The Fed typically convenes every month to discuss interest rates. It is not only the action (whether rates are raised, lowered, or held constant), but also the accompanying “statement” which is of interest to investors and analysts. In its statement, the Fed may signal both its motivation for the current policy decision as well as… Continue reading When the Fed says X, they really mean Y
Religious right may blackball Giuliani
A powerful group of conservative Christian leaders decided Saturday at a private meeting in Salt Lake City to consider supporting a third-party candidate for president if a pro-choice nominee like Rudy Giuliani wins the Republican nomination. From Religious right may blackball Giuliani, by Michael Scherer | Salon News I don’t think the Texas Taliban is… Continue reading Religious right may blackball Giuliani
Off-Peak Discounts May Be Part of M.T.A. Fare Increase
Under this proposal, a person who buys a pay-per-ride MetroCard would be charged $2 to ride the subway or bus during the morning and evening peak periods. Travel during off-peak periods, including midday, would cost $1.50. Off-Peak Discounts May Be Part of M.T.A. Fare Increase – City Room – Metro – New York Times Blog… Continue reading Off-Peak Discounts May Be Part of M.T.A. Fare Increase
Hired Gun Fetish
the so-called private security contractors are mercenaries. They’re heavily armed. They carry out military missions, but they’re private employees who don’t answer to military discipline. On the other hand, they don’t seem to be accountable to Iraqi or U.S. law, either. And they behave accordingly. From Hired Gun Fetish – New York Times Krugman describes… Continue reading Hired Gun Fetish
one billion dollars
Less than a month before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein signaled that he was willing to go into exile as long as he could take with him $1 billion and information on weapons of mass destruction, according to a report of a Feb. 22, 2003, meeting between President Bush and his Spanish counterpart… Continue reading one billion dollars
Spain Opens the Books on Bush?
But it seems someone in the Spanish government has leaked to El Pais transcripts of conversations between President Bush and then Spanish Prime Minister Aznar just before the outbreak of the Iraq War. The gist seems to be that Bush was rather candid about the fact that the efforts to find a peaceful solution to… Continue reading Spain Opens the Books on Bush?
Fed Chief Calls for New Mortgage Rules
In testimony this morning to the House Financial Services Committee, Mr. Bernanke said a full review of consumer protection regulations was under way under existing regulatory authority. “The recent problems in subprime lending have underscored the need not only for better disclosure and new rules but also for more-uniform enforcement in the fragmented market structure… Continue reading Fed Chief Calls for New Mortgage Rules
Senate rejects habeas legislation.
In a 56-43 vote, the majority of the Senate today voted for legislation that would have restored habeas corpus rights to military detainees and given them “the right to protest their detention in federal court.” But the roll call fell four votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. From Think Progress »… Continue reading Senate rejects habeas legislation.
Webb Amendment Filibustered
You know that plan to make sure that the troops have as much time at home as they have in Iraq? Well… Senate Republicans have successfully filibustered the amendment to ease troop rotation schedules. Great job supporting the troops.
Paul Krugman’s Blog
I was born in 1953. Like the rest of my generation, I took the America I grew up in for granted – in fact, like many in my generation I railed against the very real injustices of our society, marched against the bombing of Cambodia, went door to door for liberal candidates. It’s only in… Continue reading Paul Krugman’s Blog