Anyone who watched or followed the debate last night has figured out by now that it was a bit of a one sided victory for Governor Romney. The President looked bored, frustrated and had body language that suggested he would rather be anywhere else in the world other than the University of Denver. The pundits pinned Obama's rough performance on many different things (including the ridiculous suggestion from Al Gore that that altitude affected the President) but in the end it is fair to say the President was not as well prepared or ready to compete as the Governor.
All of that is great for Romney but it remains to be seen if the voters in the only states that matter now (OH, FL, NV, NC, VA, WI, IA and CO) will be swayed to go for the Republicans. It is too early to tell if Romney's "bump" will last and if it tilts the race his way. Right now the President is still in the drivers seat and will be tough knock off. However the President blew it last night. Had he been the strong performer it is possible he could have put Romney on the canvas for good and taken away any momentum. The Governor now has some wind at his back and has a real chance to pull this out. If he does the Obama campaign will rue the day they allowed their guy to mail it in the way he did.
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Don't Pick The Bad Thing
This AM I met with the Mayor of Edina to discuss getting involved. I did this as part of my overall grand plan in case my bid for City Council falls short. I really want to be involved in the future of the city so it's important to have a plan and our conversation was quite enjoyable. I really was energized by how I believe I can help. I am putting my all into the election but this is a long term play for me. All in all I am excited by this next phase of my life. It will not be my career (and I do not want it to be) but will be a fun and interesting adventure.
The balance of the day I was able to meet with a potential new co-worker and an old friend from graduate school. The potential co-worker was a great gal and I would enjoy working with her. I was impressed with her knowledge and she seems to be a lot of fun.
The old friend from grad school is doing well and it was great to catch up with him. We ended up discussing what it's like to be guys like us at this point in our careers and he too is thinking about what his next move might be. He is doing fine in his gig but starting to wonder what could be next. I was glad we connected again. It was a great discussion.
Then at 630 I received a call from a recruiter who was attempting to place me for a gig. I had interviewed over 5 weeks ago and along the way they were telling me that I was "on a short list" of people and they were "impressed by me." I felt confident it would break my way but as the days turned to weeks my belief waned. Tonight they told me that they chose another candidate.
Rejection is a part of this process and the reality is your best shot at getting the right job is by putting yourself out there and taking chances. When you do that you will get rejections and some of them will not be easy to take. I have found it is harder hearing how great a candidate you are and how liked you are and then they still do not hire you. It is far easier to hear you are just not the right fit.
A learning from the latest one is something we can all consider. Do not keep people hanging. Yes these processes take time but the candidates are people not robots and the time spent waiting and not knowing can be difficult to manage. I certainly have no hard feelings as I got my shot and was treated well. I hope the person they hired succeeds.
So, of course, I find myself dwelling on this moment and letting it affect my otherwise positive day. Easy to see how that can happen but that does not mean it is the right way to go. You have to put these things in proper perspective. It is really hard to do but if you are going to make it through this kind of thing it is on you to make that happen.
So I roll on. I have 2 second round interviews coming up in the next two weeks and am excited about both of them. Hopefully I can land one of them as they would both be fun and I would learn a lot. If I strike out I will soldier on. I always do.
The balance of the day I was able to meet with a potential new co-worker and an old friend from graduate school. The potential co-worker was a great gal and I would enjoy working with her. I was impressed with her knowledge and she seems to be a lot of fun.
The old friend from grad school is doing well and it was great to catch up with him. We ended up discussing what it's like to be guys like us at this point in our careers and he too is thinking about what his next move might be. He is doing fine in his gig but starting to wonder what could be next. I was glad we connected again. It was a great discussion.
Then at 630 I received a call from a recruiter who was attempting to place me for a gig. I had interviewed over 5 weeks ago and along the way they were telling me that I was "on a short list" of people and they were "impressed by me." I felt confident it would break my way but as the days turned to weeks my belief waned. Tonight they told me that they chose another candidate.
Rejection is a part of this process and the reality is your best shot at getting the right job is by putting yourself out there and taking chances. When you do that you will get rejections and some of them will not be easy to take. I have found it is harder hearing how great a candidate you are and how liked you are and then they still do not hire you. It is far easier to hear you are just not the right fit.
A learning from the latest one is something we can all consider. Do not keep people hanging. Yes these processes take time but the candidates are people not robots and the time spent waiting and not knowing can be difficult to manage. I certainly have no hard feelings as I got my shot and was treated well. I hope the person they hired succeeds.
So, of course, I find myself dwelling on this moment and letting it affect my otherwise positive day. Easy to see how that can happen but that does not mean it is the right way to go. You have to put these things in proper perspective. It is really hard to do but if you are going to make it through this kind of thing it is on you to make that happen.
So I roll on. I have 2 second round interviews coming up in the next two weeks and am excited about both of them. Hopefully I can land one of them as they would both be fun and I would learn a lot. If I strike out I will soldier on. I always do.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Life On The Outside - What I Have Learned From The Job Search
Back in April the company that employed me for over 11 years let me go (along with 399 others). It was not at all a surprise as the organization was struggling through some tough times and I was part of a team that in the end it was decided was doing work that was know longer critical.
I felt very fortunate as I was ready to leave and pursue new challenges and essentially push myself out of the nest I had been living in for over a decade. The company gave me a long severance, I was able to secure positions for my teammates and I got exit gracefully. I felt very lucky to go out the way I did as most people do not get such an opportunity. The organization was beyond good to me and I will always have loyalty to them. They did not owe me anything but gave me a very generous landing.
I was officially done May 5th and prior to that I had 4 interviews and 2 offers. I ended up turning both down because I was not convinced either was worth moving for especially so early in the process. I really did not know what to expect but had hoped I would be in a permanent position by Fall.
I spent the Summer taking guitar lessons, learning to cook/bake, running half marathons and spending more time with my kids (they are 2 and 7). I added a lot more value around the house, threw my hat in the ring for City Council and overall enjoyed the time. I did do some interviewing but my beginning spurt of opportunities dried up pretty fast and I went through a string of no interviews. But I was not worried because I had focused on two areas and was working the network to make those happen. Consulting and business development were where I wanted to be so I worked my angles to get that going.
In the late Summer I had a few more opportunities break my way and now as I write this I have an interview for a business development gig tomorrow and with a consulting organization on the 12th. I have also been able to secure some consulting work directly to stay busy. So with 9 months left on my exit package I would have to say I am very lucky to be where I am sitting now.
So now feels like a good time to draw my experience and see what I have learned throughout the process. I boiled it down to 5 points (there might be more, I don't know but this feels right) and wanted to scribe down why they are important to remember.
1. Kindness: I am fortunate to have a large circle of people who have shown more than a passing interest in my situation. I was and am overwhelmed by the continued offering of support from both close friends and distant acquaintances. It continues to amaze me the lengths folks will go to lend a hand.
2. Perspective: I have told several people I feel like a ghost. Someone who used to be part of the working world but who now looks on from the outside. That, of course, is nonsensical. It is an example of how easy you can lose yourself in think way too myopically. The reality is I am healthy, with a lovely healthy family and an amazing support network. I was fortunate to have a great education. Most folks do not have these things. Keeping perspective is key and perhaps the hardest thing to do. The idle time makes it easy to let yourself get swallowed up by the unknown but it is so counter-productive.
3. Make Yourself More Uncomfortable: I am 39 with, hopefully, a lot of career left in me. Now is not the time to play defense but to take more risks. That is easier said than done but I would argue is truly where you can find yourself and how you can unlock your true potential. In this process I have faced a lot of rejection and it has not been easy. I have avoided the easy route and that has also not been easy. But it has been worth it and I have changed a lot in a short period of time. Pushing myself to be more uncomfortable has been a gift.
4. Remember The Good and Especially The Humbling Moments: The process itself calls on you to truly become much more humble. I have lost out on opportunities I wanted for very trivial reasons. Some folks do not call back or answer you at all. You are constantly on the offensive and hustling and that is really hard. But it does give you perspective (learning 2) and it does make you more resilient. Plus you do have moments that are not out of the Bataan Death March. You find new friends, mentors and unlikely allies.
5. Enjoy It: When I got out of graduate school in 2000 I was broke, single and jobless. Yet I was thinking of going on a trip because when was I going to have the time again. What sealed it was my dad telling me "you're already poor and a trip is not going to make you much poorer. Plus you're never going to get the time back." I ended up going and the 3 weeks was a life memory I will never forget. I'm older now with more responsibilities but I have more now than I did then (support, money, etc). Even though I have the pressure of providing for my family enjoying this time is key. I have had so many positive memories that will not fade and at some point life will lead me back to my career and the days of getting my daughter off the bus or taking my little man for AM walks will be over. I will miss it terribly so I need to enjoy it now.
