Giving Thanks!

It's been a weird quarter.  From having a sub one week (thank you, Tim!) to having class on Halloween, and now missing another week due to Thanksgiving, I feel like it has been a crazy quarter.  Don't gt me wrong - I enjoy missing class every now and then as much as you do, but as an instructor, it always makes it hard to catch up.

Now, I have made it clear in class that Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. I don't like the way schools fictionalize a story that sounds good, while ignoring the sad facts about how we really treated Native Americans in this country. That being said, I have learned to treat Thanksgiving as a reminder of all the things I am thankful for.

This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends. I was blessed this year to travel on my first mission trip and it brought me a lot further along in my walk with God.  I'm healthy and generally happy, and I am surrounded by people who love me. I have two jobs that I really enjoy, and two great classes this quarter.  Yes - when all is said and done, I have it pretty good.  I hope I never lose sight of that, and always continue to be thankful for what I have.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, November 28th, 2013. Please note that there WILL be a new post while we are on break - so make sure to check the blog after the holiday, but before you return to class.  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!

Imported From Detroit

Last week, I traveled to Detroit for work.  It may sound weird to some, but I love visiting Detroit. Yes, I know, Detroit isn’t usually on people’s list of top vacation spots, but I love it all the same. I love driving across the bridges, eating in Greektown, visiting the Museum of Modern Art and hanging out at Belle Island. Whether you call it the “Motor City,” “Motown,” or just the “D,” there’s no doubt that Detroit is a classic American city full of culture, diversity and fun.

Which makes it all the more sad to realize that no city in the country has been harder hit by the recession than Detroit. Home to the top three American automakers, Ford, Chrysler and General Motors, Detroit was once seen as a thriving metropolis where people could go to find good jobs. Today, Detroit’s official unemployment rate is slightly below 30% and some figures quote it actually closer to 50%. To put that in perspective; the national unemployment rate is 8.3%. American car companies, that once dominated the auto industry, now are often seen as having inferior quality and reliability compared to their Japanese counterparts.

Some say American car companies are struggling because of their focus on SUV’s. When gas prices started to rise, Americans began looking for smaller, compact cars, which are often foreign. Others say American companies missed the boat when it came to developing green cars with better emissions. We can no longer sell most American cars abroad, because we don’t meet the rest of the world’s fuel efficiency standards. Finally, some say American car companies just mis-managed their funds, giving corporate executives large bonuses, while ignoring their plants, technology and workers.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of American cars? Are they inferior to foreign ones? What do you think can be done to strengthen the American auto industry?” You must answer all questions to earn full credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 20th, 2013.  

P.S.  Monday was Veteran's Day!  To all those who have served our country - thank you!!  You are true American heroes!