Kasparov Warns Against Investment in Russia
In a recent Wall Street Journal piece, Garry Kasparov warns in Russia, where the real law is Vladimir Putin, it’s a great risk for investors to put money into the faux democracy.
International Trade & Nuclear Materials
A committee of the Australian Parliament has recommended not proceeding with a planned sale of uranium to Russia (Aussie committee). (Previously mentioned on OI.)
Sources
Aussie committee opposes Russian uranium sales. (2008 Sept. 18). Star. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/18/apworld/20080918141159&sec=apworld, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Kasparov, G. (2008 Sept. 19). Putin is ruining Russia’s economy. Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178456456654879.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
2008/09/26
Blogspeak 2008 September 26
Economy
McCain: Obama Has "Not Provided" Leadership on Economic Crisis (Bentley, J., From the Road, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 22)
Obama Endorsement
Obama gets early endorsement (Rhee, F., Political Intelligence, Boston Globe, 2008 Sept. 22)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Biden’s Case Against McCain (And Sarah Palin) (Bruns, A., Embedded Producers, Fox News, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Gov. Palin on Wall Street (Wright et al, Political Radar, ABC News, 2008 Sept. 15)
McCain: Obama Has "Not Provided" Leadership on Economic Crisis (Bentley, J., From the Road, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 22)
Obama Endorsement
Obama gets early endorsement (Rhee, F., Political Intelligence, Boston Globe, 2008 Sept. 22)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Biden’s Case Against McCain (And Sarah Palin) (Bruns, A., Embedded Producers, Fox News, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Gov. Palin on Wall Street (Wright et al, Political Radar, ABC News, 2008 Sept. 15)
Obama Intelligencer 2008 September 26
Campaign Spending and Fundraising
Obama’s campaign raised $66 million in August and has $77 million in the bank, but this is little compared to the goal of $200 million. From a funding point and party coordination point of view, Obama was hurt by the long battle for the Democratic nomination (Cummings, Groppe).
Financial Markets
In light of recent concerns over the financial markets, Obama has called for increased oversight of banks and streamlining of federal regulations over financial institutions (Schroeder).
Sources
Cummings, J. (2008 Sept. 14). Obama needs more cash to reach goals. Politico on CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/15/politics/politico/main4448530.shtml, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Groppe, M. (2008 Sept. 22). August tops for McCain, Obama fundraising. Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/NEWS05/80922039, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Schroeder, R. (2008 Sept. 15). Wall Street crisis spurs talk on campaign trail. Market Watch. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-obama-urge-reform-wall/story.aspx?guid=%7BEB116219-02C3-4C44-9C94-34BF5B366A4A%7D&dist=msr_1, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Obama’s campaign raised $66 million in August and has $77 million in the bank, but this is little compared to the goal of $200 million. From a funding point and party coordination point of view, Obama was hurt by the long battle for the Democratic nomination (Cummings, Groppe).
Financial Markets
In light of recent concerns over the financial markets, Obama has called for increased oversight of banks and streamlining of federal regulations over financial institutions (Schroeder).
Sources
Cummings, J. (2008 Sept. 14). Obama needs more cash to reach goals. Politico on CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/15/politics/politico/main4448530.shtml, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Groppe, M. (2008 Sept. 22). August tops for McCain, Obama fundraising. Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/NEWS05/80922039, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Schroeder, R. (2008 Sept. 15). Wall Street crisis spurs talk on campaign trail. Market Watch. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-obama-urge-reform-wall/story.aspx?guid=%7BEB116219-02C3-4C44-9C94-34BF5B366A4A%7D&dist=msr_1, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
McCain Intelligencer 2008 September 26
Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Abortion and Health Care)
Supporters and opponents of embryonic stem cell research are concerned about McCain’s position. Opponents of the activity are concerned he may support it based on his voting record in the Senate. Proponents fear he may drop his support based on his selection of Palin and the strong plank to ban it in the Republican Party platform (Gaudiano).
Financial Markets
McCain said it was good that the government decided not to bail out Lehman Brothers and called for reform of disjointed federal financial regulation (Schroeder).
