DEFENSE AS GROWTH INDUSTRY AND THE PENTAGON’S REVOLVING DOOR
When army Generals quit they are immediately getting head hunted by bomb making companies as well as being offered lucrative jobs at the Pentagon. It appears that whenever the words “security” “defense” “airport scanners and pat downs are here to stay” etc are used to scare us all in the news –they are also evidence of a booming growth industry of weapons manufacturing and consulting services.
No one seems to care about ‘conflict of interest’ when army Generals accept positions after the army in the booming ‘security and defense’ industry, such is their demand and skills.
General Gregory “Speedy” Martin‘s story is one that shows that this is the case, when he accepted two jobs at once. He’s a busy man. Read that here.
[Image via Getty Images]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.26.10~
EMPLOYMENT MUST BE THE MAIN FOCUS OF OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOR NEXT 2 YEARS?
This morning, after visiting Drai‘s the rooftop-hip Hollywood club of emerging gorgeous and disgruntled movers and shakers; after giving some blog blood to Maori people in New Zealand and their oft not-seen-enough awesomeness in the world to lead and entertain; after pondering the ridiculous and rather comical notion that we have ‘billionaires, or royals, or leaders or powerful politicians or celebrities’ when 1/6th of us in the world don’t even have access to clean drinking water–I then tuned in to read Ari Huffington‘s words this morning. I like her focus for 2011. So Frank. Her New York tone was resonating loud and clear here in Cali:
“This week the supposedly lame duck Congress and shellac-shocked president came together and produced a flurry of good legislation.”
“The START Treaty should have been a no-brainer (is there anyone outside of Tehran or Pyongyang in favor of more nukes?) but is nonetheless a solid national security success.”
“When the President gets back from Hawaii, he needs to make sure that he puts job creation and the plight of the nearly 27 million Americans out of work or underemployed front and center, and doesn’t get caught up in the political and financial establishment’s focus on the deficit.
Let’s not rearrange the furniture while the economic house goes up in flames.”
Very to the point.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.26.10~
NEW ZEALAND’S ECONOMY EXPECTED TO PICK UP IN JUNE 2011, DAIRY EXPORTS A POTENTIAL GROWTH AREA
To find out more about this headline, Bloomberg news has this good report about the New Zealand economy.
New Zealand dairy cows are the big stars of the Kiwi economy at this minute, rebounding from drought earlier on in the year. The New Zealand people recovering from earthquake situations also proved very resilient although the housing market was possibly effected by the unexpected quake that hit this paradise nation on September 4th.
The big indicator for leadership in New Zealand appears to be that there is much work needed to strategically occur in growing export markets –as results highlighted from the report show. 30% of New Zealand’s economy is export markets dependent.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.21.10~
QUALITY BUTTER: WASHINGTON’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS DIPLOMATS LIKE PHIL GOFF OF NEW ZEALAND, THEY CALL HIM “HARD-CHARGING”
[Phill Goff is pictured here with Auckland Central political candidate Jacinda Arden]
Guess what? The best cupcakes in the world are made with golden creamy, New Zealand butter.
Better Butter Movement News: Wikileaks documents reveal that America’s top foreign affairs diplomats like New Zealander Phil Goff and his brand and style of political leadership. The leaked cables handed to The Sunday Star Times reveal these views from America about Mr Goff, the leader of the Labor Party of New Zealand:
Mr Goff has military like precision when parachute jumping:
The cable talked of Phil Goff doing a parachute jump from a military plane. As the American report goes, Mr Goff logically debated for the jump over water option because it required less training. The US also liked the way he argued the amount of training down to two hours, proving he is a good time manager and negotiator–while not valuing his own sense of importance over tasks at hand.
Goff is “very focused on the job at hand,” American diplomats found via the wikileaks docs being shared with the world. “This sums up his working style in a nutshell.”
In other Kiwi-American trade deals news: Wikileaks reveals (via silobreaker) that a trading partnership between the US and New Zealand may not be as “El Dorado” lucrative or worth “billions and billions to New Zealand’s commercial sector” as some political leaders have claimed in the past in more recent New Zealand media, that may have given a perception of too high expectations– than these wikileaks US diplomatic communications reveal. 
SOME HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT STUFF, POLITICS, ECONOMIC NEWS – FRI 12.17.10
Garrett Hedlund would rather be fat than skinny.
Disney’s Tron: Legacy opens big. IMAX.
Employment Rate On The Rise In Most States
Demi Lovato is a junior Katy Perry?
Why Americans became disillusioned with the war.
University of Maryland say Fox Network viewers know nada about politics.
Strassel on Republican spending.
