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Kristof of the NYT says the narrative about Hillary Clinton being dishonest is clearly overdone and inaccurate. He says the gaffes about the use of personal email server have unfairly created a distorted narrative. On changing positions on trade and minimum wage- this happens frequently with all the candidates. Some are glib enough for not being noticed, Clinton not a natural politician drawing attention. On Libya, and on Syria, Clinton is blamed for the President's errors and not given credit for pushback in league with Panetta, Gen. Kean and Gen. Jones, that has influenced changes made in 2016, and the president accepting blame for errors. In this instance Clinton has been far from shifty by publicly allying herself with Leon Panetta's position in "Worthy Fights," and Gen. Jones's remarks. Far from having erred on Libya and Syria policy, Hillary Clinton, like Chuck Hagel and others in the administration including Joe Biden, showed exceptional patience in dealing with the president, national security advisor, and McDonough in policy matters- when they were right but the country was weary of what were seen as futile global engagements in remote areas setting too high a bar for any action. Clinton rightly described this as a pendulum swinging too far in the opposite direction after the Bush/Cheney years. On young women and being "progressive" Hillary Clinton is from a older generation that experienced the kind of discrimination that young women fail to grasp, according to a recent analysis of University of Massachusetts polling survey results cited in the Washingon Post. A PolitiFact Pulitzer winning fact checking site shows 50% of the Clinton statments are either true or mostly true, compared to 49% for Bernie Sanders, 9 percent for Trump, 22% for Ted Cruz, and 52% for John Kasich. ...

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Simon Nixon says British prime minister, Cameron, has antagonized European leaders by making demands to protect Britain's financial industry. Ironically this happens as Britain was arguing for stricter financial regulation. Britain has been isolated and risks remaining on the sidelines from now on. Nixon says this starts a process that could lead to Britain withdrawing from the European Union.

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Nguyen Dan Que, is a doctor in Vietnam who has been imprisoned three times. Que was doing diabetes research in London during the 1970's. Three months after Mandela's release Que called for a nonviolent movement for basic rights and free elections in Vietnam. He was arrested a month later and sentenced to 20 years of hard labor.

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Sorkin talks with Oliver Stone, director of the movie "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." The movie opens this week in New York and shows life on Wall Street in 2008-2010. Its a sequel to his previous movie on Wall Street and shows the side of Wall Street that has been extensively covered in the media recently.

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The Greens party wins 24.2% of the vote in Baden-Wurttemberg state elections. For the last 60 years this has been acentre of support for the Chrisitan Democrats, who had 39% of the vote. With the Social Democrats gaining 23.1% of the vote, this means Baden Wurttemberg will have a Greens party premier in a Greens-SD coalition.

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JP Morgan Chase disclosed that traders in the Chief Investment Office may have tried to avoid showing the full extent of losses by placing inaccurate prices on their positions. A trader named the "London whale," may have been asked by his boss to mark positions more aggressively. CEO Dimon said this has "shaken our company to the core."

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As remittances fall and in some places disappear from workers in developed countries to their families in developing countries, Kristof says about 46 million people there will fall into poverty. Something Zoellick of the World Bank has been warning for some time. Everything from food, school lunches, tution for children to go to school, housing, will be affected.

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The job losses in October revised to 320,000, for September revised to 403,000, and for November 533,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate rising to 6.7%, and including the 420,000 who had been seeking work or working but now left the labor force in November , the unemployment rate is close to 7%.

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Nouriel Roubini says nationalization is the right solution. Similiar to action taken in Sweden, where the government nationalized the banks, and then after fixing them privatized the banks. He thinks about six months from now would be good timing, as most of the banks will be insolvent by then. The government does not have the risk of disturbing other solvent banks, if at that time it just moved in and nationalized the banks. Obama has cover, because already Republicans like Graham are endorsing nationalization as an option. And Republicans would prefer nationalization over putting in trillions of dollars into banks, and letting good dollars go in after bad. Roubini says that between guarantees, liquidity support and capitalization, the government has provided between $7 trillion to $9 trillion to help the financial system. Defacto the government is already controlling a big chunk of the banking system he says. This would just make it official. Another reason for doing this, is that the earlier solution of taking one failed bank or financial institution and merging it with another, as was done for Merrill, Countrywide, Bear Stearns, WaMu, is like merging two zombie banks. The result is not a stronger institution but one that is just as weak as before. In his picturesque language he says its like having two drunks trying to keep each other standing. He would like to see the big bank split into three or four pieces, creating a number of regional or national banks that are stronger. Because nationalization has become the N-word he says, it could be referred to as temporary receivership. Has Roubini been more prescient than others? No, says Roubini, a number of other people got it right. Robert Shiller on the housing bubble, Steve Roach on asset and consumption bubbles, Ken Rogoff on global imbalances in the current account deficit. He says he put the dots together and gave a more fleshed out picture. This interview was conducted by a fellow Professor of Roubini's at the Stern School of Business of New York University, Tunku Varadarajan. What about Greenspan? I think he says, a belief in market economics led to an excessive ideological belief that there are no market failures and no issues of distortions of incentives. "Central banks were created to provide financial stability. Greenspan forgot this, and it was a mistake. I think there were ideological blinders, taking Ayn Rand's view of the world to an extreme." Did the media play its proper role as this situation developed with all its inherent dangers, asks Varadarajan. In the bubble years everybody became a cheerleader, and the media became a cheerleader. The tough questions were not asked, and there was a failure there says Roubini. They failed in one of the duties of good journalism. The Masters of the Universe were on the cover, the imperial CEO, private equity, and others, no one asked how is it that this guy is producing such high returns each year, is it because he is so smart, or because he is taking on so much risk that he may face bankruptcy in two years? ...

