I was linked this morning to a disaster-managment site of sorts called Protecting America. Sponsors include Allstate and a host of other insurers and contingency planners, along with several companies like AT&T who probably wouldn't mind receiving a few government bucks to rebuild infrastructure.
The site's front page encourages me to send a pre-scripted letter to my congressman indicating there's just not enough "government and non-profit disaster relief" to go around and that the government should do more. It's the "prompt and caring" thing to do!
Further: "Catastrophe funds, at both the federal and state levels, would provide the backstop necessary for companies to insure against hurricanes and earthquakes in a financially responsible manner that doesn't threaten their solvency or their ability to protect their customers from other potential losses." If the prospect of managing risks threatens your solvency or leaves you unable to protect your customers, why are you in the business of managing risks? Shouldn't you be managing a McDonald's instead?
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Losing Backstreet Boys Cash To The Housing Bubble?
While they aren't selling, condos are still going up all over downtown Orlando, and from what I hear, everywhere else as well:
That the glut of units on the market now will soon be a deluge really isn't news to anyone, but what I do find interesting to note is who might be relying on the assumption that these units will be occupied, and not only that -- additionally assuming the occupants will be able to afford more than their mortgage.
Orlando has little in the way of sophisticated nightlife (if you've never been here, we have a nightclub bearing Paris Hilton's name, and that should say it all), so we were pleasantly surprised to discover The Exchange Lounge downtown, which features a cigar and wine bar upstairs. The space is decorated like an old boys' club, and the bartender indicated the third floor will soon be a champagne room.
Sadly, we were the only patrons in the joint. The bartender said this was a typical state of affairs, but not to be concerned; it'd been opened nine months prior and was funded by Backstreet Boys' manager Lou Pearlman's deep pockets, as is most of the refurbishment of Church Street. Lou firmly believes that once construction is finished on all of these condo buildings downtown, he'll have plenty of patrons.
To Lou's credit, Pearl's -- the steakhouse adjacent which bears a portion of his last name -- appears quite popular. I hope he's right because I rather like this lounge, but I strongly believe his assumptions are flawed.
That the glut of units on the market now will soon be a deluge really isn't news to anyone, but what I do find interesting to note is who might be relying on the assumption that these units will be occupied, and not only that -- additionally assuming the occupants will be able to afford more than their mortgage.
Orlando has little in the way of sophisticated nightlife (if you've never been here, we have a nightclub bearing Paris Hilton's name, and that should say it all), so we were pleasantly surprised to discover The Exchange Lounge downtown, which features a cigar and wine bar upstairs. The space is decorated like an old boys' club, and the bartender indicated the third floor will soon be a champagne room.
Sadly, we were the only patrons in the joint. The bartender said this was a typical state of affairs, but not to be concerned; it'd been opened nine months prior and was funded by Backstreet Boys' manager Lou Pearlman's deep pockets, as is most of the refurbishment of Church Street. Lou firmly believes that once construction is finished on all of these condo buildings downtown, he'll have plenty of patrons.
To Lou's credit, Pearl's -- the steakhouse adjacent which bears a portion of his last name -- appears quite popular. I hope he's right because I rather like this lounge, but I strongly believe his assumptions are flawed.
Friday, August 11, 2006
GM Unveils New Camaro
Now, we just have to wait for GM to unveil the new mullet. They should have a contest among the factory workers.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
A New Airline Stock Play
Can't take your liquids onboard and too busy to wait hours for checked baggage? If you're traveling for business, FedEx your toothpaste, hair gel, and contact lens cleaner to your destination, and expense it.
Might be a stock play there. Cough.
Might be a stock play there. Cough.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Please Tell Me White Owl Cohibas Aren't Next
On August 3rd, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office stripped the Cuban government and its French liaison of rights to the "Havana Club" rum brand name in the US. Bacardi will be imminently relaunching rum under the name.
This was the denouement of a ten-year battle, so perhaps it's coincidental timing to Castro wheezing up a lung or whatever is wrong with him at the moment. But, it's worth noting that Fidel's possibly impending demise could change the economy of the island, perhaps even ending the embargo, and that a few U.S. products might suffer from the competition.
This was the denouement of a ten-year battle, so perhaps it's coincidental timing to Castro wheezing up a lung or whatever is wrong with him at the moment. But, it's worth noting that Fidel's possibly impending demise could change the economy of the island, perhaps even ending the embargo, and that a few U.S. products might suffer from the competition.