Comment du Jour

Champagne Wishes!!

Champagne Sales Surge in Sluggish Economy



Amazingly champagne sales have surged during 2011 despite the less than effervescent economy. Industry sources say that 192 million bottles of the French bubbly were shipped abroad in the first three quarters of the year, and with the expected holiday season surge, sales could near or top the record 339 million bottles shipped in 2007, the year before the crash.

In 2008 and especially 2009 sales slumped given the global downturn and the fact that producers cut production to protect prices.

Already top French labels are 15% ahead of 2010, a trend which reflects a surge in many luxury products.

Comment du Jour

Merry Christmas!!!

Joyeux Noel!!

Comment du Jour

Christmas in the City

Comment du Jour

Vaclav Havel
1936-2011

The Passing of a Renaissance Man

Author, Playwright, and former President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel has died at age 75. Havel whose career as literary figure and a political dissident in communist Czechoslovakia, presided over the transformation of the former Czechoslovak Socialist Republic’s transition into a sovereign democracy and a free market economy.

His role as a dissident spanned the darkest decades of the old socialist regime. In 1977, he and fellow dissidents supported the “Charter 77” human rights manifesto. During the communist regime, his works and plays were banned and Havel himself was regularly harassed by the security police.

Without question, Havel’s greatest play was the political drama of the Velvet Revolution, the massive people-power protests which rocked Prague the capital and other centers and which finally broke the grip of the ruling communists.

When the Soviet-backed regime collapsed in these epic events of 1989, Havel became President of Czechoslovakia and held the title with a brief interruption until 2003

During President Havel's tenure, the Czech Republic "rejoined history," resumed its place in Central Europe as a prosperous country, and was admitted into the European Union (EU) and NATO.


According to a BBC correspondent,“Within hours of the announcement of his death people began lighting candles and laying flowers at the statue of St. Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square, where Havel addressed huge crowds of demonstrators in November 1989.”

Comment du Jour

Euroland’s Sandbox Battle

The most recent “make or break” Euro summit just finished in Brussels, with yet another pledge by most countries to finally get their fiscal act together. The Euro currency, used by a core of European Union members, but not Britain, continues to be tossed on the waves of profligate government spending, a lack of fiscal discipline, and the growing realization that it’s time to Pay the Piper for the debts.

But when push came to shove at the latest Brussels conference, Britain decided to stay in splendid isolation and not be part of the agreement, thus causing a rhetorical tempest across the English Channel, or more specifically between British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Sarkozy openly snubbed Cameron at the meeting and feathers flew. France’s major national newspaper Le Figaro took a quick poll to assess the situation. “Is the United Kingdom part of Europe?” and found a resounding 82% (of 57,000 readers logging in), saying NON!

The British counter-batteries of Fleet Street fired back. The Daily Mail thundered, “Day PM Put Britain First; Defiant Cameron Stands up to Euro Bullies.” The Daily Telegraph wrote “EU Treaty; David Cameron stands as the lone man of Europe.”

Comment du Jour

Pearl Harbor 1941-2011

A Trans-Pacific view for a moment...


On December 7th 1941, Japan attacked American forces at Pearl Harbor.
The surprise attack on the Hawaiian Islands, crippled the U.S. Navy fleet, stunned the country, and reawakened an isolationist America. Over 2,200 American sailors and airmen were killed that day in the bombings. The USA was now at war.

A decade earlier in 1931 Japan;'s militarists began their dismemberment of China with the move into Manchuria. Then in 1937, Tokyo went for the rest of China.
Free China fought on with the hope of eventual American assistance.

By 1941, Japan had invaded French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies.

And in amazing military coordination after the bombing of the U.S. fleet in Hawaii, the Japanese carried out a series of attacks on Manila, Malaya, and Hong Kong.

It's been 70 years, but Americans should pause and Remember.

Comment du Jour

USA Provides Sugar rush to Europe’s Wobbly Banks

The U.S. Federal Reserve provided an early holiday gift to Europe’s wobbly banks. The sugar rush loan from the Fed stabilized dizzy markets and helped a global stock market surge which happily jumped 500 points in the last day of November.

Still the stabilization loans from six Central Banks can treat the symptoms but not solve the problems.

Paying the piper for Euroland’s profligate social spending will take more than largesse from Uncle Sam across the Atlantic. Massive government spending to sustain an Entitlement State (is welfare state too crude??) will continue to draw down the financial fortunes of Europe. The problem goes well beyond the Greeks. Some big names which come to mind include Italy and Spain. And let’s face it, France and Germany can’t pay all the bills.

And for that matter neither can the USA who is equally saddled with spiraling spending and an albatross of debt which has nearly quadrupled in the past three years.

After a pretty dreary economic autumn, it’s nice to see good economic news, at least for a day. Yet, sadly solving the Eurozone crisis will take much more than an early Christmas gift from the Fed.

Comment du Jour

Thanksgiving--Transatlantique

Le Vin est Bon!!

Thanksgiving is a classic American holiday. It celebrates Giving Thanks for a bountiful harvest and in the larger sense, counting our blessings.

Traditionally Turkey is served; and in our home the Turkey has almost always been accompanied by the Beaujolais Nouveau, the French "young wine" which usually appears in America the third Thursday in November. (This is equally a tradition in Tokyo, Japan too. I fondly and somewhat amusingly recall a Beaujolais Nouveau festival in Japan while visiting in the 1980's).

But anyway...

We have usually made the pilgrimage to Sherry Lehmann at either Madison or now Park Avenue, to first taste, and then purchase the New Wine. Many times we have had the pleasure of meeting Monsieur Franck Duboeuf, son of the owner of the premier producer. He would often "sign a bottle" or two of the vintage for my wife and daughter.

Naturally we have looked forward to the 2011 vintage--and yes, it was really an admirable "young wine," a perfect complement to the American turkey.

Bravo Beaujolais!

Comment du Jour

UN Global Rankings Show Royal Flush

Norway, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States are among the best places to live according to the Human Development Report 2011, the UN’s annual rankings of states based on health, wealth, education and gender rights.

Rounding out the top ten include New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Germany and Sweden.

Has anyone noticed something? Besides all the number crunching and statistics, many of the top ten countries are monarchies. Kingdom of Norway, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lichtestein, and Sweden. Four out of ten.

Now consider that Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are members of the British Commenwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.

The Kingdom of Denmark came in at number 16, while the Kingdom of Belgium is ranked at 18, and Spain at 23. The United Kingdom ranked number 28.

The now landmark Human Development Index sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is in its 21st year, this edition ranking 187 countries.

