My favorite / least favorite brands

20070612
(answer to the question "What is your favorite brand?" by Interbrand)

Funny. All my top of mind brands are media (France Football, The Economist, BBC) Then I realize there isn't a brand I could put in such a list as yours. I respect many companies and naturally I do have favorites (ie models, authors, designers, cars...), but I'm more interested in the content than the shell, and I don't feel affection for a brand or a label. Even if it does happen (hard to avoid), I don't like the idea of having something writen (nor some logo) on me. I reckon it may have something to do with my being an author. As Roy Disney brilliantly reminded us, brand is for cattle. Being loyal to a brand is being as dumb as a cow. You are loyal to people or things you trust.

PS : be careful : picking faves could be dangerous when working for Interbrand !

20070612
(answer to the question "What is your least favorite brand?" by Interbrand)

That one I can answer a little bit more easily.

Since we're on LinkedIn, I'll start with a shared connection : Hummer.

My hall of shame : Microsoft, Halliburton, Bud, Wal-Mart, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Billy Graham, The Sun (a UK toilet paper brand passing for a newspaper brand), World Wrestling Entertainment, The New York Yankees, The Carlyle Group and the Discovery Institute.

At the risk of infuriating a few contacts, I'll put a slice of Dunkin' Donuts, Taco Bell, A&W Root Beer, Jif et al on top of it (barf bag, anyone ?)

Red Blogule to "Lobby Dick"

Archives 20041013

(discussion with a former Halliburton worker in Iraq, complaining about the way the company behaves)

Taking the money and running, exposing innocents to the consequences of their failures, showing neither remorse nor respect for anyone... no wonder Halliburton picked Lobby Dick as their Prez a few years ago. No wonder the POTUS loves this guy.

Bush & Friends are not only looting Iraq : they're emptying the safes of the Nation. Bush is an expert in transferring public funds to private pockets (remember the Texas Rangers stadium ?).

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to "garbage diplomacy" - Cheney accused in France ?

Archives 20040924 (see blogules 2004)

"Lobby Dick" could very much be convicted for the Halliburton-Technip scandal (corruption in Nigeria during the late 90s). The French prosecutor is considering asking the presidents of all the companies involved (Halliburton's KBR, France's Technip, Italy's Snamprogetti and Japan's JGC) to testify.

John Ashcroft is to meet France's Minister of Justice, Dominique Perben, on september the 30th. The issue will definitely be raised, and one could envision 2 scenarii :
- the clash : nothing is done to prevent Cheney's embarrassing fate
- the last minute deal : we save your campaign, do something for us (ie cancel that heavy fine you set earlier this year for the French regarding the Executive Life scandal - the person who's supposed to pay the most is a close friend to Chirac).

SM on a forum

White Blogule to nickname contests

20040905

Dubya himself found the perfect nickname for Karl Rove : "Turd Blossom". The POTUS knows best how his main counselor makes the fragrance to get him more attractive... Smells like tin can spirit.

For the ex-prez-to-be, I'd suggest "Dear Compassionate Leader". It suits the disinformation campaign conducted about his personality, and that's the way a North Korean dictator could be dubbed.

As far as "The Man Who Sold The War" is concerned (the vice who could become Prez in your worst nightmare), I suggested "Halliburton And The 40 Thieves" last year, but now I'd give "Lobby Dick" a try.

Any suggestions ?

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to BUSH, THE NEW HUGO CHAVEZ

Archives 20040902 (see blogules 2004)

Stop demagogy!

Dubya is using the same tricks as Chavez and could get the same results as his fellow dictator if the American audience doesn't get any wake up call. Soon.Time to remember how inspirational the man can be, but how delusive he actually is.

Time to say "It's democracy, stupid".

Some extracts from his inauguration speech (20010120) :

• . "Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations."
  => A seed of torture upon a wind of shock and awe. What kind of freedom and democracy are you talking about?
• . "America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness."
  => Some still do expect that from you. Along with apologies.
• . "If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most".
  => You're gifted with precognition, man.
• . "We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors".
  => And we will use weapons of mass disinformation, so that our voters are spared the horrors we provoque and even sometimes commit.
• . "The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth."
  => Make no mistake : now all nations despise your arrogance and your betrayal of your own nation's values.
• . "And I can pledge our nation to a goal : when we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side."
  => Yeah. You just drove the damn tank over him. And made sure the damns walls were fully destroyed.
• . "America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected."
  => Thus, we'd value and are expecting your non reelection.
• . "Our public interest depends on private character, on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom."
  => Family bonds it is. Along with honored acts of indecency. The problem is the public interest depends on your very private character.
• . "After the Declaration of Independance was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson : 'We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm ?' Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity. We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another. Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life. This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm."
  => What a quote ! You knew from the start the race was about swift boats and dignity. You just don't fit in, and the Karl Rove directing the storm is no angel. Learn more about duty and service in your public library (I don't think there will be many other books in your own prez library than your faves : "My Pet Goat", the Reverend Moon's autobiography, "An End To Evil" by Richard Pearle and David Frum... and of course The Stubborn Again Christian Handbook...).

