Papillon

The title happens to be one of my favorite films/books.

The protagonist, after many escape attempts from a French island prison, finally got away and resettled in Venezuela.

All I remember from the story is that there are two types of people: those who are hunters/gatherers (Steve McQueen) and those who are farmers (Dustin Hoffman).

The persistence which Papillon exhibited was amazing: waiting for the 7th waves which were mysteriously strong enough to pull his coconut-shells to float out to sea. This happened to be his nth escape attempt, but he made it by hoping against hope.

I read somewhere yesterday that President Obama requested a review of the space program, to evaluate the pros and cons of Progress (men on the moon) and its hefty price tag while resources could be put somewhere more earthbound such as health care for all.

Tough choices!  The Japanese,  meanwhile, is putting up a billion-dollar space station to advance their interests. Will the US be put behind in this new Cold Race? What if its citizens are denied basic care services so the nation itself can conquer this new frontier (I heard similar arguments before, although in some extreme versions, such as during the Aryan reign).

KnOwing, now released on DVD, ended with two kids chosen by E.T.’s to start a new Eden, away from our solar-consumed Earth.

Eden or Earth? Mc Queen or Hoffman? E.T. or E.R.?  The choices don’t have to be an either-or. But to be “both-and”, the country will need quick green shoots in the Economy (money will have to grow from trees).

With more than 10% unemployment rate  (and saving rate inching 10 %), we are talking about a huge chunk of tax revenue loss. The global sourcing folks are trumping that the accessories sector are still selling, because during the down turn, people still accessorize themselves, even though they stop buying new clothing. Shopping does make one feel better, confesses the shopaholic. Maybe the US, to feel better,  should also go on a Christmas shopping spree in July, leap-frogging Fall right onto Winter. And of course, to use Uncle Sam’s stars and stripes leather wallet would be preferable. It is often said that we vote with our wallets. And spend even faster with some else’s.

One piece of good news: inflation is tamed by default. The spin master at the Treasury department can always use that if all else fails. Be more patient, says Obama. Be patient but demanding, says Biden. Exercise “smart power” says Clinton.

P.S. I saw “the Great Escape” starring Steve McQueen again. There was a reason why Cheryl Crow named a song after him. If America is Steve McQueen i.e. keep on trying to get out of the rut we found ourselves in, we are going to be OK.

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