Brazil: A Place To Do Business

On This Date

On January 14, 1784, the Congress of the Confederation of United States ratified the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.

A New Interview with Ronald Coase

Here.

Hat tip: Marginal Revolution.

National Wildlife Federation’s Fair Climate National Summit

The National Wildlife Federation’s Fair Climate National Summit will bring together community leaders representing underserved communities from across the country to learn about the major priorities and challenges the nation faces in advancing clean air and clean energy to benefit all communities. Over a two-day gathering, leaders will learn about the known attacks that Congress plans to launch to roll back the Clean Air Act and EPA’s authority to regulate pollution, and how we can bridge movements and strengthen our advocacy skills to effectively advance a shared agenda.

The Summit will also provide a unique forum for leaders to meet, connect, and learn from each other as well as learn important skills such as lobbying, media outreach, capacity building, and social media in our round-robin workshops. Additional time is set aside on Day 2 for leaders to take their community concerns directly to lawmakers.

Register for the first annual Fair Climate Network National Summit to discuss and strategize on how our movement can most effectively protect the Clean Air Act.

Official Summit activities begin at 8:30AM on Monday, January 31st and end on Tuesday at 10:00AM, at which point attendees will depart for visits to their Congressmen.

Food and lodging will be provided for all attendees.

If you have any questions, please contact Katharine Pelzer or call at 202-797-6622.

National Export Strategy 2008

The National Export Strategy is the annual report of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC).  The 2008 report takes a look at trends that contributed to the growth of U.S. exports in recent years, including strong international demand, the growth of e-commerce, and continued U.S. global competitiveness.

Download it:

Online: PDF Format

The big question:  Where are the 2009 and 2010 reports?

Considering we have this huge export push from the United States government, I'd like to see updated reports.   

Wouldn't you?

On This Date

On January 13, 1898, the French writer Emile Zola published his famous letter,"J'accuse," in the French daily L'Aurore. Zola's letter exposed the Dreyfus Affair, in which a young Jewish officer was accused of treason for passing secrets to the Germans - a crime he did not commit. But he was railroaded by anti-semitic prosecutors and sent to Devil's Island. When the real culprit (a gentile) was identified, the Army sought to protect itself by suppressing the evidence against him and fabricating documents to point the finger at Dreyfus. Zola's brave letter (it was not fashionable to defend Jews at that time in France), though not the first publication to defend Dreyfus, garnered world-wide attention, which forced the case to be re-opened. After a second trial, which split public opinion between the openly anti-semitic media and the "Dreyfusards," including (in addition to Zola) Anatole France and Henri Poincare, Dreyfus finally was exonerated. A week later he was made a Knight in the Legion of Honour as a "soldier who has endured an unparalleled martyrdom." He went on to serve in World War I and finished his military career at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Ipswich 1 - Arsenal 0

Last weekend, Arsenal had to score late to earn a tie against Championship-side Leeds. At least Leeds are that league's leaders. Today, Ipswich, who are sixth from bottom in the Championship and just fired their manager (Roy Keane), beat the Gunners 1-0 in the first-leg of their semi-final tie in the Carling Cup competition. It was Arsenal's first lost in Ipswich since the mid-1980s. Arsenal lacked luster throughout the match. Predictably, Arshavin and Denilson were very poor, as (seemingly) always. Eboue was just as bad, particularly on defense (if that's what you can call the position he was playing).

How can they hope to contend in the Premier League, the FA Cup, and Champion's League if they lack the power and self-belief to brush off a team like Ipswich in the Carling Cup? It's about time for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to ask some hard questions about his players, and about his own management.