New from the Business & Media Institute
More Doom That Wasnt [1]
Broadcasters have been at it again in the 24-hour speculation cycle,
predicting gasoline topping $4 and $5 a gallon. But Hurricane Rita didnt
hit as hard as they thought, and another round of sensationalistic
reporting falls flat as gas prices gain just 6 cents.
Commentary: High Tide in Mississippi
[2]
Trial lawyers and the Mississippi attorney general are going after
insurance companies to pay uninsured flood damages. The media have taken
their side, choosing to show decimated homes and suffering people while
overlooking the fact of the contracts that were in place before Hurricane
Katrina. If the contracts are declared meaningless, then insurance will
be hard to come by in the future.
Times Global Warming Claims Are a Natural Disaster [3]
Both sides declare the global warming debate should be over, but this
media favorite isnt going away any time soon. Time magazine is one of the
latest offenders in the gross one-sided promotion of climate change
rhetoric, warning that we should fear frightening consequences.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly [4]
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly tracks the best and worst media coverage of
business and economics. Readers are invited to submit suggestions or news
tips to Director
Dan Gainor [5].
This week: Climate change and dangerous looters in D.C.; doctors
who dare to work with medical device companies; and more on those "evil"
drug firms.
Also from BMI:
U.S. vs. Oil Refiners: Are Profits Justified? [6]
ABC Discovers a New Gateway Drug for Kids: Caffeine [7]
Dobbs Bashes Pro-Growth Katrina Rebuilding Policies [8]
Research, News & Commentary
Global Warming
Commentary [9]: USA Today doesnt buy a link between hurricanes and global warming.
Research [10]: While the media focus on a bogus connection between hurricanes and climate change, there are other environmental lessons to learn from Katrina.
Commentary [11]: Banning insecticides has caused far more harm in Niger than any climate change.
Economy
Commentary [12]: Catos Alan Reynolds sheds some light on one of the most often quoted, but inaccurate, labor statistics.
Commentary [13]: For a disaster to be good for growth, policymakers must learn lessons from that disaster and not repeat the same mistakes.
Health Care
Research [14]: Is there really a health insurance crisis in America?
Commentary [15]: Catos Michael Cannon points out why markets are not only good for charitable efforts on the coast, but health care.
Poverty
Research [16]: The Heritage Foundation offers solutions to improve poverty in developing nations.