Belarus—2009 Article IV Consultation, Concluding Statement of the IMF Mission Aug 28, 2009
In the longer run, several external constraints may hinder a return to the growth path prior to the current crisis. Both the GDP level and potential growth rate of Belarus s main trading partners are likely to be lower in the aftermath of the crisis, reducing external demand for Belarus s products. (IMF News)
Japan's bureaucrats face the firing line Aug 25, 2009
While battling with the bureaucracy, the DPJ will need to keep in mind that even the occupying authorities with little domestic and external constraints had decided to work with Japan's bureaucracy as they recognized the importance of the civil service. True, today's bureaucracy is not as infallible as it was in the 1940s and 1950s, as many cases of bureaucratic unethical behavior, corrupt practices and scandals have been unearthed. (Asia Times Online)
Sen. Hatch suggests Justice Department look at BCS Jul 8, 2009
We're not concerned about external constraints placed on us. The systemic restraints are the problem. (USA Today -- Sports)
The Radical Lasch May 25, 2009
Though self-liberation is the ostensible goal of therapeutic ideology, the liberation of the self from a stable public or common world has revealed more clearly than ever that the self only takes shape in the presence of external constraints, or at least that absent such constraints the imagination is exposed more directly than before to the tyranny of inner compulsions and anxieties. The defenders of mass, consumer culture claim that whatever is lost in its rise is more than made up for by the... (The American Conservative)
The Treasury's squalid vacuum Apr 28, 2009
"Other aspects of the decision-making were self-imposed hurdles rather than external constraints. Notable among these hurdles was chronic disorganization within the Treasury itself, and a broadly haphazard policy process within the administration (and sometimes strained relations between Treasury and White House staff) that made it difficult to harness the full energies of the administration in a common direction. To many observers, Treasury also lacked an appreciation that the rationales behind... (Asia Times Online)
The $700 billion bailout inside story Apr 4, 2009
" But he doesn't shy away from harsh self-reflection. This is a must-read for anyone trying to understand how we got to where we are today, and I'll be posting some in-depth analysis later. But for now, here's a teaser: Other aspects of the decision-making were self-imposed hurdles rather than external constraints. Notable among these hurdles was chronic disorganization within the Treasury itself, and a broadly haphazard policy process within the Administration (and sometimes strained relations... (Salon)
Goldman Sachs: New York's Biggest Welfare Queen Mar 20, 2009
Charles Ellis, in his book about Goldman, , lionized the firm as the only company "with such strengths that it operates with almost no external constraints in virtually any financial market it chooses, on the terms it chooses, on the scale it chooses, when it chooses, and with the partners it chooses." For the paperback, Ellis might want to add the following proviso: so long as the government is willing to give it billions of dollars. People sometimes refer to the firm as Government Sachs... (Slate)
Seize the World Cup as an opportunity to overcome crisis, urges Business Trust Mar 16, 2009
"We don't want to compound external constraints with a failure of imagination on how we can work together," Whittaker said, referring to South Africans. "We will put our energies where they are most likely to be effective," he said, referring to Business Trust. (Business Report, South Africa)
Prepare Your Child for Success Mar 1, 2009
Have you ever heard him wonder I don t know whether I should write one page or two pages of this essay"? Environment Attempts to change at this level affect the external constraints a person has to live with and answers the questions of Where or when or with whom do I do it? A typical statement from your child would be "The other kids were too noisy and it distracted me or The room was just too hot. The standard response to an underperforming child is that he needs to study harder. (Suite101.com)
Sex, drugs and Islam Feb 24, 2009
In a recent paper entitled "Education and the World's Most Raid Fertility Decline in Iran [2], American and Iranian demographers observe: A first analysis of the Iran 2006 census results shows a sensationally low fertility level of 1.9 for the whole country and only 1.5 for the Tehran area (which has about 8 million people) ... A decline in the TFR [total fertility rate] of more than 5.0 in roughly two decades is a world record in fertility decline. This is even more surprising to many observers... (Asia Times Online)
