: October 18, 2009. A story that transfixed millions of television viewers last week — about a child aboard a spaceshiplike balloon as it floated uncontrollably across the Colorado landscape — was concocted by the boy’s parents to gain publicity, law enforcement officials said Sunday. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/us/19balloon.html?th&emc=th



Health Care


In Shift, Cancer Society Has Concerns on Screenings By GINA KOLATA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 20, 2009. The American Cancer Society, which has long been a staunch defender of most cancer screening, is now saying that the benefits of detecting many cancers, especially breast and prostate, have been overstated. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/health/21cancer.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Good Sense on Medical Marijuana. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 20, 2009. The federal government should not be harassing sick people and their caregivers. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has made the right decision, calling off prosecutions of patients who use marijuana for medical purposes or those who distribute it to them — provided they comply with state laws. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/opinion/21wed4.html?th&emc=th

Obama Declares Swine Flu a National Emergency. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: October 24, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/24/health/AP-US-Obama-Swine-Flu.html?_r=1&ref=global-home


Health Care Reform

Public option gains support By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, October 20, 2009. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101902451.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

House Democrats' desired health bill would cost $871 billion By Lori Montgomery. Copyright by The Washington Post. October 21, 2009; 6:00 AM ET http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/10/house_democrats_desired_health.html?wpisrc=newsletter

States 'opting out' is a healthcare option - Letting states decline a government insurance plan could help unify congressional Democrats, says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. By Noam N. Levey and James Oliphant. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. October 24, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-health-public-option24-2009oct24,0,1307364.story

Let Me Pose This Important Hypothetical Question To You By Greg Arious. Copyright by Salon.com. OCTOBER 13, 2009 7:09PM. So let me ask you a question. How much do you pay for your health care coverage each month? Do you pay more than $42.00 per month for you and your family? I'm betting no one is saying no. Do you have an attending physician at your work place available at your beckon call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? I didn't think so. If you need to have any test, x-ray, surgical procedure and/or medication do you get it without paying any form of deductible or out of pocket expense? Again, I didn't think so. http://open.salon.com/blog/kind_of_blue/2009/10/13/let_me_pose_this_important_hypothetical_question_to_you



GOP Bashing


2 South Carolina Republicans Apologize for Reference to Jews By ROBBIE BROWN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 20, 2009. Two Republican county chairmen in South Carolina have apologized for a newspaper op-ed article that stereotyped Jews as financial penny pinchers. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/us/21carolina.html?th&emc=th

Limbaugh's "colorblind" history of racially charged comments. Copyright by Media Matters for America. October 13, 2009 5:18 pm ET http://mediamatters.org/research/200910130049

Cheney: Obama 'dithering' on Afghanistan by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor. Copyright by Boston.com. October 22, 2009 03:16 PM. The war of words over foreign policy is back on between former Vice President Dick Cheney and the Obama administration. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/10/cheney_obama_di.html

Rift between Obama and Chamber of Commerce widening - Health-care reform and economy are points of contention By Michael D. Shear. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, October 20, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101902176.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

Financial Times Editorial Comment: The White House versus Fox News. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 22 2009 20:21 | Last updated: October 22 2009 20:21. The White House has lately assaulted its critics at Fox News – one of the most popular and exuberantly conservative cable news channels. Any media outlet is reluctant to draw attention to another, so the controversy took a while to build, but the fight has now become a matter for debate. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/financial-times-editorial-comment-white.html

Behind the War Between White House and Fox By JIM RUTENBERG. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 22, 2009. WASHINGTON — Late last month, the senior White House adviser David Axelrod and Roger Ailes, chairman and chief executive of Fox News, met in an empty Palm steakhouse before it opened for the day, neutral ground secured for a secret tête-à-tête. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/us/politics/23fox.html?th&emc=th

