June  • July 2006 • Vol. XXIV No. 5 • An Arnold Publication

From the Editor—

 I think it’s time to take a walk. . .
 

Somehow this issue I’m finding it hard to be passionate about anything. And maybe that’s only natural. I think editors, like all other humans beings can become satiated by too much input.

For instance, in just the past three weeks, we were all sitting on the edge of our seats, waiting for the Dow Jones industrials to make an all-time high. People with retirement plans in mutual funds depending on the upward market trends were gleeful, because the market looked great. They were making money. Yeah!

And then, just like a roller coaster that climbs a great hill, the markets—the Dow, the Nasdaq and the SP-500—all paused for a day, then took a great plunge, the Dow dropping 750 points as of today.

On the other hand, I had some good news. I read an article that said I shouldn’t fret about $3.00 a gallon gasoline. Why? Because that’s just about what we were paying in the mid-1950’s when gasoline was 27-29 cents a gallon. After all, the article said, a 1950 dollar today will buy only 12 cents worth of goods.

Hmmm. . .why didn’t that make me feel better about the price of gasoline.

But then there was good news, just yesterday. Master terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a master beheader of innocent people, and a highly skilled bomber, got his come-uppance when two 500-lb bombs ended his career. I admit I cheered right along with the Iraqi journalists when I heard the news.
But then right after that, I heard that the Federal Reserve bank will probably raise interest rates again at their next meeting, making it 17 times in a row. I really love people who are consistent in what they do, don’ t you?

But I want you to know that none of these good news bad news days are getting me down.

Why?

Simple. The other day I took a walk in the park with my little beagle Snoopy Girl. She was happy to see the ducks. I was happy to see a clear blue sky, feel a pleasant breeze and watch some kids fishing in the pond.

Suddenly, none of the bad news seemed to matter to me.

I highly recommend that, if you’re feeling pushed, turn off the TV and take a leisurely walk.

It’ll work wonders for you.                                                                                C. H. Bush, editor