Man United, the venerable UK soccer (NOT football) club, won at home this past weekend for their first home win in this season Premier League.
The biggest news was that people were actually in the stands. When the club was sold to the Glazer family earlier this Summer Man United fans took to the streets with the crown of thorns sitting firmly atop their heads. They promised boycotts of Man U products and matches. No way those dastardly Americans would succeed owning this piece of British Culture.
As predicted by The Hawk, nothing has come of these blowhards. The stands at Old Trafford were full of beer imbibing soccer fans. The British Empire has not come to an end (if the cooking or Camilla Parker Bowles didn't do it, this certainly wouldn't).
Again, if the Glazer's use the type of forthright they did with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (sports worst franchise ever when they took over) than the boys from Man U will be fine. That's unfortunate for those boycotting blokes...
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Coming to a Cable System Near You...The AK-4700 Club Hosted by Pat Robertson
Just when you thought you had heard it all, out comes this. The story of a America's favorite televangelist (just ask him) sounds off that we need to rub out the President of Venezuela.
You just can't make it up. Pat Robertson, he of Liberty University, The 700 Club and failed presidential runs, has decided that we need to take out the dastardly "Honest" Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
Make no mistake Chavez is a clown. He's forced himself into power (via "elections") in the western hemisphere's largest oil producer. He's buddy-buddy with Fidel Castro and wants to use Venezuelan oil as a "weapon" against the US. Never mind that Venezuela currently happily sells oil to the US.
While the above is all true, Robertson's response is one of those things you think but DO NOT SAY. Especially on national TV (although The Hawk feels Robertson's audience probably agreed with him). Maybe Robertson's old and just doesn't care or maybe he's pining for attention. Either way his comments are a pathetic attempt by a man who's days as a relevant social voice are behind him. I even wonder if Robertson has some sort of business interest in Venezuela that makes him lean toward have "Honest" Hugo bumped off. Certainly if that is the case we will know more about that soon.
Hawk's View: Chavez is a thorn in the side of the US and make no mistake we want him out of there. But it won't come to us rubbing him out or even invading. We'll neuter him the way we do other despots. In the end Hugo will realize that the only way he can stay in power is by selling oil to the US. As for Robertson, maybe he can have a show on the NRA Network called the AK-4700 Club. Stay tuned.
You just can't make it up. Pat Robertson, he of Liberty University, The 700 Club and failed presidential runs, has decided that we need to take out the dastardly "Honest" Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
Make no mistake Chavez is a clown. He's forced himself into power (via "elections") in the western hemisphere's largest oil producer. He's buddy-buddy with Fidel Castro and wants to use Venezuelan oil as a "weapon" against the US. Never mind that Venezuela currently happily sells oil to the US.
While the above is all true, Robertson's response is one of those things you think but DO NOT SAY. Especially on national TV (although The Hawk feels Robertson's audience probably agreed with him). Maybe Robertson's old and just doesn't care or maybe he's pining for attention. Either way his comments are a pathetic attempt by a man who's days as a relevant social voice are behind him. I even wonder if Robertson has some sort of business interest in Venezuela that makes him lean toward have "Honest" Hugo bumped off. Certainly if that is the case we will know more about that soon.
Hawk's View: Chavez is a thorn in the side of the US and make no mistake we want him out of there. But it won't come to us rubbing him out or even invading. We'll neuter him the way we do other despots. In the end Hugo will realize that the only way he can stay in power is by selling oil to the US. As for Robertson, maybe he can have a show on the NRA Network called the AK-4700 Club. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Big Labor Gets Competitive Again
Last week in Chicago the AFL/CIO had its annual meeting/Democratic fundraiser. Usually the meeting is a backslapper with the obligatory bashing of all things non-labor (Read: Wal-Mart).
Only this meeting provided a few more fireworks. As expected, AFL/CIO President John Sweeney won a reelection, but in the face of it he is staring at a massive defection that has never been seen before in the labor union.
Both the Teamsters and the SEIU have stated they will be splitting off and taking their members with them. More than likely other unions will follow suit. The reasoning for the split is both simple and reasonable. The AFL/CIO has become too concerned with raising political dollars and in the process put recruiting new members on the backburner.
The decision to split makes sense. Labor representation in the workforce is at historic lows and everywhere you look companies are either shunning labor (Wal-Mart) or shafting them (the auto and airline industry). The mantra that the AFL/CIO has followed for years (being lap dogs to the Democratic party) has done zero to advance the cause of the labor union.
