The Change Mariner: Is a Futures Market on Terror Outlandish?

July 30, 2003

Is a Futures Market on Terror Outlandish?

The Defense Department announced yesterday that it is canceling a controversial program to develop a futures market that would allow traders to bet on wars, assassinations and terrorism in the Middle East.
The plan, which FORTUNE first reported on in its March 3rd issue (Place Your Bets—On War), was abandoned after Democratic senators assailed it as ghoulish, immoral, and absurd. Senator Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota claimed the program would provide a monetary incentive to those wishing to commit acts of terror. Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) said the plan would have created "a futures market in death."

Posted by Bob King at July 30, 2003 06:28 AM
Related Categories: Quadrant - Political | Theme - 'Response to Terrorism'

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