Make a Difference

Day: February 9, 2009

600,000 Jobs Lost

In the US in January.

Too soon to blame Obama? Well maybe. This crisis is a direct result of intervention in domestic lending markets by the Carter and Clinton administrations. Bush’s attempts to get more accountability from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were blocked. But no, that’s not Obama’s fault.

When I heard the story of this explosion in unemployment on the TV news last night, the reporter offered her opinion that we would see a change once the ‘stimulus’ package got started. I agree there is likely to be a change, but I doubt it will be positive.

Increased unemployment levels are indicative of a lack of business confidence. If business owners believe things are going to be get better, they don’t lay people off. Good staff are hard to find, and take time and money to train.

One of the reasons I thought Obama’s election would be a mistake was his utter lack of experience in running anything. The stimulus package reflects this lack of understanding of both business practice and basic economics. In these circumstances it is hard for the business-owners who power the economy to feel anything other than concern.

Obama – Winging It On Foreign Policy

In this case, on Afghanistan. As with Gitmo, and his cabinet candidates, and … and …  it might have been better to have done the research and asked the questions before stating the policies which were part of his election platform, and which are now being discovered to be unworkable.

In both foreign policy and economic policy, a careful assessment of evidence is essential if results are going to be anything other than disastrous. Wishful thinking and ideology are not a basis for sound policy.

Faked Autism Data Amounts to Murder

Dr Andrew Wakefield must have known the likelihood that his faked research would reduce vaccination rates and and lead to increased levels of preventable infectious childhood diseases. That is, he must have known than faking data so as to suggest a link between MMR vaccinations and autism would lead to increased child deaths.

But obviously getting his name in the papers was more important.

I don’t see any moral difference between this faking of medical research with foreseeably lethal consequences, and adding Melamine to milk with foreseeably lethal consequences.

Hamas Steals Aid, Again.

The UN agency which oversees delivery of aid to the Palestinian Territories has suspended deliveries to Gaza after Hamas last week stole 3500 blankets and 450 food packages from a warehouse, and this week stole ten trucks containing aid for the Palestinian people.

After previous thefts of aid, constant violence, including the torture and murder of Palestinian supporters of Fatah, the neglect and destruction of key infrastructure, the sated intention of continuing attacks on Israel, and the utter chaos and misery of Gaza, it baffles me that anyone can still believe Hamas to be a legitimate government.

Worst Fires in Australian History

Not the biggest, but the deadliest. So far 108 people reported dead. This figure is likely to increase because some bodies are still in burnt homes and vehicles.

750 homes destroyed. Whole communities have disappeared into ash.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described the deaths as ‘mass murder.’ Many of them were deliberately started.

Thousands of people have lost everything – not just their homes and physical possessions, but loved ones, and along with them, the things that you would normally treasure after such a loss – photos and toys, for example.

Cash donations to help provide shelter and emergency care can be made through the Red Cross.

© 2024 Qohel