We will see if I am back writing in another three months what else I have learned or if I will be working by then. I hope it is the latter and if so I really hope that I am smart enough to remember my learnings and am going out of my way to help those who find themselves seeking employment. I am betting on myself that I will do the right thing.
Thanks for reading...
I felt very fortunate as I was ready to leave and pursue new challenges and essentially push myself out of the nest I had been living in for over a decade. The company gave me a long severance, I was able to secure positions for my teammates and I got exit gracefully. I felt very lucky to go out the way I did as most people do not get such an opportunity. The organization was beyond good to me and I will always have loyalty to them. They did not owe me anything but gave me a very generous landing.
I was officially done May 5th and prior to that I had 4 interviews and 2 offers. I ended up turning both down because I was not convinced either was worth moving for especially so early in the process. I really did not know what to expect but had hoped I would be in a permanent position by Fall.
I spent the Summer taking guitar lessons, learning to cook/bake, running half marathons and spending more time with my kids (they are 2 and 7). I added a lot more value around the house, threw my hat in the ring for City Council and overall enjoyed the time. I did do some interviewing but my beginning spurt of opportunities dried up pretty fast and I went through a string of no interviews. But I was not worried because I had focused on two areas and was working the network to make those happen. Consulting and business development were where I wanted to be so I worked my angles to get that going.
In the late Summer I had a few more opportunities break my way and now as I write this I have an interview for a business development gig tomorrow and with a consulting organization on the 12th. I have also been able to secure some consulting work directly to stay busy. So with 9 months left on my exit package I would have to say I am very lucky to be where I am sitting now.
So now feels like a good time to draw my experience and see what I have learned throughout the process. I boiled it down to 5 points (there might be more, I don't know but this feels right) and wanted to scribe down why they are important to remember.
1. Kindness: I am fortunate to have a large circle of people who have shown more than a passing interest in my situation. I was and am overwhelmed by the continued offering of support from both close friends and distant acquaintances. It continues to amaze me the lengths folks will go to lend a hand.
2. Perspective: I have told several people I feel like a ghost. Someone who used to be part of the working world but who now looks on from the outside. That, of course, is nonsensical. It is an example of how easy you can lose yourself in think way too myopically. The reality is I am healthy, with a lovely healthy family and an amazing support network. I was fortunate to have a great education. Most folks do not have these things. Keeping perspective is key and perhaps the hardest thing to do. The idle time makes it easy to let yourself get swallowed up by the unknown but it is so counter-productive.
3. Make Yourself More Uncomfortable: I am 39 with, hopefully, a lot of career left in me. Now is not the time to play defense but to take more risks. That is easier said than done but I would argue is truly where you can find yourself and how you can unlock your true potential. In this process I have faced a lot of rejection and it has not been easy. I have avoided the easy route and that has also not been easy. But it has been worth it and I have changed a lot in a short period of time. Pushing myself to be more uncomfortable has been a gift.
4. Remember The Good and Especially The Humbling Moments: The process itself calls on you to truly become much more humble. I have lost out on opportunities I wanted for very trivial reasons. Some folks do not call back or answer you at all. You are constantly on the offensive and hustling and that is really hard. But it does give you perspective (learning 2) and it does make you more resilient. Plus you do have moments that are not out of the Bataan Death March. You find new friends, mentors and unlikely allies.
5. Enjoy It: When I got out of graduate school in 2000 I was broke, single and jobless. Yet I was thinking of going on a trip because when was I going to have the time again. What sealed it was my dad telling me "you're already poor and a trip is not going to make you much poorer. Plus you're never going to get the time back." I ended up going and the 3 weeks was a life memory I will never forget. I'm older now with more responsibilities but I have more now than I did then (support, money, etc). Even though I have the pressure of providing for my family enjoying this time is key. I have had so many positive memories that will not fade and at some point life will lead me back to my career and the days of getting my daughter off the bus or taking my little man for AM walks will be over. I will miss it terribly so I need to enjoy it now.
We will see if I am back writing in another three months what else I have learned or if I will be working by then. I hope it is the latter and if so I really hope that I am smart enough to remember my learnings and am going out of my way to help those who find themselves seeking employment. I am betting on myself that I will do the right thing.
Thanks for reading...
Sunday, July 22, 2012
What Would Steve Have Done?
Hawk
Apple Gives In To Green Pressure
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Forgotten Special Interest Groups
For years now the talk of special interest groups drew ire and bile from the public at large. It started with Big Tobacco and has moved onto Big Oil, Big Pharma and will likely lead toward Big Food (McDonalds) and Big Retail (Wal-Mart). In a nutshell we have sequestered these groups into scary categories so we can have a public enemy. Someone or something to blame for whatever ails us.
Big Oil is the one talked about because of last year's spiking gas prices and record profits. Pols lined up on both sides of the aisle and talked of "windfall" profit taxes and demanded congressional inquiries on price gauging. Not shockingly no one was showed outrage 10 years ago when oil was $10 a barrel and the industry was in a tailspin.
So we're in the business of naming scary categories and in order to roll with the cool club let's please show we are objective and add Big Labor the lexicon. When they are not busy blaming everyone but themselves for out of control cost structures in the auto industry they are black balling the President to close successful charter school's in Washington DC.
For whatever reason we romanticize the teacher's and labor union. We see them portrayed as the "little guy" fighting to educate and keep America producing. While that may have been true at one point, today it is simply not. Today's labor is nothing more than a legion of hacks more interested in protecting the weak performers in their rank and dragging down standards to non-competitive levels. The next step in this continual downward slide will be when "card check" comes online in the next two years. This is Big Labor's big move. Card check will eliminate secret ballots and require only someone to check a box in order to join a union. While labor claims it will make it easier to organize (duh) what they neglect to state is that it will proliferate corruption and intimidation. There continuing exploits only make America less of a great place.
Big Oil is the one talked about because of last year's spiking gas prices and record profits. Pols lined up on both sides of the aisle and talked of "windfall" profit taxes and demanded congressional inquiries on price gauging. Not shockingly no one was showed outrage 10 years ago when oil was $10 a barrel and the industry was in a tailspin.
So we're in the business of naming scary categories and in order to roll with the cool club let's please show we are objective and add Big Labor the lexicon. When they are not busy blaming everyone but themselves for out of control cost structures in the auto industry they are black balling the President to close successful charter school's in Washington DC.
For whatever reason we romanticize the teacher's and labor union. We see them portrayed as the "little guy" fighting to educate and keep America producing. While that may have been true at one point, today it is simply not. Today's labor is nothing more than a legion of hacks more interested in protecting the weak performers in their rank and dragging down standards to non-competitive levels. The next step in this continual downward slide will be when "card check" comes online in the next two years. This is Big Labor's big move. Card check will eliminate secret ballots and require only someone to check a box in order to join a union. While labor claims it will make it easier to organize (duh) what they neglect to state is that it will proliferate corruption and intimidation. There continuing exploits only make America less of a great place.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Barney Frank...DC's Most Dangerous Man
It's easy to take potshots at the AIG situation. Giving bonuses to executives(especially retention bonus's - why retain people who've led you into this mess, but I digress) from the once proud American titan seems ridiculous. However, it's has led to high degree of nauseating public statements from both the right and the left who are shocked, shocked by this display of greed.
Of course, left out in this debate is the fact the government knew about the bonus program when they took the company over. They had to and if they didn't it is still more proof they have no business running a business period. The reality is that the bonus program amounts to a tenth of a percent of the overall haul we have given Hank Greenberg's former company. In the scheme of it all it's a sum that is not even worth debating.
What is worth debating is the unsteady hand of Barney Frank. The man who force fed horrible lending programs under good names (E.G., Fairness in Lending Act and Community Reinvestment Act) and used tactical race baiting and the lap dog Washington press to get his way has led us into a major part of the problems we are facing today.
Barney wanted more expansion of home owners (even those that were clearly not qualified) and did it by forcing banks to lend to people who didn't even have to prove their income and deftly quieting their lobby by making Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the official garbage collector of these bad loans. They then sliced up the loans and exported the garbage into the marketplace at large.
There's plenty of blame to go around with the mess that is going on and there is not one person that deserves to take the fall. However, I personally am tired of listening to Barney scream into the microphone about greedy corporations ruining America when he in fact has a hand in this as much as any slimy ivy league Wall Streeter. Without his Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac crusade things would have been markedly different. He needs to shoulder responsibility for his ham handed leadership since the Lexus Liberals of Boston don't have the werewithal to do it at the polls.
Barney, I'm tired of your socialist leadership and willingness to ignore your role in our current crisis. You're the most dangerous man in government right now and you need to be stopped. America, wake up to the fraud of this man.
Of course, left out in this debate is the fact the government knew about the bonus program when they took the company over. They had to and if they didn't it is still more proof they have no business running a business period. The reality is that the bonus program amounts to a tenth of a percent of the overall haul we have given Hank Greenberg's former company. In the scheme of it all it's a sum that is not even worth debating.
What is worth debating is the unsteady hand of Barney Frank. The man who force fed horrible lending programs under good names (E.G., Fairness in Lending Act and Community Reinvestment Act) and used tactical race baiting and the lap dog Washington press to get his way has led us into a major part of the problems we are facing today.
Barney wanted more expansion of home owners (even those that were clearly not qualified) and did it by forcing banks to lend to people who didn't even have to prove their income and deftly quieting their lobby by making Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the official garbage collector of these bad loans. They then sliced up the loans and exported the garbage into the marketplace at large.
There's plenty of blame to go around with the mess that is going on and there is not one person that deserves to take the fall. However, I personally am tired of listening to Barney scream into the microphone about greedy corporations ruining America when he in fact has a hand in this as much as any slimy ivy league Wall Streeter. Without his Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac crusade things would have been markedly different. He needs to shoulder responsibility for his ham handed leadership since the Lexus Liberals of Boston don't have the werewithal to do it at the polls.
Barney, I'm tired of your socialist leadership and willingness to ignore your role in our current crisis. You're the most dangerous man in government right now and you need to be stopped. America, wake up to the fraud of this man.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Israel Turns 59
Hard to believe but 59 years ago the former Palestine was declared the state of Israel by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. President Truman signed into to order shortly thereafter the recognition of Israel as and independent state and thus the beginning of a long and complex friendship.
Since that day in 1948 the Israelis have fought two wars and countless other skirmishes with their neighbors. In each case they have whipped their well funded adversaries and have taken land from them. Memo to the Egyptians: you only have the Sinai back because of their good graces.
While the landscape of the world has changed greatly in the past 59 years the situation that surrounds Israel has not. In some cases it has gotten worse. Yes, Jordan is no longer a threat and Lebanon is a threat only in the fact that Hezebollah calls the shots in the southern part of the country with the impotent government left to watch on the sidelines.
Today the threat comes more from fundamentalism and the rise of Iran and their nutso leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (President). While the President does not technically "run" the country (the mullahs and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei call the shots) his insistent speeches and prognostications that "Israel will be driven into the sea" are making the already touchy Israelis even more concerned. The issue now is will the Israelis go on offense and bomb Iran to stave off their nuclear ambitions.
This would not be the first time Israel has pulled this off. In 1980 Saddam Hussein's nuclear party was officially crashed when Israel bombed its enrichment plant into the ground. Despite attempts, Hussein was never able to get his program back online.
If the Israelis take that tact again it could lead to an even more complex situation in the Middle East. While it's hard not to blame them with this decision the end result could be traumatic for the world at large. The Iranian president is a short timer and the population is primed for revolt. However an attack on Iran could potentially degrade that momentum and set progress back in the Middle East's second most important country.
Their short history has been extraordinary and their struggle well documented. Always quick to defend themselves, they may be wise to learn from their own history and look to diplomacy to solve this current malaise.
Hawk's View: A brief history lesson. On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serb named Gavrilo Princip. Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia and Russia, treaty bound, declared war on Austro-Hungary and Germany (allied with Austro-Hungary). The Germans declared war on Russia and their French ally. Thus was the beginning of World War 1. History shows us it doesn't take much (that assassination of the heir to a crumbling dynasty in this case) to prompt great battles. Let us remember that and hope that Israelis do as well in dealing with Iran.
Since that day in 1948 the Israelis have fought two wars and countless other skirmishes with their neighbors. In each case they have whipped their well funded adversaries and have taken land from them. Memo to the Egyptians: you only have the Sinai back because of their good graces.
While the landscape of the world has changed greatly in the past 59 years the situation that surrounds Israel has not. In some cases it has gotten worse. Yes, Jordan is no longer a threat and Lebanon is a threat only in the fact that Hezebollah calls the shots in the southern part of the country with the impotent government left to watch on the sidelines.
Today the threat comes more from fundamentalism and the rise of Iran and their nutso leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (President). While the President does not technically "run" the country (the mullahs and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei call the shots) his insistent speeches and prognostications that "Israel will be driven into the sea" are making the already touchy Israelis even more concerned. The issue now is will the Israelis go on offense and bomb Iran to stave off their nuclear ambitions.
This would not be the first time Israel has pulled this off. In 1980 Saddam Hussein's nuclear party was officially crashed when Israel bombed its enrichment plant into the ground. Despite attempts, Hussein was never able to get his program back online.
If the Israelis take that tact again it could lead to an even more complex situation in the Middle East. While it's hard not to blame them with this decision the end result could be traumatic for the world at large. The Iranian president is a short timer and the population is primed for revolt. However an attack on Iran could potentially degrade that momentum and set progress back in the Middle East's second most important country.
Their short history has been extraordinary and their struggle well documented. Always quick to defend themselves, they may be wise to learn from their own history and look to diplomacy to solve this current malaise.
Hawk's View: A brief history lesson. On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serb named Gavrilo Princip. Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia and Russia, treaty bound, declared war on Austro-Hungary and Germany (allied with Austro-Hungary). The Germans declared war on Russia and their French ally. Thus was the beginning of World War 1. History shows us it doesn't take much (that assassination of the heir to a crumbling dynasty in this case) to prompt great battles. Let us remember that and hope that Israelis do as well in dealing with Iran.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Iran and Syria Stoke the Fire
I must admit I did not expect that Iran and Syria would accept the recent Israeli/Hezbollah cease-fire as a stalemate. I figured they would be one to gloat in favor of their Hezbollah brethren. That being said, I think even they are going a bit too far with their recent comments.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims the victory was "God's Promise." Syrian "President" Bashar Assad claimed Israel was "defeated" by the Hezbollah fighters. Great that those lads think that their Hezbollah boys stole the show, but let's remember a couple of things.
First off Israel walked to the Leitani River and probably could have gone all the way to the northern border of the country. All that stopped them was their willingness to heed the international community's call for them to stop.
Second, despite some missteps, they were regimented in avoiding civilian casualties. Unlike Hezbollah, who lobbed bombs without any regard for collateral damange, the Israelis did what they could to avoid it. In cases where it did happen (note that they would actually call ahead and warn that the bombs were coming), it was due to the fact that ordinary citizens were human shields protecting Hezbollah rockets.
The reason why Syria and Iran need to be careful about gloating is that they run the risk of ticking off the Israelis to the point where they damn the consequences and start to overrun the Middle East. In the past if there's one thing we know it's that the Israelis don't lose. Everytime a neighbor tries to take their land they respond by whipping them. Just ask Jordan if they'd like the West Bank back or Syria if they want the Golan Heights. In the end it might behoove both Syria and Iran to ease off a little a bit on the gloating.
Hawk's View: We're in the 54th year of the Israel Vs. The Rest of the Middle East. History says Israel is the strongest nation against its enemies. They are clearly tired of fighting but are also at the end of their rope in dealing with all the nonsense they face around them. The view here is the cease-fire won't last and the next move is Israel not only going back into Lebanaon but going after Syria as well. Unfortunately this will get worse before it even looks to get better.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims the victory was "God's Promise." Syrian "President" Bashar Assad claimed Israel was "defeated" by the Hezbollah fighters. Great that those lads think that their Hezbollah boys stole the show, but let's remember a couple of things.
First off Israel walked to the Leitani River and probably could have gone all the way to the northern border of the country. All that stopped them was their willingness to heed the international community's call for them to stop.
Second, despite some missteps, they were regimented in avoiding civilian casualties. Unlike Hezbollah, who lobbed bombs without any regard for collateral damange, the Israelis did what they could to avoid it. In cases where it did happen (note that they would actually call ahead and warn that the bombs were coming), it was due to the fact that ordinary citizens were human shields protecting Hezbollah rockets.
