June 2011
22 posts
Nick Charles, early cable sportscaster, passed... →
YPN Soccer in Action (June 23, 2011) →
Notes from Post-FOMC Press Conference on June 22nd
For now the second time, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke held a press conference following a scheduled meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). During the 52-minute event, Chairman Bernanke commented on the Fed’s decision not to change their current “overnight” interest rate (as expected) and discussed their economic performance projections.
The Federal...
RIP, Clarence Clemons →
NC Legislature Finishes Shortest "Long Session"... →
Still, 87 session days is almost equal to a full 2-yr session in the Tennessee General Assembly. Let’s see if we can get next year’s “short session” done in less than 25.
Hidden in this story on the upcoming override vote... →
is the fact that local districts still have more than $250 million in additional stimulus money they could use to cover unfunded staff for up to 15 more months.
The Districts, of course, would be better off thinking long term and restructuring their staffs to accomodate the likelihood of smaller future budgets.
Daniel Wilson on Changing Technology: Just Adapt,... →
Wilson, the author of the recent “Robopocalypse”, wrote a rather technical assessment of how aging inhibits our acceptance of new technology. At 33, he’s starting to notice the changing mindset within himself, though he’s committed to avoiding such ignorance.
He does not touch on how our personal level to embrace creativity influences our acceptance of “the...
Bob Lutz v. Statistical Analysis →
Just read this article on auto industry legend Bob Lutz, coinciding with his new memoir. He shares a rather unfortunate anecdote that gives readers an idea of how far the data-driven approach can overtake an organization, sometimes to the point of insanity.
It’s apparent that Lutz has little appreciation of “bean counters”, and while I am one of them, I can’t argue...
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Higher salaries = lower costs? →
Saturday’s N&O features a report on NC House Speaker Tillis’ decision to significantly raise salaries in select staff positions. Speaker Tillis claims these raises are part of an overall strategy that will reduce net costs of House chamber operations. The Speaker and the N&O are in dispute over whether money is being saved or not so far. If the N&O already hasn’t, it...
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US Marshall/Nash Sheriff Shot & Killed in Kinston... →
Nash County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Warren “Sneak” Lewis, was assigned to the Eastern North Carolina Fugitive Task Force and the US Marshals.
Microcarbonated beer? Seriously, Molson! →
Don’t make me pull John Candy’s greatest anti-Canadian statement from the archive (not to mention one of Michael Moore’s few funny jokes).
Honestly, a 1.4% one-day increase in crude oil... →
If lack of supply was the issue, the price would have gone up a minimum 3-5%.
US Senate upholds Fed Reserve cap on debit card... →
“Fixing a problem” with a worse situation.
NC House approves counseling requirement, waiting... →
Currently, North Carolina has among the least restrictive abortion laws in the US. This legislation would bring them in line with most other states.
Highlights from FRB's Beige Book (Richmond) →
“Economic activity has been sending increasingly mixed signals since our last report.”
Manufacturing seeing a “cooling” of activity, compared to first quarter growth
Some production disruptions created by earthquake in Japan (automotive)
Customers resisting price increases, despite substantial increases in raw material costs
Slowdown in retail sales growth, driven by...
Highlights form FRB's Beige Book (National) →
Economic expansion continues, though pace is slowing in several districts (NYC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago)
Consumer spending is up, with satisfactory retail inventories and growth in some districts toward luxury goods
Consumer spending also (negatively) impacted by rising food and fuel costs
Vehicle sales continue to improve, though not the case in the Northeast; overall shift toward...
CFOs skittish on hiring, growth →
Data from the Duke/CFO survey can be found at http://www.cfosurvey.org/. A press release/summary of their most recent findings can be found at http://www.cfosurvey.org/11q3/PressRelease.pdf.
US CFO optimism for the economy declined from 61% last quarter to 57%
Asian optimism (57%) beat Chinese optimism for the first time in the history of the survey
US CFOs only see a minor increase in...
N&O does good job describing how sausage is made... →
It’s a pretty straightforward assessment of how five NC House Democrats worked out a deal to “veto-proof” the GOP’s budget bill.
More research shows falling dollar & QE2... →
80% of Stockton, CA general fund budget goes to... →
No wonder they’re considering bankruptcy