Fundraising
August has been the best month yet for McCain fundraising (Groppe).
Polls
A recent poll by the Siena Research Institute found that McCain is gaining in New York, but Obama still leads there (McCain gaining on Obama in New York). Another poll shows McCain leading in Ohio (Fargen). It’s a tie in Minnesota (Von Sternberg). For what its worth, he holds a lead among the Israeli Jewish population (Rosenfelder).
Social Security
McCain proposes to put place Social Security contributions into accounts that could be invested in the stock market. Obama calls the plan gambling (Acosta).
OI Comment: What McCain proposes is similar to what many people have now in their 401(k). Like other uninsured investments, this involves risk. It seems better to OI than Congress doing whatever it wants with the money with a shaky promise that it will pay the promised benefits somehow. It bears a strong resemblance to a Ponzi scheme; OI suspects it’s exactly that. Why not just drop the social security tax and let us do with the money as we will?
Sources
Acosta, J. (2008 Sept. 22). Obama: McCain wants to “gamble” with Social Security. CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/22/social.security.candidates/, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Fargen, J. (2008 Sept. 15). Suffolk poll shows McCain leading Obama in Ohio. Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_09_15_Suffolk_poll_shows_McCain_leading_Obama_in_Ohio/srvc=home&position=recent, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Gaudiano, N. (2008 Sept. 13). Advocates worry McCain support for embryonic research may waver. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-12-stem-cells-mccain_N.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Groppe, M. (2008 Sept. 22). August tops for McCain, Obama fundraising. Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/NEWS05/80922039, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
McCain gaining on Obama in New York. (2008 Sept. 15). Buffalo Business First. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/09/15/daily6.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Rosenfelder, S. (2008 Sept. 15). JPost.com readers favor McCain over Obama. Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221467181669&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Schroeder, R. (2008 Sept. 15). Wall Street crisis spurs talk on campaign trail. Market Watch. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-obama-urge-reform-wall/story.aspx?guid=%7BEB116219-02C3-4C44-9C94-34BF5B366A4A%7D&dist=msr_1, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Von Sternberg, B. (2008 Sept. 15). Minnesota poll: Obama, McCain are dead even in state. Minneapolis Star-Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/28353589.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUoaK7D_V_eDc87DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Supporters and opponents of embryonic stem cell research are concerned about McCain’s position. Opponents of the activity are concerned he may support it based on his voting record in the Senate. Proponents fear he may drop his support based on his selection of Palin and the strong plank to ban it in the Republican Party platform (Gaudiano).
Financial Markets
McCain said it was good that the government decided not to bail out Lehman Brothers and called for reform of disjointed federal financial regulation (Schroeder).
Fundraising
August has been the best month yet for McCain fundraising (Groppe).
Polls
A recent poll by the Siena Research Institute found that McCain is gaining in New York, but Obama still leads there (McCain gaining on Obama in New York). Another poll shows McCain leading in Ohio (Fargen). It’s a tie in Minnesota (Von Sternberg). For what its worth, he holds a lead among the Israeli Jewish population (Rosenfelder).
Social Security
McCain proposes to put place Social Security contributions into accounts that could be invested in the stock market. Obama calls the plan gambling (Acosta).
OI Comment: What McCain proposes is similar to what many people have now in their 401(k). Like other uninsured investments, this involves risk. It seems better to OI than Congress doing whatever it wants with the money with a shaky promise that it will pay the promised benefits somehow. It bears a strong resemblance to a Ponzi scheme; OI suspects it’s exactly that. Why not just drop the social security tax and let us do with the money as we will?