Amber Rose & Amar‘e Studemire know each other?
Paul Krugman: Wall Street Whitewash
Interview‘s list of Young Hollywood faces 2010.
North Korea Warns South To Stop Drills
Tony Romo & Candice Crawford are engaged.
Madonna says she needs music to sweat to. New album? Yes.
Parenthood casts John Corbett in a cameo role.
Tori Spelling drinks at Mr. Chows Beverly Hills.
Nigeria Drops Charges Against Cheney, Halliburton
Was there any emotion over Scarlett Johansson‘s split with Ryan Reynolds? Possibly.
Opinion: The 111th Congress’s Final Insult
Fox audiences weren’t wild for Colin Hanks.
Film: The Revolution Is Being Shot on Digital Video
Kevin Smith talks Clerks & Silent Bob sequels.
Afghanistan Red Cross sees grim outlook for civilians
Baby Junia Rosa Ruth joins Zach Hanson and Kate Hanson‘s family.
Man gets 7 years for defacing Jewish cemetery
The Jackson children have renovated their dad’s ranch.
Don’t ask, don’t tell goes to a Saturday vote in the Senate.
Richard C. Holbrooke’s last mission
Fifty Cent loans his mug to a music-copyright lawsuit awareness moment.
A judge awards Mel Gibson more parental time with daughter Lucia.
Madoff’s Victims Recover $7.2B In Settlement
Gwenneth Paltrow may join Adam Shankman‘s Rock of Ages musical film.
Rihanna‘s dating status is talked about.
Chloe Sevigny hearts method actor’s therapy.
Sharon Osbourne calls Cheryl Cole Bambi.
Jerry Seinfeld will do one show at UK’s O2 Arena.
Humor: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie rumors: a Rajasthan wedding? Yoga has saved them from arguing/ vodka. Lol!
Will & Kate‘s wedding: Will the Obama‘s be invited? If so, will they accept?
Bobbi Kristina does her own press.
Santo funeral opens door for Wood’s return
Hot dogs & ice cream are Kim Kardashian‘s NYC weakness.
Kathy Griffin loves being skinny and dissing Taylor Swift.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.17.10~
KIWIS ARE NOT PIIGS WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL DEBT
According to Fran O’Sullivan, New Zealand thinks they are not P.I.I.G.S when it comes to national debt. The nation announced yesterday that $12 billion debt is what it is expecting to delve into real soon.
It’s justification on a global stage is that it is not like Portugal, Ireland, Iceland, Greece and Spain whose debt is so great current generations can’t even repay interest on their national debt, reports Fran.
Apparently according to Fran, the US and UK are following PIIGS nations wake, if not careful. Who knew? Pays to read the foreign press then. Always.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.14.10~
A UK CROWN IS A VISUAL ICON APPEARING IN HOLLYWOOD
As you know, if you read this blog I live in the Russian-Jewish District called Little Russia in West Hollywood, California.
I can’t help but notice how all through West Hollywood the Crown as a symbol is appearing in store front windows. West Hollywood is known for its love of plastic Princess crowns imagery–but this Crown is distinctly a King’s crowd. It is solid and a symbol of hope and just rule. Interesting too is the fact that the crown symbols being displayed are majestically painted, like art of Leonardo da Vinci’s era or something groovy like that. They’re a study. The return of majesty is what people want in a shite economy. An interesting expression of desire.
What do I get from this shift in consciousness in West Hollywood window store front windows? Perhaps it signifies that–
Already the American people await in anticipation the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Their retail hopes all hinge on her and the special ring she’s wearing of an amazing woman America once loved so much.
I know that these are U.K crowns, because one of them has an inscription written in Gaelic of Scotland in glitter paint. I don’t know why, but perhaps because my Kiwi ancestors descend from Grahamstown of Scotland, the image made me shed a tear of joy. Weird.
I’ll try and get a photo of this for you at some point. America is being so warm towards the UK right now, gauging from these artistic expressions in the West Hollywood hood, a trend setting capitol of the US in terms of what’s hot and what’s not-that feeds into Hollywood’s studios’ elite and is emulated by all in the world. In terms of creative IP being used without return or reward shared back by others, West Hollywood is perhaps one of the most exploited cities in the world for IP theft–however, the city continues to lead with what they feel is more fun for the world. No other deep reason (sadly) just more fun. And what’s wrong that? A crown as a symbol of fun times ahead. I can go with that!
“Crowns are US 2011″ is the message increasingly being expressed by the American people.