The reason why Syria and Iran need to be careful about gloating is that they run the risk of ticking off the Israelis to the point where they damn the consequences and start to overrun the Middle East. In the past if there's one thing we know it's that the Israelis don't lose. Everytime a neighbor tries to take their land they respond by whipping them. Just ask Jordan if they'd like the West Bank back or Syria if they want the Golan Heights. In the end it might behoove both Syria and Iran to ease off a little a bit on the gloating.
Hawk's View: We're in the 54th year of the Israel Vs. The Rest of the Middle East. History says Israel is the strongest nation against its enemies. They are clearly tired of fighting but are also at the end of their rope in dealing with all the nonsense they face around them. The view here is the cease-fire won't last and the next move is Israel not only going back into Lebanaon but going after Syria as well. Unfortunately this will get worse before it even looks to get better.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Those Whiny Northeasterners...
Why is it every time the Northeastern part of the US is faced with any type of weather emergency, the rest of us must be affected as well.
In case you were out of the country this past weekend, the news networks were flooded with reports of "The Great Nor'Easter" or some other lame headline. Yes, believe it or else, the Northeast actually receiving "snow" or some type of snow byproduct. As a result this must be treated as a top news story. I'm assuming the amount of hype wrought from the news agencies meant a run on canned goods and double AA batteries at the local A&P (assuming these folks were brave enough to venture outside).
I've never been a believer or a fan in a so-called "east coast bias" in the media. That's always been a bit of a sham to me. But all that goes out the window when the subject is the weather. For some reason, the weather turns normal mild mannered individuals in stark raving freaks. This is exacerbated by the fact that these individuals work for news organizations and all of a sudden become "imbedded" in the story. Lame.
At the end of the day, it says less about those in the Northeast that they feel this attention is warranted over a Winter storm. For a region that prides itself in being tough, this reaction by its citizens (and the news agencies) is tired and ridiculous. Get over yourselves.
In case you were out of the country this past weekend, the news networks were flooded with reports of "The Great Nor'Easter" or some other lame headline. Yes, believe it or else, the Northeast actually receiving "snow" or some type of snow byproduct. As a result this must be treated as a top news story. I'm assuming the amount of hype wrought from the news agencies meant a run on canned goods and double AA batteries at the local A&P (assuming these folks were brave enough to venture outside).
I've never been a believer or a fan in a so-called "east coast bias" in the media. That's always been a bit of a sham to me. But all that goes out the window when the subject is the weather. For some reason, the weather turns normal mild mannered individuals in stark raving freaks. This is exacerbated by the fact that these individuals work for news organizations and all of a sudden become "imbedded" in the story. Lame.
At the end of the day, it says less about those in the Northeast that they feel this attention is warranted over a Winter storm. For a region that prides itself in being tough, this reaction by its citizens (and the news agencies) is tired and ridiculous. Get over yourselves.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Can Ford Find Its Way Forward
On Monday, Ford announced sweeping changes to its business model. Dubbed "Black Monday" by the UAW Ford cut wide and deep. They axed 14 plants and 25K workers and 4K "white collar" workers from the payroll. Bill Ford Jr. (current Ford Scion) made the case in plain English to all who were listening: the old Ford was broken and he was going to fix it. No longer would Ford build cars based on capacity availability, it would build cars based on what the customer wanted. What a novel concept.
One can hardly blame Ford for making the changes. North American operations lost over $l.4 Billion last year alone. The company's cost structure has spiraled out of control and is only getting worse. Onerous contracts with the UAW (agreed to by previous Ford managment I might add) have handcuffed the company's ability to be nimble in the everchanging auto market. In the end it was "rip the bandage off" time at Ford and Bill was just the guy to do the pullin'.
So where does this leave Ford now? The rank and file response to Ford's plan is positive but of course it would be when a company with a bloated cost structure hacks off a significant chunk of SG&A. However, a company cannot cut its way to success. Even Jr. mentioned that in his speech to the press.
The bottomline is Ford is losing for the same reasons any company loses in a marketplace: complacency. Ford's problems stem from poor designs and hooking its wagon to SUVs and trucks. They made no attempt to manage their risk against rising gasoline prices. And, most importantly, they stopped listening to their customers.
Can they rebound? Of course they can. And, most importantly, management will have time to do so. The Ford family controls this company and Bill and his cronies are going nowhere. They can ride this long term plan out and not worry at all about losing his job. In effect, if Ford is the right guy to turn around the company (and many feel he is) he will get it done.
Hawk's View: Personally, I'm not a Ford fan. I've never liked their designs and found their cars to be somewhat staid (the Mustang notwithstanding). However, I actually think Ford Jr. can turn it around. As stated before, unlike GM he's the man in charge and is going to be there as long as he wants. This might be bad if Ford Jr. was a lightweight but I don't think he is. As a result, The Hawk thinks Bill Ford's Way Forward Plan will rebound the company and probably make great granddad proud.
Author's Note: If interested in reading more about the auto industry, click on the link in the title of this article. It will take you to Forbes.com and to Jerry Flint. Mr. Flint has been covering the auto industry since the Model T (OK, not really but close). His contacts and insight are second to none. Enjoy.
One can hardly blame Ford for making the changes. North American operations lost over $l.4 Billion last year alone. The company's cost structure has spiraled out of control and is only getting worse. Onerous contracts with the UAW (agreed to by previous Ford managment I might add) have handcuffed the company's ability to be nimble in the everchanging auto market. In the end it was "rip the bandage off" time at Ford and Bill was just the guy to do the pullin'.
So where does this leave Ford now? The rank and file response to Ford's plan is positive but of course it would be when a company with a bloated cost structure hacks off a significant chunk of SG&A. However, a company cannot cut its way to success. Even Jr. mentioned that in his speech to the press.
The bottomline is Ford is losing for the same reasons any company loses in a marketplace: complacency. Ford's problems stem from poor designs and hooking its wagon to SUVs and trucks. They made no attempt to manage their risk against rising gasoline prices. And, most importantly, they stopped listening to their customers.
Can they rebound? Of course they can. And, most importantly, management will have time to do so. The Ford family controls this company and Bill and his cronies are going nowhere. They can ride this long term plan out and not worry at all about losing his job. In effect, if Ford is the right guy to turn around the company (and many feel he is) he will get it done.
Hawk's View: Personally, I'm not a Ford fan. I've never liked their designs and found their cars to be somewhat staid (the Mustang notwithstanding). However, I actually think Ford Jr. can turn it around. As stated before, unlike GM he's the man in charge and is going to be there as long as he wants. This might be bad if Ford Jr. was a lightweight but I don't think he is. As a result, The Hawk thinks Bill Ford's Way Forward Plan will rebound the company and probably make great granddad proud.
Author's Note: If interested in reading more about the auto industry, click on the link in the title of this article. It will take you to Forbes.com and to Jerry Flint. Mr. Flint has been covering the auto industry since the Model T (OK, not really but close). His contacts and insight are second to none. Enjoy.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
GM Gets More Free Advice
Yesterday, Jerry York (Kirk Kerkorian's bobo), weighed in on GM's woes during the Detroit Auto Show. Specifically he highlighted GM's needs to cut their dividend in half, slice executive pay and dump Hummer and Volvo.
According to Mr. York this is only the beginning of what GM needs to do but it would be a good start. And, he coyly promised that Mr. Kerkorian would consider purchasing 24MM GM share to help drive up the price and instill investor confidence.
Kerkorian has been a thorn in GM's side since he ponied up for millions of shares this past Summer. Maybe because he's approaching his 300th birthday (I kid, he's actually 89) or maybe it is because he wants to ruin a second member of the Big 3 (read, Taken for a Ride, the tome that traced Chrysler's spin out into the arms of Daimler Benz, aided by Kerkorian). Regardless, Kerkorian has a motive. And a good one at that, he wants to see the shares rise because he owns a boatload of them. But his move to suggest cutting the dividend is pure genius. By doing this he is putting himself out there that the biggest GM shareholder would rather sacrifice the sureness of a dividend for the potential of long term benefit (not bad for an 89 year old). The questions is will GM bite and will it help?
Hawk's View: Tough spot for Ric Waggoner and frieds. They could use a share boost. However, if they follow any of Kerkorian's public comments they could be seen as even more weak than they already appear. Cutting the dividend in half would no doubt lead to a sell off from angry shareholders who rely on the dividend for income. Mr. Kerkorian's share purchase may do little to offset the sell off. In the end, look for GM to continue with their own plan to right the ship and for this soap opera with Kerkorian to continue.
