Goodbye Empire

Bushployment- The Republicans are so effective in their “no big government mantra” but, it seems as usual they talk it not walk it. Seems there is quite a line forming for all these free enterprise entrepreneurs craving jobs in government. Hmmmm, I was told by these party patriots that government is very bad; and I think in their minds should be reduced to only the Executive branch being allowed to exist. A NY Times story today cited one memo from the White House Political Office that listed 108 candidates that needed jobs and was circulated to all departments, due to “ their loyalty shown to President Bush”. This “no big government” thing has got to be an act. You can’t employ every political hack you owe in government and additionally spend $10 billion a month in Iraq and tell me you want to reduce government spending. Add into this the subsidization of Freddie & Fannie and the huge bonuses paid to their executives and this now just becomes the hugest shakedown on taxpayers ever devised. Apparently there is good government and bad government.
Good Government= Political cronies, military contractors, oil companies & any corporation needing a bail out.
Bad Government= the middle class, health insurance, small business & new energy technologies.

WTO Shambles- After, seven long years, trade talks held by the World Trade Organization broke down this week. Emerging nations are enjoying new found power and are seemingly happy to exercise it, especially when trying to protect the poorer folk like farmers. The US role of Empire is being challenged by these emerging nations, who now have built economies to compete without the war machine sucking up their currency. America is going to need to figure out a way forward in dealing with emerging nations like Brazil and India. Fortunately, a few of these nations are supposed allies and will hopefully give the US the benefit of the doubt. As our Empire wanes from having significance a new power sharing policy will need to soon be developed.

McShame Blues- Seems the good senator can’t even receive permissions to license any music for his campaign and its advertising. According to Advertising Age, McShame’s campaign received no license from Frankie Valli for “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” used in a anti-Obama ad. Additionally, his favorite group ABBA had a total meltdown when he was using “Take A Chance On Me” at his rallies. John Mellencamp passed and Chuck Berry let him use “Johnny B. Goode” (guess he needs the ducats), though he personally endorsed Obamessiah.

Prince, Gentleman & Friend

RESPECT- Michael Berniker (1935-2008) I just learned that a friend and mentor of mine, Michael Berniker passed away last Friday. I don't know where to begin in telling of Mike's influence on me, both professionally and as a human. We worked together at Columbia Records and Mike was one of those true old school record men. He was nearly thirty years my senior, but he made me feel a peer, though for my lacking anywhere near his accomplishments in music. He taught me pretty much all I know about songwriting and what makes a song great. He worked with everyone from Johnny Mathis to Barbra Streisand, in addition to producing a ton of successful Broadway show albums. I cherished the time he would make with me to go off to lunches, just so I could pick his brain and gain his wisdom. I think Mike could have equally been a successful comedian. Never have I laughed and learned so much from one man. I was able to take all that Mike imparted on me and become a better A&R executive. I haven't been much in touch with Mike the past 7-8 years and this I hugely regret. To Heather, Mark & Judy my deepest condolences. Michael, gentleman & genius, today's news devastates me and I wish you much peace and beautiful music.

Thoughts of Condolences can be sent to Mike's wife, Heather:

Heather Berniker
52 Connelly Road
Hillsdale, NY 12529

Forward

Focus Group- After two weeks of writing daily on this blog I am still trying to find my voice regarding the topics I would like to share and discuss. Originally, I intended to provide a cultural cross section of opinions with the core theme being sustainability. My interests in life are so varied, that it’s difficult for me to focus on one topic. It seems most successful blogs have a main theme and tend to stay in this ballpark. With my many years of entertainment & media experience I am leaning towards focusing this blog more on this segment. I feel due to the nature of my personal contacts and experiences, I can provide more challenging analysis and relevant opinions. To the few of you that read this regularly, I ask you to comment and appreciate any thoughts or guidance you may have to offer.

I should have posted this over the weekend as it's a bit lengthy. It is well worth your time as an educated voter and taxpayer to watch this video. This is a video of Lawrence Lessig's keynote to Netroots Nation. Has some pretty disturbing facts about Fannie Mae and our government's subsidizing these institutions amongst other scams being foisted upon us. Socialized Risk and Privatized benefit!

