Contributing editor
- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Some Good News, and Some Good News
- By Kate Bachman
- October 10, 2008
Chicago"s crime rate decreased by 3.8 percent in 2007, according to an article in the January 25 issue of the Chicago Tribune.
I may know why.
After a pleasant day watching my beloved CUBs (yes they are still beloved, despite their inability to break The Curse) at Wrigley Field recently, my wallet was stolen as I coffeed. I had made a purchase, sat down with my purse slung on the chair back, and when I got up to leave, the wallet was gone. Within that two hours, $7,500 was charged on two credit cards. Additional attempts were made but blocked. Last sightings, the cards were hanging out at a gas station in California.
When I tried to report the crime at the Wrigleyville precinct, the desk cop refused to record the wallet disappearance as a theft. Did you see someone steal it? he asked repeatedly with his head cocked and eyebrows raised. Despite my denials, he insisted that I lost my wallet and wrote up a Lost Report.
I guess that"s one way to keep a city"s crime rate down. If you can"t report a crime, it didn"t happen, right?
Blame it on the Media
The media has been faulted for Americans" growing dissatisfaction with the economy, the automotive and housing industry downturns, and for their desire for change—especially as it relates to the upcoming election. Several email groups have circulated angry letters, likening dissatisfied Americans to spoiled children. I blame the media! one writer concluded.
Hey, we didn"t start the fire. When something happens we relay it—good or bad. Would you have us report only cheerful news of positive events, ignoring the negative?
Accurate reporting by a free pressfree to report problems, unfavorable statistics, and downturnsis critical to a free democracy, an informed electorate, and continuous improvement.
The stamping industry has had its share of tough times in the past few years, especially in the automotive segment. Not reporting it to you wouldn"t change that; it would only keep you in the dark. How can you fix a problem if you don"t know it exists? How valuable would a sensor errorproofing system be if it didn"t alert you to a malfunctioning press or defective parts?
If you really want to hear only good news, plenty of countries" government-controlled media would be happy to feed it to you. If bad news can"t be reported, it doesn"t happen right? Just ask Beijing.
Got thoughts? I"d love to hear from you. kateb@thefabricator.com
subscribe now
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
start your free subscriptionAbout the Author
Kate Bachman
815-381-1302
Kate Bachman is a contributing editor for The FABRICATOR editor. Bachman has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and editor in the manufacturing and other industries.
- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Trending Articles
USS Midway’s tuition-free welding program a win-win
San Diego landmark becomes floating classroom for student welders
K&S celebrates 50 years in business
Guiding metal fabrication’s automation transformation
Increasing revenue by applying production concepts to sales and marketing
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY