Published: January 26, 2008 04:54 pm            

VASICEK: Let’s have a little chat

One of my favorite infinitives in Spanish is “platicar.” It means “to chat.” It is a word that sounds like what it means. Inspired by a solitary infinitive, I am going to chat with you in today’s column.

Downturn forecast

According to the Wall Street Journal, it seems we are heading into a nasty recession. The article explains, “One reason that large crises inflict so much damage is that financial institutions have a hard time getting a handle on how bad their losses will be, and that uncertainty makes them less willing to lend. Citigroup Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co. each reported billions of dollars in losses last week that were in addition to the billions in losses they reported in the fall.”

With the changes in Delphi and the downsizing of Chrysler, many Kokomo residents would argue that we have been in recession for a while!

The American economy has never seemed straightforward to me. Many analysts who exude confidence toward their predictions seem to become scarce when they are proven wrong. Yet what is most frightening is this reality: Global networking has so interconnected us to the world’s economy that past economic measures may no longer work!

The other day, my wife and I were walking through an icy parking lot. I offered Marylu my arm, but her rejection made complete sense: “If I start going down, you can catch me; but if you go down and I’m hooked up to you, I’m sure to go down with you!” In a sense, the U.S. has been the “big guy,” but now, with the rise of China and India, a recession in those lands could bring us down with them. We are hooked together.

Hollywood strike

The Tribune has been running a poll question, “How do you feel about the Hollywood writers’ strike?” Interestingly, the results I saw had just 40 percent of respondents opining that the strike needs to be resolved soon. I chose the last response, “Wait…they’re on strike?”

Whether the strike is justified or not I cannot say; what I can say is that nothing has robbed Americans of a social life more than constant television viewing.

If the Mrs. and I weren’t Food Network fans, we’d probably trash our cable. But as long as Emeril is kicking food up to notches unknown to mankind, we grudgingly pay our monthly bill.

When zero makes news

Although I think efforts to combat global warming could be nothing more than token, I hold the opinion that we really are warming up. Recent news headlines have made this clear: If it is big news when the Midwest hits zero in January, things are not what they used to be. Our first Christmas in Kokomo (1983), the temperature dropped below 20 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chills around 70 below. That’s news. Our last winter in Chicago (1982) saw record cold at minus-30. In past years, we would have strings of days that dipped below zero; it was expected. Now zero weather in January makes the national news? Give me a break.

Slaviansky Market

I am of Slovak and Polish descent, and proud of it. There are very few things I miss from my Chicago past, but I do miss the old ethnic neighborhoods and delis. Recently, I came across a market in Carmel called the “Slaviansky Bazaar Market” (Carmel Drive off of U.S. 31, just north of the Heart Hospital). The market features Russian, Polish, and related foods. But be warned: they don’t speak much English there!

I can remember a few Polish and Slovak words from my childhood (the languages are closely related), and they have come in handy at Slaviansky! One employee hails from Belarus and another from Kazakhstan (the language in Belarus is very close to Polish, but Kazakhstan is a bit removed). Nonetheless, I suggest you try their version of sauerkraut (but use the Polish name, capoosta). Cold-cuts, breads, salads, hot dogs in the skin, pierogi – nice place. You don’t need to understand the language — just point to what you want! Be adventurous: Take a microcosmic visit to Eastern Europe without leaving the Hoosier State.

Ed Vasicek is pastor of Highland Park Church and a weekly contributor to the Kokomo Tribune.

        

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