Comment du jour

Late Autumn in Vermont

It's now November--the Autumn leaves are falling and there's frost on the pumpkins. Despite being cooler and grayer, there are still extraordinary glimpses of color and light seen in the late afternoons.

Here are a few recent scenes from southern Vermont.

Comment du Jour

'Allo-Ween in Paris







While Halloween is one of those Anglo-Saxon holidays which have never really taken hold on the Continent, there's a growing acceptance of this day of ghosts and gobelins here in France. Certainly it's more discreet than one finds in the USA, but still...

Our correspondent in Paris has sent some great photos of a cute Chocolatier on Boulevard St Germain where the delectable sweets evoke what we see on this side of the Atlantic.

Enjoy!

Happy 'Allo-ween!

Comment du Jour

Security Council Musical Chairs

The annual ritual of changing places and players in the UN Security Council was held in New York. Countries aspiring to a two-year term on the fifteen member Council were elected to represent regional groups.

The Eastern European vacancy was contested in a tough three-way race pitting Slovenia, Hungary and Azerbaijan in the running for the coveted seat. The assumption was that Slovenia (A member of the European Union, the Euro currency, and NATO) would win, while Hungary (also in the EU and NATO), could win.

Starting last Friday, going through a tough weekend of lobbying, and seeing a final electoral slugfest Monday, the result was unexpected.

By the sixteenth ballot, Azerbaijan had 116 votes and Slovenia 77. After this inconclusive round, Slovenia withdrew its name and the race was open.

Finally following seventeen ballots to fill the vacancy, Azerbaijan gained the necessary two thirds and won with 155 votes in favor to Slovenia's 13. The former Soviet satrap who joined the UN in 1992, will have its first turn on the Council.

Despite its flawed credentials as an government which is "not free" according to the respected human rights watchdog, Freedom House, Azerbaijan garnered the votes from developing countries, the Islamic world, and Turkish-arm twisting. Starting in January, Azerbaijan shall replace Bosnia on the Council.


Morocco has gained a place as did Guatemala, Pakistan and Togo.

Comment du Jour

The Statue of Liberty--Now There's Another in New York!

The iconic Statue of Liberty has a new sister on New York's Upper East side. The nine foot bronze statue was crafted from the original mold used by artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The replica was purchased by New York real estate mogul Leonard Stern, the son of German immigrants, who saw owning this statue as a way to honor his late father. The statue stands outside Mr. Stern's corporate headquarters on 667 Madison Avenue in the East 60's.

The replica, which weighs one ton, is one of only four copies--and the only one in the USA. Only twelve copies of the statue are allowed by French law.

Both Lady Liberty in the Harbor and the little sister on Madison Avenue celebrate the longstanding Franco/American ties of friendship.

Comment du Jour

Not on the News...but interesting nonetheless!

It's not often that literary figures are quoted in the UN General Assembly. It was a pleasure hearing Portugal's energetic new Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho refer to the great Portuguese writer Luis de Camoes in an address to the assembled delegates.

"Camoes, the Portuguese Poet of the 16th Century maritime discoveries, said that 'the world is made of change,' asuming always new qualities." The Prime Minister stated, "Identifying the World of Change, and its new qualities, is a permanent challenge that we have to face and to which we have to respond."

Camoes remains the Bard of the Portuguese speaking world and chronicled voyages from West Africa to the Far East.

Those voyages brought Portuguese mariners to the Cape Verde islands off West Africa.
Interestingly Cape Verde's Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira Neves, addressing the Assembly added yet another near novel dimension to the UN debate.

"I address you in the Cape Verdian language, Creole of Cape Verde." he said adding, "I believe this is the first time Cape Verdian Creole is used in the United Nations General Assembly."

Given Portugal's 400 year plus association with the Cape Verde islands, the local Creole evolved from the Portuguese and is largely the language of the small population. Prime Minister Neves added, "I do it to share with you this authentic world Heritage, born on the threshold of the fifteenth century, considered by lingustic experts as the oldest Creole of Euro-African origin and the oldest within the Atlantic context"

Portuguese mariners sailed these Atlantic waters en route to the Cape of Good Hope, through to India and beyond to the China coast.

Comment du Jour

3 October

Day of German Unity

The Amazing Freedom Autumn of 1989 brought extraordinary results throughout Middle Europe.

Hungary, Czechoslovalia and East Germany were rocked by peaceful protests for democracy. The moribund communist regimes soon collapsed.

In November 1989, the Joshua Trumpet sounded and the Berlin Wall fell into the dustbin of history.

On October 3rd 1990, Germany was reunited in peace, freedom and liberty.

Who could have dared even imagine, such a surprising and peaceful end of the Soviet empire in Europe?

Thank you Helmut Kohl and Ronald Reagan.

Comment du Jour

Iran President’s UN Rant—Beyond Bizarre!

Even by the politically paranoid standards of his past speeches, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s address to the UN General Assembly, brought the term bizarre to a whole new level. His venomous rant to assembled delegations, accusing those countries “who used the mysterious September 11th incident as a pretext to attack Afghanistan and Iraq,” prompted a walkout by diplomats from the USA as well as twenty-nine delegations, from Canada to the European Union states.

One could pass this off as merely hateful political theatre, a Middle Eastern dictator seeking the limelight in New York, and holding the rostrum before an uneasy audience.

His rambling address exhibited a rhetorical mélange of crackpot theories, mysticism, and tub-thumping hate speech mired in the political pornography of Holocaust denial and September 11th innuendo.

Yet more significantly, his address was notable for what it failed to say. There was only a passing reference to the Palestinians, no mention of the tumultuous Arab Spring political movements which have swept the Middle East from Tunisia to Syria, and perhaps most notably not about the Islamic Republic of Iran’s emerging nuclear weapons capacity.

Why? Tehran-backed terrorist proxies such as Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon oppose the mainstream Palestinian political efforts to achieve statehood. Moreover, the Arab Spring popular protests are buffeting the parapets of the Syrian regime, and it’s not to be forgotten that Tehran and Damascus share cozy political kinship. And as for the nuclear issue, the UN’s IAEA watchdog group openly warns about Tehran’s growing capacity to achieve a nuclear weapons capacity..

Most importantly, the President’s speech laid-down a calculated rhetorical smoke screen to hide the deep internal troubles inside Iran itself, masked a percolating political resistance to his disputed rule, and obscured the popular wider opposition to the Islamic Republic’s rigid theocracy.

Ahmadinjad’s caustic comments spoke of the West’s “sinister goals,” while launching the rhetorical offensive basically blaming the West for just about everything short of an evil alliance with space aliens.

