This week's video news #4 (complete assignment online by Thursday April 10)

billy wrote:Summary: FRB chairman Ben Bernanke expects the US economy will stay at its current level or even may contract a little, but it will pick up in the 2nd half of the year as a result of aggressive interest rate cuts and stabilization of financial conditions and housing market.

Opinion: Bernanke told before congress that the US ecoonomy will improve in the 2nd half of the year 2008 even though it may retract a little from its already troubled state. However, I am of the opinion that the US economic president Bernanke's prediction is a little dangerous and biased. When the economic concerns resulting from the so-called subprime mortagage loan started to arise last year, many financial newspapers and investment companies reported that no one would be able to predict the impact it might have on the world economy, let alone the USA. Some financial experts expected that its economic loss might be more than the staggerting 500 billion dollars and the US government is reported to have put in 150 billion dollars as only an emergency measure. That is, as no one expects the strongest country would ever experience this economic fallout, any quick-tempered prediction may play havoc with the sign of recovery.

Prediction and 'Why': My prediction is that even though there is a little bit of good sign that the economy will get back on its right track such as seemingly stabilized gold and oil price and stock market, we must not come to any hasty conclusion that the US economy will pick up sooner or later. You may have heard about the so-called Butterfly Effect, which means a little flapping of one butterfly in Beijing could end up with a devastating tornado in the US. It looks like the direction may turn backward this time from the US to the rest of the world. As the New York Stock Earket tumbled down, the world stock market indexes were shaking as well. The world economy is already too connected to underestimate the financial impact of the giant market. For now, we have to wait and see.

Lee Pilsu wrote:Summary: Federal Reserve Chairman, Bernanke, made a short announcement about the (U.S.) economy before the Congress panel. He said that the economy will be bad and could even contract in the first half of this year, but it will change for the better in the second half of the year due to interest rate cuts, financial and housing market woes disappears and some other reasons. It is reported that if it had not been for the emergency funds, the financial market could have turned into a chatic situation.

Opinion: To be honest, I don't have any personal opinion on this news article because I don't know much about economy. But one thing that I noticed was that his presence and his remarks should carry a significant and powerful meaning because he was surrounded by scores of cameramen and U.S. Congress panels.

Prediction: My prediction is that Korean economy will suffer in the first half of this year and will pick up in the second half because I heard Korean economy is influenced a lot by the United States'.

inmyheart479 wrote:Summary : Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke conceded for the first time the U.S. economy may slip into recession, but said growth should pick up later this year as interest rate cuts and financial and housing market woes recede.

Opinion: I find it interesting that the current foreign policy in the United States-specifically two failed wars-has not really entered into the mainstream discussion about the financial woes. While it may seem rnrelated, a housing slump, the meltdown of a financial institution, such as Bear Sterns and war in Both Afganistan and Iraq, there is a connection: I "m of the opinion that with the huge financial investment of a failed policy there is little money leftover for domestic issues, Mostly recently, of course, we have seen the fallout from a financial collapse but even Hurricane Katerina in 2005 ( a domestic issue) continues to have a lackluster response from the Federal government.

Prediction: With the slide of the American dollar against the Yen, the Euro, the Yuan, the Canadian dollar, and other currencies around the world it seems unlikely that the US economy will simply bounce back. Why? It is reported that consumer confidence is at an all-time low, with 70% of the American population believing that the country is already in a serious recession. To add to this staggering collapse, China owns most of the debt that is currently being used by the US government for its foreign and “domestic” ventures. As the US dollar slides badly, as other countries call-in the debt of the US economy and a lack of domestic strength the US is likely to be pushed further into downturn. The shock felt in Asian markets in the last few weeks may only be a shudder or tremor before the collapse is truly felt worldwide.

jangdj wrote:Sum: F.R.B chairman Bernake provided accounts on U.S.ecnomy. Saying that the economic downturn they facing will get worse before it gets better. Econmic growth could contract in first half of the year or grow not at all, he added. He said economy should pick up aggressive interest rate cut ,stimulate growth in the second half of the year. He added that F.R.B expects economy activities will be boosted in the second half of the year in part and as a result of stmulated monitoring in fiscal policies.

Opnion: I know this is not an area I claim to be an expert. However: I am being constantly told a economic big words from every sources. Based on that, I can tell two things. Something bad is going on and it is really touching my life. I have no solution but every reasons to tell how it is is touching my life. You would agree with that as long as you are not millonire.


Perdiction : Considering U.S. economy size, we won't see the instant impact wheteher it is good or otherwise,even FRB gives a shot to the arm to the U.S economy.

billy wrote:Summary: FRB chairman Ben Bernanke expects the US economy will stay at its current level or even may contract a little, but it will pick up in the 2nd half of the year as a result of aggressive interest rate cuts and stabilization of financial conditions and housing market.

Opinion: Bernanke told before congress that the US ecoonomy will improve in the 2nd half of the year 2008 even though it may retract a little from its already troubled state. However, I am of the opinion that the US economic president Bernanke's prediction is a little dangerous and biased. When the economic concerns resulting from the so-called subprime mortagage loan started to arise last year, many financial newspapers and investment companies reported that no one would be able to predict the impact it might have on the world economy, let alone the USA. Some financial experts expected that its economic loss might be more than the staggerting 500 billion dollars and the US government is reported to have put in 150 billion dollars as only an emergency measure. That is, as no one expected the strongest country would ever experience this economic fallout, any quick-tempered prediction may play havoc with the sign of recovery.

Prediction and 'Why': My prediction is that even though there is a little bit of good sign that the economy will get back on its right track such as seemingly stabilized gold and oil price and stock market, we must not come to any hasty conclusion that the US economy will pick up sooner or later. You may have heard about the so-called Butterfly Effect, which means a little flapping of one butterfly in Beijing could end up with a devastating tornado in the US. It looks like the direction may turn backward this time from the US to the rest of the world. As the NYSE market tumbled down, the world stock market indexes were shaking as well. The world economy is already too connected to underestimate the financial impact of the giant market. For now, we have to wait and see.

Oksun wrote: Summary : Big crowds are drawn toward the City's tidal basin, with annual cherry blossoms festival starting in Washington D.C. Three thousands cherry trees, which were Japan's 1912 gift to the United States, are to reach their peak through April 3rd.

Opinion: When Korea was under Japanese imperialism, Japan planted many cherry trees all over the country to mark its domination over Korea. Despite vestiges of Japanese imperialism , we descendants enjoy the cherry blossoms,especially in Jinhae,every year. I'm of the opinion that the case is almost the same with the States. Japan gave 3000 cherry trees to the U.S. in 1912 as a token of friendship. However, 28years later, it provoked the World War two by attacking on Pearl Harbor. With all the suffering from the War, many Americans and people from the world enjoy and feel awesome at the splendid, spectacular cherry blossoms ! Japanese national flower in Washington D.C.? I take this to be historically ironical.

prediction: My prediction is that, the U.S. will try to maintain and consolidate the relations between two countries with its cherry blossoms festival held every year. This is because the United States wants to position itself as the world's "Only Superpower". In terms of promoting the national interests, the U.S. benefits from the festival as well.

Jung Yoojin wrote:Summary :
There is an annual festival of cherry blossom in Washington DC in United States. People are visiting there for tourism. The National Park is expecting millions visitors are coming. These three thousand of trees are planted to commemorate the friendship with Japan and United States. The officials are signing the peak point at April third, and these cherry blossom shows spring come out in United States.

General Opinion :
As the news says, there are cherry blossoms prevalent in Washington DC. This means Spring is coming and nearly arrived. As you can see, there are lots of cherry blossom which already bloomed in Daegu. Why don't you take a walk in KNU ? That would be fantastic! Whenever I saw cherry blossoms in KNU, I think those have such a beaty and nice smell. Cherry blossoms express Japanese national flowers, and they remind me our national flowers "The Althea." Sometimes I can hardly find them in the street and around schools whereas cherry blossoms can.


Prediction :
The cherry blossom festival advertise all over the world and many tourists are going there. And Washington DC congress utilize this place for their tourism, then it become a national business yeilding benifits. Then the festival become imminent commemoration in Japan and United States. Because visitors tend to visit some prominent places with their tastes. Washington DC is the capital of Unitied States, that means there are lots of people who are droping in for either their business or travels. Then congress can make a benefit from its circumstances, that is why cherry blossom can be used for tourism business in Washington DC.

Oksun wrote: Summary : Big crowds are drawn toward the City's tidal basin, with annual cherry blossoms festival starting in Washington D.C. Three thousands cherry trees, which were Japan's 1912 gift to the United States, are to reach their peak through April 3rd.

Opinion: When Korea was under Japanese imperialism, Japan planted many cherry trees all over the country to mark its domination over Korea. Despite vestiges of Japanese imperialism , we descendants enjoy the cherry blossoms,especially in Jinhae,every year. I'm of the opinion that the case is almost the same with the States. Japan gave 3000 cherry trees to the U.S. in 1912 as a token of friendship. However, 28years later, it provoked the World War two by attacking on Pearl Harbor. With all the suffering from the War, many Americans and people from the world enjoy and feel awesome at the splendid, spectacular cherry blossoms ! Japanese national flower in Washington D.C.? I take this to be historically ironical.

prediction: My prediction is that, the U.S. will try to maintain and consolidate the relations between two countries with its cherry blossoms festival held every year. This is because the United States wants to position itself as the world's "Only Superpower". In terms of promoting the national interests, the U.S. benefits from the festival as well.

Lee Pilsu wrote:Summary: Federal Reserve Chairman, Bernanke, made a short announcement about the (U.S.) economy before the Congress panel. He said that the economy will be bad and could even contract in the first half of this year, but it will change for the better in the second half of the year due to interest rate cuts, financial and housing market woes disappears and some other reasons. It is reported that if it had not been for the emergency funds, the financial market could have turned into a chatic situation.

Opinion: To be honest, I don't have any personal opinion on this news article because I don't know much about economy. But one thing that I noticed was that his presence and his remarks should carry a significant and powerful meaning because he was surrounded by scores of cameramen and U.S. Congress panels.

Prediction: My prediction is that Korean economy will suffer in the first half of this year and will pick up in the second half because I heard Korean economy is influenced a lot by the United States'.

Oksun wrote: Summary : Big crowds are drawn toward the City's tidal basin, with annual cherry blossoms festival starting in Washington D.C. Three thousands cherry trees, which were Japan's 1912 gift to the United States, are to reach their peak through April 3rd.

Opinion: When Korea was under Japanese imperialism, Japan planted many cherry trees all over the country to mark its domination over Korea. Despite vestiges of Japanese imperialism , we descendants enjoy the cherry blossoms,especially in Jinhae,every year. I'm of the opinion that the case is almost the same with the States. Japan gave 3000 cherry trees to the U.S. in 1912 as a token of friendship. However, 28years later, it provoked the World War two by attacking on Pearl Harbor. With all the suffering from the War, many Americans and people from the world enjoy and feel awesome at the splendid, spectacular cherry blossoms ! Japanese national flower in Washington D.C.? I take this to be historically ironical.

prediction: My prediction is that, the U.S. will try to maintain and consolidate the relations between two countries with its cherry blossoms festival held every year. This is because the United States wants to position itself as the world's "Only Superpower". In terms of promoting the national interests, the U.S. benefits from the festival as well.

kim young-ah wrote:summary: There is the annual cherry blossom festival in Washingto D.C. To see the show, nearly a million visitors rush and they are attracted. Some people visit here for the first time and others do second time. And many flowers are an official sign that spring has come. In spite of cold weather, many people enjoy the 3000 cherry trees that Japan gave in 1912. It also marks a growing friendship between U.S. and Japan.

I'm of the opinion that many people enjoy cherry blossoms all over the world in spring. We Korea also have a Jin-hae(city) cherry blossom festival in April like the capital of U.S. But I'm sorry the cherry trees are Japanese national thing. Even if the blossoms are beautiful and we enjoy taking pictures under the trees.

My prediction is that Japan will be growing the friendship between U.S. and the nation, using the gift the cherry trees. In the future including nowadays, U.S. can accept Japan its friend rather than a rival. Relatively, the status of our country Korea will be down. Very sad. I think Japan takes a good advantage of its good things.

bakbann wrote:Summary
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival has started in Washington D.C. The festival is expected to draw about a million of people to this beautiful flowery heaven. It is to commemorate the gift, 3000 cherry trees, from Japan as a token of growing friendship between US and Japan.

Opinion
I'm of the opinion that Japan is great at spreading its culture and making foreigners Japan-friendly. Japanese culture is loved all over the world, including these beautiful cherry blossoms and Japanese animation. People even in Washington D.C, which is thousands miles away from Japan, are enjoying the beauty and fragrance of the cherry blossoms. They'll go back home with better attitudes on Japan unconsciously thanks to the charm of cherry blossoms. All in all, Japan lets foreigners know about itself and makes them like it.

Prediction
My prediction is that Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. will maintain its popularity. Cherry blossoms are charming enough to attract myriads of people out in this beautiful and warm spring weather. It can make anyone feel great when they walk between dazzling lines of pink trees with fully blown flowers and with sweet smell. Therefore, numerous people will keep visiting Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.