Kate Middelton has just made Barbara Walters final list of The Ten Most Fascinating People of America for 2010. This image courtesy of Rocco Pop Revolution. We are on the verge of a cultural revolution where the UK and the USA forge tighter bonds and better blending of cultures.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.30.10~
TRENDS ANALYSIS AND BING.COM’S TOP TEN TRENDING TOPICS 2010 – THE YEAR OF KIM KARDASHIAN
Kim Kardashian is loved by Microsoft as she really thinks like a Buffet or a Gates when it comes to making money and being an entrepreneur with IT. She is Bing.Com’s no. 1 trending topic because she chose to make FAMILY, the eclectic American star her own star served. For that decision, I personally admire this girl. She created a kingdom for her family and shares the leadership role with her fellow family stars. So smart.
As Kardashian revealed recently for W Magazine‘s special issue on the rise of Reality TV stars, Kim will strip naked to protect her kingdom. A touch of irony perhaps as in real life, Kardashian is a fashion clothing merchant. A paradox.
As a star brand she is on track to be America’s most trusted contender of a TV Talk Show Queen in the mode of Oprah Winfrey of the 2020′s as years to come of detoxification from America’s role cast as warlords of Western democracy and our Peace Keepers of The World will most probably require Kim to play this role in the “reflecting years.”
She is also on track to be a billionaire in her own right, through her collaboration with L.A power lawyer Robert Shapiro and their shoedazzle online marketing style supply company co-venture. If ever their company goes public Kardashian will be a billionaire overnight. Watch that space. She is California and America today–behind the transparent veil appearance of an ‘over-exposed?’ reality TV star.
She’s smarter than she is beautiful –a lethal witty combo. As a young American–her star template is one that can be emulated to grow the American economy. This girl does every day. Her heart is almost always in the right place for others–yet she’s single, a beauty queen too bright to make most men relax in her company. This only makes her more endearing to her audiences, somehow.
Bing.Com’s top ten TRENDing topics can be read as follows:
1. America’s A-Listed, accepted Middle Eastern (Armenian-American) face in war time–while soldiers are all paid to kill ‘the Arab men who are dangerous extreme terrorists.’ She is the unveiled face and the ‘Arabian looking’ healing tonic to a nation’s conscience, all unfortunately paying for an intense war engagement in Afghanistan, post Iraq. To obsess on Kim Kardashian is to take your mind off the Afghanistan war. She is the life-threatened soldiers no.1 pin up girl, of our times.
2. A woman wins an Oscar for a film about combatting racism in sport and community to believe in family and a kid’s dream, then in real life her husband mimics a Tiger Woods (poor man’s) harem show roll out (the tattooed version) and the shocking scandal ends in divorce while the newly single-mother adopts a New Orleans orphan as she’d always planned to.
3. America’s most respected golfer and most loved American by Asian nations outside of the US, in the year of China’s white metal tiger–unleashes a pussy wagon harem scandal, while being married to a gorgeous Swede twin, mother of his two children–who once was a Nanny, like Princess Diana was. Unwittingly the golfer becomes the perfect hate target diversion of the ‘disgusted and amused’ American people, while a new President successfully champions a dramatically increased war budget (80% increase on previous budget) through The House and The Senate in DC. His year of scandal was quite a story!
RIHANNA STUDIES, THE ART OF CELEBRITY AS SOCIOLOGY AND A GQ BRITANNIA MAGAZINE COVER, DECEMBER 2010
I saw that The University of Carolina is offering a Major in Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame. Pop music as a vehicle of leadership in nationhood’s direction is what kids want to study. Really a University should be offering science and advanced mathematics or physics papers in the US in an effort to close the gap on Education being an equipping tool towards being viable competitors in the future direction of a global economy.
If sociology is a lure to get kids into college to see what it’s all about, all good–perhaps they should be offering a 2 hour lecture in Rihanna Studies instead though. Kids would learn just as much, although Rihanna is not technically an American citizen. Although shaping American culture so much as an artist, rather humorously, her visa status is still that of an alien. She is the USA’s Alien Queen of the 2010′s.
In 2008, Rihanna was ranked in the top four on google New Zealand trends for the year. Her live performances in Auckland The Supercity were well appreciated from fans. A then relatively unknown American leader (to the-wider-world), Barack Obama, also made the top ten in this innovative and perceptive trend-spotting small nation. At this time, New Zealand’s current Prime Minister, was not yet ranked in the top ten (Sir Edmund Hillary was instead, at no. 7) yet Rihanna and Mr Obama were on New Zealand’s cultural radar of people they like.
