The Berlin Wall 20 Years Later

It’s hard to believe that it has been twenty years since the wall came tumbling down. I can still see and hear Ronald Reagan yelling at Gorbachov to ‘tear down this wall’. On Nov. 9, 1989 twenty years ago today, East German officials announced a government travel policy that changed the world and within hours, thousands of East Berliners began lining up at checkpoints near the Wall eventually overwhelmed by the masses the guards simply let everyone thru and the party began. Thousands joined arms…celebrated…exchanged hugs…kisses, gifs and flowers…families were rejoined and the world changed.

Peace By Peace
Piece-by-piece the wall began to be torn down…and the childhood fears of the Cold War came with it. Or should I say Peace-by-Peace? All my life up to that point we feared the U.S.S.R and what it represented and what might happen in the event of a full scale War. Within hours a lifetime of fear crumbled.

Who could forget the power in that moment…we have seen very few similar since…here was nearly 45 years of tension dissolved almost overnight. All the fears of the cold war seemed to be lifted…and without a doubt brought freedoms to those on the eastern wall that they may have never imagined or experienced. The world got smarter.

Growing up we saw countless movies, read books and heard stories from our parents, family and friends about the Soviet Union and what could happen. Since World War II millions feared what could be. And all the time in the back of my mind I felt like I would suspect millions of others on the eastern side of that Wall had felt…sharing the same fears…thoughts and trepidations. Now it is important to know that I never felt ill against the people of Eastern Europe…or the Soviet Union…never…it was the potential of what their government could do that I feared. But literally overnight that tension was eased…and eventually throughout the passing years it was nearly erased.

We had the Cold War…Our Kids Have 911
It’s hard to tell my children of this anxiety that the world shared…they have no point of reference. Like Pearl Harbor was to our parents…we had 911. Like the Berlin Wall and Cold War our children have little to compare. Perhaps the growing tensions with Al-Qaeda or maybe even the potential ills with China they can begin to relate. But as a child they didn’t practice hiding under a desk. Remember it was suppose to protect us from falling debris in the event of a bombing. Now I am sure the children of the former Soviet Union had the same fear and participated in the same drills. But my teen age sons can only read of it in a history book.

This is a photo of the Berlin Wall that I took with my cell phone. It resides at the Air force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

Nobel Efforts
We know that Reagan and Gorbachev didn’t actually order the wall to come down but the tensions of the time finally helped it crumble. Gorbachev then allowed democracy to continued to grow throughout Eastern Europe and the rest is history. I read an article today that Reagan stated, “If he (Gorbachev) took down the Wall, he’d win the Nobel Prize.” Gorbachev won the Nobel. Reagan was right.

The late great Ronald Wilson Reagan
I believed then and I believe now that Ronald Reagan rid the world of the Cold War. From his words, policies and the ability to outspend the U.S.S.R at the time moved us to a point where the Wall as a symbol had to come down. I would like to think Eastern Europe is better off since this happened. I would like to believe we could learn from history. I would like to believe that peace could overcome tyranny. There is plenty to learn from history if we choose to pay attention to it.

Sting Shivers with Starbucks

Winter Chill
I just purchased Sting’s new CD titled “If On a Winter’s Night… ” while visiting Starbucks. Let me start by saying I am probably one of Sting’s biggest fans so this review ends in an atypical result. As Sting proclaims this is not a Christmas record rather a Winter Season record that is worth noting…so if you were expecting Christmas songs you won’t find them here.

Haunting Attempt
There are many lullabies played filled with ancient echoes of Celtic and folk style music, which is Stings way of reflecting on the rhythms of his winter past. But the songs carry many odd tensions…almost as if Sting were using a looking glass reflecting back to his childhood listening to Grimmes fairy tales and adding in child’s ghostly fears within the notes. Now don’t get me wrong the execution is solid but it’s simply not enjoyable. Maybe if you were sitting in a church or the setting was different you may be able to enjoy a couple of the songs.

The bottom line is it is not warm…not inspiring…and at times awkward.

Starbuck Shivers
You can certainly appreciate the music but as a whole the album is…dare I say boring. All in all it was a huge disappointment. I don’t recommend it. Save your $12.95 and buy only a single or two if you like a specific tune. ‘Gabriel’s Messages’ and ‘The Hounds of Winter’…a couple of wonderful Sting tunes of earlier days still sound great.

