New world Currency Newsletter - March 28, 2009

New world Currency Newsletter - March 28, 2009

Chances are the movements of the euro as against the dollar will be relatively moderate.
Robert C. Solomon

China calls for new reserve currency to replace dollar By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 23 2009 12:16 | Last updated: March 23 2009 14:22.  China’s central bank on Monday proposed replacing the US dollar as the international reserve currency with a new global system controlled by the International Monetary Fund.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7851925a-17a2-11de-8c9d-0000779fd2ac.html



International

Japan prepares interception missiles © Reuters Limited.  March 27, 2009.  TOKYO, March 27 – Japan on Friday ordered its military to prepare to intercept any dangerous debris that might fall on its territory if a missile launch planned by Pyongyang goes wrong.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/93ee9180-1a76-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Washington Post Editorial: Bad Example - Mexico's justified retaliation against U.S. trucking protectionism.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Monday, March 23, 2009; Page A14.  AS PRESIDENT Obama and many of his supporters articulated it during the 2008 campaign, the case against President George W. Bush's foreign policy emphasized his highhanded treatment of countries with which we disagree. Too often going it alone in pursuit of asserted national interests, the United States under Mr. Bush showed contempt for international law, which alienated existing friends and repelled potential new ones. The new president has made a number of gestures toward correcting America's standing in the world. But on at least one occasion he and his party have acted as if the only thing that matters is what's good for the United States -- or, rather, certain people in the United States.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/22/AR2009032201456.html

World Economic Woes

Eurozone businesses report rosier outlook By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 24 2009 11:15 | Last updated: March 24 2009 11:15  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae67a19a-1860-11de-bec8-0000779fd2ac.html

EU leader condemns US ‘road to hell’ By Tony Barber in Brussels and Edward Luce in Washington.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 20:00 | Last updated: March 26 2009 00:12.  European Union hopes for a new era in relations with the US were thrown into chaos on Wednesday when the holder of the EU presidency condemned American remedies for the global recession as “the road to hell”.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1d3fa8fa-1975-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

Aided by Safety Nets, Europe Resists Stimulus Push By NICHOLAS KULISH.  Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 26, 2009  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/world/europe/27germany.html?_r=1&hp

Europe needs a better plan for its banks By Wolfgang Münchau.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 22 2009 18:08 | Last updated: March 22 2009 18:08  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/95c99be4-170b-11de-9a72-0000779fd2ac.html

Two European banks report good start to '09 Copyright by Reuters.  Published: March 24, 2009.  LONDON: Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse Group said Tuesday that 2009 had started well after they posted losses last year and cut the compensation of their chief executive officers by about 90 percent http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/24/business/banks.php

Barclays stress test signals no new funds By George Parker and Jane Croft.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 26 2009 23:30 | Last updated: March 27 2009 11:23  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/52f0ac48-1a4b-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Irish economy plunges deeper into recession © Reuters Limited.  March 26, 2009  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/97dc768a-1a04-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Czech currency falls on vote against PM By Jan Cienski in Warsaw and Nikki Tait in Strasbourg.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 24 2009 22:41 | Last updated: March 25 2009 14:46.  The Czech koruna lost ground on Wednesday after the country’s government collapsed after losing a vote of confidence over its handling of the economic crisis. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/993d26b0-18c3-11de-bec8-0000779fd2ac.html

Sweden says no to saving Saab By Sarah Lyall.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 23, 2009  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/23/europe/23saab.php

Japan suffers record export drop By Mure Dickie in Tokyo.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 03:15 | Last updated: March 25 2009 14:02  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/36020dd2-18ea-11de-bec8-0000779fd2ac.html




China


U.S. sees Chinese military rise By Thom Shanker.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 26, 2009.  WASHINGTON: China is seeking technology and weapons to disrupt the traditional advantages of American forces, and secrecy surrounding its military creates the potential for miscalculation on both sides, according to a Pentagon study released Wednesday  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/26/news/27military.php

Beijing’s naval harassment rouses US By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington and Kathrin Hille in Beijing.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25, 2009 18:37 | Last updated: March 26 2009 03:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/38043386-196b-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html.



Mess-o-potamia

Financial Times Editorial: Obama strikes new tone with Tehran Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 22 2009 19:01 | Last updated: March 22 2009 19:01  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/617f1fb4-1713-11de-9a72-0000779fd2ac.html

Iran to attend Afghan meet © Reuters Limited.  March 26, 2009.  Tehran, March 26 - Iran said on Thursday it would attend a UN conference on the future of Afghanistan which was proposed by Tehran’s old foe the United States and called for a regional solution to the ”crisis”.   http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/58ee194a-19fc-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Washington Post Editorial: The Price of Realism - President Obama's plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan is ambitious and expensive. It is also hard-headed.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Saturday, March 28, 2009; Page A12.  THE STRATEGY for Afghanistan and Pakistan announced by President Obama yesterday is conservative as well as bold. It is conservative because Mr. Obama chose to embrace many of the recommendations of U.S. military commanders and the Bush administration, based on the hard lessons of seven years of war. Yet it is bold -- and politically brave -- because, at a time of economic crisis and war-weariness at home, Mr. Obama is ordering not just a major increase in U.S. troops, but also an ambitious effort at nation-building in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. He is right to do it.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032702716.html

Ultimate exit strategy By Karl F. Inderfurth and James Dobbins.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 26, 2009.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the upcoming high-level conference on Afghanistan at The Hague as a "big-tent meeting, with all the parties who have a stake and an interest in Afghanistan." With the situation in that country growing more precarious by the day, those attending this meeting must also think big.  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/26/opinion/edinderfurth.php

US to take fight to Pakistan border area By Demetri Sevastopulo, Daniel Dombey and Andrew Ward in Washington.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 27 2009 15:18 | Last updated: March 27 2009 23:23.  President Barack Obama on Friday unveiled a new strategy for Afghanistan that shifts the focus to defeating al-Qaeda and Taliban militants operating from neighbouring Pakistan. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/684a386a-1ae2-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html

Afghan Strikes by Taliban Get Pakistan Help, U.S. Aides Say  By MARK MAZZETTI and ERIC SCHMITT.  Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 25, 2009.  WASHINGTON — The Taliban’s widening campaign in southern Afghanistan is made possible in part by direct support from operatives in Pakistan’s military intelligence agency, despite Pakistani government promises to sever ties to militant groups fighting in Afghanistan, according to American government officials. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/world/asia/26tribal.html?_r=1&hp

Pakistani and Afghan Taliban Unify in Face of U.S. Influx  By CARLOTTA GALL.  Copyright by tHe New York Times.  Published: March 26, 2009  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/world/asia/27taliban.html?hp

Suicide bomber kills 45 in Pakistan By Pir Zubair Shah and Alan Cowell.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 27, 2009  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/27/asia/28pstan.php

Bombings in Iraq Hit Two Dangerous Regions By Anthony Shadid and K.I. Ibrahim.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Monday, March 23, 2009; 2:44 PM.  BAGHDAD, March 23 -- Blasts hit in two of Iraq's most dangerous regions Monday, killing as many as 34 people, in the third day of devastating attacks this month. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032300392.html?hpid=topnews




National

Obama takes a different approach as commander in chief By Sheryl Gay Stolberg . Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 23, 2009.  WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama rarely, if ever, uses the phrase "war on terror." Like presidents before him, he has a top-secret intelligence briefing every day, yet it is not necessarily first on his schedule. And when he sent 17,000 troops to Afghanistan, he announced the news in a written statement, not a public address.  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/23/america/chief.php

Our foundering father Our foundering father By Kathleen Parker.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 23, 2009.   WASHINGTON—What a relief to hear Barack Obama tell a California audience the other day: "I am the president of the United States of America."  Who knew?!  Lately, it's been hard to tell whether Obama himself knows he is the leader of the country formerly known as The Most Powerful Nation on Earth. Obama's self-identification centered around the American International Group's bonus problem, which, Obama reminded us, he did not create, but . . . "the buck stops here."  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0323parkermar23,0,7018407.column

Washington Post Editorial: Mr. Geithner's Plan - There are no guarantees, but what he's come up with to deal with banks' toxic assets is worth a try. Copyright by The Washington Post.  Tuesday, March 24, 2009; Page A12 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302794.html

Geithner lays out new financial rules By Tom Braithwaite in Washington.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 26 2009 14:36 | Last updated: March 26 2009 14:52  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9d8a6dd2-1a11-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Geithner ‘power grab’ could worry creditors By Tom Braithwaite in Washington and Joanna Chung in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 20:35 | Last updated: March 25 2009 20:35  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a6c2516c-197b-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

Bank chiefs hold peace talks with Obama By Andrew Ward and Tom Braithwaite in Washington and Francesco Guerrera in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 27 2009 17:58 | Last updated: March 27 2009 17:58.  Top bank chief executives held peace talks with President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday as the administration sought to soothe tensions over lavish Wall Street bonus payments. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e7f61650-1af7-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html

Obama fills key Treasury posts © Reuters Limited. March 23, 2009.  WASHINGTON, March 23 – President Barack Obama Monday moved to fill the leadership vacuum at the Treasury department, tapping former Treasury official Neal S. Wolin as Secretary Timothy Geithner’s number two and former White House aide Lael Brainard for the top international job. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e6cc5096-1813-11de-8c9d-0000779fd2ac.html

