As a philosophy major one quickly learns that there is a major difference between truth, meaning, and opinion. One learns how people's opinions can be shaped and molded by the information provided and the amount of information provided. If one says the same thing enough times, for instance, people start to believe it. So my philosophical radar popped up this morning as I read a story concerning the number of reporters in Iraq now that the situation is improving militarily and economically. It would appear that good news just is not something that news outlets want to report on as much as blood guts and dire news. (Hmmm... wonder how that trend is impacting the economic markets today too. Is it really as bad as it is or could the approach be making what is a bad situation look like a disaster?)
Anyway, the
Washington Post is reporting that with the improvement in safety and the economy in Iraq, the number of embedded reporters shrank from this time last year from 219 to 39. That is an 83% reduction.
A corresponding 83% improvement in the DOW from Friday's figure would take us back to 15465.67 -- WOW. So a $10,000 dollar investment made at the peak of the market would have declined to $5,700 in value on Friday in difficult economic times and if one got out and quit the market they would loose almost half of what they started with - that would be a disaster in my opinion. But if they stay in (which I plan to do by the way) and there was a corresponding increase in the market their invested value would rise to $10,500 - and one would actually be better off for enduring. I think anyone would say that would be a huge improvement to where we are right now and a huge reversal of fortune. Of course it will take a great deal of work to get there, financial leaders with some great judgment, patience, some time, and stick-to-it-ness. But I think as far as the financials go - the economy will recover. Americans can tackle difficult situations and overcome when we work together and keep on keeping on.
Of course I am comparing apple's and oranges because the decreasing in reporters in Iraq has no direct impact on when, how, or how much the American/world economy will bounce back. But I do expect, that once the economy gets back on track it won't make the news quite as much as before.
At least there is good news in Iraq. But there was good news when I was there some two years ago - but you don't read about it too often in the printed news or hear it too often on the networks. I wonder why? Do people really relish the bad stuff and not celebrate the good stuff?
Saturday I had the privilege of assisting with the laying of a wreath in memory of the 90th Bomb Group, the Jolly Rogers, at the grave site of its former commander at Arlington. I truly enjoy the opportunities to visit with and talk to these incredible veterans of World War II, though in many cases it is the widow who comes as their husband has passed. It is humbling to think that too soon the last veterans of the great conflict that ushered America truly onto the world stage will have passed away and only memory and legacy shall remain. But that is true of us all.
