WALLACE, Idaho — A dear friend with ink in her blood confessed to a mutual friend that these weekly rants are too depressing. I would agree, but that's how the world is these days.
The Eurozone is on its last legs, with war certainly to follow, and the U.S. Dollar's hegemony as the world's reserve currency is (deservedly) under attack by the same people we once feared would shower us with nuclear missiles. Instead of a hit to the head, it will be one decisive blow to the solar plexus, as they re-invent world currency. Our central bank has failed the world in one word: trust.
But let us forget all that sturm und drang, (German for storm and stress) and turn to the simple, local things that make us happy. Because in the end, it's our friends and our dogs and our cats and our loved ones who matter and who make us happy — or sad. Our peace of mind is not directed by the actions of a worldwide criminal central banking enterprise or an evil nuked-up Asian superpower.
Instead, how about this weekend? The Saturday forecast is for 70-degree weather and the car show for the Wallace N.P. Depot's annual event will be in full swing. Cast yourself up and down the street and recall what “Detroit Iron” used to, and still can, be. Even the Brits used to build fine cars, in their day, and there will be a few fine examples this weekend.
We still build good cars: Ford is building the finest machines on the highways, and your tax dollars weren't spent bailing them out, as they were spent rescuing Government Motors and screwing its bondholders, and which is now a Chinese subsidiary (just kidding, but close).
(There's a huge back-story about how Alan Mulally, who headed up Boeing, opposed the “Screamliner” got tossed from corporate for opposing out-sourcing, and how he ended up as head of Ford and rescuing that outfit. His “buy American” philosophy didn't, literally, fly with Boeing, but it sure worked for Ford).
At any rate, we've got a fast party in Wallace headed thisaway this weekend: blues, jazz, impromptu harmoniums, you name it. The Northern Pacific Depot is recently spruced up and ready for a fresh look. We're a proud town with a proud history. Come enjoy the past and celebrate the present. And that means you, too, Carol.