Chicago Tribune Editorial: A democratic Senate Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 22, 2009.   U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) thinks the nation's highest democratically elected body ought to be exactly that—democratically elected. At the moment, it's only partly so. Four of the Senate's 100 members, representing 12 percent of voting Americans, got there without the approval of those voters. Feingold wants to keep that from occurring again with a constitutional amendment requiring that vacancies be filled by election, not by gubernatorial appointment. "I think of it as a right-to-vote issue," he told The New York Times.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0322edit2mar22,0,781788.story

Obama answers seven of 90,000 Web questions By John D. Sutter.  Copyright by CNN News  http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/26/online.obama/index.html

See the video: http://www.whitehouse.gov/openforquestions/?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUec7PaP3E77K_0c::D3aDhUiacyKUUr

Heartbreaking triage as Fargo battles floods By Monica Davey.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 27, 2009.  FARGO, North Dakota: For some residents in the neighborhoods closest to the fast-rising Red River here, the last-minute announcement by anxious city officials that they would build a second set of dikes to protect the heart of this state's most populous city was anything but soothing. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/27/america/27flood.php

U.S. cities deal with a surge in shanty towns By Jesse Mckinley.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 26, 2009.  FRESNO, Calif.: As the operations manager of a outreach center for the homeless here, Paul Stack is used to seeing people down on their luck. What he had never seen before was people living in tents and lean-tos on the railroad lot across from the center. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/26/america/26tents.php

I.R.S. to offer deal to offshore tax evaders By Lynnley Browning.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 26, 2009  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/26/business/27tax.php

The US Budget Wars

Washington Post Editorial: The Budget Gimmick's Return - Congress deals a blow to 'honest budgeting.' Copyright by The Washington Post.  Thursday, March 26, 2009; Page A20 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/25/AR2009032503061.html

Obama scrambles to defend budget By Andrew Ward and Edward Luce in Washington.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 19:15 | Last updated: March 25 2009 23:12  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f1a60d0c-196e-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

Washington Post Editorial: Red Ink Red Alert - A congressional report should give the president pause. Copyright by The Washington Post.  Sunday, March 22, 2009; Page A18  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/21/AR2009032101761.html

Obama's Campaign Army on Road Again - Volunteers Rally Support for Budget Plan By Peter Slevin and Michael Laris.  Copyright by The Washington Post
Sunday, March 22, 2009; Page A01  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/21/AR2009032102249.html?hpid=topnews



GOP Whacking

UK to investigate Guantánamo torture claim By Megan Murphy.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 26 2009 15:47 | Last updated: March 26 2009 15:47.   Police are to investigate whether British agents were complicit in the alleged torture of former Guantánamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c682092c-1a19-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

New York Times Editorial: Stopping ‘Stop-Loss’ Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 21, 2009.  The men and women who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan have made many sacrifices over the last seven years, including repeated and extended combat deployments. So it is very good news that Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided to phase out the deeply unpopular stop-loss program, which forces soldiers to remain in the military after their enlistments end. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/opinion/22sun2.html?ref=opinion

Shoddy wiring 'everywhere' on Iraq bases, Army inspector says.  From Abbie Boudreau and Scott Bronstein.  Copyright by CNN News. updated 8:57 p.m. EDT, Thu March 26, 2009 WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Thousands of buildings at U.S. bases in Iraq and Afghanistan have such poorly installed wiring that American troops face life-threatening risks, a top inspector for the Army says. These wires installed in Iraq are some of the most important to ensure safety. They all need to be replaced.   http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/03/26/military.electrocutions/index.html  Editorial comment: Thanks Halliburton for a job well done!

Another McCain Throws Down a Challenge By Kathleen Parker.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Wednesday, March 25, 2009; Page A15.  The GOP's identity crisis just got more interesting with the media splash of Meghan McCain, daughter of the senator who did not become president. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/24/AR2009032402465.html

Why a GOP Benefactor Switched Parties By Kathleen Parker.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Sunday, March 29, 2009; Page A11.  Just as news breaks that political fundraising is down for both parties, Republicans have lost one of their more generous contributors.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032702568.html

New York Times Editorial: A Legal Adviser Worthy of the Job.  Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 26, 2009.  In the Bush administration, the Office of Legal Counsel gave a green light to many objectionable policies, from a lawless expansion of executive power to the use of torture. President Obama has nominated Dawn Johnsen to lead the office, but her nomination is being attacked by Republican senators who still prefer the Bush approach. Ms. Johnsen is superbly qualified and has fought for just the sort of change the office needs. The Senate should confirm her without further delay. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/opinion/26thu3.html?_r=1&ref=opinion



Chicagoland

Chicago Parking Meter Revolt... http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/03/chicago-parking-meter-revolt.html

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Private cops can't replace real officers Copyright by the Chicago Sun Times.  March 22, 2009.  There is no substitute for a real police officer. And pretending otherwise is asking for trouble.  That's why a plan forwarded by two South Side aldermen to give private security guards limited police powers is a non-starter. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1488787,CST-EDT-edit22a.article

Sanchez convicted of rigging city hiring By Jeff Coen and Dan Mihalopoulos.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 23, 2009 3:29 PM.  Al Sanchez, the former commissioner of the city's Streets and Sanitation Department in the Daley administration, was convicted this afternoon on charges he rigged city hiring by trading jobs for campaign work. http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/03/al-sanchez-corruption-trial.html

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Who's next? Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 24, 2009.  Another conviction, and another reason for Chicago citizens to ask Mayor Richard Daley why he hasn't cleaned up the corrupt, politics-driven hiring in his administration.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0324edit1mar24,0,1961439.story

How healthy is your Chicago bank? Find out here  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-chicago-banks-html-page,0,3966988.htmlpage




Your Lack of Money

US economy falls 6.3% in fourth quarter By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 26 2009 13:12 | Last updated: March 26 2009 15:29  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a973c12-19fe-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Glimmers of hope for a feeble U.S. Economy By Jack Healy.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 25, 2009  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/25/business/usecon.php

US consumer spending rises in February By Alan Rappeport in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 27 2009 13:21 | Last updated: March 27 2009 14:41.  US consumers upped their spending for the second month running in February as prices rose, but concerns over falling incomes left the savings rate near last month’s 14-year high. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bab4794c-1ad0-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html

US retail investors flee to savings By Deborah Brewster in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 25 2009 23:37 | Last updated: March 25 2009 23:37  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/182e200a-1973-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

BofA plans swift payback of Tarp funds By Greg Farrell and Saskia Scholtes in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 21:01 | Last updated: March 26 2009 00:09  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/989391c4-197a-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

Victims of class warfare By Garrison Keillor.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 18, 2009.  As a member of the board of directors of the American International Group, I am pained by the hailstorm of fecal matter raining on our company for the $450 million in bonuses we are paying out to the traders in credit derivatives after receiving billions from the U.S. Treasury to rescue us from going over the cliff that the derivative traders were driving us toward.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0318keillormar18,0,5921581.column

Nine who got biggest bonuses at A.I.G. pledge to give them back By Mary Williams Walsh and Carl Hulse.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 24, 2009 http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/24/business/bonus.php

GM rethinks survival plan again By Bernard Simon in Toronto and Daniel Schaefer in Frankfurt.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 26 2009 18:59 | Last updated: March 26 2009 18:59.  General Motors is to prepare a third version of the viability plan that forms the basis of US government aid to the ailing carmaker in order to take account of unrelenting weakness in the new vehicle market. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/15942c22-1a36-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Hospira to cut 1,450 jobs, 10% of work force By James P. Miller.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  8:21 AM CDT, March 24, 2009  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-hospira-job-cuts-hsp-march24,0,4608558.story

IBM set to lay off 5,000 in North America By Joseph Menn in San Francisco.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 26 2009 00:21 | Last updated: March 26 2009 00:21  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e70a378a-1999-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

Al Baskin Co.: Owner of Mark Shale stores files for bankruptcy - Out-of-state stores to close; 3 in Chicago area to remain open By Sandra M. Jones.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 24, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue-mark-shale-bankruptcy-mar24,0,1122535.story




Housing

New US home sales spike in February By Alan Rappeport in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 13:24 | Last updated: March 25 2009 14:58  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5125dae4-193f-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

US home resales show surprise rise in February By Alan Rappeport in New York.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 23 2009 15:22 | Last updated: March 23 2009 15:22  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6897af6a-17bc-11de-8c9d-0000779fd2ac.html

Chicago home sales sink 40%, prices fall 27% Illinois' housing market remained deeply troubled in February, with home sales down by 27.8 percent from a year ago. By James P. Miller.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  11:09 AM CDT, March 23, 2009  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-chicago-home-sales-prices-march23,0,6882813.story

Freddie Mac survey says mortgage rates fall to lowest in 38 years after Fed aids market By ALAN ZIBEL. Copyright 2009 Associated Press.  9:47 AM CDT, March 26, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/financing/sns-ap-mortgage-rates,0,1466492.story

 

Commodities

Copper leads rally for commodity markets By Chris Flood.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 23 2009 11:53 | Last updated: March 23 2009 11:53  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/11d37584-179d-11de-8c9d-0000779fd2ac.html

