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| Happy New Year Friday, January 02, 2009 By Ky-Phong Tran 
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And though it was a momentous year in terms of politics (Obama, Clinton, McCain, Palin), sports (what an amazingly addictive Beijing Olympics), and economics (what happened to my portfolio?), it seems that like a lot of 2009 will be dedicated to cleaning up what happened in 2008 (more like what happened from 2001-2008, at least). So here’s my list of wishes for the New Year: 1. Restore trust in public institutions When someone starts a war based on “evidence,” that evidence had better be true. And when I put my money in a bank, that money had better be there the next day. When the Big Man in the White House gets to thinking he can tell tall tales or the vice president says he is not part of the Executive Branch (huh?), all types of shenanigans start to break loose and then no one thinks they have to be forthright anymore. Heck, even thieves have honor. So when we see the financial market freeze, it’s because no one trusts each other, not because there isn’t enough money to go around. 2. Find compromises in hot spots Where to begin? I wanted to highlight a neglected region like Congo where political unrest (a funny term for violence) has created at least 250,000 domestic refugees. But then there were the bombings in Mumbai. And then state-sponsored terror in Gaza. Basically, there’s too much bravado and rewards for violence and asymmetrical warfare (a fancy word for bullying), and it’s the little guy and gal, the civilian, the “collateral damage,” the person already struggling just to get by who gets blasted by a bomb trying to bring home some groceries. In 2009, here’s hoping the big-wigs think of the little guy and gal. 3. Little Saigon appreciates dissent Comedian Chris Rock has a funny routine about African Americans and money. He says because they are new to money, they don’t spend it lavishly and then goes on a hilarious rant about rims and jewelry. Vietnamese people? We’re newer to freedom. Many times the old-timers hear the word “Communism” (or get bored) in Little Saigon, they rush to demonstrate faster than a car roaring down Bolsa Avenue. Yo, protesters: It’s called a difference of opinion. Deal with it. 4. Economy rebounds, and so does common sense Way back in September, I tried to get my party on at San Diego’s Street Scene music festival but couldn’t fully get into the mood. Why? Because all the banks happened to be closing. OK, I remember the dot-com bust, but that was an overheated niche industry. But banks? Banks are not supposed to close. Check that. American banks are not supposed to close. Lame clothes retailers like Mervyns? Yes. Crappy car makers like GM? Yes. But banks? If I can’t trust the supposedly brightest, greediest minds in the most capitalistic country in the world, man, who can I trust? It was like the adult version of someone telling me the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and Spiderman all didn’t exist. So some time late next year (after I’ve saved up enough to buy a new place and a new car on the cheap, of course) I hope the economy comes bouncing back like Jennifer Aniston after Brad Pitt left her. But more than that, I hope people stop living on credit and start living within their means. If you can’t pay cash for it, don’t buy it. Remember when you were a kid and you had to save up for things? Well, you’re an adult now and the same rule applies to clothes, cars, meals, travel, and most of all, homes. Duh! 5. Less tech, more people This statement may date me and also make me seem like a curmudgeon, but I am so over e-mail. And the Internet. And text messages. And mobile phones. My problem? I am young enough to be tech savvy, but old enough to remember a simpler time before those things existed. Remember when you were young and looking for someone? You called their house and left a message and maybe they called you back. That was that. Now, if someone can’t reach you (by e-mail, text, message, phone call) within five minutes, they call the National Guard to look for you. I’ve already instituted a personal solution that you might try. It’s called Internet-free Sundays. I don’t log on. I don’t shop on eBay. I don’t check my five (or is it six?) e-mail accounts. I don’t edit my Facebook page. And it is heaven. Try it. You’ll like it. I promise. So in 2009, I hope to see friends in person. Eat dinner and drink wine. Be merry. I hope we get out of our houses more and certainly our cars (and chatrooms and dungeon raids) and go to music festivals, art fairs, literary readings, charity runs, and other things where people actually talk to one another. Imagine that. The lowest-tech activity (walking and talking) is best for our health and our communities. Cheers 2008, you were a doozy. And to 2009: here we come! Good luck to us all. | |||||
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