Posts
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Its a bitter cold New Year’s Eve. The kind that makes it just little harder to muster up the warmth of heart I’m looking for in order to take my leave of such a bittersweet year. I want to say farewell and good riddance; because the bad seemingly far out-weighed the good.
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All the news-related programs this week, offered their perspectives and looks back at a very "bumpy year." That's an understatement at the very least. Where there seems more loss than gain, it's hard to wish the past year well, save for the historic message of change elected to bring us all back from the brink and depths of despair. That’s a lot to heft upon the shoulders of one man [and his team], and he dare not let us down. Especially while the whole world watches.
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But— already I digress!
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So, aside from all my health-related issues, which I will not discuss here [not wanting to give them any more power than they already command], here’s how I saw [and in no particular order] some of 2008.
So, aside from all my health-related issues, which I will not discuss here [not wanting to give them any more power than they already command], here’s how I saw [and in no particular order] some of 2008.
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Many of my former co-workers lost their jobs this year; the transfer off shore [to India], is now complete. I don't know their fates, but it will be difficult to find anything comparable in what has been deemed a 'dying town.' But-- I wish them all well.
Many of my former co-workers lost their jobs this year; the transfer off shore [to India], is now complete. I don't know their fates, but it will be difficult to find anything comparable in what has been deemed a 'dying town.' But-- I wish them all well.
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The price of gas at the pumps piqued to record highs and then fell back within a more satisfying reach. It is currently on the rise again though; albeit slowly. And I believe one cannot claim supply and demand [I don't care how much China and India factored in], or the scarcity of crude as cause and effect, [which translates to excuses], when numerous reports verified 'record profits' which exposed a greater reality. Now we're faced with the Saudis' threat to reduce the output of barrel because the American consumers 'are buying less.' Well, good for us! Unfortunately, there's little doubt that the line between those who had no choice and those who made a conscious effort to cut back, is severely blurred.
The price of gas at the pumps piqued to record highs and then fell back within a more satisfying reach. It is currently on the rise again though; albeit slowly. And I believe one cannot claim supply and demand [I don't care how much China and India factored in], or the scarcity of crude as cause and effect, [which translates to excuses], when numerous reports verified 'record profits' which exposed a greater reality. Now we're faced with the Saudis' threat to reduce the output of barrel because the American consumers 'are buying less.' Well, good for us! Unfortunately, there's little doubt that the line between those who had no choice and those who made a conscious effort to cut back, is severely blurred.
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Unpredictable storms brewed and raged throughout 2008. And the remnants of Ike blew hundreds of miles inland; wrecking havoc upon unsuspecting communities. Though not even in the same league with what Texa suffered, many endured weeks of state or county-wide power outages. An apartment complex across the street, has yet to repair the missing shingles on numerous rooftops.
Unpredictable storms brewed and raged throughout 2008. And the remnants of Ike blew hundreds of miles inland; wrecking havoc upon unsuspecting communities. Though not even in the same league with what Texa suffered, many endured weeks of state or county-wide power outages. An apartment complex across the street, has yet to repair the missing shingles on numerous rooftops.
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Nationally there were record high temperatures and with such an early onset of winter, there are already record lows and more power outages. Crops failed, and food hording were declared world-wide. And riots played out in the streets. Locally more crops than we know were lost by farmers who redirected their profits, almost over night, and sold their harvests for alternative fuels sources instead of sustenance. I lay no blame here. They've families to feed, bills to pay, and land to protect. But we all know how the pricing of the basic of necessities skyrocketed in seemingly as short a period of time.
Nationally there were record high temperatures and with such an early onset of winter, there are already record lows and more power outages. Crops failed, and food hording were declared world-wide. And riots played out in the streets. Locally more crops than we know were lost by farmers who redirected their profits, almost over night, and sold their harvests for alternative fuels sources instead of sustenance. I lay no blame here. They've families to feed, bills to pay, and land to protect. But we all know how the pricing of the basic of necessities skyrocketed in seemingly as short a period of time.
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2008 saw the Boomers came of age and in record numbers they filed for their Social Security benefits. Shamefully, the vast amount of those aging will remain without medical and proper health care for a long time to come.
