Views from Point Breeze

In this age of instant communications, the death of Colonel Qafddafi has already been announced.  They have also been accompanied by gruesome photo evidence of his death.  The Arab Spring has culminated in the first death of a sitting leader.  I have no opinion as to the justifications for this man's death.  He had ruled Libya for years.  He seemed to be well regarded by fellow African leaders.  After the downing of the plane in Lockerbie, Scotland he seemed to be persona non grata in the U.S.  Our country did assist in some early bombings in Libya. I am glad we did not send troops to this country to assist in the overthrow of President Qaddafi.  It was announced weeks ago that the government was not functioning at all.  We have enough problems in Iraq and Afghnaistan trying to either uphold or install new governments.  I hope the country can return to some sort of peace and stability.  A civil war is not pretty and the repercussions will be felt for years.  The people of Egypt

Today's economy has a number of professionals making career decisions.  A couple of years ago in Philadelphia, some venerable law firms bit the dust.  Not enough people were suing each other.  More cases were being settled with mediators.  Many law firms rolled back hiring plans and closed altogether.  Year ago, the technology bubble burst in Silicon Valley.  Many IT professionals were thrown for a loop.  Merck recently announced that it was laying off a high percentage of its workforce.  Science professionals were thrown for a loop.  Many teachers throughout the Tri-State (DE, PA and NJ) area are now looking for jobs.  The PFT settled on a contract which feature its members paying more for benefits.  Jobs needed to be saved.  Those of us with degrees have to be flexible in today's economy.  Retraining is an option.  Even those of us that are entrpeneurs have to supplement our income.  I will try to enter into a new field in the upcoming months.  I would like to hear how other

There is a movement going on that started on Wall Street.  Wall Street was the scene of some of the biggest bailouts in U.S. history with Bear Stearns being one of the beneficiaries of a government handout.  It seems as though the financial situation must be a little rosier as stimulus money is being repaid.  There was an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer today which referenced the racial diversity of the protesters that are occupying the business districts of various cities.  In Philadelphia, the movement started with some fanfare but the protesters now need handouts and tents.  I know that there are retirees and seventy somethings that are proud of the current movement.  I am wondering about the intended end result.  Economic change will not come about with just protests.  In a nation of consumers, those that provide services reap the benefits.  Something must be done about the growing wealth gap though.  Some city budgets are beginning to feel the strain of providing extra pol

Yesterday was the deadline for the players and owners to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement before the first two weeks of the regular season would be cancelled.  The players and owners could not come to an agreement.  Almost 100 games were subsequently cancelled.  The owners want a 50-50 revenue split with the players.  The players received 57% of the revenue under the old agreement.  For the average fan like myself, the split of billions of dollars should occur like their lives depended on it.  Many persons are facing one of the toughest job markets in our lifetimes.  Some say we are in the midst of a double dip recession.  The President is trying to push through a jobs bill that will help people get hired.  The NBA players have jobs and claim that they don't want to sign a bad deal for future players.  If I'm making $22 million, like one NBA player would be under the old contract, I think I could still survive making say $15 million. Wow!!  Even the superstars lik