|
Donate to the American Red Cross to Help Hurricane Victims
Latest Commentary: |
Call 1-800-HELP-NOW
Volume IV, Number 115 |
|
Hurricanes’ Lesson Teaches Less Evacuation, More Protection -- Two major American cities have had to be evacuated in the past few weeks. In New Orleans, the “mandatory” evacuation resulted in the shame on American honor that the hells of the Superdome and the Convention Center became. In Houston, where people were on edge because of the mess New Orleans has become, the traffic backed up 100 miles or so as people tried to flee. What these events teach, and what the government doesn’t seem to understand, is that huge populations cannot be moved quickly. In the event of a terrorist attack, the people will not have a couple of days, but maybe a couple of minutes. Evacuation is a strategy doomed to fail.
Poland’s Voters Shift to the Right -- Margaret Thatcher ran against a British leftwing government in 1979 that had managed to boost unemployment to record post-war levels with a motto “Labour Isn’t Working.” The Polish people yesterday threw out a left-wing government of “reformed” communists for much the same reason – 18% unemployment equals a failed government. However, the center-right coalition that is aborning might regret winning a year or two from now. Intractable is the word that best describes Poland’s labor situation. DaimlerChrysler Gambles on Smaller SUVs -- DaimlerChrysler has had years of losses and falling sales in the US, but its 300 Sedan is hot and helping it build market share. However, the company has decided to risk its future on the SUV. In the next few years, it plans to expand its line of Suburban Useless Vehicles from five to ten. While two of the five models are awaiting board approval still, it looks like the directors are happy to gamble this way. With gasoline the far side of $3 a gallon, one can only admire their bravery while questioning their wisdom. The Meaning of Tingo Delights Lovers of Words -- Adam Jacot de Boinod has written a book that no lover of words can do without. “What I'm really trying to do is celebrate the joy of foreign words (in a totally unjudgmental [sic] way) and say that while English is a great language, one shouldn't be surprised there are many others having, as they do, words with no English equivalent.” Go out now and buy The Meaning of Tingo: And Other Extraordinary Words from Around the World  .
© Copyright 2005 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux. |
|