According to Mr. York this is only the beginning of what GM needs to do but it would be a good start. And, he coyly promised that Mr. Kerkorian would consider purchasing 24MM GM share to help drive up the price and instill investor confidence.
Kerkorian has been a thorn in GM's side since he ponied up for millions of shares this past Summer. Maybe because he's approaching his 300th birthday (I kid, he's actually 89) or maybe it is because he wants to ruin a second member of the Big 3 (read, Taken for a Ride, the tome that traced Chrysler's spin out into the arms of Daimler Benz, aided by Kerkorian). Regardless, Kerkorian has a motive. And a good one at that, he wants to see the shares rise because he owns a boatload of them. But his move to suggest cutting the dividend is pure genius. By doing this he is putting himself out there that the biggest GM shareholder would rather sacrifice the sureness of a dividend for the potential of long term benefit (not bad for an 89 year old). The questions is will GM bite and will it help?
Hawk's View: Tough spot for Ric Waggoner and frieds. They could use a share boost. However, if they follow any of Kerkorian's public comments they could be seen as even more weak than they already appear. Cutting the dividend in half would no doubt lead to a sell off from angry shareholders who rely on the dividend for income. Mr. Kerkorian's share purchase may do little to offset the sell off. In the end, look for GM to continue with their own plan to right the ship and for this soap opera with Kerkorian to continue.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Putin Gasses the Euros
Russian "elected" leader Vladimir Putin looks harmless enough. He's got a geeky veneer about him but if you look closer you'll see that it is all a ruse. Underneath is the steely way of a former KGB agent turned leader. He's the kind of guy you'd pick a fight with to impress a gal and then he would in turn mop the floor with your head.
Which is why this whole issue around the natural gas feud with Ukraine is scary for the residents of Europe. See Europe get a significant amount of gas from Russia. 90% of which flows through a pipeline in Ukraine. Now that Vlad has cut off the pipeline due to a price dispute, the Euros may have to storm the local Ikea for various sensible designed wood products to burn during the dog days of winter.
Up until now Russia's reputation as an energy supplier was quite good. But that has all changed. First off, Putin clearly has a goal of consolidating power to the point where elections are shams and he is in effect the new Czar of all the Russias. This move with the pipeline only makes the trembling Euros even more uncomfortable (and cold) because this may only be the beginning. Will Putin seek to put Russia back in the Superpower category with the US (with China and India not far behind)? If so, Putin will continue to rule over the world's largest country with an iron fist. He will look to make more deals with "rogue states" (Russia is supplying Iran with all the necessary materials to get their nuclear weapons system online). Never mind the fact Russia sits on a vast amount of natural resources that could tip the global market in their favor.
Hawk's View: I have no illusions that Putin has crowned himself Czar and will continue to make his mark on the world stage. He's made it clear that Ukraine should pay higher prices (in line with what the Euros are charged) versus other former Soviet states, because of the advancement of their economy. That would be correct if that were truly the case. It's not. Putin is punishing the Ukraine people for last year's Orange Revolution when his pick to run the country was beaten out in an election. In the end, Putin will likely make a quick ending to this mess because he has made his point. The Russians are back and we want our seat at the table opposite the US.
Which is why this whole issue around the natural gas feud with Ukraine is scary for the residents of Europe. See Europe get a significant amount of gas from Russia. 90% of which flows through a pipeline in Ukraine. Now that Vlad has cut off the pipeline due to a price dispute, the Euros may have to storm the local Ikea for various sensible designed wood products to burn during the dog days of winter.
Up until now Russia's reputation as an energy supplier was quite good. But that has all changed. First off, Putin clearly has a goal of consolidating power to the point where elections are shams and he is in effect the new Czar of all the Russias. This move with the pipeline only makes the trembling Euros even more uncomfortable (and cold) because this may only be the beginning. Will Putin seek to put Russia back in the Superpower category with the US (with China and India not far behind)? If so, Putin will continue to rule over the world's largest country with an iron fist. He will look to make more deals with "rogue states" (Russia is supplying Iran with all the necessary materials to get their nuclear weapons system online). Never mind the fact Russia sits on a vast amount of natural resources that could tip the global market in their favor.
Hawk's View: I have no illusions that Putin has crowned himself Czar and will continue to make his mark on the world stage. He's made it clear that Ukraine should pay higher prices (in line with what the Euros are charged) versus other former Soviet states, because of the advancement of their economy. That would be correct if that were truly the case. It's not. Putin is punishing the Ukraine people for last year's Orange Revolution when his pick to run the country was beaten out in an election. In the end, Putin will likely make a quick ending to this mess because he has made his point. The Russians are back and we want our seat at the table opposite the US.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
AT&T's Next Move?
Apparently, buying everything they can get their hands on over the past few years has not deterred AT&T (formerly SBC, formerly Southwester Bell, formerly, well, AT&T). Cnn.com reports a deal may be in the works for Echostar Communications (AKA Dish Network).
It is hard to believe that Echostar Chairman Charlie Ergen would want to sell out fully. He's too competitive, but a deal where retains control over the operations could become palatable as he attempts to take Dish to the next competitive arena: High Definition TV service.
The upside of this for AT&T is that they would be in the video business from day one and would not have to roll out an expensive fiber optic service as other telcos (Verizon, BellSouth) are planning. Also, AT&T and Dish have been working together for a couple of years selling bundled services.
The downside of the deal is AT&T is still swallowing two huge acquisitions and the idea of taking on another may make investors a little queezy. Never underestimate Chairman Edward Whitacre's zeal for making a deal and with The Chairman retiring in two years he may well want to make one big huge score before riding off to the nearest Texas Tech University football game (he's a big alum and, funny, Tech's stadium is named Jones AT&T Stadium).
Hawk's View: If AT&T wants to make another acquisition the logical one is to by BellSouth. BellSouth owns 40% of Cingular (with AT&T owning the other 60%). Buying BellSouth would not only give Whitacre's gang wider distribution but it would give them full control over Cingular. However, that acquisition still does not get AT&T in the TV game. In the end the question is whether or not Whitacre wants his final score to be wireless or TV. Only he knows but we are soon to find out.
It is hard to believe that Echostar Chairman Charlie Ergen would want to sell out fully. He's too competitive, but a deal where retains control over the operations could become palatable as he attempts to take Dish to the next competitive arena: High Definition TV service.
The upside of this for AT&T is that they would be in the video business from day one and would not have to roll out an expensive fiber optic service as other telcos (Verizon, BellSouth) are planning. Also, AT&T and Dish have been working together for a couple of years selling bundled services.
The downside of the deal is AT&T is still swallowing two huge acquisitions and the idea of taking on another may make investors a little queezy. Never underestimate Chairman Edward Whitacre's zeal for making a deal and with The Chairman retiring in two years he may well want to make one big huge score before riding off to the nearest Texas Tech University football game (he's a big alum and, funny, Tech's stadium is named Jones AT&T Stadium).
Hawk's View: If AT&T wants to make another acquisition the logical one is to by BellSouth. BellSouth owns 40% of Cingular (with AT&T owning the other 60%). Buying BellSouth would not only give Whitacre's gang wider distribution but it would give them full control over Cingular. However, that acquisition still does not get AT&T in the TV game. In the end the question is whether or not Whitacre wants his final score to be wireless or TV. Only he knows but we are soon to find out.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
2005: And the winners are...
It was my intention to write a year in review type article but I tabled that idea. There is only one year in review you all should read and that is the one written by Dave Barry. Check out the link at the bottom of the page and do read it. Very funny and very well done as always.
I decided instead to pass out awards for the top performers in 2005. Some are funny, some are sad and some might seem weird but here goes. Drumroll please...
The Civic Duty Award - Goes to the jury on the Michael Jackson trial. Apparently these 12 rubes were not present on this planet during the months the Jackson trial took place. If they were they would have known that "Jacko" was guilty. Alas, they followed the leadership of such other fine California juries (OJ Simpson, the Menendez Brothers, etc) and let him Moonwalk all the way to Bharain (his new home).
Medal of Valor Award - Tie between New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and FEMA Director Mike Brown. These three sad individuals botched, rebotched and then botched again the entire mess that ensued before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. All are equally culpable yet each conveniently blames the other while stating they were the "only ones showing leadership." All three should be forced to sweep the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence.
