Georgia & Bikes

Midnite Train to Georgia- Mr. “Looked into his eyes” Bush seemed to have missed the opportunity to look beyond and a little deeper into Putin. With all the rhetoric circulating this week regarding Russia’s incursion into Georgia, I feel like a 5 year old kid reliving the Cold War. Americans running around saying this isn’t 1968 and trying to take the high ground on invading a sovereign state! I am sorry to report Mr.Bush that you lost the moral high ground 5 years ago when you decided to invade another sovereign state. So, to make an argument using this basis is not going to get you very far in the eyes of the world. Additionally, it is unhelpful to have the hawks in this administration clamoring for a return to the good old days. McShame seems to be just as interested in reliving past history. In my humble opinion it seems not worth trading all the cooperation we need from Russia, to just return to our Cold War pasts. What is fascinating to me though, is how the adoption of capitalism has in turn made these communist (former) countries on the brink, morph into significant powers. Russia and China have managed to retain most of their authoritarian dogma while enriching themselves. Looks like democratic-capitalism has major rivals in authoritarian-capitalism.

Seeing Green- After returning from my media-absent week, I have been floored by the proliferation of stories being reported about the environment. In the past 48 hours I have seen stories about the two huge solar power plants being built in California, SUV sales plummeting and how geothermal manufacturers can’t keep up with demand. This awareness will hopefully have a positive impact and not be perceived as hype. Clean energies are so the future of this nation.

Bike Capital- Looks as though Washington, DC has launched the first bike-sharing program in the country. Clear Channel Outdoor is sponsoring this program that will begin with 10 stations and 120 bikes. This program while not exactly grand on scale, and not even in the realm of Paris’ 20,000 bicycles, remains a starting point. Membership is pegged at $40 annually and you need to provide your own lock and helmet. Check it out here.

Goodbye, Bernie- While I was away I learned that Bernie Brillstein died last Thursday. Bernie was a legend and innovator as a talent manager. Additionally, he was a gentleman and mentor. As a sycophantic manager, I was fortunate to have met Bernie and was always thrilled to see him at the Palm restaurant on occasions. He brought us the genius of Jim Henson and a myriad of SNL greats. Bernie became a mentor and a aspiration to many of us. One of the good ones who always remembered his humble origins and didn’t let the Hollywood bullshit define him. From ‘Hee Haw to ‘Dangerous Liasons’. Rest is peace Bernie.

RESPECT- Jerry Wexler (1917-2008)