Cryslter down, GM down, what's up?

Fort Lauderdale:

Two behemoths are down: Chryster went down first. Now the GM. But the industry is saying: Hello! Nothing to worry, everything's fine.

For a super-power that prides itself with selling millions of cars every year, this is not a good time at all. Profits are shrinking. Thugs aren't walking away with the bounties as they did just a couple of years ago.

The other day, watching a TV discussion, you could sense the uncertainty that haunts the US economy. And yet the media, the industry champions, and politicians would like to guarantee you: Not to worry. The Wall Street's about to rebound!

They are the same in India too. In fact, they are more Americans than the Americans!

Well. Well. Well.

Not exactly. Unemployment rate is breaching 10 per cent in some states in the US. Foreclosures are rising every passing day. Layoffs aren't abetting. And I could hear reporters in my host newsroom discuss hunger stories!

Hunger? In America? You must be kidding. It's true though. Shelterless and homeless numbers are on the incline. So are individuals seeking federal food coupons.

And out on the streets, in the coffee shops and in the newspaper columns, a debate is surging: Long live capitalism! Long live socialism!

Between them, life oscillates like a pendulum! Isms be damned.

Meanwhile, those (you know it) who said the world's flat are writing on more important issues: climate change, for instance.

When the world turns flat, climate ought to change.

Gee! The climate's to blame for all the world's ills! Hunger? Climate change. Lay-offs? Climate change. Recession? Climate change.

May be there's some linkage between changing climate and terrorism too. Or could it be that the US economy burst due to changing climate!

Close to me, the fellowship program that brought me to the US is bleeding too. The AFPF will just have five fellows next year, exclusively from the newspapers that are partnering with the foundation. These are tough times for them too. And I just can't tell you how lucky we are to be the 25th class of the program this year!

The newspapers are bleeding too. From NYT to Washington Post!

Damn it! Climate Change!