As a comparison, Australia ranked Paris Hilton and Anna Nicole Smith in their top ten and Mr Obama was not yet on the radar in Australia’s mindsets at all that same year in a significant way. Rihanna however (was ranked no.9 in Australia that year as a trend) denoting that she is a key figure and entertainer to the South Pacific and Asia Pacific territories. She was the only person of color in Australia’s top ten that year to ‘cross-over’ as an accepted trend, whereas New Zealand had 3 people of color trend that same year. It is fair to say, that as a star, leader and a cultural-architect artist of a modern world–that Rihanna is always a forerunner of the world’s elite leaders. This is her destiny as a person. Let’s look at what she’s gifted the American people, so far.
What would GQ be, without its Rihanna magazine covers in the US or Britannia? You need at least one Rihanna moment as your cover girl each year to be a successful men’s magazine. This girl is both pretty, tough and resilient in making a comeback when beaten down. She can also make a fashion accessory super hot–that all stars emulate and fashion designers incorporate into their styles of design. She’s the edge of trendsetting when she feels like playing the diva role.
She also gave America a powerful image of someone who recovered from post traumatic stress disorder of something unexpected that can hit a life in America, requiring a major rebuilding effort. Her Chris Brown domestic violence saga of the past catapulted Rihanna into superstar status. Resilience was added to her star exotic brand in that tragic moment of callous American mistreatment by young Chris towards a foreigner living and working in Los Angeles. That media moment was bloody awful. Thankfully Chris Brown has moved on from the incident too now, maturing from it also.
There has never been anyone who lived in Hollywood Hills, quite like Rihanna who has contributed to American culture in difficult years, offering hope or distraction or attitude or just good fun. She’s quite unique. Via Barbados and the Commonwealth, along with Beyonce she is the All American Girl inspirer of the last decade. Next year, I wonder if actor/ singer/ fashion sequer and stylist, Kat Graham, a newbie who is currently sporting top hats of British gentry of the UK, will get to land on GQ too?
In the meantime, here’s the hardworking Riri, amusing Britain with those looks. In the last 11 months, she’s just not stopped working. Respec. In fact Rihanna’s music accomplishments are second to none in America–she’s pop royalty and the Commonwealth’s black queen of pop. In 2008 when Rihanna performed live for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, she wore earrings reflecting the shape of the late Princess Diana‘s engagement ring, the same ring now being worn by Kate Middleton. With her symbology that constitutes pop star monarchy’s iconography, that millions of people worldwide follow–as symbols of empire that they think define them, Rihanna is always smart. Equally subtle as confrontation, a rare mix. Rihanna is a little naughty, she’s the only music artist to give the Queen a diva snear at the end of her performance, before she curtsied–an expression the Queen would never allow herself to do in public, even if she wanted to. The moment from Rihanna is cute.
Hitfix reports that Riri (who this blog is sorta named after too), is the no.1 charting artist of the millennium. The music website writes: “Only Girl In the World jumps to No. 1 this week, giving Rihanna her second single from Loud to hit the top spot. Two weeks ago, What’s My Name featuring Drake was at No. 1. Loud debuts at No. 3 this week on the Billboard 200.
Riri makes history. It is the first time (more…)
US MEDIA ASK IS THERE LOST TRUST IN THE USA OVER WASHINGTON-WIKI LEAKS SCANDAL?
Whose bad? Julian Assange apparently is so bad.–image via AP
The question on the table today via the Global Media is: has the world lost trust over the USA’s Washington-Wikileaks scandal that reads like a tabloid of US gossip concerning major world leaders – or was the trust lost already by the George W. Bush‘s reign of US politics, war mismanagement and the over-eager depletion of the US economy? A few leaked docs/ cable transcripts – are hardly going to tarnish America’s trust record.
The asset-bubble spill over effects that global leaders in the world rightly say America is responsible for contributing into the global economy with a draw down of $600 billion–is this the cause of lost trust for the USA that the media are referring to? That shocking information was announced, straight up – straight to cam, not leaked. And now, a future for the world, facing North Korea and Iran’s nuclear missile’s management concerns–can the world still trust America to lead? Of course we can–even after we know how America really feels about the world. Why does that change anything?
And although Afghanistan is not the focus right now and unexpectedly honest confessions are, in the form of leaked security documents–isn’t the North Korea/ Iran issue more prevalent, then ‘who let the cat out of the bag with US diplomatic relations?’ With a view not to judge, in a group of people, such descriptions are kinda normal. Why the big fuss?
Anyway, here’s what news outlets are reporting today as I observe from Hollywood.
