The Murdochs Under Fire

Welcome back!
So, if you think the heat wave is getting to you, imagine what it's been like for Rupert and James Murdoch?! The newspaper baron and his son just underwent a scorching few hours of testimony before a British Parliamentary Committee and emerged relatively unscathed. How have the Murdochs and his News Corp. company been handling the crisis so far? In this posting we will take a look and assign a 'grade' to them.
But first allow me to catch up on some personal news....
Joseph T. Whelan, R.I.P.
Laura and I have just returned from Troy, Michigan where we attended the funeral services for my very close friend since our time together at the Kennedy School, Best Man at our wedding, and godfather to our daughter Caroline, Joe Whelan. Following a long struggle with serious health issues, Joe finally succumbed at the age of 56, on July 14th - leaving behind his terrific wife, Kim, and their four beautiful young children. I had the honor of being asked to speak at the visitation service the night before the funeral and I recalled the unique, witty and brilliant Irish-American that Joe was. For any of our mutual friends, if you'd care for a copy of my remarks, drop me a line and I will send it to you. Better yet, say a prayer, raise a glass, or do a good deed in honor of Joe, who did so much for others -notably Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. 
The Murdochs' Lurch from Crisis to Damage Control

Murdochs Face the Music

I was interviewed this week on CTV News Channel on the blossoming crisis facing the Murdochs. I dashed over from Troy MI to Windsor, did the interview at the Windsor CTV station and was back in Troy within the hour. Much has been written and broadcast about the newspaper hacking scandal over in Britain involving News of the World and the journalists there who engaged in shoddy - likely criminal - conduct involving breaking into the voice mails of politicians, celebrities and in one particularly outrageous instance - the voice mail of a young murder victim. Throw in pay-offs to police and cozying up to politicians and the Murdochs have found themselves closing down the highly profitable newspaper and shutting down their efforts to buy the remaining shares in the satellite company BSkyB that they don't already own.
So what did the Murdochs do? Throw the highly profitable News of the World over the side - hoping against hope that they could keep their BSkyB plan alive. Exactly the opposite of what they should have done. They were forced to abandon the BSkyB effort only a few days later anyway and the only result of closing down the admittedly damaged News of the World was to send their share price tumbling worldwide. Hmm....

David Cameron Under Fire

David Cameron Fights Back
Throw in the connection to Prime Minister David Cameron who made the mistake of hiring former editor Andy Coulson who had assured him and the public that he had nothing to do with illegal practices. Finally, he admitted, only this week, that he had made a mistake "with 20/20 hindsight". Ya think? However, after cutting short an African trip he faced down the Opposition during 'Prime Minister's Questions' and comported himself well. So, perhaps, now he has found his footing on the issue, and must hope that it will gradually cool down from the present red-hot fire that threatens to engulf his government.

Parliamentary Grilling and a 'Pie' in the Face
As we coach people to appear before Parliamentary and legislative committees, I was most interested in how the Murdochs and Rebekah Brooks would do when they were brought before the British Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday.
So how did the Murdochs do? James Murdoch held his own - probably saving his job, as he outshone his father - coming across as solid and grounded, when only a few days ago the rumors were rampant that he was to be sacrificed. Rupert started slow and scripted but gradually loosened up. His biggest negative came when he was asked if he accepts responsibility for what happened and he said no - it was those who did these despicable things and the people they report to who should accept the blame. Not exactly classic leadership and the air went out of the balloon for him on that one.
The entire focus shifted, however, when an activist/'comedian' rushed forward with a plate of shaving cream and tried to 'pie' Rupert. In what became the news story, Wendi Deng Murdoch, Rupert's wife, leaped forward and landed a right-handed punch on the wacko [more like a volleyball smackdown than a 'left hook' as one MP later said admiringly]. Sometimes you just get lucky!
The hacking scandal is far from over, and the Murdochs have hired crisis managers in London, New York and Washington to do damage control. Perhaps now, they can begin to get on a solid footing and get this nightmare behind them.

