<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2722" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Responding to Susan's comments, below, which many might echo:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>When the majority of people believe things are happening, or are going to happen, as you describe, then it will surely happen.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>If people continue to have faith in this great nation and the people who comprise it, it will then NOT happen.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Economic prophecy is ALWAYS self-fulfilling. Even major external hits like Katrina are absorbed by positive, productive thinking, hard work and confidence.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>9/11 is a great example. Yeah, it was a huge kick in the national gut (or lower), but the government cut taxes (oh no, oh my, gloom and doom from some ...) and what happend? The economy came roaring back and the flow of money into government coffers substantially INCREASED. It always works.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Now, the airlines have truly suffered since 9/11 and the oil price spike has put real pressure on them. But Southwest, as a counter example, is doing just fine. Why? Three answers: (1) A business plan more in tune with current real-world circumstances, (2) a brilliant fuel contract strategy previously in place, and (3) they are not burdened with huge internal expenses, i.e., union rules, generous benefits, etc. This is NOT a criticism of unions or company benefit policies, except to say that the simple fact is this: These companies now have burdens they simply cannot carry in today's market.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>This is true in spades for General Motors, which you mentioned. It's amazing that they are still in business--I think it's like a wounded (mortally?) dinosaur: It may go down but it's going to lumber along quite a distance before it does, and you don't want to be in its way. Other, smaller, more flexible, more modern auto companies will be right there to take up the slack.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>It has always been thus. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>I say: Don't worry, be happy, fix the problems, have faith, move forward ..... or as Teddy Roosevelt might say: "Charge!!!!!!!!"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Alan Barnard</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Salem, Missouri</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV>> [Original Message]</DIV> <DIV>> From: Susan Kline <A href="mailto:<skline@peak.org>"><skline@peak.org></A></DIV> <DIV>> To: <A href="mailto:<tune4u@earthlink.net>;"><tune4u@earthlink.net>;</A> Pianotech <A href="mailto:<pianotech@ptg.org>"><pianotech@ptg.org></A></DIV> <DIV>> Date: 09/15/2005 11:28:15 AM</DIV> <DIV>> Subject: RE: O.T. - "Do Not Call List"/US Gov.</DIV> <DIV>></DIV> <DIV>> At 01:35 AM 9/14/2005 -0500, Alan wrote:</DIV> <DIV>> >What's REALLY scary is that they are about to release cell phone numbers </DIV> <DIV>> >to the telebastards.</DIV> <DIV>></DIV> <DIV>></DIV> <DIV>> I think one could make a very good case for a class action suit if they </DIV> <DIV>> start spamming cell phones. People PAY FOR those minutes they are using up. </DIV> <DIV>> I also think that the response to being interrupted no matter where one is </DIV> <DIV>> or what one is doing with a commercial message will be so incendiary that </DIV> <DIV>> it will give even these idiots pause.</DIV> <DIV>></DIV> <DIV>> Also -- is help on the way? Peak Oil -- economic collapse, etc. Business </DIV> <DIV>> Not As Usual During Alterations. First, a frantic gasping effort to draw in </DIV> <DIV>> more business, which will fail because everybody will be short of cash, </DIV> <DIV>> then more and more big business bankruptcies, already starting with GM and </DIV> <DIV>> the older airlines, then less and less national marketing? If the big </DIV> <DIV>> international companies are out of business, they surely won't be </DIV> <DIV>> soliciting anymore, from Bangalore or anywhere else. Well, it doesn't hurt </DIV> <DIV>> to look for a silver lining. Traffic congestion should also improve, </DIV> <DIV>> eventually.</DIV> <DIV>></DIV> <DIV>> Susan </DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>