Still Waiting for a Bank Holiday

There's little doubt that the bear market of late has happened as a result of private sector conduct and the public sector's failure to oversee the private sector. The question for the next president will not be if their administration should act in response, but how it should act. I asked for a bank holiday for the whole financial services sector in this blog in March. It clearly hasn't happened yet.

My question today is what comes next. Government involvement proposed thus far hasn't amounted to any real benefit at all (beyond psychological benefit); it's just to early in the game to see if the money allocated for future spending will be spent in the right places and in the right amounts.

I'm curious as the plan to move forward takes shape if it will focus on jobs as well as the reform of financial institutions. There's no question that the New Deal had some real shortcomings; but for all its shortcomings Roosevelt's plan was more comprehensive than the current plan because it dealt with both the needs of the unemployed and and the crisis in the banking sector. If politicians learn anything from history let it be that the whole nation has been effected by the financial crisis and that its not enough just to create jobs or just to pump money into FDIC insured banks and uninsured institutions that act like banks to keep them afloat.

The New Deal drove the economy of the working class for most of Roosevelt's first term; but it wasn't enough; banking and investing needed reform. Still after all is said and done even the New Deal alone wasn't enough to rebuild the national economy. Roosevelt created his own mini depression by trying to end the New Deal in his second term. Unemployment rose because the private sector wasn't able to employ those who had earlier been employed through the New Deal. History has many lessons to teach our next president if anyone is ready to help him listen.

Published simultaneously at Unlikely Banter on Newsvine

Studs Terkel Author and Socal-Historian Dead at 96

One of the great students and story tellers of American Social History died this week. Mr. Terkel's books have told the stories of working class Americans and social activists for the last half century. He never hid his politics or passion for justice and truth in his writings or in his interviews of people who might never be interviewed by the mainstream media.

Stud Terkel's books have been found on many a night stand and have allowed our nation glimpses of our diverse culture, life-styles, and experiences. His taped interviews allowed people not just to be described but to tell their own story and use their own words to make sense of the often challenging dynamics of our nation. He will surely be missed both as a literary figure and a key social commentator committed to telling untold stories in creative and interesting ways.

published simultaneously at Unlikely Banter on Newsvine.

Was it Realy a Rally in the Market

In the past two weeks we've seen two major days of gains in the Dow each in the neighborhood of 900 point. It seems logical that someone might come out to buy as prices fall. It also makes sense that as stocks are sold off at loss they have to sold to a party ready and willing to buy them on the way down.
The question remains until the losses stop when will the bottom come and who will be lucky enough to buy in at the absolute bottom. One days gains can quickly disappear as confidence and the will to risk scarce capital diminish. It seems sad to watch a little money put into the market a few weeks ago shrinking; but the losses of the last week don't compare to the losses of the last month. It just leaves investors and would be first time investors with a little cash to start saving with when is the right time to start.

No pheasents 2 bluebirds & 2 eagles.

Teddy, the American Water Spaniel, joined me in a long nature walk today. I went, 12-guage in hand, looking for tasty birds to eat but found none at any of our 3 stops: Spring Valley WMA, Upper Iowa WMA, and Beaver Creek WMA. We did spot a fox, several mice and gophers, 2 bald eagles, and 2 bluejays.

2 Churches then homeward bound

Sunday morning on vacation is always a moment of decision for me; as an active pastor in a church. 48 Sundays a year I'm committed to be present in 1 congregation of 1 specific denomination. On Sundays when I'm on vacation there's a surprising moment of decision. Where to worship? This morning I visited 2 different churches.
I went alone to my first pick, ST JOSEPH Ukranian Catholic Church, located at 5000 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60656. It was a quick drive from our hotel. The 8 a.m. mass was in Ukranian (sung parts) and English (spoken parts readings, prayers, sermon). The sermon was top notch and scriptural. The preacher held up Jesus' story in the gospel text about Lazarus and the rich man in Luke as an invitation to both care for the poor and to live with humility if we live in plenty.
I was greeted in Ukranian on my way in and out of church. On the way out I had a good conversation with the cantor.
We went together as a family (along with my beloved's dad and his girlfriend) to the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Church of Elgin located 39W830 Highland Avenue Elgin, Illinois. The order of service allowed time for sharing of joys and concerns, had adult and youth leaders, a variety of music (some prerecorded) .
Chilren were ushered out for snack and story while the adults received a presenation about "reclaiming the word god" from the minister. It was a thoughtful reflection on the nature of the divine but I couldn't help wondering throughout the presentation just how the congregation and its minister would have reacted durring the response time if the Apostle Paul had stood in their midst and delivered his same sermon that he shared on Mars Hill in Acts 17 :16-34. I'll email their minister and ask his response.