So in what now has become a sordid annual ritual, President Ahmadinejad’s diatribe from the marble rostrum of the UN, looking for legitimacy where he has little, and making baseless accusations, and lifting the debate to the theatre of the absurd does little to solve global crises. Darkness at noon has descended on the proud Persian nation; one can only hope that a new light of Persia will soon again shine.

Comment du Jour

Opening Day! Fuss and Flurry of Diplomacy and New York Traffic

The 66th Annual General Assembly Debate has opened with the usual fuss and flurry of
diplomacy inside the UN HQ and the traffic jams outside. Resolving the Palestinian issue, something which the UN has been working on for over sixty years, assumed center stage with many of the speakers.

Among the main speeches to the 193 member Assembly:

U.S. President Barack Obama--long, lawyerly and lackluster

French President Nicolas Sarkozy--political panache with the rhetorical flourishes the French do so well

King Abdullah II of Jordan--classy

President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea--praises global democratic changes and human rights gains BUT forgets to mention human rights in North Korea??!!

President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine--Bla, Bla, but he has that "Soviet-style look" of the Ukrainian politicos many would rather forget.

Comment du Jour

United Nations Assembly to Open Amid “Shifting Sands,” in Uneasy World

Amid the arrival of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings, the 66th annual session of the UN General Assembly debate will open in New York, September 21st. But the session hardly starts in a celebratory mood as much as a reflection and reappraisal of a series of serious geo-political, financial, and natural jolts which have shaken the world body to the core, most especially the “Arab Spring,” movements of 2011 and a debilitating spate of natural disasters.

To the foreboding backdrop of a global economic upheaval and major political changes in the Middle East, the session’s elected President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser of Qatar, stated perhaps prophetically, “The sands are shifting.” He added that “political protests were upending once-stable governments, and the seemingly unending raft of natural and man-made disasters,” were reshaping the global scene for the 193 member states.

Though the UN General Assembly will plod through its near-static 168 item agenda over the next few months, the real focus of the crucial session comes down to a few key issues; the ongoing and politically evolving Arab Spring, the Global Economic gloom, and the humanitarian challenge of natural disasters from Haiti to the Horn of Africa.

First, the “Arab Spring.” A series of unexpected popular rebellions have rocked the Middle East and North Africa since January. Formerly “stable” autocracies such as Tunisia and Egypt were jolted by protests which toppled the governments. Later similar uprisings spread to Yemen, Libya and Syria. In early January, few would have predicted the revolts in Egypt or Syria or could have imagined that NATO’s military might would be fighting alongside Libyan rebels to oust Colonel Gaddafi.

While the roots and results of each of the revolutions are different, the political bottom line remains the same, a tectonic shift in power and the players in key countries. The overthrow of the pro-American President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, presents a major loss for regional stability. The mob trashing of the Israeli Embassy in Cairo and a Muslim Brotherhood regime waiting in the wings doesn’t bode well for Egypt’s future.

Amid the political surprises in the Arab would comes the peripatetic Palestinian issue before the Assembly. Palestinian authorities are pushing for a formal move to United Nations membership, thus upgrading their longstanding Permanent Observer status. But getting a membership resolution through the 193 member General Assembly is not the challenge, passing the fifteen member Security Council remains the hurdle.

While Washington is certain to veto UN membership of a Palestinian state at this point, Israel in the meantime warns that such a unilateral move to formal Palestinian statehood in an area encompassing the pre-1967 borders, would breach previous agreements to negotiate a two-state solution. Sadly Turkey, has emerged as a vocal proponent of a Palestinian state, thus throwing its longtime friendship with Israel to the wind.

Global Economic turmoil naturally threatens the UN in profoundly different ways. As the world economy remains mired in recession, and as major economic engines of growth such as the United States, Japan and the European Union face not only economic slowdown but more dangerously the albatross of massive debt, the prospects for developing countries sours. The loss of investment, markets and commerce, has been held hostage to the recession. Developing countries are bound by this grim reality.

Natural Disasters are the third issue affecting the new Assembly. Assembly President al-Nasser stressed “We must invest in preparedness, to reduce risk and vulnerability to natural hazards.” He added poignantly, that the ongoing famine in Somalia saw people “facing starvation and humanitarian disaster on an unimaginable scale.”

According to UNICEF officials, the drought in the Horn of Africa remains a “crisis of magnitude not seen in the last decade” with thirteen million affected across the region.
Humanitarian challenges go well beyond Africa to Haiti, Pakistan, and North Korea.

Interestingly Assembly President al-Nasser, coming from the business-friendly Arab Gulf state of Qatar, confronted a lingering problem in the UN itself; “There is no shame in admitting that after six decades, our Organization needs reform,” addressing key issues such as Security Council expansion and alluding to inefficiencies in the UN management system, and the widening challenges to peacekeeping mandates.

The UN system, at 66 years of age, seems well beyond a political mid-life crisis.

Comment du Jour

September 11 2001--September 11 2011

Never Forget!!

Comment du Jour

Apres le Deluge--Vermont Rebuilding After Irene

It's been a week since Tropical Storm Irene slammed into Vermont causing flash flooding and power outages. The storm washed out bridges and roads thus marooning many mountain towns and causing havoc with the electric power grid.

Though not as devastating as the infamous 1927 storm, the Green Mountain State was still stunned by the extent of the damage. Mountain towns like Jamaica, Londonderry (pictured above), Killington, Wardsboro and Wilmington were submerged and cut off. Larger towns like Bennington, Brattleboro and Rutland were disrupted too, as was Woodstock.

Ludlow, near the President Calvin Coolidge homestead, was particularly damaged.

A week later Vermont is on the rebound largely because of the spirit and dedication of Vermonters. Fewer than fifty (50) customers have no power in south/central Vermont. Amazing--compare that with ongoing power outages in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

Here's my very short list of those who really deserve a big thanks for pulling Vermont through this crisis.

Central Vermont Public Service--CVPS--the power company and its crews did an awesome job restoring power.

Vermont State Police--for safety and emergency coordination

Town Road Crews and Dump Truck Drivers--who keep a steady flow of gravel and stones to fill in washed out roads.

VT National Guard--helicopters are a God send in places like Pittsfield and the engineers will fix cut roads.

The well known VERMONT SPIRIT--the can do Individualism, is making the difference!

Comment du Jour

Apres le Deluge--Hurricane Irene Hits Vermont

Hurricane Irene slammed into Vermont with a brutal fury. The storm which had worked its way up the East Coast with major wind and rain and was petering out by the time it reached New England. But in an ugly turn of fate, the tempest, which had been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, lingered over Vermont's mountainous terrain bringing major rains which triggered flash floods and landslides.