Hawk's View: Competition is a good thing. Having two competiting groups out there fighting for members will mean less time will be spent on funding Ted Kennedy's campaign and more time advancing the labor cause. Frankly this split should have happened ten years ago and that if nothing else it will make for great fun to watch the two groups out there shouting their message. The Hawk has his wings crossed that their first target will be Wal-Mart.
Only this meeting provided a few more fireworks. As expected, AFL/CIO President John Sweeney won a reelection, but in the face of it he is staring at a massive defection that has never been seen before in the labor union.
Both the Teamsters and the SEIU have stated they will be splitting off and taking their members with them. More than likely other unions will follow suit. The reasoning for the split is both simple and reasonable. The AFL/CIO has become too concerned with raising political dollars and in the process put recruiting new members on the backburner.
The decision to split makes sense. Labor representation in the workforce is at historic lows and everywhere you look companies are either shunning labor (Wal-Mart) or shafting them (the auto and airline industry). The mantra that the AFL/CIO has followed for years (being lap dogs to the Democratic party) has done zero to advance the cause of the labor union.
Hawk's View: Competition is a good thing. Having two competiting groups out there fighting for members will mean less time will be spent on funding Ted Kennedy's campaign and more time advancing the labor cause. Frankly this split should have happened ten years ago and that if nothing else it will make for great fun to watch the two groups out there shouting their message. The Hawk has his wings crossed that their first target will be Wal-Mart.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Hockey's Back
In case you didn't notice (and judging by their previous TV ratings, you didn't), hockey is back. I'll pause as the 12 guys in the bar in Yellowknife slam a Molson in excitement.
Yes the sport that brought you toothless men, the coolest trophy around and guys who think "eh" is actually a word will drop the puck in October in front of dozens of people in arenas around North America.
The sport missed last season due to a lockout as billionaire owners, who seemingly forgot how they became billionaires (guys, if you spend more than you take in that means you LOSE money...) finally realized they needed to be saved from themselves. But boy were they in for a lesson. The owners were up against a union that was stuck in its principal. "When it comes to a salary cap, we will not waiver" they screamed to the media. The players were prepared to fight it out and show those good for nothing owners (OK, just the guys who own the Blackhawks are good for nothing) who's in charge.
And boy did they do just that. Not since the French let the Germans roll through Paris WWII had a collection of individuals lay down collectively like the players association, and their fearless leader Bob "General Custer" Goodenow, did in these negotiations. For those of you who think I'm being too harsh, check out the scorecard below...
Salary Cap:
Player's Take: Not over my hockey-hair headed body
Reality: $37 MM cap
Salary Cuts
Player's Take: We scoff at that idea...
Reality: 24% rollback for everyone
Individual Salary Cap
Player's Take: What do you think this is the WNBA
Reality: No salary higher than $7MM
I think it's safe to say the owners ten runned the players on this one. However, the rub is that had the Union gotten serious about negotiating earlier they would have gotten a better deal. Goodenow and crew never thought the owners would shut down the season. Little did they know that the Gang of 30 would have been just fine taking a Winter off. When it got down to crunch time the Union hemmed and hawed at a salary cap of $42 MM. When they waited too long the owners pulled the deal. And the Union ended up getting less. The whole thing cost Union head Bob Goodenow his job (as it should).
Hawk's View: I don't consider myself much of a puckhead but I think hockey can make it back. Hockey fans are notoriously loyal and I expect teams will draw well (although don't expect the owners new found "cost certainty" to reflect in lower ticket prices). Where hockey really has a shot is with High Definition TV. The game represents better than any sporting event out there in HD (yes, even football) and is a lot more fun to watch. It'll take time but the Hawk feels that the future of the NHL is bright. Don't you agree, eh...
Yes the sport that brought you toothless men, the coolest trophy around and guys who think "eh" is actually a word will drop the puck in October in front of dozens of people in arenas around North America.
The sport missed last season due to a lockout as billionaire owners, who seemingly forgot how they became billionaires (guys, if you spend more than you take in that means you LOSE money...) finally realized they needed to be saved from themselves. But boy were they in for a lesson. The owners were up against a union that was stuck in its principal. "When it comes to a salary cap, we will not waiver" they screamed to the media. The players were prepared to fight it out and show those good for nothing owners (OK, just the guys who own the Blackhawks are good for nothing) who's in charge.
