Newsletter - May 16, 2009

International

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Talk to Russia, remember Georgia. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 10 2009 19:36 | Last updated: May 10 2009 19:36. When even Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s combative envoy to Nato, has something nice to say, it is fair to speak of improvements in relations between Moscow and the west. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/50f701a4-3d90-11de-a85e-00144feabdc0.html

Falling Gas Prices Deny Russia a Lever of Power By ANDREW E. KRAMER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 15, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/world/europe/16gazprom.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Downturn bottomed out, Trichet signals By Chris Giles and Daniel Pimlott in London and Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 14:35 | Last updated: May 11 2009 20:36 Jean-Claude Trichet signalled on Monday that the global downturn had bottomed out with some large economies already able to put the recession behind them and look forward to renewed growth. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/03d19fd6-3e2d-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

Eurozone industrial output plunges By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 11:50 | Last updated: May 13 2009 11:50 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc739514-3fa6-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

German economy shrinks 3.8% By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 15 2009 08:15 | Last updated: May 15 2009 10:42 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/559213f8-411d-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html

Congress alliance wins Indian election - Emphatic victory gives Singh second term By James Lamont in New Delhi. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 16 2009 05:56 | Last updated: May 16 2009 17:44. The Congress Party on Saturday claimed an emphatic victory in India’s parliamentary elections as voters backed secular leadership over communal politics and the continued premiership of Manmohan Singh. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2b16c9c2-41d4-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html



China

Chinese exports fall sharply By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 05:31 | Last updated: May 12 2009 05:31. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/16a8da60-3eab-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

China Outpaces U.S. in Cleaner Coal-Fired Plants By KEITH BRADSHER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/world/asia/11coal.html?th&emc=th

China’s factory output slows in April By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 05:51 | Last updated: May 13 2009 05:51 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4dad5db8-3f75-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Hong Kong suffers record contraction By Xi Chen and Reuters in Hong Kong. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 15 2009 14:40 | Last updated: May 15 2009 14:40 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d3bff08c-4141-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html

China’s Heart of Gold By VICTOR ZHIKAI GAO. Copyright By The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2009... No one knows for sure when the tide started to turn, or the exact moment when American gold started its slow but seemingly irreversible loss of luster. But now, many shops in China no longer accept dollar-based credit cards issued by foreign banks (the customer pays in dollars, but the shopkeeper is paid in renminbi) and foreigners cannot convert American dollars into renminbi beyond a given quota...http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/opinion/14Gao.html?th&emc=th

Mess-o-potamia

A Single-Minded Focus on Dual Wars - Defense Secretary Is Reorienting the Military to Meet U.S. Troops' Needs Now By Greg Jaffe. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 15, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/14/AR2009051404450.html?hpid=topnews

US soldier in Iraq shoots dead five comrades © Reuters Limited. May 12, 2009. A US soldier shot dead five fellow soldiers at a military clinic in Baghdad on Monday in an incident that the top US military officer suggested may have been triggered by stress. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c10c3148-3e8b-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

US replaces Afghan conflict commander By James Blitz in London and Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 21:12 | Last updated: May 12 2009 00:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce9c689e-3e65-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

US replaces Afghan conflict commander By James Blitz in London and Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 21:12 | Last updated: May 12 2009 00:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce9c689e-3e65-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: To beat the Taliban. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 19:31 | Last updated: May 12 2009 19:31. The fighting in Pakistan’s Swat valley, where the army is violently displacing jihadi extremists with whom both the government and the military had only last month signed a treaty, does not yet amount to the firm and clear strategy needed to defeat the Taliban. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/34786118-3f1f-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Pakistan Says It Is Stepping Up Attack By SALMAN MASOOD and ALAN COWELL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/world/asia/13pstan.html?ref=global-home

Pakistan allows civilians to flee Swat © Reuters Limited. May 15, 2009 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e163b720-4117-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html

In a First, U.S. Provides Pakistan With Drone Data By ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/world/asia/14drone.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Afghan villagers get payments for battle that killed civilians - A government commission concluded that 140 civilians died, more than twice the figure cited by the United States. By Laura King. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. 6:29 AM CDT, May 12, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-afghan-civilians13-2009may13,0,5733997.story

Taboo broken in US Middle East offensive By Harvey Morris in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 10 2009 19:16 | Last updated: May 11 2009 09:42. A period of high-level diplomacy on the Middle East opens in New York on Monday, promising further insights into an emerging strategy from Barack Obama’s administration that is already raising concerns among Israel’s supporters. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/194f533a-3d8d-11de-a85e-00144feabdc0.html

Parks Fortify Israel’s Claim to Jerusalem By ETHAN BRONNER and ISABEL KERSHNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2009. Israel is quietly carrying out a $100 million, multiyear development plan in some of the most significant religious and national heritage sites just outside the walled Old City here as part of an effort to strengthen the status of Jerusalem as its capital. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/world/middleeast/10jerusalem.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

A Middle East peace plan puts Netanyahu on the spot By Philip Stephens. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 14 2009 20:11 | Last updated: May 14 2009 20:11. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/055f56a2-40b9-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html

Hizbollah confirms broad aid for Hamas By Anna Fifield in Beirut. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 13:50 | Last updated: May 12 2009 13:50 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ee8637e-3eee-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Iranian-American journalist freed By Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 14:14 | Last updated: May 11 2009 15:16 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c7035c1c-3e2b-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

Journalist’s Release Shows Divide Among Iran’s Leaders By NAZILA FATHI and MARK LANDLER. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 12, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/world/middleeast/13iran.html?_r=1&ref=global-home


National

MEMO FROM CAIRO - Egypt to Be Center Stage in Obama’s Address to Arabs By MICHAEL SLACKMAN. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 11, 2009 http://www.nighties.com/2009/05/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html?hpw

US backs new approach to Doha negotiations By Frances Williams in Geneva. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 23:41 | Last updated: May 13 2009 23:41 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c8916980-3fce-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: US returns to its trust-busting roots. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 19:45 | Last updated: May 12 2009 19:45. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4132661a-3f1f-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

White House Plans to Reverse Bush Antitrust Rules By Cecilia Kang. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 11, 2009; 11:08 AM. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051101189.html?hpid=topnews

Obama Planning to Keep Tribunals for Detainees By PETER BAKER and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/us/politics/15gitmo.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Obama does U-turn on detainee abuse photos By Demetri Sevastopulo and Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 19:04 | Last updated: May 13 2009 22:33 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/781afd0e-3fe7-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

The Nation's Embracing, and Embraceable, Arms By Sally Quinn. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 10, 2009. "May I change the subject," said a prominent Washington theologian at a recent dinner. The conversation had been high-minded -- religion, philosophy, the nature of evil. "I'd like to talk about Michelle Obama's arms," he said. He is a big fan of those arms. We then began a discussion about the significance of the first lady's arms. Actually, it turned out to be equally serious. Michelle Obama's arms, we determined, were transformational. Her arms are representative of a new kind of woman: young, strong, vigorous, intelligent, accomplished, sexual, powerful, embracing and, most of all, loving. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/07/AR2009050704538.html?hpid=artslot

Utah Governor to Become Ambassador to China By JEFF ZELENY. Copyright by The New York Times. May 16, 2009 http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/utah-governor-to-become-ambassador-to-china/?ref=global-home

Obama Taps NYC Health Commissioner to Head CDC By Debbi Wilgoren and Michael Shear. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 15, 2009; 9:11 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/15/AR2009051500295.html?hpid=topnews

Hispanics See Stars Aligned on High Court - For President, Diversity Is One Of Many Factors By Robert Barnes and Michael D. Shear. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 12, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103503.html?hpid=topnew

Despite rate rise, cost-cutting, Postal Service could run out of money by year's end. RANDOLPH E. SCHMID. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 10:04 AM CDT, May 11, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-postal-rates,0,2549494.story

Obama’s Notre Dame Visit Draws Catholic Backing By DALIA SUSSMAN. Copyright by The New York Times. May 15, 2009, 3:01 PM. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/obamas-notre-dame-visit-draws-catholic-backing/?scp=1&sq=notre%20dame%20obama&st=Search

May 12, 2009: Arizona State Snubs Obama http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227327&title=Arizona-State-Snubs-Obama

Pelosi Acknowledges She Was Told of Waterboarding in 2003 By CARL HULSE AND BRIAN KNOWLTON. Copyright by The New York Times. May 14, 2009, 12:33 PM http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/pelosi-cia-misled-congress-over-waterboarding/?scp=2&sq=nancy%20pelosi&st=cse

C.I.A. Director Takes a Shot at Pelosi By KATE PHILLIPS. Copyright by The new York Times. May 15, 2009, 3:30 PM http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/cia-director-takes-a-shot-at-pelosi/?scp=6&sq=nancy%20pelosi&st=cse

May 12, 2009: Waffle House http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227326&title=Waffle-House



GOP Whacking

Republican war of words highlights lack of fresh talent By Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 14 2009 19:37 | Last updated: May 14 2009 19:37. It is a family feud so fierce that even the 97-year-old matriarch has become involved. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d253e3d6-40b3-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html

Huckabee warns GOP could become 'irrelevant' - Huckabee says the GOP must not lose social conservatives. By Alexander Mooney. Copyright by CNN News. May 8, 2009. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/08/huckabee-warns-gop-could-become-irrelevant/#more-50980

Romney camp hits back at Steele for Mormonism comments By Peter Hamby. Copyright by CNN News. May 12, 2009. In an unusual move for the person tasked with being his party's top cheerleader, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele is shining a light on the political vulnerabilities of one of the GOP's top figures and a likely frontrunner for the 2012 Republican nomination — former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Now Romney's team is hitting back. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/12/romney-camp-hits-back-at-steele-for-mormonism-comments-2/#more-51302

