Matters Financial

5 May 2003


Greenspan Wants No Tax Cuts
Federal Reserve boss Alan Greenspan was in front of Congress last week explaining how finance works to Senators and Congressmen again. He is required by law to do this, and he's pretty good at it. There ought to be a law, though, requiring legislators to listen to him and understand what he is saying. Many couldn't cope with the idea that he has no desire for a tax cut under current circumstances. Click here to read more.

Spitzer Must Bring Criminal Charges to Wall Street
It was a shame that it was news when Manhattan District Attorney Eliot Spitzer announced that his settlement of the civil case against certain Wall Street firms did not preclude criminal charges. The only legitimate complain one can make against Mr. Spitzer is that he may have settled the suit too soon. It is possible that, had he brought criminal charges before settling, the firms involved may have been even more forthcoming. All the same, he needs to put certain people in jail if they have, indeed, done what has been alleged. Click here to read more.

Winnie the Pooh Court Case Goes Against Disney
A federal judge has ruled that the granddaughter of A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie the Pooh and his world, cannot have the marketing rights to the over-hyped bear, a ruling that could cost the Disney corporation hundreds of millions a year. The problem appears to be the fact that A.A. Milne sold the US rights to literargy agent Stephen Slesinger -- in 1930. Ms. Milne is trying to reclaim those rights next year due to a change in US copyright law. Disney and Ms. Milne are out of line. Click here for our view.