One Star
At best I’d have to give this one star out of four. Perhaps it will sound better when the snow is falling…most winter CD’s usually do…but until that happens this baby will be shelved. Sorry Sting…it is what it is…over thought and strange. Starbucks don’t you listen to these things before you release them in your stores?

Shag

Shag Baby!!!

Ok stay with me here…not that kind of shag.

You have to love Shag art. It’s simplicity, adult messages, human behavior interpretations, pure fun with the sexy, cool, wacky, representations that hits the canvas. Bright colors that shine with hip in your face emotion capture a moment that we either can relate to or wish we could relate to…their just shagadelic.

Bottoms Up
The art of Josh Agle express’ the art of consumption…the art of the seemingly sophisticated consumers exploiting life’s vices to the extreme with flare and sensual exuberance.

Yuppies gone wild in a beatnik kind of way. Retro. Hip. Polynesian. Hula. Vespa. Drinks. Party. Tiki. and always Mod…always with a flare of the 60’s…this is Shag. He makes Elvis and the Rat Pack hipper then they already are! Impossible you scream…but true.

Jo sh-ag le
For those of you that may not already know why Josh Agle is called Shag…his name comes from a play of his very own…Jo “shag” le

It’s his love of simplicity and color that grab you…his wit and joy of sharing humor…and his limitless approaches to tearing down cultures walls and letting us all peak into another life. Essentially giving us a material lifestyle that some want and some envy and at the same time poking fun at the wackiness of it all.

Ripe Vice
Sex, alcohol and mass consumption are common themes. Some pushing the movie ratings above PG13…but all in good taste. Adult friendly…adult themed…as one of his titled books so eloquently explains ‘Shag A to Z: A Children’s Book Unsuitable for Children’. Enough said.

Those Wacky Shriners
But let’s make sure we give kudos to our friend…he certainly knows how to support charity and children alike. Shag has teamed up with Shrine El Bekal a Southern California Shrine Temple to create a set of prints depicting a Shriner Parade to benefit the Shriner Hospitals for Children.

Throw in benefit prints like the Ennis House foundation and you can see how this artist gives back.

I found some great photos of Shag’s studio on www.guillontine.com that are worth a look.

Warhol Would Be Proud
If you think about the rise of Shag you certainly must be impressed. In a mere 12 years since his first gallery. Think about that…not bad. Perhaps he has just struck a chord with designers and art lovers alike. I think he is Warhol like…where he has jumped into the pop culutre of art. Like Andy’s recognition of icons…Shag has become a brand of his own. Not the easiest thing to do in this world.

Play Hard
With success comes a strong work ethic…Shag paints seven days a week. In an interview on modculture.com he said “I have a little notepad where I write ideas down. I seldom sketch ideas until I sit down to do a painting. Though family, friends, acquaintances and fans often suggest ideas to me, these ideas tend to be a little askew from my own perspective & I seldom end up painting things that others have suggested.”

So ride the tide Josh…get out your tiki paraphernalia and celebrate. You deserve it and we deserve your splendor. Keep up the incredible work…it brings great joy to many.

Here are a just a few of my favorites…let me know yours.

What’s New From Shag
Shag gone wild is the only way I can describe his latest gallery…Take a peak at the upcoming November Culver City show.

Boy Grows Cheekbones: Successful Stem Cell Surgery by Cincinnati Children’s

Health Care at It’s Best
All we hear about is the complex and convoluted interpretation of what is wrong in health care…well finally here is a story of what is right in health care.

Reformed Health Care
Instead of health care reform…let’s concentrate on reformed health care that will blow your socks off. This kind of accomplishment can only be done by those who live and breath a commitment and passion focused on one mission…to ‘change the outcome’ for kids health globally. And this one can be chalked up as a medical miracle.

Fat Stem Cells Finally Get A Good Rap…Literally
Remarkable things happen to remarkable human beings.This is a story of such an event. Add to that of the pioneering efforts by countless people at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and you truly have a health care innovation. By combining some of the world’s finest pediatric research and clinical collaboration and the end product is a successful growth of human bone using someone’s very own fat stem cells. You heard me right…they are actually growing human bone within the patients body! Truely remarkable.

Yes this has been done before…but the success rate was not good due to the body rejecting the bone and not regenerating cells to grow healthy strenthened bone.

