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New from the Business & Media Institute


A Flood of Incomplete Insurance Coverage
Many hurricane victims were uninsured or under-insured. As tragic as that is, the media are adding to the confusion by talking to "experts" who push for soaking the insurance companies and creating benefits that weren't paid in advance. Meanwhile, they're often missing the fact that the government-subsidized flood insurance program the only source of flood insurance is likely to have to borrow to cover Katrina's costs.


Econ 101: The Price of Recovery
Dr. Gary Wolfram, professor of economics at Hillsdale College and adviser to the Business & Media Institute, gives a lesson this month on how higher prices for some goods actually help in the aftermath of a disaster.
Ask the professor: Do you have a question about an economic issue covered in the news?


Lou Dobbs Lobbies for Unions to Bring Home the Bacon
CNNs Lou Dobbs Tonight is at it again, accusing big business of exploiting workers. This time its the suspension of the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage law in the hurricane rebuilding zone. Unsurprisingly, Dobbs turned to a union spokesman to explain how workers will be affected and ignored the racist history of the law.


The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
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.
This week: How businesses handle a disaster; how a network can use a disaster to make a political point; and, attacking a drug company for being responsible.
 


Also from BMI:


Media Use Katrina to Lobby for Higher Taxes


CBS Attacks Amgen for Not Distributing Drug


Why Not Global Warming?
 


Research, News & Commentary


Hurricane Katrina


Commentary: Katrina aid should be tied to people, not just places.


Commentary: James Glassman details the different fronts of New Orleans rebirth.


Research: The National Flood Insurance Program has been "subsidizing disaster" for years.


Global Warming


Research: Adapting to climate change rather than attempting to control it is the subject of a new study from the National Center for Policy Analysis.


Free Market


Research: The Cato Institute has released its latest Economic Freedom of the World report, rating countries according to the freedom of their markets.


Litigation


Commentary: Teflon-coated pans arent a health hazard, but trial lawyers have ignored that fact in attacks on DuPont.


Poverty


Commentary: We measure poverty in America with a broken yardstick.