And boy did they do just that. Not since the French let the Germans roll through Paris WWII had a collection of individuals lay down collectively like the players association, and their fearless leader Bob "General Custer" Goodenow, did in these negotiations. For those of you who think I'm being too harsh, check out the scorecard below...
Salary Cap:
Player's Take: Not over my hockey-hair headed body
Reality: $37 MM cap
Salary Cuts
Player's Take: We scoff at that idea...
Reality: 24% rollback for everyone
Individual Salary Cap
Player's Take: What do you think this is the WNBA
Reality: No salary higher than $7MM
I think it's safe to say the owners ten runned the players on this one. However, the rub is that had the Union gotten serious about negotiating earlier they would have gotten a better deal. Goodenow and crew never thought the owners would shut down the season. Little did they know that the Gang of 30 would have been just fine taking a Winter off. When it got down to crunch time the Union hemmed and hawed at a salary cap of $42 MM. When they waited too long the owners pulled the deal. And the Union ended up getting less. The whole thing cost Union head Bob Goodenow his job (as it should).
Hawk's View: I don't consider myself much of a puckhead but I think hockey can make it back. Hockey fans are notoriously loyal and I expect teams will draw well (although don't expect the owners new found "cost certainty" to reflect in lower ticket prices). Where hockey really has a shot is with High Definition TV. The game represents better than any sporting event out there in HD (yes, even football) and is a lot more fun to watch. It'll take time but the Hawk feels that the future of the NHL is bright. Don't you agree, eh...
Motown Becomes Woetown
Good news came to all 300,000,000 Americans earlier this Summer - everyone of us was hired by the Big 3 automakers in Detroit. Yes that's right, each one of us now gets the employee discount. The same price every Ford, GM and Chrysler serf pays for their domestically made bucket of bolts.
The Motor City Madmen have once again reached a new low when it comes to selling cars. They are all so desperate to keep factories running so pension and health care costs can be met that they must churn out cars or perish. Yes, in the short run things will look good. However, the issue on the table has not changed - people still think Detroit still makes blah cars. The blip that all three will see in the short run will wear off quickly and they will all return back from Dreamland.
Throw out heavy trucks and a couple of models by GM (Cadillac) and Chrysler/Dodge and Detroit is still giving us a little better version of the cars we saw in Michael Moore's well done 1985 epic Roger and Me. Design, quality and marketing still win the war.
However, Detroit is not built that way. So hamstrung by concessions they have given to the UAW over the years, the Big 3 have a cost obligation that has completely dominated their scope for the better part of 15 years. It's all about volume, volume, volume and less about what people want.
The bottom line here is we should get used to the fact that good news coming out of Detroit will only arrive when moneylosing deals are thrown to customers. Right now the Big 3 are playing prevent defense just trying to survive the day. While they do that, Japan and even Korea for heaven's sakes, are running up the score on the legendary companies.
Hawk's View: I find the car industry fascinating (although I have a well known hatred of actually buying cars). Historically it has proven what is great about America. It is, to me, still what drives our economy. However, it is sad to see and industry that was once so great, be run as if it is taking cues from the Soviet Union central planning office. Detroit needs to get sober and find a middle ground with the Unions that will get costs in line. If it can't be negotiated than it may be time for a reorg to get this great industry back in the game.
The Motor City Madmen have once again reached a new low when it comes to selling cars. They are all so desperate to keep factories running so pension and health care costs can be met that they must churn out cars or perish. Yes, in the short run things will look good. However, the issue on the table has not changed - people still think Detroit still makes blah cars. The blip that all three will see in the short run will wear off quickly and they will all return back from Dreamland.
Throw out heavy trucks and a couple of models by GM (Cadillac) and Chrysler/Dodge and Detroit is still giving us a little better version of the cars we saw in Michael Moore's well done 1985 epic Roger and Me. Design, quality and marketing still win the war.
However, Detroit is not built that way. So hamstrung by concessions they have given to the UAW over the years, the Big 3 have a cost obligation that has completely dominated their scope for the better part of 15 years. It's all about volume, volume, volume and less about what people want.
The bottom line here is we should get used to the fact that good news coming out of Detroit will only arrive when moneylosing deals are thrown to customers. Right now the Big 3 are playing prevent defense just trying to survive the day. While they do that, Japan and even Korea for heaven's sakes, are running up the score on the legendary companies.