Brad Guilkey…Thank You
Brad Guilkey is probably one of the bravest 15 year old boys you will ever meet. Here is a young man who has put it all out there for all of those who may have a similar condition. Imagine being 15 and allowing the world to take part in this personal experience.

He allowed another human being to peel back his face…this isn’t a story…he literally had this done…as they inserted his own fat stem cells along with an incredible combination of unique science and surgery to produce his very own bone to grow and build his cheekbones (see video link below).

This is a before (left) and after (right) photo of Brad.

His surgery was in the Spring and the after shots were taken this summer while he goes through the healing process.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME
This isn’t science fiction folks…this is real and not only will it improve Brad’s life…but it will help the lives of MILLIONS. We now for the first time in history can successfully maintain the regeneration and growth of bone inside the human body and restore what many have lost.

Cincinnati Children’s = True Genious
According to Jesse Taylor, MD, a surgeon and researcher in the Division of Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center this innovative procedure improves the options surgeons have for repairing bone deficiencies caused by traumatic injuries.

So for those who have been born with a genetic condition or those who’s fate has been altered due to severe trauma for a serious injury, car accident or perhaps a soldier wounded in service could all benefit from this innovation. Dr. Taylor explained that previous and current methods that are used like borrowing bone from another part of the body, or implanting cadaver bone or something artificial – are reasonable alternatives, but far less than perfect.

Approximately 7 million people in the United States alone have defects in bone continuity.

Island of Excellence
The unique environment at Cincinnati Children’s allows them to literally take years off of complex discoveries with their incredible model of collabrative research and clinical offerings. It’s not novel…but trust me it is truly different. Plan on hearing amazing and mind blowing discoveries that shorten the life of a disease…improve the recovery of chronic health patients…and literally improve the health of our children…all from this ‘island of excellence’ in little old Cincinnati, Ohio.

View ABC News Feature on Brad & Cincinnati Children’s Remarkable Story

Boy Without Cheekbones: Experimental Stem Cell Surgery for Brad Guilkey – ABC News.

(This article was reproduced from sections of Press Releases from CCHMC. Special kudos to Nick Miller and Thomas McCormally and the Media Marketing & Communications team at CCHMC)

‘Perceived’ Value is now (and always has been) ‘Real’ Value ask a true MadMen

Advertising guru Rory Sutherland from a little shop we all know as Ogilvy & Mather has a few things to say about perceived value being just as important to audiences as real value. In other words sports fans…advertising at its best. Old school in a digital world? You betcha.

Let’s be honest shall we…all to often in life we try to make things greater then they actually are…and by doing so we all want and yearn for things we do not have instead of being satisfied with what we do have. What Sutherland does with wit and character is remind each of us that today’s new technologies are simply playing on subjective and intangible values…which in turn allow us to appreciate what is unfamiliar. Simply brilliant.

I don’t think there is a working day that goes by where I don’t pinch myself…smile…and say it’s only advertising or marketing…so don’t get your shorts in a bunch. We are in the job of changing perceptions and impressions which actually do change realities….whether right or wrong.

Once again thanks TEDGlobal2009 for sharing.

Top 20 Movies

25,000 = A Lifetime
If you figure that around 535 movies were produced in 2008 alone…in my lifetime there have probably been roughly 25,000 movies made since 1962. Unbelievable.

And I have no clue how many movies I have watched over my lifetime. Growing up my mother use to always yell at me for sitting in front of the TV…as I grew older I had the luxury of hitting the big screen at the movie theatre…and of course watching some of the finest movies ever produced on tape, broadcast, cable, DVD and now pay per view. Then consider throwing in all of the movies that were produced prior to 1962 and you start to gather the pure insanity of trying to limit ones choices to a ridiculous list of only 20. But I contend I am ridiculous.

And The Oscar Goes To
So I ask you…how do you pick a mere 20 films to represent a lifetime of viewing?

A few days ago I listed about a hundred or so of my favorites…and promised I would try to narrow the list to my top picks of all-time. To truly represent the best you need to look at the whole. The best acting, best scripts, best directors, best cinematograhpy, best music, ect.

