The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[oldberkeley]

ilpapa-

That was an attempt to both protest and control the world's coffee pricing at the time; Brazil was starting to be undercut by cheaper producers and products. Remember, we've dumped many a gallon of milk and burned many a bushel of corn.

I think that a better comparison would be New Orleans after Katrina. It’s absurd to suggest that the earthquake and tsunami are good for Japan; although their economy could use a boost, this isn’t it. But if we can for a minute put aside the terrible cost in lives and property (I know, that’s an easy thing for me to say, sitting in the comfort of my home) New Orleans was in desperate need of a major makeover: physically, economically, socially, in almost every way.

If the local, state, and federal governments had done a total reconstruction of the entire area following a well-conceived plan of attack, New Orleans would have benefited from the disaster.

Best of luck. -ob