2008 saw the Boomers came of age and in record numbers they filed for their Social Security benefits. Shamefully, the vast amount of those aging will remain without medical and proper health care for a long time to come.
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It would seem no one is going to be held accountable for the horrendous housing fiasco. Yes, far too many people have been living well beyond their means and are paying the ultimate price. But, no one can tell me they weren't taken advantage of and there is not the first criminal act that still needs ferreting out, and brought into the proverbial light of day.
It would seem no one is going to be held accountable for the horrendous housing fiasco. Yes, far too many people have been living well beyond their means and are paying the ultimate price. But, no one can tell me they weren't taken advantage of and there is not the first criminal act that still needs ferreting out, and brought into the proverbial light of day.
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We all watched as Wall Street struggled and stumbled and ate away at untold dreams; both greedy and benign. The market plummeted and rose again; tettering and tottering. I refuse to use the word volatile. It's thrown around so nilly willy by those who want to impress the impressionable. The stock markets are not as fickle or unpredictable as they would have the masses believe. I worked a few years in financial backing and know better. And there are those who believe the market is already dead; that we're merely being fed false numbers to keep us calmed.
We all watched as Wall Street struggled and stumbled and ate away at untold dreams; both greedy and benign. The market plummeted and rose again; tettering and tottering. I refuse to use the word volatile. It's thrown around so nilly willy by those who want to impress the impressionable. The stock markets are not as fickle or unpredictable as they would have the masses believe. I worked a few years in financial backing and know better. And there are those who believe the market is already dead; that we're merely being fed false numbers to keep us calmed.
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Countless retirement accounts are now lost. Insurance companies subsequently fell to their knees, and were raked on the coals when they were caught flaunting bail monies at luxury resorts. Banks closed or merged. Million and Billionaires were single handedly bilked out of their financial empires. A French financier committed suicide as a result. Let's see how that weighs upon the perpetrator. And the Bailouts are still being defended. We'll see how history records the eventual true outcome.
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My question regarding 2008 is what exactly were the private-jet-faring, top three auto big boys planning to do had there been no failures and bailures? Had not the first bailout even been considered—much less offered—when and/or how else were they going to relay just how bad things are for the American automotive industry? Regardless of what they’ve been handed, out of taxpayer pockets—on however tarnished the platter—tens of thousands of people are still going to lose their jobs. This is inexcusable!
My question regarding 2008 is what exactly were the private-jet-faring, top three auto big boys planning to do had there been no failures and bailures? Had not the first bailout even been considered—much less offered—when and/or how else were they going to relay just how bad things are for the American automotive industry? Regardless of what they’ve been handed, out of taxpayer pockets—on however tarnished the platter—tens of thousands of people are still going to lose their jobs. This is inexcusable!
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Numerous cities are going bankrupt, and global markets are in jeopardy. And pundits, and President alike, continue to waiver, and refuse to commit to whether we're actually or already in a recession. Each individual will need to make up their own mind. But the simplist definition of recession is: a temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced. Call me naive, but I think we've got it nailed!
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The key word in that phrase would be "temporary." As it relates to what? The Great Depression? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the President Elect already indicated there's no easy or "quick" fix down the forthcoming long road to recovery. And there are plenty of experts suggesting this "recession" is going to get much worse. How much longer can they not call it what it is and expect us to find them a reliable source of information?
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Though we can argue the degrees to which we've been swayed, lied to, fooled, and/or bought, We The People drooled over [and why not!] the Stimulus Package developed to keep the threat of said questionable recession at bay. We readily accepted those checks that went out across America; in hopes of igniting our floundering economy. Still, tens of thousands of jobs were lost, and it’s said those 'they' people are hiding the real numbers so as to not incite a panic. All the while the ranks of homeless grow; in such a rich and powerful country.
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The shear volume of massive product recalls is staggering; and continued holding offshore manufactures to task. Almost nightly the evening news reports on more shootings, bank robberies, and muggings. And the holiday shopping figures for 2008 hit a low not seen in decades. Subsequently, it's been declared that many establishments may not be around for a redo next year.