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Did Putin overreact as he did in Georgia. On the issue of Russian speaking people in neighboring eastern European countries Putin has strong emotional reaction, as evident in the 2008 Georgian conflict. In Ukraine the issue assumes significance because of the effect of western sanctions, adverse foreign investor sentiment and the tendency of rich Russians, similiar to Argentines, to shift assets abroad. Capital flight was $75 billion in the first 6 months of 2014. Add to this adverse effect on foreign investor sentiment on an already slowing Russian economy, and growth will be seriously affected. Car sales are expected to decline by 12% in 2014, according to a trade group. The rhetoric has been toned down on Russian television. And Russian analysts now say relations with the West must be maintained. Polls by state run polling company WCIOM show 66% of the Russian public oppose Russian forces entering Ukrainian territory.

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The forcible removal by aviation police of United Airlines passenger Dr Dao from a flight due to scheduling issues caused a major uproar in social media, with many people saying they will not fly United again. In this report Susan Carey says people close to United say the airline has too rigidly asked employees to follow the rule book, that the problem could have been avoided by airline employees using choices that are not in the manual or rules book. Sources say employees at United can face termination for not following the rules, and deviating from rules is discouraged. Also raised is the issue why the airline employees did not raise the compensation from $800 to something much higher considering the problem being faced, and why higher up managers were not involved earlier. United has lagged behind other airlines in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys.

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Payne and Applebaum take a look at the Airbus factory in Mobile, Alabama. The $600 million manufacturing facility could have been built anywhere, as parts are made in many different countries. There are no special advantages in assembly at Mobile, that could not be obtained elsewhere. It is mainly the result of a decision at Airbus to make the planes in the large markets, and gaining a larger share of America's military budget. Airbus got $158.5 million in state and local incentives, including a school that trains Airbus workers. The goal is to make it cost not a cent more than it costs to make the airplanes in Europe, even though it costs a lot to ship parts from Hamburg. The non unionized labor makes it possible to have lower labor costs with the starting wage at $16.50 an hour.

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Congressman Nadler of New York City, a ranking member of the House Judiciary Constitution subcommittee, sent a letter to Attorney General Holder to investigate the eviction of Occupy Wall Street protestors from Zucotti Park. An acrimonious back and forth exchange with Mayor Bloomberg of New York City on this issue. Nadler says the constitutional rights of protestors has been violated.

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The original $200 billion House jobs bill would have added $134 billion to the deficit over the next decade. With concern over growing deficits this has been cut to $54 billion in the bill going to the Senate. Including the jobs bill the deficit is expected to be $1.3 trillon in 2011, of which experts say $400 billion is sustainable.

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Light vehicle inventory for automobiles was up 12.7% above what is normal for September, according to auto analyst Ceraso at Credit Suisse. There is a pronounced upward trend since July 2010. Foreign brands fared worse with closer to 20% overstocked rate in September, 2010. Noticeably Ford which had been understocked throughout the year was overstocked above 5% in September and GM over 10%.

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Deutsche Bank has legal risks of over $3 billion euros according to analysts. 1 billion euros have been set aside as required by Germany's financial regulator BaFin to cover potential legal settlement losses. This is separate from 822 million euros in other provisions. At the same time Deutsche Bank has to raise 10-15 billion euros to meet regulatory reserve capital requirements.

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Views of students and former Chief Secretary Anson Chan are expressed in this piece by Wan on the protests for more democracy in Hong Kong. Chan says if he had known what Hong Kong would be like today he would not have been so enthusisastic about the handover to China in 1997. He is one of the leaders pushing for a compromise.

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Ahmed Karzai is described as a malevolent force, that he is acting in a Mafialike way, that he lords over southern Afghanistan, and has benefitted from the opium trade. Reporters of the NYT say that according to current and former American officials he gets regular payments from the Central Intelligence Agency and has been for much of the past 8 years.