Having weathered the storm in southern Vermont, the conditions most of the day were typical of a Noreaster, lots of rain and some wind gusts. By evening the situation changed to continued rain and rolling winds. Ironically while the mountains protected the state from the worst winds, the accumulated rains suddenlly turned streams into raging rivers. Roads were washed out and gashed by the rush of water.

The days after the storm was ironically beatiful. The news not. The Weather Channel and social media were running pictures of hard hit Vermont towns--mostly mountain communities which were slammed by the storm and its rush of flash flooding. Roads were swamped with water or were simply gone; bridges in some cases were washed out, and even major roads such as Route 7, Route 30, and Route 100 in the south of the state were cut and closed in many places. Electric power cuts were widespread but the utility CVPS was amazingly able to restore power quickly in most areas within a day or two.

Towns like Londonderry (pictures above) Ludlow, and Wilmington suffered serious damage, as did scores of other communities throughout the state. Even larger towns like Bennington, Brattleboro, and Rutland were affected. Happily there were few fatalities or injuries.

As I write, VT National Guard helicopters are ferrying food and emergency supplies to isolated towns and cut-off communities.

Vermont is strong and its people resiliant. We express our solidarity with the people of the Green Mountain State.

Comment du Jour

Another Political book...Surprise!

Former French President Jacques Chirac has written the second volume of his Memoirs dealing with his experiences and challenges as President of the Republic between 1995 and 2007. Chirac a longtime friend of the USA, later stirred bitter contoversary with Washington over his vocal opposition to the Iraq war in 2003.

Presently Jacques Chirac is in St. Tropez on the French Rivera doing book signings.

Comment du Jour

Rooftops of Paris

Comment du Jour

Paris--Fountains in the Place de la Concorde facing the Madeleine

Comment du Jour

Bonjour--Ni Hao!!

It's shopping season here in Paris and the Chinese have emerged as the front-runners in the race to spend money on de luxe French products. While American tourists look and gawk, the Italians spend some money, it's the Chinese from the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong who have really become big spenders. Move over Japan.

In the Galleries Lafayette even key announcements are made in Mandarin and Chinese sales assistants abound (as the Japanese did ten years ago!). There are lines to get into trendy boutiques such as Longchamp and it appears that anything expensive is fair game.

The Sinosphere is on the upswing!! Take note! Even in a recession, there's room for deluxe products and glam.

Comment du Jour

Joan of Arc--Protector of France

Located near the Louvre, the guilded statue commemorates the Saint/Protector of France.

A recently refurblished replica of this statue can be found in Philadelphia.

Comment du Jour

Where are We???

Yes, and the question mark also means we were resolving some technical problems....

Comment du Jour

20 July 1969--Remember??

On 20th of July 1969, Americans landed on the Moon. The celebrated Apollo 11
Lunar Program took Americans to the Moon and Neil Armstrong was the first man to Walk on the Lunar landscape!

We all remember where we were that day. I was in Vermont watching the Lunar Landing on a flickering Black and white TV.

Five additional Apollo missions landed on the Moon between 1969 until 1972.


Fast forward to 2011. The manned U.S. Space Program formally ended with the return of the Shuttle Atlantis. Amazingly the USA will now subcontract its manned flight to Russia. Space is no longer taken very seriously by the current Administration which has cut thousands of scientific jobs, slashed Research and Development, and basically conceded the High Frontier to Russia and waiting in the wings China.

Comment du Jour

So Very Close But....

Despite an amazing match in the Finals in Frankfurt, the USA Women lost to Japan.


In a sea-saw game which ended with a 2-2 draw, was finally decided by penalty kicks, as the American team faded fast against a determined Japanese goal defense. The Japanese team scored 3-1 in an aggressive last minute onslaught.

This was the first time a Japanese Women's Team won the FIFA Football World Cup.
Without question, the football victory was a tremendous psychological boost for Japan, a nation which has endured the horrors of an earthquake, Tsunami, and nuclear accident just four months earlier.

So a few weeks of World Cup football in Germany ends with Japan, the United States, Sweden and France as the top teams.

Comment du Jour

Team USA Going to Football Finals

The USA Women's Soccer/football team defeated France in a 3-1 match and shall be going to the Finals in Frankfurt. Amazing play by the American women in the game with France, put Team USA into the running and with a real chance to win the coveted World Cup. Again kudos to Abby Wambach for her awesome play.

Japan equally kept their winning streak going by trouncing Sweden 3-1. The Japanese Women's team has had an amazing run in Germany with a surprising win over the favored home team. Though the USA was among the favorites, Japan was not, and this adds an aura of suspense to the Finals.

It's going to be the USA vs Japan on Sunday--watch this game!

Comment du Jour

USA Beats Brazil—High Drama in Dresden

The USA Women's Soccer Team beat Brazil (2-2) by winning penalty kicks in a high stress and near-miracle victory in the last seconds of the overtime match. In a high drama face off in Dresden leading to the quarterfinals, the U.S. women faced a determined and dogged Brazilian team who was tipped to win. Despite a win over Colombia, Team USA was jolted coming off a loss to Sweden days earlier.

A long see-saw drama was in the cards on the pitch in Dresden. But despite the score and the clock being against them, Abby Wambach saved the day for Team USA despite some less than genuine “injury” antics on the pitch by the Brazilian women.

The FIFA Women’s World cup has produced a string of upsets in the tournament which has been in progress throughout Germany since late June. The U.S. was thrashed by Sweden (2-0), France defeated England in penalty kicks, and favorite Germany was stunningly defeated (1-0) by Japan. So the USA, France, Sweden and Japan go the semifinals. England, Germany, and Brazil are out of the running.

The World Cup Finals are on 17 July.

Comment du Jour

National Palace Museum, Taipei. The 100 celebrates the hundredth year of the founding of the Republic of China. Below, an ad poster for the Mucha Exhibit.



Taipei, Taiwan and the Arts


Though long known and respected for the amazing National Palace Museum, a splendid repository of Chinese Culture and Civilization, Taipei has in recent years become an increasingly international city--one infused with European arts and trends which stand side by side with the ageless Chinese Civilization.

Revisiting the Republic of China on Taiwan, I'm reminded that besides the socio/economic dynamism and prosperity of this East Asian island, there's a thriving arts scene. Again without question, the National Palace Museum is THE PLACE for viewing China's dynastic history which after all, ended just a century ago in 1911.

Put the spectacular and important Bronzes, jades, scrolls and vases aside though for a fleeting moment, there 's also the chance to view important European art.

The famed Czech artist Alphonse Mucha is presently being celebrated at an exhibit
"Art Nouveau and Utopia." Presented in the Library of the National Palace Museum, the exhibit from Prague's Mucha Museum offers over 200 items ranging from posters, paintings and sculpture from the 19th century and early 20th century artist.

