Photograph: Jellyfish

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Global Recession Reached Japan

The financial meldown which started in the United States is spreading around the world like a prairie wildfire.  This time it hit Japan.  Japan’s government officials are accepting that the fortunes of the world’s second-largest economy rise and fall on the habits of consumers around the world.

Government data Monday showed that the economy contracted at an annual pace of 0.4 percent in the July-September quarter after falling an annualized 3.7 percent in the second quarter. That means Japan, along with the 15 European countries, is now technically in a recession, commonly defined as two straight quarters of contraction.

Behemoths like Toyota and Sony have seen their profits dwindle as a result of the financial nighmare floating over the globe like an epidemic.  But the worst may be yet to come.  Economy Minsiter Kaoru Yosano said current recession could carry over to fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Since taking office in late September, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has unveiled two economic stimulus packages in an effort to cushion the blow. His latest 27 trillion-yen ($275.7 billion) proposal includes expanded credits for small businesses and a total of 2 trillion yen ($20.4 billion) in cash pay outs to households.

The overall picture of the world’s economy is not very pretty.  I would recommend that you stick to your basic expenses and save as much as you can.  There’s a bumpy road ahead and the light at the end of the tunnel is not in sight.  Good Day.

Source: Japan slides into recession, 1st time since 2001- Yahoo Finance

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Joke: The Atheist and God

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!” he said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7 foot grizzly charge towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.

At that instant the Atheist cried out: “Oh my God!…” Time stopped.

The bear froze. The forest was silent.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky: “You deny My existence for all of these years, teach others I don’t exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect Me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?”

The atheist looked directly into the light, “It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps could you make the BEAR a Christian?”

“Very well,” said the voice. The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together and bowed his head and spoke:

“Lord, bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord Amen.”

Did I get at least one smile from you today?  Good Day.

Source:  Bits & Pieces

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