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Its hard to miss $1 billion in cash. This is what Price Waterhouse and Coopers, the outside auditor for Satyam Computer's books missed in its audit of Satyam. Price Waterhouse has been the outside auditor for 5 years, with the audits handled by a partner in India. This fictitious cash balance could lead to stricter standards and reporting in India.

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Growing Hispanic market on both sides of the US-Mexican border for Walmart is slowing down sales as the construction industry 25% Hispanics representing 2.9 million workers and three fourths foreign born, has been affected by slowing home sales and credit squeeze. This has slowed remittances to Mexico with difficult conditions for Hispanics. Walmart has targeted the Hispanic community to increase sales.

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Sarkozy convened a meeting of European leaders in Paris over the weekend but getting concerted action by all members has not been easy, with each country taking its own steps. But there is no question that the credit crisis is hitting Europe hard. Germany guaranteed all customer deposits in banks without limit. It also rescued a big mortgage lender Hypocredit.

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US president Biden's historic speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and written- "We believe that all men are created equal..." Since 1776 these lines have inspired people for 200 years and Biden says they will continue to do this for the next 200 years, as America stands as a beacon for the people of the world aspiring for a better life. Click on Original Article to see the You Tube video of this speech, and see below Lincoln's speech at Independence Hall in 1861.These are also the aspirations for millions of people in Asia, Africa and Latin America and in the US and Europe as the door opens this much wider for people all over the world because of America. Through the War of Independence and the events of the Civil war, and other events in America's life as a nation and a beacon for the world, Independence Hall has been a special place. President Lincoln also stopped by here in 1861 on his way to the White House as the Civil War began. Here is what president Lincoln said at Independence Hall on Feb . 22, 1861. "Mr Cuyler- I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here in the place where were collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live. You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task of restoring peace to our distracted country. I can say in return sir, that all the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, from the sentiments which originated and were given to the world from this hall in which we stand. I have never had a feeling politically, that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence. (Great cheering). I have often pondered over the dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled here and adopted the Declaration of Independence- I have pondered over the toils of the officers and soldiers of the army, who achieved independence. (Applause). I have often inquired of myself, what great principle or idea that kept this confederacy so long together. It was not the mere separation of the colonies from the mother land; but something in that Declaration giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time. (Great applause). It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. (Cheers.) This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence." "Now, my friends can this country be saved on that basis? If it can, I will consider myself one of the happiest persons in the world if I can help to save it. If it can't be saved on that principle, it will be truly awful. But, if this country cannot be saved without giving up that principle- I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this spot than to surrender it. (Applause). ...

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Solomon and Said give a detailed account of the events leading to the steep decline in oil prices to $61 a barrel by December 2014. The steep declines have caused a shock for OPEC and non-OPEC producers. A price decline of this magnitude may not have been anticipated by the Saudis, and there are divisions among Saudi officials and in the royal family about whether such steep cuts are best for Saudi Arabia. The price per barrel of oil for each OPEC country to balance its budget varies widely, according to IMF and IEA, WSJ, sources. For Saudi Arabia this estimate is $106, Iraq 101, for Russia $98. The Saudis have $750 billion in foreign currency reserves. At the high end are Libya at $184, Iran at $131, Algeria $131, Nigeria $122, Venezuela $117. The UAE is at $77, Qatar $60. Norway is at the low end at $40. On Dec. 19, 2014 the price of Brent crude, ICE for Jan. delivery was $61.38.

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Retired Union Health Secretary Sujatha Rao answers questions about the role of the elected government in Delhi and the role of the Lieutenant Governor in running the administration. Rao says that Delhi as the national capital, should have been designated like Chandigarh as a Union Territory without a legislature. The current structure gives the elected government insufficient powers to fulfill campaign promises.

The IAS is still relevans Rao says as is evident in India's politics so that day to day running of the administration can always be carried out when there is no stable government, as in Tamilnadu today. This is the role Sardar Patel envisioned for the IAS.

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In launching the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission prime minister Modi says it "has th potential of bringing a revolutionary change in India's health facilities."  Following the launch of Arogya Setu app and the 900 million vaccine doses given under Co-Win for the free vaccine campaign this is the next step.  To take healthcare facilities to a new level and integrate it with technology prime minister Modi noted the 1.25 billion remote consultations under telemedicine that have taken place since March 2021 under e-Sanjeevani. Using this people in all parts of India are able to connect with doctors of large hospitals in cities. Ayushman Digital will connect digital solutions of hospitals across India to each other. This would make process simplified and enhance ease of living. Under this plan every citizen would now get a digital health ID and health records digitally protected. The overall model is for preventive healthcare and in event of disease easy, affordable, accessible healthcare.  Part of the plan is to build the facilities and resources to be able to handle needs. For doctors and para medical manpower a comprehensive network of AIIMS and modern health institutions is being setup, and one medical college is being setup for every 3 Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies. In villages and rural areas primary health care network is being strengthened. Over 80,000 centers of this type have been operationalized.    ...