Gaps Appear in G.O.P. Solidarity By CARL HULSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2009. After being stingy with their support in the early days of the Obama administration, significant numbers of House Republicans have begun breaking from their party leaders and voting for legislation moving through the Democratic-led Congress. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/us/politics/10vote.html?th&emc=th

Is Rush Limbaugh the GOP's voice? - Does anybody take him seriously? Yes and no by Clarence Page. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 13, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0513pagemay13,0,5528249.column

Obama Delivers the Zingers at Journalists' Dinner By Richard Leiby. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 10, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/09/AR2009050902802.html?hpid=topnews

Wanda Sykes: 'Too much?' by Mark Silva. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. Posted May 11, 2009 8:15 AM http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/05/wanda_sykes_too_much.html

Why Is That Man Smiling? By Kathleen Parker. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, May 13, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051202878.html

May 11, 2009: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=226621&title=Guess-Who%27s-Coming-to-Dinner; May 11, 2009: Wanda Sykes' Jokes http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=226621&title=Guess-Who%27s-Coming-to-Dinner http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=226622&title=Wanda-Sykes%27-Jokes

As Cheney Seizes Spotlight, Many Republicans Wince By Dan Balz. Copyright by The Washington Post. Do I think Sykes was a monument to hilarity? No, but she was funny much of the time. Do I think her now-infamous Rush Limbaugh jokes were over the top? Yeah. That's a comedian for you. Do I think her performance -- and Obama's apparent amusement -- marks the decline of civilization? This is hardly a new development. I do think we take ourselves far too seriously -- and literally. Thursday, May 14, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051303789.html?hpid=topnews

The Old Faithful of Nonsense By Eugene Robinson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Can't we send Dick Cheney back to Wyoming? Shouldn't we chip in and buy him a home where the buffalo roam and there's always room for one more crazy old coot down at the general store? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051102670.html

Chastise Cheney By CHARLES M. BLOW. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 16, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/opinion/16blow.html?th&emc=th

Simplicity of GOP: We are what we are By Garrison Keillor. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 13, 2009. Only one out of five Americans is willing to describe himself or herself as a Republican these days, and frankly I am tempted to become one of them. For the variety, and because they need me and because when I heard former Vice President Dick Cheney talk about the meaning of Republicanism the other day -- "We are what we are," he said -- I felt drawn to the simplicity and dignity of that. And I have never been a Republican, just as I've never been to South America, and that makes it tempting. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0513keillormay13,0,4676396.column

May 11, 2009: Excuse Me Your Dick Is Out http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=226623&title=Excuse-Me-Your-Dick-Is-Out

Former Official: Treatment of Terror Suspects a 'Collective Failure' By Carrie Johnson. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, May 13, 2009; 11:33 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051301281.html?hpid=topnews


Chicagoland

Illinois after Blagojevich: Pat Quinn's first 100 days - Governor has made some gains, but honeymoon with lawmakers may be ending By Rick Pearson and Monique Garcia. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 10, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-quinn-100-days-10may10,0,7388361.story

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Stroger in denial. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 12, 2009. Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has vetoed a 12-3 vote of the County Board to repeal his beloved sales-tax increase. Deep down, he says, he supports killing the full tax increase. But not now, and not even on a set schedule. No, he wants to roll back the tax "as funds become available." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0512edit1may12,0,2551266.story

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Stroger and the IRS. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 14, 2009... A cynic would say Stroger wants to keep collecting your money for the government he refuses to reform at the very moment he allegedly hasn't paid taxes he owes.... http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0514edit2may14,0,4517351.story

IRS slaps lien on Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's home for unpaid income taxes by Hal Dardick and Dan P. Blake. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 13, 2009 http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/05/irs-slaps-lien-on-cook-county-board-president-todd-strogers-home-for-unpaid-income-taxes.html

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Poisoning public trust. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 10, 2009. When it comes to treating citizens as chumps, it's hard to top what has happened in south suburban Crestwood. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0510edit1may10,0,978398.story

Burglars are 'crossing the line' and breaking into homes in Berrien County, Michigan Posted: 6:31 PM May 11, 2009. Last Updated: 6:40 PM May 11, 2009. Reporter: Alana Greenfogel: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com. Copyright by WNDU.com http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/44744607.html





Your Lack of Money

US trade gap widens in March By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 14:18 | Last updated: May 12 2009 14:18. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f1571280-3e6a-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

US prices fall most since 1955 By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 15 2009 14:15 | Last updated: May 15 2009 15:59 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/854d81ce-40c1-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html

Prices Fall To Match A New Frugality - Retailers Respond To Shopping Habits Forged in Recession By Ylan Q. Mui. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 12, 2009. he nation's retailers have begun to embrace the new cost-conscious consumer, developing products they can sell at lower prices without driving themselves out of business in the post-splurge era. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103607.html?hpid=topnews

Jump in Food Costs Drives Up Prices By JACK HEALY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/business/economy/15econ.html?hp

Unemployment claims report sours Wall St mood By Kiran Stacey in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 14 2009 13:58 | Last updated: May 14 2009 13:58. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2610393c-3ffd-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

US retail sales 0.4% fall in April By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 14:24 | Last updated: May 13 2009 15:35 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3cc20202-3f38-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Wal-Mart earnings meet expectations By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 14 2009 13:15 | Last updated: May 14 2009 13:15. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bc4d77cc-407d-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html

Sony sees signs of recovery By Robin Harding in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 14 2009 08:21 | Last updated: May 14 2009 08:21 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9f767bd4-4051-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html

US banks swamped as refi fever takes hold By Greg Farrell and Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 19:44 | Last updated: May 13 2009 19:44. The rush of US homeowners to refinance mortgages at lower rates is creating a boom in the home lending business, prompting banks to hire thousands of new employees and put them to work on extra shifts to process mountains of paper. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/285792b6-3fea-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

Geithner says financial system healing By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 15:07 | Last updated: May 13 2009 15:07 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/eac791ea-3fc5-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

Banks raise $7.5bn to repay Tarp funds By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 14:16 | Last updated: May 11 2009 15:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/501b4b9a-3e2c-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

BofA raises $7.3bn from CCB stake By Sundeep Tucker in Hong Kong. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 09:12 | Last updated: May 12 2009 11:58 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dfb8025e-3eca-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Money market rates fall to pre-Lehman levels By David Oakley, Capital Markets Correspondent. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 12:16 | Last updated: May 13 2009 12:16. Key money market rates have fallen below levels seen before Lehman Brothers collapsed in September as confidence tentatively returns. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2ed1204-3fa2-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Shareholder duties. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 10 2009 19:33 | Last updated: May 10 2009 19:33. Shareholders do not hibernate; they aestivate. When things are hot, they go to sleep. It is when winter sets in that they wake up. The current economic chill has spurred shareholders into action. It would be a shame if spring, when it arrives, lulls them back into slumber. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4bdeb234-3d90-11de-a85e-00144feabdc0.html

Temasek sells entire stake in BofA - Move brings end to unprofitable investment By John Burton in Singapore. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 15 2009 04:47 | Last updated: May 15 2009 19:18. Temasek Holdings, the Singapore state investment company, has pulled out of its investment in Bank of America, selling its 3.8 per cent stake in the US group. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e8496f42-4100-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html

Banks Brace for Credit Card Write-Offs By ERIC DASH and ANDREW MARTIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/business/11credit.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: New Rules for Derivatives. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/opinion/15fri1.html?th&emc=th

Regulator expects bank chiefs to lose jobs By Francesco Guerrera and Nicole Bullock in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 16 2009 00:10 | Last updated: May 16 2009 00:10. A US regulator on Friday predicted that chief executives and directors of some of the banks that underwent the stress tests could lose their jobs, in another sign of the government’s desire to have a say in the running of bailed-out companies. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/87c87fce-419f-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html

Citi directors face growing pressure to resign By  Francesco Guerrera  in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 22:30 | Last updated: May 12 2009 22:30. Citigroup came under growing pressure to overhaul its board on Tuesday after it revealed that two long-serving directors survived a shareholder vote largely thanks to a balloting rule that is due to be scrapped. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fa5d5752-3f39-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

In-house fraud cases surge By Robert Cookson in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 10 2009 23:30 | Last updated: May 10 2009 23:30. Fraud committed against companies by their own employees has surged this year, new data suggest, providing fresh evidence that the recession is fuelling a rise in crime. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5a0e284e-3da4-11de-a85e-00144feabdc0.html

Chrysler Plans to Shut One Quarter of Its U.S. Dealers By NICK BUNKLEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/business/15dealers.html?hp

No renewal for 1,100 GM dealers By Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 15 2009 17:33 | Last updated: May 15 2009 17:43 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/65b0890e-416d-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html

BT cuts dividend and 15,000 jobs By Philip Stafford. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 14 2009 07:43 | Last updated: May 14 2009 14:15 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ccc4e94e-404d-11de-8f18-00144feabdc0.html




Commodities

Opec lifts output for first time since July By Carola Hoyos, Chief energy correspondent. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 13:49 | Last updated: May 13 2009 13:49 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f9925cce-3fb5-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

Oil surges to six month high above $60 By Chris Flood and Javier Blas. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 12:12 | Last updated: May 12 2009 14:17 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f257ac62-3edd-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

De Beers woos safe-haven investors - Diamond miner goes head to head with gold By Tom Burgis in Johannesburg. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 15 2009 22:23 | Last updated: May 15 2009 22:23. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f1525262-4172-11de-bdb7-00144feabdc0.html

Russia Stockpiles Diamonds, Awaiting the Return of Demand By ANDREW E. KRAMER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/business/global/12diamonds.html?hpw

Dollar rebounds as equities falter By Peter Garnham. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 11:11 | Last updated: May 11 2009 11:11. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2cd9980-3e0b-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html


Housing

Slow Start to U.S. Plan for Modifying Mortgages By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2009. The Obama administration’s plan to help millions of troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing the size of their mortgage payments is just getting off the ground. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/14mortgage.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Despite Housing Bust, Homeownership Among Immigrants Remains Steady By Alejandro Lazo. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 12, 2009; 11:05 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/12/AR2009051201208.html?hpid=topnews


GLBT

New Hampshire Pact Near on Same-Sex Marriage By ABBY GOODNOUGH. Published: May 14, 2009. Copyright by The Associated Press http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/us/15marriage.html?scp=2&sq=new%20hampshire%20gay%20marriage&st=Search

N.Y. Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/nyregion/13marriage.html?th&emc=th

Is My Marriage Gay? By JENNIFER FINNEY BOYLAN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 11, 2009. Deirdre Finney and I were wed in 1988 at the National Cathedral in Washington. In 2000, I started the long and complex process of changing from male to female. Deedie stood by me, deciding that her life was better with me than without me. Maybe she was crazy for doing so; lots of people have generously offered her this unsolicited opinion over the years. But what she would tell you, were you to ask, is that the things that she loved in me have mostly remained the same, and that our marriage, in the end, is about a lot more than what genders we are, or were. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/opinion/12boylan.html?ref=global

The Beauty of Chicken Cutlets By Tara Parker Pope. May 4, 2009, 11:27 AM. Copyright by The ssociated Press. Miss California Carrie Prejean, left, answering a question about same-sex marriage during the Miss USA pageant.
The controversy surrounding Miss California, Carrie Prejean, continues, with state pageant officials admitting that they paid for her surgical breast enhancement. And in an odd twist, pageant officials also offered a glimpse into other ways a pageant contestant might alter her body shape, including the use of “chicken cutlets.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/the-beauty-of-chicken-cutlets/?scp=4&sq=miss%20california%20nude%20photois&st=cse

Miss California USA pageant is rocked on its high heels - Miss California USA organizers say Carrie Prejean hijacked the event to spread her views on marriage. By Carla Hall. Copyright by The Los Angeles Times. May 12, 2009 http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-misscalifornia12-2009may12,0,3322958.story

Trump says Miss California USA can keep her crown despite uproar By Carla Hall. Copyright by The Los Angeles Times. May 13, 2009 http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-miss-california13-2009may13,0,1541974.story

May 12, 2009: The Pageant of the Christ http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227325&title=The-Pageant-of-the-Christ

Keith Olbermann's WTF!?! Moment: Carrie Prejean [Miss California] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwkTAzcToic

Obama responds to lesbian soldier's letter by TRACY BAIM. Copyright by The Windy City Times. May 13, 2009. http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21121

White House says 'don't ask' policy on gays in military is in early stages of review. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 10:48 AM CDT, May 10, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-us-military-gays,0,7584212.story

May 14, 2009: Moral Kombat;: Dan Choi Is Gay http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227351&title=Moral-Kombat; http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227352&title=Dan-Choi-Is-Gay

Roman Catholic archbishop who stepped down in disgrace reveals in memoir that he's gay By RACHEL ZOLL. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 6:12 AM CDT, May 12, 2009. A Roman Catholic archbishop who resigned in 2002 over a sex and financial scandal involving a man describes his struggles with being gay in an upcoming memoir about his decades serving the church. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-rel-gay-archbishop,0,1037554.story

Arrests at Moscow gay parade ahead of Eurovision Song Contest. Copyright by CNN News. May 16, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/05/16/russia.gay.march.eurovision/index.html

'Crack mayor?' Well, excu-u-use me! By Clarence Paige. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 13, 2009. Whoa! I just got off the phone with Marion Barry. He is royally ticked at my earlier blog post. You know, the one headlined "'Crack mayor' sniffs at gay marriage." He didn't like the headline. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/pagespage/2009/05/crack-mayor-well-excuuuse-me.html


Immigration

Mexican Data Say Migration to U.S. Has Plummeted By JULIA PRESTON. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 14, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/us/15immig.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


Technical

Facebook sets tone in Iran’s electoral contest By Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 00:52 | Last updated: May 13 2009 00:52. As they struggle to compete against an Iranian president who enjoys the support of a powerful state apparatus, leading candidates in June’s election are resorting to Facebook to spread their messages. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/da46ad4e-3f19-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Under Pressure, Craigslist to Remove ‘Erotic’ Ads By BRAD STONE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 13, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/technology/companies/14craigslist.html?th&emc=th

Europe Fines Intel a Record $1.45 Billion in Antitrust Case By JAMES KANTER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/global/14compete.html?_r=1&hp

A Ruling Against Intel, Unlikely to Drag It Down By ASHLEE VANCE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 13, 2009. European regulators have spent close to nine years investigating whether Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, illegally hampered competitors in its dealings with computer makers and retailers. And on Wednesday, they finally reached a conclusion, punishing Intel with a record fine of 1.06 billion euros ($1.45 billion) for abusing its dominant position in the computer chip market. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/technology/business-computing/14chip.html?th&emc=th

AirTran to have Wi-Fi on all flights this summer By Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 8:42 AM CDT, May 12, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-air-tran-wireless-internet-may12,0,5545703.story

Data, Not Design, Is King in the Age of Google By MIGUEL HELFT. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 9, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/business/10ping.html?th&emc=th

The Twitter Guys By JAMIE DIAMOND. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/fashion/10nite.html?th&emc=th


Medical

New York Times Editorial: Reminders on Health Reform. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2009. Lawmakers who were paying attention got two powerful reminders this week of the critical need for them to pass the strongest possible reforms to bring down health costs and cover the unconscionable number of Americans — more than 45 million — who remain uninsured. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/opinion/13wed1.html?th&emc=th

Obama hails plan to cut healthcare bill By Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 11 2009 18:08 | Last updated: May 11 2009 23:50. Barack Obama on Monday welcomed proposals by the US healthcare industry to reduce costs by $2,000bn during the next 10 years, as efforts to overhaul the health system gathered pace in Washington. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/27b0d234-3e4e-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

Obama says House eyes July healthcare bill. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 13 2009 15:52 | Last updated: May 13 2009 15:52 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/778340be-3fcd-11de-9ced-00144feabdc0.html

Recession Drains Social Security and Medicare By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/politics/13health.html?th&emc=th

FDA warns Cheerios over health claims By Jonathan Birchall in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 23:52 | Last updated: May 12 2009 23:52 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cfec4710-3f45-11de-ae4f-00144feabdc0.html

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Birth control for guys. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 10, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0510edit2may10,0,1371615.story

Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Gene By JOHN SCHWARTZ. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 12, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13patent.html?th&emc=th


Other

Blackhawks beat Vancouver Canucks 7-5, advance to conference finals - Kane notches hat trick as Hawks whip Luongo, send Canucks on summer vacation By Chris Kuc. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 12, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-12-blackhawks-canucks-chicagmay12,0,828062.story

Geffen sets sights on New York Times By Matthew Garrahan in Los Angeles and Kenneth Li and Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 12 2009 00:33 | Last updated: May 12 2009 00:33. David Geffen, the former record executive who made an offer for the Los Angeles Times two years ago, now wants to buy the New York Times, according to people close to the situation. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c35770aa-3e83-11de-9a6c-00144feabdc0.html

American Airlines revamps frequent-flier program - Finding flights, booking one-way or multicity travel, to be easier with new AAdvantage, officials say By Julie Johnsson. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 11, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mon-frequent-flier-aa-0511-may11,0,4213971.story

Father Cutié's Indulgences BY DAVID WATERS. Copyright by The Washington Post. MAY 8, 2009; 3:24 PM ET. A few days before he was caught indulging himself with an attractive woman on a South Florida beach, the now-dismissed Rev. Albert Cutié told a TV interviewer that he thinks all Catholic priests should have the option to marry. "If they want to discipline me, let them discipline me, but I think the option would be better and healthier." A good point, Father, even in retrospect. http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2009/05/father_curies_indulgences.html?hpid=talkbox1



Humor

Saturday Night Live - Digital Short: Motherlover - Video - NBC.com (R Rated) http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/digital-short-motherlover-uncensored/1103443/

The Bar Jar http://iretiredfromnewsletters.blogspot.com/2009/05/bar-jar.html

Charlie Brooker on the American News Media. Funny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aEk864YrKw


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

World discovers it is still breathing Newsletter - May 9, 2009

World discovers it is still breathing Newsletter - May 9, 2009


“I don't want to go negative on Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but he didn't pass an economic deal in the first 100 days. We have passed the largest Recovery Act in the history of the country.” Rahm Emanuel


Financial Times Editorial Comment: World discovers it is still breathing. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 19:25 | Last updated: May 8 2009 19:25. The end of the world has been cancelled for now, if we are to believe recent market movements. Confidence is slowly returning to investors, who have discovered they are still alive after last http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a30c0260-3bfa-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Showing Hints of Improvement- In Poor Jobs Numbers, Hints of Improvement - Employment Losses Hit 6-Month Low By Neil Irwin and Annys Shin. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, May 9, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/08/AR2009050800394.html?hpid=topnews

