1. NY TIMES 8/21/13 Front page: Non profits are balking at Law on disclosing political donors. Sure they are. The law was passed in NY to shine a light on All non profit contributions, including Political Donors. Now, a growing number of non profit organizations , spanning the entire ideological spectrum are seeking exemptions. Since money corrupts, it would be appropriate to know what groups are being funded by whom, to prevent conflicts of interest . It’s time to shine a light on all ” dark” pools of money. How do we know the non profits are legitimate entities? Citizens United is winning now, but there is a movement, started by Al Franken and Bernie Sanders to repeal it. Cuomo’s law is a ” good first step”, the Public should know the origins of the increased Political Contributions. Where is our choice?
2. 8/30/13 NY TIMES Come on in Paddler’s the water’s just fine, Don’t mind the sewage! These intrepid New Yorkers like their views of the city and love the water, no matter how polluted. The Newtown Creek , is one of New York’s most polluted estuaries, but it supports a Boating Club, 190 members , paddling on the River. The fact that the water is still toxic, due to industrial oil spills, doesn’t deter them. They paddle , conduct environmental seminars and hope, that one day, this passage between Brooklyn and Queens will be environmentally safe. We have choices.
3. 8/30/13 FINANCIAL TIMES Israel’s hard news and soft power. The Start Up Nation takes a giant step as , i24 , Israel’s first 24 hour news channel is launched ? Ex-diplomat Frank Melloul, is broadcasting the news from Israel 24/7 after starting France 24 for the French. i24’s initial target audience ,” is people who don’t know Israel at all and only talk about Israel through the prism of the Arab-Israeli conflict.” This station is privately funded and will attempt to show an Israel the world has not seen: a diverse society where difficult issues are taken seriously and unpopular views are debated. More choices.
4.8/30/13. FINANCIAL TIMES. Fed Contemplates different repo tool to smooth exit.( From the Bond market). The new ” full allotment ” tool means a wider range of investors could lend as much cash as they wish at a fixed rate, determined in advance by The Fed. In return for lending cash, these investors would temporarily hold high quality collateral . Sounds like the Fed is offering stability to the market place, by controlling the overnight Fed funds rate and backing it up with quality collateral. ( One market participant, said the new tool risked further distorting the independence of markets in favor of greater Fed control. LOL). We have choices.