TRAVELING LIGHT -- The war in Iraq comes at a time when the airlines are still struggling with the accumulated $30 billion in losses since 9/11, the worst crisis in the history of the industry, notes David West, professor in Temple's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. "Combine the effects of the down economy, the war in Iraq, and the lingering fear of flying, and the airlines are forced to downsize personnel and airplane supply," West says. That means fewer scheduled flights, and travelers could face lengthy layovers, he adds. On the plus side: "There are great deals out there for consumers to take advantage of, so long as they're willing to leave home,"
WAR COVERAGE LEAVES BIG QUESTIONS UNANSWERED -- While the images of war in Iraq may be compelling ? and are certainly unavoidable ? the media and the American public need to take a step back from the carnage and look at the bigger picture, says Temple historian Arthur Schmidt. "Given the Bush administration's enormous ambitions for the employment of U.S. power around the globe, it behooves the news media and the public to turn away from the details of the battlefield for a moment in order to focus on some major questions for the future," says Schmidt.
Among the questions Schmidt says need to be answered are: Can a stable world order base itself on one world power? What is the future of the United Nations? Who will pay for the rebuilding of Iraq? Can the U.S. continue to dismiss popular antipathy for U.S. policies around the globe?
How far will we curtail civil liberties in the fight against terrorism? What will be the long-term outcomes of Bush's foreign policy? "Most likely a swift U.S. military victory in Iraq will reveal the physical evidence of the abusive character and the secret weaponry of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. It would be very shortsighted for the U.S. political system to let these results distract it from asking these hard questions," says Schmidt.
HISTORY SHOWS THAT AMERICAN PSYCHE IS STRONG -- More days of war, and more casualties, will certainly test the American resolve. But Temple psychologist Frank Farley says the nation's rich history of resilience, from 1776 to 9/11, shows that U.S. citizens will recover and move on. "We're not doing too badly," says Farley, former president of the American Psychological Association. "Americans are continuing down the road. The psyche in this country is in good shape. More casualties will test that. It could eat away at our self-confidence. But we still have the psychological reserves to get through. We're absolutely stronger because we've weathered 9/11. We really know what courage, strength and generosity mean today. The vulnerability we experienced then showed us that life is short. All of that strengthens us to get through what we're going through now." The United States, says Farley, was founded by risk-takers, and the qualities that risk-takers exhibit, from boldness and courage to creativity and altruism, have propelled the American people throughout history. "We were founded by a bunch of revolutionaries who unseated a tyrant. America has the propensity to take risks, to be bold, to be courageous. And to act."
This week at Temple...
Wednesday, April 2, 12:30 p.m.: EXAMINING FINANCIAL SERVICES -- Jon Boscia, chairman and CEO, Lincoln Financial Group, will discuss the changing world of financial services as part of the 15th annual risk, insurance and actuarial science Awards for Excellence Luncheon. (Great Court, Mitten Hall, Broad St. and Berks Mall)
RSS