Tim Scannell's financial update is interesting read ... read short newsletter

Oil hits $70 for first time since September, gasoline inventories are down again so gasoline is increasing another 5-10 cents a gallon, heating oil is up too, only natural gas is maintaining competitive commodity levels. Yahoo Finance Article

Iran says it will give $50 million to the Palestinians to offset their losses with Europe and US withdrawing support due to Hamas (a terrorist group) not allowing for a government of peace. Iran banding with Hamas and the radical Palestinians will not bode well for peace in the mideast.

Still no agreement on a leader in Iraq. Until this government can be formed, with the legitimacy that comes from democracy, the US will be mired for months to come. Read REUTERS updates

Market moving upward a bit on reports that Citibank earnings were up 4%. This flies in the face of the the "the sky is falling" folks in media. Looks like banks will do well even though rates have been increased too many times. Now it's time for the Fed to get out of the rate business, follow some Steve Forbes advice and use money supply.

With toll roads and bridges and airports being privatized and outsourced worldwide, the business of managing these lease and privatized assets is growing. Now it seems that GE may be interested in the airport operator from the UK that manages the Indy airport. Maybe they'll buy the consortium that just bought the Indiana toll road lease? This does bring up another daltonsbriefs constant complaint ... We really need to get serious about selling the United States Postal Service.

Free Trade is one of the most powerful tactics to overturn tyrants and socialism in the world. Read a well written thesis on why the Bush Administration will be remembered in history as one of the best at the implementation of free trade for the masses.

Opinion of Housing Zone economist, the housing market is fine, but investors who were flipping properties in the last three years have retreated from the market. They may have been as much as 12% of the market in 2005, they aren't going to be anywhere close to that amount this year, which will feel like less buyers are in the market. This is no bubble! Countrywide Home Mortgage reported 10% funding increase in March or last year, no bubble here! Read blogger who suggests that this is good news for develoepers and for financiers.

I guess there is one Iraqi leader who has taken on the jihadists and decided that they are killing more of his people than Americans. This blogger and links suggest we look at this as a turning point of self-responsibility.