Morning Journal--The slow creep on Islam

Economics

   This Week’s Data

            The International Council of Shopping Centers reported monthly sales of major retailers down 0.6% versus the prior week but up 3.3% versus the comparable period a year ago; Redbook Research reported month to date retail chain store sales up 1.9% on a year over year basis.

            http://scottgrannis.blogspot.com/2013/01/retail-sales-recovery.html

            And:

            http://www.capitalspectator.com/archives/2013/01/retail_sales_de.html#more

            November business inventories rose 0.3%, in line with expectations; business sales were up a much stronger 1.0%.

            Weekly mortgage applications were up 15.2% while purchase applications increased 12.9%.

            The December consumer price index was unchanged as expected; ex food and energy, it rose 0.1%, also in line with forecasts.

            http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2013/01/bls-cpi-unchanged-in-december-core-cpi.html

   Other

            November housing prices rise again (short):

            http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/01/corelogic-us-housing-recovery-accelerates-at-yearend-as-november-home-prices-increase-nationwide-by-7-4/

Politics

  Domestic

  International War Against Radical Islam

            The future (medium):

            http://www.steynonline.com/5387/the-veil-descends