One of the things I love about my multi-ethnic Van Nuys neighborhood is the rich variety of authentic foods from around the world prepared by its people. Sure, I can get a Jack in the Box or Carl's burger when I want it (I haven't eaten at McDonald's in decades) but Lordie, the incredible Chinese, Thai, Cuban, Mexican, South American, Armenian, Korean and you-name-it food we have here! It's all just incredible (and fairly cheap, too)! And Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler, Texas BBQ is just a quick bike ride down Sepulveda! If you live in L.A. and haven't tried it then you are missing out on the best BBQ in town (outside of my pal, El Paso Larry James' cooking). Who needs the big corporate food joints for every meal when there are lots of better places to go?

Which is my lead into this story...


From The Independent (UK):

Dire States
Americans are used to resentment of their global dominance. Since the war on Iraq, however, this hostility has begun to hit them where it hurts: in corporate balance sheets. David Usborne reports on the backlash being felt in the boardrooms everywhere from McDonald's and Nike to Microsoft and Coca-Cola

It has not taken long for Americans to realise that the triumphal appearance by President George Bush aboard an aircraft-carrier after the toppling of Saddam Hussein was somewhat premature. Barely a day goes by now without news of another soldier falling to the bullets of hidden snipers. Little attention has been paid, however, to another consequence of the campaign in Iraq. Call it corporate collateral damage. And the victim is Brand America...





_____________________________________________________________