Great Depression Photos

Reuters is featuring a series of 18 famous photos of the Great Depression. Though it is clearly a comment on the recent economic crisis, which has often been compared with the 1930s, it is difficult to say how the editors intend for it to be interpreted. It could be seen as a contrast with the past, or a hint towards the future - probably a bit of both. Check it out.

Bailout

I wrote to my House Representative, Peter DeFazio D-Ore., regarding the recent bailout vote. The $700 billion bailout is designed to insulate the market from years of poor decisions and irresponsible lending. Along with many other Congressional members, Rep. Defazio voted against the bailout plan. The market reacted with the largest point drop in history, and one of the largest percentage drops since the Great Depression.

I understand that http://www.house.gov/ is getting slammed by citizens who are wanting to let their representatives know their opinions, and I thought that I would lend mine as well. Here is the message that I sent the DeFazio administration:

To whom it may concern,

I wanted to register my concern with Rep. DeFazio's no vote on the recent bailout proposal. I think he is a good man, and I am sure he has many reasons for his position, but I urge him to consider supporting the bill.

I do not think that it is the best solution, but I think that it is a necessary evil. The potential risk of allowing the economy to stagnate for another two or three weeks is too great.

The government must display decisive leadership to provide a direction for the markets before they shake themselves apart. Inaction threatens harm that will take a generation to heal.

Thank you for your time,
Tristan Coolen

Spore

I started playing Spore a little while ago, and it is truly a fantastic sandbox. You are charged with creating a species and guiding it from a cellular stage through to a star empire - and hand designing every facet of its development along the way.

These are screenshots of my own little creatures, the Palindrone - pink and poisonous with the ability to brainwash allies - and the Repogig (don't ask), which is a happy little predatory species that looks like a mix between a velociraptor and a Maori warrior. It's awesome.

Definitely check the game out if you have ever been interested in Sims-type games. (It's made by the same developers).