This Issue... ■■
An Insiders View Of New Orleans
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The Holocaust: A History of Enduring Horror and Sorrow
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Secret to Success: Vulnerability
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Fiscal Cliff 101
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Save Money on Car Rentals
Government Waste at its Worst
W
hat do robotic squirrels, menus for Martian meals and a musical about climate change have in common? They’ve all been made possible with taxpayer assistance, according to the latest survey of government waste put out by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. The report makes note of the worst examples of government waste and excessive spending of
the year. This year’s total waste, according to Coburn’s report, is approximately $18 billion. Here are some highlights of the report: ■■ A $516,000 video game called “Prom Week” that allows taxpayers to relive prom night ■■ “RoboSquirrel,” a robotic squirrel that scientists are creating to test if rattlesnakes would eat it; this is part of a $325,000 grant to the National Science Foundation ■■ $505,000 for specialty shampoo promotions marketed toward cats and dogs ■■ $1.3 million corporate welfare for PepsiCo Inc. continued on pg. 2
Good Sense
News vol. 1 • issue 3
War Heroes, Mobsters, and Airports… What’s the Connection?
I
t’s kind of funny sometimes how things are connected. Take, for example, O’Hare International Airport. It was originally named Orchard Field Airport when it was constructed in the early 1940s to serve as the base for Douglas Company’s (later McDonnell Douglas) C-54 military transport manufacturing facilities, taking the name from a nearby farming community called Orchard Place. In September 1949, though, this bustling airport was renamed O’Hare International Airport to memorialize the heroic WW II feats of one of Chicago’s sons, Lt. Cmdr. Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare. Butch O’Hare served as a naval aviator for the U.S. Navy during WW II, earning the distinction of being the Navy’s Congressional Medal of Honor winner for his actions on February 20, 1942. In what military records term “one of the most daring, if not the most daring, single action in the history of combat aviation,” O’Hare single-handedly mounted a defensive attack on an enemy formation intent on bombing his aircraft carrier, Lexington, and was able to repel the assault in which he “repeatedly attacked this enemy formation, at close range in the face of intense combined machine gun and cannon fire.” In November 1945, Lt. Cmdr. O’Hare lost his life when his fighter plane was shot down in action near the South Pacific’s Gilbert Islands. O’Hare’s gallantry in 1942 saved his aircraft carrier and no doubt many lives, but it was not the only honor he received. He also earned the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star, making him one of Chicago’s most decorated combat veterans and clearly one of the city’s most distinguished citizens. When the City of Chicago moved four years later to commemorate this war hero’s feats by renaming Orchard Field Airport, the other
side of this connection to the name O’Hare came to light. Lt. Cmdr. Butch O’Hare was the son of illfamed Chicago gangster affiliate Edgar “Easy Eddie” O’Hare. Easy Eddie has been documented as a confidant of Al Capone, and was reputed to have strong and illicit mob connections in and around the “Windy City.” In fact, some historical accounts of Easy Eddie’s role in Chicago’s underworld label him a partner with Capone in unethical and unscrupulous dealings
during the City’s gangster-ridden heydays, this despite his being a member of the professional legal community sworn to uphold the law. Easy Eddie eventually became an informant for federal prosecutors and was instrumental in Capone’s conviction on tax evasion charges, and was assassinated in a hail of gunfire in Chicago in 1939 (some historical accounts label O’Hare’s murder as direct retribution for his role in Capone’s incarceration). In the theme of “what goes around comes around,” the end of Easy Eddie O’Hare’s infamous life can be understood as a casualty of the career he led. But the connection to war hero continued on pg. 4
An Insiders View Of New Orleans
T
he magical and mystical character of New Orleans attracts millions of tourists each year to the French Quarter, which is an endless playground of upbeat jazz, great restaurants, unique shopping and famous attractions. If you’re so inclined, you may want to join the party at Bourbon St. Blues Company where three-for-one drink specials prevail, live bands and a balcony overlooking Bourbon St. make a rowdy good time. If you’re into so-
phisticated socializing, join your fellow trendsetters at Eiffel Society in the trendy Warehouse District. Or Pat O’Briens and Preservation Hall may be your entertainment cup of tea. When you’ve lived in New Orleans and visit it annually, you become aware of how you can enjoy a “less costly” visit than tourists who seek out excellent, but luxurious restaurants. If you’re willing to pay for the distinctive ambience of these eateries, go for it. But if you desire to enjoy the true cuisine of the area, then look for the restaurants locals favor in the Quarter, such as the Gumbo
Shop, Oceana, and Acme Oysters. Outside the Quarter, check out Trolley Ho on St. Charles for any meal (not pretentious but quality food at a modest price) or Mandina’s on Canal St for traditional food like jambalaya, shrimp creole and great turtle soup (give it a try!) and Redemption, a modern New Orleans restaurant in a converted Mid-City church. All serve distinctive red beans and rice dinners with andouille sausage (a traditional Monday meal). These eateries serve a wide range of meals from $9 to 15. Signature New Orleans dishes include gumbo, jambalalya, muffuletta, crawfish etouffee, shrimp creole oysters Rockefeller, bread puddings, bananas foster and the famous Beignets at Café Du Monte. While all forms of music and entertainment abound throughout the French Quarter, check out some of the street corner bands and don’t miss Doreen Ketchens, a clarinetist who will mesmerize you for hours at the corner of Royal St. and St. Peter (or on another corner). She’s been called the “Queen of Jazz,” “The Female Louis Armstrong” and “Queen Clarinet.” The French Market not only has dozens of retailers with distinctive items for sale at reasonable prices, but you can also enjoy free entertainment on four stages from 10 am to 6 pm. New Orleans is a “bucket list” stop, so as New Orleanians say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” — Let the good times roll!
