Royal Caribbean Poop Cruise Shivers the Industry’s Timbers

My four o’clock appointment on Wednesday was with Richard Branleur Couilles-Baiser, formerly of Montreal, Quebec, but today the chief industry lobbyist for the International Alliance of Holiday Cruise Ship Associations, a trade organization headquartered here in Washington DC.  He strode smartly into my office, tossed his briefcase on the coffee table and perched jauntily on… Continue reading Royal Caribbean Poop Cruise Shivers the Industry’s Timbers

Paula Deen’s N-Word Problem Only Tip of Iceberg

My very first consultation on Thursday morning was with Dr. Omunika Tyronenette Shabazz, Vice Director of the Center for Political Correctness here in Washington DC.  The purpose of her visit became clear almost immediately. “Mr. Collins,” she opened as she picked up the heavy, leather upholstered chair positioned to the right of my desk and… Continue reading Paula Deen’s N-Word Problem Only Tip of Iceberg

iPhone 5? Foxconn and Apple Think no Different than J.P. Morgan

Late yesterday afternoon, my last appointment was with Poppy Stackpush, Special Assistant to Tim Cook at Apple, Inc.  Unlike most of my visitors, she had no briefcase, which might be expected, but she also had no computer – not a laptop, notebook nor pad.  Instead, her sole item of professional equipment was an Apple iPhone 5,… Continue reading iPhone 5? Foxconn and Apple Think no Different than J.P. Morgan

Assange, Assad, Manning, Wikileaks, VEPCO, PEPCO – and Nuts

Friday of last week, two million people in the Washington DC metro area lost electrical power.  As I write this, eight days later, half a million still have none.  Oh, and by the way, the temperature every day in between has been around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the ambient, dry-bulb, actual temperature, not including humidity.… Continue reading Assange, Assad, Manning, Wikileaks, VEPCO, PEPCO – and Nuts

Bulls Stampede to Facebook and Get Slaughtered

Around three o’clock yesterday afternoon, my brother-in-law Hank started camping out in my reception area, pleading with Gretchen to find time for a meeting.  That happened at five, when a consultation with the deputy secretary from the Embassy of Mali was abruptly canceled.  “Tom,” Hank stuttered as he rushed in and threw himself on the… Continue reading Bulls Stampede to Facebook and Get Slaughtered