Some extracts from Dubya's acceptance speech (20001213) :

• . "Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements"
  => Are the US more divided now than 4 years ago ? Betcha !
• . "I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver."
  => Like seizing Iraq and delivering goodies to old pals ?
• . "Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens".
  => Courtesy might be your middle name, when you let Karl do the dirty job (I love the "Turd Blossom" you use as a nickname for your first counselor).
• . "Together, we will work to make all our public schools excellent, teaching every student of every background and every accent, so that no child is left behind".
  => Taught 'em how to die in Iraq, didn't you ? Why didn't you include your own major (Dodger 101) in your costly tuition program?
• . "Together we will save Social Security and renew its promise of a secure retirement for generations to come."
  => Social Security and secure retirement for all, no former Halliburton CEO should be left behind.
• . "Together we will strengthen Medicare and offer prescription drug coverage to all of our seniors"
  => Too bad daddy let you use all these non-prescription drugs when you were young...
• . "Together we will give Americans the broad, fair and fiscally responsible tax relief they deserve."
  => ... and a jumbo size deficit while you're at it.
• . "Together we'll have a bipartisan foreign policy true to our values and true to our friends, and we will have a military equal to every challenge and superior to every adversary."
  => By "bipartisan", you meant Lookheed and Martin ? Halli and Burton ? Come on ! Gimme a break. But your military surpasses Saddam's, that's for sure. Even in torture.
• . "This is the essence of compassionate conservatism and it will be a foundation of my administration."
  => Compassionate conservatism indeed. Now you and your compadres can leave. Please.
• . "These priorities are not merely Republican concerns or Democratic concerns; they are American responsibilities."
  => Now I get it. You read by mistake Al's acceptance speech.

SM on a forum

White Blogule to the UT Watch - UTIMCO - The Texas chain not only saw but also did the massacre

Archives 20040817 (see blogules 2004)

Praise UT Watch for keeping an eye on UTIMCO* and maybe leading to a few changes.
How about the portfolio ? Enron, Carlyle, KKR... you name it ! Note that Vinso & Elkins didn't blink as UTIMCO lost about $1 bn on Enron in a year : they were working eyes wide shut for that company as well.

Hicks wouldn't have blinked either : he overpaid Dubya for the Rangers years ago, and now funds the Bass family who overpaid Dubya for Harken Oil. There is always someone to pay for their smart moves : here the state university, elsewhere the taxpayers or the boys in the quicksands ot Iraq.

Take some time and see the Texas connection at work through the maze of cross-fundings. Pick up any name you come across and pull the thread.

SM on a forum

* "The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) was formed in March of 1996 by the special efforts of Tom Hicks and Vinson and Elkins. It is contracted by the UT Board of Regents to manage and invest the University's funds."

Red Blogule to the Bush imposture - Bush is neither FDR nor Churchill

Archives 20040605 (see blogules 2004)
FRENCH VERSION PUBLISHED IN "LE FIGARO" (20040606)

France cannot thank the US enough for the 1944 Liberation.

But I cannot accept the indecence of Bush when he dares comparing himself to FDR and Churchill, comparing post-war Iraq and post-war Europe. If a comparison were to be made, 1918-19 would be more suitable than 1944-45. The poor handling of the victory vs Germany shaped the next World War and was key to the rise of Hitler.

As a Frenchman I'm ashamed of the way we humiliated Germany back then with the Versailles treaty, even occupying part of their country and exploiting their natural ressources in key industrial regions (without the help of Halliburton but as boldly).

Among the frustrated, a young wounded Austrian soldier overwhelmed by his own anger. His name : Adolf Hitler.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to Iraqi Inc

20040501 (see blogules 2004)

Rummy is delighted to notice a boom in consumer goods in Iraq. But the fact home appliances and cars are being bought doesn't necessarily mean the Iraqi people are enjoying them.

The truth is there is almost no electricity in the country, even in Baghdad (4 hours per day tops for the luckiest - what is the use of a fridge ?), and while thousands of gallons are being exported every day, people have to stay in line for hours to get some gas at a station. There is a surge in consumption for the people who actually can make money: thieves or corrupted officials. In the meanwhile, the US are protecting as much as they can the exports, making a priority the financing of the war and of SIGHs (Special Interest Groups, Halliburton & Co).

There is no reason why the US should recover the cost of their invasion before the Iraqi people recover their survival means. The priority should be given to the Iraqi people, and the bulk of the exports should first finance their administrations (education, security, first help) and companies. The handover to the Iraqi people is also a matter of wealth.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to "Halliburton and the 40 thieves"

Archives 20031114 (see blogules 2003)

If you're complaining about Bush heading the States, just consider it may be worse :

Cheney President ???

BC04 (the Bush Cheney 2004 ticket) raised fortunes for their campain, yet Dubya may be forced to sideline Dick in favor of a less controversial profile... even if Mr Halliburton and the 40 thieves is bound to stay around the President history will remember as the one who accelerated the decline of the American empire (Shanghai will be XXIst century's NYC).

SM on a forum