Friday, December 12, 2008

Tribune and Bankruptcy

Chicago Tribune filed for bankruptcy. See this link on the Tribune itself. Perhaps it is painful to layout and print that story for the newspaper workers.

Will that be the last story that they publish? Not really. Bankruptcy doesn't mean it is no longer in business... I still see the newspaper on sale today.

I first learned about the word "bankrupt" when watching Wheel of Fortune as a kid. (Ok, why does this show last for SO LONG?! is another topic.) Contestants who get it gets a cartoon-style sound and the $ for the current round goes to 0. Now that's a visual demonstration of the word! The unfortunate contestants usually keep clapping to pretend to cheer for the next contestant.

Well in real life the meaning of bankruptcy is different...

Bankruptcy just protects itself from collectors collecting its debt... Ok, bankruptcy is a fairly complex concept, this howstuffworks page gives a good introduction.

The fact that Tribune goes bankrupt and other bad economy news say it is some tough times.

The newspaper industry is destined to decline! People get FREE newspapers, such as the Red Eye, from Tribune itself... who needs to pay $0.75? People get news from internet. Who needs bulky paper copy?

* * *
So the Auto industry bailout plan died in Senate. The Big 3 (or ONLY 3) may have to go bankrupt! Perhaps... let it be! Is there anyone in the country willing to BUY one of the failed business and make it work better? (Hire back the best workers of the failed Big 3) I suppose America can use a new, better run auto company.

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