| [Column] The economics of the FTA
I don't know how they did their survey, but according to an article I once read in a foreign academic journal, 97 percent of economists support free trade theory. The problem is most of the economists I know are opposed to the FTA with the United States; or, to be more precise, are opposed to the agreement in its current form, so I guess they make up the remaining 3 percent who didn't learn their economics right. The FTA is already more than the subject of debate about economics in Korea. It has become a political issue, and everyone is being forced to choose a position. Have you noticed how there is a clear taking of sides in the way the media covered the story of a working man who committed self-immolation in protest? That may be the fate of social science theory, but various economic theories are being degraded and used as tools for justifying political positions.
Chile's leader battles public discontent
SANTIAGO: What Michelle Bachelet promised when she was sworn in as Chile's first female president a little over a year ago was social justice and continued economic stability. What Chile faces at the moment, though, is a nagging corruption scandal and chaos in the transportation system in the capital, which have combined to sap her popularity. The corruption allegations, which involve a state sports agency and first emerged late last year, have been a boon to a rightist opposition tainted by its links to the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. But the immediate cause of Bachelet's troubles is a costly new integrated subway and bus system that was supposed to be one of the most modern in the world. Instead, commuters here in the capital region, which is home to more than one-third of Chile's 16 million people, are wasting hours every day getting to work and back home.
Energy Question Goes to Voters
When Island residents file into auditoriums next week to conduct the annual business of their towns, voters in three towns will face a common question and a possible turning point. They will be asked whether they wish to take the Vineyard's energy future into their own hands. The question comes in the form of a town meeting article seeking support for the creation of an Islandwide energy conservation district. The purpose of the district would be to lower Vineyard carbon emissions and foster energy independence by regulating consumption and promoting sources of renewable energy. With growing threats from global climate change and the ever-rising costs of oil, supporters of the conservation district say it is a vital measure to protect Vineyard pocketbooks as well as the health of the planet.
ONGC signs deal for 14 small fields
NEW DELHI: State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has entered into service contracts for development of 14 onshore marginal fields.
These are: Bantumilli, Manepalli, Mulikipalli, Sirikattapalli, Chintanapalli, Magatapalli and Medapadu fields in the Krishna-Godavari basin; Ghotaru, Kharatar and Bankia fields in the Western Onshore Basin; and Vadatheru, Neyveli and Karaikal fields in the Cauvery Basin.
Marginal fields are small hydrocarbons finds that do not make economic sense for a big operator like ONGC to bring to production but suits smaller operators with low overhead costs.
Development of marginal fields is one of the strategic business pursuits of ONGC for increasing production by unlocking small pools of discovered hydrocarbon reserves.
10th Annual Minnesota Rural Summit Features Packed Agenda on ...
"Thriving by Design" conference links community economic success to design and planning strategies; May 10 & 11 date highlights preparation for Minnesota's Sesquicentennial Year. St. Paul, MN (PRWeb) April 6, 2007 -- Design and planning are essential elements for community economic success in the complex world we live in, according to the conference planners and presenters shaping the program for the 10th annual Minnesota Rural Summit, to be held Thursday and Friday, May 10 & 11, 2007, at Cragun's Resort & Conference Center, in Brainerd, Minnesota. Visit the Summit web site: http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/2007_summit/index.html. The 2007 theme, Thriving by Design, will emphasize how, in the emerging design economy, design and planning can be used to integrate multifaceted economic, demographic, physical and social issues into clear strategies that position communities, regions and the state to thrive well into the 21st century.
Public testimony opposes Will-O-Wisp water application
About 125 citizens packed Park County's Board of County Commissioners' hearing room and streamed down two hallways on the second day of testimony in Will-O-Wisp Metropolitan District's Special Development Project 1041 permit hearing on March 28.
The permit, commonly called a water 1041 permit, is required by Park County to address impacts associated with water development projects. The metro district needs a permit to expand its water system to serve the Tanglewood Reserve development just west of Pine Junction.
On March 28, public comment was closed and the commissioners continued the hearing to April 11 at 9 a.m.
"The application has been a moving target," said Park County's 1041 Permit Administrator Lane Wyatt. Wyatt said the district had refined the application since it was submitted in June 2006 and completed additional work to answer questions raised at the first hearing date in December 2006.
Parishes working to overturn city plan for new abortion clinic
Near a laundry and a Muslim Community Center on Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard, the Portland Development Commission is making space for an abortion clinic. Planned Parenthood hopes to occupy the large center to offer medical care to women, but also to give contraceptives and abortions. The citys urban renewal office is paving the way, despite a petition of opposition signed by 900 residents, including members of local Catholic parishes. The site, at Beech Street, sits at the heart of Portlands African-American neighborhood, eight blocks from Immaculate Heart Church. They are trying to promote it as health services to the African-American community, but what it really is is abortion in disguise, says Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, who serves at Immaculate Heart.
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