Dollar dips on Geithner’s ‘loose talk’ By Krishna Guha and Tom Braithwaite in Washington and Peter Garnham in London.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 25 2009 14:19 | Last updated: March 25 2009 20:27 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e4c56948-1946-11de-9d34-0000779fd2ac.html

Dollar rises against euro and yen By Miles Johnson and Neil Dennis.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 23 2009 11:32 | Last updated: March 23 2009 14:41  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f6fa1cb2-179d-11de-8c9d-0000779fd2ac.html


GLBT

Portia Apologizes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ9sBkgDRzY

Chicago Free Press Editorial: It’s about time.  Copyright by The Chicago Free Press.  March 25, 2009.  International GLBT communities received good news last week when the Obama administration signed onto a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.  http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3306

Same-sex marriage: At Loyola University, advocates of same-sex marriage find a voice By Mary Schmich.  March 27, 2009.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich-27-mar27,0,5736306.column

Gay rights battle puts strain on parties By Dawn Turner Trice.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 23, 2009.  They've become a familiar sight in gay bars: women holding bachelorette parties. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-trice-23-mar23,0,1502612.column

Gay marriage vs. democracy By Steve Chapman.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 8, 2009.  Response to Steve Chapman  By Carlos T Mock, MD  March 7, 2009.  Copyright by Carlos T Mock, MD http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/03/gay-marriage-vs-democracy-by-steve.html

New documentary challenges gender stereotypes By Amy Wooten.  Copyright by The Chicago Free Press.  March 25, 2009.  A new documentary about the harmful effects of gender stereotypes and homophobia among high school-aged teens that aims to spark dialogue and action is making its Midwest debut.  http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3301

Report: LGBs more likely to be poor by Bob Roehr.  Copyright by The Windy City Times. 2009-03-25.  There are “many reasons to think that LGB people are at least as likely—and perhaps more likely—to experience poverty” than their heterosexual counterparts, according to “Poverty in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community,” the first report ever to look at the subject in depth. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20730

D.C. AIDS activist joins TPAN By Amy Wooten.  Copyright by The Chicago Free Press.  March 25, 2009.  Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) last week announced its new executive director, Bruce Weiss.  http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3298

AFC: Governor's budget proposal hurts HIV services.  Copyright by The Windy City Times.  2009-03-25.  Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a state budget plan that reduces some HIV prevention and care spending by 3 percent, according to a press release from AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) . The plan is part of reforms designed to balance the state's budget without eviscerating essential health and human services. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20747




Immigration

International Herald Tribune Editorial: President Obama flinches on immigration.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 24, 2009.  In a little-noticed act of political faintheartedness, the Obama administration has pulled back from nominating Thomas Saenz, a highly regarded civil-rights lawyer and counsel to the mayor of Los Angeles, to run the Justice Department’s civil rights division. Mr. Saenz, the former top litigator in Los Angeles for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or Maldef, was privately offered the job in January. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/24/opinion/edimmig.php

New York Times Editorial: Border Control.  Copyright by tHe New York Times.  Published: March 28, 2009.  The Obama administration has taken sensible steps to keep Mexico’s vicious drug war from spilling over the border. The homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano, announced that she was sending hundreds more agents and officers to patrol the border region and to work with the authorities in Mexico. She also is bolstering screening technology at border crossings to root out drugs, drug money, guns and violent fugitives. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/opinion/28sat2.html?ref=opinion

Don’t Deport Benita Veliz By LAWRENCE DOWNES.  Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 28, 2009.  A question from the realm of the unanswerable: How will this country be a better place once we force Benita Veliz to leave it?  Ms. Veliz is an illegal immigrant facing deportation, but she is nobody’s idea of a criminal, social undesirable or drain on the public till.  She is a 23-year-old college graduate from San Antonio who works in a church office. She is smart, self-sufficient and hard-working. She is bursting with academic and professional ambitions — dreams that she has set aside because her paths to achieve them have all been closed. Immigration lawyers have told her that she has no hope of avoiding expulsion. She can only postpone it. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/opinion/28sat4.html?ref=opinion





Medical

Microbicide advocates stress options - Researchers hope microbicides are the next step in the fight against HIV/AIDS. By Amy Wooten.  Copyright by The Chicago Free Press.  March 25, 2009  http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3299

Drug prices: Wal-Mart/Caterpillar plan may drive down employer health-care costs - Program with Caterpillar aims to reduce employer health-care costs while increasing traffic to stores By Sandra M. Jones.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 28, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat-wal-mart-pharmacy-mar28,0,1451349.story

Drugs, Guns and a Reality Check By Eugene Robinson.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Friday, March 27, 2009; Page A17.  It's an indictment of our fact-averse political culture that a statement of the blindingly obvious could sound so revolutionary. "Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters on her plane Wednesday as she flew to Mexico for an official visit. "Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border . . . causes the deaths of police, of soldiers and civilians." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/26/AR2009032603115.html

Clinton Says U.S. Feeds Mexico Drug Trade By MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 25, 2009  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/world/americas/26mexico.html?scp=1&sq=hillary%20clinton%20mexico%20drug&st=cse

Clinton: U.S. Drug Policies Failed, Fueled Mexico's Drug War By Mary Beth Sheridan.  Copyright by The Washington Post.  Wednesday, March 25, 2009; 2:51 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/25/AR2009032501034.html?hpid=topnews

What politicians in the US won't tell you about the war on drugs By Carlos T Mock, MD. March 16, 2009.  The unfortunate truth Americans can't deal with is despite tough anti-drug laws, a 2008 survey by The World Health Organization (WHO) shows the U.S. has the highest level of illegal drug use in the world. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-politicians-in-us-wont-tell-you.html

International Herald Tribune Editorial: A green light for medical marijuana.  Copyright by The International Herald Tribune.  Published: March 26, 2009.  
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced last week that the federal government will no longer prosecute dispensers of medical marijuana if they comply with state law. That should bring relief to people who need marijuana for health reasons and free up law enforcement resources for more important work.  http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/26/opinion/edmarijuana.php

New York Times Editorial: Broader Access to Morning-After Pills.  Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 24, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/opinion/25wed2.html?ref=opinion

Amid Abuse of Girls in Brazil, Abortion Debate Flares By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO.  Copyright by The New York Times.  Published: March 27, 2009  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/world/americas/28brazil.html?_r=1&hp

Pet-related injuries? They do happen.  About 86,000 people are hurt each year in accidents involving their pets -- usually by tripping over them, a CDC study says. That figure, however, represents only 1% of injuries from falls.  By Carla Hall.  Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times.  March 27, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-pet-falls27-2009mar27,0,6082292.story

Lancet lashes out at Pope over condoms By John O’Doherty.  Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 27 2009 09:28 | Last updated: March 27 2009 10:01. The Lancet has launched a stinging attack on the Pope for his opposition to the use of condoms, branding as “outrageous and wildly inaccurate” his argument that the prophylactics serve to increase HIV infection.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/02826b9e-1aa9-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html.  Editorial comment: We know the pope hates Jews, Muslims, and now we learn he's also racist. Telling Africans to stay away from condoms is like telling a child to use gasoline to put out a fire.  Somebody ought to impeach this Nazi clown! CTM






Other

Consider This: NPR Achieves Record Ratings By Paul Farhi.  Copyright by The Washington Post  Tuesday, March 24, 2009; Page C01.  At a time when newspapers, magazines and TV news continue to lose readers and viewers, at least one part of the traditional media has continued to grow robustly: National Public Radio. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302972.html?hpid=topnews

Newspapers fold as readers defect and economy sours By Stephanie Chen.  Copyright by CNN News.  March 23, 2009.  (CNN) -- The Rocky Mountain News, gone. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, gone.  http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/19/newspaper.decline.layoff/index.html

Financial Times Editorial: Catholic tastes Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009.  Published: March 27 2009 22:34 | Last updated: March 27 2009 22:34.  Who would have thought it? The British royal family, it transpires, is not all that keen on absurd anachronisms. Since 1689, royals who wish to accede to the throne have been banned not only from practising Roman Catholicism but also from wedding people who do. But among reforms being discussed by the Queen and the prime minister is a plan to allow British royals to marry Catholics. About time too. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/65c3d728-1b04-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac.html





Humor

If you're jealous of that Blagojevich hair By Bob Hughes.  Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune.  March 22, 2009.  As a 60-year-old bald person, I'd like to say that my joy at the fall of Gov. Rod Blagojevich was righteous, that it rested solely on moral indignation at his betrayal of the people of Illinois. But pleasure of a much creepier sort filled my heart: the spectacle of Big Hair brought low. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-oped0322hairmar22,0,1407190.story

Basset Hound Beat Box  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NBFRNEztSU

Here is the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/03/here-is-washington-posts-mensa.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

Have we hit bottom yet? newsletter March 21, 2009

“The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” The economist John Kenneth Galbraith


Has the Economy Hit Bottom Yet? By VIKAS BAJAJ Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 14, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/weekinreview/15vikas.html?hp

Federal Reserve plan stuns investors By Krishna Guha in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 18:17 | Last updated: March 18 2009 23:40. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday stunned investors by announcing plans to buy $300bn of US government debt, triggering a plunge in bond yields and the dollar. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/15eb2de2-13d8-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

