Answer Desk: Are we already in a recession?

Our story on Friday’s worse-than-expected December jobs report — and the increasing odds of a recession — drew heavier-than-usual reader mail. Many wonder why we don’t just come out and say the U.S. is already in a recession. But others take issue with our “negative” focus on the economic data that are now flashing warning signs — arguing that these stories just spook consumers and make matters worse.

0

1

The young, urban, middle-class Pakistani's manifesto: 1. Asif Ali Zardari is the devil incarnate. 2. The Pakistan Army is the saviour. 3. The Taliban are resisting American imperialism.

1

1

Another bomb attack in Lahore. What to expect from the PMLN government in the Punjab? Lip service condemning terrorism, of course. But, as usual, keeping in mind the Punjab government's past record, the condemnation will be general and vague.

1

2

Undemocratic Face of Pakistani Judiciary...By Junaid Qaiser

Pakistan Peoples Party always supported a free and independant judiciary, which is indispensible for parliamentary democracy , to work within the ambit of law and constitution.

0

0

KARACHI: A motorcycle rigged with explosives rammed into a bus carrying Shias near the Nursery bridge in Karachi Friday, killing 12 people and wounding close to 50, while a second explosion inside Jinnah Hospital left at least ten people dead and injured another 20.

1

1

An article from last October and an in-depth look into Pakistan's policy. Quite thoughtful. October 13, 2009 memri Introduction

2

4

Political adventurism may just be an unavoidable ruckus arising out of 'organic democratic growth' the country is underway as Judiciary, Parliament and Media grapple with their 'newly-felt' responsibilities, marking their territories in the domain of governance as they mo …

4

1

An ethnic party representing offspring of those who came to Pakistan during the partition holocaust has been targetting one of the oldest inhabitants of Karachi.

0

0

There was the usual and quite absurd story on the Internet the other day, one that amply demonstrates the in-your-face attitudes of those who would use 'militant' Islam to further their own political agendas in foreign countries. However, before we go there let us face th …

2

4

Political ownership of the war on terrorism now rests with the people of Pakistan.

16

1

After enjoying a little more than two years of relative peace, Karachi was rudely dragged back on the mutilated map of terror today.

1

2

Party Time

Listening to President Zardari speaking at the second death anniversary ceremony of his wife Benazir Bhutto one was reminded of Don Quixote—the idealistic blundering knight created by Cervantes.

23

2

LAHORE, Dec. 23: The Jamaat e Islami chief, Syed Munawar Hasan, has said that a gang of thieves and plunderers is resisting the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on the NRO promoting the culture of might is right.

17

1

Churchill characterized Soviet Russia in terms of riddles and enigmas.

17

0

THE LEMMING SYNDROME

Lemmings periodically self destruct through mass suicide. This phenomenon has defied explanation and remains a case of irrational behavior in the animal kingdom. More difficult to understand is similar behavior among humans. Take the Pakistan Peoples Party.

21

5

In a major blow to President Asif Ali Zardari, the Supreme Court today unanimously declared the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), which provided amnesty to political leaders against corruption charges, as 'unconstitutional' and against 'national interest.'

13

1

Buses in Pakistan are impossible to miss – bright, loud and colourful, they can be seen across city streets and along highways, usually travelling in an unholy haste. They also tend to be overcrowded, commuters spilling on to rooftops and hanging off the sides.

1

2

Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that a decree protecting allies of President Asif Zardari against charges of corruption is illegal. The controversial law granting senior politicians amnesty was brought in by ex-President Pervez Musharraf.

1

2

There is nothing new anymore about the suggestion that over a span of about 30 odd years, the Pakistani military and its establishmentarian allies in the intelligence agencies, the politicised clergy, conservative political parties and the media have, in the name of Islam and pat …

2

2

So then, December is upon us, another year has gone by in the Fatherland's struggle to keep its head above water, to be accepted as another half-civilised country in the comity of nations.

1

3

On our national survey in June Obama had an 82% approval rating with Democrats. Now it's 83%. He had a 46% approval rating with independents. Now it's 47%. No real change on either of those fronts. But with Republicans he's dropped from an 18% mark to just 10%.

53

174

Guest columnist Ahmed Rashid on how the real problems facing Pakistan are being sidelined by a surge of conspiracy theories Switch on any of the dozens of satellite news channels now available in Pakistan.

1

3

A blogger makes a valid point in a recent blog on dawn.com.

1

2

The evening of November 9th was a tumultuous affair: full of excitement, revelations, astounding robust thrills, political reverberations, media resonance and the restrained admittance of a Messiah-in-the-making by a resurgence of political association between once friends and re …

7

0

By Kamran Shafi Tuesday, 17 Nov, 2009

1

2

KARACHI: The chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has decided to oppose NRO in the Parliament and advice President Asif Ali Zardari to quit as president.

0

0