More Baseball

The Yankees did it again, beating down Boston 10-3 yesterday. The big news of the day was the favorable trade between Pittsburgh and the Yankees; the Bombers acquired outfielder Xavier Nady and left-hander Damaso Marte, who each made their debuts yesterday. The Yankees continue to ascend in the AL East and that jerk Joe Buck can’t stop them. In a tip to Buck, I have seldom heard him broadcast as impartially as he did yesterday, but that may have been only due to the Yankees thumping Boston. Both teams play again this evening at 8pm ET on ESPN.

Baseball Green- The National’s new stadium which opened in March received a LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)rating, it is now provoking protest due to a sponsorship relationship with ExxonMobil. A group of fans and civic groups have formed a group called Strike Out Exxon. Baseball fans always did qualify as the most thoughtful.

Campus Green- Colleges are now being ranked on their sustainability and environmental policies by many standards the latest from the Princeton Review. College students now can now make their decision on attending based on these “green rankings”. Accordingly, this has become a very important issued to incoming students. In my view, the problem with all of this is that colleges can just purchase carbon offset credits to be rated well. These well-funded and endowed schools should be walking the walk and actually going for “real” carbon neutrality.

Weekend Lite

A little too much politics here at GOTG this week, so it’s time to lighten up for the weekend.

First, I would like to congratulate the NY Yankees for their fine win over the Red Sox last night. This puts the Yankees only 2 games behind Boston for the wildcard spot in the AL East and gives them a perfect record since the All Star break. Both teams play again this afternoon at 3:30pm ET on Fox which means I have to tolerate that New York-hating Joe Buck. Fox continues to ruin the broadcasts of these important ballgames. I HATE Joe Buck!

I also, want to congratulate my pal Vince Vaughn on being named by Forbes the star with the biggest return for the buck. Vince returns an astounding $14.73 in box office for each dollar he's paid in salary. So Vince, you clearly owe me a meal and maybe you should consider a new agent since you seem to be leaving bags o money in the studio coffers. Come on Jimmy Miller get my man paid. The guys listed below know how to take the money off the table:

Tom Cruise 3.99:1.00
Will Ferrell 4.67:1.00
Adam Sandler 5.08:1.00
Will Smith 5.64:1.00

Sirius XM Merge- The merger of Sirius and Xm was approved yesterday by the FCC in a vote of 3-2. Mel Karmazin always wins. I think the root word of his name Karma really propels success in Mel’s life. Now with all these gizillion channels can you at least give this poor shameless blogger a show?

Follow the Leader- Huge props to California in following New York City’s lead in banning transfats. It’s nice to see that the healthy citizens of California are gaining wisdom from us pizza eating New Yorkers on eating healthy.

iPhone Fun- I think this video of director David Lynch discussing the iPhone is priceless.

Berlin & Bats

Willkommen, Obamessiah- Despite the cool reception of German politicians it seems Obamania has reached Germany. The common folk turned out to hear the Senator in a crowd estimated at 200,000 plus. As is the norm, Obama laid out another inspirational ditty. It’s too bad the commentators only want to discuss why there is not more beef to Obama’s speech. Has anyone in history given a detailed policy speech ( short maybe of Fidel) to audiences close to a half million people? I highly doubt it, as it would likely be received like McShame speaking to a crowd ( I use this descriptive loosely) of 50…Zzzzzzz.

Bad Bats- Major League Baseball has hired a wood research institute at the University of Wisconsin to evaluate why so far this season has produced 257 broken baseball bats. Theories run from inferior wood to players actually shaving the bats to make them lighter. Will this sport please return to its uncomplicated past. All this trying to cheat the system is indeed getting old, especially when done by multi-millionaire spoiled players.

I am hoping the Yankees take their winning streak to 9 in a row as they head to Boston. Looks as though I will be spending upwards of 12 hours in front of my TV watching the greatest rivalry in sport this weekend.

Uccisione Papparazzi- Apparently, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s security had to literally fight off photographers in camouflage clothing who managed to get onto the grounds of the couples chateau in France. These photographers have become menaces and should be dealt with more harshly. A dignified field has been relegated to parasitic; and authorities must find ways to deter this behavior. Seldom, do I ever side with indulged celebs, but with children involved this practice of bounty hunting photography must end.

What a McShame

McShame Campaign Meltdown- What is going on with the McShame braintrust? What an incredible week of meltdown for his campaign. I almost feel bad for the Senator who reminds me of like some crazy uncle. Yesterday he actually equated the $10 drop in oil per barrel to President Bush’s announcement of lifting the ban on offshore drilling. Really? Wow, let’s hope President Bush rubs his genie lamp and next asks for free health care for all Americans. Additionally, his team is in absolute hysterics regarding Obamessiah’s trip abroad. McShame's campaign team are seriously like weeping little girls. Maybe Team McShame or McSame should just concede the election now, I fear for his staff's collective mental health in continuing to endure the remaining 3.5 months of this campaign.

