CANCER WITH A SMILE

THE WEEK (2009) 10/30

EHRENREICH/ 44-45

In the early 70’s, there was a finding that consistent stress reduces the immune system and thus makes one vulnerable to other diseases. So, breast cancer has now been wrapped around with sugar. It is ultra feminine spice to keep one in denial and help keep the

patient from dying of cancer.

Early studies suggested that this was helpful, but later studies indicate that forcing happiness on to a patient is to deny all the other feelings that come with loss. In other words, those survivors do discover the value in life. However, happiness through artificial products or of positive acclamations doesn’t seem to help.  Thus, happiness comes from slipping up into feeling good, not forcing it upon one’s self. Anti-dressants, pain killers, and tranquilizers can help.

BUSINESSWEEK (2009) 11/2

CONLIN/ 65

A new finding indicates that the laid off are less stressed than those who still have jobs. Those still employed feel the next set firings are going to hit them. With those who have been released, they are not waiting for the hammer to fall. They have moved on to something else and generally don’t feel great about it, but better than those still employed. Many go to jobs with less money. However, they have a job.

NEWSWEEK (2009) 11/2 82-85

FOROORHAR& GREENBURG

Slowly and gradually the vast majority of new income growth will go to women, due to a narrowing wage gap and rising female employment. Women already control 12 trillion of the world’s 18.4 trillion in consumer spending and that proportion appears likely to rise. Women tend to spend more on health and education, tend to save more, and less likely to be involved in risky financial behavior.

THE ECONOMIST (2009) 10/30

33-34

A new strategy has been used in the West End of a High Point, North Carolina neighborhood.  They first target the most violent and hard core offenders. From there, they were arrested, most likely to be imprisoned and removed from the streets. All others were taken to the police station for a “chat.” These offenders were shown their rap sheet and other evidence against them. They are given a choice. A “community co-ordinator”asks them what they need to get a job. An alarm clock? Drug treatment? Then prosecutors warned them that the other choice of doing more crime means a lot of time in

prison. Crime rates fell. Prostitutes went inside to work their profession. What dealers were left went inside. Ordinary citizen including “mother clusters” that fight crime indirectly also testified. The neighborhood is quiet and more secure.

The strategy also wants to get non-violent drug offenders out of prison and into a gps

locator. Other elements in this ecological crime fight is to raise taxes on alcohol, start school later so that there is less night time to commit crime. Give instant sentence of one or two weeks for minor crimes. This not a magic bullet, but other cities are looking at this.

The importance of this is that it can be included in Wilson’s Broken Window strategy successfully used in New York City by Giuliani.