How’s it shaping up for everyone?  Just thought you might want to be asked that again…

The US State Department came out with this dandy little notice for US travelers to the Beijing Olympics – be aware that you will be monitored, your room may be entered, and really without saying it that you are about to visit a totalitarian regime that will pretty much do whatever it wants.

I saw a couple of news articles around this and a post by Jeff Nolan on it, so thought I would join the fray.

I am as big of a China fan as the next free market capitalist and admittedly have yet to visit.  They love our treasuries, we love their stuff, and the middle class boom that giant nation is experiencing is good in many ways.  Although there are some concerns around currency manipulation, environmental damage, and general human rights abuses, China is a what we want it to be – more trading partner than competitive nation state.  We’ll see how that works out for all of us going forward.

The eyes of the world will be on China for the 2008 Summer Olympics and we need to be prepared for what we will see.

Drudge highlighted this story about the US State Department’s warning:

"All hotel rooms and offices are considered to be subject to on-site or remote technical monitoring at all times. Hotel rooms, residences and offices may be accessed at any time without the occupant’s consent or knowledge"

Welcome to China and show off that Olympic spirit while you’re here – we’ll be watching…

This plus blocking live video feeds from Tiananmen Square as well as that little brouhaha in Tibet are the types of things that will get increasing attention as China receives the international focus it wanted by hosting the Olympics.

It will be interesting to see the evolution of a nation steeped in profound history trying to control its re-emergence on the global scene.  Our 250-ish years as a country and awkward role in the world as a lone superpower make us a mere pup compared to the thousands of years of Chinese history and more than one go at being the powerful nation on the block.

It will certainly be interesting to watch.

Maybe a bit harsh but this post on the "8 common lies told by enterprise software sales people" is worth a read.

This has been out for a while but thought it worth sharing if you haven’t seen it. 

http://www.thedailyshow.com/sitewide/video_player/view/default/swf.jhtml

The man who pioneered the smoking gun message looks to have been brought down by his own.  Eliot Sptizer wreaked havoc on Wall Street 5 years ago in the aftermath of equity research conflict of interests securing a massive $1.4 billion settlement from leading investment banks.  He has now admitted what can only be called a cliche of scandals. 

What a pathetic man wallowing in his own hypocrisy. 

Downloaded the newest from Drive By Truckers: Brighter Than Creation’s Dark and enjoying a nice albeit overcast day here in Seattle.  Nice touch of the South comes through with these guys as well as fond memories of my time in Athens, GA.  Good stuff.

This is priceless.  Bob Bauer, Obama’s top lawyer, crashed the Clinton campaign’s press conference call last night and took some shots at the Clinton campaign.  Howard Wolfson was on the other end and did a reasonable job of managing the awkwardness of the situation.  Here’s the link to Politico with the audio.  I have no idea if there is any substance in the complaints and it comes across as bickering between two campaigns in a heated race.  I’m more amused that someone thought it was a good idea to have a lawyer call into a press conference.

I was at the Best Buy in Bellevue today in search of a cable connector thing and have to tell you that after having difficulty trying to find a place to park, I’m not sure there is much economic slow down in my backyard.  That doesn’t mean there isn’t one or it isn’t coming, but I really couldn’t believe the number of cars and people not to mention the same thing going on at its big box cousin next door – The Home Depot.  Of course, I couldn’t tell if folks were shopping with cash or credit…

Say what you will about how great the Patriots are and that they have usurped the ’72 Dolphins in terms of dream seasons but don’t forget they cheat and, like our friend Barry Bonds, deserve an asterisk after this "record season."  Not wanting to talk about it (as I sit here and watch a show about them on CNBC) does not mean it did not happen.  Apologies for being a negative voice, but professional sports is in a seriously sad state.  Just check out the drama around the Seattle Sonics.

Just in case there was any wild speculation out there, I am not at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.  I am, however, open to an invite for next year so if you are headed that way and need a travel partner let me know.  Lots of fanfare around this event for sure (as well as fodder for those that think the world is controlled by a dozen people) but any forum where people can have informed conversation about issues without punditry and talking points (to a degree) is a worthwhile endeavor.  The Aspen Institute is another such forum for informed conversation.

Assuming that in a year’s time I won’t become a rock star, head of state, or sovereign wealth fund manager (yes, aiming low this year), I thought I would pose the same "Davos Question" that attendees can answer and capture on video.   

Before I do, think about what this is all about – world & economic leaders can make a point, have it recorded, and instantly globally distributed via our friends at Google/YouTube in the same way that anybody can record their thoughts and share them with this forum.  A conversation where none was possible before…pretty cool.

I’m not sure that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai (below) ever imagined that he would be doing this.  Proof that YouTube (or any video sharing site for that matter) can be more than an on-line version America’s Funniest Home Videos.

“What one thing do you think that countries, companies or individuals must do to make the world a better place in 2008?”