Pickens Are Slim- Poor, McSame. Even a good Republican like T. Boone Pickens is making life miserable for the good Senator. Pickens is the same guy that happily installed W into the White House and supported the Swift Boaters. McSame has no such luck, as Picken’s unleashes his $58 million television campaign against foreign oil and supporting alternative energy, which clearly plays right into the Democrat’s wheelhouse.

Dancing In Darfur- Looks like I might have found competition for the You Tube Dance Battle. From my eyes can hardly believe it category, this grave dancing thug al-Bashir actually toured the Darfur region and held a rally in which he danced. What's the murder of 200,000 of the regions citizens to a dance maniac like al-Bashir. I have to find & post this video on here. It's so amazingly sick. Watch out Miley Cyrus and Chris Brown, you got a real killer competitor on your hands.

Billionaire Blessings- Have to send props to Bill Gates and Michael Bloomburg who pledged in total $500 million to a campaign to battle smoking in poorer countries. I have to say I have never been a big fan of either gentleman, but their actions continue to make me a convert. That Warren Buffet has been a remarkable influence on Mr. Gates.

Evil & Glue Addict

Tick, Tock Ratko- Radovan Karadzic was captured yesterday in Serbia and had undergone a crazy transformation. This man responsible for the deaths of 8000 men & boys, managed to disguise himself and pretty freely associate in public places the past 10 years or so. Check out this video and watch the transformation. Two down and one more to go, the International Criminal Court in The Hague is having a pretty productive week.

Sticky Situation- In the totally odd category. It seems an environmental protester in the UK plastered his hand with superglue and during a meeting at 10 Downing Street attached his hand to Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s polyester suit. Seems this bloke was protesting a new third runway at Heathrow that would destroy another neighborhood. The funny part is that the protest group Plane Stupid is claiming the protester is still glued to Brown at his residence. I hope the protester at least used VOC glue. Gots to love the Brits.

American Express CIA- James Colliton, an attorney who pleaded guilty to statutory rape is now suing Amex for giving up his location to authorities in their search. Not that I condone Mr. Colliton’s actions, but once again, it seems as though privacy is eroding its way out of our lives as Americans.

Cars & Crops

Ford Forward- Seems as though Ford is going to make a major announcement this Thursday regarding its way forward. All speculation is about Ford truck plants being converted to manufacture additional small lines of autos. Look for more adoptions of their smaller class vehicles sold outside the US? I must give Ford some credit, though their moves seem out of dire necessity. To his credit, William Ford has been a leading advocate of sustainability, so I imagine it must be similar to turning an ocean liner on a dime to try to get Ford more competitive in this area. Now let’s hope that finally American car consumers contribute their part to this equation of a healthy small auto market.

Local Eating Trend- Curious story in today’s NYT written by Kim Severson about people trending toward eating local; it seems businesses have sprung up that will plant, grow and maintain an organic garden for those people too busy or short of green thumbs. It all comes full circle, as I can remember as a kid only eating fresh produce all summer from my grandfather’s garden.

MOMA House- A very cool show just opened at the Museum of Modern Art here in New York City exhibiting prefab architecturally significant homes on land adjacent to the museum on mid-town. Go to this blog to experience what these architects went through to design, transport and assemble one of these homes.

RESPECT- Jerome Holtzman 1926-2008

Happy Monday

Higher Education?- Today’s NYT has a story by Tamar Lewin which addresses university endowments and the true mission of universities. It highlights Berea College in Kentucky that uses its $1 billion endowment to provide free educations to all poor students. The Berea model is curious in that it requires 10 hours of work per week from each student and has a sustainable system on campus.

Empire State- Relevant to the above story here in New York state a commission just recommended that poorer students receive low interest loans as opposed to private loans. Additionally, former john & governor Elliot Spitzer had proposed a $4 billion endowment to fund education for poorer students. This commission also noted the decline in the State University of New York and City College of New York systems. These systems are actually the largest state and urban systems in our country and once leaders, have now fallen behind. Capital improvements alone are needed to the tune of $5 billion. Much like health care, education needs a serious reevaluation in both funding and responsibility to student.