U.S Natonal security has been “severely damaged.” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says: “We’re at war … [and] the world is getting more dangerous by the day”–reports CBC Canada
“Shocked. Shocked. Shocked” is what Judith Miller says the US is after reading Russia’s Vladimir Putin being described as an “Alpha Dog” (more…)
PALM TREE WISDOM, COCOANUT GROVE, OSCARS HISTORY 1930′s FOR G20 ECONOMIES WORLD LEADERS
In Oscars Hollywood history, the Cocoanut Grove was the venue celebrating Americans much loved art form of Hollywood’s cinema’s best awards for excellence.
From this image we see a Palm Tree as a symbol of Peace. Whether a palm is found in California, throughout The South Pacific, in Israel or Iran provides a message for us all to ponder as a symbol.
A palm tree grows peacefully in earth’s soil, irrespective of how people draw up maps of territory. Its a very humble tree. It just grows. Its leaves offer shade in extreme heat conditions for people and camels alike. It always signifies that water is found nearby, water being a symbol of life that all growing things need to live. A palm tree’s fruit is eaten by people of Californian, people in Iran or Israel alike. A palm tree does not discriminate. It looks after people equally.
May leaders of the world (G20 Economies Summit leaders included) all have a movie date with Peace, in their hearts concerning the future direction of the world and showing mercy to others, not all that different from ourselves.
This is California’s story in the City of Angels. We are peace messengers in The City of Angels–just like a palm tree is. May the art of peace be the most glorified American art of all and bring forth its fruit in due season.
I think an emphasis on water systems watering people who don’t have it in the world with clean drinking water, would be an intelligent thing of G20 leaders to obsess on at this point in World History. With the existing wealth all G-20 Summit leaders nations have, let’s leak some water these nations way who are without.
That’s smart leadership. Instead of just “World Economy, War Economy,” as buzz words, let’s think “Water Economy” too for all people in the world. A war on lack for the least in the world is what’s needed. That’s true power, to think that way and shows respect for basic human rights in the world.
[Image - courtesy of Vanity Fair]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.28.10~
$3.5 MILLION HAS BEEN RAISED VIA THE PIKE RIVER RELIEF FUND TRUST THAT WILL BE AUSTRALIA MANAGED
A quote via Tony Kokshoorn, Mayor of Greymouth, where 29 New Zealand, South African, Scottish and one American born miner lost their lives in coal mine blasts that devastated a nation with this coal mining tragedy. The quotes are:
“It can only be described as humbling. There have been some special messages accompanying the donations, which have been made available for the families’ viewing,” Mr Kokshoorn said.
Tony was referring to the $3.5 million donations that have been given via businesses and personal donations to The Pike River Relief Fund for: “the trust that would give financial support to those who suffer financial hardship as a direct result of the tragedy, and the nature of this support would become more apparent as time progresses.”
Ironically, The National Bank (an Australian owned bank that’s the largest banking system in New Zealand, that also services parts of India) is not manning the trust. Instead Westpac Bank is, a bank that is also Australian owned. In fact all of New Zealand’s banking services, bar Kiwibank Ltd are Australian owned–Australian banks charging interest and bank services fees on all aspects of New Zealander’s productivity. It’s strange thinking we have Australian wasps (banks) mining a portion of most Kiwi’s labor and honey. That’s a daily form of very heavy Australian tax being imposed on Kiwis–with very little questioning into that fact. Yet in New Zealand, we do have this system in place. Confidence in one’s own money management is needed perhaps? Or do we just not care? :)
I like Julia Gillard, Australia’s new Prime Minister elect. She’s quite a doll, stemming from good Welsh coal mining people–but New Zealand is not Australia’s paradise green PR Shop. Aotearoa-New Zealand has much deeper roots than this. Yet the appearance of a few things in New Zealand, belies this fact. This trust management being but one example of what I mean, where power (in the form of relief) seems to be directed to flow from.
Perhaps Kiwibank should be managing this fund though–that seems the right Kiwi thing to do for Kiwi families in Kiwi community. Now there’s a new thought. Especially after all of that “New Zealand is Independent” entertainment news that was heard around the world recently. Just saying!
Good stuff though. Compassion in grief-time is the way forward, not only for Greymouth and these families but The World at this time. Love this story.
Irish Central also pays tribute to the miners’ families with news coverage of U2′s live tribute in concert to the lost miners, while performing in Auckland City, over the weekend. Go here to read some Irish News if you like.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.28.10~
RANDOM HOUSE ANNOUNCES THAT DECISION POINTS, GEORGE W. BUSH’S MEMOIRS BOOK HAS SOLD 1.1 MILLION COPIES
There are no perfect people, or perfect leaders. We all learn through living, through loss, through experience.
