Hope and Change Are In the Air

Wow! Can you feel the excitement? The Democratic National Convention seemed to set the tone on Wall Street this morning, and everything was coming up roses. After yesterday's bad vibes on the floor, the markets were all in the green by the opening bell. Good news was coming from every direction. The dollar was at a 6 month high against the Euro, the sales of new homes rose 2.4% in July, inventory of homes for sale shrank 5.2%, consumer confidence edged up 5% and Freddie & Fannie announced they had enough capital to withstand this year's losses. This is spectacular, right? Everyone seemed to be hoping for signs of an economic recovery, but like they say, Hope is Not a Strategy. So, inevitably, things flipped to the "dark side" again. What caused the shift? One word, GUSTAV! Those dang hurricanes don't want to leave the oil rich Gulf of Mexico alone. As the storm strengthened, investors worries about the impact to the region. Sure, they were able to overlook US home prices tumbling by 15.4% in the 2nd quarter (note to self: the drop did slow between May & June...I see a silver lining), North Korea suspending the disablement of their nuclear reactor, an AK-47 attack on a top US Diplomat in Pakistan, and the weakening of European Economies; but when oil supplies are threatened...WHOA NELLY! That there is cause for reversal of fortune! One thing is for sure, however, tomorrow is another day. We will have to wait and see what lies ahead.

In other news, Dave Freeman, the co-author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die," died yesterday at the age of 47 after falling and hitting his head at his Venice Beach home. He believed in getting the most out of life every day. In fact, he had even visited over half of the items on his "must do" list by the time he passed. This just goes as a reminder that you never know when it will be your time. So tell your family you love them, always do your best, and please stop with all the negative attitudes! A good friend once told me, "it is the best day of my life because I wake up in the morning!" How true!

I guess this next blip is just a sign of the times. We all feel as if we have to be so politically correct these days, watch out for others feelings more and more, and make everyone feel equal in every facet of life. Well, 9 year old Jericho Scott from New Haven, CT has proven that not all are created equal...on the baseball field that is. Apparently, Little League has now taken the stand that players that are deemed "too good" cannot play because the others cannot keep up. What? Did I hear that correctly? A child is being punished for being too good? That's absurd! Sure, little Jericho throws a 40 mph fast ball and players are a little scared, but he is extremely accurate and has never hit an opponent. I would think parents would be excited to see that kind of talent. Maybe their kids would one day be able to say they faced that Cy Young Award winner back when they were in Little League. Instead, when Scott is on the mound, other teams forfeit and leave the field. Ridiculous! Let's look at how we are damaging these kids. First, we are telling them not to excel in a field because you may be banished. Then, we are following that up with a good ol' when anyone is better than you, just quit! I am completely outraged. As a daughter of a former Little League coach, I know my Pops would have put him on the mound for the Expos whenever possible, and if he had the misfortune of having to face him, he would have told his kids to, "Buck Up! Don't back down. It's time to get Mad Dog Mean!" And that, my friends, is why my dad was such an inspiration to all of his players! He taught them not only to win, but to be fearless in the face of adversity. That's how you become a champion! For winners never quit, and quitters never win.