Sources
Acosta, J. (2008 Sept. 22). Obama: McCain wants to “gamble” with Social Security. CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/22/social.security.candidates/, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Fargen, J. (2008 Sept. 15). Suffolk poll shows McCain leading Obama in Ohio. Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_09_15_Suffolk_poll_shows_McCain_leading_Obama_in_Ohio/srvc=home&position=recent, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Gaudiano, N. (2008 Sept. 13). Advocates worry McCain support for embryonic research may waver. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-12-stem-cells-mccain_N.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Groppe, M. (2008 Sept. 22). August tops for McCain, Obama fundraising. Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/NEWS05/80922039, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
McCain gaining on Obama in New York. (2008 Sept. 15). Buffalo Business First. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/09/15/daily6.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Rosenfelder, S. (2008 Sept. 15). JPost.com readers favor McCain over Obama. Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221467181669&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Schroeder, R. (2008 Sept. 15). Wall Street crisis spurs talk on campaign trail. Market Watch. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-obama-urge-reform-wall/story.aspx?guid=%7BEB116219-02C3-4C44-9C94-34BF5B366A4A%7D&dist=msr_1, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Von Sternberg, B. (2008 Sept. 15). Minnesota poll: Obama, McCain are dead even in state. Minneapolis Star-Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/28353589.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUoaK7D_V_eDc87DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
2008/09/16
Blogspeak 2008 September 16
Financial Markets
Wall Street crisis: this should be Barack Obama's moment (Martin, I. Telegraph, Eagle Eye, 2008 Sept. 15)
Infrastructure
Homeland Security Secretary Draws Attention to State of Infrastructure (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 11)
New Orleans Still At Risk Post-Katrina Even as Public Concern Fades (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 11)
John McCain
McCain playing it safe (The Presidential Election Blog 2008, 2008 Sept. 5)
Obama Campaign on the Attack
Obama Questions McCain’s ‘Honor’ (Timiraos, N., Wall Street Journal, Washington Wire, 2008 Sept. 15)
Russo-Georgian Conflict
Russia beaten by little Georgia (Bookman, J., Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008 Sept. 15)
Russians React to Putin’s ‘08 Remark (Shirwitz, M., New York Times, The Lede, 2008 Sept. 15)
Swing States
Turnaround in Virginia? SurveyUSA finds Obama lead (On Politics, USA Today, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Biden delivering major speech attacking McCain as “Bush 44” (You Decide 2008, 2008 Sept. 15)
Biden ramps up attack dog role in Obama campaign (Reuters, Tales from the Trail, 2008 Sept. 15)
Press Section of Biden's Plane Is 'Totally Deserted' (National Review Online, The Campaign Spot, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Palin Outlines Four-Point Focus In McCain Administration (Conroy, S., On the Road, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin (AK) Full Speech at the RNC (Presidential Election 2008, 2008 Sept. 9)
Wall Street crisis: this should be Barack Obama's moment (Martin, I. Telegraph, Eagle Eye, 2008 Sept. 15)
Infrastructure
Homeland Security Secretary Draws Attention to State of Infrastructure (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 11)
New Orleans Still At Risk Post-Katrina Even as Public Concern Fades (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 11)
John McCain
McCain playing it safe (The Presidential Election Blog 2008, 2008 Sept. 5)
Obama Campaign on the Attack
Obama Questions McCain’s ‘Honor’ (Timiraos, N., Wall Street Journal, Washington Wire, 2008 Sept. 15)
Russo-Georgian Conflict
Russia beaten by little Georgia (Bookman, J., Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008 Sept. 15)
Russians React to Putin’s ‘08 Remark (Shirwitz, M., New York Times, The Lede, 2008 Sept. 15)
Swing States
Turnaround in Virginia? SurveyUSA finds Obama lead (On Politics, USA Today, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Biden delivering major speech attacking McCain as “Bush 44” (You Decide 2008, 2008 Sept. 15)
Biden ramps up attack dog role in Obama campaign (Reuters, Tales from the Trail, 2008 Sept. 15)
Press Section of Biden's Plane Is 'Totally Deserted' (National Review Online, The Campaign Spot, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Palin Outlines Four-Point Focus In McCain Administration (Conroy, S., On the Road, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 15)
Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin (AK) Full Speech at the RNC (Presidential Election 2008, 2008 Sept. 9)
Putin Intelligencer 2008 September 16
Aviation Industry
Putin recently approved a plan to integrate the Uzbekistan and Ukraine aviation enterprises into the Russian United Aircraft company and called for a focus on successful lines of aircraft. Russia will continue tariffs on western aircraft, providing relief only on small models (Karnozov).