Until next time...stay cool!

The shifting public winds

Welcome back!

I've been fairly busy since my last post. A drive through the bucolic countryside south of London sticks in my mind as an oasis of calm. [Ontario, that is. No volcanic ash near that London......]

The world fell into a recession 18 months ago and while there have been strong signs of recovery in the markets and in many sectors of the economy, employment has lagged the recovery. But something more profound has changed, and that is the public attitude to 'business as usual'. The question is, have the politicians fully understood the implications of this huge shift in attitude? It seems as if the public are ahead of the politicians and even the media when it comes to what they will find acceptable and unacceptable.

Let's take a look at recent events north and south of the 49th parallel as well as across the pond in Europe.

The Winds of Change Sweep Britain
The winds of change (laced with the aforementioned volcanic ash no doubt) were blowing strong against the Brown Government, and though he fought back valiantly - if at time ineptly - clearly the jig was up. For about five days, however, the Prime Minister was like Wylie Coyote...hanging over the edge with his legs churning, not quite believing that the ground had moved out from under him. Fortunately Lib-Dem Leader Nick Clegg came to his senses and ceased his flirtation with Brown, and went where common sense and the seismic shift of the public compelled him to go...to David Cameron's Tories.

Yes Cameron's and Clegg's first joint news conference got uncomfortable momentarily, but that's the nature of all coalitions, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z3W7dp85dY

They handled it well didn't they? Here's hoping their coalition works out. Canada knows all about minority governments. Coalitions? A more exquisite form of torture would be hard to contemplate.


The Winds of Change Sweep America
The Gulf oil spill provides an insightful look into the soul of America in a time of collapsing public trust in corporations and institutions. The sight of the CEOs' finger-pointing testimony was an embarrassment to the art of finger-pointing [which, of course, is the natural domain of politicians.]
http://news.yahoo.com/video/politics-15749652/finger-pointing-at-oil-spill-hearing-19717628

What a lost opportunity to show the public that they get it. That they take responsibility. That their values are in synch with the American public. Instead they sank to the schoolyard where it's always 'the other guy's fault'! Who trained these execs anyway? Of course it gave President Obama a golden opportunity to regain lost ground on the offshore drilling file:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Gulf-Of-Mexico-Oil-Leak-US-President-Barack-Obama-Blasts-BP-And-Demands-Better-Efforts/Article/201005215632189?f=rss

Republicans and Democrats each think they have the direction of the shifting winds figured out. Are they blowing left or right? North or south? The answer? Neither. They are blowing away from politics as usual, scoring cheap points, and the usual 'bread and circuses' thrown their way.

Looking at last night's primary results indicate that the 'outsiders' are pushing aside the traditional 'establishment' figures. The Tea Party-backed Rand Paul won the Republican Senate primary against the Dick Cheney & Mitch McConnell - backed Trey Greyson in Kentucky, while 80 year old ex-Republican Sen. Arlen Specter lost to two-term Rep. Joe Sestak in the Pennsylvania Democrat primary. How much of that was due to the 'turncoat' issue and how much was due to the tidal wave against 'politics as usual' might be argued in that case. However, 'change' is the powerful political brand at this time.

Last week in the West Virginia primary, 14 term Democratic Rep. Allan  Mollahan was the first incumbent Democrat to lose his re-election bid, with many observers saying that his support for the Health Care Reform package was the primary culprit. Perhaps, but with the anti-incumbent mood of the electorate, there may not be too many 'safe' seats out there. However, what is clear is that the Tea Partiers are riding high right now, but they better be prepared to have some solutions to the issues they are championing. That's the thing about the theme of 'change'. Since the global meltdown, the public is holding off on trusting anyone.

