There have been some crazy news coming from all over the world...
In the US...
First the bailing out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, then the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the bought-over of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, government bail-out of AIG, the injection of funds in Goldman Sachs by Warren Buffett and the latest news about the collapse of Washington Mutual's.. This has been a unprecedented "tsunami" of financial turmoil that was the cumulative result of the sub-prime problem since end of 2007.. The obscenely fat bonuses that the bankers and financial analysts received just a couple of years ago were still fresh in the memories of everyone.. It was difficult for me to reconcile the reason for them to be entitled to such huge bonuses when all they do was moving money around, with no actual products or services produced..
In the end, it just seemed to me that the poor became poorer while the rich continues to prosper.. It didn't matter to those with millions or billions to lose a couple of thousands or tens of thousands, but to those who only had thousands or less, their lives would be more difficult when they lose even a hundred..
In Finland...
A gunman, in his early twenties, killed 10 people before ending his own life.. Another seemingly senseless killing that appears to have common dismaying factors with other cases world wide.. Remember the Akihabara stabbing a couple of months earlier? What about the Northern Illinois University shooting that left 8 people, including the shooter dead?
The youth of today is acting out their frustration in more destructive ways.. The usual and "expected" youth/teenage angst has transformed into some disturbing behaviors and/or actions that require immediate attention... Why is it that these kids can't find any other way out but to kill and maim? Is the modern and fast-paced society the culprit in creating these "killers"? Are we missing/losing something while we try to keep up with the ever-changing world?
It seemed that all the authorities and/or parents can do is to blame the media (YouTube, Internet, etc.), blame the government, blame the legal framework and whatever for these incidents.. It is easy to point fingers to others, but ourselves.. Every society has to re-evaluate its social norms and social expectations.. Everything is moving so fast now that what was the norm 5 years ago no longer make sense.. Kids nowadays face many challenges and pressures that their parents have no idea about...
In China...
The contaminated milk scandal doesn't seem to be abating.. Countries all over the world are banning any and every milk or milk-related products from China.. even my favorite sweet, 大白兔奶糖 was taken off the shelves and had stopped production.. :( :( Now everyone is having phobias about products "Made in China"... not good for the manufacturing industry of China and the consumers of the world who had grown to rely on the cheap and "good" supplies/products..
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How many more bad news will we have to suffer through before the year ends???
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