New York Times Editorial: The Fed Does Battle, Again Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 20, 2009. The Federal Reserve’s recent moves to revive the economy are aggressive and, given the deteriorating economy, warranted. But the risks involved must be acknowledged. And more must be done. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/opinion/21sat1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Bernanke fears lack of will to end crisis. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune and Reuters. Published: March 16, 2009. WASHINGTON: The U.S. recession could last most of the year, said Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, warning that the biggest risk was that the political will needed to fix the fractured financial system could be lacking. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/16/business/usecon.php

US consumer prices rise in February By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 12:51 | Last updated: March 18 2009 14:38. Prices in the US rose in February for the second consecutive month on the back of rebounding prices for energy, apparel and cars, the labour department said on Wednesday. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc54bbfc-13b0-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

New US jobless claims eased last week By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 19 2009 13:41 | Last updated: March 19 2009 13:41 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e327e668-1489-11de-8cd1-0000779fd2ac.html

US housing starts show surprise surge By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 14:38 | Last updated: March 17 2009 15:57. US residential building showed renewed signs of life last month, as falling construction costs lured builders to break ground, offering a glimmer of hope that the real estate slump could be near a bottom. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b50c2ea2-12ee-11de-94bc-0000779fd2ac.html

Geithner faces critical test over bank plan By Edward Luce in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 19:03 | Last updated: March 17 2009 20:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca89a806-1314-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html

US industrial production slides again By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 16 2009 14:11 | Last updated: March 16 2009 14:11 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e69774a6-1233-11de-b816-0000779fd2ac.html

Game theory and GM’s bail-out By Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 18:55 | Last updated: March 17 2009 18:55. As the end of March deadline approaches for General Motors to negotiate one of the most complex financial restructurings in history, clues to the outcome may lie in the pages of game theory textbooks. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/586ee9b6-1323-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html

US plans $5bn in car supplier aid By Tom Braithwaite in Washington, Bernard Simon in Toronto and John Reed in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 19 2009 15:43 | Last updated: March 19 2009 15:43 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c7fb9618-1499-11de-8cd1-0000779fd2ac.html



International

Ending Our Imperial Foreign Policy BY FAREED ZAKARIA. MARCH 15, 2009 10:40 PM. Copyright by The Washington Post and Newsweek. As George W. Bush's term ended, he had few defenders left in the world of foreign policy. Mainstream commentators almost unanimously agreed the Bush years had been marked by arrogance and incompetence. "Mr. Bush's characteristic failing was to apply a black-and-white mind-set to too many gray areas of national security and foreign affairs," The Post editorialized. Even Richard Perle, the neoconservative guru, acknowledged recently that "Bush mostly failed to implement an effective foreign and defense policy." There was hope that President Obama would abandon some of his predecessor's rigid ideological stances. http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/fareed_zakaria/2009/03/americas_imperial_foreign_poli.html

North Korea detains two US journalists By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington and Christian Oliver in Seoul. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 19 2009 13:56 | Last updated: March 19 2009 16:39 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/59e0e534-148a-11de-8cd1-0000779fd2ac.html

World Economic Woes

International Herald Tribune Editorial: Trillions that the world could use. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 16, 2009. Senate investigators estimate that Americans who hide assets in offshore bank accounts are failing to pay about $100 billion a year in taxes. In good times, that’s grossly unfair and bad for the country. In times like these, it should be intolerable. The government not only needs the money, but closing down such tax scams is essential for President Obama’s rescue effort to retain public support and credibility. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/16/opinion/edevasion.php

Paul Krugman: A continent adrift By Paul Krugman. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 16, 2009. MADRID: I'm concerned about Europe. Actually, I'm concerned about the whole world — there are no safe havens from the global economic storm. But the situation in Europe worries me even more than the situation in America. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/16/opinion/edkrugman.php

Eurozone recession to deepen, says IMF By Krishna Guha in Washington, Bertrand Benoit in Berlin and Chris Giles and Daniel Pimlott in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 21:23 | Last updated: March 17 2009 21:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/22984b88-1338-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html

ECB under pressure after Fed move By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 19 2009 18:09 | Last updated: March 19 2009 18:44. The Federal Reserve’s bold action this week to boost the US economy with large-scale purchases of government debt created on Thursday fresh headaches for the European Central Bank, which is eschewing such steps in favour of fighting the economic crisis via eurozone banks. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1aa161c2-14ae-11de-8cd1-0000779fd2ac.html

UK Unemployment soars above 2m By Andrew Taylor, Employment Correspondent. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 09:57 | Last updated: March 18 2009 19:30 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6d85ea4c-13a1-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

Investors cheer Barclays iShares talks By Adam Jones, Lina Saigol and Peter Thal Larsen. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 15 2009 17:06 | Last updated: March 16 2009 16:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24604b68-1181-11de-87b1-0000779fd2ac.html

Kremlin refuses to bail out Russian oligarchs By Catherine Belton and Stefan Wagstyl in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 21 2009 00:57 | Last updated: March 21 2009 00:57 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/242ed6ae-15a6-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html

BoJ ramps up purchase of government bonds By Mure Dickie in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 12:52 | Last updated: March 18 2009 12:52. The Bank of Japan is to increase its purchases of Japanese government bonds by nearly a third, the latest in a series of increasingly assertive measures by the central bank to respond to the pressures created by the global financial crisis and a fierce domestic recession. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/007aeb38-13b9-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

BoJ drafts Y1,000bn of bank loan aid By Lindsay Whipp and Mure Dickie in Tokyo, Krishna Guha in Washington and Daniel Pimlott in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 09:37 | Last updated: March 17 2009 19:29. The Bank of Japan has unveiled a draft plan to provide up to Y1,000bn ($10bn) in subordinated loans to large commercial banks, in the latest radical effort by one of the world’s leading central banks to stem the global economic crisis. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0190e230-12d7-11de-9848-0000779fd2ac.html

Infrastructure deficit chokes India By James Lamont in New Delhi. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 10:55 | Last updated: March 17 2009 16:49. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5f4a0a34-12df-11de-9848-0000779fd2ac.html





China

World Bank cuts China growth forecast By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 05:22 | Last updated: March 18 2009 17:46. The World Bank on Wednesday lowered its economic growth forecast for China this year to 6.5 per cent, down from 7.5 per cent at the end of last November, after huge falls in exports and shrinking private sector investment. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7c3dcc82-137c-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html




Mess-o-potamia


International Herald Tribune Editorial: In Pakistan, a good first step. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 17, 2009. President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan made the right choice on Monday when he agreed to reinstate the independent-minded former Supreme Court justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/17/opinion/edpakistan.php

Zardari to reinstate law chief By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad and Daniel Dombey in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: 16:22 | Last updated: 02:24. Pakistan’s president will reinstate Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary as chief justice of the supreme court, in an attempt to quash a direct challenge to his rule. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e1a8abaa-1179-11de-87b1-0000779fd2ac.html

Mass Demonstration Defies Pakistani Government By JANE PERLEZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 15, 2009. LAHORE, Pakistan — A crackdown by the Pakistani government to prevent a national demonstration and detain the country’s leading opposition figure collapsed on Sunday, and what had been a clash between the police and protesters transformed into a huge antigovernment rally. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/world/asia/16pstan.html?hp

U.S. plan would more than double Afghan forces By Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 19, 2009 http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/19/asia/afghan.php

Bomb kills 4 US soldiers, as Afghan clashes spike in border area with new troops By FISNIK ABRASHI. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 12:55 PM CDT, March 15, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-as-afghanistan,0,4315489.story

What We Don't Know About Iraq By Philip Bennett. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, March 15, 2009; Page B01. What do Iraqis call the war that is now entering its seventh year? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031304300.html

Iraqi alliance signals ‘new political map’ By Anthony Shadid in Baghdad. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 00:59 | Last updated: March 20 2009 00:59. Six weeks after provincial elections, Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s prime minister, has allied himself with an outspoken Sunni leader in several provinces and broached a coalition with a militant, anti-American cleric, suggesting the emergence of a new axis of power in Iraq centred on a strong central government and nationalism. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3adfbf98-14d5-11de-8cd1-0000779fd2ac.html

Obama offers a fresh start to Iran By Daniel Dombey in Washington and agencies. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 05:24 | Last updated: March 20 2009 07:45 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/30eb72fe-150f-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html

Obama and Israeli Leader Make Taped Appeals to Iran By ALAN COWELL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 20, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/world/middleeast/21iran.html?_r=1&hp



National

Seeking Everyman, Obama Does Leno. By ALESSANDRA STANLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 20, 2009. President Obama didn’t look burdened by his office on “The Tonight Show” on Thursday; he seemed bemused. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/arts/television/21watch.html?hp

View the Interview http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/video/clips/president-obama-full-interview-319/1067541/

Obama signals bonus clawback support By Tom Braithwaite in Washington and Greg Farrell in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 19 2009 14:27 | Last updated: March 20 2009 13:59. President Barack Obama on Thursday offered broad support for legislative efforts to claw back bonuses at bailed out financial institutions after the House of Representatives voted to impose a punitive tax on such payments. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/231acf54-1487-11de-8cd1-0000779fd2ac.html