Attention, Sarah Palin bashers: Lookalike book 'Going Rouge' is coming! by Thom Geier. Copyright by Shelf Life.com. Oct 21 2009 09:05 AM ET. Sarah-Palin-books_lWe know that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin can hunt, and even field-dress a moose, but how will she take to poachers on her book sales? Start-up publisher OR Books has announced plans to publish Going Rouge: Sarah Palin An American Nightmare, a collection of essays about the maverick Republican with a title — and cover design — remarkably similar to Palin’s upcoming memoir. What’s more, OR’s paperback tome will be released on Nov. 17, the same day that Palin’s own Going Rogue: An American Life hits shelves — and one day after Palin’s just-announced, first-ever appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s show. http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/10/21/going-rouge-palin-basher-lookalike/



Immigration


VIEWS Gutierrez: Do the right thing by Tracy Baim. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2009-10-21....Now Gutierrez is an important U.S. representative, and is sometimes asked to work on gay-related issues. Immigration is one of those issues that our community often forgets is very gayrelated— not just because there are many LGBT immigrants, some fleeing anti-gay countries. It's also because of the discriminatory impact of U.S. marriage laws; the federal government does not recognize same-sex unions when it comes to binational LGBT couples. This leaves many LGBT couples and families divided by national borders. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=23225




Chicagoland


Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Budget crisis shows need for tax reform. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. October 19, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1832358,CST-EDT-edit19.article

Chicago Tribune Editorial: The revolution of 2010. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 25, 2009. Some people eager to open presents scribble daily X's on the calendar as their birthdays approach. Not us. Since mid-2008, we've instead been marking the passage of time until the Feb. 2 Illinois primary. And now, voters, this is it: Your state is a fast 100-day campaign from the election in which you can start to reclaim your governments from political abuse and neglect. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-1025edit1oct25,0,2682341.story

Surprise Hurdle for Illinois Front-Runner - Man Obama Once Called 'Outstanding' Faces White House Resistance in Senate Bid By Peter Slevin. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, October 18, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/17/AR2009101701427.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

Lon Monk, former top Blagojevich aide, pleads guilty BY NATASHA KORECKI nkorecki@suntimes.com. Copyright By The Chicago Sun-Times. October 20, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1835110,lon-monk-blagojevich-guilty-102009.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Stroger: Don't mess with health success. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. October 21, 2009. When politicians inject themselves into health care, bad things can happen. Look no further than Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's efforts to trim the sails of the independently run Cook County health-care system board. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1836094,CST-EDT-edit21a.article

Uptown neighbors stand up against gangs -- literally - 'Positive loitering' at Leland Avenue and Sheridan Road By Erika Slife. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 20, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-uptown-community-responseoct20,0,7755583.story

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Daley in denial. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 22, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-1022edit1oct22,0,6451544.story

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Daley is right to tap reserve fund for 2010. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. October 22, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1839342,CST-EDT-edit22.article

U. of I. Chancellor Herman resigns, will join faculty By Jodi S. Cohen and Stacy St. Clair. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 20, 2009 11:53 AM http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/10/university-of-illinois-richard-herman-resignation-clout-admissions-urbana-champaign.html

Five Chicago assets that could be sold off next - After peddling the Skyway, parking meters, Daley could look up -- or down BY FRAN SPIELMAN. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. October 23, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1841188,CST-NWS-selloff23.article

Deal closed on old Chicago post office - Original bidder strikes a better deal for old Chicago post office By Melissa Harris. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 3:04 p.m. CDT, October 21, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-old-chicago-post-office-oct21,0,4971871.story





Economy


Basic Medicare Premium to Rise 15% Next Year By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 19, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/health/policy/20health.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Obama Announces Small-Business Lending Push By ROBB MANDELBAUM. Copyright by The new York Times. Published: October 21, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/business/smallbusiness/22small.html?th&emc=th

Fed chief warns banks on capital - Big banks may face stricter requirements By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 23 2009 18:17 | Last updated: October 23 2009 18:17. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/fed-chief-warns-banks-on-capital-big.html

