NO WAY OUT?

This is a picture of our present and our near future-a foreclosure sign outside a house in central Denver. (Not mine, thank goodness). Colorado is fifth in the nation right now in foreclosures, but the problem is epidemic around America.

Sub-prime lending, including interest only loans, a mountain of personal debt and a lack of liquidity amongst even the largest financial firms (hello, Bear Stearns!) have created a panicked economic climate the likes of which we haven't seen since the late 1970s or even longer. I'm not a financial expert, but it seems to me that there's no easy way to get out of this current crisis. People can't keep up with their mortgage payments, most of which aren't fixed because property is overvalued and people's budgets are stretched to the breaking point to keep up. Folding personal debt into the mortgage payment doesn't help unless the money you make keeps up with the money you spend. It's harder to change personal spending habits then it is for the government to slap a Band-Aid on the problem with some kind of financial bail out or ill-fated government program, but don't you wish that more attention and creative problem solving was being spent on this issue than on what to do about Iraq?

By the way, the amount of money we spend on the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to be several billion dollars a day.

Thought of the Day

Sometimes things happen for a reason. Sometimes things happen with no reason. The only certainty is this--things keep happening.

John Adams Kicks Ass

Have you been watching the first parts of the HBO miniseries John Adams? I've seen the first two parts and, in a word, it's spectacular. As an American history buff, the series is right in my wheelhouse, but the acting by Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson has so far been electrifying. And the direction, cinematography and production values make you feel like you're in the 18th century walking among these giants of American history. 2008 is young but so far the best movie of the year is on the small screen--I can't wait for the next installment. Check it out if you can.

A Shout Out to An Overlooked Old Pro

And while we're talking about HBO, I have to say something about the amazing performance I just witnessed on episode 37 of the series IN TREATMENT in which Glynn Turman (formerly of "A Different World" and many roles on the stage and screen) gave a light's out performance as a grieving dad searching for answers regarding the untimely death of his fighter pilot son (who had been played with great brio by Blair Underwood). I won't belabor you with details of the entire plotline, but this episode brought the storyline to a head and Turman's work was some of the best I've ever seen on television. He's unlikely to be remembered at Emmy time (his role was a guest role and, despite some of the most riveting work on TV, IN TREATMENT is not a high profile series yet) so I thought it was important to give a shout out to the talented Turman in my blog. Bravo indeed! (Fun trivia about Glynn Turman in his IMDB.com bio--he was the first person cast to play Han Solo in the original STAR WARS, but before shooting started George Lucas decided to go with Harrison Ford. Talk about your career tipping points!)

Peace...