Obamessiah- I like that Barack Obama has been paling around on his trip to the Mid East with Senator Chuck Hagel. This guy, in my humble opinion, is a no brainer for Veep. Solid military credentials, DC experience, Republican, Midwest sensibilities. I am all in.

Timelines

Iraks Premier- Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki in an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel (If your German is up to speed) basically agreed with Barack Obama on a 16-month timeline for beginning US troop withdrawals from his country. If Iraqis feel it is now time to lay this out, one has to wonder what McSame and companies logic or motive is for this need of endless occupation?

Brooklyn- My home borough has become so successful in reinventing itself that it is driving out the very drivers of this gentrification. My neighborhood of Williamsburg is the focus of this NYT story, Billyburg seems hellbent at becoming Tribeca East. Hopefully with all the growth, the City of New York will start thinking through more public transport.

Nerdvana- Comic Con kicks off tomorrow, in San Diego with 140,000 attendees expected. This event is a true cultural phenomenon

Good luck to Greg Norman as he attempts today to become the oldest champ of a British Open.

More China

China, again- I wanted to have a light weekend of blogging so find these pictures of some of the architecture being realized in Beijing for the coming Olympic games. Clockwise from bottom: The Opera House designed by Paul Andreu, National Aquatics Center or the Water Cube designed by PTW Architecture, Olympic Stadium or the Birdnest designed by Herzog & de Meuron, . These buildings convey so much hope, aspiration and innovation. If only the Chinese government would apply the same principles to its peoples and Tibet.

Tesla- Interesting story in today’s NYT by Joe Nocera discussing the development of the Tesla, amongst other ideas for electric vehicles. It’s fascinating that perhaps the Silicon Valley may become the Detroit of the future.

FSOT, goodbye- I took the Foreign Service Test yesterday. Due to the onerous document I signed, I do not feel compelled to discuss the test in any detail. I can say writing a substantive essay on environmental policy in thirty minutes is nearly impossible.

No To Coal & Gays Don't Count

Gore Green- Al Gore once again being out front in proposing total carbon free electricity production in the US by 2018. Bold yes, but that is precisely what it will take to solve this enormous homeland security issue. The NYT Green Blog has the full deal here.

McShameful- The good Senator remains quite a contradiction to me. This man who has spent his entire career on the government payroll seems to never have a kind word for any government programs, though he remain a beneficiary. He rails against Social Security and yet received $23,157 of it last year. This is in addition to his $169,300 Senate salary. You would think a man that had a major sugar mama might declde to decline this money if he truly were outraged by government social programs. He has lived off such programs the past 50 years.

Electric Iraq- President Bush who has so much concern for the troops and in keeping them in harms way, has even more compassion for Cheney’s colleagues at KBR and keeping them in contracts. It’s reported that KBR military construction projects recorded 283 fires within last 6 months of 2006. This includes a soldier electrocuted and killed while showering.

HeteroCensus- It seems the United States 2010 Census will not count gay marriages that are now legal in Massachusetts and California. Mr. Bill Clinton’s 1996 Federal Defense of Marriage act doesn’t allow the census to count gay marriages. Maybe we should be happy that his wife didn’t receive the nomination.

Test Time- I am off this morning to try my hand at the Foreign Service Officers Test at some ACT test center in Manhattan. Wish me luck as I haven't seen a standardized test in more than 20 years.

Conservation, Sudan & A-Rod

1% Conservation- Americans are learning that conservation has a direct effect on oil prices. Americans have reduced consumption this year by a whole 1% over the same period last year. Last week alone consumption was reduced 5.2%. The green technology movement is the industrial revolution of our times. Take a look at these two stories regarding automobiles and planes from the NYT.

China & Darfur- Nick Kristof's column in today's NYT regarding the ramifications of the International Criminal Court’s decision regarding the Sudan is a must read.

Guy O & A-Rod- I have to say I am a little pissed off at my good friend and former colleague Guy Oseary for not extending an invite to me to attend A-Rod’s All Star party. Never will you find a bigger Yankee fan than me. I have to give Guy and Madonna – full disclosure I once occupied an office in between each of their offices at Maverick-- big credit for causing this media sensation. Madonna’s stadium tour was already blowing out tickets and selling out in the matter of minutes of going up on sale. Guy, Madonna and LiveNation have got to be very happy campers.