The Winds of Change Sweep Canada.
The Harper government has gone through what might otherwise have been an 'annus horribilus'...the Afghan detainee file...the Helena Guergis-Rahim Jaffer soap opera.....issues which don't quite meet the test of 'major issues that I care about deeply'. Regarding that by-now-tired story, the ideal situation to wrap that up is for the RCMP to announce that they are not proceeding with a criminal investigation of Ms. Guergis as there appears to be no basis for it. End of the drama.

The latest issue which has the potential to de-rail Parliament itself is the fight over allowing the Auditor General to audit their books. After seeing what those disasters did to Nova Scotia, as well as the U.K. politicians, it's perhaps understandable that the MPs and Senators don't want to go there. Although, unlike in the U.K. there are probably no taxpayer-subsidized moats to worry about, no doubt there are a few awkward things like flat-panel TVs and portable generators that they may have to worry about.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9016471.html

Beyond Parliament Hill, the public has become engaged on this issue and it makes the politicians look like they have something to hide. So they better jump before they're pushed!

There is hope, however....
For the best example of  how to address big issues in a win-win way, look no further than the deal that was just struck between Greenpeace and the forestry industry. They have agreed on an alliance to protect the boreal forests of Northern Canada (comprising 35% of Canada's land mass), while enabling the industry to continue logging in clearly designated areas. [This felt particularly good as we have worked with the Forestry industry on these and other sustainable forestry issues.] Now why can't other issues be resolved like this?
http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/story.html?id=3042452

By turning the attention to strengthening the Canadian and Global economies (the Harper Government's attack on the  Global Bank Tax idea in the G20 is an excellent example) Prime Minister Harper is gradually strengthening his 'strong leader' image in the 'leadership' polls- in spite of all the negativity. By the way, if it's reflected in higher numbers in the polls, after the G8 and G20 meetings in Canada in June, look to an early election.

To quote Jack Nicholson's Harry Sanford character in 'Something's Gotta Give',  "I have never lied to you. I have always told you some version of the truth." To which Diane Keaton's Erica Barry replies, "the truth doesn't have versions, okay?"

Somebody better tell that to politicians and institutions everywhere....before the winds of change blow them permanently off course from the public!

Until next time........

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to a new year and a new decade. I vote to call it 'twenty-ten' NOT 'two thousand and ten'. How about you? It rolls off the tongue quickly and cleanly, rather than the cumbersome mouthfuls of the past decade's years. I say good riddance to the entire decade while I'm at it.

Just to get last year's unfulfilled New Year's Resolution out of the way first....okay I didn't lose 35 pounds! There I've said it. I had thought that by posting for all to see my goal, then the 'shame incentive' would kick in - forcing me to do it or risk the ridicule of all my faithful readers. Boy was I wrong! The threat of shame only has a limited effect in altering human behavior, after all. So this year, I will merely repeat my goal. Three measly pounds a month. Is that so tough? Uh...yeah. But I'm going to do it anyway. Check this space next year.

Random Thoughts on 2009

The Obama honeymoon is over but.....the relationship may still be saved. The President needs to prove his economic strategy is working and that his health care package is going to deliver on what he promised.

I have to admit I was wrong.. when I said that Sarah Palin leaving the Alaska Governor's office was a mistake. She wrote the best-selling book of the year and has packed venues across the country in her never-ending speaker's tour. Who would have thought it? Although it still does nothing for her experience deficit.

Michael Ignatieff hit the bottom this year but....he may yet recover. He needs to carve out what he and the Liberal Party stand for and connect with voters who still don't know him.

I'm so fed up with.....reality shows. I don't care about Jon or Kate, Octo-mom or Balloon Boy, the Kardashians. [Although I did meet Gene Simmons and was pleasantly surprised at his seriousness as a dad. Go figure!]

The best crisis management of 2009....David Letterman.

The worst crisis management....uh....that would be....Tiger Woods! [Who has got to be very grateful for...Charlie Sheen.]

The greatest musical performance from a political leader.....Stephen Harper...with a little help from his friends. I predict he will have one more showbiz move in him before the year is out!

The best political insider book of 2009.....'The Audacity to Win' by David Plouffe. Strategy, discipline and inclusion beat experience and money.

