Publication suspended...

I've suspended publication of this blog as all of my spare energies go into publishing a blog that focuses on current social and political issues --- www.KatrinaMemo.blogspot.com
Check back in early June. I expect my schedule will allow me to resume publication of this blog at that time.

How America is viewed in the Arab world...

On Christmas Day I was invited to dinner at the Project Hope Community in Dorchester, Massachusetts. One of the guests was an American woman who has spent the past 30 years working in the Middle East as a medical missionary. Most of this time was spent in Cairo and Suez.

The conversation about changing attitudes in the Arab world left me again questioning our intervention in Iraq. She pointed out that her community had closed their project earlier this year because of growing hostility towards Christians in that part of the world. As an aside, she pointed out that since we "liberated" Iraq the substantial Christian community in Baghdad has almost disappeared. Most have left the country because of fear for their safety.

This America woman, who has spent her adult professional life in the Arab world, had some very critical things to say about American foreign policy as it relates to the Middle East. She talked about the growing hostility, especially among young people, towards the Bush Administration. She pointed to American policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the invasion of Iraq as major factors in generating widespread hatred for the American government.

It was not a very hopeful conversation on a day we were supposed to be celebrating peace and goodwill among all peoples.

Surveying damage in the Lower 9th Ward...

A father and son surveying their Lower 9th Ward house on the first day they could return to the neighborhood since the flooding. After visiting this past weekend I believe some kind of "Marshall Plan" will be needed to rebuild this and other devastated neighborhoods in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of NOLA.com

The Lower 9th Ward still looks like a war zone...

The barge that broke through the levee wall at the Industrial Canal still lies in a Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood. There is growing frustration over the fact that this area has been totally ignored since the floods. Photo courtesy of NOLA.com.

A New Weapon for Wal-Mart: A War Room

According to this article in today's New York Times, Wal-Mart has set up a war room staffed by political experts as part of its effort to sell an improved image to reluctant consumers.

A good place for the company to begin would be a review of labor practices. Simply manipulating public perceptions will not be enough.

Wal-Mart Memo Suggests Ways to Cut Employee Benefit Costs

Just a few days ago Wal-Mart announced plans to reduce health care costs for employees. This may not have been the whole story.

Today, the New York Times has news of efforts to cut back on employee health care benefits. A memo to Wal-Mart's board proposes ways to limit health care costs, including discouraging unhealthy job applicants.

This latest news is in line with the current trend in Corporate America to reduce health care benefits for employees.

Back in business...

Okay, I've been MIA for a few weeks. I decided to take a break from publishing this blog because of several personal commitments.

Anyway, I am resuming publication this week. Initially, I'll post once or twice a week. I'll continue to post daily on my other blog - The Katrina Memo.

There are a number of emerging issues of concern to working people that I'll be addressing.