Economic News That Tells The Real Story ---
An economist from Morgan Stanley explains the numbers being waved by the Bushies. In an article in The NY Times, here, Stephen Roach shows you the truth behind the claims. Yes, there were recently 1 million jobs added, but that is nothing to get excited about:
These gains certainly compare favorably with the net loss of 594,000 jobs in the first 27 months of this recovery. But there's little cause for celebration: the increases barely make a dent in the weakest hiring cycle in modern history.
It's not all bad news. If you are interested in a career in waiting tables, the fast paced world of the pro courrier, the ever-changing moods of the temp agency junkie, or part time construction, you are going to be STOKED.
Finally, the occupational breakdown of the American labor market, as also sampled by the survey of households, provides yet another facet of the character of the recent hiring upturn. It turns out that fully 81 percent of total job growth over the past year was concentrated in low-end occupations in transportation and material moving, sales and repair and maintenance services.
So in Bush America, executives make more than ever, the middle class is being made redundant by outsourcing jobs overseas (which helps the share holders), and the working class is forced to accept ever lower wages in an ever-crowding labor market. Bush has been in a bicycle pedicab his whole life and has never noticed that someone else was sweating so he could get where he wanted. Class war now!
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Garrison Keillor's Enlightening View On The Political Divide ---
Prairie Home Companion impressario Garrison Keillor has written a provocative article that lays bare the inherent differences between Democrats and Republicans. In his words, the "Democrat knows that the leaf turns." Keillor shows that there are basically two kinds of people, those who favor lower taxes at the expense of humanity, and those who believe the social contract takes greater significance. His words are better, so you can read them here, from Star Tribune. Here's a great excerpt:
There is a message here: if lower taxes are your priority over human life, then we know what sort of person you are. The response to a cry for help says a lot about us as human beings. You're at a party late one night and there's a scream from out on the street, and some people stick their heads out to see if there's trouble and other people don't bother. Maybe they'd rather not know.
Prairie Home Companion impressario Garrison Keillor has written a provocative article that lays bare the inherent differences between Democrats and Republicans. In his words, the "Democrat knows that the leaf turns." Keillor shows that there are basically two kinds of people, those who favor lower taxes at the expense of humanity, and those who believe the social contract takes greater significance. His words are better, so you can read them here, from Star Tribune. Here's a great excerpt:
There is a message here: if lower taxes are your priority over human life, then we know what sort of person you are. The response to a cry for help says a lot about us as human beings. You're at a party late one night and there's a scream from out on the street, and some people stick their heads out to see if there's trouble and other people don't bother. Maybe they'd rather not know.
Monday, July 19, 2004
Dow and Union Carbide Finally Pay -
Dow Chemicals and Union Carbide are finally made to pay for the 1984 gas tragedy in Bhopal, India. Thousands were killed and up to 20,000 have died since the pesticide plant released gas on the surrounding community. For 20 years these two chemical giants have fought paying out moneys to the victims' families. It's about time. Read the story, here, from BBC News.
Dow Chemicals and Union Carbide are finally made to pay for the 1984 gas tragedy in Bhopal, India. Thousands were killed and up to 20,000 have died since the pesticide plant released gas on the surrounding community. For 20 years these two chemical giants have fought paying out moneys to the victims' families. It's about time. Read the story, here, from BBC News.
Terrorist To Buy Crystal Palace FC ---
Former international pariah Muammar Gaddafi has put feelers out about buying London's premiership soccer club, Crystal Palace. Read about it here, in the BBC News. I know that Gaddafi has apologized for sponsoring international terrorism for 25 years, but I still remember the Lockerbie attack, when Libyan agents blew up a Pan Am airliner over the quaint Scottish town, kiling hundreds onboard and on the ground. Fuck Gaddafi.
Former international pariah Muammar Gaddafi has put feelers out about buying London's premiership soccer club, Crystal Palace. Read about it here, in the BBC News. I know that Gaddafi has apologized for sponsoring international terrorism for 25 years, but I still remember the Lockerbie attack, when Libyan agents blew up a Pan Am airliner over the quaint Scottish town, kiling hundreds onboard and on the ground. Fuck Gaddafi.