Corporate Leadership Award - Goes to none other than the Dolan family. This first family of New York media had an out and out feud between father and son over a failed satellite service called VOOM. The old man and son rattled sabers at each other before finally agreeing (begrudginly) to close VOOM and sell the assets. All the while the company's stock took a massive tumble.
The Please Make It Stop Award - Goes to Fox News correspondents Greta Van Susteren and Geraldo Rivera. Geraldo for the Terri Schiavo case and Greta for the Natalee Holloway case. This fine news channel has been co-opted by these two schmos and they need to be outsourced somewhere where no one we'll watch them. Like MSNBC.
The Big Whiner Award - Goes to all the Manchester United fans who claimed Man U would be "ruined" by the purchase of the club by American Malcom Glazer. These weenies claimed the famed club would lose their fan base and there would be repercussion of epic proportions. The result: Man U still sells out and while they are running 5th in the Premiership, they are making money and playing in front of all those rabid fans who vowed never to show up again.
The Boy Did We Get Fleeced Award - Goes to all the Hollywood studios for the pointless trash they greenlighted and that no one went to see. With few exceptions, everything Tinseltown put out landed at the box office with a loud thud. Guys, the key to making good movies is actually "writing a script that's interesting." I know that flies in the face of the new way to do movies which is to blow up lots of stuff and have minimal dialogue but give it a try. You may be surprised.
The Please Pay Attention to Me Award - Goes to North Korean dictator and cartoon looking freak, Kim Jong-Il. Kim, desperately trying to get the attention of anyone, continues to to play nuclear poker with the world. His motive appears to be his need for people to take his phone calls because his "country" doesn't appear to be gaining any additional support nor are they striking any more fear into the world. Perhaps in 2006 Kim will attempt to strike a deal that actually gets food to all those people living around him.
The I Cannot Tell a Lie Award - Goest to baseball "legend", Viagra pitchmen and all around smarmy character Rafael Palmeiro. Shortly after appearing before Congress and emphatically denying taking steriods, Raffy fails a drug test for, wait for it, steroids. Strong work.
The Lion in Winter Award - Goes to General Motors. The titan of the auto industry found 2005 to be a hard year. From poor sales, dealers in revolt, rising health care costs and 217 year old Kirk Kerkorian, GM faces a hard reality and the outcome could be very ugly. The stock is in the tank and their bonds are trading at junk status. Everything from selling off parts of GMAC to filing for bankruptcy is on the table for 2006. Hopefully the venerable car company will find traction very soon.
That's it for 2005. The Hawk has enjoyed his blogging so far and looks forward to more fun and nonsense in 2006. Hope you'll stop by from time to time.
Hawk...
The Year in Review
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/13511044.htm
I decided instead to pass out awards for the top performers in 2005. Some are funny, some are sad and some might seem weird but here goes. Drumroll please...
The Civic Duty Award - Goes to the jury on the Michael Jackson trial. Apparently these 12 rubes were not present on this planet during the months the Jackson trial took place. If they were they would have known that "Jacko" was guilty. Alas, they followed the leadership of such other fine California juries (OJ Simpson, the Menendez Brothers, etc) and let him Moonwalk all the way to Bharain (his new home).
Medal of Valor Award - Tie between New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and FEMA Director Mike Brown. These three sad individuals botched, rebotched and then botched again the entire mess that ensued before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. All are equally culpable yet each conveniently blames the other while stating they were the "only ones showing leadership." All three should be forced to sweep the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence.
Corporate Leadership Award - Goes to none other than the Dolan family. This first family of New York media had an out and out feud between father and son over a failed satellite service called VOOM. The old man and son rattled sabers at each other before finally agreeing (begrudginly) to close VOOM and sell the assets. All the while the company's stock took a massive tumble.
The Please Make It Stop Award - Goes to Fox News correspondents Greta Van Susteren and Geraldo Rivera. Geraldo for the Terri Schiavo case and Greta for the Natalee Holloway case. This fine news channel has been co-opted by these two schmos and they need to be outsourced somewhere where no one we'll watch them. Like MSNBC.
The Big Whiner Award - Goes to all the Manchester United fans who claimed Man U would be "ruined" by the purchase of the club by American Malcom Glazer. These weenies claimed the famed club would lose their fan base and there would be repercussion of epic proportions. The result: Man U still sells out and while they are running 5th in the Premiership, they are making money and playing in front of all those rabid fans who vowed never to show up again.
The Boy Did We Get Fleeced Award - Goes to all the Hollywood studios for the pointless trash they greenlighted and that no one went to see. With few exceptions, everything Tinseltown put out landed at the box office with a loud thud. Guys, the key to making good movies is actually "writing a script that's interesting." I know that flies in the face of the new way to do movies which is to blow up lots of stuff and have minimal dialogue but give it a try. You may be surprised.
The Please Pay Attention to Me Award - Goes to North Korean dictator and cartoon looking freak, Kim Jong-Il. Kim, desperately trying to get the attention of anyone, continues to to play nuclear poker with the world. His motive appears to be his need for people to take his phone calls because his "country" doesn't appear to be gaining any additional support nor are they striking any more fear into the world. Perhaps in 2006 Kim will attempt to strike a deal that actually gets food to all those people living around him.
The I Cannot Tell a Lie Award - Goest to baseball "legend", Viagra pitchmen and all around smarmy character Rafael Palmeiro. Shortly after appearing before Congress and emphatically denying taking steriods, Raffy fails a drug test for, wait for it, steroids. Strong work.
The Lion in Winter Award - Goes to General Motors. The titan of the auto industry found 2005 to be a hard year. From poor sales, dealers in revolt, rising health care costs and 217 year old Kirk Kerkorian, GM faces a hard reality and the outcome could be very ugly. The stock is in the tank and their bonds are trading at junk status. Everything from selling off parts of GMAC to filing for bankruptcy is on the table for 2006. Hopefully the venerable car company will find traction very soon.
That's it for 2005. The Hawk has enjoyed his blogging so far and looks forward to more fun and nonsense in 2006. Hope you'll stop by from time to time.
Hawk...
The Year in Review
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/13511044.htm
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Should California Save Tookie?
On Tuesday the state of California will likely carry out its most controversial execution since the reinstatement of the death penalty in the early 1970's. The case involves Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Mr. Williams is on "The Row" for his involvement in 4 homicides in 1979. In addition Mr. Williams was the co-founder of The Crips street gang, which still exists today.
Mr. Williams case is a cause celebre for many individuals. Death penatly opponents to Hollywood celebrities have lined up and spoke up on his behalf, demanding he be granted clemency.
The rationale for this is based on the fact that Williams has turned his life around in prison. In his 24 years in prison, Williams has gone from a gang founder to an outspoken opponent of gangs and violence. Along the way he has written several children's books and been nominated for the Nobel Prize 6 times (5 for peace and one for literature).
To be fair the main arugment Wiliams supporters have is the above, but upon further review, those points are tad more hollow than they seem...
Nobel Prize Nominations: While The Hawk is still seeking his elusive first Nobel Prize nomination for this weblog, it should be pointed out that being nominated for a Nobel is not as special as it is cracked up to be. First off, anyone can be nominated. Secondly, nominations are never released by the Nobel committee. Finally, Mohandis Gahndi, Martin Luther King and Desmond Tutu all won the Prize but Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini were all in the running for one as well.
Writing Children's Books: It's nice that he has a hobby but writing children's books does not mean that one should get total redemption from one's past crimes.
Speaking Out Against Violence: One would hope as Mr. Williams got older he would speak out against the violence that got him on "The Row" in the first place. That is the benefit of getting older, you tend to get wiser and more mature.
He's Sorry For His Crimes: Mr. Williams still proclaims his innocence through all of this despite 16 years of failed appeals. At the end of the day, he doesn't want clemency he wants out of prison. While The Hawk does not think that a man should cop to a crime he did not commit, it is not a stretch that a street gang founder, high on PCP could in fact commit such crimes. Again, no evidence (DNA or witness) has come up to suggest Mr. Williams is innocent. It was his gun who killed those people and that we know for certain.
Hawk's View: In the end, Mr. Williams, like everyone on death row, should be granted clemency because The Hawk does not believe in the death penalty. Not because I think the prisoners deserve better but for the exact opposite. The death penalty turns madmen and monsters into martyrs and those folks simply do not deserve anyone's time. Lock them up and throw away the key. They may be alive but they are not living, they are existing in a metal cage to think of all of their past misdeeds. That's the toughest punishment of all. Along the way if some do reform, good for them, but they still have to live with the fact that they will spend the rest of their days irrelevant behind bars waiting for their day to come. That's a long time to live with the shame of crime.
