ECONOMY IN CRISIS - ECONOMIC RECESSION

Behold we have arrived at a salient juncture in time where the condition of the economy in the USA, and evidently that of the world, has been dominating the news. Why? The economy has always existed and its importance has always been paramount yet we have not given to it anything close to this much attention. At least, not recently. Turbulence hits the upper echelons of the economic hierarchy and ripples and shock waves are felt globally - maybe even artificially intensified by media coverage and distortion thereof. "Hey, it's chaotic at the top what are we going to do? There's going to be massive job loss."

So in the wake of the collapse of some financial institutions, many of which have been grossly mismanaged or better: deceptively managed, media coverage has been a constant. In fact the only thing that seems to be constant is media coverage. Also, a previously unknown fact is ever evident: Everyone is an economist or an economic advisor. There are shows on topics such as: "How to survive on less in a troubled economy" (The Today Show); "How to cope when both parents are unemployed" (N.P.R.); etc., etc. There is no shortage of shows with economic advice in this "tough economy": "What happens when stay-at-home-moms go back to the job market?" (N.P.R.)

STOP! Here is the real news: Many of these conditions are nothing new. From time immemorial the so-called underclass in this country and around the world have had to cope with the reality of economic privation. The option to be a stay-at-home-mom has never existed. The "underclass" exists and thrives within the perimeters of their destitute reality. Frankly, I have spoken with many who feel unaffected by this "economic recession". Economic crisis.... hmmm.... This has always been the personal reality of the underprivileged many.

So maybe, just maybe, these new economic conditions are the great equalizers - alterations, shifts and modifications that will bring about a shared sense of community, solidarity and responsibility among the different economic classes. Maybe this is "an era of turbulence and change". Maybe this is time when the vices of avarice, gluttony, selfishness and excess will be neutralized, albeit somewhat, by this new spirit. Maybe this is a time when the realization of the importance of family and being my brother's keeper will change the hearts of men for better.

My sentiments are not meant to make light of the gravity of our current situation neither am I oblivious of its many complexities. There are many perspectives connected to our solemn plight and there are numerous stories to be told. This is one of them.

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GREENER GRASS

It's important in life to reach out, to strive for greater achievements, to go for that greener grass that is on the other side of the fence.

But one must always be careful......................




And when you find yourself over-extended and you're stuck in a situation that you can't get out of, there is one thing you should always remember...............

Not everyone who shows up ...............

IS THERE TO HELP YOU!!!!!!!




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DOUBLE BIRD STRIKE - MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON

Recently there was a story that was dominant in the news for days, if not weeks: The crash-landing of US Airways flight 1549 in the Hudson river in New York City. This was indeed a remarkable story and the coverage was certainly relevant. Captain Chesley Sullenberger's control of the aircraft under the circumstances was nothing if not heroic. He, his crew and the passengers deserve special commendation, but mainly he.

While this event was unusual and was/is a rich source of news there is a significant angle that seemed to have been overlooked. I listened to and read quite frequently many of the major "news" suppliers but something was conspicuously absent. We saw the way Captain Sullenberger, the crew and passengers were paraded around in the media. The serious need for investigative journalism was trumped by the sensationalism of the moment coupled with the superficiality of the reporters' interviews. Special praise should be given to Captain Sullenberger for advancing an additional issue that came about: he urged congress to preserve and protect pilots of his caliber. This is a significant derivative and should be further advanced.

This blog in no way intends to minimize the heroics of the circumstances tied to this crash-landing. Kudos to everyone involved. Now here are some questions that should have been considered and that would have made equally interesting news:
1) Why is the very serious and potentially catastrophic occurrence of a flock of birds disabling a jet engine euphemistically called a "bird strike"?
2) How regularly do birds disable both engines and how likely is it that birds would disable both engines simultaneously?
3) The cost to design, build and install jet engines is in the millions. Now, if birds are a potential threat to the aircraft's operation, hence the lives of those on board and quite likely, others on the ground, why are these engines not designed to prevent "bird strikes"?
4) Given the size, power and revolutions of these engines' propellers how do birds, extremely fragile by comparison, disable such a structure?

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