Madoff’s accountant charged with fraud By Joanna Chung in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 16:45 | Last updated: March 18 2009 23:13 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f16b12dc-13d9-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

US Postal Service announces early retirements, management cuts, office closings By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 6:28 AM CDT, March 21, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-postal-cuts,0,2411326.story



GOP Whacking

Washington Post Editorial: The Truth About Torture - An independent panel must ferret out the facts. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, March 17, 2009; Page A14 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031602615.html

Red Cross Described 'Torture' at CIA Jails - Secret Report Implies That U.S. Violated International Law By Joby Warrick, Peter Finn and Julie Tate. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, March 16, 2009; Page A01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/15/AR2009031502724.html?hpid=topnews

Obama Team Derides Cheney's Criticisms - Administration Piqued Over TV Comments By Scott Wilson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, March 17, 2009; Page A02 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031603044.html?wpisrc=newsletter

McCain speaks up for Geithner By Edward Luce and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 21:00 | Last updated: March 20 2009 21:00 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e824394-158d-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html

McCain refuses to attack Obama’s foreign policy By Edward Luce and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 21:27 | Last updated: March 20 2009 21:27 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/26d9927e-1595-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html


Chicagoland

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Finally, a little honesty in Springfield. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. March 19, 2009. Finally, a little honesty in Springfield. In his budget address Wednesday, Gov. Quinn spoke to us as adults. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1485007,CST-EDT-edit19.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Quinn's brave 1st step to fixing state's woes. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. March 16, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1478278,CST-EDT-edit16.article

Parking meter rate hike sparks a rebellion BY CAROL MARIN. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. March 21, 2009. I spent last week staring at parking meters. And wondering if I was witnessing the beginnings of a boycott.. Boycott is probably too strong a term. Quiet rebellion may be more like it. http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1488763,CST-EDT-carol22.article


Your Lack of Money

Following the A.I.G. Money

How the Fed Failed to Tell Obama About The Bonuses By David Cho and Michael D. Shear. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, March 19, 2009; Page A01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031804210.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

AIG chief urges staff to return bonuses By Tom Braithwaite and Andrew Ward in Washington and Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 15:39 | Last updated: March 19 2009 00:09 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca794ce4-13ce-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

International Herald Tribune Editorial: The gift that keeps on giving. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 17, 2009. After four bailouts totaling some $170 billion, the American International Group has finally answered some of the questions about where the money went. Unfortunately, the answers have only succeeded in raising many more questions. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/17/opinion/edaig.php

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Rage at AIG bonus pay-out is no excuse. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 20:22 | Last updated: March 20 2009 20:22. Politicians acting in haste rarely act wisely, least of all when guided by rage. In response to outrage over retention bonuses paid to employees of AIG – the failed insurer, now mostly owned by the government, which has received tens of billions in public support – the US House of Representatives rushed to pass a punitive tax aiming to claw the bonuses back. It would apply to all groups receiving help under the government’s financial stability plan, not just AIG. A similar measure is before the Senate. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/22366be8-157c-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html

Senators push for bonus clawback By Tom Braithwaite and Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 18:16 | Last updated: March 20 2009 23:28 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bdbc541c-157a-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html

Congress seeks to claw back AIG bonuses By Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 17 2009 18:57 | Last updated: March 17 2009 19:48 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9600d072-1315-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html

Obama urges action to stop AIG bonuses By Alan Beattie in Washington and Julie MacIntosh in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 15 2009 19:04 | Last updated: March 16 2009 16:41 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/31bafc52-1192-11de-87b1-0000779fd2ac.html

New York Times Editorial: Following the A.I.G. Money. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 14, 2009. The bailouts of American International Group are also rescues of its trading partners — banks and other financial firms — that would have lost out if the insurer had been allowed to fail. But even after four bailouts between last September and this March, no one knows with certainty who those partners are or how much of the bailout money, now totaling $160 billion, has gone to make them whole. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/opinion/15sun1.html?ref=opinion

At A.I.G., Good Luck Following the Money By GRETCHEN MORGENSON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 14, 2009. WE return this week to the subject of the American International Group, the giant insurer that has received $170 billion in taxpayer guarantees, because the clamor over its rescue continues to grow. Of concern to those on both Capitol Hill and Main Street is the secrecy surrounding the $50 billion funneled to A.I.G.’s counterparties since it nearly collapsed last fall. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/business/15gret.html?hp

A.I.G. Paying $165 Million in Bonuses After Federal Bailout By EDMUND L. ANDREWS and PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 15, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/business/16aig.html?_r=1&hp




Housing

Fed action sends mortgage rates below 5% By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 11:31 AM CDT, March 19, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mortgage-rates-mar19,0,6706728.story



Commodities

Renewed strength of euro threatens economy By Matthew Saltmarsh. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 20, 2009. PARIS: After a brief respite, the euro is gaining strongly against the currencies of its main trading partners, further threatening the Continent's wilting economy. That is adding to pressure on the European Central Bank to enact radical steps similar to those that are weakening the dollar, the pound and the Swiss franc. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/20/business/euro.php

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Mount Midas. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 20 2009 20:25 | Last updated: March 20 2009 20:25. This week, Norway edged past Switzerland in one important respect. The krone, according to analysts, has usurped the franc’s position as the ultimate safe haven. In fact, it was Switzerland’s to lose. The authorities’ overt move to pull down the value of the franc marks a break with a granite-hard past. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/eb44c59e-1580-11de-b9a9-0000779fd2ac.html



GLBT

Washington Post Editorial: Separation Anxiety - Gay couples should be allowed to stay together in the United States. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, March 16, 2009; Page A16. THE UNITING American Families Act would allow gay and lesbian Americans and permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born partners for legal residency in the United States. The bill, introduced last month in the Senate by Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and in the House by Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would add "permanent partner" and "permanent partnership" after the words "spouse" and "marriage" in relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If passed, it would right a gross unfairness. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/15/AR2009031501669.html

Officials: Obama administration to reverse Bush stance on gay rights at UN By MATTHEW LEE. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 10:27 PM CDT, March 17, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-obama-gay-rights,0,6624124.story

Get off the fence on gay rights. Copyright by The Journal of Oak Park. 3/17/2009 10:00:00 PM. That state government has careened to a gear-grinding halt covers many sins even as its utter failures focus our minds on Springfield. Lost in the wreckage are ideas and ideals worth fighting for. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/03/get-off-fence-on-gay-rights.html

What's the legal status of gay marriage efforts?. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 18, 2009. Here are some details on the debate over Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriages in California, and on the current state of civil unions in Illinois: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-gay-marriage-qa-18-mar18,0,4886613.story

Gay marriage vs. democracy By Steve Chapman. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 8, 2009. Response to Steve Chapman By Carlos T Mock, MD March 7, 2009. Copyright by Carlos T Mock, MD http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/03/gay-marriage-vs-democracy-by-steve.html

GLBT elders to voice needs By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. March 18, 2009. Chicago’s GLBT seniors, a community often overlooked, will soon have an important opportunity to gain much-needed visibility. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3275





Immigration

New York Times Editorial: Notes From the Immigration Battlefield By LAWRENCE DOWNES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 18, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/opinion/19thu4.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Menaced migrants. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 18 2009 19:12 | Last updated: March 18 2009 19:12. The countries at the heart of the boom, such as the US, the UK and Spain, attracted not just capital but also people from around the globe. The good times ended abruptly – leaving governments with the challenge of managing people who came for jobs that were once plentiful but that locals are now desperate to secure. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc55b9a2-13ed-11de-9e32-0000779fd2ac.html

Australia cuts migrant intake © Reuters Limited. March 16, 2009. CANBERRA, March 16 - Australia will cut its intake of migrants for the first time in a decade, the government said on Monday, amid concern that skilled foreign workers could stoke resentment by taking jobs at a time of rising unemployment. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3c388c6a-122f-11de-b816-0000779fd2ac.html






Medical

Going abroad to find affordable health care By Walecia Konrad. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 21, 2009. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/21/healthscience/21patient.php

Comparison Shopping for Medicine - Obama's Stimulus Package Funds Research on Cutting Costs By Ceci Connolly. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, March 17, 2009; Page A02 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031602913.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Switch of focus in US war on drugs By Harvey Morris in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 15 2009 21:59 | Last updated: March 15 2009 21:59. The US spends $1,400 a second in the war on drugs, according to a recent Harvard study, while the savings and revenue that could be generated by legalising narcotics would equal a 10th of President Barack Obama’s fiscal stimulus plan. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e673c44c-1180-11de-87b1-0000779fd2ac.html

What politicians in the US won't tell you about the war on drugs By Carlos T Mock, MD. March 16, 2009. The unfortunate truth Americans can't deal with is despite tough anti-drug laws, a 2008 survey by The World Health Organization (WHO) shows the U.S. has the highest level of illegal drug use in the world. http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-politicians-in-us-wont-tell-you.html

International Herald Tribune Editorial: The prostate cancer muddle. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 20, 2009. Scientists have just published the findings of two large trials that were supposed to tell us for certain whether screening for prostate cancer is effective. The studies seem to undercut the value of screening, but they fall short of being definitive. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/20/opinion/edprostate.php