Note: Please read the link above from the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson. Very interesting.
Mr. Williams case is a cause celebre for many individuals. Death penatly opponents to Hollywood celebrities have lined up and spoke up on his behalf, demanding he be granted clemency.
The rationale for this is based on the fact that Williams has turned his life around in prison. In his 24 years in prison, Williams has gone from a gang founder to an outspoken opponent of gangs and violence. Along the way he has written several children's books and been nominated for the Nobel Prize 6 times (5 for peace and one for literature).
To be fair the main arugment Wiliams supporters have is the above, but upon further review, those points are tad more hollow than they seem...
Nobel Prize Nominations: While The Hawk is still seeking his elusive first Nobel Prize nomination for this weblog, it should be pointed out that being nominated for a Nobel is not as special as it is cracked up to be. First off, anyone can be nominated. Secondly, nominations are never released by the Nobel committee. Finally, Mohandis Gahndi, Martin Luther King and Desmond Tutu all won the Prize but Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini were all in the running for one as well.
Writing Children's Books: It's nice that he has a hobby but writing children's books does not mean that one should get total redemption from one's past crimes.
Speaking Out Against Violence: One would hope as Mr. Williams got older he would speak out against the violence that got him on "The Row" in the first place. That is the benefit of getting older, you tend to get wiser and more mature.
He's Sorry For His Crimes: Mr. Williams still proclaims his innocence through all of this despite 16 years of failed appeals. At the end of the day, he doesn't want clemency he wants out of prison. While The Hawk does not think that a man should cop to a crime he did not commit, it is not a stretch that a street gang founder, high on PCP could in fact commit such crimes. Again, no evidence (DNA or witness) has come up to suggest Mr. Williams is innocent. It was his gun who killed those people and that we know for certain.
Hawk's View: In the end, Mr. Williams, like everyone on death row, should be granted clemency because The Hawk does not believe in the death penalty. Not because I think the prisoners deserve better but for the exact opposite. The death penalty turns madmen and monsters into martyrs and those folks simply do not deserve anyone's time. Lock them up and throw away the key. They may be alive but they are not living, they are existing in a metal cage to think of all of their past misdeeds. That's the toughest punishment of all. Along the way if some do reform, good for them, but they still have to live with the fact that they will spend the rest of their days irrelevant behind bars waiting for their day to come. That's a long time to live with the shame of crime.
Note: Please read the link above from the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson. Very interesting.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Time Warner's Icahn Problem
In the Spring I posted a couple of stories regarding blowhard investor Carl Icahn and his target at the time (Blockbuster). The first dealt with Icahn being hung up on during a web conference for all the world to hear. The second dealt with heavy handed approach CEO John Antiocco was taking when dealing with Icahn. At the time "Uncle" Carl (as he likes to be known, very man of the people) was lodging a complaint that Blockbuster was not acting in the best interest of the shareholders. Icahn got what he wanted (board seats) and has rest assured made life miserable for Mr. Antiocco since he and his band merry investors ascended onto the board.
Now Icahn has moved on to a bigger target. None other than Time Warner (formerly AOL Time Warner, formerly Time Inc and Warner Brothers, formerly Turner Broadcasting and...well you get the picture). Icahn has put TW CEO Richard Parsons on notice: spin-off the entire cable division, increase the dividend and get rid of AOL or else...
The "or else" in that statement means that if Carl doesn't exact his pound of greenmail that he'll pull the same thing on TW that he pulled with Blockbuster. No doubt making Mr. Parsons life equally miserable as he did for Mr. Antiocco.
Icahn's M.0. is veiled in "unlocking shareholder value." But in essence what he does is take a big stake and then force companies to pay him off in the short term via dividends or buybacks. If he doesn't get what he wants he takes his fight public and drags the company in question out into a war.
The problem is Icahn's moves generally make company's worse off because they are forced to abandon long-term strategies or worse yet put them in a poor negotiating position (E.G., it'll be tough for Parsons and crew to negotiate a "fair" AOL deal if even I know that they are being pushed hard to sell it).
However, Mr. Parsons should not be underestimated. Underneath that sweet veneer is a man who knows how to negotiate and lead in times of peril. It is he who pared down TW's debt, unwound the difficult cable partnership with Comcast and sold the music business for a tidy profit. He can handle Icahn if the board backs him up. The question is of course, will they?
Hawk's View: This is a bit of a cage match but I like it to end in a draw with Icahn getting a nice fat check to go bother some other media company (are you paying attention Viacom?). Look for buybacks to go up and for AOL to get sold off (Microsoft is the one). However, don't expect Parsons to give in when it comes to spinning off the entire cable operation. Parsons knows that business is a long term strategic play and giving it all up now will not nearly bring them enough money for the leverage they will lose. Look for a portion of the cable business to be spun off by late Summer with TW still holding a majority position. And look for Icahn to be stalking some other company by then.
Now Icahn has moved on to a bigger target. None other than Time Warner (formerly AOL Time Warner, formerly Time Inc and Warner Brothers, formerly Turner Broadcasting and...well you get the picture). Icahn has put TW CEO Richard Parsons on notice: spin-off the entire cable division, increase the dividend and get rid of AOL or else...
The "or else" in that statement means that if Carl doesn't exact his pound of greenmail that he'll pull the same thing on TW that he pulled with Blockbuster. No doubt making Mr. Parsons life equally miserable as he did for Mr. Antiocco.
Icahn's M.0. is veiled in "unlocking shareholder value." But in essence what he does is take a big stake and then force companies to pay him off in the short term via dividends or buybacks. If he doesn't get what he wants he takes his fight public and drags the company in question out into a war.
The problem is Icahn's moves generally make company's worse off because they are forced to abandon long-term strategies or worse yet put them in a poor negotiating position (E.G., it'll be tough for Parsons and crew to negotiate a "fair" AOL deal if even I know that they are being pushed hard to sell it).
However, Mr. Parsons should not be underestimated. Underneath that sweet veneer is a man who knows how to negotiate and lead in times of peril. It is he who pared down TW's debt, unwound the difficult cable partnership with Comcast and sold the music business for a tidy profit. He can handle Icahn if the board backs him up. The question is of course, will they?
Hawk's View: This is a bit of a cage match but I like it to end in a draw with Icahn getting a nice fat check to go bother some other media company (are you paying attention Viacom?). Look for buybacks to go up and for AOL to get sold off (Microsoft is the one). However, don't expect Parsons to give in when it comes to spinning off the entire cable operation. Parsons knows that business is a long term strategic play and giving it all up now will not nearly bring them enough money for the leverage they will lose. Look for a portion of the cable business to be spun off by late Summer with TW still holding a majority position. And look for Icahn to be stalking some other company by then.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
We Don't Need a Fence
I can't believe a guy of my political leanings is writing this but, I'll take my chances.
Recently there has been a movement afoot to build a fence from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico along the US/Mexican border. The fence movement is spurned by many groups who are tired of the millions of people streaming over the border on a daily basis.
The idea comes from an experiment taking place in San Diego where an 18 mile fence was built. The results were positive. Illegal crossings were way down. As a result the idea blossomed to take the fence across the country (see above for diagram)
To be fair the "fence people" are not suggesting we close our border to people here to work. They have a "guest worker" program that would allow individuals to be here legally and enjoy the protection of being a citizen of the US. What they are trying to solve is those who do not work or those of a criminal element (drug dealers, arms smugglers, etc) and of the terrorist element. To be sure national security is the main drum they are banging.
They are right that the fence would make it easier for our border patrol and would be cheaper in the long run than adding more and more people to monitor the border.
But building a fence is not what we do in America. Yes we have an illegal immigrant issues here in the US but the fence won't stop it. The fence will make it harder and more dangerous but it will not stop the problem.
The problem is Mexico is an abomination in developing its economy. The thriving industrial areas are being overrun by corrupt officials and the rule of law is fading. Kidnappings on expats are up to an all time high and the country lost control of the Nuevo Laredo area earlier this year to rival drugs (see link info) http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/5/10/215352/497
A fence won't stop these problems.
