All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Government, Legislation & Politics

Private Cops--Public Woes

April 28, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Cash Strapped Cities Try Private Guards over Police | online.wsj.com

Cities seeking to save dollars by hiring private police have to pause and consider the legal, operational and emergency implications of this choice. 1-- liability issues will attach not only to use of deadly force but many other areas in domestic violence and ongoing response operations where police discretion and training is often superior to rental cops--after all they are providing public safety services as an approved /contract agent/ of the city\ 2--there are operational instances where surging forces to crime scenes or supplementing existing officer forces could compromise the camraderie and team cohesiveness of response activities and option 3--it is doubtful that rental cops have the training and requisite insights to handle the variety of special operational demands in an emergency situation involving mass casualties or terrorism.  This should be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Sebastian MarizManaging PartnerEPPA

What do hedge funds and venture capture bring to society.

April 27, 2009

Analysis of:Industry attacks draft EU hedge-fund bill | www.euractiv.com

This article is important because it shows that regulation of the hedge fund and private equity sectors is imminent and could seriously curtail investment opportunities and decisions unless the sector acts fast.   Furthermore, the article proves that the debate on the hedge fund and private equity sector is being monopolised by the left and by a limited group of EU countries as an escape goat for all the evils of the current financial and economic crisis.   The sector is reacting but seems to have quickly fallen into the trap of arguing against the contents of the proposed Directive and not against the Directive itself and the logic behind it.   

Jack LiftonManaging DirectorJack Lifton, LLC

Scientists And Engineers Are Born, Encouraged, Selected, And Educated. Money Thrown At Existing Ones Does Not Create New Ones.

April 27, 2009

Analysis of:Obama promises major investment in R&D | finance.yahoo.com

It takes twelve to twenty years to find, select, encourage, test, and educate scientists, engineers, and medical professionals. By contrast it takes just a few minutes to select from a crowd those who will run for public office. Yet the future of innovation in America depends on this second class of selected individuals. It is always just luck that gets us progress with this polticized selection system for education.   America can not depend on luck.

PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS/SECURITY GUARDS v. LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES DEPLOYMENT

April 22, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Cash Strapped Cities Try Private Guards over Police | online.wsj.com

*Government expenditures for police services are on the rise *Makes Sense..more time for law enforcement to handle serious issues *Private Sector has expertise and willingness to accommodate the needs My position now and has been for several years is that the private security and  investigations firms are ready, willing and able to transition some of the lower level tasks away from law enforcement.  These tasks may be non-injury accident investigation, handling follow-up of witness statements regarding lesser offenses, interviewing witnesses at low risk crime scenes (i.e. burglaries), perimeter crime scene security, interviewing/investigation of reported fraudulent, non-violent activity, gathering information related to current investigations as directed by the Agency employing the firms. This, I believe, will free up already stressed budget issues within most if not all communities.  By using available private resources while limiting law enforcement expenditures makes good sense.

Policing America

April 22, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Cash Strapped Cities Try Private Guards over Police | online.wsj.com

It is not uncommon for the expense of Police and first responders to be a dominant part of a city's budget. However, the role of the police has changed significantly since the birth of our Nation and even since the past ten years. Due to technology the actual threshold of the number of police vs. impact on crime is significantly lower than what most citizens think they need and what politicians want. So truthful scrutiny is needed here. Additionally, core policing is demanding an increasingly highly trained force that can not be readily substituted with civilians and/or private guards. Having said that, there are areas that do not demand the technical and high skills sets of a trained officer and those position can indeed be substituted with civilians and/or private guards. Each jurisdiction must work within their specific contract agreements, therefore, there does not exist one answer to fit all. But, I do believe the budget savings can be found within the perameters I have suggested.

Party set to join ruling post- election coalition negative on foreign extractive interests

April 15, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Indonesian democracy, Beyond the crossroads - The election may be a shambles, but democracy is thriving | www.economist.com

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKJAK46291720090414 I would like to produce a lengthier view on the Indonesian elections and their potential impact on  foreign investment but I'm pushing up against a deadline. However, I do recommend  any existing of putative investors in the hydrocarbon and mineral sector read the piece tagged above. 

Istanbul equities soar as real economy stagnates

April 15, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Turkish stocks and bonds rally on IMF hopes | www.forbes.com

Terms of the IMF's next program terms for Turkey are not agreed and the Istanbul stock market has unrealistic expectations, up over one-third in five months. Export industries (especially automobiles, textiles and machinery) have been hardest hit but the banking sector is holding its own. Low consumer confidence further decelerates economic growth, which will be negative in 2009. Government hopes for return to positive growth  in 2010-11 may prove illusory. Political uncertainty adds to the mix, as the ruling party AKP's vote dropped from 47% in 2007 to 39% in the municipal elections held at the end of March, increasing the likelihood of factionalism and decreasing the authority of prime minister Erdogan within the party. The Istanbul Stock Exchange National 100 Index, the equity market's main benchmark, could still rise a bit further but it faces rough going following its recent recovery. At present it is driven more by psychological factors than by real economic performance.

Diran MajarianManaging DirectorAmalia Tankers Inc

Will the Liquidationists get their revenge?

April 14, 2009

Analysis of:0309_lessons_romer.pdf (application/pdf Object) | www.brookings.edu

US monetary authorities are following Keynesian remedies as never before.  The FED has expanded dramatically its balance sheet and moved to radical 'quantitative easing' including purchases of US Treasuries.  Administration economists like Christie Romer cite Keynes with almost religious devotion.  Massive government subsidies and expanded entitlement programs are back in vogue.  Will this stem the crisis and lead to a speedy and robust economic recovery?  Alternatively, will this lead to unanticipated side effects, that result a prolonged period of stagnant growth leaving the US a poorer, weaker country?

Transparency is key to resolving the current crisis.

April 13, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:The Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2009 | agriculture.house.gov

Successful financial systems require coordination between lenders and borrowers.  This coordination is possible when agents in the financial system can trust each other and relieve future uncertainty. Asymmetric information drives this lack of trust.  Transparency enhancing laws reduce this asymmetric information and restores coordination in the financial system. Thus transparency laws help financial systems to work efficiently.But if these laws leads to the failure of some institutions then even good laws can lead to bad outcomes.

What For? Democratic Decentralization in Indonesia

April 5, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Indonesian democracy, Beyond the crossroads - The election may be a shambles, but democracy is thriving | www.economist.com

Democratic Decentralization - Good Governance - Inter-Sectoral Restructuring

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