Prostate Cancer Test Found to Save Few Lives By GINA KOLATA. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 18, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/health/19cancer.html?hp

Treatment for Peanut Allergies Shows Promise By TARA PARKER-POPE. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: March 15, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/health/16peanuts.html?hp

International Herald Tribune Editorial: The rules on stem cells. Copyright by the International Herald Tribune. Published: March 20, 2009. No sooner had President Obama lifted the Bush-era restrictions on financing embryonic stem cell research than critics began urging that any federal support be limited to work with stem cells derived from surplus embryos at fertility clinics. That would be a mistake. The guidelines should define the eligible research as broadly as possible to allow the greatest potential for advances. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/20/opinion/edstems.php

International Herald Tribune Editorial: The pope on condoms and AIDS. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune Editorial: The pope on condoms and AIDS. Published: March 18, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has every right to express his opposition to the use of condoms on moral grounds, in accordance with the official stance of the Roman Catholic Church. But he deserves no credence when he distorts scientific findings about the value of condoms in slowing the spread of the AIDS virus. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/18/opinion/edpope.php

Washington Post Editorial: Condom Sense - Pope Benedict XVI is wrong. Copyright by The Washington Post. Thursday, March 19, 2009; Page A14 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031803136.html

On Africa trip, pope says condoms won't solve AIDS - Benedict makes first explicit statement on divisive issue By Victor L. Simpson. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 11:56 AM CDT, March 17, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/bal-pope-africa0317,0,7421872.story

Editorial comment: We know the pope hates Jews, Muslims, and now we learn he's also racist. Telling Africans to stay away from condoms is like telling a child to use gasoline to put out a fire. Somebody ought to impeach this Nazi clown! CTM






Other

Natasha Richardson, Actress, Dies at 45 By BRUCE WEBER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 18, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/theater/19richardson.html?_r=1&hp






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

Newsletter 3-14-2009

International

Conspiracy theorists thrive on Russia anxiety By Charles Clover in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 8 2009 19:54 | Last updated: March 8 2009 19:54. Analysts and politicians in Russia are increasingly frantic about the political fallout from the country’s six-month economic crisis, judging by the number of doomsday scenarios aired recently in the press and in speeches. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a9596ed4-0c14-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html

Russia won’t chase Kiev over gas - Putin By Roman Olearchyk in Kiev. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 13:01 | Last updated: March 12 2009 13:01. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s prime minister, said his country would not punish Ukraine for purchasing less natural gas this year than agreed in January, when both sides ended an energy dispute that disrupted Europe’s supplies. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9c60c57a-0f01-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

North Korea declares rocket plans By Christian Oliver and Kang Buseong in Seoul. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 07:23 | Last updated: March 12 2009 14:21. North Korea has informed international shipping and aviation authorities it will launch a satellite between April 4 and 8, undeterred by foreign claims that it is actually testing a long-range missile that could hit the US. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8c7146e-0ed0-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

Europeans debate castration of sex offenders By Dan Bilefsky. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 11, 2009 http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/11/europe/castrate.php

Teenage gunman warned of rampage on Internet By Carter Dougherty and Victor Homola. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune
Published: March 12, 2009. WAIBLINGEN, Germany: A teenage gunman who killed himself and 15 people Wednesday in a rampage that began at his former school had apparently signaled his plans on an Internet chat room hours before embarking on the murderous spree, according to German officials on Thursday. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/12/europe/12germany.php

Obama sends Clinton to Mexico By Daniel Dombey in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 13 2009 20:38 | Last updated: March 13 2009 20:38. Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, will travel to Mexico this month to discuss co-operation against drug cartels. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/44cf5fbe-100b-11de-a8ae-0000779fd2ac.html

Obama eyes troops for Mexico drug war By Daniel Dombey in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 21:14 | Last updated: March 13 2009 00:27 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6efd6a0c-0f47-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

International Herald Tribune Editorial: Holding Bashir accountable. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 8, 2009. After the International Criminal Court last week ordered his arrest on war crimes, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sudan's ever-ruthless leader, ordered the expulsion of 13 international aid groups that keep millions of impoverished Sudanese alive with food and medical care. If Bashir does not reverse the expulsion, it should be considered added proof of his guilt. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/08/opinion/edbashir.php

World Economic Woes

New York Times Editorial: While Everyone Fiddles. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 12, 2009. The world economy has plunged into what is likely to be the most brutal recession since the 1930s, yet policy makers in Europe and Japan seem to believe there are more important things for them to do than to try to dig the world, including themselves, out. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/opinion/13fri1.html?ref=opinion

Thomas L. Friedman: The Great Disruption By Thomas L. Friedman. Copyright by the International Herald Tribune. Published: March 8, 2009. Let's today step out of the normal boundaries of analysis of our economic crisis and ask a radical question: What if the crisis of 2008 represents something much more fundamental than a deep recession? What if it's telling us that the whole growth model we created over the last 50 years is simply unsustainable economically and ecologically and that 2008 was when we hit the wall - when Mother Nature and the market both said: "No more." http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/08/opinion/edfriedman.php

Financial Times Editorial Comment: A survival plan for global capitalism. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 8 2009 18:28 | Last updated: March 8 2009 18:28 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b85b3572-0c0d-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html

Swiss agree to relax bank secrecy rules © Reuters Limited. March 13, 2009 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3386d3ac-0fcc-11de-a8ae-0000779fd2ac.html

EU banks must disclose toxic assets to receive aid By Nikki Tait in Brussels. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 14 2009 12:13 | Last updated: March 14 2009 12:13 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/28a87cea-1091-11de-994a-0000779fd2ac.html

Plunging assets cost $50,000bn By Raphael Minder in Hong Kong and Alan Beattie in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 8 2009 18:43 | Last updated: March 8 2009 23:31. Falls in the value of financial assets worldwide might have reached more than $50,000bn, equivalent to a year’s global economic output, the Asian Development Bank will warn on Monday. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f9a2bd8-0c0e-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html

Japan in record current account deficit By Michiyo Nakamoto in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 9 2009 02:07 | Last updated: March 9 2009 05:39 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/38a9d960-0c4d-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

Japan confirms sharp drop in GDP © Reuters Limited. March 12, 2009. TOKYO, March 12 – Japan’s economy shrank 3.2 per cent in the final three months of last year, revised government data showed on Thursday, confirming the sharpest contraction since the oil crisis in 1974. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/59fcb4bc-0ea9-11de-b099-0000779fd2ac.html

French industrial production plunges By Ben Hall in Paris. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 11:13 | Last updated: March 10 2009 11:13. French industrial production plunged dramatically by an annual rate of 13.8 per cent in January, the biggest drop since the official series began in 1980, as the deepening recession slashed demand for manufactured goods. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae7c2c3a-0d5e-11de-8914-0000779fd2ac.html

German industrial output dives By Ralph Atkins in Paris. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 12:02 | Last updated: March 12 2009 12:02. Germany’s industrial slump deepened at the start of the year data have revealed as the European Central Bank warned global trade and demand is unlikely to revive in the near future. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9b89d91c-0efb-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

Hungary’s GDP revised down By Thomas Escritt in Bucharest. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 11 2009 10:40 | Last updated: March 11 2009 10:40. Hungary’s economy contracted faster than at any time since 1990 in the final quarter of 2008, according to GDP data released by the Hungarian government on Wednesday. On a calendar adjusted basis, the economy shrank by 2.5 per cent year-on-year and by 1.3 per cent compared to the previous quarter, more than earlier projected, implying a contraction of 5 per cent in 2009 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24f78d72-0e28-11de-b099-0000779fd2ac.html

In Iceland, struggling to stay afloat amid economic meltdown - Once credit-happy, nation battles major financial collapse By Laurie Goering . Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 1:32 AM CST, March 8, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-iceland-meltdown_goeringmar08,0,7386563.story



China

China’s Leader Says He Is ‘Worried’ Over U.S. Treasuries By MICHAEL WINES and KEITH BRADSHER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 13, 2009. BEIJING — The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, expressed unusually blunt concern on Friday about the safety of China’s $1 trillion investment in American government debt, the world’s largest such holding, and urged the Obama administration to provide assurances that the securities would maintain their value in the face of a global financial crisis. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/world/asia/14china.html?_r=1&hp

China prices fall for first time in six years By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 04:05 | Last updated: March 10 2009 06:17. Chinese consumer prices in February fell for the first time in more than six years with the benchmark consumer price index falling 1.6 per cent from a year earlier, down from a 1 per cent rise in January. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8225c532-0d28-11de-a555-0000779fd2ac.html

Chinese exports plunge 25.7 percent in February © Reuters Limited. Published: March 11, 2009. BEIJING: China's exports fell much more sharply than expected in February, data showed on Wednesday, as the economy finally felt the full force of the global financial crisis. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/11/business/11yuan.php

Seeking justice, Chinese land in secret jails By Andrew Jacobs. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 9, 2009. BEIJING: They are often tucked away in the rough-and-tumble sections of the city's south side, hidden beneath dingy hotels and guarded by men in dark coats. Known as "black houses," they are unofficial jails for the pesky hordes of petitioners who flock to the capital seeking justice. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/09/asia/09jails.php