Fine Line for Obama on How to Convey Hope on Economy By DAVID E. SANGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/business/economy/09assess.html?th&emc=th

US retailers show signs of life- More than a dozen retailers raise earnings guidance By Jonathan Birchall and Simone Baribeau in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 15:38 | Last updated: May 7 2009 16:44 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/96a9b01e-3b12-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

US services show signs of life By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 5 2009 16:23 | Last updated: May 5 2009 16:23 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ad22b004-3985-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html

Hopes for end to inventory cuts grow By Richard Milne in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 4 2009 22:39 | Last updated: May 4 2009 22:56. European companies are hailing a possible end of the vicious round of cuts in inventory levels as a sign that customer demand could be stabilising despite the ongoing global recession. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ad5805b6-38d0-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

Bright Spot in Downturn: New Hiring Is Robust By STEVEN GREENHOUSE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2009. Everyone knows the grim news — unemployment in the United States has jumped to 8.5 percent, a 25-year high, and is racing toward double digits. Since November, the nation has lost more than three million jobs. But not everyone knows the brighter side to the equation: deep in the maw of the deepest recession since the Great Depression, millions are still being hired. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/business/economy/06hire.html?th&emc=th

Obama’s ‘apologies’ are a strength By Gideon Rachman. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 4 2009 19:12 | Last updated: May 4 2009 21:07 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/03f8b64a-38d6-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

Obama’s secret: Muppets, motherhood and apple pie By Chrystia Freeland. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 16:02 | Last updated: May 8 2009 16:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9cab58f8-3bff-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Billionaire Warren Buffett says US government is taking the right steps to help economy JOSH FUNK. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 12:54 AM CDT, May 3, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-berkshire-shareholders,0,3576298.story





International

Czechs clear way for Lisbon treaty By Tony Barber in Prague. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 16:21 | Last updated: May 6 2009 16:21. The upper house of the Czech parliament on Wednesday approved the European Union’s Lisbon treaty by a convincing majority, increasing the chances that long-awaited institutional reforms in the 27-nation bloc will come into effect on January 1, 2010. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ba9b0be-3a4d-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Data boost hope Germany out of ‘freefall’ By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 12:20 | Last updated: May 8 2009 18:06. Germany’s rapid economic contraction is coming to an end, industrial production and export data signalled on Friday, raising hopes that Europe’s largest economy is back on a more stable footing. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b27d5092-3bbd-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Berlin landmark KaDeWe store considers the unthinkable - The 102-year-old Kaufhaus des Westens department store has put itself up for sale. As if that weren't horrifying enough to some Germans, it also says it's open to foreign offers. By Henry Chu. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. May 3, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-germany-store3-2009may03,0,3257458.story

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Fighting recession in the eurozone. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 18:51 | Last updated: May 7 2009 18:51 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e14afb6-3b2e-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

ECB unveils measures to fight recession By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt and David Oakley in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 12:46 | Last updated: May 7 2009 14:58 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/287034fc-3aee-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

Impairments rise at Barclays and Lloyds By Adam Jones. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 07:59 | Last updated: May 7 2009 15:01 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d2406566-3acf-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

Icy winds threaten US-Russia thaw By Charles Clover and James Blitz. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 22:46 | Last updated: May 8 2009 22:46. A nagging question still bedevils Washington watchers in Moscow: was it really just an accidental mis translation? http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f3edbc88-3c17-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Georgia accuses Russia of coup plot By Isabel Gorst in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 5 2009 09:53 | Last updated: May 5 2009 11:56 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/75c532b4-3951-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html

European Union Signs a Pact on a Pipeline for Gas From the Caspian Sea By DAN BILEFSKY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/world/europe/09prague.html?ref=global-home

China

India and China data fuel rise in optimism By James Lamont in New Delhi, Kathrin Hille in Beijing and Kevin Brown in Hong Kong. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. India’s manufacturing sector grew in April for the first time in five months, spurring hopes of an end to falling growth estimates and contracting exports. Meanwhile, the purchasing managers’ index for Chinese manufacturing published by CLSA, the Hong Kong-based brokerage, rose to 50.1 in April from 44.8 a month earlier, signalling an expansion in factory output for the first time in nine months Published: May 4 2009 17:33 | Last updated: May 4 2009 17:33 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2ea66a5a-38c6-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Antitrust in China. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 4 2009 19:00 | Last updated: May 4 2009 19:00. China has given notice that it will not tolerate abuse of monopoly power, in industry if not in politics. Since it enacted an antitrust law last August, the Ministry of Commerce has made three important rulings. In the latest, it imposed restrictions on the $1.6bn takeover by Japan’s Mitsubishi Rayon of the UK’s Lucite International, forcing the latter to sell half of its production of one polymer at cost. In March, it rejected Coca-Cola’s planned $2.4bn takeover of Huiyuan, a Chinese juicemaker, in a ruling that surprised many lawyers. Before that, it had imposed restrictions on InBev’s $52bn acquisition of Anheuser-Busch even though, like Mitsubishi/Lucite, it was a global transaction with only secondary implications for China. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c7236f86-38d4-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

China says 5,335 students died in last year's quake - The Communist government had resisted releasing the figure. Activists say it appears to be too little and too late. By Barbara Demick. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. 6:33 AM CDT, May 7, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-quake-china8-2009may08,0,3829974.story




Mess-o-potamia

Pope, Hope in Hand, Arrives in Mideast By RACHEL DONADIO. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 8, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/world/middleeast/09pope.html?hp

Civilian Deaths Imperil Support for Afghan War By CARLOTTA GALL and TAIMOOR SHAH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/world/asia/07afghan.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: Still Unfinished Business. Copyright by the New York Times. Published: May 3, 2009. President Obama has correctly refocused American attention on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the real front in the war on terror. But the recent surge in bombings is an alarming reminder of all of the unfinished business from President Bush’s unnecessary war in Iraq. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/opinion/04mon1.html?ref=global

Porous Border With Pakistan Could Hinder U.S. Troops By JANE PERLEZ and PIR ZUBAIR SHAH. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/world/asia/05fighter.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Obama holds talks with Zardari and Karzai By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington and Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 09:22 | Last updated: May 7 2009 09:30 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/84b2f7c6-3a13-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Pakistan Pounds Taliban, Swelling the Tide of Refugees By DEXTER FILKINS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/world/asia/09pstan.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Strife in Pakistan Raises U.S. Doubts Over Nuclear Arms By DAVID E. SANGER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/world/asia/04nuke.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Israel Faces a Hard Sell in Bid to Shift Policy By ETHAN BRONNER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 3, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/world/middleeast/04israel.html?th&emc=th



National

Obama to Speak From Egypt in Address to Muslim World By HELENE COOPER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/world/middleeast/09prexy.html?scp=1&sq=obama%20to%20speak%20in%20cairo&st=cse

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Level the field for tax competition. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 5 2009 19:33 | Last updated: May 5 2009 19:33. I n moving to close some of the loopholes in the porous US tax code, President Barack Obama has taken on mightier forces than a retreating Republican party. Multinational companies, which will see their foreign earnings taxed more heavily, have dispatched a battalion of lobbyists to fight the plan. Mr Obama should not let this deter him: the proposals are a step in the right direction. They do little, however, to address the fundamental challenges of international taxation.... Mr Obama’s tax battle, if he is serious, has barely begun. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4541e17e-399b-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html

Washington Post Editorial: Corporate Tax Reform - The president's tax plan can be the start of an important discussion. Copyright by The Washington Post. Tuesday, May 5, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/04/AR2009050403256.html

New York times Editorial: Tax Salvos. Copyright by The New York times. Published: May 4, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/opinion/05tue1.html?ref=global

Obama takes aim at US multinationals By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 4 2009 17:10 | Last updated: May 4 2009 17:10 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/412f2784-38b7-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

Obama squares up to corporate America By Edward Luce and Tom Braithwaite in Washington and, Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 5 2009 03:00 | Last updated: May 5 2009 03:00 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/79255bee-390d-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.ht

Obama’s tax reforms anger “haven” countries By Vanessa Houlder in London and Michael Steen in Amsterdam. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 5 2009 21:35 | Last updated: May 5 2009 21:35 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ea9301ac-39b0-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html

Obama’s budget knife set to cut $17bn By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 01:32 | Last updated: May 7 2009 01:32 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/90dbf0d2-3a9c-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Firefighters Struggle to Contain Calif. Blaze By REBECCA CATHCART. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/us/09fire.html?hp

Statue of Liberty’s Crown Will Reopen July 4 By Sewell Chan. Copyright by The New York Times. May 8, 2009 http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/statue-of-libertys-crown-will-reopen-july-4/?hp




GOP Whacking


Republicans all at sea as party sinks By Clive Crook. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 3 2009 19:29 | Last updated: May 3 2009 19:29. How much trouble is the Republican party in? Plenty. Compounding its recent miseries, too numerous to mention, Arlen Specter, the independent-minded senator for Pennsylvania, has gone over to the other side. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/deed710a-380e-11de-9211-00144feabdc0.html

How Character Corrodes By MAUREEN DOWD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 2, 2009. WASHINGTON. How quaint. The Republicans are concerned about checks and balances. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/opinion/03dowd.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Interrogation Debate Sharply Divided Bush White House By MARK MAZZETTI and SCOTT SHANE. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 3, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/us/politics/04detain.html?th&emc=th

4th-Grader Questions Rice on Waterboarding -Ex-Secretary of State Stresses Legality By Alec MacGillis. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 4, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/03/AR2009050301739.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