I’ve always maintained that after the George W. Bush presidency, that no one really understood (including George for much of that), in terms of its effect on the economy– everyone in America should really be given a copy of this book where George W. reflects on what he could have done better. That’s if they wanted it, as a debrief –to his politics.
However, here in America, one’s therapy, you have to pay for. It is a capitalist nation after all. Today there’s some good news for George W. Bush ‘author.’
NEW YORK (AP) — George W. Bush‘s memoirs book, Decision Points has sold more than 1.1 million copies. It was released Nov. 9 and 135,000 copies were sold as e-books.
Bill Clinton‘s My Life and two President Obama books, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father, have also sold at least a million copies.
Because many people are grieving right now the loss of so many things and I’m from a nation that’s in national mourning right now over 29 lost coal miners lives in New Zealand, here’s also Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi‘s compelling and inspiring book The Time of My Life–that deals with grief and the grief process to offer hope along with George W’s book.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.24.10~
PEROSHKY LUNCHES, LITTLE RUSSIA, WEST HOLLYWOOD, LATE NOVEMBER 2010
The sound of the bread slicer vibrates as I wait in line at the local Russian bakery in Little Russia, West Hollywood on Santa Monica & N Orange Grove. It’s a bakery that has served holocaust survivors that still have the original concentration camp ink, numbered on their forearms above their wrists; and their children and grandchildren for many years now.
A 70 year-old man and his son, work the machine. Two family members, putting whole loaves of wheat bread into a machine to feed their community. Daily they do this. A lady argues in Russian with Saskia at the til. With her black nail polish and Miley Cyrus Pocahontas braids, Saskia looks bored with the haggling. She’s still courteous.
Without a word she points to the peroshky and gives me the “okay” sign. I hold up my wallet indicating, “How much?” She holds up two fingers in a peace sign. I nod.
While being haggled, Saskia writes on a white paper bag with a black sharpie and puts the peroshky in it. I slip her two bucks in the exchange. The older Russian lady, with immaculate blonde hair keeps haggling over the bag of raw pastry she wants to buy. Poor Saskia. You’d think she’d be used to it by now, but she never is.
Exiting the bakery, I almost knock a kid over with my clumsy hobbit feet. He’s 22. “So sorry,” I mutter apologetically.
“It’s okay. I’ve just arrived from Canada. It’s minus seven degrees there, so I can’t complain today,” the kid blurts out excusing me. I look at this kid and smile.
There’s always a brighter perspective, no matter which way you look at the world. “Give this bakery a try. It’s good. Saskia will look after you,” I tell the Canouk kid offering a sense of basic orientation to the hood of Little Russia. “Alright, thanks. I will,” he says smiling, light coming into his pale blue eyes. His experiences in Canada were not all that kind, I see. How can blue eyes have no light? It’s a Hollywood cinematic impossibility, yet these one’s barely have any. They’ve been stripped of light. Suppressing my anger, I smile and look at the positive.
I think the kid will like this bakery a lot. And so Saskia’s family’s peroshky pastries continue in Little Russia, West Hollywood. All peroshky are made by hand each day and sold–one peroshky at a time–irrespective of what the economy, politicians, hedge fund investors, the stock market and bankers are all claiming to be doing.
There’s a lesson in Saskia’s family’s peroshky. Although they never claim to be healthy, they’re honest, consistent, trustworthy and beauties in my American neighborhood community. I kinda like that.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.23.10~
ARE JANUS CAPITAL AND WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT INVOLVED IN INSIDER TRADING?
This via finance tech: “BOSTON – Janus Capital Group said it received an inquiry from regulators probing insider trading, and Wellington Management Co was reported to have received a similar information request, as the two mutual fund firms were tied to a growing federal investigation.
The probes are part of what is said to be the broadest review to date by U.S. officials into possible insider dealing on Wall Street. On Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation searched the offices of three hedge funds.”
SAC Capitol Advisors–the hedge fund run by Stephen Cohen is also being looked at in a 3 year investigation of these companies. The SAC story can be read here at Wall Street Journal.
Go here to read more on Wellington and Janus.
For all of you who don’t give a toss about sketchy greedy-gutted, Wall Street, suit-wearing sharks or their accusers of sketchiness either – here’s some vintage Janis Joplin music from 1969 instead for your entertainment. [Keep watching for the advertisements that follow, they're priceless].
It’s a trait of American economic history, that when a huge draw-down has occurred by the American government via The Feds (George W‘s last days in office) and the recent $600 billion draw down, that someone else gets targeted for a very public lynching by the Feds. And corporations get probed too. Last time it was Bernie Madoff and AIG. This time, Stephen Cohen and Wellington and Janus will provide that public profile. Just saying.
