Tuesday, December 2, 2008
It’s official. A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research confirmed what most Americans already know, we’re in a recession. The bureau evaluates the nation’s economic cycles and it says the U.S. has been in a recession since December 2007. On that news Monday, the shaky stock market took a serious dive with the Dow Jones Industrial closing down […]
Saturday, November 29, 2008
I will no longer be able to think of Black Friday as just the day after Thanksgiving that kick starts the holiday shopping season. Yesterday, the crowds showed up to hunt for bargains, but some really ugly incidents marred this yearly tradition. About a 100 miles or so away at a Toys ‘R’ Us in Palm Desert, horrified shoppers watched two women go at each other […]
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The political landscape of our country has changed dramatically since last Thanksgiving. Back in 2007, many of us were just trying to survive the last leg of the George Bush administration; keeping our fingers crossed that the glaring domestic and foreign policy problems would hold until a new president could be elected. That did not happen. We’re in the middle of two […]
Sunday, October 26, 2008
“I’m a plumber… just a plumber,” that’s how Joe Wurzelbacher described himself when he lashed out at the media for scrutinizing his opinions and personal life, last weekend. Yeah, Joe is that guy. Joe the Plumber. The Joe that Republican presidential candidate John McCain mentioned repeatedly in the third and final presidential debate. In fact, McCain referred to Wurzelbacher as “my […]
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The $700-plus billion bailout was supposed to ease investors’ fears. Many Americans are still jittery about the ailing economy; and apparently a lot of players in the financial markets around the world are feeling the same way. Yesterday, the Dow Jones plunged 800 points — the most ever in one day— before recovering somewhat, closing down 370 points, but below 10,000 […]
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Burbank/August 2008 I complained a lot during the summer about the jacked-up prices of gasoline. As recently as mid-August gas prices at the pumps in Burbank were still over $4 a gallon. Then prices began to tumble. About two weeks ago, I paid $3.70 a gallon — on Monday, I paid even less, $3.60 a gallon. I should be doing the happy […]
Thursday, September 11, 2008
We will never forget 9-11. For millions of Americans, that is a promise seared deep into their hearts. Seven years ago today, terrorists attacked us. Nearly three thousand people died at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in a Pennsylvania field. I was working in a local television newsroom as a writer on that day. Also, I answered […]
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Looking back on the historic events of the past week, GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech before the Republican National Convention stands out. The Alaskan governor was in full-blown attack mode throughout the speech. The RNC loved it: the delegates broke out in applause and cheers numerous times during Palin’s speech. In the days since, Palin’s speech has […]
Friday, July 4, 2008
American flags are flying all over the country including here in Glendale today. On America’s Independence Day, I celebrate freedom of choice. I went for a walk through the Burbank hillside area. I passed a home being demolished by a construction team. A number of gardening crews were out mowing lawns and blowing leaves around. The car wash at Glen […]
