Dinner Party Politics

A few years ago at a dinner party the discussion turned to politics. I can't remember what triggered it, but I asked a longtime and dear friend if, left unregulated, he thought businesses will always do the right thing, whatever that means. With no hesitation he said, "Yes." This was before the banking meltdown. And, of course, the Gulf oil disaster was unimaginable then. Still is. But even without those two examples to use, a couple of us could tick off a laundry list of businesses and industries that knowingly or stupidly did great harm to the public, while trying to protect the value of their images and their stock value. He simply rejected that information, and stayed with his view that business will act in the interests of the general good with no regulation.

It wasn't until I read Jonah Lehrer's book, How We Decide, that I could understand that sort of very human, but tortured, reasoning.

Now, I have to turn my head away from the screen when newscasts show oily birds, dead fish and the incredible sadness on the faces of the people caught in this tragedy. And I think about the government regulations that didn't work in this instance. I think about all the money and lobbying devoted to keeping all regulations as loose as possible. And about how most regulatory bodies are filled with people from the very industries they are supposed to regulate.

The three-and-a-half of you who read this blog know how ridiculously optimistic I am. But on the issue of government regulations, I am pessimistic. Cynical. There will be reaction to the oil tragedy. There will be tightened regulations. But it won't take long. The regulators and the rules will be manipulated, and it will be business as usual again.

Recycled Olive Oil

My mother was born in Italy. She came to the U.S. and brought many old-world cooking tricks with her. When my brothers and I were little, she would rig a little grease trap to the back of each of our necks. As we'd sleep, the Italian olive oil she'd used that day in our food would run out of our hair down our necks and into the traps. She's drain the traps in the morning and use the oil again.

Always Need More

It's certainly true that all non-profit organizations must stay focused on development - on fund raising. Even so, it is painful to sit on the board of a non-profit that meets four to six times a year and have development people show up at every meeting and make a pitch for money. Every meeting! Really, is that necessary? At the meeting I attended today, board members were outnumbered by the organization's staff and related development people. Thankfully, the board president holds meetings to an hour. Today's meeting was devoted to 45 minutes of development and fund raising issues, and 15 minutes to the organization's mission and reason for even existing. Thanks. I just wanted to vent.

Two Sentences About President Obama

The problem with the president isn't that he's too liberal. It's that he isn't progressive enough.

Worth A Try

Aren’t we all frightened by the violent crime in our country? There are times when I spend days cowering in my condo, too afraid to wander out among the general public. Well, I have an idea that would drive down the murder and crime rate virtually to zero.

The idea is this. A law should be passed that allows all Americans one no-crime murder. That's right. We should de-criminalize a FIRST killing. “Wait,” you’re thinking, “The country would drown in murders.” Not true. In fact, the opposite would occur.

Under my law, murders would stop. We’d all save our one free murder for when we really, really, really need it. Most of us would probably never even use our freebie. Not only would this law reduce, even stop, violence. It would return us to a vastly more civil and polite society. Who would ever yell at a retail store clerk, when that clerk could take the same pen we sign our credit card receipt with and stab us in the throat?

What husband would refuse to go to a symphony concert just because basketball is on TV, knowing that his wife has access to the chainsaw in the basement?

What parent would ever ground a child for a minor infraction, when that child can burst into your bathroom and drop a plugged-in radio into the tub with you?

Sure, there are some details I need to work out. But, in general, I'm on to something here.

Marty and his Lonely Planet book

I travel often with my friend Marty Fritzhand. He says he's happiest in an airplane, and it's true. He's not interested in Rome, Paris and London, although he's been to Rome, Paris and London. He loves far more challenging travel. Not danger travel, but he has been in dangerous situations because of the places he visits. Even managed to get thrown in jail once or twice. I'd call him an adventure junkie.

Here's an example. We went to Burkina Faso in West Africa. We arrived in the capital, Ouagadougou, late at night armed with nothing but a Lonely Planet book. No reservations. No car waiting. Pure improvisational travel was our only plan. From a swarming mob of taxi drivers, we selected one to take us to a hotel listed in the book. He ran out of gas about one mile from the airport. We grabbed our packs and started walking in the dark. A sure sign you're in a third world country (now often called an "emerging nation") is no light, even in a capital city.

We walked. We found a hotel. We slept. Next day we got on a bus with the chickens and improvised our way to the massive open market at Gorom Gorom up near the Sahara. Adventure with Marty. That's how it goes.

Standing Ovations

Why do Americans jump to their feet with a standing O at every concert or performance? Thrilling performances. Pitiful performances. And all the stuff in between. They all get standing O's these days. Could it be that audiences are actually applauding themselves just for getting out of the house and showing up?