Month: October 2011

Over the past month 60,900 jobs were created pushing down the unemployment rate in Canada to 7.1%, which is far better than what was expected of our nation.  In relation to the US, we are not only slowly lowering the unemployment rate, but we are also a solid 2 per cent lower over all which shows just how strong the economy of Canada is, regardless of the recent global turmoil that has been ongoing.

Economists believe that even though the process of hiring new employees is slow, that the markets are “healthy” which suggests that the economy is likely to grow over the third quarter and will most likely avoid any thoughts of a recession.

Sectors where unemployment fell over the past year are within finance, real-estate, and leasing, with real-estate taking the biggest hit of the three as the housing market is still leveling off.

In my opinion, I believe that overall the message of this article is very positive for the citizens of Canada as it shows just how strong our economy is regardless of the global chaos that has been going on.  It is clear that many opportunities await as new students graduate from High School and University/College every year !

Article Used: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jobs/canadas-job-market-makes-gains-in-september/article2194122/

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, released by Activision, sold 4.7 million copies within the first 24 hours of its release on November 9th, 2009, earning $310 million in revenue and the title of being the biggest entertainment launch in history. Unfortunately that’s not the only media attention the game acquired.  Suddenly headlines such as “Outrage as new video game lets players kill civilians in terror attacks” or “Modern Warfare 2 accused of promoting terrorism” began to appear all over entertainment media due to a mission in the campaign that allowed players to kill civilians.  However, what wasn’t included in these rants was that the truth is that you play an undercover agent who has infiltrated the terrorist group in order to bring it down.

This is where a question arises: Is Modern Warfare 2 simply making entertainment out of terrorism? Or is it attempting to confront a major issue that is very real?

I personally agree with the author in that it could very well be all of the above, although I do believe that realism makes for better gaming and that the media has the power to blow up almost any issue with no effort at all.

As for those mothers and fathers who think that the game is “sick,” don’t be a bad parent and buy the titles with the 18+ stickers for your 12 year old at home.  In my head that seems more unethical than Activision releasing the award-winning game in the first place.

Article Used: http://www.denofgeek.com/games/359360/the_call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2_controversy_a_reality_check.html

I completely agree with Ed Rempel’s very interesting points of view on the various different areas for worry such as the U.S. debt ceiling and European Crisis.

Since the stock market crash in 2008, it is obvious that everyone has gotten a lot touchier regarding economic situations that appear on the news and instantly jump to the conclusion that “we are all doomed.”

Rempel calmly addresses this style of thinking as follows:

1. This is nothing like 2008. People have clearly been under estimating the sheer power the US has regarding its ability to pay off its bills.  The same goes for the crisis in Europe.  There is a drive to keep the euro strong in Europe and the EU will clearly support every country.

2. Most of the problems in the US and Europe are simply political problems, not financial problems.

3. Our money is not getting invested in the government, but in companies.  Fortunately for us companies are currently booming and are at an all-time high regarding profits.

4. Right now is the time to invest.  Strong companies + pessimistic economies = profit in the long term.

Rempel clearly outlines that people eat up what they hear on the news about how times are going to be bad, when in reality the issues are a lot less significant as they’ve been lead to think. In fact, right now may even be the best time to invest:

Fear of a False Factor is Favorable.

The answer to that question is it may very well happen. 

A Business Man’s POV

At this point in time Greece appears to have two options: One being to go bankrupt, and two being to get bailed out. However this grim situation appears to be a lose lose for countries in the euro-zone.  If Greece’s neighboring countries do decide to help bail them out, then they also get stuck with having to cough up a huge sum of money. If they don’t, then Greece would most likely have to stop using the Euro to gain the ability to print their own money which will then force them to inflate themselves out of debt!

A Politician’s POV

What simply needs to be done from this outlook is a repeat of how Wall Street got bailed out in 2008: A European TARP (Trouble Asset Relief Program).  Essentially what this means is that the European Union is going to have to assume the debt of Greece and take control of its finances.  This means that tax rises and spending cuts will not only occur in Greece, but all over Europe too in order to cover the debt!

In my opinion, if a decision isn’t made quickly as to how the problem is going to be dealt with in Greece and essentially all over Europe, then the U.S. is going to have no choice but to get involved and pour even more capital into the very daunting situation.

Article Used: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/03/opinion/frum-europe-high-stakes/index.html?hpt=hp_c1