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February 28, 2006
Homeland Security's curious "fact sheet"
Ben Muse and Econbrowser reader Movie Guy (in the comments to this post) have been investigating some information disseminated by the Department of Homeland Security that appears to be misleading or inaccurate.
Continue reading "Homeland Security's curious "fact sheet""
Posted by James Hamilton at 11:09 PM permalink | Comments (19)
Just how implausible is a gasoline tax?
New poll results on energy
Continue reading "Just how implausible is a gasoline tax?"
Posted by Menzie Chinn at 07:56 AM permalink | Comments (25)
February 27, 2006
Tempest in a Sea Port
The United-Arab-Emirates-based company Dubai Ports World has graciously requested a new 45-day review in the hopes of allaying concerns about its proposal to take over the British-based company P&O, which if approved would allow DP World to operate 11 of the 43 terminals at the ports of 6 U.S. cities. Here I summarize a few of the issues that have been raised about this takeover.
Continue reading "Tempest in a Sea Port"
Posted by James Hamilton at 02:34 PM permalink | Comments (28)
February 26, 2006
Not to worry about the January durable goods figures
There are things you may fret about, but the most recent statistics on durable goods orders shouldn't be one of them.
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Posted by James Hamilton at 11:50 AM permalink | Comments (2)
February 25, 2006
Iraq's electricity challenges
Those who want to see Iraq's democracy fail have targeted electricity production as one of the key strategic objectives of the conflict. Those who want to see Iraq succeed would be wise to do likewise.
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Posted by James Hamilton at 09:32 AM permalink | Comments (7)
February 23, 2006
A Critique of Pure Dark Matter
Net income on the balance of payments might be essentially zero in 2005q4
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Posted by Menzie Chinn at 02:57 PM permalink | Comments (12)
February 22, 2006
Oil at $15-30 a barrel?
Arnold Kling was surprised by what he found in the energy chapter of the Economic Report of the President.
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Posted by James Hamilton at 09:19 PM permalink | Comments (35)
February 20, 2006
Nigeria back in the news
And the news is not good.
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Posted by James Hamilton at 03:00 PM permalink | Comments (8)
Tackling "Oil Addiction"?
Cognitive Dissonance in the 2006 Economic Report of the PresidentContinue reading "Tackling "Oil Addiction"?"
Posted by Menzie Chinn at 10:44 AM permalink | Comments (50)
February 18, 2006
Capital corruption
The case against my former representative in Congress, Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), is pretty unbelievable.
Continue reading "Capital corruption"
Posted by James Hamilton at 09:49 AM permalink | Comments (19)
February 16, 2006
Open Economy Macro in the 2006 Economic Report of the President
Beryl Sprinkel meets Ben Bernanke
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Posted by Menzie Chinn at 07:05 AM permalink | Comments (6)
February 15, 2006
The Bernanke era begins
New Fed Chair Ben Bernanke provided his first testimony before Congress this morning.
Continue reading "The Bernanke era begins"
Posted by James Hamilton at 09:42 AM permalink | Comments (9)
February 14, 2006
Dick Cheney on economics
The vice president holds forth on the elasticity of tax receipts with respect to the tax rate.
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Posted by Menzie Chinn at 07:45 AM permalink | Comments (6)
February 12, 2006
Oil shocks and personal saving
Mark Thoma notes some interesting thoughts by Harvard professor Martin Feldstein on why the oil shock of 2005 was not more disruptive.
Continue reading "Oil shocks and personal saving"
Posted by James Hamilton at 07:35 AM permalink | Comments (16)
February 10, 2006
December 2005 trade figures and implications
The trade deficit (total and ex-oil) widens again.
Continue reading "December 2005 trade figures and implications"
Posted by Menzie Chinn at 01:03 PM permalink | Comments (7)
February 08, 2006
A proposal for Iraq
Here are some thoughts on how to get the vast oil wealth of Iraq working most quickly and effectively to benefit the Iraqi people.
Continue reading "A proposal for Iraq"
Posted by James Hamilton at 06:36 AM permalink | Comments (7)
February 07, 2006
US-centered vs. China (or "them")-centered Worldviews on Global Imbalances
Chinese foreign exchange reserves and current account surpluses are (still) rising. Why and how important is this phenomenon?
Continue reading "US-centered vs. China (or "them")-centered Worldviews on Global Imbalances"
Posted by Menzie Chinn at 10:08 AM permalink | Comments (15)
February 06, 2006
Gold and inflation
What's behind the ongoing run-up in gold prices? One popular interpretation is that investors fear a resurgence of U.S. inflation. But that story just doesn't square with the facts.
Continue reading "Gold and inflation"
Posted by James Hamilton at 11:51 AM permalink | Comments (25)
February 05, 2006
Bob Dylan and Twyla Tharp: An Econbrowser musical review
Right Wing Bob complains that he can't find a review of the new Twyla Tharp Bob Dylan musical anywhere on the web. Who is Right Wing Bob, you ask? Well, he seems to be the guy with whose lament you end up if you try googling "Bob Dylan Twyla Tharp." So, as a service to RWB and the world at large, Econbrowser offers this musical review.
Continue reading "Bob Dylan and Twyla Tharp: An Econbrowser musical review"
Posted by James Hamilton at 01:09 PM permalink | Comments (13)
February 04, 2006
Some context for the annual benchmark revision of employment
(Revised) Employment growth is up, but (revised) employment is down.
Continue reading "Some context for the annual benchmark revision of employment"
Posted by Menzie Chinn at 03:14 PM permalink | Comments (7)
Latest employment data
The latest employment data are quite encouraging, though some may have overstated the case for enthusiasm.
Continue reading "Latest employment data"
Posted by James Hamilton at 03:01 PM permalink | Comments (2)
February 01, 2006
Should the Fed worry about going too far?
I wanted to weigh in on the exchange between Kash Mansori at Angry Bear and Dave Altig at Macroblog.
Continue reading "Should the Fed worry about going too far?"
Posted by James Hamilton at 08:20 PM permalink | Comments (16)