Global News

California's Energy Crisis – Who's to Blame?

environmental crisis/solutionsCurtis Lang & Jim Ridgeway
California's new $10 billion energy bailout plan is being greeted with skepticism by both industry experts and consumer groups. That’s not surprising because the state of California, which has already proven itself to be “the gang that couldn’t deregulate”, has rushed to implement an emergency plan that looks increasingly like a band-aid on a severe gut-shot wound.

California's Energy Crisis – Who's to Blame?

environmental crisis/solutionsCurtis Lang & Jim Ridgeway
California's new $10 billion energy bailout plan is being greeted with skepticism by both industry experts and consumer groups. That’s not surprising because the state of California, which has already proven itself to be “the gang that couldn’t deregulate”, has rushed to implement an emergency plan that looks increasingly like a band-aid on a severe gut-shot wound.
The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001

The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001

global financial crisisCurtis Lang & Jim Ridgeway
The coalition of unions, consumer and women's groups who have been fighting the bankruptcy law are just about out of ammo. Both houses of Congress are expected to pass the measure this week, and President Bush has said he's ready to sign it into law.
Dance of Oil

Dance of Oil

geopoliticsCurtis Lang & Jim Ridgeway
It looks as if oil politics could be the vehicle for George W. Bush to define his administration's geo-strategic principles, solidify support in Congress,  reward his supporters in the energy "bidness" and unify the country behind his foreign policy, just as it was for his father. That does not necessarily  mean a repeat of the Persian Gulf War, but oil provides an ideal vehicle for restating the imperial American policy abroad.

Irrational Exuberance: Deja-vu All Over Again?

Curtis Lang
"Slump? I ain't in no slump. I just ain't hittin," explained famous philosopher, Hall of Fame ballplayer, and pennant-winning Manager (for the both the Yankees and Mets), Lawrence "Yogi" Berra, when asked about a long dry spell at the plate. He could have been speaking for the equity markets' hivemind this week. The Nasdaq composite is off more than 53% from its high reached less than one year ago. After a big January pop, the COMP ended the month 46% off its March 2000 peak, and then proceeded to lose another 16% from its January 31 level.