US protests to Beijing over naval incidents By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 9 2009 19:51 | Last updated: March 10 2009 02:03. The White House urged Beijing to follow international law on Monday after a series of incidents in which the Chinese navy allegedly harassed US naval vessels in the South China sea. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b829c020-0ce2-11de-a555-0000779fd2ac.html

China hits out at US ‘illegal’ intrusion By Kathrin Hille in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 07:35 | Last updated: March 10 2009 19:13. China accused the US on Tuesday of “illegal” intrusion into its exclusive economic zone in a spat that could torpedo the two countries’ efforts to improve their military relationship following months of disruption. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/20ee3368-0d45-11de-8914-0000779fd2ac.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Tibetan wounds. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 20:34 | Last updated: March 10 2009 20:34. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f97d9cb2-0db0-11de-8ea3-0000779fd2ac.html



Mess-o-potamia

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Burning Pakistan. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 19:06 | Last updated: March 12 2009 19:06. To the victor the spoils. That is the reductive, zero-sum philosophy that underlies politics in Pakistan. It is giving a dangerous new dimension to the crisis in Pakistan, where government and opposition are going at each other as if their country were not fighting for its very survival. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75fdeb76-0f36-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

New York Times Editorial: Closer to the Cliff. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 12, 2009. Pakistan’s rival political leaders seem determined to push their already unstable country over a cliff. Their increasingly out-of-control power struggle spilled out of the halls of government and the courtroom this week and onto the streets. The more time and energy they waste on selfish squabbling, the less they have to combat extremists who pose a mortal threat to their country. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/opinion/13fri2.html?ref=opinion

Signs of Possible Deal in Pakistan Turmoil By SALMAN MASOOD and WAQAR GILLANI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 13, 2009. LAHORE, Pakistan — As pressure mounted on the government to reach an accommodation with the opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, politicians here suggested a deal was under way Friday night to roll back some of the measures taken by President Asif Ali Zardari against Mr. Sharif. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/world/asia/14pstan.html?hp

Pakistan claims a victory over the Taliban By Jane Perlez and Pir Zubair Shah. Published: March 8, 2009. INAYAT KALAY, Pakistan: After a six-month campaign, the Pakistani military is claiming victory over the Taliban in Bajaur, a northern sliver of the tribal areas, saying the militants have suffered heavy losses and have been pushed over the border into Afghanistan. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/08/asia/pakistan.php

Bombing Leaves Dozens Killed, Wounded in Baghdad - Meanwhile, U.S. Announces 12,000 Troops to Exit Iraq Over Next Six Months By Anthony Shadid. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, March 8, 2009; 10:56 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/08/AR2009030800397.html?hpid=topnews

Iraq shoe thrower jailed for three years By Anna Fifield in Beirut. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 10:42 | Last updated: March 12 2009 13:19 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e9aec15c-0ef1-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

As U.S. weighs Taliban negotiations, Afghans are already talking By Carlotta Gall. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 11, 2009 http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/11/asia/11taliban.php

Afghan civilian deaths a threat to U.S. Mission By Mark Mazzetti and Eric Schmitt. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 10, 2009. WASHINGTON: The commander of a secretive branch of U.S. Special Operations forces ordered a halt in February to most commando missions in Afghanistan, reflecting a growing concern that civilian deaths caused by American firepower are jeopardizing broader goals there. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/10/mideast/afghan.php




National

Supreme Court limits reach of the Voting Right Act By David G. Savage. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 10, 2009. WASHINGTON— The Supreme Court limited the reach of the Voting Rights Act Monday, ruling there is no duty to draw voting districts that are favorable to black candidates in areas where blacks are less than a majority. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-voting-rights_webmar10,0,170613.story

Senate approves $410bn spending bill By Daniel Dombey and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 11 2009 00:48 | Last updated: March 11 2009 00:48 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/14973fda-0dd4-11de-8ea3-0000779fd2ac.html

At least 10 killed in Alabama shooting spree © Reuters Limited. March 11, 2009. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f05b674-0df3-11de-8ea3-0000779fd2ac.html

Madoff ‘deeply sorry’ as he pleads guilty to 11 charges By Joanna Chung and Alan Rappeport in New York and Brooke Masters in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 12:18 | Last updated: March 12 2009 16:00 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/78c71030-0ef5-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

Madoff to Plead Guilty; Charges Carry a Life Sentence By DIANA B. HENRIQUES. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/business/11conflict.html?_r=1&hp




GOP Whacking

David Brooks: Taking a depression seriously By David Brooks. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 10, 2009. The Democratic response to the economic crisis has its problems, but let's face it, the current Republican response is totally misguided. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/10/opinion/edbrooks.php

Obama urged to let banks fail By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 8 2009 20:35 | Last updated: March 8 2009 20:35. Two powerful Republicans on Sunday called on Barack Obama, US president, to let some big banks fail instead of propping them up with public money. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/81887d7c-0c1f-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html

Memo to the GOP: Say you're sorry - Love means having to ... By Leonard Pitts. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 10, 2009.
Rush Limbaugh once described feminism as something invented to allow ugly women access to the mainstream. According to the media watchdog group Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, he once advised a black caller to his radio show: "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0310pittsmar10,0,58819.story

R.N.C. Leader Under Fire. Copyright By THE NEW YORK TIMES. March 12, 2009. Michael Steele, whose rocky start as chairman of the Republican National Committee had already led to chatter about his job security, has more trouble on his hands. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/steele-under-fire/?hp

The Trouble With Michael Steele By Colbert I. King. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, March 14, 2009; Page A15 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031302808.html

Best Description Of Republicans EVER! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CezlbEIBlj0

Rush, The Thoughtful Voice Of The People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK3vC0WIRBQ



Chicagoland

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - 508 Chicago kids shot in just 16 months. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. March 9, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1466791,CST-EDT-edit09.article

Illinois income tax rate may rise by 50%. Gov. Pat Quinn mulls plan to increase income tax rate to 4.5% from 3%, sources say By Ray Long and Ashley Rueff. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 12:08 PM CDT, March 13, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-quinn-tax-hike-13mar13,0,7352846.story

Quinn says tax increase planned, but tax breaks for some. Posted by Rick Pearson and Ray Long. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
March 13, 2009. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/03/quinn-says-tax-increase-planned-but-tax-breaks-for-some.html

To fix fiscal crisis, Quinn must go for broke BY CAROL MARIN Sun-Times Columnist. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. March 14, 2009
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/1476614,CST-EDT-carol15.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Art Institute is worth $18. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. March 12, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1472658,CST-EDT-edit12b.article

Art Institute admission raised to $18. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 3:40 AM CDT, March 12, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-artinstitute-admi,0,7582888.story




Your Lack of Money

Stewart seen as winner in showdown with Cramer. Critics and viewers see Stewart as victor after interview with "Mad Money" host. Pair squared off in an uncomfortable debate on "The Daily Show" iReporter: Surprised at how Stewart "attacked Cramer's credibility"
Howard Kurtz: "Important moment for holding financial journalists accountable" By Lisa Respers France. Copyright by CNN News. March 13, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/13/cramer.stewart.reaction/index.html

Stewart hammers Cramer on `The Daily Show'. Copyright by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. March 13, 2009. http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/television/1475423,w-jon-stewart-jim-cramer-daily-show-031309.article

Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer: The Extended Daily Show Interview http://blog.indecisionforever.com/2009/03/13/jon-stewart-and-jim-cramer-the-extended-daily-show-interview/

Cramer no scapegoat—no matter how humiliating 'Daily Show' appearance was By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 15, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0315pagemar15,0,4020916.column

Congress warns on mark-to-market rule By Tom Braithwaite and Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 19:57 | Last updated: March 13 2009 00:32. Congress will force regulators to relax the much-criticised mark-to-market accounting rule if they fail to take action themselves, Barney Frank, the chairman of the House financial services committee, on Thursday warned. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1e2700b6-0f3d-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

U. S. Economic Woes

The Audacity of Audacity By E.J. Dionne Jr. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, March 9, 2009; Page A15. President Obama faces three overlapping questions: When will middle-of-the-road voters start blaming him for the sick economy? When will he act decisively to deal with the mess that is our banking system? And can he keep managing his political two-step of appealing simultaneously to centrists and progressives? He has to confront all three at once. The economy will remain in crisis until there is a resolution to the problems facing the banks, and if things keep going bad, more and more voters in the middle will start blaming Obama for not fixing them. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/08/AR2009030801492.html

Bernanke urges regulatory overhaul By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 13:30 | Last updated: March 10 2009 14:16 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6d4f943a-0d6e-11de-8914-0000779fd2ac.html

Geithner faces economic tsunami without a fully staffed department By Edmund L. Andrews and Stephen Labaton. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 9, 2009. WASHINGTON: Rarely have so few people had so little time to prop up so many pillars of the economy as those in the U.S. Treasury Department under Timothy Geithner. In the six weeks since Geithner took over as Treasury secretary, he and a skeleton crew of unofficial senior advisers have been racing to make decisions that will shape the future of the banking, insurance, housing and automobile industries. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/09/business/geithner.php

