I am not in denial, perhaps its just that I have an acute sense for the scope of the international shipping problem. I used to do importing in a prior life. And as a youngster, drove a big, big, truck. Never had to worry about it being hijacked or stolen, now all truckers are thinking about that potential {especially the gas tankers I fear}.
Every delay also adds to the economic impact, as well.
Clearly there will be changes and security will most certainly improve, but unless we turn 100% inwards (dooming the world, I think), the risks will remain.
So the war on terrorism (both political and economic) most certainly has to work on all fronts and at the moment, the root cause is going to bring about the quickest, most tangible, payback.
PS, let me say that the thing that I admire about US (and to some extent Canadian / British and similar cultures) is that we tend to fix our problems. Prior to the attack I had a good sense that the economy could be repaired in the not so distant future despite the speculative investment bubble and related problems. Why? The US just has a Lets Get On With It attitude to such things.
I'm not so sanguine now since I feel that the attacks are targetted at our economic underbelly (not just the obvious symbolism of the WTC attack) as much as the political scene.
Its going to be hard for business to deal with that, and arguably many businesses are going to be much weaker.
The Lets Get On With It attitude is clearly present in the military side of the conflict but there's much work to do elsewhere. I have a lot of hope just the same. |