Media, Russian Aggression in Georgia and Financial Markets
Putin called to task Russian journalists over their coverage of the Russo-Georgian Conflict, particularly the editor of one of the few national radio stations that airs opposition views. The station has apparently responded by pulling at least one guest and journalist off the air for their views and reporting that were critical of the government (Pan). Russian media are apparently so nervous that even a TV psychic can’t risk offending the prime minister (Krainova).
Putin continues to blame the U.S. for stirring the pot in Georgia (Radyuhin). He also said the dip in Russian financial markets were due to a reduction of liquidity (which the Russian government will cover if needed) partly affected slumps in the U.S. market, and clearly stated that it had nothing to do with action in Georgia (Wall).
The Thug Czar
The October 2008 issue of Vanity Fair contains a profile of Putin by Masha Gessen. Get it. Read it. Clip it (not from the library’s copy). Save it.
Unusual
Putin will be giving judo lessons to French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo).
OI anticipates lots of unusual news about Putin. There is so little to mitigate the whims of dictators.
Sources
Gessen, M. (2008 Oct.). Dead soul. Vanity Fair, pp. 336-338, 380-386.
Karnozov, V. (2008 Sept. 9). Putin tells Russian industry to face reality. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315927/putin-tells-russian-industry-to-face-reality.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Krainova, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Knife, Munich, Putin on state TV. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370906.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Pan, P. (2008 Sept. 15). In wake of Georgian war, Russian media feel heat. Washington Post, p. A14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402249.html?hpid=moreheadlines, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Radyuhin, V. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin: U.S. spurred on Georgian offensive. Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091555661400.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo. (2008 Sept. 15). Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2963460/Vladimir-Putin-to-teach-Nicolas-Sarkozy-judo.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16
Wall, T. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin and Medvedev differ on market ills. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370909.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Putin recently approved a plan to integrate the Uzbekistan and Ukraine aviation enterprises into the Russian United Aircraft company and called for a focus on successful lines of aircraft. Russia will continue tariffs on western aircraft, providing relief only on small models (Karnozov).
Media, Russian Aggression in Georgia and Financial Markets
Putin called to task Russian journalists over their coverage of the Russo-Georgian Conflict, particularly the editor of one of the few national radio stations that airs opposition views. The station has apparently responded by pulling at least one guest and journalist off the air for their views and reporting that were critical of the government (Pan). Russian media are apparently so nervous that even a TV psychic can’t risk offending the prime minister (Krainova).
Putin continues to blame the U.S. for stirring the pot in Georgia (Radyuhin). He also said the dip in Russian financial markets were due to a reduction of liquidity (which the Russian government will cover if needed) partly affected slumps in the U.S. market, and clearly stated that it had nothing to do with action in Georgia (Wall).
The Thug Czar
The October 2008 issue of Vanity Fair contains a profile of Putin by Masha Gessen. Get it. Read it. Clip it (not from the library’s copy). Save it.
Unusual
Putin will be giving judo lessons to French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo).
OI anticipates lots of unusual news about Putin. There is so little to mitigate the whims of dictators.
Sources
Gessen, M. (2008 Oct.). Dead soul. Vanity Fair, pp. 336-338, 380-386.
Karnozov, V. (2008 Sept. 9). Putin tells Russian industry to face reality. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315927/putin-tells-russian-industry-to-face-reality.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Krainova, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Knife, Munich, Putin on state TV. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370906.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Pan, P. (2008 Sept. 15). In wake of Georgian war, Russian media feel heat. Washington Post, p. A14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402249.html?hpid=moreheadlines, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Radyuhin, V. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin: U.S. spurred on Georgian offensive. Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091555661400.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo. (2008 Sept. 15). Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2963460/Vladimir-Putin-to-teach-Nicolas-Sarkozy-judo.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16
Wall, T. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin and Medvedev differ on market ills. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370909.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
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