Thug Of Sudan

Al-Basher- Very curious, indeed what is or isn’t happening in the Sudan. This chess game could play out in many different ways. Retaliation from al-Bashir’s thugs or more serious negotiations (harder to do when you are charged as a war criminal) or the notion of the opposition treating you as illegitimate and taking your government out on their own. My feeling is this is going to get very ugly before it resolves itself.

Gitmo Weeps- Amazing story and footage of the interrogation of a 16 year old Canadian terror suspect. I have got to hand it to the US government for allowing the Canadians to handle this piece of dirty work themselves. I understand the seriousness of what this boy is charged with, but the legitimacy of any charges comes into question with how this entire campaign and internment process has been executed. Makes me so sad that this is how our government believes it should operate.

In The District- It’s becoming clear that our Representatives need to spend more time in their districts. After heading home for their July 4th break it seems, most Congresspeople walked into a maelstrom of heat from their constituents regarding the Medicare bill. Seems once doctors stopped receiving patients that the citizenry finally awoke. When in the past 7.5 years have we ever seen a Presidential veto overridden by such a large margin as 383-41? Put one on the board for the common folk against this tone-deaf administration.

Come to Term- I must add that an acquaintance of mine Lawrence Lessig has launched the Change Congress initiative. The initiative is built to inform and attempt to change the influence of money on the city by the Potomac.

Allstar- The American League does it again for the 12th time, as the league wins 4-3 in 15 innings. Needless to say, I was in bed by the 10th. Congrats to my arch enemies from Boston in securing another win for the AL.

NYC All Star

Allstar NYC- The MLB All Star game is tonight at Yankee Stadium. There is also a parade of Hall of Famers heading up Sixth Avenue to Central Park this afternoon. Wish I could attend either.

Blogger Assault- Read an interesting article in today’s NY Times by Jonathan Glater regarding a political blog here in NYC, Room 8. What happened in this case will definitely put a chill into any blogger, as it seems just about anyone with little reason can slap a subpoena on you and then you are instructed it is illegal to reveal you have been served. Thank heavens for the Public Citizen Litigation Group that came to blog owners Ben Smith and Gur Tsaber’s defense. So much for trying to remain anonymous online.


Parting Gift- President Bush yesterday lifted the executive order on off shore drilling giving his former wildcatters another gift. Fortunately, it is incumbent that Congress not lift its ban on off shore drilling. Definitely plan to contact your local representative to register your views on this.

Opening Weekend- Apple sells over 1,000,000 iPhone units this past weekend. Any movie studio would be in awe of this opening. On the personal front they have switched my mac.com account to a mobile me account. Considering I don’t even own an iPhone ( I do own a iTouch) I found this sort of curious.

Music & Senape

Clearasil Music- The good news for all the teenage aspiring musicians is that the man who marketed Clearasil is now in charge of your music career—no more “breaking out” for you in every sense of the word. Handjob has now installed Elio Leoni-Sceti as the chief of EMI Music. Other than being an Italian (this is molto buon) let’s review his prior history:

Leoni-Sceti was exec vp of Reckitt Benckiser, maker of skin care product Clearasil, French's mustard, Nurofen pain reliever amongst other products. Leoni-Sceti, a Rome native, was a brand manager at Procter & Gamble before moving to Reckitt Benckiser, rising to head of this company's European division in 2005.

This is the nightmare that has been haunting me since the early 90’s when the word MBA and “product” (even prior to the word c-o-n-t-e-n-t) was becoming so prevalent in the music companies, my nightmare has now fully materialized. Just what EMI needs is a signore that understands marketing physical product (product was once called music) when such product in the music space is on the way out and declining at a rate of 18-20% annually. The MBA’s finally have cannibalized a creative business in whole. I really am looking forward to music being distributed in squeezable form. The EMI announcement has made me give up any hope for a business I was so proud to participate in. I only hope someone will come up with the innovative solutions for the music industry to return to some form of health (gaming & Idol are at least innovative). I can stomach downsizing, if it was ever accompanied with strategy and introduction of innovation in the way these companies conduct future business. Music companies have in large managed to; push out most creative types worth their salt, continued to punish their customers and now feel they need to own an artist’s entire business. One can only hope and support the continued health and growth of the indie music companies. As a former label exec with over $2+ million in royalties on account with one of my former employers, I may have to encourage anyone to freely download 2,000,000 songs and put them on my tab. On a side note, I am really excited to be starting my new job as the CEO of Countrywide Financial. I think you will all agree my credentials for this position are impeccable.

