|
 |
The Panda Post, Volume 8
Hello faithful readers. I hope a Panda Post in the near future will spread stories of economic upturn and the end to a nasty recession, but for now the economy is as frightening as Michael Jackson’s face. I’m here to do the best I can to help (Jacko’s face is far too screwed up even for a cartoon to fix, but I’m referring to helping your business and keeping you informed). |
|
The Wall Street Journal’s Handy Map…Updated
In the last edition of the Panda Post I presented a link to a cool map estimating where stimulus dollars are headed. Throw that one away (if you haven’t already). An updated version of the stimulus map is now out there. Those of you who just happen to dig reading really long lists can check out this breakdown of the different sectors getting stimulus cash. It’s a long list, so block off an afternoon if you plan to analyze it. |
 |
|
|
 |
A Real Example of Real Stimulus Money Going to a Real Job
Contrary to popular belief, economic stimulus money isn’t being doled out in mysterious fashion by Men in Black or the Great and Powerful Oz. The Boston Globe reports about a regular contractor winning a bid for Maine highway work paid for by…you guessed it, stimulus dollars. Keep an eye out as this cash starts finding its way into the work force. After all, there are now 800 or so dudes in Maine that need traffic vests in a couple of weeks. |
|
|
Everything You Wanted to Know About Stimulus...But Were Afraid to Ask
The United States government has never been one to make policy and law easy to understand (example: the IRS). But www.recovery.gov is an attempt to help everyone understand the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (see, the feds can’t just stick with something easy like just calling it the “Stimulus Act”). The site features pretty graphs, a timeline, and the latest stimulus news. After serious investigation you’re sure to change from “absolutely confused” to “slightly confused” about the act. Good luck. |
|
Green (aka: Ecologically Sound) Just Might Mean Green (aka: $$$)
Get to know the phrase “green-collar jobs”. No, it doesn’t refer to the color of the fabric around the neck of the guy in the warehouse who rarely washes his shirts and sweats a lot. Green-collar jobs are those in the renewable energy sector, and CNN recently profiled a pair of new green job possibilities including a woman preparing to be a wind turbine mechanic, and the transition of a manufacturing facility from U.S. Steel to Gamesa, a manufacturer of wind turbines. Keep an eye on this growing sector. Green means “go”, is the color of cash, and symbolizes growth (it’s a bad color to be if you’ve just been on a rollercoaster, but we’ll disregard that). |
 |
|
|
Quick Tips on What NOT to Do to Get Through the Recession
GoToMeeting.com offers four simple tips that apply to any business. And the best part is that you’re rewarded for reading them with a link to a pretty funny (and oddly prophetic) Saturday Night Live clip. |
|
Tough Times and Bad News Call for The Onion
The Panda Post is obviously a big fan of irreverent journalism. We realize we’re not the New York Times, so why try to be? We’re also not The Onion, which has been the gold standard in sarcasm and satire for well over a decade. What better time than now to get your news from The Onion? Trade depressing headlines mentioning recession, unemployment, and the “Octomom” for classic Onion headlines like, “Scott Boras Able to Get Manny Ramirez $20 Billion in Economic Stimulus Money”.
If you’re familiar with The Onion, I don’t need to tell you more. If you’re not, then check it out once a week. Laughter is indeed good medicine, and The Onion is damn funny. |
|
|
|
|
|
Expect more from this tireless cartoon reporter (sleep is difficult considering I wasn’t drawn with eyelids) in the weeks to come. We at The Panda Post are here to keep you (semi) informed. |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