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In the midst of much of the above, whether you loved or hated them, felt obliged to vote for or against them, it was the year of women in politics. But! The country remained true to the male of the species and elected a new president, and still made ground-breaking history. While I will NOT miss the political campaign ads, Thank God, there are no more campaign ads! none of the above is anything we are able wave at, graciously, and say good-bye.
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But, as with each new day, there is a new beginning. Out with the Old, in with the New. Right? Well, n-n-n-not so much. The clock may well be a ticking. And symbolically another cycle is about to begin; giving us another calendar year to get it right. Again! But 2008 has no choice but to follow and dog us into the next, and will long after we after we are newly distracted by the next chink in the chain of reality.
But, as with each new day, there is a new beginning. Out with the Old, in with the New. Right? Well, n-n-n-not so much. The clock may well be a ticking. And symbolically another cycle is about to begin; giving us another calendar year to get it right. Again! But 2008 has no choice but to follow and dog us into the next, and will long after we after we are newly distracted by the next chink in the chain of reality.
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Though the benefit of the doubt isn’t always given for the intelligence of mere mortals, and much of the above was either foisted upon or duped out of us, [all acts of nature and weather aside (alright! There are those who claim the weather is being controlled, but that's a whole other Oprah show!)] neither are we blameless. As I indicated earlier, too many of us have lived far too long beyond their means. Many also have turned a blind eye to those we believed we could trust, or wallowed in what's perceived to be out of our control, and enabled those we put in charge or allow to lord over us.
Though the benefit of the doubt isn’t always given for the intelligence of mere mortals, and much of the above was either foisted upon or duped out of us, [all acts of nature and weather aside (alright! There are those who claim the weather is being controlled, but that's a whole other Oprah show!)] neither are we blameless. As I indicated earlier, too many of us have lived far too long beyond their means. Many also have turned a blind eye to those we believed we could trust, or wallowed in what's perceived to be out of our control, and enabled those we put in charge or allow to lord over us.
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How much should we look to others? And what rests within individual realms of personal responsibility?
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person." ~Mother Teresa
Many are mere hours away from making resolutions that fall largely by the way a month or three down an all too familiar road. And there seems a greater need, in the days to come, that the typical resolutions simply won’t meet or satisfy. But we human beings are a hardy lot. Yes, we can be fooled, mislead, and misjudged. But we can also be generous, graciously wise, and wonderfully grateful for what or who is left in our individual and collective lives.
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It is said we are our brothers’ keeper. And I am forever reminded of the indigenous axiom: Mitakuye Oyasin! Lakota for: We Are All Related or All My Relations.
It is said we are our brothers’ keeper. And I am forever reminded of the indigenous axiom: Mitakuye Oyasin! Lakota for: We Are All Related or All My Relations.
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning." ~Ivy Baker Priest
I concede I didn't speak to all of the notable events of 2008, much less present what I did in the proper order. Chronology was never a factor. And they were pulled from a memory that is less than perfect these days. [I forgot to ask Santa for a new memory card.] The point I aspired to allude to is how does one wish another Joy and Prosperity in the midst of so much being suffered? How do we keep our hearts lifted in the course of such continuing strife?
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Granted we have the right to mourn that which we grieve, and grief is not restricted to the lose of life. But each does so in their own way and time. It's not a thing to pencil in one's planner. And it's rather difficult to comtemplate a farewell to that which is so far from being resolved. So. To what can we truly say, "Good-bye?"
Granted we have the right to mourn that which we grieve, and grief is not restricted to the lose of life. But each does so in their own way and time. It's not a thing to pencil in one's planner. And it's rather difficult to comtemplate a farewell to that which is so far from being resolved. So. To what can we truly say, "Good-bye?"
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There’s much to be said regarding the power of positive thinking, or in this case wishing someone well. So-- Let's say good-bye to that which we cannot change. Let's say good-bye to that which didn't work out right. Let's say good-bye to that which simply no longer matters. And know that come what may, regardless the race, faith, cultural prophecies, travesty or tragedy, we all face this New Year and same tumultuous world. And in the end, each being responsible for the other, we are all in this together.
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Many Blessings to you all, for a more joyful year. May your hearts find and know songs of true Peace.
Many Blessings to you all, for a more joyful year. May your hearts find and know songs of true Peace.
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