Charles wrote: > 1207 GMT - UNITED STATES - The U.S. dollar weakened again against the euro on > Dec. 9. The dollar, which has dropped 2.2 percent in the past five days, fell > to a record $1.2276 to one euro, apparently prompted by speculation that the > Federal Reserve will keep the interest rate at a 45-year low in the months > ahead.
It's definitely not a good time to travel in Europe. Prices are up something like 25% or more compared to last year. OTOH, some other countries whose currencies are tied to ours are becoming much more attractive. > ...The shape of Russian politics is shifting as anti-authoritarian parties > disappear. Increasingly, the choice is between mild or hard authoritarianism. Perhaps this is necessary for Russia to be dragged into an invasion of Israel? > The point is this: For Putin, economic reforms are not ends in themselves. > Free markets and property rights are not moral issues to be defended, nor are > they part of a matrix of political liberalization. And that will present a problem. If they are not moral issues, then they can be taken away as easily as they are granted. > ...Putin is slowly and systematically changing Russia's direction. When Russia > changes direction, the rest of Europe should indeed be nervous. Can't disagree with that. And not just Europe. Best wishes and God bless, Lowell _______________________________________________ Sndbox mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://a8.mewebdns-a8.com/mailman/listinfo/sndbox_sandboxmail.net