Bernanke Urges Overhaul of Financial Regulatory System. Copyright By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Published: October 23, 2009. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, prodded Congress on Friday to enact legislation overhauling the nation’s financial regulatory system to prevent a repeat of the banking and credit debacles that thrust the country into crisis. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/business/economy/24fed.html?hpw

U.S. to Order Steep Pay Cuts at Firms That Got Most Aid By STEPHEN LABATON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 21, 2009. WASHINGTON — Responding to the growing furor over the paychecks of executives at companies that received billions of dollars in federal bailouts, the Obama administration will order the companies that received the most aid to deeply slash the compensation to their highest paid executives, an official involved in the decision said on Wednesday. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/business/22pay.html?hp

Feinberg reluctant to revoke contracts By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 20 2009 17:21 | Last updated: October 20 2009 17:21. Kenneth Feinberg, the Obama administration’s special master on pay, on Tuesday said he was struggling with an “incredible gap, the chasm between Wall Street perceptions and Main Street perceptions”. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/feinberg-reluctant-to-revoke-contracts.html

US jobless claims climb more than projected - Labour market recovery continues to stagger By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 22 2009 14:21 | Last updated: October 22 2009 14:21. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/us-jobless-claims-climb-more-than.html

New York Times Editorial: Credit Card Chicanery. Copyright by The New York Times Published: October 22, 2009. Congress blundered badly when it gave the credit card industry as long as 15 months to phase out the deceptive and predatory practices that were outlawed in a new law enacted in May. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/opinion/23fri3.html?scp=1&sq=New%20York%20Times%20Editorial:%20Credit%20Card%20Chicanery&st=cse

CHECKING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS By Roger McCaffrey-Boss. Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine and Roger McCaffrey-Boss. October 20, 2009 http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com/advice/legallyspeaking.shtml

Goldman should be allowed to fail By John Gapper. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 21 2009 22:09 | Last updated: October 21 2009 22:09. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/goldman-should-be-allowed-to-fail.html

Arrest of Hedge Fund Chief Unsettles the Industry By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED and ZACHERY KOUWE. Copyright by Bloomberg News. Published: October 18, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/business/19insider.html?ref=global-home

Galleon’s reach - Case causes shock far beyond the financial world By John Gapper. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 23 2009 20:38 | Last updated: October 23 2009 20:38. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/galleons-reach-case-causes-shock-far.html

Galleon Hedge Fund Tries to Stem Withdrawals By ZACHERY KOUWE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 19, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/business/20hedge.html?adxnnl=1&ref=global-home&adxnnlx=1256058215-JoDz9awXe9VFP3FqZILOOQ

First Dupage Bank of Westmont closed by state and U.S. Regulators By Becky Yerak. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 24, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-first-dupage-oct23-,0,6745724.story

Morgan Stanley reports $757m profit - Bank’s revenues jump to $8.7bn By Greg Farrell in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 21 2009 13:42 | Last updated: October 21 2009 13:56. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/morgan-stanley-reports-757m-profit.html

Apple’s Profit Climbs 47% as Sales Gain By BRAD STONE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 19, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/technology/companies/20apple.html?th&emc=th

Yahoo’s Profit Triples Despite Sales Decline By MIGUEL HELFT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 20, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/technology/companies/21yahoo.html?th&emc=th

Microsoft Beats Profit Forecast By SAUL HANSELL and JACK HEALY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 23, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/business/24soft.html?th&emc=th

AT&T’s profits boosted by iPhone demand - Record wireless gains help company beat estimates By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 22 2009 13:25 | Last updated: October 22 2009 15:52. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/at-profits-boosted-by-iphone-demand.html

Caterpillar plans for quick economic rebound - Manufacturing bellwether beats analysts’ estimates By Hal Weitzman in Chicago. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 20 2009 14:05 | Last updated: October 20 2009 14:05. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/caterpillar-plans-for-quick-economic.html

Boeing loses $1.5bn as delays take toll - Aircraft maker lowers earnings outlook By Justin Baer in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 21 2009 13:48 | Last updated: October 21 2009 13:48. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/boeing-loses-15bn-as-delays-take-toll.html