Keep smiling. It does get better. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.23.10~
WARREN BUFFET ON THE RICH ARE GETTER RICHER
I am all for the rich getting richer as long as the middle classes and the poor can get rich too. This is not necessarily the case in America as the rich are still seen to be getting richer-without giving a flying toss about developing the other good folks of America along with them. Children take. Adults give and develop others. Period.
Anyway, here’s billionaire Warren Buffet on the matter:
“I think that people at the high end, people like myself, should be paying a lot more in taxes. We have it better than we’ve ever had it,” Buffet told ABC’s Christiane Amanpour in a clip played on “This Week” on Sunday.
As Amanpour highlighted critics’ claims that the wealthy elite of America demand that they need tax cuts to spur business and unleash ‘capitalism’ to work for them, Buffett’s reply to these claims is: “The rich are always going to say that, you know, ‘Just give us more money, and we’ll go out and spend more, and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you.’ But that has not worked the last 10 years, and I hope the American public is catching on.”
Dear Warren… we have all caught on. We all know what a WASP is.
The word WASP means just that; a few drill down into the honey of others hard work or something that belongs to the majority, that’s how a WASP stays rich. In fact the word “celebrity” or “leader” in today’s age, more often than not means, a WASPY type of person doing a money wrangle.
Fame, profile, tax breaks etc–are all excuses people make to collect money from the masses. It’s a system that cannot be supported long term. But a WASP doesn’t care. A WASP lives for themselves.
Anyone who makes money ‘without actually making anything’, and still wants tax breaks to do this, is harming the system. There’s people who cream off the top and people who actually make the milk. Cream skimmers are often criminal, putting pressure on governments to give them legality for being greedy.
But, I’m glad that Warren said it honestly, his way. Then no one whose rich can hate someone like me for expressing the sentiment on a Hollywood blog too. Thanks Warren.
Mr Buffet gets awarded the Medal of Freedom soon.
[News source: Huffington Post]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.21.10~
LITMUS TEST WEST HOLLYWOOD ECONOMY AND LOCAL BUSINESSES NEEDING A MORALE BOOST – 11.19.10
“Attitude is like a flower–when it blooms, the garden grows”
Today I ventured out into the local shopping center of the 90046 shopping district. I wanted to get a copy of a one-paged letter copied.
Armed with a dollar bill, I had to ask 20 stores, all with copiers, before one said yes.
ECONOMIC COMMENTARY – MEDAL OF FREEDOM WINNER, WARREN BUFFET’S OP-ED COLUMN GETS A REVIEW
[Warren Buffet with his ukelele]
Warren Buffet, the man we all respect and like because he’s into recycling waste to make a buck and his economic knowledge is believed to be sound –most days, here in America. He is known as “The Oracle of Omaha” for his biz investment wisdom. As CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Mr Buffet believes “the U.S. government took the correct actions in September 2008 to avoid a cataclysmic financial collapse stating, “you go back to September of 2008, we faced a financial crisis like we’ve never faced, even including the Great Depression in terms of what was likely to happen within a month if action wasn’t taken.”
“So that was very, very, very real, and people did the right thing at that time, in my view, to head off something that would have caused us to go off the cliff,” he said to Christiane Amanpour in an interview to air Sunday 28th November.
Anyway, Mr Buffet is set to be awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Obama. It is the highest award a civilian can receive in America. Mr Buffet has just written a column for the New York Times, Op-Ed section.
One columnist has given his words an indepth review. Here’s the words of Raymond J. Learsey as Guest Commentary on Horiwood.Com today:
“The Financial Crisis is replete with ironies. Today the readers of the New York Times were regaled with Warren Buffett’s Op-ed (“Pretty Good For Government Work”) expressing his admiration and appreciation for the great good work performed by our government (or Mr. Buffett’s more down home sobriquet, our “Uncle Sam”) in rallying to Wall Street’s rescue. Woe to the nation, infers Mr. Buffett, had these gallant warriors, the likes of Ben Bernanke, Hank Paulson, Tim Geithner and Sheila Bair not acted decisively to bail out the nation. And had they not acted, “300 million Americans were in the domino line as well.”
BRITAIN PREPS FOR AN ECONOMIC BOOST FOR MARCH
Prince William and Kate Middleton are anticipated to marry in March 2011. They will marry at Westminster Abbey where the British Monarchy have had coronations take place since 1055 AD. 17 Monarchs have also been laid to rest there. It’s about as historic and significant as you can get for a royal wedding day.
