NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said if Tasers were accessible to all frontline police, similar shootings could potentially be avoided.

"If frontline police had access to Tasers there would be another non-lethal choice that police officers could make when facing a split second decision about what to do," Mr O'Farrell told reporters.

 

With bad news pouring in from retailers and exporters, American economists are scrambling to lower their forecasts for growth in the world's largest economy. 

Winter storms across the country appear to have dealt a final blow to retail sales as cash-strapped consumers stay home, and the US economy is now expected to post its worst performance in at least 27 years – and possibly since the Fifties. 

from Crikey …..

CEOs: the poor little rich guys

Adam Schwab writes: