With America's Economic Woes, Is It Time For A Good Laugh? Bring On Kung Fu Panda And The Zohan

The government said Friday that the unemployment rate soared to 5.5% in May from 5% in April - much higher than economists had forecast.

The surge marked the biggest one-month jump in unemployment since February 1986, and the 5.5% rate is the highest level seen since October 2004. Unemployment is now a full percentage point higher than it was a year ago.

The jobs report came on the same day that oil prices soared to $134 as the dollar lost value against the euro and the yen. It also comes the day after the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that homes in foreclosure crossed the 1 million mark during the first quarter, a record high.

But hey... Jack Black, and Adam Sandler have new comedies opening this weekend. KUNG FU PANDA and YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN are just what we need, because if we aren't laughing we'd probably be crying.
Here are some reviews but lets face it we really just need to get out and laugh. ZOHAN . KUNG FU PANDA

U.S. LABOR ANNOUNCES LARGEST DROP IN LABOR FORCE... IS IT TIME TO GET A SECOND JOB?

Family members are out of works. Friends are loosing their homes. No it's not Detroit 1985. It's every where in the US 2008. So it is no surprise that the U.S. Labor Department announced today payrolls drop for the first time since 2003.

Nervous employers cut 17,000 jobs in January - the first such reduction in more than four years and a fresh sign that the economy is in danger of stalling. Family we need to stop being picky and hold on to even a piece of a job or get a second job to get us through this rough period.


Remember we are not "In It ...

We are just "Going Through It." Back to the stats: The Labor Department's report, released Friday, also showed that the unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.9 percent, from 5 percent, as the civilian labor force shrank slightly.

Job losses were widespread. Manufacturers, construction firms and a variety of professional and business services eliminated jobs in January - reflecting the toll of the housing and credit debacles. The government cut jobs, too. All those cuts swamped job gains in education, health care, retailing and elsewhere.

Wage growth also slowed, another indication that employers are tightening their belts amid the economic slowdown. Check out AP Economics Writer, JEANNINE AVERSA for the rest of her story.

FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE

WHAT'S THE BUZZ ON BEES?!?!

US beekeepers have been stung in recent months by the mysterious disappearance of millions of bees, threatening honey supplies as well as crops which depend on the insects for pollination.

According to estimates from the US Department of Agriculture, bees are vanishing across a total of 22 states, and for the time being no one really knows why. It is normal for hives to see populations fall by some 20 percent during the winter, but the sharp loss of bees is causing concern, especially as domestic US bee colonies have been steadily decreasing since 1980.

The situation is so bad, that beekeepers are now calling for some kind of government intervention, warning the flight of the bees could be catastrophic for crop growers. Domestic bees are essential for pollinating some 90 varieties of vegetables and fruits, such as apples, avocados, blueberries and cherries.

All bees are permanently leaving their hives without pollinating... EXCEPT FOR THE AFRICAN BEE. (Isn't that a metaphor for you!) For more on this story, click here.