| Excess liquidity stirring global volatility in stock markets
More than a month has passed since the Shanghai stock market plunge sent shock waves throughout global markets in late February. Although share prices have since stabilized, volatility rife in foreign-currency markets, with the dollar-yen rate sometimes fluctuating nearly 2 yen a day. Stock markets are prone to synchronized global downturns when new types of shock arrive. But it should be noted here that the biggest factor behind the markets' recent problems is excess liquidity. Even in a global chain reaction, different reasons particular to each country work to push down share prices, and the size of the decline varies. In the United States, share prices are under downward pressure from pessimism over the U.S. strategy for Iraq, and the possibility that tons of housing loans extended by subprime mortgage lenders will go sour.
Houston Councilman: Stop Apologizing to American Indians
A Houston city council member said on his radio talk show that the U.S. should "stop the continuous apology for what was done to the American Indians" and drop federal programs and treaties that provide casino rights, educational support and welfare. .
Meet The Lobbyist People Love To Hate
For example, one commercial, under the Center for Consumer Freedom label, shows a child whose ice cream is taken away and adults whose food and drink are likewise snatched. "Everywhere you turn, someone is telling us what we can't eat Find out who's driving the food police," explains the voiceover. Critics call him a hired gun, but Berman says he's not defending corporate America, merely educating Americans - with the paid support of companies. "I go out to people and I say, 'If you believe in what I believe, will you help fund it?' I don't know if that's a hired gun or not. I do get paid for educating people," he says. "If thats my biggest crime, I stand accused." Berman also says what he does is a passion rather than a means of support. "I was making a lot of money before I ever started this firm.
Unlocking Gridlock
The sudden availability of a prime 27-acre property just off a busy Winston-Salem thoroughfare has developers salivating at the commercial possibilities. Developers of the site would face some challenges. But its redevelopment could provide a solution to a longstanding traffic problem. The property is expected to become available by early fall, once Hanesbrands Inc. completes the shutdown of its 550,000-square-foot manufacturing plant there. The company said March 29 that 610 positions would be eliminated by June 30 as part of its accelerated pursuit of lower-cost production in the Caribbean and Central America. Developers say that the biggest hurdle to redeveloping the property for commercial use is resolving the traffic congestion on nearby South Stratford Road.
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