New York Times Editorial: The Torture Debate: The Missing Voices. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2009. Last month’s release of memos prepared by the Bush Justice Department and the disclosure of a report by the International Committee of the Red Cross on the brutal treatment of detainees expanded public knowledge of an ignominious chapter in the nation’s history. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/opinion/07thu1.html?th&emc=th

New York Times Editorial: The Torture Debate: The Lawyers. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 6, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/opinion/07thu2.html?th&emc=th

Torture video hits UAE nuclear deal By Daniel Dombey in Washington and Andrew England in Abu Dhabi. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 4 2009 20:05 | Last updated: May 4 2009 20:05. Torture allegations against a member the United Arab Emirates’ ruling family threaten to complicate a nuclear deal between the US and the Gulf state. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cede205a-38ce-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

The Patriot Act, At Work... http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5050332/

Washington Post Editorial: Fairness in the Torture Probe - Why the Justice Department should embrace disclosure in its investigation of Bush administration legal advice. Saturday, May 9, 2009. Copyright by The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/08/AR2009050803733.html

Colin Powell/Rush Limbaugh War Rages On By David Knowles. Copyright by Politicsdaily.com. Posted: 05/7/09. In the circular firing squad known as the Republican party, the two-man skirmish between former Secretary of State Colin Powell and GOP strategist Rush Limbaugh shows no signs of abating any time soon. Their rhetorical battle intensified yesterday, when an incensed Limbaugh told Powell he should just make it official, join "Benedict Arlen" and switch over to the Democratic Party: "http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/05/07/colin-powell-rush-limbaugh-war-rages-on/

Cheney: Mistake for GOP to 'moderate' - Cheney said the GOP needs to hold onto its principles By Alexander Mooney. Copyright by CNN News. Posted: 09:04 AM ET http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Subprime lobbyists in $370m battle By Edward Luce in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 05:02 | Last updated: May 6 2009 05:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ab5cf9aa-39b7-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html

Few escape blame over subprime explosion By Edward Luce. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 05:02 | Last updated: May 6 2009 05:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1d2c749a-39d9-11de-b82d-00144feabdc0.html




Chicagoland

Chicago Tribune Editorial: Todd Stroger's decision. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 8, 2009. Imagine you're Todd Stroger and, as 2010 menacingly approaches, this is your life: Your erratic governing style as Cook County Board president, with no core message beyond bizarre personnel moves and chronic defensiveness, has left you all but alone. Many Democratic committeemen are murmuring to one another that voters in their wards and townships can't wait to hoist you out of office next year. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0508edit1may08,0,6352364.story

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Stroger should skip veto of sales tax repeal, manage better. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. May 7, 2009. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1562934,CST-EDT-edit07.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: Deep deficit demands permanent tax courage. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. May 8, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1564187,CST-EDT-edit08a.article

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Despite Drew outrage, rule of law must be upheld. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. May 9, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1565584,CST-EDT-edit10.article

Giannoulias chief of staff gearing up to replace treasurer if he wins Senate nod BY LAURA WASHINGTON. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. May 4, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/washington/1556478,CST-EDT-laura04.article



Your Lack of Money

Social Security Benefits Not Expected to Rise in ’10 By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 2, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/us/politics/03benefits.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

US jobless rate reaches 8.9% By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 14:11 | Last updated: May 8 2009 16:58 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d75e86a-3b5c-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Testing times for Geithner’s plans. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 19:14 | Last updated: May 6 2009 19:14. Some US banks are walking wounded. Some are the living dead. A full 21 months into the credit crisis, investors are still unclear about which banks are which. The banking system cannot function without confidence. So, Tim Geithner, the US Treasury secretary, is fighting chronic uncertainty with transparency. The results of the “stress tests”, an exercise to identify undercapitalised banks so the government can make sure they have enough capital to recover, will be announced on Thursday. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6d7580a2-3a67-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Billions required to bolster US banks - Shares jump as gaps appear manageable By Francesco Guerrera and Greg Farrell in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 19:28 | Last updated: May 7 2009 01:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b7c50d96-3a6a-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Bernanke: Stress tests could pave way for further intervention By Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 17:01 | Last updated: May 7 2009 17:01 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e233f764-3b18-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.htm

How banks learnt to play the system By John Gapper. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 20:02 | Last updated: May 6 2009 20:02 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/960a15d0-3a6e-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Wells and M Stanley raise new capital. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. John Mack, Morgan Stanley’s chief executive, has said the bank would like to repay Tarp funds as soon as possible. Published: May 8 2009 16:18 | Last updated: May 8 2009 16:18 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/963b0ad2-3be0-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

JPMorgan faces SEC lawsuit By Aline van Duyn and Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 23:52 | Last updated: May 8 2009 23:52 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8c2e1fd2-3c1e-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Fannie Mae taps Treasury for further $19bn By Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 15:04 | Last updated: May 8 2009 15:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e516384-3bd3-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: A Lazarus option. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 19:21 | Last updated: May 7 2009 19:21. Sergio Marchionne’s racy bid to take control of GM Europe and put it with Fiat Auto and Chrysler to create the world’s joint second biggest carmaker is the corporate equivalent of accelerating from 0-60mph in under five seconds. The history of putting car companies together is littered with models that did not work, but the sector has little choice but to consolidate. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5b3220d6-3b2e-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

Judge rejects opposition to Chrysler sale By Nicole Bullock in New York and Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 07:34 | Last updated: May 6 2009 07:34 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b451539e-3a07-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Chrysler lenders end fight for better terms By Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 23:29 | Last updated: May 8 2009 23:29 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c051dfde-3c1d-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

GM posts $6bn loss as bankruptcy looms - Carmaker burns through $10.2bn in cash By Bernard Simon in Toronto. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 13:12 | Last updated: May 7 2009 17:01 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7053ff16-3afc-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

Toyota falls to first annual loss in years By Jonathan Soble in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 07:21 | Last updated: May 8 2009 12:49 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54e38034-3b93-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Porsche and VW agree merger By Daniel Schäfer in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 19:22 | Last updated: May 7 2009 00:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ddecbd20-3a65-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Filene's Basement files Ch. 11. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 8:16 AM CDT, May 4, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-filene-bankruptcy-may04,0,5753778.story



Commodities

Financial Times Editorial Comment: As good as gold. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 8 2009 19:30 | Last updated: May 8 2009 19:30. In Goldfinger, the 1964 James Bond film, the dastardly Auric Goldfinger planned to make the US government’s gold reserves worthlessly radioactive by detonating an atomic device in the vaults at Fort Knox. This was intended to make Goldfinger’s personal bullion stash 10 times more valuable. Frankly, his investment strategy was needlessly complex. This supervillain should have followed a more time-tested mantra: buy and hold. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/99c7813e-3bfa-11de-acbc-00144feabdc0.html

Gold sales cost Europe’s central banks $40bn - Swiss National Bank biggest loser By Javier Blas in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 23:31 | Last updated: May 7 2009 08:55 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/433a92b4-3a67-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Dollar and yen rally as havens are sought By Johanna Kassel. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 11:32 | Last updated: May 6 2009 11:32 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/38cce0ca-3a26-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0,s01=1.html




Housing

New report bolsters US housing hopes By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 4 2009 16:32 | Last updated: May 4 2009 16:32 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d73f4f0e-38be-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

US mortgage cuts offer spending boost By Saskia Scholtes and Chrystia Freeland in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 3 2009 22:36 | Last updated: May 3 2009 22:36 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d586a694-3828-11de-9211-00144feabdc0.html

Where Home Prices Crashed Early, Signs of a Rebound By DAVID STREITFELD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2009. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/03f8b64a-38d6-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html

Chicago-area home sales fall 26% in first quarter. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. 10:12 AM CDT, May 8, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-chicago-home-sales-may8,0,1935339.story

Senate bill gives freer hand to mortgage market By Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 01:28 | Last updated: May 7 2009 01:28 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c7842914-3a93-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html


GLBT

Gay rights after the first one hundred days of the Obama Presidency. By Carlos T Mock, MD. May 7, 2009 http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/05/gay-rights-after-first-one-hundred-days.html

As Gay Issues Arise, Obama Is Pressed to Engage By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: May 6, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/politics/07obama.html?th&emc=th

Chicago Sun Times Editorial: Legalize civil unions here. Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times. May 8, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1564186,CST-EDT-edit08.article

Daily Herald Editorial: Civil unions, now, in Illinois. Copyright by The Daily Herald Editorial Board. Published: 5/8/2009 12:03 AM. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=292111&src=

ILLINOIS CLERGY URGE PASSAGE OF CIVIL UNION BILL SPRINGFIELD, IL - More than 150 clergy signed a letter urging the Illinois House of Representatives to pass a civil union bill which would give recognition and legal protections to same-sex couples. The clergy represent a variety of mainstream denominations throughout the State of Illinois and the letter was organized by Allied for Equality a joint project of Equality Illinois and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG). http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/05/illinois-clergy-urge-passage-of-civil.html

Maine Becomes 5th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage By GLENN ADAMS. Copyright by The Associated Press. Wednesday, May 6, 2009; 1:04 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/06/AR2009050601681.html?hpid=topnews

New York Times Editorial: ‘This Is a Question of Fairness’. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 7, 2009. It is by no means a fast and easy path, but the cause of same-sex marriage is moving forward — proof that justice can triumph over wedge politics and prejudice. It happened this week in Maine and New Hampshire, where both states’ legislatures voted to legalize same-sex marriage and promptly put the final say to their governors. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/opinion/08fri4.html?ref=opinion