Apple Byte- Apple continues to pick up market share in their personal computer unit. It’s reported that Apple now has a 14% market share last month and the retail stores hold a 19% share of all pc’s sold at retail. Apple continues to pick up about 1% more in market share each year. All of us early Mac adapters are rejoicing this news, short of all the lines these new customers create at the Genius bar with their Ipods!

Ninja

Dumb and Stupider- A little advice for Iran. Doctoring photographs of missile capability and bluffing is playing into the wrong hands. Does the Ayatollah forget this Administration has 6 more months in power and they prefer their intelligence to be of the fantasy variety?

McLame- Smoke them all!

Award Season- Amnesty International’s Small Places Tour has been nominated in July for a MySpace Impact Award which carries a $10,000 prize. Please follow this link and vote (allowed once a day).

Respect- He joins his good friend Thurman- Bobby Murcer 1946-2008

Touring & Oil

20 Years Later- Becoming an Amnesty International member twenty years ago after witnessing the Human Rights Now concerts-- I now find myself helping lead the charge as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2008. Amnesty International developed a tour this year themed Small Places (name derived from one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s speeches on human rights). Much smaller in concept, thanks to the thinking of Peter Gabriel and Bill Shipsey (Art For Amnesty), this “tour” will leave a smaller footprint (no 757’s and semis). Read the brief interview I did with the College Music Journal , which will provide more details here. We have had a very decent level of interest from artists and their reps in participating. I am most grateful to receive calls from younger musicians that are currently riding the wave of success that would like to contribute to Small Places. Please join and spread the word.

Petro Pickens & The Pope- I never thought I would witness the day when oilman T.Boone Pickens and The Pope align and support reducing oil consumption and embrace solutions to climate change. Maybe you have DVR’d past the TV ads that T. Boone has been blanketing across the networks. I was suspect, but went to his site and viewed his 4-minute tutorial, and it actually seems like he is sincere in at least lessening our dependence on foreign oil imports, which given his primary objective may indeed be self interest. Check out the Pickens Plan and let me know your thoughts. People are learning Sustainability=Profits.

Small Step, Big Step- Seems Toyota has decided to convert a new plant to open in Mississippi from small SUV production to the first US plant to manufacture the Prius. Well Michigan, looks like we have found a solution for your shuttered factories...bring on the Japanese.

Respect- Dr.Michael DeBakey 1909-2008

Senator Dumbass

So, I am reading this article in the July 6th NY Times regarding the lameness and lack of a cogent US energy policy. After a few paragraphs of the obvious I come upon this quote from Senator Dumbass- “Much of what we’re seeing today could have been prevented or ameliorated had we chosen to act differently,” says Pete V. Domenici, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a 36-year veteran of the Senate. “It was a bipartisan failure to act.”-NY Times 7/06/08. So this distingushed Senator who has been in DC over 36 years didn't see this coming? I am totally floored that someone like myself, with less information at my fingertips could see this problem coming 10 or 15 years ago. Come on Domenici. I then go on to read that Representative John "Dingleberry" Dingell (D)-Michigan who has served in Congress for 52 YEARS (much longer than I have been on this planet), seems all he has done is obstruct any increase in CAFE standards! What a brilliant record of achievement. In one article I have encountered way too many dumbasses. I am beginning to believe term limits are definitely the answer. If you can serve in the House over half a century and still be beholden to interests, then the seniority system is complete and utter BS. Do yourself a favor and read this article by Nelson Schwartz, it makes this weeks FISA bill look like kids play. Try not to let your tears destroy your keyboard.

I have arrived

Welcome to my ballpark. At the urging of my friend Victor Caballero I enter this blog realm. I hope with this blog to share thoughts, ideas and opinions on topics such as: creativity, ecology, politics and technology. These are the topics of our time, so add the millionth blogger to the pile. Cradle to Cradle (William McDonough & Michael Braungart) and Creativity (as opposed to CONTENT) will be my guiding lights here. In my past 20 years I have worked as a campaign staffer, concert promoter, a&r executive, talent manager, bon vivant, self-employed S Corp owner and currently concerned world citizen. As Blogger prepares for it's 10th Anniversary, I prepare for my first blog. I like to think I am somewhat visionary, but I certainly have been unfortunately late in regard to blogging. I am truly looking forward to this and in finding some readers and hopefully new friends.