However, the UK is quite excited about the anticipated 620 million influx into the economy as a result of royal souvenirs being manufactured and sold worldwide, to commemorate this momentous occasion.
It’s going to be a big day.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.17.10~
COWGIRL FEMINISM – JESSICA SIMPSON DOESN’T WANT A PRENUP WITH ERIC JOHNSON
Jessica Simpson News: With news today in the USA, consuming everyone that Jessica Simpson is engaged to ex NFL Footballer Eric Johnson and does NOT want to sign a prenup of her $100 million fortune, this seems to be upsetting everyone. Always a humorist, if you’ve followed Jessica’s career? at all, these are my thoughts on the matter.
1. It’s her money. Who cares? She can do what she wants with it.
2. As an ‘artist’ whose always stood for romance, she asks key questions in the form of this ‘gossip tid bit’ of: what is Love? Is it not always a risk? Isn’t love more important than money? Hilarious and yet so true.
She has a point for her generation, because due to the economy being low, no one’s getting married or having babies here in the US (stats prove these rates are low). The psychological thought ruling America is monetary gain, instead of love or courage in a strong American future to raise kids– predominating, so I like the way Simpson is rolling on this one, to challenge the grinch that has America’s wedding fingers barren and wombs locked up right now, over a stupid “-$” symbol. She’s a bit of a grinch slayer, like a female-David shepherd girl, slaying an invisible giant of debt and fear, strangling America’s emerging generation. She’s armed with a wedding ring rock, and a no-prenup sling. She’s hilarious!
3. Simpson adds value to her star brand, by alluding she’s not about bucks.
4. She shows ‘independence’ from her manager dad, whose not forcing strongly persuading her to sign a prenup.
5. She gives her man, Eric Johnson the max opportunity, to either a) know she loves him more than money and b) lift his game pronto and earn as much as she does.
Good Texan cowgirl wisdom. Let’s see if this spicy taco-loving, singing comedian, skips down the aisle after this couple’s most talked about American engagement of the year.
On a sidenote – Who thought that Jessica is worth as much as Elin Nordegrand post the Tiger Woods divorce, when Jess has never been near a golf iron. She’s surprising. Her new album about ‘love’ is out soon. No matter which way you look at Jessica Simpson, she’s doing modern ‘cowgirl feminism’ for wont of a better term. When girls of today, think being tough or cool, is having ‘total control’ of everything, Jess is doing the opposite. She says, I know a better way than that.
Love gives. Lust controls. She’s Radical.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.15.10~
CHASE CAREY ON MYSPACE WOULD MAKE A GREAT ADVISOR TO SUPPORT US TREASURY
An interesting quote from Chase Carey, President of News Corp when discussing succinctly how MySpace can lift its game, is relevant for US Treasury right now.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.14.10~
MEET TIM GROSER – A SCOTS BORN, KIWI WORLD TRADE GURU
Tim Groser is a man regarded as one of the world’s experts in trade negotiations. He is a Kiwi and is Scottish born.
Here’s what the New Zealand government’s website has to say of Tim:
“Tim was born in Perth, Scotland. He arrived in New Zealand in 1958. Victoria University was his college where he obtained first class honors. Being a policy adviser in a number of key Departments including Treasury, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Prime Minister’s Advisory Group was where Tim cut his teeth in the political arena.
A stint as New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator in the GATT Uruguay Round: the Round that brought agriculture into the system of world trade rules for the first time and conferred substantial benefits on the NZ economy is one of the benchmarks of Tim’s career.
Tim is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on international trade, and until recently was New Zealand’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Chair of Agricultural Negotiations for the WTO.
SOME KIWI TRADING NEWS VIA USA – 11.14.10
On USA & New Zealand trading together better: “Following talks in Japan, John Key says Barack Obama’s given a strong commitment to a free trade agreement between USA and New Zealand.”–11.14.10, Newstalk ZB.
My thoughts are, if good New Zealand butter can hit America, President Obama did his country folk a big favor.The “good butter situation” here in America, is like famine status, I kid you not.
LATINO HUMOR AS A SIGN OF OUR TIMES
Lol! “All violators will be turned into Salsa”… So California.
If we’re to keep relevant, this parking sign is too funny.
[Image via E.M]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.8.10~
December 8, 2010 | Categories: America, California, Economy, Employment, Humor, Jobs, Latina, Latino | Tags: America, California, Economic Growth Opportunities, Economy, Employment, Hispanic-American Teen Bullying, Hispanic-American Teenagers, Hispanic-Americans, Humor, Jobs, Latina, Latino, Pop Culture Commentary, Signs of the Times, What's cooking in your kitchen for the World? | Leave A Comment »