Same-sex marriages gradually gain legal ground - Even in states that don't allow gay marriage, court decisions on child custody, divorce and other issues are giving incremental rights to same-sex couples. By Carol J. Williams. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. May 4, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-gay-marriage-law4-2009may04,0,4246217.story

Dems: Opportunity as gay marriage acceptance grows By Liz Sidoti. Copyright by The Associated Press. May 6, 2009. WASHINGTON—Gay marriage legalization in several states and the public’s growing acceptance of same-sex unions have Democrats sensing political opportunity and some Republicans re-evaluating their party’s hard-line opposition to an issue that long has rallied its base. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3458

New York times Editorial: Matthew Shepard Act. Copyright by The New York times. Published: May 5, 2009. After years of unconscionable delay, the House has approved legislation that would, for the first time, extend federal hate-crimes law to give substantive coverage to gay people. The act would be an important step forward in protecting all minorities from violence and a tribute to a young man whose life was cut short by bigotry. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/opinion/06wed3.html?th&emc=th

Hate and a Question of Rights By Kathleen Parker. Copyright by The Washington Post. Sunday, May 3, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/01/AR2009050102827.html

Chicago Free Press Editorial: They can’t deny it any longer. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. May 6, 2009. A North Carolina Congresswoman had to take back her choice of words last week, after referring to Matthew Shepard’s murder as a hoax during debate on the hate crimes legislation that ultimately passed the House. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3461

Washington Post Editorial: Mr. Barry's Ugly Words - The D.C. Council member chose politics over principle in a vote against recognizing same-sex marriages. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, May 9, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/08/AR2009050803544.html

Uproar in D.C. as Same-Sex Marriage Gains By Tim Craig. Copyright by The Washington Post. Wednesday, May 6, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/05/AR2009050501618.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

‘Crack mayor’ sniffs at gay marriage By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. Originally posted: May 8, 2009 http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/pagespage/2009/05/crack-mayor-sniffs-at-gay-marriage.html

REACHING A PROPERTY AGREEMENT: THE LGBT DIVORCE by Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. Copyright by gay Chicago Magazine and Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. May 7-13, 2009 http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com/advice/legallyspeaking.shtml

For Gay Couples, Obstacles to Health Insurance By WALECIA KONRAD. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009. “It’s not easy being gay,” said Mary Jo Hudson, director of the Ohio Department of Insurance. She wasn’t referring to political opposition and other obstacles, but the plight of same-sex couples who are trying to get and keep health insurance. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/health/09patient.html?_r=1&hp

Vernita Gray: Fighting for 40 years by Paul Marinkovich. 2009-05-06. Copyright by The Windy City Times http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21065

Midlife crisis #261: A Catholic Taste By St. Sukie de la Croix. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. May 6, 2009. This latest spat between differing factions within the Roman Catholic Church may prove to be the beginning of the end for this bizarre Mediterranean Christian cult lead by men in bad drag. The Vatican, aka “HQ of the Holy Church of Child-Rapists,” has ordered a probe into the doings of American nuns, claiming they are soft on homosexuality. The New Catholic Reporter writes that Cardinal Joseph Levada, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has concluded that U.S. nuns are not teaching the church’s doctrine on homosexuality. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3469



Immigration

New York Times Editorial: A Shift on Immigration Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 2, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/opinion/03sun1.html?th&emc=th

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Immigration laws get dose of sanity. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. May 6, 2009 http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1559899,CST-EDT-edit06b.article

Buying Time on Immigration By E.J. Dionne Jr. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, May 4, 2009. On many questions, President Obama's approach is full speed ahead. On immigration reform, he prefers to take things one step at a time. There really is no alternative. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/03/AR2009050301848.html



Technical

Encyclopedic Knowledge, Then vs. Now By RANDALL STROSS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 2, 2009. THIS is the end of the line for Encarta, the encyclopedia that Microsoft introduced in 1993 and still describes boastfully on its Web site as “the No. 1 best-selling encyclopedia software brand for the past eight years.” Microsoft recently announced that sales would soon cease and that the Encarta Web site, supported by advertising, would be shut down later this year. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/business/03digi.html?scp=1&sq=Encyclopedic%20Knowledge,%20Then%20vs.%20Now&st=cse

Apple’s Popular Electronic Playground By SETH SCHIESEL. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/arts/television/09phon.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Board Ties at Apple and Google Are Scrutinized By MIGUEL HELFT and BRAD STONE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 4, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/technology/companies/05apple.html?th&emc=th


Medical

WHO considers flu alert overhaul - Agency facing growing criticism for provoking alarm By Andrew Jack in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 7 2009 15:42 | Last updated: May 7 2009 15:42 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e89de9ea-3b11-11de-ba91-00144feabdc0.html

Flu? What Flu? By ELISABETH MALKIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 8, 2009. MEXICO CITY — If you are looking for a cheap travel destination, try Mexico. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/business/global/09peso.html?ref=global-home

Schumer Offers Middle Ground on Health Care By ROBERT PEAR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: May 5, 2009. WASHINGTON — In an effort to defuse the most explosive issue in the debate over comprehensive health care legislation, a top Senate Democrat has proposed that any new government-run insurance program comply with all the rules and standards that apply to private insurance. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/03f8b64a-38d6-11de-8cfe-00144feabdc0.html




Other

Judy Blume embroiled in Planned Parenthood controversy - Agency's fundraising push includes letter from famed author By Colleen Mastony. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. May 9, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-blumemay09,0,4908644.story

Boston Globe deal averts shutdown By Kenneth Li in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 6 2009 13:44 | Last updated: May 6 2009 13:44 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3c6ef30e-3a39-11de-8a2d-00144feabdc0.html

Supreme Court wants new look at 'wardrobe malfunction' By Bill Mears. Copyright by CNN News. updated 4:14 p.m. EDT, Mon May 4, 2009. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The case of Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" on national television -- and subsequent fines against CBS -- will be re-examined at the order of the Supreme Court. Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson perform at the Super Bowl just before the infamous "wardrobe malfunction." http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/04/us.scotus.jjackson/index.html




Humor

Harry Enfield - Women know your limits http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxY9rZwNGU


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

The first 100 days Newsletter - May 2, 2009

The first 100 days Newsletter - May 2, 2009

“Obama was celebrating his first 100 days in office. George Bush was president for eight years and never spent close to 100 days in office.”  Jay Leno

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Obama’s hundred days of ambition. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 29 2009 19:00 | Last updated: April 29 2009 19:00. Barack Obama’s presidency is off to an impressive start. Far from seeming daunted by the economic conditions he inherited from his predecessor, Mr Obama has maintained the posture, so familiar from his election campaign, of purposeful energy, steady calm and preternatural self-confidence. Polls say he continues to enjoy strong personal support. Although his policies are a little less widely admired, the country is behind him and wants him to succeed. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3c468b42-34e6-11de-940a-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times Editorial: One Hundred. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 28, 2009. Crises, not days, is the first word that comes to mind when we think about the number 100 and Barack Obama’s presidency. The list of failed policies and urgent threats bequeathed to him by former President George W. Bush could easily be that long. In his first 14 weeks plus two days, President Obama has made a strong start at addressing many of the most critical ones. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/opinion/29wed1.html?_r=1&ref=global

Obama injects message of hope into 100-day speech. He uses a prime-time news conference to lay out the range of serious problems facing his administration and the nation, calling for patience and asserting again that 'America will see a better day.' By Peter Nicholas and Christi Parsons. Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times. April 30, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-obama-press30-2009apr30,0,7779358.story


International

“Over 100 countries agreed on a U. N. declaration to combat intolerance worldwide — unless it's aimed at Miss California.” Todd Long

North Korea threatens fresh nuclear tests By Christian Oliver in Seoul. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 29 2009 09:36 | Last updated: April 29 2009 09:58 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2043629c-3498-11de-940a-00144feabdc0.html

Medvedev seen as potential spoiler to Putin By Charles Clover in Moscow. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 1 2009 15:45 | Last updated: May 1 2009 17:12. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s growing political stature is increasing the possibility that he will stand for re-election in 2012 in spite of assumptions that those polls would see Vladimir Putin’s return, according to a top Kremlin adviser. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0e7c4672-363d-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html

Eurozone economic confidence rebounds By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 29 2009 11:04 | Last updated: April 29 2009 11:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/305f3ed8-349f-11de-940a-00144feabdc0.html

Deutsche Bank back in black By James Wilson in Frankfurt. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 28 2009 07:51 | Last updated: April 28 2009 13:30. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a0a53386-33bf-11de-83af-00144feabdc0.html

Japan edges back into deflation By Michiyo Nakamoto in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 1 2009 03:44 | Last updated: May 1 2009 08:38 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ba75d7c0-35f9-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

Japan predicts record fall in output By Michiyo Nakamoto in Tokyo. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 27 2009 05:30 | Last updated: April 27 2009 19:24 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c4342f9c-32e2-11de-8116-00144feabdc0.html

May Day protests intensify in Europe By Peggy Hollinger and Esther Bintliff in Paris and Chris Bryant in Berlin. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 1 2009 11:46 | Last updated: May 2 2009 00:01 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2f852eec-363d-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html

Strong quake sways tall buildings, adds to swine flu anxiety in already-tense Mexico City By PAUL HAVEN. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 3:46 PM CDT, April 27, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-lt-mexico-earthquake,0,5205443.story



China

“The economy is bad. It's so bad, third graders in China are being forced to take second jobs.” Jay Leno

Chinese face rising cost of dying By Jamil Anderlini in Shanghai. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 27 2009 18:37 | Last updated: April 27 2009 18:37. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cbc29a3c-3350-11de-8f1b-00144feabdc0.html



