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Column
We'll Call it, Modestly: The Mullings Plan

Monday September 10, 2001

  • TITLE: "We'll Call it, Modestly: The Mullings Plan" I am given to understand that the name "The Marshall Plan" has already been taken. Drat.

  • "… 4.9 percent unemployment …" Like you, I had no idea how the Department of Labor comes up with this number every month. Unlike you, I have nothing better to do than to find out.

    So, here is a link to the Bureau of Labor Statistics which actually collects the data. Note, however, it has not been updated and still contains the legend:
    U.S. Department of Labor
    Robert B. Reich, Secretary

    Be warned, however, that this, like most government documents, is not exactly light reading.

  • "… mid-term elections ..." This, as you know, is the phrase used to describe the elections for the U.S. House and Senate which take place in the even numbered years which do not contain a Presidential election. And that's why we had to invent a phrase for it. It takes too darned long to explain otherwise.

    In the election in question, 1982, we were still riding the wave of the Reagan win in 1980 over Jimmy Carter but as the economic data continued to go south, we realized we were going to be in trouble. The shock of 10 percent unemployment - five days before the election - was, as I described, dramatic.

  • "… The Mullings Plan …" If the downtown really did start with the high-tech sector, then reviving the high-tech sector should have the desired effect across-the-board. It is not only the computer manufacturers, switch makers, fiber optic companies, and those directly involved in telecoms or high-tech; even companies which make office furniture are in deep slumps because of all the dot-coms who went under and dumped their furniture on the used market.

  • On a flight the other day from Baltimore to Cincinnati (on my way to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) who should get on the flight but Chris Collinsworth late of the Cincinnati Bengals and currently on of the 12 people on Fox's NFL pre-game show.

    He was very nice to the guy sitting next to him, and wasn't at all a jerk to the flight attendant. Here's the inside tip: He was reading a sports tabloid called: Sportsform" and taking copious notes.

    Actually Collinsworth doesn't do anything different than I do - allowing real reporters to get the facts which I, then, quote. However, I generally try to give the reporter from whom I've stolen the information (and his or her publication) due credit.

    Anyway, next week, if you want the inside scoop on what Collinsworth is going to say on Sunday, get a copy of Sportsform and Read Along with Chris.

  •     Mullings' Catchy Caption of the Day:


    William Shatner and his wife share his glee in winning
    first place in "The World's Largest Head" competition.

    (Photo: Jean-Paul Aussenard/Wireimage.com) ____________________________________________________________________________________

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