Government Waste at its Worst continued from pg 1 ■■ Moroccan
pottery classes as part of a $27 million grant to the U.S. Agency for International Development ■■ $300,000 initiative to promote caviar consumption and production ■■ $70 million loss to produce $35 million worth of pennies ■■ $1.5 billion toward cell phone service subsidies
■■ NASA budgets $1 million each year to de-
velop a “Mars menu,” an effort to create a menu that humans could consume one day on our neighboring planet ■■ $91 million worth of tax loopholes for the Professional Golfers’ Association, National Football League and the National Hockey League
money
Save Money on Car Rentals Your credit card may provide an insur-
ance policy. When you rent a car, you'll be offered an expensive option at the counter of purchasing rental car insurance to cover any damages. Even if your auto insurance doesn't cover rental cars, many major credit card companies
do if you use their card for the rental. But be sure before you bank on it. Some credit cards may limit their coverage, and not all credit card companies offer it. You'll have to pay more for your kids to drive. Just like you had to pay a premium when you rented a car at a younger age, adding young people to your list of drivers can increase rental costs substantially. You may have to pay for extra drivers. Any additional drivers may increase your rental rates. Make sure you need extra drivers before adding them on. You'll definitely want to stay on the paved roads. Many car rental companies will not pay for damage incurred off paved roads. Consider this when you rent, especially for vacations in the country. You'll pay a lot more for gas at the rental company. One stop is essential on your way back to return your rental car, and that's the local gas station, preferably one that is a few miles from the rental car office. Prices will be much cheaper. You can avoid the extra airport fee. Try to rent your car off airport property. Go to your hotel and call an “off airport” car rental company that will bring you a car or pick you up. You can save a lot of money by bringing your own extras. Car seats, Satellite Radios and GPS units are all extra charges that can add up. In short, bring your own and ask the rental to remove/ disconnect theirs before you drive off the lot.
The Holocaust A History of Enduring Horror and Sorrow
T
he Holocaust was a systematic attempt by the Nazis to eliminate all the Jews in Europe. The official beginning is considered to be Kristallnacht, the Night of the Broken Glass, November 9-10, 1938. During this time 91 Jews were murdered, 30 thousand Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps, hundreds of Jewish synagogues were torched and 7 thousand Jewish businesses were looted. It is estimated that a total of 11 million people were killed during the Holocaust. Between 1933 and 1945, Nazi Germany established about 20,000 camps to imprison its many millions of victims. These camps were used for a range of purposes including forced-labor camps, transit camps, and extermination camps built primarily or exclusively for mass murder. Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1982-01435A / CC-BY-SA
Bundesarchiv_Bild_152-01-024,_KZ_ Dachau,_H채ftlinge_bei_Zwangsarbeit
Bundesarchiv_Bild_152-21-05,_KZ_ Dachau,_H채ftlinge_beim_Appell
The terror of the Holocaust should never be forgotten By 1945 two out of every three European Jews had been killed. 1.5 million children were murdered. This figure includes more than 1.2 million Jewish children, tens of thousands of Gypsy children and thousands of handicapped children
heard at the water cooler
Secret to Success: Vulnerability
S
trength and overconfidence are often celebrated as traits for getting ahead, but vulnerability may play an equally important role. It brings change. Vulnerability is about being all in; it’s a willingness to show up, be seen and take chances. When parents, athletes and business leaders are asked about their most meaningful accomplishments,
they talk about not knowing how things would turn out. Vulnerability comes down to risking failure and risking being disappointed for the possibility of great reward. It’s everywhere. Being vulnerable even plays a role in something like crisis management. Those who say they don’t have vulnerabilities are missing the point; they are more likely to have a crisis they could
Easy Eddie and Butch O’Hare continued from pg. 1
Lt. Cmdr. Butch O’Hare has caused some historians to conclude that Easy Eddie’s participation in Al Capone’s conviction was in some way a gesture designed to assign at least some credibility to the O’Hare name. Other historians dispute this, speculating that Easy Eddie knew Capone’s fall was inevitable and simply wanted to protect his own interests. Either way, the legacy of the O’Hare name is destined to remain an enduring part of Chicago’s history, both good and bad!
have prevented, or when they do have one, it lingers. It reduces regret. Admit that vulnerability is scary but know that nothing is more unsafe than looking back and saying, "What could have been if I had the courage to show up?"
Fiscal Cliff 101
U
.S. National Debt is near $17 Trillion – soon to be $20 Trillion! You and your financial security are in great danger because of this. Let’s put the Fiscal Cliff in perspective: This simple explanation helps us better understand what our money problems really look like. First we’ll list the financial statistics of the U.S., and then we’ll convert the numbers to compare them to a typical family budget. Prepare to be shocked. Financial Statement of the United States of America: U.S. Tax revenue:
$ 2,170,000,000,000
Federal budget:
$ 3,820,000,000,000
New debt:
$ 1,650,000,000,000
National debt
$ 16,571,000,000,000
Recent budget cuts:
$ 38,500,000,000
Let’s now remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget: Annual family income:
$ 21,700
Money the family spent:
$ 38,200
New debt on the credit card:
$16,500
Outstanding balance on the credit card:
$165,710
Total budget cuts so far:
$385
The numbers are not exact- but they give you a pretty good idea of how bad things are now – and they will only be getting worse unless our government wakes up and stops bankrupting our country!
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill for more information on how to order the Good Sense Newsletter for your employees, visit: www.goodsensenews.com