While I was compiling my favorites I noticed that the same great actors and directors tended to be in my list of top films. Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Tom Hanks, Steve McQueen, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery, Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Charlton Heston, Kevin Costner, Dustin Hoffman…comedians Bill Murray, Buster Keaton, Michael Keaton all rose to the top. Wyler, Ford, Spielberg, Scorsese, Coen brothers, Gilliam, Hughes, R. Scott, Lucas, Kubrick, Lean, Capra, Lasseter, Cameron, Coppalla, Eastwood and Hitchcock tallied the great directors of films on my list. And as for best actresses K. Hepburn, A. Hepburn, S. Weaver, Close and Grace Kelly all brought their stardom to the screen.

So here you go…disagree if you must (and I’m sure many of you will…which ROCKS!)…but it’s my list and I love these flicks. Some of them may surprise you…some of them surprised me. The list is not in order of my favorite…rather they all are my number one depending on multiple factors.

I’ll probably change my mind tomorrow…but that is what is so great about movies…they always get to take us to another place and another time. Sadly, many of us didn’t get to see these when they first were featured in theatres…but I suspect if we did…we’d have a difficult time arguing one is better than another…for the power of the big screen has no match when you see something for the first time … the first experience…the memory you keep as your own.

1. North By Northwest (1959) – probably one of the best scripts of all time with incredible performances by Cary Grant and the lovely Eva Marie Saint with the perfect spy James Mason.

2. Rope (1948) – Based on the true life story of a couple of young men who felt they could get away with murder for the sport of it all and out smart the world. They ended up in prison and Jimmy Stewart ended up pulling off one of the greatest performances yet to hit the silver screen…he is masterful, as well as, the supporting cast with the brilliant acting and perfect filming of scenes nearly ten minutes in length without any edits…it truly is a masterpiece shot on a single set.

3. Big Country (1958) – A true classic. An all-star cast led by Gregory Peck takes us out west and opens our eyes at the futility of hatred and fighting. A music score that truly is memorable and forgotten genius in directing and cinematography. Thank you William Wyler.

4. Casino Royale (2006) – James Bond at his best. Daniel Craig’s performance allowed us to see Bond like never before…as a diamond in the rough…cold, calculated and vulnerable. It brought back Hollywood of old…taking us around the world with one glorious scene after another.

5. Rocky (1976) – Not only did Rocky fight the great fight…but it was winner of Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing…Rocky captured the hearts of all of America this bi-centennial year. This script was truly outstanding.

6. Roman Holiday (1953) Who didn’t fall in love with Audrey Hepburn? This lovely woman who I believe shared a part of her real self with us in every performance owned the screen. And Mr. Peck once again shared with us all why he truly is one of the greatest. Pure Joy.

7. The Quiet Man This romantic comedy in my opinion is one of John Wayne’s finest films if not his finest. The character, love, wit and dialog are incredible. An Irishman’s dream film. I had the chance to trace the steps of this film when I visited Ireland in 2003…lucky me.

8. King Kong (1933) Countless Thanksgivings watching this film with my family became a tradition I cherished. The special effects for its time where remarkable…loaded with charm, great characters and a story that let beauty kill the beast.

9. Guns of Navarone A cast of truly some of the finest actors ever to capture the screen this World War II epic is fantastic. “By God I’ll use it” Gregory Peck’s finest moment.

10. Rear Window Grace Kelly is mesmerizing…Jimmy Stewart is spot on…it amazes me how Hitchcock lets every frame capture suspense and we rarely ever left the single set featured.

11. Jaws (1975) I saw this film on the big screen the year my family was planning to travel to Florida to see the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. All I remember is walking down to the beach petrified about what ly below the waterline.

12. The General (1926) I could have picked any Buster Keaton film…here is an actor and director who was the original stuntman and understood special effects better then anyone in the history of film. Like Chaplin we always felt for him and rooted for him to rise above what ever he tried to overcome. The true hero.

13. The Great Escape (1963) Steve McQueen’s best performance and like Keaton he performed nearly all his stunts and road a bike better then most motor cross experts. The film based on a true story captured the endearing spirit of freedom. I had the pleasure of meeting and working for one of the men that escaped from that German prison…heroes come in many forms in our world and when you cross their paths you know it and remember it.

14. Lord of the Rings (2001) Glorious fantasy from fabulous literature. New Zealand and the fantasy of another time another place filled with colorful characters filled with honor and purpose.

15. The Wizard of Oz (1939) Childhood memories for adults and kids alike. Some children’s stories just get better on film.