While Art Nouveau has long defined Mucha, largely due to his extraordinarily productive time in Paris in the glittering 1890's. His iconic portrait of Gismonda, the play starring Sarah Bernhardt, made this son of Moravia an European sensation.

Still the fact remains that the artist was a keen Slav nationalist who saw his work as a mythical and symbolic call to Czech nationalism despite the rule of the Austrian monarchy. His Slav Epic epiotimized the struggle for freedom and sovereignty. The exhibit's curator Tomoko Sato told the media, "He became a very keen nationalist who worked for the independence of his country."

An independent Czechoslovakia emerged after the carnage of the First World War; interestingly Mucha provided many of the symbols and currency of the new state.

John Mucha the artist's grandson and president of the Prague Mucha Museum told the media, "We want to dynamite, and I deliberately use the word dynamite, the concept that Alphonse was just an Art Nouveau artist." Without question, Alphonse Mucha was a profoundly important and influential Czech nationalist who died in 1939 and who is being introduced to Taipei.

Comment du Jour

Shopping, at Taipei 101!!

Comment du Jour

Euro de Luxe in East Asia

European luxury products abound in East Asia. Taiwan's prosperous economy has been a magnet to high end European de luxe retailers--especially from France. The Taipei 101 building, the second largest tower in the world, hosts a plethora of exclusive stores from Chanel to Dior and Hermes to Longchamp. And for the more traditional tastes, Burberry and Brooks Brothers are just down the hall.

Comment du Jour

Global Growth Sputters; U.S. Engine Losing Steam



Global economic growth continues to sputter, the American economy falters, and chances for recovery are not on the immediate horizon. But while the USA and much of Europe continues to feel the undertow of recession, large economies in Brazil, China, India nonetheless continue to grow.

“After a year of fragile and uneven recovery, global economic growth started to decelerate on a broad front in mid-2010,” warns a United Nations report, adding “The slowdown is expected to continue into 2011 and 2012 as weakness in major developed economies continue to provide a drag on the global recovery.”

The bellwether survey World Economic Situation and Prospects Report, states, “The United States of America has been on the mend from its longest and deepest recession since the Second World War, but had nonetheless been experiencing the weakest recovery pace in history….a full recovery of employment will take at least another four years.”

Economic stagnation in the USA continues. A Wall Street Journal headline reaffirmed the case, “Job Market Loses Momentum.” Job growth in the USA has been anemic despite the massive trillion dollar infusions of stimulus aid. The U.S. has 14 million officially unemployed while the May jobs market added a mere 54,000 jobs. The jobless rate ticked up again hitting 9.1 percent. Moreover lackluster GDP growth of merely 1.8 percent in the first quarter hardly changes the game.

European economies face a mixed report card; Germany saw a strong rebound with 3.4 percent economic expansion in 2010 while France recorded 1.6 percent, and the United Kingdom 1.8 percent. Yet this year the numbers even in the higher growth economies are expected to slip while debt ridden economies in Greece, Ireland and Portugal are still sadly recording negative growth numbers.

Traditionally stubborn unemployment rates in Europe range from 20 percent in Spain, to 10 percent in France and 6.7 percent in Germany. Unemployment in Europe tends to be higher given the benefits which indirectly encourage it, and rigid labor laws which discourage new hiring.

But for the USA to have a longtime unemployment rate along the lines of France is rare and indeed unacceptable.

Comment du Jour

Portuguese Election--

Jose’s No Socrates

Portugal’s ruling Socialist Party (PS) has been defeated in parliamentary elections by a consertative coalition. Despite his auspicious surname, Prime Minister Jose Socrates presided over a moribund economy ironically distinguished only by growth rates in unemployment at 12.6%, and high emigration.

Though Portugal is one of the European Union’s most indebted countries (though not nearly as bad as Greece), the $116 billion debt bailout has been backed by all political parties. Reforms, austerity measures, and belt-tightening will now largely be the responsibility of the conservatives who inherit an albatross minus 2 percent growth rate.

They may also inherit the blame for what will become deeply unpopular measures.
First it’s the task of the center-right Social Democrats and Pedro Passos Coelho, the PSD leader, to build a coalition government with its traditional ally, the conservative People’s party (CDS-PP) to enter the Sao Bento Palace. Then comes the really tough part, governing. Bringing Portugal back to prosperity in a lackluster global economy, and re-starting the export oriented commerce which characterized the country in the 1990’s when the conservatives were in power, will not be easy, but it is certainly essential.
.

Comment du Jour

DSK—Champagne Socialist


The sordid saga of Dominique Strauss Kahn disgraced chief of the International Monetary Fund continues. Allegations that the high-flying money man and presumed heir apparent of the French Socialist Party, sexually assaulted a chambermaid at the posh Sofitel in New York, sadly may be true. Prosecutors have allowed DSK to move from a maximum security facility at Rikers Island, to a decidedly more comfortable house arrest setting in the city’s trendy Tribeca district.

Thus in the course of two weeks, DSK went from the heights of a $3,000 per night suite at the Sofitel, to the depths of Dante’s inferno for the criminal classes, and now to a $50,000 per month Manhattan townhouse.

DSK was the likely standard bearer of the French Socialist Party in next year’s Presidential elections, opposing Nicolas Sarkozy. Now on the fractious Socialist Party side, the field is wide open and the game is about to begin.

In the meantime DSK, the Champagne Socialist, remains under house arrest in his gilded cage of a multi-million dollar townhouse, awaiting trial in New York.

Comment du Jour

Human Rights Council Merry- go-Round


United Nations—It’s one of the traditional Rites of Spring at the United Nations, the election of new members to the Human Rights Council, the 47 member deliberative body viewing and monitoring the pulse of civil and political rights the world over. The full 192 member General Assembly votes for new members within regional groups to serve three year terms. As in the past, most slates presented candidates who went unopposed

Ironically given the composition of some of the Geneva-based Council membership, with countries like China, Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia sitting in judgment of global human rights issues is like having Tony Soprano sit on a Senate sub-committee on organized crime.

Balloting for the Asian Group, though uncontested, saw India, followed by Indonesia, Philippines and Kuwait. Again good for multi-ethnic India, a working sectarian democracy, which despite the still terrible undertow of poverty, has been able to keep its democratic structures.

Originally Syria was going to run for the Asian Group. Yet political backlash to the current crackdown on civilian protesters put the Assad regime out of the running.

The United States, and European countries such as France, Germany and the Netherlands strongly lobbied against Syria’s bid for the council seat.
The prospect of electing Syria, a serial persecutor of its own people, was a political bridge too far even for the majority of the UN General Assembly’s voting members.