Citigroup might lose Mexican subsidiary - US bank’s state aid places Banamex in breach of national law By Adam Thomson in Mexico City. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 18 2009 20:02 | Last updated: October 19 2009 00:42. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/citigroup-might-lose-mexican-subsidiary.html



Housing


US home resales hit 2-year high - Buyers move before tax credit expires By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 23 2009 16:16 | Last updated: October 23 2009 16:16. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/us-home-resales-hit-2-year-high-buyers.html

Chicago-area home sales increase in September By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 9:18 a.m. CDT, October 23, 2009. Does three months make it a trend that will stick? http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-home-sales-chicago-1023-,0,6883759.story

More condos on the block in South Loop By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 21, 2009. The developer of Michigan Avenue Tower II on Wednesday will announce plans to auction 40 of the remaining 97 units in the 257-unit building at 1400 S. Michigan Ave. on Nov. 15, in the hope of sparking new interest and more realistic prices in the South Loop. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-condo-auction-oct21,0,7112657.story

Chicago property tax: Bigger bills headed this way - Cook County suburbs set to see increases too By Bob Secter. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. October 21, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-cook-county-taxesoct21,0,5535095.story


Commodities


Dollar gains respite in weak equity market - Currency recovers from a 14-month low By Peter Garnham. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: October 22 2009 10:42 | Last updated: October 22 2009 10:42. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/dollar-gains-respite-in-weak-equity.html

In Dollar’s Fall, Upside for U.S. Exports By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 18, 2009. PARIS — As economists, pundits and politicians debate the reasons for the dollar’s rapid fall, Robert Stevenson and his workers in downtown Buffalo, N.Y., watch the slide with glee. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/business/global/19dollar.html?hpw




GLBT


Manifesto! The Time Has Come! Powerful statement from John Shelby Spong, who was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2001. Copyright by John Shelby Spong. Thursday October 15, 2009. I have made a decision. I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is “an abomination to God,” about how homosexuality is a “chosen lifestyle,” or about how through prayer and “spiritual counseling” homosexual persons can be “cured.” Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy. I will no longer dignify by listening to the thoughts of those who advocate “reparative therapy,” as if homosexual persons are somehow broken and need to be repaired. http://heysonnie.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/manifesto-the-time-has-come/

Senate passes measure that would protect gays - Obama is expected to sign legislation on hate crimes By Ben Pershing. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, October 23, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/22/AR2009102204689.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

Commentary: A 'congressional spouse' breaks barriers By Jared Polis. Copyright by CNN News. October 18, 2009. ditor's note: Democratic Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, the first openly gay man elected to the House as a freshman, is one of the subjects of the CNN.com series "Freshman Year," in which Polis and new Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, provide firsthand reports of political life. Here, Polis' partner, Marlon Reis, talks about the challenges and coping strategies of his own freshman year as a "congressional spouse" not usually encountered in Washington. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/15/polis.congressional.spouse/index.html

LGBT Chicagoans reflect on National Equality March by Joseph Erbentraut. Copyright by The EDGE. Wednesday Oct 21, 2009 http://www.edgechicago.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=97939

Joe Laiacona takes on Deb Mell by Andrew Davis. Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2009-10-21. Joe Laiacona is taking on incumbent state Rep. Deb Mell in what is shaping up to a very intriguing race in the state's 40th District. Does Laiacona realize the magnitude of the task before him? Absolutely. Is he intimidated? Hardly. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=23220

Louisiana Story By Jennifer Vanasco. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. October 21, 2009. Let me tell you a story. A Louisiana couple goes to a justice of the peace. They love each other. They want to get married. The justice of the peace, though, denies them a marriage license. He says society doesn’t accept those kind of marriages. He doubts, he says, that the couple will be together long. He says, “My main concern is for the children.” He says, “I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves.” He says, “In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.” He says, “I try to treat everyone equally.” http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/4008