16. Midnight Run (1988) DeNiro and Grodin make an incredible team. A stupid story with fun one liners and terrific acting. Throw in the FBI, the mafia, a few bounty hunters and there you have it.

17. Schindler’s List (1993) The horror of life and death brought into focus as close as any of us will ever come to hell on the screen. If you didn’t cry in this movie you aren’t human.

18. Saving Private Ryan (1998) The first twenty minutes that depict all the stories of War old people in our lives told us and we just smiled with coutesy having no idea what they went through and said wow it must have been rough. We had no idea…and probably still don’t …but they did and they did it for you and I. Hell and it’s fury.

19. The Graduate (1967) Life’s transition from a boy to a man with the wit and realism only Dustin could give to us all. A script that is truly excellent.

20. Papillon (1973) This is my dark horse. And I’m surprised I put it here. The truth is this movie just was…well…damn good.

Good TV, Better TV, Don’t look for it from DIRECTV

DIRECTly Shameful
It has become clear to me that shame in advertising has no home. Or maybe shameful has found a home with DIRECTV. Good TV, Better TV…I don’t think so.

I just witnessed the latest commercial from DIRECTV. If you haven’t seen it yet you’ll certainly be hearing about it sooner than later. The new commercial which aired during the NLCS Playoff game on TBS features actors David Spade and the late great comedian Chris Farley re-enacting the famous scene “fat guy in a little coat”. This of course is one of the most memorable scenes in the movie ‘Tommy Boy’ and perhaps one of Farley’s best comic expressions and memories he has left for endearing fans. Mr. Farley passed away a mere 12 years ago…he deserves more respect then this to be certain.

Come on DIRECTV are you kidding me? Is your creative team that lame that they have to resort to this…do you have so little respect for Farley…his family…and his fans to commercialize this memory.

And David Spade are things that bad that you have to sell yourself…and that of a good friend for the little cash this commercial gives you?

DIRECTV you need to fire your agency of record…and whoever is the ECD of record it’s time for you to consider a new career. Ever think about installing DIRECTV dishes?

DIRECTV you can do better. This is a perfect example of creative gone bad.

(I refuse to show the commercial…it just would reinforce the efforts of a company that I no longer care to support.)

Top 100 Greatest Movies (or so)

Here’s my short list of some of my favorite films that I’ve enjoyed for one reason or another in no particular order. I tried to narrow my list to the ten greatest of all time…but couldn’t do it…so perhaps I need to consider my top 25…stay tuned.

To no surprise these are some of the greatest films ever to make it to the big screen. And a handful of flicks that have never made it to the top 100 list that I enjoy or have made some type of impact on my life or creative thinking. Some are picked from sheer enjoyment…others for incredible acting…some perfect scripts…some fabulous escapes…and some just because they hold a memory in my life. I’m sure I forgot a few of my fav’s…but here you go.

Suspense
North By Northwest
Dial “M” For Murder
Rear Window (1954)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Charade
Rope (1948)
Dog Day Afternoon
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Always Cool Always Great
Oceans 11 (2001)
Oceans 12
Casino Royale (2006)
The Great Escape

Westerns
The Big Country (1958)
Rio Bravo
The Cowboys
3:10 to Yuma (2007)
The Good, Bad and Ugly
Pale Rider
Big Jake
True Grit
For a Few Dollars More
Fist Full of Dollars

Sci-Fi
The Abyss
Predator
Terminator 2
Aliens
Star Wars
Brazil
The Fifth Element

Sports Flicks That Bring a Man to Tears of Joy
Rocky
Major League
Goal
The Natural
Field of Dreams
For The Love of the Game
The Lou Gehrig Story (1956)
The Longest Yard
Slap Shot
Cinderella Man
Raging Bull

Bad Arse Everytime
Walking Tall
Cool Hand Luke
Scarface
Deliverance
Gladiator
Goodfellows
Godfather
Taxi Driver
Millers Crossing
Gran Torino

War Flicks
Schindler’s List
The Guns Of Navarone
12 O’clock High
Sands Of Iwo Jima
The Bridge on the RIver Kwai
The Longest Day
Platoon
Saving Private Ryan
The Green Berets
Patton
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Paths of Glory (1957)