Mess-o-potamia

“In a new interview, Iranian President Ahmadinejad complained Obama's not returning his messages. Hello — maybe he's just not that into you.”  Craig Ferguson

Second hardliner in Iran presidential race By Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 15:43 | Last updated: April 30 2009 15:43. Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, has announced his intention to run for president, underlining the failure of Iran’s fundamentalists to reach a consensus candidate. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8e5cc668-3594-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

Pakistan Sends Troops Into District Taken by Taliban By CARLOTTA GALL. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/world/asia/29pstan.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

Baghdad Is Shaken by a Series of Bombs By SAM DAGHER and SUADAD AL-SALHY. Copyright by The Associated Press. Published: April 29, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/world/middleeast/30iraq.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


National

“President Obama's budget was passed by the Democrats in Congress  Wednesday. It puts the country four trillion dollars in debt. It's hard to believe Nancy Reagan was nearly run out of the White House twenty-five years ago just for borrowing dresses.” Argus Hamilton

Congress approves $3,400bn budget By Andrew Ward in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 03:06 | Last updated: April 30 2009 03:06. Congress on Wednesday passed a $3,400bn budget resolution that laid the foundation for healthcare reform and a series of other Democratic policy goals, handing President Barack Obama a key victory on his 100th day in office. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8f7b025a-3524-11de-940a-00144feabdc0.html

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Prosecuting torture. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 27 2009 20:28 | Last updated: April 27 2009 20:28. Hard though it is to believe, Barack Obama may be facing an issue with bigger consequences for the US than any already on his desk: whether officials from the previous administration – perhaps up to and including George W. Bush – should be prosecuted for violating domestic and international laws on torture. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c8a2aa08-3360-11de-8f1b-00144feabdc0.html

Washington Post Editorial: More Souters - The qualities President Obama should seek in filling the shoes of a fine justice. Copyright by The Washington Post. Saturday, May 2, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/01/AR2009050103445.html

Souter Reportedly Planning to Retire From High Court - Justice Might Stay Until Nominee Confirmed By Robert Barnes. Copyright by The Washington Post. Friday, May 1, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/30/AR2009043004361.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

The FCC's F-word: Freedom By Steve Chapman. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 30, 2009. Anyone who has ever dealt with attorneys has come to the realization that the law does not always make perfect sense. Even so, it comes as at least a mild surprise to find the U.S. Supreme Court cheerfully authorizing the government to engage in censorship, as it did this week. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0430chapmanapr30,0,3178237.column



GOP Whacking

“This really is big, because Specter's move puts the Democrats within a hair's breath of a unfilibusterable 60-seat Senate majority. So now it appears the Senate's balance of power, in many respects, the future of our nation is in the hands of Al Franken.” Jon Stewart

G.O.P. Debate: A Broader Party or a Purer One? By ADAM NAGOURNEY and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN. Published: April 29, 2009. WASHINGTON — A fundamental debate broke out among Republicans on Wednesday over how to rebuild the party in the wake of Senator Arlen Specter’s departure: Should it purge moderate voices like Mr. Specter and embrace its conservative roots or seek to broaden its appeal to regain a competitive position against Democrats? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/us/politics/30repubs.html?th&emc=th

Specter's Departure a Wake Up Call for GOP By Dan Balz. Copyright by The Washington Post. April 28, 2009 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/04/28/specters_departure_a_wake_up_c.html?hpid=topnews

We Didn’t Have to Lose Arlen Specter By SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE, R, MAINE. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 28, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/opinion/29snowe.html?ref=global

Torture by any other description by Kathleen Parker. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 27, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0427parker_mdapr27,0,7262237.column

The real reason for torture By Steve Chapman. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. Originally posted: April 27, 2009 9:11 AM. The debate over the use of torture to interrogate suspected terrorists raises some difficult moral questions. Having written many times in opposition to it, though, I find little evidence that its supporters care about those issues. A sensible, humane person could say: "Torture is tragically necessary in some instances to save innocent lives, but it is a terrible thing for a government to engage in; it must be subject to strict safeguards, and it must be used only when the information needed is vital to avert disaster, time is of the essence or other methods have been exhausted." But its defenders, many of whom I have heard from, never sound like that. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/steve_chapman/2009/04/the-real-reason-for-torture.html

New York Times Editorial: When Israel Confronted and Rejected Torture. By SERGE SCHMEMANN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2009. Reading about the Bush administration’s convoluted attempts to justify torture takes me back to reporting I did 12 years ago on the anguished debate in Israel over its secret service’s use of violence in interrogations. That was two years before the Israeli Supreme Court banned the practice. “This is the destiny of democracy, as not all means are acceptable to it and not all practices employed by its enemies are open before it,” wrote the president of the court, Aharon Barak. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/opinion/01fri4.html?th&emc=th

CIA official: No proof harsh techniques stopped terror attacks on America Mark Seibel and Warren P. Strobel. Copyright by McClatchy Newspapers. April 27, 2009 http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/04/cia-official-no-proof-harsh-techniques.html

Survey: Support for terror suspect torture differs among the faithful. Copyright by CNN News. April 30, 2009. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists, according to a new survey. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/30/religion.torture/index.html

Cheney's tortured argument By Clarence Page. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 29, 2009. What a difference an election makes. Our national position has now shifted from "we don't torture" to "we don't torture anymore." Let us, then, disabuse ourselves of former President George W. Bush's notion that waterboarding and the other so-called "harsh" or "enhanced" interrogation techniques are anything but torture. Euphemism is the first refuge of scoundrels -- and the desperate. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0429pageapr29,0,542921.column





Chicagoland

“A federal judge has refused to give former Gov. Rod Blagojevich permission to travel to Costa Rica to appear in a reality show. He pretty much told him, "You're Not a Celebrity and You're Not Getting Out of Here." Doug Austen

Chicago Tribune Editorial - Legalize civil unions. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 27, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-0427edit1apr27,0,3301225.story

Whose liberty? A law that makes sense for altar-bound adults By Geoffrey R. Stone. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 26, 2009. The Illinois legislature will soon act on the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, which would legally recognize civil unions in our state. The legislation provides that "persons entering into a civil union" will have "the same obligations, responsibilities, protections and benefits" as married persons. Civil unions would be available to adults "of either the same or opposite sex." Traditional "marriage," however, would remain available only to persons of the opposite sex. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-perspec0426stoneapr26,0,7595570.story

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Time to stand up to end corruption - An occasional series on fixing our politics and government. Copyright by the Chicago Sun-Times
April 29, 2009. People of Illinois, are you tired of being the laughingstock of the nation when it comes to political corruption? http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1549335,CST-EDT-edit29a.article

Art Institute's new wing a modern test of the times -= Museum confident in success of $283 million new wing despite economy, admission fee increase By Mark Caro. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 27, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0427-artinstituteapr27,0,3713961.story



Your Lack of Money

“Americans are becoming more optimistic about the nation's economy, a new survey showed Wednesday. This explains why Fox News didn't carry the Obama news conference. No need to alarm Republicans.” Joe Hickman

Consumer confidence surges in April By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 28 2009 14:38 | Last updated: April 28 2009 15:57. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/07b8662e-33ed-11de-9eea-00144feabdc0.html

Glimmers of hope on US economy By Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 1 2009 16:20 | Last updated: May 1 2009 16:20. The US manufacturing sector is still shrinking but at a much slower pace, a key survey showed on Friday, while battered US consumers started to feel more confident about the economy. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c6316d1e-3661-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html

Money market rates continue to fall By David Oakley, Capital Markets Correspondent. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 28 2009 15:14 | Last updated: April 28 2009 17:05. Money market rates have fallen sharply since the start of April, amid increasing signs that banks are starting to lend to each other. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af0243c8-33fc-11de-9eea-00144feabdc0.html

US personal income and spending slide- New jobless claims eased last week By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 16:22 | Last updated: April 30 2009 16:22 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/afca7b6a-3599-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

US economy shrinks 6.1% By Alan Rappeport in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 29 2009 13:59 | Last updated: April 29 2009 15:04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/06299c8e-3437-11de-9eea-00144feabdc0.html

New York Times Editorial: The Chrysler Bankruptcy. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2009. When President Obama outlined his plan to restructure Chrysler under bankruptcy-court protection, we shared his view that keeping a company “afloat on an endless supply of tax dollars” was no solution to the cratering of even iconic American companies. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/opinion/01fri1.html?th&emc=th

Obama Brings a Hands-On Style to Details, Big and Small By PETER BAKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2009. AS he thrust Chrysler into bankruptcy on Thursday, President Obama stopped to make a commercial message to his national audience. The latest on President Obama, the new administration and other news from Washington and around the nation. “If you are considering buying a car,” he said as cameras carried his words live, “I hope it will be an American car.” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/us/politics/01obama.html?th&emc=th

Obama plots path for Chrysler’s future By John Reed in London and Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 14:12 | Last updated: April 30 2009 18:19 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/76ccd92c-3588-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

Chrysler files for Chapter 11 protection By Tom Braithwaite in Washington and John Reed in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 14:12 | Last updated: April 30 2009 19:49 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/76ccd92c-3588-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

Chrysler filing sets up legal battle By Julie MacIntosh, Henny Sender and Nicole Bullock in New York and Tom Braithwaite in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 19:05 | Last updated: May 1 2009 00:08 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9ab3490e-35ae-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

GM bondholders launch counter-offer By John Reed in London. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 14:24 | Last updated: April 30 2009 16:25. General Motors’ bondholders on Thursday launched a counter-offer to the carmaker’s debt exchange proposal made earlier this week that would see them claim majority control of the company, but the US federal government hold no shares. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c0f4b0fc-3587-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