Technology


In Lawsuit, Nokia Says iPhone Infringes Its Patents By SAUL HANSELL and KEVIN J. O’BRIEN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 22, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/technology/companies/23nokia.html?th&emc=th

A New Electronic Reader, the Nook, Enters the Market By MOTOKO RICH. Copyright by Reuters. Published: October 20, 2009. As widely expected, Barnes & Noble unveiled its Nook electronic reading device at a splashy news conference on Tuesday to generally positive views from the publishing community, and offered some details about its whispered-about lending capabilities. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/technology/21nook.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1256137292-WnbFSbxTMYmySdrZeXm6aA

Windows 7 Keeps the Good, Tries to Fix Flaws By DAVID POGUE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 21, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/personaltech/22pogue.html?th&emc=th

Facebook and Google Expected to Offer Music By BRAD STONE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 21, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/internet/22google.html?th&emc=th

2 Deals Hint at Revenue for Twitter By MIGUEL HELFT and CLAIRE CAIN MILLER. Copyright by Reuters. Published: October 21, 2009. SAN FRANCISCO — Twitter gets 55 million monthly visitors, it has raised $155 million in venture capital, and it has generated intense interest from Hollywood to Iran. But it hasn’t earned much revenue and certainly no profit. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/technology/internet/22twitter.html?th&emc=th


Religion


Pope Sets Plan for Disaffected Anglicans to Join Catholics By RACHEL DONADIO and LAURIE GOODSTEIN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 20, 2009. VATICAN CITY — In an extraordinary bid to lure traditionalist Anglicans en masse, the Vatican on Tuesday announced that it would make it easier for Anglicans who are uncomfortable with their church’s acceptance of women priests and openly gay bishops to join the Roman Catholic Church. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/world/europe/21pope.html?ref=global-home

Offer Raises Idea of Marriage for Catholic Priests By RACHEL DONADIO. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: October 21, 2009. ROME — In making it easier for traditionalist Anglicans to become Catholic, Pope Benedict XVI once again revealed the character of his papacy: to reach out to the most fervent of like-minded believers, even if they are not Catholic. Yet some observers wonder whether his move could paradoxically liberalize the church — or at least wedge it open — on a crucial issue: celibacy. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/22church.html?th&emc=th

Bankruptcy filing delays church sex abuse case By RANDALL CHASE. Copyright by The Associated Press. October 19, 2009. A bankruptcy filing by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington was the best way to ensure reconciliation and compensation for all victims of clergy sexual abuse in the diocese, the bishop said Monday. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010092028_apussexabusebankruptcy.html?syndication=rss


Other

Site Lets Investors See and Copy Experts’ Trades By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 19, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/technology/start-ups/19kaching.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Losing Out After Winning an Online Auction By ALINA TUGEND. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: October 23, 2009. I’VE ventured into the world of online auctions only about a half-dozen times, so I’m pretty much an amateur. But it has been mostly a successful experience: I felt the thrill of outbidding and winning, and my items arrived on time and in good shape. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/technology/24shortcuts.html?th&emc=th

Miss California USA sued over breast implant money By Alan Duke. Copyright by CNN News. Tue October 20, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/10/20/miss.california.usa.suit/index.html



Humor


Quotes http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/quotes.html

Questions About Childbirth http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/questions-about-childbirth.html

No More Headaches http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/no-more-headaches.html

Plain Geometry - A Tribute to William Lutwidge Dodgson http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/10/plain-geometry-tribute-to-william.html

Piano stairs - TheFunTheory.com - Rolighetsteorin.se http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw




It has come to my attention that you can only read 2 articles per month at the Financial Times if you haven't registered. If you would like to read more of the articles for free, simply sign up for the free account and you can read 10 articles per month. That should be enough. I'll try to keep the FT links to a minimum. - I used a link that will open the Financial Times articles this week. CTM

Ps. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, just go to my website: www.carlostmock.com and go the the subscription link. It will appear in your email every week.



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
Author: Cuba Libre, “Mentirita” To be released late September 2009 by Floricanto Press