Chick Flicks…What Can I Say I Like These
Roman Holiday (1953)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Across the Universe
As Good As it Gets
Fools Rush In
On Golden Pond
Singing in the Rain (1952)
English Patient
Sabrina (1995)
Moonstruck
The Philadelphia Story
Bend it Like Beckham

Foreign
The Longest Engagement
Motorcycle Diaries
Amelia
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Pans’s Labyrinth
Slumdog Millionaire
The Last Emperor
Das Boot

Action – Got to Love Them
The Rock
The Dark Knight
Batman Returns
King Arthur (2004)
Spiderman
Rambo – First Blood
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
To Russia With Love
Goldfinger
Die Hard
Excalibur
The Transporter
Rundown
Usual Suspects
The Third Man (1949)
Boys of Brazil
Papillon
Cape Fear (1962)
Once Upon a Time in America
Marathon Man

Crying with Laughter – Comedy
Groundhog Day
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Animal House
What About Bob
Life Aquatic
Caddyshack
Stripes
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Monte Python’s- Holy Grail
Mr. Mom
The General – (1926) Buster Keaton
My Cousin Vinny
Wedding Crashers
Tommy Boy

Scarefest
The Shining
Halloween
Jaws
Silence of the Lambs
Haunted Hotel
Misery

No Matter How Many Times I Watch Them I Love Them
The Quiet Man (1952)
The Graduate
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Waking Ned Divine

Movies I Love(d) Watching with my Kids
Zoolander
Dumber & Dumber
Liar Liar
Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971)
Princess Bride
Back to the Future
Parent Trap (1998)
Big
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Toy Story
Lord of the Rings
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The Incredibles
Transformers
Spy Kids

Just Because
Midnight Run
Vertigo
Ronin
Breakfast Club
To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
Laura Croft Tomb Raider
The Mummy (1999)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Jurassic Park
Independence Day
The Rock
Untouchables
Man in a Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

Still Manage to Hold There Own Despite Their Length and Age
Ben Hur (1959)
The Ten Commandments
Lawrence of Arabia
Citizen Kane (1941)
King Kong (1933)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Movies I Liked When Released But Can’t Sit Through Anymore
Dances With Wolves
Fiddler on the Roof
10
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
Titanic (1997)
Highlander

Movies That Were Cool When I was Growing Up
West World
Tora Tora Tora
The Planet of The Apes (1968)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)
Spartacus (1960)
Lost Horizon (1937)
Oliver (1968)
Mighty Joe Young (1949)
Blues Brothers
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Adventures of Tarzan (1935)

Nobel Dreams – Obama’s Fortune

From the Will of Albert Nobel. His Will be Done.
By now we have all heard about President Obama being awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. And whether you believe he was the appropriate nomination or not is for you to judge. Whether Alfred Nobel would agree who could tell. Perhaps the Presidents stance as a pacifist is his largest asset in his nomination.

The will of Albert Nobel designated the criteria for the Peace Prize and allocated one part of his wealth to the cause of Peace. It read as follows ”one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

If you look at the past recipients of the award you see a list of who’s who and who’s that? Presidents, national leaders, distinguish nominations and international groups of esteem all led their names to this honor. The award has been given 96 times to individuals and 23 times to organizations. See the list of all the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Norwegian Rationale…Why the President?
I have my personal opinions on how the Norwegian committee selects their recipients…their criteria and their rationale. As you may already know the Norwegians not the Swiss were granted the honor of selecting the peace nomination by Mr. Nobel “I, the undersigned, Alfred Bernhard Nobel, do hereby, after mature deliberation, declare the following to be my last Will and Testament with respect to such property as may be left by me at the time of my death…that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting. It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be Scandinavian or not.”

What Were They Thinking?
Even though I support the President and his initiatives to rid the world of nuclear weapons I find it hard to justify awarding such an honor to an individual who represents a country that is at war. Not only at war…but also in two wars. Now grant it the President inherited this legacy…understood. But he is also Commander and Chief to a nation that supports nuclear weapons and houses some of the greatest quantities of this technology. No one doubts his vision of HOPE…he has captured the hearts of the world with this simple but poignant message. But I believe that he is somewhat embarrassed by the award. Even the President was humbled and surprised by his selection.

Hope Moves People

Perhaps after the President moves us out of war…which I do not predict will occur in his tenure then he would be a logical winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. I feel that the committee confused hope as a result. Yes…hope is a movement a way of thinking and powerful non-the-less…but words and rhetoric have not proven itself as of yet. I pray it does sooner then later.