Bank objections delay stress tests By Francesco Guerrera in New York and Sarah O’Connor in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 1 2009 20:15 | Last updated: May 2 2009 02:44. US regulators will delay the release of stress test results for the country’s 19 biggest banks until next Thursday, after some lenders, including Citigroup and Bank of America, objected to government demands that they needed to raise billions in fresh capital. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca1da116-3681-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html

Citigroup scrambles to raise capital By Francesco Guerrera in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 28 2009 19:20 | Last updated: April 29 2009 00:29. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f1bcd8f0-341e-11de-9eea-00144feabdc0.html

Bank of America Chief Ousted as Chairman By LOUISE STORY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/30bank.html?th&emc=th

Buffett faces a grilling from investors By Francesco Guerrera and Justin Baer in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 30 2009 19:21 | Last updated: April 30 2009 19:21. Warren Buffett will be under pressure at Saturday’s annual gathering of faithful shareholders to explain his worst year ever, with the usually adoring crowd set to probe the legendary investor on his bargain-hunting strategy, succession plans and views of the crisis. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5cfe7cb2-35b0-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

MasterCard hit by fall in credit card spending By Saskia Scholtes in New York. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: May 1 2009 17:11 | Last updated: May 1 2009 17:11. MasterCard, the world’s second largest electronic payments processor, on Friday said first quarter profits fell 18 per cent on the back of a stronger US dollar and a sharp drop in US credit card spending. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/398328f6-3668-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html




Commodities

High-yield bonds feel thaw By Aline van Duyn and Nicole Bullock. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 27 2009 19:24 | Last updated: April 27 2009 19:24. The US high-yield market is finally starting to show signs of thawing. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a86f45e4-3355-11de-8f1b-00144feabdc0.html

Fed study puts ideal US interest rate at -5% By Krishna Guha in Washington. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 27 2009 03:06 | Last updated: April 27 2009 03:06 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37877644-32c9-11de-8116-00144feabdc0.html




Housing

Home sales in Chicago area start to show more signs of life - Optimism grows as sales increase slightly, median price up from previous month By Mary Ellen Podmolik. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 26, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun-housing-optimism-0426-apr26,0,3752998.story



GLBT

“Miss California Pageant officials admitted Thursday that they paid for breast implants for Miss California Carrie Prejean to help her win the Miss USA pageant. Their little plan backfired. Just her luck, she got a gay judge who only looked at her shoes.” Argus Hamilton

Chicago Free Press Editorial: Miss California and Mr. Obama? Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. April 29, 2009. It’s hard to imagine that Carrie Prejean—the current Miss California whose answer to Perez Hilton’s question about gay marriage riled up Hiton and many others in the media—and Barack Obama have that much in common. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3436

Pride 2009 - official video release http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEpqTIolLps

Quigley shows commitment to GLBT issues By Amy Wooten. Copyright by The Chicago Free Press. April 29, 2009. Shortly after new Congressman Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) was sworn into office, the longtime GLBT ally put to action his promise to fight for equality. On April 22, Quigley co-sponsored his first bill, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3427

In Military, New Debate Over Policy Toward Gays By ELISABETH BUMILLER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 30, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/us/politics/01military.html?th&emc=th

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - The photo is not the problem. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. April 30, 2009. A photo of two women kissing, which ran on the front page of Tuesday's Sun-Times, offended many readers, perhaps including you. We received plenty of calls and e-mails. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1550990,CST-EDT-edit30b.article

Update: 260+ same-sex couples apply for marriage licenses; most in Polk Co. BY TONY LEYS, REID FORGRAVE AND GRANT SCHULTE • TLEYS@DMREG.COM. Copyright by The Des Moines Register. APRIL 27, 2009 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090427/NEWS/90427003

A Quiet Day in Iowa as Same-Sex Couples Line Up to Marry By MONICA DAVEY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2009. DES MOINES — In a way, life looked unexpectedly ordinary here on Monday as Iowa began allowing same-sex couples to marry. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/us/28marriage.html?th&emc=th

Gay marriage in Iowa: Court ruling gives hope that Illinois could follow - Many gays, lesbians willing to wait, rather than rushing to Iowa to wed By Rex W. Huppke. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 29, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-gay-marriage-illinois-29-apr29,0,7527686.story

Marriage Bill Poses a Test of Loyalties: Church vs. State By JEREMY W. PETERS. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 26, 2009. It was just three days after Gov. David A. Paterson introduced a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry, and the Rev. Floyd H. Flake had some thoughts for any lawmaker who wanted to change New York’s definition of marriage. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/nyregion/27smith.html?th&emc=th

Stacking the deck on gay marriage By Steve Chapman. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 26, 2009. The country used to be unanimous in rejecting gay marriage. But that consensus, like the polar ice sheets, is showing some cracks. Vermont recently became the fourth state to allow gays to wed, and New York may be next. Elsewhere, marriage remains as Miss California prefers -- solely between a man and a woman. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0426chapman_mdapr26,0,3675007.column

HANDLING THE AFFAIRS OF AN ESTATE WHEN SOMEONE DIES by Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine and Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss. April 30-May 5, 2009 http://www.gaychicagomagazine.com/advice/legallyspeaking.shtml



Technical

U.S. Steps Up Effort on Digital Defensesy By DAVID E. SANGER, JOHN MARKOFF and THOM SHANKER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/us/28cyber.html?th&emc=th

Time Warner Is Moving Closer to AOL Spinoff By TIM ARANGO. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 29, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/media/30warner.html?th&emc=th


Medical

“Doctors say that the swine flu can be treated with Tamiflu and Relenza. Awesome! Now, I have to find a way to cross to Mexico and buy them cheaper there.” Pedro Bartes

Financial Times Editorial Comment: Plan for pandemic but avoid panic Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 27 2009 20:16 | Last updated: April 27 2009 20:16 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d115adfe-335e-11de-8f1b-00144feabdc0.html

Tests show fewer swine flu deaths © Reuters Limited. May 2, 2009. MEXICO CITY, May 2 - New laboratory data showed fewer people have died in Mexico than first thought from a new influenza strain, a glint of good news for a world rattled by the threat of a flu pandemic. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c4b5e822-3718-11de-b1f7-00144feabdc0.html

WHO warns of ‘imminent’ flu pandemic By Harvey Morris in New York, James Boxell in London, Frances Williams in Geneva and agency. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009. Published: April 29 2009 11:40 | Last updated: April 30 2009 16:05 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/95684290-349d-11de-940a-00144feabdc0.html

UCF Research Re-awakens Old Genes to Help in Fight Against HIV By Zenaida Gonzalez Kotala. April 28, 2009. Copyright by UCF Newsroom. A new vaginal cream containing a re-awakened protein could someday prevent the transmission of HIV. http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041339c48b30120a92dbf2f00726c

FDA announces recall of Hydroxycut, used by dieters and body builders, for health risks By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. 9:44 AM CDT, May 2, 2009 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-us-med-diet-pill-recall,0,5582325.story

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial - Patients deserve right to medical marijuana. Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times. April 28, 2009. In Illinois, people who suffer from cancer and smoke marijuana to stem their nausea, reduce their pain or improve their appetite -- well, those folks are criminals. http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1546659,CST-EDT-edit28a.article

Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work? By Maia Szalavitz. Copyright by Time Magazine. Sunday, Apr. 26, 2009. Pop quiz: Which European country has the most liberal drug laws? (Hint: It's not the Netherlands.) Although its capital is notorious among stoners and college kids for marijuana haze–filled "coffee shops," Holland has never actually legalized cannabis — the Dutch simply don't enforce their laws against the shops. The correct answer is Portugal, which in 2001 became the first European country to officially abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html




Other

“The Catholic Church is planning on boycotting the upcoming "Da Vinci Code" sequel "Angels & Demons." They plan to air their own movie that they say more accurately depicts Jesus — "He's Just Not That Into Jews." Jimmy Fallon

Obama Is Nudging Views on Race, a Survey Finds By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and MARJORIE CONNELLY. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 27, 2009. Barack Obama’s presidency seems to be altering the public perception of race relations in the United States. Two-thirds of Americans now say race relations are generally good, and the percentage of blacks who say so has doubled since last July, according to the latest New York Times/ CBS News poll. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/us/politics/28poll.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

End the University as We Know It By MARK C. TAYLOR. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 26, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/opinion/27taylor.html?th&emc=th

More Atheists Shout It From the Rooftops By LAURIE GOODSTEIN. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/us/27atheist.html?th&emc=th

Study Shows Americans Leave Religion Due to Drift, Not Rupture By Jacqueline L. Salmon. Copyright by The Washington Post. Monday, April 27, 2009; 12:11 PM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/27/AR2009042701460.html?hpid=topnews

Did You Know? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY





Humor

Study finds conservative viewers of Stephen Colbert's comedy show think he's on their side by Steve Johnson. Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune. April 29, 2009. Do conservatives not understand that Stephen Colbert is joking? http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-talk-colbertapr29,0,1905472.column

SWINE FLU - key facts http://newsletter91507.blogspot.com/2009/04/swine-flu-key-facts.html

Sister Myotis on Thongs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xv7REV2HEY&feature=related

Bea Arthur, TV Battle-Ax, Dies at 86 By BRUCE WEBER. Copyright by The New York Times. Published: April 25, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/arts/television/26arthur.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=bea%20arthur&st=cse

Sex and the City - Parody starring Bea Arthur http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMLITlAA0QM

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