In the Eastern European state category, competition became more interesting as three countries ran for two seats. The Czech Republic handily won with 148 votes while Romania gained 131. Georgia however lost with 89 votes, largely due to Russian vigorously lobbying against her candidacy.

For the Western European state category, the two seats were unchallenged and handedly won by Austria and Italy. Bravo, both are good choices as Austria and Italy remain sterling democracies and positive examples of human rights .

The Latin American and Caribbean state selection saw four countries contesting three seats. Chile, Costa Rica and Peru were elected. Nicaragua lost its bid. Given the eroding human rights situation in that country, this poses no great loss.

The newly elected Council members will serve for three years.

In fact, fewer than half of the 47 member council can be characterized as democracies. They nonetheless present another flawed reflection of the world.

Comment du Jour

DSK—Beyond Bizarre

How the mighty have fallen! In what could only be called a bizarre sequence of events, Dominique Strauss Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been arrested in New York, accused of the attempted rape of a hotel maid.

DSK, as he is know universally in France, was one of those global high rollers, the kind of person who was jet setting around the world going to global finance meetings and was slated to be the Socialist candidate in next year’s French Presidential election. Instead DSK has slipped from a $3,000 a night, 28th floor suite in the Sofitel to a holding cell on Rikers Island. Strauss-Kahn originally denied the chambermaid’s allegation, but has since said she agreed to consensual sex.

DSK has, should we say, a well-known reputation for being a womanizer but his recent action has landed the IMF lothario amid New York’s most hardened criminals. While many French are hardly surprised about his recent foibles, most are equally aghast over his high profile handcuffing, sans VIP treatment, and transfer to a tiny cell in one of the USA’s toughest prisons.

Humiliation aside, it’s not clear why this high-profile alleged perpetuator had to be sent to Rikers Island when he could be put under secure house arrest with an ankle bracelet and all the trappings. Sending him to Rikers among the lowest levels of Dante’s inferno for the criminal classes, will only sour Franco/American relations and in the end achieve little.

No matter what the outcome of this sordid case, it’s obvious DSK will not be the Socialist Party’s standard bearer against Nicolas Sarkozy, nor will he be running the IMF.

Beyond DSK's blatant stupidity, criminal malice, and moral-slobbery, there’s a man whose arrogance is yet to be deflated.


**Update
As of Friday 20 May, DSK posted $1 million in bail and was allowed to leave Rikers Island and move into house arrest in a Manhattan apartment where he shall have an ankle bracelet and security. This arrangement evokes the Bernie Madoff melodrama where the financial fraudster was allowed to remain in his Upper East Side apartment awaiting trial.

Comment du Jour

First Man in Space 1961-2011





PHOTO: Spacesuit of Cosmonaut A Leonov circ 1970's and Soviet posters at Bonhams


Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Terrestrial for that matter!
Lost among the surge in media stories covering earth-shattering events from the Arab Spring in the Middle East, to the earthquake/Tsunami hitting Japan, to the terrible floods sweeping parts of the USA, there’s the almost forgotten commemoration of an event, really a saga, which changed the world.

Manned space flight began fifty years ago this Spring. In April 1961, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first man to fly into outer space. Shortly thereafter, Astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off in a Mercury Redstone Rocket the morning of 5 May 1961 to become the first American in space. Contrary to popular lore and legend, Shepard, a New Hampshire native, was first to fly into orbit before the more high-profile flight by John Glenn almost a year later.

As a way to politically decompress from a high stress and pressurized news cycle, I visited New York’s Bonhams Auction Gallery on Madison Avenue to view a fascinating selection of American and Soviet Space related material relating to the Project Mercury and Vostok programs, Project Gemini, and Apollo 11, the flight which brought Americans to the Moon.

A plethora of orbital photography, signed crew photos, trajectory charts and maps, and NASA memorabilia graced the small but focused presentation, brought the writer back to the halcyon days to space travel, from the 1960’s Space Race with the Russians to the 1970’s space cooperation with the Soviets.

Names like Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra came back to memory along with the more familiar Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Pete Conrad, and Buzz Aldrin.

Other Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz and Mir artifacts recalled the extraterrestrial détente between the USA and the Soviet Union in the 1970’s. An actual spacesuit from Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov was on display as well as a number of old Soviet propaganda posters exclaiming “Glory to Cosmonaut Gagarin” and one 1959 poster extolling the success of Sputnik and vaingloriously proclaiming the USSR as the New “Tenth Planet.”

One Earth Orbit Chart from the storied Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, has notations written on the map; sheet one shows the launch site in Florida; sheet two plots an entire earth orbit with the critical “Go or No Go?” inscribed by Buzz Aldrin, and the third sheet shows the earth orbit with the critical command decision, inscribed and signed, “Go for TLI! Buzz Aldrin.”

These Astronauts certainly had the Right Stuff!


.

Comment du Jour

Royal Wedding—Why the World Cares

Why shall Americans across the fruited plain rise in the wee hours of Friday Morning to watch a Royal Wedding in London to see a British family which has thankfully not ruled America for 228 years? Why moreover are Americans, with strong republican (small r ) sentiments as we mostly are, so willingly enchanted and enthralled by the marriage of Prince William (second in line to the Throne) and Kate Middleton?

In a few words: tradition, pomp, ceremony. Let’s face it, the regal portrayal of Britain’s classy monarchical grandeur is still something with near global appeal. The House of Windsor (originally the House of Hanover and later Saxe-Coburg) re-branded with a more John Bull British theme in 1917 during WWI, embodies an enduring legacy of excellence, stability, and tradition.

While naysayers, including a strong a vocal minority in the United Kingdom itself, complain about the Monarchy’s cost, let’s face it, the Windsor Brand is wonderful for tourism, the tabloids, and a kind of national euphoric symbolism.

In a world of often crude showbiz and screen idols, where vulgar ostentatious wealth passes for class, and tawdry bling-bling values dominate the social scene, there’s something very reassuring about the elegance and continuity of the British monarchy.

Ask the obvious question. When Kansas school kids visit London what will be among their first stops? Buckingham Palace to view witness the changing of the guard along with other royal regalia.

Royalty does have a certain gilded “attraction,” even though the British monarchy is subject to strict constitutional constraints and does not have actual power to rule. Perhaps Queen Elizabeth II’s stoic sense of duty and commitment to tradition has reinforced the role of the Royal Family.

The attraction of a Royal Wedding is that of pageantry, history and pure glam; this is nothing new really, and in fact may hit a high water mark as the 24/7 media presents William and Kate’s marriage to well over a billion people worldwide, most of them from Republics.

