Headshot: Getty ImagesHouse: governor.state.tx.us
Location: Estates of Barton Creek, Austin, Texas (not pictured here)Rent: $10,000-plus a monthBedrooms: N/ABathrooms: N/ASquare Footage: 6,386Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s choice of living quarters while the Governor’s Mansion (pictured) undergoes repairs has proven controversial. An Associated Press reported in May 2010 that, at that time, because of Perry’s house rental at the Estates of Barton Creek in Austin, “taxpayers have spent at least $592,000 for rent, utilities, repairs, furnishings and supplies.” The house Perry rents was on the market in 2007 for $1.85 million, according to the article.Barton Estates is not Perry’s only real-estate-related source of bad publicity. Rick Perry and his father have leased a hunting ranch located in Throckmorton, Texas, for decades. The ranch’s name? Witnesses differ with Perry as to when a rock bearing this name was obscured.
Sure, Ben Bernanke is the current Federal Reserve chairman. But after Tuesday's market meltdown, everyone seems to be talking about Alan Greenspan and his use of "the 'R' word."
But does that mean the ex-Fed chief needs to watch his mouth? Two economists took on the question of free speech versus accountability, in "Morning Call."
T.J. Marta said Greenspan -- who was given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II -- is "not a private citizen and he never will be." Marta, chief income strategist at RBC Capital Markets, opined that when one has the standing and high profile of Greenspan, "you need to be careful" about making statements.
But Marta did note that the former Fed leader's words were not intended for public consumption, and were "released out of context." Earlier on Thursday, Greenspan clarified his remarks, saying a recession was possible, but not probable.