Hawk's View: I find the car industry fascinating (although I have a well known hatred of actually buying cars). Historically it has proven what is great about America. It is, to me, still what drives our economy. However, it is sad to see and industry that was once so great, be run as if it is taking cues from the Soviet Union central planning office. Detroit needs to get sober and find a middle ground with the Unions that will get costs in line. If it can't be negotiated than it may be time for a reorg to get this great industry back in the game.
News Corp's Family Feud
Today the Wall Street Journal featured a cover story on the sudden resignation of Lachlan Murdoch - Rupert Murdoch's son-in-waiting at News Corp.
The money on the table was Lachlan was likely to take over after his father leaves the earth sometime in the next 20 years. His resignation to "spend more time with his family" rings hollow to some who think that the real reason Lachlan is heading back Down Under is because there is a growing rift between the Old Man and his four eldest children.
Turns out that theory may be true. According to the Journal, there is a serious family feud brewing between Rupert's original family (4 grown children) and the new family (a thirtysomething wife with 2 young children). Apparently Rupert and his wife are changing around the family trust which is seriously diluting the inheritance (and power) the older children were said to be expecting to reap.
Apparently this spat and Rupert's constant meddling in Lachlan's affairs (he was COO of News Corp prior to his resignation) were to much for the lad. He chose to go the route of Rupert's two older daughters who have fled News Corp. Only Harvard drop-out and current bSkyb CEO James remains in the Empire. He is now the new leader in the clubhouse in the CEO sweepstakes.
Only don't be so sure. Another angle that has not been addressed is that Rupert's "publicly traded" company may end up in the hands of an outsider after he leaves. Specifically current president Peter Chernin. Rupert has said he wants his children to take over the company but only James remains (unless Rupert hangs around for another 20 years in time for either daughters Grace or Chloe - 2 and 3 respectively to take over). Another prospect - perish the thought - is that current wife Wendi Deng takes over (she was a former News Corp exec in Asia). Either way this promises to play out like one of Fox's insufferable reality shows.
Hawk's View: The Feud will be the stuff only the tabloids can love (maybe even one of Rupert's own rags will get the scoop) but investors should not fret the issue. At his heart the conservative Murdoch is a true capitalist. News Corp will not suffer a negative backlash from a family issue (unlike Cablevision). The Hawk believes in the bloke from Australia and will continue to ride his less-than-significant investment in News Corp. At $17 a share it's a bargain, family feud or not.
The money on the table was Lachlan was likely to take over after his father leaves the earth sometime in the next 20 years. His resignation to "spend more time with his family" rings hollow to some who think that the real reason Lachlan is heading back Down Under is because there is a growing rift between the Old Man and his four eldest children.
Turns out that theory may be true. According to the Journal, there is a serious family feud brewing between Rupert's original family (4 grown children) and the new family (a thirtysomething wife with 2 young children). Apparently Rupert and his wife are changing around the family trust which is seriously diluting the inheritance (and power) the older children were said to be expecting to reap.
Apparently this spat and Rupert's constant meddling in Lachlan's affairs (he was COO of News Corp prior to his resignation) were to much for the lad. He chose to go the route of Rupert's two older daughters who have fled News Corp. Only Harvard drop-out and current bSkyb CEO James remains in the Empire. He is now the new leader in the clubhouse in the CEO sweepstakes.
Only don't be so sure. Another angle that has not been addressed is that Rupert's "publicly traded" company may end up in the hands of an outsider after he leaves. Specifically current president Peter Chernin. Rupert has said he wants his children to take over the company but only James remains (unless Rupert hangs around for another 20 years in time for either daughters Grace or Chloe - 2 and 3 respectively to take over). Another prospect - perish the thought - is that current wife Wendi Deng takes over (she was a former News Corp exec in Asia). Either way this promises to play out like one of Fox's insufferable reality shows.
Hawk's View: The Feud will be the stuff only the tabloids can love (maybe even one of Rupert's own rags will get the scoop) but investors should not fret the issue. At his heart the conservative Murdoch is a true capitalist. News Corp will not suffer a negative backlash from a family issue (unlike Cablevision). The Hawk believes in the bloke from Australia and will continue to ride his less-than-significant investment in News Corp. At $17 a share it's a bargain, family feud or not.
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