Summers calls for boost to demand By Edward Luce and Chrystia Freeland in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 8 2009 22:03 | Last updated: March 8 2009 22:03. Barack Obama’s top economic adviser has urged world leaders to pump more public money into the economy in a co-ordinated effort to boost demand and lift the world out of recession. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5d8b5e18-0c14-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html

One U.S. recession casualty: Conspicuous consumption By Shaila Dewan. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 10, 2009. ATLANTA: It is a sign of the times when Sacha Taylor, a fixture on the charity circuit in this gala-happy city in the United States, digs out a 10-year-old dress to wear to a recent society party. Or when Jennifer Riley, a corporate lawyer, starts patronizing restaurants that take coupons. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/10/america/10reset.php

US trade gap shrinks to lowest in six years By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 13 2009 13:23 | Last updated: March 13 2009 15:17. The US trade gap shrank by almost 10 per cent in January to the lowest level for six years, as Americans’ once voracious demand for the world’s goods was further eroded by the recession. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/17bb3b20-0fc9-11de-a8ae-0000779fd2ac.html

US retail sales offer glimmer of hope By Sarah O’ Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 13:42 | Last updated: March 12 2009 13:42. US retail sales held firm in February following a surprise jump the previous month, providing hope that consumer spending might finally be stabilising in the US in spite of rising unemployment. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc04aea0-0f05-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

Some Banks, Citing Strings, Want to Return Aid By STEPHEN LABATON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 10, 2009. WASHINGTON — The list of demands keeps getting longer. Financial institutions that are getting government bailout funds have been told to put off evictions and modify mortgages for distressed homeowners. They must let shareholders vote on executive pay packages. They must slash dividends, cancel employee training and morale-building exercises, and withdraw job offers to foreign citizens. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/business/economy/11bailout.html?_r=1&hp

Another twist for the unemployed: Debit card fees. Pennsylvania one of several states offering debit cards in lieu of checks for jobless. Some who opted to go with debit cards outraged to get fees without notice. State labor official says debit cards have greatly improved distribution system. U.S. Department of Labor: States can do better in negotiating fees with banks By Drew Griffin and David Fitzpatrick
Copyright by CNN News. March 14, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/13/unemployment.fees/index.html

International Herald Tribune Editorial: Citigroup buoys Wall Street. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 10, 2009. NEW YORK: Wall Street soared Tuesday morning after strong showings in Asian and European markets, with the Dow industrials rebounding more than 300 points, as investors got a taste of what they desperately craved: a glimmer of optimism in the financial sector. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/10/business/markets.php

Citi has strong start to the year By Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 05:32 | Last updated: March 10 2009 05:32. Citigroup has had its best profit performance in over a year in the first two months of 2009 and has generated revenue of more than $19bn despite growing uncertainties over its future, chief executive Vikram Pandit told employees. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dbb79f02-0d33-11de-8914-0000779fd2ac.html

BofA chief says bank expects profit this year By Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 23:09 | Last updated: March 12 2009 23:46 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/12082406-0f59-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

US wholesalers battle weak demand By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 10 2009 15:34 | Last updated: March 10 2009 16:23. Shrinking US wholesale inventories, a measure of lag in demand relative to expectations, fell for the fifth month running in January but failed to keep pace with much sharper declines in sales, signalling that economic growth could slow further this quarter. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/834e3fda-0d86-11de-8914-0000779fd2ac.html

G.M. Says It Won’t Need Finance Infusion in March By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: March 12, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/13auto.html?_r=1&hp

GE hit by credit rating blow By Justin Baer in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 14:08 | Last updated: March 12 2009 19:00. General Electric on Thursday lost the pristine triple A debt rating it had safeguarded for more than half a century as Standard & Poor’s downgraded the company, citing mounting concerns over its finance arm. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/40af99ba-0f0e-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

Berkshire loses top credit rating © Reuters Limited. March 13, 2009. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway was stripped of its ’AAA’ credit rating, barely hours after General Electric lost its top-tier rating, as the global financial crisis pummels America’s corporate titans. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f6d00648-0fa5-11de-a8ae-0000779fd2ac.html

Circuit City stores close for good, disappearing from retail landscape By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 4:56 PM CDT, March 8, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-circuit-city,0,3243597.story

Public transit ridership hits highest level in 52 years By Lena H. Sun. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post. March 9, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-transitmar09,0,7666865.story

Merck to Buy Schering-Plough for $41.1 Billion By DAVID JOLLY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 9, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/business/10drug.html?hp




Housing

Hard Lessons in Helping Homeowners By Martin O'Malley. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, March 9, 2009; Page A15.
For many months, because of federal inaction, the states acted alone to combat the rising tide of foreclosures across our nation. The plan recently announced by President Obama is a welcome effort that will help keep families in their homes. As critical details are worked out, it would be useful for federal leaders to look to the experience of states in crafting solutions. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/08/AR2009030801495.html

At Foreclosure Auction, Houses Sell, in a Frenzy By FERNANDA SANTOS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 8, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/09/nyregion/09foreclosure.html?_r=1&hp


Commodities

Hedge funds turn to gold By Henny Sender in New York and Javier Blas in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 8 2009 18:13 | Last updated: March 8 2009 18:13. Hedge fund investors who made money last year by betting against investment banks are now buying gold as a way of betting against central banks. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37fcba70-0c0a-11de-b87d-0000779fd2ac.html

Despite U.S. woes, dollar is riding high By Peter S. Goodman. Published: March 9, 2009 http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/08/business/dollar.php

Swiss action sparks talk of ‘currency war’ By Peter Garnham in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 20:14 | Last updated: March 12 2009 20:14. The Swiss National Bank moved to weaken the Swiss franc on Thursday, the first time a big central bank has intervened in the foreign exchange markets since Japan sought to weaken the yen in 2004. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a9ec76dc-0f40-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html



GLBT

Chicago Free Press Editorial: Do we count? Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. March 11, 2009. Never mind Massachusetts. Never mind Connecticut. Never mind Vermont, or any state with civil unions. Gay marriage, or any other form of recognized partnerships for GLBTs, is still not being accounted for by the federal government when they count households. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3255

Civil Unions: ‘Illinois is going to be Ground Zero’ By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. March 11, 2009. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3246

Gay marriage vs. democracy By Steve Chapman. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 8, 2009. You can catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar, the adage goes. But advocates of same-sex marriage have a deal for the citizens of California: all the vinegar they can drink. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0308chapmanmar08,0,6389507.column

Response to Steve Chapman By Carlos T Mock, MD. March 9, 2009. Copyright by Carlos T Mock, MD The Constitution set three different branches of government. The Judicial has the duty to protect the rights of minorities from the majority. If California were to put a proposition that euthanasia is permitted and it passed by a large majority, the Supreme court could easily ruled it unconstitutional because it desires to protect the rights of those that are to be killed. http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/03/response-to-steve-chapman.html

The Story behind Sidetrack By Paul Varnell. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. March 11, 2009. Few bar owners in our community are as intimately and publicly identified with their bar as Arthur (“Art”) Johnston and Jose (“Pepe”) Pena of Sidetrack. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3253




Medical

International Herald Tribune Editorial:Science and stem cells. Copyright by The International Herald Tribune. Published: March 10, 2009. We welcome President Barack Obama's decision to lift the Bush administration's restrictions on federal financing for embryonic stem cell research. His move ends a long, bleak period in which the moral objections of religious conservatives were allowed to constrain the progress of a medically important science. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/10/opinion/edstem.php

New York Times Editorial: Progress on Family Planning. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: March 13, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/opinion/14sat4.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1237043977-JwswOShWs7Pnt9+RL7cCtg

Palin daughter left to face reality on her own. TEENS HAVING BABIES | She says her ex-fiance is a 'hands-on' dad, but when their child cries in the night, it's her responsibility By SUE ONTIVEROS sontiveros@suntimes.com. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. March 14, 2009
http://www.suntimes.com/news/ontiveros/1476682,CST-EDT-sue15.article

Combating a crisis HIV/AIDS and African Americans By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. March 13, 2009. There is a variety of reasons why, across the U.S., African Americans are so hard hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic: poverty, inadequate access to health care and education, racism—the list goes on. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3254




Technology

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Google searches. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: March 12 2009 19:39 | Last updated: March 12 2009 19:39. People can find out a lot on the internet. More and more, the internet is finding out a lot about them. Google said this week it will follow Yahoo and AOL and tailor web adverts to its users’ preferences, divined by monitoring their individual browsing patterns. This causes excitement among advertisers – and sends shivers down the backs of privacy activists. Both are justified. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/74cb0ad6-0f36-11de-ba10-0000779fd2ac.html

1984 Apple's Macintosh Commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8


Other

Cheap summer airfare to Europe, Australia plentiful, but costs to carriers may be heavy - Cheap tickets to Europe, Australia plentiful; carriers may pay a price By Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. March 9, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mon-europe-airline-sale-mar09,0,924796.story



Humor

Lifeline was depressed last night so I called Lifeline. Got a call center in Pakistan . I told them I was suicidal. They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

Children Science Exams Answers. If you need a good laugh, try reading through these children's science exam answers http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/03/childrens-science-exam-answers.html

Rx For Those Battling Exuberance= FDA Approves Depressant Drug For The Annoyingly Cheerful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd4tugPM83c


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