To be sure there are a number of venerable European monarchies; Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. For example, in Holland, the Royal Palace in the Hague is understated and decidedly low key. But the British Monarchy has managed to control the golden rule of publicity, despite past princely scandals (great for the London tabloids), and faux pas and still present the message as magna magisterial.

Royal Weddings have always been popular. The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana became a global media sensation in 1981, with 750 million TV viewers. The Wedding of Prince Andrew and Sara, Duchess of York in 1986 equally made headlines.

The subject has always captivated Americans at the box office too. In 1951 the movie Royal Wedding with Fred Astaire a big hit. A few years back, the movie The Queen, a portrayal of current Queen Elizabeth II, facing the tragedy of the untimely death of Princess Diana, offered a poignant inside look at the personal side of the Royal Family. Recently the film The King’s Speech presented a very sympathetic portrayal of George VI, the wartime King who was also father of Elizabeth.

But despite being able to choreograph the pomp and ceremony on demand, today’s Britain is a vastly changed and different country that that which George VI inherited at his Coronation in May 1937. Then Britain ruled one quarter of the world’s people including much of Africa, all of India, Burma, Malaya, and the West Indies. That is long past. Among the few reminders remain Bermuda and Gibraltar.

A memorable scene in The King’s Speech shows his Address to the Empire where BBC studios (I presume Portland Place in London) are ready to broadcast to Canada, Kenya, Jamaica, Malaya, etc. Today the BBC through a series of foolish and penny-wise cutbacks have trimmed most of the overseas shortwave services, including important language services to China, former Portuguese Africa, and Russia.

Despite a conservative government (very small c), Prime Minister David Cameron presides over a British economy in the doldrums as the undertow of a social welfare state has crippled the nation and moreover private initiative.

So in a year a trauma, tragedy, tsunami and conflict, the Royal Wedding offers a glimpse of fairy tale majesty, if only for a day.

Comment du Jour

NATO’s Transatlantic Divide Over Libya

As NATO warplanes blast targets throughout Col. Gaddafi’s Libya and enforce a “No Fly Zone” over the North African desert, much of the collateral damage appears to be diplomatic; especially between the USA and the French/British alliance flying most of the missions, as well as much of the Libyan opposition who complains that NATO air strikes are often too little, too late.

The Obama Administration, after indecisive diplomatic dithering, only signed onto the Libyan operation late in the game. The humanitarian compass pointed to protecting civilians in freed eastern Libya from the dictator more than the strategic aim of toppling the longtime tyrant. When the USA joined Britain and France in UN Security Council resolution #1973 passed on St. Patrick’s Day, the balance initially favored the rebels and the imminent overthrow of Gaddafi. A month later, there’s a stalemate on the military game board.

Initially the United States Air Force pounded Libyan air defenses and radar as a prelude to enforce the “No Fly Zone.” Then Washington shifted gears, and turned the operation over to NATO.

While six NATO countries (out of 28 in the Atlantic Alliance) among them the USA, Britain, Belgium, Canada, France, Denmark and Norway are flying sorties over Gaddafi- land, key NATO members Germany and Turkey sit on the sidelines and are politically sniping away. Thus there are divides inside NATO and across the Atlantic too over an unfocused operation in what has become a civil war.

NATO’s leaders call for “a few more aircraft” to fly ramped-up attacks on Gaddafi’s tanks and troops. Everybody is nervous about “boots on the ground,” namely sending in troops, supplies , and advisors, to help the rag-tag Libyan opposition fight more seriously.

It may well come to boots on the ground—and may I make a suggestion? France who is one of the few countries to diplomatically recognize the rebels in Benghazi holds the ultimate card. Beyond a very lethal Air Force, what about the vaunted and legendary French Foreign Legion?

These are troops specifically suited for this terrain, mission, and overall operation. A few battalions of the La Legion Etrangere, will bring a real meaning of “Boots on the ground” and will vanquish Colonel Gaddafi’s fourth-rate army.

Moreover, is this mission really just to protect civilians from Gaddafi or oust the Libyan dictator? NATO needs to be clear on both objectives.

Comment du Jour

Dutch Treat at the Frick

A hauntingly beautiful and important series of Rembrandt drawings are presently on exhibit at New York’s Frick Collection. While many people usually think of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) as the master artist whose oil paintings grace the world’s preeminent galleries, collections, and museums, the Dutch artist was equally admired for his drawings.

Sixty-five works on paper, among them Rembrandt’s drawings and etchings are on exhibit. The works are masterpieces of unparallel precision and form and relate the life and personalities of 17th century Holland. Equally the works of the Rembrandt School, artists such as Samuel van Hoogstraten and Nicolaes Maes, are among the sketches.

Among the most interesting drawings are self portraits of the Master, sketches which gaze at the viewer from the era of Holland’s Golden Age, 350 years ago, and into the present.

Naturally the Frick is known for its wonderful Rembrandt oil paintings—extraordinary pieces collected by American industrialist and philanthropist Henry Clay Frick a century ago. The famed Self-Portrait of 1658, (purchased in 1907 for $225,000), remains among one of the most famous pictures of the Master Rembrandt.

The exhibit Rembrandt and His School is on exhibit at the Frick (1 East 70th Street, New York),until 15 May. The exhibit is supported, among others, by the Netherlands Foundation.

Comment du Jour

President Dedicates New U.S. Mission to UN

In the midst of a busy Manhattan political fundraising schedule, President Barack Obama visited the UN's Eastside neighborhood to officially open the new United States Mission to the UN, a modernistic multi- million dollar edifice.

During the dedication of the Ronald Brown building, named in honor of the Secretary of Commerrce killed in an plane crash while on service, Obama was joined by former President Bill Clinton and current American Ambassador Susan Rice.

The new offices for the US Mission have been operating for a few months, and were rebuilt on the site of the former Mission which stood at First Avenue across from the United Nations.

The former Mission was the diplomatic headquarters of such reknown American Ambassadors as Warren Austin, Adlai Stevenson, George Bush, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Vernon Walters, John Negroponte, among others.

Comment du Jour

Begone Winter....


















HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!

Comment du Jour

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!



Bagpipes swirled, drums boomed, and dancers skipped as thousands of marchers and millions of onlookers celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in New York with a Wearin’ of the Green in this celebration of Irish culture and tradition.

Under beautiful skies and with warm temperatures, the 250th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade made its way down the Queen of Avenues under the patronage of Grand Marshall Mary Higgins Clark, a prolific mystery author, and graduate of Fordham University.

Politicians and celebrities abounded as this is the day when Everybody is Irish.

