Centennials Table Topics

Table Topic questions are meant to stimulate family and classroom discussion. Use the questions below after reading,"Lights out, Seattle"

The sentiments on this infamous Seattle billboard had a long shelf life, promoting a certain "down-and-out" image of Seattle in local and national consciousness. Think about the transition that has occurred in the years since, resulting in our current "most livable city" status. What factors are responsible? Are we still vulnerable to boom and bust economic cycles?
Now people are moving to our region rather than away from it. Do you know anyone who left during the "Boeing Bust" years? Ask them how this experience affected their lives, in the short and long terms. The current period of immigration to the Northwest coincides with prosperity for Boeing. Is our region as dependent upon Boeing fortunes as before? Why or why not?
During the '70s oil shortage, cars lined up for fuel at the then outrageous price of $1.00 per gallon. Do international oil producers have the power to create a similar situation today? Last summer, gas prices rose steeply again. What were the reasons? The '70s oil situation stimulated interest in alternative forms of power and domestic production of oil. Did anything come of these efforts? Are we as dependent upon foreign oil today?
Boeing is still big local news. Recent headlines in The Times have touted booming sales and production on one hand and questioned safety issues on the other. What is the proper role of the local newspaper in covering Boeing?
Neighbors in Need was a local group organized after the "Boeing Bust" which provided food to suddenly destitute Seattleites. It was based in the Seattle Council of Churches and operated without state or federal assistance. Is there anything similar to it today? How does this type of private charity differ from publicly supported assistance?