So the Trump Administration has proposed a $12 billion bailout to help farmers absorb the hit they'll take from the trade wars. But wouldn't it have been easier simply not to have created the need for the bailout in the first place?…
Read MoreBlog
Caption: Statue of Alexander the Great, third century B.C. Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
What makes a great leader?
This past weekend commemorated the birth of Alexander the Great – in 356 B.C. Pella, northern Greece – so I thought I’d offer a meditation on a subject that has often occupied me as a writer and as a manager and that is leadership.
I myself have learned a lot about “leading” from Alexander, who conquered the Persian Empire in 331 B.C. and whom I began reading about when I was a child. But what made him a great leader? What is leadership?…
Read MoreGoing to Helsinki in a handbasket
In the latest chapter of “Helsinki Hath No Fury Like a President Scorned,” President Donald J. “Donnie Two Scoops” Trumpet has doubled-down on his Finnish performance and invited his BFF, Vladimir “Vladdie the Laddie, Rootin’ Tootin’” Putin to the White House.
Oh, sure, some 3-year-old Mexican kid gets locked up in a cage but hey, let team Putin waltz right in. Riddle me this: Who do you think is the bigger threat? …
Read MoreThe blog goddess, an appreciation
Today is said to mark the birthday of Alexander the Great, who has figured prominently on this blog, in my writings and in my life. But that’s not what I want to talk about today.
Today also marks the last day of work for the administrator of this site and my social media – the blog goddess, as it were …
Read MoreTo Helsinki – and back
When Donnie met Vladdie, again
There’s much outrage on the left and even on the right about President Donald J. “Donnie Two Scoops” Trumpet’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir “Vladdie the Laddie, Rootin’, Tootin’” Putin in Helsinki Monday, in which he threw U.S. intelligence under the bus and sided with his BFF. But really at this point why is any of this surprising? What else was he going to say? …
Read MoreMore adventures in publishing: Thrillerfest’s a blast
Jury duty meets speed dating meets “Antiques Roadshow.” That’s Thrillerfest XIII, which runs through Sunday at the Grand Hyatt, a hop, skip and a jump from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
As the name implies, the conference is designed to bring fans, writers, agents, editors, publishers and movie producers of all types of thrillers together for one big thrill fest. This year’s big honoree is George R.R. Martin of “Game of Thrones” fame. Pretty heady stuff.
Me, I was just there to pitch my latest novel …
Read More