Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Are there investments public pension funds shouldn't make?

Under a new state law, Florida's pension funds will have to sell investments in any companies doing business with Iran and Sudan. Here's what readers had to say:

By Helen Huntley, Times Personal Finance Editor
Published August 26, 2007

Under a new state law, Florida's pension funds will have to sell investments in any companies doing business with Iran and Sudan. Here's what readers had to say:

Divestment is the only opportunity we have as a state to express our moral outrage at the genocide in the Sudan. We can't issue sanctions, send in peacekeepers or force a change there. However, we can refuse to do business with companies who are helping to prop up the regime behind the Janjaweed, the government backed militia that is engaging in the systematic ethnic cleansing of tribal communities in the country's western province of Darfur.

Considering the general lack of attention Darfur receives in the media, if the state's decision can help shine a light on the plight of the people of Darfur and help educate people to put pressure on the international community to take a stand, then the decision was worthwhile.

To that end, I firmly believe the United Nation's recent decision to send in peacekeepers is a direct result of the growing worldwide cry for action, an effort that was joined by Florida in May of this year and 20 plus other states to date. Sure this can be a slippery slope, but given the state's diligence in using this tool in the past, I really don't foresee a problem in the future.

Steven Schale, Tallahassee

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing how the State of Florida Board of Administration classifies Halliburton, the company that used to be headed by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Over the years, including the "Dick Cheney years," Halliburton and its subsidiaries and affiliates did a lot of business with Iran and the Sudan. Tallahassee does its part to fight terrorism, huh? Oh yeah. This is going to be a barrel of laughs.

Hint: Look forward to this issue disappearing into the void in about 90 days. After that, the silence will be deafening.

Reg Crowder, London

Next week's question: How have you been affected by problems in the mortgage market? Have you found it more difficult to get a mortgage? Are you caught in an adjustable rate loan with rising rates? Been unable to sell a house because your would-be buyer can't get a mortgage?

Please post your response to the MoneyTalk blog (blogs.tampabay.com/money) or send it to Helen Huntley by e-mail (hhuntley@sptimes.com or mail (P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Include your first and last names and your city.

[Last modified August 24, 2007, 20:05:01]