Why Not?
So if not the President…then who you may be asking. Perhaps one of the leaders of nations that is at peace…or one of the many social justice organizations throughout the world…or better yet a religious leader. I could give names of people worth this honor who have given everything of themselves and their world to accomplish peace. We all know individuals in our small circles of life that would carry this flag.

King For A Day

If I were king for a day…I’d ask my friends in Norway to consider the following candidates. Disagree if you will…I invite your comments. Now remember the award is for those who have achieved outstanding achievements in peace.

I Am The Greatest

I would have to throw in a vote for Muhammad Ali. What a fighter? Are you nuts Cloonan? I think not. Here is a man that is known throughout the world. A man who turned his back on the US government during the Vietnam War and chose to let his religious belief guide his decision. Controversial? Absolutely. But think about it. Here is a man that has moved millions and inspired tens of millions. Remember Zaire? Well you should. A nation of the poor, abused and neglected by a ruthless dictator found honor, hope, pride and a reason to succeed following Ali and his less then popular antics. Not to mention his iconic world image and his continued support around the world for those disadvantaged and those in need. Remember the Atlanta Olympics…Ali lighting the torch? It moved many. Why? Because of what he stands for and who he is.

Pick an Entertainer.
What are you serious? Yes…I am. There are many who work effortlessly today to make a difference. Look to Audrey Hepburn. Bono. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Sting. John Lennon. They all have put their lives and stardom to use to move social causes and support others larger then themselves. Disagree with me if you will…but I contend they are just as worthy as the President.

The King Of Peace
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. “The pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.”

I mean really it’s Gandhi…give the guy the node every year for the award. People what on earth were you thinking…the man has never won the nomination. Now that is absurd.

10,000,000 SEK’s Wahoooeee! Obama’s Fortune
Not only does the President have good fortune…but he actually is rewarded with fortune. So… I took out my trusty iPod and plugged in 10 million Swedish Krona and thumbed into my currency converter to discover that the President will receive roughly over 1.4 Million US dollars for the award. What could this money do for an organization…hmmm not much really. For an individual? Slightly more of course. For the President…he certainly won’t need it…he’ll be fine after his tenure with books and speaking tours.

So does he keep the money? I suspect he won’t. It would make for great movement to his cause if he donates it to a charity supporting his beliefs; not to mention the political value he’d gain. I know this…if you drop 1.4 million to a researcher of a major healthcare provider you could without a doubt shorten the life cycle of a disease by years. Some things in life are worth more then cash. But only time will tell.

It’s Up to You
So my friends…I ask you…if not President Obama…then who would you nominate?

Vespa Mania

One For The Ages
What is it with this strange little mechanical toy-like form of transportation that has affixed many of us throughout the years? Is it nostalgia? Do we all yearn with envy when we see it in ads for some type of longing or emotional void?

D’Ascanio Meets Enrico Piaggio
Some falling outs produce great results. And as D’Ascanio ruffled his feathers and denied Innocenti the honor of changing history Enrico Piaggio stepped to the plate and combined their genious to please us all.

Is it the quirky little retro design? Perhaps it’s all the unique styles and colors they’ve thrown at us…color palettes that one could contend came from Kitchen Aid mixers.

Our Roman Holiday Lives On
Why is it so loved by Hollywood and artists alike? Do we thank Audrey Hepburn or Shag art for it’s infamous portrayal?

Or is it the fact that the Vespa is so damn practical in it’s very nature? Or maybe it’s the fact that this two-wheeled scooter is simply iconic. How cool is it for a brand to reach those emotional and aspirational heights. Pop culture? Absolutely.

Now I’m not suggesting that this is unusual…rather…it is what it is. It’s not everyday that pop culture and form and function collide quite so wonderfully. And for those who have a passion for fun and a love for dorky cool…the Vespa is one for the books.

Apple Meets Vespa
Ok this may be a long shot. But is it me or has anyone else noticed one icon compared to another…two apples…two logos…two icons…hmmmmm. Absolutely. Some things are meant to be the same. Chi Vespa Baby!!

Vespa’s successful marketing campaign to entice the younger crowd to take part in a forbidden fruit…a little bite never hurt Eve. Well…maybe just a little.