Nov 21, 2009 -
BAGHDAD — In its largest reconstruction effort since the Marshall Plan, the United States government has spent $53 billion for relief and reconstruction in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, building tens of thousands of hospitals, water treatment plants, electricity substations, schools and bridges.
But there are growing concerns among American officials that Iraq will not be able to adequately maintain the facilities once the Americans have left, potentially wasting hundreds of millions of dollars and jeopardizing Iraq’s ability to provide basic services to its people.
The projects run the gamut — from a cutting-edge, $270 million water treatment plant in Nasiriya that works at a fraction of its intended capacity because it is too sophisticated for Iraqi workers to operate, to a farmers’ market that farmers cannot decide how to share, to a large American hospital closed immediately after it was handed over to Iraq because the government was unable to supply it with equipment, a medical staff or electricity.
- 5 Comments
Nov 18, 2009 -
In these recessionary times, being a small business owner is not a bed of roses. New business owners are often tempted to reduce costs by not insuring their businesses just because they work from home.
In the short term this might save some money, but it the long run, it could seriously affect future business plans.
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Nov 16, 2009 -
This is from the Wall Street Journal
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703792304574504020025055040.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
As usual, the most dangerous parts of ObamaCare aren't receiving the scrutiny they deserve—and one of the least examined is a new commission to tell Congress how to control health spending. Democrats are quietly attempting to impose a "global budget" on Medicare, with radical implications for U.S. medicine.
- 13 Comments
Nov 17, 2009 -
Let's start this lesson with a simple statement of fact: if you've found the right woman, the ring you choose won't matter nearly as much as the fact that you're proposing. But since you're making the investment, why not do your homework and flash the ring that will make her heart stop?
While the time and cost it takes to creat an engagement ring may seem overwhelming, let's put it in perspective. The right rock will make her...
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Nov 17, 2009 -
Benjamin French was born with his right arm missing below the elbow. In his 12 years, he has been fitted with seven prostheses. His most recent replacement will cost nearly $30,000 and his doctor says he will soon grow out of it.
- 224 Comments
Nov 12, 2009 -
Closed Shop
By Kevin Mooney on 11.12.09 @ 6:07AM
Non-union construction workers could be locked out of new federal projects thanks to an executive order President Obama signed back in February on the sly as part of a payback to organized labor.
The election of Republican governors in Virginia, and especially New Jersey, who are both opposed to union-only favoritism in contracting, could complicate the administration’s efforts, at least on the state level. The loss of New Jersey must be viewed as a particularly acute setback, given how active labor bosses and White House operatives were in their failed effort to secure re-election for a long-time ally.
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Nov 11, 2009 -
Barrick shuts hedge book as world gold supply runs out
Global gold production is in terminal decline despite record prices and Herculean efforts by mining companies to discover fresh sources of ore in remote spots, according to the world's top producer Barrick Gold.
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor
Published: 7:20PM GMT 11 Nov 2009
Comments 11 | Comment on this article
Pouring gold bullion - Barrick shuts hedge book as world gold supply runs out
Liquid gold: Gold is poured from the induction kiln Photo: JULIAN SIMMONDS
Aaron Regent, president of the Canadian gold giant, said that global output has been falling by roughly 1m ounces a year since the start of the decade. Total mine supply has dropped by 10pc as ore quality erodes, implying that the roaring bull market of the last eight years may have further to run.
- 1 Comment
Nov 09, 2009 -
UN Budgets and Follow the Money
Kenneth Anderson • November 8, 2009 9:01 pm
The New York Times reports on budget season at the UN and various battles hotting up. It’s a good piece by Neil MacFarquhar, dated November 7, 2009. As the article says, that fact that
it costs the United Nations an average of $2,473 per page to create every single document in its six official languages, while outside contractors complete the same work for around $450, prompts diplomats to accuse the organization of running amok during a global financial crisis.
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Nov 10, 2009 -
We all have the following: savings goals, budgets, and, at time, little to no character check. Here is a nimble "how to" to get the second in line!FIND. Zero in on your penury.
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Nov 04, 2009 -
There is a common link between the sparkly universe of Twilight and the sociopath exploits of Showtime’s Dexter, and her name is Melissa Rosenberg. The screenwriter and Emmy-nominated television producer has been juggling the two franchises since 2007, which is when she scripted the first Twilight film from Stephenie Meyer’s novel. Following the film’s enormous success, Rosenberg became Summit’s go-to writer for the series, and she’s since written two sequels including this month's New Moon and next summer's Eclipse.
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