The most embarrassing new television series involving a failed politician.....former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

The most overplayed mawkish media coverage in 2009....the death of Michael Jackson. A sad life doesn't get any better with such 'de-coupled from reality' coverage by CNN and others.

The movie that proves every 'auteur' director needs a tough producer....Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglorious Basterds'. It started as a gripping, intense movie and flatlined into farce in the second half. Not even good farce.

My favorite song of the year.....'Never Forget You' by the Noisettes.

Most poignant and memorable remembrance and funeral of 2009.....that of Sen. Ted Kennedy. A fine tribute to a larger-than-life individual.

Predictions for 2010

1. There will be no Canadian federal election this year. Spring 2011 instead.

2. President Obama will be forced to fire a senior official or Cabinet Member.

3. Canada will win major gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

4. Conrad Black will have his conviction thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court.

5. Gordon Brown will be replaced by David Cameron as the British Prime Minister.

How do I know these things, you may well ask. Have I ever lied to you before?

Until next time.....Happy New Year!

The Streets of London

Welcome back....

"So how can you tell me you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind." 
 - Ralph McTell


Well since we last got together less than two weeks ago, my travels have taken me to Toronto, Mt. Laurel NJ, Halifax NS, Philadelphia PA and London, England. Certainly not in Barack Obama's or Stephen Harper's league, but nevertheless I've been on the move indeed. In fact, I am off to Vancouver two days from now, so it hasn't stopped yet! I always say that getting on a plane to fly off somewhere to do a seminar is the second worst complaint you can have. The worst being that nobody calls you in the first place! However, I always have a book or two on me, and I think of the flights as time to think and relax. Sometimes it even works.....

Laura and I had one of those great travel experiences when we had a wonderful opportunity to fly over to London and back on a Gulfstream jet. Now that kind of spoils you for commercial travel, but, hey, somebody's gotta do it, right? We arrived at Biggin Hill airport in south London and were whisked through immigration. I had one of those great 'life comes full circle moments' as we pulled up to a stop. It all came back to me, that when we were kids living in RCAF Station Cold Lake Alberta, the school district was called.....the Biggin Hill School District. Who would have thunk it, right?

London was - as always - beautiful, with hardly any rain, and Laura and I did our favorite thing - walking through the winding streets of Mayfair, on our way to and from our three seminars. Although we didn't have a lot of spare time, we savoured every minute of the London experience.

The U.K has been hard hit economically and there is much political jockeying as Prime Minister Gordon Brown tries to catch up with Conservative Leader David Cameron in  public opinion. So far it looks like an impossible task, as he has to call the election by next May. We were there for the Queen's Speech, the British equivalent of the 'Speech from the Throne', written by the PM setting out the government's agenda, but delivered by Her Majesty. Although it seems like an anacronism to Americans and others, it has a certain majesty to it (no pun intended), which at the very least lifts it above the often nasty political discourse of the House of Commons.

President Obama was burnishing his foreign affairs credentials in Japan and China - and in spite of the censorship of the Chinese government - managed to tweak the Communists about their attempts to control free expression in a staged 'town hall' meeting with Chinese 'students'. Good for him!

Prime Minister Harper also made great strides in building his foreign relations experience, this time on his trip to India. Although lots of tsk tsking at home about the political impact on the 1 million South Asian Canadians (perhaps they would be more satisfied if he toured Antarctica?), it was absolutely the right thing to do - given India's rapid economic growth and increasingly global presence. 

So Sarah Palin's Going Rogue, huh? I notice that she is finally doing the kind of media interviews that she should have done during the campaign - Barbara Walters, instead of Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson! By the way I loved that faked-up Fox News item showing clips of huge crowds from the 2008 campaign, presenting them as the audience who are showing up for her book tour speeches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojIOLuS1ZU0&feature=related

So until next time.....may all your travels be smooth...and true....and if you could get on one of those Gulfstreams, go for it!