SHORT TAKES

TIA By Any Other Name...

We were told that BUCHCO's Total Information Awareness (TIA), the massive spying on every aspect of our personal lives, was halted. That's not true. Check this out at the National Journal.

http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2006/0223nj1.htm

Cronyism vs. Security: David Sirota on "Bush's Dirty Little Secret"

For insight about what's behind the ports deal, check here. http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0222-28.htm

Molly Ivins Weighs in on the Dubai Ports Deal
Read her commentary here.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0223-28.htm

Average Americans Lose Ground

"The average American family income is declining. A 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances document provides a dismal outlook of average income growth for the American family. The report shows the average income for American families, adjusted for inflation, has declined by 2.3 percent in 2004. "The median, or midpoint for net worth rose by 1.5 percent to $93,100 from 2001 to 2004. That growth was far below the 10.3 percent gain in median net worth from 1998 to 2001."

Need I say more? Read more here:

http://www.federalreserve.gov/PUBS/oss/oss2/2004/scf2004home.html