COLIN READis Professor of Economics and Finance at SUNY College at Plattsburgh, USA, and a columnist for the Plattsburgh New York Press Republican newspaper. He has a Ph.D. in Economics, J.D. in Law, M.B.A., Master's of Taxation, and has taught environmental and energy economics and finance for 25 years. Colin's recent books include BP and the Macondo Spill: The Complete Story, The Fear Factor, Global Financial Meltdown: How We Can Avoid the Next Economic Crisis, The Rise and Fall of an Economic Empire: With Lessons for Aspiring Nations, and a book on international taxation. He has written dozens of papers on market failure, volatility, and housing markets, writes a weekly newspaper column, and appears monthly on a local PBS television show to discuss the regional and national economy.