An Opinion

Prospects for Job Growth

The unemployed statistics have not been good for the last two years. Currently, New York has around a 10.1 percent unemployment figure with the nation at 9.5 percent. And those statistics do not include many others who have run out of unemployment checks. The total number of unemployed Americans stands at more than 15 million.

You Decide

This column is all about quotes from Trent Lott, Robert Byrd, Bill Clinton, and Harry Reid. I do not intend to present my views but want you to decide whether the media coverage was fair?

Immigration Laws Over the Last Sixty Years

In 1952, the first dimension of today’s current Immigration Laws was passed by the Congress. It created quotas, by country, which then restricted the number of legal immigrants admitted to the United States. In addition, a preference system was created to admit additional immigrants with special skills.

History of Immigration in the U.S.

This piece is the first of two which will cover the early history of immigration in the United States and the current picture from the new Arizona law to the issues in Immigration Reform. They are a reflection of a Power Point presentation which I have prepared. The details can be found at www.bobmcmillan.net.

Free Trade With Panama – U.S. No – Canada – Yes

A few weeks ago Canada signed a free trade deal with Panama. At the same time, the trade deal between the United States and Panama, signed in 2007, has yet to be approved by the Congress. How can that be when President Obama has declared that he is open to more trade?

Could it be that union protests are the reason? The sad point is that we have a positive trade balance with Panama, and an agreement would even end up improving that balance in favor of the United States.

Conflicts Around the World

It seems that every day there is another sad story about conflicts around the world. As we read the daily paper, watch news on TV, or follow stories on the Internet, the horror, terror and deaths seem to accelerate. And underlying the disappointing news are countries with or in the process of developing nuclear weapons.

Fun at Newton Shows

Did you know that Long Island has a large carnival operation? Until a friend of mine called my attention to Newton Shows, headquartered in East Northport, I had no idea. The family run business does amazing work with not-for-profit organizations throughout Queens, Nassau and Suffolk. And they have done it for over 60 years!

Some Details About Manuel Noriega

First, let me set the record straight. Manuel Noriega, the former Panamanian dictator, was a “good cop” who went “bad.” Now let me explain. During the height of the “Cold War”, there was no doubt that Noriega helped the United States. In fact, he became a CIA operative in 1970. However, in 1988 he was indicted for drug charges in the United States. Sentenced to 30 years in prison, Noriega was scheduled to be released in September of 2007.

Some Computer History

Some 34 years ago, I was responsible for the worldwide computer operations for Avon Products, Inc. With over 30 computer centers in the United States and all over the world, I was constantly on the road. The interesting thing about computer departments in those days was that we were called “Data Processing” – not “IT.”

Progress at the Panama Canal

In 2006, then Panama President Martin Torrijos, announced a plan to double the capacity of the Panama Canal.  Included in the plan were new sets of locks, dredging of the approach channels and deepening the passage between each set of locks.