Why is the economy still a debacle?

As you know, the U.S. economy has been in bad shape for a while now, and the government just issued a $700 billion bailout to fix the mess.  But I’m hearing in the news that things are still bad on the economic front.  I don’t understand…

I realize these corporations are huge and complicated, but how long should it take to feel the effects of billions of dollars?  I can envision it helping really quick.  (Just imagine if you were given a billion dollars, how long it would take to fix your economic problems.)

The government gave these billions of dollars to the financial experts, the people who have been in the industry for years, the people who run the critical companies — the mortgage lenders, the big banks, the insurers, the credit card issuers, etc.  These are the people who have the authority in their companies to make the difficult decisions, to make a difference.  These people are paid big bucks to know what they’re doing.  These people are… um… the people who… uhh… got us into this mess in the first place…  OH, NO!  WHAT HAVE WE DONE???

update to the FreeRice game

A while back I wrote about the FreeRice game, where by answering questions you donate food to help those in need.  It’s so simple, and it actually makes you smarter because you learn new words.

Well, now there are more topics to choose from, so if you got bored with the previous game, you can play other ones to donate rice.  Just click on “Change Subjects”.   You can test your knowledge of chemistry, geography, grammar, foreign languages, math, and even famous paintings.  They’ve also added more words and levels to the vocabulary section.

I know this blog is all about helping people laugh more, but this is a great cause to help people who don’t have enough food to eat.  Now there’s no excuse of not having enough money to give to charity — all you have to give is some time.   I encourage you to bookmark the site and go back there frequently.

Here’s the link: FreeRice.

caption contest, Chuck Norris

It’s Monday, and some of you are probably anxiously awaiting the next caption contest.  (If you’re not, you should be, because this is awesome!)  🙂  Anyway, regardless of your expectations, here it is.

This week I’m using an animated picture, featuring Chuck Norris and some woman in a car.  I don’t know exactly what the context is for this scene, but that’s part of the fun in writing captions — you get to decide.  You can write dialog for Chuck Norris, the woman, or provide narration.  However you do it, have fun.

chuck-norris-dealing-with-woman-wanting-to-drive

(To see the other caption contests, click on the “Say What?” category in the sidebar.)

the horror of brussels sprouts

In the news a few days ago, a zookeeper fed brussels sprouts to the gorillas, but found that it wasn’t a good idea:

ZOO managers have taken Brussels sprouts off the Christmas menu after the vegetable caused an attack of flatulence in their gorillas.

The staff at Chessington Zoo fed the giant apes on the seasonal favourite as they are filled with nutritional goodness.  However, they hadn’t reckoned with the gassy qualities of the tiny veggies.

Now the zoo has issued an apology after guests at the zoo expressed their horror at the potent smell that started emanating from the gorillas’ enclosure. …

“I don’t think any of us were prepared for a smell that strong.”

Did you notice it said “an attack of flatulence”?  Apparently it can be used as a weapon!

BTW, I don’t think humans should eat brussels sprouts, either…  I’m fairly certain they aren’t meant to be food…