Last night in Chicago for a While

We've had a great trip to Chicago this October break. In our second full day in Chicago we made it all the way to the top of the Sears Tower before heading over to the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium. It was a good trip to the Museum Campus but we could have used another day or so at the Field Museum alone. Today the girls got dolls at the American Girl doll store after our trip to the Museum of Science and industry. I had great memories of the Museum of Science and Industry as a kid and was glad to get my own kids in too see what I still think is a great museum that helps non-scientists appreciate what's going on in science and how it effects everyday life.

This trip has been different than my last couple of trips to Chicago. I seem to remember a few St Patricks day trips that I made in my 20's that were sure different than this trip. No late night concerts at the House of Blue this time. Instead we've been finding the kid friendly parts of museums and just experiencing the city with a couple of people who are seeing something brand new at each and every turn.

Its been neat to see the city with the help of two five-year-olds who really get excited about life and even things that might be brushed aside by adults as ordinary and everyday. Riding the L all around the city was a highlight for the girls and the train-buff in me. One thing that I didn't do was take many train pictures (Sorry Dee). I did get a few pictures of the awesome HO layout in the Museum of Science and Industry.

Watching the Sun Come Up NW Chicago

We had a great day all five of us on the go in the Windy City. I feel bad for our little one on the way. While present for the trip this little one can't see anything or remember anything. My parents took me to New York en utero and now we're taking our next baby to Chicago. Poor kid will be in the pictures but we can never make out a face.
We started at the Cumberland Station on the Blue Line and headed in to pick up our Go Chicago cards. Siri found the cards looking online for vacation deals in Chicago and they really fit that description. Our 3 day cards get us into most of the attractions we'd considered visiting and at a great price.

We saw quite a bit yesterday on the go in Chicago. We left the Hotel out here on the North Edge of the city (still in the city limits) about 9:20 we were at the water tower by 10:30 and looking out the windows at the Hancock observatory before noon.

The highlight for the girls was the Children's Museum at Navy Pier. The highlight for dad was getting everybody there and back and ready for bed when we were done. The blue line and red line were pretty smooth rides yesterday. Both girls were wide eyed as we started our journey. By the end of the day they were more interested in drawing pictures of the Ferris Wheel and Carousel at Navy Pier than the train on our ride home.

October Break

We're on our way today for an October Break. My folk's are watching the dog and we're heading southeast towards Chicago. We'l be in Illinois for 4 nights. Tomorrow we'll head downtown and start a Chicago adventure. With one more kiddo on the way in the winter this is probably our last vacation for a little while.

The girls are in the back of our van at the moment watching DVD's. My beloved's watching the road and I'm alternating between conversation, blogging, looking at the countryside of southern Wisconsin and drawing.

The fall color has just about reached peak in our area on the Minnesota side. The oaks with their deep maroon are dominating the scenery back home; but here just 100 miles southeast there's still a lot of green with some of the bright reds (sumacs) and yellows (birch and maple) of early fall.

The girls are ready for supper with Brendan and Sabrina in Rockford even though we still have another couple hours to go til we get there. Tonight we'll stay in a hotel just a block from the blue line and tomorrow we'll be headed downtown.

October Vacation

We're on our way today for an October Break. My folk's are watching the dog and we're heading southeast towards Chicago. With one more kiddo on the way in the winter its probably our last vacation for a little while.

The girls are in the back of our van at the moment watching DVD's. My beloved's watching the road and I'm alternating between conversation, blogging, looking at the countryside of southern Wisconsin and drawing.

The oaks have been very

Fall in Minnesota

Fall's here in Minnesota. There are two more signs today; pheasant hunting in the fall colors and concerts in the evening.
One ironic story is that our dog got up on the counter, while I was out of the house, and pulled down a plastic container that held 2 pheasant breasts and 2 legs. I forgot to put them away in the fridge before heading out with the girls. When we got home we found the dog holding the rubbermaid container between his paws with just one pheasant leg left. Teddy looked very pleased with his meal. I sure hope it helps his hunting desire spike.

Homecoming

Tonight we took our dynamic duo to their first football homecoming. After a pep-fest at school they were pumped for a parade and a football game.

The parade was great and ou minute older daudghter stayed at the game until the 4th quarter. She just loves to be social and she had plenty of friends to visit.

Signs off the times

Two signs are clear these days. 1 we're on the edge of fall. 2 we're on the edge of recession or maybe even depression, at least according to this stores sign.

Twins game

Fun game

Sweet Twins season ends on South Side

It's been a year when everybody around here was cheering for our beloved Twins. We all needed the diversion.
With the election year promises and putdowns its been good for everyone to have a little something to celebrate.
When I told the girls, after stories, that Minnesota had lost our minute younger daughter almost cried. So thanks to the team who gave our state a good distraction.