Starting at the City’s majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the parade route followed the customary Green Line down Fifth Avenue outlined the parade route which was by tradition led by the Fighting 69th Regiment of the New York National Guard. Pipe bands of the Emerald Society of the New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department, and scores of schools, Universities, and Irish County associations were among the marchers. Besides Irish groups, some marchers and bands came from Spain for the event.

The parade honors St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. The first such St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York before the American Revolution.

Comment du Jour

Above/Libya's UN Mission--Petro-Dollar Pride in Midtown


Toppling Libya's Tyrant--France Weighs In


While sea-saw military battles continue across Libya aimed at toppling longtime dictator Col Muammar Gadaffi, the diplomatic stuggle continues apace both in Arab and European capitals as well as the UN.

Importantly France has recognized the rebels.

Over the past few weeks senior Libyan diplomatic officials have defected from the regime and joined the opposition in places from Cairo, to Geneva, and Lisbon. Key Libyan figures have switched sides to the rebels at the United Nations too.

Libya's huge UN Mission on East 48th Street has seen a spate of defections. The twenty plus story building now flies the flag of the monarchy which was toppled in 1969 by Gadaffi's coup d'etat. This is the flag carried into battle by the rebels. The Green Flag of Gadaffi's quaintly titled Libyan Arab Jamahirah still flies at UN complex however.

Comment du Jour

British King Crowned in Hollywood at Oscars


The Kings Speech, an engaging but seemingly improbable British film, was crowned as Best Picture at the Oscars. The Coronation in Hollywood, rather like George VI’s coronation in London in May 1937, seemed unlikely, but then emerged as the perfect choice.

The movie recounts the trials and tribulations of King George VI, who wrestles with a terrible speech impediment, as he is unexpededly thrust into the role of Monarch, following the abdication of his wayward brother, the uncrowned, Edward VIII.

The historic film, whose splendid era costumes and art deco setting recall the golden haze of pre-war Britain, and recount the Monarch who still reigned over one quarter of the world, including India, vast swaths of Africa, and the Caribbean. Importantly George VI the wartime King, ruled over Britain during WWII between 1939-1945.

Colin Firth, won Best Actor for his portrayal of the King. At its annual gala celebration of cinema, the Academy Awards in total awarded four Oscars to this British film.

Comment du Jour

Trading Places/USA Trade Tilts More to Asia


By John J. Metzler


United Nations—American exports surged last year to reach impressive new highs. Despite the recession, over $1.8 trillion dollars in U.S. goods were shipped worldwide. But before anyone thinks about popping the champagne corks to celebrate these new commercial successes, the U.S. Commerce Department also announced a dangerously high $498 billion trade deficit, representing an almost 33% increase which dampens the effervescence of the rebound.

American exports are booming for many reasons. A gradual global economic recovery, the quality of the products, and a weak dollar which makes the items more attractive, are among the reasons.

Trade partners and patterns illustrate so very much about international relations well beyond the business bottom line. East Asia’s growing economic weight brings the region enhanced political clout and global gravity.

As recently as 1990, seven of America’s top fifteen export destinations were European. As one would expect the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain made the list. So too were Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Back then, the People’s Republic of China was number 18.

But fast forward twenty years to 2010. Five European countries (UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium) made the list but new players abound. The “new world trade order” has Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom in the top five. Italy has been supplanted by Singapore.

Now let’s look at America’s imports. In 1990, four European countries (Germany, UK, France and Italy) were among the top fifteen. The top five still included Canada, Japan, Mexico, Germany and Taiwan.

In 2010, European countries made up five of the top fifteen sources of imports But the People’s Republic of China has shoved aside Canada, for first place, so the new top five list reads, China, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

Equally by 2010, China became the world’s second largest economy, pushing Japan into third place.

The China Trade has swamped American markets, devastated industries, and decimated jobs is glaringly obvious. While American businessmen are gloating over a record $92 billion in exports to the Mainland in 2010, the USA imported $365 billion in products from the People’s Republic. Thus Washington’s trade deficit with Beijing hit a dazzlingly dangerous $273 billion and that’s in a recession! Looking at it another way, this is $273 billion sloshing around in China’s coffers gives Beijing the bling to keep up its global raw materials buying binge.

To illustrate how things have changed in less than a generation, tiny but entrepreneurial Singapore (pop 5 million) now has larger two-way trade with the USA than does Italy (pop. 60 million). In today’s world high-tech items seem to surpass fine foods, wines and fashion.

Economic power is tilting towards East Asia and away from traditional West European partners. This allows Asia a growing commercial advantage as well as political weight in the global economic order.

Comment du Jour

New York's Swann Gallery recenty held an auction for Ocean Liner and Transportation Memorabilia. The venue provided an amazing array of photos, posters, and ship related items which recalled a bygone era.

The Transatlanticecho was proud to visit the gallery and be in the midst of Cunard, French Line, North German Lloyd Line, United States Lines and a score of other passenger and merchant shipping companies which are today mostly but a memory.

Comment du Jour

Saving the SS United States


The legendary ocean liner the SS United States has been again spared the wreakers-ball due to the exemplary efforts of dogged and determined historic preservationists. The United States Conservancy, has assumed formal ownership of the rusting vessel, now berthed in Philadelphia. But the legendary liner still faces an uncertain future.

In July 2010, the Conservancy announced a pledge of $5.8 million by Philadelphia philanthropist H. F. "Gerry" Lenfest to purchase and maintain the vessel for twenty months. The Owners Norwegian Cruise Line/Genting Hong Kong entered an exclusive purchase option. The Conservancy has now formally bought the ship.

“We are one big step closer to ensuring that this great symbol of American innovation is permanently preserved,” stated Susan Gibbs, the Conservancy's board president, whose grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the legendary liner.

“Now that we have secured title, we will accelerate our efforts to redevelop the nation's flagship as a multi-purpose waterfront destination with dynamic hotel, retail, educational and museum offerings, “ Ms. Gibbs said.

“This is the first time in the history of the SS United States that a group concerned primarily with the vessel's historical significance and preservation has owned her,” said Dan McSweeney, the Conservancy's Executive Director. Yet he added, “We can't truly say she's saved yet - that will happen when we establish a successful partnership to redevelop the ship--but we can say that we're generating the right momentum to be able to achieve that goal.”

Launched in 1952, the United States was the fastest ocean liner afloat which plied the trans-Atlantic crossing. The flagship of United States Lines, the ship was retired from service in the late 1960’s.

In New York the prestigious Swann Gallery offered a number of historic items and artifacts from the SS United States, as part of an auction of Ocean Liner and Transportation Memorabilia.

For further information log on to the www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org