Joel On The Road

Bait and switch for press ‘freedom’

Joel — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:59:24 +0000

By Joel Thurtell Would some wise person in the media please explain to me how the government’s surveillance of The Associated Press’s phones translates into a new push for a so-called federal “shield” to insulate mainstream journalists from subpoenas? Somehow, … Continue reading →

We need a federal ban on CABs

Joel — Sat, 11 May 2013 16:01:43 +0000

By Joel Thurtell According to California Treasurer Bill Lockyer, those school board members at San Diego’s Poway Unified School District who authorized bonds with a 10-to-1 ratio of debt to principal ought to be recalled. “Stupid,” was Lockyer’s description of … Continue reading →

‘Michigan blogger’ to talk CABs to California

Joel — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:58:50 +0000

By Joel Thurtell At 2:15 PM on Friday, May 10, I’ll be in Sacramento telling members of the California League of Bond Oversight Committees how I learned about Capital Appreciation Bonds in Michigan 21 years ago. I’ll talk about how … Continue reading →

Ashenfelter-Convertino: Essential reading

Joel — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:24:25 +0000

By Joel Thurtell A federal judge has ordered the Detroit Free Press to reveal the names of US Justice Department officials who illegally disclosed secret grand jury information about a former assistant US attorney, Richard Convertino. Convertino has sued the Justice … Continue reading →

Convertino case: Judge orders Free Press to name sources

Joel — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:01:02 +0000

By Joel Thurtell Former assistant US attorney Rick Convertino’s lawsuit against the US Justice Department is still alive, despite a federal judge’s decision to let a Detroit Free Press reporter, now retired, off the hook as a witness in the … Continue reading →