Hawk's View: I'd rather see the US take the "fence money" and enact both an economic and anti-corruption plan for Mexico. Let's face it, without one you can't have the other (see Russia as an example that tries to have a free market sans rule of law). Yes, it sounds pie in the sky and the fence is the quickest way to get short term gains on the "war on illegals" but short term does not solve our problem. The bottom line is America is lucky with its geography. We have no neighbors to the east or west and our northern neighbor is the world's friendliest country. Yes we have a problem with our southern neighbor but a fence will only shield us from the greater issues going on. The best way to protect us is to make our neighbor stronger.
The Bastille is Being Stormed...Again
Most of you saw that France has been mired in a "Car Burning Extravaganza" over the past three weeks. The festivities, triggered by the accidental death of two youths hiding from police, has torn the country in two and brought to light decades of hidden racism among France and it's immigrant population.
France has prided itself as a place that is open to all (except Republicans) and has trumped for years a society of acceptance. However that has always been a (well hidden) facade. In reality, France has run a society that has segregated immigrants (specifically Muslim immigrants) and has created a permanent underclass of people. The uprising is really the modern day "proletariot" rising against the "bourgeois" demanding a better life.
France's government responded in the only fashion they know how: cowardly. First they denied the problem was anything but a "small group of thugs" then they ignored the reason for the issue alltogether. In their attempt to "fix" the problem France decided that tightening immigration and making it harder to be a citizen was the right way to solve this indignity.
Of course, they are wrong. The problem is the individuals who are rising up are doing so only because they seek to be treated equally. They want to be treated like all the other French citizens. They are upset that unemployment is double amongst their populace. They are upset that they cannot express themselves (EG, wearing headscarves as dictated by religious law). In short they want to be treated like humans not as cattle.
Finally, the world can see France for what it really is and always has been: a society of elitist.
Hawk's View: Tightening immigration does not solve the problem, because the problem is with people who are in France now and are LEGAL. Not only will this backfire, I don't think it will play well in the EU either. The first step toward solving this problem is to admit you have one and then make necessary steps. I'll even suggest what the first one would be: begin to break up the enormous ghettos that reside in and around Paris. Attempt to bring new French citizens into French society. Openness will always win over draconianism.
France has prided itself as a place that is open to all (except Republicans) and has trumped for years a society of acceptance. However that has always been a (well hidden) facade. In reality, France has run a society that has segregated immigrants (specifically Muslim immigrants) and has created a permanent underclass of people. The uprising is really the modern day "proletariot" rising against the "bourgeois" demanding a better life.
France's government responded in the only fashion they know how: cowardly. First they denied the problem was anything but a "small group of thugs" then they ignored the reason for the issue alltogether. In their attempt to "fix" the problem France decided that tightening immigration and making it harder to be a citizen was the right way to solve this indignity.
Of course, they are wrong. The problem is the individuals who are rising up are doing so only because they seek to be treated equally. They want to be treated like all the other French citizens. They are upset that unemployment is double amongst their populace. They are upset that they cannot express themselves (EG, wearing headscarves as dictated by religious law). In short they want to be treated like humans not as cattle.
Finally, the world can see France for what it really is and always has been: a society of elitist.
Hawk's View: Tightening immigration does not solve the problem, because the problem is with people who are in France now and are LEGAL. Not only will this backfire, I don't think it will play well in the EU either. The first step toward solving this problem is to admit you have one and then make necessary steps. I'll even suggest what the first one would be: begin to break up the enormous ghettos that reside in and around Paris. Attempt to bring new French citizens into French society. Openness will always win over draconianism.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
The Hawk's Plan for New Orleans
The newspapers and media have been dominated by Hurricane Katrina and all the horrible things that happened. From "Iron" Mike Brown's so-called FEMA leadership to Mayor Ray Nagin conveniently blaming everyone, save for himself, for all the issues that transpired.
As much fun as it would be to take potshots, I've decided to focus my time, energy and fleeting sleep schedule on what should happen next to New Orleans. I've listed five ideas (along with new city names) that I'm sure the feds will take into consideration (they read this blog you know). All plans for rebuilding the city call for - wait for it - building the city "above" sea level. What a novel idea. Even an Iowa State engineer can figure that one out.
Drumroll please...
1. Vene-Orleans - My favorite plan is to turn New Orleans into a sort of Venice American Style (not to be confused with the poor 70's TV show Love American Style). This idea is kind of cool and the good news is the New Orleans already has a lingering bad smell (similar to Venice). Instead of gondolas the city could use flat bottom airboats.
2. Las New Orleans - That's right, turn the place into Vegas south. They were already there anyway. New Orleans has a casino and the necessary corrupt government and mob ties. All they were missing was the right marketing campaign. How about "What Gets Projectile Vomited in New Orleans, Stays on Streets of New Orleans." OK, maybe something a tad more subtle but work with me here.
3. Dome Orleans - They are probably going to want to pick a different name but why not just dome the whole damn place? It can even be retractable for all three of the days of the year where it is not stifling hot and humid. Think of the construction contract! I still haven't figured out how to land planes in a dome but I'm working on it.
4. AtlantisOrleans - OK, I lied. Not EVERY plan for the city included building it above sea level, but work with me here. Why fight nature. It's underwater, let's work with it. Now's our chance to prove to the world man CAN build a city underwater. We already have a head start as 60% of the buildings are sumbmerged anyway. I'm sure Trump would be interested in getting a casino built. We could call it TrumpTank.
5. Baja Orleans - Let's face it, all we really need from New Olreans is the port, other than that we could probably do without the city. The folks who have been displaced will no doubt find better lives in better cities. Jazz music can move to Memphis and the only other reason to keep New Orleans (the Sugar Bowl) could be moved to Houston. We could give Mexico the city and they could run it and employ all those illegal immigrants in the bars, casinos and strip joints that litter the city. Plus Mexico could get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with regaining land you lost after getting slapped around a century ago. They get the city, we get paid in oil. What a deal.
Hawk's View: OK, more than likely I'm ahead of my time on my ideas but all kidding aside, New Orleans should be rebuilt (above ground) because that's what America does, it marches on. Look for a new, regentrified, city to be on the drawing board and look for America to embrace it and come back. Because there is nothing more that we love than a comeback story. Go New Orleans.
As much fun as it would be to take potshots, I've decided to focus my time, energy and fleeting sleep schedule on what should happen next to New Orleans. I've listed five ideas (along with new city names) that I'm sure the feds will take into consideration (they read this blog you know). All plans for rebuilding the city call for - wait for it - building the city "above" sea level. What a novel idea. Even an Iowa State engineer can figure that one out.
Drumroll please...
1. Vene-Orleans - My favorite plan is to turn New Orleans into a sort of Venice American Style (not to be confused with the poor 70's TV show Love American Style). This idea is kind of cool and the good news is the New Orleans already has a lingering bad smell (similar to Venice). Instead of gondolas the city could use flat bottom airboats.
2. Las New Orleans - That's right, turn the place into Vegas south. They were already there anyway. New Orleans has a casino and the necessary corrupt government and mob ties. All they were missing was the right marketing campaign. How about "What Gets Projectile Vomited in New Orleans, Stays on Streets of New Orleans." OK, maybe something a tad more subtle but work with me here.
3. Dome Orleans - They are probably going to want to pick a different name but why not just dome the whole damn place? It can even be retractable for all three of the days of the year where it is not stifling hot and humid. Think of the construction contract! I still haven't figured out how to land planes in a dome but I'm working on it.
4. AtlantisOrleans - OK, I lied. Not EVERY plan for the city included building it above sea level, but work with me here. Why fight nature. It's underwater, let's work with it. Now's our chance to prove to the world man CAN build a city underwater. We already have a head start as 60% of the buildings are sumbmerged anyway. I'm sure Trump would be interested in getting a casino built. We could call it TrumpTank.
5. Baja Orleans - Let's face it, all we really need from New Olreans is the port, other than that we could probably do without the city. The folks who have been displaced will no doubt find better lives in better cities. Jazz music can move to Memphis and the only other reason to keep New Orleans (the Sugar Bowl) could be moved to Houston. We could give Mexico the city and they could run it and employ all those illegal immigrants in the bars, casinos and strip joints that litter the city. Plus Mexico could get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with regaining land you lost after getting slapped around a century ago. They get the city, we get paid in oil. What a deal.
Hawk's View: OK, more than likely I'm ahead of my time on my ideas but all kidding aside, New Orleans should be rebuilt (above ground) because that's what America does, it marches on. Look for a new, regentrified, city to be on the drawing board and look for America to embrace it and come back. Because there is nothing more that we love than a comeback story. Go New Orleans.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Posting Update: Man United - The Yanks Go Marching In...
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...
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...
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