Articles by Jens F. Laurson & George A. Pieler
Why Abusing Customer Service Representatives Makes Economic Sense
If you live in the western world and can breathe, you are a victim of "customer service hotline syndrome". Apostrophes are essential with this triple-misnomer: You are not treated like a customer, calling the response you get--if you get one--"service" is a supreme
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Trading Up...or Down
The U.S. and Brazil are battling over cotton: Brazil counters U.S. subsidies for its production with tariffs on a variety of imports from the States. Brazil has the sanction of the WTO, but that doesn't make the tariffs any better...
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Mysteries of the Air
On February 7, the Airport Security-2010 conference convenes in Dubai. Featured on the program are forums and workshops on technology, overuse of technology, and even "Middle East criminals." Nothing about Islamist extremism, though. The 2009 holiday season exposed
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"F" for Freedom
Pundits, always eager to find a crack and drive a wedge into it, predict tough and tense negotiations between Chancellor Angela Merkel and her new coalition partner, FDP leader Guido Westerwelle. After all, Germany doesn't like radical change, and the...
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The Battle of the Bulb
You can lead a horse to water, but not make it drink: except for politicians, especially in Brussels. Europe's Finest, ever busy fixing the world, stop at nothing to force happiness upon their citizens. Who knows better what's good for...
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Unfinished Business Can Stimulate, Too
The world waits breathlessly for a final stimulus plan from President Obama and Congress, but we need only look back a little to identify a few win-win initiatives that could help boost the economy. Last year the Bush administration came...
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The Promise of Gas
In his inaugural address, President Obama observed that, "Each day brings further evidence that the way we use energy strengthens our adversaries". Tell it to Europe, Mr. President. Russia has resumed delivering Gas to Europe—for now. The latest crisis, with...
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Germany's Cup Runneth Under
Even after its heart-stopping overtime loss to Italy in the semi-finals, Germany is riding the waves of World Cup Mania. The IFO business confidence index hit a 15-year high, the young German team showed top form and defied criticism in...
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Pirates of the Black Sea
Vladimir Putin claims to be a quid-pro-quo guy. At the Black Sea summit between Russia and the EU, he insisted on "reciprocity" for any European involvement in Russia's "holy of holies", its energy resources and associated state-run industries. Ever the...
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