Morning Constitutional – Monday, 30 August 2010

Good morning, everybody. Modern Family and Mad Men are apparently really good shows. Now, your morning constitutional:

Hurricane Earl is strengthening into a major hurricane as it moves into the Caribbean, and is forecast to become a Category 3 today as it moves toward Puerto Rico. The storm could affect areas on the U.S. East Coast over Labor Day weekend.

Even as much of China’s growth is the result of private businesses, it is China’s state-owned companies that are the growing fastest, in large part because of state-bank spending and stimulus measures.

Officials in Pakistan say that the flood waters are beginning to recede, but the danger is far from over.

Japan is releasing a plan to boost stimulus spending and ease their monetary policy to bolster their long-struggling economy, but many economists suggest it may not be enough.

The President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, led by former Federal Reserve chair Paul Volcker, has released a report listing ways to simplify the tax code. Read the whole report.

Wait. Bill O’Reilly reviewed porn in the Boston Phoenix. For real. Anyways.

Will the presence of three women really affect the Supreme Court in any meaningful way?

A new study suggests that asset-buying by central banks does help the economy recover.

Was the Glenn Beck rally turnout really that impressive?

James Surowiecki on the death of customer service.

Finally, in Canada, cows enjoying red wine with their grain.

Contact Poplicola at poplicola@veritiesandvagaries.com